“I was wondering why the demons suddenly changed their attitude toward me.” Bernard said with a frown. “As soon as I murdered their prince, they somehow started treating me as their prince. Naturally, I was confused, and it took me some time before I decided to play along. I’m glad I did, as it brought me here to this room.”

I nodded thoughtfully. “You’ve absorbed the Demon Prince’s miasma? This is a good thing.”

“Oh?” He cocked his head.

“Getting into the demon castle and getting past the Demon King would be very simple if he sees you as his son. We might be able to get through without fighting him at all!”

“And?” Bernard raised an eyebrow. “This is a competition. Each man is on his own. Just because I lucked out and have a one-way ticket to the exit doesn’t mean I need to share it with you!”

I blinked at his words. I had forgotten that. I was here more or less as a prisoner. My only reward was survival. However, for everyone else here, even Carmine, this was still the final selection for the gladiator match. Whoever made it through the portal was the winner.

“If you help us get through, then there is no problem,” I responded carefully. “We have no desire to win at this point. We just want to get out with our lives. As for those awards, you can have them.”

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I did have a use for the dwarf girl, and I had even been asked by the head of the church to protect her, but that was before many things happened. I had always considered finding and rescuing her as a secondary mission. We weren’t close, and it had been many months since I had last seen her. I seemed to recall that she was a bit irritating.

“In that case, I’ll be happy to help,” Bernard said.

I breathed out a sigh of relief. “Good.”

“I will help the princess and free her from your treachery! As for you, Deek Deekson, I will see you in hell!” He pulled out his sword.

“Huh? Why is that?” I asked in a startled voice, but just to be careful, I pulled mine out as well and got into a protective stance in front of Carmine.

“Hehe… you don’t get it? The princess and I were meant to be together!”

“The miasma!” I hissed. “Look, Bernard, you’re not the Demon Prince for real! You don’t need to follow what this dungeon tells you to do!”

“The only thing I’m following is my heart!”

“No, you have the Demon Prince’s karma, and she has the princess’s karma. At this point in the story, you two are supposed to fall in love and be together.” A flash of realization struck me, and I grabbed Carmine’s arm.

“You… you mustn’t let the karma affect your heart.”

She teared up while looking at me. “I’m sorry. Master… it’s too late! The karma has already done the deed. I can’t stop revealing my true feelings!”

She slapped her hands over her mouth as if trying to keep herself from saying any more. So, it was true. She was now in love with Bernard. Anger started to surge in me once again. There was one thing I wouldn’t stand for. No one would take my woman from me!

“You heard her! Now, get out of the way and let our love ring true!”

Bernard attacked.