Grand Foreigner (Chapters 1- 200)

Chapter 90

Focalor understood - with all the clarity and knowledge that only a Demon King could have - that he was definitely up shit creek without a paddle.

Of course, he was supposed to be too dead from Drake's Noble Phantasm to be anywhere near the clusterfuck that he's in right now. But, as he had just now learned, free and easily obtainable cheese are usually ones found in a mousetrap. And in all his effort in trying to avoid any contact with the unknown enemy that could kill a Demon King for good - he was now face to face with that same enemy in the worst possible state to be in. He was bound in place, with his ability to teleport blocked while surrounded by inhumanly powerful opponents. To add insult to a very grievous injury, the enemy didn't even bother giving him the illusion of a chance of escape as he's currently a torn piece of flesh.

Escape, ha... Focalor had a choice to make in the future that might guarantee his continued existence. Not very good choices mind you, but he still had a chance of surviving.

Focalor could act as the faithful servant of his King. Refuse to speak, be horrifically tortured, and in the end die a complete death without rebirth.

Or Focalor might try to bargain for his life.

With all his abilities to scheme and plan, with all his experience as a Demon King, he could see the infinitesimal chance where he could survive. The fact that he had to betray his King to acquire it didn't really bother him that much

Focalor was not traitorous in any way, no, in fact he loved his King very dearly. And it's not like he hated his colleague that much to push them into the mouth of the beast, as it were. No, he had actually enjoyed, and even in some strange sense felt a sense of camaraderie with the rest of the Demon Kings - not that he would admit it to anyone.

But, above all else, Focalor loved himself more.

And therefore, the terribly difficult choice, one that would infringe on his morality, philosophy, self-awareness and the very concept of his existence was made. It only took him about one instant - or even a little less, to come to a decision.

"Don't kill me!" Focalor screamed out, not even giving the unknown enemy time to form a thought, "I'll tell you everything!"

Ainz, who is unknowingly the source of many a Demon King's nightmare, was flabbergasted, - "You will?"

"Yes," Focalor would joyfully nod his head if he had one, but in the absence of it simply put as much joy in his voice as he could express, "But... I need some guarantees."

"You seemed to not understand the situation in which you found yourself..." - the girl who had protected Focalor from Drake's attack, who till that point had kept an extremely irritated expression on her face — thankfully it's not likely to be caused by Focalor's action - took a step forward.

"Cainabel," But before anything could be done to the Demon King, with one word from Cainabel's master, as far as Focalor could guess anyway, was enough to silence her and make her bow her head in fear, "Step back. If I want to know your opinion, I will ask for it."

"I beg your forgiveness, my lord, I had no intention of contradicting your intentions," Cainabel instantly bowed her head in obeisance then took a step away from the Demon King. The man in a magnificent suit standing next to her then threw a mocking smir in the vampire's direction, provoking Cainabel to throw an evil grimace in response. If Focalor had any levity of mind he wouldn't fail to notice the similar atmosphere the two Servants of the unknown enemy are giving off. It was just like how he would interact with some of the other Demon Kings. But the fact that he's currently fully engaging his mind in a death struggle, he didn't notice any of this.