In truth, purely in terms of control over Mana, I was superior to Mephistopheles.
If I exploited that advantage, I could eventually force my way through interference like this.
Even so, the reason I was trying to resolve this through a deal was because the phrase “protecting my well-being” could be interpreted in far too many different ways.
‘At this rate, she’ll interfere like crazy even after I enter Hell. That bastard is insanely smart.’
Would entering Hell mean she could no longer use my well-being as an excuse?
Absolutely not, as far as I was concerned.
If a proposition like, I’m helping preserve as much of his Mana as possible for his own safety, managed to satisfy the rules of the ancient magic, Mephistopheles could even interfere when I tried to help the Inquisitor or Commandment.
Because helping them and preserving my own well-being could, from one point of view, be considered entirely separate matters.
[Ha. You think I’m going to agree to a deal?]
That was why I attempted compromise first, only for Mephistopheles to snort at my question.
As though the negotiation were a hundred million light-years removed from anything she cared about.
As though she were merely a bystander with nothing at all to gain from the agreement.
[Now that things have come this far, I’d rather watch you lose something precious and scream than preserve my own miserable life.]
But regardless of what attitude Mephistopheles took right now, she would have no choice but to…