Overlord: Start from the Goblin Lair.

"I have to say, this sounds like they're using us as bait," Ron said with some entanglement, "Your Highness Gracia, this won't do us any good."

"Of course there are benefits. Do you plan to wait until you have completely eliminated the dragon lich before developing your own power? No one will wait for you that long, whether it is other mortals or natural changes," Gracia seemed to have a hint of meaning. "Zugmoi's brain is probably not as good as its. Although it is in a very awkward situation now, it will probably be able to get rid of the pursuit soon and pay attention to your movements again."

"And you are a complete conspiracy: you are the 'food' most likely to help it reach the final step. As long as it swallows you, it won't have to endure such a tormenting situation. So it will definitely choose to continue betting on you to ensure that nothing goes wrong before you are fully 'mature'."

"It has to take this gamble, betting that it can ascend to the throne of God before other beings find it, thereby gaining greater authority and some special benefits."

"Of course, it is undeniable that you will be in great danger in this game, but at least before that, you are very safe. All participants will even give you enough convenience, whether it is someone like me or the lich himself."

"You are only in danger at that point. Before and after that, you will gain a lot of benefits."

The devil's words were suggestive, but soon she started playing hard to get again: "Of course, if you think what the priest of Helm says makes sense, Ron, I can't do anything about it. My power as the Grand Duke of the Devil is not unlimited in Hell, let alone in the material plane. I can't lock you and all the residents of your territory here. If you insist on leaving, I can only watch and can't do anything."

She looked very dissatisfied: "I don't like this, not at all, so I have been trying to get you to sign a contract with me so that I can control you and get greater benefits, but now I'm afraid it's impossible."

"However, don't be too happy too soon. After all, I am just one of many participants in this gamble. I can't do anything if you disappoint me, but what if you disappoint other beings... For example, the demons of the abyss?"

"They don't really care about contracts, and they don't have clean hands. Even if you have a spellcaster like this to protect you, you can't be truly safe. What do you think?"

Ron was silent. The other party was not simply playing tricks. What she said was also the truth. As one of the focuses of the whole incident, Ron could guess which forces were involved. They had now reached a certain degree of alliance. If he did not do what they said, there would be many problems. And although this was extremely dangerous for his side, the necessity was also obvious.

This was not only an open conspiracy against the black dragon lich, but also an open conspiracy against their own side. If they wanted to gain a firm foothold, they had to get rid of the dragon lich first. Compared with it, the other dangers were basically insignificant.

"I have another question," Ron looked at Gracia, "Since it has so many dangers, why would it organize a gambling game spanning centuries? Isn't this exposing itself?"

"It is true that I am exposing myself, but what does it matter?" Gracia smiled. "Neither Purgatory nor the Abyss is a monolithic entity, not to mention Mount Paradise. Yes, I know someone is looking for it, but is that a reason for me to expose it? What's more, I have no way to ensure that I can catch it."

"As long as the price is attractive enough, I can just pretend I didn't see it. It's that simple."

"Then why did you suddenly take action?"

"Because I see chaos," Gracia showed her two rows of white teeth, "and order is the best weapon to steal results from chaos."

"Besides, this guy gave me a bad check. Before, I could only hope to get it to my side to cash it. Now, I'm going to get it myself. It's not easy, but I have some plans."

"There is an advantage to doing this," she drank the red wine in the glass in an unnoble manner, "My father seems to be quite confident in the threshold he set, this is my chance to challenge him." Gracia was not afraid to openly speak out her ambitions for the Lord of the Nine Hells, this was no secret, she jumped off the chair and looked at Ron and others: "Well, I have said everything I should say, I still have some other matters to deal with, are you going to go back by yourselves? Or do you need me to take you there?"

Ron and his companions, exhausted from the successive battles, naturally would not miss this good opportunity to hitchhike. At least for the time being, the other party had no ill will towards them, and she would not bother to engage in any conspiracy in this regard. Ron readily agreed to Gracia's invitation. After simple preparations, as the flames around the fire rose and dissipated, everyone returned to their familiar territory again.

An old banyan tree stands tall, and a huge dragon skeleton has merged with it in a tragic posture. From here, you can see the Gnoll Canyon and the tall tower where the Exuri live in the town of New Green Swamp in the distance.

"Well, the location is just right," Gracia nodded with satisfaction, and her figure disappeared in an instant. "I won't get close to your small territory. The plan has reached the final stage, and any mistake will cause the risk of changes."

"It looks like we have to go back on our own," Ron looked at the huge dragon skeleton and shook his head, "but before that, we have one more thing to do."

He turned his gaze to the two men, Mindatis and Saran, who were tied to the ground and brought back. He would never forget these two guys. Now that the crisis was temporarily resolved, it was time to complete the final finishing work.

"No, you can't kill me, Ron!" Mindatis screamed in panic. He saw a cloud of gray mist rising from Ron's hand. The trembling feeling from the bottom of his heart made him extremely frightened. "My master...it won't give up!"

"Shut up, Mindatis. At least act like a man before you die this time." Saran Lane was much calmer. He looked at Ron with hatred in his eyes. "Ron, I must admit that you defeated me again. I never expected this."

"I will not beg for my life. I am already dead, and if you fall into my hands, I will not let you go. But at least, listen to what I have to say."

"What?" Ron's hand, which was shrouded in gray mist, fell on Mindatis' head without hesitation. The unlucky guy's body, which looked like neither a dragon nor a human, quickly shrank. As a vague figure disappeared from his body, Ron confirmed that there was no possibility of the other party's resurrection.

"Regarding the gems on the amethyst slab, you seem to be missing one. I'm afraid Lady Gillianis doesn't know its whereabouts." Saran looked at Ron's palm, which was only a few centimeters away from her head, and shrank her neck slightly.

It is one thing to say that you are not afraid, but it is another thing to really not be afraid.

"Go on." Ron pressed his palm down a little. To him now, those gems were just icing on the cake. Even if one was missing, it would not have much impact on the situation.

"I traded that gem to a family in Yungang in exchange for some support," Saran slowly closed his eyes, waiting for the destined end, "If they hadn't sold it again, it should still be in the hands of that family."

"You can choose to spare my life, and I can help you—"

Before Saran finished speaking, Ron's palm had already fallen, and the gray mist brought his body and mind to death. Ron looked at the body that fell in front of him again and snorted softly.

"No need to go to so much trouble, Yungang, I still know a few people." (End of this chapter)