Chapter 328: Devil Mammon — "Well, Diantha? What Will You Do?"
Mammon scanned Diantha up and down, asking with a wide grin. Both his smile and his gaze carried a rather wicked vibe.
This immediately caught Diantha's attention. After all, besides being the Kalos League Champion, she was also an extremely famous movie star. She had always been hyper-sensitive to the shifting expressions of those around her.
"Mr. Mammon, I've come to negotiate with you in good faith. As long as your demands aren't overly excessive, we are willing to accept them," Diantha said earnestly, taking a quiet, stealthy step back.
As an actress, Diantha was no naive little girl. Sure, the world was generally a beautiful place, but it certainly had its fair share of greedy and lustful people. And in the entertainment industry? The ratio of "lustful" individuals was considerably higher.
Platinum, however, didn't notice this dynamic at all. Right now, she was wearing an incredibly proud smile.
Look at this! This is Mr. Mammon's intimidation factor! Even the Kalos League has to send Champion Diantha to knock on our door and sue for peace! Mr. Mammon is just too amazing! I wonder if I'll ever have this kind of deterrence in the future?
The eldest daughter of the Berlitz family couldn't help but feel a surge of aspiration. To strike fear into an entire regional League with just a name... that was simply too cool!
"Naturally. I believe in your good faith."
Mammon narrowed his eyes slightly. Noting Diantha's little step back, the corners of his mouth ticked up even higher.
"There's no need to be so nervous, Miss Diantha. Our Team Rocket is a proper, upstanding organization. But since your side is showing such sincerity, I do actually have one tiny little request." Mammon spoke slowly, his tone completely relaxed and unhurried.
Honestly, just like he said, as long as the Kalos League didn't actively court death by causing him trouble, Mammon really couldn't be bothered to target them. Given Team Rocket's current massive scale, going out of his way to mess with the Kalos League just felt a bit petty.
There was no need. Absolutely no need. Plus, it just wasn't fun.
In Mammon's eyes, the only "fun" thing to play with in the entire Kalos League was Diantha herself.
"Please, go ahead."
Hearing this, Diantha breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. That's good. This is fine!
"It's like this: I have a bit of a bad habit. I'm used to living a life of luxury, and my biological clock is a mess. So, to be honest, I'm really lacking a maid to take care of me."
Mammon's smile was blindingly piercing right now, causing Diantha's own polite smile to freeze solid on her face.
What does that mean? What does he mean by that? Eh?
Caitlin and Platinum, upon hearing this, had vastly different reactions.
Platinum looked at Mammon's profile with blank confusion.
Caitlin remained entirely expressionless, scanning Diantha up and down before curving her lips into an imperceptible sneer of disdain.
Just an old woman.
As for the "Mammon's maid" business, Caitlin didn't take it to heart. Yeah, after all, every time he visited a new region, Mammon would play this exact game. Kanto's Erika, Hoenn's Courtney, Unova's Elesa, Sinnoh's Cynthia.
Even if, with the exception of Cynthia, the other three went from tending to Mammon's daily needs to tending to Mammon in bed. Shameless hussies.
But so what?
None of them were actual competition. They were just playthings for Mammon's amusement. As for this Diantha, whether she agreed or not, Caitlin didn't really think much of her. At the end of the day, she was just an overhyped older woman with the added buff of being a movie star and a regional Champion. Mammon just happened to have never played with this specific archetype before, which was why he was slightly interested.
"Mr. Mammon, do you mean you want me to find a professional maid for you?" Diantha still tried to struggle a bit.
Even though she fully grasped his implication, she refused to accept it!
Her! The esteemed Kalos Region Champion! The most famous actress in Kalos, a superstar recognized worldwide! Be a maid for Mammon?
And most importantly, did Mammon actually want a maid? He was just blatantly lusting after her body! Diantha was very much unwilling!!
"Does Miss Diantha think I lack the funds to hire a maid? It seems you aren't very sincere after all." Mammon looked at her with a half-smile.
He wasn't even pretending anymore!
Diantha was now trapped in a dilemma, her eyes shifting frantically. What should she do?
Agree? Wasn't that just throwing a Mareep into a Houndoom's den? If she went along today, she'd likely end up stripped bare and pinned to a bed by tonight.
But if she refused? What if Mammon flew into a rage out of humiliation?
I knew I shouldn't have come myself! I should have just sent Malva!
And right while Diantha was caught in her indecision...
"Miss Diantha!!"
A young, pleasantly surprised female voice rang out from nearby. Along with the sound of boots running against the pavement, a tall, curvaceous woman hurried over.
Mammon followed the voice and immediately recognized her.
She wore tight jeans that highlighted her long, shapely legs, a black belt cinched at her waist, and a fitted black-and-red high-collared jacket that perfectly showed off her slender waist.
It was none other than the famous Lumiose Press reporter, Alexa.
"Miss Alexa," Diantha said, somewhat surprised.
"I saw you from afar, Miss Diantha! I can't believe I ran into you here. I'm so lucky!" Alexa's fair, pretty face broke into a friendly smile. For a reporter like her, bumping into a superstar Champion like Diantha was undeniably a stroke of incredible luck.
"It is quite a coincidence." Diantha had crossed paths with Alexa a few times and held a certain amount of goodwill toward the beautiful reporter.
"And these people are? Wait, is this the young lady who defeated Serena yesterday?"
As a reporter, Alexa clearly possessed the traits of a "social terrorist." She looked over Mammon's group with confident, natural ease, her eyes lighting up when they landed on Platinum.
"?" Platinum looked at Alexa oddly, wondering how this woman knew about that.
"Someone posted the video of your battle on the forums yesterday! Though the person filming was probably aiming to record Miss Diantha," Alexa explained.
"To be able to defeat Serena... you are incredibly strong, pretty miss." Alexa was obviously on good terms with Serena and knew exactly how capable the girl was.
"Oh, right, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Alexa, and I work as a journalist." The chatty Alexa flashed a highly infectious smile, properly introducing herself to Mammon's trio.
Seeing Alexa eagerly trying to strike up a friendly conversation with Mammon's group, Diantha was momentarily lost for words.
But Alexa had always been this way. Plus, since she didn't know who Mammon and the others were, it wasn't surprising. Still, Diantha needed to find a way to get Alexa out of here. Mammon's group were not good people, and getting mixed up with them would do Alexa absolutely no favors.
"I know. The star reporter of Lumiose Press, and also the older sister of Santune City Gym Leader, Viola." Mammon's lips curled up slightly.
"Oh? You know a lot about me, handsome." Alexa looked at Mammon curiously.
"After all, a pair of capable and beautiful sisters like you and Miss Viola are quite a rare find." Mammon glanced at Diantha, speaking slowly with a smile, clearly implying something deeper.
Diantha's heart skipped a beat.
"Haha, you're quite the smooth talker! You guys must be from out of town, right? Interested in an interview?" Alexa laughed generously, intrigued by the trio.
Even though they weren't famous faces, their auras screamed that they weren't ordinary people. Especially since this blue-haired girl had defeated Serena yesterday. Alexa was deeply curious. Others might not know, but Alexa knew full well that Serena was an absurdly talented trainer. As it stood, Serena had easily swept all eight Kalos Gym Leaders.
Even the Kalos Elite Four might not necessarily be her match—and Serena was just a rookie!
"Is that appropriate? We're just ordinary folks. Even if we accepted your interview, I doubt it would bring much traffic to your publication," Mammon feigned hesitation. "Thank you very much for the kind offer, but please allow me some time to consider the interview."
"However, I do really like you and Miss Viola. If Miss Diantha agrees, it would be even better," Mammon added with a beaming smile.
What does "If Miss Diantha agrees" mean?
As a top-tier reporter, Alexa's ability to read the room and catch linguistic nuances was undeniably excellent. Hearing this, she astutely sensed that something was off.
"Alexa, I have some urgent matters to discuss with Mr. Mammon. It's a bit inconvenient to have outsiders present." Diantha's expression changed slightly, though her superb acting skills allowed her to readjust in a split second. But the underlying meaning in her words was already crystal clear.
"Got it! I actually have a scheduled interview coming up anyway. I'll see you all next time!" Alexa was very perceptive. She waved goodbye to Diantha and Mammon's group, then walked off at a brisk pace.
Not good! This is really not good! Did I just stumble into something terrifying?
Feeling the stares burning into her back, Alexa bit the bullet and subtly quickened her pace. Alexa, oh Alexa. Why did you just run up the second you saw Miss Diantha? Read the room next time! I just hope I haven't tangled myself up in any trouble.
Alexa was already crying internally. As a journalist highly skilled at reading the room, she had a looming premonition of disaster. Even though she was somewhat famous and her sister was a Gym Leader, for Miss Diantha to act so solemn and explicitly "kick her out," the people opposite her were clearly not the good guys.
Watching Alexa's figure quickly disappear, Diantha's glamorous face darkened.
"Tsk~ Miss Alexa's figure is truly wonderful. What do you think, Miss Diantha?" Mammon unapologetically clicked his tongue, evaluating the recently departed Alexa.
"Mr. Mammon, Alexa is just a reporter. She didn't intentionally interrupt our conversation," Diantha said, her tone heavy.
"What are you saying, Miss Diantha? I haven't done anything to Miss Alexa, have I? I merely complimented her figure. Everyone appreciates beauty, don't they?" Mammon shrugged innocently.
Are you sure? You clearly just set your sights on her! And her sister Viola, too!
Diantha now fully understood the warning words Steven had given her. Mammon might not be a supervillain, but he was definitively not a good person. He was outrageously lustful!
"But I still remember my request from earlier. Since Miss Diantha herself is so unwilling, and I happen to be a kind-hearted person, I won't force you," Mammon said, grinning at her.
Mammon was letting her off the hook, but Diantha couldn't feel even a shred of happiness.
"I'll swap for two other people. How about letting Miss Alexa and Miss Viola take care of my daily needs for the near future? As long as Miss Diantha agrees, Team Rocket will focus purely on developing our own businesses in Kalos."
"When I leave Kalos, I'll return Miss Alexa and Miss Viola to you. And I can guarantee they won't suffer any psychological trauma." Mammon laid this out with agonizing slowness.
Even Diantha was losing her composure now. Great! Just great! This is exactly the kind of ruthless MO I expected from Team Rocket!
Logically speaking, trading the Alexa sisters to the tiger in exchange for a guarantee from the Rocket Boss was an incredibly worthwhile transaction.
But Diantha just couldn't do it!
How could she ever bring herself to ask that of the sisters?
Yes, Mammon said he would return them after he left Kalos, and he even claimed they wouldn't have any psychological trauma. But Diantha didn't believe him—especially that last part. Mammon was absolutely lusting after their bodies, otherwise, why ask for them by name? How could anyone not have psychological trauma after experiencing something like that?
Diantha's expression shifted continuously. As a woman herself, she truly didn't have the heart to throw the sisters to the wolves.
"Mammon, a forced melon isn't sweet," Diantha finally choked out after a long pause.
"It's not sweet, but it quenches the thirst," Mammon replied matter-of-factly.
"Besides, Miss Diantha, you aren't them. How do you know they wouldn't be willing?" Mammon followed up, directing a sunny, radiant smile at her.
Does that even need to be said? How could Alexa and Viola possibly be willing?!
Diantha remained silent, her mind locked in an agonizing struggle.
"Being my maid and taking care of my daily needs isn't necessarily a bad thing. For the two sisters, this might even be the turning point of their lives. Don't you think?" Mammon continued casually.
"Anyway, those are my demands. Miss Diantha, you can give me your answer as soon as you're ready."
"Either you become my maid, or you hand over the Alexa and Viola sisters."
Mammon admired Diantha's anguished expression with immense interest, his tone dripping with sheer malice and mockery.
"Or, you know, all three of you can serve me together. I certainly wouldn't mind."
How should he put it? Watching this Kalos Champion struggle with such indecision was incredibly entertaining. Sacrificing herself versus sacrificing a pair of innocent sisters—that was definitely a torturous dilemma for Diantha.
"Saa~ Miss Diantha. Now tell me... what are you going to choose?"
Hearing this demonic whisper, Diantha's brain turned to total mush. Right now, she had only one thought left in her head.
Why did I try to act tough and negotiate with Mammon myself?! Why didn't I just send Malva??!
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