The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 743: “Come to the Grove Tonight.”

Shien, carrying Lilith, walked out of the conference room, unaware of the importance of the conversation taking place inside. He simply walked along, finally having a chance to ask Lilith various questions.

“Did you land in the Poison Demon’s territory when the passage collapsed?”

“And then you fought with that Poison Demon?”

“I heard you fought for a whole day and night. Are you alright?”

“If you were wronged, tell me. Daddy… I mean, big brother, will avenge you.”

Shien bombarded Lilith with questions.

Lilith didn’t seem annoyed, even smiling, only replying with “Mm-hmm,” but Shien could understand her answers from her eyes and expression.

“So you were indeed poisoned during the fight with the Poison Demon and spent several days dispelling the toxins with your power?”

“Mm-hmm!”

“Are you alright now?” “Mm!”

“That’s good.”

“Hee hee.”

Seeing Lilith’s increasingly cheerful expression, Shien was relieved, but he also sighed inwardly.

“That Poison Demon’s poison is truly dangerous. Even Lilith was poisoned and took several days to dispel the toxins. If she used that on me, even with the Holy Sword and the blessing’s protection, I might not be unscathed.”

As expected of a true Transcendent Level being, a Demon Lord capable of suppressing even the Goddess of Life and the Goddess of Nature combined.

“I still have a long way to go before I can truly stand on equal footing with them.”

Then, Shien felt a tug on his collar and looked down.

Lilith was staring at him with her big, watery eyes, her feelings conveyed without words.

Shien understood.

“Alright, alright, with you here, I don’t have to be afraid of them, right?” He pinched her little nose.

“Hee hee.” Lilith giggled, not annoyed at all.

Her complete lack of resistance, her unwavering obedience and affection towards his every action, truly touched Shien.

“You’re the best,” he said, feeling the urge to have a daughter in the future. He hoped Lilith wouldn’t compete with his future daughter for his affection.

Lost in these thoughts, he reached a spacious hall.

Hartley was waiting there.

“Master Shien,” she said, bowing slightly upon seeing him.

“So you’re here.”

Shien wasn’t averse to seeing Hartley. Although this Limit Level demon executive had surrounded him in the Imperial Capital, she was more restrained than the other arrogant executives, not attacking him and even retreating in the end. He had been surprised by this back then.

As a Limit Level being, a demon known for her power, Hartley’s strength was likely among the top in Omnipotence. Excluding Transcendent Level beings, she might even be the strongest. Shien didn’t think she would retreat just because of his title as the Hero and the Holy Sword’s power. And if she hadn’t retreated at that time, even he, without using the Holy Sword or [Samsara of Heaven’s Decree] to enhance his strength, wouldn’t have easily defeated her.

Therefore, he had a good impression of this powerful yet sensible Limit Level expert. Moreover, Hartley didn’t seem hostile, even humbling herself slightly, so Shien naturally wouldn’t give her a cold shoulder.

He smiled at her.

“You’re waiting for your masters, right?” he asked, “Their meeting hasn’t ended yet.”

Shien stepped aside, making way for her.

But Hartley’s gaze followed him.

“Do you have no other business today, Master Shien?” she asked.

“Me?” Shien was slightly surprised, but still replied, “Not exactly free, but nothing urgent.”

Having confirmed his engagement with Airi and reunited with Lilith, his next task was to wait for the Demon Lords’ meeting to end, then meet with Airi and ask about Yulin’s situation. According to Shafney, Yulin was the luckiest among them, landing in the Dragon Demon Territory after the passage collapsed and being taken in by Airi. Therefore, Yulin should be with Airi, perhaps even having come here with her. Shien wanted to confirm Yulin’s situation and see if she had come.

But this wasn’t urgent. Judging by Sara and the others, their meeting would probably last a while. The three-race meeting would begin in a month, and it would be held in the Mitra Kingdom. As leaders of the Demon Race, they naturally had many matters to discuss and handle. Therefore, Shien planned to relax for a month, returning to the Human Realm, to the Mitra Kingdom, with the Demon Lords.

He just didn’t know how Lucy was doing, or if Diere had recovered from her failed mission in the Imperial Capital.

And Leisha and Lasha. He had only recently learned about their true origins in the Imperial Capital. He didn’t know if this master and servant pair, deeply connected to the Demon King, had returned to the Royal Capital and were staying at his residence.

Moreover, he was also concerned about Melika’s situation, wondering how she was doing in the Divine Realm.

He had quite a few things to worry about. Could he really relax for a whole month? Should he return to the Mitra Kingdom first?

But how would he explain his engagement to Airi to Lucy?

It hadn’t been long since he parted with Lucy after the Elven Homeland, less than a month, even just half a month, and he had not only exposed his identity as the Hero but also gotten engaged and even came to the Demon Realm. What would she think?

…She was probably furious and wanting to kill him by now.

Alright! He’d decided! He wouldn’t return to the Mitra Kingdom yet! This wasn’t cowardice, but giving his future wife some face. After all, such a beautiful person wouldn’t look good when angry, right? To ensure his wife could remain a beautiful princess, he had to be understanding and give her some time to calm down.

That’s right!

With this thought, Shien put on a relaxed smile, as if he wasn’t worried or in a hurry at all, even wishing he could stay in the Demon Realm forever.

Seeing him like this, Hartley, although not knowing the astonishing thoughts going through this unreliable Hero’s mind, could tell from his smile that he… was truly relaxed!

She looked directly at Shien.

“Since you’re not busy today, Master Shien, could you spare some time to help me with something?”

Hartley suddenly made this request.

“Help you?” Shien’s surprise grew.

“Yes,” Hartley nodded firmly, “Actually, the reason I went to the Human Realm last time was to ask you, the Hero, for this favor.”

Hearing this, Shien had a realization.

So that was why a Limit Level expert, one of only three in the entire Demon Race, would go to such lengths to find him, disregarding her status and stance. She wasn’t there to cause trouble, but to ask for his help?

Shien understood why Hartley retreated directly last time.

She probably didn’t want to offend him and incur his displeasure.

And this time, her respectful attitude was also probably because she needed his help. Otherwise, as a Limit Level expert respected even by Transcendent Level beings, there was no reason for her to be so respectful to a Hero from another race.

However…

“Are you sure it’s something I can help with?” Shien asked implicitly.

“Yes,” Hartley nodded again, staring intently at him, “Perhaps, for others, this is a difficult task, even Lady Sara isn’t completely confident in completing it. But for you, with the Holy Sword capable of purifying all evil and dispelling all negative forces, it might be just a trivial matter.”

Towards the end, Hartley’s tone carried a hint of urgency, sincerity, and even pleading. Clearly, this matter was incredibly important to her.

Shien thought for a moment, but couldn’t find a reason to refuse. Although she was only being respectful because she needed his help, her sincerity was genuine, and he didn’t dislike this. Coupled with his good impression of her, Shien nodded under her expectant gaze.

“Alright, if it’s just a trivial matter, then I don’t mind helping.”

His agreement brought a rare flicker of joy to Hartley’s cold face.

“Then are you free tonight?” she asked eagerly.

That urgent tone… Shien almost had some improper thoughts.

“I’m free tonight,” he answered seriously.

“Good,” Hartley, relieved, handed him a piece of parchment, “Then please come to the grove mentioned here tonight, the later the better, and try not to be seen.”

Shien’s lips twitched as he took the parchment.

It really… wasn’t him who was having improper thoughts…

Really…

A few minutes later, Shien left the top floor of the Supreme Castle, holding the confused Lilith in one arm and the small note in the other, lost in thought.

Is this… not good? He had just gotten engaged to the dragon girl he’d been longing for… well, loved for a long time, and now he was accepting a note from another woman, planning a late-night rendezvous in a grove. This seemed rather scummy.

But he and Hartley were definitely innocent! He wasn’t that kind of person, right?

“A clear conscience is all that matters,” Shien thought, putting on a carefree and nonchalant air as he pocketed the note, looking quite righteous, if one ignored his slightly trembling hand.

“Hmm?” Lilith, still puzzled, tilted her head.

“It’s nothing. You’re still a child, you don’t need to understand these things,” Shien said seriously.

“Mm-hmm!” Lilith, still the same Lilith, nodded without understanding.

Shien kissed her soft cheek, making her smile, then continued walking.

Having just arrived, he decided to explore the Supreme Castle while waiting for the Demon Lords’ meeting to end. Although he wasn’t accompanied by any demon, and the surrounding demons looked at him strangely, he had nothing else to do, so exploring was fine. If Hartley were willing to leave with him, he could ask her to take him to Gorud and interrogate him, obtaining information about the Original Demon. Unfortunately, Hartley said she had to wait for the Demon Lords’ meeting to end and be available for them if needed.

This was also why she asked him to meet her in the grove late at night.

Helplessly, Shien left with Lilith to kill time.

However, as he descended the floors, he suddenly felt a strong gaze on him.

“Hmm?” He stopped abruptly and turned towards the source.

Then, he froze.

Three figures stood in a corner of the corridor.

They were three demon women, each with distinct characteristics. They stood in a line, the leader slightly ahead, while the other two stood a step behind, as if willingly showing their subordination.

On the left was a beautiful woman with a wine barrel and horns, giving off a bold and unrestrained air, her eyes slightly hazy as if drunk, yet her gaze sharp.

On the right was a girl with a haughty expression, looking like a delicate and willful young lady, but with a strong presence and sharp eyes, clearly not someone to be trifled with.

Seeing these two, Shien felt like he was looking at a capable female general and an unruly female knight-errant. Their personalities were distinct.

In contrast, the leader seemed to be the youngest of the three, like a young lady who had just come of age, her face still carrying a hint of childishness, her personality not as strong as the other two. However, she was the most beautiful of the three, with large, watery eyes, a small, upturned nose, long eyelashes, and delicate skin. Her features combined gave her an exotic charm, and with her long, black hair reaching her waist, and her deep, obsidian-like eyes, she looked like a goddess from a dream.

Her beauty was enough to make many young men fall in love at first sight.

If Lucy’s appearance scored a hundred points, and the still-developing Diere and Melika also scored ninety-nine, then this girl would definitely score ninety-nine point five.

In other words, although not on the same level as Lucy, the Kingdom’s Treasure, or Sophie, the Elven Queen, she was still slightly more beautiful than the still-developing Diere and Melika, already possessing the charm to topple nations.

Even Shien, who had “conquered” even the exceptionally beautiful Succubus (no pun intended), was momentarily stunned upon seeing such a beauty.

Especially because…

“Is she looking at me…?” he wondered, slightly surprised.

Yes.

She was looking at him, staring intently, her eyes shining.

Shien had never been stared at like this by a woman he’d just met, especially such a beautiful one.

This made him slightly uncomfortable.

The other two were also looking at him, but their gazes weren’t as intense and carried a more complex meaning.

Soon, the three approached.

“Hmm?” Lilith, in Shien’s arms, tilted her head in confusion.

Seeing Lilith, the two women with distinct personalities showed a hint of awe in their eyes.

Only the leading girl, seeing Lilith, showed not fear, but a hint of joy and closeness.

Looking at this trio, Shien finally spoke as they approached.

“Who are you?” he asked suspiciously.

The two behind the leading girl exchanged glances.

Then…

“I’m Graty of the Dragon Race, a direct subordinate of the Dragon Demon, one of the Six Demon Lords, and the strongest in the Dragon Demon Territory,” the horned dragon woman, holding her wine barrel, said forcefully.

“I’m Beauty of the Dragon Race, also a direct subordinate of the Dragon Demon, and the second strongest in the Dragon Demon Territory,” the haughty dragon woman said, her tone assertive.

“Dragon Race?” Shien raised an eyebrow, sensing carefully. His [Outer Awareness of Heaven’s Decree] did detect a faint dragon’s might and the powerful aura unique to the Dragon Race from these two.

He even saw their levels.

“Holy moly…” They were both level ninety-nine, only one step away from Limit Level.

“Graty… Beauty…” Shien thought for a moment, realizing he had seen these names before, in books. They were household names. They were sisters, the first dragons, born when the “dragon” monster was created by the Demon Race. They had lived for nearly ten thousand years, treated like daughters by Airi, the Dragon Demon, and were her most loyal subordinates, the first two executives under her and still serving her to this day.

Since Airi was fond of sleeping and often remained in her castle, these two acted as her representatives, fighting on the battlefield, loyal and unwavering. It could even be said that they were the ones who built up the Dragon Race, while Airi, the Dragon Demon, simply ruled over them with her absolute power, controlling the entire Dragon Demon Territory.

In the final battle a thousand years ago, these two killed no less than twenty Legendary-level experts, even several Goddesses, forcing Nadue, the Goddess of Nature, to intervene. It was precisely because these two sisters were almost killed by Nadue that Airi became enraged and suppressed her. If not for Anima, the Goddess of Life, arriving to help, Nadue might have been the first transcendent being to be killed.

Shien, out of curiosity, after reading about their deeds, had asked Airi about them.

At that time, Airi simply said,

“They’re different from that Giacinta fellow. They’re practically family.”

Clearly, these two held a different position in Airi’s heart.

This showed their fame and strength.

However, these two renowned dragon sisters were now willingly standing behind the leader, which truly surprised Shien.

What surprised him even more was that this leading girl was level one hundred, Limit Level! This seemingly young girl was a Limit Level expert! Shien even sensed a faint threat from her! This threat told him that she might be even stronger than Hartley, Parion, and even the pre-transcendence Mara!

“Are you all Airi’s subordinates?” Shien asked, his gaze sweeping over the three.

The girl at the front shook her head. “I’m not,” she said in a cute, childish voice that made Shien’s heart flutter.

He quickly shook his head, dispelling the strange sensation.

“Not?” he asked, feigning composure, “Then you’re one of the three executives under Sara?”

This girl should be one of the only three Limit Level experts in the Demon Race, right?

Shien looked slightly relieved. But why did he also sense a faint dragon’s might from her? He frowned.

Graty and Beauty, hearing the girl’s words, looked displeased.

The girl, seemingly oblivious, continued to stare intently at Shien, making him feel uncomfortable.

What was going on? Why was she staring at him like this? Was she also planning a late-night rendezvous? …Were all of Sara’s subordinates this thirsty?

Shien suddenly felt like he was back in the Succubus Territory, or even the Shajin Clan’s settlement.

He didn’t notice the displeased look on the girl’s face.

(This stupid master, he doesn’t even recognize me. He’s usually so perceptive.)

The girl felt slightly aggrieved. She didn’t know that after entering the Dragon’s Lair and transforming into a human, not only had her body changed, but also her magic power and aura, making even Shien’s [Outer Awareness of Heaven’s Decree] unable to recognize her.

She could only say,

“Although I’m not Sister Airi’s subordinate, I’m also from the Dragon Race.” She hinted, hoping that her stupid master would guess her identity after knowing she was a Limit Level dragon not under Airi’s command.

“Dragon Race?” Shien realized why she had a faint dragon’s might. However, “When did a Limit Level expert appear in the Dragon Race, and she’s not even one of Airi’s subordinates?” He was surprised. He remembered Shajina telling him that the Dragon Race, although the strongest in the Demon Realm, didn’t have a Limit Level expert.

“I recently transformed into a human!” the girl hinted again. Having recently transformed and already at Limit Level, if her stupid master still couldn’t recognize her, then his intelligence was truly questionable.

And was Shien’s intelligence questionable?

Of course not!

Therefore, Shien’s heart leaped, and he finally had a realization.

“So you recently transformed?” he said, seemingly amazed, “Congratulations!”

The girl’s expression froze, and she glared at him, a hint of annoyance in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Shien asked, feeling a chill down his spine from her stare.

Actually, upon hearing her words, Shien had also been slightly startled. A Limit Level dragon who recently transformed? Could it be her? But then he felt it was strange. Her aura was completely different from the dragon he had been riding for almost half a year. Coupled with her appearance, demeanor, and sweet, childish voice, he couldn’t associate her with that violent and careless little black dragon. Therefore, he subconsciously dismissed this possibility, only to be met with her glare.

This strange behavior, and her intense stare from the beginning, made him reconsider.

“Could you really be…?” he asked cautiously and tentatively.

“Hmph!” The girl snorted coldly, turning her head, her long black hair swaying, and walked away, her back to Shien, clearly angry. Her pouting figure, however, was quite cute.

“Wait…” Shien instinctively wanted to call out to her.

But just as he took a step forward, two figures blocked his path.

“Excuse me, Hero,” Graty said, grinning like a mischievous older sister, “We have something to discuss with you.”

Beauty also spoke, puffing out her chest. They clearly didn’t want Shien to contact the dragon girl.

Shien blinked. He had a feeling these two were here to poach him.