Chapter 887
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***
Back to Kikaro Plains.
As Tilias and Misol ended the call, they turned to Luna and spread their arms wide.
"... Surely it is not like we are going to hug each other to commemorate the alliance, right? Of course, our young patriarch still doesn't fully recognize you as an ally."
"I doubt that. Injure me and Misol for now. If we return unharmed, Sakiel will be even more suspicious of us."
"Do we really have to do this? Can't you just claim that you ran away after seeing the two die?"
"Would you believe that?"
"If my comrades say so, I'll believe it."
"To Zito, Paellito and Sakiel, we're not comrades but subordinates. Moreover, I'm originally from Visepps, so they naturally suspect me. It's better if we return looking as injured as possible."
Luna showed a hint of reluctance. Though Jin hadn't fully accepted the alliance, if Tilias and Misol's story was true, then...
Both of them were righteous people. Moreover, their families were held hostage, and they worked as spies, sometimes having to kill their own comrades. They were pitiable beings. It wasn't easy to harm such individuals.
"We're used to pain, so we won't feel too uncomfortable. Let's hurry, we don't have much time."
"Ugh, how much should I hurt you?"
"To the point where we look like we are about to die."
"Sigh, can't be helped, I guess."
Swoosh!
Krantel assaulted the two for a while. Purple blood and flesh splattered. Luna sometimes intentionally mixed in a bit of crimson aura in her attacks, just to make things more convincing. This was necessary under the circumstances.
Tilias and Misol, amidst being torn apart and shattered, didn't let out a single scream.
"This should be enough. Damn, I feel uncomfortable."
"Perfect. If I had known this would be this uncomfortable for you, we would have hurt ourselves during the battle earlier."
"Back in the True Demon World, it was rumored that White Whale was a ruthless devil without a shred of mercy. Already having annihilated several commanders and demon kings. You are a kinder person than expected."
"Are there any rumors about Lady Syris?"
"Not yet, but the video of Myriad Ice's power annihilating the commanders has spread among the demon kings. It's best to stay cautious. Just like the crimson aura, Myriad Ice is also being monitored."
Due to their unrecoverable injuries, the two hesitated for a moment before extracting a piece of Zito's flesh.
"We'll claim we used the flesh as our final resort to escape."
"When will we meet again?"
"Probably not too far in the future. I'll try to establish a means of regular communication somewhere in the human world. We should go now."
"Go, and good luck."
"We'll meet again. You must have a lot of questions, but I apologize for not being able to explain everything to your young patriarch, White Whale."
As Tilias crushed the flesh, suddenly a purple dimensional fracture opened. Luna and Syris shrugged as they watched the two disappear into the fracture.
"Let's return to Tikan too, Lady Syris."
[Boooong!]
"... The white dimensional portal opened after Tilias was gone. Authority to block abilities, it's the most challenging type if we face him as an enemy. According to what the deceased Kukan said, Tilias can even block the authority coming from Zito's flesh."
"Regardless, it seems like after the Red Plutonian Tribe, only madmen have appeared as enemies. This is the first time a potential ally appeared."
As Mort ran through the snow garden, the scenery of Tikan Palace appeared in an instant.
"Have you arrived, elder sister?"
"Yes, what do you think?"
"It doesn't feel like they were lying. We'll have to keep observing them in future."
"They say Visepps will be establishing a communication network in the human world soon. If they continue providing valid information like this, we might be able to trust them a bit."
"I share the same sentiment. By the way, the concern about the crimson aura..."
"Exactly, I was about to mention that. During this battle, I had a feeling that the crimson aura was about to run wild, but... It wasn't like I was getting tired at all. That was odd."
"Running wild, you say?"
"Yes. But, how should I put it... I didn't feel fatigued in the least. That's what was strange."
"Just to be safe, it might be best to refrain from using the crimson aura for a while."
"Yes, that's a good idea. But if I suddenly start conserving the crimson aura right after today, Tilias and Misol might get into trouble. Above all, I trust Father's opinion more than the demons."
Unlike Tilias and Misol, Chiron hadn't discussed the 'side effects' of the crimson aura before. He had only advised using it sparingly.
"If the depletion of the crimson aura is as dangerous as the demons have said, wouldn't Father have warned me properly? Even though it seemed like the crimson aura was about to run wild this time, I didn't feel any sense of danger."
"I've never experienced the crimson aura myself, so it's hard for me to say. But maybe Father intentionally refrained from warning you, even though he knew the danger."
Though he had regained his humanity after escaping from demonization, Chiron was never a kind and gentle father to begin with. He thought that even knowing the danger of the crimson aura, Luna might overcome it on her own and proceed to the next level.
"Ah... that could be possible. Father might have done so even while knowing the risk. In that case, it's even more appropriate to follow Father's intentions, right? After all, the crimson aura is a necessary step to move forward."
That was a valid point as well.
"Well, when it comes to using the crimson aura, I'll leave the judgment entirely to you, elder sister. However, if you think it's getting dangerous, please stop."
"Don't worry, youngest. Now, both I and Lady Syris need to rest for about a day and prepare for the next battle. Since Myriad Ice has a similar ability to the crimson aura, you can look forward to it in the future."
***
True Demon World, sea base.
Tilias and Misol reported to Sakiel while seated.
"So, all of Lord Zito's true energy, which Lady Layla took care of, have been used up, and White Whale has expended a considerable amount of the crimson aura. Is this everything?"
"Yes. Truth be told, in the midst of battle, I wanted to keep at least a piece of flesh intact, but in order for Misol and me to escape..."
"You did well. Even if Vise and Kukan weren't aware, losing both of you would have been a great loss. Recently the numbers of demon kings and commanders have been rapidly decreasing."
Tilias lowered his head.
"Everything seems to be going worse than what Lord Zito expected. Due to Ayula, the timing for Lord Zito to appear in the human world has been delayed, and the resistance from humans is growing stronger. And somehow, the Visepps seem to be well aware of this fact."
"M, Misol?"
Sakiel's pupils narrowed.
"As soon as we began investing our forces into the human world, the Visepps' attacks became frequent. Are you aware?"
"I dined with the demon kings in Ragal Fun's castle recently, but I didn't hear any such talk."
"That was the gathering Lady Layla and Lord Dylus attended, right? On that day, both of their castles were attacked. Basset appeared at Lady Layla's castle, and Tuwale came to Lord Dylus' castle. Ten commanders were killed. More than 200,000 demons in the city were also kidnapped."
"...Did you say 200,000?"
The Visepps were kidnapping demons every time they attacked.
It was because they believed that this was a way to prevent ordinary demons from becoming Zito's playthings.
"Until now, it was at most 10,000 or 20,000. Suddenly kidnapping 200,000 means that Basset's abilities have become stronger for some reason. It's possible that he absorbed the power of the demons he kidnapped... or maybe the weakened abilities of the Immortal land have been restored. The name 'Immortal' wasn't given to the territory ruled by the Visepps for no reason."
Tilias easily grasped Sakiel's intention.
"...As I am also a Visepps, I'm curious if the abilities of the Immortal land have been restored."
In fact, Tilias had regained a significant amount of power from the Immortal land. That's why, in this battle, he could block the energy emitted from Zito's flesh.
"I also admit that my abilities have become stronger. However, if the numbers you mentioned are correct, then Basset's abilities have increased tenfold compared to before. It's a level I can't compare with. So, in my opinion, Basset hasn't become stronger... he might be concealing his power."
"Concealing his power, huh..."
Sakiel nodded and smiled.
"At times like this, I wish Lord Tilias also had hidden power to rely on. Both of you should rest now and prepare to face White Whale once again."
"Misol!?"
Misol rolled her eyes and feigned a scary expression.
"Up until now, the two of you are the only demon kings who have faced White Whale and returned alive. So, there should be more opportunities."
If they could face White Whale and return alive again, then suspicion would be confirmed.
Sakiel was saying that. To either live under suspicion or die and prove innocence. Among Tilias's expectations, Sakiel's course of action was clearly the worst-case scenario.
'Next time, I'll inevitably die at White Whale's hands... If I return alive again, Sakiel will undoubtedly request Zito to torture me.'
Tilias had already endured Zito's torture once. However, he couldn't bear it once more. This time, during the torture, he would end up revealing everything about the Visepps. It would be much better to explain the situation to Luna and disappear.
"I understand. Next time, I will definitely deplete White Whale's crimson aura properly."
"Yes, I'm counting on it. You may withdraw now. Oh, wait... Lord Zito!"
Bubbling...
Suddenly, Sakiel's crystal orb bubbled as if boiling, and Zito's face appeared.
{[Hey, Sakiel. Have you gone crazy?]}
"Lord Zito?"
{[Why are you suspecting Tilias again and causing a ruckus? He already had a thorough discussion with me? Forget about it?]}
"I apologize."
{[Let Tilias and Misol rest for a while, and send someone else to deal with White Whale. Did you get that?]}
Heaven helped.
Tilias thought that way and mentally swept his chest. If he and Misol disappeared now, the relationship they had carefully built with the Vamel Alliance might become ambiguous.
"Understood."
{[Alright, I'll keep providing flesh, so tell the demon kings and commanders to deal with White Whale properly. Curse her.]}
As Zito's energy waned from the crystal orb, Sakiel wiped her forehead with a sigh of relief.
"...I apologize for doubting you, Lord Tilias. Please go back now."
"No need to apologize, Lady Sakiel. If you need anything else, please feel free to call us."
"Misol, Misol."
And at that moment, Zito smiled, trembling all over in the True Demon World.
[Ah, our cute ones. When I see them, I just want to bite them to death. Don't you feel the same? Helluram.]
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