Chapter 23: Before Departure part 2

Her mother, between the king and the demon race, ultimately chose the demon race and did not force other apostles to make a last stand with the demon king.

She is different.

If, Eileen said if, there really comes a day when the new demon king, her king, faces a life-threatening danger.

Then Eileen is sure, at that time, she would not hesitate to choose the latter between the demon race and the demon king.

The countless Succubus apostles before her were all too naive, including her mother.

In a moment unnoticed by Sherman, a dark shadow flickered in Eileen's eyes, a morbid emptiness.

'If the king no longer exists'

'Then the demon race, would have no reason to exist either'

Eileen's eyes quickly returned to normal.

Such taboo and rebellious thoughts, of course, she would not openly express, just deeply buried at the very bottom of her heart.

Having achieved her purpose with Sherman, the Succubus prepared to leave.

But before leaving.

Eileen seemed to think of something, hesitated, and although she felt it was probably not possible, just to be safe, Eileen still needed to issue a serious warning to Sherman.

"Sherman, if I come back and find any changes to the demonic mark on you, then…"

The only way for the demonic mark to change is if its holder also underwent the ritual with the Demon King, 'establishing a relationship'.

"You're dead."

The Succubus stared at Sherman hidden in the shadows of the cloak, word by word.

It's not hard to see, Eileen's attitude towards her elders is very straightforward, never beating around the bush.

Sherman didn't react much on her part.

She understands.

After all, this is the Succubus's prerogative.

Sherman resumed her usual indifferent tone: "You worry too much."

"I am a Shadow Demon, not a Succubus."

"We are professionally trained"

Seeing Sherman's indifferent demeanor and remembering that the Shadow Apostle is always hidden in her cloak, Eileen forgot when was the last time she saw Sherman's true form.

Definitely not very attractive.

'Moreover, being ten thousands of years old, His Majesty definitely wouldn't have the appetite. If he were to choose, it would be the young girl who's just over a thousand years old like me'

Eileen completely reassured, left satisfied.

…

[Time left until the demon race's arrival: — 1 hour 17 minutes 01 second—]

At the void passage of the Chaos Rift, the door through which the demon race is about to leave this place and return to the world.

Sorcery Demon Dian is personally working on reinforcing the "door" to ensure stability during the transit.

Then, footsteps came from behind.

"How's the situation with the passage?" The Wisdom Demon Leo came for the final inspection.

Dian didn't speak, but gentlemanly gestured for Leo to proceed.

Leo stood at the edge of the cliff, looking down at the void passage below, seeing that after Sorcery Demon's stabilization, the space energy, if previously was a rapid torrent, now is a tranquil stream, completely tamed and remodeled.

"You Worked Hard"

"It's my duty, but if Mr. Leon could get me more essences from the Wicked Demon as a consolation, I wouldn't mind"

Dian expressed his regret, indicating that the essence of the Wicked Demon was indeed a very good material for casting spells, but unfortunately, it was quickly consumed and in short supply.

Leon ignored Dian's obsession with sorcery.

He still looked down at the void passage.

The reinforced passage, with clearer images coming from the other side, allowed Leon to clearly see the world of humans on the other side, a beautiful world of blue skies and white clouds.

"Dian, do you remember what that world looked like at the end of the human-demon war a thousand years ago?"

"Of course, dark skies, scarred lands, the entire continent burned by war, everywhere was wreckage and ruins, perhaps not much better than our current Chaos Rift, right?"

Leon nodded. The ferocity of the war a thousand years ago nearly destroyed the entire world.

But the Wisdom Demon sighed.

"Yet now, a thousand years have passed, and in the hands of humans, that war-torn world has regained vitality, and even compared to before... it's more beautiful."

Dian spoke after a moment of silence: "So, what is Mr. Leon trying to say?"

"I think, maybe we demons should also learn, beyond destruction and plunder, something else, like the creativity of humans."

"Hmm, undeniable, it's a very constructive suggestion, Mr. Leon."

"However, I personally suggest that Mr. Leon better not mention this in front of other apostles, especially Eileen."

Leon knew Dian was right.

Learning from humans is hard for many in the demon race to accept, especially some who despise and hate humans.

The atmosphere seemed a bit stiff.

With some time left before the official arrival, Leon changed the subject.

"Dian, what do you think of the new demon king?"

"Do you want to hear the truth or a lie, Mr. Leon?"

The Wisdom Demon glanced at Dian's crow mask.

Seeing this, the Sorcery Demon shrugged his shoulders.

"Just joking, if you ask me to evaluate, although I've had limited contact with his majesty, it's hard to make a systematic assessment, but so far, I'd say, our king this time is... very human-like, in many senses."

"Additionally."

Dian paused, then said to the Wisdom Demon: "Just now, Mr. Leon, you also gave me that impression."

'Like... humans?'

Normally, this statement would be considered an insult among demons.

But Leon knew Dian meant no offense.

After all, the Sorcery Demon is one of the few apostles who once had an "appreciation" for humans.

"So do you think this is good or bad?"

"In my view, nothing is absolutely good or bad, just like sorcery magic. Even the most basic and simple low-level spell, if used at the right time and place, can have a huge impact. Conversely, even the most luxurious and powerful high-level spell, if used in the wrong direction, is just a waste, counterproductive."

"Like the Soul Binding Curse you cast with all the power of the Sorcery Demons on the human Chosen One a thousand years ago?"

"I don't deny it."

The Soul Binding Curse.

A seventh-tier high-level spell.

It required the sacrifice of several high-ranking Sorcery Demons to cast.

Once hit, there's no way to remove or dispel it, and the target would continuously lose vitality for a week until death.

Everyone thought the Chosen One hit by the Soul Binding Curse was doomed.

But the human's Great Guardian gave the demon race another answer.

*Transfer magic*

A first-tier low-level spell.

It was mastered to perfection by the Great Guardian within a week, with the purpose of transferring the curse on the Chosen One to himself.

Clearly, the Great Guardian succeeded.

A week later, he died from the Soul Binding Curse, taking the place of the Chosen One.