Deep within the Sun Step Mountain Range, a battlefield in disarray was no longer visible, and the thick smoke stirred by the artillery fire was concealed by the dense foliage.

Seeing that he was far enough from the battlefield, Thanos finally stopped, placing Egger he had been carrying on his shoulder gently onto the grass beside him, laying out a defense technique within his shadow, and putting a map next to him.

That should do it.

He clapped his hands, stood up from the ground, and it was at this moment, the rustle of a snake slithering came from the grass, and soon a few green vines coiled upwards, transforming into a noblewoman dressed in a black long dress.

She was Bransia, the City Lord of Desperate City, the Thorny Demon General under the Demon King.

"Have you seen His Majesty, the Demon King?"

"I have." Upon hearing the condescending tone, Thanos responded coolly.

Bransia looked at her nails, continuing her questions nonchalantly.

"Did he give us a new mission?"

Thanos answered in a hoarse voice.

"No, the Lord has ordered us to stand by here."

A look of discontent appeared on Bransia's face as she couldn't help but complain.

"How much longer must we stay in this hot place… I'm going to get heat rash."

A demon afraid of heat?

Thanos grinned.

This was the funniest joke he had ever heard.

Detecting the mockery written on that face, Bransia squinted her eyes slightly.

"Are you thinking of something rude?"

"No."

Bransia squinted her eyes into slits, staring at the cautious Thanos for a while, and her gaze suddenly fell on Egger, who was lying in the grass.

"Is this the demon from the Demon City? The Demon King of Gana Continent? He seems… unimpressive."

"Yeah." Thanos did not deny this; in fact, it was the very thing that puzzled him the most along the way.

He didn't understand.

Why would Hell do this, or what benefit could it bring to Hell?

Truly incomprehensible!

As for becoming the Demon King, he would actually be a better choice, at least more fitting than this guy!

However, unlike Thanos, Bransia didn't care at all about what bothered him.

Instead, she was more interested in his appearance.

"…Tsk, what a cute little face, no wonder the Demon King is infatuated with him." Carefully scrutinizing that beautiful face, a trace of slight jealousy flickered in Bransia's eyes, wishing she could cut it off and paste it onto hers.

Of course—

This was, after all, a guest of the Lord Demon King, and she wouldn't dare offend that Lord, so she could only imagine it.

Watching the chilling glint emanating from her nails, Thanos wasn't sure what this old woman intended to do, so he coughed lightly and warned her in a hoarse voice.

"By the way, there's something… I should remind you, our Majesty has become stronger again."

"Stronger again?!"

Bransia was slightly taken aback, freezing in place, her pale face gradually displaying admiration and enchantment.

The Demon King who defeated Elder Zakro grew even stronger!

What's above Grandmaster?

Demigod?!

Worthy indeed of the Lord Demon King…

Now, not even the Parliament, but even the Cabinet might be within his reach!

Seeing that this madwoman seemed unlikely to harm Egger, Thanos finally breathed a sigh of relief, his shadow disappearing into the woods.

It was not out of that inexplicable protective urge that he reminded Bransia…

It was mainly for the Lord Demon King.

…

The sunset sank into the sea, and the gently kindling lamps replaced the last glimmers of twilight, the undulating waves carrying ships filled with night into the tranquil harbor akin to withered wood.

The cannon sound echoing along the coastline was no longer heard, and the previously panicked residents had all calmed down, sitting in ramshackle taverns made of planks, toasting to the Empire's victory.

Not only the residents were immersed in the joyful atmosphere—

But also the Imperial Soldiers from Saint Yil Castle.

Accustomed to operating on the front lines, they had never fought such an easy battle, with their opponents being vaporized in their relentless barrage of gunfire and shells before even catching a glimpse of their faces.

"…I've never seen such a weak demon. Are they really from Hell?"

"Where else could such ugly things come from but that ghastly place?"

"They're not all ugly things, though. For example, that Demon King looked quite decent."

"Ah, you mean that one… I saw it too."

"I heard it's an Enchanting Demon."

"Enchanting Demon?!"

"Heh heh, a pity, if only we had captured it alive…"

"Wipe your drool; don't let the Military Chaplain see you!"

At the temporary naval base of Saint Yil Castle, Imperial Soldiers who just returned from cleaning the battlefield were eagerly discussing their recent easy victory.

At this moment, the sound of galloping hooves drew near from a distance.

The soldiers turned to look, only to see a rider speeding towards them.

His expert and steady riding skills caught everyone's attention as he pulled on the reins and gracefully dismounted.

As his cloak revealed a purple moon badge, a symbol of his identity, all the soldiers present instinctively stood up and saluted respectfully.

They might not recognize that face, but they certainly knew the Purple Moon Badge, the same Purple Moon Flag flying on the roof of the Governor's Mansion at Withered Wood Port.

Luo Yan nodded slightly to them, then surveyed the area with a serious expression, an unusual hint of worry displayed on his handsome face.

"I've heard that Withered Wood Port was attacked by demons... What is the situation now? Where are those demons? And what are your casualties? Where is Baron Ticky Cosia? Bring him to me!"

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