Chapter 229 Return to the Magic City

In the dungeon of the cemetery, there was a constant humming sound, occasionally accompanied by the sound of weapons swinging through the air.

"Hurry up! You stupid pigs, are you so stealthy as you are?"

"I'm so stupid, I'll just die!"

"Put your consciousness into darkness. You don't need to chant any spells. Feel the flow of energy. Imagine yourself as a mouse!"

"Damn it... I'm thirsty, go get me some water."

The skeleton soldiers ran out the door happily without any complaints and even enjoyed it.

Chris fanned herself with her hands and sat on the stone bench carelessly, looking like a real female hooligan.

Actually, there is no need to be similar.

Aren’t the infamous Silver Scimitars all like this?

She was just returning to her true nature.

Nearly half a year has passed since the devil threw her here.

Chris was not used to it at first, but now she has completely gotten used to life in the dungeon.

Although there is no freedom here, at the same time, you don't have to worry about your enemies coming to you.

She serves as an instructor of thief skills in the dungeon, helping the devil train his minions.

In exchange, she can move around the cemetery without having to spend time in jail like other adventurer prisoners, and she won't be frightened by the devil's minions with ghost stories.

In fact, it doesn't scare her anymore.

She had long been desensitized.

The minions of the devil were also very interesting. They didn't mind her status as a captive at all. Not only did they humbly ask her for advice on thief skills, they also occasionally offered her some inexplicable tributes and asked about how much their favorability had increased.

She would usually give them a random number, and then they would bring more delicious food next time.

It's really ridiculous.

She had no good feelings towards these sinister and cunning demons and wished they could all be purified by the holy light.

But as time went on, she found that these demons were not annoying after all.

These guys were ridiculously naive, without any brains, and would do whatever they were told to do. Sometimes, she even felt that they were more reliable than her former teammates.

At least, she didn't have to worry about having her throat slit in the middle of the night.

In this way, time passed day by day, and just when she thought that she would spend the rest of her life in this dark dungeon, the situation changed slightly.

It was one night when she was sleeping very soundly. Suddenly, someone roughly blindfolded her and tied her hands tightly.

Chris woke up suddenly, her heart pounding like a drum. She instinctively wanted to break free, but the strength of the restraints prevented her from moving.

Afterwards, she was forcibly taken away, thrown onto a cart, and dragged through the dark dungeon passage.

Feeling the turbulence beneath her, countless possibilities flashed through her mind - was the devil deciding to execute her? Or was he sending her to some terrible ritual?

She couldn't bear to imagine what would happen to her, and at one point she was so frightened that her legs went weak and she almost wet her pants.

However, when the black cloth was roughly pulled off, she found herself in a square.

This seemed to be the Misty Town. She had been here several times before, but when she looked around, the scenery was completely unfamiliar, as if she was in a fantasy world wrapped in fog.

The most incredible thing is that there is a fountain in the square here and street lights are lined up on the street.

Although there are such displays in Thunder City, they are usually located in the most prosperous neighborhoods.

It seems that during the time she was imprisoned, earth-shaking changes had taken place outside.

A ghoul stood in front of her, a familiar greatsword slung across its back.

Although the helmet obscured his face, she could still recognize him as a former member of the Silver Scimitar.

Of course, he now has a new organization.

"You are free."

Bond hummed in a low voice, turned around and left without a trace of nostalgia.

Chris came back to her senses and subconsciously called out to him, "Wait a minute! Where are the others? Am and the others..."

Bond made no reply.

His job was just to throw her here, that's all.

The Demon King said that the dungeon was not big enough, so he decided to release a group of prisoners and return those who had been marked to the human society on the surface.

Those guys might have been let go before.

Chris stood there in a daze, watching her former teammates leave without hesitation. Although she was not surprised, she still felt melancholy.

On the streets of Misty Town, faint light shines through the layers of mist, illuminating the bluestone-paved streets.

Chris stood under the street light, looking around blankly.

She had tried to escape from the clutches of that devil countless times, but when true freedom came, she felt unprecedented confusion... She had long been accustomed to a life surrounded by the devil's minions.

Anger, fear, humiliation, resentment... and the self-abandonment and willingness to accept defeat, and later the desperate resignation to fate, and now these emotions have unknowingly transformed into submission.

That guy is actually not that bad. If it were any other demon king, they would not only not be able to survive, but their souls would probably be shattered.

Even without the Demon King, human lords would still hang invaders. They would never throw them into jail and then release them after a period of time.

Not only that, he has always been very nice to his own people. As long as you don't make him angry, even his voice is as gentle as a spring breeze.

Although she didn't realize it, the devil's mark had already been branded deep in her soul.

Of course, her feelings are real.

The two are not contradictory.

"...Hey, man, where should we go?" she muttered to herself, her fingers subconsciously groping for the dagger at her waist.

This dagger had brought her a sense of security in the darkness countless times, but now it seemed particularly heavy.

There were only a few people on the street, including mole men, skeletons, mercenaries, and a few surface adventurers wearing old leather armor. Their eyes occasionally passed over Chris, but no one paid attention to her.

She stood there like a ghost forgotten by the world.

After standing there for a long time, Chris finally took a step and slowly walked towards the caravan camp outside the town.

The caravan's campfire reflected the armor of the guards, who were talking in low voices and occasionally laughing.

She knew that these merchants would head to the surface, where Thundershire was the only place she was familiar with.

Maybe Jack from the Vipers could find her a job, if the Vipers were still around.

That guy was very loyal. Even though they had only worked together a few times, he was willing to take the risk to rescue himself and Eminem and the others... although he did not succeed in the end.

That is why, among the many acquaintances she has worked with, she thinks of him first.

"Do you need to hire guards? I'm very familiar with this area." She stepped forward and whispered to the leader of the caravan.

The caravan leader was a middle-aged man with a weathered face. He looked her up and down, noticed the dagger at her waist and her calm temperament, and nodded: "If you can take care of your own business on the road, don't ask too many questions, and don't cause trouble, then you are welcome."

After a pause, he continued.

"We need a scout. The reward is 1 silver coin per day. The contract ends on the surface."

Chris had no objection, nodded silently, stood to one side of the team and joined in.

It seems that no one remembers the "Silver Scimitar" anymore.

This guy didn't even recognize her face, let alone consider her a threat.

But it is also possible that his temperament has changed. He did not expect that he, who could not even be redeemed by Saint Sith, would be "reborn" unexpectedly in the Demon King's territory.

Chris smiled bitterly in her heart, shook her head, and stared at the campfire with a dazed look.

The embers of the campfire burned slowly, and sparks rose in the night sky, just like life in the past.

She looked back at the place that once made her feel like she belonged, but where she could not stay.

She muttered quietly.

"Let's take it one step at a time..."

…

In the teleportation room of the Demon King's Management Office, dark magic patterns flow on the floor and magic lamps hang on the dome, illuminating the entire space with alternating light and dark, like a simple palace.

Suddenly, the light of the teleportation array flickered, and a figure shrouded in a cloak slowly walked out.

As soon as Luo Yan stepped onto the marble floor, he saw Mia leaning against a stone pillar carved with magic patterns not far away, folding her arms and looking at this side quietly.

Her long pink hair fell softly on her shoulders, her heart-shaped pupils revealed a hint of nonchalant scrutiny, and her crossed legs seemed to show no concern.

However, the slightly upturned tail still revealed the joy in her heart that she could not hide.

Looking at Luo Yan who was walking down the teleportation array, she raised her chin slightly, hid the corners of her mouth with the back of her hand, and spoke condescendingly.

"Oh? Isn't this the respected Demon King? You finally came back?"

Before she could think of her opening remarks, Luo Yan, who had walked down the teleportation array, spoke first.

"Yes, dear Miss Mia, it's been a long time since we last met. I miss you so much. How are you doing these days?"

"Honey, honey?!" Mia's face flushed instantly. She was sunk by the sudden shell and bubbles gurgled like a submarine sinking into the sea.

"..." Looking at the two people who started flirting as soon as they met, Green realized that he was a light bulb.

Although he wanted to chat with this junior who has been in the limelight recently, he still walked away silently.

There's no rush anyway.

"I feel relieved to see you so energetic. It seems that you have been doing well recently."

Luo Yan raised the corner of his mouth, casually adjusted his cloak, and spoke in a chatty tone.

"Aren't you going to ask me how I'm doing?"

Mia hadn't recovered from the previous words yet, and she stammered and answered subconsciously like a puppet being pulled by strings.

"You, how are you doing?"

"I'm fine. Whether it's me, the maze, or the surface outside the maze... everything is under control."

Admiring the expression of a brain freeze, Luo Yan, who had complete control over the topic, smiled faintly. He did not continue to make things difficult for the lovely Miss Mia, but skillfully moved the topic back to the main business.

"Especially on the surface, the corruption of the Demon King is spreading to the Principality of Campbell. I believe that it won't be long before that land will usher in a new order. This time I come back, I plan to make this matter the focus of my report. I believe that it will be a great credit to you who silently support me in the rear. What do you think?"

After hearing Luo Yan talk about serious matters, Mia, who was able to catch her breath, finally came back to her senses, regained her composure, and muttered something softly.

"I, I have no objection... What methods did you use? The Campbell family is a legendary hero after all... It's not easy to deal with them, right?"

"Of course, it's textbook infiltration, spreading corruption in the shadows, all the way to their power center, and even the king of the principality, and... the holder of the light of praise." Luo Yan said slowly, "It's indeed not easy to deal with them, but it depends on who you are dealing with."

"Oh, it seems you are quite capable. As expected of me, you are my classmate... Hehehe."

Seeing Luo Yan doing it with ease, Mia couldn't help but curl up the corners of her mouth, and she was sincerely happy for him.

Ever since he became the Demon King, her biggest worry was that he would be killed by the Campbell family's Chosen One.

All the demon kings in Leiming County had the same fate, and this guy happened to be the weakest among them.

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But now it seems that my worries were unnecessary.

Not only was he not crushed by the forces inside and outside the maze, but he also tenaciously grew up in the cracks and became stronger and stronger...

Mia felt her heartbeat quicken.

Although the bronze demon king is also quite interesting, the powerful demon king also has its own flavor.

"Thank you."

Luo Yan smiled slightly and continued modestly, "I just followed your advice and avoided direct conflict with them."

"Haha...it's indeed my idea." Mia could no longer remember whether she had said these words or not, but she was still very happy to hear Luo Yan's praise, and the corners of her mouth were almost raised to the sky.

However, this pride did not last long. She soon thought of something else and said with a cough.

"By the way, I heard that the old duke did not pass the legendary sword to the legitimate heir of the principality, but passed the sword to his daughter? Her name is Irene Campbell, right? I heard... she seems to be very beautiful? Is it true? Don't get me wrong, I'm just curious."

She didn't care much about this kind of thing, but her mother always mentioned it intentionally or unintentionally, which made her feel itchy and she couldn't help but want to find out the truth.

Of course, this doesn't mean that I care.

Mia emphasized this in her heart.

Luo Yan raised his eyebrows slightly, looked at Mia with interest, who glanced at him from time to time, and asked curiously.

"You even know her name?"

I didn’t expect that there were “devil believers” developed by the Padrich family in Thunder City.

There have always been a very small number of secret believers of the Demon God in the Oss continent, and the Principality of Campbell is no exception.

However, according to his understanding, those guys who sold their souls to the devil were mainly knights or sergeants, and they usually worshipped the terrifying demons whose brains were obsessed with muscles.

Who on earth is this lewd fellow who actually prays to the succubus for power?

He was quite curious.

"Hehehe, do you think you can keep what you did a secret? I already know everything..."

Mia pretended to be nonchalant as she spoke, but her eyes couldn't help but glance at Luo Yan's face, afraid of missing any details, but she didn't notice that the smile on her face was becoming more and more stiff.

This guy's lying skills are not very good, he is indeed one of the worst students in the class.

Not to mention those micro-expressions that betray her thoughts, people who truly understand will not say the word "know" all the time.

Although it was not a secret that could not be told, but seeing how concerned she was, Luo Yan couldn't help but want to tease her.

Looking at the pair of wandering eyes, he said meaningfully.

"Erin is indeed a very special woman, smart, brave, charming, kind-hearted, and most importantly..."

"What is it?!" Mia was anxious.

Luo Yan paused, as if thinking.

“I felt like she trusted me.”

"!!!"

Mia's tail instantly tensed like a taut bowstring, and the corners of her eyes twitched slightly.

"Hah, hah...it looks like you're living a comfortable life on the surface!"

The vicious voice seemed to be squeezed out from between teeth, but tears came out first.

Seeing that this guy couldn't bear to play, Luo Yan finally couldn't bear to make her cry, and said with a smile.

"Okay, I'm kidding, but she does care about me... Of course, you know, this is also part of the plan."

He thought the matter ended there, but he didn't expect Mia, who was angry and embarrassed, to walk up to him and ask him aggressively.

"What on earth have you done?! How far have you come?! Tell the truth... I, I am your superior, that's right! I have the right to know!"

"I really didn't do anything." A wisp of fragrant breeze blew on his face. Looking at Mia who suddenly got angry, Luo Yan took a half step back, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Mia glared at him.

“Liar!”

To be honest, Luo Yan did not lie. If there was anything, he would have told it.

But as he was feeling around, he suddenly felt the brooch in his pocket, and his voice suddenly became less confident.

"You want to hear the truth?"

Looking at Luo Yan's serious eyes, Mia shrank back, bit her lips lightly, and her attitude suddenly softened.

She lowered her head and muttered softly.

"...Forget it, I don't want to know. It's your job anyway, so...whatever, it's not like I can't understand."

Her tail drooped slightly, and a trace of grievance flashed across her heart-shaped pupils, as if she was afraid of hearing an answer she didn't want to accept, or as if she was refusing to ask further questions out of spite.

Luo Yan looked at her like this, chuckled, and spoke in a gentle tone.

"It's really nothing, and do you think I should hide it if there is anything?"

Mia raised her head quietly and looked at him suspiciously, observing the truth in his eyes.

Perhaps because she saw the sincerity in his eyes, her drooping tail seemed to be recharged and pointed up again, and her drooping face even turned to the side with a snort.

"Who cares about you?"

Luo Yan just looked at Mia, who was in a bad mood, with a caring look and said nothing.

In the past, I was afraid of being eaten by this guy, so I naturally didn't dare to tease her like this.

But perhaps because he was promoted to the silver level, his courage also grew.

No wonder the demons in hell all want to become stronger. I don’t know how much fun they would lose if their strength couldn’t keep up.

The surface is another story.

Just as the two were bickering, Mia suddenly lowered her voice and spoke in a serious tone.

"By the way, there is one thing I need to remind you of. Recently, someone has put pressure on the Demon King Management Department through the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

Luo Yan smiled faintly.

"Oh? What is the Ministry of Internal Affairs' opinion?"

"They didn't have any objections. They just talked about the same old stuff, like they thought that since the chaos in the maze in Thunder County had been quelled, they should pay the faith tax or something like that. But don't you think it's strange? You didn't occupy the resources in the rear, so why should you increase the burden for no reason! I scolded them back at the meeting!" Mia said indignantly.

In the entire Demon King Management Department, there is probably only one newcomer in the workplace who can point at his superior's nose and scold him at the conference table.

Luo Yan didn't have too many emotional fluctuations, and even tried to comfort Mia.

"Stay calm. They are just proposing something, not implementing it. At most, I can invite them to visit my labyrinth, and I can arrange for them to have some adventurers to practice their skills. But then again, it is a little strange that they want to modify the vassal contract so hastily. Logically, I have a 50-year 'newbie protection period'. How can I change the contract within a year of taking office?"

"Yes! That's the problem," Mia muttered softly, "Although I don't have any evidence, it's obviously someone from the Dragun family. After all, you don't provoke others, right? My guess is that they are probably jealous of your achievements in Black Wind Castle and the Thunder County Labyrinth."

Luo Yan raised his eyebrows slightly, thought for a moment and then smiled: "So, they want to cause me some trouble again?"

Mia didn't answer directly, but just glanced at him and said, "Don't underestimate them. The Dragun family has a strong foundation in the Magic City, although it is slightly worse than us... I just want to remind you, be careful in everything. Since the last duel, you are no longer a nobody in the Magic City."

Luo Yan raised his eyebrows and understood.

It seems that my dear classmate Mia has helped me a lot in secret again.

"Thanks."

"You, why are you thanking me? I didn't do anything for you..." Mia's tail shook stiffly, and the tips of her ears turned slightly red, but she still said stubbornly: "I, I just want to remind you to be careful. Don't show off at this time and take the initiative to cause trouble. Don't let anything go wrong and I have to clean up your mess..."

Luo Yan did not comment on her explanation, but a smile appeared on his face, and he appreciated the kindness.

Although he seldom said it, he kept in mind all the favors the Padrich family had done for him.

Looking at that heartwarming smile, Mia's face turned red as if blood was about to drip out, and she changed the subject at random.

"By the way, the day after tomorrow night, I, I, my birthday party... you are going to attend. You said in your letter that you were coming back, so I didn't send you an invitation. I was planning to tell you in person."

"You're going to have a birthday?" Luo Yan looked at her in surprise.

Mia was stunned for a moment, with a hint of clear confusion in her blurry eyes.

"Yeah... Isn't that why you chose to come back at this time?"

Luo Yan was stunned for a moment, gently patted the cloak that had already been tidied once, and nodded slightly gracefully.

"That's right."

"Wait a minute—explain clearly!"

Just as Mia was about to ask, a loud voice suddenly penetrated the main door of the hall and came over like a hurricane.

"Brother!!! You're back?!"

(End of this chapter)