Throughout history, countless King-level powerhouses have been overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
Moreover, the Demon Race would not truly start a major conflict over such a small matter. Aurora knew this well and decided not to let things escalate.
“I understand, Mr. Qiaolin. As long as they do not cross the line, I don’t believe any conflict will occur.”
“I have never seen a country deploy an army to exterminate a Level 7 Magic Beast that isn’t even within its own territory. That excuse is far too flimsy,” Lockes said.
“As early as 100 years ago, the Kingdom of Nolan and the Balta Kingdom had countless skirmishes over the ownership of the Celtic Forest. Since they were able to deploy a legion here, it means they have already seized most of the forest’s land. If the Kingdom doesn’t act soon, I’m afraid the entire forest will belong to the Balta Kingdom,” Qiaolin explained.
“Exterminating powerful magic beasts in the forest is necessary for them, but they are also killing too many weak ones. To drain the pond just to catch the fish… it’s a terrible waste.”
Hearing Qiaolin’s words, Aurora and Lockes exchanged a glance. A hint of worry flickered in the young girl’s eyes.
“Regardless of who the forest belongs to, it will ultimately affect the lives of the residents in Lin City. The adventurers here will also lose a source of income.”
“After all, you rely too much on the Demon Race… Speaking of which, how strong is the Demon responsible for protecting this city? Is it someone of the King Rank?”
“Hmph, King Rank my foot. Her name is Loki. She’s a Mortal Class Five Crowns just like me, and a half-blood like Aurora. Both she and I receive orders from the Demon King to protect Lin City from foreign invaders. However, my work is more detailed; I also have to guard Aurora. She is the City Lord and the Ambassador who communicates with the Demon Race on behalf of Lin City.”
Lockes let out a cold snort. It was said that the two of them were jointly responsible for the city’s security, but he rarely saw that woman in his daily life.
‘I feel like I’ve heard that name before…’
Qiaolin scratched his head. Since that person named Loki was sent to protect this place, she would surely show up at a critical moment anyway, so he didn’t think much more of it.
“Mr. Qiaolin, I still have some matters to attend to, so we shall part ways for now. I will find a way to repay you another day for saving the entire adventurer team and Lockes’s life.”
“I was just doing my duty.”
Qiaolin did not decline. After watching Aurora and her group leave, he returned to his own residence.
After helping One-Eye heal its old injuries and recover its strength, Qiaolin felt as though he had cleared a small hurdle in his heart.
—
The next few days were quiet.
Aside from the occasional adventurers who came to deliver gifts to express their gratitude for saving their lives, Gabriela and Demigula would visit Qiaolin whenever they were free.
“Those are the Black Fang Legion from the human Balta Kingdom? To think there are so many warriors…”
Gabriela sensed the soldiers stationed outside the city.
If Qiaolin hadn’t told her that the other party had reached a temporary trade agreement with Lin City, she would have thought the city was being invaded.
“But if they truly intended to occupy this city, what would you do?”
“Eh?”
Qiaolin’s question caught Gabriela off guard. It wasn’t because the two sides had reached an agreement; Gabriela knew very well that such paperwork could be easily torn up.
She just didn’t understand why they would act this way when they should know Lin City was under the protection of the Demon Race.
To put it more bluntly, this area was originally part of the Demon Race’s territory.
Unless they wanted to go to war with the Demon Race, why would they make such a move?
The Balta Kingdom was already in a perennial standoff with the Kingdom of Nolan. Offending another power would bring more harm than good.
Qiaolin naturally saw Gabriela’s confusion and smiled.
“They have designs on this city. The reason they haven’t occupied it by force is due to the Demon Race. However, if they find a legitimate reason to station their entire army inside, the city will fall into the hands of the Black Fang Legion by then.”
“How is that possible? No matter the reason, they shouldn’t…”
Gabriela wanted to explain further, but she suddenly thought of something and slowly fell silent.
“Could it be… they know the Demon Race is only protecting this city rather than ruling it? Are they exploiting a loophole?”
“Exactly. After they move into Lin City, they will transform into the city’s producers. The economy and tax revenue of the entire city-state will rise significantly. For the Demon Race, that would be a good thing.”
Qiaolin analyzed the situation for Gabriela, causing the Demon King’s expression to grow increasingly solemn.
“In other words, for the sake of the big picture, this King should… be a bystander?”
“You are a ruler; you must weigh the pros and cons. In my opinion, this struggle requires the people of Lin City to rely on their own strength. You could intervene, but what is consumed would ultimately be the power of the Demon Race.”
Gabriela fell silent. She rubbed her fair chin in thought, then turned to look at Qiaolin with a look of determination in her eyes.
“Why are you looking at me?”
“It’s decided! I choose you, Qiaolin!”
“What?”
Seeing Gabriela pointing at him excitedly, Qiaolin raised an eyebrow.
“This is the first task I am giving you. Protect Lin City from being seized by the Black Fang Legion.”
“Hey, I already said they should solve this themselves!”
“But this is my command.”
Seeing that Qiaolin was somewhat unwilling, Gabriela’s flushed little face turned timid, and her tone became a bit softer.
“You’re not going to go back on your word, are you? You said you would listen to me.”
“I…”
Qiaolin helplessly held his forehead. Seeing the Demon King show such a pleading expression, he felt too embarrassed to refuse her outright.
“Fine, I promise you.”
“Yay!”
Gabriela beamed with joy. Qiaolin had no way of dealing with her, so he could only ask, “Why are you so insistent on having me take action?”
“Well… I have to keep that a secret for now. I’ll tell you after the mission is complete~”
“What’s this? Playing the riddle master now? You…”
—
After seeing Gabriela off, Qiaolin returned to the balcony. He looked toward the center of Lin City, a soft expression appearing in his eyes.
The former Hero had found redemption through slaughter, using power to deter the masses.
After casting aside the Holy Sword stained with countless lives, how should he resolve this dispute?
Qiaolin looked down at his palm. White Mana, representing all attributes, coiled around his hand.
He had already made up his mind not to let the lives of those before him slip through his fingers again.
The challenge had quietly begun.
“Could he do it?”
Qiaolin gave a light chuckle. For him, the immediate priority was to refine his Folding Warp ability.
During the following period, Qiaolin basically stayed indoors, researching teleportation magic in the courtyard.
After many experiments, he discovered that as long as the targets of the teleportation were in contact with each other, he could teleport them even if there were more than two people.
However, the Mana consumed would increase exponentially.
To make the teleportation faster, he simplified the incantation to make it more convenient.
This caused the precision of the teleportation to decrease, but it was very effective for short-distance travel, achieving a sort of rapid flickering effect.
Finally, there was the issue of the destination’s accuracy. Qiaolin found that he needed to be very familiar with the destination.
In other words, his Mental Power needed to accurately construct the appearance of the location.
This way, it would not result in a random teleportation.
“Now, let’s test the results.”
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