Qiaolin and Loki talked for who knows how long.
They had a pleasant conversation, and after getting to know each other, they felt like old friends.
“It’s really interesting, Mr. Jolin. You’re actually just a physician, yet your magic is completely unlike what a human physician should possess. Stop keeping me in suspense—could it be that you’re a priest sent by the Holy Hero Church? Over the years, the Demon King has had quite a bit of communication with the Church. They’ve wanted to open a branch in the Demon King’s Castle more than once.”
“Is that so? However, getting the Demon Race to believe in Odin seems like an impossible task,” Qiaolin said with a bitter smile.
He hadn’t paid attention to Church matters for a long time.
Even if an old friend had achieved fame and received a blessing to become the current Pope, it wasn’t strange for Gabriela and that Pope—both being members of the Hero Party—to bridge the gap between the Demon Race and the Church.
‘But making the Demon Race worship Odin… that idea is just too crazy. After all, He was the one who ordered the Hero and the Saintess to kill the Demon King in the beginning.’
“Of course. So, the Demon King naturally treated the Church’s suggestion with indifference. Even if she once joined the Hero to overthrow the previous king, she has never lowered her guard against humans, especially the Church. Their influence has grown stronger over the years, and almost all of the human King-level powerhouses belong to the Holy Hero Church. The Demon King is friendly on the surface, but she’s always on guard.”
Hearing Loki’s words, Qiaolin became lost in thought.
From Gabriela’s perspective, everything she did for the Demon Race was beyond reproach.
Qiaolin felt somewhat relieved.
This gluttonous demon girl only seemed to act foolish in front of him.
After all these years, Gabriela should have long since become a sophisticated queen.
Thinking about it, a faint smile of relief appeared on the corner of Qiaolin’s mouth.
Then he looked at Loki, changing the subject with a slight arch of his brow.
“You’re telling me all this so openly? Aren’t you afraid I might be from the Church?”
“Heh, I’m not stupid. You’re often serving by the Demon King’s side; your status is almost the same as Lady Demigula’s. You must be a very important person to her,” Loki laughed.
“Besides, she personally gave the order for me to stay by your side and protect you. Although I’m not King Rank, I’m considered one of the best among the younger generation in the current Demon Race.”
“Is… is that so?”
Looking at Loki’s teasing expression, Qiaolin was still concerned about one thing.
‘What does she mean by “serving by her side”?’
“Loki? What are you two doing here?”
A familiar female voice came from behind.
Qiaolin turned to see Gabriela and Fafna approaching.
“I saw Mr. Jolin looking out over the railing and was worried he might do something rash or run into danger, so I came to check on him,” Loki said, bowing to Gabriela.
Hearing this, an awkward expression appeared on Qiaolin’s face.
“Loki, don’t talk nonsense.”
“Forgive me, my King. Please punish me.”
Gabriela shook her head helplessly and looked at Qiaolin.
She exchanged a glance with Fafna, and then her lips parted slightly.
“Mr. Jolin, I’ve come to give you a new task.”
“Huh?”
Qiaolin noticed the corners of both women’s mouths twitch.
Their smiles were strange, especially Fafna’s—it was clear she was up to no good.
‘This isn’t right. Weren’t these two just about to tear each other’s throats out? How did they make up so suddenly? They even seem to be in sync, as if they’ve reached some kind of consensus.’
‘Women’s thoughts really are hard to grasp.’
“Lady Fafna is visiting the Demon King’s Castle today on behalf of the Dragon Race and wishes to stay for a while. Therefore, regarding her basic needs…”
Gabriela pointed at Qiaolin and said, “You will be the one to handle them.”
Qiaolin blinked blankly and immediately understood Gabriela’s meaning.
‘This must have been Fafna’s idea. To put it plainly, she wants to move into my place, and I have no reason to refuse.’
Speaking of refusing, one had to mention a certain secret regarding the Black Evil Dragon Princess.
No matter how much that small, cute figure changed, she was still a fierce Black Dragon.
When she slept, her terrifying snoring could shake the heavens and earth.
It had tormented every member of the Hero Party day and night until the Saintess, Tor, created an incredibly powerful Soundproofing Magic.
So even if Fafna and Qiaolin were like siblings connected by blood, he couldn’t endure such torture.
With Tor’s passing, that legendary Soundproofing Magic had also been lost.
Qiaolin shot a startled look at Gabriela.
‘Are you trying to kill me?’
“What’s with that look? Don’t forget, I’m a Saint-level powerhouse now. I’ve surely overcome that old problem. If it were really that loud, how could I not hear it myself?”
Fafna said with a sullen face.
The expressions on both Qiaolin’s and Gabriela’s faces changed at once.
‘Forget waking yourself up, you sleep like a dead dragon…’
“Hmph, then I’ll just leave!”
“Hey, hey, fine, I’ll arrange it. I agree, okay?”
Qiaolin was helpless.
He hoped that as a Saint-level powerhouse, she could keep it under control.
“One more thing… Loki,” Gabriela called out.
“I’m giving you a task. Both Mr. Jolin and Lady Fafna are guests of the Demon King’s Castle. I want you to act as their guide and take them around the city.”
“Me? Um…”
Seeing Loki’s hesitation, Gabriela asked, “What’s the matter? Is there a problem?”
“My King, it might not be appropriate for me to do it alone. After all, I’m a half-blood. People’s attitude toward half-bloods like me hasn’t changed overnight.”
Qiaolin had already heard from Aurora about her experiences in the Demon King’s Castle.
Human-Demon half-bloods were ostracized here.
Even after Gabriela intervened and such incidents decreased significantly, the discrimination rooted in their bones couldn’t be easily erased.
Like Aurora, Loki was also a half-blood.
Although her demon traits were more prominent than Aurora’s and she looked more like a member of the Demon Race, if she stayed out too long, someone with ulterior motives would eventually find out about her background.
Loki’s life in the Demon King’s Castle wasn’t easy either.
“Sigh…”
Gabriela sighed softly and said, “Fine, you can bring another colleague along. Who do you think is up to the task?”
Loki beamed upon hearing this and immediately gave her answer.
“Lockes should be fine. Miss Aurora is currently in seclusion for a breakthrough, so his duties as a guard have lessened. He’s been spending all day in the Mock Trial. I’ll drag him out to get some fresh air.”
“Oh? The child from Demigula’s family? Very well, I’ll leave this entirely to you.”
Gabriela patted Loki on the shoulder and then departed.
***
A long while later, Lockes was dragged out by Loki and brought before Qiaolin and Fafna.
Fafna gave the young, almost immature-looking Vampire boy a fleeting glance.
“Hello, young man. We meet again,” Qiaolin greeted him with a smile.
“Hello, Mr. Jolin. I heard about our task from Loki. This must be… Lady Fafna.”
Lockes looked at the black-haired girl beside Qiaolin.
Even though she appeared small and delicate, he knew as much about the fame of the Black Evil Dragon Princess as anyone else.
Even if he and Qiaolin were old acquaintances, the Fafna before him still struck fear into his heart.
Despite trying to remain calm, his voice trembled uncontrollably as he spoke.
“Hmph…”
Fafna ignored him, the corner of her mouth curling in disdain.
She was a dignified Saint-level powerhouse; even the Dragon Kings of her own race had to bow their heads to her.
These two Five Crown juniors didn’t even have the qualifications to kowtow to her!