Category: Dear, it’s time for your medicine!

Chapter 254: Are You Teaching Me How to Do Things?

Barnal was thoroughly impressed. The Hero already had so many beautiful women around him, and now he was even interested in Demon Beast women? Was he trying to diversify his palate?

But those Demon Beast women were indeed beautiful.

Barnal relaxed. The outcome of this situation was obvious.

Since the Hero knew their identities and still brought them back, what else could they do but accept them?

Did anyone have the guts to execute Heloise and Iyeta in this situation?

Well… perhaps there was one… Barnal glanced at O’Niens, who was jumping up and down like a baboon, and felt a flicker of pity.

Even a commoner like him had more sense than this pampered, “highly educated” Saint Son.

Barnal narrowed his eyes. “Since they’re with the Hero,” he said, “I’m sure there’s no problem. Besides, Miss Heloise and Miss Iyeta are so beautiful… I mean, even if they’re Demon Beasts, under the Hero’s guidance, they will surely walk the righteous path.”

“Hero, don’t worry, although my men have always fought against Demon Beasts, they also remember your kindness. We will definitely stand by your side.”

“Should I just take my men and… deal with… those arrogant clerics?”

Barnal’s flattery made Qin Chu feel a little embarrassed. He patted him on the shoulder, “Brother, it’s okay, I’ll handle this myself.”

He walked towards the crowd, his aura radiating outwards like a gentle breeze.

The tightly packed crowd parted before him, the sound of their armor scraping together echoing through the air.

Qin Chu, flanked by Violet and Norma, who had just arrived, walked towards the center.

O’Niens, still smarting from Angelica’s kick, was yelling at Inas to teach that disobedient maid a lesson.

Inas hesitated.

She knew the consequences of attacking Angelica, but she couldn’t disobey O’Niens’s orders.

O’Niens’s face was twisted with rage. Being kicked by a mere maid, and the surrounding cheers, were unbearable. “Bitch!” he roared, “A lowly maid, daring to strike the great Saint Son! I swear, you’re dead!”

“Who’s the mad dog barking now?” a cold voice cut through the air.

“It’s me…” O’Niens replied without thinking.

Pfft…

A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.

Even mad dogs were claiming ownership now.

O’Niens realized his mistake, his face flushing red, and he glared at Qin Chu, who was walking towards him.

Qin Chu’s expression, however, was calm, even amused. “Mad dog?” he said, “That suits you quite well.”

The clerics of the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess, their faces filled with shame, felt that their Saint Son’s behavior was truly embarrassing.

Qin Chu stopped before O’Niens, his hawk-like eyes fixed on him, his voice turning cold.

“So, you’re the one who said my Angelica is dead?”

My Angelica. These words made Angelica blush.

And to O’Niens, each word was like a heavy blow, the pressure increasing with every syllable.

His face paled.

He didn’t want to appear weak before Qin Chu, he wanted to maintain his composure.

But he couldn’t speak, his mouth opening and closing silently, Qin Chu’s gaze like a venomous serpent, making his skin crawl.

He suddenly realized that this Hero’s aura was much stronger than before.

Qin Chu raised his hand and patted O’Niens’s shoulder lightly, each pat making him flinch. “O’Niens,” he said, his voice low and menacing, “remember this, Angelica is my maid.”

“If you dare to touch a single hair on her head, I guarantee… you, your entire family…”

“Not a single one will survive.”

His voice was so low that only O’Niens could hear it.

But the chilling threat, the barely suppressed killing intent, made O’Niens’s hair stand on end, his scalp tingling. He saw visions of carnage, of blood and bone.

His throat twitched, his legs trembling…

Qin Chu found O’Niens’s reaction strange.

He had come to understand that the Evil God’s influence intensified with stronger emotions.

The Evil God’s thread had been within O’Niens for a while now, amplified by the bloodshed of the recent battle, Violet’s humiliation, and now, his own…

O’Niens, with his arrogant nature, should be on the verge of transforming, giving Qin Chu a legitimate reason to kill him.

But why, despite his terror, was there no sign of the Evil God’s influence?

Apart from his brief outburst during the battle, he seemed completely normal.

Could it be that this guy was so useless that even the Evil God’s corruption couldn’t make him… stronger?

Seeing that there was no reaction, Qin Chu scoffed at O’Niens’s uselessness, unable to even properly mutate, and turned to leave.

Seeing his retreating figure, O’Niens, stung by the humiliation, suddenly felt a surge of anger. He snarled like a mad dog, his hands clenching, a faint X-shaped mark appearing on the back of his hand.

Acting on impulse, he roared, “Qin Chu, stop right there!”

The clerics of the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess groaned inwardly. Idiot, can’t you just shut up? Can’t you see the Hero is angry? If you continue like this, he might actually kill you here and now.

Qin Chu stopped. He was getting tired of this clingy O’Niens, his mind constantly searching for a legitimate reason to get rid of him.

“Qin Chu… Let’s put aside the matter of Angelica for now.”

“But how do you explain these two Demon Beasts?” O’Niens pointed at Heloise and Iyeta. He had remembered. This was his best weapon against the Hero.

“The dignified Hero, consorting with Demon Beasts? What kind of Hero are you?”

Feeling the righteousness of his cause, O’Niens’s voice was filled with smugness.

His simian-like posturing made Morton and the others shake their heads. Judging from the Hero’s attitude, no one could touch these two beautiful Demon Beasts.

It was best to just ignore this matter and let Wadsworth, Saint Monique, and Augustus deal with it.

O’Niens, a mere Saint Son, making such a fuss here, wasn’t he tired of living?

Heloise seemed even more afraid, shrinking back, while Iyeta watched with amusement, curious to see how the Hero would handle this.

Qin Chu rubbed his forehead and turned to O’Niens. “And what does the Saint Son suggest I do?” he asked.

O’Niens’s face darkened. “You’re consorting with Demon Beasts,” he said, “you’re not worthy of being the Hero. You should leave, or at least distance yourself from them.”

Qin Chu raised an eyebrow, gesturing towards Heloise and Iyeta, his smile widening, “So, Saint Son, you want me to… kill them?”

“That’s right,” O’Niens said proudly, “Only by killing these two Demon Beasts can you prove that you’re not colluding with them, that you’re truly fighting for the peace of the Heavenly Continent. Only then can we trust you.”

Qin Chu was speechless. He was so angry that he almost laughed. He couldn’t take it anymore, he had to kill O’Niens today, no matter what.

His smile became even gentler, a sign that Angelica and Anastasia, who knew him well, recognized as a prelude to violence.

He spoke, his eyes narrowing, “O’Niens… are you teaching me how to do things?”

O’Niens was momentarily stunned, not understanding what he meant.

“If so, then let me tell you… First, I never wanted to be this damned Hero… understand?” Qin Chu’s voice was icy cold.

O’Niens’s face changed drastically, seemingly enraged by Qin Chu’s response, “Qin Chu, you bastard, the title of Hero is the highest honor in the Heavenly Continent…”

“I don’t give a shit,” Qin Chu interrupted him before he could finish.

He suddenly stepped forward, his hand shooting out like lightning, grabbing O’Niens by the throat and lifting him off the ground before he could react.

Inas’s face changed slightly, and she was about to rescue O’Niens, but Violet flashed before her, blocking her way.

As O’Niens struggled, Qin Chu’s voice grew colder, “The peace of the Heavenly Continent? The highest honor? What do I care? I was living a good life in my own world, and then you summoned me here, and now you’re still nagging me, even trying to teach me how to do things? Who do you think you are?”

“Are you even worthy?”

O’Niens’s face turned red, his voice hoarse, “You… you’re the Hero we summoned, you should be fighting the Demon Beasts for us…”

“Where’s your shame?”

“You’d better understand that you are the ones who belong to this world, and I… I don’t!”

“Why should I care about your trust? What do I lose if you don’t trust me?”

“Besides, do you even have any other choice but to trust me, this Hero?”

“Can those filthy, shameless, and despicable nobles, who are only good at oppressing commoners, fight the Demon Beasts on the front lines? Are they capable of that?”

His words made the faces of the others change.

The Hero was the hope of the entire Heavenly Continent.

And now, it was clear that he had been enraged by that idiot O’Niens. If the Hero really gave up, there was nothing they could do to stop him, and humanity would be doomed.

Morton and the other old foxes’ minds raced.

“As for Heloise and Iyeta, yes, they’re Demon Beasts.”

“I found them… by accident… while wandering around the Demon Beast territory…”

Wandering around?

Everyone exchanged glances. Could you “wander” into the Demon Beast territory?

Judging from the Hero’s personality, he had probably heard about the beautiful Succubi, Blood Elves, and Snow Women in the Demon Beast territory and deliberately gone there to capture them.

It seemed that humans were no longer enough to satisfy this… omnivorous… Hero.

“And when I found them, they were being hunted by Eldritch, the Second Demon Beast Prince, and we ended up killing him together…”

“Compared to their contributions to humanity, these two Demon Beast women are probably far more valuable than you, Saint Son.”

His words caused an uproar.

Eldritch, the Second Demon Beast Prince, had been killed?

Was this true?

The Hero definitely wouldn’t lie, so it must be true.

This… This was a great achievement!

Humanity had suffered consecutive defeats recently, their morale low.

If this news spread, it would surely boost their spirits.

And Iyeta and Heloise were also stunned. When had they helped Qin Chu kill Eldritch? They didn’t know anything about it.

But these two women were smart and didn’t say anything, exchanging shocked glances.

The Second Prince must also be dead.

In such a short time, two Demon Beast princes had died at Qin Chu’s hands. This Hero was truly the bane of the Demon Beasts.

“Hahaha, I knew it! Miss Heloise and Miss Iyeta, so gentle and delicate, although they’re Demon Beasts, they definitely wouldn’t harm anyone,” Barnal, the old fox, immediately stepped forward, “Besides, this is the Hero’s decision, and my men and I trust his judgment.”

“Although they are Demon Beasts, since they participated in killing the Second Prince, they can’t return to the Demon Beast territory,” Morton also spoke up, “I think we humans can accept them.”

Loseweisse frowned. She strongly disliked Heloise and Iyeta, but seeing the situation, she couldn’t openly object.

And Shirley, the Saintess candidate, immediately said, “If that’s the case, then I also think it’s fine.”

Shirley’s words angered Loseweisse. She’s just a candidate, what right does she have to speak before me, the Saintess?

“But they are Demon Beasts…” O’Niens was still struggling. He didn’t understand. Humans had always wanted to kill all Demon Beasts, so why had they changed their minds now? Even the Holy See agreed.

Qin Chu ignored him and took the ring from O’Niens’s finger.

This made O’Niens’s face change drastically, “Give it back! What are you doing?!”

Qin Chu had finally found a way to deal with O’Niens. He had almost forgotten about this.

He didn’t open the ring himself, but tossed it to Loseweisse, “Saintess… you do it. Let’s see what’s inside our Saint Son’s storage ring…”

“If I do it, he might accuse me of framing him…”

With this move, Qin Chu dragged Loseweisse into the mess!

Chapter 253: The Hero, A Man of Character

Even without the divine oracle, killing Qin Chu was Athena’s mission. Not just for the Hero Squad’s plan, but for the sake of Jie Luo’s remnant soul residing within Qin Chu. To ensure his complete resurrection, and minimize Qin Chu’s influence, she had to destroy Qin Chu’s soul.

She had never questioned this objective.

But now, she felt a strong resistance to the idea of killing him.

She didn’t want to see him die.

The conflicting emotions churning within her were agonizing.

She didn’t want to feel this way…

Saint Monique, with her sharp eyes, saw through Athena’s turmoil. She frowned.

“Athena,” she asked, “could it be that after spending so much time with him, you’ve… developed feelings for that man?”

“What?!” Athena’s head snapped up, her voice sharp, “Holy Maiden, what are you talking about? How could I possibly have feelings for Qin Chu? You know I only love one man: Jie Luo.”

Saint Monique’s eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing, making Athena feel as if all her secrets were laid bare.

After a moment, she looked away. “That’s good,” she said, “Jie Luo… was indeed a charismatic man. It’s a pity he died.”

You old hag, don’t tell me you’re also interested in Lord Jie Luo? Athena thought, Please, be honest about your age. You could be his grandmother!

But why would Saint Monique say that Jie Luo was charismatic?

It didn’t make sense.

Lord Jie Luo’s appearance was very ordinary…

Seeing Athena’s strange expression, Saint Monique was irritated. “Athena,” she said, “what are you thinking? Such disrespectful thoughts!”

“Of course not,” Athena quickly replied, “I would never think that you, at your age, are not a suitable match for Lord Jie Luo.”

Athena’s attitude angered Saint Monique.

She was the Holy Maiden!

Couldn’t she show a little respect?

But she decided not to pursue it. It would be a pointless argument.

She sighed. “Then tell me why. I can sense that you don’t want to kill Qin Chu…”

“More accurately, I don’t want to kill him now,” Athena corrected her cleverly.

“He’s the Hero, our hope. Although he’s not a good person, he led the Hero Squad to the front lines and won a great victory, boosting the morale of the Allied Forces.”

“What do you think would happen if he died now?”

“The human army would lose all hope, unable to withstand the Demon Beasts’ attacks.”

“Surely you can see that, Holy Maiden?”

Saint Monique nodded, signaling her to continue.

“And that so-called oracle… do you really believe it was from the Earth Mother Goddess? Just to extinguish the hope of the entire Heavenly Continent?”

“How long has it been since the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess received an oracle? Hundreds of years? A thousand?”

“With all due respect, does the Earth Mother Goddess even still exist? Was that oracle really from her, or from some other being?”

Saint Monique sighed. Only Athena would dare to say such things within the Church. If those radical believers heard her, they would call for her execution.

She paused for a moment. “Forget it,” she said, “don’t worry about assassinating the Hero for now. But I have another task for you.”

“Investigate Norma.”

“Norma?”

“Yes, that woman…” Saint Monique’s eyes narrowed, “When Karsus attacked the Imperial City, Norma used a Super-tier magic spell, the Wrath of the Earth Mother Goddess!”

“That’s a lost magic of our Church, only existing in records…”

“I want you to investigate her origins, why she can use this magic, and if there’s any connection between her and our Church.”

“As a member of the Hero Squad, you’re the most suitable person for this task.”

Athena nodded. This task was much easier than assassinating the Hero. “I understand,” she said, “but I’ll need some time. I have somewhere else to go first.”

After their conversation ended, Athena left.

Watching her go, a gentle smile still on her face, Saint Monique stroked the table thoughtfully.

Athena, oh Athena…

You’re right.

The Earth Mother Goddess hasn’t given an oracle in over a thousand years. Does she even still exist?

Was that oracle truly from her?

But… you don’t understand. For the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess, does it really matter whether the oracle was truly from her?

What matters is that we have once again received divine attention, divine guidance.

Meanwhile, Athena, having left the Church, suddenly stopped, a confused look on her face. What had she come here for?

After a few seconds, she remembered, slapped her forehead, and turned back.

Damn it, she hadn’t even gotten the holy water!

…

At the front lines.

Qin Chu had to stay here until the Empire’s reinforcements arrived. Otherwise, if the Demon Beasts attacked again, the remaining seven thousand soldiers wouldn’t stand a chance.

As a reward for Ekaterina’s information, and for Angelica, Anastasia, Norma, and Violet’s help in maintaining the illusion of his presence, Qin Chu spent the next few days… rewarding… them.

Within his tent, days and nights were filled with pleasure, the Holy Light blooming.

Even with his stamina, after several days, Qin Chu was starting to feel the strain.

Lying in Violet’s arms, he felt dizzy.

At this rate, I’ll be a dried-up husk, he thought. He would have to collect more Moonflowers later.

“When will the Empire’s reinforcements arrive?” he asked, shifting to a more comfortable position in Violet’s embrace.

“They should be here soon, maybe today, definitely tomorrow,” Violet replied softly, twirling his hair around her finger like a playful toy.

Qin Chu felt slightly relieved.

Once the reinforcements arrived, he could return to the Imperial City.

Then he would have time to collect Moonflowers…

No, he would have time to deal with Athena.

Just as he was calculating the time, he heard a commotion from the camp, and he frowned, reluctantly leaving Violet’s embrace.

He stretched. “What’s going on outside?” he asked. “Let’s go take a look.”

Violet nodded gently.

In front of him, she was as gentle as water, completely unlike the powerful Storm Witch who had trampled O’Niens and slapped Inas.

They emerged from the tent and saw a large crowd gathered in the distance, their voices raised in a heated argument.

Between several tents, hundreds of clerics from the Holy See and the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess had surrounded a group of girls, their expressions hostile.

Angelica and Anastasia stood on either side, protecting Heloise and Iyeta.

Although they possessed considerable strength, facing the hateful, disgusted gazes of the surrounding clerics, Heloise still trembled with fear.

Iyeta, however, frowned, seemingly deep in thought.

Morton, leading the Royal Guards, and Barnal, with the surviving soldiers, stood around them, unsure whether to intervene.

Among the clerics, Loseweisse was also present.

But she frowned and remained silent.

O’Niens, on the other hand, was practically jumping up and down, his face filled with a smug triumph, like a preening baboon.

He had finally caught Qin Chu red-handed.

“Princess Anastasia, Angelica,” he said, his voice dripping with malice, “step aside… Are you trying to protect these Demon Beasts?”

O’Niens was practically giddy.

He had wanted to take revenge on the Hero, but he wasn’t strong enough, and he couldn’t find any leverage against him.

Seeing those two beautiful girls that Qin Chu had somehow acquired, he had been consumed by jealousy.

But then he realized that they weren’t human, but Demon Beasts, a Snow Woman and a Blood Elf.

They carried the distinct aura of Demon Beasts, which might deceive ordinary people, but not clerics. The moment he realized their true identities, a vicious plan formed in his mind.

He immediately gathered the clerics of the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess, and, considering that their own forces might not be enough, he even called upon the ever-righteous clerics of the Holy See to bolster their numbers, surrounding the four girls.

Now, he held the moral high ground, righteous and triumphant.

He could condemn them without fear.

Although surrounded by enemies, Angelica wasn’t afraid. Her face was cold. “Saint Son,” she said, “Heloise and Miss Iyeta were brought here by Master. We’ll wait for him to decide how to deal with this.”

O’Niens’s face darkened. “A mere maid, you’re not qualified to speak to me. Get out of my way…”

He stepped forward, his hand raised to slap Angelica.

Unfortunately for him, O’Niens didn’t know that Angelica and Anastasia had been training with Violet and Anthea for many days. Although Angelica mainly focused on magic, she had also learned some martial skills from Anthea.

Her strength was no longer what it used to be. Not only had she recovered her full power, she had even surpassed it.

She didn’t take this pampered, potion-fueled “expert” seriously at all.

Seeing his hand approaching, Angelica’s eyes narrowed. She spun swiftly, her leg sweeping out.

With a crack, O’Niens was sent tumbling through the air, landing face-first in the sand.

“Good!”

Cheers erupted from the surrounding soldiers.

Whether or not Heloise and Iyeta were Demon Beasts, they were happy to see O’Niens get his comeuppance.

O’Niens’s head spun, and he clutched his face, pointing a trembling finger at Angelica, his voice muffled by the sand in his mouth, “You… you dare to hit me?!”

“Even my mother has never hit me…”

That was the scene Qin Chu saw when he arrived.

Barnal, noticing him, immediately pulled him aside, “My dear Hero, where did you find these two girls?”

“Didn’t you realize they’re Demon Beasts?”

“Huh? You knew?”

The Hero knew? Barnal was stunned, then filled with admiration.

Good heavens, it seemed that humans were no longer enough to satisfy the Hero.

When had he sneaked out to the Demon Beast territory and snatched these two? It was usually Demon Beasts capturing human women, he hadn’t expected the Hero to turn the tables.

This Hero was truly a man of character!

Chapter 252: Athena: Have I Fallen For Him?

Athena’s chestnut eyes were fixed on Saint Monique.

This wasn’t about doubting Lord Jie Luo… not at all.

She was simply worried that that despicable Qin Chu might have used some kind of magic to influence her. Lord Jie Luo, a true gentleman, would never do such a shameless thing. Only that shameless Qin Chu, who had threatened her before, was capable of such an act.

That bastard had used Lord Jie Luo’s soul fragment to threaten her, forcing her into shameful positions and acts, even using vulgar words and violent slaps to humiliate and torture her.

Unpleasant images flashed through her mind, and Athena felt her cheeks burning.

In short, that guy was a bastard.

If it was Qin Chu, anything was possible, so she had to confirm it with the Holy Maiden.

She clenched her hands nervously.

Saint Monique looked at her with a puzzled expression, “My dear Inquisitor, what happened? Why would you ask such a question?”

Athena forced a smile and said, “It’s nothing, I’m just a little worried that our Hero might have… influenced my mind… without me knowing.”

Saint Monique lowered her eyelids, and after a brief silence, she opened her eyes again. “I see,” she said, “then let me examine you.”

She walked over to Athena.

Although Saint Monique wasn’t young, she didn’t look it. Her hands, as slender and fair as Athena’s, gently touched her forehead, then she closed her eyes.

Athena felt a strange power flowing into her body, spreading quickly.

Her body trembled slightly, then returned to normal.

Mana radiated from Saint Monique, a strange mist filling the room.

This continued for a while before she finally removed her hand.

“How is it?” Athena asked.

Saint Monique shook her head. “Athena,” she said, “your body, your mind, your soul, everything is normal. There’s no sign of any manipulation or control.”

Athena breathed a sigh of relief.

Saint Monique, as one of the strongest humans in the Heavenly Continent, her magic skills were exceptional, far surpassing her own.

If she said there was nothing wrong, then there was nothing wrong… If even Saint Monique couldn’t detect it, then it could only mean that the other party’s strength far surpassed even the Holy Maiden of the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess. What level would that be? Level 100, or even higher?

If that was the case, then resistance was futile.

Athena’s anxiety gradually subsided. She didn’t even know what she had been so worried about… Was it because Qin Chu hadn’t manipulated her, or was it because of… Jie Luo?

Then, a strange question suddenly occurred to her:

If her mind hadn’t been manipulated, then why was the image of Qin Chu becoming increasingly clear in her mind, lingering like a persistent ghost?

He was a shameless bastard who had even used Lord Jie Luo’s soul fragment to threaten her.

She should hate him, so why did she keep thinking about him?

Suddenly, Athena’s face turned pale, her body trembling with a sudden fear.

Could it be that… after all this time… she had actually developed some kind of… affection… for that scumbag who had threatened and tormented her?

No, that was impossible. There was only Jie Luo in her heart, there was no place for Qin Chu, absolutely not!

Athena’s eyes widened, her pupils flickering, her breathing becoming rapid. She bit her lip, as if denying something. Seeing her like this, Saint Monique was puzzled.

“Athena, what’s wrong with you today? What happened?”

“You’ve never been so distracted before.”

Hearing her voice, Athena took a deep breath and suppressed her thoughts.

Perhaps she was just overthinking it?

Falling for Qin Chu?

Ha, that was absolutely impossible.

Even if all the other men in the world were dead, she would never fall for that pervert who enjoyed humiliating her.

Besides, hadn’t Saint Monique just confirmed that Jie Luo hadn’t tampered with her mind? So, there was nothing wrong with her feelings for him.

Her love for Jie Luo wouldn’t change, no matter how many years passed. No one could replace him in her heart, no one!

Athena took a deep breath, her expression returning to normal. “Sorry, Holy Maiden,” she said, “for making you worry. I’m fine.”

Saint Monique looked at her skeptically, then smiled. “It’s good that you’re fine… But, my dear Inquisitor, you can always come to me if you have any problems.”

“I understand.”

“Then, Inquisitor…” Saint Monique’s gentle expression vanished, “how are Saint Son O’Niens and Saintess Inas?”

O’Niens and Inas?

A look of disdain appeared on Athena’s face, and she said coldly, “Trash.”

That was her evaluation of the Saint Son and Saintess of the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess.

Saint Monique smiled wryly. Couldn’t Athena be a little more discreet?

“O’Niens is a complete waste. Growing up with every advantage, unlimited access to potions and Saint Quartz, and at his age, he’s only level 79, and he’s actually smug about it. Doesn’t he know he’s an idiot?”

“And his personality is arrogant and conceited. Although I also dislike the Hero, at least he pretends to be polite…”

Athena paused slightly, a strange thought crossing her mind. Actually, it wasn’t just pretending…

Then she shook her head forcefully. No, no, she couldn’t think about those things again.

It was all because of that Qin Chu, making her so strange.

Saint Monique didn’t think much of it, taking Athena’s head shake as disapproval of O’Niens.

“O’Niens is also arrogant and domineering towards the Hero, completely oblivious to the difference in their strength.”

“And Inas is the same. Although she’s much stronger than that idiot O’Niens, her personality is just as bad. As a member of the Hero Squad, she’s always clinging to O’Niens.”

“And O’Niens, and those clerics you arranged, even caused a conflict with the surviving soldiers, even wanting to execute all seven thousand of them…” Athena rubbed her forehead in exasperation, “Honestly, I can’t imagine how someone could be so stupid!”

That’s right, the lives of commoners weren’t lives.

This was a truth accepted by all members of the upper class and the clergy.

But they had to know when to be discreet.

They needed these commoners to fight against the Demon Beasts. Executing thousands of survivors, weren’t they afraid of a mutiny?

Saint Monique’s mouth opened slightly.

She seemed shocked by this information.

She knew that O’Niens and Inas were foolish, but she hadn’t expected them to be this stupid.

“And then?” she asked.

“Violet, a member of the Hero Squad, intervened. She trampled O’Niens underfoot, slapped Inas, and confiscated the weapons and armor of everyone in the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess, to prevent them from causing more trouble.”

Athena curled her lip. The Church of the Earth Mother Goddess had lost all face, but Saint Monique didn’t seem angry at all, her expression calm.

“In short, those two idiots have to be dealt with, or they’ll cause more trouble for the Church. Speaking of which, isn’t this your goal, to have the Hero or the Demon Beasts get rid of Inas and O’Niens?”

Saint Monique glared at Athena, “Athena… I know you’re smart.”

“But being too smart can be annoying.”

“And please, you’re not a young girl anymore, stop acting like one, it’s disgusting!”

This was a critical hit for Saint Monique.

As they spoke, a middle-aged woman, her face filled with rage, her eyes burning, stormed out of the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess like a tempest.

Athena raised an eyebrow, “The former Holy Maiden, Florence. What do you think this mama’s boy is going to do?”

She stuck out her tongue slightly, glad that Florence hadn’t heard her call her son an idiot. Otherwise, she would definitely attack her.

She was once an outstanding woman, powerful, influential, and resourceful, but when it came to her useless son, O’Niens, she became a completely different person.

Everyone felt that her love for him was excessive, almost twisted.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Saint Monique said impatiently, “That useless O’Niens was beaten up, couldn’t fight back, so he ran to his mommy to complain…”

Her tone was filled with disdain.

Saint Monique didn’t even want to dwell on this topic. That good-for-nothing O’Niens wasn’t worth discussing.

She had more important things to discuss with Athena.

Her expression turned serious. “Athena,” she said, “do you remember the oracle I told you about last time?”

Athena’s face changed, and her body trembled slightly.

Not many people knew about the oracle received by the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess, but Athena was one of them.

And the oracle was simple:

Kill the Hero!

The First Hero, Jie Luo, was already dead, so it was clear who this “Hero” referred to.

Qin Chu.

When she first heard this from Saint Monique, Athena, although puzzled, had readily accepted it.

But now, recalling the oracle, she felt a strong, inexplicable resistance.

Chapter 251: Athena Nears Collapse

Athena was in agony, clutching her head, soft moans escaping her lips.

Before she had made the comparison, everything had seemed normal, her deep love for Jie Luo, his undeniable charm.

But now, doubts plagued her.

Even considering his… proclivities… Qin Chu, since arriving in this world, had captured a Phantom Demon, eliminated hundreds of Demon Beast spies, diligently cultivated his strength, cleared a Demon Beast nest, suppressed the corrupted Grand Prince, purified Karsus, and led the soldiers to victory against the Demon Beasts. He was undeniably effective, hardworking, and dedicated.

Jie Luo, on the other hand, had remained in the Imperial City, venturing out only once.

And the members he had chosen for the Hero Squad…

She herself, with her unique constitution, a living Mana battery, had been targeted by an evil mage and then rescued by Jie Luo. She was perhaps the most normal among them.

Sylph, the elf, had been captured by a wealthy merchant to be sold as a slave to a perverted noble, but her powers had awakened, and she had slaughtered the merchant’s entire family… Although brutal, it was understandable.

Ekaterina, a former mercenary, had once massacred an entire noble family after being harassed by their son.

Loseweisse, although the Saintess of the Holy See, maintained a facade of purity and innocence, but Athena knew that her heart was darker and more vicious than anyone else’s.

Ronald, the son of a fallen noble family, obsessed with appearances and decorum, had once dismembered a child who accidentally soiled his clothes.

Karsus, needless to say, had slaughtered his entire family. Although it was attributed to the influence of dark powers, Athena could see the inherent cruelty and bloodlust within him, amplified by the darkness.

Benson, seemingly honest and loyal, had been the most powerful bandit leader in the Heavenly Continent before joining the Hero Squad, robbing countless caravans and nobles, killing the men and taking the women captive. He was incredibly narcissistic, and any woman who dared to speak to him was suspected of harboring romantic feelings for him. He often forced his captives to declare their love for him, their heads rolling if they hesitated. He also had a penchant for collecting women’s undergarments… Loseweisse, too, had been a victim of his… hobby.

Muse the Mad, her title spoke for itself. Before joining the Hero Squad, she had been a soldier on the front lines, but her temper was explosive, and once enraged, she would attack indiscriminately, friend and foe alike.

The seemingly cute and innocent Twin Thieves, Eileen and Airi, were masters of stealth and assassination, but their methods were incredibly cruel. They didn’t just steal valuables, but also liked to take trophies from their victims: an eye, a nose, an ear, even a heart…

Thinking about it, Athena realized that almost all the members of the former Hero Squad were… disturbed.

Almost all of them had blood on their hands, some even guilty of heinous crimes.

The more she thought about it, the more distressed she became.

Why had Jie Luo recruited such people?

And the members Qin Chu had recruited: a princess, a Saintess, a Saintess candidate, a Grand Mage from Sage Mountain… all seemingly upstanding individuals.

The more she compared them, the greater the disparity between Jie Luo and Qin Chu seemed.

No, this wasn’t right, something must be wrong.

She loved Lord Jie Luo.

He was the only one she loved…

Athena repeated these words in her mind, trying to reaffirm her belief, a belief she had clung to since his death.

But now, another man had defiled her body, invaded her heart, stealing a piece of the love that belonged only to Jie Luo.

This was unbearable, threatening to shatter the very foundation of her being.

She gasped, her body drenched in a cold sweat, trembling uncontrollably, pained cries escaping her lips… A powerful resistance, both physical and spiritual, surged within her.

Jie Luo, Qin Chu, Jie Luo, Qin Chu… the images of the two men flashed through her mind.

After a long while, her cries subsided, her body still, only twitching occasionally. Finally, she raised her head, her face pale, her hair disheveled, her thin robe soaked with sweat.

A twisted, almost manic smile appeared on her face.

Hehe… Hahahaha…

She loved only Lord Jie Luo.

She shouldn’t doubt him.

Even if some of the members he recruited were deeply sinful, it must have been because he wanted to redeem them. Yes, that must be it. Hadn’t they all been obedient while he was alive? And after his death, Karsus had quickly lost control!

So, Lord Jie Luo wasn’t wrong, he wasn’t wrong, he wasn’t wrong…

Athena clenched her fists, her teeth almost drawing blood, her expression fierce. She had to hold onto her belief, or her will would shatter.

But… the seeds of doubt had been sown, and they wouldn’t be easily eradicated.

The image of Qin Chu lingered in her mind.

After a long while, she finally regained her composure. She took a deep breath, stood up, tidied her appearance in the mirror, dried her sweat, and headed towards the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess.

…

With her usual charming, elegant, and confident smile, Athena swayed towards the Church, her voluptuous figure drawing countless gazes.

Her high-slit mage robe revealed her long, shapely legs, her sexy black high heels clicking on the stone pavement.

She was a true enchantress, the kind that could drive a man mad.

The young nobles, recognizing her, couldn’t help but stare, their mouths watering.

But few dared to approach her. They just nodded politely from afar.

They knew that although Athena was approachable and flirtatious, making them think she might be interested, any attempt to get closer would be met with a cold rejection.

She arrived at the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess, a mocking smile playing on her lips as she looked at the grand, opulent building. How much Mana had been squeezed from the believers to build such a extravagant temple? She had always been curious about that number.

Shaking her head slightly, she entered. Although she wasn’t wearing clerical attire, the Earth Knights at the gate didn’t stop her.

Athena had special privileges within the Church, able to meet with the Holy Maiden without prior notice.

She walked through the familiar corridors, bypassing the luxurious palace, and arrived at a small room behind the sanctuary. She pushed open the door.

Creak…

Inside, a voluptuous woman, exuding mature charm, opened her eyes.

She was tall and curvy, her body seemingly soft and inviting.

She wore an earth-yellow robe adorned with platinum threads, a symbol of her authority as the Holy Maiden, a staff clutched in her hand… This was Saint Monique, the Holy Maiden of the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess.

She seemed to have been praying, kneeling on the floor. She frowned slightly at Athena’s intrusion, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

“Athena,” she said, “you should learn to knock. It’s not that difficult.”

Athena nodded. “I will next time…”

Saint Monique sighed. She had heard that before, but Athena never remembered. Teaching her to knock was probably more difficult than creating a new Super-tier magic spell.

After a pause, she continued, “So, my dear Inquisitor… what brings you here?”

Inquisitor, that was Athena’s position in the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess.

Similar to an Inquisitor of the Holy See, but with a different focus. She was responsible for investigations, for gathering intelligence, not for trials and judgments, although she occasionally had to perform those duties as well.

Athena had intended to ask Saint Monique for some holy water.

But the words that came out of her mouth were different, her voice suddenly serious:

“Saint Monique, has my mind been manipulated, my spirit influenced, my soul controlled?”

“I suspect I might be under the influence of some kind of power.”

Chapter 250: Athena’s Confusion

Qin Chu leaned back in his chair, enjoying Ekaterina’s ministrations. The Crimson Valkyrie was becoming increasingly… attentive.

But his mind was elsewhere, focused on another problem.

Athena.

She had gone to assist Muse the Mad, and there was a piece of Jie Luo’s soul fragment there.

Athena, completely under his control, would undoubtedly try to obtain the fragment without Muse noticing and bring it to him.

That was her plan, anyway. But things rarely went according to plan.

Knowing Athena, she would definitely try to awaken Jie Luo’s remnant soul within the fragment and communicate with him.

And then she would discover that it was empty, which would arouse her suspicion and lead her to investigate, to probe…

Until she uncovered the truth.

Qin Chu believed that no matter how well he concealed himself, Athena, with her sharp mind, would eventually see through his deception.

And then, she would become a liability, a dangerous obstacle.

He would have to eliminate her.

Honestly, he didn’t want to get rid of Athena so soon. She was still useful, a valuable tool.

Losing her would complicate things. After all, she wasn’t just a former member of the Hero Squad, but also had connections to the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess. Her position was important.

Her conversation with Anthony had already aroused her suspicion, but he had managed to deflect it. Now, a new problem had arisen.

Smart women were truly troublesome.

If only he had the ability to directly manipulate, or even alter, souls.

Unfortunately, the power of souls was too mysterious, even he hadn’t mastered it.

Although he had the Dark Witch, the Storm Witch, the Flame Witch, and even a bit of the Earth Witch around him, each with their own unique abilities, none of them specialized in soul magic.

Wait, Ireta, the Daughter of Death?

She dealt with souls, didn’t she? Perhaps…

And Heloise and Iyeta!

Their master-servant rings… were they an option?

But he didn’t know how to create them, and he wasn’t sure if those two Demon Beasts knew either.

A smile appeared on Qin Chu’s lips. There were always solutions, if he looked hard enough.

“Ekaterina, where is Muse now?”

Ekaterina’s muffled voice came from below, “At the border between the Auville Empire and the Ice Duchy, a place called the Snow Chain Mountains.”

“It’s said that one side of the mountain is covered in lush greenery, while the other is covered in snow and ice. The towering peaks block the cold air from the Ice Duchy. Muse found a hidden chamber there, sealed by a magic barrier, filled with strange and eerie objects, seemingly used to worship some Evil God. Muse can’t break the barrier, so she needs Athena’s help.”

…

Meanwhile, Athena had returned to the Imperial City.

She had to pass through here on her way to the border of the Ice Duchy, and she needed to replenish her supplies. Even with her strength and speed, the journey was long.

She knew it would be arduous.

Not to mention the freezing temperatures at the border, just that hidden chamber… To create a hidden chamber within a mountain and seal it with magic…

And although Muse couldn’t break magic barriers, her strength was great enough to shatter most of them with a single swing of her axe. The fact that she couldn’t break this one meant that the person who created it was very powerful.

Most importantly, the chamber was filled with eerie objects used to worship an Evil God.

Those associated with Evil Gods were all mad, violent, and powerful. She might accidentally alert the chamber’s owner while trying to break the seal.

But to store Lord Jie Luo’s soul fragment together with objects used to worship an Evil God… how preposterous!

Lord Jie Luo’s soul fragment was so pure, did they really think it was on the same level as those evil objects?

Those fools had no sense of propriety.

The thought angered Athena.

She shook her head, suppressing her anger, and glanced at the supplies she had gathered. It wasn’t enough. She was meticulous. Since this might be related to Evil God worshippers, the enemy could be incredibly strange and dangerous, unlike ordinary Demon Beasts.

Although her magic was powerful, it might not be effective against such beings. She would go to the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess later and ask Saint Monique for some holy water.

As she calculated, a smile appeared on her face.

This time, if she successfully retrieved Lord Jie Luo’s soul fragment, he would be so happy, right? His soul would definitely recover a bit.

She imagined him holding her, kissing her…

Becoming one with him.

Before leaving, she had wanted to… be with him… After all, it had been a long time.

Although it was unlikely that Jie Luo himself would appear, Qin Chu was… acceptable… After all, it was for Lord Jie Luo’s recovery. She could endure it.

Unfortunately, Qin Chu had been staying in his tent these past few days, not leaving at all.

Even Violet couldn’t help her. That tall woman’s strength was as formidable as her stature.

It seemed that Qin Chu had been indulging himself with Angelica, Anastasia, and Norma, which made Athena feel a strange pang of jealousy. After all, compared to Jie Luo’s gentleness, Qin Chu’s roughness had its own… appeal.

This thought startled her, and she shook her head, disgusted by her own feelings.

Qin Chu wasn’t Jie Luo. What he did with other women had nothing to do with her. Why would she be jealous?

Was she actually comparing Qin Chu to Lord Jie Luo?

Even concluding that Qin Chu was better?

This strange thought filled her with shame, as if she had become a shameless, wicked woman. She loved Jie Luo, so why were Qin Chu’s images sometimes even clearer in her mind?

Jie Luo, Qin Chu.

The images of the two men alternated in her mind.

The more she tried not to compare them, the more she couldn’t help but do so.

Both of them were Heroes.

Talent… No matter how unwilling she was to admit it, Qin Chu’s talent was superior to Jie Luo’s. With his two Super-tier abilities, his cultivation had skyrocketed. Compared to him, Jie Luo’s talent, although good, was far inferior.

Appearance? Qin Chu’s appearance was decent, not particularly handsome, but not bad either. Compared to him, Jie Luo was the type who would be lost in a crowd. His features were unremarkable, their combination… well, he was just a person, nothing more.

He had no particular charm, so why did she find him so captivating?

Before meeting Qin Chu, no other man had ever occupied her thoughts. No matter how outstanding they were, they seemed like flies and cockroaches to her, even talking to them made her want to vomit.

Was it because Lord Jie Luo had saved her?

Yes, a life-saving grace was immense.

It wasn’t strange for her to fall in love with him because he had saved her.

But what she couldn’t understand was, had this love blinded her, muddled her mind, making her unable to see Jie Luo for who he truly was? He didn’t have the looks or the charm to captivate all women… Honestly, he wasn’t that attractive.

But why did every woman who met him fall madly in love with him?

Herself, Ekaterina, Loseweisse, Sylph, Eileen, Airi, and many others.

Even after his death, their love hadn’t diminished.

Was it simply because of his title as the Hero?

But also as a Hero, why did she, Ekaterina, and Loseweisse feel such an aversion to Qin Chu? It didn’t make sense.

Qin Chu was indeed not a good person, he had even used Lord Jie Luo’s soul fragment to threaten her… But Athena knew clearly that this aversion had existed before he threatened her, even before he was summoned to this world.

Was this normal?

Now that she thought about it, she had willingly offered her pure body to Qin Chu, becoming the Second Hero’s plaything, just to resurrect Lord Jie Luo.

Wasn’t this love… twisted?

Her head ached.

Athena clutched her head. No… this wasn’t right. Her love for Lord Jie Luo hadn’t changed.

Chapter 249: Athena Approaches Death

Qin Chu’s confidence in the face of such overwhelming power stunned both Heloise and Iyeta. They didn’t doubt his ability to reach such heights. After all, his growth rate was astonishing.

They were also shocked by the Dark Witch Shaye’s strength. After all, she had been welcomed by the Demon King, a being of equal power.

There were only two beings in the entire Heavenly Continent who had surpassed the level 100 limit, and both of them were Demon Beasts. Fortunately, the Demon King was obsessed with his research and rarely left his palace, and Shaye was also engrossed in her own studies.

Otherwise, if these two were to unleash their full power, humanity would be doomed.

“By the way, what is Shaye researching?” Heloise suddenly asked.

Iyeta shook her head. “I heard it’s about modifying Demon Beasts. His Majesty personally selected a group of strong and healthy Demon Beasts for her experiments. After leaving her laboratory, these Demon Beasts became incredibly powerful, like madmen, fearless in battle.”

Although he had been with Shaye for a long time, Qin Chu didn’t know much about her research. He hadn’t inquired about it.

Intrigued by Heloise and Iyeta’s words, he asked Shaye in his mind.

She didn’t hide anything. “It’s pretty much what Iyeta said, experimenting with modifying Demon Beasts using potions.”

“That Nagath knows I’m proficient in potion brewing.”

“For a potion-making Witch, high-quality materials are precious and very attractive. Nagath said he had some extremely rare materials, and the Demon Beast territory is vast, filled with all kinds of herbs. He said he would arrange for Demon Beasts to collect them for me if I needed anything.”

“Of course, in exchange for the materials, I had to share my research results with him.”

“To me, research is research, no matter where I am. I just want precious materials to improve my skills. Since someone was willing to offer them, why not accept? So I readily agreed,” Shaye replied casually.

Shaye was different from other Witches.

She was powerful, but she didn’t care much about good or evil.

She simply did as she pleased, regardless of the consequences.

“What kind of materials did he give you?” Qin Chu was even more curious.

To attract a powerful Witch like Shaye, it must be something extraordinary.

“Well, it’s a strange red liquid.”

Shaye leaned on his shoulder, her chin almost touching his ear, “I think it’s the blood of some creature.”

“I dare say my knowledge is vast, but I can’t identify it. And it’s highly diluted, not the original. But even so, it contains an incredibly potent energy, something I’ve never encountered before.”

“I asked Nagath what it was, but that old man didn’t tell me. He said he would reveal its origins after my research yielded results.”

“That diluted blood is enough for several years of research. I only need a single drop each time, and I even have to dilute it further. Otherwise, those Demon Beasts undergoing the modification wouldn’t be able to withstand it.”

Qin Chu was even more curious now. How strong was Shaye?

Even highly diluted blood was considered incredibly potent by her, something she had never encountered before?

Could it be… the blood of a god?

This thought suddenly appeared in Qin Chu’s mind.

That couldn’t be possible, right?

The gods had perished a thousand years ago. Where would he find their blood? And it wouldn’t have lasted this long, it would have spoiled.

Apart from those strange beings in the Void, Qin Chu hadn’t encountered any true gods, and he didn’t know much about them.

“He asked you to modify Demon Beasts. Didn’t he have any specific requirements?”

“Of course, he wanted them to be as agile as the wind, as intelligent as humans, incredibly strong, and indestructible. It seems he wants to create an army of killing machines.”

“Agile as the wind, incredibly strong, and indestructible are easy. Most of the Demon Beasts I modified met these standards. The only problem is ‘as intelligent as humans’.”

Shaye yawned lazily, tucking a strand of silver hair behind her ear, “As intelligent as humans… Isn’t that the same as awakening their intelligence?”

Her tone turned slightly displeased, “Most of the Demon Beasts Nagath sent me were all brawn and no brains. Awakening their intelligence? I might as well try to awaken the intelligence of cockroaches, it would probably be easier.”

“Their tempers were already volatile, and with the potion’s influence, they all became a bit… manic.”

“But undeniably, their combat power increased significantly.”

“Their speed is like lightning, their claws can tear through steel, and human bows and crossbows can’t pierce their skin…”

“I thought my research was quite successful, but that damned Nagath was still picking faults, so I retorted…”

“The potion’s effects are very strong, the transformation process incredibly painful. Even the most strong-willed Demon Beast can’t withstand it, their minds becoming somewhat… unhinged. To fully endure the potion’s effects, you’d need a… corpse…”

Shaye’s voice turned smug, “Hmph, that guy was probably intimidated by my aura. He paused, thought that what I said made sense, apologized, and left with my research report.”

Strength, agility, intelligence, defense…

What was that Nagath planning? Was he really just trying to create an army of killing machines?

Qin Chu pondered. It didn’t seem that simple.

The Demon Beasts already had the upper hand in their conflict with humans. Nagath didn’t need to go through so much trouble to create killing machines. He could just personally crush the humans.

What was he planning?

In the first playthrough, whenever he encountered the Demon King, they would fight immediately. He didn’t know much about these things.

If you can’t figure it out, then don’t think about it, he thought. I can always sneak into the Demon King’s Palace and find out later.

The most important thing now was to return to the camp. Angelica and Anastasia were probably struggling to maintain the illusion of his presence.

Although Violet was there to keep things under control, his prolonged absence would still arouse suspicion. And he hadn’t figured out how to explain Heloise and Iyeta’s presence.

Did he even need to explain?

After confirming his coordinates, Qin Chu activated a spatial teleportation scroll and reappeared in his tent.

Angelica and Anastasia were inside.

Seeing his sudden appearance, the two girls instinctively tensed, ready for battle, then relaxed when they saw it was him.

They vaguely sensed that he seemed even more charming now, but their lover was always charming in their eyes, so they weren’t too surprised.

But… they quickly noticed Heloise and Iyeta beside him.

The two beautiful girls looked at them with resigned expressions.

The Hero had brought back more women again, two this time.

Because Heloise and Iyeta looked so human, Angelica and Anastasia didn’t realize they were Demon Beasts.

Anastasia even curtsied politely, “What are your names, sisters?”

Demon Beasts didn’t have such complicated etiquette. Seeing Anastasia’s curtsy, even the powerful Heloise and Iyeta were a little flustered. They mimicked Angelica, awkwardly curtseying in return.

“Heloise…”

“Iyeta.”

Newly arrived in the human world, the two powerful Demon Beasts were a bit nervous.

“Sisters Heloise and Iyeta?” Anastasia didn’t mock their awkwardness, but smiled gently. She didn’t know that these two Demon Beasts were much older than her. If anything, she was the younger sister.

“How did Qin Chu deceive you into coming here?”

What do you mean, “deceive”? Can’t you use a nicer word? Like… “persuade”? Qin Chu thought.

“Huh? Are you talking about Master Qin Chu? He didn’t deceive us,” Heloise said, puzzled.

Master?

This title made Anastasia raise an eyebrow and glance at Qin Chu. This Hero, he was quite the playboy, wasn’t he?

Having such a cute little maid like Angelica wasn’t enough for him? Did he think he was some kind of nobleman?

“Ahem…” Qin Chu felt that his reputation was about to be ruined if this conversation continued, and he coughed, changing the subject.

Anastasia understood, but she was smart. A little teasing was fine, but too much would be annoying.

“Did anything happen while I was away?” Qin Chu asked.

Anastasia nodded. “There was a small incident, a conflict between the surviving soldiers and the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess… But Miss Violet handled it, although it might have earned us their resentment.”

“I didn’t want her to be so impulsive, but I couldn’t stop her. And those people from the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess were truly too much.”

Anastasia briefly explained what had happened and Eileen’s return.

She had thought that Qin Chu would be angry about provoking the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess, but he didn’t seem to care at all.

On the contrary, he was more concerned about Eileen.

After a brief silence, he asked, “Where’s Eileen now?”

“After a brief meeting with the former Hero Squad members, Eileen, Airi, Sylph, and Athena asked Violet for leave and left. I don’t know where they are now.”

“I see. Where’s Ekaterina?” Qin Chu asked nonchalantly.

“She’s outside. She’s been here many times, seemingly with something important to tell you, or maybe just to keep an eye on you. After all, you’ve been in here for two whole days without showing your face. Everyone is wondering what you’re doing!” Anastasia blushed slightly, “Although we’ve been trying our best to cover for you, it’s getting harder and harder.”

After all, even if the Hero was… vigorous… who could go for two days and two nights without stopping?

Was he a machine?

Some of the nuns had even started whispering about their… impropriety… behind their backs.

Although Anastasia didn’t care about their opinions, she still felt a little annoyed.

Qin Chu sat down, tapping his fingers on the armrest. “Angelica, Anastasia,” he said, “can you show Heloise and Iyeta around?”

“And call Ekaterina in.”

Anastasia and Angelica understood that he had important matters to attend to and left without a word, taking the two Demon Beast girls with them.

A few seconds later, Ekaterina rushed in, clearly anxious.

Just as she was about to speak, Qin Chu smiled and beckoned her over.

The Crimson Valkyrie blushed slightly, then sat obediently on his lap, her athletic body leaning against his.

She let him have his way, her eyes clouding with desire.

Where Ekaterina couldn’t hear, Qin Chu asked Phil in his mind, “This is the Crimson Valkyrie. What do you think?”

“No,” Phil’s answer was immediate and decisive.

Her unwavering rejection surprised Qin Chu.

“She’s a very… capable… woman, isn’t she?” he asked.

“No, her soul is filthy, it disgusts me,” Phil’s voice was firm, “Besides, her body is no longer pure. I’d rather create my own body later.”

As the former Saintess of the Flame Temple, she valued purity highly.

Although it was Qin Chu who had… defiled… Ekaterina, Phil still couldn’t accept it.

Since she didn’t like Ekaterina, Qin Chu guessed that she probably wouldn’t like Athena either.

Well, he would deal with that later. Perhaps Phil would change her mind after meeting her.

He wrapped his arm around Ekaterina’s slender waist, inhaling the fragrance of her hair, and smiled. “Ekaterina,” he said, “I missed you.”

Ekaterina blushed, her body wriggling slightly in his embrace. “Master,” she murmured, “I missed you too.”

“It seems you have something to tell me.”

“Yes, Master!”

“Eileen returned with news. Ronald has been captured by Lomond.”

“After some discussion, Eileen, Airi, and Sylph went to rescue him.”

As expected.

Just as he had predicted, Loseweisse and the others might not care about Ronald’s life or death, but they definitely cared about Jie Luo the Second’s soul fragment.

They would definitely go to Lomond’s territory, trying to rescue Ronald and find the soul fragment.

These women weren’t stupid, they must have realized it was a trap, but their obsession with Jie Luo the Second made them willing to take the risk.

Lomond’s territory was about to become very lively.

“What about Athena? Didn’t she go with them?” Qin Chu asked, finding it strange that Ekaterina hadn’t mentioned her.

“Athena didn’t participate in the rescue mission,” Ekaterina quickly replied, “Muse the Mad encountered some trouble, and Athena went to support her. If nothing goes wrong, the former Hero Squad members will soon obtain a piece of Jie Luo’s soul fragment.”

Hearing this, Qin Chu’s eyes narrowed.

Athena was walking towards her death.

“Master, what are you going to do?” Ekaterina asked, seeing his grim expression, a hint of worry in her voice.

Qin Chu didn’t answer, just patted her head.

Ekaterina understood, her cheeks flushing slightly, and she left his embrace.

Chapter 248: The God’s Head

“You’re such a scoundrel.”

“Isn’t that a compliment among you Demon Beasts?”

Two distinct voices, one arrogant, the other calm, bickered within the Demon King’s mouth.

Ignoring the awestruck Demon Beasts who had witnessed his display of power, Nagath carried his son’s body into the laboratory, confirming that the seals, traps, and restrictions were intact.

Then, he waved his hand, and a hidden door, leading into a dark, oppressive space, appeared in the wall.

Even within his laboratory, there was another hidden chamber.

He entered, the door vanishing behind him, leaving no trace.

A long, dark corridor stretched before him, only the sound of his footsteps echoing in the oppressive silence.

“By the way, did that axe attack kill the Hero?” the calmer voice asked.

“Who knows? It should have. Although that Second Hero is quite capable, I don’t think he could withstand that attack.”

“Of course, he might have some strange life-saving ability.”

“Should we go finish him off?”

“It doesn’t matter. Whether he lives or dies is of no consequence to me. In fact, it might be better if he’s alive. He can attract the attention of those… unpleasant… beings, making things easier for us.”

As they bickered, the Demon King continued down the corridor, the darkness not hindering his vision.

After what seemed like an eternity, the corridor opened into a vast, empty space, larger even than the Demon King’s Palace, larger even than the entire Demon King’s Castle.

Countless skulls, each one a lamp, flickered with a faint, eerie light. Their combined illumination, however, barely penetrated the vast darkness.

The voices within him fell silent, his expression turning grim. The flickering flames cast long, dancing shadows.

In the center of the space was a towering mountain…

No, not a mountain.

It was a massive, impossibly large head.

Larger than the tallest mountain on the Heavenly Continent, its long hair, each strand as thick as a stone pillar, scattered on the ground around it.

Its eyes were wide open, bloodshot, staring into the void.

Its nose was like a cliff face.

Its lips were curled into a proud, defiant sneer.

Its neck was severed, the cut smooth as glass.

Even the towering Demon King seemed like an ant before this colossal head.

It was motionless, yet it radiated an unparalleled aura of power.

Demon King Nagath stopped some distance away, a flicker of fear in his eyes.

He, who feared nothing, the strongest being in the Heavenly Continent, the one who could force back even the powerful Second Hero with a single axe blow, felt fear before this severed head.

He could almost imagine the unimaginable size of its complete form.

Nagath was strong, a god among ordinary Demon Beasts, but this head… this was the presence of a true god.

He stared at it for a moment, then lowered his eyes, unable to bear its gaze for too long.

The oppressive pressure was immense. A weaker being would have been crushed instantly.

Even the Demon King couldn’t look at it for too long, lest he be driven mad.

A struggle flickered across his face, and he took a deep breath, speaking to the other presence within him, or perhaps just to himself, “Damn it…”

“I’ve been looking at this thing for hundreds of years…”

“And every time, it fills me with dread.”

“It’s just a severed head, yet it feels… alive.”

Then, his voice changed, “This is the head of a god… a being from another dimension entirely.”

“How could such a powerful being be killed?”

“It must have been another being of equal power… Let’s not waste any more time. Let’s begin. I hope we can gain something this time.”

He walked towards the massive head, carrying his son’s corpse. The closer he got, the more oppressive the pressure became. Although the air was still, he felt as if he were caught in a tsunami, his body swaying, his forehead slick with sweat.

Each step was a struggle, his muscles straining, the veins on his arms bulging.

His heart pounded in his chest, its rhythm increasing rapidly.

His face flushed red.

The pressure wasn’t physical, but spiritual, his very soul screaming at him to retreat.

Ignoring his instincts, he finally reached the base of the massive head, his strength gone, and he dropped his son’s corpse.

His son’s soul, cowering within the body, was on the verge of dissipating.

Even the Demon King sank to the ground, gasping for breath.

After resting for a while, he stood up and, with great effort, extracted a fist-sized drop of blood from the severed neck.

The blood, like viscous jelly, shimmered with a strange, unsettling beauty.

Ignoring the immense pressure, he injected the blood into his son’s corpse.

Then he poured the contents of dozens of vials and bottles down Diabolique’s throat.

The next instant, Diabolique’s corpse began to convulse violently.

As if he had come back to life.

His body spasmed on the ground, wracked by an agonizing pain that could shatter the mind. He opened his mouth, as if to scream, but no sound came out.

Strange cracking and crunching sounds echoed through the chamber.

Muscles, like snakes, wriggled beneath his skin, his limbs growing thicker and stronger.

His bones twisted and reformed, the wounds on his back healing rapidly.

A crimson heart grew on his chest, pulsing strongly.

Then, with a sickening crack, it exploded, sending a spray of blood into the air.

And along with it, Diabolique’s flesh and tendons disintegrated, the stench of blood filling the air.

Although his flesh was gone, his pale skeleton seemed to have grown slightly larger, thicker.

Then, new flesh began to regenerate…

Disintegrating and regenerating… an endless cycle.

Such pain, only a dead man could endure.

Only someone like Diabolique, with his considerable strength and resilience, could withstand this transformation.

A weaker Demon Beast would have been completely destroyed, not even a chance for regeneration.

This was an experiment.

If it succeeded, they would be one step closer to their goal.

…

Meanwhile, Qin Chu, Heloise, and Iyeta appeared in a forest.

Heloise and Iyeta were still in shock, unsure what had just happened. They wanted to ask Qin Chu, but he was wearing a strange, excited smile.

Was it the exhilaration of a near-death experience?

Although they had faced a powerful enemy, Qin Chu’s reaction made Heloise and Iyeta feel that their new master was… reliable.

He had brought them with him, not abandoning them like Diabolique had abandoned Heloise.

Such a man was worth following.

Seemingly noticing their gazes, Qin Chu shook his head, his expression returning to its usual calm.

“That was Demon King Nagath’s attack,” he said.

Demon King Nagath?

Heloise and Iyeta’s hearts skipped a beat.

Although they were now bound to the Hero, the Demon King’s name still held immense power over them.

The name Nagath was synonymous with invincibility, with brutality.

Fear gripped their hearts.

Qin Chu smiled faintly. He knew Demon King Nagath very well. They had fought three times. The first time, he had lost, but escaped. The second time, it was a draw. And the third time, he had killed Nagath.

He was very familiar with the Demon King’s power.

That old man had actually left his palace?

Was it because his son was about to be killed?

No… Qin Chu didn’t think Nagath was the type to care about his children.

To him, they were just byproducts of his lust, nothing more.

Heloise and Iyeta exchanged glances, seeing the shock in each other’s eyes… They hadn’t fully experienced the attack, but they could sense its terrifying power, the force that had torn the sky.

Although the arc of light hadn’t landed, they had felt their bodies lock up, unable to move, as if they had already seen their own deaths.

“That is the power that surpasses the level 100 limit.”

“Below level 100, even at level 100, no matter how strong you are, how many magic spells or martial skills you know, in the face of such power, you are nothing but trash.”

“That power… even a hundred Diaboliques wouldn’t be a match for it.”

“Now do you understand how foolish it was for him to try and overthrow the Demon King?”

“He is one of the only two transcendents in the entire Heavenly Continent…”

“The other one…?” Heloise asked softly.

“Is Shaye, the Dark Witch…”

He didn’t know if Ireta, the Daughter of Death, had reached that level. She didn’t like to fight and was incredibly elusive, her true strength a mystery.

Qin Chu smiled faintly, “And I… will be the third!”

Chapter 247: The Demon King

The Grand Prince’s heart, a massive, dark red organ, exploded in Iyeta’s hand, viscous fluid dripping through her fingers onto the sand.

Thud!

Diabolique’s body convulsed, and he spat out another mouthful of blood.

Even with his heart crushed, a being of his level, a Demon Beast prince with the Demon King’s blood, wouldn’t die instantly. Their vitality was far greater than humans’.

But the pain, both physical and spiritual, was excruciating, his face contorted in a mask of confusion, disbelief, shock, sorrow, and despair.

“Iyeta,” he rasped, “you betrayed me…”

And her response was the final, devastating blow.

The subordinate he had believed to be his most loyal companion was actually Qin Chu’s servant.

He had never known such utter desolation, such complete and utter loneliness.

He couldn’t even summon the energy to be angry, just staring at Iyeta as if it were all a dream.

He couldn’t describe the pain in his heart, wishing he had never been born.

He had thought that Iyeta, even under Qin Chu’s control, would still feel some conflict, some hesitation, some pain, after all their years together… but he was wrong. Her eyes were cold and empty.

Iyeta smiled and floated towards Qin Chu.

Her master’s task was to make Diabolique suffer the pain of betrayal.

She had thought it would be difficult. After all, Diabolique was powerful, and extracting his heart wouldn’t be easy.

But her master had planned everything meticulously, using the Demon Beasts’ own traps against them, gaining Diabolique’s complete trust with his carefully chosen words, staying by his side to further solidify that trust.

His hatred and his defeat had blinded him, his focus solely on Qin Chu as his enemy, with no one around to warn him.

In this situation, Iyeta’s success was guaranteed.

Her master’s foresight and meticulous planning impressed her. He was truly remarkable.

At least, until someone stronger, more cunning, and more intelligent appeared, Iyeta’s loyalty to Qin Chu was absolute.

Qin Chu stared at Iyeta’s blood-soaked hand, his expression a mixture of shock and amusement.

He had just wanted Diabolique to feel the sting of betrayal, to believe that Iyeta was his last loyal follower, and then have her turn against him. That would have been enough to break his heart.

But he hadn’t expected her to literally rip out his heart and crush it.

This… this…

He didn’t know how to react.

Looking at Iyeta, her head tilted slightly as if waiting for his praise, Qin Chu forced a smile and nodded. “Yes, Iyeta,” he said, “you did well. I’m very satisfied.”

Iyeta beamed. It seemed she had made a good impression on her new master. This was a good start.

She glanced at Diabolique. “Your Highness,” she said, her voice laced with mockery, “why so sad?”

“Shouldn’t you have expected this?”

“When you let go of Sister Heloise, letting her be swallowed by the lava, did you really think we would remain loyal to you?”

“You brought this upon yourself. You can’t blame us.”

Diabolique didn’t even bother to retort. He just laughed hysterically, “Iyeta… Heloise…”

“Do you really think you’ll have a good ending? Don’t forget who you are. You’re Demon Beasts… No matter how much you resemble humans, that will never change. Do you really think a human Hero can accept you?”

“I’ll be waiting for you in hell…”

Heloise, who had moved away from Qin Chu at some point, looked at the bloodied First Prince with a mixture of sadness and fear. She spoke, her voice trembling slightly, “Your Highness…”

“Perhaps following the Hero will bring us hardships, but I believe it will still be better than being by your side, even a hundredfold, a thousandfold better.”

Heloise’s words silenced Diabolique.

Qin Chu didn’t give him much time to recover. It wasn’t that he was worried about Diabolique suddenly attacking… He was already finished, even without his intervention, he was doomed.

But he was a huge experience pack.

Before he died, Qin Chu intended to… collect… a bit more power.

But just as he was about to take a step, a sudden, inexplicable fear gripped him.

A warning from his soul.

The sapling within him trembled violently.

That moment of terror, he tasted death.

His eyes narrowed, and with decisive action, not even bothering to identify the source of the danger, he roared, “Grab me!”

Instinctively, the moment his voice rang out, Heloise and Iyeta clutched his clothes. Phil and Anthea retreated into his body.

Then, a magic scroll appeared in his hand.

The next second, with a flash of light, they vanished.

Just as they disappeared, Qin Chu saw an arc of light streaking towards them from the horizon, like a giant battle-axe splitting the sky.

His Pseudo-Absolute Defense shattered.

The barrier, which had withstood the combined force of so many traps and restrictions, now crumbled like a mirror struck by a hammer, its golden fragments dissipating in the air.

The arc of light tore through the earth, creating a massive chasm, kilometers long and impossibly deep, like a gaping maw threatening to swallow everything.

Sand and dust cascaded down its sides, a violent shockwave rippling outwards, a hurricane of debris and dust filling the air.

Even Diabolique, although not the direct target, couldn’t withstand the force at such close range and was sent flying.

Just as he was about to be crushed by the shockwave, a giant hand appeared in mid-air, catching him and carrying him towards the deepest part of the Demon Beast territory.

Towards the Demon King’s Palace!

Demon King Nagath had once again left his laboratory.

And today, he seemed different.

A bloodlust surged around him, an aura of uncontainable arrogance and madness.

Only two words could describe him:

Violent. Powerful.

A sinister smile twisted his handsome face, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light, a massive battle-axe in his hand.

That arc of light that had split the sky had been his attack, and he was hundreds of kilometers away, at the Demon King’s Palace.

This single attack, a mere glimpse of his power, was terrifying.

This was the Demon King, the true Demon King.

“Hahahaha…”

He laughed, a sound of pure, unrestrained power, “It’s been a while since I stretched my muscles. Refreshing.”

The giant hand, carrying Diabolique, returned.

Countless Demon Beasts throughout the land, seeing the Demon King standing atop his palace, the arc of light still lingering in the sky, knelt on the ground, trembling, praising their invincible king.

His power was truly unmatched.

But Nagath ignored their worship, his gaze fixed on Diabolique’s broken body… or rather, his corpse.

His heart had been ripped out and crushed.

Diabolique, due to his powerful bloodline and strength, could still cling to life for a while, but he was doomed.

His soul, however, hadn’t yet departed. Nagath saw it wriggling within the corpse, trying to escape.

With a snort, he waved his hand, forcing the soul back into Diabolique’s body.

Then, carrying his son’s corpse, he walked towards his laboratory.

“Damn it,” he muttered, “for this experiment, I even sacrificed my own son, my most beloved son.”

“Are you sure you’re not talking nonsense?” A calmer voice suddenly came from his mouth, “You talk about love? Do you even understand the meaning of the word? Does your son mean anything to you?”

“It seems… not… But that doesn’t change the fact that I even sacrificed my own son…” After a brief pause, the calm voice shifted, regaining the Demon King’s characteristic arrogance, “So…”

“This experiment better produce some damn results, or I’ll rip your soul from my body and crush it…”

“Hehe… You know very well that without me, you can do nothing. And we’re evenly matched. Neither of us can destroy the other. No matter how dissatisfied you are, you can’t do anything to me… Cooperation is our only option.”

Chapter 246: It’s Just Master’s Task

Iyeta silently appeared behind Diabolique, her eyes downcast, concealing the strange glint within them.

If she wanted to prove her loyalty to her new master, she had to make a contribution… Heloise had already gained the Hero’s favor. She couldn’t be outdone by that  simpleminded  girl.

Iyeta considered her options.

The Hero’s status and strength among humans were undeniable, and his appearance was quite handsome. A man like him would undoubtedly be surrounded by beauties.

She was confident in her own beauty and figure, but she and Heloise were Demon Beasts. Gaining a prominent position by the Hero’s side wouldn’t be easy, unless she could prove her worth.

So, although this task was dangerous, and the Hero had told her that she could abandon it if necessary, prioritizing her own safety, Iyeta still decided to act.

Of course, now wasn’t the time.

Seven traps, each with the power of a Super-tier magic spell, were triggered simultaneously.

Dozens of lesser traps and numerous restrictions were also activated by Anthea and the Flame Witch’s attacks.

Chaotic energies exploded, a maelstrom of power raging through the collapsing mountain.

Flames rained down from the sky like meteors.

Giant ice spikes fell like hail.

Raging winds pulverized boulders.

Lightning branched out like a shattered tree.

A massive water dragon crashed to the ground with a deafening roar.

A meteor, trailing flames, streaked across the sky.

Qin Chu, at the center of it all, protected by the golden light of his Pseudo-Absolute Defense, felt a shiver of fear despite the barrier.

Diabolique’s “gift” was truly… generous. If he hadn’t known about these traps from Iyeta, he might not have survived.

Although his strength was constantly increasing, there were still powers in this world that could threaten him. He wasn’t invincible yet.

Rumble!

A deafening roar.

The violent shockwaves slammed against his Pseudo-Absolute Defense, the golden barrier rippling and crackling like strained metal, cracks appearing on its surface.

Even the Demon Beasts couldn’t withstand the combined force of their own traps, their massive bodies sent flying, some even torn apart, their bodies disintegrating.

Even Iyeta and Diabolique were forced to retreat.

These magic traps were created by the Demon Beasts themselves. They knew their power.

So, they had always stayed outside the traps’ range. Normally, they wouldn’t be affected.

But… the traps activating individually, and all of them activating simultaneously, were two completely different things.

When a single trap activated, its energy could dissipate.

But with at least seven traps comparable to Super-tier magic, plus dozens of lesser traps, all detonating at the same time, even in this vast space, the energy couldn’t dissipate, compressing and colliding, merging…

Iyeta had even secretly added several powerful amplification formations, further increasing their destructive power.

The compressed energy then exploded outwards, like an overinflated balloon bursting, the shockwave pulverizing everything in its path.

The sky changed color, the earth shook, thick smoke blotting out the sun, the rising shockwave forming a strange, multicolored pillar of light that tore through the clouds above.

After a long time, the chaotic energy finally subsided.

The collapsed mountain was gone, the entire area flattened, blending seamlessly with the surrounding desert.

The Pseudo-Absolute Defense had held, though the barrier was now covered in cracks, the sound of its strained resistance still ringing in their ears.

Phil and Anthea hovered by Qin Chu’s side.

After a while, Diabolique emerged from the dust cloud, his face covered in grime, coughing violently.

Only Iyeta remained by his side, patting his back.

His face was so dirty that his expression was unreadable, only the twisted lines of his features visible.

Diabolique hadn’t expected this outcome at all.

He had imagined Qin Chu struggling against the traps, pathetic and helpless, giving him a chance to further humiliate him before delivering the killing blow.

But his carefully laid traps had been turned against him. The combined power of so many magic traps detonating simultaneously was far greater than he had anticipated. Even the Demon Beasts, knowing the traps’ locations, hadn’t been able to escape the chaotic torrent of energy.

Diabolique had even seen at least a dozen of his subordinates instantly disintegrated.

He didn’t know how many of his hundred-plus elite subordinates had died, perhaps almost all of them.

Besides Iyeta, not a single one remained.

He was defeated, humiliated, and filled with despair.

His body trembled, his eyes vacant as he looked around, desperately hoping to see one of his subordinates emerge from the dust and ashes.

But his hopes were dashed.

Not a single one could stand. He didn’t know if they had escaped during the chaos, or if they were…

He didn’t even dare to think about it.

He knew that, for the first time, he had lost.

Completely and utterly defeated.

Diabolique’s heart, which had never known defeat, ached with an unprecedented pain. The light in his eyes dimmed.

It was over, everything was over.

So many of his loyal and powerful subordinates were dead, his forces decimated.

He had been humiliated before the Hero, his reputation ruined.

He would become a laughingstock among the Demon Beasts. He was no longer worthy of inheriting the throne. His second brother would definitely seize this opportunity.

Rather than face the mockery of his siblings, slowly fading into obscurity, it would be better to die fighting, even if it meant self-destructing, taking the Hero down with him.

For someone like Diabolique, powerful and proud, who had never known defeat, it was easy to fall into despair and make extreme choices.

His eyes burned with a growing madness.

He still had one last chance.

To burn his body, to incinerate his soul.

His final attack would unleash unprecedented power, perhaps enough to drag the Hero down to hell with him.

Even in death, he would leave a legacy among the Demon Beasts.

He looked at Iyeta, the only one who had remained by his side.

Ha…

Iyeta was truly loyal.

Even in his downfall, even without the control ring, she hadn’t abandoned him.

Even Diabolique, selfish and self-centered, was touched.

Tears welled up in his eyes. To have such a loyal subordinate was truly a blessing.

Who said Blood Elves were all selfish? he thought. Isn’t she loyal?

He placed his dirty claws on her shoulders, his eyes filled with tears, “Iyeta,” he said, his voice choked with emotion, “I didn’t expect you to be the only one by my side in the end.”

“Will you… die with me… fighting that damned Hero?”

His voice was low and heavy.

Iyeta took a deep breath. “Your Highness,” she said, “I will always follow you.”

Wonderful!

These words broke Diabolique’s composure, and tears streamed down his dirty face. He took a deep breath, trying to maintain his dignity, even forcing a smile. With such a loyal subordinate, what more could he ask for?

He knew he was going to die. They were facing the Flame Witch and that other powerful, petite woman, and the terrifying Hero.

But Iyeta had given him courage. He no longer felt fear.

For his dignity as the First Prince, for his fallen subordinates…

He roared, a dark, fiery aura erupting from his body, his flesh and soul burning, his power surging.

With Iyeta’s support, he was fearless.

He lunged towards Qin Chu, ready to sacrifice everything for his last stand, Iyeta following close behind, loyal to the end.

He didn’t notice the strange glint in her eyes, her hands clasped behind her back, thin, thread-like strands rapidly extending from her sharp fingernails.

“Qin Chu… prepare to die…”

Swish!

Ten threads pierced Diabolique’s back.

With a sickening rip, a chunk of flesh and bone was torn from his back, and Iyeta plucked out his still-beating heart.

Diabolique froze in mid-air, his face contorted in disbelief, his body slowly turning as he looked behind him.

His heart, still beating, was in Iyeta’s hand.

“Iyeta, you…”

A gentle, almost mocking smile appeared on her beautiful face. “My esteemed First Prince,” she said, “I’m so sorry… but the Hero is my new master now.”

“This… is just my master’s task.”

The next second…

Crack!

The agonizing pain of a shattered heart.

Chapter 245: Sprinting Down the Path of Cao Cao

Qin Chu patted Heloise’s head, praising her.

This public display of affection made Heloise blush, her body feeling strangely warm.

She was puzzled by her own reaction, biting her lip. It must be the heat, she thought, definitely not because of his praise.

But this highlighted the difference between her old and new masters. Diabolique had never praised her, no matter how well she performed, as if her service was simply expected. And now, she had heard from Qin Chu the words she had longed to hear from Diabolique.

In comparison, Diabolique seemed cold and uncaring.

But she quickly shook her head, pushing these thoughts aside. Such comparisons were disrespectful to her new master.

Meanwhile, Diabolique, seeing their intimate exchange, was fuming.

Heloise had never been so docile with him, and now she was practically fawning over this human.

And Qin Chu praising her… it was like him saying to Diabolique directly, Your girlfriend… is amazing!

The humiliation fueled his rage, his rational mind receding, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

He had wanted to see Qin Chu suffer, even die, but instead, he was the one being toyed with, made to look like a fool.

For Qin Chu, Heloise was indeed a beauty.

What was the difference between a Demon Beast and a human, anyway? Her figure was better, her skin smoother, her face more beautiful, her voice more pleasant…

Qin Chu didn’t care. He was a man of…broad tastes.

And Diabolique’s rage only fueled his own perverse satisfaction.

This feeling of stealing another man’s woman… it was intoxicating.

He felt himself becoming more and more like Cao Cao, sprinting down that path.

No, no, I’m not like him, he thought, It’s just a coincidence that some of the women I like happen to have… other admirers…

He smiled, his gaze sweeping over the ground, then at the surrounding area:

“Your Highness Diabolique…” he began, his voice dripping with mockery, “I thought that as the First Prince, a being of such high status and power, you would fight me honorably. But instead, you set up traps while I was engulfed by lava? If I’m not mistaken, this entire area is riddled with them, isn’t it?”

“Although Demon Beasts are known for their ferocity and brutality, at least you’re usually straightforward, using your overwhelming strength to crush your enemies.”

He used the term “straightforward,” which sounded better than “stupid.”

“But now… tsk, tsk… Such underhanded methods, Your Highness. You truly disappoint me.”

Demon Beasts were competitive and prideful, placing great importance on appearances, even more so than humans. While they hadn’t questioned Diabolique’s orders to set up traps before, now, called out by Qin Chu, they felt a sense of shame. After all, such underhanded tactics were usually associated with humans, not them.

This only applied to the higher-ranking Demon Beasts with some intelligence, of course. Those lower-level ones lacked the capacity for such complex thoughts.

These powerful but not-so-bright Demon Beasts, with their easily provoked tempers, were perfect targets for manipulation.

They whispered amongst themselves, their morale faltering.

Diabolique’s heart sank. He hadn’t expected this Hero to be so cunning… Demon Beasts rarely used schemes. As Qin Chu had said, they usually just charged head-on, relying on their numbers and strength.

They looked down on those who used underhanded tactics, considering it the method of the weak.

Diabolique had considered this, but his priority was to ensure the Hero’s death. As long as the Hero was dead, the entire Demon Beast race would be celebrating, and no one would care about such minor details.

But he hadn’t expected the Hero to not only survive the traps but also to expose his scheme. He could sense the disdain in his subordinates’ eyes. Even if he killed the Hero now, his reputation would be tarnished, the glory diminished.

“Your Highness…” Iyeta’s voice, low and urgent, came from beside him, “Now is not the time to be silent, with the troops’ morale wavering…”

“Why not say that you did this to capture the Hero, to prevent further losses among the Demon Beasts? Even if you bear the shame, it might earn you their loyalty,” she suggested quickly.

Diabolique’s eyes lit up.

As expected of a cunning Blood Elf, her mind worked quickly.

He had been worried that Iyeta’s control ring might have fallen into Qin Chu’s hands, that she might be a spy.

Even if not, he doubted that this insidious Blood Elf would still obey him without the ring.

But her suggestion reassured him. She wasn’t a traitor. If she were, she wouldn’t give him such valuable advice.

He took a deep breath and stepped forward, not a trace of shame on his face, only a confident smile. “Hero,” he said, “why would you say that?”

“You are the Hero, the strongest among humans.”

“If I let you escape now, countless Demon Beasts will die… If I can trap and kill you here, preventing the deaths of thousands of my brethren, then I, Diabolique, am willing to bear any shame, any insult, any mockery.”

His words had the desired effect.

The Demon Beasts’ eyes lit up with renewed loyalty. So that was what their prince was thinking! They had chosen the right leader!

Only Iyeta, listening to Diabolique parroting her words almost verbatim, shook her head inwardly.

It seemed that this First Prince was a little smarter than the others, but only a little.

Compared to the Hero, his intelligence was far inferior. At this moment, Iyeta was certain that Diabolique would be no match for Qin Chu.

It was fortunate that she had found a smarter and more powerful master, and wouldn’t share Diabolique’s fate.

Diabolique, pleased with himself for boosting his troops’ morale, didn’t bother to thank Iyeta. He was the First Prince, and she was his subordinate. Assisting him was her duty.

“Hero,” he said, “since you know about the traps, I won’t hide it from you. What you’ve experienced so far are just the weakest ones.”

“If you’re smart, hand over Heloise and kneel. Perhaps I’ll grant you a swift death. Otherwise, you will experience the true cruelty of Demon Beasts.”

“One of your Hero Squad members has been captured by my brother. He’s having a… difficult time… you know. My brother arranged for a few thousand Demon Beasts to… entertain… him. You wouldn’t want to share his fate, would you?”

Diabolique still wanted Heloise. He wanted to reclaim the ring that controlled her and make her pay for her betrayal.

His ferocious gaze made Heloise tremble, and she instinctively clutched Qin Chu’s clothes.

But instead of letting her go, Qin Chu held her even closer, a mocking smile on his lips, “Diabolique, do you really think I’m like you?”

“Heloise is amazing. She was yours once, but now she’s mine. And I, Qin Chu, would never abandon my woman like you did.”

Then, his gaze swept over the surrounding Demon Beasts, his mockery intensifying, “And those traps you mentioned? You think you can defeat me with those? Your Highness, how little do you think of me?”

“Anthea!”

“Phil!”

Qin Chu’s face hardened, and he roared.

The next second, Anthea and Phil appeared simultaneously.

Although Phil’s energy was depleted, she had recovered some of it in the lava, and most importantly, she seemed to be able to draw energy directly from the sapling within Qin Chu. As long as the sapling wasn’t drained, she could maintain her full strength.

Anthea, the strongest Valkyrie, had arrived, her chains dancing wildly.

And the Flame Witch’s graceful silhouette appeared behind Qin Chu.

This sight made Diabolique seethe with jealousy. The Flame Witch, whom he had paid such a high price to try and subdue, was now the Hero’s subordinate.

It felt as if something that belonged to him had been stolen.

But he didn’t have time to speak. Anthea stomped her foot, and her chains, extending and thickening, lashed out like giant pythons, smashing against the collapsed rocks and the ground.

And the Flame Witch spread her crimson wings, soaring into the sky like a firebird, raining down fireballs.

Rumble…

Deafening explosions echoed through the air.

The traps and barriers that the hundreds of Demon Beasts had painstakingly created were triggered almost simultaneously.

The earth shook, the mountain trembled.

And Iyeta was getting closer and closer to the Grand Prince, a strange glint in her crimson eyes!