Chapter 385: The Elf Who Walks with a Demon
Serie felt it was a bit absurd, yet consistent with the demon logic based on power instinct.
"Not necessarily the King, at least not yet," Rhodes corrected. "The social structure of demons is loose, but instinct drives them to submit to stronger individuals, especially now when their overall power is waning."
"Macht's appearance might be because he sensed this trend, though his specific intentions remain unknown."
Serie raised an eyebrow. "Could he be trying to revitalize the demons through Carlo?"
"Who knows. However, whatever they want to do, the scale and quality are far inferior to a thousand years ago."
"After we dealt with Annelise, the high-end power of the demons suffered a severe break. Those remaining are merely the larger embers in the ashes."
"You mean—" Serie understood Rhodes's implication immediately and looked at him. "We don't need to act?"
"No need," Rhodes gave a clear answer. "I foresaw a similar development as early as when I discovered Carlo successfully reproduced that magic and chose this path."
"This continent needs some external pressure, especially for the increasing number of human nations; they need to divert some attention."
Over the years, the human nations in the South had been constantly disputing over territory and resources, even fighting openly. Even the mediation of the Kingdom of Ersten had little effect.
It once made Rhodes speechless enough to doubt whether his decision to personally dismantle the Southern Unified Empire back then was correct.
If this continued, it would drain the overall vitality of the human race.
Therefore, a controllable demon threat might make them temporarily put aside their conflicts and unite against the external enemy.
Rhodes told Serie his thoughts. She curled her lip after listening. "You calculate well. But what if they just won't unite? Or what if they unite and still lose?"
"If they cannot even handle remnant demons of this level, then I will have to seriously consider whether the nations have been comfortable for too long over these years, and whether they need a lesson in blood."
Rhodes's tone turned cold for an instant before returning to normal.
"Of course, if the demon power truly expands excessively, I will intervene. However, I think the probability is low."
"Moreover, this might also be a good opportunity for Frieren."
Mentioning Frieren, Serie's attention shifted immediately. "Frieren? Her life or death is still unknown! And according to you, the North is chaotic now. If she happens to be in the North..."
"So we need to let her know and be prepared," Rhodes said. "But before telling her, let's hear the second matter Solitär-Flamme brought. If I am not mistaken, it should also be related to her."
For so many years, although Frieren often completed requests for others during her travels, her fame remained obscure, so Rhodes and Serie received no news of her.
After all, Frieren wasn't picky about the type of request. As long as she could get some novel magic, she was willing to help complete the request.
She didn't care at all whether completing the request brought fame, completely different from other adventurers.
But recently, her fame had suddenly emerged, even reaching the ears of the Magic Association in the center of the continent.
Something must have changed.
Solitär-Flamme nodded and began reporting the second matter. "Yes, Lord Rhodes. The second matter is precisely the latest news about Frieren."
"Although Lady Frieren has been traveling abroad for a long time and acting low-key, recently she has gained a certain degree of fame in a rather... less than ideal way."
"Less than ideal?" Serie had a bad premonition. "What trouble did she cause? Did she blow up some noble's castle?"
"It might be a matter more involving stance," Solitär-Flamme chose her words carefully. "According to the news transmitted, about a month ago, Frieren accepted a request from a noble to help deal with monsters that suddenly appeared in a mine. Accompanying her was a pink-haired girl."
"Accompanying girl? A new companion she found? What race?" Serie asked.
"A demon," Solitär-Flamme answered flatly.
The room fell silent instantly.
Although Rhodes and Serie had kept Solitär-Flamme by their side for centuries, they had never harbored the thought of announcing her demon identity, even concealing it constantly.
Mainly because for all races on this continent, demons were mortal enemies.
Apart from monsters, seeing other races with demons was impossible. For all races on the continent, this was a matter of principle.
"Continue," Rhodes said.
Solitär-Flamme continued, "In that request, they went deep into the mine to fight mutated monsters."
"During the battle, the demon unleashed her full mana, causing the Disguise Magic on her to fail. Her demonic features—mainly the iconic horns—were completely exposed."
"There were several other adventurer teams accepting different requests in the mine at the time. The exposure of that demon's identity aroused immense hostility. Everyone immediately demanded Frieren execute the demon on the spot."
"Then the proposal was rejected by Frieren, and because of this, the situation spiraled out of control."
"Ultimately," Solitär-Flamme concluded, "in the chaos, Frieren did not hand over Aura. Instead, she used magic to disperse the crowd trying to block her, quickly left with the demon, and disappeared."
"News of an elf walking with a demon and protecting a demon is circulating in the Adventurer's Guild and some human towns."
"Although it hasn't caused large-scale warrants or crusades yet, it has inevitably attracted the attention and hostility of many people."
After listening, Serie was somewhat speechless. "What on earth is she thinking? Protecting a demon like that?"
If this demon were replaced by Solitär-Flamme, Serie would consider it, after all, she was too useful—a perfect worker.
But for any other demon, Serie not chopping them into pieces would be considered mercy.
"You will have to ask her yourself." Rhodes also shook his head, equally helpless.
In this era, because demons had launched two great wars in succession, the hostility of various races toward them was still huge. The scene of demons walking openly in human cities, common in later generations, was absolutely impossible.
Even Rhodes wouldn't push for the integration of demons with other races at this time. At least a few thousand years later, when the hostility of various races toward demons decreased a bit.
"She is truly famous now, but infamous!" Serie crossed her arms.
"Not necessarily a bad thing," Rhodes pondered for a moment. "This incident might allow her to recognize the deep-rooted barriers and hostility between races on this continent more clearly. It might be a good thing."
He looked at Solitär-Flamme. "Continue to pay attention to news related to Frieren. Tell me immediately if there are any changes."
"Understood."
"Additionally," Rhodes added, "regarding the intelligence of demons gathering in the North, leak it to other countries through our channels in an appropriate manner."
Solitär-Flamme agreed again. Seeing Rhodes had no other instructions, she left the room.
After the door closed, Rhodes sighed. He walked to the window, looking at the scenery of the Imperial Capital outside. "I always feel..."
"Peaceful days are about to be disturbed again."
"Isn't that interesting?" Serie had a different view.
Although she also liked the tranquil time with Rhodes, a little turbulence as seasoning occasionally wasn't bad.
After all, as long as Rhodes was by her side, she feared nothing.
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