Inside the Gaderia Lord's Manor office.
Aaron and Qual sat opposite each other. At this moment, placed upon the office desk were not documents, but a chessboard for a game of International Chess. To bide time awaiting Macht's arrival, the two were playing chess for recreation.
"Tsk..."
Rubbing his chin, brows furrowed beneath his shiny bald head, Aaron had originally been quite confident in his chess skills. However, he had not expected Qual's skill to be so formidable; in the current situation, he was on the verge of losing.
"It seems this old man is a cut above."
To the side, Qual narrowed his eyes, reaching out to stroke his patch of snow-white beard. The corners of his mouth split open, revealing rows of neat, sharp teeth.
This was Qual's first contact with this kind of human strategy game. In his view, this tiny chessboard could encompass everything in the universe; playing it was as interesting as magic.
In the corner of the room, Nanoda sat backward on a chair, her arms resting on the backrest with her head pillowed on them, looking somewhat listless.
Ever since unleashing a moment of full power against Duke Wolf, the demonic nature originally suppressed within Nanoda's body had begun to surge outward again. During this period, Nanoda felt as if her head were about to split open. After asking Aura, who was proficient in soul-related Magic of Obedience, Nanoda learned that her soul had suffered slight damage.
Nanoda had a premonition: the more she used that power, the further she would drift from humanity in the future, perhaps even destroying her own personality.
"Oh, the guest has arrived."
Qual's hand, stroking his beard, paused as he turned his head to look toward the door.
The main door was pushed open, and Aura walked in leading Macht. She then very consciously walked over to stand behind Nanoda.
Nanoda, leaning on the chair, glanced at Macht. If not for this damn soul trauma, she would have wanted to chat with Macht as well. Now, she could only temporarily leave it to Aaron to handle. Before this, she had already informed Aaron of Macht's reasons for being in Weise and his potential future plans.
The reason Nanoda had called Qual over and had Aura lead the way for Macht was to bolster the scene for Aaron, thereby arousing Macht's regard for Gaderia.
Upon seeing Qual, Macht's expression, originally calm and composed, changed subtly.
"Long time no see, Macht."
Qual looked at Macht expressionlessly.
"Indeed. I didn't expect to meet you here."
The two Demons exchanged a simple greeting.
Just as Qual's attention was attracted by Macht, Aaron, who had been frowning, suddenly stood up.
"You must be the envoy sent from the Fortified City of Weise. Welcome. As you can see, Gaderia is a very special city, isn't it?"
As he spoke, Aaron reached out and quietly removed a few chess pieces from the board.
"I have never seen a human city like this. Since arriving here, I have been consistently surprised. Lord, I have a question I am curious about: how did you know the envoy from Weise was me?"
Macht looked at the three Great Demons in one office. He now understood why Glück had chosen this place as his first destination for a diplomatic mission.
"Gaderia is a new city where Humans and Demons coexist, so we are also very concerned about the situation of the Demon Race. You must have seen it too; there are quite a few of your former colleagues here."
Aaron spread his hands. With Nanoda and her group present, he felt a strong sense of security.
"Indeed. Looking at it this way, Gaderia has truly hidden itself deeply. Even Glück only sensed something but was not certain."
Macht's tone was calm, maintaining his confidence throughout.
"That makes two of us."
Aaron spoke with equal composure. Pausing for a moment, he also raised his question.
"So, what exactly is the purpose of your visit?"
"I have merely come to visit on behalf of the friendly relations between Weise and Gaderia. At the same time, this is also for me to prove to humans my goodwill toward them and my loyalty to Weise."
Speaking up to this point, Macht changed the subject.
"However, now, I am very interested in this city. If possible, would you allow me to stay here for a period of time?"
"Haha, of course, no problem! The Free City of Gaderia welcomes you!"
Aaron revealed a cheerful smile.
Just as Nanoda had predicted, Macht would stay. The next goal was to get Macht to align himself with Gaderia.
"Aura, tomorrow, lead Macht to the Demon Special Zone and introduce it to him."
But upon seeing Aura's cold gaze that looked ready to kill, Aaron immediately added:
"Lady Aura, please help me out."
"...Hmph, fine."
Feeling a gentle poke at her waist from Nanoda, Aura agreed reluctantly. To be honest, she really didn't want to stay with Macht. Although they were all Demons, thinking of Macht's unsolvable Universal Golden Transmutation Magic still made Aura feel immense pressure.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Aaron, Macht left the Lord's Manor. It was getting late, and Macht declined the offer to stay at the manor, going out to book a hotel room for himself.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Aaron sat down and reached out to move a piece on the chessboard.
"I've made my move. Come, let's continue."
Turning his attention back to the chessboard, Qual narrowed his eyes slightly upon seeing the current situation. He stroked his beard in confusion.
It feels like something is wrong.
After the opponent made this move, how did I end up at a disadvantage? That shouldn't be.
Little did he know, Aaron had secretly swiped two pieces just now.
*
That night, Macht quietly booked a hotel.
Through the window, he gazed at the curtain of stars and the crescent moon in the sky, reviewing everything he had experienced and seen that day.
Demon soldiers appearing in Gaderia, subjects overly friendly toward the Demon Race, fellow Seven Sages of Destruction member Aura the Guillotine, Great Demon Sage of Corruption Qual, and an unknown broken-horned Demon who brought him a strong sense of presence.
Why were so many Demons taking root here? Why could the humans here make him feel a trace of excitement?
Macht could no longer remember when it was.
He had suddenly grown fond of humans, fond of human emotions. He also yearned to possess those emotions that did not exist in the Demon Race.
Unable to understand even guilt and malice... the words of that human priest still lingered in his ears.
Though weary of conflict, he killed in pursuit of emotions that could make him feel guilt, yet Macht still did not understand that emotion to this day. When he met Glück, he suddenly thought: If I become intimate and friendly with humans, and then persecute them, would I then generate feelings of regret and guilt?
To implement this plan, Macht felt he had to walk into the field of vision of more people.
And after coming to Gaderia, he saw something else entirely different.
"I'm looking forward to it a bit... tomorrow..."
Macht closed his eyes, forcibly suppressing his surging mana. The yearning in his heart gradually faded. He stood like a statue under the moonlight until the dawn of the second day rose.
____
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