Dekan's Farewell

Altis did not hesitate when faced with Dekan's question.

"I am human."

Altis's eyes were exceptionally resolute.

She didn't know Dekan's attitude at this moment, or why he asked her such a question.

But it stemmed from a long-held inner will.

Even if the Demon King asked her this question, she would answer in the same way.

"So what is your attitude towards this war between humans and demons?"

Dekan breathed a sigh of relief after confirming Altis's attitude, and then asked...

As mentioned in the initial background story of the Shadow World, demons and humans are currently engaged in a fierce war.

The rescue of the Saintess of Darkness, who was otherwise unable to escape from the Demon Realm Prison, was a major turning point in this war.

"I hope the war ends, and that humanity will emerge victorious. This is a war started by the Demon Realm, and even if the Demon Realm is destroyed, it will be its just deserts."

Altis said with a sorrowful expression.

"But if the Demon Realm loses, won't you suffer too?"

"Dekan asked."

"I was born in a human kingdom and grew up with my mother. I often transformed into a human and lived in human towns. But after the war began, my identity changed..."

At this point, Altis's expression turned extremely bitter.

She was clearly not accepted by the humans; rather than trust, they harbored more suspicion and fear towards her.

"Although there are humans who are willing to believe me, most people... reject me and see me as their mortal enemy. The fact that someone is willing to help me escape is already the greatest kindness they can show me..."

Altis was clearly rejected by both humans and demons.

The Demon King did not execute her but imprisoned her here, not out of any kindness, but simply because he valued her.

She has experienced malice from humans, but she has also experienced genuine kindness.

All one can feel from the demon god is malice.

It's only natural that they would love humans more.

In addition, she has always considered herself a human being and grew up with her mother.

Therefore, she naturally, from the bottom of her heart, considers herself a human being.

"Can you detect a condition on me called [Blood Mimicry]?"

Dekan looked at her and sighed helplessly.

Altis's stance was already decided.

She had absolutely no bad intentions; in fact, she was excessively kind.

"?"

Altis gently reached out and touched Dekan's shoulder.

As she channeled her Magic Power and carefully analyzed Dekan's condition, she quickly discovered the Blood Race's exquisite disguise magic.

"You...?!"

Altis instantly withdrew her hand as if she had been electrocuted.

"Yes."

Dekan answered before she could finish speaking.

Altis gazed at Dekan with a complex expression.

But at this moment, everything is understood without words.

She seemed extremely conflicted, and asked:

"You... are you trying to rescue the Saintess of Darkness?"

After the showdown.

Altis had also figured out a lot of things.

Dekan's only purpose in risking his life to infiltrate this prison was to rescue the Saintess of Darkness and end this war.

And some things that seemed out of place to her were explained.

For example, why could this Little Succubus and the unscrupulous merchant work together so well?

They probably already knew each other.

This Little Succubus is probably the one that humanity has carefully selected, the one whose behavior is most like that of a demon, so much so that she could blend in with the demons and be completely undetectable.

Humanity was probably forced into this desperate measure to rescue the Saintess of Darkness from the Demon Realm, a plan with no hope of victory.

"Yes."

Dekan expressed his approval.

Altis shook her head bitterly and said:

"No, it's impossible. It's possible for you to gain the Warden's approval to complete the trial. But if you want to take the Saintess of Darkness away, the Warden will never allow it. She will kill you without hesitation unless you can defeat the Warden... But even if you combine the Jailer from the previous eight levels, it's impossible to defeat the Warden..."

"I know, but we must rescue the Saintess of Darkness. There is no turning back, and we need to escape the Demon Realm within 14 days."

Dekan also knew that the Warden, a ninth-tier boss, was difficult to deal with.

So throughout these layers of his life, he had been diligently gathering information about the Warden.

He felt that this Shadow World was more difficult than the typical seventh-order Shadow World he knew.

This boss alone is practically invincible.

Even disregarding exploits that lead to victory, following the normal path to conquer the Shadow World shouldn't be impossible.

Therefore, there must be a way to defeat the Warden boss.

"14 days?!"

Altis asked in surprise.

"What's wrong? Is it difficult?"

Dekan frowned.

After buying the map on the first floor, he felt that the timeframe wasn't particularly strict.

"It's difficult."

Altis shook her head bitterly and took out a folded, giant map of the Demon Realm from the bookshelf.

She spread it out on the table for Dekan and Morion to see.

This map is many times more detailed than the Dekan bought on the first floor; it even clearly marks the terrain areas.

However, this volume is not portable.

The map was covered with Altis's markings, suggesting that she had also planned her escape route from the Demon Realm.

Altis: "Let's not even talk about whether you can rescue the Saintess of Darkness. Even if you can take her away from the Warden, the time limit is far more difficult than you imagine. Although in terms of distance, with the help of vehicles, you could reach the Demon Realm border from the Demon Realm Prison in ten days, you will definitely be wanted after your escape, and there will be many pursuers and interceptions along the way."

Dekan: "So?"

Altis: "If you can't rescue the Saintess of Darkness today, it will be very difficult. If you rescue her today, even if there are obstacles along the way, there is a good chance you can get her away on time. Every day you stay, the success rate decreases by more than 90%."

"This task seems to be more difficult than I imagined..."

Dekan felt that this seventh-tier Shadow World was far more difficult than a typical seventh-tier Shadow World.

Even if you bring in several eighth-tier experts, you might not be able to beat them easily.

Besides the Warden, a boss that cannot be easily defeated, there is also a strict time limit.

"I can't help you with anything else, but if you can rescue the Saintess of Darkness, remember to follow this route. Based on my understanding of the Demon Realm's terrain and provincial layout, this is the safest and fastest way. There are also backup plans..."

After she finished speaking, Altis took a pen and carefully drew the map.

Dekan also noted down the key points mentioned by Altis on his portable mini-map.

Before long, Dekan had basically figured out the route to leave the Demon Realm from the Demon Realm Prison.

"Thank you so much, you've been a great help."

Dekan said.

Altis's planned route almost guarantees that Dekan will leave the Demon Realm within 14 days.

Otherwise, according to the original plan, even if Dekan rescued the Saintess of Darkness, it would be very difficult to take her away from the Demon Realm on time.

At that time, the adventure in the Demon Realm will likely be fraught with difficulties.

"That's all I can do for you."

Altis gave a bitter smile.

She also longed to leave with Dekan and the others.

But once she was given the position of Jailer, she had no hope of leaving.

Unless the Demon King is defeated one day.

But if one day even the Royal Capital is defeated, she isn't sure if she will survive.

"By the way, is there any other information about the Warden? Even if it seems useless."

Dekan asked earnestly.

Now, Altis and Dekan's attitudes have changed.

Their positions were completely aligned, and Dekan also approved of Altis's character.

In the face of major issues, minor personal conflicts or misunderstandings are not worth discussing.

Altis rested her chin on her hand and thought for a moment, then, as if struck by a sudden inspiration, she said:

"I have some information, but I don't know if it will be useful..."

"Speaking."

"I heard that the Warden was once defeated by an eighth-tier paladin."

"Lost the one-on-one duel?"

Dekan was somewhat surprised.

But hearing this news brought more joy than anything else.

Altis: "Hmm... but I don't know anything about that paladin, or how he defeated the Warden."

Dekan: "It's okay, it's already very important."

Although this information wasn't particularly useful.

But it at least illustrates one point --

The Warden must have a fatal weakness.

Even someone with eighth-tier combat power can get past the Warden!

Perhaps it is because the Warden has a very serious flaw.

Therefore, in such a tense situation, the Demon King would place such a ninth-tier great demon in the rear to guard the prison, rather than send him to the front line.

After the conversation ended.

Dekan was eager to leave this level quickly, taking Morion Cat Teacher, with him to the deeper parts of the prison.

He has now successfully cleared the first four levels in just a few hours, which is more than enough time for him.

He simply hadn't expected this mission to be so much more difficult than any other seventh-tier Shadow World he knew.

As for saying goodbye to Altis...

Let's forget about it.

Although, to some extent, Altis could be considered his friend.

He thanked Altis for her help and also recognized her character.

But saying goodbye to a character from the Shadow World still left Dekan somewhat feeling unsatisfied.

Altis is destined to remain trapped in this level, unable to escape the Demon King's clutches.

Dekan could tell that she really wanted to leave and return to her hometown.

Even though she knew she couldn't escape, she still hoped to help the Saintess of Darkness escape.

It's hard to imagine what she was thinking when she devised this series of escape routes from the Demon Realm and then gave them to Dekan.

Dekan didn't know what Altis's fate would be in real history after this Shadow World, nor did he know whether the character he was playing now actually had such a friendship with Altis in real history.

The more precious something is, the more illusory it is, and the more regrettable it becomes.

"Don't get too caught up in the Shadow World," was Professor Arnold taught him when he first arrived at the Havenlit Academy.

"By the way, is there one subject among these that you're particularly bad at?"

Dekan stopped and turned back to ask.

Out of sheer curiosity, Dekan wanted to figure out which subject to choose for the third round of the exam in this prison, following the normal strategy.

And to remember some stories about this friend who transcends time and space.

How did you know?

Altis seemed somewhat surprised, but quickly lowered her head, nervously clutching the hem of her dress.

"It's just a guess. I'm simply curious about where my chances of winning lay in this fair competition."

Actually, Dekan doesn't need to explain much.

Since Altis had previously acknowledged that this would be a fair match.

It's impossible to propose a rule that guarantees a 100% victory for oneself.

Altis pointed to a box on the desk.

The words "[Painting]" were clearly written above.

"You can't draw?"

Dekan was surprised that Morion had guessed correctly.

That old fox has some guts.

"Um..."

Altis admitted.

"You've tried so hard to learn it, but you still can't?"

"I can manage to copy someone else's work, but if it's to create my own..."

Altis started to say something, but then hesitated and couldn't finish.

What will happen?

"Last time I drew a Demon Dragon, but all the demons thought I drew a Venomous Slime..."

Altis said, looking extremely embarrassed.

"Pfft."

Dekan finally couldn't help but laugh.

Fortunately, in this era of Shadow World, there is no technology for making Magic Card.

Otherwise, given Altis's thirst for knowledge and intelligence, she would surely have become a Card-Making Master.

Dekan could imagine that if Altis were a Card Crafter, she would probably refuse to create a single Summon Card even if she were beaten to death because of her artistic talent.

Because the summoned Summon Card will definitely be ridiculed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to mock you. I was just surprised that someone like you would have something they're not good at."

Seeing Altis's embarrassed expression, Dekan quickly waved his hand and said...

This was the most stress-relieving moment for him on the fourth floor.

However, upon hearing Dekan's words, Altis was already somewhat embarrassed, froze on the spot.

After a moment, her lips trembled slightly as she asked:

"Someone like me...?"

Dekan nodded, then asked in confusion:

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

"In your eyes, am I a human being, and not a demon?"

Altis placed her hand on her chest and asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Without a doubt, you are a respectable human being, not a demon, at least in my eyes."

Dekan nodded again, speaking with absolute certainty.

This time, he looked at Altis seriously, treating her as a true friend.

Altis laughed through her tears.

Her eyes were glistening with tears, but she still wore a smile.

Soon, Altis wiped away her tears and said:

"Can you tell me your name? I want to remember you."

Dekan thought for a moment.

Logically, out of respect for Altis, one should use her real name.

But in the Shadow World, revealing one's real name is meaningless anyway.

It's all Morion's fault for using his name.

He couldn't immediately name Dekan.

Moreover, the fact that he now uses a male name to describe his appearance makes it seem like he's using an alias to deceive Altis.

Suddenly, for some reason, Dekan felt that a certain name was very suitable.

The way I am now might actually be quite fitting for my other real name.

"My name is Talomati."

Dekan looked intently at Altis as he answered.