Mr. Dekan Invites You as a Guest

"Oh, right Dekan, here's the blueprint for you."

As Morion spoke, he took a thick stack of papers from the suitcase beside his feet.

"This was given to me by Mie before he left the Philoven Kingdom. Although it was difficult to understand, I memorized it all and made a copy after arriving in the Shadow World."

If it weren't for his exceptional memory, it would have taken an ordinary person a very long time to memorize this blueprint without any errors.

"Yes, you've been a great help."

Dekan took the drawings from Morion and quickly flipped through the dense paragraphs and sketches.

After reading just a few pages, Dekan was certain that it was indeed the core design blueprint for the Spatial Leap Gate. Mie shared all the crucial information with Dekan without reservation.

"... The Spatial Leap Gate, a magical device developed by the Resurrection Church, has a core technology that involves the violent extraction and utilization of energy from unanalyzable ultra-high-grade materials. This is why it can forcibly drive the ninth-tier legendary material, the Spatial Star Stone."

Dekan frowned, turning the pages one by one, muttering to himself.

During the six months he was trapped in the Devil King Tomb, he had already asked Sion to help him dismantle the wreckage of the Spatial Leap Gate, and even tried to remove parts from the Artificial Shadow World Initiator for repair.

However, there are still many parts of the core structure of the jump gate that Dekan cannot reverse analyze, and some damaged parts cannot be replaced with alternative materials.

So when he saw this drawing, he felt as if he had been stuck on a difficult problem for half a year and suddenly found a solution.

"I've tried my best to buy all the materials mentioned in the blueprints, and they'll be delivered to the Clan Territory soon."

Morion pointed to the last page, which was not Mie's drawings, but a list and report compiled by Morion, detailing the current status of the material collection.

Clearly, in order to ensure that Dekan would still have a sufficient supply after the inevitable losses in the two processes of "bringing the materials out of the Shadow World to make cards" and "breaking the cards into materials after bringing them back to the mortal world", Morion bought several times the required amount for each process.

"Hmm, I should be able to use these materials and principles to practice making an energy extraction device for the Clan Territory."

Dekan knew what Morion meant by handing him the blueprints at this time.

Even considering losses, Dekan wouldn't need that much material.

The extra portion was for Dekan to practice with.

He needs to practice until he can successfully create the core device so that he can quickly and accurately repair the Spatial Leap Gate after returning to the Devil King Tomb in the present world.

However, now that this core device has been made, it seems unlikely that it will go to waste.

This is just what I needed.

The two exchanged a smile, needing no further words.

It felt like we were back at our first meeting in the Church of the Third Shadow World.

One provides the resources, the other handles the technology—a perfect collaboration.

However, this is much more advanced than building a bridge.

"Theoretically speaking, having one's mana forcibly extracted by this device could cause unimaginable pain."

Dekan analyzed the situation quite seriously, seemingly feeling that this device, which confines living beings in life support pods and forcibly extracts their mana, was somewhat anti-human.

This doesn't seem like something a respectable person would develop.

"It's alright, I bet you, this living bodhisattva, will summon your Dirge Mermaid and Ruined Poet, and make the target faint from the pain, so he won't feel the pain."

Morion had already anticipated what Dekan would say next.

He no longer wanted to hear Dekan's stories about the anesthesiology department.

But soon, Morion couldn't wait to ask:

"After returning to the real world, why don't you try mass-producing a batch of these new torture devices? We can sell the energy used for interrogations to make some money. As long as the enemy doesn't confess, we can continue to make money without any guilt."

"Hiss--"

Dekan gasped. What kind of win-win strategy was this?

Regardless of whether the enemy confesses or how long it takes for them to confess, they've already won.

"I'm interested."

Dekan looked Morion straight in the eye and spoke frankly.

Croix listened to Dekan and Morion's conversation without saying a word.

The conversation was getting increasingly bizarre.

Although he didn't understand much, he had begun to feel a species difference between himself and the other two.

"What are you two talking about...?"

"Ah, I'm sorry, Croix, we've found a solution to the energy crisis, but we're missing a core material similar to Spatial Star Stone."

Dekan put down the blueprints, and rubbed his hands together slowly with confidence.

"But now, we've found the materials we need, and we can also achieve our goal of quelling the war in the process."

After a moment's thought, Croix suddenly realized:

"You're not after Irenos of Ruin, are you?!"

"What 'Irenos of Ruin'? I don't understand. I only know 'Irenos of Prosperity'."

Dekan asked Croix with a smile.

That smile sent chills down Croix's spine.

Croix was surprised to find that he could understand Dekan's slang perfectly.

We should actively influence the Irenos of Ruin, teaching him to shine brightly and bring warmth and happiness to his people, right?

What happened to the promised epic tale of heroes?

You're already trying to go back to your old ways after just a few minutes?!

Croix wasn't there when the last time was at the church in the small town on the southern border of the Holy Kingdom, but he witnessed firsthand how those two colluded to reset a town.

If Dekan were to encounter Morion, he could easily wipe out an entire border region.

Of course, if the two of them wanted to give back to a border region, they should be able to do so.

But the methods might be even more inhumane!

"So you mean our sole objective now is to imprison the ninth-tier Great Demon Irenos of Ruin as a living energy source and forcibly extract his energy?"

Croix asked, utterly shocked.

Even the Bishop of Corruption Fahim would applaud such a heinous experiment and immediately become his apprentice!

Dekan & Morion: "Of course."

Croix pointed at the two people, opened her mouth as if to speak, then hesitated, organizing her thoughts, forgetting what to say.

He sensed that if he wanted to make this happen behind Lunn's back, he would probably have to cover it up quite a bit.

Suddenly, Croix, who had initially believed herself to be an innocent person, realized she was now an indispensable member of this well-established criminal gang...

"So, how should we begin?"

Morion inquired, "To capture a ninth-tier Great Demon, we still need to rely on the expert, Dekan."

"I definitely can't beat Irenos in a head-on fight, but a backstab is something even a ninth-tier demon can't completely guard against."

Dekan smiled slyly and continued:

"Puser of the Abyss, a demonic archmage renowned as the Demon Sage, is not only skilled in various forms of magic but also possesses unique identification, detection, and discernment spells. Any disguise is as thin as paper before him, and upon reaching the eighth rank, he can even accurately detect lies as if it were a passive talent. However, if he lies, it will cause fluctuations in his own mana flow, making him easily detectable."

Dekan had already gathered a great deal of information about the Great Demon Clan back in the Demon Realm.

The intelligence regarding the First Army, which had been a constant threat to the Clan Territory, was of particular concern to Dekan.

If the envoy sent by the First Army this time were another eighth-tier demon, Dekan's strategy would likely be to have Morion impersonate Lunn, mobilize all the combat power in Clantes City, capture the other party first, and then begin to adjust and educate him, taming him into something like the three outstanding patients in the Demon Realm Hospital.

If things go well, even if it's done without prior consultation, at most it will only reduce Lunn's trust level.

However, if it is a sincere demon like Purser who can distinguish between truth and falsehood, then we can treat him with courtesy.

After all, Dekan has always been a pacifist.

He dislikes doing things when problems can be solved with words.

Although the First Army certainly didn't come here with the intention of "peace talks" this time.

However, Dekan believed that after a sincere conversation, Purser would be more than willing to tell him everything.

A few hours later.

Snowflakes drifted down in the courtyard lights, the night so dark that even the moonlight seemed to hide behind the darkness of Lunn's mansion.

In a luxurious reception room befitting their positions and family backgrounds, two men share a drink across a table.

The one dressed in the magnificent robes specially commissioned for the Chief Steward was none other than Croix.

Beside him stood a female Captain of the Knights clad in silver armor, seemingly protecting him while simultaneously suppressing her urge to draw her sword and strike the demon sitting opposite her.

The demon opposite, with a one-eyed alien holy mark around his neck, was the Demon Realm army envoy from the Puser of the Abyss, who was originally scheduled to meet with Lunn tomorrow.

The harmonious yet eerie atmosphere made it seem as if this were a banquet for villains who had never disappeared from world history.

"Mr. Croix, is this private dinner tonight Lord Lunn's idea?"

Purser put down his knife and fork, wiped his lips with a napkin, and then asked.

In his eyes, Croix was no ordinary steward.

Being able to become Lunn's agent and take over many affairs for him when Lunn left makes him more like Lunn's advisor, confidant, or even the most trusted confidant.

Purser wouldn't be so arrogant as to look down on a human of this caliber.

Instead, they will regard it as an equal.

No, you have been invited by someone else today.

Croix glanced at the female knight beside her.

Soon, the female knight withdrew with a slightly worried and unwilling expression.

"Oh? Besides you, does Lunn have anyone else who can make decisions?"

Purser, who had previously maintained a blank expression, now showed a hint of interest.

Logically speaking, if there is someone else who can make decisions in place of Lunn, then it might be a hidden trump card under Lunn's command that doesn't even exist in their Demon Realm army's intelligence.

"Certainly,"

Croix nodded, making no attempt to hide her reaction, and replied.

"But you're mistaken about one thing. That gentleman isn't Lunn's subordinate. To be precise, he's actually Lunn's true partner."

"Oh? Interesting."

Purser stood up with a smile.

The concept of Lunn's partner is somewhat vague.

However, someone who could make decisions for Lunn and assign Lunn's confidants to host a banquet for him is probably still waiting for him at Lunn's house right now.

It is no ordinary creature.

Curiosity had compelled Purser to quickly unveil the mystery surrounding this enigmatic figure.

As for why "this gentleman" wanted to see him before Lunn returned, his motives are also worth exploring.

Croix left her seat and walked to the door.

"Mr. Purser, this way please."

A few minutes later.

Purser followed Croix to a heavy door on the top floor of the mansion.

Even without opening the door, one could sense that this room was extraordinary.

It's likely that only Lunn can use it normally.

"Sir, your guest has arrived."

Croix knocked lightly on the door twice and said.

"Thanks."

Only a thank you was heard from inside the door, and then there was no further response.

Croix nodded to Purser and then politely took his leave.

Clearly, the "one" in the room doesn't need Croix at this moment.

Purser examined the door for a moment.

Even through the door, he could use his magic to silently probe the general situation inside the room.

A man was lounging on a sofa on the side of the room, simply sipping wine.

At the far end of the room, behind a spacious desk, sat a human figure in an armchair, his back to the desk, seemingly gazing at the snowy scene outside the window.

This was clearly the "gentleman" whom Croix respected so much.

Two maids stood quietly beside him; one had low Magic Power, while the other seemed very powerful, but was in a weak state.

The key point is not whether they are strong or weak.

Rather, it is.

They are all demons!

Even before seeing the "gentleman" that Agent Lunn had mentioned, Purser had to admit that he had already developed a strong interest in him.

Despite being a human, he can brazenly sit in the Lunn mansion with two Witch!

Purser was quite certain he had never seen a human of that status!

"Squeak..."

Purser didn't keep the people in the room waiting long; he quickly pushed open the door, eager to see this peculiar man.

The next second.

Purser was greeted by a spacious room dominated by dark brown tones, resembling a combination of a living room and an office.

The dim yet soft lighting created a somewhat noisy and intoxicating atmosphere.

The person in the main seat did not immediately turn around to take off his chair upon Purser's arrival.

Very imposing.

But Purser didn't mind, because he believed this human was worth the price.

As soon as Purser entered the room, he quickly noticed two maids standing on either side of the main seat.

The timid-looking silver-haired maid on the left is nothing special; she's just a Succubus disguised as a human, and can be considered quite weak.

But the gray-haired, cold-faced maid on the right.

The instant Purser saw and confirmed her face.

Their steps froze.

His pupils contracted uncontrollably!

He even wondered for a moment if he was hallucinating!

Purser knew this guy's face all too well!

Talomati – the missing commander of the Ninth Army.

She's actually here, working as a maid for this human?!