Dekan and Talomati's Journey to the Holy Kingdom Once More

Another month has passed.

The central inland region of the Holy Kingdom.

"Twenty-four years have passed since that coldest winter."

Dekan sat in the short-distance carriage, holding a notebook in his hand, scribbling and writing in it as if to pass the time.

Their next destination was a bit remote, so they found a local familiar with the area to drive them there.

Early in the morning, the air was so clear and slightly chilly that it carried a hint of the fragrance of purple smoke.

It turned out to be outside the carriage, where the old coachman was leaning against the carriage bed, puffing on his pipe as he drove.

His relaxed demeanor made it seem as if a pleasant task was about to come to an end.

"Are we almost there?"

Dekan muttered to himself, closed the book in his hands, and looked out the window.

The fading starlight, combined with the twilight, creates an atmosphere that is surprisingly fresh and invigorating, even though it symbolizes the passing of autumn.

The wind that had been rustling through the leaves and grass along the way became gentle, making one feel refreshed and relaxed.

A faint light appeared in the distance.

Dekan gradually came into view of a distant pasture.

He put away his notebook and looked up at Talomati, who was sitting quietly opposite him.

Talomati kept watching him.

She seemed to have nothing else to do but perform her duties as a guard, keeping a watchful eye on her brother's every move.

"Sigh, if we could ride on Little Flower in the Holy Kingdom, we probably would have reached the Holy Capital by now."

Dekan said to Talomati with a wry smile.

After basically completing their work at the Devil King Tomb, they traveled from the Devil King Tomb to the border of the Demon Realm in just a few days.

Riding the Ruin Dragon, they quickly flew over several provinces of the Demon Realm.

After helping the former commander of the Demon Realm's First Army, Irenos of Ruin, to reform, his familiar, the Ruin Dragon, was also successfully reformed by Delois.

The Ruin Dragon has now become the Demon King's exclusive mount. Because Delois thought it was very gentle and the red markings on its body were beautiful, she gave it a new name— Little Flower.

In order to prevent the demons from knowing that their Demon King and Royal Capital had left the Demon Realm, Dekan had Purser cast a concealment spell on Little Flower before they set off.

As long as their flight doesn't make too much noise, the demons won't be able to detect their movements.

However, regardless of the circumstances, bringing Little Flower to the Holy Kingdom during peacetime is still going too far.

The Holy Capital currently in chaos due to the Lei incident. Since his serious Severe Injury, Lunn has not shown his face again. If the Holy Kingdom's ninth-tier experts discover the Demon King and the Ruin Dragon, the situation will likely be beyond what words can explain.

Any important figure in the Holy Kingdom would probably believe that the Demon King was going to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cause trouble.

So, to avoid unnecessary trouble, this time Dekan and Talomati disguised themselves as an ordinary pair of human twins, just as they had done when they first arrived in the Holy Kingdom fifty years ago.

Little Flower, on the other hand, remained on the edge of the Demon Realm, waiting for their return.

"Actually, thinking about it carefully, bringing along the Little Flower in human form isn't bad either, since it's much stronger than me after all."

Over the years, Talomati has also been feeding Dekan's Little Flower, and it seems that he has unknowingly come to regard it as a pet.

I feel a little guilty leaving it on the border of the Demon Realm for a month or two.

"Forget it, that guy can't pretend to be human."

Dekan paused here, as if realizing his words were somewhat imprecise, or as if remembering something, and added:

"... If it encounters a perceptive individual, they'll spot its flaws at a glance. I mean, there are some things that are useless no matter how much you teach it; only you and Eve can flawlessly impersonate humans."

"Then take it as a compliment."

Talomati never throws a tantrum like her Master. Apart from the time they met at the Demon Realm Hospital, Talomati's emotions are mostly very peaceful.

This trip to the Holy Kingdom was different from the one where he had kidnapped Talomati.

They get along very well now.

During this nearly month-long journey, besides continuing their research on the magic left behind by Delois with Talomati, they also gradually recovered from the fatigue of the previous month.

After all, here, there's no need to rush the process like when renovating the Devil King Tomb; all the remaining work has been handed over to Eve.

Along the way, with Talomati's help, Dekan successfully completed a spell that Delois couldn't let go of even while desperately rushing to finish the Devil King Tomb.

If returning to the Holy Kingdom was what Delois wanted most, then renovating the Devil King Tomb was what Delois was certain was the most urgent matter.

However, there is one more thing that falls in between.

For Delois, its importance and urgency were second only to the renovation of the Devil King Tomb.

So Dekan quickly noticed the notebook Delois carried on his person, which contained a nearly complete curse spell, only lacking time to perfect it, put it into practice, or make it into Magic Card.

However, Delois still clearly prioritized the renovation of the Devil King Tomb.

Thus, this seventh-tier spell stalled once the basic principles of its spell were completed, and Delois didn't have much time to master its application in the Devil King Tomb.

Because it is a seventh-order magic, even if Dekan, who is at the sixth order, could understand all the principles mentioned above, he would not be able to master and use it.

Moreover, Dekan and Delois have different approaches.

Although Delois was one of the most skilled in Magic Engineering of his time, he was also capable of casting many curse spells.

As long as Dekan has Spell Card, Delois can usually cast spells with similar effects without relying on Magic Card.

For example, if you have 100 skill points, Delois allocated 70 to Magic Engineering and 30 to Magic Practice.

Unlike Dekan, who was given 100 points in Magic Engineering but only 0 points in Magic Practice.

As for equipment with similar effects to [Crown of Thorns] and [Cursed Doll], they are all magical artifacts crafted by Delois.

The contracted Magic Creature that Delois resembled the [Ruined Poet] and the [Dirge Mermaid] were familiars he subdued in the Demon Realm.

However, neither magical artifacts nor familiars could be brought into the Shadow World, and it took Delois far too much time to use and master magic.

Therefore, in an era where Magic Card were already quite mature, Dekan's extreme development path actually allowed him to unleash his talent to the fullest extent.

Although Dekan is currently unable to turn this seventh-tier curse spell into Magic Card to become the final piece of his system.

But at least, with Talomati's help, they managed to create a magic scroll.

It can be used once, or it can be used as material for seventh-tier Magic Card in the future.

Having done all the work that needed to be done and could be done, Dekan would occasionally chat with Talomati about lighthearted topics.

What were you thinking about just now?

Dekan, recalling Talomati's earlier state, smiled slightly and asked.

They have similar faces, and when they look at each other, it's like looking in a mirror—a strange, mirror-like feeling.

That's why staring at someone isn't about observing their appearance, but rather about thinking about them.

I'm thinking about the story you told.

Talomati muttered expressionlessly.

Although Dekan couldn't quite discern Talomati's current mood, he sensed that Talomati was in a good mood.

Along the way, Talomati not only stopped ignoring Dekan as he had last time, but also enjoyed listening to his new stories.

Which one?

Dekan asked curiously.

These stories are actually the ones that Dekan told his Master over the past ten years, and which were the ones that his Master gave the best evaluation of.

The Master doesn't particularly like mythology or classical literature, and she's not very interested in novel plots, but she often enjoys scenes from classic movies.

Therefore, Dekan mostly selected plots from old movies and made slight adaptations.

Unsurprisingly, Talomati enjoyed every story.

"That comedy story called 'The Dragon Brothers and the Mouse Brothers'."

Talomati answered immediately in a calm voice.

"Huh? I thought that was the worst story I ever chose."

Dekan asked in surprise.

He remembered that Talomati didn't seem to laugh at all while listening to the story, but when he wanted to change the story, Talomati asked him to continue.

"No, it's a good story."

Talomati looked at Dekan as before, his eyes reflecting Dekan's image, and answered.

"Alright, alright, there's still a long way to go to the Holy Capital. I have many more stories to tell you, but you must let me know your preferences. If I don't share my thoughts, others might not know them."

Dekan waved his hand and said.

Talomati isn't very good at direct communication.

This alone convinced Dekan that Talomati was his Master.

They just expressed themselves differently; the Master was arguing, while Talomati was taciturn.

"Okay, I understand."

Talomati thought for a moment and then answered seriously.

"It's good to be young; you're more receptive to advice."

Dekan sighed, unsure who he was alluding to, but he quickly felt his heart clench and changed his tune:

"Of course, one doesn't need too much advice in life. Talomati, your mind is far more mature than mine as your older brother. Just do what you want to do."

Talomati looked at Dekan with a puzzled expression, then his slightly furrowed brows quickly relaxed.

She felt as if someone had held a knife to her brother's neck and forced him to praise her.

But this kind of older brother isn't bad either.

That's what she thinks.

"Talomati, would you like some fructose?"

Dekan asked, as if changing the subject, that he had bought a lot of portable desserts on his way to the Holy Kingdom.

"No, we're not far from our destination yet. I'd rather have breakfast now."

Talomati shook his head and said honestly.

"Really."

Dekan chuckled, relaxed his hand out the car window, leaned back in his seat, and gazed at the pasture that was gradually becoming clearer.

This is not the Holy Capital.

It was Morpheus's residence.

For Dekan, it was just a convenient route; it would only take less than half a day to extend the journey from the Demon Realm to the Holy Capital before passing through Morpheus's location.

However, Dekan was slightly surprised when he learned about Morpheus's current situation.

He didn't live a luxurious old age like a nobleman, but lived on this peaceful and beautiful natural land and pastures, showing no signs of wealth whatsoever.

He was also rightfully granted a title, official position, and territory by Lunn.

But now he has become the poorest lord, as if he has no desires whatsoever.

He even gave away his entire business guild, which he had built up over most of his life, to the Holy Kingdom.

However, Morpheus no longer has the resources to continue operating the Chamber of Commerce, even if he wanted to.

It's uncertain whether, given his physical condition, he will be able to survive the harsh winter that is about to begin.

Dekan got off the cart on a hillside where there were still some trees, paid the old driver his fee, and said goodbye.

Their demonic identities went unnoticed by anyone along the way.

As a matter of necessity, Talomati habitually maintains a spell that shields him and Dekan from Magic Power perception.

Unless one is a ninth-tier powerhouse skilled in detection magic, it is almost impossible to detect the intensity of their Magic Power and their disguise magic.

Of course, apart from great mages like Purser who possess an extremely strong instinct for seeing through illusions, very few people would specifically investigate whether the target in front of them is a demon using disguise magic.

Unless one is genuinely suspicious, or senses a dangerous aura or Terror Magic Power emanating from a suspicious person.

The current Demon King and Holy Emperor have already signed a peace treaty, and any violator will be punished by them personally or by sending trusted confidants.

As long as they are still alive, the threat posed by the demon race to humanity is no longer so great.

Dekan stood on the hillside, gazing at the simple pasture.

Your gaze falls upon the pasture, circles around the back of the cowshed, passes the haystack, and continues a little further.

There is a slightly old-fashioned—not very large—red-roofed wooden house.

Perhaps only enough for a small family to live on.

Even the roof and walls show signs of repair, but the repairs are done well, giving the house a more lived-in feel and a sense of history.

"Looks like this guy's doing pretty well."

Dekan let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief and exclaimed.

Just as he was about to take Talomati towards the ranch.

He suddenly stopped in his tracks.

The door of the ranch cabin slowly opened, and a young woman dressed in civilian clothes pushed out a wheelchair. Leaning against the wheelchair was an elderly man with gray hair mixed with a hint of Pearwood color.

The woman carefully backed Morpheus's wheelchair down the steps, then turned around and closed the door.

Morpheus looked half asleep and pale, but the fresh air outside seemed to ease his expression considerably.

Dekan had already heard Eve tell him about the young woman's identity before he arrived.

She is not human, but a rare demon living in the Holy Kingdom, and also an eighth-tier great demon— Atalia of Nightmare.

She was also Morpheus's first wife.

Even in the Holy Kingdom today, intermarriage between demons and humans is an absolute taboo.

It was Lunn covered all of this up for Morpheus.

He not only gave Atalia a reliable Holy Kingdom identity, but also ensured that other powerful beings who could see through Atalia's identity chose to turn a blind eye and never spread the news.

After that long war, not many humans were willing to believe in demons.

But Lunn was one of them.

This is also the greatest secret, little known to anyone, of the Holy Emperor's life.