The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 741: The Demon Lords’ Loss of Composure

After confirming Shien and Airi’s engagement, Sara stated that she would arrange for the news to be officially announced and finalized, but she didn’t dismiss the meeting immediately. There were still several matters to discuss.

For example, the reason behind the passage’s collapse when Shien and the others came to the Demon Realm.

This topic, however, wasn’t discussed for long.

“I’ve basically confirmed the culprits. It was just an accident. I’ll personally deal with those little girls later. You don’t have to worry.”

Sara’s words were somewhat cryptic, making Shien feel uneasy. But the other Demon Lords had absolute trust in Sara’s abilities and thus dropped the matter.

Then, Sara asked Shien about the incident in the Imperial Capital. After all, when Mara used the Branch of Rejuvenation to transcend the limits of life and achieve a transcendent state, her magic power had reached the three realms, alerting those on the same level. Although Sara had already learned about the incident from the God Race’s representatives and even concealed the news for certain reasons, there would still be some discrepancies between their accounts and Shien’s, the person involved. Moreover, Sara also wanted to know some details, so she questioned Shien seriously.

After some thought, Shien decided not to hide anything. First, this was a major incident involving the birth of an unknown transcendent being, a being capable of changing the world’s current situation. It was better to leave this matter to the world’s higher-ups than to keep it a secret.

Second, the aftermath hadn’t been resolved yet. The mysterious being who shared power with Mara through [Symbiosis] was likely hiding and plotting something, possibly even targeting him and colluding with the Original Demon. If that happened, the most mysterious and ancient Old Demon Faction would have two transcendent beings, a significant threat.

Although, according to Shafney, their transcendence was incomplete, it didn’t mean they weren’t powerful, only that they had some limitations or their power wasn’t sustainable. Even temporary Transcendent Level power was a great threat. And since these two were clearly his enemies, there was no reason for Shien to keep secrets.

So, Shien recounted his experiences in the Imperial Capital, without omitting anything, including Mara’s origins and the possible identity of the mastermind behind her. “Erei…” Upon learning about Mara’s origins, Sara frowned and fell silent for a long time, the other Demon Lords’ expressions also changing.

“What’s wrong?” Shien asked.

“Nothing,” Sara shook her head, murmuring, “I just remembered someone special from that country. I hope I’m wrong.” She seemed to have a guess but wasn’t certain.

Then, the supreme being of the Demon Race said,

“Based on your account, that mysterious Greater Spirit of Death is likely connected to, even colluding with, the Original Demon. It seems we need to reassess the threat level of the Original Demon, release the information we have, and make sure those below us are prepared.”

The internal structure of the Original Demon was now basically clear.

A leader, whose level was incomplete Transcendence, capable of exerting Demon Lord-level power under limited conditions, the greatest threat.

Three Apostles, estimated to be Limit Level, one eliminated, two remaining, second only to the leader.

Twelve Apostles, mostly confirmed to be Legendary Level, even top-tier Legendary Level, each a subordinate of one of the three Apostles. Six were confirmed eliminated: Machi, the Demon Spirit, slain by Shien in the Elven Homeland; Ses, Sheen, and two others, killed by Shien at the border of the Moon Demon Territory; and Gorud, the former Demon Lord executive, captured alive.

The rest were insignificant envoys, members of the Original Demon but without high status or special abilities, just obedient pawns.

Of course, there was also a mysterious Greater Spirit of Death, possibly also part of the Original Demon, whose level was also incomplete Transcendence.

“From this perspective, the Original Demon is indeed a significant threat,” Lid said, a hint of worry in her voice.

“Gorud?” Kamina snorted, “If I had known he would become a traitor, I would have thrown him into my poison swamp long ago.”

“The Half-Demon…” Airi said, displeased, “So it’s that guy causing trouble again.”

“Indeed,” Shafney said casually, “When he suddenly disappeared, and then the Old Demon Faction appeared, we should have guessed. Besides him, who else would dare to oppose us?”

“Mm-hmm!” Millu also said angrily, “That person, bad!”

The Demon Lords expressed their disdain and resentment.

“We’ll interrogate Gorud later, hoping to obtain more information about the Original Demon,” Sara said, then asked Shien, “You don’t mind, right?”

“It’s fine,” Shien frowned, but didn’t object, “However, I’ll be the one interrogating him personally.”

Clearly, he still didn’t trust the Demon Race, or perhaps he was worried about other traitors within them.

Sara, seeing his concern, naturally didn’t object.

They discussed many things during this meeting.

Finally, Sara announced,

“The date for the three-race meeting has been set, one month from now.”

“The location will be in the Human Realm.”

“In the Hero’s country, the Mitra Kingdom.”

This was the last topic they discussed while Shien was present.

Then, using the excuse of a confidential discussion within the Demon Race, Sara asked Shien to leave first.

Shien, not wanting to get involved in their internal affairs, left quickly with Lilith, making Airi want to hit him. We finally reunited, and we’re even engaged, yet you’re leaving before me?Even if this isn’t a suitable occasion for you, you could at least show some reluctance, right?

Shien, unaware of Airi’s resentment, left.

Only the Demon Lords remained in the conference room. The barrier was reactivated, sealing the room. The six apex beings of the Demon Race finally sat in their respective seats, ready to discuss their true secret.

“Now that he’s gone, you can talk now, right?” Sara said, turning to Shafney.

The other Demon Lords also looked at her. Shafney had just used [Ripple Heart Demon] to leave a message in their minds.

“Speak,” Airi said, clearly displeased, “What important matter needs to be discussed that Shien can’t know?”

If it were any other time, Airi’s displeasure would have been met with Shafney’s teasing.

But at this moment, Shafney wasn’t playful, taking a deep breath and her expression turning serious.

“Second Sister?” Lid, Kamina, and Millu were surprised. They knew Shafney well.

“…Even you, who’s usually so playful, are serious. It seems this isn’t a small matter,” Sara said in a deep voice.

“What happened?” Airi asked directly.

Shafney’s gaze swept across her sisters.

Then…

“I saw the Demon King’s treasure,” she said, “It’s on Shien.”

These words shocked everyone.

“What did you say…!?” Sara stood up abruptly.

“The Demon King’s treasure… has appeared…!?” Lid and Kamina also stood up, their faces a mix of shock and ecstasy.

“Demon King… Mother…!” Millu seemed to react a bit slower, and a powerful ghostly aura erupted from her.

As for Airi, she almost lost her composure.

“You’re saying Mother’s treasure is on Shien?” she asked, incredibly shocked and shaken, “How… how is this possible?”

Having spent so much time with Shien, she couldn’t believe that the thing she longed for and searched for countless times was actually on the person closest to her now. This was too shocking.

“I know you don’t believe me,” Shafney sighed, but said seriously, “But I swear on the Demon King’s name, what I said is true.”

“I truly saw the treasure.”

Hearing this, the Demon Lords looked at each other. Kamina, even a little excited, wanted to rush out, but was stopped by Airi.

“What are you doing?” Airi stared at Kamina.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Kamina glared back and shouted, “Of course, it’s to retrieve the treasure!”

In other words, she wanted to find Shien.

Airi understood this clearly.

And precisely because of this, she had to stop Kamina.

“Do you think I’ll let you harm my man?” she asked, her dragon wings spreading from her back.

“Move!” Kamina, losing control in her excitement, her poison aura surging.

The entire conference room began to tremble.

The Dragon Demon and the Poison Demon, recognized as the two most ruthless Demon Lords, were about to clash.

“Weng, weng, weng…!”

The barrier in the conference room trembled violently, as if under a powerful attack, shaking incessantly.

Airi and Kamina faced each other, one exuding a draconic aura, the other a poisonous miasma, their power pushing the barrier to the brink of collapse.

“Both of you, stop!” Lid shouted anxiously, hovering in mid-air between them.

But Airi and Kamina ignored her. Even Millu, her mental state unstable, released waves of ghostly energy, further impacting the barrier.

“Millu!” Shafney placed a hand on Millu’s shoulder, suppressing her ghostly energy with her own magic power. Sara also chanted a spell, reinforcing the barrier. Otherwise, it would definitely shatter. This highest-level barrier, capable of withstanding attacks from Limit Level experts, was as fragile as paper before the power of Demon Lords. Now, with several Demon Lords releasing their power due to their emotional turmoil, if Sara didn’t reinforce it, the Supreme Castle would be reduced to rubble along with the barrier.

To prevent this, Sara repeatedly strengthened the barrier, then shouted in frustration,

“Calm down, all of you!” Even her emotions were becoming unstable.

The red gem was simply too important. Perhaps ordinary people didn’t know what it was, but the six sisters, daughters of the Demon King, knew its true nature.

It was the same concept as the Hero’s Holy Sword.

The Holy Sword was the power born from the concept of “Hero.”

And the Demon King, on par with the Hero, a miracle bestowed by heaven, also had such a power within the concept of “Demon King.”

No, not just the Demon King, but also the Supreme God.

Hero, Demon King, and Supreme God, these three opposing yet interconnected existences, their very concepts were power.

Therefore, just as the Hero had the Holy Sword, akin to his other half, the Demon King and the Supreme God also had their own counterparts.

However, while the “Hero” concept birthed the Holy Sword that countered all evil, the “Demon King” and “Supreme God” concepts birthed two gems.

The Demon King’s Gem.

The Supreme God’s Gem.

One contained the power of destruction, the other the power of omnipotence. They were the source of the Demon King and the Supreme God’s power, even their very essence.

And unlike the Holy Sword, the two gems were unique and indestructible.

There was more than one Hero, and Holy Swords varied in strength, shattering and disappearing upon their wielder’s death. Except for Mitra, who used a special method to pass down his Holy Sword, the others had vanished along with their owners, lost to history.

The Demon King and the Supreme God were different.

There was only one Demon King, and only one omnipotent Goddess.

As long as their gems remained, they could be resurrected even after death.

These were transcendent beings, the two absolute strongest in this world.

Unless their gems were destroyed, they were truly immortal and indestructible, never to disappear from this world. And the gems themselves were also indestructible, even surviving the world’s destruction, until the Demon King and the Supreme God recreated or destroyed the world again.

Therefore, the Demon King and the Supreme God were truly immortal.

Of course, nothing in this world was absolute. Although immortal, there were ways to make them disappear. For example, after the Demon King was slain by Hero Mitra, her gem was taken by Omnis and sealed, preventing her resurrection. That was why it was said that Omnis severed the possibility of the Demon King’s return. If Omnis were killed by the Demon King, her gem would also be taken and suppressed by the Demon King, preventing her resurrection. This was the truth behind the Demon King’s demise and her inability to return.

But now, the Demon King’s gem had reappeared, and it was on Shien!

How could the Demon Lords not lose their composure?

Even the usually calm and rational Sara couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotions, showing the impact of this matter.

But she didn’t lose control.

Sara released her magic power, suppressing Airi, Kamina, and Millu.

Shafney immediately joined her.

Lid, seeing the situation escalating, transformed into a giant beast several meters tall, letting out a deafening roar.

The three older sisters suppressed the three younger sisters whose emotions were out of control, their auras and magic power clashing within the conference room, creating a powerful, invisible storm. If not for Sara reinforcing the barrier, the place would have been reduced to rubble.

Shafney even used [Ripple Heart Demon] to calm her sisters.

“Can you please calm down and let me finish?” she said with a wry smile.

Hearing this, the three suppressed sisters regained some composure.

However, Kamina still didn’t turn around, and Airi stood by the door, clearly not letting anyone leave and go after Shien. As for Millu, Lid, having returned to her normal size, jumped onto her head and comforted her softly.

Under such circumstances, Sara took a deep breath.

“Tell us, Shafney,” she said, looking at her, “How did you see the gem?”

The others also looked at Shafney.

Shafney hesitated, then sighed and told them what happened.

Simply put, she claimed that out of curiosity, she used [Ripple Heart Demon] to enter Shien’s dream, where she saw the gem. She even confirmed it a second time and tried to take it, but failed. Of course, she didn’t mention her “activities” with Shien, only confessing about the gem, saying she saw it twice in his dream and even tried to retrieve it in reality, but couldn’t.

Hearing this, the Demon Lords finally calmed down, their expressions turning complex.

“You’re saying that the gem not only refused to leave with you, but also willingly stayed inside Shien Buztout’s body, protecting him?” Sara asked, her brow furrowed deeply.

“Why?” Lid asked, unwilling to believe this, “Why would Mother’s gem do such a thing?”

“Does Mother really not want to be resurrected?” Kamina asked anxiously, “What’s going on?”

Her words voiced everyone’s thoughts. They didn’t understand why the essence of their mother would do this.

Airi, after a long silence, asked the most important question,

“Why is the gem on him in the first place?”

This was the question on everyone’s minds. They all looked at Shafney, who said helplessly,

“Don’t look at me like that, I don’t know either.” After a moment of thought, she added, “But that Hero’s blessing isn’t from the Three Goddesses, but from the Supreme God.”

“The Supreme God’s blessing…!?” The Demon Lords were shocked.

“The Supreme God…” Sara’s frown deepened, then she fell silent as if realizing something.

The Demon Lords exchanged glances, then thought of the same thing.

“Could that Hero be connected to the Supreme God somehow?”

Lid’s expression was filled with disbelief. But this was the only explanation.

A thousand years ago, after the Demon King was defeated, her gem was taken by the Supreme God.

Now, after a thousand years, a Hero blessed by the Supreme God suddenly appeared, carrying the Demon King’s gem. The implications were terrifying.

The Demon Lords couldn’t help but wonder: was this Hero summoned by the Supreme God? What was her purpose? Why would the Goddess, who saw the Demon King as her greatest enemy, give the gem, which could potentially resurrect the Demon King, to this Hero?

And had the Supreme God decided to return? Was she no longer in seclusion? What was she planning?

The Demon Lords pondered these questions, but couldn’t find any definitive answers. Their minds were in turmoil, unsure what to do.

Especially Airi, whose heart felt heavy. She didn’t know the motives behind all this, but she knew that Shien was definitely the key.

“The secret behind this Hero’s summoning seems much greater than we imagined,” Lid said in a heavy voice, voicing everyone’s concerns.

Shafney sighed and looked at the silent Sara. “Big sister, haven’t you been investigating the Hero summoning?” she asked, “How is the investigation going?”

Her question made Sara hesitate, but in the end, she spoke.

“I did investigate and noticed something. I was skeptical before, but now, I can’t help but think…”

These words made the Demon Lords perk up.

“What is it?” Airi asked directly.

Sara’s eyes flickered, and she lowered her gaze.

Then, she said something shocking,

“Shien might not be the Hero.”