The Gaderia Lord's Manor was not a place of resplendent gold or jade. It was simply constructed of brick and stone; a grey-white villa surrounded by towering brown-black walls, appearing plain yet majestic.
Passing through the open iron gates, Himmel barged directly into the Lord's Manor. The guards inside did not obstruct him.
As if knowing he would come, Baron Aaron had long been waiting in the courtyard.
"Lord Baron, are you hiding something?"
The moment he entered the Lord's Manor, Himmel sensed the residual mana of a Demon. This mana seemed somewhat familiar.
"She saved us and our territory. Please, spare her, Lord Hero."
Baron Aaron's tone was incredibly sincere.
Except for his old man, he had never bowed his waist to anyone, but this time, he bowed deeply to the Hero.
Himmel was somewhat surprised that this Lord would perform such a grand gesture right from the start.
"Is it the Demon from that statue?"
"She is waiting for you at the back mountain. She wants to talk to you. I beg you not to harm her."
Baron Aaron did not raise his head. He was nervous; shielding a Demon right in front of the Hero—this must be madness.
"Please raise your head. I promise you."
Himmel slowly helped Baron Aaron straighten up, returning a gentle smile.
"The little sister who guided me... I did not harm her. I placed her beside the bronze statue... I will be back shortly."
Patting Aaron on the shoulder, he walked toward the back mountain.
That was all he could do. Now, he could only pray that this gentle Hero would truly spare Nanoda.
At least in Aaron's heart, he regarded Nanoda as one of his own. He could confirm that Nanoda possessed the ability to empathize with humans, something other Demons lacked.
"As expected, he is very powerful, the Hero..."
At the moment of meeting, years of experience told him that the strength of the person before him was in a different dimension from his own. Just like with Nanoda, trying to intercept him would certainly be futile.
————
| Do you believe there are good Demons in this world? |
The girl's voice seemed to still echo in his ears.
Himmel walked with relaxed steps along the mountain path.
That strong, brave girl and that dignified, steady Lord did not seem like people with overflowing, misplaced sympathy.
Why would they shield a Demon together? Why would the subjects build a bronze statue of a Demon? Could there really be a Demon who held genuine goodwill toward humans?
Himmel did not know, but he was certain that when he met that Demon, all answers would be revealed.
Himmel's super-senses were informing him that something was waiting ahead. Strangely, there was not a trace of leaking mana.
When he saw the broken-horned, white-haired Demon sitting on a rock, swinging her feet, Himmel experienced a sense of déjà vu.
She suppressed her mana? It felt extremely like when Frieren usually suppressed her mana, but the Demon before him was even more exaggerated. Although he could sense a tiny bit of mana leaking from around her, he could not see through the mana inside her body at all. Rather than saying he couldn't see through it, it was more like it didn't exist.
If not for the broken horn on her head, she was simply like an ordinary human girl.
This Demon appeared to behave very weakly. But his intuition was sounding a strong alarm: the unknown Demon before him was dangerous, at least a powerhouse rivaling the Seven Sages of Destruction.
"Sure enough, very handsome, Hero Himmel."
Nanoda rested her chin in one hand, sitting on the rock as she sized up the young Hero.
"Eh? Thanks for the compliment. You really have an eye for things."
Himmel paused, unexpectedly stunned. Although he knew he was indeed handsome, being praised by a Demon was a first.
"So, what do you want to chat with me about? Please rest assured, I promised that Lord I would not harm you."
"I want to coexist peacefully with humans. Do you think a Demon like me can coexist with humans?"
"Seeing the attitude of the Lord and the subjects toward you, I want to say it's possible. However, for others, I think it is impossible."
"Why?"
"This is territory governed by the Northern Empire. Neither the Royal Family nor the nobles will allow a Demon to appear. You continuing to stay on this land will only bring harm to the people shielding you."
"Then do you believe a Demon can possess a soul like a human and understand humans?"
"If Frieren were here, she would definitely persuade me to kill you immediately. Even if I believe it, will those people who are unfamiliar with you believe in you, with your Demon appearance?"
"That is true... although I knew that logic long ago."
Nanoda felt lost inside.
"Put away your wishful thinking. Leave here and find a place where no one is around to live your life. Given your help to this territory, I will not harm you."
Himmel spoke no further, waiting for Nanoda's reply. He had given his advice very objectively.
This Demon was indeed vastly different from those he had encountered before. But even if he accepted her, those people who had lost precious things in their lives because of Demons would not acknowledge a Demon. Although the Great War had ended, the hatred between the two races would not be forgotten.
"Don't you think these words of mine are all lies?"
"At the very least, you helped the people here. Until you hurt them, I will believe you."
Himmel's tone was very firm.
"Hahahahahaha!"
Nanoda laughed, laughing very wildly.
Yes, this is the Hero. Truly a quite charismatic fellow. To be able to live so openly and candidly, I'm actually a little jealous.
"Exchange two moves with me seriously. Let me witness the strength of the Hero who slew the Demon King."
"I am a person who keeps my promises. I do not want to fight."
"If you defeat me, I will obediently leave here!"
"Then... alright."
Himmel sighed helplessly. If he didn't drive her away and the Empire discovered the existence of a Demon on the Gaderia territory, this place would likely not avoid the baptism of war. That was something he did not want to see.
Drawing the Hero's Sword, Himmel maintained his confidence and composure. The surrounding air began to whistle, and a powerful aura radiated from his body.
Nanoda also jumped down from the rock. Golden vertical pupils, obscured by long white hair, faintly revealed themselves. Mana began to condense and grow. Feeling the pulsing of her blood, a primordial, savage killing intent gradually permeated her entire body.
Strong.
This was the word that surfaced in both their minds simultaneously.
"Hero, Himmel!"
"Mythical Era Great Demon, Nanoda!"
Boom! A loud noise came from the back mountain.
Inside the Lord's Manor, Baron Aaron locked his brows tight.
"Just why? Did they fight after all?"
Beside the bronze statue, Yuna was helped up by a kind-hearted passerby. Hearing the commotion from the back mountain in her daze, Yuna murmured.
"Lady Nanoda..."
___
New Story: ZZZ: Mr. Ethereal Does Not Want to See a Tragedy
✅ Read 40 chapters ahead on every series!
✅ Unlock supporter-only perks and news!
Let's reach these milestones together:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 free chapter for all readers
🚀 140 MEMBERS = +5 bonus chapters for all series!
👻 Walnutchan on P...