The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 444: “Seriously? No Way?”

Hearing Harvis’s words, Shien didn’t feel relieved, but instead frowned.

“Giving up because they’re wary of me?”

On the surface, this seemed like the most likely scenario.

After all, the power and influence Shien displayed this time far exceeded people’s expectations. It was normal for the Empire not to want to offend Shien and not believe they could capture anyone from him.

Some might think, “It’s easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to defend against an arrow in the dark.” Even if Shien was powerful, wouldn’t it be enough to just kidnap Diere discreetly?

Diere was just Diere, after all. She couldn’t stay with Shien all the time. Once they separated, there would still be plenty of opportunities.

However, don’t forget, Melika was also separated from Shien before, but when Melika was in danger, Shien arrived in time.

Perhaps it was simply because of the Goddess of Nature’s revelation that Shien knew about it, but who could guarantee that the Goddess of Nature wouldn’t give Shien another revelation if something happened to Diere?

Therefore, it was understandable that the Raifurut family would want to give up.

However…

“The Raifurut family wanted to target Diere because of Mara’s instructions, right?”

Then, would Mara be deterred by the power and influence Shien displayed?

Impossible.

The reason was simple.

“If Mara, as I suspect, is the mastermind behind the Cosmos incident who collaborated with [Mirage], then she likely knows everything I did in Cosmos.”

Including Shien single-handedly defeating the beastmen priest group, the annihilation of [Mirage] at Shien’s hands, and even Shien using the Holy Sword and going all out against Lilith.

In other words, this Mara likely knew Shien’s identity.

Even if she didn’t know Shien’s identity, she would still know that Shien possessed extraordinary strength and had even subdued Lilith.

But even so, she still sent the Raifurut family to the capital. What did this prove?

It proved that she wouldn’t give up on her goal just because of Shien’s strength and the power behind him.

Then, why did the Raifurut family suddenly withdraw from the capital and abandon their plan at this time?

Shien felt that there was something more to this.

Harvis, on the other hand, seemed to have already made up his mind.

“I came here to ask you, what are you planning to do next?” Harvis looked at Shien and whispered, “I promised to help you eliminate the Raifurut family. That promise is still valid.”

Shien understood what he meant.

“Are you planning to intercept them on their way back?”

Shien understood Harvis’s plan.

“That’s right.” Harvis didn’t hide anything and said frankly, “Although the movements of that elite assassination squad are very secretive, and it’s difficult to find out their route, based on my observation, Wolram should be going to meet up with them.”

Therefore, Harvis planned to send people to follow Wolram when he left the capital, until they found the elite assassination squad.

Then, they would find an opportunity to eliminate them all in one fell swoop.

“Will that work?” Shien looked at Harvis. “If they’re elites in assassination, then it should be difficult for your people to track them, right?”

“It is indeed difficult.” Harvis didn’t deny it, but looked directly at Shien. “But I have to do this. Otherwise, I’m not qualified to cooperate with you, am I?”

Shien smiled noncommittally.

Harvis was right.

If he couldn’t even deal with a small fry like Wolram and a ten-person elite assassination squad, how could he possibly deal with the Raifurut family, let alone Mara, and overthrow his father?

Shien could help him achieve this, but why should he go to such lengths for Harvis?

Since it was a cooperation, if Harvis didn’t show sufficient ability and competence, Shien wouldn’t need his help. He could directly descend upon the Imperial capital with Airi and Lilith and cause havoc. That would be better than cooperating with a useless prince.

Harvis was smart and knew that he had to show his worth. Otherwise, this so-called cooperative relationship wouldn’t last.

And Shien also believed that Harvis must have some other tricks up his sleeve.

With his charisma that could even win over Rockto, the Empire’s number one legendary knight, Shien didn’t believe that this prince didn’t have other powerful subordinates.

Perhaps among these capable individuals, there was someone who could track Wolram and the other elite assassins of the Raifurut family?

Shien was looking forward to it.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, Your Highness.”

Shien readily entrusted the matter to Harvis again.

“Leave it to me.”

A confident expression appeared on Harvis’s face.

They chatted for a bit, then parted ways.

Harvis left the Buztout mansion with Rockto.

However, before leaving, Rockto, who had been silent, suddenly said,

“You’re very strong, Viscount Buztout.” Rockto said seriously. “I’m someone who always wants to fight against strong opponents. I’ve always regarded Aldia as my target.”

Rockto’s words had only one meaning.

“Now, I might have to add another person to my list of targets.” Rockto looked directly at Shien, his eyes filled with fighting spirit. “I hope to have the chance to fight against you.”

Leaving these words behind, Rockto left with Harvis.

Shien was stunned for a long time, then rolled his eyes.

“Please find another protagonist for this passionate, battle-hungry plot. I’m not interested.”

That’s what Shien thought.

Shien didn’t know that at this moment, Nadue, who was by his side, was struggling.

“Should I tell him what the Raifurut family is planning?”

Nadue naturally knew about this.

This goddess, who had been monitoring Shien, had been paying attention to this matter since Shien and Harvis mentioned Mara.

Although Nadue had to focus most of her energy on Shien and couldn’t monitor other places, for things she was concerned about, this goddess, merged with nature and theoretically able to monitor the entire natural world, could still divide a small part of her attention and discover some of the things happening elsewhere.

The same went for the Raifurut family. Nadue had already seen through their plans.

If she told Shien now, their conspiracy would naturally be foiled.

However, should she tell him?

“For that child named Melika, I can still use my identity as the Goddess of Nature, the highest deity of the Elven Race, as an excuse.”

“But the Raifurut family’s matter has nothing to do with me.”

“If I tell him about this, he will definitely start to wonder why I know so much about what’s happening around him, right?”

Then, the fact that she was monitoring him would probably be exposed.

This made Nadue hesitate.

After thinking about it, Nadue decided.

“I’ll leave it alone for now.”

With Shien’s abilities, he might be able to resolve this matter himself.

If anything unexpected happened, she could always remind him then.

As for now…

“Let’s just let this Hero get married in peace.”

Nadue couldn’t help but smile.

“I wonder if Lildas already knows that the blessed one she regards as her own daughter is about to get married.”

If she knew, what would her reaction be?

Just thinking about it made Nadue amused.

Unfortunately, Nadue didn’t know that the situation was far more serious than she imagined.

…

Divine Realm, a floating island near the central island.

This was the divine island where Anima, the Goddess of Life, resided.

Unlike the Goddess of Nature’s island, which was full of natural scenery like forests and lakes, the Goddess of Life’s island was like a large ecological park, not only with various environments, but also with numerous life forms.

They were all animals.

Some were common on earth, some were rare and endangered species, and even some extinct ancient creatures, everything imaginable, making the entire divine island a habitat for thousands of species, full of life and vitality.

At this moment, Anima returned to her divine island from the outside, walking towards the central temple, her face deep in thought.

“There’s no problem with the seal. The Hero Summoning Ritual is still properly sealed. That’s certain.”

Anima had just gone to the corner of the Divine Realm where the Hero Summoning Ritual was sealed to check on the state of the seal.

The seal, personally set by Omniis, the Supreme God, was still active, and no one but her could enter.

Although Anima couldn’t enter, since the seal was intact, it meant that there was no major problem with the Hero Summoning Ritual.

“At least, no one can enter the sealed place and activate the Hero Summoning.” Anima muttered to herself, “In that case, why was the Hero Summoning activated?”

This question remained unanswered.

“If only Mother Goddess was still awake…”

Anima couldn’t help but think this, then shook her head, dispelling this unrealistic thought.

She knew that Omnipotence, having lost the Demon King, no longer had anything that could pique the Mother Goddess’s interest.

It was impossible for the Mother Goddess to wake up.

“I should consult the ancient texts on the Hero Summoning. Perhaps I can find some clues.”

Anima decided on her next course of action.

At this moment, a goddess hurriedly came to Anima.

“L-Lady Anima! Something terrible has happened!”

The goddess looked very anxious.

“What is it?”

Anima was stunned.

The next moment, Anima’s expression changed.

“Lady Lildas has gone to the human world!”

The goddess said with a mournful face.

“What did you say?”

Anima was shocked.