Why must the devil be Defeated?

Enchanting Demon City, an expanse of clan territory immensely vast.

There was a man staying within one of the buildings on this clan land.

The man was exceedingly handsome, his eyebrows revealing an elegance and confidence that others could clearly perceive, like a prince who exists only in fairy tales. Both his appearance and his aura were of the kind that could make girls scream aloud, wishing desperately to engage in a passionate romance with him.

However, this handsome man was dedicated and meticulous as he polished a portrait, his eyes occasionally betraying yearning, obsession, and admiration.

Were any girl to be looked at with such a gaze, most would surely fall in love in an instant, wouldn't they?

But it seemed the man's eyes were only for the person in the portrait.

Upon a closer look, the subject of the painting was a woman so stunning that she could make all men in the world bow down to her.

Who else could it be but Chafne?

The man continued to clean and maintain the portrait with care, surrounded by one after another painting, all depicting Chafne.

This scene would make it clear to any observant person just how infatuated this man was with the woman in the paintings.

Before long, a voice resonated in this studio.

"You're still so obsessed with Lady Chafne, Gray," said the voice.

The one who uttered these words was a man from the Demon Clan.

He had a rather androgynous appearance, with long silver hair, and though he was not as strikingly handsome as the man in the studio, there was an indescribable allure about him that was captivating.

This demon man appeared silently in the studio and yet failed to attract the slighted bit of attention from the man known as Gray.

"Hart?" Gray continued to carefully clean the portrait, smiling contentedly without looking up, "What is it this time? Run into some trouble and need my help again?"

Gray's words irked the demon man named Hart.

"As if I only come to see you when there's trouble," Hart complained, "It's as though our many years of camaraderie mean nothing."

Hearing this, Gray remained utterly indifferent.

"Do I not know you?" Gray picked up another portrait, continuing to polish it as he spoke with an air of nonchalance, "If it were the old days, you would come by to drink with me at any given opportunity. But ever since you advanced to Legend Level, became the Clan Leader of the Bi'an Clan, and became Lady Chafne's officer, you've lost that leisurely indulgence, haven't you?"

"...You think I wanted this?" Hart's expression softened as he sighed and said in a low tone, "If I could, I would truly wish to return to those days, adventuring all over the world with you, rather than dealing with all the tedious affairs like now."

This confession, however, was met with Gray's teasing laughter.

"Don't give me that," Gray said with a grin, "You're the type who can't sit still and indeed doesn't enjoy being stuck inside the clan lands dealing with affairs. But I don't believe you'd actually forsake this life if given the chance to go back."

Gray was very sure of this statement.

It was almost certain.

Why? There was one reason.

It was because, here, there existed a beauty unparalleled, one that made countless people fall for her, driving them insane.

In the past, Hart had not yet seen her, and so he could wander freely without the desire to stay here.

But since advancing to Legend Level, Hart had the privilege to meet her.

And after seeing her, Hart utterly succumbed.

Hence, he willingly chose this life—shifting from a man who loved to roam around causing trouble, to one who happily stayed within the clan lands, within Enchanting Demon City, who voluntarily took the position of Clan Leader and did everything in his power to become an officer.

Not for anything else, but to have the chance to behold her just once more.

"Indeed, you know me well," Hart suddenly burst into laughter, "But you aren't one to talk, are you?"

Just as Gray understood everything about Hart, so did Hart know everything about Gray.

"If it weren't for my invitation and the fortuitous meeting with Lady Chafne, you wouldn't have accepted my invitation to become my Bi'an Clan's guest and stay here," Hart said cheerfully, "For a legendary Human Race warrior to agree to stay in the Demon Realm, not return to the Human Realm, and reside in Enchanting Demon City—how many people were thrown into chaos by your decision? Don't tell me you've forgotten that."

Hart's words brought a hint of nostalgia to Gray's eyes.

At that time, his decision had indeed caused many disturbances and troubles.

It couldn't be helped.

"If you were still in the Human Realm, how would Aridia, that boy, become the top warrior of the Human Race?" Hart said with disdain, "That boy only improved leaps and bounds under your guidance; you're practically his mentor."

Hearing this, Gray shook his head.

"The boy does indeed have an extraordinary talent, and after so many years, he's probably getting close to Limit Level," Gray said earnestly, "In terms of potential, I'm not his match, so I can't be sure of how strong he actually is now."

"Can he be stronger than you?" Hart dismissed the idea, "Nobody knows you better than I do, old friend. Even within the entire Enchanting Demon Territory, aside from that detestable Stone Woman Liel, no one can match you. I don't believe Aridia could be stronger than you."

"What about you?" Gray glanced at Hart, speaking dispassionately, "It's been years since you vehemently declared you would trample Liel underfoot and become the strongest demon of the Enchanting Demon Territory. How's that going now?"

Hart suddenly choked.

"It seems you are no match for Liel yet," Gray said, his tone amused, as he pointed out his old friend's lack of confidence.

"Hmph," Hart huffed, his voice filled with reluctant resentment, "if it weren't for that Stone Woman's 'eyes' being so formidable, how could I be inferior to her?"

"Those 'eyes' are indeed terrifying," Gray agreed, his tone shifting as he continued, "Alright then, speak up. What do you have in mind for me this time?"

From Gray's tone, one could tell that he had grown accustomed to such requests.

Who could blame him for being a patron of the Bi'an Clan?

Years ago, Gray, a renowned prodigy of the Human Race, happened to encounter Hart, who had ventured from the Demon Realm into the Human Realm. Since that moment, the two shared a fateful bond.

So, when Hart invited Gray to visit the Bi'an Clan's territory in the Demon Realm, Gray did not refuse, proving the depth of their relationship.

But it was that choice which led to Gray's life being forever altered in the latter half.

For it was there, he met that particular being and fell captive to her charm.

Since then, Gray decided never to return to the Human Realm and instead, to stay there perpetually.

As such, after accepting Hart's invitation and joining the Bi'an Clan when Hart became the Clan Leader, Gray became their patron.

It was with Gray's assistance that the Bi'an Clan rose to become the second most powerful faction in Enchanting Demon City, just behind the Stone Woman Clan.

Otherwise, without powerhouses like the three Legendary-level fighters of the Stone Woman Clan, the Bi'an Clan would have found it difficult to stand equal to them in the Enchanting Demon Territory.

Over the years, Gray had intervened on behalf of the Bi'an Clan numerous times, and his status within the clan was second only to Hart, their Clan Leader, even being the true strongest member in a real sense.

His strength indeed far surpassed Hart's.

And Hart only sought Gray's help for extremely serious matters that he couldn't handle himself.

Clearly, this was one of those times.

At least, that's what Gray thought.

However...

"You've really misunderstood me this time," Hart suddenly said, "I came to you because of something that's happened recently in Enchanting Demon City. I wanted to talk to you about it so you wouldn't blame me later."

"Oh?" Gray seemed skeptical, responding nonchalantly, "I'm curious, what could possibly make me blame you?"

Hart fixed his gaze on Gray.

"It's about a recent uproar in Enchanting Demon City," Hart spelled out each word, "Apparently, a human boy has come to the city and was personally invited into Enchanting Demon Castle by Lady Chafne to reside on the top floor."

Gray's hand, which had been sketching, stopped abruptly.

Seeing this, Hart continued as if he hadn't noticed, talking to himself.

"Everyone in Enchanting Demon City knows that the top floor of Enchanting Demon Castle is exclusively for Lady Chafne's use. Unless there's an unavoidable major issue that requires a meeting with all the executives, Lady Chafne never lets anyone enter the top floor."

"Even we, the executives, aside from Liel, cannot enter the top floor without being summoned."

"Let alone residing there; apart from Lady Chafne's sisters, who else could receive such treatment?"

"Now, a mysterious human boy has managed to do just that. The city is quite abuzz because of him."

Listening to Hart's pointed words, Gray fell silent for a long time.

Then, after a while, Gray put down the portrait he was working on.

"A human... huh?"

Gray murmured softly, finally turning to Hart.

"Who is he?"

Gray had grown serious.

"I asked someone from a minor clan that had contact with him, and the leader of the Sand Scale Clan's daughter said he did not reveal his identity," Hart shrugged, "But for a human to be so valued by Her Highness, many people believe it must be that recently emerged being who disappeared a thousand years ago."

Saying this, Hart's eyes gleamed with mischief.

"If it really is that being, then they would have quite a connection with you, wouldn't they?"

"Am I right?"

"Graykville Mithra, the former Prince?"

Gray remained expressionless in the face of Hart's teasing.

"Let's go," said Gray, "We shall meet this individual."