Chapter 231: Return to the Demon Capital

The dungeon of the Great Cemetery, the sound of humming continued, occasionally accompanied by the sound of weapons swinging through the air.

"Move faster! You bunch of stupid pigs, is that how you sneak?"

"Damn it, just die stupidly!"

"Sink your consciousness into the darkness, you don't need to recite spells, feel the flow of breath, imagine yourself as a mouse!"

"Damn... I'm thirsty, go get me some water."

The skeleton soldier ran to the door, without any complaints, and even enjoyed it.

Chris fanned herself, sitting on the stone stool, looking like a female hooligan.

Actually, she didn't have to look like one.

Aren't the notorious Silver Blades all like this?

She was just returning to her true nature.

Since that devil threw her here, half a year had passed.

At first, Chris was not used to it, but now she had completely adapted to life in the dungeon.

Although there is no freedom here, relatively speaking, there is no need to worry about enemies coming to the door.

She serves as an instructor for thief skills in the dungeon, helping the Demon King train his minions.

And in exchange, she can move around the Great Cemetery, doesn't have to be in jail like other adventurer prisoners, and won't be scared by the Demon King's minions with ghost stories.

Actually, she couldn't be scared anymore.

She had long been desensitized.

And those minions of the Demon King are also very interesting, not caring about her status as a prisoner at all, not only humbly asking her for thief skills, but occasionally offering some inexplicable tributes to her and asking how much that messy favorability has increased.

She usually reports a random number to them, and then they will bring more delicious food next time.

It's really ridiculous to say.

She has no good feelings for this group of insidious and cunning devils, and wishes they were all purified by holy light.

However, as time went by, she found that these devils were not annoying either.

These guys are ridiculously simple, have no heart, do whatever they are told, and sometimes, she feels they are more reliable than her former teammates.

At least, she doesn't need to worry about being cut in the throat in the middle of the night.

Just like this, day by day, just when she thought her remaining life would be spent in this dark dungeon, the situation had a slight change.

It was one night, she was sleeping soundly, when she was suddenly covered with her eyes roughly, and her hands were tied tightly.

Chris woke up suddenly, her heart beating like a drum, instinctively wanting to break free, but the strength of the binding made her unable to move.

Subsequently, she was forcibly taken away, thrown onto a cart, and dragged through the dark dungeon passage.

Feeling the bumps under her, countless possibilities flashed through her mind—is the Demon King deciding to execute her? Or is she going to be sent to some terrible ritual?

She dared not imagine her end, and was even so scared that her legs were soft, almost peeing her pants.

However, when the black cloth was roughly pulled off, she found herself in a square.

This seems to be Fog Town, she had been here a few times, but looking around, it was a completely unfamiliar scene, as if she were in a fantasy wrapped in fog.

The most incredible thing is that this square actually installed a fountain, and the street was lined with street lamps.

Although Lei Ming City also has such furnishings, they are usually in the most prosperous streets.

It seems that during the time she was imprisoned, the outside world had undergone earth-shaking changes.

A corpse ghost stood in front of her, carrying a familiar great sword on his back.

Although the helmet covered his face, she could still recognize his identity, it was a former member of the Silver Blades.

Of course, he now has a new establishment.

"You are free."

Bond whispered, turned and left, without a hint of reluctance.

Chris came back to her senses and called him down subconsciously, "Wait a minute! What about the others? Am and the others..."

Bond did not answer.

His task was just to throw her here, that's all.

The Demon King said the dungeon was not enough, so he decided to release a batch and return those prisoners who had already been branded to the surface human society.

Those guys might have been released before.

Chris stood blankly in place, looking at her former teammates leaving without hesitation, although not surprised, she still felt melancholy.

On the streets of Fog Town, the faint light passed through the layered fog, reflecting the bluestone-paved streets.

Chris stood under the street lamp, scanning everything around her blankly.

She had wanted to escape the devil's palm countless times, but when true freedom came, she felt unprecedented confusion... she had long been accustomed to life surrounded by the Demon King's minions.

Anger, fear, humiliation, resentment... and the willingness to admit defeat, and then the resignation to her fate, and now these emotions had long been transformed into submission unknowingly.

That guy is actually not that bad, if it were another Demon King, they wouldn't be alive, I'm afraid even their souls would be shattered.

Not even the Demon King, human lords would also hang invaders, never saying they were thrown into jail for a period of time and released.

Not only that, he has always been quite good to his own people, as long as he is not angered, even his voice is as gentle as a spring breeze.

Although she didn't realize it, the Demon King's mark had long been branded in the depths of her soul.

Of course, her feelings were also real.

The two are not contradictory.

"... Hey, buddy, where should we go?" She muttered to herself, her fingers subconsciously groping for the short dagger at her waist.

This dagger had brought her a sense of security in the darkness countless times, but now, it felt exceptionally heavy.

There were few people on the street, including mole people, skeletons, mercenaries, and several surface adventurers wearing old leather armor. Their eyes occasionally swept over Chris, but no one paid attention to her.

She stood there like a ghost forgotten by the world.

After standing still for a long time, Chris finally took a step and walked slowly toward the caravan station outside the town.

The caravan's campfire reflected the guards' armor, they were talking in low voices, occasionally laughing.

She knew that these merchants would go to the surface, and Lei Ming County there was the only place she was familiar with.

Perhaps Jack of the Viper Gang could introduce her to a job, if the Viper Gang was still there.

That guy is very loyal, even if they only cooperated a few times, he was willing to take the risk to rescue her and Am and the others... although it didn't succeed in the end.

It was precisely because of this that she had many acquaintances she had cooperated with, but she thought of him first.

"Do you need to hire guards? I am very familiar with this area." She stepped forward and asked the caravan leader in a low voice.

The caravan leader was a middle-aged man full of wind and frost. He looked her up and down, noticed the short dagger at her waist and her steady temperament, and nodded: "If you can manage your own affairs on the road, don't ask too much, and don't cause trouble, then you are welcome."

After a pause, he continued.

"We need a scout, the reward is 1 silver coin a day, and the contract ends at the surface."

Chris had no opinion, nodded silently, stood on the side of the team, and joined in.

It seems that no one remembers the "Silver Blades" anymore.

This guy actually didn't recognize her face, let alone treat her as a threat.

However, it is also possible that her temperament has changed. It's just that I didn't expect that she, who even Lord Shengxi couldn't save, unexpectedly obtained "rebirth" in the Demon King's territory.

Chris smiled bitterly in her heart, shook her head, and stared at the campfire with blurred eyes.

The embers of the campfire burned slowly, and the sparks rose in the night sky, just like her past life.

She looked back, the place that once gave her a sense of belonging, but she could never stay.

She muttered a word.

"Take it one step at a time..."

Inside the teleportation room of the Demon King Management Department, dark magic patterns flowed on the floor, magic lamps hung from the dome, reflecting the whole space in light and shadow, like a simple palace.

Suddenly, the light of the teleportation array flickered, and a figure shrouded in a cloak stepped out slowly.

Luo Yan just stepped on the marble floor, and saw Mia leaning against a stone pillar carved with magic patterns not far away, holding her arms and looking at this side quietly.

Her pink long hair hung down on her shoulders smoothly, her peach-heart-shaped pupils showing a hint of casual examination, and her crossed legs looked like she didn't care.

However, the slightly upturned tail tip still exposed the joy she couldn't hide in her heart.

Looking at Luo Yan walking down the teleportation array, she raised her chin slightly, her back of the hand hid the raised corners of her mouth, and she said "Hehehe" from above.

"Oh? Isn't this the respected Demon King? Finally willing to come back for a visit?"

She hadn't thought about the opening remarks behind, but Luo Yan, who walked down the teleportation array, spoke first.

"Yes, dear Miss Mia, long time no see, I miss you very much, I don't know how you have been recently?"

"De, dear?!" Mia instantly turned bright red, hit and sunk by this sudden shell, like a submarine sinking into the sea, bubbling up.

"..." Looking at the two who started flirting as soon as they met, Griene realized his status as a light bulb.

Although he wanted to chat with this junior who had been in the limelight recently, he still walked away silently.

Anyway, it's not urgent.

"Seeing you so energetic, I am relieved, it seems you have been doing very well recently."

Luo Yan raised the corner of his mouth, tidied up his cloak casually, and said in a chatty tone.

"Don't you ask how I have been recently?"

Mia hadn't recovered from the previous sentence, like a puppet pulled by a string, answering subconsciously, stuttering.

"How, how have you been?" "I am very well, whether it is me, or the labyrinth, or the surface outside the labyrinth... everything is under control."

Appreciating the expression of the brain crash, Luo Yan, who completely mastered the initiative of the topic, smiled faintly, did not continue to make things difficult for the cute Miss Mia, but skillfully moved the topic back to business.

"Especially the surface, the Demon King's corruption is spreading in the Campbell Principality, I believe it won't be long before that land will welcome a new order. This time I plan to take this matter as the focus of the report, I believe it is also a not small credit for you who have been silently supporting me in the rear, what do you think?"

Hearing Luo Yan talk about business, Mia, who was able to breathe, finally recovered, restored her calm posture, and muttered a word.

"I, I have no opinion... speaking of which, what means did you use? The Campbell family is a legendary hero after all... it's not easy to deal with them, right?"

"Of course, textbook-like infiltration, spreading corruption in the shadows, all the way to their power center, and even the Principality's monarch, and... the holder of the light of transmission." Luo Yan said slowly, "It is indeed not easy to deal with them, but it depends on who it is for."

"Oh roar, it seems you have quite a means, worthy of being my classmate... Hehehe."

Looking at Luo Yan's handy appearance, the corners of Mia's mouth couldn't help but rise gently, sincerely feeling happy for him.

Since he became the Demon King, what she worried about most was that he would be cut by the God's Chosen of the Campbell family.

The successive Demon Kings of Lei Ming County had this end, and this guy happened to be the weakest of the successive Demon Kings.

No one is allowed to look at the content!

But now it seems that her worry is redundant.

Not only was he not crushed by the power inside and outside the labyrinth, but he stubbornly developed in the cracks and became stronger and stronger...

Mia felt her heartbeat accelerate.

Although the Bronze Demon King is also quite interesting, the powerful Demon King also has a different flavor.

"Overpraised."

Luo Yan smiled slightly, continuing humbly, "I just followed your advice and avoided direct conflict with them."

"Hehe... sure enough, it was my idea." Mia couldn't remember at all whether she had said these words, but she was still very happy to hear Luo Yan's praise, and the raised corners of her mouth were almost raised to the sky.

However, this pride did not last long, and she soon thought of another thing, coughed and said.

"By the way, I heard that the old Duke did not pass the legendary sword to the legitimate heir of the Principality, but passed the sword to his daughter? Is it called Princess Ailin Campbell, right? I heard... she seems quite beautiful? Is it true? Don't misunderstand, I'm just curious."

She didn't care much about this kind of thing originally, but her mother always mentioned it intentionally or unintentionally, making her feel itchy in her heart, unable to help but want to ask for the truth.

Of course, this doesn't mean she cares very much.

Mia emphasized in her heart.

Luo Yan raised his eyebrows slightly, looking at Mia, who glanced at him from time to time, with great interest, and asked curiously.

"You even know her name?"

Didn't expect Lei Ming City to have "Demon God believers" developed by the Partridge family.

The Aus continent has always had a very small number of secret believers of the Demon God, and the Campbell Principality is naturally no exception.

However, according to his understanding, those guys who sold their souls to the devil were mainly knights or sergeants, and they usually worshipped the muscle-brained terror demon.

Exactly which lewd guy actually prayed to the succubus for power.

He was quite curious.

"Hehehe, you think you can hide what you've done? I've known everything for a long time..."

Mia said pretending not to care, but her eyes couldn't help but glance at Luo Yan's face, fearing to miss any details, but she didn't notice that the smile on her face was becoming more and more stiff.

This guy's lying technique is not high, worthy of being one of the top scumbags in the class.

Not to mention those micro-expressions that betrayed her thoughts, people who really understand will not hang the word "know" on their lips.

Although it is not a secret that cannot be said, seeing her caring appearance, Luo Yan still couldn't help but want to tease her.

Looking at those drifting eyes, he said meaningfully.

"Princess Ailin is indeed a very special woman, smart, brave, charming, kind-hearted, and most importantly..."

"What is it?!" Mia was anxious.

Luo Yan paused, looking thoughtful.

"I feel she seems to trust me quite a bit."

"!!!"

Mia's tail tightened instantly, like a tightened bowstring, and the corners of her eyes twitched slightly.

"He, hehe... it seems you are living quite comfortably on the surface!"

That vicious voice seemed to be squeezed out of her teeth, but as she squeezed, tears came out first.

Looking at this guy who couldn't afford to play, Luo Yan finally didn't have the heart to make her cry, and said with a smile.

"It's okay, I'm joking, but she does care about me... of course, you know, this is also part of the plan."

He thought this matter would end here, but he didn't expect Mia, who was angry from embarrassment, to take two steps toward him and ask aggressively.

"What exactly did you do?! To what step?! You honestly explain it clearly... I, I am your superior, that's right! I have the right to know!"

"Really didn't do anything." A wisp of fragrance brushed her face, looking at Mia who suddenly exploded, Luo Yan stepped back half a step with a laugh and a cry.

Mia stared at his eyes.

"Liar!"

Touching his conscience, Luo Yan really didn't lie, if there was anything, he would have said it.

But as he touched it, he suddenly touched the brooch in his pocket, and his voice suddenly wasn't so confident.

"Do you want to hear the truth?"

Looking at Luo Yan's serious eyes, Mia shrank back, bit her lip lightly, and her attitude suddenly softened.

She lowered her head and muttered.

"... Forget it, I don't want to know, it's your work anyway, just... whatever, it's not like I can't understand."

Her tail hung down slightly, and her peach-heart-shaped pupils flashed a hint of grievance, as if she were afraid of hearing any answer she didn't want to accept, or as if she were refusing to pursue it in a fit of pique.

Luo Yan looked at her appearance and chuckled, saying in a gentle tone.

"Really nothing, and do you think if there was anything, I would need to hide it."

Mia raised her head quietly, looking at him suspiciously, observing the truth and falsehood in those eyes.

Perhaps it was because she saw the sincerity in his eyes, the drooping tail was like being charged, and the tip was raised again, and the collapsed face was turned to the side with a hum.

"Who cares about you."

Luo Yan just looked at the Mia classmate who was making trouble with caring eyes and didn't speak.

In the past, he was afraid of being eaten by this guy, so naturally, he didn't dare to tease her much.

But perhaps because of the promotion to Silver level, his courage also grew.

No wonder the devils of hell all want to become stronger, this strength can't keep up, I really don't know how much fun is missing.

And the surface is another situation.

Just when the two were bickering, Mia suddenly lowered her voice and became serious.

"By the way, there is one thing I have to remind you, recently someone has been putting pressure on the Demon King Management Department through the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

Luo Yan smiled faintly.

"Oh? What is the opinion of the Ministry of Internal Affairs?"

"They have no opinion, nothing more than those old-fashioned things, such as thinking that since the labyrinth of Lei Ming County has settled the chaos, it should pay faith tax or something. But don't you think it's strange? You didn't occupy the resources of the rear, why should you increase the burden for no reason! I scolded them back at the meeting at that time!" Mia said indignantly.

The workplace newcomer who can point at the superior's nose and scold at the meeting table is probably just this one in the entire Demon King Management Department.

Luo Yan didn't have much emotional fluctuation, and even comforted Mia's emotions in turn.

"Calm down, they are just proposals, not implementation, at worst invite them to visit my labyrinth, I will arrange a few adventurers to exercise their skills. But having said that, they are so anxious to modify the vassal contract, it is indeed a bit strange, logically speaking, I have a 50-year 'newbie protection period', how can the contract be modified less than a year after taking office."

"That's right! The problem is here," Mia muttered, "Although I have no evidence, it is obviously the Delagon family, after all, you didn't provoke anyone else, right? My guess is that they are probably jealous of the achievements you made in Black Wind Castle and Lei Ming County labyrinth."

Luo Yan raised his eyebrows, smiled after pondering for a moment: "So, they want to find some trouble for me again?"

Mia didn't answer directly, just glanced at him: "Don't underestimate them, the Delagon family's foundation in the Demon Capital is not shallow, although it is slightly worse than ours... I'm just reminding you, be careful in everything, since that duel last time, you are no longer a nobody in the Demon Capital."

Luo Yan raised his eyebrows, knowing in his heart.

It seems that dear Mia classmate has helped him a lot in the dark.

"Thank you."

"You, what are you thanking me for, I didn't help you with anything..." Mia's tail shook stiffly, her ear tips flushed slightly, but she still said stubbornly: "I, I am just reminding you to pay attention, don't show off at this time, take the initiative to cause trouble or something. Don't let anything happen, and I have to wipe your ass..."

Luo Yan didn't comment on her explanation, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he accepted this kindness.

Although he rarely said it, he remembered all the help the Partridge family gave him.

Looking at that heartwarming smile, Mia's face turned red to the point of dripping blood, and she hurriedly changed the subject.

"By the way, the night after tomorrow, my my my birthday party... you will attend, right? You said in the letter that you would come back, so I didn't send you an invitation, intending to tell you in person."

"You are going to have a birthday?" Luo Yan looked at her in surprise.

Mia was stunned, her blurred eyes showing a trace of clear confusion.

"Yes... aren't you choosing to come back at this time for this matter?"

Luo Yan was stunned, patted the cloak that had been tidied up once, and nodded elegantly.

"Exactly."

"Wait a minute—you make it clear!"

Mia just wanted to pursue, a loud voice suddenly penetrated the main hall's front door and killed over like a hurricane.

"Brother!!! You are back?!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 232 =====