Chapter 632

"Vivian."

The morning breeze passed through the camp, carrying away the medicinal and bloody scents lingering between the tents.

Hearing the Demon King's voice, Vivian, who had been patrolling her territory, instantly turned back, her ruby-red eyes filled with delight.

"Elder Brother! What wind has blown you here?"

She lifted the hem of her nun's robe and ran over in quick little steps, her face lit with a dazzling, radiant smile like a squirrel that had found a pine cone.

"Did you sleep well last night? Were you alone? Of course you were, right? I hope those blind little mice didn't disturb your rest—if they did, I'll crush them into paste!"

Watching Vivian chatter on endlessly, Luo Yan's lips curled slightly upward as he smiled and patted her restless little head.

"You've done well lately."

Whether it was the knight order matters or last night's events, Vivian had unexpectedly proven immensely useful.

He had wanted to say those words last night, but timing was off, and with all the aftermath to handle, he'd put it off.

"Hehe..."

Vivian's cheeks flushed slightly as she shyly scratched at the purple hair peeking from beneath her headscarf with her index finger, yet her crescent-shaped eyes clearly screamed, "Praise me more!"

"Thanks to your guidance, Vivian was merely riding on Elder Brother's shoulders!"

This creature was unusually easy to read—she just spoke oddly.

Luo Yan praised her a couple more times, satisfying her vanity, then turned his gaze toward Erin, who was helping nearby.

"Also, could I ask you for another favor?"

"Elder Brother, command me! Vivian would gladly hang upside down from a bookshelf and scratch her itch—"

"I don't recall ever doing anything like that."

Luo Yan coughed, cutting off her rambling, and continued swiftly.

"The favor I'm asking concerns Erin. I want you to build a good relationship with her. Can you do that?"

The air froze instantly.

The squirrel that had found a pine cone became a fully armed hedgehog in half a second.

"Why?!"

Vivian's eyes widened to full circles; her gentle, sweet smile vanished instantly, her ruby-red eyes turning into crimson pools of murderous intent—

Though only for an instant, that raw killing intent was crushed by the Demon King's faintly raised eyebrow, dissolving into trembling fear and near-overwhelming hurt.

"What's so special about her? Vivian could just as well—"

"Could just as well what?"

"N-nothing... But I need a reason!"

Watching the sulking Vivian, Luo Yan fell silent for a moment.

A reason?

To be honest, he hadn't thought of one.

He knew this little brat wouldn't care about ancestral honor or transcendent power, so phrases like "You two mutually elevate each other," "The Corlin family has never corrupted such a powerful Chosen," or "To make you stronger" were useless.

Coercion and bribery only worked on Jiucai.

But the Demon King was a master of mystification.

He feigned deep thought, gazing toward the Wanren Mountains, his eyes distant, as if drifting beyond even Huangtong Pass.

"I'm playing a grand game. Every move is critical. And Erin... is my pawn."

"A pawn?"

"Correct," Luo Yan nodded at the bewildered Vivian. "I can't tell you yet, but when the time is right, I will."

Vivian froze, as expected.

Gazing at the Demon King's handsome, wise profile, the crimson flickering in his pupils slowly softened into a blush on her cheeks.

So that's how it is...

That woman is merely a pawn—not a close ally, not even a trusted friend!

As for that kiss last night, it was just a ruse!

"Kukuku..."

A stifled, strange laugh rolled from Vivian's throat as her slender, ivory fingers lightly covered her lips.

"No wonder you're Elder Brother! Vivian had worried you'd be corrupted by some human woman—but now I see I was mistaken."

Hm?

Did I seem that obsessed?

Luo Yan seriously pondered for two seconds, then promptly tossed this trivial matter aside, focusing on the present.

"So, can I count on you?"

"Of course! Leave it to Vivian!"

Beneath the holy headscarf, her smile grew even more sinister.

The tiny demon of jealousy inside Vivian was kicked away, replaced by the ecstatic thrill of being an accomplice.

Perfect!

To toy with that self-important "favored one," drain her value, then kick her out like trash—

Now that's a true demon!

No wonder she's Elder Brother's sister!

By then, Erin would probably be crying for her mama.

Yet Vivian's triumph, as always, was short-lived. Her grin had barely begun to spread when it suddenly froze.

A bead of cold sweat slid down her pale forehead, splashing onto her black nun's robe; her crimson pupils trembled like an earthquake.

Wait—

Build a good relationship... with Erin?

A memory, not so distant, flashed into Vivian's mind: a restless early summer night.

The restless chirping of cicadas in the woods wasn't the only thing agitated—there were also two entwined bodies, and a nightgown as thin as a cicada's wing, offering no concealment whatsoever.

Vivian's face slowly turned pale.

She darted a terrified glance at her nodding, satisfied Elder Brother, then at the "pawn" cheerfully helping nearby, her lips trembling.

By Baely, this is such a sacrilege!

Elder Brother, for the sake of his ambition, actually wants... wants Vivian to sacrifice herself?!

That kind of thing...

Watching Vivian's suddenly solemn expression, Luo Yan frowned slightly in confusion.

"Are you alright? If it's too much, forget it..."

His original intent was to remove the rift—or rather, the misunderstanding—between them, not to make Vivian suffer.

"I'll do it!"

"...?"

"I'll try my best!"

Luo Yan gave Vivian, who had nearly bitten her tongue from overexertion, a strange look, then said nothing, simply patting her head encouragingly.

"Hmm, do your best... but don't force yourself. This isn't a mission—just... a suggestion."

For safety's sake, he added that last line.

Though Vivian's reaction was odd, remembering how her mind had never been normal, he chose to believe her anyway.

Watching the "Nun" wobble away, a milky-white ghost silently materialized beside Luo Yan.

Tilting her translucent head, she asked softly.

"My Lord, I've always wanted to ask you... what exactly is this grand game you mentioned? Why have I followed you so long and never seen it?"

There was no need for formality with his own divine aspect; Luo Yan replied casually.

'That's a good question. I'll tell you when I've thought of an answer.'

Youyou: '???'

In the Flesh Throne, a shrill roar echoed through the bloody hall, shaking the skull chandeliers overhead.

"Dead? All dead? Damn it! How could this happen!"

"Soulbreaker" Mo Ke had never been so panicked—he never imagined the Gravekeeper's idea of "getting serious" meant smashing his forehead against a wall.

Fine.

Now not only Merlin's skull was shattered across the floor, but even his little brother Shi Laike was gone, dead somewhere in a corner.

He'd felt a sliver of relief when he heard Shi Laike had been captured by Merlin—perhaps the rats on Burial Peak could hold on a little longer.

Now, only panic remained in his heart.

"Edgar! Where's your plan? Your promises? Is this what you meant by 'worth a try'??"

Professor Edgar Kaufmann stood beside the brazier, the flickering fire casting shifting light across his unpredictable face—like a corpse being illuminated.

He ignored the fat rat's hysterical screaming; his expression showed no change, yet the faint trembling of his fingers hidden in his sleeves betrayed his inner terror.