Chapter 647: Who Will Prevail Remains to Be Seen

The fire in the hearth burned quietly, its orange-red glow casting light on Erin's blushing cheeks.

Sitting across from Erin, Luo Yan thoroughly admired the delicious expression on her face, then gently set his teacup back onto the ceramic tray, his demeanor calm and composed.

"Since this is Princess Erin's request, I shall not refuse your kindness."

A year ago, he likely would have declined out of annoyance, but things were different now.

Soon, his students would be relocating from the northern wastelands—these were not merely magic apprentices, but many accomplished professional mages.

By taking the role of first president of the Mage Guild, he could directly resolve his students' "employment" issues.

Moreover, he intended to test certain hypotheses regarding spiritual matter. If his theories proved correct, he might even construct a "national defense array."

In truth, even if Erin hadn't mentioned it, he'd been considering reminding her to remain vigilant amid comfort. The old friend up north had merely cut his losses—he hadn't forgotten them.

Hearing Colin immediately agree, Erin's face lit up with surprise and delight.

"Really? That's wonderful. As for the location, we're planning to entrust the royal estate in Lei Ming City to—"

"Regarding the location, I think the Clock Tower in Lei Ming City would be ideal."

Luo Yan, who had already formed this idea, gently interrupted Erin's suggestion and laid out his plan: "It overlooks the entire city and sits precisely at the center—perfect as the Mage Guild's headquarters."

Erin blinked in slight surprise.

"The Clock Tower? But… isn't that Mr. Punk's property?"

She had been commanding troops in the Dusk Province when the Clock Tower was built, so she didn't know who truly owned it behind the scenes.

Edward, too, likely hadn't mentioned it specifically—it simply wasn't worth noting.

Luo Yan smiled faintly.

"I'll speak with him about it. I'm certain Mr. Punk will understand the significance of this endeavor."

Erin still looked uneasy, whispering softly.

"But you've already helped us so much—if we ask you to give even more…"

"Don't be so formal," Luo Yan said gently. "Don't forget we're allies. Besides, this isn't entirely a loss for me—I'm quite interested in the title of first president of the Mage Guild."

Erin cleared her throat lightly, her face flushed.

"It's just a duchy's Mage Guild…"

"For now."

Luo Yan spoke in a casual tone.

"The original Adventurer's Guild was even smaller—I recall it was merely a notice board outside Saint Clement's Cathedral. With our strength, we can build a system entirely distinct from the Scholar's League, drawing in more and more mages… I have full confidence in this."

Hearing this firm assurance, Erin finally relaxed her tense shoulders. She lifted her head, her eyes shimmering with gratitude.

"Thank you—I truly don't know how to repay you…"

Luo Yan smiled faintly, picked up his teacup again, and took a small sip.

"That's too formal. Given our friendship, this is nothing to mention."

His investments in the Campbell Duchy extended far beyond just the Clock Tower—he was treating the region as part of his core territory.

Bei Feng City had been developed well enough, but its population remained too small; it served mostly as a symbolic monument and seed repository for the Great Graveyard.

Fortunately, the citizens of Lei Ming City were eager learners, copying his methods quickly and saving him considerable effort.

He didn't even need to play the gardener himself—merely standing behind the gardeners, doing what he did best, was enough.

The business matter was settled.

Logically, he should have risen to take his leave now, but Erin seemed nailed to the plush sofa, showing no intention to depart.

She lowered her head, idly twisting the hem of her skirt, as if counting her own heartbeat.

"Um… Colin."

"Hmm?"

"Miss Yaya Mitya…" She bit her lip lightly, her gaze drifting. "Your relationship with her seems… unusually close?"

She tried to sound casual, but her clumsy posture betrayed the deep concern she couldn't suppress.

Luo Yan's smile didn't falter; after a brief pause, he delivered a textbook-perfect response.

"Miss Yaya is indeed an exceptional talent. When I was at my lowest, she helped me greatly."

"Just… that?"

"Yes, more than that."

"…!"

"To me, she is a profoundly important benefactor and a trustworthy partner."

"…."

Benefactor.

And partner.

These words carried respect, yet seemed to stay firmly within clear boundaries—at least… she thought they did.

Erin exhaled softly, feeling a slight relief in her chest, but new unease quickly crept back in.

The more perfectly he answered, the stronger her inexplicable anxiety grew. It wasn't any dislike for Miss Yaya—she simply wanted to know what had truly happened between them in Sheng Cheng…

And if she is a partner, then what am I?

Ally? Friend? Or…?

"A pawn!" Yoyo chimed in excitedly from the side. Though it couldn't read Erin's thoughts, its expression told it exactly what she was wrestling with.

Like a dog follows its master, it had picked up some of the Demon Lord's tricks—this was true of Alakdo and Shara too.

Yet its cleverness earned no praise from its master.

'Yoyo, be quiet.'

"Ugh…"

The disruptor of the mood vanished in a wisp of blue smoke, dissolving into the hearth amid a pitiful whimper.

Erin never noticed. At this moment, she was lost in restless turmoil, just like countless quiet nights before.

Memories of Granston Castle kept flashing in her mind—the unrefused kiss, though perhaps cheating, had ignited a fire within her that burned hotter with each passing day.

Perhaps—

She should be braver.

By some strange impulse, she summoned all the courage she'd gathered, and suddenly lifted her head.

Her clear, lake-like eyes no longer avoided his gaze—they charged forward like a galloping steed, piercing straight into Luo Yan's deep purple pupils.

"Then… how do you see me?"

The air in the study seemed to freeze solid—even the crackling hearth fell silent.

And the drifting, sulking Yoyo drifted back slowly, perching on the edge of the hearth, its gaze brimming with curiosity.

The Demon Lord remained his usual composed self, yet behind that calm, his heartbeat was far from steady.

The orange-red firelight illuminated her moonlit face, silver hair cascading like a waterfall over her shoulders, the faint red of her lips glowing vividly in the dim glow.

Perhaps due to her vampire blood, at night she appeared more mysterious and captivating than the radiant, bold Princess of the Day.

Coincidentally, Luo Yan's thoughts also drifted back to that night in Granston Castle, to that reckless, courageous kiss.

"I…"

Damn Yoyo for interrupting.

He'd crafted a flawless reply—but now, the words slipped from his mind.

No—

Actually, blame Professor Lilith.

If she hadn't constantly teased humans in class, he'd have long since mastered the art of dealing with women, and wouldn't be fumbling at the critical moment.

The Demon Lord was not only a master of self-deception, but also skilled at shifting blame.

As his mind raced, a rhythmic knock came at the door—perfectly timed, rescuing him.

Tap. Tap.

The sound wasn't loud, but it shattered the room's tender atmosphere just right.

Luo Yan seized the opportunity, speaking in a low tone.

"Enter."

The heavy wooden door opened silently.

Sarah, now dressed in a maid's uniform, stepped in with light, graceful steps.

Her amber vertical pupils swept across the two in the room, instantly reading the lingering emotions in the air.

This time—

The one sitting on pins and needles was the Warrior Princess.

But Sarah, who saw everything, said nothing. Like a professional attendant, she moved soundlessly to her master's side.

She bowed respectfully, whispering into Luo Yan's ear, her cat ears twitching faintly beneath her hair.

"Your Highness, you have an urgent letter. I didn't wish to disturb your rest, but this came from the north… you instructed me to report any news from there immediately."

"The north? Is it from the Scholar's League?"

Gratefully glancing at Sarah, Luo Yan immediately took the cue, tapping his chin with his finger, frowning slightly in concern.

"If it's urgent, we can't delay."

As he spoke, Luo Yan gave Erin an apologetic look, his voice tinged with just the right note of regret.

"I'm sorry, Erin. It seems our evening chat must end here… By the way, I'll handle the Mage Guild matter."

"I-I'm fine!"

Eileen waved her hands in panic, her eyes darting everywhere, refusing to meet Prince Colin's gaze.

"Just now… I was too abrupt; please don't take it to heart! That… please pretend I never asked! Matters of importance come first—go attend to them at once!"

When Sarah had entered, she had already fully awakened and suddenly realized what strange question she had just blurted out.

For the love of Saint Cis, the Campbell family's hero had sounded like a jilted bride demanding to know her exact relationship with another gentleman…

This… this was utterly undignified!

Shame flooded over her like a tide; her face burned crimson, as if ready to bleed, and she longed to vanish into a crack in the floor.

One must admit, the Campbells of Year 1054 of Osli were still far too conservative—men and women alike. In the Holy City, a girl would have seized this vile man and refused to let him leave his bed until he gave a clear answer.

Seeing the girl's flustered state, Luo Yan suddenly felt he had committed a grave sin, yet he gently nodded and rose to his feet, walking toward the door.

Sarah stepped aside to clear the path for her master, then gave a slight nod toward Eileen seated in the study.

"Then, if you'll excuse me, Princess Eileen."

"It's fine, you two go ahead…"

"Mm."

The dark ends of her hair concealed a faintly upturned smile—the kind only a victor would wear.

Eileen wondered if she had misseen it.

But when she tried to confirm, both figures had already left the study, vanishing into the shadows of the corridor…

The study fell silent again.

The crackling of the fireplace replaced the girl's increasingly audible heartbeat, yet it could not drown out the turmoil hidden behind the misty scent of tea.

Colin had seemed about to answer.

But what exactly had he meant to say?

Replaying the subtle shifts of his lips over and over, Eileen still could not decipher their meaning.

Yet in the end, she reached one undeniable conclusion—

Compared to his instant reply about Miss Yaya, Colin's feelings toward her were clearly far more uncertain and complex.

At the very least, not as simple as comrades or allies.

Thinking of this, Eileen finally stopped agonizing; a sweet, shy smile surfaced on her lovely face as her fingers gently stirred the cooled black tea with a teaspoon.

"Looks like I'm still ahead after all…"

…

The flickering candlelight cast a golden glow upon the walls.

At first, Sarah walked ahead, with Luo Yan following closely behind.

But once they turned the corner, far from the tender atmosphere of the study, Sarah naturally slowed her pace, respectfully falling half a step behind Luo Yan, returning to her role as his shadow.

The two passed down the corridor and arrived at another study at its end—Luo Yan's usual place for meditation.

Along the wall, a walnut bookshelf held books scattered casually, among them a delicate curved glass vial.

Inside, a butterfly emitting a faint blue glow rested upon a withered branch, occasionally flapping its wings and scattering dreamlike phosphorescent dust.

That was one of his eyes.

"Sarah." Luo Yan reached the desk and loosened his collar.

Sarah replied softly.

"My Lord Demon King, what is your command?"

"No command. Thank you for rescuing me just now."

"It wasn't quite a rescue—I do have a letter for you, though… it's not yet urgent enough to interrupt your deep conversation with the Princess."

Sarah closed the heavy door and deftly traced a hidden rune on the lock.

With a soft click of a spring engaging, a pale purple soundproof barrier unfolded silently, severing all outside noise.

Though the Campbell family were unquestionably noble knights who upheld chivalry and unlikely to resort to such lowly acts as eavesdropping, as the Demon King's personal guard, she would never entrust her safety to another's moral code.

Caution was the first lesson the Demon King had taught her.

Having finished these tasks, Sarah stepped before Luo Yan and withdrew a sealed letter bearing a unique wax emblem, offering it with both hands.

Luo Yan raised an eyebrow, his fingertip tracing the hidden pattern on the envelope as he broke the seal and asked:

"Roland City?"

Sarah gave a slight nod.

"Yes. It has finally begun."

Luo Yan unfolded the letter, his eyes scanning the shocking lines of text, his expression calm as he continued to ask: