Why must the devil be Defeated?
Chapter 396 - 392 Perfect Way to Tempt

Chapter 396: 392 Perfect Way to Tempt

Shane agreed.

Although he didn’t know what Nien was thinking, let alone her real identity or why even the Divine Race was unaware of her existence as a goddess, nor did she want the goddesses of the Divine Race to know of her existence, Shane nonetheless trusted Nien a bit more than Anima.

So, Shane agreed without much hesitation, and Nien finally showed a satisfied smile.

Indeed, she had the same appearance as the Supreme God Ominis, and her smile was as breathtaking as that of the top-ranked beauty among the Human Race, Luoqi.

However, the words she said when he was leaving were of particular concern to him.

"I’ve learned almost everything, and I’ve found the perfect way to lure them in. Just wait and see, I won’t fall behind anyone, not even your little princess."

After saying this, Nien sent Shane on his way.

Of course, Shane didn’t know what she meant by those words.

The day he found out, he would realize that life’s greatest joy lay precisely in this.

...

His recollection ended there.

Facing Anima, who still seemed to be intently watching him, Shane faced her with a calm demeanor.

He had no reason to feel guilty.

After all, this was his own affair, and whether or not the Divine Race cared had little to do with him.

Thus, even if it meant lying in the presence of the Life Goddess, Shane felt not the slightest burden on his conscience.

The only concern was that more and more important figures, capable of deciding the direction of their clans, were becoming aware of his identity.

Naturally, Anima was among them, as one of the Three Great Goddesses, the pinnacle of the Divine Race, who was preparing to investigate the Hero Summoning.

According to Nien, Sera was also investigating the Hero Summoning, hoping to understand why a hero appeared again after a thousand years.

They were very aware that this was a significant hidden danger.

If the world came to know, the resulting turmoil would be incredibly vast and frightful.

"Phew..."

Whether Anima saw through Shane’s lie or not was uncertain, but after a while, she let out a sigh and looked towards Ai Yi.

"Now that Lord Ai Yi knows about Mr. Shane, does that mean the high ranks of the Demon Clan are aware of the hero’s appearance?"

Anima remained serious in her tone.

In contrast, Ai Yi appeared indifferent as ever.

"If the high ranks of the Demon Clan knew, do you think the Three Realms would still be so tranquil?" Ai Yi casually bit into her dessert after the meal and said, "If they knew, they’d surely suspect that your Divine Race has restarted the secret ceremony of the Hero Summoning, perhaps trying to harness the hero’s power to deal with the Demon Clan."

"But the Divine Race is not aware of this," Anima said, frowning, "Since even I didn’t know that the hero had appeared, it proves that no one in the Divine Race knew about the restarting of the Hero Summoning. This has nothing to do with us, the Divine Race."

"Is that important?" Ai Yi retorted, "Just because you claim you’re innocent, do we have to believe it?"

"...I know, it’s hard to convince others," Anima fell silent for a while, then sighed, "But there indeed are many mysteries involved. I hope the Demon Clan can give us some time to investigate this."

Clearly, Anima was also concerned that the Demon Clan might become wary of the Divine Race and take a hostile stance, perhaps even sparking a war.

She was well aware that for the Demon Clan, the hero was an extremely sensitive matter.

Their prideful strength could overwhelm the Divine Race, but it was the Hero’s Holy Sword that had unerringly held sway over them.

Even the power of the Evil God Lilith was restrained by the Holy Sword, much less the Demon Clan.

So, the hero and the Divine Race represented two completely different kinds of threats.

The Divine Race was an enemy from the past.

But the hero was undoubtedly their natural nemesis.

The word "nemesis" was very sensitive and could easily provoke excessive fear and defensiveness.

Supreme God Ominis created the grand Hero Summoning ceremony because the Demon King Cladis was her own nemesis. Despite being an omnipotent goddess, who was indifferent to everything, she could not ignore the existence of the Demon King and even personally took action a thousand years ago, joining with the Hero to confront the Demon King.

After the Demon King was vanquished and her nemesis lost, the only menace gone, Supreme God Ominis immediately reverted to her indifferent demeanor and fell into a deep sleep that lasted for a thousand years, from which she has not awakened.

For the Demon Clan, their nemesis was the hero.

Throughout history, heroes had posed countless great threats to the Demon Clan, resulting in tremendous losses, and even the Demon King fell to the Hero’s Holy Sword. It’s evident how wary and hostile the Demon Clan could be towards the hero.

Even Ai Yi had unhesitatingly killed two heroes in the past. If it hadn’t been for the end of the wars and her realization that violence could not solve everything, and that people yearned for peace, reducing the fierceness of her demeanor, the past her, upon encountering Shane the hero, might have been the first to act, ruthlessly slaughtering him on the spot at any cost.

Given this, if the Demon Clan were to learn of the hero’s appearance, they would surely be both shocked and furious, turning their wrath towards the Divine Race.

In that case, even a renewal of war might not be out of the question.

To avoid such a dire situation, Anima would do whatever it took to quell the signs of brewing catastrophe.

Of course...

"You should discuss this matter with my sisters," Ai Yi said, seemingly uninterested, "The rest of my sisters are unaware of this hero, but Sister Sela already knows. Given her personality, she will surely investigate this thoroughly."

"By then..." Ai Yi looked at Anima and smiled, "If it’s not the doing of your Divine Race, then there might be a chance to turn things around. But if it’s confirmed that you are scheming something behind the scenes, I’m afraid the matter won’t be so easily resolved."

Her words cast a heavy atmosphere over the scene.

Anima’s expression was heavy, as she knew Ai Yi spoke the truth.

But from the bits and pieces of Ai Yi’s words, Anima did not only receive bad news.

The fact was, though the Moon Demon, the Supreme of the Demon Clan, had learned of the matter, she had not become wary of the Divine Race. Instead, she chose to investigate thoroughly first.

The Demon Clan Supreme must not wish to see the peace that had been maintained for a thousand years broken, right?

Furthermore, there were clearly suspicious aspects in the matter of the Hero Summoning. If the Divine Race truly had any schemes, they would decidedly not allow Shane to cause chaos everywhere he went undeterred. These doubts, with the Demon leader’s strategic brilliance, could not have escaped her notice.

This meant that the Moon Demon also had some reservations about this Hero Summoning event.

Given that...

"Once I return, I will consult with the Goddess of Fate and the Nature Goddess to thoroughly investigate this matter and give the Demon Clan an explanation,"

Anima promised solemnly to Ai Yi.

"That would be best," Ai Yi nodded but then added, "Of course, I have no interest in these things. What interests me now is the Hero himself."

With one sentence, everyone’s gaze shifted to the side.

There, Shane was nonchalantly frolicking with Lilith, who seemed just as indifferent as he did.

"Why are you looking at me? Is there something on my face?"

Noticing everyone’s gaze, Shane looked up, blinking innocently with a genuinely puzzled look.

This rendered the onlookers speechless.

"You, are you really not concerned about such a major matter?"

Laischa, who had been silent since the Hero Summoning was brought up, spoke helplessly.

"Don’t you want to know how the Divine Race and the Demon Clan will deal with you?"

Shane had been summoned as the Hero, and as such, he could potentially be the trigger for a war among the Three clans, upsetting the peace. Even now, for the Demon Clan and Divine Race to take Shane away to deal with him would be unsurprising.

The Demon Clan would not want to see this natural adversary loitering about, uncertain of what he might do or whether some conspiracy might be propelling him. They would undoubtedly want to restrain him or even kill him directly.

The Divine Race, too, would not want the Hero to swagger about in public, touching the sensitive nerves of the Demon Clan. Also, considering that they were completely innocent in this affair, they might very well hand Shane over to the Demon Clan or put him forward as a sacrificial offering to quell the dispute.

Adding to that, both clans desired to clear up the peculiar circumstances surrounding the Hero Summoning, starting with Shane, the party involved – an entirely plausible course of action.

All these issues could lead to Shane’s life being completely controlled by the upper echelons of both clans, with the least consequence being the loss of his freedom, and at the most, his life.

Yet, in such a predicament, Shane continued to frolic indifferently. How great must one’s heart be to act so carefree?

However, Shane merely smiled.

"There’s nothing I can do. I’m just a minor viscount from a small kingdom. When the pinnacle members of both clans are discussing crucial matters, do you think a minor character like me has any say?"

Shane’s words were met with an eye roll from Laischa.

"You say you have no say?" Laischa said with annoyance, "Who do you think the Demon Clan fears? Not the Divine Race, but you, the Hero. Now with the Evil God Lilith on your side, who could overlook your threat?"

With that, Shane smirked.

Seeing Shane’s expression, Laischa and the others in attendance realized something crucial.

Shane was not without confidence.

"See, you all understand, don’t you?"

Shane’s smiling words left the others at a loss for words.

Indeed, they all knew that taking action against this Hero was not something to be taken lightly.

With Lilith at his side and even Ai Yi protecting him, what did he have to worry about?

And if things got desperate, Nien would intervene.

"If it really comes down to it, I can summon you directly for refuge here, so don’t worry about anything. Feel free to boldly do what you want."

Those were the words Nien left for Shane.

Moreover, Shane believed that with his current strength and the protection of the Holy Sword, if he couldn’t beat them, he could at least escape them.

Therefore...

"I don’t care about complicated matters. You big shots can figure it out yourselves," Shane said nonchalantly, "I’m just a traveler from an Otherworld. Playing noble games, sightseeing, and learning magic will do for me."

Leaving these words behind, Shane stood up with Lilith and left the place.

Laischa and Lasha exchanged glances, wordlessly understood by each.

Ai Yi and Anima watched Shane’s retreating figure.

After a while...

"This Hero seems to be quite different from his predecessors," Anima murmured.

Ai Yi agreed.

"If it weren’t so, I wouldn’t fancy him as much as I do."