Why must the devil be Defeated?
Chapter 443: Shane... Mister...?

Chapter 443: Shane... Mister...?

Just as Nadura had said, Merica now found herself in serious trouble.

"Merica..."

Lu Muya had completely succumbed to fear, hiding by Merica’s side, her body trembling as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

"It’s okay, Lu Muya, don’t be afraid."

Though Merica tried to comfort Lu Muya, her own face betrayed her tension. Biting her lip, her grip on Lu Muya’s hand was firm, a clear sign that her own emotions were anything but relaxed.

In front of the distressed Merica and Lu Muya, Edel, accompanied by Aki and Red, blocked the girls’ path while openly scrutinizing them with a smile that, while courteous in appearance, was excessively deliberate, giving off an affectatious vibe.

It was more accurate to say that Edel’s eyes sparkled with extreme excitement.

It was the look of someone whose sadistic side was provoked.

Clearly, Merica’s anxiety and Lu Muya’s fear had stimulated a perverse delight in this son of a duke.

As a result, Edel did not hold back; rather, he became even more aggressive.

"Why so tense?" Edel said with a sly grin. "I’m simply inviting you two ladies to dine with us. That’s not too much to ask, is it?"

At those words, Lu Muya was too scared to speak, and while Merica was frightened, she mustered the courage to respond.

"I... I’m really troubled. Can you please not do this?"

Merica desperately tried to convey her thoughts.

However, to those with malicious intent, her mannerisms only served to reinforce her image as an easy target.

Edel certainly saw it that way.

So...

"Not recognizing your superior, are you, Miss of the Elf Clan?" said Edel, smiling brazenly. "To be frank with you, I am the son of a duke, my father is head of the Lucica Family, and I am not only the next duke but also the betrothed of Princess Liyadella, who has the first right of succession. Even your Elf Royal Family has to treat me with the utmost respect when they see me. Are you sure you want to disrespect me like this?"

"Mmm..." Merica was at a loss for words.

If what he said was true, his status was indeed something she, as she was, could not oppose.

Though the Elf Clan was a highly noble and transcendent race, especially the Elf Royal Family, which was a symbol of nobility in the Human Realm where even human kings offered respect,

Mitra Kingdom was also known as the Land of the Brave, a kingdom established by the Hero who conquered the Demon King. The royal family of this kingdom was also held in high esteem by the Elf Clan.

Once, the King of the Elves was a comrade of Hero Mitra, friendly with the ancestors of the Elbein Family and the excellent warriors from what would become the Guard Knight Order and used to be the Hero’s team. Even part of that group, he battled alongside the heroes against one of the Six Great Demons, the Beast Demon, earning a place in history for his name during the war a thousand years ago.

Because of such anecdotes, the relationship between the Elf Clan and Mitra Kingdom was very good. Elves who left the forest for training usually headed to Mitra Kingdom and rarely went to other countries.

In light of this, the Elf Royal Family might be an unreachable height for other kingdoms’ royal families, but they always held a degree of respect and affinity for Mitra Kingdom.

Under these circumstances, if he truly was the betrothed of the royal princess, it wouldn’t be strange for the Elf Royal Family to be welcoming and polite to him.

Furthermore, even if the Elf Royal Family could afford to be less courteous, Merica could not.

Because Merica was just an ordinary Elf from an average family in the Elf Country, far from the noble lineage of the royal family.

"Do you understand now?" Edel said, satisfied with himself. "Now that you understand, you should know what to do, right?"

Saying this, Edel signaled Aki and Red with a glance.

Without expression, the two knights exchanged a look and then stepped forward, unleashing their aura.

Merica’s complexion paled.

"Level 70..."

Both knights were of Level 70 and above.

Realizing this, Merica was plunged into despair.

With two such powerful knights here, she stood no chance of resistance.

Not only was she outclassed by more than twenty levels, but she was also a mage. At this distance, she feared that she would be subdued immediately if she even began chanting a spell.

Acknowledging this, Merica spoke with a trembling voice.

"I’ll go with you, but you have to let my companion leave."

Indeed, Merica was prepared to compromise, to at least save Lu Muya.

"No, Merica!"

Lu Muya, realizing Merica’s intent, shook her head, tears in her eyes.

Edel glanced at Lu Muya, torn inside.

After all, this beastman girl was incredibly attractive, and while she didn’t possess the purity and beauty of Elves, her helpless and pitiful look still strongly provoked Edel’s sadism.

Among the women Edel had seen, Lu Muya might not have been the prettiest, but she was definitely in the top five.

If it weren’t for Merica’s presence, Lu Muya would have been a prime prey for Edel.

Unfortunately for Lu Muya, Merica had the added allure of her race, making her the prime of the prime.

As an Elf from the race closest to the Divine Race, every Elf possessed purity and beauty that made them perfect and unattainable for most. By looks and allure alone, Merica ranked even higher than Liya to Edel.

After a moment of contemplation, Edel made his decision.

"Since the Miss of the Elf Clan has spoken, so be it. I’m not unreasonable. I’ll let this dog-woman leave."

While Edel appeared nonchalant as he said this, his inner thoughts were conspiring.

(First, I’ll get this Elf, and have someone watch the dog-woman. Once I’m successful, I’ll find an opportunity to bring her back as well.)

Edel wasn’t ready to let go of either of these two gems before him.

Unaware of Edel’s thoughts, Merica and Lu Muya were locked in an argument.

"You...you have to run, Lu Muya!"

"I won’t leave!"

"Please... hurry back...!" one girl pleaded urgently, while the other, tears streaming down her face, sobbed, "I can’t... Merica... it’s no use...!" They hugged each other tightly, one with a face full of anxiety, the other covered in tears.

Watching the two girls, Edel felt no pity for them; instead, he looked on appreciatively, tinged with a hint of regret in his heart.

(What a pleasure it would be to have both of them tonight.)

Thinking this, Edel almost didn’t want to let Lu Muya go.

But he knew the consequences of such an act might provoke Merica and Lu Muya into a desperate fight to the death.

Edel was not worried these two young girls could harm him; rather, he feared their fierce temperaments might lead them to ritual suicide, as other female Adventurers had done when pressured by him. Then he would have truly lost out.

Adventurers were different from others; they often risked their lives on countless harrowing adventures.

To them, facing death was something they were mentally prepared for. If cornered, they would certainly not hesitate to give up their lives.

Should the two exceptional girls slip through his fingers because of this, he would be filled with regret.

(Better to play it safe for now, I can always achieve my goal later.)

With just a thought, Edel could feel the heat within him rising.

Meanwhile, he was unaware that Merica was more resolute than he had imagined.

Perhaps because Merica seemed somewhat timid, Edel subconsciously overlooked the fact that as an Elf valuing her own purity, she would never allow such a person to touch even a hair on her head.

Merica had already made up her mind.

(Once Lu Muya has left, I will immediately use a self-immolation spell.)

This was the decisive thought in Merica’s mind.

(But I wonder if my sister Vivian and Tielle will be sad.)

And Mr. Xi’en... would he feel sorrow...?

If he would... then that would be a comfort...

Filled with those thoughts, Merica kept pushing Lu Muya away.

"Go quickly, Lu Muya," Merica said with a forced smile, "go back to sister Vivian and Mr. Xi’en. They will surely find a way."

"Merica..." Lu Muya was on the verge of tears.

As for Edel, who had been smirking arrogantly, excited over something, his expression suddenly froze.

"Wait, who did she just mention?" Edel’s eyes widened as he muttered, "Mr. Xi’en...?"

Xi’en...

Xi’en...

That... can’t be...!?

"Could it be... do you know...!?" Edel’s face finally changed.

But by then, his change of expression was too late.

"Whoosh—!"

A figure, swift as a flash, shot out from mid-air at an astonishing speed and arrived before Edel, bringing a gust of wind, a Breeze with him.

"Bang!"

With a dull thud, Edel, whose face had just turned, was caught by surprise and kicked so hard he flew into the wall of a building.

"Blargh!"

Edel spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his face contorted in pain and astonishment.

"What...!?"

"An attack...!?"

Aki and Red’s expressions finally changed too; they looked shocked for a moment and then burst into fury. Drawing their swords from their waists, they charged at the incoming figure.

Without any hesitation, the two Level 70 Knights brought their Longswords crashing down on the figure with full force.

But...

"Clang!"

"Clash!"

Under the steel-like sounds, the two Longswords struck the figure, sparking a shower of sparks before being repelled.

"Thump!"

"Thump!"

The next second, another pair of dull thuds echoed.

"Gaah!"

"Ugh!"

Just like Edel, Aki and Red got kicked without mercy, thrown onto the ground, and rolled away.

The owner of the figure finally appeared in front of everyone.

"Mr. Xi’en...!"

"Mr. Xi’en!"

Seeing the full figure, Merica and Lu Muya were first stunned, then their faces lit up with delight.

The newcomer was none other than Xi’en.