Why must the devil be Defeated?
Chapter 557 - 518 Is this... a confession...?

Chapter 557: 518 Is this... a confession...?

"Merica had such a past, Shane had not expected.

But then again, it seemed quite reasonable.

If there wasn’t such a reason, why would Merica have left the village to venture out?

Shane had some understanding of the Elf Clan’s situation, so he knew that in Elf Country, very few people chose to go out on such adventures.

There were three reasons for this.

First: The Elf Clan’s wariness and rejection of the external world.

From the elves’ guardedness against alien race males, one could see that they held a relatively negative impression of the outside world. Moreover, due to the coveting and even persecution of elves by males of the outer world that had been going on for ages, those from the clan who had ventured out either mentioned the greed of alien race males toward themselves or were trapped in heartbreak and unable to extricate themselves. Naturally, the elves developed a bad impression of the outside world, which in turn affected their enthusiasm to leave their hometowns.

Second: The conditions within Elf Country are not necessarily worse than the outside world.

As the Elf Clan is a naturally magical race, their research and development of magic are far beyond that of the outside world. There are also many strong elders within the clan, and the world’s strongest mages and Mage Corps are all there. As a result, the elves don’t need to go outside to study; by cultivating in their own homeland, they can have conditions far better than any outside force.

Third: The Taiger Forest, where Elf Country is located, happens to be the largest Monster Forest in the Human Realm.

Within the Taiger Forest, not only are there numerous demons, but there are also many precious species not found in the outer world. It encompasses monsters of all levels, allowing the people of the Elf Clan to neither lack combat targets nor conditions to level up. Even here, the conditions are much better than anywhere outside, and even if it is risky, there are kinsfolk to look out for them, so there is no need to worry about mishaps.

With these three reasons, the people of the Elf Clan didn’t need to go out to adventure to steadily enhance their power.

How could they wish to venture out under such circumstances?

In fact, in the Elf Clan, those who chose to go on adventures probably did not even make up one percent.

That is to say, most elves in Elf Country have never left here; they were born here, grew up here, and gradually grew stronger here. In the end, anyone with a bit of talent would join the Elf Corps and become a mage of at least Level 80.

With such good conditions, why would they go out for adventure?

Of course, there are still some elves who choose to go on adventures, proving that there are benefits to venturing out.

What are these benefits?

It’s simple.

Fast!

The increase in strength is faster than when they were in the village!

Indeed, in Elf Country, every elf could get the best conditions for growth and steadily improve themselves.

But if it’s steady enough, it’s unlikely to be fast.

As everyone knows, although leveling up can be achieved through training, the most effective way is to engage in a life-and-death struggle with an opponent of equal or greater strength.

Struggling in intense battles where life hangs in the balance is undoubtedly dangerous but is also unquestionably the fastest way for one to grow.

In Elf Country, with the protection of elders and stable cultivation conditions, what sense of crisis and chance of battle could there be?

Life in Elf Country is simply too peaceful and stable, so much so that although elves can steadily improve in such an environment, their speed of growth is not fast.

Otherwise, given the Elves’ talent and longevity, wouldn’t the worst off be Legendary top-tier powerhouses after living a hundred years?

But in the end, there are only three Legendary level beings in the entire Elf Clan, and these three have all lived for at least a thousand years.

A thousand years!

If it weren’t for conditions such as talent and potential being limiting factors, even a pig could last long enough to become a Legendary level powerhouse, right?

This clearly shows how slow the growth rate of elves can be.

Yet, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Elves are naturally long-lived and are protected by the barriers set by the Nature Goddess, allowing them to grow up safely and securely.

The reason why the Elf Corps is the strongest mage corps in the world is that each member has cultivated like this for at least several hundred to a thousand years.

As long as their potential isn’t exhausted and they haven’t reached their limits, in the end, everyone from the Elf Clan can naturally reach Level 80 and above.

This racial talent is already comparable to the Dragon Race, which is hailed as the King of Demons.

After all, dragons naturally grow to Level 80, reaching the strength of powerful demons upon reaching adulthood.

Although not every elf can achieve such heights, and there is a portion whose potential is lower, ultimately hitting their limit and unable to advance further in levels, the fact that there are hundreds of members in the Elf Corps signifies that the people of the Elf Clan are indeed greatly favored.

Only a part of the elves, unsatisfied with such tepid growth, then choose to leave Elf Country to seek pressure and keep breaking through themselves in the outside world.

After learning such things, Shane once wondered why someone like Merica, who didn’t seem eager to grow stronger, would leave Elf Country to venture out.

It was not until this moment that Shane realized it was the pressure from her childhood friend that overcame her own timidity, and she made up her mind to leave the village.

And this was not a wrong decision.

"When I first left the village and saw the outside world, I was very afraid,"

"So many people stared at me because I’m an elf, and many came over to chat me up, which really scared me a lot."

"Thankfully, a senior helped guide me, leading me to Lamijion."

"In that place, not only did I receive help from those of my race settled in Lamijion, giving me a place to stay, but I also met Sister Vivian, met Tielle, and met Lu Muya..."

As she said this, Merica’s tone became somewhat happier.

"Everyone was helping me, allowing me to find my footing in the outside world."

"Also, thanks to joining Vivian’s Team, I was able to go on so many adventures, slaying so many demons."

"Although I’ve encountered quite a few dangers, and some unpleasant things have happened, I’ve always felt that my decision to leave the village two years ago was definitely the right choice."

Having said that, Merica unconsciously looked towards Shane.

"Otherwise, I would never have met everyone, nor Mr. Shane..."

As she said this, Merica’s eyes began to moisten while she gazed at Shane.

In them, was love so profound it caused Shane to tremble.

"..."

Shane fell silent.

He was somewhat at a loss.

No way.

Was this... a confession?

Shane suddenly felt a tingling sensation all over his body.

Without a doubt, this was the first time he faced such a direct yet so pure affection.

Not like with Luoqi, where feelings developed unconsciously amidst playful bickering, and a relationship was established without them realizing, nor like with Tielle, where they ambiguously interacted under certain expectations, and ultimately proved their fervent emotions.

What Merica showed was like the most ordinary yet the most heartrendingly earnest kind of love, so pure and so touching.

And this was undoubtedly an emotion Shane had never experienced and was the least skilled at handling.

(I’m just a wanderer!)

The unorthodox hero roared inwardly.

Put simply, such earnest love was somewhat overwhelming for Shane, the unconventional man.

Meanwhile, this also confirmed a thought Shane had previously.

That was Merica’s feelings for him were stronger and purer than he had imagined.

If Shane understood the Elf Clan’s values regarding love, then he would realize that this emotion was far more sacred than he thought.

Of course, even without knowing this, sensing Merica’s affection, Shane couldn’t remain indifferent.

He was just nonconformist, he just liked to roam, he wasn’t a scumbag who only thought with his lower half.

Thus, having directly received Merica’s kindness, what to do next didn’t require any contemplation at all.

At that moment, Shane touched his nose and adjusted his own feelings.

Lilith and Milu watched the scene from the side, exchanging glances.

Lasha’s eyes flickered, silent.

As for Luoqi, gazing intently at Shane, she seemed to forget her nervousness and shyness, her heart completely overtaken by surging emotions, as if making a brave confession, her eyes full of deep love looking at Merica – her expression was somewhat complicated.

At that instant, Luoqi couldn’t help but feel a twinge of heartache.

But, seeing the undeniable deep love in Merica’s eyes, Luoqi also felt a sense of relief.

She had already said that, as a Princess of the Royal Family, she understood and could allow Shane to take a concubine.

And if that person were Merica, Luoqi felt that she could completely accept it.

Different from Shane, Luoqi understood the Elf Clan’s perspective on love and knew what it meant for an elf to fall for someone.

Plus, towards Merica, Luoqi felt no aversion, on the contrary, there was a liking; on this journey, she had already seen Merica as a future sister.

Now, under the influence of her emotions, Merica had finally revealed her intentions to Shane, exposing her inner feelings.

Though it was a spur of the moment action due to the situation, it was not necessarily a bad outcome.

Otherwise, with Merica’s usual nervousness and timidity, she would never confess to Shane proactively.

On Shane’s part, this guy was completely just waiting for things to fall into his lap; he had no initiative to pursue anyone, to expect him to engage in a passionate romantic pursuit could take forever.

So, this was also considered a rare opportunity.

That’s what Luoqi thought.

Unfortunately, not everyone wished to witness this scene.