Late night, Dark Moon Palace, council hall.
Chen Rui was startled, âOld Gauss is missing?â
Shea looked serious and nodded, âThis is an emergency message I received from Kia from the Dark Shadowâs capital two days ago.â
âKia went to the Dark Shadowâs capital?â Chen Rui was surprised again. No wonder I didnât see her.
Hereâs the thing. When General George came to the Dark Moon last time, he rescued a young man, named Dior, who was the eldest son and heir apparent of the top business family in the Dark Shadow Empire, the Custer family. Due to family conflict, he was almost killed by scheme. He was rescued by General George when he fled. Shea and Georgeâs plan was to support Diorâs in inheriting the business which would be a huge help for Dark Moonâs economic development.
During Chen Ruiâs coma, Shea sent her competent assistant, Old Gauss, to accompany Dior to the Dark Shadowâs capital to help him regain control of his family. Kia was also part of the company.
The reason was that Dior saw Kia coincidentally, and he was shocked. Subsequently, he couldnât help but fall in love. The young master who had always been a self-asserted romantic was determined to impress the beautiful succubus with his diligence and obsession. Yet, he repeatedly failed. After learning that this succubus who was admired by everyone was actually a maid of the sheriff, Chen Rui, Dior still didnât give up. He asked Princess Royal to let Kia accompany Kia him back to the Dark Shadowâs capital.
Considering Chen Ruiâs current situation, Kiaâs secret couldnât be found. Shea agreed to Diorâs request. Kia, Old Gauss and Dior would return to his country together. However, Shea also explained that Kia was going as Old Gaussâs assistant this time. If Dior could successfully control the Custer family, then she would consider asking Sheriff Chen Rui to agree offering Kia to Dior.
That promise was quite deceitful because Chen Rui was still in a coma at that time. If he hadnât woken up, even if Dior really controlled his family, without Chen Ruiâs approval, Kia would still be the sheriffâs maid.
Shea saw Chen Ruiâs dissatisfaction, and she frowned slightly, âWhy? Hate to part with your beautiful maid?â
âThis âbeautifulâ Kia is clearly a task forced by Princess Royal to me.â Chen Rui shook his head with a bitter smile. However, there seems to be a little jealousy in Sheaâs tone just now. Haiz woman!
In fact, it was very common to offer servants in the Demon Realm. Chen Rui also took over Kia from Alice previously, let alone it was for political needs. To be honest, Chen Rui was indeed upset. Having been with Kia for so long, those little thoughts were basically gone, leaving only bonds as friends. At least until the truth was revealed, both of them were still friends in a master-servant relationship.
Now that Shea âtradedâ her like a cargo, it was undoubtedly a shame to a manâs possessiveness.
Fortunately, Shea still took Chen Ruiâs authority (feeling) into consideration and didnât use her privilege as the lord to directly offer Kia to Dior. Instead, she was only an assistant.
On the surface, Old Gaussâ strength was a Higher Demon. In reality, he could advance to Demon King with his secret method. Besides, he was wise. If it wasnât for Old Gaussâs support, Shea wouldnât be able to control the Dark Moon so quickly. Originally, Gauss was in charge of the food base. Due to the importance of the Custer Family, Shea had to send this trump card. Yet, unexpectedly, not only the goal wasnât achieved, but he also disappeared mysteriously.
Chen Rui thought for a while and said, âLet me go to the Dark Shadowâs capital this time.â
âNo!â Shea immediately rejected the request. She wasnât concerned about Chen Ruiâs ability but his safety.
âThe capitalâs sanction wasnât as effective as it should be, so they must be keeping a close eye on the Dark Moon. My awakening hasnât been publicized. To the public, I am still unconscious which is convenient for me to hide in the dark to execute this.â
âItâs too dangerous. You donât even have the strength to protect yourself.â Shea shook her head. Chen Rui just woke up from that coma. I canât let him go to the Dark Shadowâs capital, which is more dangerous and unpredictable.
âArux and Aguile have now broken through to Demon King. Arux can stay to take care of the Cloak Gang and help Athena train the garrison. Aguile can escort me. Besides, under the influence of inheritance, I should have the strength of Lesser Demon now.â Chen Rui nodded, âNot only that, I plan to go in person for the most important part of the plan! Although the Dark Moon shows signs of recovery, in reality, itâs a critical period now and the capital will use more means to suppress and sanction. If we continue to be so passive, even if we can barely withstand, our failure is only a matter of time!â
âYouâre going in person?â Shea was shocked. It was the most dangerous part, and he could die at any time. Besides, the Dark Moon couldnât provide any assistance.
In the Demon Realm, Demon King was merely the first step toward true strength. Unless one reached the high-level strength like Demon Emperor and Demon Overlord, one couldnât be regarded as a true powerhouse. As for the strength of a âLesser Demonâ, it was merely a joke.
However, she didnât know that the so-called Lesser Demon was at least a Great Demon King already.
âI have to take the risk to truly grasp the critical points to turn the tide.â Chen Rui was very determined. âThereâs no one more suitable than I am. Iâve made my decision.â
That tough tone didnât make Shea unhappy. Instead, her heart fluctuated. After a long time, she sighed softly, âYou donât have to go to that extent.â
That sentence had a double meaning. In fact, Shea also understood that with Chen Ruiâs intelligence, coupled with his beast taming skill, master-level weapon and armor crafting skill, he didnât have to take such a huge risk for the Dark Moon. He could even leave the precarious Dark Moon and join a stronger, safer force.
Why did he stay and even want to execute such a dangerous plan himself?
âI promised General George to assist Princess Royal with all I have.â Chen Rui shrugged, âI am someone who keeps promises.â
Itâs just because of that? Just because of the promise with... Athenaâs father?
Shea felt a little upset, âThen, I promise you.â
Not knowing why but suddenly, she recalled the scene when Chen Rui was first summoned to the palace garden. If those words are spoken now...
At that time, he was just a human who was looked down upon by everyone. A human with no strength or perhaps it should be called a human with unrecognized talent...
At that time, she merely took him as a tool that could be useful for the estate...
At that time, Athena and him had just known each other...
This human once said that life is a one-way ticket, there is no turning back nor return ticket.
Although she didnât understand some of them, she understood everything she needed.
He heard the âorderâ I gave in front of his sickbed; yet, does he know the drops of tears?
From that moment on, Shea faintly understood something deep in her heart, something that shouldnât be there.
âIf...â Shea said that suddenly, but she immediately regretted, and she didnât continue speaking.
âEven without General Georgeâs request,â Chen Rui answered tacitly with a tactful smile, âIâll still do the same.â
Sheaâs unhappiness was instantly replaced by a strange ease, but her tone seemed even worse, âHmph! It has always been your plan! Instead of joking around right now, you should be thinking how to execute the plan in detail!â
âPlans canât keep up with changes. That part still requires some contemplation. As for the Custer Family... Iâll see after I go to the Dark Shadowâs capital and examine the situation.â
Although the Princess Royalâs voice seemed cold, the little surprise that flashed past in her purple eyes couldnât hide from the sheriff who had reached the level of Great Demon King. He grinned, âIf I return with great contribution this time, I wonder if Princess Royal can agree to a not-so-over condition?â
âYouâre already over now!â Shea knew this guy had a bad intention the moment she saw that annoying smile, âDonât forget Iâm the lord!â
What if youâre the lord? What if youâre the princess? Your Royal Highness may not know that your sisterâs collection isnât lacking of flirty stories between female bosses and male employees â certainly, these can only be said in my heart.
âJust take it as Iâm asking for a reward with my contribution shamelessly! Princess Royal really isnât willing to agree to my tiny... not-so-over condition after I risk my life to complete an almost impossible mission?â
âDonât be too happy yet!â Shea was so annoyed that she clenched his teeth, âWhatever reward it is... weâll talk about it later!â
As soon as that was said, the sheriffâs face suddenly became excited. Yet, those perverted eyes were awkward to look at.
There is more reward... in the future?
Someone who had evolved his thinking toward âimpurityâ had a dry mouth.
This isnât right! I shouldâve been a very innocent otaku. It must be Roman. Birds of the same feather flocks together! After having contact with him for so long, Iâve naturally become perverted. After going back, I must expose more of his bad deeds to Delia. Let [The Eye of Evil] shivers under [The Eye of Incubus]!
Shea frowned, âWhatâs wrong?â
âNothingâs wrong!â Chen Rui shook his head quickly. If he was honest, he would be crushed by Shea with nothing left.
âSince that is the case, Your Royal Highness.â Chen Rui bowed politely with the look of a loyal servant and said solemnly, âThen Iâll take it as Your Royal Highness has agreed. Including the âonlyâ dance previously, I believe itâll be the time to reap that great plan when I return.â
Great plan? Reap?
Double meaning bastard! What exactly do you want to reap from this damn plan?!
Shea finally couldnât control her emotions and stared at Chen Rui furiously. Looking at the situation, she desperately wanted to burn that smiling face into a skeleton with her [Flame of Light and Dark].
After leaving the palace, Chen Rui was still reminiscing about the cold beautyâs look of annoyance. Compared with the coldness that pushed people away for thousands of miles, he preferred this expression. Next time, it would be great if it became a smile.
The next stop would be Dark Shadow Empire. Chen Rui stopped and looked up at the night sky. Behind the two purple moons, there were bright stars.
That ladyâs eyes were just like this beautiful, starry sky.
Suddenly, the past scenes that were already buried deep in his heart appeared involuntarily in his mind.
Can I see... her again this time?
Which her? Was it the one in his previous life or the one in the tent?