Inside the station, it looked as one might expect—an ordinary design often used in government buildings. There were a few extra rooms and a yard for entertainment and rest. After all, the agents of the Human Civilization usually stay in this building for 1.5 years.

They can leave to walk around the city, but they usually don’t. To begin with, the city has very few, if any, 'fun' places. Most people are working to survive, feed their families, and raise their children.

There are no brothels, nor is there any wine or other forms of alcohol available. There are a few traditional drugs, but those, like alcohol, are considered unsafe by Human Civilization and are completely prohibited. Once caught, punishment would be more than just expulsion.

Furthermore, even though the two sides, Human Civilization and the Hard Summer City, have been making deals for years, their contacts were minimal.

The two sides don’t understand each other's languages and can only communicate using a few translators. The city's people are still very averse to outsiders.

Overall, there is no reason for an agent of Human Civilization to ever leave this station.

...

"Mage Shining Light, you’ve made me so curious!" said Master Wide Vision as he poured a cup of tea for the woman with a wrapped face in front of him; most people may not know, but she can actually drink tes from over her facial cover.

This station is only a small one, but as with all outside-the-wall stations of the Human Civilization, it also has a high-level mage, mage Wide Vision. Even though he only has eight people under his command and his rank is only Senior Sergeant, he is regarded as a powerful soldier not to be underestimated.

"Mage Wide Vision, we have recently received disturbing news about the Eastern Forest Demonic City. It is said that the demon duke of that city has been killed by one of its subordinates. Now, the city is on the verge of breakdown, which will likely result in absolute chaos. If that actually happens, this station, along with two of our other stations, would be in immediate danger. We are tasked with confirming this news and to investigate whether there is a way to prevent it from happening. Our agents in other nearby stations have already attempted to gather information but failed. I was sent here because of my special skills," said Mage Shining Light.

She had hurried here as fast as safely possible because the news was urgent. There are a few reasons why she brought Mike, a talented youth, along with her in such a situation.

First of all, she gave Mage Demon Hand a bit of a face; after all, she has been in the military for decades, and it would have been very rude to refuse such a small request.

Second, she also wanted to help a junior like Mike gain experience and experience how bad the outside world can be.

Third, even in the worst-case scenario, it would take weeks for demons to completely break out; there would be enough time to retreat.

Fourth, she planned on letting them stay in this city while she left with her team to check around. Mage Demon Hand can take Mike and show him around. After all, even though being outside the walls is very dangerous, it is for mortal humans. With such a veteran as Master Demon Hand, as long as no strong demon appears, there should be no issue. It must be said that strong demons are all recorded. Their traces are documented as much as possible. It's unheard of for such strong demons to appear out of nowhere, especially here on the border.

MageWide Vision's eyes widened as he heard the news. The Eastern Forest Demonic City is not a big demonic city; it’s only a large-scale demonic city with no 100% pure-blood demon in charge. Still, according to intelligence gathered by Human Civilization's forces, it has a dozen 70% and one 80% demon in charge. Under normal circumstances, none would dare to get close to the border between two big demonic cities, but after a chaotic internal fight, they may be tempted to take risks.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

The reported incident in the Eastern Forest Demonic City does not threaten the walls of Human Civilization by itself, but it does have the potential to trigger a bigger conflict, exactly like a domino.

Demons are chaotic creatures. Strong, pure-blooded demons in big cities, however, have higher intelligence and usually act rationally. However, one must not misunderstand 'usually' as 'always.' If they get angry at the demons of the Eastern Forest City that trespass on their territory and decide to act, then on their way to the Hard Summer City, there would be no guarantee that they won’t destroy it just to vent. It's also possible that the forces of two big cities that came to expel, enslave, or kill foreign demons see each other on the border and start a conflict between the two big cities or many other scenarios where things can go wrong.

Of course, these probabilities are not likely. There is little chance that a few wild demons passing would attract the anger of a big demonic city.

However, the stakes are extremely high. Once two big demonic cities fight, it can trigger a chain of events that can threaten the entire Human Civilization.

Some less informed people in the Human Civilization may think that two big demonic cities fighting each other is a good thing for humanity. However, that is completely wrong. Any battle between two big cities is an absolute disaster. What if a pure-blooded demon who is enraged suddenly decides to start attacking the Great Wall? What if the two sides suddenly decide to compete on who can kill the most humans? The Great Wall and the entire power of Human Civilization can, at most, barely resist the full force of a single big demonic city if it sacrifices all of its powerful mages.

There are too many things that can go wrong. In fact, in the shadows, Human Civilization has been doing its best to prevent any conflict between big demonic cities.

The chances may be low, but when it’s about the life and death of the entire Human Civilization, even a 1% chance is unbearable.

Mage Wide Vision finally said, "I understand; I am under your command!"

Mage Bright Fire has been very respectful to him, mostly because of his powerful personal strength and his high seniority. In fact, with the rank of Major, Mage Bright, who has been appointed as the agent of the Human Civilization in this mission, doesn’t need to explain anything and can order everyone in this station and other stations around.

Mage Bright Light nodded and said, "Mage Wide Vision, listen carefully; I need you to try your best to persuade people here to abandon the city and come with us. You are allowed to tell them about the secret of the East Forest Demonic City if necessary. Preventing the death of humans is our first priority. If their leaders aren’t ready to come, you are allowed to speak directly to the people. Before we leave, we will take anyone who comes."

Of course, bypassing city leaders would definitely enrage them, but Daoist Wide Vision is strong enough to take them on.

Human Civilization usually does not treat independent cities like this, but in emergencies, where people's lives are in danger, it resorts to more forceful approaches.

However, it would not forcibly take anyone, even in life-and-death emergencies. This is a red line for the current leadership of the Human Civilization. If one has such great love for their native city that they are willing to die for it, they should be allowed to die with it.

Mage Wide Vision thoughtfully stroked his goatee with his left hand and solemnly said, "I understand!"

"I leave it to you then!" Mage Shining Light took a few sips of the tea, smiled, and stood up. Of course, her face was hidden, so from the perspective of Mage Wide Vision, she shone a bit more momentarily. Most wouldn’t realize such a subtle change, but he did.

It has been known to high-ranking mages that once Mage Shining Light smiles, her shine increases slightly, while when she frowns, it dims a bit.

Without further ado, the two left the secret room. Nobody else but the two of them was allowed in the room; the discussions were all secrets.

Mage Shining Light didn’t even tell Master Demon Hand the news. Even her subordinates knew only an overview, not the details.

...

"Master Demon Hand?" called Mike.

"What is it?" She replied.

"Why did they leave in such a hurry?"

"They’re doing their mission," said Master Demon Hand.

"Weren’t you also part of the mission?" Mike asked.

Master Demon Hand smiled uncomfortably and said, "Honestly, boy, I volunteered to join this mission, but they refused. Mage Shining Light instead offered to take me here and promised to use me if she needed help. Anyway, the most useful thing I can do now is take you around. After all, you are a genius of the century!"

"I haven’t seen anything dangerous all the way here, so if your point was to show me the dangers of the outside world, you failed," said Mike, very straightforward and forthcoming about his thoughts.

"Well, I just say you should never complain about not being in danger!" Master Demon Hand jokingly said.

The two headed toward the west gate of the city. As a matter of caution, the city leaders sent two guides, both of whom were low-grade mages, to show safe routes and some interesting places nearby.