The ground was shaking.
Large and small pebbles detached from the rocky wall, and dust spread rapidly.
Not wanting her body to be contaminated with dust, Shirley's mother waved her hand, creating a whirlwind to blow all the dust away.
The changes in the earth became more violent, and the surrounding temperature continued to rise.
At that moment, the bottom of the Valley of Despair seemed to have turned into a huge furnace.
Amidst the earthquake-like tremors, the ground cracked, creating a large fissure.
Fire, red-orange flames, burst from the cracks, immediately illuminating the dark ravine.
Then, from within the fissure, hot magma emerged, emitting a blue smoke.
Shirley's mother took a few steps back.
When the lava flowed to a position half a meter in front of her, she automatically avoided it.
A huge, grayish-white claw extended from the magma and gripped the edge of the fissure, as if to support its own body.
The claw suddenly exerted force, causing large-scale cracks in the ground.
The first thing to emerge from the magma was a pair of thick, curved horns, followed by a fierce face with flaming eyes, and finally, its immense grayish-white body.
The surface of its body was covered with marks and deep scars, as if it were an ancient rock with deep wounds caused by blades.
Magma flowed continuously from its wounds, as if it were its blood.
Behind it, a thick, short tail thrashed against the ground, making “bang bang” sounds.
Despite its powerful, fierce, and oppressive body, it gave off a sense of weariness and age.
With a huge long-handled axe embedded in the ground in its right claw, it stared at Shirley's mother.
"Without the blessing of immortality, you’re already this old... Old Demon King."
Observing the opponent's body, Shirley's mother displayed a rare expression of nostalgia, with a tone of hidden sadness in her voice.
However, by the end of the sentence, her tone shifted to one that was both mocking and boastful.
After all, as people from the same era, one remained young and beautiful, while the other had grown old.
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"So, she is her daughter?"
Ignoring Shirley's mother’s sarcasm, the old Demon King asked with a heavy, tired voice.
"What do you mean by 'her daughter'?" Shirley's mother glared at the old Demon King. "She should be my daughter and hers."
“Hmph—” The fire in the old Demon King’s eyes flared, but he didn’t pursue the matter further. “The little girl beside her is interesting.”
He was referring to Karina’s recent performance.
The strange dampener that appeared on the ground and the swarm of insects chasing them were all arranged by him, with the goal of testing whether Karina was qualified to stay with Shirley.
“Of course, you don’t even consider who chose the candidate.” Shirley’s mother proudly shook her long hair. “But that girl isn’t as simple as she seems. Without help, we don’t know how she’ll fare.”
“Unfortunately, according to the original agreement, we cannot intervene.”
“Yes, it’s better to keep everything as it is until she returns.”
Thousands of years ago, they decided to alter the world's balance by completely separating humans from other races.
And through the influence of the Church of Light, humanity's glorious and splendid history was gradually erased through generations, leaving only a false and superficial narrative.
Those ancient empires with vast territories, incredibly powerful spells, and heroes that should have been passed down through the ages...
All are covered by false truths.
On the other hand, other races were suppressed by a few, forbidden from invading the human world, and avoiding major conflicts among themselves.
Compared to humans, other races had undergone a "Great Purification," and the few that remained adhered to the established rules.
In other words, they must obey the rules.
Or rather, they were forced to follow the rules, and if they refused, they would face another purification.
— An extermination purification!
All of this was for a single word — stability.
Until that person returned, the world had to maintain its stability.
The human history could not advance or be transmitted, nor could humans be excessively suppressed, all to avoid the emergence of “heroes” among humans that even they could not contain.
Even if that possibility was minimal, no one wanted to take the risk.
“Alright, it’s time to go.”
Shortly after their meeting, Shirley’s mother was about to leave.
After all, her relationship with the old Demon King was not the best.
She was there only because Shirley was in his territory, so she made a brief visit.
Naturally, the old Demon King did not prevent her departure.
He simply stood there in silence, watching the figure of the other party disappear completely.
The image of the girl who had just appeared, Shirley, was still reflected in his eyes.
After thousands of years, his body was beginning to show signs of decomposition.
He didn’t know if he would last until that person’s return.
The old Demon King didn’t have a definitive answer in his heart.
But at least seeing her daughter was something good...
---
In the ancient Bartoli castle.
After the red magic circle’s glow, Shirley and Karina appeared on the ground, in a lamentable state.
Even though they were in terrible condition and wearing only rags that could not be called clothes, neither of them seemed willing to move.
Physical and mental exhaustion had finally given way to rest, making them so exhausted that they didn’t even want to speak.
All Shirley wanted now was a quick bath and then to lie down in a big, comfortable bed and sleep well.
Karina had a similar idea, except she had a bit more of a desire for meat.
However, both continued to stare at each other without moving, communicating with their eyes, with no intention of acting.
The immense exhaustion eventually outweighed their inner desires.
Soon, they felt their eyelids growing heavier and, without realizing it, fell into a deep sleep.
After they fell asleep, Shirley’s mother’s figure appeared in the room.
Looking at the two sleeping on the floor, huddled like beggars, she couldn’t help but sigh.
“Luna, clean them up and put them in bed.”
Such tasks were best left to Luna.