The atmosphere in the living room suddenly turned icy as everyone realized a critical issue: weren’t they the supposed villains in this story? How did it come to feel like the hero was about to crash their hotpot and karaoke party?
Seeing everyone’s serious expressions, Murphy chimed in with a smile, “Let’s hear your thoughts, folks. This isn’t just a minor affair.”
Begrudgingly, Byron spoke up first, “Your Majesty, to play it safe, I think we should promptly retreat to the demon realm. Our disguises are practically useless against a hero…”
Murphy nodded, acknowledging the input, then shifted his gaze to Lambert.
The once-fallen priest, now frequenting the company, was well aware of the mage's true identity. After a spate of self-pity, Lambert grudgingly accepted his new lot.
“Me? I... I'm just wondering if I'd be considered friendly fire in the eyes of this hero…” Lambert chose his words carefully, “But, haha, as long as you don’t commit any sacrilege, I certainly won't betray you. I have no objections—I’ll do as you command.”
“Mhm, sounds like you didn’t say anything at all. No matter, let's move on.”
“Woof!” Buster, sitting proudly on a chair, barked and then gave Murphy an expectant glance.
“A dog's mouth indeed can’t spit out ivory."
“Have I displeased Your Majesty?” the golden retriever asked, head bowed, “Ivory... if that’s what Your Majesty desires...”
“Bang!” Murphy slapped the table.
“How many times have I told you to stop sneaking around my study reading that trashy literature? That's for writing reference! And how on earth did you learn to read, anyway?”
At the far end of the table, Pepe turned away nonchalantly and started to whistle as if suddenly immersed in his own thoughts.
“Whine…” Shamed, Buster retracted his head like a chastened quail.
“Next?”
All eyes then turned to Murphy’s protégé.
“Master, how about we take care of the new hero... permanently?”
“...”
Suddenly there was a hush; the living room grew quiet as gazes shifted from the bottom to the head of the table. They all knew that taking out a hero with vast potential before full maturity was ideal, however...
“The status of the hero alone means we cannot proceed that way. On the scale of the world's balance, his life alone could weigh as much as a million others.”
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
“Even though he’s weak and pitiful now, if we took advantage of this and killed him, it’d be akin to slaughtering over a million humans in their own lands. The world’s will would retaliate against demonkind severely.”
“And don't even think about luring him into our lands for the kill. As long as the peace treaty stands, the hero will not set foot on demon soil.”
I see. There were understanding nods at the table until Pep, after a brief pause, piped up, "Then why don't you send me by his side, and I'll quietly bring about his demise~"
“The world’s will is not an idiot, and is at least smarter than both of us in this regard."
“Well, alright then.” The quick dismissal of her proposals left the protégé feeling somewhat deflated.
“Well, since no one else has any bright ideas, I suppose it's time for me to voice mine,” Murphy cleared his throat, preparing to speak.
“First off, we can now confirm the new hero is indeed fresh to the scene and has no relation to the last one who broke limits. So as long as this one doesn’t break any limits, I’m fairly confident I can go toe-to-toe with him.”
“But that doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels; after all, we’ll be facing not just the hero and his squad eventually, but likely a coalition of millions of humans and more.”
“So, Byron, you're tasked to return to the demon realm and inform all our kin of the hero's birth. Peace is a long way off, but we need to take the hero seriously. However, make sure everyone understands they are not to work overtime over this; we stick to principles around here."
“At your service.”
“Pepe, while your suggestion is tempting, it's not terribly useful now. I plan to send you to the capital to study shortly.”
“What?” The girl looked puzzled, unable to grasp why, as others buzzed around with tasks, hers boiled down to schooling.
“Don’t be surprised. Just focus on dark magic while you're here, because that won’t fly in the capital.”
“Buster, from today, no more sneaking into the library. It’s time to level up in the mines, and you’ll accompany Pep to the capital."
“Woof~”
“Good. Remember, don't blow your cover in public."
“Woof!”
“And as for you, Lambert, your cooking’s been improving. Keep at it~”
“Will do.” The ex-priest sighed in relief, thankful not to be burdened with anything earth-shattering.
Just as Lambert prepared to exit the parlor, Murphy called out again, "Hold on, I just remembered something."
Murphy turned to the about-to-escape Lambert and inquired, "Did you know the Duke of the West is looking for you?"
Lambert's face twisted, “I might have heard something...”
“Good to know. Don’t worry too much, old Arwin just wants you alive; he has some questions for you. From now on, you’ll be the new emissary for the Viscountcy of Reed."
"New?"
"The last one was me. Didn’t you notice who signed that huge deal we got?" Murphy shrugged nonchalantly, “Just answer whatever the Duke asks truthfully, I've got your back. Nothing will happen to you."
"Just cheer up a bit," Murphy said, noticing Lambert's dejected expression, “Let me share a secret with you~ The former Holy Maiden passed away on the very same day you stopped feeling the gaze of the divine~”
Lambert's pupils constricted, he stared blankly at Murphy, seeking certainty in his words, "Of course it's true. Why would I lie to you? Get yourself ready; we set off tomorrow morning, and you can handle the expenses."
Feeling a ray of light finally pierce the clouds over his heart, Lambert realized he was one step closer to the truth, “I really owe you one.”
"It's nothing."
"Now that everyone has duties to carry out, I, as the Lord of Demons, naturally can’t just idle away. In view of the capital being a key location for our future, I will head there to scope things out. No objections, I assume?"
With Byron and Buster’s unwavering loyalty, they obviously had none. Lambert was still in a sentimental daze, offline in thought, and only the protégé murmured under her breath, “Clearly just wants a holiday… putting on such a fanciful act.”