The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 496: “What Happens Next?”

“Sister Carol…”

A soft, almost inaudible voice called out, reaching Carol’s ears and rendering her speechless.

Because that voice was filled with an almost imperceptible sense of helplessness and grievance.

Carol could see Melika, who was with Shien and his group, her delicate face full of bewilderment and on the verge of tears.

It was easy to imagine the complex emotions Melika was feeling.

It was only natural.

Shien and his group were invited by Melika, but Carol, the person who had taught her the basics of magic and was like an older sister to her, had ruthlessly turned them away, even preparing to drive them out. Melika’s feelings were completely understandable.

On one side were the guests she invited, including the person she admired, and on the other side were her fellow elves, like family. Caught in the middle, how could Melika not feel helpless and conflicted?

Melika had tried to stop Carol, tried to explain, but she was repeatedly interrupted before she could finish her sentences.

Melika was extremely anxious, on the verge of tears, so much so that even the Elven Queen’s appearance didn’t make her react immediately and bow.

This made Carol speechless and silent.

From her perspective, everything she had done was correct.

For the sake of the Elven Race and the Elven Homeland, she wanted to eliminate all unexpected factors and anomalies, which was understandable.

But was Shien wrong?

He was just here as a guest, for sightseeing, not asking for anything. Being turned away for some unfounded reason, with his temper, he would naturally retaliate before talking.

Of course, this was their territory. It was their right to refuse him entry, and he had no grudges against them, so there was no need to make a big fuss.

Therefore, Shien only intended to dampen their spirits, vent his frustration, and then leave, finding another place to enjoy himself.

However, that would make Melika sad.

Therefore, Shien planned to reason with this vice-commander, and also test his improved magic abilities.

Who would have thought that Sophie, the Elven Queen, would suddenly appear and stop this?

And since neither side was wrong, Sophie’s intervention was crucial.

Otherwise, although it wouldn’t escalate to a massacre, a conflict would have been inevitable.

Carol wasn’t a fool and could also see Shien’s intentions.

If he really wanted to fight, Shien wouldn’t have stopped Lilith just now. The result wouldn’t have been just breaking the [Pure Flower Curtain].

“…I understand.”

Carol was silent for a moment, then nodded and stepped aside.

Her attitude showed that she acknowledged this way of handling the situation, but she didn’t think she was wrong.

Just as she had shown, she was somewhat inflexible, stubborn, and could be impartial for the sake of the Elven Race and the Elven Homeland.

Therefore, even seeing Melika’s sad expression, Carol didn’t say anything more.

Sophie naturally understood Carol’s personality.

Sophie didn’t say anything unnecessary, just turning her gaze to Melika.

“Your invited guests are quite extraordinary, Melika.” Sophie said, as if comforting her, “You must have gained a lot during your travels. You have to tell me all about it later.”

Sophie, without any airs of royalty, spoke to Melika gently and kindly, like she was talking to a child.

But these were also Sophie’s true thoughts.

Melika’s gains were indeed significant, so significant that even Sophie was surprised.

When she first sensed Melika’s magic power, Sophie couldn’t believe that in less than two years of traveling, Melika’s magic power had increased so much.

Her level hadn’t increased much, so why did her magic power suddenly surge?

And why could she sense another person’s aura within this magic power?

Sophie looked at Melika thoughtfully, then at Shien, lost in thought.

Melika, on the other hand, only now hurriedly knelt down on one knee before Sophie, performing a subject’s salute.

“Your Majesty.” Melika said to Sophie, “Mr. Shien really won’t do anything to the Elven Homeland. Please believe me.”

Melika was still desperately pleading for Shien.

Her desperate appearance even moved Shien.

Sophie also seemed surprised.

After all, elves were naturally wary of men from other races. Even though they were kind and pure by nature, desperately pleading for a man from another race like this was something that had never happened before in the Elven Race.

The fact that Melika would go to such lengths for Shien clearly showed that she valued him greatly, even possibly…

A guess flashed through Sophie’s mind, and she smiled wryly.

This didn’t seem to be a good thing.

Elven love stories were mostly tragic, rarely having a happy ending.

As the Elven Queen, Sophie had seen elves fall in love before, but in thousands of years, there were almost no happy endings.

(Has this child also followed in the footsteps of those pitiful elves?)

Sophie felt heartache.

But this was the fate of an elf in love. Sophie couldn’t say anything and could only remain silent.

However, Melika’s desperate appearance still evoked some memories in Sophie.

Memories of the Hero who had once pursued her.

As the Hero, and the strongest Hero of all time, Mitra wasn’t as bad as Airi said.

He had a strong sense of justice and was very proactive, always decisive and resolute, constantly traveling across the battlefield and every corner of the continent for this world that had nothing to do with him, never resting in his life.

Coupled with his great strength, handsome appearance, and special status, that Hero was undoubtedly the prince charming in the hearts of many girls.

But Sophie rejected his pursuit without hesitation.

Not for any other reason, but because she knew very well that elven love stories never had a happy ending.

Especially for her, as elven royalty, she had a greater responsibility and duty and couldn’t allow herself to fall in love.

Elven love was pure and sacred.

For this love without a future, they would be willing to sacrifice everything, including their lives.

Thinking of that consequence, Sophie felt that she definitely couldn’t bear it.

It wasn’t that she wouldn’t do it.

On the contrary, she was worried that she would do it, thus endangering the survival of the Elven Race.

She didn’t want to one day abandon, or even sacrifice, the Elven Race for the sake of so-called love, devoting herself entirely to someone else.

Therefore, from the very beginning, Sophie closed her heart, not giving herself a chance to fall in love.

When facing Mitra, the Hero, Sophie was the same, restraining herself from the start, not interacting too much with him, lest her heart be moved.

In short, Sophie’s vigilance towards men from other races was actually stronger than any other elf.

But Sophie hid it well, never showing it, always greeting men from other races with a smile, but always maintaining a certain distance.

Including when facing the Hero.

Perhaps even Airi didn’t know that Mitra wasn’t the first Hero to pursue Sophie.

Having lived for thousands of years, Sophie had met several Heroes and been pursued by them.

Even the founding Hero who established the Ragna Empire had once pursued Sophie.

Among the Elven Race, known for their beauty, the elven royalty’s appearance surpassed all others, even comparable to goddesses. It was only natural for the Elven Queen to be pursued by men.

But Sophie never accepted anyone.

No matter how outstanding they were.

The reason was simply that she didn’t dare to.

She didn’t dare to let herself fall in love, like those elves who had experienced tragic love stories, sacrificing everything and gaining nothing in the end.

“Phew…”

Sophie exhaled softly, calming herself down, and shook her head at Melika.

“Alright, Melika, I understand.” Sophie said gently, “You can stand up now.”

“Then…” Melika didn’t immediately comply, but looked at Sophie nervously.

Seeing this, Sophie couldn’t help but smile.

“I said, Viscount Buztout is also a welcome guest.” Sophie smiled at Melika. “I won’t drive him away. You can rest assured.”

Hearing this, Melika was finally relieved.

Shien had been watching Melika, his feelings complicated.

He suddenly realized that he seemed to have underestimated this girl’s feelings for him.

It was no longer just a matter of her being willing to “give herself to him,” but to the point of being foolish.

Shien wasn’t the only one who thought this way.

“So foolish…”

Lucy muttered at the side, her gaze towards Melika much gentler than before.

Airi also seemed to glance at Melika discreetly.

But, in contrast, both girls glared at Shien.

Shien felt two sharp gazes piercing his back, making him feel uncomfortable.

Fortunately, Sophie saved him.

“Then, everyone, please enter the Elven Homeland.”

Sophie smiled at Shien and his group, then said to Carol,

“Give these guests the highest level of treatment and properly receive them. Don’t be rude again, understand?”

Hearing Sophie’s words, Carol lowered her head and acknowledged the order.

“Then we’ll excuse ourselves.” Sophie bowed slightly. “Please forgive us for any negligence.”

Saying so, an emerald green light shone around Sophie again.

Leia and Nia, who had been silent behind her, also raised their staffs, causing leaves and petals to swirl around them, enveloping the emerald light.

The next moment, surrounded by leaves and petals, the light shot up into the sky and flew towards the depths of the Elven Homeland.

Carol then led the members of the Elven Corps to Shien and his group.

“Please follow me, honored guests.”

Carol said formally.

Lucy, Airi, Lilith, Lasha, and Melika all looked at Shien.

Shien pursed his lips, feeling a bit disappointed.

With things having turned out like this, he wasn’t really in the mood to enter the Elven Homeland anymore.

However, since they had spoken so politely, and Melika had gone to such lengths, it wouldn’t be right for Shien to just leave.

Therefore, Shien could only say listlessly,

“Let’s go.”

Hearing his words, everyone nodded.

Carol also took a deep look at him, then without another word, led the Elven Corps, as if truly escorting distinguished guests, and led them inside.

The surrounding fairies and butterflies finally emerged from behind the glowing trees.

However, the fairies, looking at the departing group, or rather, at Shien among them, after a moment of commotion, couldn’t help themselves and, flapping their small wings, quietly followed.

This scene showed that Carol’s worries weren’t entirely unfounded.

These fairies, who hadn’t gained intelligence and become elves yet, were indeed attracted by Shien’s aura and magic power, now gathering towards him like moths to a flame.

Under such circumstances, no one noticed that a faint voice echoed in the depths of nature, imperceptible to others.

“What will happen next?”

The goddess who had been watching all this seemed to have foreseen it.

Foreseen what would happen next.

…

“Thump—thump—thump—thump—”

Heavy footsteps echoed through the magical forest.

It was the sound of Yulin’s footsteps.

Yulin was following Shien, his group, and the Elven Corps, scaring away countless fairies and fantasy creatures along the way. She seemed out of place here, like a ferocious dragon who had strayed into paradise, very unwelcome.

Carol frowned and finally couldn’t help but say,

“Are you even bringing this dragon in?”

It seemed Carol didn’t want to see Yulin, a ferocious monster, enter the Elven Homeland.

Yulin was displeased by this, but she didn’t dare to roar again.

If she did, she would probably be scolded again.

Shien glanced at Carol.

“What? Can’t monsters enter the Elven Homeland?” Shien said nonchalantly, “Are you planning to drive us away again?”

Carol didn’t say anything more.

After all, Shien’s attitude was clear. He didn’t intend to follow her wishes.