The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 534: The Queen’s Hidden Sorrow

Outside the Temple of the Goddess of Nature.

Sophie, Leia, and Nia were still waiting.

They stood there silently, waiting for Shien and Melika to emerge from the temple.

They waited for a full hour.

They weren’t impatient.

However, seeing that Shien and Melika still hadn’t come out of the temple, they couldn’t help but feel a little surprised.

“It’s been so long…” Leia murmured.

“Indeed…” Nia agreed.

Hearing their words, Sophie understood their thoughts.

An hour wasn’t much for the long-lived elves.

However, being able to talk with the Goddess of Nature, one of the highest-ranking figures in the Divine Realm, for a whole hour was quite astonishing.

“Goddess Nadue must have a lot to say to them.”

Sophie said with emotion.

Being able to chat with a goddess for so long was something to be admired.

Unless they were truly valued, how could a high and mighty goddess spend so much time talking with others?

Leia and Nia were surprised by this.

“Could there be a serious problem with Melika’s magic power surge?”

Leia speculated.

“Not necessarily.” Nia had a different opinion. “If it was just about Melika, Goddess Nadue wouldn’t have called that outsider in as well.”

Nia felt that Nadue must have more to discuss with them than just Melika’s situation.

“That’s true.” Leia agreed, but still said, “But what about that outsider attracted Goddess Nadue’s attention, making her descend to meet him?”

“Isn’t that obvious?” Nia retorted. “That outsider has such a close relationship with the Dragon Demon, and has Lilith, the evil god, by his side. Even the Beast Demon and the Ghost Demon are with him. Do you think Goddess Nadue could ignore him?”

“Of course, I know that outsider is special.” Leia sighed. “I mean, why are those great beings, the Dragon Demon, the Beast Demon, the Ghost Demon, and Lilith, so attracted to that human?”

“This…” Nia was speechless.

She also wanted to know the answer to this question.

Not only those great beings, but even the Kingdom’s treasure and the Black Dragon of Atlus had been attracted to this outsider.

Why were these figures so fond of a human man?

Many people wanted to know.

But so far, it was still a mystery.

This was why so many people were curious about Shien.

Sophie also spoke.

“Don’t underestimate that Earl Buztout.” Sophie shook her head. “He himself is a very powerful being. You should know this.”

Indeed, Leia and Nia had to admit this.

Shien was truly strong.

Not to mention anything else, just his magic power, that unfathomable magic power that made one’s heart tremble, had stunned Leia and Nia when they first met him.

As legendary elven archmages, not only did they possess the elves’ natural sensitivity to magic power, but they had also learned the [Magic Perception] skill. Therefore, they sensed Shien’s terrifying magic power the first time they met him.

That magic power far surpassed the limits of humans, even the limits of life itself, reaching an unbelievable level.

As two of the only three legendary magicians in the Elven Race, their own magic power was also quite strong, and if only considering the human race, their magic power could definitely rank among the top five.

Moreover, having constantly sensed Sophie’s magic power, the strongest among the elven royalty, Leia and Nia were no longer easily surprised by someone’s powerful magic power.

Or rather, under such circumstances, the birth of Lucy, a human whose magic power surpassed Sophie’s, had already surprised Leia and Nia.

As a result, when they first met Shien and sensed his terrifying magic power, if Sophie hadn’t been leading the way, Leia and Nia would have lost their composure.

This alone was enough to show how extraordinary Shien was.

Moreover, according to rumors, Earl Buztout had also accomplished many astonishing feats in the outside world, proving his strength.

Leia and Nia didn’t know exactly how strong this outsider was, but they wouldn’t underestimate him.

Otherwise, as legendary-level experts, they wouldn’t willingly attend to Shien, a visitor from another race, along with their Queen.

But there were simply too many powerful figures around Shien, and many renowned and terrifying great beings had gathered by his side, causing many to subconsciously ignore his own strength.

If Leia and Nia didn’t have the [Magic Perception] skill, they might also have subconsciously overlooked Shien’s own strength.

The fame and presence of those around Shien were simply too strong, overshadowing his own brilliance.

This was an interesting phenomenon.

“The important figures are paying attention to Earl Buztout himself, while only those of lower status are impressed by the people around him.”

Sophie pointed this out.

“Little do they know that in the end, those great beings are also gathered around Earl Buztout, with him as the center.”

This was the truly terrifying thing.

What did this mean?

It meant that there was something about Shien that made those powerful figures see him as an equal, even a central figure.

“Now, the descent of Goddess Nadue also proves this.”

Sophie’s voice reached Leia and Nia’s ears.

“Goddess Nadue isn’t here to see the Dragon Demon, nor the Beast Demon or the Ghost Demon, and not even Lilith, the evil god.”

“The person the Goddess wants to see is Earl Buztout.”

“Even Melika’s matter is probably just a secondary issue.”

Sophie’s words made Leia and Nia fall silent.

At this moment, they only had one question.

How did this outsider achieve all this?

And what was that ever-present aura of familiarity around him?

Leia and Nia became curious.

Sophie felt the same, but after a moment, she suppressed her curiosity.

Because Sophie didn’t want to be interested in Shien.

Once she became interested in a man from another race, she might not be able to resist approaching him.

And if she got too close to him, wouldn’t she also be attracted to him?

Just thinking about it made Sophie stop.

She quickly suppressed her thoughts.

This was something Sophie was very good at.

To avoid getting too close to men from other races and developing inappropriate feelings, for thousands of years, Sophie had been constantly controlling herself, maintaining her distance.

If it weren’t for this, Sophie wouldn’t have been able to maintain her composure for thousands of years, even in front of Heroes.

(I am elven royalty, the leader and guide of the Elven Race.)

(I have so many people to care for and protect. If I fall in love, lose myself, and become blinded by love, I might neglect them.)

(I can’t do that.)

Yes.

She couldn’t do that.

Because she couldn’t, and didn’t want to, bear the consequences.

(I shouldn’t think about that Earl of the Kingdom anymore.)

Sophie warned herself.

Even if she thought about it, what good would it do?

Even if she figured out the reason why he was so special, so what?

Would she gain anything from it?

No!

(We elves are secluded from the world. What does it matter how he is, or how special he is?)

With this thought, Sophie quickly regained her composure.

At this moment, Leia suddenly said,

“Your Majesty.” Leia hesitated for a moment, as if she had thought of something important, then whispered, “Do you think Melika might be blessed by Goddess Nadue?”

These words startled Sophie.

“Blessed…”

Sophie murmured.

She knew what Leia meant.

Leia was naturally referring to the power all elves dreamed of—the [Blessing of the Goddess of Nature].

“It’s possible.” Sophie’s eyes lit up. “Melika already possesses magic power comparable to royalty. Goddess Nadue might bestow her blessing upon her.”

If that happened, it would be a blessing for the Elven Race.

It had been a long time since a child blessed by the Goddess of Nature was born in the Elven Race.

This was undoubtedly a matter of great concern to the elves, who regarded the Goddess of Nature as their highest deity.

If Melika could be chosen by Goddess Nadue and become her blessed one, it would definitely be a cause for celebration for the entire Elven Race.

However, Nia, who was at the side, said,

“Is that possible?” Nia asked subconsciously. “Even Your Majesty didn’t receive Goddess Nadue’s blessing back then. Even if Melika has magic power comparable to royalty, it doesn’t mean she’ll be chosen by the Goddess, right?”

These words made Sophie’s eyes dim.

“Nia!”

Leia scolded.

“I-I’m sorry, Your Majesty!”

Nia finally reacted and hurriedly knelt down.

Not being able to receive the Goddess of Nature’s blessing was a lifelong regret for Sophie.

Originally, as royalty, Sophie had the chance to receive the Goddess of Nature’s blessing.

Unfortunately, at that time, the war between the Divine Race and the Demon Race was at its peak, and the Hero who appeared was being guided by the Goddess of Nature, causing her to miss Sophie’s blessing ceremony. She could only send one of her most trusted Superior Gods to bestow the blessing upon Sophie.

This wasn’t something glorious for Sophie, even shameful.

In the tens of thousands of years of the Elven Race’s history, including Sophie, only three royals had been born, and the previous two had received the blessing of the Goddess of Nature. Only she had missed the opportunity to become the goddess’s blessed one. This was undoubtedly a tragic event that would be recorded in history.

Now that peace had arrived, Sophie could imagine that future elven royalty wouldn’t miss the Goddess of Nature’s blessing.

This way, she became the only elven royal in history who wasn’t blessed by the Goddess of Nature.

How painful and regretful this was for Sophie was self-evident.

Of course, Nadue also knew about this.

In fact, Nadue had countless times wanted to bless Sophie and replace the blessing on her with her own.

Generally speaking, humans could only receive one goddess’s blessing, one chance for a divine blessing. Even if the Divine Race wanted to change it, they couldn’t.

But Lildas, the Goddess of Fate, as the closest existence to omnipotence, could use her power to erase the blessing on a human.

As long as she asked that strongest goddess for help, Nadue could bless Sophie again and make her her blessed one.

Initially, Nadue had this plan in mind, thinking that she could bestow her blessing upon Sophie later, which was why, during the intense war, when she also had to guide the Hero, she sent her most capable Superior God to temporarily bless Sophie.

Who would have thought that an accident would make this plan impossible?

Recalling that time, Sophie smiled wryly, her face filled with helplessness.

“Rise, Nia.” Sophie personally helped Nia up, shook her head at the tearful girl, and comforted her, “You’re right. I didn’t receive Goddess Nadue’s blessing. That’s a fact.”

“But…!” Nia wanted to say something, and even Leia wanted to speak, but Sophie stopped them.

“Facts are facts, no matter what.” Sophie said generously, “After thousands of years, I’ve already come to terms with it. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Hearing this, Leia and Nia lowered their heads, no longer speaking.

Sophie still had a smile on her face, but only she knew her true thoughts.

“Rumble…”

Suddenly, the temple gate boomed.

“They’re out.”

Sophie perked up, calling out to her two silent confidantes, and they looked towards the temple gate together.

The figure who entered the temple an hour ago emerged.

However, seeing that figure, Sophie and the others were stunned.

The reason was simple.

Only one person came out of the temple.