The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 536: Should I Sneak a Peek at Him?

“Don’t you want to become stronger?”

“Don’t you want to be more outstanding, worthy of staying by your beloved’s side?”

When Nadue said these words, Melika knew she couldn’t refuse this invitation. She was acutely aware of how extraordinary and special Shien was. Compared to him, she was just an ordinary elf. To stay by his side, she had to become extraordinary herself.

“I won’t say that becoming my blessed one will make you worthy of your beloved,” Nadue continued, ignoring Shien’s protesting gaze, “but I promise to train and guide you, making you more outstanding. Then, one day, you might be able to stand by his side and help him.”

“His future won’t be peaceful. He might even be caught in dangerous conspiracies. Do you want to help him, or watch from afar, waiting for him at home? Think carefully, my child.”

Nadue’s words hit home. The panic in Melika’s face vanished, replaced by unease and determination.

…

“Melika agreed.” Outside the temple, Shien informed Sophie, Leia, and Nia.

“…Is that so?” Sophie was silent for a moment, a mixture of surprise and disappointment on her face, then she smiled. “Good! The Elven Race will finally have another blessed one of the Goddess of Nature! Wonderful!”

Sophie was sincerely happy for Melika and the Elven Race.

Leia and Nia, however, had mixed feelings. “So, Melika has become Goddess Nadue’s blessed one…” “Indeed…” they murmured, seemingly regretful and sad.

Shien glanced at the three elves, then looked at Sophie. He remembered Nadue mentioning that something had happened to this Elven Queen, preventing her from being blessed by the Goddess of Nature. For Sophie, Melika becoming the goddess’s blessed one must be significant.

But Shien wasn’t interested in Sophie’s story. He had enough problems of his own.

“Since Melika has already received a blessing from another goddess, the Goddess of Nature can’t bless her again. But according to her, if we go to the Divine Realm, we can ask a certain goddess to remove Melika’s current blessing. So, the Goddess of Nature took Melika to the Divine Realm, firstly to ask that goddess for help, and secondly to explain the situation to the goddess who originally blessed Melika.”

Taking someone else’s blessed one could be a big deal, even a conflict comparable to killing one’s father. Someone like Lildas, who treated her blessed ones like her own daughters, would definitely fight to the death if someone tried to take them away. Within the Divine Race, goddesses often clashed over outstanding blessed ones. Therefore, removing a blessing wasn’t a small matter.

But it could also be a minor issue. This emphasis on blessed ones was more pronounced among higher-ranking gods. Lower-ranking gods, whose blessed ones were numerous, mostly ordinary humans, didn’t care as much. They wouldn’t refuse a request from a Superior God or one of the Three Goddesses.

Coincidentally, Melika was originally blessed by a lower-ranking god under Nadue, who wouldn’t refuse to transfer Melika. But Nadue still had to explain the situation and thank the goddess who had blessed Melika for many years. Also, since she needed someone to remove Melika’s current blessing, Nadue decided to take Melika to the Divine Realm and offer her some help.

“Melika’s magic power is surging too rapidly. If we don’t do anything, she might lose control.” Nadue had said this and planned to help Melika learn the [Magic Manipulation] skill to control her magic power. “With my help and the blessing’s protection, it shouldn’t be difficult for Melika to master the [Magic Manipulation] skill.”

Nalue said she would try to bring Melika back before the Peace Festival. By then, Melika would be the Goddess of Nature’s blessed one, her status rising within the Elven Race, second only to the Queen.

“That’s the situation.” Shien explained. “Melika is fine, even doing very well. If all goes well, she’ll be back before the Peace Festival. You don’t have to worry too much.”

“In that case, we look forward to Melika’s return.” Sophie said, and the matter was considered settled.

Shien had learned some secrets, and Melika had become the Goddess of Nature’s blessed one, taken to the Divine Realm for a transformation.

This news quickly spread among the elves.

Soon, everyone in the Elven Homeland knew two things:

These two, one a wary outsider, the other an unremarkable elf, their statuses within the Elven Homeland were destined to change drastically.

…

The Elven Homeland was bustling, even at night, the elves excitedly discussing the news.

Carol, patrolling the streets with the Elven Corps, was repeatedly stopped.

“Carol, was that outsider really accepted by the Goddess of Nature?”

“Is he truly trustworthy?”

“Just like the Hero from a thousand years ago?”

“Do… do we still need to be wary of him?”

These questions from the elves troubled Carol. She wanted to say, “That man is dangerous. You should remain vigilant.” Otherwise, these naive elves might be charmed by his affinity with nature. But since the Goddess of Nature had accepted him, saying that would be questioning the goddess.

Carol could only say sullenly, “Perhaps.” Then she left with the Elven Corps, not wanting to see their reactions.

But she couldn’t ignore the reactions of her own companions.

“He actually gained the approval of Goddess Nadue.”

“I heard he chatted with her in the temple for over an hour.”

“There must be something special about him.”

“That nature-loving aura might be related to Goddess Nadue.”

“Should we sneak a peek at him?”

“We didn’t dare to approach him before.”

“This is our chance to uncover his secrets.”

“I’m in.”

The magicians of the Elven Corps seemed very interested in Shien. His acceptance by the Goddess of Nature made them subconsciously lower their guard.

This made Carol uneasy. She felt like she was watching the people around her walk towards a dangerous path. If more and more elves became interested in that outsider, the situation would become even more dangerous. “No! I have to do something!” Carol thought.

…

Meanwhile, another elf, like Carol, was deep in thought.

It was Jenom.

“Melika is going to become Goddess Nadue’s blessed one…?”

Jenom was carrying bricks, her expression dazed, like a mindless machine, still unable to believe it.

She didn’t know whether to be happy or sad.

Logically, she should be happy for Melika, her childhood friend.

But in Jenom’s eyes, Melika was still the weak, timid, and easily scared little girl who always needed her protection.

Now, this childhood friend had suddenly become the blessed one of the Goddess of Nature. Jenom was shocked and confused.

Since hearing the news, these thoughts kept echoing in her mind:

“Why would Melika become Goddess Nadue’s blessed one?”

“Isn’t she weaker than me?”

“How did she do it?”

“Is this even real?”

These thoughts made Jenom feel lost before she could even feel happy for Melika.

She felt like she had been left behind.

“It’s only been two years. How did you suddenly become such a stranger, Melika…”

Jenom continued her work, repairing the street she had damaged, looking lost and helpless.

…

Shien didn’t know what was happening in the Elven Homeland.

After leaving the temple, he returned to the treehouse.

Lucy and the others hadn’t returned yet, probably still exploring.

Airi was also still asleep.

But Lid was awake, drinking tea in the living room.

“You’re back?”

The fluffy little beast held a teacup and sipped leisurely.

The sight was both bizarre and amusing.

Fortunately, Shien wasn’t in the mood to tease her. He had something to say.

“I know where the ones who performed the Demonic Refining Ritual in the Tegor Forest are.”

Shien said this abruptly.

Lid froze, a menacing glint in its eyes.