The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 697: “What Kind of Tonic Do You Want?”

After about ten minutes, Shien finished washing up and left his room.

Upon exiting, he was immediately confronted by someone.

“…” Liel glared at him fiercely, as if wanting to kill him with her stare, a menacing aura emanating from her.

This wasn’t the first time Shien had seen this.

“Are you looking for another fight?” he asked, his face falling, understanding Liel’s intention. This had been happening for the past few days. This Stone Woman Clan Chief seemed to have nothing better to do than challenge him every day.

However, today, she seemed even more irritable than usual.

“Let’s go,” Liel said, not even bothering with pleasantries.

But Shien wouldn’t indulge her.

“Not today,” he said, annoyed, rubbing his sore back and making a pained face, “I’m not in the mood. I’m not fighting you.”

Liel thought he was making excuses.

But seeing his pained expression, which didn’t seem fake, she hesitated.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” Shien said, looking confused, “I just feel tired, like I’ve been working all night, a bit overexerted.”

“…Really?” Liel frowned, staring at him intently, “Are you sure you’re not just making excuses to avoid fighting?”

“Is that necessary?” Shien rolled his eyes, “If I really didn’t want to fight you, I could just teleport away. Why would I pretend to be sick?”

This seemed to convince Liel. Seeing that Shien wasn’t faking it, although unwilling, she wasn’t interested in fighting him when he wasn’t in top condition.

“You humans are so fragile, always getting sick,” Liel complained, “There are no healers or healing potions for illnesses in the Demon Realm. Your situation is quite troublesome.”

Restoration and Divine Magic were developed by the God Race, only learnable by them and the Temple clergy. No demons could learn such magic.

Healing potions for illnesses were also rare because demons were generally strong and rarely got sick. There were, however, plenty of healing potions for injuries and for dispelling curses and negative status effects. These were popular items for the constantly warring Demon Race.

But healing illnesses was difficult.

Fortunately, Shien shook his head.

“I don’t think I’m sick, just a bit overexerted,” he said, glancing at Liel, “After all, I’ve been challenged to over a hundred fights in the past few days. It’s not surprising that I’m feeling a bit worn out.”

Liel, instead of being ashamed, blamed him.

“Who told you to be so stubborn and not just let yourself be defeated?” she retorted.

Shien wanted to retort, So it’s my fault for not letting myself be defeated? Why don’t you just say it’s my fault for being alive?

As he thought this, Liel paused, then said seriously,

“As long as you’re not sick, that’s good.”

“Heh.” Shien rolled his eyes again, then rubbed his lower back and suddenly said, “Why don’t you find me something to replenish my energy?”

“Replenish your energy?” Liel was taken aback, but didn’t refuse, “What kind of tonic do you want?”

“Anything is fine,” Shien wasn’t picky, “Like goji berries or oysters, I’m fine with anything.”

This made Liel confused.

“Goji berries? Oysters?” What were those? Rare treasures?

Clearly, such things didn’t exist in this world.

And at this moment, Shien also realized something.

“Why did I ask for goji berries and oysters?” He wondered.

He must have subconsciously brought something over from his previous life. Did he even know what he needed to replenish? He hadn’t been overexerting himself in that aspect, having been alone every night.

Moreover, he was in his prime, and even during his passionate encounters with Lucy, Diere, and Melika, he’d never felt this drained before. He didn’t need any tonics.

Could it be… was there something wrong with his body?

Shien started to worry. This concerned his future happiness. What would happen to his wives if there was really something wrong?

Not to mention, he was about to marry a legal loli, a legal loli with great ambition, he couldn’t have problems at this time.

(It seems I need to find some tonics and take good care of my back.) Shien silently made up his mind.

“Goji berries…? Oysters…?” Liel was still pondering these unknown “treasures.”

Seeing this, Shien quickly brought her back to the present.

“Forget it, I’ll find them myself,” he said, changing the subject, “I’m going to see Shafney now. Are you coming?”

“See Master Shafney?” Liel’s confusion vanished, replaced by a wary look as she glared at Shien, “What are you going to do?”

“What can I do?” Shien said impatiently, “I just have something to ask her.”

“What is it?” Liel pressed.

“Why are you so nosy?” Shien was speechless, “Just tell me whether you’re coming or not.”

“I’m coming!” Liel replied immediately.

After last night’s unexpected incident, the Succubus was unprecedentedly interested in this Hero. How could she let them be alone? Who knew what would happen? She had to keep an eye on them!

“Then let’s go.”

Ignoring Liel’s thoughts, Shien walked forward.

Liel immediately followed. She wouldn’t allow her master to be taken advantage of by a man. Absolutely not!

…

Succubus Fortress, Top Floor, Shafney’s Room.

When they arrived, before Shien could even knock, Liel stepped forward.

“I’ll do it,” she said, not giving Shien a chance to knock, her attitude clearly possessive, making Shien roll his eyes.

Liel ignored him and gently knocked on the door.

“Master Shafney, are you awake?” Her voice was softer than usual, making Shien’s lips twitch.

Shafney’s voice came from inside,

“What is it?” Her voice was still pleasant and captivating, but also carried a hint of fatigue.

“Master Shafney?” Liel noticed this, finding it strange.

But Shafney’s voice came again,

“Don’t disturb me today. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Her listless voice, for some reason, had a seductive quality, as if the beauty inside had suddenly become more mature and alluring.

Shien felt a shiver run down his spine and cursed inwardly.

Even Liel’s face flushed slightly, her eyes moistening, and her voice becoming even softer.

“Since Master Shafney has said so, then I naturally wouldn’t dare to disturb you, but…”

Before she could finish, Shafney’s voice came again,

“Liel, I’m really not in the mood to deal with anything today. I’m a bit tired. No matter who it is, don’t disturb me.”

This time, Shafney’s voice was filled with impatience, which was rare.

Usually, she would either completely ignore others or face them with a smile. When would she show such blatant impatience?

Liel found it strange, but didn’t dare to say anything more.

However, Shien wasn’t so obedient. Seeing Liel back down, he said directly,

“I have something to discuss with you, Shafney.”

As his voice reached the room, Shafney’s voice stopped abruptly.

An indescribable silence filled the air, making Shien and Liel look at each other.

Finding it strange, Shien spoke again,

“I’m coming in.”

Immediately, Shafney’s voice came from inside,

“Don’t come in!”

Her voice was urgent and panicked, as if she had lost her composure, having suffered an unexpected blow, sounding almost desperate.

Then, a series of crashing sounds came from the room, as if Shafney had fallen out of bed and bumped into something.

“This…” Shien and Liel exchanged glances again, both finding the situation strange.

After a while, Shafney’s voice, feigning composure, came from inside,

“Alright, come in.”

Hearing this, Shien and Liel were silent for a moment, then Shien gestured with his eyes, and Liel, mustering her courage, pushed open the door, revealing the scene inside.

Chapter 698: A Debt That Can Never Be Repaid

By now, Shafney was awake.

Sitting before a mirror, she looked at Shien and Liel entering through the door and said,

“What’s the matter?”

Her tone was calm, a stark contrast to her previous demeanor.

“Master Shafney,” Liel immediately bowed.

Shien looked around the room. It was the same as before, tidy and organized, as if the earlier commotion had been an illusion.

However, he noticed Shafney’s unusual calmness. For the past few days, she had been clingy and playful, constantly teasing him. But today, she was calm, not even turning around, only looking at them through the mirror.

Shafney’s state was also unusual.

First, her breathing and heartbeat were rapid, easily detectable by Shien’s [Outer Awareness of Heaven’s Decree].

Second, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes moist and alluring, as if she was aroused.

Finally, compared to yesterday, she seemed like a completely different person, although there was a hint of fatigue in her eyes, her face was radiant, even more beautiful and seductive than before.

Liel, noticing Shafney’s state, let out a soft, uneasy gasp, making even Shien want to distance himself from her.

However, what surprised Shien the most was that he could now resist the Succubus’s charm. He had almost lost control several times before, but now, despite her increased beauty, he wasn’t captivated, feeling a strange sense of pride and accomplishment, as if he had done something momentous or created a masterpiece.

(Did I really develop a resistance to her charm?) He wondered, staring intently at Shafney to confirm his theory.

Then, he was certain.

(I seem to be immune to her charm now.)

He was surprised.

Shafney, noticing his intense gaze, blushed.

After a while, she couldn’t help but ask,

“What? Never seen this before?” Her tone was unfriendly, making Shien quickly avert his gaze, feeling even more confused.

(Did this woman eat gunpowder today?) He couldn’t understand her behavior. A woman’s heart was truly unfathomable.

Shien didn’t know that Shafney, looking at him through the mirror, also had an increasingly complex expression, a mix of resentment, shyness, sadness, and anger, finally settling into deep helplessness.

Recalling last night’s events, Shafney felt both embarrassed and angry, but mostly confused and uncertain.

She had undoubtedly suffered a great loss.

However, what she saw and experienced after entering Shien’s dream last night was deeply etched in her heart.

She wanted to ask, but after careful consideration, she remained silent. This matter was too important, even more so than the unrest caused by the Hero’s reappearance and its impact on the relationship between the three races. She needed to confirm it first. Before that, it was better not to say anything.

As for her and this man…

“What are you doing here?” Shafney asked, her tone a mix of confusion and sulking, perhaps unconsciously laced with resentment.

“Master Shafney?” Liel blinked, puzzled.

“Uh…” Shien was also confused, but hearing the resentment in Shafney’s voice, he felt a strange sense of guilt.

(What’s going on?) He shook his head, dismissing this strange feeling. Today was just too weird and confusing. He suppressed his thoughts and focused on the matter at hand.

However, before discussing the matter, he still had some questions.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, “You seem different today.”

Only Shien would dare to say this so directly to the Succubus, whose beauty was unparalleled.

Normally, Shafney would find this amusing.

But today, her tone and expression were filled with resentment.

“And you think you’re normal today?” she asked, her tone slightly sarcastic.

“…I do feel a bit strange myself,” Shien said, looking at Shafney, “Do you know why?”

“Heh heh,” Shafney chuckled. It wasn’t her usual seductive laugh, but a sarcastic chuckle, like Shien’s.

This unusual behavior made Shien uncertain.

Could it be… something really did happen…?

He began to suspect.

But at this moment, Shafney sighed.

“Forget it, ultimately, this is my own fault. What’s the point of blaming you?”

Shafney seemed to have adjusted her mood, finally turning around and looking at Shien and Liel.

Now, facing them directly, her beauty, even greater than yesterday’s, was even more apparent, making Liel gasp.

“Strange…” Shien felt that although Shafney was beautiful, she no longer had the same captivating power over him, as if he already possessed this beauty…

“Tell me,” Shafney said, interrupting his thoughts, “Why are you here?”

Hearing this, Shien could only state his purpose.

Learning that he came to request a residence permit in Succubus City for the Shajin Clan, Shafney simply waved her hand dismissively.

“Just have Liel issue the order in my name.” She didn’t seem to care, even looking a bit dumbfounded, as if thinking, “You came all the way here for this?”

Shien chuckled awkwardly and said, “The Shajin Clan is a small and weak tribe. Granting them residence, I’m worried it might cause dissatisfaction and unnecessary trouble for you.”

Others would go to great lengths to gain connections and recommendations from powerful tribes in Succubus City, or develop their own strength, before meeting the requirements for settlement. The Shajin Clan, however, was granted residence just because of Shien’s words. It was natural for him to worry about the consequences.

However, his worry was unnecessary.

“Not just Succubus City, but the entire Succubus Territory belongs to Master Shafney,” Liel said to Shien coldly, “She can decide who stays and who leaves. Who dares to object?”

So, this was just a trivial matter for Shafney.

“The reason I only granted two tribes residence in the past thousand years isn’t because of anything else, but simply because I’m not interested in most people,” Shafney said, sounding bored.

“I allowed the Stone Woman Clan to settle in Succubus City because Liel has been serving me since long ago, she’s my closest executive.”

“I allowed the Rock Giant Clan to settle in Succubus City because they declined after fighting for the Demon Race and sacrificing greatly.”

“As for other tribes, I don’t care, and I’m not interested in them.”

“If you want that Shajin Clan to settle here, then let them be.” Shafney made this decision casually, seemingly truly unconcerned.

“Alright,” Shien nodded, “Then I owe you a favor. I’ll repay you if I have the chance.”

Shafney, however, snorted.

“You’ll never be able to repay the debt you owe me. Don’t even think about it,” she said, her tone filled with resentment.

“…” Shien’s lips twitched, speechless. He should retort. He didn’t owe Shafney anything.

Even scammers wouldn’t play this game.

But he couldn’t refute her. He felt that her words weren’t entirely wrong.

(This is ridiculous…) Shien cursed inwardly.

At this time, Shafney began to dismiss them.

“Alright, we’re done talking. You can leave now. I want to rest,” she said, waving her hand lazily.

“Then we’ll take our leave, Master Shafney,” Liel said, looking at Shafney reluctantly, then respectfully left the room.

Shien also wanted to leave. Today felt strange and ominous, and he needed to think things through.

However, before leaving, he said,

“Have a good rest.”

These words stunned Shafney, then her expression softened slightly.

Shien turned and left.

Shafney watched his retreating figure, lost in thought.