The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 811: “How Fast Are We Talking?”

Having reached this point, everything seemed to fall into place. The atmosphere between Shien and Ancil was no longer as tense, becoming more relaxed.

But before Shien could excuse himself, Ancil remembered something.

“By the way, it’s time to raise your rank,” he suddenly said.

“Raise my rank?” Shien asked, surprised.

“Now?” Even Lucy and Lia were startled.

This shouldn’t be happening. Shien had only been a noble for about half a year. In that time, he was first granted the title of Viscount, skipping the lowest rank of Baron, then promoted to Earl due to his engagement with Lucy, becoming a high-ranking noble.

This promotion speed was astonishing. Normally, it would take at least a hundred years of contribution to the Kingdom to become a high-ranking noble. Shien achieved this in just half a year, and if not for his own achievements and extraordinary strength, it would have caused dissent and dissatisfaction.

Even so, Ancil originally planned to promote him to Marquis, a rank second only to Duke, after his marriage to Lucy. In other words, based on the original plan, Shien should wait a few more years.

Now, however, Ancil was bringing the plan forward.

There was no helping it.

“You’re the Hero, and everyone in Omnipotence knows this. If we don’t raise your rank, not only will foreign powers be tempted to poach you, but even the people of the Kingdom will feel uneasy,” Ancil said, sighing helplessly.

This was a problem the Kingdom was facing.

Lia also said thoughtfully,

“Indeed, many have visited the Buztout residence recently, especially dignitaries from foreign countries and races, far more than those from our own country.”

Among so many visitors, it was impossible that none had any intention of poaching him. They would definitely be tempted by his strength, potential, and backing.

And their primary target was obvious.

“I see,” Lucy murmured, “A mere Earl, it’s indeed difficult to keep a Hero.”

Those foreign powers would definitely use this to entice Shien, saying that with his abilities, staying in the Kingdom as a mere Earl was a waste of his talent. Not just foreign powers, but even those within the Kingdom would worry that Shien might abandon them due to his low rank.

“Such voices are still few, only appearing among the Kingdom’s higher-ups, but if not addressed, it might become a problem,” Ancil said.

“Therefore, I want to promote you to Marquis now.”

This was the highest rank attainable by non-royals.

The highest rank, Duke, was reserved for those related to the royal family, and Marquis was the highest rank for others.

Among these nobles were even some whose power and influence rivaled that of Dukes, like the Elvenbein and Lazareth families, both Marquis families that even Dukes wouldn’t dare offend easily. Using this rank to keep the Hero was a reasonable offer.

Of course, this wouldn’t be Shien’s final rank.

“Now that I think about it, with your and Lucy’s situation, you’ll likely merge your titles after marriage, becoming a ducal family. Promoting you to Marquis then would be meaningless,” Ancil said helplessly, “Therefore, while your reputation is at its peak, making you a Marquis now is a good choice.”

After Shien and Lucy married and their families merged, Shien would most likely become the head of the ducal family, unless Lucy wanted to compete with him. But would she? She just wanted a carefree life, doing nothing all day! Although Ancil didn’t fully understand his daughter’s nature, he knew she wasn’t power-hungry.

After marriage, the position of family head would most likely fall to Shien.

At that time, Shien would be a Duke, having married a princess, and with Lia, his older sister-in-law, becoming Queen, he would practically control the Kingdom. Such power and influence would befit his status as the Hero, and no one would think he would abandon the Kingdom because of his low rank.

Ancil wanted to give Shien a promising future, letting him know that the future of the Kingdom was his. Clearly, he was still worried about Shien being poached.

“Alright,” Shien said, seeing through his concerns and not refusing.

He wasn’t particularly attached to his noble title, seeing it only as a place in this world, a place to belong. If he truly desired power, the Buztout family would have risen long ago.

He didn’t need others to offer him a title. But since it was offered, he would accept it.

This way, if he suddenly felt like playing a strategy game in this other world, he could use this as a starting point to conquer the world. As for whether the title of a Kingdom noble was worthy of him with his current status and backing,

Shien didn’t consider this for now.

Otherwise, what else could he do?

Establish his own country and become king?

It wasn’t impossible, but it seemed too troublesome.

It was better to be a carefree noble, leaving the troublesome matters to others, while he enjoyed life at home, teasing his wives and exploring new “positions.”

“Your wedding with Lucy should also be brought forward, the sooner the better,” Ancil said after some hesitation, finally voicing his plan.

This made Lucy perk up.

Now she was interested!

“The wedding date also needs to be brought forward?” Lia asked, feigning surprise.

“What else?” Ancil said, annoyed, “I don’t want any more complications.”

Shien was now a valuable asset, coveted by all. If they didn’t have him and Lucy marry soon, who knew what other troublesome engagements might appear? If that happened, things would become even more complicated.

Lucy strongly agreed with this. “It should be soon,” she said, her cold and aloof demeanor hinting strongly at her eagerness, practically declaring that she was ready to be Shien’s.

Shien, however…

“How fast are we talking?” he asked, as if caught off guard, his expression like that of a man not ready for marriage, almost as if he was about to be dragged to his grave, making Lucy, Ancil, and even Lia want to beat him up.

“As fast as possible!” Ancil even said forcefully, “Do you have any objections?”

“Do you?” Lia glared at him.

“…” Lucy didn’t say anything, just gave him a death stare.

Shien gave in.

“Fine, you decide on a date, and I’ll inform the Demon Race,” he said, resigned.

Seeing his reluctant expression, the royals couldn’t help but roll their eyes. If they could beat him up, they would have.

“I’ll personally discuss the wedding date with Sara after the three-race meeting,” Ancil said after some thought, “The meeting is approaching, and you’ll all have to attend. Prepare yourselves and don’t embarrass us.”

Hearing this, Lucy and Lia nodded firmly.

As the successor to the Goddess of Fate and Hero Mitra, and the future Queen of the Kingdom, respectively, they naturally had to attend the three-race meeting, both logically and emotionally. Even just showing their faces there would be beneficial. After all, it was a meeting of all the important figures in Omnipotence. Making an appearance and leaving a good impression was already a gain.

Their conversation ended here.

Seeing this, Aldia stepped forward.

“I know I’m probably still no match for you,” he said, looking directly at Shien, his eyes burning with fighting spirit, “But I still want to challenge you again.”

His words made everyone present change their expressions slightly.

“Commander!” Charl, who had been silent, couldn’t help but cry out.

“Aldia!” Ancil also called out.

“Teacher…” Lucy frowned.

“Lord Elvenbein?” Lia was at a loss.

No one expected Aldia to suddenly issue a challenge.

Even Shien was startled.

But after a moment, he shook his head.

“I’m not the one you should be fighting,” he said.

“Not you?” Aldia frowned, “Then who?”

Shien looked at him, then said a name that made everyone’s expressions change drastically.

Chapter 812: A Family of Simps

Shien, Lucy, Lia, and Charl left the King’s bedchamber.

Ancil and Aldia watched them leave, their expressions different.

Ancil looked worried.

Aldia’s expression remained unchanged, only a slight flicker in his eyes betraying his inner thoughts.

“Is this really alright?” Ancil finally asked, unable to hold back, “You know that child is no match for you, right?” Recalling the name Shien mentioned, the person who would fight Aldia, he found it absurd. He hadn’t expected it to be that person. And Aldia actually agreed.

Aldia, however, was serious.

“Although our relationship isn’t very good, I still understand my daughter’s personality,” he said indifferently, “She’s not reckless or impulsive. Since she dared to challenge me through Earl Buztout, she must have some means of defeating me.”

These words stunned Ancil. He couldn’t believe his ears. “You’re saying that child is confident in defeating you?” he asked, his face filled with disbelief.

“That’s what I think,” Aldia said calmly, “A while ago, that girl went to the Empire alone and caused quite a commotion. She must have gained something significant.”

What kind of significant gain could make a sixteen-year-old girl below level eighty confident in defeating a top-tier Legendary expert at level ninety-nine?

Ancil thought for a moment, then a possibility came to mind.

“Could she have…?” he said, surprised.

Not just Ancil, but Aldia also seemed to have a guess, his eyes flickering.

Then he murmured,

“Let me see how strong you’ve become.”

Thinking of this, he tightened his grip on the sword in his arms, his aura fluctuating.

…

Meanwhile, as Shien and the others left the King’s bedchamber, Lucy couldn’t help but ask,

“Is that child really planning to challenge Teacher?” The brilliant gold in her eyes had faded, replaced by their original wine-red color, filled with worry.

“That’s too reckless,” Lia also said, clearly not optimistic about the challenger’s chances.

“The Commander is the strongest human. Although that girl’s talent and potential are second only to Princess Lucy, she’s still so young, not even level eighty, let alone Legendary Level. How could she possibly defeat the Commander?”

Even Charl, who had been silently observing, was shocked.

Everyone present thought the challenger’s chances of winning were incredibly slim.

Especially Lucy.

“Even I, without using my power, would have to unseal the Holy Sword to have a chance against Teacher, and even then, it’s not a guaranteed victory. Only by using my power can I definitely defeat him. That child doesn’t have the Holy Sword, nor does she have the power of a goddess like me. How can she possibly defeat Teacher?”

Lucy’s worry was evident. She had always been concerned about her childhood friend, repeatedly asking Shien to look after her. Now, for her to issue such a challenge, how could she not be worried?

Of course, if it were just a simple challenge, it wouldn’t matter. With Aldia’s strength, defeating that child while holding back wouldn’t be difficult. Even he wouldn’t use his full power against his own daughter.

The problem was, he might be forced to. If that child was truly desperate, she would definitely use that forbidden power. Lucy didn’t even dare to imagine the consequences.

“No, I have to convince Teacher to cancel this challenge,” she said, her worry overwhelming her.

“Stop it, don’t cause more trouble,” Shien said, stopping her.

“Aren’t you worried at all?” Lucy asked, turning to Shien, blaming him instead.

“I’m more worried that if she fails, she might do something drastic,” he replied casually.

His words made Lucy speechless. Knowing that child, if everyone tried to stop her from challenging Aldia, she might become even more reckless. That child was calm, independent, strong-willed, and incredibly stubborn. Trying to stop her might only make things worse.

“That girl…” Lia also seemed to understand this, a headache forming. Charl looked at them distrustfully, as if they were talking about someone seeking death.

“Is there really no other way?” Lucy asked, unwilling to accept this. She didn’t want anything to happen to her childhood friend.

“Don’t worry,” Shien said, holding Lucy’s hand tightly, “At worst, Yulin, Lilith, and I will be there with you, watching. If anything happens, we can intervene and prevent the worst-case scenario.”

“Yulin and Goddess Lilith?” Lucy was startled, then slightly relieved.

“That’s for the best,” Lia’s eyes also lit up, “With the four of you there, there shouldn’t be any major problems.” Although her understanding of their strength wasn’t comprehensive, she knew that Shien, who had already defeated Aldia before and was even stronger now, with his Holy Sword, could easily stop him.

And Lucy, the successor to the Goddess of Fate, even without using her power, was no weaker than Aldia. With her power, she could definitely suppress him.

As for Yulin’s current level, Lia wasn’t sure, but she was already a renowned Legendary Demon King of monsters, and now, having transformed into a human, she would be even stronger, possibly even surpassing Aldia. Coupled with Lilith, the strongest Evil God, rumored to be able to rival Demon Lords…

Lia suddenly realized that this combination was incredibly powerful.

Aldia was the strongest human, and these four were either his equal or even stronger. Together, they were practically invincible.

Moreover, their relationships were also unusual. Shien and Lucy were engaged, destined to be together. Yulin was Shien’s tamed mount, loyal to him and likely to stay by his side forever. Lilith, as a goddess, should be distant from ordinary people, but this innocent Evil God was practically attached to Shien, and Lia couldn’t imagine her ever leaving him.

This “family,” together, and with Airi, the Dragon Demon, joining them later… Lia shuddered. This was a group of incredibly powerful individuals. It seemed that if she became Queen, this family would be her greatest support.

Thinking of this, she felt a sense of relief. Charl, beside her, also seemed to understand her feelings, looking at Shien and Lucy with awe, as if they were deities.

To Charl, Aldia was the unrivaled strongest knight, the pillar of the Kingdom, admired by all knights.

Now, it seemed this family was the true powerhouse, the future rulers of the Kingdom, even the Human Race.

…Should she also get closer to these two? she wondered.

Thus, they decided on how to handle this matter.

“Inform me immediately when that child enters the palace,” Lucy instructed Shien.

“Understood,” Shien naturally agreed. This was his plan as well.

Although he was confident in controlling the situation alone, it was better to take precautions.

After all, this concerned his “little wife’s” safety.

If the Demon Lords were here, he would even bring all six of them. And the three goddesses… no, forget about them. Sensing potential chaos, Shien decisively abandoned the three troublemakers.

…

“Achoo!”

“Achoo!”

“Achoo!”

In a room in the Supreme Castle of the Demon Realm, the three goddesses, suppressed by an unknown force, sneezed one after another.

“W-What’s happening?”

“Suddenly sneezing…”

“I feel like someone’s talking about us behind our backs!”

The three idiot goddesses looked at each other, then collapsed weakly.

“Hey, Verdande, Skuld, when can we leave this place?”

“Didn’t that hateful Moon Demon say she’ll take us back… I mean, return us… during the three-race meeting?”

“I’m not merchandise!”

The three goddesses complained as usual.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t escape.

…

At the same time, on a street in the Royal Capital, a strange scene unfolded.

“—”

All the men and women on the street, as if seeing something unbelievable, were frozen in place, unable to move.

The once bustling street was now eerily silent, only footsteps echoing.

“Heh heh.” A seductive laugh echoed, captivating countless people, their minds lost in a daze.