The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 826: “Don’t Get Cold Feet Now.”

At this moment, Shien was undoubtedly the center of attention. The leaders of the various human factions and renowned experts all lowered their heads before him, their eyes filled with fear, like subjects before a king.

They knew Shien was strong.

The incidents he caused in the Imperial Capital, the near destruction of the city and the palace, and the upheaval in the Empire’s political landscape, spoke for themselves.

Those present weren’t ordinary people. They had their own intelligence networks and had gathered information about Shien’s experiences in Omnipotence after his identity as the Hero was revealed.

However, the information they gathered was limited. The Kingdom concealed the fact that Shien defeated Aldia, and the events in the Ragna Empire’s capital were also partially concealed by the God Race and the Demon Race. Therefore, how many in the world truly knew the extent of Shien’s strength?

The Elves had witnessed Shien displaying Transcendent Level power, but as a reclusive race living in the Tegor Forest, this information wasn’t easily leaked.

The Beastmen priests knew about Shien withstanding the uncontrolled Lilith, but under Anima’s instructions, they also kept this information secret.

Shien’s subsequent displays of power all occurred in the Demon Realm, unknown to the Human Realm.

Therefore, the human factions only knew about Shien’s deeds before he entered the Inner Sanctum, obtained his second Unique Skill, and experienced his first major power boost. And what were his notable achievements before that?

Then there were the series of incidents he was involved in: the Galuoali rebellion, the destruction of Cosmos, the coup in the Ragna Empire, and so on.

And the downfall of several nobles who offended him, like Duke Strimm and Duke Lucica.

These events demonstrated Shien’s strength to a certain extent.

Compared to these, the fact that he was backed by the Dragon Demon and the strongest Evil God, who hadn’t appeared in thousands of years, was simply about his backing, not his personal strength. Therefore, although Shien was an extraordinary figure, people didn’t think he was far stronger than all other human experts.

Even as the Hero, having only been in Omnipotence for half a year, he shouldn’t be that strong. They had already overestimated him, but they still believed his level wasn’t that high, only possessing power comparable to Legendary experts due to his Unique Skill.

Even after he entered the Inner Sanctum and became stronger, wielding the Holy Sword, they only thought he might be comparable to a Limit Level expert, not that he had actually reached that level, let alone surpassed it.

After all, very few Heroes throughout history had reached that level, and Shien had only been in Omnipotence for less than a year. Even Mitra, the strongest Hero in history, only reached Limit Level at thirty, then achieved Transcendence through enlightenment in the Inner Sanctum, having been in Omnipotence for ten years. Therefore, who would believe that Shien could surpass Limit Level in less than a year?

Even with the highest estimation, it was still unbelievable.

Even Yuler, although optimistic about Shien, didn’t expect him to be this strong at this time.

In other words, the strength Shien displayed in the Human Realm wasn’t convincing enough.

That’s why this scene happened today.

“Let’s not waste each other’s time,” Shien declared calmly before everyone.

“I know you’re not here to visit me.”

“I also know who you truly want to see.”

“Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance.”

Saying this, he waved his hand, magic power surging out like a tangible wave, slashing across the Buztout residence’s gate.

“Bang!” A chasm appeared on the ground amidst the shattered debris, a scar on the earth. This scene shocked everyone again. Such destructive power just from releasing magic power?

Shien, ignoring their shock, withdrew his magic power.He learned this trick from Gray. Although he hadn’t mastered Gray’s technique of materializing [Magic Sword] into weapons, with his inhuman magic control, condensing magic power into a blade and releasing it wasn’t difficult.

Therefore…

“If you can cross this line within an hour, I’ll let you see Shafney,” Shien’s voice echoed throughout the plaza.

“Whether alone, as a group, or even using magic tools, it doesn’t matter.”

“You can use strategies as well, but don’t go too far. If you do something I dislike, I don’t know what I’ll do in retaliation.”

“Come on, show me your abilities,” Shien said, his tone finally turning sarcastic.

“Of course, don’t get cold feet now.”

His mocking words echoed in the ears of the experts and dignitaries.

They fell silent, anger building within them. At this point, there was no turning back. Diplomatic tactics and political maneuvering were useless here. Shien had given them a challenge they couldn’t avoid. Refusing would only make them a laughingstock.

After all, so many influential figures gathered here, if they backed down now, it would be a joke. As mentioned before, face, at a certain level, was directly tied to their interests.

Therefore, they couldn’t avoid this fight.

In that case…

“I’ll do it!” Meldo said, gritting his teeth, driven by frustration and anger, standing up forcefully.

Shien turned his gaze to him, not knowing this robed magician with a staff, or his background. In fact, besides Yuler, he didn’t know anyone here.

But this didn’t stop him. Even without knowing their identities, he knew that those who dared to come here weren’t ordinary. Moreover, with [Outer Awareness of Heaven’s Decree], he could see their level—”Lv. 97″—a top-tier Legendary Grand Magician, comparable to Nia and Leia of the Elven Race.

Just Legendary Level.

So, Shien simply beckoned Meldo with a finger, a gesture that, although not physically harmful, was incredibly insulting, making Meldo’s blood boil. He was a genius, becoming the strongest magician in Laraby in his thirties, even a renowned Legendary Grand Magician among humans, naturally possessing great pride.

Because of this, and his youthful arrogance, he even looked down on Josef, believing himself to be superior. In his eyes, Josef was just a has-been who hadn’t reached Limit Level in over twenty years. He must have reached his limit, unable to improve any further. But him? Meldo believed that given another ten years, he could definitely reach Limit Level.

At that time, he would be the strongest Grand Magician in the Human Race, even Demon Lord executives would have to respect him, and the higher Goddesses of the God Race would treat him with courtesy. After all, for a human to reach Limit Level was incredibly difficult.

Even the Demon Race only had three at this level, as did the God Race. Throughout human history, there were very few such experts. Otherwise, the ones who fought against the Beast Demon a thousand years ago wouldn’t have been the Thirteen Heroes, a group of top-tier Legendary-level experts. In other words, even back then, the Human Race didn’t have any Limit Level experts, let alone now.

In a sense, Limit Level experts were even rarer than Transcendent Level beings. If he could reach that level, Meldo felt that his life wouldn’t have been in vain.

Therefore, his pride was immense, and except for being slightly more restrained before Misji, whom he served, he even dared to claim he was more talented than Aldia Elvenbein, the strongest human, because at Meldo’s age, Aldia hadn’t achieved as much.

And now, he was being provoked.

“[Explosion Lance].”

Without hesitation, Meldo unleashed his signature magic.

Chapter 827: “Keep Cutting, Maybe You’ll Break the Skin?”

“Boom!”

As the searing flames exploded before the Buztout residence’s gate, the tense atmosphere in the plaza was replaced by a palpable killing intent.

Meldo mercilessly unleashed his [Explosion Lance] magic at Shien, the flames erupting like a fiery spear, engulfing the Buztout residence in a fiery red glow. The power of Advanced Fire Magic was on full display, even without a full incantation, its might turning the area before the gate into scorched earth.

Engulfed by these terrifying flames, Shien, however, stood firm, his figure unyielding amidst the flames, not even his clothes catching fire.

“Boom!” With a surge of magic power, Shien dispersed the surrounding flames, blowing them away.

“…” Meldo’s expression changed slightly, but he knew that a simple [Explosion Lance] couldn’t harm Shien. He was the Hero, possibly even having surpassed Legendary Level and reached Limit Level, or even touched upon that realm unattainable by ordinary beings.

Although Meldo was arrogant, he wasn’t foolish, not so blinded by anger as to forget how Shien suppressed everyone present with just his magic power. Therefore, he was prepared for his first attack to be ineffective.

“—Oh flames—” He began chanting, raising his staff.

“Weng!” The gem at the top of his staff shone brilliantly, even trembling.

“Meldo’s getting serious,” Misji said, having retreated some distance, looking at Meldo with a flickering gaze.

Josef also retreated to Misji’s side.

“I remember Meldo’s Unique Skill isn’t directly related to magic, but a rare ability that enhances the magic tools and weapons he uses, right?” he asked Misji.

“Yes,” Misji nodded, “His Unique Skill, [Magic Tool Mastery], can greatly enhance the power of the magic tools and weapons he uses, even amplifying the effects of potions, increasing their effectiveness by at least threefold.”

This was Meldo’s claim to fame. “A magician’s staff can already enhance magic power and reduce magic consumption, and with [Magic Tool Mastery]’s amplification, Meldo’s staff becomes incredibly powerful, greatly increasing the power of his magic, far surpassing that of magicians at the same level.”

Misji said this proudly.

“Because of his Unique Skill, Laraby, with all its resources, created a staff for him, the one he’s using now.”

“That staff is top-tier, even the Dwarven magic weapon masters said it’s a once-in-a-thousand-years treasure. Except for the Staff of Nature treasured by the God Race, there’s no better staff in all of Omnipotence. With such a staff, enhanced by [Magic Tool Mastery], I believe that in terms of pure power, not considering its effectiveness against demons, it’s already comparable to an ordinary Holy Sword. Its name is the Staff of Magic Guidance, a magic weapon tailor-made for our nation’s strongest magician.”

As Misji spoke, the light emanating from Meldo’s staff reached its peak.

“[Annihilation Dragon Flame],” Meldo chanted.

In the next second, scorching flames erupted, swirling around him like two fire dragons, rising upwards before turning and crashing down on Shien like fiery storms.

The high temperature scorched the air, making the surroundings incredibly hot. The fiery dragon flames, like roaring dragons, rushed towards Shien, intending to devour him.

“Tsk,” Yulin, who had flown into the air at some point, curled her lip disdainfully, watching this.

“This magic…” Shien stared at the roaring fire dragons, a thoughtful look on his face.

The magic Meldo used far surpassed High-Level magic. Its power, although not as great as his Celestial Magic, was still the strongest Fire Magic he had ever seen. Compared to Melika’s magic, it was like heaven and earth. Without any defenses, even a Limit Level expert would be severely injured by such magic.

Unfortunately…

“You’ve encountered me.” Shien didn’t draw his sword, but chanted,

“[Bestowal: Dispel].”

Vast magic power surged from him, transforming into invisible ripples that met the incoming fire dragons.

“Whoosh—!”

Like a gentle breeze, the roaring fire dragons were instantly dispelled, turning into sparks and vanishing.

“Not yet!” Meldo’s pupils constricted, and he shouted, raising his staff and continuously chanting, unleashing various powerful magic spells: Fire, Lightning, and Wind, all maxed out and far stronger than ordinary High-Level magic.

These spells were the result of decades of training for Meldo.

He unleashed them one after another, each capable of scorching the earth, freezing forests, and turning this area into scorched earth, a dazzling display of power.

However, facing these spells that could flatten the surrounding area and incinerate the entire noble district, Shien stood calmly, chanting a simple spell,

“[Bestowal: Dispel].”

The ripples of magic power instantly dispelled the powerful spells one after another, making them appear and disappear like mirages. If not for the lingering magic power in the air, those present might have thought it was all an illusion.

“How is this possible…!?” Meldo’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Not just Meldo, but even Misji, whose face had been filled with pride, lost his smile.

Shien, not having moved a single step, frowned.

“Is that all?” he asked bluntly, “I said, just cross this line. Stop standing there and bombarding me with magic, try running. You might actually cross the line.”

“You…!” Meldo’s face twisted in anger.

He wanted to incinerate the entire Buztout residence. But Shien stood there like an insurmountable mountain, his fluctuating magic power making him feel suffocated.

“I don’t believe it!” he shouted unwillingly, raising his staff and preparing to cast another spell.

However…

“It seems that’s all you’ve got. Let someone else try,” Shien said, as if losing his patience, then teleported, appearing before him.

“Bang!” With a muffled sound, Meldo’s abdomen was struck by a powerful knee.

“Ugh…!” he cried out in pain and collapsed.

“Meldo!” Misji, seeing this, finally lost his composure.

Beside him, Josef had already drawn his sword. Shien’s sudden appearance triggered his instincts, and a gentle breeze, like a protective aura, swirled around him, his clothes fluttering.

Shien looked at Josef.

“You’re next?” he asked with a smirk.

Josef didn’t reply, but suddenly charged forward like a gust of wind, his speed astonishing, the wind swirling around him, his aura intensifying.

The onlookers immediately recognized the ability he was using.

“There it is! Josef, the Wind Sword Saint’s Unique Skill—[Wind Spirit’s Embrace]!”

Twenty-five years ago, this was the ability that made him so famous.

It allowed him to attract and be enveloped by the wind’s magic power, greatly enhancing his agility and speed. This ability, awakened at birth, even earned him the blessing of Sylph, the Goddess of Wind, granting him her protection.

With the wind goddess’s protection and the power of [Wind Spirit’s Embrace], his speed was considered the fastest among humans, even surpassing older Legendary experts in his youth. Therefore, he created a unique sword technique that complemented his speed, becoming known as the fastest swordsman and earning the title of Wind Sword Saint.

After twenty-five years of seclusion, this legendary swordsman finally revealed his skills again.

His figure, riding the wind, reached Shien in the blink of an eye.

“Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh…!” In the next second, countless sharp winds slashed at Shien.

No, it wasn’t wind.

It was sword light.

One after another, too fast to see, forming a storm of blades.

Countless sword lights struck Shien.

“Clang, clang, clang…!” The sound of metal clashing, sparks flying.

“What…!?” Josef was shocked.

He saw Shien’s smirking face.

“Keep cutting, maybe you’ll break the skin?”

As his words fell, a fist approached Josef’s face.