The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 832: Old Acquaintances

News of that day’s events quickly spread throughout the Royal Capital and even the entire Human Realm. Learning that numerous dignitaries had come to visit, only to be turned away and return dejectedly, never mentioning the matter again, those who were paying attention, or those who only learned about it later, were all surprised.

Although the dignitaries didn’t want to talk about it, there were simply too many people present, both openly and hidden. It was natural for the news to spread.

Therefore, many learned the shocking truth from these reports:

Shafney, the Succubus, who was indifferent to countless heroes and champions, favored Shien, the Hero, acting intimately with him.

The black dragon of the Buztout family had transformed into a human and was suspected to have reached Limit Level.

And that Hero, who had only been in this world for half a year, had possibly reached the level of Transcendence.

These shocking pieces of news stunned many.

Naturally, many didn’t believe it at first.

But the facts spoke for themselves.

Those Legendary-level experts and faction leaders who were annihilated by Yulin’s dragon breath were still injured. Josef and Nobu’s battered appearances were also witnessed by many. Meldo was even carried away, reportedly still unconscious. As for Yuler, after returning to the Temple, he shut himself in, leaving only a single message:

“Hero Shien, invincible among humans.”

Such a shocking statement from the Pope.

Finally, through various channels, people confirmed that the news was true.

Shafney, the Succubus, was indeed staying at the Buztout residence, seemingly only wanting to interact with Shien, not even bothering to meet the Kingdom’s higher-ups or the King.

Yulin, in her dragon form, was lying in the plaza before the Buztout residence’s gate, witnessed by countless people, including some with high-level [Appraisal] skills or appraisal tools, all confirming that she had reached Limit Level.

No one saw Shien.

However, the words “Hero Shien, invincible among humans” were deeply etched in everyone’s hearts, eventually spreading even among the commoners.

As the Royal Capital buzzed with excitement, the Human Race came to a preliminary assessment of Shien’s current strength:

“At least Limit Level, possibly even possessing Transcendent Level power.”

This was the final evaluation. After all, Shien effortlessly defeated Meldo, Josef, and Nobu, top-tier Legendary experts, without even using his Holy Sword. It was safe to assume he was at least Limit Level in his normal state, and with the Holy Sword, his power would surpass Limit Level, approaching Transcendence.

In other words…

“The strongest of the Human Race has changed.”

“Even Aldia Elvenbein wouldn’t be able to defeat those top-tier Legendary experts so easily.”

“But Hero Shien did it.”

“Without even using his Holy Sword.”

“He’s too strong.”

People accepted this fact with a mix of awe and wonder. If Shien weren’t the Hero, they wouldn’t have believed it so easily. But since he was the Hero, becoming the strongest human was only natural. Throughout history, no Hero had ever been surpassed by an ordinary person, even those descended from other Heroes or blessed by Higher Gods. The weakest Hero in history was at least invincible below Transcendence. After all, wielding the Holy Sword, such a broken artifact, even if their level was lower than others, they would still be stronger with the Holy Sword’s enhancement. Therefore, every Hero was destined to be the strongest human, perhaps not on par with those terrifying Transcendent Level beings, but definitely stronger than Limit Level experts. With this understanding, it wasn’t difficult for people to accept Shien becoming the strongest human.

Moreover, after the news spread, Aldia, who was still in the Royal Palace, also made a statement:

“I am indeed weaker than him.”

That was the truth. After being defeated by Shien, he no longer considered himself the strongest human, but he hadn’t publicly announced it. Until today, when the time was right, he finally admitted it, officially relinquishing his title.

This still shocked many. After all, Aldia’s strength was deeply ingrained in the Kingdom’s collective consciousness. For him to suddenly admit defeat, it was difficult for people to accept.

Fortunately, he lost to the Hero. Losing to the Hero wasn’t shameful. If he had lost to some unknown, recently risen young noble, the commotion would have been much greater.

And at this time, the Royal Palace also released an announcement:

“Effective immediately, the Buztout Earldom is promoted to an honorary Marquisate, and Earl Buztout will be known as Marquis Buztout, a trusted confidant and minister of our Mitra Kingdom.”

This was another bombshell, stunning the people of the Royal Capital, some speechless, some envious, a mix of reactions.

“Earl Buztout has become Marquis Buztout.”

“That’s right, a Hero, not giving him the highest possible rank would be unreasonable.”

“They can’t make him a Duke, but they have to at least give him a Marquis title.”

“But at this rate, becoming a Duke is only a matter of time, right?”

“Well…”

“…That’s true, Marquis Buztout is Princess Lucy’s fiancé.”

“Their titles might be merged in the future.”

People discussed this with a mix of emotions, especially the nobles, whose feelings were complex.

“He’s already a Marquis?”

“His rank is even higher than ours now?”

“He’s only in his early twenties…”

“Which Marquis family hasn’t earned their title through hundreds of years of inheritance, development, and contributions to the Kingdom, rising step by step?”

“He only took less than a year…”

“Although we knew this day would come, after all, he’s Princess Lucy’s fiancé, his future rank definitely wouldn’t be low…”

“But this is still too fast…”

These nobles, recalling their families’ struggles, knowing how difficult it was to reach their current positions, their feelings were complex. If not for Shien’s current status and overwhelming power, no one daring to offend him, they might have already gone to the Royal Palace to protest.

Regardless, Shien once again became a hot topic in the Royal Capital.

The various factions arriving for the three-race meeting also learned about this news and sent it back to their respective homes, quickly spreading throughout the Human Realm.

Thanks to this, Shien’s old acquaintances also learned about it.

…

Royal Capital, North Gate.

Amidst the constant stream of people, a luxurious caravan approached, cutting through the crowd. Around the caravan, heavily armored knights on horseback exuded a chilling aura that made the surrounding people tremble and gasp.

“The Imperial Knight Order!”

“Th-That’s the crest of the Ragna Empire’s royal family!”

“The Empire’s flag!”

“The new Emperor of the Empire has arrived!”

Yes.

The Ragna Empire, the Mitra Kingdom’s long-time rival, which recently experienced a coup and a change in power, had finally arrived.

“Your Majesty, we’ve arrived,” Rockto said, clad in new armor and riding a warhorse larger than any other, beside a luxurious carriage bearing the royal crest.

Beside him, Tilly, leading a group of knights, seemed to hold a high position in the Imperial Knight Order.

And from the luxurious carriage, a cheerful voice came,

“Have we arrived?”

The carriage’s curtains were drawn aside, and an emperor in royal robes and a crown emerged.

It was Harvis.

Of course, he wasn’t alone in the carriage.

“We finally arrived before the three-race meeting, Brother,” Capeline said, holding her sheathed replica Holy Sword and standing beside Harvis, looking valiant. She was no longer dressed as a knight, but wore an elegant court gown, yet it still had a military air.

“Your Highness,” Tilly instinctively addressed Capeline.

Capeline, however, gave her a reproving look.

“Tilly,” Rockto said impassively, “She’s no longer a princess.”

Hearing this, Tilly reacted.

“My apologies,” she bowed to Capeline, “Duchess Capeline Lancefall.”

Indeed, Capeline was no longer a princess, but a Duchess, granted a title by her brother, the new Emperor.

Lancefall was a long-standing name in the Ragna Empire, dating back to the time when Hero Ragna founded the Empire. Hero Ragna had two sons. The elder became the second emperor, inheriting the throne and stabilizing the Empire after the founding emperor’s assassination, preventing its collapse. The younger son became his right-hand man, the unrivaled war god of the time, granted the title of Duke and the surname Lancefall.

By now, the Lancefall family had long since declined and even died out.

Because of its special significance, Harvis bestowed this surname upon Capeline, solidifying her title as the Valkyrie.

And now, this Valkyrie looked towards the Royal Capital with burning eyes.

“Is Lucy here?” she asked, a fighting spirit in her eyes.

“Don’t do anything reckless,” Harvis said with a wry smile, “She’s Shien’s fiancée.”

“I know,” Capeline replied, “But I still want to settle the score with her.”

“You…” Harvis, unable to control his sister, could only say, “Alright, I don’t care about anything else, but remember to choose the right time and place, and don’t displease Shien, understand?”

“Naturally,” Capeline nodded.

“Then let’s go,” Harvis smiled, “Let’s visit His Majesty Ancil first, then pay our respects to Shien.”

Hearing this, they thought of the recent news, then the image of that figure naturally appeared in their minds: the figure who stood firm amidst the overwhelming death aura, wielding his sword like a towering hero, and unleashing a brilliant, final strike.

Under such circumstances, their carriage was allowed to enter the Royal Capital.

…

At the same time, in a small town some distance from the Royal Capital, many were still discussing the latest news.

“I can’t believe that Hero, having only been in Omnipotence for less than a year, has already become the strongest human.”

“Limit Level, a realm so far beyond us.”

“And he didn’t even use his Holy Sword.”

“He’s so strong, I want to become his disciple.”

“Forget it, a level twenty, Rank 1 adventurer, do you think the Hero would even notice you?”

“I… I was just saying…”

Such conversations filled the streets, making a group of cloaked beastmen, looking like weary travelers, stop.

The two beastmen leading them exchanged glances.

“It seems that Hero has been quite active recently,” said a young and beautiful Cat-person thoughtfully.

“Hmph, if I had known he was the Hero, I would have liked to spar with him,” said a muscular Wolfman, his tone arrogant.

The beastmen looked at each other and started discussing.

“How many times is this now?”

“We’ve been hearing about that Hero all along our journey.”

“Shien Buztout?”

“It still feels like a dream.”

“Yeah.”

“That Kingdom noble who saved us, saved Cosmos, and even subdued Lilith, the Evil God, is actually the Hero who reappeared after a thousand years.”

“I was shocked when I first heard the news.”

The beastmen chattered excitedly.

Soon, a voice came from the figure they were protecting,

“Alright, let’s continue our journey and get to the Royal Capital as soon as possible,” a charming female voice said.

“Yes, Saintess,” the beastmen replied respectfully, including the Wolfman and the Cat-person leading them.

The girl’s fox ears twitched beneath her hood, and she said with a hint of displeasure,

“Hmph, that bad guy, I’m also coming to the Royal Capital.”