The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 859: The Hero’s Declaration!

“—”

The atmosphere in the hall was stifling, as if the air itself had solidified.

Unlike the reverence that accompanied the arrival of the Divine Race goddesses, the arrival of the Demon Lords brought only overwhelming pressure to those present.

Substantial magic power fluctuated around the six of them, giving the impression that the entire world was about to be crushed.

“Gulp…”

Someone involuntarily swallowed, breaking the silence.

“We aren’t late, are we?”

Sara, along with her sisters, smiled at everyone present.

Although their smiles weren’t terrifying, even somewhat pleasing to the eye, none of the human representatives dared to speak up at this moment.

They weren’t qualified.

The only ones qualified to speak with the Supreme Ruler of the Demon Race as equals were the three goddesses of the Divine Race.

“Of course not.”

Anima shook her head with a gentle expression.

“We’ve just arrived as well.”

Nadue also smiled brightly, dazzling everyone.

Only Lildas maintained a stern expression, as if unwilling to show any weakness at this occasion.

“Only the six of you from the Demon Race have come?”

Lildas glanced at the Demon Lords and asked.

The Demon Lords exchanged glances.

“What?” Shafney asked with a smirk, her captivating charm momentarily stunning everyone present. “Isn’t it enough that the six of us have come?”

These words left Lildas speechless for a moment.

After all, with all six Demon Lords present, it was indeed enough.

They were the pinnacle of the Demon Race, the rulers of the entire Demon Race and the Demon Realm after the Demon King’s demise. Each of them possessed strength that could rival anyone. Except for Lildas, the strongest in the world, no one could easily defeat them in a one-on-one battle.

Their arrival could be considered the arrival of the entire Demon Race.

At least, even if the Divine Race and the Human Race present joined forces, they wouldn’t be able to capture them.

Of course…

“Aren’t you supposed to be with the Hero?”

Lildas looked at Shafney with displeasure.

The Divine Race naturally knew that Shafney had appeared beside Shien and was living in his house.

“Well, I have to avoid suspicion.” Shafney glanced in a certain direction and shrugged, still speaking in a charming manner. “Since the main players are all here, how can I, as the older sister from the bride’s family, continue to cling to her fiancé?”

Hearing this, the Divine Race goddesses all looked at Airi.

“Hmph.”

Airi snorted softly, hugging her pillow, turning her head away with a disdainful look.

“Airi.”

Lid, perched on Millu’s head, lightly scolded Airi, seemingly blaming her for showing such an attitude at this occasion.

“Want to fight?”

Millu tilted her head, looking puzzled, her innocent expression and seemingly inflammatory words causing Artemis, who had been watching her, to glare coldly.

As expected, this Ghost Demon was still as evil as ever, unchanged even after a thousand years.

In Artemis’s view, Millu, who could commit dangerous and cruel acts without any self-awareness, was undoubtedly inherently evil.

If it weren’t for this occasion, where, as a high-ranking god, she shouldn’t speak out of turn, Artemis would have already confronted Millu.

There were many evil beings among the Demon Lords, but the one Artemis found most unacceptable was Millu.

Therefore, in the final battle a thousand years ago, Artemis had faced Millu.

She wanted to eliminate this inherently evil Ghost Demon.

Unfortunately, Millu was a Demon Lord. Even Artemis could only fight her to a draw, unable to easily defeat her.

Artemis still remembered this matter vividly.

Millu, on the other hand, seemed to have already forgotten about Artemis, not even glancing at her, only giggling there, making Artemis’s mood worsen.

On the other side, Kamina had already met the gazes of Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld. Their gazes clashed, sparks flying, one side cold and stern, the other baring their fangs, engaging in a silent but fierce confrontation.

Just like that, the Demon Lords faced their respective rivals from the Divine Race, showing everyone how intense the past struggles between the two races had been.

Many people were already apprehensive, afraid that these powerful figures would lose their tempers and start fighting on the spot.

If these individuals were to fight, even the world splitting apart would be a minor matter.

Therefore, many people looked at those qualified to intervene, seeking help.

Specifically, the representatives of the Mitra Kingdom, the hosts of this conference.

But how could Ancil and Lia casually step forward?

Finally, Yuler and Elise spoke up.

“Goddesses.”

“Lady Anima.”

Yuler and Elise called out to the goddesses softly.

Anima and Nadue immediately stepped forward to mediate.

“Alright, everyone, now isn’t the time for arguments.”

“We are before all the factions in the world. Don’t make a fool of ourselves.”

As goddesses known for their good temperaments, the Goddess of Life and the Goddess of Nature offered this advice.

The gods and demons, bound by their past conflicts, some reluctantly, some forced to, ceased their confrontation.

“Only the six of us from the Demon Race are here today.” Sara spoke at the right moment. “Can we begin now?”

Hearing Sara’s words, Ancil hurriedly stepped forward.

“Hero Shien hasn’t arrived yet.”

These words made everyone present look at Shafney.

Seeing this, Shafney smiled sweetly, ignoring the impact her breathtaking beauty had on everyone present, and turned to look at the sky.

“Isn’t he here?”

Her clear voice reached everyone’s ears.

Everyone present was startled, involuntarily raising their heads to look at the sky.

There, only the bright sun hung high in the sky.

However, gradually, many people noticed something.

Beneath the sun, three figures seemed to have appeared silently.

Without any overwhelming aura.

Without any startling commotion.

They appeared silently, entering everyone’s sight.

And gradually, they became clearer.

“Lucy!”

Ancil and Lia couldn’t help but call out to the graceful figure floating on the left, making even Lildas look up.

“Evil God, Lilith.”

Artemis glared sharply at the petite figure floating on the right, calling out her name.

And most people focused their attention on the figure floating in the center.

“Oh? Are we the grand finale?”

A somewhat flippant voice echoed in the air, perfectly conveying the speaker’s casual and unrestrained personality.

Who else could it be but Shien?

“Is that Hero Shien?”

Artemis’s gaze was drawn to Shien.

“The Hero…”

Everyone present subconsciously held their breath.

Some of them had already met Shien, while others were seeing him, the legendary Hero, for the first time today.

Shien, bathed in everyone’s gaze, looked down at the entire hall. After a moment, he suddenly drew the Holy Sword at his waist.

“Clang—!”

A brilliant and dazzling holy light immediately shone from the Holy Sword.

“…!”

Everyone present, be it human, god, or demon, their expressions changed drastically.

Shien raised the Holy Sword high, the light transforming into a radiant beam that illuminated the entire Hall of Glory, even the entire lake island.

At this moment, the citizens within the Royal Capital all saw this scene.

“Th-that light…!”

“The Holy Sword!”

“It’s the holy light of the Holy Sword!”

“Aaaaaah…!”

The citizens exclaimed, looking at the holy light shining above the lake island, their eyes filled with excitement and emotion.

Because that was the light that had once brought hope to the Divine and Human Races, the light that had slain the Demon King and saved the world.

After a thousand years, this light had once again appeared in this world, before their eyes.

This moment was the true declaration of the Hero’s return.

“Clang!”

Shien threw the dazzling Holy Sword down from mid-air, and it plunged directly into the elevated platform of the inner conference area, like the Sword in the Stone from the Arthurian legends. The tip of the sword pierced the platform, standing tall in the center of the triangular conference area.

That was also the center of the Hall of Glory, a place easily visible to everyone.

Shien, with Lucy and Lilith, landed before the Holy Sword.

“I won’t introduce myself.”

Shien’s voice slowly rang out.

“I believe the existence of this sword has already perfectly revealed my identity to everyone present.”

Shien raised his eyes slightly, looking at all the participants in the Hall of Glory.

“The reason for this Tripartite Conference is me.”

“I also know that my appearance has caused quite a bit of trouble for this world.”

“Therefore, at today’s conference, I will formally initiate a dialogue with all of you, the representatives of this world, from my own standpoint.”

“I have no other purpose than to tell you that in this world that no longer needs a Hero, although I am an outsider, I am not an invader.”

“You can all feel free to ask me any questions you have in mind. I will answer everything I can.”

“Of course, it’s best not to ask questions that shouldn’t be asked.”

As Shien said this, he glanced at each person present.

Instantly, many people uncomfortably or guiltily averted their gazes.

Shien smirked and continued his declaration.

“I swear upon the Holy Sword in my hand that I will never become the cause of unrest.”

“In other words, I have no intention of disrupting the peace of this world, nor do I wish to see the thousand-year war restart because of me.”

“Provided that no one provokes me first.”

“Otherwise, you might soon realize that I am not quite the same as the Hero you imagine.”

After saying this, Shien’s sharp demeanor softened, his tone turning somewhat lazy.

“I wanted to make this clear to everyone before the conference begins.”

“So that if I lose my temper later, you won’t think I’m being rude.”

“That’s all I wanted to say.”

After finishing his speech, Shien turned to Ancil, who hadn’t reacted at all.

“Can we take our seats now, Your Majesty?”

Shien asked Ancil casually.

“Y-yes, you may.”

Ancil finally reacted, smiling wryly as he glanced at everyone present, observing their reactions.

Most people fell silent, speechless.

Some whispered amongst themselves, seemingly surprised by Shien’s declaration before the conference even began.

Acquaintances like Harvis, Capeline, Elise, and Sophie, just like Ancil, smiled wryly.

Even Lucy and Lia exchanged glances in silence.

The Divine Race goddesses blinked, their gazes towards Shien carrying a strange glint.

Artemis did the same, staring intently at Shien, her thoughts unknown.

Lildas, Anima, and Nadue didn’t express any opinions.

As for the Demon Lords, not only were they not surprised as they looked at Shien, but their eyes were filled with smiles and approval.

“As expected of you.”

A faint smile couldn’t help but appear on Airi’s face.

“Heh.”

Shafney smiled happily, as if extremely satisfied with Shien’s performance.

Even Kamina looked at Shien with rare approval.

Lid sighed, while Millu beamed.

Finally, Sara also looked at Shien deeply, smiling as she echoed,

“In that case, on behalf of the Demon Race, I also declare in advance that we have no intention of disrupting the peace, and we have absolutely nothing to do with the reappearance of the [Hero Summoning]. I hope the Divine Race will understand and clear our Demon Race’s name.”

Her pointed words made the Divine Race goddesses exchange glances, their expressions somewhat awkward.

They knew Sara was referring to the malicious speculation about the Demon Race by some troublemakers in the Divine Race.

“…Are you sure?”

Lildas was silent for a long time, then asked this question.

Sara smiled faintly.

“I swear upon our Demon King.”

This was the most solemn declaration for the Demon Lords.

“Good!” Lildas immediately said loudly, “Then I also swear upon our Supreme God that the Divine Race has absolutely no intention of using the [Hero Summoning] against the Demon Race!”

Anima and Nadue also nodded solemnly.

Artemis and the other goddesses also became serious.

Swearing in the name of the Supreme God was the highest oath for the Divine Race.

No one could question it.

As a result, led by Shien, before the conference even began, the Divine and Demon Races had clarified their previous speculations and doubts about each other in the most solemn manner.

“Ahem…” Ancil coughed. “Then, everyone, please take your seats.”

Everyone immediately nodded.

The Tripartite Conference, after a thousand years, began under such circumstances.