Adeline definitely has some kind of predicament.

Doro had to admit that upon hearing the conversation between Mohe and Adeline, this thought first surfaced in his mind.

Just like before, when Charlette made a move on him, he always thought Charlette had her own reasons; he always felt there was something deeper, something more significant, that he should cooperate with Charlette's actions—so he waited.

Years ago, A·Gedora specifically learned how to act like a drunkard in a bar to complete this task, thinking he was a perfect fit.

But in waiting, Charlette never appeared, not just Charlette... others didn't appear either.

No one offered an explanation, no one provided a situation update. Not even a subtle hint ever existed.

Is the thing lurking behind truly so terrifying?

That ridiculous thought once crossed Doro's mind.

But he couldn't deceive himself.

After the Demon King's death, there was no creature stronger than himself in heaven or earth... He clearly knew this. During the battle with the Demon King, he already realized he had stepped into a whole new realm, his life's essence had changed, and if he chose, he could break certain boundaries and become akin to the Demon King.

Yet he was unwilling to admit this fact.

Perhaps Charlette and the others' fear was justified; their fear of him becoming another Demon King... he also feared becoming another Demon King.

Such prolonged waiting feels unsustainable. Gradually, Gedora indeed began to think of himself as Doro, without the need to act, he could embody the state of those despondent middle-aged individuals, feeling as if everything in the past was a dream. He wandered everywhere, passing through many places—until he encountered the Demon King.

The Demon King reborn.

Doro stayed in that town for a month.

In the past, he would definitely not stay in one place for so long, because he knew it could bring danger to others.

But he was unwilling to leave.

Many despicable thoughts crossed his mind, like truly aiding in the Demon King's resurrection so the world would need the Hero again... If he ascended to the same level as the Demon King, and then agreed to certain terms with the Demon King, showcasing the story of "the Hero defeating the Demon King, sealing the Demon King with his own life."

Letting the Demon King be reborn time and again, the Hero repeatedly "needed". Thus, his existence would always be meaningful…

However, Mohe eventually initiated contact with him.

Did she finally plan to use him?

During that time, what Mohe intended to use Doro for, Doro wasn't sure.

But at that time, Doro needed that sense of "being needed".

So he found his own ideas laughable.

Why did he subconsciously think "Adeline also has a predicament"?

Clearly, during the confrontation with Charlette before, he already knew people can change, he would transform from A·Gedora to Doro, Charlette would also shift from that kind-hearted girl to now, a true Saintess—They've all "grown". Grown into beings capable of bearing many people's desires.

Charlette carries the wishes of the White Church, Adeline carries the will of the Alchemist Association. They're not merely themselves… They were originally part of that group.

There's no such thing as innocence.

There's no such thing as whether one has an ulterior motive.

If there really was a predicament, why not tell him? Why not ask for his help?

Is it because they think he can't help?

If they truly trust him, even if he's unable to help… shouldn't they be able to disclose it?

Mohe asked him to investigate.

Is she not afraid he might uncover something unfavorable to her? Or perhaps, regardless of what he discovers, it's inconsequential to the Demon King?

Walking down the street, Doro continued pondering. He used to be reluctant to think about these matters, but now, he had to. Resisting the urge to think was an exhausting task—The Demon King once seemed unwilling to think, which is why she lost. Now she feels deep like unfathomable ocean waters.

Mohe said last night that she had always been hinting to Doro, but Doro himself didn't realize it.

As things stand, upon careful examination—as she mentioned, traces of alchemy are everywhere in this city.

It's unclear when alchemy began permeating this city… Adeline plotting this city, this region, clearly wasn't just a day or two.

Perhaps from when Lisidorwei was manipulated by Mohe, slaughtering the nobles here. Adeline started getting involved in this city's affairs.

Even at that time, Kenku Island was still on a sea island.

Nearly six months was enough for her to spread alchemy throughout this city.

Kids holding careful alchemy toys in their hands, adults with new alchemy items, discussing their ease of use, and how much they cost, how much they can save—if Kenku Island wasn't suspended above Nalune's sky, he might think this place was Nalune.

He walked through several streets and almost ran into Mohe and them, but he avoided them.

In this process, he discovered a more important issue.

He didn't find any alchemist.

In a city almost saturated with alchemy, he couldn't find a single alchemist.

Strange, very strange.

Although it sounds a bit ridiculous, this person called Doro often relied on his beast-like instincts in his actions. Since his instincts told him that there were no alchemists in this city, he needed to verify it.

He arrived at a shop selling alchemy items, where he purchased a small alchemy tool.

"This card, as you say, can be used to communicate with others who hold a card... but I'm quite worried about its quality," Doro expressed his concern.

The shopkeeper immediately patted his chest and said, "You can handle this thing any way you want; it's very sturdy and won't break easily."

"If it breaks, can I bring it for repairs?"

"For repairs? If it really breaks, I'm afraid you would have to buy a new one."

Doro frowned at once, "So there's absolutely no guarantee here. This thing looks like a card, delicate yet fragile, and the price isn't low. If it breaks, who do I ask? Can you tell me where I can have it repaired? Are you expecting me to cause trouble in your shop if it comes to that?"

He made some valid points, causing the shopkeeper to hesitate a bit, "After all, it's an alchemy product. If you really insist on repairing it... there's a somewhat unofficial channel."

Hearing this from the shopkeeper, Doro was convinced that in a big city like Butuo City, there were currently no legitimate alchemists.

This so-called unofficial channel was clearly for informal alchemists.

However, the examination for alchemists is quite simple. If you want to join the Alchemist Association, it's very easy to do. Even if, for various reasons, there's no Alchemist Association in Butuo City, the exams can be taken in other cities.

Unless these alchemists have something to hide from the public, there's no reason for them not to get certified.

But it seems this shopkeeper is indeed a local.

Receiving an address from the shopkeeper, Doro gently squeezed the card in his hand. The card twisted and deformed, completely breaking.

Then he took this deformed and broken card to the address the shopkeeper had given.

It was a very secluded place. Compared to the resplendent and bright, even sleepless Butuo City, this area seemed extremely desolate.

Mining district—Doro concluded.

He had already seen the traces of obsidian mining in this area, as well as the carts carrying obsidian moving back and forth.

Minerals are valuable, but miners may not necessarily be rich.

Especially in this era.

Doro remained unfazed as he searched through this residential area.

In fact, miners of the past years had it even worse. They were mostly the slaves of nobles and merchants, often starving and barely clothed. However, after the Demon King was vanquished, the lives of these people improved considerably. Like the dwellings in front of him, though cheap and shabby, they still provided housing for the miners, and they could also receive a set amount of food.

Not like before, living almost like on the mine.

Doro didn't know how the Wise King achieved this or how he restrained the nobility's power.

He didn't come here to explore issues related to the Wise King.

In this mining district, he finally found the residence given by the shopkeeper.

"Hello, I was referred by a friend."

Opening the door was a scantily clad woman, her eyes rimmed with dark circles, looking sleep-deprived but with a decent figure in her revealing clothes, somewhat coquettish.

"Oh? A friend's referral, three silver coins, and leave after one time."

Doro was momentarily stunned, feeling that this introduction seemed somewhat off.

Nevertheless, he followed the woman inside the house.

Then the woman directly approached and began to undress him.

"You! Wait a minute, I didn't come here for that!"

Doro pushed the woman away and took out the broken card from his pocket, "I heard you could repair this here."

The woman glanced at the card in Doro's hand, "Tsk, it's this matter again. Did that shameless guy reveal it again?"

She seemed displeased, sitting down on a small stool with a lack of enthusiasm, "Please, leave. I don't repair things for people."

"That statement... you do know alchemy?"

The woman gave Doro a once-over, "Your attire isn't ordinary, nor are you someone short of money. Although this thing is a bit expensive, it shouldn't be a burden for you. You didn't need to come all this way to find me just to repair this. I can't afford to deal with you grand people, but if you're here for pleasure, that's another matter."

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