People looked up at the sky.

The sky was tainted with the color of blood.

Unlike the clear sky Charlette had seen, outside the Lizardman Kingdom, people saw a sky of blood-red.

It was the blood-stained desert sands, the wails of the Lizardmen—until the very last Lizardman was beheaded—not one of them resisted.

Mohe withdrew her gaze from the sky, seeing the shaken expressions of the people within this Alchemy City, those who had been bustling for the Saintess Charlette—the madness then was as intense as the unease now.

Abinu's Mirror.

The Alchemy Item belonging to "Shapeshifter Greenland" of the Demon King's Four Great Heavenly Kings, it was crafted by Mohe herself for this individual long ago... She had originally thought Greenland was dead. In truth, not dead, but hiding in the Lizardman Kingdom. Given that Abinu's Mirror reflected such scenes presently, this most likely indicated...

The King of Lizardmen, was Greenland, and all the Lizardmen in that kingdom were her subordinates.

They used "Eternal Change"...

In a sense, Shapeshifter Greenland was an intelligence agency and think tank under the Demon King. Their combat ability was actually very weak; even the strongest among them, Greenland, was the weakest among the Four Great Heavenly Kings. Someone like Lisidorwei, for instance, could easily defeat Greenland.

This race was called "Shapeshifters."

They could transform into various forms and, if killed, would revert to their original bodies—but there was an exception.

That would be permanent transformation.

By devouring the blood and flesh of a certain creature, they could completely become a certain or some kind of creature, and even upon death, they would perish in the form of that creature. However, Shapeshifters aren't flawless; the consequence of this permanent transformation is—melding into that species.

Turning into a cat, you acquire cat habits; becoming a dog, you take on dog habits. Many Shapeshifters, after infiltrating different races, would be assimilated by those races, believing they truly were a member of that race.

However, obviously, Greenland did not.

The reflection of this moment through Abinu's Mirror was Greenland's final loyalty to the Demon King.

Mohe suddenly laughed.

She found it somewhat ironic.

Vampire Lisidorwei betrayed her, and the Hero's party betrayed the Hero. She never expected Lisidorwei to betray her, just as the Hero probably never imagined the Hero's party would turn against him.

Yet, it was the Shapeshifters.

This race, who with just a stealthy kill, could replace someone's identity, integrate into human society, become a complete human—easiest and most convenient to betray—maintained the greatest loyalty to the Demon King, even using their lives to shatter Charlette's "Golden Body."

Fools!

Mohe felt enraged.

She wasn't angry because Charlette killed these people; she was angry with the Shapeshifters themselves!

Though still alive, knowing they had been resurrected, they didn't rush to the Human Empire to swear allegiance to her, to serve her, they dared to "sacrifice" presumptuously!

What did they want to do?

Did they want the Demon King to thank them?

Did they think they were conferring a favor upon her, this Demon King? Did they believe their sacrifice held any noble value? Were they seriously thinking—does the Demon King need help?!

What a joke! This was clearly disdain for her as the Demon King! An insult to her as the Demon King! She was utterly underestimated by her former subordinates! Did they actually think she needed such help! She could handle everything! She could quell all! How could a strong one need the weak to sacrifice? Only she would plunder from the weak! She would never allow the weak to pity her!

Anger ignited Mohe, but soon, Mohe calmed down.

"...But you are already dead."

Yes, the insignificant and frail Shapeshifters were dead.

Creating Shapeshifters wasn't very difficult for Mohe; she hadn't created such beings recently because she saw no need. After all, during the last war, this group didn't play much of a role; she had thought they were casually defeated by the Hero. Moreover, this species was not perfect and could still be further improved.

These non-eternal beings were already dead, so to whom should she express her anger? They could no longer kneel before her, pleading for the Demon King's forgiveness.

Resurrection...

Too late to reach them.

Now it seemed, Charlette went directly to the Lizardman Kingdom because she knew something, she knew a Four Heavenly King was there—but that information was probably leaked by Shapeshifter Greenland herself. She might have been preparing for many years, waiting for this day to come.

Foolish Shapeshifters.

Mohe cursed silently once again in his heart.

But the other party had already done it—

Although this decision was so foolish it was astonishing, Charlette would realize this problem after leaving the Lizardman Kingdom. By then, Abinu's Mirror would become the biggest issue, offering proof enough to demonstrate "Charlette is being framed"... and relying on the church's and the Wise King's control over the world... they could explain the situation for Charlette. Although Charlette would still face some impact, this exorcism operation would meet greater resistance, but it wouldn't be enough to truly harm Charlette.

Because Charlette is strong. She is also the founder of the Combat Priest genre.

A "God-Like Being".

Moreover, Charlette is not A·Gedora. Judging by her actions, she is much crueler than A·Gedora. If anyone targeted her, she would surely not rule out the option of splitting the Church internally and waging a civil war within.

She wouldn't be like A·Gedora, despondent and drunk.

This Saintess is not kind at all.

So, despite being a foolish act—as the Demon King, she should utilize this sacrifice.

"I curse."

For Mohe, this was probably the first time he had used the power of curses since his resurrection: "I curse the lament of humanity pointing toward destruction; I curse, the wrath of the Lizardmen sweeping through slaughter; I curse, the mourning of the dead inciting rage among the living."

"I curse..."

"Isn't that enough?"

A girl's words interrupted Mohe's curses.

Mohe turned around, a smile on her face: "Well, it's been a long time, Miss Miracle Source Adeline. This is the first time I've met you since my rebirth; you still look as young as always."

"Young? You really know how to talk, Demon King. I remember you called me just a little peanut back then, when did you become so polite?"

Mohe spread his hands: "After all, one only empathizes with others after experiencing sorrow themselves. Look at me, now I'm also a little peanut, and thus can understand the pain of being ridiculed. Naturally, I won't mock you anymore."

"Should I thank you?"

"If you want to."

Adeline pointed her Alchemy Staff at Mohe: "Do you really think I dare not kill you?"

"No, of course, you dare." Mohe directly walked up to Adeline, pressing his throat against her Alchemy Staff, "Eh~ This Alchemy Staff is unexpectedly warm; did you use phoenix feathers in its making?"

"Don't talk to me about irrelevant things!"

Mohe appeared frightened: "Okay, okay! A little girl like me can't withstand the scares of the great Miracle Source Adeline, I'll honestly say whatever you want."

Wasn't this guy supposed to be very arrogant?

Why like this?

"So... Miss Adeline, if you kill me now, it's a good choice. After all, Charlette just took a hit, and if you settle me here—you can pin everything on me. For instance—the Lizardmen have long sided with me, Charlette's choice is correct, and you've actually split forces, with one team capturing me... this way, all crises can be resolved."

Mohe offered a reasonable suggestion: "See, everyone wins—even after hearing this, you still haven't made a move~"

"Demon King..."

Adeline tightened her grip on her Alchemy Staff.

Mohe looked a bit helpless: "See, no need to rush~ Isn't it said you're a wise person? I know what you're thinking, you're afraid, right?"

"What did you say!"

"No need to deceive me; you should have known early on that the Demon King can sense human emotions and even feed off them. Although I'm human now—in front of me, you don't need to hide your fear."

Adeline no longer refuted. She simply withdrew her staff: "So, what do you think about my fear?"

"Before, you were still willing to believe that Saintess Charlette was the person you remembered, who on the road, would enthusiastically help a small animal, eternally emitting holy brilliance, the Saintess in your imagination—but after seeing that, you finally understood... that person does indeed lend a hand to little animals around her, and remains gentle and full of love... But, this doesn't stop her from ruthlessly killing certain other things, just as when she assisted A·Gedora in dissecting me back then."

A slight golden light flashed in Mohe's eyes: "At that time, you considered me the Demon King and thought it natural to treat me this way, never noticing Saintess Charlette's true nature. How can you be so sure that, for Charlette, you won't become another Demon King? Clearly, A·Gedora was already treated as the next Demon King; how do you have the confidence to think you're different?"

"The person blocking her future path is the Demon King!"

Mohe pronounced such a verdict.

"So, the Alchemist Association, does it count as an obstacle in her path?"

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