"Let's go," everyone held hands again and teleported back to the Demon Realm."Father-in-law, we're back. Is Advisor Mino here?" I asked Emperor Ba upon returning to the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons. "Mino? What do you want with him? He should be at the Military Affairs Department," Emperor Ba replied, puzzled."I sensed his aura at the crime scene. I suspect he's the culprit," Enis chimed in. Emily added, "Please, Your Majesty Emperor Ba, summon him for questioning.""I see. Mino, come to the main hall," Emperor Ba said thoughtfully, using communication magic to summon him. A moment later, Mino walked in slowly. "Greetings, Your Majesty. What… it's you?!" Mino exclaimed, shocked to see us."I'll ask you directly: Did you sneak into Tianlai Holy's palace last night and assassinate the king and queen?" Kaia shouted upon seeing him. "Hmph, I don't know what you're talking about. Don't slander me! I've been in the Demon Realm the whole time," Mino retorted immediately. "True, the figure was masked, making it hard to confirm it was you, but why was your demonic aura at the scene?" Judo pressed. "Someone could've framed me. Say what you want!" Mino replied confidently.As everyone seemed at a loss, I stepped forward slowly. "Advisor Mino, allow me to view your past," I said, casting my time-reversal divine magic. A projected image appeared above Mino's head, replaying last night's events like a movie. It showed Mino sneaking out of the Demon Realm, arriving at Tianlai Holy's palace dressed in black—identical to the figure in the chamber's vision—assassinating the pair, and returning to the Demon Realm. The projection ended. "What do you have to say now?" Kaia roared. "It was you! Why did you do this?" Emily demanded. "Mino, I trusted and valued you, yet you caused this mess and pinned it on me. I'm deeply disappointed," Emperor Ba said slowly after watching."I'm sorry, Your Majesty! It's all the humans' fault! For thousands of years, I've served you diligently. We had a rare chance to crush the human realm, but you suddenly ordered a retreat. My lifelong grudge and hatred had nowhere to go. I had to reignite the war with humans!" Mino knelt, sobbing. "Done talking? Time for your punishment," Emperor Ba said, preparing to act. "Wait, considering his countless contributions to the Demon Realm, please spare him," Enis suddenly pleaded. I added, "Yes, Father-in-law, every demon harbors hatred for humans, including you. His motives are understandable, and since Enis has revived the victims, please forgive him this time." "I know my guilt and don't need your mercy," Mino said, pulling out a dagger to end his life. I waved my hand, using divine magic to knock the dagger away. "Hmph, for your years of service, I'll spare you. You're demoted from Chief Advisor and reassigned as a military strategist in the First Army," Emperor Ba declared. Enis and I understood his intent: with so many witnesses, he had to make a show of punishment, sending Mino to another department to lay low."Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing me!" Mino kowtowed, tears streaming. "Well, the truth is out, and the king and queen are fine. We don't want to escalate this further, so we'll take our leave, Emperor Ba," Kaia said, bowing. An idea struck me. "Hold on, I'll go back with you. I have some matters to discuss with the king," I called out, then turned to Emperor Ba. "Father-in-law, as Enis and I mentioned before, we want to be a bridge between demons and humans. I'm going to talk to Tianlai Holy's king." Emperor Ba smirked. "Go, but don't return empty-handed."
