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Era of Humans, 45 years ago.
At this time, Nico was already twenty years old, a graceful young woman.
She had learned most of the Magic, and with her astonishing talent and vast magical power, Nico could be considered a capable Mage.
"Brother Yulian, I want to go find Grandma."
With firm resolve, Nico decided to embark on a journey to the "Land Where Souls Rest".
Era of Humans, 40 years ago.
At this time, Nico was already twenty-five years old, with a high ponytail and a tall figure. Having completely shed her childishness, Nico arrived at the Demon King's Castle.
The journey was not entirely smooth, but she didn't encounter any major trouble either.
Seeing the empty Demon King's Castle, Nico stepped inside and searched for several years, but ultimately found nothing.
The "Land Where Souls Rest" seemed not to exist.
Era of Humans, 35 years before.
Nico was thirty-five years old, and her face was somewhat haggard.
Having spent nearly twenty years learning Magic, embarking on a journey, and reaching the Demon King's Castle, she still hadn't found the so-called "Land Where Souls Rest".
Nico returned to the Southern Region.
When she saw her Brother Yulian again, she realized that she had become the one who looked like the adult.
The house door opened.
"Yulian, Brother..."
Nico spoke, looking at the young man sitting by the winter hearth, warming himself.
The young man was still that young man, but she herself had grown old.
"It's good that you're back."
Yulian smiled slightly and handed over the roasted chicken in his hand.
Since Nico was back today, Yulian had prepared a lot of delicious food.
Era of Humans, 30 years ago.
Nico was already forty years old. After discussing with Yulian and firmly believing that the "Land Where Souls Rest" existed, she bid farewell to Yulian and once again set out on the road to the Demon King's Castle.
Only by holding endless longing in her heart could she find the "Land Where Souls Rest" in the Demon King's Castle and see the person she missed.
Era of Humans, 20 years ago.
Nico was already fifty years old.
Nico finally arrived at the Demon King's Castle again after a "pilgrimage-like" trek.
Just like before, it was empty, seemingly open for anyone to enter.
This time, Nico didn't use Magic to probe, nor did she search everywhere. All she did was sit down calmly.
Sincerity leads to results; this was the advice her Brother Yulian gave her, and she followed it.
Before long, a thick fog rose throughout the Demon King's Castle.
Footsteps gradually sounded near Nico's ears, and finally, the footsteps stopped, bringing the familiar yet unfamiliar voice she had heard before.
"Nico, is that you?"
An elderly grandmother with white hair appeared before Nico.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Oh, you child, you've been looking for me for so many years."
"You spent all that time on me, a dead person. Didn't I tell you to live well with Mr. Yulian?"
Nico saw her; she finally saw her.
"Grandma, Nico misses you."
At this time, Nico's hair had also turned white, and she looked no different from Granny Anneliese.
Nico stood up and slowly walked towards Granny Anneliese, gently embracing Granny Anneliese.
But what should have been a hug between a little girl and her grandmother turned into a hug between two elderly people.
For this hug, Nico had spent thirty-five years of her life.
"Nico, oh Nico~"
Granny Anneliese gently stroked Nico's hair, her eyes filled with both heartache and relief.
She never expected that the little girl she found in the Southern Countries back then would now be as white-haired as herself.
"Grandma, Nico has so much to tell you..."
Tears gathered in the corners of Nico's eyes as she recounted her thirty-five years, one by one.
Spending winter with Brother Yulian, looking for Frieren with Brother Yulian, starting a journey with Brother Yulian and Sister Frieren, learning Magic with Frieren, achieving initial success in Magic, and after Sister Frieren left, she also bid farewell to Brother Yulian and began her journey to find the Land Where Souls Rest...
"Our Nico has gone through so much without us even realizing it~"
Granny Anneliese gently patted Nico's back while holding her arm, as if praising Nico for living her life earnestly during the time she was gone.
"Yes, Grandma."
Nico smiled innocently, wrinkles appearing at the corners of her eyes.
She felt she still had so much more to say.
Unfortunately, years of arduous travel seemed to have exhausted her at this moment of fulfilling her wish.
"Grandma..."
Murmuring her last words, a smile played on Nico's lips, but she slowly closed her eyes.
At this moment, the fog also dissipated.
A giant demon with long white hair and a half-naked upper body appeared upon seeing this.
"Drip~"
The demon's saliva dripped from the corner of its mouth onto the ground, and a greedy look appeared in the demon's eyes.
Food...
There was no doubt that in the next second, this pale-faced, terrifying demon would pounce and feast.
But along with the demon's appearance, there was also a black shadow.
The black shadow simply stood there quietly, and that was enough to forcefully suppress the demon's instincts.
"Devil Monarch."
The black shadow murmured after a moment of silence.
He didn't know what he was thinking.
However, the black shadow quickly didn't hesitate. After annihilating the repulsive Phantom Ghoul next to him with a flick of his finger, the black shadow took out an exquisite crystal coffin and placed the fallen Nico inside.
Sometimes you don't need to know what the Devil Monarch is thinking, just do as you're told.
The black shadow firmly believed that the Devil Monarch would definitely lead the Demon Race towards the future!
In another remote small town, at the edge of the forest behind the mountains, Yulian raised his head and looked towards the north, feeling something.
"Nico."
Was it just forty-five years?
After some time, Yulian's perception of time also began to slow down.
The lifespan of the Demon Race is almost as long as that of elves, and their concept of time is astonishingly similar.
But Yulian was human; even if he was reincarnated as a demon, he shouldn't feel this way.
Yulian's mind was in turmoil. After a moment, he shook his head, took a deep breath, and continued walking towards the small town.
In the remaining twenty years, let's finish what needs to be done first.
What needs to be done as the Demon King.
"Stop, who's there!"
At the heavily guarded city gate, fully armed guards stopped Yulian.
"An adventurer."
Yulian pointed to himself, still dressed as a Hero, except the Hero's Sword was placed in a scabbard by Yulian and carried on his back.
"South City is under lockdown, prohibiting all personnel from entering or exiting."
"Please turn back."
The guard carefully examined Yulian and, seeing no threat, his tone softened considerably.
Lockdown?
Yulian raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Are the Southern Countries fighting again?"
"Yes,"
The guard nodded. Conflict in the Southern Countries was common and not a big deal.
However, as a border town, martial law was also a common occurrence because of this.
"Hurry back."
"Okay, thank you."
Yulian politely said goodbye, but naturally, it was impossible for him to actually leave.
When night fell, Yulian used Magic and quietly infiltrated the city.
In the Northern Countries, the matters of the Central Countries were over, and now it was time for the Southern Countries.
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