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The night was hazy, and a lithe figure, accompanied by the moonlight, climbed in through the window into Yulian's room.
Yulian's eyes snapped open, but after sensing the visitor's aura, he relaxed again.
"You're back?"
"Yes."
Frieren pulled back a corner of the blanket and slipped in, appearing preoccupied.
Yulian's eyebrows jumped in surprise at Frieren's bold action.
"What's wrong?"
A fragrant scent entered his nose, but Yulian was more concerned about what had happened.
"You didn't rescue Qual?"
"No."
Frieren lightly bit her lip.
"The Elder Sage of Corruption has already been sent away by the people you arranged at the dock."
"What is it then?"
Yulian blinked.
"You don't seem very happy."
Yulian gently stroked the head of Frieren, who was curled up in his arms.
"The Greater Demons asked me to convey a message, asking the Demon King when you will return."
"So that's it..."
Yulian's hand stiffened and withdrew.
It must have been almost a hundred years, which was quite a long time even for the Demon Race.
"Can't wait?"
Yulian murmured.
"Sir Yulian, it seems the Greater Demons have accumulated enough power—"
"They are just waiting for you to return and give the order."
Frieren lowered her face in distress, her mood complex.
If he went back, he would be the true Demon King, no longer Yulian.
She herself could only be the Queen, not Frieren.
Even harder to accept was that they, Frieren, and Fern would likely become enemies due to their differing stances...
"So that's what you were thinking..."
Yulian could somewhat understand Frieren's thoughts.
Thus, Yulian pinched Frieren's cheek with heartache.
"I promise you, everything will get better."
Yulian's tone was calmer than ever before, but this calmness carried an undeniable firmness.
He believed he had this ability.
And he truly did have this ability.
If the Demon Race were a group of Magic geniuses, then the Great Demons were geniuses among geniuses.
And the Demon King, as the common ruler of the Demon Race and Great Demons, was definitely an even more terrifying existence.
It was just that Yulian never advocated for force.
Yulian took a deep breath, suppressing the faintly stirring Magic within his body.
Frieren in his arms had fallen asleep without realizing it.
Yulian understood that Frieren sleeping with him naturally meant she had prepared herself to bear the responsibility of the Queen.
But Yulian gave a self-mocking smile.
But who knew that he, as the Demon King, had absolutely no preparation for being the Demon King?
He had always been driven forward by Schlacht, always bound by the identity of the Demon King...
"Gold!"
The silver hair ornament reflected golden light under the sunlight.
That was a gift Frieren gave to Fern—an exquisite hairpin.
As for Yulian, he gave a Magic stone ring engraved with spatial Magic.
That was a treasure Frieren had begged Yulian for a long time, and Yulian had been reluctant to give it away.
Fern used the ring to store the purchased supplies and Frieren's box, so their journey instantly became much easier.
"Tap~"
"Tap~"
They walked across the wide stone bridge at the entrance of the commercial city of Valm, hurrying on their way.
"Aren't we going to find Grandpa Eiser?"
"Could we be going the wrong way?"
Fern recalled the direction of the Dwarf village on the map and raised a question.
After all, Yulian and Frieren had always been known for being terrible with directions.
"That's right—"
"But we need to go to a village first this time."
Frieren suddenly stopped.
"It's also time to train your practical combat skills, Fern."
"Practical combat?"
Fern nodded gently.
"Now?"
"Let's walk a bit further and find a place."
Frieren thought for a moment, then continued walking, leading the way.
"Mr. Yulian, what does Mistress Frieren mean by practical combat?"
Fern asked Yulian in a low voice, somewhat worried.
Yulian was startled, snapping back to attention from the events of last night.
"Practical combat?"
"It should be fighting against Frieren, right?"
Yulian made a rough guess uncertainly.
After all, Yulian remembered that Frieren used to train Nico... like that...
"Mr. Yulian?"
Fern noticed the sadness between Yulian's brows and called out with some concern.
"It's nothing—"
Yulian waved his hand, a forced smile on his lips.
Indeed, as people get older, they tend to reminisce easily!
"We're here."
In the depths of the secluded forest, Frieren stopped.
[Sir Yulian, ...]
Frieren's voice sounded in his mind.
[Yes, you noticed too.]
Yulian turned his head slightly, his gaze looking behind a tree not far behind them.
Someone was following them.
"Yulian, you practice with Fern."
Frieren spoke from the side, her gaze calm.
"Me?"
"Me and Mr. Yulian!"
Both of them showed surprise at the same time.
"Yes."
Frieren nodded, her tone leaving no room for doubt.
"But, shouldn't it be with Mistress Frieren, us—"
"Ah, I see—"
Yulian interrupted Fern.
He looked at Frieren calmly.
Does she want Fern to experience fighting against the Demon Race?
Is she letting Fern adapt beforehand, relying on the fact that he wouldn't kill Fern?
"Okay."
Yulian agreed and quietly stood opposite Fern.
The current Fern was no match for Yulian.
Yulian could easily handle the current Fern without even being serious, but...
Yulian did have the intention of training Fern a bit.
For the upcoming Human-Demon War.
"Fern!"
Yulian's eyes became serious.
"Yes, Mr. Yulian, but—"
Fern anxiously tried to stop him.
Fight against Yulian!
How could she!
"The Greater Demon Yulian is in front of you now!"
Yulian roared sternly, simultaneously unleashing an instant killing Magic that grazed past Fern and attacked the forest behind her!
"Boom!"
A earth-shattering sound of destruction rang out.
Fern was stunned into place, unable to believe it.
"Fern, defend."
Frieren was also slightly shocked by Yulian's terrifying Magic, but she still gave Fern an order.
"Yes!"
Fern gritted her teeth and summoned her staff, holding it horizontally in front of her.
"Fern, be serious."
Yulian reminded her, and the next second, another killing Magic directly struck towards Fern!
"Rumble!"
Like a bolt from the blue, a huge and terrifying sound erupted.
"Zzz Crackle Zzz~"
A blue barrier opened around Fern, but it flickered violently and unstably.
Frieren glanced at Yulian vigilantly before observing Fern's state.
Fern was slumped on the ground, almost completely exhausted, her pupils filled with shock.
The ground around Fern also had large areas deeply sunken, as if it had been heavily plowed.
A normal attack Magic that counters defensive Magic!
"Alright!"
Frieren stopped Yulian's next move, wanting to end the practice.
"Frieren, it's just beginning!"
Yulian's tone was serious.
He had already decided to expose some things, even if it was slightly disadvantageous to the Demon Race!
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