《Demon queens life.》


 Chapter 1. Complete darkness.

    Day 1.


    As Xania slowly wakes up in the middle of the abyss for the first time, she opens her eyes, to find it no different from having her eyes closed due to the immense darkness surrounding her, somehow already knowing her own name.


    H-huh? Where am I?


    As Xania looks around, she notices that the world around her is like end endless abyss, with her not being to see anything, even her own body.


    Where is this, why is it so dark?


    Xania feels around as she struggles to stand, to find that the ground under her feels non-existent yet she can walk on it.


    How strange...


    As Xania starts walking around, slowly getting used to the feeling, she starts feeling around her own body, relieved that she can feel something in this strange place as she familiarises herself with her own body.


    I wonder if there''s someone nearby who can tell me where I''m at.


    As she feels her own head, she feels a pair of something, which she cannot make out due to the darkness, with the tip of the two objects to be oddly sharp and somewhat large despite her not feeling any extra weight on her head at all.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    What''s this? Horns?


    For the next couple hours, Xania keeps feeling her own body, especially the pair of horns and something soft on her back and a tail at her back around her waist as she starts to walk around, looking for anything unique.


    As Xania starts walking around, constantly calling out for another person and looking for a way out, she notices that despite having walked very far, it''s been the same darkness that''s been surrounding her from the start.


    What''s going on? I don''t feel tired at all, there isn''t even anybody in this weird place.


    Xania starts running around forgetting her original goal of looking for a person or a way out, trying to test her stamina as she runs around for hours without feeling tired.


    Wow, I don''t feel tired at all, this is great!


    Xania keeps running around, and jumps suddenly, causing her to fly up into the sky before landing back down, not feeling any pain despite the high fall causing her to keep trying again for fun.


    Cool!


    She keeps jumping and running, enjoying  her situation despite still being stuck in the darkness.


    As Xania keeps playing around and jumping, she accidently flips while in the air causing her to close her eyes and brace herself for pain.


    As she closes her eyes and prepared for the inevitable pain, she waits but feels no such pain as she opens her eyes, despite still being in the darkness but feels herself floating along with the thing on her back opened and flapping as she starts falling back down again crashing into the ground and feeling no pain.


    What just happened, these are wings? Nice!


    As Xania jumps into the air again, tying to open the things on her back, she fails but tries again, only to keep failing and repeating this cycle.


    I''ll succeed eventually!!!


    After a couple hundred more tries, she finally manages to open the things on her back to slow her fall.


    After a couple hundred more tries, she manages to to start maintaining her altitude


    After about a thousand tries in total, she manages to start flying.


    Wow, this is so much better than just being on the ground, I wonder if there''s anything upwards.


    Xania starts flapping her wings, moving up into the sky.

 Chapter 2. Out of the hell hole

    Day 2.


    I''ve been flying for quite a while now, there seems to be absolutely nothing up here.


    Xania stops flying, expecting to fall for hours due to how long and far she''s been flying upwards, but lands in mere seconds, surprising her.


    Huh? Didn''t I fly for so long? Why did I land so quickly?


    Xania contemplates it for a moment before not caring about it as she has no clue.


    Screw it, I gotta find a way out of here.


    For the next couple hours, Xania tries multiple waves to get out such as running in a straight line for an hour at full speed, trying to pass by the floor, trying to fly into the floor, with all to no avail.


    Screw it, it''s not working at all¡­


    For the next few hours, she sits down on the same spot, playing with her tail as she goes to sleep despite not feeling tired even though she played nonstop.


    Day 3.


    Wow, back in here again¡­


    Xania, getting sick of the darkness already, tried harder to escape during the third day, coming up with new solutions each time with every one of them dialing.


    Day 5.


    Xania keeps trying as she hasn''t even taken a rest, getting more desperate as each solution fails completely, with no sign of even getting close to succeeding.


    Day 6.


    Xania sits down on the floor having given up.


    Even if I''m stuck here, I wished I could have some light¡­


    As she wishes for some light, not expecting it, she suddenly sees a orb of light appear In Front of her, surprising her as she reaches out to touch it, causing her hand to pass through it easily.


    Wow, what was that?


    Xania keeps creating more orbs and playing around with them as she starts to easily master it, being able to shine herself and finding out that her wings and tails are black in color with her surroundings being actually pitch black in color despite having light shine on them.


    As Xania keeps trying out her magic, she eventually discovers different types of magic, such as water, earth, fair, wind, light, spatial, special, healing and dark magic or at least that''s what she names them, with her favourite being dark, spatial and earth magic since dark magic seems the most destructive, spatial magic can create portals and teleport but sadly not out of whatever area she''s trapped in and earth magic being able to create structures in this empty world of hers.


    Day 7.


    Xania keeps messing around with her magic as she falls asleep, failing her previous attempts at escaping with magic and physical means the past few days.


    Day 8.


    Xania keeps playing around with magic as she discovers new things constantly such as combining magic to make a stronger attackThis story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Say 9.


    Xania discovers that magic such as light magic can create illusions and water magic can create ice as part of their ability as she experiments with them and discovers that all magics have their own specialities.


    Day 10.


    She continues experimenting with magic, trying to use it to break out and learning new things at the same time.


    Day 20.


    She keeps trying to break out using magic.


    Why doesn''t it work?!  Screw it, if I keep attacking, it''ll work eventually.


    Day 30.


    Screw it, the problem is probably my control over it, right?! If I get stronger then it''ll suffice right?!


    Day 100.


    Xania keeps practicing her magic having lost track of time.


    Day 150.


    Xania faints due to mana deprivation.


    Day 200.


    Xania starts trying to attack her way out again,


    Day 300.


    Xania fails and gives up on breaking out through brute force.


    Screw it, if I use spatial magic with wind magic along with my wings, I can fly far enough to reach out of here eventually right?!


    Day 400.


    Xania keeps flying in one direction, with her mana constantly increasing due to her constant usage of it.


    Day 500.


    Xania gives up and starts flying upwards instead.


    Day 600.


    Xania keeps flying as she faints, waking up hours later to find herself lying down on the ground.


    Day 700.


    Screw it, if I completely master this magic I may be able to get out of here.


    Day 800.


    Xania keeps practicing her magic, getting closer to mastering some.


    Day 900.


    Xania manges to master wind magic.


    Day 1000.


    Xania masters spatial magic too.


    Day 2000.


    Xania masters all but dark magic.


    Day 3000.


    Xania keeps practicing magic as she uses miscellaneous magic to make clothes for herself.


    Day 4000


    Xania tries to calm down using miscellaneous magic to try getting a hobby to distract herself.


    Day 5000.


    Xania masters dark magic.


    Day 7500.


    Xania tries killing herself, but fails to take any damage despite using magic on herself and hitting herself.


    Day 10,000.


    Xania having mastered all the magic she knows, but still not being able to break out, gives up as she sits down hugging herself.


    Day 10,001.


    Xania keeps sitting down, not having moved an inch as she notices some magic being used despite not using any and immediately looks up, noticing a weird circle with words on it and a portal in the center of it.


    What is this?


    Xania shakes her head, thinking that even if she died, it wouldn''t be as bad as her current fate as she steps through.


    As she steps through, she finds herself covering her face, not used to the brightness despite it being in a dimly lit cave with other beings like her but with them being injured and some being nearly dead as they all kneel in her direction, with her being in the center on a slightly elevated circle shaped platform with the same circle and words she saw on the portal.


    As Xania looks around, ignoring them due her joy for finally getting out after being trapped for over 10,000 days in that hellhole.


    Demon lord! You''re finally back!


    The demon closest to her exclaims happily causing her attention to go back to them.


    What''s¡­ going on?


    Demon lord, you have no experiences of the world yet, but let me help explain it to you.


    As the person In Front of her opens her mouth to speak again, they get interrupted by a sudden crash and shouting.


    Demons, Stop running and come accept your fate! One of the people covered in armour exclaims as all the people kneeling down immediately surround her in a defensive stance while preparing to attack the people who keep entering the place despite being much weaker looking and fewer in numbers.


    Who¡­ is my ally?


    We are your subordinates, while those knights are the ones trying to kill us. The person who was closest to her says, being the only one to remain by Xanias side while in a defensive pose against the invaders.


    So, should I attack them?


    If¡­ if possible, I would like to ask that you help us. The person who she now recognises as a woman due to her being closer says while sounding somewhat ashamed.


    Xania decides to try helping, not sure if she can do anything as she raises her hand at them to aim and prepares a couple weaker bolts of dark magic and shoot it at some of the invaders, each piercing through their armies and their bodies, killing them in a single shot, making Xania feel surprised and more confident at how weak they are compared to her.


    As Xania sees the rest running towards them, she prepares more shots and starts shooting them nonstop, easily killing all of them while healing the beings who have a similar appearance to her.


    As she kills all of them, the demons go back to kneeling towards her, with somewhat of a shocked expression at her strength as she finishes healing then all as they try to hide their expressions.


    Demon lord!!! You''re indeed going to be our saviour, you are definitely the strongest one ever!!


    Huh? Can someone explain to me what is happening? Xania says, surprising everyone with how soft and gentle her voice sounds, not noticing it earlier due to being in pain from their injuries and the knights.


    Very well, I am the current second strongest demon alive, I will be your assistant, my name is Anise.


    Second strongest, then who''s the strongest?


    You ofcourse!


    Oh, what a surprise.


    How could it be a surprise? You''re the demon lord so of course you''re the strongest!


    Demon lord? What''s that?


    All of the people around her look up at her, slightly surprised at her complete lack of knowledge before Anise snaps of her slightly shocked state and starts talking again.


    If¡­ you could follow me, I''ll explain to you while you sit down.


    Anise follows behind, the sight of everything even if it''s just the cave walls, the smell of blood and sound of their footsteps all helping her realize the reality that she''s finally out of the terrible place.

 Chapter 3. Heading for the cursed swamps

    As she follows along, Anise brings her to a small room connected to the cave with a single chair as Anise stands beside the chair, waiting for Xania to sit.


    Why is there only one chair?


    My apologies, we are in quite a¡­ difficult situation right now.


    Why don''t you just make another?


    We lack the skill and knowledge to know how to do so, such magic to magic something out of nothing takes a lot of practice, control and talent. Anise says, looking up as she senses Xania using magic and watches slightly shocked at how easily and quickly she makes two new chairs and a table.


    How did you do that? Even for the past demon lords, they all struggled to be able to materialise objects so easily.


    Practice. Xania says, remembering her many days spent practicing with nothing else to do.


    Excuse me, but can you tell me what you mean by practice, didn''t we just summon you? How is that possible? Anise asks, too curious to show the same amount of respect she was showing on previously before realising and going back to kneeling with her head down.


    Why do you kneel?


    Because you''re our lord ofcourse.


    That is not necessary, just sit down.


    Anise listens to her as she slowly goes to sit down, surprised by how comfortable the chair is.


    So, you want to know how I practiced?


    If you are willing to answer ofcourse. Anise says with her head down, clearly not expecting Xania to answer.


    Very well, but answer a question of mine first.


    Anything you want. Anise says somewhat surprised again.


    The place I was in¡­ what was it?


    Oh, that''s called the abyss, all demon lords are born there as we summon them with a portal.


    So how long do most demon lords remain there before the portal appears?


    To my knowledge, it is usually instant with both appearing at the same time, though they usually appear naked.


    How many days is a year?


    365.


    365 huh? I guess I somehow know how long I was in there for, since that place somehow kept reminding me.


    Xania thinks about Anise''s answer and wonders why she had to wait over 25 years while perplexed as she hits the table angrily, causing it to break into pieces easily as sees Anise with a somewhat curious but mostly fearful expression before taking a deep breath.


    Demon lord, did I say something wrong? Anise asks quickly, clearly scared of any consequences that might come her way.


    Anise.


    Yes my lord? She quickly asks.


    You said you wanted to know what I meant by practice?


    Indeed. She quickly answers, her fear having visibly decreased.


    25 years. Xania says while fixing the table.


    Could you please elaborate? I do not understand what that means.


    I was stuck in that damn abyss for more than 25 years. Any clue why?


    Anise gets slightly surprised for a second before looking completely confused.


    I¡­ am not sure why, but I have an idea.


    What is it?


    27 years ago, we tried to resummon the demon lord since our current one had died in the middle of the war, and we were desperate only for humans to interrupt us halfway, preventing us from opening the portal.


    Then why did guys take so long?


    It takes a lot of time and material to summon a new one.


    Fine, what are humans?


    They are the weakest race but they have the most numbers and one of the strongest weapons and we have been at war with them for many hundreds of years, they also live together in hide groups like what we used to be able to do.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    How? They are clearly lacking in strength.


    That''s because of the world tree and holy magic.


    What''s that?


    The world tree choses a person to be a hero and grants them immense amounts of holy power and a talent for fighting and holy magic is the opposite of our dark magic.


    Can I learn it?


    It is not possible, it is like poison to demons


    What are demons?


    We are similar to humans, but live in the underworld.


    So I''m a demon and so are you?


    Indeed.


    What is the underworld?


    Most of the underworld has been destroyed, but it''s similar to the human world, but without sunlight and plants along with different animals.


    What is sunlight, animals and plants?


    I can show you if you would like me to do so.


    First tell me why demons are at constant war.


    That is part of our history if you would like me to tell you.


    Yes.


    Very well, 1000 years ago, the ruler of demons and humans had a disagreement due to the underworld having valuable minerals and the overworked having an abundance of food as they started fighting.


    So why hasn''t the war ended?


    Because once the original demon lord was slain, the demons had summoned another, dying while killing the hero, as the demons summoned another demon lord and the world tree picked a new hero, and this kept happening.


    So who is usually the winner?


    The humans. Anise says slightly annoyed but mostly ashamed.


    What if I don''t help in this war? Xania says, making Anise look at her face to check if she''s serious before looking away again.


    You can''t.


    Why not?


    The dark magic your body lets out makes it possible for experienced humans to track.


    Great¡­


    Fine, so all we need to do is win right?


    Yes?


    So are all the demons I saw just now the only ones left alive?


    No, I''m sure there are still plenty, but they are mostly in hiding.


    How do I get them out?


    Just show yourself and the demons should come back to serve under you especially since you''re so strong.


    Not yet, all the past demon lords have failed so who is to say I will succeed?


    But you''re the strongest, you have the highest chance.


    No, not yet, I need to get stronger or atleast make preparations.


    How?


    First, I need a weapon.


    A weapon, can''t you just make one?


    I''ve tried, but most weapons I make are too imperfect.


    I know where you could potentially get a better weapon, but it''s not guaranteed.


    It''s better than nothing, so tell me.


    Dwarves are the best at making weapons, but they have been mostly killed off by the humans due to the humans greed and the rest are hiding together most likely.


    Very well, call all demons back, we need to start quickly since you said humans live in large groups, so more may come eventually.


    You''ll protect this place?


    No, if I keep protecting this place, a hero will show up eventually, so we need to move.


    To where?


    Where would you suggest is far from any human settlements?


    The only place would be the cursed swamps, but even demons can''t survive there.


    Why is it named that?


    It is said a dragon died there but before it died, it self-destructed, causing the whole area to be afflicted with a curse that kills anything if you stay in for too long.


    What if I use miscellaneous magic?


    What''s that?


    Xania makes a shield out of mana In Front of Anise.


    That''s called shield magic, not miscellaneous magic.


    Oh, I simply classified everything that doesn''t attack as miscellaneous magic.


    Do you want me to inform you on the types of magic?


    No need, let''s just get ready to go.


    As Anise gathers all of the remaining demons back to the place Xania was at First when she left the abyss, all of them pay attention to her kneeling back down, surprised that Anise isn''t doing so.


    No need to kneel.


    But why? One of the demons looking like a giant asks.


    It is unnecessary.


    But it is to show our respect to you.


    It is unnecessary. Xania repeats again.


    As the giant tries arguing back, Anise glares at him, making him shut up.


    Everybody, we''ll be going off to the¡­ cursed swamps after this to avoid the humans.


    But why? A demon looking like a hide snake asks, making Anise glare at it as Xania raises her hand signaling her to stop.


    All the past demon lords have failed so I will not make the same mistake until I know I''m ready.


    With that, all the demons keep quiet as Xania starts walking out of the cave and looking up at the sunlight while using her hand to cover her eyes.


    Anise, I assume that the light is the sun light you said earlier, the greenery around me being the plants and the living beings animals?


    Indeed.


    Very well, let''s go.


    As the demons all follow Xania who''s following Anise due to her knowing the direction, one of them with the appearance of a knight with fire coming out of it speaks up.


    Is it not possible to simply teleport us?


    I need to know how it looks in person if I wish to teleport.


    Very well, my apologies.


    Xania contemplates his words for a minute before teleporting them all forwards, to a location not too far ahead within view, still slowly but much faster than walking.


    Are you 4 the only demons who contributed to my summoning?


    No, there were others but they have died off. Anise replies, sitting on the ground, letting herself be teleported.


    My lord.


    Yes Anise?


    Won''t you run out of mana from this? You''re teleporting 5 people in total nonstop.


    What are you talking about? The amount of mana this takes is miniscule is it not?


    Not at all my lord, most other demon lords would slowly start getting concerned about their mana.


    But I could do this hundreds of thousands of times more.


    My lord¡­ please don''t exaggerate.


    I''m not, is it not normal?


    Not at all¡­very well, if you''re scared of me running out of mana we can take a break.


    Thank you, your safety is our top priority.


    Xania stops teleporting them as she makes a massive mansion out of nothing in seconds, shocking the demons except Anise who has a proud expression on her face.


    As they enter the mansion, they all sit on the opposite side of Xania on the couch that Xania made specifically to suit each of their special qualities except Anise who sits beside her and has a human-like appearance like Xania.


    What are your names and race? Xania asks while materialising water for each of them.


    Why do you wish to know? The knight asks, clearly confused.


    Isn''t it better to address someone by their name? Xania says, making them have doubtful looks before answering.


    Very well, my name is Davien, I was a human but I contracted a demon to become a death knight to get revenge. The knight answers followed by the snake.


    I''m sliver, and I''m a Naga but a young one.


    You''re female right?


    Indeed¡­ . The snake answers, somewhat embarrassed she has to confirm.


    I''m Graunter, I''m a giant. The giant replies.


    I''m Anise!!! I''m a succubus. Anise answers.


    What''s that?


    We use magic to seduce our prey into giving us information or doing things for us before killing them.


    Alright.


    But¡­ demon lord, how are you so strong? The knight asks, as Anise looks over at Xania.


    Asks Anise, I do not wish to explain again, Anise if you will?


    Of Course I''ll help you.


    I''ll be at the dining table later, come there later and do not ask questions related to what Anise will say because I do not need pity and Anise should have sufficient information. Xania finishes talking and starts heading to the kitchen.

 Chapter 4. Xania cooks

    As Xania goes to the kitchen and brings it over to the dining table in time as she sees the other demons approaching, clearly wanting to comfort her as Xania galres at them, reminding them what she said.


    Everybody, there''s food but I''m not sure if you guys eat  what I eat so just try it and throw it away if it''s not to your satisfaction. Xania says, not elaborating further on her 27 painful years.


    As the demons sit at their designated unique seats, they try the food and the mood immediately gets better as they start devouring the food, not having tasted such nice food in quite a while.


    Can I have more? Anise says with the others agreeing with her as Xania goes to the kitchen to take more food.


    Lord, how did you create this? I thought magic couldn''t make cooked food?


    I didn''t, I just made the ingredients with magic.


    Then how did this food appear?


    I cooked it.


    As Xania says that, all the demons stop eating on the spot and turn to look at her who''s looking back at them curiously, clearly confused why they stopped.


    You¡­ cooked it? Anise says with food still In her mouth but not biting.


    Yea, what''s the problem? Is it not nice?


    No, it''s great, but¡­ why do you know how to cook?


    When you''re trapped for over 25 years, you need entertainment.


    But why bother to cook for us?


    Why wouldn''t I?


    As Xania says that, she sees Anise stand up and walk to her, having swallowed the food in her mouth and hugs her.


    My lord, from this point on you are my god!!!!


    Is this seriously a big thing?


    Of course!!! All other demon lords didn''t treat their subordinates well, but you even cooked for us!!


    Just eat your food¡­ also my name is Xania, you guys just call me that instead.


    How could I call my god by her name?


    ¡­


    I''ll just call you miss Xania. Devian says while the other two demons don''t react, not sure whether or not to call Xania by her name or not.


    I will remember this for the rest of my life!!!! Anise claims before going back to finish her food with the other three following along.


    Xania watches as they finish her food, clearly satisfied from it and smiles, satisfied that she was able to make them happy as the four look at her and Anise walking up to her confusing her as Anise hugs her again.


    Anise¡­ What are you doing? Xania asks, gently trying to push Anise off but she doesn''t let go.


    My lord.


    Yes?


    Could you smile again?


    Xania smiles, still confused.


    Like this?


    My lord, you''re so innocent.


    Huh?


    I think your gonna make me change my preference.


    What preference.


    I think I''m gonna start ordering women over men.


    Right¡­


    Xania pats Anise''s head having given up on pushing her away due to not wanting to accidentally hurt her, clearly confused by what she meant.


    Later.


    Xania showed them each to their room as she went into her own with Anise following behind.


    My lord, are you going to sleep yet?This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Sleep?


    Are you going to sleep yet?


    What''s that?


    Seriously?


    Yes.


    It is just closing your eyes and passing out.


    Why would I want to do that?


    It''s refreshing and helps you refill your energy.


    Energy?


    Stamina.


    What a waste of time, I have more than enough stamina to last a couple years, I''ll be fine.


    Then how did you gain stamina back without sleeping in your 25 years?


    I would simply faint whenever I ran out of mana, stamina was never a problem?


    My lord, that''s not okay, you should go to sleep.


    Seeing Anise''s insistence, Xania gives in and lies on her bed with Anise following beside her.


    Why are you here?


    Simple my lord, even though I''m not attracted to women, I still find you cute, innocent and pretty.


    Thank you? But what''s with the cute?


    When you smiled just now lord.


    So why are you here?


    I''m your assistant, I should be beside you all the time.


    That''s a lie, tell me why you''re here.


    ¡­ I''m scared of the dark.


    The dark?


    Lord, I know you were in the abyss for 25 years, so you may not be scared of the dark but I grew up with my parents telling me horror stories you know?


    That''s not true.


    It is, my parents always scared me with all kinds of stories.


    No, the part where I''m not scared of the dark, if it''s completely dark, it would probably remind me of the abyss and scare me.


    So letting me sleep with you will benefit us both right lord? Anise says, with her hands together, in a praying gesture.


    Fine, fine, but don''t blame me if my sleeping habits are bad.


    Of Course my lord!


    As Xania goes to sleep while Anise pretends to go to sleep, Anise open her eyes to look at Xanias sleeping face which looks like that of a child''s and uses magic to start drawing her face secretly making multiple copies to keep and share.


    In the morning.


    As Anise wakes up, having fallen asleep after drawing the picture with magic, she notices Xania still asleep, but wrapped around her as she tries to free herself to no avail due to Xanias strength.


    As Anise accepts her temporary after if being trapped, she hears a knock on the door and she''s magic to quietly open it as the 3 other demons enter, surprised to see Anise in Xanias bed and being completely wrapped by her.


    Come here and look at her. Anise whispers, using her tail to gesture for them to get closer which they do and Anise uses her tail to point to Xania¡¯s face.


    As the three other demons go over quietly and look at her face, they had to take a second look to confirm that it was indeed Xania, their demon lord who was sleeping there due to her appearance that does not fit the cruel image of a demon lord at all.


    This¡­ is our demon lord? The death knight asks.


    Apparently so. The Naga replies.


    Well, it''s better than the previous ones. The giant says.


    Doesn''t she look so cute? Anise says quietly, making sure not to wake her up.


    I guess you could say that¡­ . The death knight answers.


    The four watches as Xania slowly wakes up, rubbing her eyes as she notices herself getting Anise and Anise hugging her back as the other 3 demons look at her with an expression she didn''t expect them to have while looking at her.


    What is going on? Xania asks, still tired and cuddling with Anise as she also has an expression that doesn''t look like she''s looking at someone to look up to, more so looking at someone who needs protection.


    Right, what is going on?


    Lord, are you sure your the demon lord?


    Well, I believe so?


    I think after winning this war, you should retire as a demon lord.


    Why?


    You don''t look like a cruel demon lord at all, you look even more innocent and cuter than a child and pretty enough to make me prefer women.


    ¡­ Let me go, we still need to arrive at the cursed swamp.


    Just a moment longer?


    I still need to cook, don''t I?


    You''re the demon lord, you don''t need to cook, we''ll go do it.


    Sure then.


    Xania watches as they leave the room with Anise promising they will cook the food.


    A couple minutes later after hearing no response despite Xania knowing they can use magic to speed up the process significantly, she goes down to check what''s going on to find the whole kitchen ruined.


    Xania sighs as she fixes the whole kitchen with magic in a second making Anise and the others turn back to look at her as Anise runs to her.


    My lord!!! I apologise, but I forgot we don''t know how to cook.


    Hearing this, Xania sighs and enters the kitchen to prepare to cook.


    My lord can we watch you?


    If you wish to do so, then why not?


    The demons all watch as Xania put on an apron and starts cooking with ease, adding the exact amount of ingredients and cutting them perfectly.


    As Xania finishes the food, she brings it to the dining table again, for them to eat.


    My lord aren''t you going to eat too?


    I do not need to.


    My lord it''s not a matter of needing to do so or not, eating is one of life''s many joys you know?


    Do I really have to?


    Of course.


    Anise takes a spoonful and try feeding Xania.


    Yesterday weren''t you treating me like I was some kind of god?


    Yes, but that was before I knew how kind you were and how innocent you were of the world.


    Anise keeps holding the spoon for Xania to eat.


    I can eat it myself, you know?


    But I find satisfaction in feeding you.


    ¡­


    Xania, who cannot be bothered to argue back anymore, decides to just eat the food that Anise is holding out, making her happy as she senses Anise using some magic under the table.


    Anise, what are you doing?


    Nothing my lord.


    Anise immediately hides her paintbrush further under the table as Xania uses magic to snatch it and sees Anise trying to paint her with magic.


    Seriously?


    My lord, you can''t blame me, this is like a parent taking care of their child you know? In a few years at most, in the human world you''ll probably lose your innocence along with some of your cuteness with it so I have to keep a record of every moment.


    Xania sighs upon hearing what Anise said before passing the picture back as Anise finishes it and starts creating duplicates, handing it out to the other 3 demons along with pictures from last night.


    ¡­ Heat did you draw those?


    Last night.


    Didn''t you go to sleep?


    Of Course not, I had to draw a picture to record this.


    ¡­ I believe everybody has rested enough so let''s go.


    Xania makes the entire mansion disappear within seconds as they start walking again.


    My lord, why aren''t you teleporting us?


    Weren''t you worried about my lack of mana yesterday?


    That was before I knew you could make a mansion appear and disappear with no basically effort.


    Fine, I''m not teleporting because I sense people incoming and I would like to know what they are planning on doing.


    Huh people? But I don''t sense anyone.


    They are 5 kilometers away.


    How can you sense them?


    I can sense up to 100 kilometers away at least.


    At least?


    I haven''t tried further.


    Oh¡­


    Their about to reach.


    As Xania and the demons look around they notice bandits surrounding them quickly.


    What''s this? Demons? Well, you guys will fetch a good price on the market now won''t ya?

 Chapter 5. Short lived bandits.

    Hey, Anise, you guys can handle it right?


    Of course, we may have easily lost to the knights, but these guys are a lot weaker.


    Sure, kill them, but spare a couple.


    Sure!


    What, some stupid demons think they can take us on? Do you not know who we are? One of the bandit shouts.


    You dare insult my lord?!


    A demon¡¯s lord? I bet you''re all equally pathetic.


    My lord, can we start now?


    Sure.


    Xania watches as Anise, Sliver, Davie and Graunter start attacking the humans as they try fighting back but get beaten easily as they bring back a total of 10 humans who are nearly dead as Xania heals them all and sees Anise bringing back another guy, recognising him as the one who was insulting them.


    My lord, can I keep and torture him?


    Whatever I supposed. Xania says while healing him too and materialising rope around the bandits.


    Hey Anise come here, stop beating that guy.


    Sure. Anise throws the guy towards a tree as he crashes into it and dies immediately.


    Anise, teach me your magic to seduce people.


    Huh, why do you wanna learn it?


    It seems useful.


    But you can''t learn it, it''s part of the succubus race, it''s not acquirable.


    Fine, just show me then.


    Fine, but you can''t learn it even if you tried.


    Anise starts using her magic and Xania observes closely and mimics the spell easily.


    Lord! How did you do that? Even if you use the same magic you can''t do it.


    Isn''t it simple? I just have to change my mana into mana similar to yours and it''ll work.


    But changing mana takes a lot more mana from you doesn''t it?!


    Yea, but I have a lot.


    Lord, your so strong you know?


    I wouldn''t say that I''m strong. Xania says while making all the bandits'' heads explode.


    Lord¡­ when you''re killing people you''re oddly scary since you''re smiling so innocently while doing so.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Wanna become stronger, all of you? Xania asks, making them all pay attention fully.


    How? Anise asks, followed by Davie, the death knight.


    I can''t get any stronger, it''s part of being a death knight.


    I can''t use magic either, Graunter the giant admits.


    I can only get stronger overtime. Sliver, the Naga adds on.


    What about becoming my familiar?


    But won''t that share a percentage of your strength? That would weaken you too much.


    It won''t, the familiar spell can''t share enough of my mana so it''ll hit a limit, and I can share my physical strength too since that''ll also hit a limit.


    Lord, how strong are you physically?


    Not sure, never tried before, but do you want to be my familiars or not?


    But lord, in the past the demon lords only gave their strength to those they trusted the most, and you''ve only known us for 2 days.


    Yes, but you guys are the ones who helped me out, and the strength decrease won''t be noticeable, I just need to go get stronger anyways.


    How?


    By training non-stop obviously, it''s how my mana and strength is so high, is it not the same for you guys?


    It''s the same, but your just too talented my lord.


    Indeed, the succubus is right. The knight says.


    So everybody come here, starting with you Anise.


    Anise goes closer excitedly as she feels Xania using magic on her along with an invisible contract which is being forced upon her, but she accepts it into her body and feels a massive surge of mana in her body, making her as strong as a demon lord of the past.


    My lord¡­ how strong are you?


    I''m not strong, just talented.


    Anyways my lord, you should be careful about doing this.


    Why?


    If you do this then the world tree will take higher precautions against you and choose more heroes.


    So what?


    Huh?


    If I get you guys to the strongest I can, then we can easily get more demons to join us faster, increasing our strength.


    Anyways, sliver, come here next.


    As sliver, the Naga slowly slithers over, Xania uses a contract on her but Sliver feels no different.


    Demon lord, I feel no different?


    I know, that''s because I''m going to do this.


    Xania raises her hand at Sliver as she uses time magic to forcibly age Sliver while injecting her with non-harmful mana as Sliver starts growing in size and strength.


    Ok done, also don''t worry about your life span, I replaced your lost life span with mine, which was also why I made the familiar contrast with you.


    But won''t that be bad for you? Sliver asks, worried about Xania.


    No, look at me, do you see any visible changes on me?


    No?


    That''s because I have an infinite or almost infinite lifespan.


    How do you know?


    I tried killing myself in the abyss with time magic but it didn''t work.


    As Xania says that, she feels everybodies mood go down again.


    Guys, it''s in the past.


    It was 2 days ago lord.


    It''s still In the past.


    Miss Xania, that''s still not okay you know? Davien speaks up.


    Stop it, Davien come here, you next.


    As Davien goes up, he notices her looking confused.


    Davien, how do I make you stronger? I don''t think mana or strength would work.


    You have to provide an offering and infuse it into my body with mana, but I do not need you to strengthen me.


    It''s okay, I can easily do so.


    Xania uses the familiar contract on him to be able to more easily infuse her offering into him.


    Everybody, close your eyes.


    Why?


    Just do it.


    Xania waits for everybody to close their eyes before ripping her own arm off and using it as an offering, healing her arm back before anybody opens their eyes.


    I''m open.


    As Davien opens his eyes, he feels himself much stronger than just a moment ago and Xania''s dress stained with blood.


    Miss Xania, did you hurt yourself to provide an offering?


    Upon hearing that, Anise notices the blood stains too before tackling Xaina to the ground.


    Lord!! What did you do?


    Nothing.


    Don''t say nothing, your dress is completely stained with blood!


    Oh yea¡­ forgot that blood would be a problem, fine okay I ripped an arm off, now get off of me.


    Not till you agree not to do so again!


    Don''t worry, it didn''t even hurt, I used magic to prevent myself from feeling pain.


    I don''t care, not till you agree! Anise sits on Xania''s stomach as Xania watches despite being able to easily push her off.


    Fine fine, I promise.


    You better keep it.


    As Anise gets off Xania, Xania starts making a contract with the giant, giving him a massive increase in physical strength.


    My lord, are you sure you are okay? You just gave a lot to us.


    Of Course I''m okay, let''s get going now to the cursed swamp alright?


    Of course.

 Chapter 6. Shield.

    30 minutes later.


    We''ve finally reached it!!!! Anise shouts while preparing to run into the swamp only to be pulled back by Davien before she enters.


    Hey, why did you do that?


    Dangerous.


    I''ll be okay, lord made us stronger.


    Still dangerous, even previous demon lords didn''t dare to simply enter and leave like it''s their home.


    Fine fine.


    Anyways lord, how are you supposed to make a shield big enough for us to hide in?


    Hearing this, Xanis makes a shield, but it doesn''t suffice despite being huge.


    Lord, how about we try creating a shield too?


    Unnecessary.


    Then how?


    Xanis starts creating a bunch of medium sized barriers enough to cover all of them easily.


    Miss Xania, can I try hitting it to test if it can hold up against the curse?


    Sure.


    The death knight, Davien raises his sword before bringing it down on the barrier with all his strength, causing it to crack.


    Is it strong enough?


    Should be able to last a couple of days.


    Good enough, let''s go.


    As Xania replaces the damaged barrier, they all set off into the cursed swamp looking for a way to create a home there safely.


    So, where is this dead dragon you told me of?


    Well¡­


    Well?


    I have no clue, it was just a rumor.


    Does anybody here have a clue where it is?


    Silence¡­


    Fine, I''ll set up a somewhat safe area here with shields, Anise you help to maintain it, the other three, protect her.


    Ok, sure. Anise does a playful salute and watches as Xania expands the shields around them, filling the gaps up with more shields when they do appear as Xania uses her wings to fly up creating more shields around her while leaving her own safe area she made.


    As Xania leaves, she sees Anise starting to supply the shields with mana as she starts going off to the center of the swamp to look for ways to remove this curse.


    But it''s strange, even though curses are part of dark magic, I don''t sense any dark magic around here at all.


    Xania continues moving into the center, encountering some not so intelligent monsters who evolved to the cursed and seem to be able to deal curse damage.


    How weird.


    As Xania keeps going in further, she finds the dead dragon Anise was talking about, reduced to just bones.


    As Xania checks around its body, she finds traces of magic being used, similar to dark magic.


    Was there an ability of dark magic I didn''t know about?


    Xania fly''s back to Anise who''s still maintaining the barrier easily as Graunter, Sliver and Davien kill any monsters approaching.


    Lord, your back already?


    Indeed, I have a question.


    I''ll answer to the best of my ability.


    What are the abilities of dark magic?


    Dark magic can attack, use curses and dilute the environment.


    Dilute the environment?


    It basically poisons the environment, preventing any living being from surviving for long.


    Can a dragon use dark magic?


    Some can.


    I thought it was limited to demons only?


    No, but it is mainly used by demons, so it is seen as evil, some humans also use it but it costs them to do so.


    Costs them?


    Such as sacrifices.


    Like what I gave to Davien?


    Indeed, they usually use other humans to do so.


    No wonder they''re seen as evil, anyways, how do I remove the poison caused by dark magic?


    You need holy magic which we don''t have. How annoying, but I guess if we make use of this, it can serve as protection.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    How?


    Follow me.


    Xania shrinks the barrier once again, using magic to levitate them all while maintaining the shield around them as she brings them to the center of the swamp with the dragon''s skeleton.


    Oh wow, that''s a big skeleton, it must have been a fully grown adult.


    Indeed.


    It would be nice to keep it.


    Do you want it?


    You don''t?


    What would I do with it?


    True¡­


    You four decide how to distribute it amongst yourselves. Xania says while levitating the skeleton and using dark magic to destroy the ground below them in a couple kilometer radius, replacing it with new land using earth magic.


    Lord¡­ won''t it just become poisoned again?


    I controlled it, I only used enough mana for each shot for there to be no remaining mana.


    Oh.


    As for the rest of the mana in the air, I''ll use wind magic to blow it all away.


    But it''ll affect other people.


    Do you care or know them?


    Not at all lord.


    Seeing how dangerous this swamp is, I doubt they would dare enter to find the cause as long as the damage isn''t too severe.


    Xania starts materialising a castle in the center of the land she just made.


    Lord, should you really be wasting your mana like this?


    I have more than enough, and my mana recovery is fast enough if I concentrate it''s even faster anyways.


    Oh but lord you should be careful, how much of your mana is left?


    Basically all.


    Don''t lie lord.


    Fine, I''ll show you later.


    How?


    Later. Everybody, I''ll create a shield here but is there a way to sustain it?


    A magic circle. Anise says.


    A magic stone would be better. Davien says.


    What are those things?


    A magic stone can hold mana.


    How much?


    Depends on the toe of magic stone, with the most being able to hold an entire archmages mana.


    An archmage?


    They are humans who achieved the highest tier of a type of magic.


    How many do they usually master?


    Just one type like demons, but archmages are much rare in humans due to their shorter lifespan.


    How many of these archmage do they have?


    Currently one for every element with fighting capabilities except holy and dark magic.


    Hmmm, seems worth it.


    But a magic circle amplifys magic!! Anise argues back.


    What do you mean?


    It can amplify the strength of a magic as long as your magic circle is skilled enough, letting you easily maintain the shield for a low amount of mana.


    Couldn''t I just use both?


    I guess but won''t it take too long?


    Not at all, teach me how to make a magic circle.


    Sure, but it took me 3 months and even then, it was considered faster.


    I''m a very fast learner.


    Alright.


    3 hours later.


    My lord.


    Yea? Xania asks while easily maintaining multiple magic circles at once and upgrading them to improve the efficiency non-stop.


    This isn''t fair!!!!! It took me 3 months but you 3 hours and you''re already more skilled than me!!!


    It was easy though?


    Hearing that, Anise gets stuck between cussing at Xania and not doing so due to Xanias being the demon lord and her being her assistant.


    Seeing this, Xania sighs and uses the familiar binding magic to give Anise her knowledge on magic circles, letting her see magic circles as easily as Xania does.


    Lord, you didn''t need to do that.


    You didn''t seem happy.


    That wasn''t true at all!!


    I can feel your emotions vaguely from the familiar pact.


    Oh, any emotions?


    Any and all of them.


    No exceptions?


    Don''t worry, I have no interest in what you feel when you think, feel or do when you think nobody is looking. Xania says calmly, making Anise look around at the other demons while embarrassed, flailing her arms about.


    No guys, it''s not what you think!! Anise says as they nod Their heads, despite having an expression that they don''t first her.


    But I''m a succubus, isn''t it normal?!


    Technically, after I gave you so much of my mana, controlling yourself shouldn''t be a problem anymore.


    Yea but I''ve been on the run for the past 25 years so I hadn''t even had time to find a partner!!!


    The only reason I''m saying this Infront of everyone is because you still keep drawing those pictures of me.


    Yea, but the only person I can even do it with right now is you, and I''m not into women and I sure as hell doubt you are!


    Actually, I have no clue seeing as the only demons I''ve seen are you four.


    Then how about you just use seduction magic on me? It works, you know?


    Why would I do that?


    Then stop making fun of me!!!!


    Fine, anyways we need a magic stone now, where do we get one?


    To get one big enough for an area like this, we would probably need one from a dragon''s den, but I doubt they would lend it.


    Then let''s go kill a dragon. Xania says while using magic to locate one.


    Hey, I was joking, you know?


    I wasn''t, do you want to follow or stay here?


    Do you need me?


    No.


    Then why ask me to follow?


    Because you seem to like a dragon''s body.


    Oh yea, could you bring it back? And could you stop levitating the skeleton of the dead one?


    Not until I create the shield.


    Oh ok.


    Anyways I''ll be back, just stay right here.


    Sure, just wait a mo¡­ a moment¡­ you still hadn''t placed the Skeleton down. Anise finished her sentence despite Xania having teleported away mid sentence.


    Xania starts approaching the dragon, s she finally reaches only to be treated by a breath of fire which she easily counters with water.


    Demon, why are you here to taunt me?


    How am I taunting you?


    Is bringing a skeleton of my kin here not doing so?!


    Ah right, forgot about this, no you see I found this.


    Don''t lie demon, where could a kin of mine having lived to have grown so large have died from so long that only bones are left?


    The cursed swamp, I''m not here to argue, just give me your best magic stone and I''ll be on my way.


    Lies demons, even dragons can''t survive in that swamp, how could you have done so?


    Look, stop wasting my time and pay up.


    The dragon breaths another breath of fire as it costs other magic at the same time, all of which Xania uses dark magic to counter and shoot the dragon back with a decent strength shot, injuring it greatly.


    Pay up the magic stone, or I''ll find it after your death.


    You''re not a normal demon, who are you?


    What does it matter to you? Just give me what I need. Xania says while preparing hundreds of attacks made from dark magic, ready to shoot on her command.


    As the dragon glares at Xania, looking as if it''s about to attack again it simply goes back into its den and uses magic to throw a magic stone the size of Xania at her.


    Now that I think about it, Anise also wanted a dragon body so I''ll give you three choices, make a familiar contract with me, die or get a slave contract forced upon you.


    This wasn''t the agreement demon.


    Choose now or die. Xania warns while making thousands more attacks.


    A familiar contract. The dragon answers reluctantly, clearly unsatisfied with its current situation.


    Very well.


    Xania uses magic to force a familiar contract upon it, turning it''s scales from a vibrant blue to a pitch dark black colour.


    Why has your colour changed?


    Are you mocking me?


    No, I''m simply curious. Xania answers while getting rid of her magic.


    Fine, it''s because I can use dark magic now, making me into a demonic dragon, happy?


    Can you transform into a humanoid figure?


    Of course, transformation magic is simple for dragons. He says proudly.


    What''s your name?


    Dragrove.


    What a weird name.


    Xania teleports the both of them back to the cursed swamp with Anise there, not surprised anymore due to all the crazy stunts she''s seen Xania pull.


    Here Anise, a dragon like you wanted. I''m going to set the shield up now so leave me alone.


    Xania goes over to the center, setting up the magic circle and magic stone as she fills the magic stone up with her mana and uses wind magic to blow all the poisonous gas away while activating the shield.


    Everybody, even the dragon, admires the shield as it starts shining, slightly rainbow in colour due to the quality of the magic circle and magic stone, providing highly concentrated mana, causing a slight rainbow color from the sun.


    What a sight.


    Indeed my lord, but you said you would show me how much mana you had earlier.


    Not yet Anise, the dwarves are able to make magic items, yes or no?


    Yes, why?


    I need to provide you guys with a way out don''t I?


    I suppose but couldn''t you just teleport us?


    Indeed, but what about when I''m away or if other demons come and you''re stuck in here?


    ¡­ I suppose that would be a problem.


    Good, you agree, let''s go to the dwarves next, dragon. You stay here and decide if you want to serve me or not. If the answer is yes, you''ll be serving Anise, if not, I''ll kill you.

 Chapter 7. Beam.

    So what will it be dragon? Xania prepares some magic while waiting for the dragon''s answer as she notices the dragon still reluctance.


    If you agree I''ll also share some of my mana with you instead of just letting you use dark magic.


    How much?


    As much as the spell can provide.


    Lies, nobody would be willing to share that much even if they had enough.


    I can and I shall, so make your choice dragon.


    Fine, I''ll serve this demon here so prove it.


    Xania uses the familiar contract to provide the dragon with as much mana as the spell can hold causing him to accidently breath fire made of dark magic out of his mouth due to the extreme change in mana before closing it.


    Good, you have a humanoid form right? Change into it, you take up too much space.


    Fine.


    Dragrove changes into a teenager boy.


    Change into your real age.


    This is my real age for a dragon. He says while huffing out from smoke from his nose somehow despite not being a dragon anymore, making Xania wonder if he can still breath fire out in his human form for a moment before refocusing.


    Whatever, everybody come here.


    Xania waits as everybody leaves the castle and goes back to the front gates


    Dragrove, go and join Anise.


    Fine. Xania waits for Dragrove to go next to Anise as they stand side by side, both being annoyed at Xania for their own reasons.


    Wow, they look pretty similar when annoyed, I would''ve believed it if someone told me they''re related.


    So why are we here? Anise asks, snapping Xania out of her thoughts.


    Oh yea, look over there. Xania points behind her to the side of the shield, turning back to make sure she''s pointing correctly.


    Yes?


    I''ll create a pathway out, covered in shields for now, Anise you and Dragrove are to maintain the shield.


    Sure, but why are you creating a pathway out? I can just teleport anyone out you know?


    Because I intend to gather the demons here, and unless you intend to teleport every single one of them, a pathway would be useful.


    Oh, makes sense, but how are you going to gather demons?


    I''ll show you, but first, tell me about human kingdoms.


    Sure, there are many, but the main 3 are lucival, the holy kingdom, the place where the hero usually appears. Kislat, the kingdom with the biggest army, and lastly, cranze, a kingdom focused mainly on production, such as food or weapons and is protected by the two.


    Oh, but which is stronger? Kislat or Lucival?


    Kislat is stronger but Lucival is a bigger threat to us since they have a contract with the elves for the world tree and their holy magic is ridiculously strong, their also the ones who attacked us before in the cave.


    Ok, any chance they will attack us here if I let out a lot of dark magic?


    No, I suspect they already know that the swamp isn''t cursed and is caused by dark magic, so they''ll probably assume that something happened to the dragon as the risk of entering here is too high to confirm a fact they think they can guess.


    Oh okay, then I guess it wouldn''t matter if I did this.


    What?


    Xania teleports them all to the top of the castle, blowing up the ceiling as she blasts a beam of pure dark magic in the sky without even using a spell, causing it to start dispersing a couple hundred feets outside the shield, spreading in all directions.


    Demons will be attracted by this, right? Xania says with her right arm still raised up, blasting the beam upwards as her left hand plays with her tail.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    I guess, but how long can you maintain that?


    Probably a whole year, but that seems unnecessary, just think of this as me showing you that I still have a lot of mana to spare since you asked me to show you before.


    Right¡­ I think that''s enough mana already.


    No, I got a lot more to spare.


    No, I mean basically every demon in the world knows about it already.


    Oh ok.


    By the way, after killing the hero, the world tree will just pick another, so why don''t I destroy the world tree? Xania asks while stopping the beam.


    The world tree is called the world tree, destroying it will cause the world to be destroyed.


    Oh, then what if I stop people from going to the world tree, then it can''t pick another hero right?


    They don''t need physical contact.


    What if I use dark magic along with shield magic to create a barrier around the world tree?


    That¡­ might work, but everybody will be pissed if you do that since the fruits the world tree provides can boost your strength, mana and life span.


    What if I eat it?


    It''s poisonous to beings who use dark magic without needing to pay a price except for mana.


    Oh, anyways, if I make the elves desperate enough, they''ll agree to the barrier if I spare them right?


    And promise to do no harm to the world tree since they value it more than their lives because their ancestors died for it, but it''s still a gamble.


    Oh, anyways the dwarves are the priority right now anyways, so who here knows how to get to the dwarves?


    As Xania asks, everybody goes quiet for a moment before an unexpected person goes up.


    Dragrove, you know?


    Of course I do, despite being a teenager in a dragon''s lifespan, I''ve still lived for very long so I have a clue where they may be at.


    Sure, while I''m gone you four defend this place and help any demons who are on the way alright?


    Sure my lord.


    You''re no longer annoyed at me?


    What do you mean by that? Anie asks, getting annoyed again.


    You call me my lord or just lord when your not in a bad mood.


    When are you going off? Anise asks Dragrove, ignoring Xania.


    I need a couple weeks to set up the teleportation circle because I don''t remember clearly where it was.


    How annoying.


    So my lord. Anise says, annoyed.


    Are we free to go?


    Sure.


    Anise and the rest goes back as Xania teleports into her bedroom and Anise entering after though still annoyed, due to requesting before to sleep in Xanias room and not wanting her own room, something she regrets at the very moment.


    Anise?


    Shut up.


    Fine.


    A couple weeks later as Anise''s mood finally gets better and Dragrove finishes the magic circle.


    My lord, have a safe trip!


    Sure, Dragrove, teleport us already, stop wasting my time.


    Alright alright, what a severe lack of patience you have.


    As Dragrove teleports him and Xania away, Anise sighs as she looks up as the darkmana in the sky, spreading all around, causing the air to become much more poisonous, and probably capable of killing weaker demons instantly despite demons having a higher tolerance and resistance for dark magic.


    Okay, dragrove, where are the dwarves and why are we standing In front of a mountain?


    They''re in the mountains.


    Huh? So should I just blow it up? Xania asks, tilting her head as she prepares to shoot some dark magic before Dragrove stops her.


    Are you crazy?! If you do that, what makes you think they will help you?!


    Oh yea, I came for their help for a weapon, how did you know?


    Well, why else would anyone like for the dwarves? You don''t seem to particularly be the type to find joy in killing.


    I guess not, lead the way.


    Xania follows as Dragrove injects his mana into a hidden magic circle, causing a small pathway to open up.


    Wow, I didn''t know you could hide a magic circle like this, I wonder if I can do it too. Xania starts trying to imitate what she just saw.


    The dwarves spent generations perfecting it, there''s no way you can¡­ . Dragrove is back as Xania starts using a bit of magic, having figured out how to perfectly imitate the dwarves.


    Screw it¡­ but don''t let them see you doing that or they won''t take kindly to it.


    Why not?


    Because you took seconds to copy what took them generations, and this is Their magic so you basically just stole it.


    Oh, fine I won''t do this Infront of them.


    You better remember that. Dragrove says before finally reaching the end of the small opening, leading to an underground village, too small to call a city, but much bigger than a village, with a makeshift castle in the center, much smaller than Xania''s mansion, but still bigger than a house.


    Wow, but doesn''t it seem pretty lifeless here?


    They''re probably sleeping, it''s underground so their sleeping schedules are all messed up.


    Xania and Dragrove enter the village as they continue to find a lack of anybody as they start searching the houses and blacksmiths.


    Anybody there? Xania asks while fanning the dust away from her face.


    Nobody¨C ah choo!-- here¡­


    It''s so dusty, I keep sneezing, if it''s so dusty I doubt anybody has been here for quite a while.


    Maybe they moved?


    Why would¨Cah Choo!-- move? It looks pretty nice to live in, maybe something happened?


    Let''s go check the castle first then.


    Sure.


    As Xania and Dragrove approaches the castle doors, Xania gets a bad feeling as she pushes open the gigantic doors, which she feels is unnecessary, but not the point as she sees the carpet soaked with dry blood and skeletons there, too small to belong to humans.


    Oh, I guess the humans got here before we did. Dragrove says, walking around, unbothered by the scene as he kicks a skull out of his way.


    Shame, could you guess who did this?


    I assume the cranze kingdom as their weapon productive was also second compared to the dwarves.


    But how could they fight?


    They probably paid the Kislat kingdom some of their higher quality weapons or something to do this seeing as the Lucival kingdom, being the holy kingdom doesn''t engage in mindless slaughter even if they''re paid, unless it''s to kill demons, which they''ll happily do for free.


    Great, so my only hopes of a weapon is gone.


    It''s not completely gone, they probably imprisoned the dwarves to torture them.


    Oh, do you know where the Cranze kingdom is?


    Yea, but you aren''t intending to go and break them out right?


    That''s what I''m gonna do, I can also get the dwarves to be indebted to me and make weapons for free.


    Cruel woman, hard to believe you''re the same as this woman in these pictures.. Dragrove says while pulling out the pictures of Xania sleeping and being fed.


    Where did you get those?


    Anise gave it to me, saying it was a welcome gift and that she intends to hand these out to everyone.


    ¡­ When I get back, Anise is going to get it.

 Chapter 8. Prison break.

    So, have you been to cranze before? Xania asks, while watching him prepare a magic circle for teleporting due to the massive distance between the dwarves hideout and cranze.


    Which kingdom do you hate the most?


    Lucival.


    Why?


    Although they hate demons the most, they also hate any non-human lifeforms regardless of how human they look or act, which includes dragons, but they don''t dare to go on an all out war with dragons because they are already dealing with demons.


    Can you explain the religion they believe in since it''s the holy kingdom so they should have one.


    Sure, they all only believe in the god of creation believing that she was the one who created life with any non-human lifeforms being created by the god of despair who they believe opposes the god of creation, they also believe in every other god but not as strongly.


    Oh great, I''ll never understand why humanity has a religion honestly.


    Neither do I, so far the only races with a religion or higher being they believe in are humans, or the rare exception of a higher being interfering with humans or other races, which causes it to look more like a cult.


    What about me, what do they think of me as?


    Most likely an apostle or descent of an evil god or something like that, there may even be some who would think you''re an evil god yourself due to how strong you are.


    What a creative imaginative, hey, when are you gonna be done with the music circle?


    Wait a moment, I don''t want to use all my mana on this magic circle since I do need a way to fight back if necessary.


    Xania watches in annoyance as he slowly pours mana in despite having sufficient as she just pours her own mana in, nearing making the magic circle for wrong and sending them too far as the magic circle activates.


    As the magic circle activates, they find themselves right In Front of the kingdom''s gates luckily having no guards around.


    Hey, if you had just poured in a bit more we would have gotten sent into the kingdom you know?


    Yes I''m aware, I just didn''t think your magic circle would be this good.


    It''s nothing compared to yours.


    Exactly, which is why I was overestimating you so I put in more mana in case yours wasn''t as efficient.


    In other words you were looking down on me.


    Anyways, I''m gonna make us invisible so guide me to the dungeon.


    And yep you are looking down on me.


    Let''s go.


    Stop ignoring what I''m saying.


    Are you gonna go or not?


    Not till you admit you were looking down on me.


    I still am, start moving.


    Apology.


    Don''t push your luck.


    I''m not moving either.


    Look I will remove your invisibility and bind you to the highest point in the city if you don''t start moving.


    Fine fine.


    Dragrove reluctantly starts heading to the castle, avoiding any civilians or guards nearby as Xania follows behind, playing with her tail and nearing alerting some of the guards as she brushes her tail against them accidently, annoying Dragrove everytime.


    We''re here, could you stop doing that with your tail?


    You have a tail too, you could do the same couldn''t you?


    First, my tail is scaly and a lot heavier than yours so it''s not as fun, second, it is not about me having a tail, it''s about you being annoying.


    Fine fine, I''ll stop it, now go find the dwarves.


    They should be in the deeper parts, most probably in the torture section of here.


    Why?


    To spill their secrets or something.


    But isn''t it just having much better skill, what secret is there?


    Exactly, that''s why I don''t get it on why Cranze even tortured or keeps them alive.


    Screw it. As Xania wasn''t though the dungeon past all the guards and cells with malnutritioned, sick or dead inmates she eventually ends up in the torture area immediately noticing the strong smell of blood along with shouting.


    As she walks past the cells, still invisible, she notices that all the prisoners are alive despite some being sick or malnutritioned and that they are all chained up against the wall, not even being able to use the toilet, as she continues observing with a disgusted expression she notices Dragrove looking at her confused.


    What?


    I just would have thought you''ve seen worse especially during the wars and fights you''ve been in.


    I haven''t even been in this realm that long.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    What do you mean? You can easily fight me, I get that I''m still young for dragons and therefore much weaker, but your Anna capacity is also crazy.


    What, Anise didn''t fill you in? I swear I remember her asking me about if you could share what she calls ¡°my life story¡± at night with me agreeing due to liking sleep.


    So, could you elaborate?


    No, just ask Anise to share with you some of her memories because I won''t be surprised if every demon at our base already knows.


    Fine.


    Xania continues looking around with Dragrove as she notices the sounds of chains rattling along the stone cold floor as she turns back to see a guard holding a chain with a couple of people behind as she and Dragrove stand against the wall so as to not get in the way.


    As they observe, they notice the prisoners being dragged being humans but a lot shorter looking.


    Hey demon lord, those are the dwarves.


    Seriously? They look like they are in such a bad condition I wouldn''t be surprised if they died from me poking them.


    First, I''m sure a poke form you could probably kill a normal person if you tried, second, don''t you have healing magic?


    Of course I do.


    Then I do not see the problem, hurry and follow them, they might be going back to the other dwarves.


    Oh right.


    Xania follows closely behind with Dragrove as she notices the guard bringing them to a small room before unchaining them with multiple chairs as the guard pushes them on.


    What are they doing?


    Torture.


    So this isn''t where the dwarves are staying?


    No, but you might want to save them because this is torture, but also an execution method.


    Oh, that''s a problem.


    Xania watches as the guard locks the door and pulls a switch as the dwarves start shouting out in pain as Xania switches off the switch, confusing the guard and the dwarves.


    As the guard goes to pull the switch back on, Xania uses water magic to choke him to death quietly before making herself visible and healing the dwarves back to normal in less than a minute, helping them off the chair.


    Who are you? The tallest but yet still shorter than Xania dwarves asks, still seeming like in a bad state due to the condition of his clothes and body with both being stained with dry blood along with dirt.


    That isn''t important right now is it?


    It is, although you killed the guard, we can assume you''re not with them, but that doesn''t mean we are on your side. The dwarves say with an oddly rough voice, confusing Xania for a moment.


    Well, I''m not here to hurt you, and I''ll save you guys on the condition you work for me, of course not for free.


    First prove to us you can save us before talking so much.


    Sure.


    Xania makes them all invisible, leading them out of the cell, trying to not be found as she hears a loud thud along with shouting, causing her to turn back to find the dwarves beating up the guards with Dragrove blocking the guards from fighting back, causing the invisibility to be interrupted.


    What is going on?


    Since you want us to work for you, let me add a condition.


    What is it?


    Free everybody here and kill the guards, you do not need to take them with you, just free them.


    Xania thinks for a moment before answering.


    Then your skills better be worth it.


    Ofcourse, I was once one of the best dwarven blacksmiths ever.


    Fine.


    Xania immediately makes all the cell doors disappear by converting them into air as she bends the guards up with magic, leaving the dwarves and prisoners to attack them while healing the prisoner.


    There, take your time.


    Xania continues going through, room by room as she finally reaches the entrance to the dungeon under the castle before teleporting everybody out.


    As she reports everybody, they get confused as to the sudden life changing events as some run away immediately with some staying.


    Right dwarves, what is your name?


    Hepast, I was named like this by my parents after the god of smithing in hopes that I''ll be talented as a blacksmith, clearly the name was not wasted on me.


    Alright, it seems like I also saved some of your other friends.


    Hepast looks around and notices other dwarves who got imprisoned, totaling up to around 6000, most of them not noticeable in the cells due to the darkness and terrible conditions.


    Excuse me, but may I know your name?


    My name is Xania.


    Very well, Xania, although I agreed to work for you, I hope that you can let the others leave if they want to do so.


    That''s simple enough.


    Xania looks around as she notices other prisoners that she also saved, with 2 more humanoid looking women with long ears, with Xania recognising them as elves due to Anise constantly trying to teach her in her free time.


    Xania reconfirms that their elves, surprised that they stayed behind due to remembering how much they hate demons, and therefore dark magic.


    As Xania keeps looking around, she notices the two elves approaching her as she prepares to fight but not too on guard due to how weak they look.


    Hello there, thank you for saving us, my name is Elvia and my sister''s name is Ella.


    Right, what do you two want? I know elves are more sensitive to magic so you should already know the type of magic I was easily using.


    Of course we are aware. Elvia says with her sister Ella hiding behind her.


    Which is why I would like to request that you do not attack the world tree.


    Why would I?


    What do you mean? All the past demon lords have made it their goal.


    Won''t the world get destroyed?


    Yea, but don''t you guys have the underworld?


    Doesn''t mean I want the destruction of this. Xania says, making both sisters look confused, wondering if this is a trick or if there''s something wrong with Xania''s head.


    Stop looking at me like I''m crazy, I only intend to make a shield around the world tree to stop more heroes from being made, which would also benefit you, would it not?


    But how can we trust you?


    I don''t need you two to trust me, I need the other elves to do so, and if they don''t then I could always kill them.


    V-violent! Ella says while still hiding behind Elvia.


    Let me translate, she means to say not to be violent because it won''t benefit you either.


    How so?


    We elves live for very long, so we have some warriors stronger than humans by a lot.


    I suppose that could be a problem, but the hero is still the main problem here.


    Anyways, I have no intentions to continue this conversation so I suggest running so as to not get caught by the humans who must have noticed everybodies escaping due to the smell of blood left there and the shouting.


    Wait!!!


    What else do you want?


    Bring us with you and keep us safe.


    Why should I do so?


    Because we can help put in a good word for you? Elvia says, clearly desperate to find a reason as she starts hearing loud shouting coming from Cranze, which are constantly getting closer.


    Will they believe you?


    Maybe, we live for very long as we also interact with each other a lot!


    Fine, wait here.


    Xania goes over to Hepast, making him notice her presence immediately.


    Xania, they all want to follow you to repay you for saving them and to follow me, but they and I have a condition.


    What is it?


    We want to know what magic you were using when binding the guards, we may not be experts in magic but we know that that isn''t normal either.


    Xania hesitates for a moment as the dwarves watch her intently, waiting for her answer.


    Dark magic. Xania says as she hears some dwarves start to reconsider before Hepast interrupts, silencing the crowd.


    Doesn''t that magic require sacrifices?


    Not for me.


    Then doesn''t that mean you''re an evil being?


    The humans may consider me so, but I have no reason to attack the dwarves.


    So you''re a demon?


    Oh, did I forget to make my features visible too? Xania makes her demonic features visible again.


    Then what about your demon lord? Will they attack us?


    What do you mean?


    Well, every demon lord has¨C


    Why is everybody so biased to the current demon lord because of the past ones?


    Experience.


    That''s still biased.


    Just answer the question.


    I''m the demon lord, and I haven''t harmed you yet right?


    As Xania admits it, Hepast reconsiders for a moment before agreeing to still join her, with all the dwarves following behind, trusting in Hepast.


    Hey, why do they trust you so much?


    I''m one of the best blacksmiths, we trust and respect other blacksmiths more based on their skills first, personality second, appearance last.


    Are there more of you guys, like hiding?


    Most likely but I do not know their locations.


    Very well.


    Dragrove, come here and protect them. I''m going back for now.


    Sure.


    Xania teleports back to her castle, with the first thing she sees being a bunch of demons and the second is them holding pictures of her, and the third surprising with Anise jumping down from above, using magic to alert everybody of her return, causing everybody to turn to look at her.

 Chapter 9. Feast preparing.

    What is going on?


    My lord, we were waiting for you to come back, even though you didn''t go away for very long, there are already a bunch of other emojis who came. Anise says, while on Xania''s shoulders bent over to look at Xania.


    Anise, I have many questions but first, do dwarves and demons get along?


    We never really interacted with each other, why?


    So we don''t hate each other?


    Yea.


    Okay Anise, as punishment for distribution of my picture, your job will be to bring back all the dwarves, take care of them, and help them integrate in.


    Wait, what? What dwarves?


    Xania teleports Anise back to the dwarves, leaving her there as she looks around confused with Dragrove ignoring her.


    Alright, my first¡­ no, two problems are solved, now I have to deal with this¡­ Xania thinks while looking around at the demons, most of whom are looking back at her and the pictures, comparing them with her.


    Right, guess I''m going to have to do something about this.


    Xania teleports to the castle where there are a couple more demons along with Sliver, Graunter and Devian.


    You three, what is going on?


    Oh, miss Xania, we were considering how to house the demons that have just arrived. Devian says.


    Okay, and the pictures? I can assume Anise caused it, but why didn''t you guys stop her?


    Xania stares for a moment and despite none of them looking human they still somehow give off a guilty vibe.


    Did you three help her?


    Miss Xania, it''s completely Anise¡¯s fault, we didn''t do anything.


    It''s pretty obvious you''re lying, but if you still want to screw Anise over then blame her again.


    Miss Xania, better her than us. Devian says as the Graunter and Sliver nod in agreement.


    Sure.


    Miss Xania.


    What now?


    Perhaps we should hold a small feast, just to help improve the demon¡¯s and dwarve¡¯s mood since the demons have barely survived and since you took longer than expected to return, I assume the dwarves were imprisoned.


    How long did you expect me to take, also I''m not cooking by myself for the tens of demons here and probably hundreds more on the way.


    A couple minutes, and you can just teach some other demons, I already found a couple willing volunteers.


    Why so short? Xania asks while sighing, agreeing to the teaching by nodding.


    Dragrove told us how you forced him to follow you, so we assume you would do the same to the dwarves.


    I didn''t.


    To Dragrove?


    To the dwarves.


    Oh.


    Also the demons must hate elves right?


    Yes, but not as much as we hate humans.


    Okay, there will be two sisters who are elves coming along later, make sure they stay safe.


    Can''t you get one of the other two to do it?


    Xania looks over at Sliver who looks more than willing to eat the elves whole and Graunter who would probably hurt them on ¡°Accident¡±.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    You were once human, you have the smallest grudge here.


    Actually, you have the smallest grudge, so if you don''t mind, I''m gonna go.


    No, you''re taking care of them, or you''re gonna deal with the hundreds of distributed photos.


    Fine, I''ll deal with the elves. Devian says reluctantly.


    Graunter, you will patrol outside the swamp to look for any spare demons and kill anybody who sees you and tries running, if they give up then bring them in.


    Sliver, once Anise gets back, tell her to find me, and also help Graunter with his patrol.


    As Xania commands them, she watches as they follow her command as she raises some walls up against the shield to help keep demons from leaving the shield, while creating some makeshift but completely functional homes.


    That''s fixed, and it''s not gonna be my problem either.


    Xania sighs again, too lazy to teach but decides to go teleport to the kitchen anyways.


    Well, I guess I gotta get it done anyways¡­ couldn''t I just use my familiar skill? Nevermind, if I get distracted and accidently let my mana enter their bodies to the limits of the familiar skill, they may just die first due to being weak.


    Xania looks around as a couple of demons enter with Devian behind, running out while closing the door behind him upon seeing an annoyed Xania.


    As Xania''s attention focuses on them, she notices that the three of them look oddly human like herself and Anise which seems rare for a demon.


    Why do you three look so similar?


    That''s because we''re triplets! One of them answers.


    What are your names?


    Landy, Sandy and Zandy!


    Right, and why are you the only one answering?


    My sister Zandy is shy, my other sister Landy is lazy. Sandy replies.


    Sure¡­ let''s just hurry and start.


    Xania starts teaching them, noticing how Sandy keeps moving around transporting the ingredients, Landy doing the washing, cutting and preparations and Landy not doing much, but helping when needed with anything.


    Ok, you three are done learning from me, I''m going off now.


    Where? Devian said you would help make food for the feast.


    Xania sighs while cussing Devian in her head as she reluctantly goes back to help, pitying the three demons who have so much work to do.


    Now that I think about it, what race are you three?


    Oh¡­ we are from half demon, half human. Sandy admits, looking dejected.


    A human and demon fell in love?


    No, I have no clue, but I assume that mother was a weak succubus who was a slut.


    Oh.


    Sandy and her sisters continue looking down, as if bracing themselves for something.


    Why do you guys look like that?


    Well, you''re gonna look down on us now right?


    Why would I?


    Because demons hate humans? Sandy asks, slightly confused.


    I''m not gonna be biased to you guys, so hurry and help me with the cooking.


    Sandy and her sisters get confused for a bit again before immediately going back to help, looking as happy as before with Sandy being the happiest and most enthusiastic like just now.


    Xania starts cooking a bunch of food with the triplets as she uses magic to maintain their current fresh state and to cook a lot faster as she teleports them to a makeshift room as made to store food temporarily.


    Alright, that should be done.


    As she starts heading back to her room to rest, she starts hearing a familiar and annoying voice.


    My lord!!! I''m back!! How could you leave me there alone?! The dwarves didn''t trust me, the elves just glared at them all the while Dragrove just watched despite him agreeing to serve me before!!!


    So did you help them in?


    Of course!


    Ok, I made a temporary storage for food for the feast tomorrow, your job is to set the food up and the feast the day after tomorrow.


    Feast?


    Ask Devian about it, you don''t need sleep so have fun.


    My lord!!! I still prefer sleeping over working!


    Have fun, I just spent hours cooking so the rest is up to you guys since Debian is the one who suggested this, not me.


    I don''t want to, I just came back!!


    No work, no sleep. Xania closes the door, ignoring her protest as she goes to sleep after Anise goes away.


    Xania wakes up tomorrow to find Anise standing beside her, holding and wearing protest signs.


    What now?


    I demand equal treatment!


    Not till you stop distributing my pictures. around.


    Anise smiles mischievously holding up more pictures she just drew last night.


    This is why you don''t get equal treatment.


    Devian told me to tell you that the triplets need more help in the kitchen due to more demons arriving.


    Seriouslyyyyy???? Xania asks, dragging out her words, annoyed due to waking up to Anise with more pictures and her laziness.


    Fine.


    Anise starts teleporting Xania there due to Xanias not wanting to get out of bed as Xania ends up in the kitchen, lying down on the floor, not bothering to get up even as the triplets stare at her, not knowing what to do.


    Uh¡­ miss Xania? Sandy asks.


    What?


    Are you okay?


    Yea.


    Do you need help?


    No.


    Sandy ignores her saying no as she tries to pull Xania up with the help of her sisters, not succeeding due to Xania using magic.


    Miss Xania get up!!!!


    Xania immediately looks up, surprised by Sandy shouting at her.


    Miss Xania!! This feast is to help the other people fit in, so help us!


    Fine fine, stop shouting.


    Miss Xania¡­ if we don''t finish cooking in time, I''ll make everybody regret it.


    ¡­


    As Xania stands up and starts cooking again she notices Sandy keeps looking at her, making sure she''s not slacking off with the sisters distancing themselves, clearly not wanting to become collateral damage.


    Xania and the triplets keep cooking the whole day, with the sisters and Xania not daring to be the one to say that they already cooked enough and Sandy not realising due to being too focused on the cooking and looking at Xania.


    Miss Xania, you''re still cooking here? Devian suddenly walks in due to hearing sounds from the kitchen.


    As Devian looks around, he notices the awkward environment and tries to ditch as Xania glares at him, and uses magic to bind the door quietly, making sure not to anger Sandy.


    Hey, miss Xania, I don''t want to be part of this. Devian whispers into Xania''s ear, clearly not wanting to anger Sandy either.


    Too bad, you wanted me to suffer, not you stuck with me.


    Xania pushes Devian slightly out of the way as they keep cooking for the rest of the night untill Sandy fell asleep eventually, letting the sisters carry her to her room as Xania and Devian quietly sneak out.

 Chapter 10. Feast.

    A couple hours later, Xania opens her eyes to find herself in a familiar location.


    Huh? Where am I¡­ is this¡­.


    Xania immediately opens her eyes bigger, fully awake now as she looks around with her heart racing faster and faster.


    How the hell am I back here in this place?! Xania starts running around, the familiar feeling of nothingness beneath her feet despite not falling down along with the absence of the sky, ceiling and anything around her as far as her eyes can see.


    No no no! There''s no way I''m back in this place!


    She starts shooting magic around, only to see it flying off endlessly into the distance into a little dot, disappearing eventually due to either the distance or the lack of mana to go further, both of which Xania cannot confirm, nor can she be bothered to do so.


    Xania keeps running around at full strength, unable to believe that she somehow got sent back into the abyss while clenching her fist, causing blood to leak out but not scaring her as the abyss stops her from dying, something she learnt while trying to kill herself before.


    I''m getting out of here this time, I''m not going to be trapped again!


    Xania starts shitting magic in all directions, with some hitting herself but not enough to hurt her till she decides to stop.


    As Xania keeps shooting, she starts hearing an oddly distant yet near sound which she makes out to be a voice.


    Huh, what''s that? Am I finally going crazy after getting stuck here again?


    M- -o¨C  m- lo-d my lord! Wake up!


    Xania wakes up, sitting upright in cold sweat while panting as she looks to the side and sees Anise with a shield and multiple heavy and small injuries although not fatal.


    W-what happened? Xania asks, still panting.


    My lord, you suddenly started freaking out in your sleep and shitting magic everywhere.


    Are you okay?


    Of course my lord, these are only small injuries.


    How can you call these small, come let me heal you. Xania raises one hand towards Anise, intending to heal her as she winces in pain and looks down to find herself with multiple injuries, almost as bad as Anise''s ones.


    My lord, you shouldn''t move so hard, let me heal us.


    Yours are worse than me, I''ll do it.


    As Xania tries aiming her hand again, Anise grabs her hand, gently putting it back down.


    What are you doing?


    My lord, I''m your assistant, it''s my job to take care of you and I''m also a lot more used to pain than you are.


    As Xania tries to protest, Anise ignores her by gently putting a hand on her mouth to silence her while using the other to heal her despite her own injuries being worse.


    As Anise finishes healing Xania, Xania immediately pushes Anise''s hand off her and begins to heal Anise back in seconds before lying back down, clearly still shaken but her nightmare.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    My lord, are you better now?


    Yes, thank you Anise.


    As Aanie notices Xania still shaking a bit, she lies down beside her, pulling the blankets over them and hugs Xania.


    My lord, I know you said not to do this randomly, but you still don''t seem completely okay, so just allow it this time?


    Just this once.


    Xania lets Anise pull her into her hug as she notices most of the room destroyed too as she starts repairing it.


    At least my room is pretty isolated from the other rooms so no one else got hurt.


    As she repairs it, she uses magic to light a nearby lamp before falling asleep.


    As Anise continues to comfort Xania by hugging her, the door slams open, nearly waking Xania up as Devian, Graunter and Sliver all enter.


    As they enter, they try shouting, asking for what happened as Anise uses magic to shut them up, putting a finger to her lips, indicating to them to keep quiet as they all leave confused.


    The next day.


    Xania wakes up, seeing Ansie awake but still hugging her as she tries to sit up with Anise not letting go.


    What are you doing? Let me go, I need help to prepare for the feast.


    I already told the others to help set it up, and you''re not going anywhere until you tell me what happened last night.


    I had a nightmare, happy?


    That wasn''t a normal nightmare, most people don''t shoot magic even in a nightmare nor do they keep sleeping even as they shoot themselves with magic.


    Fine, I had a nightmare about being in the abyss again, happy now?


    My lord, you should talk to someone you know? It''s not good to let this keep happening.


    Don''t worry Anise, this was the first and probably last time this will happen, so let''s go?


    Sure.


    Xania uses magic to change and clean herself as she tries to teleport away with Anise stopping her.


    My lord, do you not shower every morning?


    Why? Magic works perfectly for cleaning, doesn''t it?


    Of course, but isn''t showering just better?


    How should I know? Also we are going to be late soon so let''s go.


    Fine, but you''re gonna shower later for sure.


    I''m not going to.


    If you don''t I''ll drag you to the toilet when you''re sleeping to wash you.


    I''ll wake up if you try using that much magic and if you try to drag me.


    My lord, I''ve dragged you while you''re sleeping before, you''re a pretty heavy sleeper.


    I call bull on that.


    Just you see.


    Xania teleports them both to the feast, clearly not believing Ansie as she sees all the food cooked by her and the triplets along with multiple ridiculously long tables, each with only a specific race along with some weird cannon devices looking things with a table in the center with 8 seats.


    Anise, why is there a small round table in the center?


    Isn''t it obvious? It''s for you along with us my lord.


    But the seats don''t look like they''ll even fit Graunter or Sliver.


    Anise looks over again to recheck as she looks back at Xania who is averting her gaze away from Xania, clearly somehow having forgotten that Graunter is a giant with Xania being a Naga and having a snake body.


    Xania sighs and makes two of the seats disappear and replaces them with a long seat and a big one.


    Thank you my lord.


    ¡­ You''re a forgetful person you know?


    Oh, I''m aware of that completely.


    As Xania hears someone call her from behind, recognising the voice as Devian¡¯s , she looks back and finds Sliver, Graunter, Devian, the two elves, Elvia and Ella along with Dragrove.


    Anise, what are Elvia and Ella doing here? Xania whispers softly while waving a bit towards them and going to sit down as Anise guides her to the center seat with Aanie sitting on her right along with Dragrove sitting beside Anise with the two elves sitting on Xania''s left, with Ella being closer due to being less comfortable with the three demons who are sitting opposite Xania and beside Dragrove and Elvia.


    As Xania eats and happily talks to those at her table with her with Anise constantly trying to feed her while listening to the dwarves and demons surrounding the nearby tables talking happily and loudly to each other.


    Anise, what are those weird cannon looking things?


    Those are real cannons.


    Why?


    Just wait, those are for the main event which is coming soon.


    Sure.


    Anise keeps eating as she suddenly watches Ansie materialise a stage, surprising her.


    Anise, you can materialize things too?


    Of course my lord, but nowhere as big or quick as you.


    My lord, since I helped you last night, please forgive me for this. Anise says not letting Xania respond as she teleports to the top of the stage and uses magic on herself to make herself louder before clearing her throat to gain everyone''s attention.


    Everybody! The feast is about to end soon, but before it does, let me give you all a small preview of what our demon lord is like!!!


    What does she mean? Wait¡­ she wouldn''t.


    Right?


    Anise looks as many ginormous pictures appear in the sky, held up by magic as she looks at them, realising that each is a different photo of her, with most being different sleeping positions, feeding, daydreaming and even some of her using magic to shut Anise up.


    Anise¡­ you''re gonna regret this.

 Sorry

    Guys, the preauthor note, I think I''m gonna reduce the amount of chapters to 5 times a week cus Im starting to not be able to keep up, especially with new tuitions and school starting again. As for my other fiction, I can maintain that for now but idk if i''ll be able to do so for long, so guys I''ll still try ofc, but I need a break.... Tmr I''ll give a chapter for sure!!!! I promise!!!! I don''t break promises okay? This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Anyways, do tell me if I should make any changes like spelling mistakes etc or if you just don''t like something about how I write, I''ll try to change it.

 Chapter 11. Scythe.

    ¡ª----------------------------------------


    Hours after the feast.


    ¡ª----------------------------------------


    My lord.


    Yes?


    Could you let me down now?


    Why should I? Xania looks over at Anise, who is hanging upside down, being binded by Xanias magic.


    I comforted you, didn''t I?


    Yea, but I didn''t give permission for you to do that.


    My lord, if you have another nightmare, I''ll actually die this time if you don''t let me down or at least let me use my magic.


    Xania opens her mouth to reduce her again only to close her mouth, dropping Anise onto the floor as she unbinds her.


    Ouch, couldn''t you have been gentler?


    Could''ve, but didn''t want to.


    Anyways before you join me to go to sleep, leave a note for Hepast, informing him that I''ll be arriving tmr.


    Seriously? Can''t you do so yourself?


    Yea, but I don''t want to do so.


    Anise considers arguing back but decides not to do so due to knowing how stubborn Xania can get.


    Fine. Xania Teleported off, leaving Xania with a dimly lit candle to sleep with.


    ¡ª----------------------------------------


    Tomorrow


    ¡ª----------------------------------------


    Xania visits Hepast¡¯s blacksmith, something Anise helped to create due to Xania forgetting to provide the dwarves with proper places to work.


    As she enters, she hears the sound of hammering against metal along with the air around her getting warmer the further in she goes.


    As she goes in further, she notices some weapons on the walls, at low quality but quickly increasing to a much better quality and stagnating around there.


    Hey there. Hepast suddenly calls out to Xania who was looking curiously at the weapons.


    Hey, why were the weapons so bad to so good?


    Oh, I was practicing again because I hadn''t done this in so long, just ignore those, I intend to get rid of them in my free time.


    Sure.


    Xania follows Hepast in as she finally reaches his forge before he turns back to look at her.


    So, what kind of weapon or armor do you want?


    I''m not sure, I never tried using a weapon before.


    Well then, go and try some out first, but leave some materials here so I can use them later for your weapon will you?


    Sure, but what materials do you need?


    Anything that can store and release mana along with anything rough.


    Xania makes some weird metal, with an odd appearance, being pitch black on the sides with it being slightly transparent and a weird dark red light flickering around the center.


    What is this?


    I''m not sure, I simply messed around and this metal somehow felt connected to me.


    Connected huh? Let me take a closer look.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Hepast walks up to it, putting his eye right up to it before waking back to Xania.


    This is called Azarit, it''s a very rare and valuable metal, how did you get this?


    I made it.


    You made it?


    Yes.


    Hmmm, sure but this material is only tough, I need another material that can hold ridiculous amounts of mana and release them to your will. It''s different from magic stones and can''t just be made, so come back when you have it and when you know what weapon you want.


    Sure.


    Xania teleports back to Anise who has just woken up as Anise pulls her back onto the bed.


    Anise, what weapon do you use?


    None, only magic.


    Do you know anybody who uses a weapon?


    Yea, Davien is a death knight, he uses a sword.


    Sure, let go of me, I need to go and get his help now.


    Not yet.


    Fine, but only because you helped me without wasting my time this time.


    ¡ª----------------------------------------


    Later


    ¡ª----------------------------------------


    Xania finally gets out of bed, away from Anise as she goes to find Davien who''s just walking around doing nothing.


    Hey Davien!


    Davien turns around, just noticing Xania as he tries to walk away from her quickly, leading to Xania binding him with magic


    Hey Davien.


    What?


    I need to spar with you.


    Why?  Confident you''ll win.


    No, I want to test out how to use weapons so I need someone to spar with me.


    Fine, but only wooden weapons.


    Sure.


    Davien leads Xania to the currently empty training grounds, also made by Anise as Xania uses magic to turn her current clothes into air, instantly replacing it with clothes suitable for sparing underneath as Davien turns around for a second.


    As Davien turns around again and notices Xania differently dressed, he mutters under his breath something about her being lazy, loud enough for her to hear but not make out.


    Stop complaining and let''s start already.


    Fine.


    Where are the weapons?


    Can''t you make one yourself?


    Yea, but the weapons I make are always oddly weak and fall apart easily.


    Sure then, there are wooden weapons made by some of the demons, you can use those.


    Sure.


    Xania goes up to the weapons and sees all types of weapons such as, swords, daggers, spears, hammers, greatswords, twin swords, maces, flails and more as she randomly picks the sword and goes back to Davien.


    Ok, what now?


    Fight. Davien swings a wooden sword without warning at Xania, with her barely dodging it.


    If I break your weapon or make you lose it, you lose. He says while swinging many times more.


    Oh and no flying either. He swings again with Xania with her trying to defend with her sword, chipping a decent piece of.


    If I can put my sword at a vital location of yours, I also won. He says while swinging again, hitting the same spot, causing more damage.


    He keeps swinging


    His sword, giving Xania no opportunity to fight back as he swings one last time, breaking Xania''s sword in half.


    How did you win? Aren''t I physically strong? Xania asks, completely confused.


    Yes, but you have near to no fighting experience at all.


    Really? Then in that case, your training with me till I found a weapon I like and to help me become more skilled.


    Don''t wanna.


    I''m not asking, you''re gonna help me.


    Fine, but you owe me for this.


    ¡ª----------------------------------------


    Couple days later.


    ¡ª----------------------------------------


    Davien!!!! Am I just untalented?!!


    Maybe you''re just bad at the sword, how about trying a different weapon?


    ¡ª----------------------------------------


    Weeks later


    ¡ª----------------------------------------


    Davien, I''m untalented!!!


    No, everybody has a weapon they are good at, so just go keep trying till you find one.


    ¡ª----------------------------------------


    Couple hours later


    ¡ª----------------------------------------


    Xania takes a break with Davien as she sits on makeshift chair beside Davien


    Miss Xania, you are such a pain.


    I''m aware.


    Xania keeps looking around before finding a picture of a random demon sitting on a fancy chair with a strange weapon beside him.


    Hey Davien, who is that?


    Oh that? That''s the first ever demon lord and it''s tradition to always put up a photo of him.


    What weapon is he using?


    Wanna try it?


    Yea.


    It''s called a scythe, most people avoid using it due to how much harder it is, so I suggest not doing so.


    Give me one, I want to try.


    Fine, but don''t break it, we only have a single wooden scythe right now.


    Sure.


    Xania teleports them both back to the training grounds as she goes to grab the wooden scythe.


    Let''s spar again.


    Fine, but you better surrender before the weapon breaks.


    Sure.


    Xania and Davien spar again as Xania takes the initiative this time as attacks, surprising Davien for a second as he defends easily.


    As they continue fighting, Xania keeps getting more used to the weapon, improving on the spot, but still nowhere near as skilled as Davien as she loses again.


    As Xania keeps training for weeks, Davien keeps beating her every time but sees visible improvements as she informs Hepast of her choice of weapon, promising to find the second material once she''s done training for her time being.


    During the night, she goes back to bed beside Anise who has also been working tirelessly.


    Anise, do you know where I can get a material that can hold a lot of mana and release it when I want?


    I assume it''s for your weapon?


    Yea, how did you know?


    All past demon lords had such a weapon too even though it was the demons who prepared it, not the demon lord themselves.


    What if the demon lord didn''t like the weapon?


    They would, the ritual would give us a feel of how the demon lord would be and we would make a weapon suited to their personalities which has worked easily so far.


    How nice of a life they had. Xania says, sounding a bit jealous and annoyed.


    My lord, you''re still the best though, you''re kinder than them and also the strongest! Anise hugs Xania.


    Anise, I know you just want to hug me but since I''m not in a good mood so sure.


    My lord, don''t worry about it, you''re the strongest, and demons have a very long lifespan so you still have very long to enjoy your life.


    Right, as long as I don''t die to the humans I suppose.


    You won''t!


    Right right, just go to sleep now.


    Fine.

 Chapter 12. Abysmal weapons.

    So Anise, where should I go to find the next material for my weapon?


    Go ask Hepast instead.


    I did, last night I Teleported a small letter to him and I teleported it back this morning to see three big letters.


    I.D.K.


    So I''m not expecting much anymore.


    Wait, you could have just teleported the letter?


    Yea, my control is good enough,why?


    Then why did you make me deliver the letter before?


    Oh, I kinda¡­ forgot?


    Screw you! Anise shoots water at Xania who just doesn''t care to block.


    Come on Anise, give me some suggestions okay?


    Fine, I would suggest summoning a demon lord?


    Huh, you''re replacing me?


    My lord, please don''t joke around. But I suggested this because we can technically try to summon the type of demon lord we want, such as someone who is intelligent or good at scouting.


    That seems really troublesome, but fine I suppose, but can multiple demon lords exist at once?


    Not sure, it takes a lot of mana to summon one which is why we usually can only summon one, even other demon lords can''t summon others.


    Sure,let''s try?


    Sure, I''ll go prepare it and get everyone needed.


    But don''t you only need me?


    Yea, but it''s basically a tradition so wait here, I''ll go get Graunter, Sliver and Davien here now.


    Fine fine, it''s not like you don''t already have a demon lord though.


    My lord, if the new demon lord is kinder than you, I''ll betray you.


    Huh?


    Anise teleports away before Xania can process what she said properly.


    Screw it.


    Anise teleports a second layer, teleporting Xania to a random underground room recognising it as the cave she first saw after coming out of the abyss.


    Anise, why are we back here?


    To summon the demon lord of course.


    Yeah, but why here?


    It has the ritual still there working so it''s easier.


    Xania looks down, noticing for the first time that the platform she was on had carvings the shape of a magic circle, most likely to help the user control their mana easier as she makes a mental note to try this and to remember the magic circle to summon a demon lord.


    So I just put mana in?


    Yea, that''s about it, but not too much or too less, around 3 times of what I''ve got right now.


    Sure.


    Xania walks up and puts a little bit of her mana in as she sees it crack a little and stops as a portal starts appearing along with all the demons just standing around unlike when she was summoned.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Why are you all not kneeling like when you summoned me?


    Because you''re definitely gonna be stronger and we treat you normally now so we can''t be bothered to kneel.


    Wow, but¡­ a demon lord is gonna come out?


    Indeed they should, but you did visualize a scout or intelligent one right?


    ¡­


    Right?


    ¡­


    Anise sighs and focuses on the portal and waits, and waits and waits.


    Where the hell are they!


    Could it be because I didn''t visualise it?


    My lord, a demon lord should come out regardless!!!!!!


    Ok ok, calm down, but what do we do about this then? Xania points towards the portal to the abyss which is currently just there existing, doing nothing.


    Well¡­ Graunter, any ideas?


    Not at all.


    Sliver?


    Of course not!


    Davi-


    No.


    Anise, what do we do?


    ¡­


    I hate this.


    For the next couple hours, they sit around watching the portal along with the mana Xania used in the magic circle slowly decreasing.


    My lord, isn''t this too slow?


    By the amount of mana that''s being used, I estimate it''ll take a year for the portal to run out of mana.


    A year?! Screw it. Anise kicks a random rock on the floor towards the portal as it starts turning into the same pitch black as the abyss after getting near enough, getting everybody''s attention.


    What just happened?


    No clue. The abyss is a dangerous place due to the fact that it''s near impossible to escape by yourself so no one has dared to try exploring or experimenting on it.


    Xania picks up the rock, feeling that it feels lighter with mana absorbing properties and feels like it doesn''t exist at the same time, all of the properties that belong to the abyss too.


    Xania hirs the rock against the wall as the wall cracks with the rock completely okay with Xania stepping into the rock instead, destroying it.


    Wow, that was a lot stronger than a normal rock, I think I found out how to get the material for my new weapon now.


    Xania materialises a bunch of azarit and places them near the portal, causing it to turn even darker than before and be able to hold a lot more mana than before as Xania concentrates and realises it naturally has mana suited for dark magic.


    As Xania turns around, she sees Anise, Sliver, Graunter and even Davien who has no facial features also wanting some.


    What the hell are you three doing?


    My lord, can you use this to make us a weapon for us too? I''ll never ask for anything else!!!


    Fine, but you''re gonna figure out how to close this portal later.


    I''ll try my lord, but weapon please?


    Fine, get Hepast to help you all. Xania materialises more of the metal, letting the abyss convert it as she teleports away back to Hepast.


    Hey I''m back with materials!


    Oh, your back, let me see what you¡­ what the hell is this?


    What? It works doesn''t it?


    Yea but it has been affected by the abyss.


    You know?


    Of course, we dwarves tried to make use of the power of the abyss before for better equipment but it ended with the portal closing and bringing everything in a 100m radius with it into the abyss.


    Anyways, can you do it or not?


    Probably not, unless you are willing to melt it for me.


    How troublesome¡­ fine.


    Xania uses fire magic to try melting it, constantly increasing it non stop as she eventually sees it melting after an hour at the highest temperature she can go without burning Hepast along with it.


    Well? Start it!


    Hepast immediately starts pouring it into the mould with the abysmal Azarit as with blade with the handle being plain azarit.


    Ok, I can do the rest myself, come back about tomorrow.


    Sure. Oh by the way, the 4 other demons will be coming soon, so when they reach, tell them I''m busy and will help them another day.


    Sure sure, you''re making me work so hard for you.


    I did offer to pay you.


    No need, just think of it as some worthless complaints from me.


    Sure, bye.


    Xania teleports away as she feels the other three teleporting back, due to the slight changes with the mana in the air with Anise teleporting back eventually with an upset face but without complaining.


    Anise, come on, it took so long to melt the stupid metal, can''t I rest a bit.


    I didn''t say anything about it. Ansie says, true to her word but still sulking while facing away from Xania.


    Fine fine, let''s go make 4 of your stupid weapons for you guys.


    Ok, let''s go. Anise teleports them back immediately, no longer sulking.


    I''m only doing this because making a weapon seems oddly important to you.


    Indeed!


    As Xania walks in with all the abysmal Azarit behind her, Hepast sighs loudly as they get to work, making a ring to fit around Slivers body, a staff for Anise and a hammer for Graunter.


    Oh miss Xania, I completed your weapon too.


    But it hasn''t even been a day.


    It cooled down and was done a lot faster than I expected.


    Ok, thanks.


    Xania takes all the spare ore and weapons to her room as she calls everybody in.


    Sliver, here''s a ring for you, put it on your body, it''ll grow with you, it can create a shield, it''s light, and can strengthen you too.


    Graunter, your hammer is made to be heavy with the mana inside automatically causing shockwaves everytime you hit something, holding it also causes you to be stronger.


    Davien, I''ll just sacrifice the metal into your sword.


    Anise, your staff helped you use stronger magic for lesser mana.


    All this is possible due to Hepast and his dwarve magic circles, sadly he didn''t let me look at them or I could have copied them. Xania sighs.


    Thank you my lord! Anise jumps Xania into the bed with the other three thanking her before rushing out to try their weapons.


    Anise, get off of me or I''ll take your weapon away.


    Alright alright! Anise hugs her staff protectively.


    My lord, can I watch you use your weapon?


    Later.


    Sure, let''s. Go to sleep first?


    Sure, also we gotta find a way to close the portal or else it''ll remove at least 100m radius around it.


    What?


    Xania goes to sleep ignoring Anise''s very urgent questions.

 Chapter 13. Abyss escapee.

    The next day, Anise follows Xania to the ruined training grounds which got ruined most likely due to Graunter, Sliver and Davien while testing.


    My word, can I try my staff first? If you try yours first, you might destroy this area¡­


    Sure, go on then.


    Anise goes to the center of the training grounds and materialises materials, fixing the training grounds easily, surprising Anise at how easily it can do so.


    Oh yea Anise, I woke up earlier than you today and went to fill the others weapons up with mana, give me yours, let me fill yours up real quick


    Sure my lord.


    Anise passes her staff over to Xania as Xania starts forcing mana into it quickly, surprising Anise as nearly none leak out due to Xanias control.


    As Xania finishes filling Anise''s weapon up, she teleports them to a random mountain she saw before while heading towards the cursed swamp.


    My lord, why are we here?


    I want to try my weapon out completely and not cause too much damage to users.


    Ok?


    I''m gonna use around 10 percent of all my mana and see how much damage I can do.


    My lord, how much of my mana is 10 percent of yours?


    Probably 5000 percent so, 50 times more.


    ¡­ Sure.


    Xania focuses her mana into her weapon, turning it into dark mana due to it being the one she''s most familiar with and most destructive, with the excess on the blade of the scythe, flickering non stop trying to escape as Xania uses it all in one swings, sending a  wave of mana towards a mountain in the far distance as Anise watches.


    My lord, wouldn''t that cause the air in the wave to become severely poisonous?


    Oh yea, should have thought of that huh? But it''s a bit too late isn''t it?


    My lord, when is that wave of mana you sent going to dissipate? At this rate it''s really about to hit the mountain.


    No clue.


    Xania and Anise continue watching quietly as the wave finally hits the mountain, nearly cutting it in half before dissipating, leaving the mountain mostly destroyed, causing many landslides, leaving behind a bunch of smoke at the area that was hit and the rest of the mountain destroyed due to the landslides.


    My lord¡­ if you used all your mana, what would happen?


    I have no clue nor do I intend to find out.


    I don''t really want to find out either.


    Right¡­ is this going to attract the kingdom Lucival?


    I assume so.


    Damn it.


    Also my lord, I have some more bad news.


    What?This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    I believe that mountain belongs to the kingdom Kislat to help train their troops.


    So in my attempt to keep my presence hidden so that I can prepare for the hero, I''ve notified Lucival of my presence, angered Kislat and rescued the dwarves from Cranze?


    It would appear that way.


    ¡­ Anise, are you good at training troops?


    I suppose, why?


    Why about invisibility magic and seduction magic?


    I can only teach seduction magic to other succubus, you''re a unique case my lord, but invisibility shouldn''t be a problem.


    Alright, can you train a group of spies?


    I can try.


    Alright.


    Alright, let''s ditch before the poison starts spreading to us.


    My lord, couldn''t you just protect us from it?


    First of all, I''m not as good with shield magic, second I don''t want anyone to find out about my presence more than what I just did, I think all the villages down there will be affected though.


    Definitely.


    Xania teleports them back to the cave where the portal to the abyss is still at.


    My lord, why are we here?


    We need to fix this don''t we?


    I suppose, but do you have a plan?


    Yea, destroy the platform.


    But how will we summon demon lords then?


    First, you''ve got me, second I memorised the patterns already.


    Oh, sure then?


    Anise and Xania both go to a side of the portal with their weapons as they attack the platform, causing it to crack immediately and the portal to suck everything in a 10Km radius into the abyss along with Anise and Xania.


    As they get sent in, Xania teleports herself and Anise out of the cave as the land all around before it starts to crumble into nothing more than a massive pile of dirt.


    My lord, where are we?


    The abyss. Xania says somewhat calmly due to the fact that Anise is here, which helps in comforting her.


    My lord, how do we get out?


    I¡­ don''t know. Xania says while gripping tightly onto her scythe.


    My lord, are we going to be stuck here?


    Xania remains silent, giving Anise her answer.


    My lord, how about we try to break out?


    It''s not going to work Anise, I''ve tried it many times before.


    But my lord, you have me now and we have new weapons too.


    Fine, if it''ll satisfy you, well try. Xania gives in, having partially given up already due to her past experience.


    Xania takes her weapon, lazily dragging it against the nonexistent floor as she notices lines appearing for a second at the pace she dragged her scythe across.


    Huh? What is this? Is this a crack? How?


    My lord, maybe it''s because your weapon was made partially due to the abyss.


    Right! Anise, thanks for encouraging me or I wouldn''t have even tried! After we get out, I''ll give you a gift for sure!


    You better remember that.


    Xania holds the scythe high above her head as she uses all her strength to hit it into the floor, causing a huge crack and keeps repeating, causing more crack, but it doesn''t break through.


    Huh? What''s going on?


    My lord, I think it''s repairing too quickly, I got an idea.


    What is it?


    I''ll use my mana to make a crack big enough for you to break through it.


    Sure.


    Anise prepares most of her mana as she shoots a bream of dark magic at the ground, chasing it to crack significantly like before as Xania hits it, causing it to crack further, but not causing it to break as the crack starts repairing itself, making Xania feel desperate.


    In her desperation, she gathers all her mana and attacks the ground, causing it to give ways they fall though with Xania fainting and Anise shielding them as the fall through the crack, back into the real world into a crater left behind by the portal explosion, with the rest of the mana making the hole several dozens of kilometres deeper and wider in every direction along with the air and ground turning poisonous very quickly and Anise teleports them away as fast as she can with the poisonous air approaching as Davien appears.


    Why are you here?! Anise asks, carrying Xania while panting due to running out of mana.


    To help you of course, I felt a huge explosion of dark mana so I had to come check, what I didn''t expect was that it would take no more than a couple minutes of walking to reach the crater left by Miss Xania.


    Whatever, just help, the poisonous air is about to kill us all


    Sure, I get to test my new ability out too.


    Davien steps in-between Anise and the poisonous air as he takes his sword out and swings it, sending a wave of dark mana out, similar to Xanias but much weaker and also with not as much dark mana leaking due to the much lesser amounts of mana as the wave of mana pushes the poisonous air back temporarily.


    That''ll make it worse, but it''ll suffice for now, Anise, you should probably start running and save your mana.


    What about you?


    I''m a lot physically stronger than you are, I can out run it without mana.


    Fine, but if anything goes wrong, it''s not my fault.


    Anise starts fleeing quickly, saving her mana to teleport in case as she feels her mana starts depleting for some reason as she looks towards the cause and finds it to be Xania who is being carried on her back.


    My lord¡­ even when you faint, you''re still impressive.


    Anise quickly teleports them both back to their bedroom using some of the mana stored in their weapons along with the rest of her mana, causing her to faint but leaving the weapons near enough for Xania to keep absorbing mana from


    What a day¡­

 Chapter 14. Underworld.

    A few weeks later, Xania finally wakes up, finding herself in bed with the last thing she remembers being that she used too much mana to escape the void, leaving behind an even bigger crater.


    As she sits up, she notices the two weapons, her scythe and Anise''s staff beside her, both having lost all their mana due to her absorbing it while fainted with Anise lying beside her, somewhat mana deprived.


    Hey Anise, wake up.


    H-huh? My lord?! You''re awake?


    Yea, why so surprised?


    You fainted for weeks my lord.


    Weeks? That''s quite a while¡­ Anyways, what happened?


    Well, to sum it up, the crater left behind by your attack is completely poisonous with the kingdom Lucival very concerned about the sudden dark mana left there but not daring or strong enough to enter to try to check it out, second, out weapons become slightly more like the abyss along with my clothes and yours I presume.


    My clothes didn''t change, they were made while I was in the abyss, they have been like that this whole time.


    My lord, why didn''t you just create a weapon to try escaping last time?


    I didn''t know how to and I didn''t know materials could contain mana like I do now along with the magic circles.


    Oh, that''s right, my bad. Anyways my lord, are you feeling better yet?


    Yea.


    Oh my lord, I forgot to ask, but what are you going to name your weapon?


    I got an idea.


    Tell me.


    Wait, first, give me my weapons and let me try something.


    Sure?


    Xania takes her weapon back from Anise and fills it up with mana along with Anise''s.


    My lord, you just work up, you shouldn''t be doing this!


    It''s okay, all my mana is back anyways.


    All right I guess¡­


    Xania takes her weapon and swings it, using around 10 percent of her mana as a creak forms In the air, leading to the mountain she destroyed before.


    My lord¡­ isn''t this basically teleportation magic but even faster than yours?


    Indeed, I assume all your weapons can do this too if you hit hard enough or use enough mana.


    Then my lord, only you can do this¡­


    Makes sense, let me just try one last thing.


    What else could you try?


    Xania visualises a picture from a book Anise showed her before as she swings her scythe again, using more mana as another crack appears, surprising Anise as she looks through to see the underworld.


    My lord, how did you do this?!


    I remembered you showed me a book on how it looked.


    My lord, that was a book made by humans which is inaccurate and it was a children''s book!


    Well, is that ruined place the underworld?


    I guess so.


    If I put somebody in charge there, who should I put?This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Graunter, he looks the scariest and can control the remaining demons there best.


    Sure.


    Anise teleports outside the castle with Anise as she uses half her entire mana to make a big crack into the underworld and quickly materialises a wall around it to secure it safely.


    Anise, go get Graunter here.


    Sure.


    Anise teleports away to teleport back a couple minutes later after informing Graunter of the information with him not asking too many questions due to a lack of curiosity and need to know.


    Graunter.


    Yes, demon lord?


    I need you to go to the underworld and gather all the demons and bring them here, can you do that?


    Yes, demon lord.


    Alright go.


    Anise Walks away as Graunter prepares to enter the crack with Ansie stopping him and passing some stuff to him, confusing Xania but she decides not to ask about it.


    As Graunter enters the crack completely and goes far enough to disappear from sight, Xania notices Anise with a guilty expression and gets a suspicion as she asks her.


    Anise.


    Yes?


    What did you pass to him?


    Oh my lord, uh¡­ it was nothing, just some propaganda material to join you and for them to know what you look like.


    Pictures of me then?


    If I said yes, what would you do?


    Depends on what pictures they were.


    What if they were you while sleeping?


    Then you better join the holy kingdom and start praying.


    Haha¡­ . Anise prepares her teleportation behind her back as Xania uses her mana to overload it, causing all the mana to disperse, canceling her spell.


    M-my lord, forgiveness Is a virtue right?


    That''s the humans saying, not mine.


    Xania walks closer, using her tail to wrap around Anise, picking her up with her not struggling out despite being able to do so due to Xania not wrapping too tightly.


    My lord, come on, forgive me, I even saved you after we got out of the abyss to know?! I even helped you!


    Xania uses her tail to pull Anise closer before using magic on Anise''s forehead as she closes her eyes and braces for whatever might happen as she feels nothing and opens her eyes confused.


    My lord, what did you do?


    You''ll find out eventually.


    Xania lets Anise out as Anise sighs in relief.


    Thank god she is so kind, and that she didn''t use my seduction magic to make me confess I gave hundreds of copies of every picture I have of her.


    ¡­


    M-my lord? I didn''t mean to say that I swear!


    I know Ansie, I was experimenting with magic and left enough mana in you to make you speak your mind out completely.


    Damn you! Anise covers her mouth immediately after realising what she said.


    Wow Anise, that''s how you think of me huh?


    No my lord! Of course not!


    Anise, you can''t lie with this spell on you, so tell the truth, I swear I won''t punish you after.


    And you better keep that promise or I''ll kill you! Anise says out loud due to the spell, not caring to cover her mouth as she gets more annoyed.


    Anise, how about I give you the job of managing the underworld temporarily with Graunter?


    No, I''m not goddamn doing it!   Of course my lord, whatever you want. Anise says while acting like she''s completely normal and not thinking the exact opposite.


    Anise, your actions and words don''t match right now.


    Whose fault do you think that is!   My lord, I have to say what I want after what I''m thinking because of you.


    Anyways, let''s go sightseeing, we have to help Graunter too.


    No way I''m going to the underworld just to ¡°Sightseeing¡± with you, what a waste of time.   Sightseeing? Where? She says, pretending not to know but clearly failing miserably.


    So, let''s go.


    I''m going to start protesting! Fine¡­


    Ok, let''s go.


    Xania enters the portal with Anise behind her, still cussing and refusing with Ansie herself with the expression of giving up contradictory to her words.


    As Xania enters, she looks around and sees evidence of a fight happening her, albeit from very long ago so it couldn''t have been Graunter with everything in the distance mostly ruined due to fighting and the temperature a lot hotter, but low enough for weaker demons to survive but perfect for Xania, making her very comfortable as she stretches.


    Crazy. Strong.


    Ok, rude but let''s just go.


    As Xania keeps walking around, observing the old battlefields, she sees a plant, surprising her as she approaches it before Anise stops her.


    My lord, that''s poisonous enough to kill even me.


    You''re as strong as a past demon lord, you''ve said it before.


    Just stop being annoying and listen! Yes my lord, but it''s still strong enough to kill me so it may be able to hurt you too.


    What a pain, and I''m not annoying.


    My lord, blame the spell you put on me.


    Xania continues to look around,  as she sees a small hill and teleports herself and Anise onto it as she looks around, realizing that the underworld looks nicer than when she was down on the group level.


    My lord, the underworld used to look somewhat mesmerising but it''s ruined long ago already.


    What a shame honestly.


    I agree, my lord. Anise says, with the spell not activating showing that Anise is completely sincere and honest about this.


    My lord, what do you suppose we do now?


    Just watch, I''ll try something.


    Xania starts materialising matter to fill in the spots destroyed by fighting as far as. Ansie can see. As Xania finishes, she looks back at the view, seeing a completely different sight despite making only small changes albeit many as she looks over at Anise who is also looking out into the distance, as Xania also watches, noticing the ground glowing a little, making it prettier.


    Anise, why is it glowing?


    The underworld is very hot, some metals are constantly reacting with the heat, causing it to glow all the time, albeit only slightly.


    Ha¡­ what a nice place.


    My lord, does this mean you are exploring the underworld?


    Not at all, I still have quite a couple things I want to see.


    Oh I see. Anise says, getting surprised as she isn''t being forced to speak her mind out anymore.


    Yea yea, I fixed you.


    Thank you my lord!!!


    Yea yea, welcome.


    Xania and Anise keep taking in the view for a bit longer, sitting side by side quietly.

 Idk

    No chapter today, I need to go fix my phone cus apparently charging and working for hours is messing up the changing port, and I don''t have any other devices I use to write, so... I''ll be back lastest in 2 days, probably tmr but yea, okay?Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    I''m just filling up the character count now.


    Fun fact about me:I''ve been sick with cough for 5 months and can''t be bothered about it anymore.


    Another fun fact:I have a really sensitive nose.


    Last fun fact:I have a messed up sleep schedule.


    Ok, seriously last, I''m gonna go do maths homework now.

 Chapter 15. Blob

    So my lord, what are you going to call your weapon?


    Hmm, what about dimension traveler?


    My lord, that sounds like a highly advanced teleportation spell, not a weapon.


    Okay, reality slasher?


    I guess that works?


    Yea, I''m sticking with it.


    My lord, your naming skill isn''t the best is it?


    Shut up.


    Yes.


    Anyways, should we get back now?


    Sure? But shouldn''t you leave some facilities here for Graunter in case some demons want to stay back?


    Oh, that''s your problem.


    Huh?


    Yea, I wasn''t kidding about giving you the management of the underworld with Graunter.


    Anise mentally cusses at Xania in her head.


    Anise, we still have our familiar spell, I can feel what you feel you know?


    Yea yea, I remember!


    But only if I choose to.


    Then stop it.


    Nah.


    ¡­ Can you just send us back already?


    Sure.


    Xania prepares her scythe to cut another hole back to earth as something acidic starts appearing on the floor.


    What''s this?


    I have no clue my lord.


    It feels somewhat solid and liquid, Anise, you can handle the acidity right?


    Yea, but I need a shield.


    Let''s go find the source of this first.


    Why? Can''t we just ditch? Anise says, sounding annoyed that they actually have to work a bit.


    Because I said so, so get moving.


    Fine.


    Anise uses magic to no avail as the whole area is covered in the weird slimy acidic substance with no apparent source in range.


    My lord, I can''t find it.


    ¡­


    Xania tries and ends up with the same result as Anise.


    Huh? So weird.


    My lord, see? Maybe it''s just a natural process or something, let''s go.


    No, wait. Let me try something.


    Xania places the handle of her scythe on the floor with the slimy substance as she starts infusing dark mana into the slimy substance quickly, chasing it to start turning black, spreading out from the handle of the scythe as the part infected with dark mana gets cut off from the rest as it retreats away.


    It''s like a lizard.


    My lord, what the hell was that?


    How am I supposed to know? Aren''t you more knowledgeable about the underworld?


    Yea but due to it having been abandoned so long, there''s all types of new species mixed.


    Mixed? They can cross breed?


    Anise looks over at Xania with a look of exaggerated disgust, annoying Xania a bit.


    My lord, you''re not cute or innocent anymore.


    Shut up, it''s a fitting question.


    Fine, some species in the underworld don''t need intercourse to reproduce and have special methods so if they mix with each other accidently, it may cause mixed species.


    Oh.


    Oh? That''s it?


    What else do you want me to say?If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Screw it, if you want to capture it, just trap the majority of it, it shouldn''t be able to cut itself off then, or even if it does, it''ll still be trapped.


    Seems easy enough, except for the fact it ran in all directions, it honestly looks disgusting.


    That''s the underworld''s specialty.


    Great.


    Xania uses her tracking spell to find that it somehow escaped underground as she starts using brute force to break through due to not wanting to hurt the slimy being.


    My lord, you shouldn''t do this Infront of others.


    Why? Xania stops for a moment.


    Because this looks so contradictory to all the pictures I have of you and gave out to others.


    Anise, I don''t care.


    With one final stomp, Xania breaks through the ground, revealing a small cavern with its entrance unknown.


    As Xania uses her wings to slow down her fall and grab Anise, she looks around to find it dimly lit despite no visible light sources around.


    Anise, where is the light coming from?


    Most probably magic.


    Magic? What is casting it?


    I think maybe the slimy creature is.


    But why? It didn''t look like it had eyes.


    My lord, this is the underworld, the place where basically every or most creatures have magic and the thing you are concerned about is the lack of visible eyes?


    Yes Anise, I am already one of the best if not the best day magic, so I couldn''t care less, so yes, I do want to know how it can see without any eyes.


    ¡­ My lord, can we just focus on the important part?


    Which is what?


    It is sentient, or at least more intelligent than mere animals.


    How?


    It knows how to hide and run, there''s also some illusion magic being casted.


    I guess that counts?


    It does!


    Fine fine, let''s go find it first.


    Yea, let''s go.


    Xania and Anise head deeper into the cavern as the darkness starts to engulf yen despite the lights glowing in strength with Xania needing to start making her own lights, making the area a bit too bright.


    As they carry on further, they eventually see a small room with small bone fragments, most likely belonging to animals before they and the majority of their bones got dissolved.


    Carrying on further, they eventually find the slimy creature again as it notices them and flees further in with Xania and Anise behind it, eventually chasing it to a dead end with Xania creating Shields behind her, blocking its way out.


    Hey, you little slimy thing what are you?


    It remains silent as it gathers into a dense little blob.


    Answer me. Xania prepares some spears made of dark magic and prepares to shoot them.


    My lord, are you crazy?! You were just wondering how it could see with no eyes, but now it clearly has no mouth and you''re asking it to speak?!


    You''re the one who said that it''s magic or whatever.


    Seeing is a vital sense to surviving in the underworld, talking is not!


    Fine fine, I won''t shoot it.


    Xania notices the little blob of slime start vibrating, somehow seeming angry at it being called an it.


    Oh, then what do you want me to call you? He?


    Xania watches as it vibrates harder and more angrily.


    She? Xania says, making it vibrate again, but gently, confirming.


    But, what sets a guy and girl of your species apart? I don''t see how you can have different appearances of organs.


    Anise looks at Xania with a look of exaggerated surprise.


    What now?


    My lord, some species in the underworld reproduce asexually, so they just pick a random gender but it''s still rude to say that.


    Seriously? But look at it.


    My lord, what you are doing right now is the demon''s version of racism.


    How?! I''m not even talking about the fact it''s green!


    Yea, we don''t care about that stuff, but any rude comments are considered racist, especially if you know about it.


    Xania looks back to the slime again which is vibrating In agreement.


    How the hell do I understand you, am I going crazy?


    The slime nods, affirming what Xania said, making her annoyed


    Screw it, I''m gonna name you Blob.


    Blob vibrates angrily, shooting a bit of slime at Xania which she just blocks with a shield.


    As she blocks it, the slime easily melts her shield, surprising her as Blob fires another shot at her face, not hurting her but annoying her.


    Look here, ¡°Blob¡± either you take the name or I take you with one of my spears of dark magic, you choose.


    My lord, this is typically considered abuse.


    No, it isn''t, I would consider this as threatening instead.


    That isn''t much better.


    But it''s still different.


    ¡­ I wanna retire.


    Not happening, you''re my work slave now.


    I hate you.


    Same here.


    Anyways, Blob, what do I do with you? You still look severely disgusting.


    Xania watches as it squeezes itself in, turning smooth and into a proper Blob with somewhat of a face, among Xania scowls.


    Wipe that fake face off.


    My lord, that''s it''s real face.


    That thing is a face? Xania points to its face which looks like a dot for each eye, and a line for a mouth.


    I''m afraid so.


    Boob fires a shot at Anise, annoyed by her tone filled with pity as Xania blocks it.


    Ok Blob, first thing first, stops attacking people or I''ll kill you.


    Bloc shoots again at Xania before vibrating In agreement.


    Annoying little piece of¡­


    Screw it, Anise, what cross breed is this?


    Probably a slime.


    And?


    That''s it


    That''s not cross breeding.


    Yea, but I assume the Blob over here got into contact with something severely acidic and got lucky enough to survive.


    I''ll just call it acidic slime for now.


    My lord, you really should stop naming things.


    Why?


    You named it ¡°blob¡± and its race ¡°acidic slime¡±, you have no creativity.


    One more word and I''ll leave you here.


    Truth hurts my lord.


    Anise, I''ll really leave you here.


    Fine, I''ll shut up.


    Xania uses her scythe, creating another temporary rift as she enters through, ending up back at her castle, quick enough to notice a small sudden explosion.


    What happened?


    My lord, you used too much mana.


    Oh, it seems I did.


    Xania fixes the castle quickly and teleports away as passer-by comes to check what happend, leaving Anise to deal with them.


    As Xania teleports back to her room, she picks up Blob, ignoring the slight stinging feeling from its acidity due to it not being able to hurt her.


    Hey Blob, you''re pretty strong actually, if I threw you at Ansie without warning you could probably kill her, couldn''t you?


    Blob vibrates in confirmation.


    Nice, accept It.


    Xania uses familiar magic in Blob, waiting for him to willingly accept It so as to not force it as it accepts.


    Hmph! Who is this crazy woman who kidnapped me? A sudden voice rings out around the room.


    Xania looks around, trying to find the source to no avail.


    Is she going crazy now? I can''t believe I can''t kidnapped by a crazy bit¡ª


    Xania grabs Blob up with one hand, causing her to shut up.


    Hey, you''re the one insulting me right?


    Hey! Let me down, you crazy idiot!


    How can I understand you?


    Xania watches closely and notices it vibrates every time she hears it ¡°talk¡±, and realises it uses the vibration to make noise which it uses as a language of its own, creating a new language entirely.


    Hey Blob, can all slimes speak?


    What? The crazy idiot can hear me?!


    Yea, so answer now.


    Blob starts vibrating angrily, cussing at Xania with all of its strength before confirming that all slimes can communicate like this.


    Great, I''ll give you some of my mana or strength later, whichever you want, but only one because the spell can''t take more than that.


    At least the crazy idiot is compensating me. Blob says, forgetting Xania can hear her, making Xania grab it again.


    Say your prayers.

 Chapter 16. Storage cube.

    So, who the hell did you call an idiot?


    You duh.


    Stupid ass slime is about to die today.


    Xania uses her free hand to make some blue-colored fire appear, slowly bringing it closer to blob.


    Actually now that I think about it, I didn''t call you an idiot, nope, not you.


    You sure? I''m not telling you to take it back, you know?


    Not like you''re giving much of a choice. Blob mutters softly at Xania but she hears, bringing the fire closer.


    Yup!!! Not talking about you!


    Alright then, so since you have no animosity towards me, you''re gonna work for me.


    Can I refuse?


    Sure, you just need to complete the contract.


    What contract? We didn''t sign anything for a job.


    Oh, nothing much, just stay into my fire for a couple minutes.


    We don''t even have a real contract!


    The humans use contracts to uphold their laws, for the demons, my word is basically the law so since I said if you want to leave, you need to suffer a bit, that''s how it works.


    ¡­ I hate you.


    Same here, so from now on, you''re gonna work with Graunter to manage the underworld okay?


    Graunter? Whose that?


    Oh, you''ll see soon.


    Xania writes a short letter with magic, detailing what happened before using her scythe to create another rift to Graunter, throwing the latter with blob at him before using mana to make it unstable, closing it up immediately.


    Nice, problem solved.


    Where''s Anise though, I kind of need her right now.


    Anise appears beside her immediately as she says that.


    My lord, you need me?


    Are you just stalking me?


    I don''t know, maybe use your detection magic more often if you don''t want to be stalked.


    Who uses detection magic randomly?


    Nobody, but you should.


    Xania sighs for a moment before remembering why she wanted Anise.


    Hey, is there a way to store my weapon with me at all times? My scythe is basically almost taller than me, it''s so troublesome, at this rate I could use it as a walking stick.


    Oh yea, I wanted to ask you my lord, but you can just use spatial magic.


    How?


    Make a small container, like really small, use spatial magic to make the inside bigger and add spatial magic to teleport things in and out just by thinking about it.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    That''s it?


    Yea.


    Seems simple enough.


    Ok, bye then, don''t forget to get me one my lord.


    Yea yea whatever.


    Xania immediately creates a small cube, using spatula magic but accidently making the inside smaller as she tries again, accidently teleporting the small box god knows where as she keeps trying, failing every attempt.


    What the hell!! I didn''t expect using spatial magic on a smaller item to be so hard!


    Xania keeps trying and trying for hours before going to her bedroom, lying on her bed having given up in annoyance as Anise appears with an enthusiastic expression, going to sit beside Xania.


    No Anise, I do not have your storage cube thingy.


    Hearing this, Anise¡¯s enthusiasm fades away immediately.


    Wow, your mood changes fast.


    My lord, are you still holding a grudge for something I did? Why didn''t you help me make one?


    Anise, it''s not that I don''t want to but I can''t.


    Huh? You can''t?


    Yea, my mana keeps going out of control when using it on such a small object, teleporting it elsewhere or some other problems, I even almost accidentally Teleported it inside some random passerby''s body when I looked at them for a moment.


    My lord, that seems like a simple problem.


    What?


    You have too much mana but not enough control over it.


    My control is better than yours.


    Yes but I have less mana, so I can control mine better.


    How about this? I''ll use the spatial magic, you just need to provide me with mana my lord, along with helping me fix the magic circles on it, but it should be enough right?


    I guess I could try.


    Xania creates many small cubes as she watches Anise start her spatial magic, but despite being much less skilled at spatial magic, she does it first try, annoying Xania due to her needing to try for hours but still failing in the end. Xania watches as Anise easily uses spatial magic, making the inside bigger leaving Xania to refill her mana to use more spatial magic.


    Ok my lord, I''m done, please add the magic circles now. Anise looks at Xania with more enthusiasm as before, annoying Xania further as Xania tries hiding it, clearly failing as Anise tries to hide her enthusiasm, gazing away, unwilling to meet Xania''s eyes with her own.


    Fine fine.


    Xania starts using the spatial magic to make the magic circles, finding it much easier than using spatial magic directly on the box as Anise immediately grabs the first ring Xania finishes, teleporting her weapon to her and storing it in.


    Anise, give it, let me try something.


    Sure?


    Xania materialises a small chain around it, turning it into a small bracelet with valuable ores and the box itself, upon further inspection by Anise being the same material used to make their weapons although without the abyss¡¯s properties.


    Ok Anise, take it back now, this should make it easier to use.


    Thanks my lord.


    Xania does the same with the rest of the cubes, making one for the main 4 demons who summoned her except Sliver since she lacks any limbs and having another big ring around her would instruct movement as Xania puts on her bracelet, giving the rest to Anise.


    Pass the rest to the other demons.


    Sure.


    Anise teleports away as Xania places her weapon into her storage bracelet, satisfied at not having to use her ridiculously big scythe like a walking stick everywhere she goes, and struggling to fit through every door if she holds her scythe the wrong way.


    Anyways, I wonder what else I can do with this.


    Hmm¡­ this may be a bad idea¡­ but¡­


    Anise removes the safety magic circles she placed on the bracelet as she tries using the bracelet, pulling herself into it.


    As she looks around the inside of her bracelet, still surprised it worked, she sees that it''s all just black due to the darkness and the material with her scythe shining dimly with the majority of it being black, absent of the red light it had before Xania got sucked into the abyss, now replaced by a black shadow inside, one she can somehow see despite the lack of any light inside.


    This could be useful.


    Xania starts trying to make another bracelet, copying Anise''s mana by cutting off the mana in her finger from the rest of her body as she makes another cube, one without the safety measurements while adding the magic circles back to the old one.


    I could use this as a jail of sorts couldn''t I?


    Let me try this on Anise real quick.


    As she says that out loud, she notices mana being used near her, specifically mana for trying to teleport away as she interrupts it and tries grabbing the source with her bare hands, exposing a previously invisible Anise as she tries struggling out with no success.


    Anise, do you know why I target you?


    Because you''re an ungrateful person who can''t be grateful for all the help I provide?


    No, because you''re the most physically weak yet strong enough to deal with these tests.


    Just do it¡­


    Xania teleports Anise into the ring, feeling her try to escape by teleporting herself out with the magic circles as Xania prevents it, overriding it with her own mana as she attaches a chain onto the small cube, and starts swinging it around, using her excellent hearing to listen to Anise''s complaints and protest as she keeps it up, stopping after a while letting Ansie out but teleporting her away before she can either complain, protest or vomit, whichever came first, not that Xania would know after Anise got teleported away.


    Hmm.. I wonder what the other kingdoms are intending to do in preparation for all the recent trouble, especially the abyss one¡­

 Chapter 17. War preparations.

    Somewhere deep underground.


    Honestly, why does our meeting have to be so deep underground? It''s so annoying to have to climb hundreds of steps every single time. A random guy says, climbing stairs which seemingly have no end, geared with silver coloured armour and an mostly average sword in his scabbard by his side, with the most noticeable thing about his sword and armor being a mana stone in the hilt of his sword and center of his armour, both filled up fully with a larger amount of mana.


    It''s to prevent anyone from listening in, your majesty.


    Yea yea I got it, doesn''t mean I like it.


    ¡­


    A couple minutes later, the guy reaches a big round circle, with 3 seats in total, 2 being occupied by other people with crowns and an assistant standing next to each of them as the guy sits down on his designated seat with his assistant beside him.


    You''re late. A woman clad in white coloured armour along with a sword shown in his scabbard by her side, decorated with many valuable gems along the edge of the scabbard and hilt, along with a slight barely noticeable golden aura around her and her sword.


    Aren''t you used to it by now? A guy says, grumpily despite not complaining, with looks in contrast with the properly dressed and geared woman says, with himself being dressed in a simple shirt and pants, made to withstand high heat, being decorated with dust and burnt spots on them, with a simple hammer by his side instead of a magnificent sword such as the one owned by the woman.


    Shall we start? The man in the silver armour asks, stopping their complaints shamelessly despite being the cause of it.


    Very well. The woman answers with her golden aura vanishing as she relaxes.


    Whatever. The man with the hammer answers, clearly not satisfied by the lack of the man''s care for his annoyance


    Very well, I shall lead the meeting. The woman says.


    The main topic of this meeting is about the demon lords'' revival and if I may assume, I believe you have all suffered at her hands?


    Yes, that bastard killed all of the guards at my camp and stole all my prisoners.


    Maybe it was for the better, you were torturing them all. The woman answers, clearly not happy with how the man with the hammer was keeping prisoners who were tortured before with the man not caring to refute.


    She destroyed one of the mountains I had to train my army!


    Indeed, evidence of her immense strength.


    She had even spread dark mana poisoned air all around, making the cursed swamp¡¯s range bigger along with the absence of a huge piece of land, leaving behind an immense amount of dark mana poisoned land, worse than even the cursed swamps, destroying some of our further lands.


    But luckily, we the rulers of the three kingdoms are all here to discuss how to get rid of her. The man in silver armour says.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    What information do you have on her? The man with the hammer asks.


    Patience, Cranzer, we will get to that soon.


    Lucinder, you''re the ruler of the holy kingdom, is she not your kingdom''s worst enemy?


    Supposingly so, but it seems she saved the dwarves from you, so my current opinion of her isn''t as bad as you.


    Ever since the old ruler was replaced, your kingdom has been a lot friendlier to non-human species haven''t you?


    So what?


    Everybody, could we get back to her main topic? The man in the silver armour says.


    Kisar, how about you offer your information first? You have the most mages related to scouting and wars afterall, you should have the most information.


    Kisar, the man in the silver armour sighs, before nodding.


    The identity of the demon lord is a succubus.


    A succubus? Aren''t demon lords typically their own race, basically an improved and much stronger demon.


    Indeed, the reason for why the demon lord is the first woman and a succubus is unknown, but we have found her name to be¡­


    Anise.


    Anise? Do you have more information?


    Indeed, she has 4 main subordinates, one Naga, one giant, one death knight and lastly a random humanoid demon with an ominous looking scythe, also the one we have the least information on.


    Anything else?


    Most of the demons are weak, untrained and lack proper weapons, so those 4 along with the demon lord are the demon ones we need to care about.


    Very well.


    Cranzer, do you have anything to add? You have been awfully quiet.


    Not at all. Cranzer, the king of Cranze, the production kingdom replies.


    Alright.


    Where is the demon lord''s current castle? Lucinder, the queen of Lucival, the holy kingdom asks.


    The middle of the now much deadlier cursed swamps. Kisar, the king of Kislat, the military kingdom says.


    What a pain, but I should be able to purify most of it on the way in. I''ve been meaning to do so for quite a while anyway since I need that piece of land for expansion, if you two have no objections about it. Lucinder looks at the two of them, both of which do not care, due to not being able to restore the poisoned land there without extremely strong holy magic, something mainly found in the kingdom of Lucival.


    Very well, shall we conclude this meeting and meet again in a couple of weeks to discuss how and when to attack? Kisar suggests, either them both accepting quickly and heading off, back to the ridiculously long stairs on each side of their seats, which leads to a teleportation circle, rigged to blow if someone unauthorised passes through.


    Back in the holy kingdom, Lucival.


    Lucindar sighs, seated at her table with paperwork piling up due to needing to acquire funds for the upcoming war, food and to keep this all hidden from the citizens so as to not cause panic before they get ready and confident enough to win.


    Lucinder starts writing a short letter, informing that the demon lord is back to the now retired hero for less than a year due to needing to keep fighting even after the previous demon lord died.


    I wonder how the other heroes of the other kingdoms are doing and how many would be willing to return to war, but the hero of Kislat would definitely be willing due to craving fights against strong opponents.


    What an actual pain¡­


    The production kingdom, Cranze.


    Damn it! Cranzer slams his table, letting all his paperwork about needing to increase their food production for his own citizens along with Lucival and Kislat, and needing more materials for weapon production all fly away, landing on the floor as the maids help to pick them up, placing them back on the table hastily so a to avoid angering him further.


    That bitch made use of the dwarves to produce a weapon! I''ll make sure that the demon lord dies!


    The military kingdom, Kislat.


    Kisar stands at his balcony, watching his hundreds of thousands of tropes passing back, training harder for war, each with enough strength to fight 20 civilians minimally at once and win, even if it''s just barely.


    I wonder if I can defeat the holy kingdom after the war. He thinks before shaking his head to himself.


    No, even if they get weaker, they are no pushovers and all the weaker kingdoms will take advantage of our weakness, leaving me with less gains than losses.


    He walks back into his room, increasing himself, going to finish the rest of his paperwork, with there being nearly none due to how he does not need to hide the demon lord return to his army or civilians, deciding to just lock the kingdom out, letting nobody in or out for the time being.

 Chapter 18. Civli.

    Anise gets out of bed, not forgetting to get a picture of Xania, placing it in her secret file, hidden from Xania as she leaves the room.


    Everyday is the same, there''s nothing new happening, it''s just my lord training, and me dealing with the underworld, it''s so boringgggg, I gotta go on a sort one day vacation.


    Anise turns to Xania, who''s still fast asleep, with no signs of waking up just yet.


    My lord, I can take a vacation right?


    If you don''t answer, I''ll assume it''s a yes.


    Anise watches Xania, already planning her short vacation out.


    Sure. Xania says, still with her eyes closed, leading Anise to believe she is asleep if not for the face she just answered.


    Huh? Anise freezes up, not having expected that Xania was awake, wondering if she knew what she did with the pictures before quietly walking out due to Xania saying yes.


    She was awake? How many days has this happened? Did she hear all the stuff I said?


    Yea. Xania replies from the room, having heard Ansie due to her enhanced hearing.


    Crap¡­ my lord, just know I didn''t mean any of it okay? Anise answers back, running away as Xania doesn''t bother replying.


    Ok, I gotta take a break from my lord¡­ being around her stresses me out¡­


    Xania teleports a map into her hands, checking out small human cities as she uses illusion magic to hide her demonic features, teleporting to the outskirts of the city she chose, not bothering to check the name of the city.


    I don''t want to take a break here either, but seriously, my lord can get really scary, especially with her bracelets combined with her immense mana now. She shook the bracelet with me in it so hard I nearly vomited¡­


    My lord, you''re so cruel.


    Anise walks into the city, noticing loud joyful voices, belonging to many different people as she ventures further in, finding a festival happening.


    How lucky, I bet the food vendors will also have all sorts of games!!


    Anise makes herself invisible, stealing some money and food as she enjoys it throughout, going around, playing all sorts of games, with most belongings to children but cheating with the use of mana to increase her strength, redirect her darts or or to slow down targets.


    This is so much better than at the castle, if only they could hold a festival everyday so I could enjoy it.


    Exactly miss, I agree with you, I suppose you are a maid? A random voice directed towards Anise calls out, causing her to turn her head in that direction quickly as she sees a random guy, dressed in below average clothes, but decent enough for a commoner.


    What makes you think that I am a maid?


    You did say this place is better than a castle, so I assume you were some noble¡¯s maid, am I wrong?Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    No, you''re right, I was simply curious. Anise lies, not wanting to complicate things further and to save herself the trouble of explaining without admiring she is a demon.


    Exactly what I thought miss, I assume you are not from around here either?


    You''re right.


    Well, would you like an explanation on the festival?


    Sure.


    This festival is here to commemorate the old hero who was the son of a certain noble who lived here. I do not know the specifics but that hero killed the demon lord, hence this festival.


    Anise finds it familiar, contemplating it for a second before ignoring the feeling.


    Interesting.


    Indeed, miss, may I know which kingdom you come from? Most people aren''t born in the kingdom of Lucival afterall due to their religious teachings and most dedicating themselves to be priests.


    Wait, this is Lucival?


    Why, of course.


    Wait¡­ a festival held in Lucival to commemorate the death of a demon lord¡­ is this city naked Civli? After the previous hero?


    Miss, you seem pretty knowledgeable, yes this city is named Civli after the previous hero.


    Oh, apologies, I got to go.


    Very well. The random guy walks away as Anise starts panicking, looking all around.


    If this is Civli, they have counters against demons that are dangerous even against me, his city is made to be a goddamn fortress!! Did I over shoot my teleport?


    No, not the time to be thinking about that.


    Anise uses detection magic, locating some people spying on her, people that of which can use holy magic as she teleports to them, quickly killing each one off as she lands back down, pretending to be a normal civilian to try leaving the city.


    Damn it, this city is going to have a whole platoon of elite paladins passing by here in celebration of the festival and the death of their men!!


    Anise Hurries up, hearing a bunch of footsteps to her right.


    As she turns to the right, she notices the mini platoon all there.


    How did they find me so quickly?!


    She looks down, noticing she accidently walked into the path during her panic before mentally facepalming and quickly getting out of the path, hoping that there would be no trouble as one of the paladins hold a glowing red orb, a tool glowing due to being able detect hints of any dark mana usage, even if it was in the past, being more specific than Xania''s detection due to them using holy magic as she hears the paladin at the front speak, not being able to make out their gender due to their helmet blocking their face and muffling their voice.


    Halt.


    Yes? Anise starts making a magic circle behind herself secretly while remaining cautious.


    Why do I detect dark mana from you?


    Many your tools spoiled?


    Not possible, answer now or we will attack.


    Uhh¡­ . Anise tries thinking of an excuse to buy even a second of time as they send an attack of holy magic over, hurting her arm, leaving burn marks, revealing that she''s a demon as her illusion magic wears off.


    Attack! It''s a demon!


    Anise quickens the teleportation spell, needing longer to collect sufficient mana due to the holy magic in the air, increased by the paladins present.


    As Anise tries to flee, the paladin swings her sword at her, causing her arm to be sliced off as they try swinging again as Anise teleports away quickly, back to hers and Xania''s room, with Xania noticing her immediately due to the sudden intense smell of blood and her enhanced sense of smell healing her immediately.


    Anise, what the hell happened?!


    My lord, I accidentally teleported to a fortress city as they were just so lucky enough to be holding a festival.


    Anise, why didn''t you fight back?


    If I did, it would alert more of them, increasing the likelihood of us getting attacked.


    Anise, your safety is the priority, don''t do that again.


    Alright my lord¡­


    Anise faints due to the lingering pain and the holy magic which got injected into her body all at once while her arm got sliced off as Xania sighs, worried for Anise and her dedication to her.


    Damn it! We almost got that demon! The paladin shouts.


    We need to return back and report this.


    What about the festival? A random lower ranked paladin asks.


    That isn''t as important right now!


    Yes ma''am.


    Men, scout the area! She couldn''t have teleported and ran far, especially not with such an injury! The rest, follow me.


    Yes ma''am!


    The paladin at the front leads the rest back out of the city, to the nearest noble''s castle they can find, requesting for a paper and quill along with some ink before sending a message by trained pigeons using magic back to the capital of the holy kingdom.


    How annoying, if only I killed her right there, that would have increased my contributions by a decent amount.


    She sighs, leading her men to scout, hoping to capture the demon before she gets too far.

 Chapter 19. Anise is the demon lord?

    After a couple hours of scouting, the paladin gives up, slamming her fist against a tree in anger.


    How the hell did she run away? She shouldn''t have been able to do so!


    As she vents, she notices a pigeon bringing a small mana device to her, recognising it as a manager projector.


    As she grabs the device from the pigeon, she switches it on, a screen appearing In front of her, her superior being projected on it.


    Vanice, I would like you to elaborate on your report. Her superior says.


    Yes miss Canue. Vanice, the paladin replies, clearly still angry, but suppressing it In front of Canue, her superior.


    As she starts to elaborate, Canue gets stuck deep in thought as she considers that although demons are a big problem, a single one shouldn''t have been able to make her superior, a woman who she has never seen struggle before, think so hard.


    I believe that was the demon lord.


    ¡­ Excuse me? Could you please repeat what you just said? Vanice clearly confused, due to what she just heard.


    I said what I said, she could have probably killed you, but refrained from doing so, as to why¡­ I have no clue, but she does seem a lot weaker than expected.


    Are you sure?


    She fits the description, she has enough mana for a long range teleport, is a succubus and has a wand too, one completely pitch black, darker than the night skies.


    I suppose it fits¡­ but at this rate, we won''t even need the hero?


    Better safe than sorry, do not act on it for the time being, further orders will be provided in the future.


    Very well miss Canue.


    Back at the imperial castle.


    Your majesty, we have received word from the city of Civli that the demon lord has been spotted.


    Is this information true? The queen, Lucinder asks, sitting atop her throne, getting surprised but keeping calm despite already having expected important news beforehand.


    Indeed your majesty.


    I already told you to call me by my name, or if you like, add miss.


    Your majesty, how could I do so?


    You''re my closest assistant and my bodyguard, you''re more than qualified.


    Your majesty, I could never.


    What if I ordered you to do so?


    Your majesty I still¡­


    Seems like you have no refuge, from now on, I order you to call me by my name.


    V-very well your majes¡­ miss¡­ Luci¡­ Lucinder. She says awkwardly.


    Cinder, is it really that hard?


    Yes¡­ miss¡­ L-Lucinder.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Very well, you can go back to calling me what you want in that case, I won''t force you.


    Thank you, your majesty.


    She sighs at the huge contrast, contemplating something for a moment, turning her attention out the window, a habit she has when deep in thought.


    Your majesty, is something bothering you?


    This new will be impossible to hide from the other kingdoms even if I wanted to, meaning the war will start sooner due to the demon lord already being injured and weak.


    But won''t getting rid of the demon lord quickly be beneficial?


    Indeed, I simply cannot get rid of this bad feeling for some reason.


    Your majesty, if I may be direct with you.


    Of course.


    I believe you are overthinking this.


    Yes, that must be the case, bring me another two mana projectors, I believe I need to speak with the other rulers.


    Very well your majesty.


    Back at Xanias bedroom


    After a couple hours, Anise wakes up on Xania''s lap, with Xania looking after her the whole time she was fainted. Anise tries pretending she''s still fainted, taking advantage of the opportunity to stay on Xania''s lap.


    Get up, I''m not stupid.


    Anise sighs, reluctantly getting up, no longer in pain despite her massive injury before due to Xania¡¯s proficiency in healing magic.


    Anise, could you fill me on what happened properly?


    Very well my lord.


    As Anise starts telling Xania what happened, taking advantage of the opportunity to lie back on Xania''s lap, along with all the useless and unnecessary information, Xania listens closely, making a mental note of everything important.


    Anise, have you prepared a spy group yet?


    Yes my lord, I actually even got some information from the imperial palace of Cranze and Kislat.


    Not Lucival?


    Lucival is too high a risk, if you want I can still appoint some spies there but¡­


    Don''t worry, it''s okay, don''t anyhow throw away the lives of the demons under you.


    Of course my lord, unless you order it, I will never do such a thing.


    No Anise, even if I order it, unless there''s a good reason, don''t do it, promise me.


    It''ll be hard to keep that promise, but I''ll try.


    Anyways, my lord, the kingdoms are preparing for war against use and¡­


    And?


    They believe I''m the demon lord.


    You? Didn''t you get beaten easily? Not to insult you of course.


    Yea, I only held back for your sake so as to not attract even more attention my lord!!!


    Remember¨C


    Yea yea, don''t risk my own safety etc etc etc, my lord, sometimes you act like a naggy mother.


    Xania gets annoyed by Anise''s remarks, but keeps quiet about it, only due to the recent accident.


    My lord, you suck at hiding your emotions.


    Xania glares at Anise as Anise immediately changes the topic.


    Anyways my lord, as I was saying, they got this strong due to how long we hadn''t had a demon lord for.


    Wasn''t it only like 27 years?


    Yea, but 27 is a lot for humans and it was actually 40, the 13 years in between was temporary ceasefire due to the hero and demon lord both dying, chasing both of our sides to forcefully retreat, but their hero appeared almost immediately, the 13 years was mostly training for them, hence why they could so easily interrupt the summoning ritual.


    That''s annoying, couldn''t we wait for the hero to age to death?


    Not possible, though most heroes don''t survive too long, due to dying to the demon lord, or the remaining demons after killing the demon lord, we suspect they can live up to 300 years, and staying passive for such a long time means the humans will get much stronger.


    Hmm, that is a problem indeed, we need an army too, to protect this place when I''m not here just in case.


    Oh, my lord, why don''t you help in their training?


    How? I have no experience in teaching.


    But you have healing magic, which also gets rid of fatigue and heals injuries.


    So?


    The way we can train them is¡­ by beating them up.


    Huh?


    They''ll learn eventually if you keep beating them, so I''ll get Graunter to do so, you just need to keep healing and mass produce armor and weapons, and we''ll have an army in no time.


    ¡­ I get that we''re demons but isn''t this a little¡­


    Humane? I know, right? If only we had more time, we could use weapons instead, making them actually feel like their life is at risk.


    That''s not what I was about to say¡­


    So my lord, will you help?


    Sure¡­ when are we starting?


    First we need volunteers.


    Ok, and?


    Pay.


    Easy enough, but what pay?


    Mana, I''ll make a familiar contract with them, but a weaker adapted one since I have nowhere near as much mana as you my lord.


    Ok, and anything else?


    Food.


    Food? It''s not like we''re starving them, right?


    Yea, but some demons have hugely different preferences, making it hard for us to deal with all the different types due to how many different demons there are.


    Have you considered¡­ getting more than 3 chefs?


    Yea, but no volunteers for that.


    ¡­ What are most of the demons doing?


    Free loading, though they''ve been asking for jobs to show loyalty to you.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    My lord, why are you silent?


    I hate this.


    Huh?


    Xania lies back in her bed, not wanting to deal with her current problems as she postpones them to the next day.

 Chapter 20. Training.

    Xania wakes up eventually, recalling what happened in the afternoon, realizing she slept in the morning as she sighs, her mind going back to the realisation she has to work.


    Xania reluctantly gets up, out of bed, using magic to wash herself up and fire magic to dry herself, not caring to protect her clothes as they got much stronger from staying in the abyss that long with her.


    As Xania walks towards the door, taking her own sweet time instead of teleporting to postpone it further, Ashe suddenly feels mana being used as she looks down, noticing a magic circle under her, most likely set by Anise as she gets too lazy to deal with it, accepting the teleportation.


    A second later, she gets sent to a familiar location, the training grounds as she hears soft whispering being her and turns around to see a huge crowd of demon''s along with her on a small wooden stage with Anise on her left and Graunter on her right as she sighs again.


    Everybody, this is our demon lord!! Today you''ll have the honor of being trained with her magic along with me and Graunter, her most trusted subordinates! Anise shows off a proud look, as Xania stares at her, surprised by how shameless she is.


    Most trusted?


    Yes my lord, we''re one of your most trusted aren''t we?


    Debatable.


    Huh? In that case, I''m not working on the underworld anymore.


    If you do, I''ll stuff you back into the bracelet.


    ¡­


    Anyways, let''s get started everybody!


    Wait Anise.


    Yes my lord?


    Couldn''t we just stuff them into the bracelet I made of imprisoning people? All I would have to do is use a mana crystal along with a magic circle to constantly heal, wouldn''t I?


    I suppose that could work.


    In that case, bye!


    Not so fast my lord. Anise interrupts Xania¡¯s teleportation spell with Xania not resisting due to not wanting Anise''s mana to rebound into her own body, mostly due to her already getting an arm chopped off yesterday.


    What?


    We have no mana stones left, Dragrove is planning to go on strike because we used all his mana stones.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    On what?


    Teleportation circles, because you were too lazy to use the spells yourself.


    ¡­


    Anyways, let''s start.


    Xania sighs, starting to heal all the demon''s, and despite them having nearly no fatigue and no injuries, they start feeling extremely energetic like after a dose of raw coffee powder as the Graunter picks up a big wooden bat.


    Why are you isn''t that weapon? Where''s the one I gave you?


    My lord, that''ll kill the demon''s in a single hit, even you can''t revive.


    I suppose that''s true.


    Screw it, just start.


    Xania keeps healing as Graunter officially starts with Anise sealing the entrance and exits off with shields.


    As they start, the demons, despite being weaker, run at Graunter without fear or hesitation even after getting hit once by one of Graunters swings which, while he held back, still probably still broke a bone or two.


    Xania watches in surprise as they keep getting back up despite the injuries and probably in a bunch of pain as she keeps healing.


    A couple hours later, she gets extremely bored, sitting down cross legged, supporting her head with her right hand and healing with her left.


    Anise, when are we going to be dob????


    Not much longer my lord.


    How long?


    Oh you know, just a couple of days.


    A couple of days?


    Yep, shirt isn''t it?


    Xania hugs her legs, still healing as she groans, annoyed and extremely bored, knowing that Anise probably isn''t joking about this.


    A couple days later, Xania still in her same spot, tired despite not actually needing sleep, looking like a statue due to not even changing her position to the point that Anise started finding it creepy due to how still Xania was, having never seen her so quiet or still before.


    My lord, we finished with the training, are you okay?


    ¡­ (Silence)


    Ok¡­ I''ll get going first, I''m gonna go sleep, you¡­ have fun?


    ¡­


    Ok, I see you''re not used to working for days on end at all.


    Anise sighs, remembering that despite Xania suffering in the abyss, she had not yet been introduced to the horrors of the actual world, more specifically, being overworked severely without any pay.


    Anise teleports xania to the toilet, splashing watch on Xania as Xania comes back to reality, her body as stiff as stone as she slowly starts moving again, using healing magic on herself as she gets back to normal, her eyes those of someone who had trauma.


    My lord, it was just a couple days or healing, I think you''re being too dramatic about this.


    Xania slowly looks over at Anise, her hair and clothes dripping wet as she uses fire to dry herself up, including her hair.


    My lord, does your hair just not catch on fire or something?


    ¡­


    No response?


    ¡­


    Anise teleports Xania to bed, pulling the covers over her.


    I''ll be back soon, my lord.


    Anise teleports away to a secret room that she hid using magic, which Xania could find easily if she tried hard enough as she looks around as the small mound of mana stones.


    If my lord found out we still had these, she wouldn''t be happy with me, but I wasn''t just gonna work while she enjoyed her life.


    Anise picks a random decent enough stone as she fills it up with mana, turning around, prepared to teleport away to make the bracelet for the new training grounds as she turns around, already thinking of an reward to ask from Xania for ¡°finding¡± the mana stone, as she turns around, humming to herself, satisfied, her meets meet what she thought was a dead body, backing up.


    Ah!!! What the hell?!


    As she looks again, she sees Xania, looking at the mana stone in her hand and behind her.


    My lord¡­ I can explain?


    A few days later, the demons are now in the new bracelet, with Xania too lazy to create a proper room as they get automatically healed with Xania constructing a brand new pendulum clock, with the bracelet attached at the handle, swinging constantly.


    Deserve it.

 Chapter 21. Elf.

    A couple days later, the demons have gotten visibly stronger due to the training and mana provided by Anise¡¯s familiar contract as Xania goes by once a while to check in on them, helping whenever she is needed. The pendulum clock with the bracelet was also removed by Xania, leaving behind a ghost story about a pendulum clock that appeared out of nowhere that randomly shouts for help and disappearing as suddenly as it appeared.


    Anise.


    Yes my lord?


    Is there any new information on when the humans plan to attack?


    Not recently, they got more secretive, probably due to my appearance, and not wanting to scare the citizens that the demon lord was found in one of their cities.


    Shame, but do they really think you are a demon lord? They''re not taking it right?


    Obviously, I have almost enough qualifications to be a demon lord you know?


    Really? But you just seem a little¡­


    A little what?


    Weak.


    ¡­


    Anise attacks Xania using her staff with dozens of weak fireballs as Xania teleports away, dodging easily, leaving Anise alone in their room, annoyed along with the still perfectly fine wall despite the attacks.


    Xania looks around, remembering that she only teleported to a close location as she finds herself at the outside of her castle, looking up at if, not realizing just how big it was before.


    Actually, what do I even need a castle of this size for?


    There''s only me, Anise, Granter, Sliver, Davien, Dragrove and the elves who live here just so the demons don''t attack them, mistaking them for spies¡­ oh yea, there''s also the triplets.


    What were the elves'' names again? I haven''t actually spoken to them since the feast anyways.


    Demon lord! Demon lord!  Someone calls out to her, making her look back to find one of the elves calling for her.


    Oh wow, I was just thinking of her and she appeared.


    What do you want?


    Demon lord, Could you help?


    With what?


    The elves are being attacked!


    First, how do you even know that, second, what''s your name? I forgot, and also, where''s your sister at?


    Is that important right now?!


    Yea.


    Fine, I''m Elvia, and my sister is¡­ timid so she isn''t here, so are you going to help or not?


    You didn''t answer the first question.


    Not important right now!


    Actually, I do find it pretty important so, how do you know?


    ¡­ Teleportation circle.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    No, you don''t have enough mana.


    Small teleportation circle, made for items so the mana usage is much lesser.


    And what were you using it for this whole time?


    Spying¡­


    So, why should I help?


    If you help I''ll teach you elf magic alright?


    I have stronger magic though?


    Don''t lie, you''re skilled enough to copy and improve on any magic you see or have, but you don''t have elf magic yet!


    Show me an example.


    I''m not stupid.


    Fine, tell me the situation first.


    All the mostly unintelligent monsters have started attacking them.


    Why so suddenly?


    Before, the humans used to help defend the world tree with the elves mainly due to the fact that the world tree, due to its fruits and the fact that it could make a very strong weapon and eating part of it could probably improve mana, it attracts monsters nonstop.


    Aren''t elves supposed to protect the world tree? Why are they so weak?


    They are saving mana.


    For what?


    You obviously.


    Oh yea, that''s right, there''s me.


    So will you help or not?


    If I help, what other benefits do I get?


    Isn''t elf magic sufficient?


    It''s a good thing but if I let the elves die, I also benefit, don''t I?


    I¡­ the magic I''ll teach you with your mana can surround the world tree!!


    Normal shields can''t do that.


    It isn''t normal, just promise not to harm the actual tree.


    I can do that.


    Then hurry up and follow me!!


    Fine fine, but please keep this in mind, if you keep spying, I''ll go kill all your elves, alright?  Xania threatens her with a smile on her face like nothing''s wrong but Elvia is too panicked to care.


    Elvia keeps walking, leading Xania to her room where her sister, Ella is also at, hiding under the blanket as Elvia goes over to the table, using magic that Xania has never seen before as a small circular object is formed with engravings on it, similar to the engravings on the platform Xania appeared on at first with slight but noticeable differences.


    So what now?


    Demon lord, can you copy this but make it bigger for the 3 of us to use?


    3? You and your sister are coming?


    I have to check if you keep your promise, and I want to send my sister back too.


    Fine, wait a moment.


    Xania uses detection magic to locate Anise before using the teleportation magic she is familiar with to teleport Anise to herself.


    What? Anise looks around, still annoyed by Xania earlier, evident by the fact she isn''t even looking at her.


    Gotta go save a couple of elves, you''re coming.


    ¡­ Context?


    Sure, so basically¨C


    Hey! Can you two stop chatting about? Just teleport us already!


    Not my fault Anise, it''s hers.


    ¡­ Fine, I''ll figure it out with ¡°gotta go save a couple of elves¡±.


    Nice.


    Xania teleports them all with the teleportation circle she memorized, with a terrible odor invading her nose before Xania can even take the time to look around.


    Ew! What the hell is that?! Even poison smells better.


    Xania teleports them all into the air, using a shield as a platform as she looks down, noticing a ridiculously large tree in the distance, surrounded by ridiculously large walls, though nowhere near the height of the tree with tens of thousands of monsters she hasn''t even seen before all running towards the tree.


    Am I right to assume that''s the world tree?


    Indeed my lord.


    So, Elvia, remember what you owe me after this.


    Yea yea, keep your side of the promise first.


    Easily, but do I have to keep the environment safe afterwards?


    Huh?


    Habitable? Non lethal? Suited to survival?


    Yes!


    How troublesome, guess using dark magic and keeping the environment perfectly okay will be too annoying.


    Then what now? You can''t save them without dark magic?


    Hey, if I were to perhaps¡­ destroy the environment, without poisoning it, it''s okay, right?


    Well yea, I guess, elves have magic to regrow plants quickly too.


    Okay then, don''t blame me.


    Anise, follow me, use whatever the hell you want, just not dark magic.


    Of course my lord, this is a good way to vent my anger out.


    What anger?


    Oh you know, not much.


    Anise puts her hand on Xania''s stomach, using a decently strong fireball to send Xania flying off, albeit with no injuries.


    Guess I deserved that.


    As Xania falls down, she turns herself to look down at the board beneath her as she lets out a ridiculous amount of flames from her palms with Anise teleporting away, doing the same as her, incinerating dozens of monsters immediately.


    Xania teleports towards the walls surrounding the tree, staying afloat in front of it''s gates with her wings as she prepares 6 fireballs surrounding her, with 2 above, 2 below and 2 by her side as she starts sending them flying out like a machine gun one by one at the monsters, causing a massive explosion every where it lands.


    How nice, blowing things up without a care like this is more entertaining than expected, though this is taking quite long, I hope Elvia forgives me for this.


    Xania creates hundreds of fireballs above the air, an equal distance away from each other with fireballs filling up the air within 10 km in any direction as she makes them all fly downwards at once, blowing up the land all surrounding her at once along with every monster.


    What a sight indeed, but why do I feel like I''m forgetting something?


    Demon lord? Demon lord?! Where are you! What just happened?! Elvia shouts while still being stuck mid-air on the shield with Ella.

 Chapter 22. Elf agreement.

    What a predicament¡­


    Xania and Anise are both holding their hands above their head, showing they mean no harm as the top of the walls are covered in elves, aiming their bow at them.


    My lord, can''t we just kill them?


    Yea but if I do that, nobody will be here to teach me elf magic since I doubt Elvia and Ella would be willing if I killed the elves right now.


    Annoying.


    You two! Stop talking and state your identity on why you''re here! The one Xania assumes is the leader shouts confidently despite his obvious nervousness, most likely due to how Xania wiped out all the monsters along with all the nearby land.


    Anise, why do they not know who I am? I have wings and a tail for goodness sake.


    Well, wings and tails aren''t exclusive to demons, and not all demon lords have them.


    Oh.


    Have you not been listening while I was teaching you?


    Who can pay attention for hours, and your lessons are so boring!


    You two! Stop chatting and state your identity and why you are here, I will not repeat!


    How annoying honestly.


    I agree my lord.


    As the guy opens his mouth to shouts again, someone starts calling for them to stop, clearly panicked and annoyed.


    Stop it! Wait! Elvia pants, clearly having ran from where Xania left her as Ella follows behind, panting too.


    Elvia walks up to Xania, clearly annoyed due to being left behind.


    Hey! You left us on the shield! If not for being able to fall slowly, I would have died when the shield disappeared!


    Calm down, you''re alive are you not?


    That''s not the point!


    Elvia, Ella?! Xania looks over at the guy on the castle wall along with everyone as they lower their bows slightly, surprised at Elvia and Ella''s presence, as if seeing a ghost.


    Why are they so surprised?


    The fact that we were spying for you was a secret incase of spies, so they believe we were both dead.


    Dead? Not captured?


    Elves have a treaty with humans, so it wouldn''t have been suspected that the king behind one of the biggest kingdoms was the cause of our disappearance.


    Right, the king of that kingdom was petty enough to capture the dwarves and torture them out of being jealous.


    Indeed.


    Suddenly, the castle gate opens, an elven woman wearing a crown stepping out with some guards behind, including the guy shouting at her just now.Stolen story; please report.


    Your queen, I assume?


    Indeed.


    Ella, Elvia, I see you''re both still alive, are you two okay? The queen''s words are laced with concern and surprise but Xania can tell that she doesn''t actually mean what she''s saying, probably already knowing about them being alive, and probably who Xania is as she signals for the guards to stop being so alert.


    Come here you two, let''s get you treated.


    Ella and Elvian both look at Xania, not wanting to go in case of looking like they are not fulfilling their part of the deal or betraying her, feeling relief as Xania nods, letting them go without any misunderstanding.


    Guards, being Elvia and Ella for treatment while I have a talk with our guest, privately.


    The guards all go away, the bare minimum staying with Elvia and Ella to escort them, most likely towards a location to meet with the queen later, to tell her what they know.


    You two, esteemed guests, please follow me.


    Sure.


    My lord, don''t we just need the magic? What are we doing now? Anise whispers, trying to make sure the queen wants to hear as she stops for a moment before continuing like she didn''t hear anything despite it being obvious she heard.


    Right, they have great hearing. Anise uses telepathy to talk with Xania, making sure the queen really cannot hear her this time.


    It would be better to remain cautious in case they have a way to fight back, and they already have a bad relationship with the humans I would assume.


    Yea, to the public, elves and humans get along, but the higher ups know that the only reason they ¡°get along¡± is due to elves being decently strong enough to somewhat fight back along with the fruits provided by the world tree which contains amazing healing properties so an all out drawn out war would be more beneficial to the elves.


    This could benefit us.


    As they keep walking, Xania is intrigued by how there are also many trees within the wall, with mana flowing into the ground the the world tree and getting absorbed into the surrounding trees, speeding up their growth, along with how there is a complete lack of houses and the elves all live in the overgrown trees.


    As Xania and Anise keep following, eventually they reach an old abandoned looking building near the walls, far away from anybody else where a teleportation circle is.


    What''s this?


    A teleportation circle.


    Obviously. To where?


    You''ll see.


    The queen gets onto the circle, teleporting away as Xania and Anise follow along, ending up in a small room, oddly similar to an interrogation room as the queen sits down, gesturing to the two chairs opposite her as Xania and Anise take a seat too.


    So, what do you want? Stop wasting my time.


    Patience demon lord, I simply would like to talk with you.


    Stop wasting my time and hurry it up then.


    Sure then, please protect us.


    Huh? You''re asking me to protect you guys?


    Indeed, unlike the others with biases against you, I believe that you''re different.


    What''s the basis for your trust?


    Secret.


    How would I even benefit?


    We could stop the world tree from creating new heroes.


    How?


    Simple, we just need to stop initiating the ritual to do so.


    Ritual?


    I can''t tell you about it, it''s a secret too.


    Fine, but will the other elves accept this arrangement?


    Not at all, but I should be able to convince them with time.


    My lord, shouldn''t we discuss this? Anise uses telepathy as Xania just ignores her.


    Very well.


    Nice to see we could come to an agreement, I''ll bring you to see Elvia and Ella now, take them back with you if you and the both of them agree.


    Do you not want them?


    It''s up to them, but I have a feeling they''ll choose you since apparently, they are rather good friends with the dwarves, especially Ella.


    Ella? The quiet one?


    She''s not as shy as you think, I heard that you commited a small massacre I''m the dwarves'' dungeon which probably made her scared of you.


    I suppose that could be the cause.


    Either that or it''s your wings and horns which are pointy.


    So what if they''re pointy?


    Well, she watched her mother die by a sword so anything sharp or pointy scares her.


    So I can''t fix this. Nevermind getting close to Ella won''t benefit me anyways, I''ll go meet themater.


    Your choice, feel free to leave by the teleportation circle, and the library if you intend to learn spells without them.


    Very well.


    As soon as Xania and Anise teleport out, Anise turns to Xania, annoyed that Xania didn''t consult with her.


    Yes Anise?


    My lord! Do you think the demons will just happily accept this?!


    Obviously not.


    Then why did you do this?


    I''ll just tell them that I defeated them but they have benefits and eventually I''ll keep telling them more, then I''ll pretend that I treat them normal after a while for good behaviour.


    My lord, if you''re going to do this, I suggest properly learning elf magic. They have one that helps influence the mind which is a lot more controllable than seduction magic along with another one that helps you know what others are feeling.


    Sure.


    Xania hums happily while walking away, looking for the library despite Anise beside her, still annoyed but satisfied enough with Xania''s agreement to the point she isn''t arguing back.

 Chapter 23. Spy.

    Xania eventually reaches the library with Anise, getting lost multiple times and not being able to ask anybody due to them all avoiding her due to her tail and wings and horns which she just noticed are smaller than Anise''s.


    Elves are biased.


    No¡­ I don''t think that''s the case.


    Anise looks at Xania who has been leaking out small amounts of dark mana but sufficient to kill an unarmed person with some elves far behind purifying it with weird elven magic and a magic circle which Xania made sure to memorize.


    My lord, you suck at directions.


    Hey, it''s my first time here.


    Yea but they have signs everywhere.


    I didn''t notice them.


    They''re in the middle of each path.


    ¡­


    Xania doesn''t retort further, heading into the library after all her hard work of searching, heading for the magic section, ignoring all books on their history or culture much to Anise displeasure


    My lord, just study a bit, it isn''t that hard.


    Anise, no.


    Come on, you gotta study.


    Yea, I will, eventually.


    When''s that?


    I don''t know?


    Xania starts browsing the magic section, taking the first book that she felt any interest in with Anise having given up.


    Xania checks the book she took, with it being named ¡°purification magic for dummies¡±, having only chosen it due to needing to purify her own dark magic so her castle wouldn''t be affected by the poison on the off chance she uses too much dark magic at once.


    My lord, purification magic? Can''t you just control and minimize the dark mana you use or use different magic?


    Yea but, purification magic helps to clean things up too, so I can just wash myself without getting out of bed.


    ¡­


    Anise goes away, looking for her own magic as Xania studies the purification magic, taking a couple hours despite it being the easiest she''s ever seen.


    Xania keeps learning different magic, such as the one Elvia and Ella used to fall slowly so she can fly easier, one to grow nature back, an improved healing spell, a spell to control plants to attack, a homing spell and a couple more, each taking ridiculously long compared to how fast she usually learns magic for how simple it is with even Anise being faster and rubbing it in Xania''s face.


    How is this taking so long!!! The concept is so easy but implementing it is so much harder!


    My lord, I''m just a bigger genius than you.


    If that''s the case then why is my mana over 10 times your huh?


    ¡­ Ok my lord, seriously though, it''s probably because you''re my lord so you can''t.


    That still feels somewhat like an insult¡­


    No, elf magic is similar to holy magic though still vastly different so the more of a genius you are at dark magic, the harder it is for you to learn it.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    How annoying honestly.


    You''re still making progress though.


    Yea, I know I know.


    Though, there might be another reason.


    What is it?


    No clue.


    Then what''s your basis?


    Not sure, just guessing, but you could just check the elves'' history? They do study the demon lord quite a bit.


    Why?


    What do you mean why? To defeat them of course.


    Oh yea, but isn''t this just a way to get me to study?


    Maybe?


    I really hate you.


    Love you too.


    Xania sighs, heading over to the history section, letting her curiosity take over as she takes a random book and starts reading, titled ¡°demon lord''s strength¡±.


    ¡°A demon lord''s strength can be vastly different, being weaker or stronger with only 3 known causes.¡±


    Huh? This is¡­ interesting?


    ¡°The first being the strength of the demons summoning them, the stronger or more skilled the demons, the more physically strong and more mana the demon lord contains. The second being the amount of resources used in the ritual. The last one being the number of demon lord''s before them.¡±


    The first two don''t even apply, I was summoned on a stone platform or altar thingy and well, those 4 were pretty weak at first also.


    Though I should just go ask Anise about the third one.


    Anise, where are you?


    Xania uses detection magic, teleporting to Xania immediately, annoying Anise with her sudden appearance due to not studying like Anise wanted her to.


    Yes my lord? Anise uses a polite tone but Xania can hear her irritation seeping through her voice.


    Question, what is this?


    Xania shows Anise the book as she carefully reads before shrugging.


    I can go check for any old records?


    We have old records?


    Obviously, while in the underworld, I went to collect sy and every old record, there in my bracelet now but there''s too many, so I''ll do it when we get back.


    Fine, fine.


    Xania reluctantly goes back to the history section, reading up on the books, getting bored after a while but too curious about why she sucks at elf magic to stop.


    After a couple hours, she lies there, covered in books, not finding anything even using a reading spell she learned to somewhat speed up the process from the magic section before.


    My lord, you okay? Anise walks to Xania, kneeling down and poking her cheek to get a reaction only for Xania to use her tail to smack Anise''s hand away Making her annoyed.


    My lord, you always do this when you give up, but I refuse to let you do this anymore!


    ¡­


    Anise starts dragging Xania along with ease as Xania doesn''t resist, using concentrated mana to put the books back anyhow.


    She keeps dragging Xania, even continuing as they get out the library, attracting curious on-lookers as she eventually reaches a house and knocks on the door only for Ella to answer it before going back to hiding behind Elvia and the queen also inside as Anise drags her in with the three not really caring, due to Ella and Elvia already knowing Xania and informing the queen.


    Bealla, take care of her. Anise says to the queen, having figured out her name from hearing the curious on-lookers talk about how they were ¡°queen Bealla¡¯s guest¡±..


    My lord, you stay here, I''ll go sort out the records so you stop being¡­ whatever it is you''re currently doing.


    ¡­


    Anise teleports away, leaving Xania lying on the floor with Elvia and Ella not knowing what to do and the queen not wanting to offend Xania as she doesn''t say or do anything to her.


    After a while, the queen gives up on courtesy, kneeling beside Xania and poking before moving on to touch Xania''s wings, tail and horn, something Xania still doesn''t care about before suddenly reacting to something.


    Hey queen?


    Oh, demon lord, you''re talking again.


    Do elves have magic to spy?


    Indeed, we use it to scout, but why?


    Show me.


    Asking the queen of a kingdom to teach you magic?


    Just show me, I need to confirm something.


    The queen shows her the magic as Xania counters it, making the air seem to look like a cracked glass for a moment before fixing itself and making the queen stumble back slightly.


    Demon lord, could I ask the point of that?


    Is anyone spying on us right now?


    Who would dare spy on a queen?


    Then what''s that?


    Xania points to a random corner in the room on the ceiling before using mana to counter a scouting spell, causing the area to crack and surprising all 3 elves.


    Demon lord, how did you even know? Or copy the spell to the point you can counter it so easily?


    Mana felt weird there and it was easy enough.


    The queen teleports two guards next to her, with them looking at Xania on the floor but trying to hide it before paying attention back to the queen.


    You two, increase the security around the kingdom, do not let anybody suspicious leave or enter without verifying their identities.


    Yes your majesty!


    The two run out, avoiding Xania who seems a bit confused.


    Why? Isn''t it a small problem? They didn''t even get important information.


    They did, they know you and your¡­ friend, Anise, so they know your demons, making it clear we''re not enemies.


    Oh¡­ that''s a problem? I''ll just get Anise to deal with it.


    I don''t believe she can do so.


    That''s because you haven''t seen just how strong she is yet.


    alright, but don''t forget you need to protect us if anything goes wrong.


    Yea, I got it.


    Anise teleports back, holding a bunch of scrolls in her hands.


    Uh¡­ did I miss something? What''s with the atmosphere.

 Chapter 24. Desaret.

    Xania fills Anise in as Anise places all the scrolls on a table with no visible changes in her expression until Xania told her that she would be protecting the elves, making her annoyed.


    My lord, do I really have to?


    Yea, made a promise, I''m not backing out now.


    Then you protect them instead.


    I will be, but you''re better at elf magic so you will be making sure nobody else tries to spy on us while I continue learning spells.


    But I also need to learn spells too.


    You were bragging about how your learning speed was faster than mine earlier, and I''m almost done learning all in the library so¡­ you''re probably all done already.


    ¡­ I''ll protest against this unfair treatment.


    Sure, you can protest all you want once we get back.


    I hate you.


    I agree, this is also revenge.


    Petty.


    I know.


    Anise points to the many scrolls on the table before crossing her arms.


    Those are filtered out to contain only things about past demon lords, I haven''t read them, I''m not helping either.


    Anise teleports away, leaving Xania there.


    Crap, forgot these were still here.


    Xania grabs the scrolls, teleporting away with them back to the library before starting to read them.


    As Xania reads through the scrolls, with most of the information being new to her like some demon lords in the past being able to use their demonic features as weapons along with how most demon lords are humanoids which provides an advantage in fighting.


    As she keeps reading, she eventually finds the one she wants.


    ¡°All demons are theories to be connected to the demon lord through the soul, the place where one''s mana is produced and stored, with the first demon lord''s specialty as dark magic, causing most demons to have an innate talent for dark magic. It is also said that all demon lords have a stronger connection to each other by the soul than they do with demons which also causes there to only be a single demon lord at once at all times. Demon lords will be able to benefit from this connection by keeping talents and skills from their predecessors, making learning magic, speaking other languages or other skills that their predecessors have learned easy for they themselves to learn¡±


    Huh? So the reason I''m not a complete genius in elf magic is because no demon lords in the past bothered to learn it?


    What rubbish, learning nearly all the magic in the library within a day is still a genius. The queen suddenly appears, surprising Xania as she keeps the scrolls, putting them into her bracelet.


    Why are you here?


    Simple, Anise has detected the use of scouting magic to try spying on you but was able to cause the magic to recoil, injuring the intruder.


    She did?


    Indeed, it also felt a little personal.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    How so?


    I believe you have to ask her for that.


    Right.


    The queen leads Xania back to the interrogation-looking room, the one she brought Xania to at first when they first entered with Anise standing in front of a random tied up and gagged woman.


    Anise.


    My lord? Why are you here?


    I heard you captured someone and that it was personal?


    Maybe just a bit.


    Xania looks at the unfamiliar sight of the woman, tilting her head curiously making Anise sigh.


    My lord, she''s the one who cut my arm off.


    What?


    Yea, she''s a paladin from the kingdom of Lucival.


    Really? Do we need her alive?


    Not me.


    Xania turns to the queen who shakes her head too.


    Xania walks up to the woman who is glaring at her despite being afraid and glares back at her, accidently letting out some mana leak out, causing the queen to purify the air quickly.


    Anise here.


    Xania passes Anise a bracelet with Anise looking curious.


    Yes?


    The bracelet has very strong healing magic along with very strong fire magic on the inside. I made it based on the human version of what they think the underworld is like.


    My lord, why are you giving this to me?


    She cut off your arm didn''t she?


    I guess?


    So? If you want, you can place her in the bracelet.


    This is a portable torture device.


    Yea.


    My lord, can I decide what to do with her?


    Why not? You''re the one who lost an arm, not me.


    Could I have some privacy?


    Sure.


    Xania walks out with the queen following behind.


    Demon lord.


    Yes?


    Do you have any spare of those¡­ devices? I would like to buy or trade for one of those.


    Why?


    Not many elves know or are willing to torture their enemies for information due to not being able to stomach it, so this would be helpful.


    Sure, I''ll just give you one for free since you let me read all the books in the library.


    Much appreciated.


    Xania passes the queen a spare bracelet with the exact same magic circles on it.


    If the bracelet runs out of mana, it stops working.


    I''m aware.


    The queen freezes for a moment confusing Xania.


    I believe Anise would like to see you alone, so I''ll just leave for now.


    How do you know?


    She used telepathy with some¡­ not so friendly words.


    The queen walks out, using the teleportation circle as Xania teleports back to Anise who is currently holding chains with the paladin woman''s hands and legs chained to it and clearly angry but looking at the floor instead of glaring at her.


    What is going on?


    My lord, I can just spare her right? Like this?


    Sure? But if you drop your guard can''t she just¡­


    Nope, the chains have dark mana in them, suppressing her holy magic.


    So you aren''t gonna put her into the bracelet?


    My lord, you really can be cruel at times like this but no.


    Sure I guess, it''s your choice.


    Xania walks up to the chained up ex-paladin, lifting her chin with one hand to look at her.


    What''s your name?


    V-Vanice.


    Very well, Anise, don''t let her escape.


    Of course my lord!


    But¡­ where will she be sleeping and staying? Since I don''t believe we have a dungeon, not like a normal dungeon could hold her, not that we have one.


    ¡­ I''ll figure that part out later.


    Anise, this isn''t a fetish of yours, is it?


    Shut up.


    Guess not.


    Xania sighs, not wanting to be part of that at all, and goes back to study some morning magic in the library.


    I guess I should study some history? I always sleep when Anise is trying to teach me afterall.


    Xania sighs, picking out a random book named ¡°General history of the three realms¡±, there are three realms? Not two? I guess I should really concentrate more on Anise''s lesson.


    ¡°At the start, there was only a single world named ¡°Augeria¡±, but due to a great war amongst every species, the world was split into three realms, the middle realm where the the main intelligent species are the humans, ruled over by multiple kings, named ¡°aurora¡±, named after the beautiful lights that can be found every couple years due to the aftereffects of the war which still last to this day. The second realm, named the ¡°underworld¡± where the intelligent species who rule it are the demons, ruled over by a single ruler, the demon lord. The last realm, being one with a name lost to time, is a place where the gods reside, making sure that another war the calibre of the great war does not occur and not interfering further than that. Most of the underworld''s history is unknown to the middle realm, and the third realm has no additional information.The history of our current realm has not changed much over the past hundreds of years, with constant fighting between the humans and demons along with the three main kingdoms not changing much.¡±


    Wow, the only thing I learned was that the gods are real and not a figment of the humans imagination.


    Xania puts the book back, preparing to teleport out as she hears a sudden voice coming from the bookshelf.


    What is this? An elf who doesn''t believe in the gods? No, this isn''t an elf, a demon perhaps? Ah, a demon lord, the second blessed by a god!


    Xania walks over to the voice, pulling a normal insignificant looking book out from the book shelf, using her magic to remove the illusion magic from the book, causing it to show it''s true form.


    Oh, what a surprise, one of the few things Anise taught me about that I listened to.


    Let me think about what it was, ah right. ¡°A book that of which has sight, speech intelligence and feelings of a living being, blood red in color with a texture similar to flesh¡±. You fit the description don''t you? What''s your name?


    Desaret, the bringer of disasters.

 Chapter 25. Slash.

    Xania grabs the talking book who she refuses to call by its name as it suddenly starts absorbing mana from her at a slow speed. Slow to Xania at least.


    ¡°I don''t care if you''re a demon lord! Give me your mana! Give me your body!¡±


    ¡°You want my mana, huh? Be careful what you wish for.¡±


    Xania starts forcefully pushing mana into the book.


    ¡°Are you giving up and letting yourself die painfully? Pathetic excuse of a demon lord!¡±


    Xania ignores its mocking remarks, forcing more mana in as its mocking remarks start to die down.


    ¡°Wait¡­wait, wait, wait! How can you keep injecting so much mana?!¡±


    ¡°Stop this at once you stupid demon!¡±


    ¡°I told you, be careful what you wish for.¡±


    ¡°If you do this, this whole area will blow up from the mana! You are friends with the elves, are you not?! If so, stop this at once!¡±


    ¡°You think I care? It''ll be a shame if the elves died, but at most only some will die, not the important ones. If they can make a shield around the world tree, they can make one to contain you.¡±


    ¡°Stop this at once or this place will really be flattened!¡±


    ¡°Too late, there are no second chances in life.¡±


    ¡°I''m confident there are! Stop this at once!¡±


    Xania stops forcing mana into it while glaring at it and tightening her hold on it.


    ¡°5 seconds.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°5 seconds to tell me how you can benefit me, or a reason not to blow you up.¡±


    ¡°How dare you, a demon, dare to threate¨C¡±


    Xania interiors it by slowly starting to push mana in, making it stop speaking.


    ¡°Hurry up, 2 seconds left, and that''s being generous.¡±


    Xania grips it tightly, slowly using even more mana, making the book panic slightly.


    ¡°Fine, fine, I can take over a person''s body.¡±


    ¡°That''s it?¡±


    ¡°I can transfer my strength to the vessel I''m in.¡±


    ¡°Anything else?¡±


    ¡°I can only tempt people to grab me while I take over their body! If that isn''t enough then too bad.¡±


    ¡°You better think of more reasons, and quickly.¡±


    ¡°I can transfer knowledge from my old vessels to you!¡±


    ¡°What kind of knowledge?¡±


    ¡°Treasures, spells and that sort of stuff.¡±


    ¡°Don''t need that.¡±


    ¡°Skills then, fighting skills.¡±


    ¡°Fine, now tell me what you meant earlier.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°When you say ¡®blessed by a god¡¯.¡±


    ¡°That''s it? It simply means a god is helping you.¡±


    ¡°I need you to be more specific, now.¡±


    ¡°I have no clue what it means, not even the requirements, only the chosen would be blessed with greater mana capacity, regeneration, stamina, stamina recovery, strength, memory and everything, as long as it doesn''t go against their gods.¡±


    ¡°Then you also said I''m the second, whose the first?¡±


    ¡°Isn''t it obvious? It''s your first demon lord who started a new era.


    ¡°Oh, makes sense.¡±


    Xania feels a surge of knowledge enter her mind, learning hundreds of fighting methods at once, all of no use to her except for one.


    ¡°I suppose I can keep you alive¡­ for now.¡±


    Xania teleports to Anise, passing her the book and teleporting away, annoying Anise before teleporting to Devian.


    ¡°Miss Xania? I thought you were busy?A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡° ¡®Were¡¯ now come train with me.¡±


    ¡°Why so suddenly?¡±


    ¡°Long story short¡­ actually it''s a short story.¡±


    ¡°I found a talking book, it gave me knowledge since I threatened it.¡±


    ¡°So I wanna test it out.¡±


    ¡°Sure?¡±


    Xania teleports them both to the training grounds, making a makeshift trash wooden scythe as Davien takes out his sword.


    ¡°Miss Xania, since you''re so much more physically stronger, I''ll use my normal sword.¡±


    ¡°Sure, let''s start?¡±


    ¡°I''m ready.¡±


    ¡°Let''s go¡±


    Xania starts attacking, gaining a momentarily advantage due to how much more different her fighting style became in just a couple weeks at most due to not having trained with Davien.


    As the fight continues, Davien starts getting more used to Xania''s new style, not being pushed back anymore and even slowly pushing her back until¡­ she loses, like always, falling onto the floor.


    ¡°Seriously, I don''t get it, I get that skills are important but I feel like you''re still pretty strong.¡±


    ¡°Miss Xania, when I was alive, I was a pretty successful swords mana you know?¡± Davien says with his arms on his side with a promise tone like a child''s.


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Miss Xania, it seems like you suddenly gained a lot of knowledge at once which you are very used to but knowing it and using it are different, if you keep practicing that style of fighting, it''ll probably grow to be stronger then your current method.¡±


    ¡°Sure, if I really need to kill someone, I can just brute strength it anyways.*


    ¡°Miss Xania, you''re one of the few people who can say such a thing.¡±


    ¡°That''s just how amazing I am.¡± Xania acts like how Davien did earlier with a proud tone just like his, similar to a child''s.


    Suddenly, Anise teleports back, looking panicked, holding the book in her arms.


    ¡°My lord!¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°First, this book is a problem, but I''ll deal with it later.¡±


    ¡°My lord, the elves, the humans are about to attack!¡±


    ¡°Elves? Miss Xania?¡±


    ¡°Davien, Anise is going to fill you in, I''ll go deal with the problem.¡±


    ¡°My lord¡­ why me?¡±


    ¡°Cus I''m lazy.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°So you''ll do it, ok?¡±


    Xania teleports away without waiting for an answer.


    ¡°She''s not gonna be happy.¡±


    Xania teleports to the wall where the queen is overlooking her own army with the human army at the opposite side being many times bigger and geared with stronger siege equipment too.


    ¡°Hey, elf queen.¡±


    ¡°I told you not to call me that.¡±


    ¡°What''s going on? Didn''t you guys have an agreement?¡±


    ¡°They used the excuse of us working with demons to wage a war.¡±


    ¡°Don''t they need you guys?¡±


    ¡°No, they''ve been planning to take this from us for quite a while.¡±


    ¡°Didn''t you guys need a ritual to make a hero?¡±


    ¡°Apparently after seeing it so many times, they memorised the ritual.¡±


    ¡°You guys need better security¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ I''m very aware.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ just kill the humans.. right?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Give me a minute, I''ll take my time to enjoy this.¡±


    ¡°Enjoy?¡±


    ¡°Yea? It''s nice seeing people I hate die all at once.¡±


    ¡°... To each their own.¡±


    ¡°¡°Get your troops off the battlefield.¡±


    ¡°Can''t.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I want to let them see.¡±


    ¡°See me commit a massacre?¡±


    ¡°Yea, this way they''ll know your strong and are protecting us.¡±


    ¡°Won''t this backfire?¡±


    ¡°Not if you use slight seduction magic along with our magic to help manipulate them.¡±


    ¡°You''re the queen, should you really be telling me to trick your citizens?¡±


    ¡°Yea but¡­ can we deal with that first?¡±


    The queen points to the barrage of arrows heading for the walls along with boulders from catapults and bolts from ballistas.


    ¡°Cant this wall hold?¡±


    ¡°Yea but it''s already taken damage from the monsters before, and you agreed to help.¡±


    ¡°I guess I did.¡±


    Xania materialises a massive shield, a technique she learned despite it not being in the library by studying the shield around the world tree.


    ¡°Done, what now?¡±


    ¡°You already know, so just do it.¡±


    ¡°Nope, I need to hear your permission so I don''t get anything wrong by accident.¡±


    ¡°How would you get anything wrong?¡±


    ¡°I often take longer to pick up on things.¡±


    ¡°Fine¡­ go kill all the humans, destroy their weapons and make sure none survive.¡±


    ¡°Easy enough.¡±


    Xania teleports in between the elves and the human army, pulling out her scythe and walking towards the humans slowly.


    At the human side of the army.


    ¡°I can''t believe I have to attack the elves, I''m not even the one with a grudge on them.¡± Lucinder thinks to herself before noticing a random woman with demonic features approaching alone.


    ¡°Whose that?¡±


    Lucinder walks over to the other Kisar who is contemplating the situation.


    ¡°Do you think they sent someone here to surrender?¡± Kisar asks, clearly not thinking much of a single random woman even if they have clear demonic features.


    ¡°Not possible, they have a pride bigger than Cranzer¡¯s¡±


    ¡°I have a bad feeling about her.¡± Lucinder warns, making him look at her like she''s crazy.


    ¡°Even if the demon lord was here, she can''t fight us alone and that woman clearly isn''t her.¡±


    ¡°Let''s just go observe first.¡±


    As they go to the front of their armies, watching the lone woman walk towards them, a pink-haired demon suddenly appears, bowing slightly at the woman.


    As they squint their eyes, they find the woman to be the demon they thought was the demon lord.


    ¡°Hey, what''s going on?¡± Kisar asks, with the other equally or more confused.


    ¡°Why is the demon lord bowing to that woman?¡±


    ¡°How am I supposed to know?* Lucinder says back quickly, annoyed at how the situation is progressing.


    As they keep watching the woman slashes at them despite being still decently far away.


    ¡±What is she doing? Lucinder, you are the ruler of the holy kingdom, demons are your specialty.¡±


    ¡°I have no clue¡­ wait¡­ shield yourself!¡±


    A second later, they shield themselves with something breaking their shields instantly as they look back, coughing blood from the leftover attack. Their armies all reduced from a person each to just their foot left, still geared in armor except for the ones directly behind them. The dark mana causes the air to turn lethally poisonous within seconds, causing everybody to start struggling to even stand with most coughing out blood.


    ¡°Crap, run!¡± Lucinder pulls out a weird stone looking similar to a mana stone.


    ¡°Who is she?!¡±


    ¡°That''s not important right now!¡±


    ¡°They both break the stone, sending them and their armies to the meeting location of the 3 rulers as refuge where Cranzer is sitting in shock, originally expecting food results.


    As he approaches, Lucinder uses the rest of her strength to purify their bodies of the dark mana affected air before fainting due to a lack of mana left.


    Back at the elf kingdom.


    Xania is standing over the remains, confused at how they managed to escape so quickly, holding Desaret in her hands as Anise gave up with the annoyingly noisy book.


    ¡°Hey, you''re an old ancient kinda smart book, what happened?¡±


    ¡°They stored a teleportation spell inside of the mana stone.¡±


    ¡°You can do that?¡±


    ¡°It''s common sense, the fact you didn''t know proves your lack of it.¡±


    Xania sighs, not wanting to go back with failed results before teleporting back to the queen reluctantly.


    ¡°So you see¡­¡±


    ¡°Yea? They escaped, I know.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ don''t seem disappointed?¡±


    ¡°Even if you did kill them, they have methods to save themselves so only their armies were a big problem.¡±


    ¡°Then the armies can''t save themselves?¡±


    ¡°It''s expensive to save someone from death and takes preparation beforehand.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ will it¨C¡±


    ¡°No, people with dark mana can''t due to it requiring holy magic.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­"

 Chapter 26. Housing

    Xania teleports back to her bed, contemplating whether or not she wants to go to sleep despite it only being in the afternoon.


    ¡°There''s absolutely nothing left to do, I''ve helped the elves, got a good weapon, Davien is too busy to train right now.¡±


    ¡°... Wait, why is Davien busy? Oh yea, he was helping with the demons.¡±


    ¡°I should probably go take a look, despite being the demon lord, I haven''t done anything that''s required of a ¡®lord¡¯.¡±


    Xania teleports to the highest part of the castle which is also where she shot that beam up before to attract demons.


    She leans on the edge, looking over the demons and dwarves living in similarly looking housing with each being somewhat small too.


    ¡°Oh damn, they were living like that while I had a whole castle.¡±


    ¡°I guess I should really contribute to my kingdom a bit¡­ it is my kingdom, right?¡±


    ¡°... Yea, probably so.¡±


    Xania teleports into the ground level, surrounded by the identical looking houses as people start noticing her.


    ¡°Huh, I was just wondering how to get people''s attention, I suppose my presence is sufficient enough.¡±


    Xania materialises a table and 2 chairs, each on the opposite side of each other as she takes a seat, confusing everybody watching.


    ¡°Everybody! I have decided, as your lord, to contribute to improve your living quality, anybody who wishes for a new house, come forward now and write down what you would like!¡±


    The demons and dwarves all look at each other, clearly confused at what she means despite her having said it pretty clearly.


    Eventually, a demon with one eye, a third of Xanias height, short limbs and purple in colour walks up to the table, taking a seat in front of Xania.


    ¡°Describe the house you want.¡±


    Xania uses magic to start drawing a picture of the demon seated opposite of her along with the house and any other wants that the demon would like.


    As the demon goes away, some follow his example of going to sit at the table despite still being confused due to not knowing just how much Xania is willing to give, what is acceptable and what is not.


    More people start forming a queue as Xania agrees to fulfill their request, even ridiculous seeming ones, such as a 100m long metal stick with the one restriction being that the demon who got it can''t use it on people in any way, or a big box which Xania still agreed to despite not knowing what they had planned to use it for.


    After a while, Xania finishes faster than expected due to multitasking magic she found at the elves library that she learned for the sake of learning everything and convenience, not regretting her choice at all.


    Xania looks over at the pile of papers, stacking higher than her own height, contemplating to procrastinate it but deciding to just get started.


    ¡°Well¡­ I should probably start.¡±


    Xania starts looking for a place to materialise the first house and keeps looking for a ridiculously long time to do such a simple task.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°If I place it in front of the castle, it won''t look nice! But if I don''t, it''ll look too far!¡±


    ¡°If only I could get someone to help me¡­ oh yes, Anise once mentioned that humans build their cities and that a person is called a¡­ something is important when choosing how the house is built.


    ¡°They were called a¡­ what again? Screw it, I just have to look for a dwarf or demon capable of doing so.¡±


    Xania starts purring posters up, looking for someone to help decide where she should start building and goes to sleep, forcing herself to sleep until the next day.


    The next day, Xania goes back to the table, finding 2 participants there, a dwarf and a demon, surprising Xania due to not expecting anybody to actually show up and only needing a reason for herself to go to sleep.


    ¡®You two, what are your names?¡±


    ¡®I''m Grafer.¡± The dwarve replies, followed by the female demon.¡±


    ¡°I''m Frander!¡±


    ¡°You seem oddly enthusiastic.¡±


    ¡°That''s my specialty, even my friends all say that!¡±


    ¡°So how many?¡±


    ¡°None, I have no friends.¡±


    ¡°... Nevermind. I''ll leave you two to decide what to do, alright?¡±


    Xania passes them the papers, wanting to ditch and go back and laze about.


    ¡°Demon lord, we need you here so we can have a life-size example to quicken up the process.¡± Frander quickly says before Xania teleports with Grafer nodding in agreement making Xania walk back, sighing.


    ¡°Right¡­ I wanted this so I suppose I have to do my part properly.¡±


    Xania goes back, materialising a third char, letting them all sit down as the two start discussing with Xania just watching, getting lost whenever she tries to listen in due to her complete lack of knowledge on aesthetics.


    Eventually, they both turn to her, having gotten into a disagreement somewhere in between.


    ¡°Demon lord, we need your opinion!¡±


    ¡°Sure, but don''t expect much.¡±


    ¡°Should we place the similar looking houses all together to make it match or randomise it?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I intend to make it so that the dwarves and demons can get along well, so I''d appreciate it if you could make the demons and dwarves at least have a neighbour of a different race, would that be too hard?¡±


    ¡°Not at all! In fact, a challenge like this makes it all the more interesting!¡±


    The dwarve nods in agreement again, not speaking still, making Xania wonder how they even properly discussed earlier since it was just Frander talking.


    ¡°Very well, do tell me if there''s anything I could do to help.¡±


    The two start discussing again with Xania focusing in, only to check how they discuss, finding out that Grafer makes a grunting sound, using a different tone with different responses either Grander somehow understanding what he means before Xania stops focusing, not wanting to deal with that.


    ¡°What a unique dwarf and demon¡­¡±


    A while later, they finish discussing, bringing Xania back to the front of the castle.


    ¡°We decided, we think it''ll look best if the buildings surrounded the castle, facing away with a small gap around every 5 buildings, would that be okay?


    ¡°Anything works, you''re the expert in this part, not me.¡±


    ¡°But demon lord, what about the underworld? Are we never going to return there?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I''ll make a way back in the future and I''ll get you to help with building there too.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Xania starts referring to the many stacks of paper she has, building homes according to Farnder¡¯s instructions or Grafers nodding.


    A while later, a small wall of homes is formed with gaps in between, with Xania starting to make more rings of homes, destroying any old homes in her way and pasting the pictures of the person¡¯s face who wanted the home, indicating that it''s their residence.


    ¡°Ok, finally done, thanks for the help you two, so you need any forms of payment?¡±


    ¡°Not me! I just want to help plan any new activities or housing locations in the future!¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Xania turns to Grafer who just nods in agreement.


    ¡°So you two just want to help huh? Then let''s go make your houses first since I don''t think we''ve done that yet.¡±


    Xania creates two houses, closest to the castle with both looking similar on the outside but different on the inside.


    ¡°There, I also used spatial magic to make the inside bigger.¡±


    ¡°Thanks demon lord! Don''t forget your promise!¡±


    Grafer nods in agreement with Frander¡¯s enthusiasm as they both enter the one Xania points them to.


    ¡°I guess I can go check on the demon''s training too¡­ I''m not even sure if they''ll be of help to me at all.


    Xania teleports over to the training grounds, expecting to see Graunter but finding Davien there instead.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°That''s what I should be asking you, miss Xania.¡±


    ¡°I''m here to help with their training, now answer me.¡±


    ¡°Same.¡±


    Xania tilts her head, not sure why he''s here to help instead of Graunter but doesn''t bother asking more as she walks over to the bracelet where they are all in the midst of beating each other up, using magic on it.


    ¡°There, done.¡±


    ¡°Miss Xania, what did you do?¡±


    ¡°I used time dilation magic on it, something I learned from the elves.¡±


    ¡°They''ll just age to death¡­¡±


    ¡°I also used familiar contracts on each of them, sharing my life span.¡±


    ¡°Sure¡­¡±

 Chapter 27. Stranger from a dream.

    Xania teleports back to her room where Anise is also at, holding Desaret in her hands due to its constant noisy complaints about not wanting to be left on the table or library like some ¡°random book¡±.


    ¡°Hey Anise¡±


    ¡°My lord, can''t you deal with this stupid thing instead?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°It seems potentially useful.¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°I said potentially because I don''t have a current reason.¡±


    ¡°Your just a hoarded¡±


    ¡°So?¡±


    Anise looks away, sighing as she looking back at Xania.


    ¡°Screw it my lord, I have something important to inform you of.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°The festival is coming.¡±


    ¡°Festival?¡±


    *My lord! Pay attention when I''m teaching you! How do you not even know about this when I''ve repeated it so many times!¡±


    ¡°Well, it was boring.¡±


    Anise claps her hands around Xania''s cheeks, gazing intently into her eyes as she leans up.


    ¡°You.will.pay.attention.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    Anise legs go of Xania''s cheeks, still gazing intently into Xania''s face, making Xania feel awkward.


    ¡°The festival is to celebrate the birthday of the first demon lord, so all demons and other races will fight on a stadium to see who''s the strongest before fighting the demon lord.¡±


    ¡°Has anybody ever won?¡±


    ¡°Nope, only the demon lords.¡±


    ¡°What''s the first demon lord''s name? I feel like this festival being named ¡®festival¡¯ sounds terrible.¡±


    ¡°It''s not terrible, just lame, but we done know the first demon lord''s name, they never gave their name to anyone.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°How should I know? They''re dead already, if you want to know so bad, why don''t you stand still and let me send you to them so you can personally go find out?*


    ¡°... I didn''t pay attention to your lessons and you''re expressing a want to kill me.¡±


    ¡°Yea, you gave me so much to do and yet you won''t pay attention to your own lessons!¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ maybe I''m ¡®partially¡¯ at fault.¡±


    ¡° ¡®Partially ¡¯ only?!¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ maybe, slightly more.¡±


    ¡°A lot more!¡±


    ¡°Fine, maybe it was a lot more than what I said, can you just get to the point?¡±


    Anise gets even more annoyed at Xanias words but takes a deep breath and starts telling Xania the main thing she wanted to tell in the first place.


    ¡°So, as the demon lord, you''ll have to attend this event.¡±


    ¡°Must I?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    ¡°You''ll also have to plan it¡±Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡°Fine, I delegate the task of making the stadium to you.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°I''ll get Sliver to deal with¡­ nevermind, her body is too big and so is Graunter, Davien is busy with training, so you''ll help get participants too.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Go get these two people, a dwarf called Grafer, a demon called Frander, they both helped with the housing.¡±


    ¡°Oh the housing? You mean the shitty houses without any proper aesthetics? A blacksmith house followed by a house which works as a personal training ground or maybe some other absurd things?¡±


    ¡°Yea.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°The dwarf also doesn''t talk, the only time he did was when he introduced himself.¡±


    ¡°So, my life is made harder?¡±


    ¡°Nah, the demon and dwarf still somehow communicate with the dwarf just grunting.¡±


    ¡°And you think that makes my life easier?¡±


    ¡°No, just thought you would buy it.¡±


    ¡°... I''m not stupid.¡±


    ¡°And I know that now.¡±


    ¡°That implies you thought I was¡­¡±


    ¡°Anise, shh, forget what you just heard and let me change the topic.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Anise shoots high pressure water at Xania with Xania not bothering to shield herself, knowing Anise will splash her when she''s awake or when she''s asleep anyways.


    ¡°You done?¡±


    Anise teleports away, leaving Anise in the room by herself.


    ¡°Guess so.¡±


    Xania thinks of something to do, deciding to go take a walk by herself, fat from the cursed swamps to see some greenery.


    She teleports away, enjoying the sight of the plants due to not having anything alive outside the shield around the castle.


    She starts walking along the path, occasionally squatting to look at some flowers she likes along with some animals, some time later, she suddenly starts hearing the sound of horses approaching quickly.


    ¡°Doesn''t this feel familiar?¡±


    She stands there, watching the direction the horses are coming from and finds carriages being pulled along with wagons.


    On the carriage closest to the front, she sees a familiar face.


    ¡°Isn''t that¡­ one of the bandits before? I think Anise let him go by accident and forgot about him.¡±


    Xania prepares very condensed dark mana, preparing to send it at them without even using a proper spell as the bandit runs out, going to Xania in a panic.


    ¡°Wait! Demon! I''m not here to harm anyone!¡±


    ¡°So?¡±


    ¡°I''m not here to harm anyone, after I escaped I got lucky and started a trading business, I''m here with no ill intentions this time.¡±


    ¡°You tried to attack me before, why should I not just¡­ kill you?¡±


    ¡°I can provide information, just provide us with protection when we pass by.¡±


    ¡°I''m not providing protection, but I won''t harm you either, but that depends on the information you have to provide.¡±


    ¡°Sure, my information is from Lucival so demons can''t easily obtain it.¡±


    ¡°Very well, what is it?¡±


    ¡°They''re planning an attack on you demons, as revenge since your demon lord attacked them while they tried to protect the elves.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Xania starts thinking to herself.


    ¡°They haven''t revealed to the public that I''m the demon lord, not Anise? And they even changed the story about how we were attacking the elves instead of them. Then again, Anise did say the civilians didn''t know how bad the relationship between humans and elves really were.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ demon?¡±


    ¡°Alright, I''ll eat you live, but¡­¡±


    Xania trails off, taking a step closer to in and placing mana with no attribute around his heart.


    ¡°You better return back here every once every 2 months to give me information, I''ll know where you are at all times.


    ¡°Ok, so can I go now?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Xania teleports away, her mood to go walking having been ruined as she goes to the kitchen, making snacks as she brings them to her room to eat.


    As she reaches her ro, she finds Anise there again.


    ¡°Anise, are you going to participate?¡±


    ¡°Yea, but not personally.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Anise uses magic teleporting the paladin in front of them who falls down immediately due to being in a sitting position before being teleported.


    ¡°Her?¡±


    ¡°Yea.¡±


    The paladin looks around, confused and nervous due to them talking about her without her knowledge.


    ¡°So¡­ how is she going to fight without her holy magic?¡±


    ¡°I''ll remove the cuffs later.¡±


    ¡°Are you even allowed to do this?¡±


    ¡°Yea, you''re allowed to bring slaves, as long as they''re either weaker than you or were caught by you using any method.¡±


    The paladin looks annoyed at being called a slave but Xania and Anise just ignore her.


    ¡°Sure then, not like I really cared, I was just curious.¡±


    ¡°That means you did care.¡±


    ¡°... Are you done with the setting up?¡±


    ¡°Yea, but not with finding the participants just yet.¡±


    ¡°How many are there currently?¡±


    ¡°1000.¡±


    ¡°That isn''t enough?¡±


    ¡°It''s usually 3000, or used to be.¡±


    ¡°So, how many are you aiming for?¡±


    ¡°Around 2000.¡±


    *That''s gonna be a pain¡­ for you, I mean.¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡±


    ¡°yep, got it¡±


    ¡°I''m gonna go to sleep, have fun.¡±


    ¡°... Hate you.¡±


    Xania ignores Anise, going to sleep and waking up again in a familiar location.¡±


    ¡°The abyss? Why am I back here?¡±


    Xania takes her scythe out, intending to break out easily.


    She raises her scythe, infusing mana into it, sending a wave of mana out with it just flying away instead of making a crack in the air.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    She turns around, looking for a way out before realising the space isn''t as dark as it should be, being able to see her own body with the ground below her being solid.


    ¡°Where is this?¡±


    ¡°my lord¡± A distant voice calls out, not belonging to Anise or anyone she knows.


    *My lord, are you really going to do this? There''s a high chance this will fail!¡±


    ¡°I''m well aware.¡± Another voice, alos as unfamiliar to her response.


    ¡°Then why¡­¡±


    ¡°Because I am still too weak, I need to become stronger, even if that means making myself suffer slightly.¡±


    ¡°My lord¡­¡± The voice trails off, not knowing what to say as Xania keeps looking for the source of the voice, which seems to be coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.


    A person in the distance so far away appears, making Xania squint her eyes to try making out their form but can only make them out smiling gently with some weird magic stopping Xania from finding out their identity.


    Xania starts running towards them but suddenly wakes up in bed, a massive part of her castle destroyed due to the scythe attack.


    ¡°Oops?¡±


    ¡°But I wonder who that was, even if it was just a really vivid dream.¡±


    Xania sighs, deciding that chasing imaginary people from her dreams wasn''t important currently or ever.

 Chapter 28. Overworked.

    Xania repairs the castle, purifying the air and teleporting away before Anise can find her and start her scolding.


    ¡°I guess the event is going to start soon, but I think I remembered the triplets at the kitchen needing help with cooking but I don''t really want to¡­ oh, I''ve got an idea.¡±


    Xania teleports towards a remote village where she detects a faint amount of dark mana belonging to her.


    She looks around, finding the source of it easily and teleports to the ex-bandit.


    ¡°Hey.¡±


    The bandit slowly turns around, originally busy with counting money.


    ¡°Huh? Whose¡­¡±


    ¡°Why are you here, demon?¡±


    ¡°You said you''re a merchant.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Good, I need food, send over a good amount to the edge of the cursed swamp around the latest¡­ 3 days later.¡±


    ¡°That''s too short, I would have to rush back now and prepare everything.¡±


    ¡°Then you better get to it.¡±


    Xania teleports away, leaving the guy there, processing what Xania just ordered of him before rushing to his horse to quickly go back, mentally cussing at Xania.


    ¡°Ok, the food problem is solved, what else did I need?¡±


    ¡°Oh ya, the participants, Anise didn''t look too happy when I told her to deal with it¡­ luckily¡­¡±


    Xania uses mana on herself, concentrating for a moment before making a clone of herself.


    ¡°Ah ha! A clone, this''ll be convenient.¡±


    Xania teleports the clone to Anise, controlling with and handing Anise a note with the clone. Anise reads the note, looking back at the emotionless clone of Xania''s, teleporting away to do her other task without asking anymore.


    ¡°I think Anise is sick of me, I ought to reward her with something since I''m confident she does more work than I do.¡±


    ¡°I wonder if there''s anyone I know who''s participating.¡±


    Xania teleports the participation scrolls to herself, finding familiar names almost instantly due to her multitask magic.


    ¡°Hmm, Dragrove, Sliver, Graunter, Davien, the weird paladin girl or whatever her name was. Alright, that''s about it, though it''s a shame Anise isn''t joining, she could probably win¡­ right! Actually, between Anise and Davien, who is stronger? Because those two are definitely the strongest of the 4.¡±


    ¡°I guess I''ll never know.¡±


    Suddenly Anise teleports to Xania, stopping Xania as she tries to teleport away by pulling her by her tail.


    ¡°My lord, you''re not going anywhere.¡±


    ¡°.... My freedom is gone.¡±


    ¡°Who are you to say that?! You gave me so much work!¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ¡°Ha ha ha?¡± Xania smiles sheepishly, making Anise sigh and letting go of her tail.


    ¡°My lord, why didn''t you make any toilets for all the homes?¡±


    ¡°What''s that?¡±


    ¡°What''s what?¡±


    ¡°Toilets.¡±


    ¡°Huh? You don''t know what a toilet is?¡±


    ¡°Yea.¡±


    ¡°Have you never used one? Wait¡­ yea, I''ve actually never seen you go away to use the toilet, you only enter the bathroom to shower every once in a while.¡±


    ¡°What? What do you mean ¡®watch me¡¯.¡±


    ¡°As I was saying, you haven''t made any toilets.¡±


    ¡°Hey¡­ don''t change the topic.¡±


    Anise places her right arm on Xania''s shoulders in a comforting manner.


    ¡°My lord, you should use detection magic and check for any surveillance or scouting magic periodically.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Anyways, I guess demon lords don''t need to use the toilet so it makes sense that you don''t know since only some knowledge and talents was transferred from past demon lords.¡±


    ¡°So what''s a toilet?¡±


    Anise teleports them both to the bathroom and points to the toilet.


    ¡°That.¡±


    ¡°That?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°How to use?¡±


    ¡°Sit on it since you''re a woman.¡±


    ¡°If I was a guy?¡±


    ¡°Then you would have both choices.¡±


    ¡°So I should sit on it?¡±


    ¡°And people usually strip, but how about I teach you in the next lesson in my free time?¡±


    ¡°sure?¡±


    ¡°So, look at it, remember it.¡±


    ¡°Ok, I remember the shape and the teleportation magic circle and the cleaning magic circle.¡±


    ¡°You''re confident?¡±


    ¡°Yea, why?¡±


    ¡°Go make one in each bathroom.¡±


    ¡°Each? For the whole castle?¡±


    ¡°I already made the toilets for each bathroom in the castle, you on the other hand are going to make one for each bathroom in every house.¡±


    ¡°Every house? There are thousands!¡±


    ¡°Better get started in that case.¡±


    Xania reluctantly teleports out, using her detection magic in every house to scan the environment, looking for a suitable place in the bathroom to fit a toilet, along with making sure the person inside can use the toilet no matter their body size or shape.


    After a couple hours later along with some clones, she manages to complete it, intending to go back and rest as Anise appears in front of her again.


    ¡°My lord, I see you''re done.¡±


    ¡°Yea, I''m going to rest now.¡±


    Anise grabs Xania''s tail again, not letting her just walk by.


    ¡°What now?¡±


    ¡°You need a place to store all the excrement from the toilet, better get to it.¡±


    ¡°Fine, though I have no clue what excrements you mean.¡±


    ¡°And make it so it''ll burn properly and be properly closed up.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    Xania digs a small hole under the castle using magic, making a box of steel with fire magic burning everything inside every 5 minutes.


    ¡°Done.¡±


    ¡°And make it so the ashes go somewhere else, somewhere far away or kept safely so nobody will touch it by accident.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Xania adds a teleportation circle to send it to the crater left behind from the abyss incident.


    ¡°Nobody will find it there, happy?¡±


    ¡°yup.¡±


    Xania starts walking by Anise, watching her closely, making sure she doesn''t try grabbing her tail again.


    As Xania keeps watching, Anise moves her hand out towards Xania''s tail, causing Xania to immediately move her tail away.


    ¡°Not happening.¡±


    Anise''s hands move to Xania''s horn suddenly, surprising her and not giving her time to move.


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Go make us a stadium with seats for different types of demons and toilets.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Xania uses magic, using spatial magic to make the inside of the castle much bigger and creating a stadium inside with her requirements.


    ¡°Now, are you satisfied?¡±


    ¡°Well, there''s still the need for barracks in the training grounds, proper roads, hygiene, weapons, defences, manga circles made for defending and a couple more.


    Xania uses her magic conjuring up everything Anise said at once.


    ¡°See my lord, you can save me so much time if you''d just contribute properly.¡±


    ¡°Anything else?¡±


    ¡°Yea actually, and you''re not gonna go anywhere till I''m done.¡±


    For the next 3 days straight, Xania was forced to follow Anise around, doing everything she said, such as purifying the poisonous air slowly getting in, adding mana to the mana stone sustaining the barrier around the castle, providing materials for the blacksmiths, purifying the whole of the cursed swamp, causing people to call it a divine miracle with some people coming to investigate but all getting killed by Xania. Some more include using her scythe to send a wave of mana, flattening out a piece of land for Anise to create some buildings on, including a farm which the elves asked for.


    Afterwards, Xania ran away from the castle, returning a day before the festival started, avoiding Anise as much as possible.


    ¡°I now see why humans pray to a god for help¡­¡±


    Xania takes the participant list, finding a grand total of 5000 participants, making her sigh.


    ¡°3000 participants would take 2 whole days to go through, but 5000 would be around 4¡­¡±


    ¡°Indeed my lord.¡± Anise suddenly appears behind Xania, grabbing and pulling her tail as the she''s tries to protest, to absolutely no effect.


    Anise continues dragging Xania as she just sits on the floor, letting herself get dragged along.


    Xania just sighs, not doing anything more as Anise drags her to the bedroom to brief her on what to say tomorrow.

 Nothing

    No chapter today, I have to help prepare for cny eve tmr by helping to buy stuff etc. chapter on 1st of Feb since I''ll be celebrating till 30 of January and 31st has exam so can''t on the 31st either.


    I''ll post 3 chapters up in the 31st in January to partially make up for the lack of chapters.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Oh, should I make a discord?  Like there won''t really be anything but for future use,  incase so I don''t have to put a notice up on RR instead, if so I''ll get to preparing a discord server when I''m free.


    Happy new Chinese new year.

 Chapter 29.

    After being forced to memorise what to do and say for hours by Anise, Xania walks back to her bed, wanting to sleep as she looks out the window, the sight of her sun rising in front of her.


    ¡°Great¡­¡±


    ¡°My lord, it seems it''s morning now so let''s go practice again alright?¡±


    Anise locks the door behind herself, pulling out the scripts made for Xania.


    ¡°I refuse!!¡±


    Anise starts making Xania sit down, memorising the script, tying her tail to herself due to being unable to tie her tail to anything heavy enough to stop her from moving.


    An hour later, Xania sits on her seat, watching over the entire stadium.


    ¡°Isn''t this slightly excessive?¡±


    ¡°Not at all my lord, watching over the stadium is something every demon lord has done.¡±


    ¡°No.. I mean the seat.¡±


    Xania looks at the seat, as big as a throne, which is too big for her, embedded with many valuable gems along with the throne itself being gold.


    ¡°Well, it fits me perfectly, so the size isn''t a problem.¡±


    ¡°It''s not the size! It''s the fact that everything looks dark due to the shield made of dark mana and the throne basically shining! And I guess maybe a bit of the size¡±


    ¡°My lord, it''s because even though I''m taller and bigger than you, even if it isn''t too much¡­ now that I think about it, you''re. not only the first female and strongest demon lord, you''re also the smallest.¡± Anise teases Xania as Xania gets annoyed but doesn''t argue back due to already accepting it.


    Xania uses her magic to make the throne disappear, replacing it with one that''s nearly pitch black in colour, made of the same material as her scythe but without the abyss''s properties.


    ¡°Emo.¡±


    Xania ignores Anise''s comment as Anise looks over at her.


    ¡°My lord?¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°My lord? Hello?¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Are you seriously gonna sulk because I made fun of your height and size?¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°This is a joke.¡±


    Xania keeps ignoring as the stadium starts getting filled up with spectators and participants, demons and other races alike.


    As the time for the festival starts, Xania stands up, using magic to amplify her voice before starting her speech.


    ¡°Everybody, this is the 199th festival, as per the rules, anybody who breaks them will face immediate execution by me for ruining this sacred festival. Now, the festival will begin!¡±


    Xania goes back to sit down as the crowd erupts with impatient shouting.


    ¡°My lord, you cut the speech by more than half.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Fine, ignore me, childish¡±


    As the event begins, the stadium gets split into 16 areas, each with an equal number of people as the people start shouting louder, betting on which corner will win.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°Anise, wasn''t it a 1v1?¡±


    ¡°Oh so now you wanna talk again huh?¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°The winner of each area will fight the winner of the other areas.¡±


    ¡°Oh, nice.¡± xania watches as it starts, the areas with Graunter, Sliver and Davien ending first followed by Dragrove then the paladin girl with the rest of the areas just being others beating each other up.


    Huh? Xania notices another area already completed, seeing a human guy walking over the bodies of many demons who have just fainted instead of dying due to Xania.


    ¡°Humans are allowed in?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but they obviously aren''t very welcomed.¡±


    As soon as he wins, Xania starts hearing a bunch of insults directed towards the human.


    ¡°Wow, really really not welcomed.¡±


    ¡°Yea, we''ve been at war with each other for generations upon generations, what did you expect?¡±


    ¡°True.¡±


    Xania keeps watching, realising that the other areas are making near to no progress due to a healing spell albeit weak, being casted over the stadium at all times to prevent death.


    ¡°Oh, now I see why this''ll take a while.¡±


    Xania sighs, resting her head on her arm on the side of her chair.


    ¡°My lord, wanna play a game?¡±


    *Huh?¡±


    ¡°Card game.¡±


    ¡°What''s that?¡±


    ¡°It''s a yes or no, you in or out?¡±


    *Sure?*


    ¡°Ever heard of UNO?¡±


    *Nope.¡±


    ¡°Well, best of luck.¡±


    An hour after playing and after Anise explains the game, Xania has already resorted to trying to cheat due to Anise somehow winning nonstop. After even longer, Xania tries to flip the table away but Anise stops the table from playing with magic.


    ¡°Again!¡±


    ¡°Saw loser.¡±


    ¡°Not true!¡±


    ¡°My lord, win just once against me and I''ll let you go rest, leaving a clone here.¡±


    ¡°You better remember that!¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Another hour later, the participants who are still fighting start to get some wounds from the magic not being able to keep up completely as Xania rage quits.


    ¡°My lord, another round?¡±


    ¡°I refuse to believe that you aren''t cheating!¡±


    ¡°I''m just better than you.¡±


    ¡°Fine, but this''ll be the last round.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    As they play again, Xania starts feeling some mana usage behind her, ignoring it as the stadium is behind her, thinking it''s the participants doing.


    After a while more, the mana usage doesn''t decrease or increase, confusing her as she focuses slightly more on it, finding a scouting spell linked to Anise.


    ¡°Hey! You cheater!¡±


    ¡°My lord, it''s only cheating if you''re caught.¡±


    ¡°What''s with that logic?!¡±


    ¡°It''s the same as ¡®it''s only illegal if you get caught.¡¯ but out of my generosity, I''ll let you go since you clearly lack patience compared to normal demons.¡±


    Xania quickly creates a clone using illusion magic, teleporting away instantly as soon as she hears Anise say that.


    ¡°Freedom! Woohoo!¡±


    Xania immediately goes to sleep after her really short celebration.


    A couple days later, they finish beating each other up with most of the winning demons quitting, confusing Xania.


    ¡°My lord, most of them came here just to win for the sake of it, but they aren''t stupid enough to mess with the others. Besides, winning against a couple hundred demons is already good enough for them.¡±


    ¡°I feel like due to the chaos, luck was a pretty big factor in this.¡±


    ¡°Small details, if you''re strong enough like those who won quick enough luck doesn''t matter.¡±


    ¡°Now that I think about it, why didn''t that paladin get a bunch of hate?¡±


    ¡°I publicized the fact she was my slave, though I don''t think she appreciated that.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Anise teleports the paladin beside her suddenly while she was in the midst of eating. She takes a moment to look around beside slowly moving away from Anise as Anise wraps her tail around the paladin''s waist, stopping her.


    ¡°Why did you bring her here?¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°You''re not answering my question.¡±


    ¡°I don''t feel like answering your question.¡±


    ¡°Vanice, tell her to shut up.¡± Anise tells the paladin as glances over at Xania who''s looking straight at her, daring her to do so.


    Vanice glances back and forth, not knowing who to piss off instead.


    ¡°Vanice, don''t you remember what I''ll do to you if you don''t?¡± Anise wraps her arm around the back if Vanice¡¯s neck.


    Vanice freezes up for a moment before looking over nervously at Xania.


    ¡°Demon lord, shut up!¡±


    ¡°Wow, she actually did it, Anise, did¡¯nt you say you wouldnt torture her?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ not physically.¡±


    ¡°Then what did you do?¡±


    ¡°Oh, nothing much, I simply tied her to the bed and¡­ nevermind.¡±


    ¡°Anise, what do you mean nevermind? For your information, I do know what you''re talking about.¡±


    ¡°Oh? What is it then?¡±


    ¡°Sleeping together.¡±


    ¡°... Look, if it was someone else, I would say they got pretty damn close, but since it''s you, could you elaborate?¡±


    ¡°Sure? Like just sleeping together, side by side?¡±


    ¡°... Yea, that''s what I did.¡±


    ¡°See? I knew it.¡±


    ¡°Keep telling yourself that.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I heard you say something.¡±


    ¡°You must''ve misheard.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Really.¡±


    ¡°Guess I''m really hearing things, tomorrow is gonna be the big flashy fights.¡±


    ¡°Indeed my lord, so you definitely have to be present to heal due to the fact that the weak healing spell is definitely not going to suffice.¡±


    ¡°Fine, I guess it''ll be interesting to watch anyway.¡±


    Xania lies down on the bed with Anise following after, the paladin looking at them.


    ¡°Hey¡­ what do I do?¡±


    ¡°Ask Anise.¡±


    ¡°Sleep beside me, away from my lord.¡±


    Vanice gets onto the bed, moving as close to the edge as possible to avoid Anise, causing her to just use her tail to pull her back.

 Chapter 30. Dragon slayer.

    The next day, Xania sits back at her seat, over watching the stadium as the fights begin.


    The first match starts with Graunter versus Sliver.


    ¡°Let the first match commence!¡± Anise shouts in place of Xania who has forgotten to do so


    Sliver and Graunter, both on opposite sides of the stadium, start approaching each other.


    Graunter attacks first, leaping into the air with his weapon onto Sliver who counters easily by shooting a beam of concentrated mana out of her mouth, sending Graunter flying backwards.


    Graunter easily gets back up, charging at Sliver who also charges at him with a shield in front of her. As both of them clash together, the clash of mana and physical strength causes a bunch of mana to be expelled, flying everywhere due to a special shield magic that Sliver uses, surprising Xania.


    ¡°She put unused dense mana into her shield huh? I suppose that allows the shield to easily repair itself mid-fight without disturbing the user, though it seems Graunter¡¯s attack can still partially pierce through.¡±


    Xania shields the audience from the waves mana being expelled to prevent any unnecessary casualties.


    Graunter and Sliver both keep fighting, either Sliver very concentrated on using non-attribute mana, the mana type with the most destruction but hardest to control, with high potential to hurt the user if they directly use it from their bodies instead of the atmosphere.


    ¡°My mana is enough so I can use as much dark mana and slowly collect mana from the air to use as non-attribute mana is too inefficient compared to using my own in a fight, what a shame.¡±


    Eventually, Sliver gets a good hit in, shooting a constant beam of non-attribute mana at Graunter and changing to dark mana as she starts using her own reserve of mana.


    The stadium ends up in ruins afterwards as Xania fixes it, teleporting them both out while healing them and announcing the winner.


    ¡°The winner of this match is Sliver, the naga!¡±


    Half the crowd erupts in cheers while the other half looks defeated, most likely due to some of them putting a bet out, using all sorts of things as currency. Some of them were just disappointed that the side they chose didn''t win.


    ¡°The next match shall begin!¡±


    Davien and Vanice appear, Vanice holds her sword defensively, preparing holy magic to use and a second later, Davien disappears, confusing the entire crowd as he reappears behind Vanice. As soon as he reappears, Vanice gets sent flying backwards, clutching her stomach in pain, barely able to stay conscious from the attack as Davien just stares at her, expecting her to surrender.


    ¡°Can''t, if I do so, Anise will really really screw me over.¡±


    ¡°In that case, I hope you didn''t eat too much before coming to fight.¡±


    ¡°Huh what do you¡ª¡±


    Davien swings his sword, despite seemingly not even making contact with Vanice as she flies backwards into the entrance which Davien entered the stadium from, causing her to clutch her stomach again and vomiting slightly before fainting.


    The crowd stares in silence for a moment before they all cheer due to nobody being on Vanice''s side due to her being human despite being Anise''s alleged slave.


    ¡°Anise, would you be able to block such a blow?¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°What a lack of confidence.¡±


    ¡°My lord, you can handle it with your body but I can guarantee you can''t block it.¡±


    ¡°I suppose so.¡±


    Xania teleports Vanice to herself and starts healing her, materialising a bed to place her on as she wakes up, still slightly in pain.


    ¡°Huh? I can''t heal her completely?¡±


    Anise tries to heal Vanice to get rid of her pain but also fails.


    ¡°I can''t either my lord, though I doubt it''s permanent.¡±


    ¡°Vanice, you get a break from Anise and some freedom.¡±


    ¡°My lord, what?!¡±


    ¡°What? She''s just been suffering nonstop since she got caught, hasn''t she?¡±


    ¡°You were the one who wanted to place her in a bracelet to torture her with fire before!¡±


    ¡°Yea but I wouldn''t have left her in it besides, you''re the reason she didn''t surrender just now.¡±


    Xania looks over to Vanice who just nods frantically, clearly wanting her to win this argument so she can have a break from Anise.


    ¡°My lord, are you going to force this?¡±


    ¡°No, it''s your choice.¡±


    Anise looks over at Vanice who''s looking away, avoiding eye contact but clearly somewhat desperate for somewhat of a break and freedom before sighing.


    ¡°Fine, fine, you can do what you want, but only for a week. After the week ends, you still get to keep some freedom, but you have to listen to me again.¡±


    Vanice quickly starts nodding, trying to hide her joy at this development.


    Xania turns her attention back to the stadium where Davien is looking in her direction, waiting for the announcement.


    ¡°The winner of this match is Davien, the death knight!¡±


    Xania teleports Davien out of the stadium, beside her as she looks over at them and talks softly.


    ¡°What did you do to her?¡±


    Xania points towards Vanice who is still in pain though lesser and cowering behind Anise, peeking out nervously at Davien.


    ¡°I simply wanted to make her feel pain, pain enough to give up, though it seems I went a little far.¡±


    ¡°She''s usually scared of Anise and she''s currently hiding behind Anise from you, you definitely went a bit too far.¡±


    ¡°Demon lord, watch the human later, you could learn something from him.¡±


    ¡°Is he more skilled than you are?¡±


    ¡°No, but his skill level is closer to yours than mine is, so you could probably understand more.¡±


    ¡°Sure, dear ¡®teacher¡¯ of mine.¡±


    Xania turns back to the stadium, teleporting Davien away.


    ¡°The next match will now begin!¡±


    Dragrove enters the stadium followed by the human who Xania actually looks properly this time instead of mostly ignoring him.


    ¡°What a distinctive appearance, he looks around his mid 30s, red haired and is carrying greatswords in both hands.¡±


    ¡°My lord, those weapons are crafted from dragons.¡±


    ¡°So?¡±


    ¡°So Dragrove is most likely screwed since he is probably a dragon slayer, though I can''t guarantee it.¡±


    ¡°A dragon slayer huh? How interesting, I suppose demons aren''t friendly towards them.¡±


    ¡°Indeed my lord, how did you know? Have you been studying?¡±


    ¡°Not at all, I just feel a slight, a very slight sense of animosity towards him.¡±


    Everybody in the stadium feels a slight shivery as Xania releases her bloodlust, something she hasn''t done before or even knew existed.


    ¡°My lord, calm down!¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh, sorry, what happened?¡±


    ¡°You wanted to kill the human and your bloodlust was released.¡±


    ¡°But I''ve killed before and it didn''t happen?¡±


    ¡°That''s because the few times you fought so far were not intense enough. The first time you saved us, you just killed them like insects and didn''t care, me and the other 3 fought the bandits. The situation where you protected the elves and killed the humans was out of satisfaction, not purely for the sake of killing.¡±


    ¡°I suppose so, I felt a slight bit of anger when I saw the humans at first, but it''s usually very less and I can control it compared to this guy.¡±


    ¡°They are the so called protectors of justice and they may not be able to kill a demon lord but are one of the reasons why the demons haven''t won so far.¡±


    Xania takes a deep breath, trying to calm down with the dragon slayer not reacting, having mostly expected this already. Xania manages to control herself again with the whole stadium in silence due to Xania¡¯s sudden intense bloodlust.


    ¡°I surrender.¡± A sudden voice breaks the silence, causing everybody to turn to the source, finding Dragrove to be the cause.


    ¡°very well.¡±


    ¡°You aren''t going to ask why?¡±


    ¡°Due to the¡­ incident with my lord that just occured, I believe there is no need to confirm the identity of this man.¡± Anise answers for Xania, not wanting the situation to worsen.


    ¡°The winner of this match is¡­ is¡­ uh¡­¡±


    ¡°Anise, what''s his name?¡± Xania whispers to Anise but the whole situation with the dragon slayer''s name being obvious.


    ¡°Covier, demon lord.¡± The Dragon slayer answers for Anise.


    ¡°Very well, the winner of this match is Covier!¡±


    Xania teleports them out of the stadium.


    ¡°The second half of the match will begin the next day for our participants to recover and rest.¡±


    Xania teleports back to her bed with Anise following behind.


    ¡°My lord, calm down.¡±


    Anise looks over with Xania who is sitting on the bed, who despite having no changes with her facial expressions is releasing a ridiculous amount of bloodlust.


    ¡°I don''t even get paid to do this, why do I have to deal with this¡­¡±

 Chapter 31. Xania acts.

    ¡°My lord, could you just calm down a bit?¡±


    ¡°I''m calm.¡±


    ¡°It feels like a battlefield right now.¡±


    ¡°I''m calm.¡±


    ¡°Saying it does not make it true.¡±


    ¡°Pretending I''m calm is sufficient.¡±


    ¡°If a normal demon was here instead, they would be frozen with fear, I''m not kidding.¡±


    Xania takes a deep breath, slapping herself as she goes to sleep.


    ¡°I guess that works.¡±


    The next day before they head back to the stadium.


    ¡°My lord, please cast a thin barrier around yourself or you may actually make somebody faint or piss themselves.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    Xania does so before teleporting back to the stadium with Anise following behind.


    ¡°Usually demons are used to that amount of bloodlust, but after so long of running and peace here, they can''t really handle it as well anymore so don''t do that.¡±


    ¡°I''ll try.¡±


    ¡°No, you''ll do it.¡±


    ¡°I can''t guarantee it.¡±


    ¡°You better find a way.¡±


    ¡°That''s not important right now, Anise. There''s currently 3 participants left, so how do we do this?¡±


    ¡°Your choice.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Scissors, paper, stone, Flipping a coin, drawing sticks. It''s really all up to you.¡±


    ¡°So any method works?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    Xania turns her attention back to the stadium.


    ¡°For the next match, we''ll have my most trusted assistant, Anise, to come up and decide who''ll fight first.¡±


    ¡°My lord, I really hate you.¡± Anise whispers softly, making sure to keep up appearances as Xania''s ¡®most trusted assistant¡¯.


    ¡°Now that I think about it, why do you have no seat Anise? You''ve just been standing beside me this whole time.¡±


    ¡°My lord, you''re actually not supposed to sit down, I just made your seat since I had a feeling you wouldn''t be as cooperative if I didn''t provide you with one.¡±


    ¡°Why no seat?¡±


    ¡°Tradition.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I have no clue.¡±


    ¡°But haven''t you lived for quite a while?¡±


    ¡°My lord, I''ve lived for a while, yes, but how old do you think I am?¡±


    ¡°I''m not answering that.¡±


    Anise faces the audience before announcing who is going to be paired up.


    ¡°My lord, a ball please.¡±


    ¡°Sure?¡±


    Xania materialises a ball, giving it to Anise as Anise throws it upwards, causing it to come back down, hitting Davien.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Sliver and Covier shall fight!¡± Anise announces, teleporting the ball and Davien out beside her.


    ¡°Davien, why are you even participating?¡±


    ¡°Personal reasons.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Anise?¡±


    ¡°My lord, what makes you think I know why he is participating?¡±


    ¡°No, I meant you, why did you want Vanice to participate?¡±


    ¡°For fun? Why else would I do so?¡±


    ¡°Oh, what about Sliver?¡±


    ¡°I assume the same.¡±


    ¡°Davien, you were once human right? Are you the same as Anise?¡±


    ¡°Of course not.¡±


    ¡°Ok, I thought I was going crazy.¡±


    ¡°You are crazy.¡±


    ¡°How so?¡±


    ¡°You''re the strongest and first female demon lord ever, along with the fact you''re also the most immature. If you went back in time and claimed to be the demon lord, you would be hunted down for being a fraud and defamation.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°You''re also the¡­¡± Davien mutters the last part out to himself, not letting Xania hear or repeating it for Xania, annoying her.


    Xania ignores Davien, making a seat for Anise and him as she stares at the ball for a moment before spying attention to the fight again.


    Covier, with both greatswords, one in each hand runs at Sliver, easily blocking the beam of mana that is shot towards him and drops his swords, swinging Sliver by her tail towards the ceiling, breaking through as she tries to make a barrier around herself, flying towards god knows where.


    Everybody stares in silence for a couple minutes.


    ¡°Uh¡­ Anise, is that considered a win?¡±


    ¡°I suppose so, since my detection magic can''t even find Sliver anymore.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ she''s 20 kilometers away.¡±


    ¡°I knew purifying the cursed swamp was a good idea.¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    ¡°What are you saying exactly for? It''s my idea.¡±


    ¡°To be thick-skinned.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Xania announces the winner, teleporting Davien into the stadium afterwards.


    ¡°This is the fight I''m most curious about.¡±


    ¡°Same my lord.¡±


    Davien and Covier both disappear, appearing on the other side of the stadium each, a loud metallic clang in the center.


    They keep fighting, causing more clangs to be heard with themselves being invisible most of the time.


    After a bit longer, a weird energy, similar yet different to mana appears around their weapons as mini explosions occur when they clash instead of a clang.


    ¡°Anise, what is that energy?¡±


    ¡°I think it''s called sword will, I didn''t think Davien had achieved such a feat.¡±


    ¡°Is it strong?¡±


    ¡°Strong enough to injure you if it''s trained sufficiently.¡±


    ¡°Can I learn it?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps, but I''ve never heard of a past demon lord or demon except for right now using it, so it may be hard.¡±


    ¡°I''ll try later.¡±


    ¡°Oh, it''s also what he used on Vanice, albeit definitely much weaker back then or she might really have been dead.


    Xania and Anise keep watching as the time they are visible keeps decreasing while the amount of explosions increases.


    This goes on for another hour, with everybody except Xania watching in anticipation. Xania on the other hand, Is about to fall asleep from boredom.


    ¡°My lord, wake up, I think they''re almost finished.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh, ok.¡±


    Xania stretches herself while yawning, with nobody except Anise noticing due to focusing on the fighting as the energy around their sword suddenly starts increasing at a rapid rate.


    They both swing their swords at each other one last time, clashing with each other and causing a big explosion, sending Davien back slightly but sending Covier flying back and fainting.


    The crowd erupts with cheers and insults, with mostly insults targeted at Covier for being human and a dragon slayer.


    Xania stands up, announcing Davien¡¯s win.


    ¡°Davien, the death knight has won the match! He is now qualified for a duel against me!¡±


    Xania prepares to teleport Covier out but notices him waking up and walking towards Davien, whispering something before leaving the stadium.


    Xania teleports into the stadium, freezing in place as Davien sends her a telepathic message.


    ¡°Miss Xania, I saw you about to sleep when I specifically told you beforehand to stay awake.¡±


    ¡°Oops?¡±


    ¡°I''m gonna beat you.¡±


    ¡°You''re not gonna win.¡±


    ¡°I know, but I meant to literally physically beat you.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Xania closes her eyes, preparing herself, being sent flying as she opens her eyes, noticing Davien in front of her a millisecond before getting hit.


    ¡°Ouch?¡±


    Xania flies into the sky, sending mana down at Davien as he dodges with ease.


    This carries on, pissing Xania off as she prepares a spell but enough to cover the entire fighting space of the stadium, sending it down at Davien who counters with his sword will.


    They get placed into a stalemate as Davien sends some waves of mana along with sword will attacks at Xania, all of which do nothing even as they hit..


    After a while, Davien sends another message to Xania.


    ¡°Miss Xania, fight me in melee combat or I''ll embarrass you.¡±


    ¡°Just try it.¡±


    Davien sighs, somehow without a mouth, sending a much stronger attack of sword will at Xania which she can''t block due to it being instant and invisible, chasing her to feel a massive jolt of pain throughout her body, sending her crashing into the ground.


    ¡°Get up and fight me.¡±


    ¡°What the hell? What kind of an attack was that?¡±


    ¡°The attack of a simple swordsman.¡±


    ¡°What rubbish.¡±


    Xania pulls out her scythe, attacking Davien with it as he attacks back, hitting her cleanly and sending Xania flying back.¡±


    ¡°Miss Xania, take this seriously as I won''t be holding back like usual.¡±


    ¡°Fuck¡­ that hurt. That stupid sword will energy hurts despite not causing damage.¡±


    ¡°That''s because I simply need you to feel pain, not get injured.¡±


    They keep fighting either Xania barely able to keep up with his attacks yet the fact that his holding back is obvious.


    ¡°I guess you''re gonna win.¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    Davien gets hit by one of Xania''s attack, confusing her.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Miss Xania, I''m gonna need you to win, so pretend along, okay?¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Silence means consent.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Fine, I''ll cooperate, but you''re gonna teach me that thing later.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±

 Chapter 32. Slight divinity problem.

    As the fight progresses, Xania keeps attempting to dodge Davien''s attacks, improving during the fight itself but still failing to avoid any of his attacks unless he intended for her to do so.


    The only time she lands any hits is when Davien allows it which starts annoying her severely.


    ¡°I should be talented at this due to the past demon lord''s experience with improving my battle sense and talent but this guy here is still ridiculously strong! Stupid ex-human death knight!¡±


    ¡°Miss Xania, please calm down, we are still connected by telepathy so I can still hear your thoughts.¡±


    ¡°I don''t give a damn!¡±


    Davien slows down slightly, letting Xania send him flying with an attack, teleporting to him immediately and swinging her scythe down at him as he dodges so quickly it looks like he teleported.


    ¡°Miss Xania, you said you wanted to learn this? Well, the best way to learn is to experience something.¡±


    Davien starts increasing the amount of energy around his sword.


    ¡°Please keep in mind I can easily maintain this, though I''ll make it look like a final attack, so please don''t vomit or faint on me.¡±


    ¡°Shut it! What makes you think I''ll faint or even vomit from one of your attacks?¡±


    ¡°Experience.¡±


    ¡°I''ve never¡ª¡±


    ¡°The paladin.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ still, she''s much weaker than me!¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    Davien suddenly moves in front of Xania, swinging his sword down at her as she blocks it.


    He doesn''t give up, continuing to push the sword against the handle of her scythe, with Xania being able to tie in strength against his sword will.


    Despite being able to match his strength, Xania starts feeling pain again despite no damage caused to her due to the sword being sent in every direction.


    A couple minutes later as Xania starts losing strength, Davien weakens the attack against her, jumping back into the wall, feigning it as being hit into the wall.


    Xania approaches him, bringing her scythe down onto him but stops a moment before hitting.


    ¡°You done with the acting, Davien?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    ¡°Because that was shit.¡±


    Xania teleports back to her seat, announcing her win reluctantly as she teleports Davien out.


    ¡°My lord, what happened?¡±


    ¡°He told me to act, I did.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I was wondering how you won since you can''t just send dozens of spells like you usually do out of concern for the civilians.¡±


    ¡°You expected me to lose too?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­ my feelings are so hurt. As compensation, I expect you to work at least twice as hard for the rest of the week.¡± Xania says so in a monotonous voice and forced smile.


    ¡°Your voice, words and expressions don''t fit right now.¡±


    ¡°Does it matter? Don''t answer that actually, where''s Davien?¡±


    ¡°Why should I tell you?¡±


    ¡°To prevent my feelings from getting more hurt.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Fine, his in the storage room¡±


    ¡°Storage room?¡±This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°In the stadium, I made one.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Oh right, you just materialise whatever you want without giving a damn.¡±


    Anise teleports Xania into the storage room.


    ¡°Wow, it''s dark in here isn''t it?¡±


    Xania uses light magic to light up the room, seeing a Skeleton right in front of her.


    ¡°Oh, what the fuck!¡±


    ¡°Miss Xania?¡±


    ¡°Davien?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Why the hell are you a Skeleton?¡±


    ¡°You didn''t know?¡±


    ¡°Not really, no. You always just had fire burning where your head was so I had assumed you lacked¡­ a head.¡±


    ¡°The fire looks less scary than a human skull afterall.¡±


    ¡°Yea, I agree fully.¡±


    ¡°Miss Xania, why are you here?¡±


    ¡°You said you''d teach me that thingy¡­ the, what was it called again?¡±


    ¡°Sword will?¡±


    ¡°Yep, that thingy.¡±


    ¡°Stop calling it that ¡®thingy¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Fine, the sword whatever.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Just follow me¡­¡±


    Davien teleports to the training ground, leaving Xania behind.


    ¡°Hey, human, I''m not sure why you are here, or what you were talking about with Davien, but get lost or I''ll kill you.¡±


    Xania looks over at a supposingly normal wall, knowing that the dragon slayer is behind it due to her bloodlust which she learned to partially control before teleporting to the training grounds.


    ¡°Miss Xania, what took so long?¡±


    ¡°How was that long?¡±


    ¡°It was long for something that was supposed to be instant.¡±


    ¡°I was just contemplating life.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°If I said that, would you believe me?¡±


    ¡°No, but I''ll just pretend to believe you so we can drop this.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°What do you know about sword will?¡±


    ¡°Cool transparent energy?¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Sword will let you strengthen your sword or attack with your will.¡±


    ¡°But I use a scythe.¡±


    ¡°Works too, but it''s called sword will since the majority of people who use it use swords.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Easiest.¡±


    ¡°oh.¡±


    ¡°It can bend things to your will, such as hurting somebody without physical damage, cutting somebody without damaging their clothes, etc.¡±


    ¡°Nice, how do I learn it?¡±


    ¡°Have a strong will.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Or a persistent one.¡±


    ¡°I need more elaboration.¡±


    ¡°Either you train for very long or have something you want or need extremely badly.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that''s simple.¡±


    ¡°There''s a description of it from an extremely strong swordsman in the past, a will that transcends death.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°So¡­ wouldn''t my hate for dragonslayers and probably the hero suit it?¡±


    ¡°... Uh¡­ maybe?¡±


    Xania materialises a decent sword due to learning from Hepast in her free time. She concentrates on how much she wanted to kill the Dragonslayer eight there and then, causing small sparks of energy to appear before she loses concentration, causing it to disappear.


    ¡°Huh? Why didn''t it work?¡±


    ¡°Oh, because that''s the other demon lords hate, not yours, not yet at least.¡±


    ¡°So, how do I hate them?¡±


    ¡°It''s common sense, how do you usually hate people?¡±


    ¡°I don''t know, I don''t really get angry.¡±


    ¡°During the fight you seemed a little pissed, when talking to Anise you also easily got pissed off.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°How about you fight the dragon slayer?¡±


    ¡°Why should I? Isn''t he weak?¡±


    ¡°I would say his strength is below yours, but his skills will definitely compensate.¡±


    ¡°Ok?¡±


    ¡°So, how about tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°Fod the time being, please don''t find and threaten him again.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You suck at controlling your blood lust.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ is he the personal thing you said before?¡±


    ¡°yes, and for your next question, no, I will not elaborate further.


    ¡°Damn, fine.¡±


    ¡°Miss Xania, please go and practice how to fight properly, I mean your aim. It sucks.¡±


    ¡°No need to rub it in.¡±


    ¡°It truly sucks.¡±


    ¡°... bye¡±


    Xania teleports away, leaving Davien alone.


    In her bedroom, Dragrove, Anise and Desaret are there, though Xania ignores Desaret, annoying him.


    ¡°Why are you two here?¡±


    ¡°My lord, this book here said he wanted to try something.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°No clue, he hasn''t told us so far.¡±


    ¡°And the lizard? Why is he here?¡±


    ¡°Oi! Who the hell are you calling a lizard?!¡±


    ¡°You obviously.¡±


    Dragrove swings his tail at Xania as she blocks easily with her own tail.


    ¡°My lord, I don''t think I''ll ever get used to such a smooth looking and soft tail being so strong.¡±


    ¡°How do you know it''s soft?¡±


    ¡°I have a tail too.¡±


    ¡°No, no, no. Your tail isn''t soft, and I''m speaking from experience when I get hit in the face while sleeping.¡±


    ¡°... Anyways, bookie here said he wanted to try something.¡±


    ¡°Don''t call me that! You lowly demon!¡±


    ¡°Huh? Lowly? Wanna die?¡± Anise starts pouring mana into Desaret.


    ¡°Fine, fine! You''re just a worthless demon.¡±


    ¡°Is that supposed to be better?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Anise starts pouring mana again.


    ¡°Stop it! I have to try something out.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    ¡°My lord, you ought to burn this worthless book soon.¡±


    ¡°Why is Dragrove here?¡±


    ¡°how am I supposed to know?¡±


    ¡°I am here to check something too, same as the book.¡±


    ¡°Stop referring to me as the book.¡±


    ¡°Just tell me what you want.¡±


    ¡°To check how close you are to god.¡±


    ¡°Buddy, I''m not religious, I felt like it was pretty obvious.¡±


    ¡°I meant how much divinity you''ve got.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Doesn''t that only apply for the kingdom of Lucival?¡±


    ¡°no, even beings right dark mana can have divinity.¡±


    ¡°Ok, how much should I have?¡±


    ¡°Since you were chosen by a god, I assume a handful.¡±


    ¡°Ok, what do I do?¡±


    ¡°Give me your hand.¡±


    Xania extends her hand out, her palm facing upwards as Desatate starts to do something, causing some dark coloured energy to appear, and at the same time despite being pitch black, somehow emitting a faint amount of light.


    ¡°It seems you have more than normal, are you able to push out more?¡±


    ¡°Yea.¡±


    ¡°Try it.¡±


    Xania tries and a second later, everywhere in a 10 meter radius is overflowing with divine energy.


    ¡°Oh, I guess god particularly likes me?¡±


    ¡°You have enough divine energy to be an extremely weak god.¡±


    ¡°I guess I''m just that good huh?¡±


    ¡°Stop joking around!¡±


    ¡°Then what do you expect me to do?¡±


    ¡°Anise, you will go find out anything in your records to find the cause of this.¡±


    ¡°Fine, but this will be the only time I listen to a book.¡±


    ¡°Dragrove, you''re coming with me.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Why?!¡±


    ¡°You were curious about this so no backing out now.¡±


    ¡°Tsk, fine.¡±


    Anise teleports away with Desaret with Dragrove following behind, leaving Xania alone again.


    ¡°Finally, some peace.¡±

 No chpt

    Ok, my earlier chapters and current ones have spelling mistakes, and my earlier ones have no quotation marks so for today, I''ll fix those problems first. There may be some days where I''m unable to upload chapters simply because my school''s time table has changed, now I have longer school hours along with more extra curriculum activities. Regardless, I''ll still try to maintain the current chapters per week.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Also, once I either reach the 300K words or 100 chapters on one of my fiction, gonna take a small break, just think of it as motivation for myself.

 Chapter 33. Venting

    ¡°Honestly, I can''t be bothered with finding out the problem or my situation so I''ll just go to sleep.¡±


    Xania sits on the side of the bed, intending to go to sleep when Anise teleports Xania to her.


    ¡°Oh come on, it hasn''t even been a minute!¡±


    ¡°Well, it was pretty easy to find since you had messed up all the scrolls before and I was lucky.¡±


    ¡°Seriously?!¡±


    ¡°Stop complaining, come here and read it.¡±


    ¡°summarise and read it for me.¡±


    ¡°... Fine.¡±


    ¡°Apparently, the first demon lord also had an unusual amount of divinity.¡±


    ¡°Ok, and?¡±


    ¡°That''s it.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°I teleported you here for fun to disturb you.¡±


    ¡°What for?!¡±


    ¡°Because look.¡±


    Anise points to Dragrove who fell asleep invisible, basically telling Anise to leave him alone due to her being able to see through it easily.


    ¡°So?¡±


    ¡°So what? He''s not helping so you''re gonna help.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I ain''t doing this alone.¡±


    ¡°Lazy.¡±


    ¡°Wow, ¡®IM¡¯ the lazy one?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    ¡°I don''t care, you''re helping me.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    Xania kicks Dragrove awake, splashing some ice water on him, making sure he is fully awake.


    ¡°There, he''ll help you in my place.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Anise drags Dragrove away, not bothering to argue further with Xania as Xania teleports back to her room to sleep.


    ¡°Finally, some rest.¡±


    ¡°... Wait, where''s the stupid book? Didn''t Anise take it? I didn''t see it just now.¡±The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Xania lifts the blanket off her bed, finding Desaret in it.


    ¡°Hey?¡±


    ¡°Stupid demon! Put me back properly!¡±


    ¡°Who put you¡­ nevermind, I can guess ¡°


    ¡°Hilda puts him back onto a random shelf where his complaints reduce but not entirely due to ¡®the state of the shelf¡¯.


    ¡°Finally I can sleep.¡±


    ¡°I''m stuck with the crazy idiot!¡± Another voice comes out from her blanket


    ¡°This voice sounds familiar.¡±


    Xania lifts the blanket up, finding blob underneath.


    ¡°What¡­ why''re you here?¡±


    ¡°Your friend out me here.¡±


    ¡°Yea, but why?¡±


    ¡°No clue, she just told me to keep quiet until you lay down on me.¡±


    ¡°... Is Anise trying to get me killed or something?¡±


    ¡°How am I supposed to know?¡±


    ¡°Screw it, what do you usually do?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because I assume I need to take care of you.¡±


    ¡°That''s not true!¡±


    ¡°What do you eat?¡±


    ¡°Mana.¡±


    ¡°So you need someone to feed you mana?¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°So me?¡±


    ¡°... Yup.¡±


    ¡°Great, I''ve got a blob-like child.¡±


    Xania sighs, wanting to just ignore it and go to sleep but deciding to take responsibility since she took it out of the underworld.


    ¡°Why did Anise leave this thing with me..¡±


    ¡°Hey! I''m not an it, or a thing!


    ¡°Yea, I still remember.¡±


    Xania picks ¡®HER¡¯ up, staring at ¡®HER¡¯ as she stares back.


    ¡°so, what do you usually do?¡±


    ¡°Sleep.¡±


    ¡°Really? Same here, how about we both go to sleep?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Xania goes to sleep, still holding blob.


    A couple hours later, Anise teleports into the room and looks down at both of them.


    ¡°Two damn lazy pieces of¡­¡±


    Anise teleports a pail of ice water above them, waking them both up as it pours onto them.


    ¡°Hey! What was that for?!¡±


    ¡°Yea, what she said!¡±


    ¡°You two really do get along amazingly together huh?¡±


    ¡°Yea, I found a sleeping buddy.¡± Blob says, throwing a piece of herself at Anise with Anise just blocking it with a shield before removing the shield, letting the acidic piece drop into the ground.


    ¡°Yea, same here.¡± xania agrees.


    ¡°You two! Get your ass out of bed and help me sort out these scrolls!¡± Anise throws a bunch of scrolls onto the ground.


    ¡°What about Dragrove, where did he go?¡±


    ¡°I threw him into the bracelet since he didn''t want to help.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Fine, I''ll help.¡± Xania agrees with Blob following along.


    ¡°Wow, you two get along damn well huh? You better hurry up and get to sorting this out.¡±


    They both reluctantly get to work as Blob spreads herself out over the floor, checking all the pages facing the floor while Xania checks all facing the top.


    The very next second, all the scrolls dissolve into Blob as Anise glares at her.


    ¡°X-Xania¡­ help?¡±


    ¡°Nah, you on your own.¡±


    Anise brings out another couple stacks of scrolls.


    ¡°I made copies, get to work.¡±


    ¡°... You had time to make copies but not sort it out?¡±


    ¡°nope, I did find the information, but I''m getting you to sort it out for my future convenience.¡±


    ¡°... fine.¡±


    Blob remains on Xania''s head, reading scrolls placed on the left side with Xania reading those on the right.


    After a while, Xania and blob finally sorts everything out, passing it to Anise.


    ¡°Finally, now, the only information I got was that the first demon lord left some information hidden in a secret location.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Yea, we gotta go find it eventually, it''ll tell us more.¡±


    ¡°Fine, how?¡±


    ¡°Not sure.¡±


    ¡°... I''ll try to ask the elves and dwarves, you go and figure it out by yourself with your spies.¡±


    ¡°Sure, that works.¡±


    Xania reluctantly goes to the elves and dwarves, bringing along Blob with both the elves and dwarves knowing nothing.


    ¡°Blob, wanna go for a walk?¡±


    ¡°Sure?¡±


    Xania teleports to a random location within 30 kilometers.


    ¡°Wow, how lucky, it looks pretty nice huh?¡±


    Xania looks over at blob who is vibrating nonstop, seeming nervous.


    ¡°Wha-¡±


    She gets sent away with a random sudden attack.


    She stands back up with no injuries, looking in the direction of the attacker.


    ¡°Who the hell is that?¡±


    ¡°No way, it''s that stupid dragon slayer huh?¡±


    Xania dodges one of the dragonslayers'' instant sword will attacks due to having gotten used to preemptively preparing for it due to Davien.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I believe it was Covier?¡±


    ¡°Irritating.¡±


    Xania places blob down, sending a massive attack towards Covier.


    ¡°Time to vent my anger.¡±

 Chapter 34. Divinity+dark mana=fainting?

    Xania watches as he immediately appears in front of her, being able to see his movements partially due to the training provided by Davien but still not being able to match it without teleportation.


    She dodges some invisible attacks made using sword will, rushing in to attack him as he strengthens himself with his sword will.


    ¡°Annoying bastard.¡±


    Xania starts exchanging hits with him, blocking some of his hits while some get through, not even being able to cause any bleeding but causing her some pain as she isn''t able to land any hits.


    ¡°How annoying, stupid dragon slayer.¡±


    ¡°I could say the same about you demon lord, even if you didn''t block, this would take so long just to defeat you.¡±


    Covier suddenly starts adding some invisible attacks combined with his physical attacks, causing Xania to not be able to keep up, eventually giving up and focusing solely on defending.


    ¡°Discarding defending for attacking? In your case I suppose that''s a bit smart but¡­¡±


    He stops the invisible attacks, focusing all of his sword will completely on his sword, being able to cause Xania to bleed, albeit very slightly.


    ¡°tsk¡­¡± Xania starts defending again, a lot more than before, leaving her with no opportunity to attack as he starts attacking her completely, much faster and stronger than before due to Xania''s lack of attacking.


    ¡°Damn¡­ this feels oddly familiar doesn''t it?¡± Xania thinks to herself before creating many layers of shield around herself, sending him back slightly and using the small window of time to use detection magic.


    A couple kilometers away, she detects a being with an extreme amount of mana, using the elves scouting magic to check who it is.


    ¡°Davien?¡±


    ¡°No getting distracted.¡±


    Covier sends Xania flying away albeit still with basically no injuries with Xania healing herself, causing his attack to become pointless.


    ¡°Is that nuisance waving at me right now? He knows I can see him but he''s still doing this?¡±


    Xania gets sent flying again, causing her attention to refocus on Covier and pissing her off.


    ¡°Did this guy not learn manners?¡±


    Xania sends a wave of mana, sending more as he blocks it.


    ¡°Hey buddy¡­ you really want to make this into a test of endurance?¡±


    ¡°Why not? With how wide your attack is due to your bad aim, you''ll run out of mana first.¡± He points to the destroyed terrain behind him due to excess mana which missed completely.


    ¡°...¡±


    Xania looks over at Davien again, seeing him still waving while encouraging her with gestures.


    ¡°This bastard set me up¡­¡±


    ¡°Blob, you can heal right? You won''t die?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes or no?¡±


    ¡°Not easily?¡±


    ¡°So no. Spread yourself onto my body.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°If you do this, the bastard won''t be able to attack me without screwing his weapon too.¡±


    ¡°Won''t you get hurt?¡±


    ¡°Not much at all, and healing magic will compensate.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡±


    Blob spreads himself onto Xania''s body, acting as a makeshift piece of stupid looking armor.


    ¡°Melt his weapon into nothing.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°No promises, but I''ll try.¡±


    ¡°Good enough, melt his stupid face off too if possible.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Xania starts attacking again, focusing much less on defense and a lot more of attacking, still not able to push him back¡°screw it, there''s gotta be a way.¡±


    Xania racks her mind, trying to come up with a solution.


    ¡°Well, I could¡­ nah, the risk is unknown and probably high.


    Covier sends her flying for the third time, causing her to be very pissed off.


    She slowly stands back up, glaring at him.


    ¡°... I ought to control myself.¡±


    Xania starts sending many waves of mana at Covier along with all the magic she has at her disposal, completely destroying the environment with Covier continuously dodging but not being able to get closer.


    ¡°Hey demon lord, isn''t this cheating?¡±


    ¡°Shut it.¡±


    Xania increases her attacks, forcing as much mana into each of them to their max capacity.


    As she does so, Covier starts struggling a bit more before using his sword will to use his invisible attacks, deflecting some of her attacks, allowing him to start easily dodging again.


    ¡°Irritating bastard¡­ this isn''t perfected yet but I''ll just try it.¡±


    Xania starts using mana to reinforce her body, increasing her physical strength tremendously while stopping all her magical attacks.


    ¡°If I had more time to experiment with strengthening my body with mana, it wouldn''t be draining so much right now.¡±


    Xania starts attacking with her scythe again, intending on suppressing him with her now guaranteed higher physical strength as he dodges with ease.


    ¡°This guy was not that strong before, why is he pretending to be weaker than he is?¡± She thinks to herself.


    ¡°No way, Davien also does this shit when he fights with me under the premise of training, did that bastard tell him to do this?¡±


    Xania thinks for a moment before sighting and teleporting away slightly.


    ¡°Blob, get off of me.¡±


    ¡°Sure?¡±


    Blob gets off of Xania as she starts materialising a colourless glow in her hand.


    ¡°Demon lord, isn''t that..¡± Xania cuts Blob off as she tries to finish her sentence.


    ¡°Yep, that weird divinity thing, if it belongs to the gods then it must be useful.¡±


    ¡°You probably shouldn''t¡­¡±


    ¡°Yea, but so what? That guy''s pissing me off.¡±


    Xania looks over at Covier who is just standing still watching without a care.


    Xania combines her dark mana with the colourless divinity, causing it to turn pitch black.


    She infuses it into her scythe, causing it to crack slightly, surprising her as she sends the attack, causing the entire area in front of her to be flattened out, hurting Covier slightly by a good amount.


    ¡°Just another hit and this guy might as well be screwed.¡±


    Xania starts preparing more as she suddenly feels a hand on her head, causing her to turn around, finding Davien behind her.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Miss Xania, if you could refrain from killing him?¡±


    ¡°Why should I? You''re the one who schemed with him to ¡®test¡¯ me aren''t you?¡±


    ¡°Not really, I was asking him for something before related to you, but he said he wanted to test you so I didn''t give a damn.¡±


    ¡°Give what?¡±


    ¡°Why don''t you ask him?¡±


    ¡°Because I''m the reason he''s in his current state.¡±


    Xania points over at Covier as Davien just crosses his arms, not caring.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Miss Xania, turn around.¡±


    Xania turns around, finding a sword being. Swung at her face as Davien blocks it with his sword.


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Miss Xania, you ought to be more careful when fighting opponents.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Xania starts preparing divinity again.


    ¡°Miss Xania, not a good idea.¡±


    ¡°Why? You said to be more careful so I should just kill him right?¡±


    ¡°No, you already used too much divinity and forcefully combined it with dark mana.¡±


    ¡°Huh, so? And how do you even know what I did or the consequences which I still don''t know?¡±


    ¡°How about we talk about it when you wake up?¡±


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡±


    Xania faints immediately, the divinity she was gathering dissipating, sending Covier and Davien back slightly.


    ¡°So?¡± Davien asks, facing Covier.


    ¡°So what?¡±


    ¡°So, what did you think?¡±


    ¡°Good enough I suppose, though the amount of divinity¡­ is she¡ª¡±


    ¡°Maybe? What does it matter?¡±


    ¡°You''re playing with fire, you''ll be the first to end up dead if you mess up.¡±


    Davien chuckles a bit, using his finger to mimic wiping a tear off his face despite only having a black coloured-fire at his head due to the dark mana and a skull under the fire.


    ¡°Something funny?¡±


    ¡°Not at all, I just didn''t expect you to care so much.¡±


    ¡°I don''t, I simply care for my own future.¡±


    ¡°Sure, anyways, aren''t you gonna pay up? Unless you intend to break your promise?¡±


    ¡°Unlike you, I do keep my promises.¡±


    Covier throws a key to Davien who catches it midair, stringing the key around Xania snack like a necklace.


    ¡°Still it is an irony, a man, once the strongest human who once vowed to kill all demons, made a deal with one and even works for one now, a role model to billions reduced to this just for¡­¡±


    Covers voice trails off as he notices Davien''s bloodlust despite him usually being calm.


    ¡°I hope you know when to stop.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    Covier takes an object from Davien as he injects mana into it, teleporting away.


    Davien looks down at Xania who is asleep.


    ¡°Miss Xania, smart idea to make a counter in case of fainting, to think you used the elves magic to add a recording method to your bracelet. Forgive me for this.¡±


    Davien uses his sword will, breaking Xania''s bracelet with an invisible attack, causing her arm to turn sore too along with all the objects getting teleported out, though there wasn''t much.


    ¡°Oops, maybe I used too much strength.¡±


    Anise suddenly teleports beside, healing Xania''s arm.


    ¡°Davien, I''ll only overlook this once.¡±


    ¡°Of course miss Anise, this was for her own good anyways. Besides, you only agreed because you were curious what business I had with the dragon slayer didn''t you?¡±


    ¡°So what? You even used mana to prevent me from hearing in.¡±


    ¡°Listening in is rude don''t you know?¡±


    Anise sighs, carrying Xania onto her back.


    ¡°You''re making her a new bracelet. And you''re also going to pick all that stuff up.¡±


    Anise points to all the stuff on the ground due to Davien breaking Xania''s bracelet.


    ¡°Also, since you forced my lord to do this, her scythe got damaged, so you''ll figure it out.¡±


    ¡°How did you expect me to do so?¡±


    ¡°I''m not asking.¡±


    Anise teleports away with Xania.


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Why do I get punished when I try to help?¡±

 Chapter 35. Goddamn death knight.

    Anise sets Xania down onto the bed, looking at the damaged scythe in her hand.


    ¡°My lord, it''s truly amazing you damaged your scythe.¡±


    Anise sits down beside Xania, looking at her while poking her, trying to see if she could wake Xania up.


    ¡°Welp, I didn''t expect much anyways.¡±


    ¡°Annoying as hell zombie guy. He did this to you, once I get strong enough I''ll make sure to send a good spell at that stupid death knight.¡±


    Anise lifts up Xanias shirt slightly, exposing part of her stomach.


    As she does so, she uses magic to remove an invisibility spell, hiding a small thing string around Xania''s waist.


    ¡°Glad I did this, this string can record voices too. Though I think I''ll give it to you when you wake up instead of listening to it since it isn''t much of my business.¡±


    Anise pulls Xania''s shirt back down, interlocking her fingers with Xania''s on the hand she used her divinity magic before as she tries to experiment with the little amount left.


    ¡°Wow, this is actually pretty fun.¡±


    ¡°My lord, you don''t mind right? Silence means consent.¡±


    Anise stares at Xania for a moment before smiling.


    ¡°Nice, I guess you consent since you aren''t saying anything. You''ll just slowly regenerate it back anyways unlike mana which you collect from the surroundings.¡±


    Anise makes a small shield around Xania to prevent Davien from going in without alerting her as she teleports away to a secret laboratory she made long ago.


    ¡°This is gonna be fun.¡±


    Anise starts experimenting with the little amount of leftover divinity she took from Xania''s palm.


    She tries all sorts of things such as using neutral mana on it, which converts the mana to divinity at a terrible rate. Placing the divinity into a small jar without any physical contact to living beings, causing it to remain relatively stable unless moved, which destroyed the jar immediately, nearly hurting Anise if not for the face she used a shield to trap it in before controlling it again. With the last thing she had time for trying to be to try to infuse it into her own body which worked, increasing her mana by a decent amount albeit only being able to absorb a very small amount.


    As she feels Xania touching her shield due to her immense mana, she places the divinity back into a jar without touching it, teleporting back to Xania.


    ¡°My lord, are you awake?¡±


    Anise looks around as she finds Xania no longer on her bed, followed by a massive explosion of mana in the distance.


    ¡°My lord¡­ you just woke up, why are you creating trouble already?¡±


    Anise teleports to the source of the mana, slightly outside the demon kingdom, finding Xania there, destroying the surroundings, causing smoke everywhere.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°My lord, let''s get you bac¡ª¡±


    Anise gets interrupted by a lethal attack towards her which she barely dodged.


    ¡°... My lord?¡±


    As the smoke clears up, Anise gets a view of Xania who is suddenly slightly taller though still shorter than Anise, her hair blue and black instead of completely black.


    ¡°My lord, I don''t know what you did with your hair or height but you look sexy like th¡ª¡±


    Anise barely dodge another attack filled with dark mana again.


    ¡°You''re serious about this? What the hell did I do?¡±


    Anise keeps dodging attacks from Xania.


    ¡°My lord, I''m a lot more experienced at fighting than you, I don''t care how talented you are, you haven''t done much actual fighting yet.¡±


    Anise keeps dodging Xania''s attacks with ease before noticing her eyes turning partially a glowing red colour. The glowing caused by mana but the eye colour natural.


    ¡°What the f¡ª¡±


    Xania starts shooting faster, her accuracy increasing with every shot, causing Anise¡¯s cheeks to get partially scraped as she retreats.


    ¡°This isn''t fair¡­ what is wrong with you my lord?¡±


    Anise looks at Xania, clearly to find any anomaly before noticing the key around her neck shining partially too.¡±


    ¡°Goddamn death knight!¡±


    Anise starts trying to teleport to Davien, using detection magic to locate him at the same time as Xania keeps interrupting her spells with ease.


    ¡°Dammit!¡±


    Anise starts flying away immediately, Xania chasing after immediately.


    ¡°How the hell are your wings so strong too?! This isn''t fair! I demand some equality!¡±


    Xania starts preparing a massive attack of dark mana, causing Anise to start flying faster, any shield she tries to make getting destroyed by smaller weaker attacks.


    ¡°I''ll take it back! I don''t need free will! Just take me as a slave!¡±


    Xania keeps firing more shots at Anise.


    ¡°My lord, you don''t usually have this good of an aim, nor do you usually converse your mana so well. Proud of you.¡±


    She eventually reaches her laboratory, taking her divinity as she tries to throw it at Xania before Davien appears, stopping her.


    ¡°What the hell are you here for?!¡±


    ¡°To fix her.¡±


    Davien walks past Anise, pinching her waist, confusing and annoying Anise.


    ¡°What was that for?¡±


    ¡°To take it.¡±


    Anise looks down, finding the string she temporarily placed around her own waist gone.


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Honestly, this wasn''t intended. It was an accident.¡±


    ¡°I don''t care, just fix it.¡±


    Davien uses his invisible attack, cutting off the key easily from Xania without hurting her, causing her to turn back, fainting again.


    ¡°... what just happened?¡±


    ¡°Sleep walking.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°A severe sleepwalking, just wait for her to wake up.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Xania¡¯s pov.


    Xania opens her eyes, finding herself in a completely black environment, extremely similar to but not exactly like the abyss either.


    ¡°My lord, are you really gonna do this?¡± A random voice from seemingly everywhere and nowhere asks.


    Xania tries talking, opening her mouth to find absolutely no voice coming out despite not hard she tries along with being unable to use mana.


    Two figures appear, their faces and appearances mostly blurred with Xania only being able to make out the fact that they are demons. The surroundings turn into a slightly damaged bedroom, oddly similar to Xanias room.


    ¡°Of course, I already told you.¡± Another voice answers the previous voice.


    ¡°My lord, there''s a high chance of this failing! Didn''t we agree on that?¡±


    ¡°Indeed but if we don''t do this, we''ll regret it eventually. Besides, he already did it.¡±


    ¡°Yea but we have no clue how he did so or if he even succeeded.¡±


    ¡°-------, times are changing. The greatest kingdom known to humankind has fallen, many others hostile to us are eyeing for my position or just our kingdom in general, the realm is on the verge of destruction, most intelligent species are now a thing of the past or have lost all intelligence.¡±


    ¡°But is this really the only thing we can do?¡±


    ¡°Regretfully.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    ¡°Glad to see you understa¡ª¡±


    ¡°But I''m following you my lord!¡±


    ¡°No, I did not prepare anything for you.¡±


    ¡°It doesn''t matter! My memory will still return before yours since I''m weaker!¡±


    ¡°You know that''s not what I''m referring to. You may never get this strong again.¡±


    ¡°I don''t care!¡±


    ¡°If that''s what you want. Fine.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for trusting in me, my lord! Even if I can''t get as strong again, I can still make fun of your height.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Xania suddenly wakes up again, finding Anise and Davien kneeling down in front of her with Anise poking her.


    ¡°My lord, are you awake?¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Xania blinks for a moment before turning to Anise who is still poking her


    ¡°My lord, are you there?¡±


    ¡°... Could someone fill me in?¡±

 Chapter 36. Key.

    A while later, after Anise''s explanation.


    ¡°Oh wow, I became taller?¡±


    ¡°That''s the part you''re curious about?¡±


    ¡°Yea, I want to be taller.¡±


    ¡°Nope, you''re gonna stay short forever.¡±


    Anise bends down slightly to Xania''s height, mocking her.


    ¡°Screw you¡­¡±


    ¡°sure.¡±


    ¡°What¡­ screw¡ª screw it¡­ just tell me what the key does.¡±


    ¡°Don''t ask me, ask the zombie bastard?¡±


    ¡°Zombie?¡±


    ¡°Obviously the death knight pretending to be invisible by keeping quiet.¡±


    ¡°Why zombie?¡±


    *Well, he did die to become a death knight.¡±


    ¡°He did?¡±


    ¡°Could you two stop talking about me while I''m still here?¡±


    ¡°Too bad zombie bastard, you were the one who remained as quiet as can be.¡±


    ¡°Guys, just tell me what''s going on?¡±


    ¡°Miss Xania, take this.¡±


    Davien tries to pass Xania the key as Anise stops him.


    ¡°Miss Anise, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Wouldn''t my lord just go crazy again?¡±


    ¡°Rude¡­¡± Xania mutters softly to herself.


    ¡°No, it shouldn''t happen again.¡±


    ¡°How can you be s¡ª¡±


    Davien throws the key, hitting Xania''s forehead, annoying her as she grabs the key.


    ¡°Annoying¡­ what''s this?¡±


    ¡°A key.¡± Davien replies instantly.


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Figure it out by yourself.¡±


    ¡°Can''t you make my life easier?¡±


    ¡°Yea.¡±


    ¡°So, what is it for?¡±


    Davien moves away instantly, not teleporting away as Xania could just cancel it.


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°My lord, you should just kill him.¡±


    ¡°Yea, right. How about you try?¡±


    ¡°... I hate him.¡±


    ¡°Same.¡±


    Xania puts the key into the bed as Anise sits opposite her, looking at the key which is a blueish colour, similar to Xanias hair colour when she was not in control of herself.


    They keep trying to figure out what it does, injecting mana into it, trying every door they could(complete fail), biting the key and any other stupid ideas they could think of.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°My lord, how about we throw it away unless he tells us? Then that stupid death knight will not have a choice.¡±


    ¡°Yea¡­¡± Xania answers, her mind somewhere else as Anise claps, snapping her out of it.


    ¡°My lord, what are you thinking of?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, I just swear that I forgot something¡­ nevermind, if I forgot it it wasn''t important.¡±


    ¡°Oh yea, now that you mention it, I swear I remember something too. It was a person? No¡­ but I swear¡­ oh¡­ Blob.¡±


    ¡°Blob! Where is h¨C no, she!¡±


    ¡°Did you just call blob he?¡±


    ¡°He''s annoying, Daviens annoying. Hi¡ª she''s got no gender, Davien does.¡±


    ¡°And so you somehow matched those two together?¡±


    ¡°Yep!¡±


    ¡°... I''ll get someone to get him back.


    Anise we items a letter, teleporting it to Davien


    ¡°How about I try to infuse divinity into it?¡±


    ¡°Sure, but don''t infuse more mana into it.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Xania starts infusing divinity into it, causing it to glow slightly for a moment as she keeps trying before


    Beam¡­


    Xania dodges barely, pulling her face out the way as the key sends all her divinity out in a beam, blowing a new hole up in their ceiling.


    ¡°... My lord, you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yep¡­ let me try it again.¡±


    As Xania moves to try again, Anise snatches it away.


    ¡°My lord, you almost lost your face.


    ¡°I wouldn''t have died.¡±


    ¡°Yea¡­ I wouldn''t be so sure. You''d get a decent injury minimally.¡±


    ¡°So what?¡±


    ¡°... You can try again but you''re not going to put your face over the key.¡±


    ¡°But it looks so pretty when glowing!¡±


    ¡°My lord¡­ please act more mature.¡±


    Xania reluctantly nods, snatching the key back and placing it on the bed as she starts infusing divinity into it again, holding back her desire to look at it slowly glowing from the top.


    ¡°Anise.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°No anise¡ª¡±


    ¡°You''re not putting your face over.¡±


    ¡°Anise! Listen to me!¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    ¡°I''m gonna use some dark mana into it, it just feels right.¡±


    ¡°You fainted last time. No.¡±


    ¡°That was because I was fusing it while it was still in my body.¡±


    ¡°Still n¡ª¡±


    Xania starts doing so, interrupting Anise and ignoring what she was saying, annoying her massively.


    After a while, Xania finishes infusing her mana and divinity, pulling back as the divinity stays in.


    As Xania looks at it from the top, expecting to look like a simply clear colourless glow or a black light like the last time she used divinity with dark mana but finds a blue colour there instead, similar to her hair colour.


    ¡°My lord, what did you do?¡±


    ¡°Simple, I just did what I''d said I would do, no?¡±


    Anise picks the key up looking at it as Xania snatched it, hugging it protectively before putting it up to her eye.


    ¡°Selfish.¡±


    ¡°What''s mine is mine.¡±


    ¡°Annoying brat.¡±


    ¡°... What did you call me?¡±


    ¡°Oh, shut up. I''m old enough to be your mom, you''re 28 years old at most, I''m over 200. Actually, I''m old enough to be your ancestors in human years!¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Xania aims the key at Anise, filling it up with divinity only as Anise dodges, expecting a beam of light but the key suddenly starts getting pulled into a certain direction and¡­


    Voom.


    The key started flying away, pulling Xania who was holding the key tightly along with it.


    ¡°My lord¡­?¡±


    Anise looks over at where Xania was standing before turning into the even newer hole in the ceiling made when Xania got pulled through it.


    ¡°My lord!! You''ve been kidnapped by a key!¡±


    Anise starts reacting dramatically as a joke before changing back to a calm demeanor, chasing after them with teleportation.


    After a few minutes of chasing, Anise catches up.


    ¡°My lord! Why aren''t you letting go?!¡±


    ¡°I can''t! My fingers are stuck to it!¡±


    ¡°What the hell¡­¡±


    Anise grabs Xania''s arm, trying to pull her off but end up getting dragged instead, her hand getting stuck onto Xania''s arm, her mana unusable due to Xania''s divinity pouring out slightly before being sucked back into the key, preventing any mana from being used or they suffer from the risk of mana recoil.


    ¡°Goddammit! I hate that fucking death knight!¡±


    After a while, the key starts heading at full speed towards a mountain. Xania sighs as Anise hugs her, intending to use her as a meat shield but not pushing her off due to knowing that Anise will probably get injured if she gets sent through a mountain.


    ¡°Fuck¡­¡±


    The key sends Xania head first into the mountain, causing her extreme discomfort for a short while before they end up in an area inside the mountain.


    The key finally disconnects from their hands as they stand up, Xania wiping off all the dirt from her head.


    ¡°Finally¡­ I hate this.¡±


    Xania looks around, finding herself in some grassy location, mold growing on the cave''s walls. The area somehow lighted up dimly by some plants.


    ¡°My lord, what''s that?¡±


    Their eyes lock onto a random gate with a keyhold beside it as Xania approaches it with the key in her hand before Anise stands in front of her, stopping her immediately.


    ¡°What do you think you''re doing?¡±


    ¡°Isn''t it obvious? I''m going to put the key in.¡±


    ¡°No, you''re not.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It''s potentially dangerous!¡±


    ¡°So what?! Aren''t you tempted?! Let''s just go! Come on!¡± Wuss!¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Xania tries to walk past from her left  but Anise stops her. She tries again on the right but Anise stops her again.


    ¡°Move.¡±


    ¡°My lord, stop this.¡±


    Xania teleportd to the keyhole, putting the key in and turning it, causing the gate to rise up.


    As she tries to enter, Anise tackles her down, successfully doing so due to Xania not expecting that, sending both of them in.


    ¡°Get off of me!¡±


    ¡°No my lord! Let''s get out of here and get that stupid death knight to help! He clearly knows what''s going on here!¡±


    ¡°No! Hell, just waste time, let''s go in!¡±


    As they keep arguing, the gate suddenly closes back down with a loud slam, chasing both of them to turn over at it.


    Anise turns back to Xania who is smiling mischievously before sending an attack to the gate, not damaging it at all.


    ¡°Guess we''ve got no choice now huh?¡±


    ¡°Fuck¡­¡±

 Block

    Hey... I''ve been trying to write... Since yesterday. I can''t think of any ideas, I have some short term ideas but Ive got a complete lack of ideas rn(I forgot the term) I''ve got no clue when I''ll be able to... Fix this?(No clue how to phase this) But ill try to get another chpt as soon as I can. Anyways... Best of luck for valentine''s? Hope some of you guys got someone to go out with so you can forget about me till this blows over. I''m gonna be alone for valentines but honestly that''s not a big surprise for me at all.(Finally 500 character count)If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

 Chapter 37. Gem.

    Xania and Anise staff heading in, using light magic to make the area brighter, heading in as Xania hums to herself to Anise''s annoyance.


    ¡°Anise, relax a little.¡±


    ¡°Shut. Up.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Shut. The. Hell. Up.¡±


    ¡°Don''t really want to y''know?¡±


    ¡°My lord, I''m not joking.¡±


    ¡°Anise, you could just relax a b¡ª¡±


    ¡°My lord! Take this a bit more seriously! You couldn''t even overpower the key and it could control your divinity too! This area is probably dangerous enough to hurt you too!¡±


    ¡°Alright. Fine, calm down.¡±


    Anise sighs before she''s stops walking, turning to face Xania''s


    ¡°Sorry for shouting my lord.¡±


    ¡°It''s okay, I suppose I was being too carefree anyways.¡±,


    ¡°No, it isn''t your fault. Now that I think about it, you haven''t actually had many outdoor trips. Most of your long-distance trips were by teleportation and your longest trip was probably towards the cursed swamps after your first summon.¡±


    Anise sighs again, taking another step as she suddenly senses something approaching quickly as she dodges, watching as an arrow flies by her.


    ¡°Seriously? Such primitive traps in such a supposingly strong area?¡±


    ¡°Another arrow flies towards her which she tries to block with shields but it completely penetrates through them, with Xania teleporting out of the way just in time.


    ¡°Oh¡­ what the hell.¡±


    ¡°See? My lord, you have to be careful!¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    Xania and Anise keep progressing through the hallway, dodging any traps that get sent at them with new traps being introduced the further they go, such as an indestructible boulder rolling at them. Very acidic acid being sprayed. Or very hot liquid being poured from the ceiling.


    They eventually end up in a decently sized square room where they find a table and chairs in the center as they sit on it, resting for a moment.


    ¡°Well¡­ I''ve never had so many close death experiences ever, my lord.¡±


    ¡°Same¡­ the traps also kept getting faster overtime.¡±


    They suddenly noticed a black gem teleport into the table as Anise reached out to touch it but it burnt her hand immediately.


    ¡°Owwww.¡±


    Xania tries doing so too, trying to use her mana to figure out what it was but only finding a bunch of magic circles on it, much more advanced than she''d ever seen as she tries to mimic them to no avail.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°Damn.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°It''s nothing.¡±


    Xania starts infusing some dark mana along with divinity, same as the same as the key as the gem starts turning from black to bluish but it doesn''t react further.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Xania keeps adding more as she gets frustrated, eventually turning the gem into a cyan colour but not stopping, causing it to crack open.


    ¡°Oops?¡±


    ¡°My lord, look what you did!¡±


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡±


    Light starts shining out from the cracks of the gem, causing Xania and Anise both to shield their eyes.


    As they both open their eyes after a short while, they find themselves in a black location where Xania punches herself.


    ¡°My lord, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Huh? You were here? Guess that means this isn''t a dream.¡±


    ¡°Have you been dreaming about the abyss aga¡ª¡±


    ¡°No, have I destroyed half our room as I woke up?¡±


    ¡°Actually, there have been a few¡ª¡±


    ¡°No, I haven''t dreamt of that.¡±


    Xania shuts Anise up by pinching her lips shut, annoying her as she pulls away, not arguing back due to noticing the environment change.


    ¡°My lord, do you know what is happening?¡±


    ¡°Kinda, this place is about to change.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The environment changes from the black area to two women standing at the balcony, their faces and identities blurred to the point where only their demonic and some normal features can be somewhat made out.


    ¡°My lor¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shh, just listen and watch first.¡±


    ¡°Look ¡ª¡ª-, this is the remains of what''s left. Our people are left with little food and housing, unable to fight back further.¡± The shorter figure says, her cyan hair flowing behind her as she turns to look at the other figure who has reddish hair instead.


    ¡°But my lord, there''s nothing left we can do in our situation.¡±


    ¡°I could use magic, fix their houses, our defences, and produce food for us all.¡±


    ¡°You can''t, you need to save mana in case they attack again.¡±


    ¡°Tsk¡­ they aren''t even strong, all they do is come continuously in huge numbers.¡±


    ¡°But my lord¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know, I got it okay?¡±


    The taller figure with red hair sighs before turning to walk away as the Xania and Anise return back to normal.


    ¡°My lord! What was that?¡±


    ¡°No clue, just keep showing up on my dreams.¡±


    Anise tries to speak again as they suddenly notice a wall open up, rising into the ceiling as they look at one another.


    ¡°So¡­ Anise, should we¡­¡±


    ¡°I suppose so¡­?¡±


    Xania and Anise get up, walking into the new path which didn''t last nearly as long nor were there any traps as they find themselves in a stadium made for fighting with the audience seats all empty and an entrance on each side, totaling up to 4.


    ¡°Great¡­¡± Xania sighs as they teleport to the center, finding another black gem but encased within a glass box with Xania unable to break it.


    ¡°Oh, we''re gonna get one of these everytime we clear one of these things huh?¡±


    ¡°I suppose so, my lord.¡±


    Xania tries to push mana in but it gets absorbed by the box, causing the ground to start vibrating.


    ¡°My lord, what did you do?¡±


    ¡°I just tried to push mana in!¡±


    ¡°Damn you! Can''t you wait before doing things?!¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    A bunch of monsters that Xania not Anise has seen before starts pouring out from all the entrances. Their appearance with 4 legs, one eye in the center of their face, no ears, a long mouth with teeths made for crushing.


    ¡°Oh¡­ what the hell are these monstrosities¡­¡±


    ¡°My lord, just kill them! Take 2 sides and I''ll take the other two!¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    Xania and Anise both bring out their weapons, easily killing the monsters but they keep pouring out, causing Anise and Xania to use their mana more efficiently.


    After a whole day fighting, Anise lies down on the ground, stressed due to being nearly mana deprived as Xania walks up to her, pushing neutral mana into Anise''s body, helping her to recover.


    ¡°My lord, that was¡­ I don''t know how to describe it.¡±


    ¡°Don''t worry, I kinda just experienced the same thing anyways.


    As Anise is in the midst of recovering her mana, suddenly more monsters start pouring out, chasing Anise to stand back up with Xania stopping her.


    ¡°Anise, rest first.¡±


    ¡°Fine¡­ I''m only agreeing since you''re more than strong enough for this.¡±


    Xania uses her scythe, waiting for more monsters to come out before swinging it in a 360 degrees, causing most of them to die except for some lucky ones who were protected by the box in the way which Xania just rains fireballs down on.


    This keeps going on for the next few hours as it finally stops, letting Xania rest and look at the box opening up.


    ¡°Finally¡±


    ¡°My lord, can I try it this time?¡±


    ¡°Sure? But don''t you need divinity?¡±


    ¡°Just let me try!¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±

 Chapter 38. Saliva conscious Xania

    Anise tries it, trying to recall the feeling when she was experimenting with Xania''s divinity that she took from Xania''s leftovers.


    As she does so, she manages to get it to turn it slightly blue before she falls suddenly with Xania catching her in time.


    ¡°Anise, I told you you couldn''t though I suppose you still got some divinity. I assume that''s due to our familiar contract¡±


    ¡°My lord, how discouraging.¡±


    Anise stands up by herself before sitting on the ground waiting.


    ¡°Anise, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean? You still have to infuse it into the gem thingy don''t you?


    ¡°Yea, I suppose.¡±


    Xania starts to infuse her divinity and dark mana, waiting for a change.


    20 minutes later, she starts feeling wobbly and stops, staring at the gem which is completely cyan in colour before her.


    ¡°What just happened? Why did it not work?¡±


    ¡°My lord, maybe you need more divinity? It''s clearly working, maybe you just don''t have enough.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I suppose that''s possible?¡±


    ¡°How about we take it first and figure it out later?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Xania grabs the gem, passing it to Anise as she notices her wanting it.


    ¡°Anise, do you like Cyan colour or something?¡±


    ¡°My lord, I just like it since it''s smooth and nice to touch, the cyan also looks like a mist inside the black gem which makes it look nice, als¡ª¡±


    ¡°Ok¡­ relax, I didn''t need to know all that, just keep it first.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    The small elevated rectangular platform with a square base the gem was on slowly descends into the ground as the ground itself also slowly starts to descend, bringing Xania and Anise down with it.


    ¡°My lord, should we really be going down?¡±


    The ground closes above them as Anise goes silent.


    ¡°Anise, your mouth loves screwing us over.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Anise sits down on the ground, messing with the gem as they reach a massive room underground, the floors made of many squares, each of different sizes and height, white in colour along with the ceiling and walls as she sees a massive path forwards.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    ¡°My lord, could we just stay here?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Yea, this place looks great!¡±


    ¡°Wow I didn''t think you were someone who preferred looks over practicality.¡±


    ¡°So what?!¡±


    ¡°How about you just make this your retirement home?¡±


    ¡°Right, you promise. So nobody else can have here.¡±


    ¡°Whatever¡­¡±


    Xania and Anise start walking down the massive hallway, a slight light glowing from the end of it, getting brighter as they go.


    ¡°My lord, it''s not too late to back out now you know?¡±


    ¡°Actually¡­I think it is.¡±


    They close their eyes due to the brightness and keep walking, ending up in a completely white and bright room but somehow not causing their eyes to burn up despite the brightness.


    ¡°Anise, you there?¡±


    ¡°Yes my lord, I''m here.¡±


    Xania looks behind, finding Anise right behind her as she grabs her wrist.


    ¡°Stick together.¡±


    ¡°Sure my lord, but¡­¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°It feels like I should be the one grabbing your wrist instead of you since you''re usually the irresponsible one.


    ¡°...¡± Xania thinks for a moment before shrugging and letting go, letting Anise whole her wrist instead.


    ¡°Right, this feels more normal.¡±


    They suddenly hear a chuckle causing Anise to hide behind Xania.


    ¡°Anise¡­ what are you¡­¡±


    ¡°My lord, it''s a ghost!¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    They suddenly hear the person keep chuckling before sighing.


    ¡°You two are pretty special huh?¡±


    ¡°Who the hell is this?¡± Xania asks as Anise starts hugging Xania while hiding behind her.¡±


    ¡°It''s¡­ none of your business.¡±


    ¡°Rude.¡±


    ¡°Does it matter? Here, take this.¡±


    Xania watches as a key handle extends from the floor as she takes it annoyed.


    ¡°Right¡­ you gave me the unimportant part.¡±


    ¡°You gotta find the important part out yourself.¡±


    ¡°Of course I do¡­¡±


    Suddenly, a person as white as the surroundings appears behind Anise, tapping her shoulder.


    Anise faints.


    Xania looks down at Anise before kicking her awake.


    ¡°Ouch! What the hell was that fo¡ª¡±


    Anise sees them again, hiding behind Xania.


    ¡°Well, don''t worry. I''ll tell you who I am next time we meet again.¡±


    ¡°What makes you think we''ll meet again?¡±


    ¡°Because you need more divinity to open that gem don''t you?¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Also, you''re curious where the key leads aren''t you?¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    The person disappears, leaving Xania and Anise behind, forcefully teleporting them out.


    ¡°... Rude bastard.¡±


    ¡°My lord! Is the ghost gone?¡±


    Xania gets irritated and smacks Anise on the head as she backs up, grabbing her head in pain.


    ¡°What the hell was that for?!¡±


    ¡°Stress relief.¡±


    ¡°This is a betrayal!¡±


    Anise bites Xania''s hand, as Xania pulls away, wiping her hand.


    ¡°Ah ha! I made you hurt too!¡±


    ¡°No, I just hate other people''s saliva, who doesn''t?"


    ¡°Then what if I kissed you?"


    ¡°Then I''d really, really hate it.


    ¡°Are you saliva conscious?¡±


    ¡°That''s a thing? Also, I don''t think that''s the problem here.¡±


    ¡°Yea?¡±


    ¡°I guess I am.¡±


    Anise grabs Xania''s hand, biting and kicking it as Xania tries to pull her off.


    ¡°Are you crazy?! Aren''t you supposed to be the mature one?!¡±


    ¡°So what?! Being mature doesn''t get me anything! So I''ll screw you over!¡±


    Somewhere back in the previous room.


    Two figures stare at an orb showing Xania and Anise.


    ¡°Look at those two!¡±


    ¡°Right¡­ is it okay to be wasting energy like this?¡±


    ¡°Yea don''t worry, she accidently wasted too much divinity when infusing it into the fragment of memory due to a lack of control so we''re okay.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that makes sense as to why you didn''t get bombarded with questions.¡±


    The figure stares at the orb again before clapping their hands, causing it to switch off.


    ¡°How nice that it succeeded huh?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    Back with Xania and Anise.


    Xania finally got Anise off of her, wiping her hands on Anise''s shirt.


    ¡°Disgusting.¡±


    ¡°Deserve it.¡±


    ¡°What for?!¡±


    ¡°You''re the reason we suffered through that.¡±


    ¡°yea yea, got it.¡±


    ¡°I''ll kiss you if you don''t take this seriously!¡±


    Xania immediately backs up, knowing Anise may actually do it if she keeps annoying her.

 Chapter 39. Ghost.

    ¡°Hey Anise.¡±


    ¡°Yea?¡±


    ¡°Can you hold onto the key handle?¡±


    ¡°Sure, but why?¡±


    ¡°My bracelet¡­ is gone, if you hadn''t kept my scythe for me I wouldn''t have been able to get it from yours¡­ hey, where did my bracelet actually go?¡±


    ¡°what? You''re just noticing?¡±


    ¡°No, I swear I noticed it before but I forgot.¡±


    ¡°Dementia piece of¡­¡±


    Anise sighs, stopping herself from cussing Xania out further.


    ¡°Davien broke it.¡±


    ¡°What? Why?¡±


    ¡°Ask him, his keeping secrets nonstop.¡±


    ¡°Those damn things are such a pain to make.¡±


    ¡°Yea. Hence why I haven''t made another for you.¡±


    ¡°Let''s just get back¡­¡±


    ¡°Yep, I agree.¡±


    Xania teleports them back to their bedroom, finding Vanice and blob there, lying down on their bed.


    ¡°Hey.¡± Anise says, making Vanice immediately sit up.


    ¡°Nothing, I wasn''t doing anything!¡±


    ¡°Yea right. Get back to your bed or your own side.¡±


    ¡°But my room is basically on the other side of the castle and you always make me come here!¡±


    Anise sighs, making a small area in their room for Vanice, sending her flying in before shutting the door behind her with wind magic as Xania grabs Blob up, throwing her in with Vanice, shutting the door once again.


    ¡°Well, that problem is taken care of.¡±


    ¡°Miss Xania, miss Anise, nice to see that your bac¡ª¡±


    Both Anise and Xania start attacking him using magic as he seemingly disappears by moving very fast but not stopping Xania and Anise as they keep shooting magic as Davien appears behind them.


    ¡°Miss Xania and miss Anise, please stop this, I''ve got t¡ª¡±


    Xania sends him flying away with wind magic, destroying a chunk of their wall with it as it starts fixing the wall but not fast enough before Davien returns, passing the bracelet back before moving away quickly.


    Xania looks down at the bracelet, placing her scythe inside and feeling something else inside as she takes it out, finding the second part of the key.


    ¡°Oh wow, I don''t want to deal with this but I''m pretty curious.¡±


    ¡°Same my lord, but how about we fix the key first but don''t use divinity on it?¡±


    ¡°Yep, I agree.¡±


    Xania passes the key handle and the other part together, letting go of one hand, expecting it to connect but watches as it drops to the ground, picking it back up using magic.


    Xania keeps trying, not succeeding at all either Anise trying to no avail.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°My lord, I take it back, how about using divinity?¡±


    ¡°Sure, if anything goes wrong, it''s your fault.¡±


    Xania starts trying, but still fails to get it to stick as she placed both parts into her bracelet, temporarily postponing the problem.


    ¡°Ok Anise. That''s our future¡¯s problem.¡±


    ¡°Sure¡­¡±


    ¡°My lord, not that we''re back, how about actually building your kingdom properly?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°It''s a kingdom. We need more than housing, blacksmiths and barracks. We need farms, sightseeing spots, a name for your kingdom, anywhere to relax. Somewhere for children and a whole lot more.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ can you do it?¡±


    ¡°Not happening.¡±


    Anise grabs Xania''s tail, not letting her run away as Xania lets herself fall to the ground, not wanting to go.


    ¡°Don''t wanaaaa, it''s also so time consuming when I do these work related things with you!¡±


    ¡°Calm down, it won''t be much compared to some of the other things.¡±


    Xania sighs, looking at Anise before agreeing.


    ¡°Fine¡­¡±


    ¡°Nice. Let''s start now. What do we start with?¡±


    ¡°How about the easiest, naming the¡­ nevermind, but be a bit hard for you.¡±


    ¡°What''s that supposed to mean?¡±


    Anise thinks of Xanias scythe and¡­ ¡®Blob¡¯


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    ¡°That pause felt rude.¡±


    ¡°It''s your imagination. But you''ll still need to come up with a name.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ I don''t, you do it.¡±


    ¡°Fine, but then whatever I say will be the name, no changing.¡±


    ¡°Sure. What''s next on the list?¡±


    ¡°That''s¡­ housing, and more cooks, so inviting different races wouldn''t hurt.¡±


    ¡°Inviting different races? How?¡±


    ¡°Well, you have a bunch to do lik¡ª¡±


    ¡°And onto the next task.¡±


    ¡°What about the current one?¡±


    ¡°Future me''s problem.¡±


    ¡°Fine, next is¡­¡±


    Anise keeps naming our multiple tasks, all that Xania delegates to Anise, postphones or ignores all together, pissing off Anise more with each task for next time.


    ¡°I''m done, fine. I''ll deal with every. Single. Thing.¡±


    ¡°Oh wow, you don''t have to but, since you insist, have fun!¡±


    Xania waves her hand as she teleports Anise out.


    ¡°Piece of¡­¡±


    Anise sighs, going to do the tasks Xania was supposed to do. One by one.


    The next day, Anise sends her a list of what she did.


    Dear piece of¡­ Xania.


    I''ve completed the:


    Building of more facilities.


    Getting some elves.


    Building farms.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Renaming the kingdom to ¡°Xania.¡±


    Xania rubs her eyes, rechecking what she just read.


    ¡°What the hell!¡±


    ¡°Anise!¡±


    Xania starts looking around for Anise in the castle, being completely unable to find her.


    She uses detection magic, finding Anise ridiculously far away as she teleports to her location, finding herself in a laboratory.


    ¡°What the hell is this?¡±


    Xania starts walking around, finding a room where the mana feels a lot more as she opens the door walking in.


    As she walks in, the first thing she sees is a shield, the second being a staff being swung at her face as she barely dodges downwards in time.


    She looks up, seeing Anise there, holding the staff nervously.


    ¡°Do you have a grudge against me?¡±


    Anise sighs, making a bed and lying down on it, putting her staff beside her.


    ¡°Yes, but not really why I swung at you.¡±


    ¡°Then is this a new form of greeting I don''t know about?¡±


    ¡°... While you were asleep before, I may have stolen some of your divinity since you just regenerated it back again.¡±


    ¡°Oh, but what does that have to do with this?¡±


    ¡°It escaped and was destroying my whole area.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­ I''ve learnt that swinging your staff at mana doesn''t work especially when you don''t fight physically so I doubt swinging at divinity does.¡±


    ¡°No, the divinity disappeared.¡±


    ¡°Ok¡­?¡±


    ¡°And it made a ghost!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Anise suddenly hears noise outside as she puts the shield back on, making multiple layers of it quickly.


    ¡°If you''re so scared just teleport out.¡±


    ¡°I can''t, the divinity left on the walls is interrupting my teleportation, so I''ll just hit my face if I try.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I can.¡±


    ¡°Yea, that''s because your divinity is more than enough!¡±


    Xania sighs, intending to teleport out before Anise grabs and pulls her tail quickly.


    ¡°Don''t leave me here?! And at least save my laboratory!¡±


    ¡°Fine. But first tell me what this is for.¡±


    ¡°I need a hobby too, you know?!¡±


    ¡°Fine but first, have you even seen this ¡®ghost¡¯ of yours?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    ¡°So you have? What makes you think there''s a ghost?¡±


    ¡°I just know there is! And shut the door!¡±


    Xania walks to close the door as she suddenly hears soft footsteps outside.


    ¡°Hurry!¡± Anise whispers, pulling Xania''s tail with more strength Xania knew she had.


    ¡°Fine. But lemme take a look first.¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    Anise tries to pull her in but gets pulled along as Xania walks to the door, looking to the right, finding nothing at all.


    ¡°See? Anise, there''s no¡ª¡±


    Xania suddenly hears whispering from her left, stunning there to find a semi transparent mostly unrecognisable face as she shuts the door immediately, creating more layers of shield on Anise''s.


    ¡°Ok, alright, ghosts are real apparently¡­¡±


    ¡°I told you!¡±


    They both shout as they suddenly hear someone signing behind them, attacking it immediately.


    ¡°My lord, you''re the meat shield!¡±


    ¡°No way I''m dealing with that!¡±


    Xania teleports them to a different part of the laboratory, locking them in with Anise now hugging her tail as comfort for herself.¡±


    ¡°Ghosts are real¡­¡± Xania chuckles softly to herself, not knowing how to react properly.

 Chapter 40. Time dillarion.

    ¡°Hey my lord?¡±


    ¡°Yea¡­?¡±


    ¡°You''ll protect me right?¡±


    ¡°Debatable, but for the sake of this conversion. Yes.¡±


    ¡°Good enough for me.¡±


    Anise tries to use mana on herself to make herself faint as Xania stops her immediately.


    ¡°No way I''m letting that happen. You chased this problem, you stay here with me.¡±


    ¡°Your my lord, so take responsibility for me¡­ wait no, that sounds wro¡ª¡±


    ¡°If you make yourself faint. I''m leaving you here alone to suffer.¡±


    Anise sighs before answering. ¡°Fine, I''ll suffer with you.¡± She says shamelessly, acting like it isn''t her fault.


    ¡°Stop that or I''ll really ditch you, I can teleport out of here. You can''t.¡±


    ¡°Fine, fine.¡±


    Xania and Anise slowly walk out of the room, walking back to back with Xania watching the front and Anise watching the black as they reach the original location the divinity was kept in.


    Xania picks up the container, using mana on it as it cracks instantly despite using nearly no mana.


    ¡°Seriously? You kept it in a glass box, made of normal glass, not even reinforced with mana?¡±


    Xania looks over at Anise who''s glancing away, not wanting to take the blame.


    ¡°Anise, you probably know more about divinity than me since¡­ well, it seems you''ve been experimenting with it more than I''ve been.¡±


    ¡°That''s so rubbish. You''ve got no evidence.¡±


    ¡°Yea I don''t but the friend you made¡­ literally is evidence enough.¡±


    ¡°Haha, you''re so funny. How about trying to use tracking magic on divinity?¡± Anise picks up some shards of the glass box, throwing them at Xania which just bounces off her body.


    ¡°Nope, tracking magic only works on mana. I tried it on Divinity already, but didn''t pick anything up.¡±


    Anise and Xania keep searching around, hearing footsteps as they turn around, attacking the source.


    ¡°Did¡­ we get it?¡± Anise prepares another shot as Davien appears behind them.


    ¡°No. You didn''t get me.¡±


    ¡°Davien, what the hell are you doing here?!¡±


    ¡°Felt some messed up divinity, came to check, who caused this?¡± Davien glances over at Xania who just points to Anise who is ignoring them, surprising him and annoying Xania.


    ¡°Hey. Did you think I was at fault?¡±


    ¡°You have the most divinity so¡­ yea.¡±


    ¡°... Just shut up and help us fix the problem.¡±


    ¡°Not much of a problem to fix. It''ll dissipate by itself.¡±


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    ¡°You sure?*


    ¡°Yea. Not gonna question how I know?¡±


    ¡°Will you answer?¡±


    ¡°No, not at all.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°These things are called phantoms due to people believing they are part of someone''s soul.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°It''s like a superstition kind of thing. They are also a symbol of bad luck and are nicknamed the reapers.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°This¡­ is not as much of a superstition but they can''t hurt you so just leave it be.¡±


    ¡°Sure? Anise, hear that? Let''s go now and ditch.¡±


    ¡°Fine, but if my lab here is worse than before, I''ll kill the zombie bastard.¡±


    ¡°What you two do is none of my business, just don''t involve me.¡± Xania shakes her head, preparing to teleport them out.


    ¡°Miss Xania, you do know this isn''t my fault either?¡±


    ¡°Then are you gonna say it''s my fault?¡±


    ¡°Yea.¡± both Anise and Davien say as Anise crosses her arms while Davien nods.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°You gave Miss Anise your divinity.¡±


    ¡°She took i¡ª¡±


    ¡°You overworked me.¡± Anise interrupts.


    ¡°...¡±


    Xania stares at them for a few moments before teleporting them all out.


    Anise covers her eyes due to the bright sunlight compared to being in the laboratory as Davien looks at Anise before staring back at Xania who sends a wave of mana at him.


    ¡°Miss Xania, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°That''s for the bracelet.¡±


    Xania teleports Davien away as Anise and her go drop onto the bed.


    ¡°My bed, you''re truly my love.¡±


    The next day, Xania has discussed with Anise and decided the naming of the kingdom was put on hold, including all the tasks Anise had not done yet with Xania making Anise a laboratory exactly identical to the one she had but inside the castle itself. In return, Anise made her a new bracelet and returned her things.


    The next morning, Anise shakes her up in a panic as she sits up rubbing her eyes in annoyance.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Xania asks, still rubbing her eyes.


    ¡°My lord! It''s an emergency!¡± Anise starts trying to pull Xania off with her.¡±


    ¡°Can''t you just calm down a bit?¡± Xania pulls Anise back onto the bed, making her annoyed.


    ¡°My lord! Let''s go!¡± Xania concedes to Anise''s constant requests as she follows, getting confused as Anise brings her to the portal to the underworld.


    ¡°If I may ask what we''re doing here?¡± Xania pulls her arm away from Anise who just grabs her arm again.


    ¡°Just follow!¡± She pulls Xania through the portal and keeps pulling as Xania makes some shields around them, stopping Anise.


    ¡°Not going any further till you tell me what we''re doing here.¡± Xania crosses her arms as Anise starts trying to pull her tail instead but to no avail.


    ¡°Fine, let''s talk while walking!¡± Anise finally stops trying to pull Xania as Xania starts walking by her side


    ¡°Fine.¡± Xania starts flying after Anise who starts flying upwards.


    ¡°The core of the underworld has been damaged and hurry up!¡± Anise shouts out to Xania who''s still sleeping and flying slower than her.


    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Xania waits for an answer but Anise replies in a soft voice, forcing Xania to catch up due to her curiosity.


    ¡°It means, there''s gonna be differences from the underworld and the overworld as the humans call it.¡± Anise says, making Xania look around at their surroundings which already differ significantly from the overworld and looking back at Anise who grumbles softly to herself.


    ¡°Time dilation! Have you not been paying attention to any of my lessons?!¡± Anise grabs Xania''s grab, forcing her to hurry.


    ¡°So¡­ will the overworld be faster or the underworld?¡± Xania doesn''t speed up as Anise gets slowed down by Xania instead.


    ¡°The time dilation is currently at 2:1 the nether world will experience 2 times more time than the over world.¡± Anise starts trying to push Xania to hurry her up.


    ¡°Hey, where are we flying to?¡± Xania looks up at the ¡®sky¡¯ of the underworld, nothing in sight, no clouds, no sun, just a red ¡®sky¡¯.


    ¡°Fly far enough you''ll see! So hurry the hell up!¡± Anise gives up on forcing Xania to be faster through physical means.


    ¡°Fine, fine. But only cus I''m curious.¡± Xania starts flying as fast as she can, pulling Anise with her who is just happy Xania is finally cooperating instead of struggling.


    ¡°Hey, you might want to slow down a bit¡ª¡± Anise tries to warn as Xania''s face crashes into an invisible barrier.


    ¡°Ouch¡­ could''ve warned me earlier.¡± Xania rubs her face.


    ¡°My lord, the core is through here. The first demon lord made this barrier and illusion to keep the core safe, though it clearly didn''t work.¡± Anise puts her hand on the barrier.


    ¡°Yea, yea. So cool, how do we get through?¡± Xania replies annoyed due to her curiosity.


    ¡°Well¡­ that''s¡­¡± Anise tries to think of how.


    ¡°Do you not know?¡± Xania pulls out her scythe, intending to go back as Anise stops her.


    ¡°No going back! I may not know how, but the method is probably hidden in the demon kingdom!¡± Anise snatches Xania''s scythe away.


    ¡°Seriously? Do I have to go?¡± Xania sighs, snatching her scythe back with ease, her shoulders slumped by herself as she feels like going back to sleep.


    ¡°My lord, you''re so damn lazy! You don''t even need sleep. The first time we met you already said you could stay awake for months or years!¡± Anise crosses her arms angrily.


    ¡°Let''s just go¡­¡± Xania sighs, letting herself be pulled by Anise .

 Chapter 41. Core.

    As Anise keeps pulling Xania, a large destroyed kingdom slowly starts appearing in sight.


    ¡°Wow.¡± Xania pulls her arm away from Anise.


    ¡°Yep, it''s amazing isn''t i¡ª¡±


    ¡°It''s so destroyed that the fact the walls and castle are still standing is amazing¡­¡± Xania says, looking genuinely surprised, leaving Anise confused if she should get annoyed or take it as a compliment.


    ¡°My lord¡­ let''s just go¡­¡± Anise drags Xania in as she keeps looking.


    As they reach the gate, Anise destroys what''s left of a flickering shield.


    ¡°There was a shield here? How did It last so long?¡±


    ¡°It absorbed mana from the surroundings to maintain and fix itself though it seems it was about to break completely anyways.


    ¡°Oh, could we do that for ours?¡±


    ¡°No need, it''ll make the shield weaker and we''ve got a great mana source anyways.¡±


    ¡°Which is¡­ what?¡±


    ¡°You.¡±


    ¡°...¡± Xania prepares to smack Anise.


    ¡°Hey, stop that or I''ll leave you here. Teleportation doesn''t work since the core is damaged so mana is messed up too.¡±


    ¡°Dammit.¡± Xania reluctantly stops trying to smack Anise.


    ¡°My lord, just deal with what I''m about to do.¡±


    *Hu¡ª¡± Anise grabs Xania''s arms aiming at the castle and looks over at Xania, expecting her to shoot.


    ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°Yes seriously, get to work.¡±


    Xania sighs, shooting the castle and letting Anise use her arm as a gun.


    The castle half an hour later turns into ruins, completely. An empty spot where the castle was.


    ¡°... Anise, can you tell me the point of this?¡±


    ¡°Simple, there is a basement under the castle, but it''s hidden and a massive pain to find but¡­ if there''s no castle, it can''t be hidden.¡± Anise shrugs.


    ¡°... Screw it.¡±


    Xania follows Anise as they look around the area where the castle was, finding a small trap door amongst the ruins.


    ¡°...¡± Xania looks at the oddly ominous seeming trapdoor.


    ¡°My lord, I know how this looks but you gotta trust me a bit.¡± Anise kneels down, slowly opening the trapdoor, showing a completely dark area underneath.


    ¡°...¡±


    Anise starts trying to push Xania into it but fails completely.


    ¡°My lord! You''re like a goddamn statue! Move your ass!¡± Anise scolds as Xania sighs.


    ¡°Fine.¡± Xania starts heading down, using light magic and revealing some stairs as she walks down, brightening up the whole area.


    ¡°Well, at least light magic still works.¡±


    As they progress further down, they find themselves in a clearly very old room, old torn scrolls all around.


    ¡°Anise, which is it?¡±


    ¡°How am I supposed to know? We just gotta keep looking.


    ¡°Fine¡­¡±


    Anise starts looking around for the correct scrolls while putting others in her bracelet as Xania just leans against the wall.


    ¡°My lord, some help would be appreciated.¡±


    ¡°Appreciated? It means I don''t have to help then.¡± Xania keeps leaning against the wall.


    ¡°You''re helping me.¡±


    ¡°No, you gave me a choice. I choose n¡ª¡±


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    ¡°You''re helping!¡± Anise shouts, interrupting Xania.


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    As Xania tries to stand up, her head presses on something against the wall, causing the wall behind her to disappear, nearly making her fall down.


    ¡°What''s that?


    ¡°My lord, how do you expect me to know the answer?¡±


    ¡°Stupid.¡± Xania says.


    ¡°Idiot.¡± Anise retorts.


    As they keep arguing, they suddenly start hearing noises from the place which opened up, catching their attention.


    Xania uses light magic while pushing Anise closer to the entrance in the wall as a chest lies there.


    ¡°Ummm¡­ Anise, should we¡­¡±


    ¡°I''d suggest not.¡±


    ¡°Yea¡­ but aren''t you curious?¡±


    ¡°A bit I suppose.¡±


    They both slowly inch closer to the chest as Xania uses wind magic to open the chest, revealing scrolls inside.


    Anise starts checking the scrolls, finding the one amount reaching the core which is also the one they need.


    ¡°My lord I got it!¡± Anise looks back excitedly as Xania backs away nervously, finishing Anise.


    ¡°What are you¡­¡± Anise shrugs, putting the rest of her scrolls in her bracelet and looking up, finding a person''s face there.


    ¡°Fff¡ª¡± Anise and Xania run away with Anise collecting all the scrolls Into the bracelet including the one she''s holding on the way out due to not needing any actual physical contact to store it.


    ¡°Anise! What the hell was that?!¡±


    ¡°My lord, calm down and shut the trapdoor first!¡±


    Xania uses magic to bind the trapdoor shut before turning to look at Anise.


    ¡°Well my lord¡­ that was just a type of undead which looks severely like a ghost.¡±


    ¡°So it is basically a ghost anyways!¡±


    ¡°... Maybe? I might have forgotten it existed in the underworld.¡± Anise admits sheepishly.


    ¡°My lord, we should probably get out of here.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Where there''s one, there''s many more.¡± Anise points behind Xania at about a dozen more.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    Xania and Anise immediately start flying with the ghost-like creatures following.


    ¡°They can fly?!¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    ¡°... Tsk.¡± Xania shoots an attack infused with divinity at them, obliterating them and a huge part of what''s left of the kingdom behind.


    ¡°My lord¡­ nevermind, that works too.¡± Anise pulls the scroll out her bracelet


    ¡°Alright¡­ to get through the shield we must¡­ use¡­ divinity¡­ hey my lord? You still got enough left right?¡± Anise looks over at Xania whose fidgitting nervously.


    ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°Come on! I do still have divinity, it''s just well¡­ probably not enough to get through.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    As Anise sighs, the whole underworld suddenly starts shaking as Anise quickly starts pulling Xania.


    ¡°My lord, we gotta go!¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    ¡°The core got damaged too much, we gotta get out of here or the portal back will be destroyed!¡±


    ¡°Calm down, I can just make another!¡±


    ¡°No you can''t, which you would know if you had listened to my teaching!¡±


    ¡°What? Screw it.¡±


    Xania grabs Anise, flying towards the portal as fast as she can.


    ¡°My lord, we won''t reach in time.¡±


    ¡°Oh shut it Anise, always so negative.¡±


    Cracks slowly start forming In the nearby spaces, cracks that lead straight to a location like the abyss.


    ¡°Anise, can''t we just enter the cracks and let me swing my scythe out of here?¡±


    ¡°No! If the underworld becomes completely cracked, it''ll become a brand new abyss, one your scythe will have no effect on! Better fly fast unless you want to spend the next hundreds of years in there!¡±


    ¡°No way we''ll reach in time.¡± Xania starts forcing herself to fly faster despite straining her wings.


    ¡°Screw it Anise, trust me, I''ll try something. Give me my scythe.¡±


    ¡°My lord, I already said, you ca¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just give it!¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± Anise passes the scythe to Xania while complaining.


    Xania starts flying upwards, imbuing her scythe with mana and the rest of her divinity as she aims for the shield at the top of the world.


    ¡°My lord! You don''t have enough divinity!¡±


    ¡°I''ll compensate with mana, and the whole world is going to hell, no way the barrier is still in perfect condition.¡±


    Anise sighs as Xania slashes the barrier, a massive crack forming as it shatters, allowing Xania to fly through, pulling Anise along.


    A bright light flashes as they get teleported to a different location.¡±


    ¡°My lord?¡± Anise pulls away from Xania who is looking around, causing Anise to do the same thing. Finding themselves in a blueish blackish area, with seemingly no walls, going on for an eternity. A massive orb in front of where they were teleported.


    ¡°My lordddd, you thereee?¡± Anise shouts around as somebody suddenly grabs her from behind, covering her mouth.


    ¡°My lord, screw off, you''re not funny.¡± Anise jabs her staff backwards.


    ¡°Ouch, that wasn''t nice.¡±


    ¡°Neither was what you did.¡± Xania says, letting go of her.


    ¡°Anise, what''s that weird thingy there?¡±


    ¡°I assume the core? It doesn''t look damaged though.¡±


    Xania walks up to it, using her mana to probe it but gets sent flying backwards into Anise.


    ¡°My lord, couldn''t you just have gotten hurt by yourself without me?¡± Anise stands up, pushing Xania off her as she walks to the core.


    As she walks to the core, Xania sits up, watching her go and pushing it, trying her luck randomly as she suddenly pushes something in, her arm getting sucked in too but not able to do so as her body won''t fit.


    ¡°Ummm.. my lord? Some help here would be appreciated.¡±


    Xania sighs, walking up to Anise and pulling her out.


    ¡°Anise, why is there a hole?¡±


    ¡°The core is hollow in some places apparently. I assume it tried to fix itself by moving some bits of itself towards the outer parts.¡±


    ¡°Oh, so how do we fix it?¡±


    ¡°To my knowledge just fill it up with mana as much as possible. It''ll solidify.¡±


    ¡°Sure?¡±


    Xania puts her hand close to the hole, her arm getting sucked in, with her tail also accidentally getting sucked in, bending her body.


    ¡°Ahhhh, Aniseeeee, help me!!!¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Xania quickly starts infusing all her mana in, the core rejecting it at first wig the core trying to push her out but failing due also also pushing her in.


    After a while, Xania finally uses up most of her mana, fixing the core enough to the point it isn''t hollow and spitting Xania out.


    ¡°My lord, you okay?¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Well, the core will probably need daily maintenance but it''ll be okay for now. Let''s go back.¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°Oh well¡­ well¡­ uh¡­.¡± Anise starts thinking how to go back before pulling out the scroll again.


    ¡°Ok, it says to¡­ use¡­ divinity. Would you perchance have any left?¡±


    ¡°Well, I have some since I recovered a bit. Like the minimum amount.¡±


    ¡°Let''s just try it.¡±


    Xania infuses her scythe with most of her remaining mana and all of her remaining divinity as she hits the ground, the ground immediately cracking as she falls through. The bright light occuring once again as they get teleported back, falling through the hole in the barrier which Anise repairs, albeit temporarily.


    ¡°My lord, we gotta¡­¡± Anise turns to Xania who is fainted due to using all her divinity twice in a row.


    ¡°Oh.¡± She carries Xania in her back, bringing her back to the overworld where she teleports into the bedroom, tossing Xania onto it.

 Chapter 42. Hobbies.

    Anise sits at the side of the bed, trying to shake Xania awake for hours due to having nothing to do at all due to boredom.


    ¡°My lordddd, wake up!!!¡±


    Xania wakes up, smacking Anise away and going back to sleep.


    ¡°... Wake up!!!!¡±


    Anise keeps complaining for the next whole hour, not letting Xania sleep.


    ¡°Anise, don''t you know that you should let a sick person rest huh?! Since you''re so damn free how about you go and help Sliver with whatever she is doing!¡±


    Xania teleports Anise out of the room.


    ¡°My lord! How could you do this to me?! I swear I''ll find a spell that makes it so that you have the same ¡®period¡¯ thing human women do!¡±


    Anise keeps complaining as she uses scouting magic to find Sliver, teleporting straight to her.


    She looks around, surprised at where she is. ¡°Wow, didn''t expect you to be here and with Dragrove at that.¡± Anise looks around the newly made farm land along with some demons and Dragrove who just ignores her.


    ¡°Anise, what do you want?¡± Sliver asks.


    ¡°Xania sent me here since she didn''t want to deal with me.¡± Anise crosses her arms.


    ¡°I don''t want to deal with you either.¡± Sliver replies immediately.


    ¡°Well, too bad.¡± Anise walks over to Dragrove who keeps ignoring her until she flicks him.


    ¡°Hey! Stupid dragon, tell me what to do so I can entertain myself at least.¡±


    ¡°...¡± Dragrove points to the warehouse. ¡°Instructions, in there, go.¡±


    Anise teleports into the warehouse, finding many seeds inside along with instructions with pictures on it.


    After a while, Anise gives up on trying to remember the steps needed to farm, however less there are as she takes the instruction sheet and starts trying.


    A couple hours later, Xania wakes up and changes her clothes while cleaning herself up with magic. As she goes to open the door, still sleepy, she immediately closes it.


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Anise!!!!¡± She shouts as Anise suddenly appears next to her in a gardening uniform, dirtying the floor much to Xania''s annoyance.


    ¡°Yes my lord?¡±


    ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± Xania opens the door, revealing overgrown carnivorous plants, closing the door as it tries to attack her.


    ¡°You told me to help Sliver. I did, I took an interest.¡± Anise shrugs like nothing is wrong.


    ¡°Yea, farming. Not breeding new monster species!¡±


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    ¡°It''s not bad, look at this.¡± Anise walks out, going to pat the plant.


    ¡°See my lord? It''s not that bad, wanna try?¡±


    Xania cautiously approaches it, trying to touch it as it doesn''t bite back.


    ¡°See? Not that bad right?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I suppose so? But how did you even make a plant grow into something like this and so quickly?¡±


    ¡°See? Also, I just used magic.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ this was definitely not a function of magic¡­ and you''re taking your hobby outdoors.¡± Xania says while looking at all the soil, water and leaves on the ground.


    ¡°Fine.¡± Anise starts teleporting them all out, creating a small greenhouse for them. Over time, Anise keeps caring for the plants, spending more time on them than even her work, which is either a lot or almost nothing all the time. Her greenhouse slowly gains more attraction from other demons who come to visit, some even taking up farming as a hobby but Xania not allowing them to grow carnivorous plants after seeing Anise feed a pig to them before.


    ¡°My lord, I''m back!¡± Anise rushes into the bedroom as Xania uses magic to burn off her clothes, replacing them with new ones.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Am I allowed to sell the carnivorous plants?¡±


    ¡°Hell no.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ oops?¡±


    ¡°What did you do?¡±


    ¡°I already¡­ sold some of them?¡± Anise glances away sheepishly.


    ¡°... Get those plants back. Alive or dead!!!¡±


    ¡°My lord. Some humans are also afraid of dogs, but once they get one, they learn to love them.¡±


    ¡°Do those damn things of yours look like dogs?¡±


    ¡°Fine, you can''t can''t stand seeing me be successful in life!¡±


    Anise angrily teleports away.


    ¡°She''s not going to do so is she?¡± Xania thinks for a moment. ¡°Nope, she isn''t, can''t believe I have to do this.¡±


    Xania immediately teleports far away, using the ridiculous spell on some weeds as they turn into giant carnivorous plants that resemble beat traps due to their short height but with mouths filled with ridiculously sharp teeths instead of traps.


    Xania starts experimenting with them, eventually creating an effective counter to the spell, teleporting back to Anise with a gasous bio weapon against the plants in a magic circle.


    ¡°Anise, Anise you there?¡± Xania walks up, finding all the plants she sold back in the greenhouse.


    ¡°Wow, you actually got them back?¡±


    ¡°Of course I did! I''m more responsible than you! Hey¡­ what''s that magic circle you''ve got prepared there?¡±


    ¡°Huh? What are you talking about?¡± Xania hides the magic circle behind her back.


    ¡°Whatever¡­ so this means I can keep my friends right?¡±


    ¡°Friends?¡± Xania looks up at the plants. ¡°Right¡­ friends.¡±


    ¡°Now, if you don''t mind, I think I''ll get back to¡ª¡±


    The plants Anise as Xania makes a shield around her neck just in time, sighing as Anise ends up in blood due to the plants last feeding .


    ¡°... My lord, I don''t think I want to do farming anymore, at least not with magic.¡±


    ¡°Good choice, let me help.¡± Xania uses the magic circle, killing off all the plants.


    ¡°I''ll go look for a new hobby, wanna join?¡±


    ¡°... Sure, what do you have in mind?¡±


    ¡°Reading?¡±


    Xania and Anise go to the library, trying reading out as Xania gets lazy and tries to make a spell for the knowledge to enter her mind, causing all the books to grow teeth and wings.


    ¡°My lord!¡±


    ¡°My bad¡­ what''s next?¡±


    ¡°Well it''s¡­ pets?¡±


    ¡°No, blob can speak and she''s a pain.¡±


    ¡°Ok¡­ how about cooking¡­ wait nevermind.¡±


    ¡°How about board games?¡± Anise suggests making Xania look up at the word ¡®games¡¯.


    ¡°Sure, sounds nice?¡±


    ¡°The humans have some too, but so do the elves.¡±


    ¡°Sure, I''ll wait here, you go get them.¡±


    ¡°Lazy as hell.¡±


    Anise teleports away, returning 20 minutes later to Xania lying on the bed.


    ¡°Anise, what took so long?¡±


    ¡°Shut it¡­ I couldn''t find the game so I had to ask somebody. The only people there were the twins and the queen, all of whom were in a meeting so I had to wait¡­¡±


    ¡°Whatever, let''s try?¡±


    ¡°... Sure.¡± Anise sighs, knowing it''s pointless to get annoyed at Xania.


    Anise and Xania play for a couple of hours, both of them learning that the other is actually a saw loser, hence why the game lasted so long.


    ¡°I win!!!¡± Anise declares.


    ¡°No way, I won!¡± Xania refutes.


    ¡°I won 13 to 10!¡± Anise says confidently.


    ¡°No way, you lost count. I got 15!¡± Xania says, trying to make 15 on her hand but failing completely, somehow ending up with 6.


    ¡°My lord, just because I''m better than you does not mean you gotta be a cheater.¡±


    ¡°I''m not. You are.¡±


    ¡°Fine! How about another game?¡±


    ¡°Exactly!¡±


    They both played another 10 games, tying each other.


    ¡°Well¡­ how about an odd number of games?¡± Anise suggests as Xania accepts, losing count halfway.


    ¡°My lord, I''m busy now. We shall decide a winner in the future!¡±


    ¡°You better come back and don''t run away!¡±


    ¡°Same to you!¡±


    Anise teleports away as Xania cleans up the board game.

 Chapter 43. Shapeshifter.

    Meanwhile, as Anise goes to do whatever it is she is doing, Xania decides to experiment more with her divinity, remembering how Anise knew even more than her despite not having even nearly as much as she does.


    ¡°So¡­ what to try it out on first? Maybe a¡­ Pig? I¡¯ve heard of humans using animals to test their weapons out too.¡±


    Xania teleports far away in a random direction using a magic circle to send her to the unknown location as she looks around, instantly finding a couple of animals but no pigs.


    She looks around, teleporting from location to location as she eventually gives up after a few hours, finding a herd of cows and using pure divinity on one of them, causing it to get a lot stronger and faster.


    ¡°Wow, I guess that was unexpected? I wonder if its life span has increased.¡± Xania thinks as she uses time magic on it, taking longer to die than something with an estimated maximum age of 20 years.


    ¡°Huh, around 40 years huh? I wonder what happens if I used more divinity.¡± Xania turns to look at the other cows, finding them all having fled due to the sudden increase in mana concentration and divinity which is a completely unknown energy to most living beings, especially animals like cows who are extremely weak when compared to beings who are able to contain and use divinity.


    ¡°Cows? Where did you guys go? Hello???¡± Xania looks around, teleporting everywhere as she finally finds a cow again.


    ¡°Ah, ha! Get your cow ass here now!¡± Xania starts chasing after the cow which runs away due to the mana leaking out of her due to being annoyed that a cow is running away.


    ¡°Screw this.¡± Xania uses magic to chain the cow, preventing it from moving as she starts using divinity on it.


    ¡°Hm¡­ I guess I¡¯m gonna try¡­ a tenth of the divinity Anise has?¡± Xania starts using divinity on it, reaching a percent of the already little amount that Anise has before the cows blows up, its blood and organs painting the nearby ground along with Xania who doesn¡¯t bother teleporting away and just closes her eyes and mouth tightly.


    ¡°Ew¡­¡± She uses fire to burn and evaporate all of the body parts and blood that ended up on her before teleporting away and looking down.


    ¡°Ok, I guess I can¡¯t really evaporate the blood out of my clothes fast enough without actually burning the clothes themselves too.¡± Xania teleports back to her bedroom where she burns off everything she is wearing, immediately materialising a new layer of clothes onto herself, basically the same thing she does every time she wakes up due to being too lazy to change clothes the normal way.


    ¡°People who waste time actually taking off their clothes and putting a new set on are stupid. Wait, Anise does that, oh yea, she¡¯s stupid.¡± Xania teleports back to try to find more cows as she suddenly notices a lone pig, standing there looking at her.


    ¡°What the actual hell.¡± Xania walks closer to the pig, intending to use it as a test subject as it starts to run away.


    ¡°Hey! I haven¡¯t even used any mana or divinity!¡± Xania chains the pig with magic as it just keeps running, dispelling the magic as Xania notices mana leaking out of its body, albeit very less.¡±


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    ¡°What the actual hell is this.¡± Xania teleports in front of it, caging it in with a very thick amount of dark mana with barely enough space, creating a black coloured cage.


    ¡°If you are a person using magic to shapeshift, you sure as hell better stop it or I''ll turn you into porkchop while you¡¯re still a pig.¡±


    The pigg suddenly starts changing shapes making Xania think that it was indeed a person but it suddenly changes into her appearance annoying her.


    ¡°Change into your real damn appearance or I''ll put a stick up your¡­¡± Xania¡¯s voice trail off as the now ex-pig uses magic on Xania, surprising her as she waits for something to happen but not finding any difference as it starts changing from person to person, from Anise to Dragrove, Blob, the elves, Hepast and everybody else, slowly speeding up to the point where it¡¯s form looks like a messed up mixture of everybody she knows, causing her to expend the cage due to not wanting to see an explosion due to how cramp it is.


    ¡°I know I¡¯ve said this many times already today, but what the hell.¡± Xania shoots it with a weak concentrated shot of mana as it screeches in pain, making an unholy sound and turning into a weird black goo which keeps trying to assume a form but failing to do so.


    ¡°I think I know who to ask about this¡­ thing.¡± Xania cages it in completely as it tries to slide itself out of the gaps between the small bars of the cage, making a handle on the top of it as she picks it up, teleporting to her bedroom with it and setting it down.


    Xania takes a deep breath, using mana to enhance her voice as she shouts. ¡°Davien! Get the hell here right now!¡± Davien appears, crossing his arms.


    ¡°I¡¯m not your slave y¡¯know?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t care, what is this thing?¡± Xania changes the box from concentrated dark mana into neutral mana, causing it to turn transparent and look somewhat water-like without all the movements water has.


    ¡°Oh, this thing? It¡¯s nothing.¡± Davien shrugs it off, intending to leave before Xania asks more


    ¡°Nah, you aren¡¯t going anywhere.¡± Xania grabs his arm, pulling him back to it with it still trying to assume a form, currently being a half melted looking Xania.


    ¡°Fine, it just came from somewhere since somebody opened up a portal from somewhere.¡±


    ¡°Ok, What is somewhere and someone?¡±


    ¡°Idk? Just call it a shapeshifter I suppose, also since I can see it turning into well, a bunch of people or at least trying to, I assume it used magic on you¡±


    ¡°You know? What kind of magic is it?¡± Xania looks at Davien.


    ¡°Memory reading magic, it¡¯s different from mind reading which yes, does exist along with the bond you have from the familiar contract.¡±


    ¡°Then, what do I do with it?¡± Xania asks as Davien turns to look at her like she''s an idiot. ¡°Kill it¡± He answers as he disappears quickly.


    ¡°Seriously, this guy is physically weaker yet so much damn faster than me, but why the hell is he in such a rush to leave?¡± Xania turns to look at the thing currently designated as ¡®shapeshifter¡¯ as she signs, shooting it with a shot of concentrated mana, causing it to let out another terrible screech.


    ¡°Oh my god, shut the hell up!¡± Xania shoots it again, causing it to die as another chunk of it gets blown up.


    Xania sighs, looking away, not wanting to clean it up as she feels mana being absorbed in its direction, causing her to turn back just in time to see it expanding.


    ¡°What is going¡­ oh, fu¡ª¡± The shapeshifter explodes, causing black goo everywhere as Xania closes her eyes and mouth tightly again.


    ¡°Twice in a damn day, no wonder that bastard wanted to ditch so quickly.¡±


    Xania notices a slight stinging pain on her body as she looks around, wiping the goo off her face with the back of her hand, noticing the room get dissolved.


    ¡°So, you were acidic huh?¡± Too bad it doesn¡¯t work too well on me.¡± Xania starts trying to burn the goo away only to find that it is resistant to fire and any higher would melt the room which is much more inconvenient making Xania sigh.


    ¡°Damn.¡± Xania starts using magic to lift the goo from the walls, floor and ceiling while repairing it, teleporting the goo into a very concentrated box of mana and sending it to Davien¡¯s room.


    ¡®A gift for the bastard¡¯ She writes on a note, sending it with the box.


    ¡°Ok, problem solved¡­ I really need a shower this time round.¡± Xania reluctantly teleports to the shower, burning her clothes off.


    ¡°Yay¡­ what a joy.¡±

 Chapter 44. Decoration.

    Xania steps out from the toilet, drying herself off with fire magic as she materializes a new set of clothes onto herself, just in time as Anise who has been trying to get her to take a damn shower for very long teleports into the room.


    ¡°Great¡­¡± Xania mutters softly to herself as Anise notices her and smirks.


    ¡°My lord, so you do enjoy showering huh?¡± She starts poking Xania on her cheek, stopping to move her hand out the way as Xania reaches out to grab it.


    ¡°Shut it, there was just a predicament, a unique situation. The time wasted on showering could be better used on sleeping.¡± Xania pushes Anise away, walking to the bed and getting irritated as she notices some black goo she hadn¡¯t cleaned up which destroyed the bed, causing her to teleport it to Davien in a box made of concentrated mana with a piece of paper attached to it. On the piece of paper a picture of an unspecified finger, left to Davien for him to guess.


    ¡°My lord, what was that?¡± Anise asks while fixing the bed up.


    ¡°Not sure, some stupid thing called a shapeshifter according to Davien.¡± Xania lets her body fall face first into the bed.


    ¡°Really? I swear that¡¯s not what shapeshifters looked like.¡± Anise says, trying to recall what they looked like but not being able to clearly remember due to them almost never being in their original forms and the amount of time since the last time she¡¯s seen one.


    ¡°Huhwhadidtayloklke?¡± Xania mutters lazily, her voice further softened due to being muffled by the bed.


    ¡°My lord, stop muttering so softly to yourself, I can¡¯t hear anything.¡± Anise says, making Xania lift her head up.


    ¡°Huh? What did they look like?¡± She repeats before putting her face back into the bed..


    ¡°Well, something like blob but¡­ wait, what colour is Blob?¡±


    ¡°Blemotlycanchangcolor¡± She mutters as Anise hears a bit.¡¯


    ¡°Blue mostly, can change color. Is that what you said?¡± Anise watches as Xania confirms.


    ¡°Mhm.¡±


    ¡°Good. So doppelgangers looked like Blob but more solid, non-acidic. Their ability to change their appearance was also a bodily function, hence undetectable using mana.¡±


    Xania finally lifts her head up from the bed, reluctantly teleporting herself to sit upright mostly. ¡°That thing used man though.¡±


    ¡°Exactly why it isn¡¯t a shapeshifter.¡± Anise points out, poking Xania¡¯s forehead using a finger, irritating her.


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    ¡°Don¡¯t do that. Just don¡¯t disturb me, I want to go to sleep.¡± Xania tries to let her body fall forwards into the bed as Anise pulls her off the bed by the back of her collar, annoying her.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Xania looks at Anise.


    ¡°You¡¯re not even gonna ask why I was busy?¡±


    ¡°Oh yea right, what about the game? It ended in a draw.¡±¡¯


    ¡°Because you lost count!¡± Anise shouts, getting annoyed at remembering how all those games to decide a winner was for nothing.


    ¡°Calm down, we can just play a singular game.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m calm.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m calm.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re no¡ª¡±


    ¡°You mother¡ª If I say I¡¯m calm, it means I¡¯m calm.¡± Anise grabs Xania by her collar in a not calm manner as Xania slowly pushes herself away.


    ¡°Alright, alright. I got it, you¡¯re totally calm.¡±


    Anise sighs, pushes Xania down, causing her head to hit the hard bed frame. ¡±My lord, I went to look around for designers to give me suggestions.¡±


    ¡°Suggestions for what?¡± Xania rubs her head.


    ¡°To decorate our room.¡±


    ¡°What for?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean what for?! Look around the room. We have a smaller room thatDragrove and Blob don¡¯t use since Dragrove made himself and Blob a brand new home god knows where a bed windows and a toilet and that¡¯s it! We don''t even have a proper closet, you¡¯re just throwing clothes you can¡¯t be bothered to burn around the place!¡± Anise finishes, leaving herself panting afterwards due to not stopping much and shouting as Xania puts her hands up around her shoulder level while backing up.


    ¡°Fine, if you want to decorate the room, go for it. I won¡¯t stop you.¡±


    ¡°No! You¡¯re going to help! I do most of the work you¡¯re supposed to do along with all the work you tell me to do so you¡¯re gonna help me!¡±


    Xania groans in annoyance, complaining softly beneath her breath as she stands up.


    ¡°Fine, how do we start?¡±


    ¡°Finally you¡¯re cooperating. First, what¡¯s your favourite thing?¡±


    ¡°My favourite thing is¡­ I honestly have no clue, does sleeping count?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Fine, what about¡­  playing?¡±


    ¡°I suppose we can work with that. Favourite colour?¡±


    ¡°Black.¡±


    Why?¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s the colour I¡¯ve seen most in my life so I¡¯m just a lot more used to it.¡±


    ¡°Sure, my favourite colour is blue and I like playing too so let¡¯s improvise on this.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Xania and Anise start trying out different types of styles for the room, finally deciding on the wall with the windows which are oversized in Xania¡¯s opinion having playing cards with many small blue and black coloured swirls on the wall.


    ¡°My lord, I hate this.¡±


    ¡°Same, but it looks less boring compared to when there was nothing right?¡±


    ¡°My lord, the walls were already grey and blackish in colour, your black didn¡¯t do much.¡±


    ¡°What matters is the fact it did anything now sh!.¡±


    ¡°Fine, we still need furniture though.


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    Window


    Closet  cubby shelf


    Bed                         Toilet door.


    nightstand


    Door to outside


    doorbell(For whatever reason)


    ¡°Seriously? A night stand?¡±


    ¡°Yea, for a candle since you had a nightmare and I nearly lost my life last time.¡±


    ¡°It was once!¡±


    ¡°Nope, there were times when you were on the verge of activating mana, each time scaring the hell out of me.¡±


    ¡°Fine, what¡¯s the doorbell for?¡±


    ¡°What do you think people use a doorbell for?¡±


    ¡°Well, usually they use it for the front of their home, and their homes aren¡¯t usually castles.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter, we¡¯re keeping the doorbell.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Are we done yet?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°One last detail.¡± Anise puts a deck of playing cards on the cubby shelf along with a potted plant.¡±


    ¡°Oh right, you do gardening and that type of stuff.¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±

 Chapter 45. You reap what you sow.

    Xania looks at the plant for a moment before looking back at Anise.


    ¡°We''re done now, right?¡±


    ¡°Yep!¡±


    ¡°Alright, so do we go play the game or what?  We still need to decide a winner.¡±


    ¡°Later. Firstly, I want to check something.¡±


    ¡°Fine, what is it you want to check?¡±


    ¡°My lord. Try to focus on the surroundings, tell me if you feel any divinity.¡±


    ¡°Sure?¡± Xania starts trying as she feels a very miniscule amount.


    ¡°I feel a bit. Why?¡±


    ¡°As I thought, now, tell me if you feel any in this.¡± Anise pulls out a cage containing a chicken from her bracelet along with another bracelet, passing it to Xania.


    ¡°Thanks for the new bracelet, I guess? But the chicken? Seriously?¡±


    ¡°Yes seriously.¡±


    Xania looks at Anise''s oddly serious face before reluctantly closing her eyes and focusing as much as she can, finding a small amount of divinity in the chicken, slightly more than the atmosphere.


    ¡°My lord, is there any?¡±


    ¡°Well, I suppose, but why?¡±


    ¡°I had a theory, I figured divinity isn''t just divinity. It is a life force.¡±


    ¡°Life force?¡±


    ¡°Yea, so I figured every living creature should have some no matter how less it is.¡±


    ¡°And you want me to do what with this information.¡±


    ¡°Nothing, I was just curious. Now is the main part, sit down and let me test something. Oh and also, give me some divinity.¡±


    ¡°Sure?¡± Xania uses some divinity, placing it into a box of concentrated neutral mana she made and passing it to Anise.


    ¡°Thank you my lord.¡± Anise starts by absorbing the mana through her palms while holding it with both hands, eventually getting to the divinity which she very carefully controls without absorbing.


    She starts making a magic circle, one never seen before by Xania while adding a thin layer of divinity over the mana.


    As she finishes, she starts infusing the rest of her divinity and mana into the circle causing it to start glowing with a bright colourless light, pulling in all the surrounding divinity.


    ¡°My lord, try to absorb it! Pretend your training your mana but divinity instead!¡±


    ¡°What? You know what? Fine, you always do weird stuff like this.¡± Xania materialises a chair as she sits down, closing her eyes as she starts absorbing the nearby divinity.


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    As she keeps absorbing, she eventually gets closer to reaching her original amount as she slows down.


    ¡°My lord, just continue! Trust me!¡±


    Xania hesitates for a moment before answering. ¡°Fine, if anything goes wrong it''s your fault though.¡±


    ¡°Got it¡± Anise says while waving dismissively.


    Xania starts absorbing the surrounding divinity at full speed again, bracing herself for pain as she reaches her original highest amount.


    She keeps absorbing divinity, opening her eyes as the expected pain does not arrive.


    ¡°Huh? This is actually¡­ pretty nice.¡±


    Xania keeps absorbing nonstop, coming to an abrupt stop despite not wanting to do so as she looks at Anise.


    ¡°My lord, you absorbed all the divinity in the room.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Xania closes her eyes and concentrates on the atmosphere, feeling no signs of divinity remaining.


    ¡°Wow, that was nice. I should give you a job as a researcher, you''re good at stuff like this.¡±


    ¡°I humbly refuse.¡±


    ¡°Fine, I won''t force it upon you.¡±


    Anise teleports them outside to a grassy field.


    ¡°Anise, what are we doing here?¡±


    ¡°Feel.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Divinity, is there more here?¡±


    Xania starts feeling around, not needing to close her eyes as she feels even more divinity around.


    ¡°Yea?¡±


    ¡°Good, so how much more?¡±


    ¡°Not that much, it''s like nothing compared to mine.¡±


    ¡°Doesn''t matter, I''ve got another theory. The familiar contract didn''t give me divinity, divinity depends on a living being''s lifespan.¡±


    ¡°Cool?¡±


    Anise starts setting up another magic circle, much bigger as Xania provides her with divinity and mana, repeating this process nonstop as Xania looks back at the once grassy field, reduced to a field of withering plants.


    ¡°Wow, what a unique sight.¡±


    ¡°My lord, do you have more divinity than before?¡±


    ¡°Not sure, I currently have less but I can feel my body regenerating it back so it may have a bigger capacity.¡±


    ¡°Good enough for me.¡±


    ¡°But it does seem like my sensitivity to divinity increased though.¡±


    ¡°Alright, information is good¡±


    Xania starts sensing the area around her, suddenly feeling a massive spike in divinity approaching her at massive speeds, dodging in time as something lands where she was standing mere moments ago, destroying the area.


    ¡°My lord, are you okay?¡±


    ¡°I''m fine, be careful.¡±


    Xania and Anise observe as a person with black hair and formal attire stands in the middle of the small crater created as he turns back to look at them, a serious expression on his face.


    ¡°Who the hell¡­¡± Xania watches as a glowing white sword suddenly appears out of the air in his hands as he rushes at him. ¡°Anise, dodge!¡±


    The unknown swings his sword at Xania and Anise, getting a bit of Xania schemes as she touches her cheek, looking at her bloodied hand as she pulls it away from her face.


    ¡°Wow, how dangerous huh? Cool sword you have there, let''s see¡­ this is how it works right?¡± Xania uses her divinity, solidifying it into a sword due to not having enough for a scythe. A weapon she is decent at due to Davien forcing her to familiarise herself with every weapon used before by past demon lords.


    They start clashing with each other as Anise is frozen in place instinctively due to the massive amount of divinity making her body react.


    ¡°Crap, body¡­ body, Move!¡± She thinks angrily despite the fact her body is shaking in fear slightly.


    ¡°No way I''m just gonna let my lord do this by herself!¡± She thinks as she watches Xania slowly getting overpowered due to the massive difference in divinity with Xania being weaker in every aspect. Experience, divinity, mana and even physical strength which is usually her biggest strength.


    Anise keeps struggling, trying to get herself to move, finally getting herself to move as Xania keeps getting pushed back.


    ¡°My lord!¡±


    ¡°Wait Anise! Don''t come here!¡±


    Xania keeps fending the unknown man off, getting pushed back slowly as he keeps persisting.


    Xania eventually gets pushed down, hey body covered in many small cuts as the unknown man prepares to finish Xania off.


    Xania closes her eyes, trying to create a shield to block it.


    After a while, she doesn''t feel the pain expected of being stabbed with a sword or anything pain at all for that face as she opens her eyes slightly, finding her body healed of all injuries.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    Xania suddenly feels something drip onto her leg as she looks up.


    ¡°What¡­ Anise?¡±


    Xania looks up, trying to process the information presented right in front of her, a glowing blade through Anise''s body as the unknown man pulls the blade out of her, cussing her to stumble backwards, blade flowing freely put as Xania catches her before she falls, trying to heal her but not able to die to being injured with divinity.


    The unknown man watches as Xania keeps trying to heal Anise as her breathing eventually stops.


    ¡°You reap what you sow.¡± The unknown man speaks for the first time as Xania sets Anise down gently, standing up as she glares at him.

 Chapter 46. Doll.

    ¡°What¡­ what the hell does that mean.¡± Xania asks, still staring at Anise as the unknown man doesn''t respond.¡°


    If I understood Anise correctly. Divinity is related to life span, and¡­ if I interpreted this correctly, I have a seemingly never ending lifespan, and my divinity should in turn¡­¡± Xania starts converting all her lifespan to divinity but not aging due to having an endless or near endless lifespan, a massive beam of dark divinity being sent into the air above due to her not properly merging the dark mana and divinity into the cyan colour.


    ¡°My work here is done.¡± The unknown man tries to flee as Xania creates a massive dome around the area with her dark divinity.


    ¡°Where the hell do you think you''re going?¡±


    Xania suddenly feels a massive jolt of pain and looks down at her arm, finding cracks forming.


    ¡°Well, I didn''t expect to be able to handle this anyways.¡±


    Xania materialises a massive scythe in each hand, both made up of pure divinity along with mana that''s purely of dark magic.


    ¡°Haha, look at you. You seem so close yet so far to your prime.¡± The unknown man turns to look at Xania, a sword in each hand too as Xania attacks first, forcefully making herself stronger with divinity as more cracks form, easily overpowering the unknown man.


    ¡°You won''t last much longer in that state.¡±


    ¡°I don''t need to.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re so focused on revenge you don''t care for the rest of your followers?¡± The unknown man smirks as Xania keeps attacking, bloodlust filling the entire dome up as she cuts off the head of the unknown man, looking down at his body as it suddenly starts turning into a different material, looking like a doll.


    ¡°Fake bastard.¡± Xania turns back to Anise, picking up her body as she tries to heal herself while forcing divinity onto her body.


    For a moment, Anise''s body starts breathing again as Xania gains hope before reluctantly stopping.


    ¡°Dammit. If I add more, even her body won''t last due to the overload of divinity.¡±


    Xania bites her fingernails nervously, deciding to freeze her body first as she keeps forcing divinity into her body albeit much slower, each time getting her to breathe again but not long enough for her to live again, the hole in her body still unable to be healed.


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    Xania keeps trying nonstop desperately as more cracks appear on her body, causing her to be in an excruciating amount of pain.


    Xania keeps trying, forcing more healing despite being out of mana, causing more damage to be dealt to her body as she faints.


    She wakes up a few hours later, finding Anise''s body still beside her with the cracks on her body still there but no longer as painful.


    She places her hand on Anise''s chest, no longer feeling a heartbeat with her body no longer in any condition to force any further healing or divinity. She creates a small box of mana and divinity with most of the amount she recovered while fainted.


    Looking back at her body, she teleports them both back to their bedroom, placing the box onto the bed as she looks over at the window.


    ¡°Guess I''m the winner by default huh?¡± Xania picks up the card game, turning back to Anise.


    She climbs into the bed, hugging herself as she starts crying a bit, surprising herself too but she doesn''t try to stop it, eventually falling asleep.


    A few days later.


    Davien enters the roomz finding Xania on the bed, doing nothing.


    ¡°Miss Xania, what is this I''ve heard about a funeral arrangement and why haven''t you left your room? This isn''t a funny jok¡­¡± Davien keeps walking closer as he notices Anise''s body, preserved in perfect condition using ice magic while still in the box as his voice trails off, Xania glaring at him.


    ¡°Do you have anything of value you would like to say?¡±


    ¡°Does you not showing up for training count?¡±


    ¡°Get out of you have nothing to say.¡±


    Davien sighs, reluctantly disappearing and reappearing with a scroll in his hand, throwing it at Xania who catches it angrily.


    ¡°What is this?¡±


    ¡°I didn''t want to give it to you yet, but seeing your current state and well¡­ miss Anise''s, I figured this would be the best time.¡±


    Xania opens up the scroll, a teleportation circle to a specific unspecified location shown.


    ¡°Elaborate.¡±


    ¡°It''s said tha¡ª¡±


    ¡°What makes you think I''m in a mood for your damn stories? Get to the point.¡± Xania interrupts.


    ¡°That scroll may be able to help with Miss Anise.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s not guaranteed it¡¯s more of a¡­ legend per se.¡±


    ¡°Then why haven''t more people tried to get this and where the hell did you get this from?¡±


    ¡°Most people don¡¯t have the amount of divinity you do also, I kept this in the past but couldn¡¯t use this due to my complete lack of divinity. Say, how did you get so injured?¡±


    ¡°Fought somebody, they turned into a doll afterward though, didn¡¯t even get a good look at their face,¡± Xania says as Davien starts to concentrate strongly, immediately disappearing, leaving the scroll behind as Xania looks at it.


    ¡°This magic circle looks different from how most look. Wait, this looks similar to the magic circle created by Anise, powered by divinity instead of mana.¡±


    ¡°Screw it, I can¡¯t use this just yet, the key that bastard gave me last time led me to such a strange place. Who knows where this will lead me, for the time being, I¡¯ll have to preserve you first.¡± Xania turns over to look at Anise¡¯s body, adding another layer of mana over the block of ice she¡¯s in, gripping the scroll in her hand tightly as she places it in her bracelet.


    ¡°First, I¡¯ll have to deal with this. Sorry for taking this off of you while you''re sleeping.¡± Xania takes the memory cube out of Anise¡¯s bracelet, holding it tightly as she starts to use divinity,  all of her original divinity recovered from the past few days of doing nothing with her total capacity for divinity much higher at the cost of the cracks on her body being not fully fixable, at least for the time being.

 Chapter 47. Xanias a bit drowsy.

    Xani infuses divinity into the memory cube, easily causing it to turn cyan quickly and break open unlike before when her divinity was insufficient.


    ¡°Alright, time to see what is in this.¡±


    Xania watches as the environment around her turns into a completely ruined kingdom, in the middle of it being the same woman as before, the one with cyan coloured hair, holding the one with reddish hair who has many injuries on her enough to be lethal.


    ¡°How interesting huh? I¡¯m watching somebody who is basically in the same situation as I am.¡±


    Xania keeps watching as the cyan-haired woman doesn¡¯t move or do anything for a moment before pulling out a scroll, making Xania pay close attention and notice a magic circle¡¯s design on it.


    ¡°Wait¡­ isn¡¯t that the same one Davien gave me?¡±


    Xania looks closely as the woman infuses divinity into it, disappearing as the environment changes into a weird stony room, the room not being too big with an altar in the center, a magic center engraved into it as the woman places the red-haired women into the center of the altar, infusing divinity into the magic circle.


    Xania watches quietly, mesmerized by the woman¡¯s control over her divinity as she infuses her cyan-coloured divinity into the magic circle perfectly. Cyan-coloured divinity being difficult but not impossible for Xania to imitate at the sacrifice of her control.


    ¡°This is¡­ amazing.¡±


    The environment changes back to her bedroom as the memory ends, Xania taking out the scroll and looking at it before looking at Anise.


    ¡°Should I just try? That level of control shouldn¡¯t be impossible to imitate since divinity is similar to mana. But  if I mess something up, Who knows the consequences that could have.


    Xania infuses divinity into the air, the shape of the magic circle on the scroll as nothing happens.


    ¡°Crap, this old scroll must have gotten some parts damaged so the magic circle doesn¡¯t work anything, screw it.¡±


    I¡¯ll try to copy the magic circle I saw just now in that case.¡± Xania thinks, using her divinity to make a magic circle in the space in front of her, the magic circle going out of control too quickly as it quickly scatters into the air around her.


    ¡°Dammit, I suppose there is one more solution since the time it would take to get my control to the level of that woman may take years.¡±


    Xania materializes some of the material she found in that final room she saw before back when the key pulled her into the mountain with the weird voices, failing with mana as she tries again with divinity.


    ¡°I suppose mana and divinity have different materials with different properties they can create.¡±


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    Xania successfully creates the material and stares at it, using divinity as it just bounces off. ¡°Perfect, most materials just absorb mana or divinity so making a mould to help with a magic circle usually fails unless that material has some resistance to mana or divinity but, my control over divinity is nowhere high enough yet, I suppose I¡¯ll have to visit Hepast.¡± Xania grabs the materials, teleporting them with her as she ends up in his forge, surprising him.


    ¡°You ought to inform me before you teleport in.¡± He grumbles slightly to himself.


    ¡°Here, take this. Can you forge this into a magic circle?¡± Xania passes him the material which looks like a slightly transparent version of marble.


    ¡°Of course I can, as long as it isn¡¯t as hard to melt as the material you provided me with for your weapon.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, haven¡¯t tried it before.¡±


    Hepast starts to grumble again, taking the materials from Xania as he starts trying to melt it.


    After half an hour of trying, he gives up, pulling it out of the fire.


    ¡°How do you expect me to do this?¡±


    ¡°My bad, let me help.¡± Xania starts using fire magic, turning it up slowly, keeping it up for a while before stopping due to having no change.


    ¡°As much as I would like to help, I can¡¯t, not when it¡¯s so tough to do so.¡± Hepast says as Xania sighs, carrying the still hot materials into her hands.


    ¡°It¡¯s no problem, I¡¯ll figure it out.¡± Xania teleports back into her room, staring at the material and sighing.


    She tries for a couple hours before giving up.


    ¡°Dammit, why can¡¯t this just work¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like I¡¯m asking for too much, just work!¡± Xania angrily hits the marble like material, coating her hand with divinity subconsciously as it immediately gets flattened like doubt.


    ¡°What¡­?¡±


    Xania hits it again without divinity this time, immediately hurting her own hand as she pulls back.


    ¡°What is happening?¡± Xania thinks, coating a finger with divinity as she pokes it, easily causing it to be pushed in.


    ¡°What? Nevermind, this isn¡¯t the priority right now. I have to get this magic circle to work before trying it out.¡±


    Xania starts coating her hand in divinity, moulding the material into a magic circle, taking a couple days of non stop work due to the magic circle being a meter in diameter along with many symbols and shapes, all that were new to her. The thing wasting the most of her time being her own mistakes and lack of control over her hands, sometimes pushing it too far or not enough.


    ¡°It seems the material only changes shape when a physical substance coated in divinity touches it not just divinity itself, so divinity makes it soft instead of controlling its shape huh.¡±


    Xania finally finishes molding it, teleporting and getting a pig before killing it, placing it on the magic circle as she stares at it for a moment.


    ¡°I guess if this doesn''t work, I''ll get Davien to get the hell back.¡± Xania uses the magic circle, infusing her divinity and dark mana carefully, causing it to turn curb as it fills up the magic circle.


    As it fills up completely, Xania stops infusing divinity and mana into it, watching hopefully as the pig comes alive for a moment before dying due to a large hole in its stomach due to Xania using concentrated mana to blast a hole into it.


    ¡°That worked, that definitely worked, even if it''s just for a moment.¡± Xania looks at Anise for a moment, bringing her body on top of the magic circle before noticing the cracks still on her body.


    ¡°Right¡­ I can''t let Anise see me like this, let me try something.¡±


    Xania starts using magic on herself as the cracks in her body fix themselves with a weird side effect.


    ¡°I¡­ got shorter? Oh, it used my body mass to fix the gaps, I suppose that''s a small price to pay for such heavy damage.¡±


    Xania looks at Anise, using healing magic on her body to ensure she stays alive after coming alive and preparing to use the magic circle.


    ¡°Here goes¡­¡±


    Xania starts trying but fails due to using nearly all her divinity to revive the pig.


    ¡°Damn, guess you''ll have to wait a couple days more, Anise.¡±


    Xania sits on the ground, leaning against the frame of the bed. Fatigue catching up to her due to working nonstop for a couple of days followed by using almost all her divinity to fix herself and revive a pig.


    ¡°Hey, I feel a bit drowsy¡­¡±


    Xania falls asleep against the bed frame due to her exhaustion instead of simply liking sleep which is the main and usually only reason she sleeps usually.

 Chapter 48. Anise is back.

    Xania wakes up a few days later to Davien smacking her awake.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s that for?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been a whole week, so could you wake up already?¡±


    ¡°A week?!¡± Xania quickly gets up, intending to revive Anise as Davien stops her.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Your divinity isn¡¯t sufficient, your capacity might be enough but your current amount isn¡¯t, if  you want, you can supplement it with mana.¡±


    ¡°Oh, do I have enough mana currently?¡±


    ¡°Barely.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Xania turns back to Anise then to Davien, ¡°Could you leave?¡±


    ¡°Alright, but don¡¯t blow up her body, if you do that you won¡¯t be able to revive her.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, got it,¡± Xania says, watching Davien walk out as she turns back to Anise, preparing her mana and divinity as she starts.


    The magic circle starts feeling with up the dark mana, turning black as the divinity follows, turning it into a cyan colour.


    Once the magic circle fills up, Xania immediately starts feeling her divinity and mana drain at an extreme rate but not stopping.


    ¡°Anise, I¡¯m doing so much for you, you better not forget this,¡± Xania mutters softly, continuing to infuse mana and divinity.


    As her mana and divinity drain nearly completely, Xania feels the spell completed pulling away and falling backward before standing back up, looking down at Anise¡¯s body which is breathing much more than before when she was on the verge of death.


    Xania tries to shake her awake but she continues to remain asleep, ¡°Hey, Anise, wake up.¡±


    Xania sighs, relieved that Anise is in no current danger of death before reluctantly shouting, ¡°Davien!¡± As he appears.


    ¡°Yes? I believe you wanted me out so why are you calling for me again?¡± Davien teases as Xania glares at him.


    ¡°Fine, I can already guess what you''re going to ask, so just wait, she¡¯ll wake up eventually.¡±


    ¡°How long is eventually?¡±


    ¡°How would I know? Figure that out yourself.¡±


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    ¡°Just get out if you''re not gonna help.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who called me i¡ª¡±


    ¡°Out.¡± Xania interrupts, teleporting him out.


    Xania sets Anise on the bed after removing the magic she set on her body to preserve her body as she lies on the bed too, waiting for her to wake up.


    A couple of hours later, Xania falls asleep as Anise slowly wakes up, rubbing her eyes before remembering herself being stabbed, and sits up instantly, feeling the part of her body that got stabbed while panting.


    ¡°Huh? What happened?¡± Anise looks to her left, finding Xania there as she takes the blanket off of Xania, carrying her into the air and shaking her.


    ¡°My lord, wake up!¡± Anise keeps shaking Xania as she doesn¡¯t wake up, ¡°My lord, this isn¡¯t the time to be asleep, wake up!¡± Anise keeps shaking Xania and spinning her as she accidentally hits Xania¡¯s head on the wall.


    ¡°Oops¡­¡± Anise gently puts her back down, still trying to wake her up before giving up, ¡°Screw it, that zombie bastard ought to know.¡± Anise carries Xania up again, teleporting around to find Davien, eventually finding him in her office. Yes, you read that right, Anise has an office.


    ¡°Ah, miss Anise, I see your back again,¡± Davien says, completely unbothered.


    ¡°Explain to me what happened to me, what happened, and most importantly, why my lord here is officially only slightly taller than a teenager!¡±


    ¡°Fine, long story short. She saved you, she got hurt, she healed herself, she revived you.¡± Davien says, moving away instantly, leaving Anise there with Xania as Xania slowly wakes up.


    ¡°Huh, why am I here?¡± Xania says softly, rubbing her eyes and finding Anise holding her up, ¡°Anise! You''re finally back!¡±


    ¡°My lord, can you explain what happened first?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Xania starts explaining everything that happened as Anise keeps holding her up.


    ¡°Wow.¡± Anise says, dropping Xania.


    ¡°Anise, just go back to bed and rest.¡± Xania says, teleporting Anise back into the bedroom with her, ¡°Happily.¡± She answers.


    Over the next few days, Xania keeps getting Anise to rest with her enjoying it at first but slowly finding it annoying over time.


    Anise sneaks into her office, finding Xania there as Xania also notices her.


    ¡°Anise, get back to bed.¡±


    ¡°My lord, get out of my chair, I like not doing work but this is so weird, just let me do it!¡±


    Anise tries snatching the paper work on the table, consisting of only complaints and reports as Xania also snatched it, both not using too much strength to avoid ripping the papers


    ¡°My lord, let go!¡±


    ¡°No you!¡±


    The paper still rips in half as both of them fall backwards with Anise tackling Xania.


    ¡°My lord, why are you even doing this? You hate work don''t you?!¡±


    ¡°Yea, but¡­ nothing, just give it!¡± Xania tries to gently push Anise off as Anise traps them in with a forcefield.


    ¡°Not until you tell me why!¡±


    ¡°Fine ok? I don''t want you to hate me okay?¡± Xania admits, looking away embarrassed, combined with her height seeming like a somewhat tall teenager who got caught doing something bad.


    ¡°What? I need you to elaborate here.¡±


    ¡°Well, you almost died while protecting me and all that so¡­¡±


    Anise immediately gets rid of the forcefield as she stands up, laughing at Xania, annoying her and embarrassing her further.


    ¡°My lord, are you kidding me?¡±


    ¡°huh?¡±


    ¡°Just go back to being normal and let me handle this, you sound ridiculous, I''m not going to hate you just for that.¡±


    Anise ignores Xania''s protest, pushing her out of the room.


    ¡°My lord, just go back and let things return to normal¡± she shouts through the door, turning back to look at the destroyed room.


    ¡°Can''t believe she was actually so worried about something like that.¡± Anise thinks to herself, sighing as she starts cleaning up the room.


    While cleaning up the room, Anise notices a report from one of her spies along with one from the elves'' kingdom, both reporting the same thing.


    ¡°Hm? What is this about?¡± She picks up both reports as she takes a deep breath, ¡°my lord, get back here!¡±

 Idk?

    Idk the name of the chapters guys.


    I really can''t give a chapter today, I''m way too tied, I''ve already fallen asleep in the middle of my writing which is currently at 0 words... I swear I''ll give you another 2 on Friday since 2 days later is Thursday and I don''t put chapters up on Thursday and all that.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Yea, sorry about this guys, seriously,  I''m going to go sleep now, I''m so tired...


    Also, since I need 500 characters, I might as well say this.


    I hate school food.


    Intermission


    See you. Guys on Friday


    :)

 Chapter 49. Hero(s)?

    Anise grabs the reports messily, quickly getting up and teleporting to Xania who is lying on the bed on her face, kicking her legs in the air.


    ¡°My lord! What have you been doing?!¡± Anise shouts, the papers crumbling in her grip.


    ¡°Didn''t you tell me not to work?¡± Xania says, covering her ears due to how noisy Anise is, getting up from bed.


    ¡°Yes but when you were doing my work, what were you doing?! How did you miss so many damn reports on this?! They are literally written in a bigger font size!¡± Anise continues shouting, showing the crumbled reports in her hand.


    ¡°On what?¡± Xania asks, continuing to cover her ears.


    ¡°This!¡± Anise shouts again, showing her the report as she reads it.


    Report from the elf kingdom.


    I am going to skip the greeting and formalities due to the importance of the situation and because I''m nearly out of ink.


    The elves guarding the world tree have detected a massive fluctuation in mana, we suspect that this is caused due to the world tree creating its own heros, we are unaware how it did this and are investigating. We have also decided that there have been many fluctuations numbering around a dozen by the time this letter has been sent.


    Report from the spies.


    Miss Anise, we have obtained some information that the humans may be preparing for a second round of war, we have also heard some rumors, however unreliable, that a new hero has been selected.


    Xania reads for a moment before lying back into bed, ¡°So?¡± She asks, clearly, bothered despite Anise''s concerns.


    ¡°What do you mean?! This has been one of the biggest concerns for a while! They may not have time to get as strong as the previous heroes but there could be dozens by now!¡± Anise continues shouting, setting the crumbled reports messily onto the bed and climbing onto Xania''s back, pulling her hair as Xania ignores it.


    ¡°Anise, what''s the problem? Didn''t you say that I''m the strongest demon lord every last time? And the heroes barely won back then. So what if there are many more? I''m also a lot stronger since I can use divinity.¡± Xania says, annoying Anise further.


    ¡°My lord, can''t you take this seriously?!¡± Anise shouts, getting annoyed as Xania shakes her head, her face still in the bed.


    ¡°Fine, you wanna ignore how seriously I''m taking this huh?¡± Anise says, grabbing Xania''s tail too, tying her hair and tail together as Xania tries untying it, finding herself unable to do so since Anise somehow dead-knotted her hair and tail.


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°My lord, since you won''t help then I''ll just go find a way to deal with it myself, it''d be a shame if I die again wouldn''t it?¡± Anise says with her voice filled with sarcasm as Xania sighs.


    *Fine¡­ I''ll follow you.¡± Xania relents which causes Anise to finally be satisfied as she smiles, ¡°then let''s get going my lord.¡± She says while waiting for Xania to get up.


    ¡°Wait Anise¡­¡± Xania says, using mana to tie a small rope around her hand.


    ¡°What is it now? Stop trying to procrastinate.¡± Anise asks while turning back to Xania who somehow made the situation worse by tangling her legs up in her hair and tail combo, ¡°what the hell.¡± Anise sighs, trying to untangle Xania.


    A while later, Anise goes up trying to help Xania with her hair and tail and focuses only on her legs and still failing as she decides to just grab Xania''s scythe from her bracelet.


    ¡°Hey Anise, what are you doing with that?¡± Xania asks, her voice with a tinge of nervousness.


    ¡°My lord, you understand that if I don''t do what I''m about to do, you''re gonna be stuck like this for god knows how long since I doubt anything is strong enough to free you without damaging your hair?¡± Anise says while lifting the scythe up.


    ¡°Anise look, if you''re still mad about dying and all that, we can resolve this in a peaceful way, just put that down okay?¡± Xania negotiates, trying to get Anise to stop.


    Anise swings the scythe down, imbuing it with mana as the majority of Xania''s hair drops to the floor in one big tied-up bundle, freeing Xania as she untangles her legs from the leftover hair, looking at herself with a mirror she materializes. Xania tries healing her hair but nothing happens due to healing magic not working on hair, something she officially learned.


    ¡°My lord, well¡­ you don''t look that bad?¡± Anise forces a smile on her own face, looking at Xania''s very focused eyes while returning the scythe back to Xania''s bracelet.


    ¡°Anise¡­ I''m not going out like this!¡± Xania turns to Anise, pointing at the part with the cleanly cut-off hair.


    ¡°It''s not my fault your hair is so oddly tough,¡± Anise mutters softly, glancing away guilty.


    ¡°Well, you could just hide it couldn''t you?¡± Anise says while looking up, pulling a hat which looks like it was meant for the beach out of her bracelet as Xania looks over, reluctantly trying on the hat and looking at herself in the mirror again.


    ¡°See? Not that bad, now let''s go to the elves to get more info on this, I heard they also have a spell for hair okay?¡± Anise asks in a convincing tone or an attempt at trying to sound convincing.


    ¡°Fine.¡± Xania burns the hair on the floor as she teleports Anise to the elf kingdom''s castle, using detection magic and teleporting to the elf queen who was in the dining hall, peacefully enjoying her lunch along with a cup of tea she was drinking.


    As she feels the sudden influx of mana from the teleportation, she looks up, unsurprised by their presence.


    ¡°Hey, we need to discuss the report you sent, don''t we?¡± Anise says in a serious tone as the queen puts the cup down, facing Anise.


    ¡°Of course, have a seat,¡± The queen says as Anise and Xania do so, Xania''s hat catching her attention but refrains from asking.


    ¡°What do you mean that heroes are being made?¡± Anise asks as the queen opens her mouth to speak but Xania stops her.


    ¡°Wait, before you answer her I have a more important question,¡± Xania says in an oddly serious tone, confusing the queen.


    ¡°What is it?¡± The queen asks, tilting her head confused.


    ¡°Do you have a spell to grow hair?¡± Xania asks, making the elf queen tilt her head further.


    ¡°indeed¡­. But why do you ask?¡± The elf queen asks with her head nearly tilted 90 degrees.


    ¡°This.¡± Xania lifts her hat up, turning around to show the clean cut of her hair.


    ¡°Oh.¡± The queen says simply.


    ¡°Well¡­ I believe the spell is in the library?¡± The queen directs Xania to the spell she is looking for, her eyes not leaving Xania''s hair.


    ¡°Got it, thanks.¡± Xania thanked the queen as she teleported to the library, leaving Anise and the queen to discuss by themselves but not before a short awkward moment of silence between the two of them.

 Chapter 50. News of gods descent.

    Xania returns later, her hair dragging on the floor as Anise and the queen look at her, not knowing how to react or what to say.


    ¡°Umm¡­ My lord? What is this?¡± Anise asks while gesturing towards Xania¡¯s hair. Specifically the part of her hair that is dragging on the floor.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to cut it, it¡¯ll look terrible since I have no clue how to cut hair,¡± Xania said, passing the hat back to Anise.


    ¡°Right, I know how to cut hair, you know?¡± Anise said as Xania stared at her, clearly not believing her.


    ¡°Fine, just wait, I¡¯ll show you once we get back,¡± Anise said while sliding a couple of documents from in front of her towards the queen who took a look at them before nodding and sliding them back. Xania watches and gets confused with a slight bit of curiosity but not enough to ask and potentially first of all, get a lecture from Anise about how she did all the work then secondly, onto political and business topics so Xania can understand what they¡¯re talking about.


    ¡°Fine.¡± Xania reluctantly agreed as she leaned against the wall, playing with her tail bored as Anise turned back to the queen, talking about topics Xania had and still has absolutely no clue about before getting up and walking to Xania, ¡°Let''s go,¡± She said, grabbing Xania¡¯s tail to stop her from swinging it around like a child anymore as she teleports them back.


    ¡°... This time¡¯s demon lord is weird.¡± The queen thinks to herself as they teleport away.


    As they reappear back in their bedroom, Anise materializes a chair and ties Xanias''s tail to him, ¡°Sit,¡± She said, pushing Xania onto it as she grabs Xania¡¯s scythe out of her bracelet.


    ¡°Fine, but no cutting wrongly!¡± Xania shouts, still hesitant to let Anise try to cut her hair.


    Anise struggles at first with the too big-sized scythe for cutting hair before slowly getting used to it, cutting Xania¡¯s hair quickly, each cut made skillfully, surprising Xania.


    ¡°Where did you learn to cut hair?¡± Xania asks, too curious to hold back, especially since there aren¡¯t any reasons not to this time.


    ¡°I was running for over 30 years, of course, my hair kept growing and I couldn¡¯t turn into Rapunzel, could I? Anise asks, finally managing to cut Xania¡¯s hair to match her height, similar to her old hairstyle but slightly since she is slightly shorter too.


    Xania suddenly looks up at Anise, surprising her, ¡°Hey, don¡¯t do that or I may cut something wrong.¡± Anise said while pushing Xania¡¯s head back to face ahead.


    ¡°Fine, but aren¡¯t you almost done? Xania asks, annoying Anise as she grabs Xania¡¯s tail again.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    ¡°I¡¯m doing this to help you so stop questioning me or your tail goes bye along with your damn wings,¡± Anise said as Xania looks back up at her, using mana to numb any pain in hair tail before hitting it inside the blade of her scythe, causing her tail to be cut off as Anise stares at her, waiting for her to heal it back.


    As Xania eventually heals it back, Anise pushes her head to look back at the front, muttering softly to herself, ¡°Instead of a demon why not be a damn lizard.¡±


    A while later, Anise finishes cutting Xania¡¯s hair as she stands up, burning all the hair on her body and the floor.


    ¡°Now my lord, the elves agreed to give us any information they have on the humans and heroes and¡ª¡± Anise said, getting interrupted halfway by telepathy from somebody as Xania tilted her head curiously.


    As the telepathy to Anise ends, she sees Xania looking at her while tilting her head before sighing, ¡°My lord, if you are curious about something you can just ask instead of staying silent,¡± Anise says as Xania considers it for a moment but Anise interrupts her thought, ¡°Well for this situation you¡¯re needed anyways.¡± Anise said as she grabbed Xanias''s hand to pull her.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± Xania asks as Anise keeps pulling them before getting lazy and teleporting them both to their castle walls and gate which Xania hasn¡¯t even seen before since she just teleports in and out all the time.


    Xania looks around curiously and confused as she notices a woman standing there, her hands raised to show that she means no harm with some humanoid demons pointing spears at her.


    Upon closer inspection, Xania notices she looks oddly familiar before remembering that she was at the battlefield with the elves before the woman notices her and smiles slightly.


    ¡°Put down your spears and leave us be,¡± Anise says, her tone commanding and stern unlike what Xania is used to, surprising her slightly and glances over to Anise before turning her attention back to the woman¡¯s face.


    ¡°Who is that?¡± Xania whispers soft enough for only Anise to hear or at least that¡¯s what she thinks as the woman¡¯s smile grows slightly wider, clearly having heard and confusing Xania even further.


    ¡°Greetings demon lord, my name is Lucinder, the ruler of the holy kingdom,¡± the woman admits, Anise¡¯s expression becoming slightly more serious, ¡°What¡­?¡± Xania says to herself softly due to this unexpected situation.


    ¡°May we talk?¡± The queen of the holy kingdom asks, still maintaining that smile on her face.


    ¡°About what?¡± Anise asks in a hostile tone, which is also new to Xania since Anise, despite ¡®bullying her sometimes¡¯ in her words doesn¡¯t usually sound this hostile or rude.


    ¡°God,¡± The queen of the holy kingdom replies simply, her tone unwavering, showing no signs of lying which serves to irritate Anise further.


    As Anise prepares a spell, Xania stops her just in time before firing her shot, the queen¡¯s expression unchanging, showing no signs of caution, hostility, or even fear which piques Xania¡¯s interest.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Xania asks instead of Anise this time who has already prepared another spell but hasn¡¯t fired it yet.


    ¡°God has told me to deliver a message.¡± The religious ruler replies, slightly annoying Xania.


    ¡°So an imaginary being has told you to come to risk your life?¡± Xania asks, skeptical of her while crossing her arms.


    ¡°Oh but god is real, isn¡¯t there a god helping you too? Hence your divinity despite not being part of the holy kingdom.¡± The religious ruler says, somewhat surprising Xania at her knowledge of her divinity.


    ¡°Indeed but my god is real and I don¡¯t mindlessly believe in them.  Besides, have you ever seen your god or have any evidence of their existence?¡± Xania asks, strongly believing that the queen in front of her will have nothing to refute.


    The religious leader in front of her smiles slightly as Xania continues staring at her.


    ¡°The god of creation has descended.¡±

 Funfacts

    Ok, I already have chpt 51 written and all but since it''s chapter 50, here''s a fact about some characters cus I have absolutely no opportunity to add this in as part of the fiction.


    Xania:


    still has some nightmares about the abyss but her actions are limited to sleep talking.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    Was originally the height of a slightly below average adult, is now the height of a tall teenager.


    Anise:


    Is physically much stronger than a normal untrained adult human but still prefers using magic to attack even if the problem can be solved physically.


    Dragrove:


    Spends most of his time training his mana and sleeping.


    Hepast:


    Spends his free time attempting to make alloys out of metals provided by Xania, usually taking weeks due to hot high their melting point is along with Xania usually being lazy/busy


    And I''m not scamming you guys outta a chapter, I''ll pay it back tmr.

 Chapter 51. Creation of a memory cube.

    ¡°What?¡± Xania and Anise both ask at the same time as the queen doesn''t respond.


    Anise suddenly tries to attack the queen, intending to incapacitate her as she blocks it with ease, teleporting away with some weird form of holy magic combined with divinity preventing Xania from stopping her.


    ¡°What the hell,¡± Xania thinks to herself before teleporting herself and Anise back to their room where she lies down on the bed.


    ¡°My lord, if what that woman said is true, it could be related to the creation of so many new heroes,¡± Anise said as Xania ignored her.


    ¡°I''ll go investigate this in any old scrolls and the elves library and any other sources I can find, you just¡­ stay here and be useless, ¡°Anise said as she teleported out.


    ¡°Guess I should do something too huh?¡± Xania thinks to herself, slowly getting up as she pulls her scythe out, looking at the cracks as she attempts to fix it but failing.


    ¡°Dammit¡­ I''ll need Hepast to help me again,¡± Xania keeps her scythe back as she makes a mental note to do so, feeling way too lazy to do it currently.


    Xania sits back down, finding nothing to do before remembering how using her divinity nearly gave her unhealable scars and finds her divinity currently filled to the brim with the capacity not sufficient despite higher and deciding to increase her divinity capacity.


    ¡°Ok¡­ how do I do this? This is Anise''s specialty, not mine.¡± Xania muttered to herself as she got up and started to walk about the room, partially remembering the magic circle Anise created before to absorb divinity as she herself tries it, succeeding partially but the quality being so bad that it uses more divinity to create than pulls in.


    ¡°Well, that''s a problem,¡± Xania keeps trying as the quality slowly increases, the ability to absorb slowly increasing more than the amount being used but not being as high as Anise''s one as Xania contemplates whether or not to just use it before sighing.


    ¡°It''ll be more efficient to get Anise''s help but¡­ I don''t have a single clue if she''s in the underworld, the elves kingdom or god knows where and seriously do I hate hide and seek.¡± Xania thinks to herself, materializing a coin with a 1 on one side and a 2 on the other as she flips it into the air.


    ¡°1 is elf, 2 is underworld,¡± she said softly to herself as she caught it, slowly revealing it to be the elves which she honestly wasn''t hoping for. Well to be fair, both options are ones she doesn''t want to visit.


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Guess time to visit,¡± Xania teleports to the elf kingdom, immediately using detection magic to try to find Anise, determined to save time as she doesn''t find Anise but alerts the queen of her presence as she teleports to Xania.


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    ¡°Demon lord, what are you doing her¡ª¡± The queen tries to ask as Xania teleports away, interrupting her, teleporting to the portal back by her scythe into the underworld as she steps through, using her detection magic and to no one''s surprise, couldn''t find Anise due to the demon kingdom being pretty far away.


    ¡°Annoying,¡± Xania teleports to the demon kingdom, using detection magic as it doesn''t locate Anise.


    ¡°The underworld is still messed up from the instability before so the mana density is still pretty high, detection magic and honestly, everything consisting of Amna will be affected,¡± Xania said to herself as she teleported around the kingdom, her teleportation also being affected, using detection magic at the same time.


    Xania eventually scans the whole demon kingdom, finding nobody as she gives up while teleporting onto one of the still partially ok parts of the wall as she sits down, her legs swinging off the edges while looking over the ruins of the demon kingdom.


    ¡°This looks so similar to that scene, the one in the memory cube,¡± Xania said to herself as she suddenly detected a small change in mana from above, extremely above.


    ¡°It''s probably nothing¡­¡± Xania thinks to herself, knowing that she''s lying to herself, ¡°dammit, fine, I''ll go check it out,¡± she said out loud this time while complaining.


    Xania quickly starts flying up using her wing to above,  eventually getting bored and just teleporting to the core to let herself fall down instead of taking the time to fly up.


    As she teleports, she finds the source of the mana change even higher, most likely in the core¡ªthe thing that tried sucking her into itself before and nearly turned the underworld into the abyss 2.0.


    ¡°What the hell is Anise doing up there? Xania said while destroying the barrier and teleporting in, finding Anise there, messing about with the core.


    ¡°Anise!¡± Xania shouts, catching Anise''s attention who gets surprised at her presence.


    ¡°My lord, what are you doing here?¡± She asked, getting distracted as a weak wave of mana flies in every direction from the core.


    ¡°Anise, what are you doing here?¡± Xania asks, walking up to Anise.


    ¡°I found some old scrolls saying that the core was connected to the first demon lord and I believe that they were a lot more knowledgeable than us about this,¡± Anise answers, slightly annoyed by the distraction and stats fixing the core and messing with it again.


    ¡°They? We had more than a single demon lord back then?¡± Xania asks, chasing Anise to get slightly more annoyed, ¡°no, it''s because I have no clue about their damn gender, the picture you saw previously was just an estimate seeing as their estimated to be a male,¡± Anise said as Xania opens her mouth to ask what Abuse predicts will be a waste of time question and shushes her.


    ¡°Rude¡­¡±


    Xania sits down and watches Anise, wanting to ask about the magic circle for divinity but not wanting to disturb Anise as the divinity around them suddenly starts getting sucked into the core, ¡°Anise, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Trying something,¡± Anise answers as more and more divinity starts getting sucked in, revealing a magic circle which appears for a moment due to the extreme amount of divinity suddenly. Xania memorizes it just in case it becomes useful.


    As more divinity gets sucked in, it eventually sends a wave of divinity out from the core, sending Anise slightly away.


    ¡°You okay?¡± Xania asks as Anise nods in response, ¡°yea, I even got what I wanted.¡±


    ¡°Which is?¡± Xania asks, curious about what she could have even gotten.


    ¡°This,¡± Anise pulls out a memory cube, confusing Xania on how she got it.


    ¡°How did you¡­¡±


    ¡°I found out divinity allows you to look into the past, you just need somewhere such as the core, to contain it.¡±

 Chapter 52. Accident, sorry?

    Anise passes Xania the memory cube as Xania infuses it with divinity, causing it to crack open as a bright light starts shining out of the cracks.


    The surroundings, unlike before, don''t change as Xania and Anise watch themselves a couple minutes ago as the memory ends.


    ¡°Hmm, I suppose it''s still a work in progress,¡± Anise said as Xania nodded in agreement.


    ¡°I swear, I came here for another reason¡­¡± Xania said softly to herself.


    ¡°If you forgot then it probably wasn''t important,¡± Anise said as Xania kept thinking for a moment before shrugging, ¡°guess not,¡± Xania said, not bothering to think about it any further.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep trying, you should probably go first unless you want to stay here?¡± Anise asked, fully expecting Xania to go, which she did, teleporting back into their bedroom.


    As Xania lies on the bed, she keeps thinking about what she forgot, unable to stop thinking about it, ¡°come on¡­ what was it?¡± Xania said softly to herself before remembering.


    ¡°Oh come on! I just came back!¡± Xania teleports back to Anise, confusing her.


    ¡°Anise, give me the magic circle for absorbing divinity!¡± Xania quickly grabs Anise''s shoulders, shaking her.


    ¡°Alright alright, I got it, stop the shaking!¡± Anise pushes Xania off of her as she uses mana to make an imitation of the magic circle for divinity.


    Xania memorizes the formula, checking multiple times as she gives a thumbs up before teleporting away again.


    Xania ends up in a grass field as she uses the magic circle, absorbing in the nearby divinity as the nearby plants start wilting slowly.


    Xania walks into the center of it, absorbing as much divinity as she is about to, repeating this process nonstop as her capacity very slowly increases.


    Xania suddenly feels a small moving fluctuation behind her as she notices a phantom behind her.


    ¡°Oh, hi? I assume you were created from my still not great control and my constant divinity usage?¡± Xania said to the phantom as she waved bye to it, turning around to do her own things as it suddenly attacked her.


    ¡°What?¡± Xania said, dodging its attacks, ¡°I thought these things couldn''t attack? Why is it suddenly attacked with divinity, a small hole appearing in its body as it slowly gets patched up.


    Xania blocks the attack with 3 layers of shield, the first 2 layers getting destroyed easily as the third barely holds.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Oh yea right, divinity is a lot stronger than mana,¡± Xania starts sending attacks at it, using mana non-stop as it attacks back with beams of divinity, each beam causing a small hole to appear in its body as it slowly regenerates it, causing the surround plants to wilt immediately.


    ¡°This isn''t fair,¡± Xania thinks, copying it to some extent as she starts shooting beams of divinity, making up for the lack in control with her higher quantity of divinity, mixed with some mana to increase its strength.


    Xania keeps sending beams of divinity, some cyan, some blue and some black due to her unstable control over divinity and inability to properly mix them both together.


    Xania suddenly gets hit by an unexpected attack from the side as the phantom prepares another attack, not strong enough to hurt Xania seriously but enough to cause some damage as Xania prepares to shield it.


    As it tries to fire its attack, it dissipates due to using too much of its divinity, the very substance its body is also made of.


    ¡°What the hell was that? I''m gonna need answers from Davien since he seems to know quite a bit about divinity,¡± Xania teleports to her room as Davien appears there at the same time.


    ¡°Ah Davien, I was just about to¡ª¡± Xania said as she got interrupted.


    ¡°Miss Xania, I can guess what happened due to the sudden fluctuations of divinity,¡±


    ¡°Oh, then what happened?¡± Xania asked, watching as Davien sighs.


    ¡°You wasted too much divinity due to your terrible control so the phantom had enough divinity to gain a slight bit of intelligence,¡± Davien said as Xania tried to create a phantom with intelligence.


    Davien stops Xania just in time, grabbing her wrist.


    ¡°Are you crazy? If you purposely create one and make it too strong, it could escape due to you being too inexperienced with divinity to restrain it!¡± Davien scolds as Xania pulls her arm away annoyed.


    ¡°Fine, I got it, stop the shouting, it''s icy so annoying,¡± Xania said as Davien grabs her wrist again, somehow grabbing it tight enough to the point Xania can''t pull away.


    ¡°Don''t even think about creating phantoms even if Miss Anise asks you to do so, it''s too dangerous,¡± Daniel said as he let go of her wrist, disappearing quickly.


    ¡°What an irritating guy,¡± Xania mutters as she looks down at her wrist, still slightly surprised that Davien was physically stronger than her.


    ¡°I''ll complain this time Anise!¡± Xania shouts out despite Davien probably being nowhere near enough to hear it.


    ¡°What''s the problem anyways? They seem easy enough to deal with,¡± Xania complains softly under her breath again as she creates a small magic circle using some mana, the one made for absorbing divinity.


    Xania starts adding modifications to it before creating a version with divinity to test its effects before finding a combination she''s satisfied with.


    ¡°And this is why I love divinity and mana, they can do absolutely crazy things,¡± Xania smirks to herself, intending to use it on Davien as revenge.


    Xania teleports back to Anise, excited to show her findings to her as she finds Anise on the ground, quickly running to her as she checks for signs of breathing, breathing a sigh of relief as she finds Anise simply fainted due to overuse of divinity.


    Xania shakes Anise awake as she slowly stands up, her body partially weak from the lack of divinity.


    ¡°Anise! Don''t do that again you idiot!¡± Xania shouts as she violently shakes Anise before getting pushed off.


    ¡°My lord, calm down okay? The only reason I fainted was due to an error, apparently the barrier had a hole in it, I could have sworn I patched it up when I entered,¡± Anise said as she started to think of possible causes by herself.


    ¡°Well¡­ I may have forgotten?¡± Xania admits, looking ridiculously guilty as she does so, annoying Anise.


    ¡°Then what did you shake me for?!¡± Anise shouts, shaking Xania as she does so.


    ¡°Accident, sorry?¡± Xania said with a sheepish expression.

 Chapter 53. Sci-fi city.

    ¡°What did you want?¡± Anise asks as she wobbles slightly,  dizzy due to Xania and from the aftereffects of the depletion of her divinity.


    ¡°Look, I just wanted to show you this since you like to do research so this could help and you may also be able to help improve it,¡± Xania uses divinity on her new magic circle on herself as her hair changes to green colour, Anise¡¯s expression unchanging.


    ¡°So? I already knew you could do that,¡± Anise said while looking bored, causing Xania to look like a dejected child who was ignored by their parents for something they were proud of.


    Anise sighs as she notices Xania¡¯s change in attitude ¡°My lord, why are you acting like a child?¡± She says as Xania gets slightly annoyed before showing her an improved version of the spell she was using along with handing over a notebook.


    ¡°My lord, here, it is my research on divinity. You could probably do more due to your amount of divinity and talent at  manipulating divinity,¡± Anise said while still holding out her note as Xania tries to reject it, not wanting to copy all of Anise¡¯s hard work.


    Anise keeps trying to force her research onto Xania as she keeps resisting.


    ¡°Fine then, since you won¡¯t take my research, why not help contribute to it?¡± Anise suggests as Xania thinks for a moment.


    ¡°Sure, seems fun!¡± Xania said proudly and enthusiastically.


    ¡°Alright my lord, how about we start off with the first one? I think I figured out how to use the core to make a proper memory cube now so infuse it with mana and divinity,¡± Anise says as she backs up away from the core slightly while Xania approaches it.


    ¡°So¡­ anything I need to know or do I just infuse it in?¡± Xania asks with Anise shaking her head.


    ¡°Don''t worry my lord, it''s safe,¡± Anise said while standing over 10ft away and hiding behind some shields.


    ¡°Yea, your actions are so comforting right now,¡± Xania said sarcastically before placing her right hand on the core.


    She takes a deep breath before starting to infuse, staring slowly before slowly increasing, the core itself absorbing it in and turning cyan as it does so but also making it harder to control.


    After a while, Xania pulls away as she feels the core filled up.


    ¡°My lord, you should back up, just in case you know?¡± Anise said as she gave Xania a forced reassuring smile with the core behind her seemingly about to explode, not as reassuring.


    Xania walks up to Anise, creating a couple layers of shield too to help protect.


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    After a bit longer of the core¡¯s seemingly potential explosion, it calms down and the cyan fades from it as a small memory cube appears above.


    ¡°How does that work?¡± Xania wonders while teleporting them both in front of the cube as she turns to look at Anise, ¡°My lord, I honestly don''t completely understand it,¡± Anise said while picking the cube up.


    ¡°My lord, should we break it open?¡± Anise asked with Xania not responding at first.


    ¡°Anise, up to you, you''re the main concern contributor to it,¡± Xania said as she tries to be considerate on the off chance Anise wants it for her research.


    Anise looks at Xania, clearly curious as she passes it to her to break.


    ¡°Thanks!¡± Xania said while quickly infusing divinity into it.


    As it breaks open, another bream of white exit exits from the crack, engulfing the whole room as the scenery changes around them.


    Anise and Xania find themselves in a kingdom, the same one that keeps appearing in memory cubes but this time devoid of other people.


    ¡°Anise, this feels weird,¡± Xania said while quickly grabbing Anise''s tail so as to not get lost.


    ¡°I know my lord but it''s my first time doing this, can''t expect it to be perfect now can you?¡± Anise said as she walked down the empty streets of the kingdom, finding each building somewhat damaged, all their belongings left behind as if in a rush.


    ¡°My lord, this feels like some horror movie,¡± Anise said as she hugs Xania''s arm with Xania holding her tail still.


    ¡°I know okay?¡± Xania said as she finally arrived at the front of the castle.


    ¡°My lord, do we have to enter that?¡± Anise asked, hoping for a ¡®no¡¯ despite a ¡®yes¡±.


    ¡°How am I supposed to know? I''m just assuming since most of the other memories happened in the castle,¡± Xania says, entering the castle and finding it equally as abandoned with people''s stuff left on the grounds as if they didn''t bother to even bring them.


    Xania looks around the castle before they both feel a fluctuation of divinity from below.


    ¡°Well, that''s our only hint, so¡­¡± Xania said before attempting to blast the ground up with her attacks not working even with physical, mana and divinity infused attacks.


    ¡°Wow, tough huh? Guess we gotta find the stairs or something,¡± Xania said as Anise finally let go of her arms to look, her curiosity overwhelming her fear.


    Anise looks around as she notices a unique looking door and tries to open it but finds no handles with the door also being unable to be pushed open or broken down, ¡°my lord! Come here!¡± Anise shouts with Xania reaching immediately with teleportation.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Xania asked, wanting to know what she could have found already.


    ¡°Look,¡± Anise said, pointing to the doors made with seemingly metal-like material.


    Xania and Anise keep trying to open the door, each attempt failing before Xania notices a small button with an arrow down in ut and follows her instinct, pressing it.


    The button starts glowing red as Xania watches it for any other changes.


    ¡°My lord, what do you do?¡± Anise asked, worried that Xania created some trouble as the doors suddenly opened.


    (Arriving, base floor, please beware of the gap inbetween)¡± The room behind the door sounds out, confusing Anise and Xania due to the lack of people as they enter.


    ¡°How weird,¡± Anise said, turning over to Xania who looks more curious by the insides as the door suddenly closes, surprising Anise and Xania and making them panic.


    ¡°My lord, I think this is a trap!¡± Anise sounds, prepared to try blasting the door open as the room suddenly starts moving downwards, divinity emanating from the walls as the room moves.


    Xania stops Anise due to being curious and knowing that they are completely unable to damage the material the door is made of.


    A while later, the doors open as the room stops moving, revealing a city you''ll only find in sci-fi genres under the kingdom with buildings as high as mountains, the streets lit with devices powered in divinity with the bustling of people everywhere, not acknowledging their presence with some even walking through them.

 Chapter 54. Movie.

    Xania and Anise walk around as they keep walking through obstacles and people, padding through them as they do the same to them.


    Passing through the highly advanced kingdom, 4-wheeled carriages pass by without horses to help with only divinity along with light from poles, sounds from rectangular devices as Anise attempts to take some of them for research, her hands passing through them completely.


    ¡°Anise, look there,¡± Xania said as she pointed towards the building in the center, the building being the largest with a transparent dome-shaped roof and divinity almost as high as Xania''s average output while fighting leaving the walls of the building.


    ¡°That''s probably where we have to go,¡± Xania said while Anise gives up on trying to take the divinity-powered devices and walks beside Xania who teleports them in front of the building at the entrance where strangely enough, despite having an opening, the divinity doesn''t seem to be rushing out like crazy.


    ¡°Anise, are you read¡ª¡± Xania said as she looked beside her to where Anise is supposed to be before realising she already ran in, excited to study anything and everything she can see.


    ¡°Anise, wait up! We don''t know if there''s anything dangerous here!¡± Xania shouts out to Anise before chasing her, eventually catching up and stopping her as she stops in front of a massive floating core¡ªrings circling it with the core filled to the brim with divinity, bouncing around inside at insanely high speeds, somehow not escaping the core, causing a massive constant glow inside of it.


    ¡°Woah¡­¡± Anise said, teaching her hands out to touch it as she passes through it, nearly falling much to her disappointment


    ¡°Anise, why are you so fascinated by this? This should be doable for you, no?¡± Xania asked which caused Anise to turn around instantly.


    ¡°My lord, your lack of knowledge on divinity is truly lacking despite having so much,¡± Anise said as she turns back to the core before continuing to speak, ¡°divinity typically sleeps through walls or any material you can find unless the material is strong enough or the divinity is too less. Either that or it causes the material to break, which it will, eventually, but this material is holding up perfectly, reflecting divinity nonstop like a mirror.¡± Anise said while she admires the floating core.


    ¡°Hey, Anise, do you feel that?¡± Xania said as both she and Anise feel a massive insurge of divinity from above, far above.


    They leave the building as they hear people shouting outside, preparing for a fight as the once human individuals suddenly gain demonic features, hiding them previously.


    ¡°We can hide these?¡± Xania asked as she turned to Anise, pointing to her tail, horns and tail.


    ¡°You didn''t know?¡± Anise responds back, surprised Xania never tried it before.


    ¡°No, I didn''t see anybody do it so I never knew I could? Do they just pop in like a turtle?¡± Xania asked while the divinity above kept increasing.


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    ¡°It''s by magic¡­ we''re demons, not turtles.¡± Anise said while looking up, making fingers out of mana and pinches Xania''s lips shut.


    Xania looks up as she gets rid of the mana made fingers on her lips as cracks start appearing in the ceiling above them.


    ¡°Hey Anise, what''s happening?¡± Xania asked as Anise turned to her for a moment, staring before stopping again and turning back to the ceiling.


    ¡°Heyyyy, Anise,¡± Xania keeps bothering Anise as she slowly gets annoyed.


    ¡°My lord! You''re the type of person to go to a play with another person for the first time and keep asking questions aren''t you? Just watch and shut up!¡± Anise shouts, surprising Xania with her sudden outburst.


    ¡°Alright, I got it, calm down,¡± Xania said as she looked up at the ceiling with cracks slowly appearing and getting bigger despite how strong the material was before with Xania unable to even scratch it.


    The demons finally get themselves prepared in groups of 10 each as they prepare magic with divinity with magic circles completely unknown to Anise and Xania.


    Xania keeps watching the scene unfold like watching a show as Anise panicky memorized as much as possible, even considering using mana to burn some of the circles into herself but deciding against it after an odd amount of thinking.


    As the ceiling finally breaks open, debris falls down, getting shot before landing on anybody with many different races jumping in, each much weaker than the demons but overwhelming the demons using their numbers.


    ¡°That''s cheating,¡± Xania said, clearly unhappy with how the demons are losing because of having lesser soldiers.


    ¡°I assume they''re at war my lord, cheating or anything for that matter downstairs matter in war, only winning does,¡± Anise said, somewhat surprising Xania.


    ¡°Didn''t you enjoy non-cheating fights?¡± Xania asked with Anise nodding in response.


    ¡°But it''s different, war you have something to lose for me I enjoy fighting fairly but only when nobody has anything to lose,¡± Anise said, helping Xania finally understand why Anise is willing to vest to win bets by gets annoyed when she cheats during their rare but somewhat occasional spars with mana only.


    As the fighting continues, the woman with blue hair and the one with red appear, the blue one sending down hundreds of attacks with divinity as the red one protects the buildings with divinity.


    ¡°Wow, what an absurd amount of divinity,¡± Xania said with Anise nodding in response, not really listening to her and trying to memorise the magic circles and magic used by the two figures whose faces are still blurred but not as much.


    Their surroundings suddenly change into a white room where the blue and red figures stand, their faces and bodies completely censored with only part of their hair exposed.


    ¡°This is a problem,¡± the blue-haired one said, ¡°you weren''t meant to see this yet but¡­¡± the blue-haired one continued, her head turning to the red-haired one for a moment before turning back to Anise and Xania.


    ¡°Hey, wait! You''re the two weirdos in the area with the key given by Davien!¡± Xania shouts, realising after finding their voices are the exact same.


    ¡°That does not matter, not yet, you two should mention this to no one, especially not¡­ ¡®Davien¡¯ or whatever he''s called,¡± the blue haired one said as she got rid of the magic circles Anise had copied, intending to memorise them, annoying her severely.


    ¡°You piece of¡ª¡± Anise shouts before the surroundings change back to their original position, back beside the core of the underworld as Anise tries to mimic the magic circles but can''t due to a complete lack of understanding much to her displeasure.


    ¡°Anise, cheer up?¡± Xania said, knowing Anise will be sulking for the next few days.


    ¡°My lord, do you think I can be bribed so easily like you?¡± Anise said, her voice really annoyed as Xania materialises multiple glass jars, placing divinity inside while steading it to make sure it doesn''t start bouncing off and breaking the glass and create another phantom


    ¡°Here, you''ve been asking for divinity for research right?¡± Xania passes her the hard as she gets slightly less annoyed before sighing.


    ¡°Thanks¡­ I guess¡­¡± Anise said as she teleports away, assumably to her laboratory while Xania teleports back to the bed room.

 Upload schedule

    Ok, first day only school after my short holiday.


    First, I''ve got a lot of he to catch up on


    Secondly(main thing) my schedule has been changed, severely so, so I''ll have to change my chapter upload schedule too.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Friday, Saturday, Sunday, I''ll upload the chapters.


    One each, just a small downgrade from 3.5 to 3 chpts per week.


    Give me around 3-4 months and I can increase it back to 3.5 chpts per week(hopefully)


    Give me 7-8 months and I can TEMPORARILY increase it to 5-6  week or 2 weeksish(hopefully)

 Chapter 55. Mr convenience.

    Xania lies on the bed, sighing as she thinks about all the current problems, heroes, a goddess¡¯s descent, a goddamn sci-fi city.


    ¡°Wonder what Anise is doing right now, I should probably go check,¡± Xania thought to herself as she hid her mana to the best of her ability before she teleported to Anise.


    ¡°Where is she? I know her mana was somewhere around here wasn¡¯t it?¡± Xania muttered softly to herself, pushing some plants out of her face as she found herself in a forest, ¡°What the hell? I hate forests, why is she even in one anyway?¡±


    Xania teleported into the sky, using her currently invisible wings as she kept herself afloat, sensing Anise¡¯s mana a bit further into the distance.


    ¡°Is she teleporting? Xania thought as she continued to follow Anise, making sure to minimize her mana leakage. She eventually found Anise entering a small little hut, well hidden by trees.


    ¡°... I have so many questions,¡± Xania teleported in front of the door and made herself invisible as she did so before gently pushing it, causing the door to make a soft creaking noise as Xania quickly stopped, not wanting to alert Anise.


    ¡°She¡¯s got so much mana and yet she can¡¯t even properly materialize a door,¡± Xania said to herself as she continued to complain before she entered to find nothing but a couple of windows and stairs leading downwards in a spiral shape.


    ¡°Seriously, what is the point of this?¡± Xania said as she continued to go down, carefully traversing the trap-infested stairs. Xania continued to use her mana detection as another trap suddenly activated in front of her as arrows started to fly out of the wall.


    ¡°Ok, guess there are traps that aren¡¯t set up by mana too,¡± Xania said as she made sure to reset the trap to rid the evidence of her presence as much as possible.


    As Xania continued down the stairs, more traps were activated, all of which Xania reset begrudgingly due to feeling particularly lazy from the stairs. After a while longer, Xania started to hear some unique noises which piqued her curiosity but choosing not to teleport to the source to prevent Anise from detecting her mana, a possibility with a dangerously high chance due to the walls being mana-proof which reflects mana waves off of it.


    Xania eventually finds herself at the bottom of the stairs as she sees arms, ones made of metal, somewhat similar to when she got sent to the sci-fi city, a place Anise would consider paradise and Xania would consider hell due to seeing all the demons working with magic circles she has no clue about.


    ¡°She copied these weird arms from the weird kingdom we were at?¡± Xani said quietly on accident while daydreaming, watching each of them work.


    ¡°Hey, what are they actually for?¡± Xania wondered as she found the platform moving objects. A conveyor belt, but thanks to her naming skills, ¡®Convenience transporter¡¯ and further changed due to her laziness to ¡®Mr convenient.¡¯


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    ¡°Alright, so what is my dear friend, Mr convenient up to?¡± Xania said out loud, not being bothered to hide her presence due to not finding Anise there at all.


    ¡°Now, what do we have here?¡± Xania picks up a squishy object and looks at it for a moment, ¡°is this the shape of a person?¡± Xania thought to herself, placing the doll back down as she suddenly noticed the unfinished objects moving into a hole in a wall as she entered behind through the door which was right beside.


    ¡°Mr convenient to pretty close huh?¡± Xania thought to herself as she looked around, finding facial features being added.


    ¡°Oh! I got it, its a doll!¡± Xania shouted out, happy that she finally found her answer as she prepared to leave but looked back again, finding another room.


    ¡°Well¡­ I shouldn¡¯t, it¡¯s Anise¡¯s things.¡± Xania stood still, gripping her tail tightly as she wondered which was more important, Anise¡¯s privacy or her curiosity. After a short, very short dilemma, her curiosity won as she entered, finding the dolls being painted mostly black, a tail, horns, and wings being added on too, looking oddly familiar.


    ¡°What the hell? No way,¡± Xania said to herself before she quickly entered the next room, finding each doll getting a scythe that looked identical to hers getting sewn into their arms.


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°I believe the humans have laws on not stealing other people¡¯s¡­ what''s the word? Copyrighted things or whatever, I now see why that exists,¡± Xania said as she continued to the next and final room, finding a mountain of such dolls along with some dolls without scythes, some in different clothes, some different heights along with many others of different varieties.


    ¡°My lord,¡± a voice called out from behind with the owner of the voice being obvious.


    ¡°Anise¡­ What is this?¡± Xania asked, turning back to Anise as she did so.


    ¡°I can explain, I swear,¡± Anise said quickly, trying to get Xania to stop as she tried to burn the dolls.


    ¡°You better,¡± Xania answered, a floating magical flame floating above her hand, growing hotter with each passing moment.


    ¡°Look, these are weapons,¡± Anise said, quickly grabbing one and tearing it open, revealing a non-working magic circle with mana stored in it, ready to blow if any more mana is infused in, ¡°I just thought y¡¯know? Kill 2 birds with 1 stone kinda thing?¡± Anise said, shrugging and hoping Xania didn¡¯t blow her facility to pieces.


    Xania walked up to Anise, placing her hands on her shoulder, gently pushing her back as Anise moved back compliantly until they reached the wall, ¡°My lord, why are you still pushing? We¡¯ve already reached the wall,¡± Anise asked, concerned for her facility and well-being.


    ¡°No one and you better listen carefully, NO ONE hears or knows of this,¡± Xania said, making sure to specify the ¡®no one¡¯.


    ¡°Promise!¡± Anise agreed, placing her hand on her chest with the other at her back with crossed fingers.


    ¡°You better keep that promise, how do you even expect these to be used as weapons anyway?¡± Xania asked, getting a physical response from Anise who had teleported slightly away, infused mana into the one she had torn open before and threw it at her as she shielded herself from the small, quick, and very capable of killing a human strength explosion.


    ¡°My lord, we could train the demons with these while teaching them how to use them?¡± Anise suggested, holding another up, squeezing it while pushing it into Xania¡¯s face.


    ¡°Fine, but change their shapes,¡± Xania agreed reluctantly, knowing that they¡¯ll help the demons defend themselves if she is unavailable due to whatever circumstances.


    ¡°Sure!¡± Anise said enthusiastically, materializing a small cover of cotton over them, hiding their original appearances.


    ¡°Fine, I suppose this suffices. I¡¯m watching over the training though, no way I¡¯ll just let you potentially give out some free dolls to every living being inside this still nameless kingdom of ours,¡± Xania said, ignoring the fact the current name of the kingdom has already been widely accepted by who people as ¡®Xania.¡¯

 Chapter 56. Joke assassination.

    The next day, Xania goes through her same daily routine, wake up, brush her teeth, cleanse herself with her flames, and materialize a new set of clothes to replace her then burnt ones. But today is special, today is ¡®work day¡¯ one of the few days Xania doesn¡¯t get to sleep half the day, annoys Anise for another quarter, and eats for the last quarter.


    ¡°Dammit, why did I suggest this?¡± She muttered to herself, in the midst of continuously burning her clothes and materializing new ones to try to get one as perfect as possible.


    ¡°Finally done,¡± She said as she looked at herself in her dress in the mirror, ¡°now I have to go and make sure Anise doesn¡¯t do anything stupid.¡±


    Xania teleported to the training grounds, finding Anise there with a couple of grey-coloured balls of wool, recognizing them as the explosives, ¡°what soft bombs.¡± She muttered softly, looking around to find Graunter, the one usually training the soldiers.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Graunter?¡± Xania asked, turning to Anise who responded with a knowing shrug.


    ¡°...¡± Xania stared for a moment before deciding not to ask further.


    ¡°Alright everybody, your usual¡­ training coach isn¡¯t here currently so I¡¯ll take over today!¡± Anise shouted, turning back to the soldiers as she did so, calling Graunter a coach due to not knowing what to call him nor really caring about trying to find out.


    The soldiers all stood still without a response, indicating they didn¡¯t have a problem with it as one soldier at the front spoke up, ¡°Uhm¡­ Miss Anise? Can I call you that?¡± The soldier asked with Anise nodding in response. ¡°Uh, where is our ¡®coach¡¯?¡± The soldier asked, following Anise in using the term ¡®coach¡¯ for Graunter due to not knowing how to refer to him.


    ¡°I talked to him, and he allowed this,¡± Anise responded as the soldier raised her arm again, ¡°No¡­ I mean¡­ he told us before not to listen to you if he became absent without notice,¡± the soldier said which caused Anise to think for a short while.


    ¡°He did?¡± Anise asked, forcing a smile to hide any annoyance earned from that piece of information.


    ¡°Y-yes?¡± The soldier answered, unsure of why Anise had asked.


    ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll go and ¡®talk¡¯ to him later,¡± Anise said, making sure to emphasize the ¡®talk¡¯.


    ¡°Anywaayyyssss¡­¡± Anise said, dragging the word out, ¡°We¡¯re gonna practice 2 things today. First is dodging, second is dodging,¡± Anise finished her sentence as Xania looked over confused.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t it just going to be bombing?¡± Xania asked, earning a slightly evil yet mischevious grin from Anise as Anise turned to look at her.


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    ¡°Of course my lord. But you didn¡¯t think it was only them who were going to be doing the bombing were you?¡± Anise said, making Xania mentally wish good luck to the soldiers.


    ¡°Everybody, lets starts off with the bombing so you all know what to expect later,¡± Anise said, turning to everybody as she passed them each a box of a dozen bombs.


    Anise made them all stand separately, facing a single direction as they all grab one of the very soft bombs from the box.


    ¡°Ready,¡± Anise said, causing them to all be somewhat nervous


    ¡°Se¡ª¡± Anise tried to say before Xania interrupted.


    ¡°Hey Anise, some of them can¡¯t even use mana, so how do they infuse it?¡± Xania asked, causing Anise to turn to her annoyed.


    ¡°You just ruined the tension and suspense from my count down,¡± Anise said, crossing her arms, ¡°I already took that into account so it¡¯ll blow up on 2 conditions. First is if it travelled a certain distance, obviously won¡¯t be too much but whatever, second is if it got hit by something strong enough.¡±


    ¡°So, if I grabbed it gently, it¡¯d blow up?¡± Xania asked, causing Anise to get slightly more annoyed.


    ¡°My lord, do you really need these bombs? Come on, your fireball is already much stronger,¡± Anise said, tempted to throw one at her face.


    ¡°No, thats not the problem here¡­¡± Xania said, not knowing how to phrase her sentence.


    ¡°Then what is the problem? I already took everything into account okay? There¡¯s not going to be an¡ª¡± Anise said, getting suddenly interrupted by an explosion behind her, causing her to turn around and find a demon who looks like a minotaur and is physically stronger than others getting blown away due to gripping the bomb too tightly.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Anise said, realising the problem.


    ¡°Everybody! Do not grip the bomb too hard lest you end up like him!¡± Anise shouted out, using mana to enhance her voice to make herself loud enough for everybody to hear.


    Xania healed the demon who got blown up as he slowly goes back to his position, grapping another bomb, making sure to be gentler this time, ¡°Ouch,¡± he muttered softly to himself.


    ¡°Okay, everybody, lets try this again,¡± Anise said, pausing for a short while as she takes a deep breath, preparing to shout, ¡°Set, Go!¡± Anise shouted, starting back from the ¡®set¡¯ and not caring about drawing out the count down.


    The demons quickly all threw the bombs as they all land at different distances, each blowing up an area around 5 times wider than a grenades. The soldiers all despite being of different races, are all thankfully stronger than an average human and were luckily able to throw the grenades around 60 meters at least, keeping them safe.


    ¡°Nice,¡± Anise said, watching the dust clouds from the explosion all settle down.


    ¡°Everybody, aim at where the arrow is!¡± Anise shouted, materializing a massive red ¡®X¡¯ on the grond.


    ¡°Thats an ¡®X,¡¯ not an arrow,¡± Xania said, annoying Anise.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, they got the point,¡± Anise retorted.


    ¡°Yea but, thats still an¡ª¡± Xania said, getting interrupted by Anise.


    ¡°Fine, fine, it¡¯s a damn ¡®X!¡¯ ¡± Anise shouted angrily.


    ¡°Ready, Set¡­¡± Anise said, causing them all to prepare to throw the bombs again, ¡°Go!¡± Anise shouted teleporting Xania into the middle of the ¡®X¡¯ as she did so.


    As Xania shields herself, one got through, ruining her hair, getting dust in her eyes and blow her clothes up, which she materialized new clothes over instantly before the dust settled, ¡°...¡±


    As the dust settled, Xania stands there, crossing her arms, her hair still ruined, her body still covered in dust as the soldiers and Anise all stare at her, the soldiers not knowing how to react at the Demon lord¡¯s ¡®closest aid¡¯ as Anise said last time as a joke, just blew up her own lord. Anise, the cause of this, stands there, smirking.

 Chapter 57. Divinity.

    ¡°Everybody, you¡¯ll practice carrying an injured person as you try to run and dodge, Xania said, teleporting beside Anise as she tried to fix her hair and used wind magic to blow some of the dirt off herself.


    ¡°What injured person?¡± Anise asked, finding joy in seeing Xania¡¯s appearance still messed u.


    ¡°You,¡± Xania said, materializing a thin sheet of mana-proof material and teleporting Anise onto it before holding her down with mana-proof materials.


    ¡°Hey! Let me go!¡± Anise shouted, trying to struggle out.


    ¡°Everybody, come lift this up as we start the test, you can use her as a meat shield if you want, she won¡¯t die,¡± Xania said, Anise still in the background protesting as the soldiers picked her up, preferring to listen to Xania than Anise.


    ¡°Everybody, let¡¯s go!¡± Xania shouted as they started running in one big group, even the ones not carrying Anise whose protests were now muffled by a mask materialized by Xania.


    The soldiers started running as Xania threw the bombs, trying to aim for Anise she missed each one barely with the ones getting too close being hit away by Anise¡¯s tail.


    ¡°Mmph! Mmph!!!¡± Anise struggles against the mask as it finally comes off, ¡°Puah!¡±


    ¡°That stupid mask is finally off! Get me off of this thing!¡± Anise started struggling against the mana-proof material, causing the soldier¡¯s job to be harder.


    ¡°Miss Anise, please stop,¡± One of the soldiers who Anise recognizes as the demon who spoke up before due to her voice said, her voice exhausted from the running.


    ¡°Oh, it''s you? What¡¯s your name?¡± Anise asked, making small talk in the middle of the still-going bombing.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± The soldier stuttered, not knowing how to react with Anise making small talk while at the risk of being bombed, ¡°Felia,¡± She answered, not knowing what other options she had in her situation.


    ¡°Alright, Felia¡­ Get me off!¡± Anise shouted, struggling even harder as the material suddenly flipped off, Anise, still stuck on it and still struggling as the material somehow kept flipping, slowly escaping as over a dozen bombs hit her suddenly, her clothes mostly okay due to Anise materializing a small shield in the areas without the mana-proof material.


    ¡°Okay, everybody passed!¡± Xania said, teleporting everybody back to their original position, leaving Anise on the ground, still stuck to the metal as she materialized a sheet of material over Anise¡¯s mouth to silence her.


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    ¡°Finally, some peace,¡± Xania said, the soldiers all glancing back and forth between Xania and Anise, the sound of a metallic object hitting the ground in the background as Anise kept struggling, causing the material to keep flipping.


    ¡°Everybody, listen up. There is a chance that we may soon be attacked by the humans so we have to prepare for anything and everything,¡± Xania said, thinking about the heroes and the goddess.¡±


    ¡°Pain in the¡­¡± Xania thought to herself for a moment before turning her attention back to the soldiers.


    ¡°So, we will be practicing even harder since this is the case, are there any protests?¡± Xania asked, finding a couple of people raising their hands.


    ¡°Alright, guess there''s none,¡± Xania said, hearing a couple of annoyed complaints.


    For the next few days, Xania and Anise train the soldiers in drills, such as what to do, how to evacuate, and where to prepare to fight. Sparring, physical training, and the bombs.


    ¡°Alright everybody, training¡¯s over, let¡ª¡± Xania said, getting interrupted halfway by a massive boulder that hit her.


    ¡°Where the hell did that come from?¡± Xania said, confused at the appearance of a sudden boulder.


    ¡°We¡¯re being attacked,¡± Anise said, standing beside Xania as she uses detection magic.¡¯


    ¡°Which kingdom?¡± Xania asked, ¡°Kislat,¡± Anise answered, putting up a shield for the wall as she teleported everybody to the top of the walls, revealing an army consisting of over a hundred heroes and 50,000 soldiers.


    ¡°They deserve the name of the military kingdom indeed,¡± Xania said, teleporting the bombs to the soldiers who were now stationed on the walls.


    ¡°Everybody, attack!¡± Anise commanded as the enemy soldiers started they all threw the bombs at the approaching soldiers.


    Xania who was also on the wall with them is sitting on a beach chair with an umbrella, watching the bombing taking place, ¡°Nice.¡±


    ¡°My lord, do you really think the bombs will suffice?¡± Anise asked, standing beside Xania.


    ¡°Yep,¡± Xania said despite knowing it wouldn¡¯t be.


    ¡°It was rhetorical, get off the chair and come help,¡± Anise said as she kicked the chair, causing it to spoil with Xania still on it, forcing her off.


    ¡°Fine¡­¡± Xania reluctantly complied, raising her right arm into the air as a small fireball appeared, slowly turning black before growing in size slowly until it reached the size of a small house as Xania sent it down.


    ¡°Should suffice for cutting down their numbers,¡± Xania said, watching as it flew into the center of them before blowing up, creating a massive explosion and a wave of dark mana, causing the area to become poisonous.


    ¡°Maybe a bit too much?¡± Xania said, turning to look at Anise who seemed oddly focused on where it blew up. Xania turned to look at it, finding the enemies all okay, a massive shield covering them all, made not of mana but a familiar energy.


    ¡°Divinity?¡± Xania said, surprised that the humans had enough divinity, let alone knew how to use it to this extent.


    ¡°My lord, I really think you should actually take this seriously now, that divinity is clearly much different from yours, it seems to be much closer to holy energy so I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if it could kill you,¡± Anise said, causing Xania to reluctantly agree.


    ¡°It¡¯s probably related to the goddess and the heroes so let¡¯s simply wipe them up, I¡¯ll change the map again if I have to,¡± Xania said, making Anise think about Xania¡¯s use of the word ¡®again.¡¯


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Anise said, teleporting down with Xania as a couple of attacks imbued with divinity were sent at them, all of which were blocked with ease by Xani and Anise.


    ¡°My lord, please keep anybody important alive, we do need information after all,¡± Anise said, causing Xania to sigh.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try my best,¡± Xania said, searching for anybody of importance.

 Chapter 58. Hero.

    Xania¡¯s eyes scan the soldiers as they prepare to barrage the walls with boulders and arrows, this time added with a tinge of divinity as Xania noticed a person dressed in mostly red-coloured garments, adorned with gold decorations around the sleeves, collars, and buttons whilst commanding the soldiers to attack, identifying him as an important person.


    ¡°There,¡± Xania said, pointing to the conspicuously dressed individual, receiving a nod as confirmation for her to attack.


    Xania immediately started barraging the incoming soldiers and boulders while shielding the arrows, ¡°Would be a shame if the walls had arrows sticking out of them, it''s such a pain to remove them all,¡± Xania said, sending attacks at the archers as they tried to shield themselves with a pathetic amount of divinity, barely managing to hold out so as Xania quickly started to send more attacks, each attack stronger than the last, quickly breaking through their shields and incapacitating some of them while only injuring the rest.


    ¡°Dammit, they have some protection on their bodies too,¡± Xania said, shooting down another wave of boulders and blocking another wave of arrows, this wave of arrows being much smaller and weaker.


    ¡°Honestly, divinity would allow me to so easily pierce through them but Anise would probably scold me for being impatient and not being cautious, which while I understand, is honestly going to take more time compared to being patient,¡± Xania said, sending random attacks at the soldiers and siege equipment.


    ¡°Their shield is gonna break eventually,¡± Xania said, turning back to Anise who was glaring at her due to not properly fighting.


    ¡°Fine!¡± Xania shouted, deciding to target the 100 or so heroes to affect their usage of divinity before targeting their mages after failing to attack their heroes who are all grouped together, all combining their divinity to make a stronger shield, one unable to be too easily broken by Xania.


    Xania quickly teleported back to Anise, wanting her advice so she wouldn¡¯t get scolded for doing something stupid later. ¡°Anise, advice, please?¡±


    ¡°Just use divinity,¡± Ansie said, surprising and confusing Xania slightly since Anise always insisted on not wasting divinity.


    Seeing Xania¡¯s confused and surprised face, Anise let out a small sigh, ¡°My lord, right now they can use divinity, defend against us, and hurt us, we have no clue what else they may be able to do so let''s just be cautious,¡± Anise said, sighing as she does so not having expected this at all.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Xania replied, preparing more attacks before infusing them with divinity and sending them, easily shredding their shields and killing the archers.


    ¡°My lord, isn''t it supposed to turn cyan? Why didn''t you make it turn cyan, it''s stronger the more cyan it is,¡± Anise said, blaming Xania''s lack of patience.


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    ¡°Hey, turning it cyan takes a lot of concentration to properly mix it alright? We''re currently fighting. Do you think we have the time for that?¡± Xania said, annoyed with Anise before sending more attacks infused with divinity they took down the siege weapons but failed to take down the mages as the heroes stopped the attack with a shield.


    ¡°Those hundred+ morons are so troublesome to deal with,¡± Xania muttered, sending more attacks as the shield slowly began to crack.


    ¡°Finally some reaction!¡± Xania shouted, irritated at her time being wasted.


    An attack filled with divinity and holy magic suddenly flew at Xania as Anise blocked it.


    ¡°My lord, you ought to be careful,¡± Anise said with concern, not bothering to scold Xania as she blocked more attacks.


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡± Xania said, apologetic for making Anise concerned for her.


    ¡°It''s their fault okay?¡± Xania said, pointing at the group of heroes who were still hiding under their cracked shield and unable to proceed due to needing to recover.


    ¡°Just be careful,¡± Anise said, no longer concerned but simply annoyed.


    ¡°Got it!¡± Xania said, quickly sending more attacks at them, wanting to kill them before Anise got annoyed enough to scold her.


    Xania kept sending attacks as the shield eventually broke, allowing Xania to finally hurt the heroes. Xania watched gleefully and oddly joyfully, making Anise wonder if Xania was secretly sadistic.


    ¡°My lord, stop wasting your divinity,¡± Anise said, trying to pull Xania away.


    ¡°Why? You¡¯re the one who allowed me to do this,¡± Xania, annoyed due to wanting to vent her annoyance out on the causes of it¡ªthe now half-dead heroes.


    ¡°My lord, watch out, there''s another person coming, I believe it¡¯s one of the older heroes who killed the last demon lord, They¡¯re also definitely much stronger than the last demon lord so I suspect they somehow gained more divinity too,¡± Anise said, pointing towards a figure in the distance clad in full armor with a sword brimming with divinity along with a mixture of holy magic.


    ¡°What the hell? I don¡¯t care how strong he thinks he is, is he just coming to commit suicide?¡± Xania said, annoyed as she ignored the hero, finishing off the weaker heroes as the hero in full armor reached her.


    Standing in the middle of the corpses of the other much weaker heroes, the hero in full armor sighs before muttering to themself barely loud enough for Xania and Anise to recognize their voice, recognizing it to be feminine, a massive contrast to her appearance. ¡°I already knew they couldn¡¯t do anything. How pathetic.¡±


    ¡°I suppose those are her last words,¡± Xania muttered to Anise, not bothering to taunt the hero as she sent an attack strong enough to be comparable to a mini earthquake at her.


    As the attack reached the hero, Xania let down her guard, ¡°Well, guess it¡¯s over now,¡± She said to Anise before she turned away but immediately turned back to the hero as she felt a massive wave of mana and a decent bit of divinity traveling towards her at great speed, finding a massive wave of mana with divinity about to hit her and Anise as she raised her hand at it and conjured a shield made with mana only due to wanting to converse her divinity.


    ¡°My lord! Do you need assistance?!¡± Anise shouted, watching as the shield slowly cracked.


    ¡°Use divinity!¡± Anise shouted again, causing Xania to do so immediately as the attack ended, clearing up their view as Xania removed the shield and watched as the hero sent another, Xania sending one of her own with her as she equipped her scythe from her bracelet.


    ¡°No way you think I¡¯m a goddamn ragdoll,¡± Xania muttered softly, irritated as some bloodlust leaked out, the two attacks colliding and canceling each other out with an explosion.


    Xania and Anise, both still hovering in the air, watching as the hero prepared another attack, enticing them to do the same.


    ¡°You¡¯re dead,¡± Xania said as she and Anise sent the attack as the hero did the same.

 Chapter 59. Heavy cube.

    Both attacks clash, cancelling each other out as they keep sending more attacks, both sides not willing to use their full strength in case of a drawn-out battle.


    ¡°I hate this so much,¡± Xania muttered, sending attacks at the hero along with Anise who is sending attacks and defending any weak attacks incoming from the sides.


    ¡°My lord, can''t you at least protect your side? Concentrating on defence completely is tiring and honestly stressful,¡± Anise said. Xania thought for a moment before staring at her, eye to eye.


    ¡°No,¡± Xania said, turning back to the hero.


    ¡°...¡± Anise watched as another attack came, materializing a shield to weaken it before letting it hit Xania.


    ¡°Oops, sorry,¡± Anise said, turning back to the hero and attacking.


    ¡°Petty,¡± Xania said, deciding how to mess around and focus on the hero first.


    ¡°This is going to take a while isn''t it?¡± Xania muttered.


    ¡°Probably, doesn''t seem like her capacity is particularly small,¡± Anise said, expecting it to take a while, but the attacks suddenly stopped, to both of their surprise.


    ¡°Seriously? Well, guess we were wrong,¡± Xania said, preparing to finish her off before Anise stopped her.


    ¡°Wait my lord,¡± Anise said, hearing the hero softly muttering some words as she used mana to enhance her hearing, Xania following her.


    ¡°Dear divinity of war, bless me,¡± The hero muttered, her divinity suddenly getting a short burst of energy as Xania instinctively blocked it with divinity and mana, using too much divinity at once.


    ¡°Divinity of war?¡± Xania asked, turning to Anise.


    ¡°What? You didn''t expect everybody and every nation to believe in the god of creation, did you? Every nation has a god, it''s just that Lucival is extremely dependent on theirs compared to the others,¡± Anise said, sending multiple attacks imbued with extreme amounts of mana.


    ¡°Irritating,¡± Xania said, preparing 5 spears of extremely concentrated mana, followed by adding divinity to them as the hero muttered another sentence, her sword gaining another burst of divinity.


    ¡°Die,¡± Xania muttered, sending her spears. The hero did the same, both attacks clashing as Xania quickly prepared another 5 spears, the woman muttering another phrase, a massive sword appearing overhead this time, aimed at Xania.


    Both sides kept attacking, Xania sending the same attacks nonstop as the hero kept trying new attacks. Anise watched from behind Xania, unable to help as the hero blocked all her attacks with a shield conjured from a one-word phrase, ¡®faith.¡¯


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    As Xania kept attacking, she watched as the hero kept up with her with phrases that were seemingly worthless by themselves but, at the same time, somehow empowered her.


    ¡°How.. amazing,¡± Xania said out loud instinctively, Anise teleporting beside her.


    ¡°My lord, you aren''t going to have a religious conversion are you?¡± Anise asked, somewhat joking but also curious.


    ¡°Of course not. I''ll never worship a being I¡¯ve never seen,¡± Xania said as she sent another couple of dark spears at the hero.


    ¡°My lord, are you going to run out of divinity any time soon?¡± Anise asked, Xania shook her head in response.


    ¡°No, due to your temporary death, I''ve managed to gain a ridiculous capacity for divinity, the main problem is that it took me around a whole month to fill it up even with the magic circles which basically killed a tenth of a forest worth of plants,¡± Xania said as Anise stares at her.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to be the reason people''s views of demons get worse, somehow,¡± Anise muttered, teleporting away as the two kept attacking.


    ¡°That''s it, I can''t, nor am I willing to keep this up forever,¡± Xania said, preparing 20 dark spears, each thrice their original size.


    ¡°Drop dead. This is worth 10 percent of a month of deforestation,¡± Xania sent the attacks, clashing against the hero''s attacks, easily destroying it with one spear being used as the hero attempted to mutter more phrases, getting rid of another spear before getting hit, incurring massive damage.


    ¡°Die, just die already,¡± Xania said, preparing a massive singular black spear as she sent it. The hero quickly muttered another phase, barely teleporting away in time before the spear reached her.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Xania shouted angrily, stomping her foot as the ground cracked beneath her before teleporting back to Anise.


    ¡°Anise, I believe I''ll need you to help me research some more weapons. If multiple of these heroes appear it may be a problem. I''ll find some people to do your jobs while you''re busy,¡± Xania said, deciding to take this matter seriously instead of fooling around.


    ¡°Very well my lord, I''ll try my best¡­ though, I may need some divinity?¡± Anise said, trying to get some divinity for researching anything of use as Xania materialized a giant transparent square container, placing half her remaining divinity in.


    ¡°Be careful, if this explodes I¡¯m not sure I can stop it in time,¡± Xania said, adding an extra reinforced layer of transparent material to the container before teleporting away to find people to do Anise¡¯s job, planning to personally scout around the walls in regular time intervals to prevent any enemies from getting too close.


    ¡°Wow, seeing my lord seriously is such a rare experience,¡± Anise said, placing her hand on the container as she teleported to her laboratory, intending to make the most of the divinity provided.


    Anise teleported the container to a temporary storage room hidden in her laboratory as she walked out, materializing a wall to hide the presence of the storage room before walking around, taking some stairs down, down and further down before reaching a massive dining room with a long table in the center.


    ¡°Here it is,¡± Anise muttered, activating a couple of hidden magic circles in a specific order as the wall opposite the stairs opened up, inviting Anise to walk through into a room with a floating core in the center, similar to the one belonging to the underworld, the door closing behind her.


    ¡°Ahh, my lord will be satisfied with something of this extent, but only if I can recreate this beauty,¡± Anise said. ¡°The vision me and my lord saw that day, that core is the very one in the underworld, it has the power to interfere with time, truly a miracle,¡± Anise said, placing her hand on the core as she infused some of her own divinity into it, the divinity gathering into the center of the core as Anise materialized a small white cube, dropping it as she activated the core, watching as the cube stopped mid-air along with everything else except Anise.


    ¡°Only problem is the divinity usage,¡± Abuse muttered, thinking to herself as the divinity gets used up, the cube dropping onto Anise''s foot.


    ¡°Ouch! Why did I make it so heavy?¡± Anise complained, picking the cube up.

 Chapter 60. Ugly dome.

    Xania, currently surveying the area outside of the wall and setting up barriers that''ll inform her when they''re broken all around the walls.


    ¡°Damn it¡­ I''ve been at this for 3 days! I hate that hero so much!¡± Xania mentally cursed as she finally managed to finish a layer of shields all over, creating a very ugly dome of hundreds of shields, each reflecting light at a certain angle, chasing some rainbows to form.


    ¡°God, that looks so hideous yet so amazing,¡± Xania said looking up before somebody suddenly hit her head from behind.


    ¡°Ouch?¡± Xania said, turning around to find Anise holding a bat, a bag which she quickly hid behind her back.


    ¡°... Why? I didn''t do anything bad did I?¡± Xania said, rubbing the back of her head jokingly.


    ¡°My lord, I''ve created¡­ something. The problem is that I can''t install it¡­¡± Anise said, thinking how her laboratory is made with mana-proof walls and how volatile the core is due to the divinity.


    ¡°So, how am I to help?¡± Xania asked, wanting to use the weapon to get rid of the pests who were making her life difficult.


    ¡°You got strength and a back, carry it on your back to the castle and place it at the top,¡± Anise said, crossing her arms.


    Xania immediately complied, willing to do anything else except for sightseeing and building a hideous wall.


    ¡°Let''s go!¡± Xania said, holding Anise''s hand, surprising her.


    ¡°Hands off,¡± Anise said, unused to Xania being so enthusiastic as she teleported them to the front of her laboratory.


    ¡°You don''t like holding hands that much?¡± Xania asked, confused since Anise has been known to do things a lot more ¡®mature¡¯ than she has.


    ¡°My lord¡­ it was just surprising,¡± Anise said, grabbing Xania''s hand again to try.


    ¡°I''m going to get used to this eventually,¡± Anise said, continuing to hold Xania''s hand as she led her to the core.


    ¡°Wow,¡± Xania said, staring at the core as Anise continued to hold Xania''s hand, finding it oddly cold and warm at the same time.


    ¡°So, this was what you needed me to carr¡­¡± Xania''s voice trailed off as she suddenly felt her hand being bitten down on and turned to Anise who was biting her hand.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Xania asked, trying to gently remove her hand but Anise didn''t let go.


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    ¡°Trying to get used to feeling you. I don''t think we could get any more connected without unzipping. Yeah, none of us have zips, but it''s a metaphor,¡± Anise said, not bothering to rephrase herself.


    ¡°Even if we ¡®unzipped¡¯ how would we get more connected?¡± Xania asked, confused.


    ¡°Oh right, you have no sex-ed classes, don''t worry, I''ll teach you later. Want a practical or theory lesson?¡± Anise asked, smirking slightly at her own joke.


    ¡°Which do you prefer?¡± Xania asked. Anise''s smirk widened slightly.


    ¡°With you? Practical, never been with a woman before, but I''m confident you''ll prefer theory,¡± Anise said, placing her finger on Xania''s mouth as she tried to ask further.


    ¡°Core comes first, questions later,¡± Anise said, pointing to the core.


    ¡°Fine¡­ And I''m not stupid, I do believe I have a slight bit of knowledge on the subject since I actually gained some of your memories when I gave you my knowledge on magic circles last time,¡± Xania said, causing Anise''s smirk to disappear immediately.


    ¡°What?¡± Anise asked as Xania reported away with the core, using her better control and much bigger capacity of mana to prevent the core from exploding or spoiling and to teleport through the walls.


    ¡°Thank god the walls weren''t too thick or strong¡­ Anise is adventurous. Yelp, that''s the word, ¡®adventurous,¡± Xania muttered to herself as Anise teleported behind her.


    ¡°My lord, I''d appreciate it if you didn''t speak about anything you saw?¡± Anise said while forcing a smile, her tone slightly dark.


    ¡°I know. I didn''t expect to receive your memories either okay? It was only some and I just remembered them. I also barely received any, I promise,¡± Xania said, trying to find somewhere safe to place the core.


    ¡°Top of the castle, the highest point. We also have to prepare some divinity on it beforehand, or it''ll be too inconvenient for a real battle,¡± Anise said, watching Xania try infusing divinity in it, using up all her divinity but not even filling the core up with a single percent.


    ¡°Right, that''ll take a while,¡± Xania said, somewhat disappointed at not being able to try the core out.


    ¡°It''s still experimental. If not for the situation I wouldn''t have even said anything about it,¡± Anise said, placing a small shield around it, Xania copying her action and placing an even bigger one.


    ¡°Couldn''t we just make a magic circle to pull divinity into it?¡± Xania asked enthusiastically, wanting to quickly use it.


    ¡°Yeah, force feed and experimental weapon with a huge amount of divinity. I wonder how that''ll work out,¡± Anise said, poking Xania''s cheeks out of annoyance.


    ¡°What does it actually do?¡± Xania asked as Anise turned the core on by placing her hand on it. The world around them froze up instantly.


    ¡°cool,¡± Xania said as Anise proudly puffed her chest out like a child.


    Look,¡± Anise said, materializing a cube twice as big as the one she did while testing the core out before.


    ¡°What?¡± Xania asked as Anise let go of the cube, the cube floating mid-air as Xania looked at it in amazement.


    ¡°My lord, I''m going to turn it off. Watch the core, it does something cool,¡± Anise said, aiming the cube to drop onto Xania''s small toe.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Xania said, staring intently at the core.


    ¡°There,¡± Anise turned the core off as the cube dropped.


    Xania locked the cube, causing it to hit Anise''s knee, ¡°Ow!¡± Anise shouted, grabbing her knee as she sat down.


    ¡°I''m not dumb,¡± Xania said, healing Anise''s knee.


    ¡°It wouldn''t have hurt you even if it did land,¡± Anise complains to herself as she sets up a magic circle to pull divinity in.


    ¡°I thought you said it was dangerous?¡± Anise asked, confused at why she set the magic circle e up.


    ¡°Insurance. If all goes to hell then you may use it. Now shoo, I gotta work on it and continue experimenting to try to make it more usable,¡± Anise said, mimicking the action of swatting a fly away.


    ¡°Fine, I''ll go back to my surveying of the walls,¡± Xania said, teleporting away.