Chapter 481: Its All the Same.

After his verbal duel with a certain Goddess of Fate, Shien went to the royal palace.

His purpose was naturally to find Lucy.

“…Do you still remember that you have a fiancé?”

In her bedroom, Lucy looked at Shien, who had just entered, and said these words faintly.

Her tone was like that of a neglected wife.

Shien chuckled awkwardly.

He had indeed neglected Lucy lately.

“Well, I was trying to improve my strength.” Shien scratched his cheek and shrugged. “I gained so much from the inner sanctum. If I don’t work hard, wouldn’t it be a waste?”

Hearing this, although Lucy was still a little upset, she understood Shien’s actions.

Even though she didn’t know exactly what Shien had gained in the inner sanctum, judging from the fact that he could defeat her teacher, it must be something extraordinary.

With such gains, it was understandable that he would want to quickly improve his strength.

However…

“Half a month, a whole half month, besides asking me to find people to teach you skills, you haven’t stepped foot in my room…”

Lucy’s tone was still filled with resentment.

It couldn’t be helped.

After getting engaged to Shien, Lucy had finally been freed from her busy official duties and could finally relax.

Lucy had naturally looked forward to this, hoping that Shien would come and spend time with her every day, pampering her, and letting her live a happy life.

Who would have thought that for half a month, Shien seemed to have completely forgotten about her? How could Lucy not be resentful?

Shien also felt a little guilty.

Had this girl really become a resentful housewife?

It had only been half a month, and she was already this resentful. What if he left for a year or two?

“Alright.” Shien said resolutely, “It seems I need to work hard tonight.”

Hearing this, Lucy couldn’t resist blushing.

“That’s not how I want you to spend time with me!”

Lucy glared at Shien.

“It’s all the same.” Shien chuckled. “What? Don’t you want to?”

Lucy opened her mouth, then closed it again, blushing.

Actually, she did want to…

But couldn’t he be more tactful?

She was a princess, the Kingdom’s treasure, the most beautiful woman in the human world. Couldn’t he give her some face and not be so blunt?

Besides, wasn’t this all his fault?

If it weren’t for him, would she be like this?

Scumbag!

“What are you really here for?” Lucy asked faintly, “You’re not here just to accompany me, are you?”

…Such a resentful tone.

However, Shien also knew that he had been a bit obsessed these past two weeks and hadn’t really paid much attention to this princess.

Since that was the case…

“Haven’t you always wanted to go out and play?” Shien suddenly said to Lucy, “How about I take you out?”

Lucy was stunned, then her eyes lit up.

Heaven knew that because of her busy official duties and daily public appearances, Lucy hadn’t really left the capital much.

If it weren’t for this, this princess wouldn’t be constantly clamoring to go out and play.

Now, Shien actually said he would take her out?

Lucy was instantly excited.

“Wh-where are we going!?”

Lucy couldn’t help but lean forward and ask Shien eagerly.

Shien seemed sincere, resting his chin on his hand and thinking seriously.

He did have a place he wanted to go.

For example, the Empire.

Shien recalled something that happened half a month ago, when he was preparing to learn skills from experts all over the world and improve his strength. Ȓ𝒶𐌽ȮᛒΕʂ

…

That day, Harvis came to visit with Rockto.

And he brought Shien some news.

“You’re saying that Wolram escaped?”

Hearing the news from Harvis, Shien frowned.

“That’s right.” Harvis’s expression also seemed a bit grim, and he said helplessly, “My people have been watching Wolram and the Raifurut family’s elite assassination squad. I originally planned to launch a surprise attack and annihilate them all after Wolram met up with them.”

This was also Harvis’s promise, before cooperating with Shien, to help him deal with the Raifurut family first.

This matter had been going smoothly.

Last night, after Shien and Lucy’s engagement banquet, Harvis received news from his people that they had found Wolram and the Raifurut family’s elite assassination squad.

Therefore, Harvis immediately took his men, caught up with Wolram, and successfully launched a surprise attack.

But just as Harvis was about to annihilate the Raifurut family, something unexpected happened.

“After everyone around him fell, Wolram Raifurut seemed to realize that he was doomed. Somehow, he suddenly summoned a monster.”

Harvis’s words made Shien raise an eyebrow.

“A monster?”

Shien was puzzled.

But Harvis’s next words made Shien’s pupils constrict.

“It was truly a monster.” Harvis recalled the incident, his expression still grim. “That monster was half human, half centipede, with dragon wings, able to breathe dragon’s breath. It was terrifyingly strong. Even Master Rockto couldn’t defeat it and almost suffered a loss at its hands.”

Hearing this, Shien’s expression turned serious.

He was very familiar with a monster of this description.

“A Demon Lord larva…”

Shien murmured.

“What?”

Harvis was stunned.

“Nothing.” Shien shook his head, not answering Harvis’s question, but turning to Rockto, who had been standing silently behind Harvis, his expression equally grim. “Did Master Bigusler suffer a loss at the hands of that monster?”

Rockto frowned, but still nodded in acknowledgment.

“That monster was very strong, and it seemed to have no physical form. Even after I cut it in half, it immediately regenerated, making me helpless against it. In the end, I could only retreat with Prince Harvis before we suffered heavy casualties.”

Rockto’s words made Shien certain that the monster he mentioned was a Demon Lord larva.

Wolram Raifurut could actually summon a Demon Lord larva?

Could it be that the Raifurut family had connections with the [Original Demon]?

𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

No, it was more likely that Mara had connections with the [Original Demon].

After all, Mara was the mastermind behind the Cosmos incident and had colluded with [Mirage]. In that case, it wasn’t so unbelievable for her to be connected with the [Original Demon], another branch of the Old Demon Faction.

However, the fact that the [Original Demon] actually lent a Demon Lord larva to Mara, and Mara then gave it to the Raifurut family, allowing Wolram to summon it in a critical moment, showed that Mara had a very close relationship with the Old Demon Faction.

Perhaps there were some unknown schemes and collaborations between them.

Harvis, unaware of all this, could only apologize to Shien with a ashamed expression.

“I’m sorry. I boasted in front of you, but I couldn’t even handle such a small matter.” Harvis didn’t put on airs as a prince and said frankly, “This accident was my fault. I will find a way to make it up to you.”

This prince had said it all.

Clearly, he didn’t want to disappoint Shien and lose him as a collaborator.

To overthrow his father, overthrow Mara, and ascend to the Imperial throne, Shien’s help was indispensable to Harvis.

If Shien was willing to side with him, then he would have the support of the Demon Race and the Divine Race, and perhaps even the Dragon Demon and the strongest evil god, who was said to be comparable to a Demon Lord.

This way, his ascension to the throne would be almost guaranteed.

Therefore, Harvis could only try his best to appease Shien and find a way to make it up to him.

Shien, however, knew that since this matter involved a Demon Lord larva, it would be difficult for Harvis to do anything.

“How about this,” Shien thought for a moment, then said, “don’t act rashly yet. Let’s wait for a month.”

“Wait for a month?” Harvis was surprised.

“Yes.” Shien nodded. “I have some matters to attend to. After I’m done, I’ll go to the Empire with you.”

“Really?” Harvis’s eyes lit up. “You’re willing to help me?”

“Whether I help you or not, we’ll decide later.” Shien smiled, not making any promises. “However, we have a common enemy. If there’s no conflict, I will definitely help.”

“Alright.” Harvis thought for a moment, then nodded. “Then I’ll find an excuse to stay in the capital and wait for a month.”

To gain Shien’s support, Harvis didn’t mind delaying a bit.

Moreover, he had already openly acted against the Raifurut family. If he returned to the Empire without securing Shien’s support, he might be immediately targeted by Mara.

Under such circumstances, Harvis really didn’t want to go back.

Staying in the capital temporarily might be a good choice.

Shien also had his own plan.

He would definitely have to go to the Empire.

But he wasn’t sure about Diere’s situation, and he also needed some time to study the abilities of [Fate and Logic]. It was better not to rush this matter.

He would properly deal with it after he was done with his own matters.

Shien decided this.

…

Recalling this incident from half a month ago, Shien felt that he could consider going to the Empire.

But before that…

“Has anything happened in the Imperial Capital during this half month?”

Shien asked Lucy.