Hero? Are You Worthy?

However, seeing her lover so concerned for her, Candice felt quite comfortable inside, her eyes narrowing into slits.

She would never say something like "I'm strong, I don't need these things" at such a time to spoil the mood, so she nodded her small head vigorously.

Qin Chu didn't feel his concerns were unfounded.

Noble and royal conflicts were imminent.

Neither the princes nor the nobles dared to provoke the Hero's Palace and the Church; this was beyond doubt.

But would the nobles within the Imperial City sit still once the royal princes pressed close with an army?

No!

This might be the closest members of the noble class have come to the Emperor's throne in thousands of years; their greed would drive them to do anything, capturing civilians to fill the army, seizing weapons, wealth, plundering women, rewarding their leaders and soldiers...

There's nothing they can't do, only things you can't think of.

Though the noble class's power is weak compared to Qin Chu and the Church, there are still some experts among them.

"Actually, I would prefer it if you lived in the Hero's Palace. After all, the palace is large with many rooms, surely there would be space." Qin Chu said.

Unfortunately, when faced with this suggestion, Candice didn't even think much about it and directly shook her head to refuse.

Some things only she could accomplish.

As the owner of a bar, she naturally had a pretty decent source of intelligence.

Candice knew that both among demons and within the Imperial City, there was still a lot of malice towards Heroes.

These pieces of intelligence could only be obtained by her; if the women in the Hero's Palace took action, it would only alert the enemy.

"After everything ends, I will move over and meet up with the sisters." Candice said softly.

Whew...

Qin Chu let out a long breath, then took out a medium-sized glass bottle from the storage ring.

Inside the glass bottle was crimson liquid.

It was the Evil God's Blood, purified by Qin Chu's own blood.

This stuff was an excellent cultivation tool, even better than any magic potion or Holy Crystal Stone. Anyone who absorbed it could gain immense benefits from its pure energy.

Seeing Candice accept the blood bottle, Qin Chu reminded her, "Don't absorb too much at once, take it slow."

After lingering together for a while, Qin Chu finally left.

This time, Qin Chu did not return to the Hero's Palace but instead, in a desolate area, opened a vortex leading to the Void to meet with the Holy Light Little Goddess.

After Qin Chu left, only Candice remained inside the bar.

The expression on her face gradually became somewhat desolate.

Her fingers caressed the items that Qin Chu left for her.

She knew that these things represented Qin Chu's care for her, his feelings for her.

In fact, when Qin Chu suggested living together at the Hero's Palace, Candice was very tempted, almost unable to resist agreeing immediately.

But ultimately, Candice hesitated.

Collecting intelligence was one reason.

The other was because of Candice's fear.

She loved that man deeply, and she believed he loved her just as much.

But her experiences since childhood made it difficult for Candice to gain a true sense of security.

At a very young age, when she was just learning to speak, she was abandoned by her father in a desolate jungle, facing threats from demons and beasts.

When in the Demon Territory, what she endured was only abuse and humiliation; even those who verbally accepted her mother only treated her as a useful tool.

Warmth was something Candice considered a luxury and had nearly never experienced.

It was only after meeting Qin Chu that Candice truly understood what warmth felt like.

She liked this feeling; that warmth fascinated Candice.

But everything she'd been through made Candice afraid to directly accept Qin Chu's goodwill.

These experiences even left Candice with a mistaken notion in her heart... only by proving her value could she gain true acceptance, even from her lover.

Even though she had already given so much.

Taking a deep breath, Candice suppressed the slight worry in her heart and then placed her fingers to her ear, beginning to contact Seventh Prince, Romon.

...

Demon Territory!

Demon King City.

The Seventh Prince, Romon, sat quietly in his palace.

Everyone who knew Romon couldn't help but be surprised at his transformation during this time.

Who would have thought that among the many sons of the Demon King, the most rebellious one who loved causing trouble would become so well-behaved now?

People even suspected whether Romon had been traumatized or if something was wrong with his head.

But Romon didn't care about how others perceived him; without Mr. Horus' arrangement, he wouldn't do anything.

Just like the time when the Demon King ordered that whoever could present the Hero's corpse before him would be the next Demon King... for the Demon King's throne, many brothers and sisters, princesses, Abyss Sky Kings, and Demon Generals were all dispatched, but Romon stayed honestly at home.

He did consider taking action, after all, that was the Demon King's throne; if one of his brothers managed to seize it, he'd have no chance left.

But ultimately, after careful thought, Romon chose to heed Mr. Horus' advice.

Because after collaborating with Mr. Horus, he'd truly gained a tremendous amount.

Currently, the Demon King had suddenly ordered all forces to withdraw.

Even demons stationed on the front line were returning, yet the siblings who left for Demon King City to hunt demons were not seen...

Within the Demon Territory, there were vague rumors that they had all been killed by the Hero.

These news made Romon scratch his head anxiously.

He desperately wanted to confirm the truth with Candice but couldn't initiate contact himself... their communication was always initiated by Candice because she lived in the human region, and if the timing of Message Magic were inappropriate, it might expose Candice's identity, and his last nail inserted in the human world might be uprooted.

Speaking of Candice... Romon initially despised the human bloodline in Candice.

But who would have thought that such a half-breed could find Mr. Horus, an excellent collaborator, for him.

I, Romon, am truly far-sighted!

At this moment, Romon suddenly felt an itch in his ear.

Originally preparing to sleep, Romon sprang up from his bed like a carp flip, quickly pressing one hand to his ear. If there had been a mirror before him, the Seventh Prince would have seen a somewhat flattering smile on his rough, hairy face.

"Oh, my most loyal Candice, what good news have you brought me this time?"

Even his address had changed, no longer referring to her as a dirty, vile half-breed.

Loyal?

Candice sneered in disdain in her heart but didn't show it directly, instead clearing her throat: "Honored Seventh Prince, serving you is my greatest honor."

After a courteous remark, Candice started to inform Romon of what he most wanted to know: "Lord Romon, thank Mr. Horus."

"Mr. Horus advising you to stay in Demon King City and not to go assassinate the Hero was indeed the best choice."

"The Hero's strength far surpasses what your brothers and sisters estimated."

"The Hero is still alive, while your brothers and sisters, two Heavenly Kings, two princesses, and a large number of Demon Generals, they... are all dead... Congratulations, with fewer obstacles on your path to the Demon King's Throne."

Hiss!

Candice's cold, calm voice caused Romon's body to shudder slightly.

Even though he had already speculated in his mind, hearing it confirmed from Candice still left Romon dry-mouthed with excitement.

Several sisters dead, several brothers dead...

This... is just too damn marvelous!