The Max Level Hero Has Returned!-Novel

Chapter 424

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"What's your response?"

Davey found there was not much to rebuke. After all, if he and Perserque, who understood the inherent risks well, could agree, they could divert the course of the war.

"I must ask, aren't you outraged, despite the countless human deaths?"

Davey offered no response to the inquiry but instead asked a question, "What do you think?"

"In my eyes, you're certainly not someone to be just passed over."

"I see that clearly. Honestly, I'd prefer to send you all back to the artificial demon world immediately."

Davey’s words, spoken so calmly, caused a wave of anger to wash over the demons' faces.

"But that's not my role."

Reina had journeyed all the way to Davey’s world intending to act, but such was the way of things. If an outside entity interfered and attempted to change the course via unauthorized means, who could predict the outcomes? That was the harsh reality.

In this world, Princess Aeria and he, Davey, were clearly uninvited guests.

Listening to his words, Perserque glared at Davey.

"Your Majesty! We should kill this man now or..."

"No, let's detain him. I'll accept his proposal. Keep him in custody until we've settled the specifics."

The reaction of the demons, particularly the radical vampires like Gluttony and Astaroth, was a visible mix of frustration and anger. Yet, a few demons displayed their unwavering loyalty toward Perserque.

"Your Highness! This is unacceptable! To even suggest peace at this late stage! When the end is so close!"

Despite Gluttony's desperate plea, Davey turned away without a second thought. This decision was one for Perserque to make, not Gluttony.

* * *

Davey, the human visitor from another world, found himself in custody after being apprehended. Dark Lord Perserque then briefly mentioned an impending threat and proposed an alternative to the seemingly pointless war: seeking peace instead.

"Father, what are your thoughts?" Liline inquired.

"Humans are detestable, Liline," replied her father.

"Yes..."

"But Her Majesty makes a valid point."

Astaroth mumbled something softly before tenderly caressing Liline's cheek. "Haven't numerous lives already been lost? Not just humans, but also many innocent young demons have fallen due to their futile resistance. It's a problem we can't simply overlook."

Amidst it all, the suspected demise of his chief advisor, Nyx, brought considerable confusion.

"So... Are you suggesting we halt the war now, as per Her Majesty's wish?"

"No, the war will not cease. We must wipe out every last human."

Following Astaroth’s stern proclamation, Liline silently nestled into his chest. "Father... isn't it time for you to free yourself from your guilt..."

"Liline, my precious child."

"Father."

"You're just like my daughter. Please, don't bring sorrow upon me."

"I will... abide by your wish, Father."

As Liline slowly retreated, Astaroth exhaled a sigh of exasperation.

Bang!!!

The firmly shut door swung open, and a vampire walked in bearing a menacing expression.

"Gluttony."

"Grand Duke Astaroth. What's the situation?"

"What do you wish to say?"

"Do you expect us vampires to stand with the demons again in such dire circumstances just to negotiate peace with the humans?!"

At his outcry, Astaroth's expression hardened. He then glanced at Liline. "Leave, Liline."

"Yes, Father."

Upon his command, Liline, looking apprehensive, cautiously walked out, catching the eye of Gluttony. Her image lingered in his gaze for a brief moment, filled with sexual desires. A chill ran down Liline's spine, and her hands shook, but she hid it well from Astaroth.

"Watch your words. I might not be as proficient as Chief Nyx in battle, but I won't have any difficulty dealing with you."

"Humph... This is a violation of our agreement. You clearly said you would eradicate the humans, enslave them, and hand them over to us."

Hearing this, Astaroth exhaled a sigh.

"So, what are you going to do?"

"Pardon?"

"The human suspected of assassinating Chief of Staff Nyx. I had doubts at first when he said he killed the dying Divine Tree. But if what he says is true, he's an extremely dangerous person."

"Isn’t he in our hands now? If we assassinate him here-"

Astaroth shook his head. "Do you think he's such a fool that he would come here without making such a judgment?"

"There's no guarantee that he's not."

"I agree with your opinion. The truce is realistic, but it's far from our aspiration. This is not right."

"That's correct!"

"So, what's your plan? The Dark Lord seems to be considering a truce. That human named Davey, who suddenly appeared, has a strong enough power to change the course of this war. If the war continues, he will appear at the front, and who will bear the countless sacrifices that will result from that?"

Gluttony gritted his teeth. "He's just a human."

"Because of that one human, 3,000 years ago, our race was driven from the continent to the artificial demon world."

This was due to Sword Lord Ares’ existence. Astaroth hadn’t seen it personally, but the testimonies of Dark Lord Perserque and Chief of Staff Nyx, who had been eyewitnesses of history at the time, matched.

"We can still do something about this," said Astaroth.

"So..."

"Moreover, I'm bothered by that point. The threat mentioned by both him and the Dark Lord. We don't even know what it is," Astaroth muttered coldly, watching the silent Gluttony.

"Let's say his power is real. Then, we should seize the opportunity."

They needed something that did not necessarily violate Perserque's command but still solved suspicious parts.

"I'll request a truce. Not a ceasefire, but a truce. So we can battle again at any time."

A truce was different from a ceasefire. A truce was something that could be fought again at any time without being strange.

"Just wait a bit. The rebellion of Nyx, followed by the intentions of Dark Lord Perserque, is too confusing for this old man."

"It's frustrating. I was looking forward to the strongest Dark Lord ever, but she is truly disappointing. No dignity, just a weak girl… Cough!!" Gluttony, who had been shouting like that, groaned in pain as his eyes bulged.

Astaroth's fist had hit his throat in an instant.

"Watch your mouth." Astaroth sighed after murmuring briefly. "If we just had a way to remove that human, then there would be no need to worry like this.”

At that moment...

"Kyaaak!!!"

The sound of a familiar woman's scream echoed in Astaroth's ears. There was only one female demon in this quiet castle—his beloved daughter-in-law, Liline Orlouge.

Instinctively, Astaroth jumped up and rushed outside, followed closely by Gluttony. What they witnessed was truly surprising. Before them stood a woman with a tall, slender figure, red hair, and sharp teeth, giving her an unsettling yet strangely attractive appearance.

"Oh ho. There are plenty of bugs here," said the woman in a flat tone as she held Liline against the wall, gripping her wrist and daringly licked her cheek with a long, thin tongue, reminiscent of a lizard's.

"Uh, uh! Father," Liline pleaded tearfully, her face filled with distress, seeking his help.

"You wench! Let go of her!!" Astaroth's eyes blazed with fury at the sight. Simultaneously, a surge of black magical power burst from his body.

As the Grand Duke of demons, his immense magical strength could easily immobilize any ordinary demon. However, despite his overwhelming power pressing down on her, the woman, seemingly driven by desire, continued to stroke and lick Liline's cheek.

"Really, what a delicious-looking girl. The front world has good things." The woman's tone remained unaffected by Astaroth's display of power.

"Who are you?” Astaroth shouted with a tense face.

‘She’s dangerous!’

The woman felt dangerously different from the human Astaroth had met earlier. While he had sensed nothing from the boy's body, her presence exuded a heavy, dark power that sent shivers down his spine. It was the kind of power that instinctively raised goosebumps.

"I've been wandering around and saw something fun," she said calmly, losing interest in Liline and approaching Astaroth.

Astaroth was certainly tall, but she matched him eye to eye in height.

"Curious about who I am?" she asked.

Astaroth realized his hand was trembling, a reaction driven by fear. This was definitely fear.

"Don't be too scared, old bug. My name is Sleesia," the woman said, flashing her sharp teeth with a sly smile.

"I, I am Grand Duke Astaroth."

As he spoke, Astaroth noticed the woman’s expression showing greater interest.

"That's right. It appears that your kind is having quite the impact in this world. It's actually a bit of a nuisance, but I came looking for a bug."

Astaroth felt a painful pressure in his chest, leaving him breathless. It was a dreadful sense of oppression. Cold sweat poured not just from him, but from the others too. Gluttony, with his eyes wide open, was shaking his head, a clear sign of fear.

"A bug, you say…"

Fortunately, the woman did not appear to be hostile toward the demons yet.

The woman who had appeared out of nowhere induced fear akin to that of a destroyer god. She was neither human nor demon, exhibiting a power whose nature was unknown—just like when Her Majesty, the Dark Lord, would glance over the demons.

‘Dark Lord?’?

Just as he was pondering this thought, Sleesia’s hand clasped Astaroth’s chin.

"Indeed... Indeed... I quite like that. I commend you for keeping your composure. Pretty good for a bug," she said calmly and then smirked. "You help me, and then maybe I lend a hand to your bug-like matters."

Her grin was eerily unsettling. "My kin was seriously injured by a human. Though she's useless, she holds the same rank, so what can you do? I, who is far superior to that useless creature, have no choice but to directly discipline that bug. How can a primitive bug dare to challenge the power of the princesses who have crawled up from the abyss? I'll have to imprint that on the bug directly."

Though they did not fully understand her words, Astaroth and Gluttony knew one thing. The woman’s words held no bluff, they were full of sincerity. And yet, they were unable to feel repulsion toward her description of them as bugs. It felt as if they had become pitiful beings groveling before an overpowering predator.

'But… If her power is real, then we can fulfill our desire, no matter what!'

Astaroth looked at the woman, lost in this thought. She was an extremely dangerous entity, not even a demon, but as long as they did not provoke her, she could be a great help. Dark Lord Perserque had shown fear for an unknown threat. So if they could deal with that threat, they would not need such an unpleasant alliance as they had now.

As Astaroth was thinking of the woman as an opportunity, Sleesia’s interest in Astaroth seemed to fade as she turned her head. In her gaze was Liline, who was slowly backing away in terror. Her gaze shone dangerously, but only for a moment. Afterward, she turned her head toward Astaroth and grinned again.

"So I heard, there is a bug that's bothering you. Since I need to gather some strength to kill the bug I am looking for, I'll kill that human as a distraction in the meantime." Her voice was filled with confidence.