Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

Eren's fiend Hettie was also a witch in her pre-fiendish life.

Unlike the trio of witches in Anfang, Hettie hailed from Labh Salem proper. She had come to Anfang as an otherworldly invader during the Titan Calamity Era.

Thus, the fiend authenticated the information Eren was given by the trio of witches. She also had more to add, enabling Eren to get a rough picture of the witches' world.

"So you don't want to visit Labh Salem yet?" Reen asked. The latter shook his head before adding further.

"On the contrary, I want to visit Labh Salem the most out of all the worlds I can get easy access to. I already had plans to perfect my potion-making skills there ever since I came to know about it.

The world is full of half-bloods so I would be able to blend in with them just fine. Plus, the Sin Series Marks are widely used there. Compared to Anfang, it is prowling with demonic entities.

Keke. I dare say, they are my people, my pawns. I'd have an easier time manipulating them. Labh Salem is like a safe place for me to experiment with my demonic powers."

"I see," Reen nodded after hearing Eren's explanation. "What about me?" she asked curiously.

Since her identity as the ex-incarnation of Echidna was a bit sensitive, she wanted to learn about the potential pros and cons regarding it. After all, she didn't want to become a burden to Eren ever again.

"Labh Salem is safe for you as well, Reen," Eren said calmly.

"I say this because you won't be treated like a goddess there. It means we won't be given VIP treatment but we also won't attract too much attention to ourselves. In this way, it offers an opposite set of benefits from Echidna. And in a good way too.

Labh Salem also has a considerable number of Amazonians who oppose the council of witches. Unlike what they are in Anfang, they are a large force there, almost as strong as the witches.

I don't care about the dynamics they have with or against each other. But I have established a temporary alliance with the goddess of the Amazonians– Great Mother. So that might be useful for us as well," Eren explained patiently.

The butcher proceeded to explain to Reen the dealings he had with the Great Mother. Although he was sure that the Great Mother would use him for his own benefit, he was okay with it as long as he could reap the benefits of doing it.

Eren liked that the Great Mother was honest and upfront about what she wanted from Eren. He would have been more tense dealing with a goddess who had only provided him with benefits without asking for anything in return. As far as he knew, those "overly kind" gods were the kind who would do the most harm to him or anyone they dealt with.

"I see. Um… something tells me there's a "but" coming."

Reen said and chuckled. She knew that Eren would not focus on the pros of visiting Labh Salem. Eren smiled lightly before speaking further

"But! Labh Salem should be too chaotic even now. That means we'll have to fight against a tide no matter which way we decide to swim.

There's one more thing. Unlike Echidna where only the monster gods from Echidna's pantheon have their influence, Labh Salem is easier to approach and keep an eye on for the rest of the gods. The Demon Princes will be even more active there.

I still don't know how many Demon Princes consider me as their legitimate ruler and how many stand against me to reclaim the divine throne for themselves. However, I do not doubt in my mind that Samael will do everything in his power to rally my enemies against me there.

Unlike the Land of the Faithless where he was almost powerless to do anything logic-defying, Samael and his underlings will be at their peak in Labh Salem. With his influence, I'll probably be targeted the first day I step foot inside that world.

I have shown too many of my cards while executing the Lazarus Project. The other gods might see me coming there. That could be a good or bad thing depending upon who was Aleph's friend or foe. However, I don't like the uncertainty attached to it. So I'll not consider it to be anything good for me.

I'm also not sure how prophecies work or who releases them to these fuckers. But they kinda scare me. Imagine me doing absolutely nothing so as not to draw attention to myself and those followers of gods still managing to nab me.

So I have to be careful. No… "we" have to be careful," Eren said as he looked at the starry sky.

"Apart from all that– from what I have understood about Labh Salem," Eren continued. "There are plenty of ways for me to deepen my potion-making and alchemy knowledge. But that's not the only reason for me to go there."

"Hm? There's another, more convincing reason?" Reen asked.

"Yes," Eren nodded.

"An Elder Seed Artifact. I need that artifact from Labh Salem, Reen. The sooner the better.

In my hands, that Elder Seed will show its true powers. It's like it was specially made for me by Aleph. If what I learned about the Seed is true, it would help me greatly to avoid future troubles heading my way."

A sort of understanding dawned on Reen as she understood why Eren wanted to go to Labh Salem despite a lack of knowledge and greater risks. She could already see Eren's hunger to claim that artifact for himself in his eyes.

Reen knew Eren well. He always liked to play safe. As much as he could.

However, he wouldn't hesitate to risk everything on a single wager if the potential gains were worth it. The fact that she was standing beside him and talking with him with her altered status was proof of how much of a risk-taker he was.