“…”

At this moment, a subtle silence fell over the conference room.

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on Shien, as if looking at a brave warrior.

Even Shafney was no exception.

“He’s really bold,” she murmured, a hint of displeasure in her voice. This guy, when he first met me, he acted as if he wanted to run away. Now, seeing my bad-tempered and dangerous little sister, not only does he not avoid her, he even puts his arm around her? He avoids me, a delicate beauty, like the plague, but can’t wait to get close to a truly dangerous person. What’s going on? Thinking of this, Shafney’s mood soured.

Kamina, on the other hand, stared at Shien, a complex flicker in her purple eyes.

This flicker of complexity quickly disappeared.

“I have to say, you’re very bold,” she said in a low voice, glancing at Shien’s arm around her shoulder, “I’ve lived for twenty thousand years, and this is the first time anyone dared to touch me so casually.”

This wasn’t meant to be intimidating.

Because, upon hearing her words, the other Demon Lords present lowered their eyes, a hint of respect in their silence. Clearly, even they hadn’t touched Kamina so casually.

Shafney had also said that Kamina’s poison was a terrifying toxin that even transcendent beings couldn’t ignore, and they usually didn’t dare to get too close to her.

Therefore, Kamina’s words were true.

Actually, Shien didn’t need her to say it; he already knew. The air around her was filled with an increasing amount of toxins, and his skin felt a burning sensation from touching her, as if being corroded. If not for the Holy Sword’s unsealed state, its divine power constantly purifying the toxins, he might have already collapsed. Even so, the burning sensation persisted, making him feel like his body was filled with molten lava.

But Shien was stubborn.

Enduring the pain, he said calmly,

“Unfortunately, I don’t have any outstanding qualities, except perhaps my boldness. If someone provokes me, I can’t feel at ease without retaliating.” His sarcasm was top-notch.

But Kamina didn’t get angry, instead chuckling softly.

“You, the Hero, are quite interesting, much more so than those fools before,” she said, then looked away, “I hope you can keep this up.”

She even ignored Shien’s arm around her.

Shien also stopped talking, silently enduring the burning pain and the toxins invading his body.

“Hopefully, [Inner Manifestation of Heaven’s Decree] will be useful.”

Although this skill couldn’t block Kamina’s poison, he remembered that one of its effects was increasing resistance with repeated exposure to the same attack.

Therefore, even if Kamina’s poison was terrifying, given enough time to adapt, his [Inner Manifestation] should eventually be able to withstand it. Moreover, the [Supreme God’s Blessing] also contained the effects of all Goddesses’ blessings, some of which should be effective against poison. With their combined effects, he should be able to completely ignore Kamina’s poison sooner or later.

This was one of his reasons for getting close to her. After all, judging by the current situation, his relationship with this Poison Demon wouldn’t be good. If they became enemies and had to fight, being immune to her poison would be a huge advantage. This was Shien’s plan, and coupled with his unwillingness to show weakness, he acted so boldly.

He didn’t know what kind of impact this deliberate action of his had on Kamina.

Kamina, feeling Shien’s arm around her shoulder and smelling his unfamiliar scent, felt slightly dazed.

(How long has it been since someone got this close to me?)

The last person who could get this close to her without changing their expression was already gone, right?

Having lived for twenty thousand years, no one had ever been this close to Kamina, except for… that person…

Thinking of the deceased, a faint sadness filled Kamina’s heart.

At the same time, her hostility towards Shien also lessened.

She wasn’t targeting him out of hatred, but simply because he was the Hero, the natural enemy of the Demon Race, yet was being protected by her older and younger sisters, which annoyed her.

Especially Airi.

That youngest sister, pampered by them all, was not only rebellious but also talked back to her for the sake of a Hero. This put Kamina in a bad mood.

Then, Lilith’s rampage in the Poison Demon Territory led to their fight, worsening their relationship.

These two reasons combined made Kamina act so aggressively towards Shien.

After all, she had a bad temper. Even a slight provocation was enough for her to make others suffer. Not completely dissolving them with her poison was already considered merciful. And Shien wasn’t one to take things lying down. Naturally, they clashed. But their conflict was just that, a clash, not deep-seated hatred. If it were true hatred, the poison Kamina released wouldn’t be so weak. Therefore, although Kamina had a bad impression of Shien, it wasn’t deep-seated hatred.

Now, being held so boldly by Shien, although feeling uncomfortable, she also missed the warmth of another’s body.

This actually greatly reduced her animosity towards him.

(Let’s see how long he can last.) Kamina felt a hint of anticipation.

A subtle silence filled the conference room.

Until…

“…What are you doing?”

A voice, too familiar to Shien, a voice he even missed, echoed through the conference room.

The Demon Lords perked up and looked towards the entrance.

“Yaa!” Lilith also exclaimed, then happily pounced forward.

“…” Shien didn’t turn around immediately, but the familiar aura, atmosphere, and faint dragon’s might told him who it was. He slowly turned his head and looked.

There, a dragon girl, holding a pillow and resembling a delicate doll, quietly appeared.

“It seems you’re alright, little one,” Airi said, a rare smile appearing on her childish face as she caught the pouncing Lilith. Although she looked the same age as Lilith, she acted like an elder, patting Lilith’s head.

“Hee hee.” Lilith beamed at Airi, clearly happy. After all, besides Shien and Lasha, Airi was the one who took care of her the most while she was with Shien. Although Airi was fond of sleeping, she was very caring towards Lilith. No, this dragon girl was also very caring towards Shien and Yulin. Despite her childish appearance, she had a thoughtful side.

Shien simply stared at her.

Airi, sensing his gaze, looked up at him.

Their eyes met, and they were silent.

But a warm atmosphere gradually enveloped them.

“You’re here?” Airi asked softly.

“Yeah,” Shien nodded, his reply equally concise.

There wasn’t any dramatic reunion or emotional outburst, they simply returned to their usual way of interacting. Of course, their true feelings were hidden.

Airi, holding Lilith’s hand, approached Shien.

The first thing she saw was Shien’s arm around Kamina.

Airi’s eye twitched.

“…You’re still the same. I don’t know whether to call you bold or reckless,” she said, her calm tone carrying a hint of displeasure.

“Ahaha…” Shien felt awkward, instinctively withdrawing his hand and moving away from Kamina.

“Hmph…” Kamina frowned, displeased. This guy, I thought he was bold, but he’s actually a coward, only acting tough in front of outsiders. She cursed inwardly.

The other Demon Lords, however, shifted their attention to Airi the moment she appeared.

“Finally decided to show up, little Airi?” Shafney teased.

“I thought you’d come out before Kamina,” Lid also commented.

“Airi! Airi!” Millu, like Lilith, pounced on Airi.

“I’m surprised you could endure it until now,” even Sara said, amazed. They all thought Airi would be the first to appear and protect Shien. Unexpectedly, she was the last.

Airi pushed Millu away, her expression still calm.

“I simply thought that without using your full strength, you wouldn’t be able to harm him.”

“Really?” Kamina asked, turning to Airi, “Then what if I did use my full strength?” 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Airi simply replied,

“You can try.”

That was how it was.

“—You can try.”

This wasn’t the first time Airi had said these words. Back when Shien’s identity was exposed, and Shafney and Kamina were both planning to make trouble for him, Airi warned them with these very words. The tense atmosphere at that time was something Shien didn’t understand, but the other Demon Lords knew very well.

Now, as Airi said these words again, the atmosphere didn’t become tense, but the other Demon Lords simply looked at Shien, their eyes flickering.

They really wanted to ask Airi if it was worth it to go against her own sisters for this one human.

And if it weren’t for Shien’s performance today, which had reached a level where he could barely contend with them, they might have already asked.

Even Shafney.

Although she knew that Airi cared deeply for Shien, and Shien also cared for Airi, they had only known each other for about half a year.

Had their relationship really developed to this point in just half a year?

The more Shafney thought about it, the more displeased she became.

But then, another thought arose in her mind.

(At least, my progress with him is definitely faster than little Airi’s.)

This was undeniable.

Recalling those nights a few days ago, her passionate encounters with him, Shafney blushed and quickly stopped her thoughts.

But although she stopped those thoughts, a sense of excitement arose within her.

(My sisters would never guess that I’ve already become this Hero’s woman, right?)

A strange mix of excitement and transgression filled Shafney.

She even wanted to tease Airi about it.

For example, saying, “Your husband is really useful.”

“Cough…!” She couldn’t help but cough. And this cough broke the subtle silence in the room.

“What’s wrong?” Sara asked, looking at Shafney, noticing her flushed cheeks and the strange excitement in her eyes.

The other Demon Lords also looked at Shafney curiously.

“Nothing,” Shafney quickly composed herself and said with a smile, “I just thought of a funny joke.”

Hearing this, the Demon Lords exchanged glances. A funny joke? What kind of joke could make this captivating beauty, the most beautiful in the three realms, so amused?

They were puzzled, even the intelligent Sara. She couldn’t possibly guess what Shafney was thinking at this moment.

Shien, however, looked at Shafney strangely. Although he didn’t know what this Succubus was thinking, his sharp intuition told him that it wasn’t anything proper. Don’t tell me she’s planning to reveal our relationship here for the thrill of it? he thought. That would be fatal! His heart tightened, especially noticing Shafney’s occasional glances at him.

Airi also noticed this.

“Why are you sweating so much?” she asked, frowning.

“N-Nothing…” Shien wiped his forehead, forcing a smile, “I’m just feeling a bit hot.”

“Hot?” Airi’s frown deepened, and she couldn’t help but glance at Kamina.

“What? Do you suspect I poisoned him?” Kamina immediately saw through Airi’s thoughts, but didn’t deny it, simply smiling faintly.

Airi didn’t say anything. She believed that Shien’s Holy Sword could at least protect his life from Kamina’s poison. Moreover, she knew that Kamina’s poison was terrifying. If she truly wanted to poison him, it wouldn’t be just a little sweat. Kamina’s poison was meant to kill, and if it wasn’t fatal, it only meant she wasn’t serious, just playing around.

“Alright,” Sara finally said, “Since everyone is here, let’s sit down.”

It was time for a proper discussion.

“Then I’ll take my leave.” Hartley immediately excused herself. This wasn’t a place for her to participate. This conference room was reserved for the Six Demon Lords’ meetings and discussions, not usually open to anyone else, only used when all six were gathered. Sometimes, it would even be unused for hundreds of years. The only reason Hartley could enter was to guide them, and even she, as one of the only three Limit Level experts in the Demon Race, with a high status, had limited privileges. She could lead the way and bring people in, but once the meeting began, she wasn’t allowed to stay.

Therefore, Hartley left obediently, closing the door behind her. However, before closing the door, she glanced at Shien, then lowered her eyes and closed the door.

The moment the door closed, Shien sensed something.

“Did she activate a barrier?” He felt the sudden surge of magic power and the barrier expanding along the walls.

The Demon Lords, however, were unfazed. A conversation in this meeting room, requiring all six Demon Lords to be present, was naturally a top-secret matter for the entire Demon Race. And for a secret meeting, security measures were essential. The barrier activated here was the highest level in all of Omnipotence, even surpassing those protecting capital cities and palaces. The only comparable barrier was the [Pure Flower Curtain] passed down through generations of the Elven Race, capable of withstanding attacks from even Limit Level experts. Once this barrier was activated, not even Limit Level beings could see or hear what was happening inside, unless a Transcendent Level being arrived. However, there were already six Transcendent Level beings present, and the rest were all in the God Race. If those from the God Race came, the Demon Lords present would definitely notice. Therefore, the conversation here was absolutely secure and private.

Airi came to Shien and, looking at him sitting in her seat, asked,

“Why are you sitting in my seat?”

“What else?” Shien retorted, “I can’t sit in someone else’s seat, can I?”

Airi thought about it and agreed.

“Then where do I sit?” she asked.

Shien’s solution was simple. “Here,” he said, picking up Airi and placing her on his lap, then grabbing the pouncing Lilith and placing her on his other lap.

This scene made the Demon Lords’ eyes twitch again. A Dragon Demon and an Evil God, two Transcendent Level beings, sitting on this man’s lap? This guy’s life had reached its peak, he could die happy now. Many Demon Lords cursed him inwardly, especially seeing Airi sitting on his lap, her face slightly red, wanting to get angry, but hesitating, then sighing and giving up. They were incredibly jealous.

(He’s never held me like this…) Sara thought angrily.

(…Seeing how she didn’t even struggle, it seems this isn’t the first time, huh?) Kamina was also displeased.

“Wow!” Millu, however, exclaimed in genuine surprise.

Only Shafney and Lid had different thoughts.

(This… is considered gentle, right?) Lid, recalling that night in the Elven Homeland when Airi was hugged and kissed, even touched, by Shien, didn’t find this surprising.

(Sitting on his lap… I haven’t tried that…) Shafney’s mood soured again.

The Demon Lords, each with their own thoughts, fell silent.

After a while, Sara sighed.

“Seeing you two like this, I don’t think I need to ask whether you agree to the engagement anymore,” she said.

Shien and Airi exchanged glances, then Airi quickly looked away.

Shien, however, found it amusing. “You had the guts to have your sister announce our engagement to the world, but now you don’t even dare to look at me?” he teased.

Airi avoided his gaze, feeling helpless. She still hadn’t figured out how to face him. Although their relationship had progressed before she returned to the Demon Realm, and she knew her feelings for him, just as he had said, their relationship had just begun. And then, suddenly, their engagement was announced, and she had tacitly agreed to it. How could she face anyone now?

In fact, she regretted agreeing. There must have been other solutions. She didn’t know what she was thinking at that time…

“You can disagree,” Airi could only say stubbornly.

But she forgot that Shien was not only a troublemaker, but also prone to self-destruction.

“Really?” he blurted out.

Airi stopped talking and looked directly at Shien, her gaze filled with killing intent. Shien was certain that if he dared to disagree, this embarrassed Dragon Demon would beat him to a pulp.

So, Shien backed down. “Well, I agree.”