“Hold a grudge, do you?” Orleya looked at Liana, feeling like Liana was implying something. “I understand.”

Since Liana said that, she must be very confident. Besides, with me watching, even if Karen tries anything, I’ll be able to stop him in time.

“Liana.” Karen hadn’t expected Liana to still have the confidence [N O V E L I G H T] to tell others not to interfere, even after seeing him like this.

I’m also very confident. If that strange woman doesn’t make a move, I’m absolutely certain I can take Liana down.

“Sephirena, I’ll leave Reno to you. Finish it quickly, okay?” Liana hadn’t forgotten their original objective.

“I will finish it as quickly as possible and then come help Princess Liana,” Sephirena said.

“No need to rush too much. Our ultimate goal is something else. It’ll be troublesome if we’re too hasty. Besides, with her watching, I should be relatively safe.” Liana pointed at Orleya.

Karen’s expression darkened. “Surrendering before the fight? Interesting.”

But this might be good news for me. She thinks that just because she has someone protecting her, she can do whatever she wants without worrying about her own safety. That’s very dangerous. Besides, I know far more about Liana than she knows about me. She’s just someone who relies on strange, bullet-based enhancement magic and attacks with a longsword. Liana, on the other hand, knows nothing about my attack patterns or methods. When the time comes, I’ll definitely kill her. Or, using the advantages of demonkind, I can slip away right under their noses and notify Lord Noel.

“I just don’t like doing things I’m not sure about. My goal for this trip is simple. You’re just an unexpected bonus. In the end, if you hadn’t suddenly appeared in front of me, I would have almost forgotten you existed. A mediocre, unremarkable person. There’s nothing memorable about you at all.” Liana knew what Karen cared about most, so she attacked him mercilessly.

“Hahaha.” Karen burst out laughing. “You really are an interesting one, Liana.”

“I’ve already rejected you once. Even if you knelt and begged me now, I wouldn’t give you a second glance, you trashy person.” A crystal longsword appeared in Liana’s hand.

“Interesting.” Seeing Liana’s stance, Karen decided against using his demonic spells.

Comparing swordsmanship with the Laurent Family? Utterly laughable. I’ll just make your failure even more complete.

Pitch-black demonic energy solidified into a black blade, and he even made a point of giving a knight’s salute.

But the way he looks right now is just ridiculous.

Sephirena glanced twice toward Liana. She was worried.

It’s better to complete my own task first. I have to finish quickly and ensure Princess Liana’s safety.

As Liana moved towards Karen, Sephirena also walked up to Reno, who was completely different from the one earlier.

Curved fangs, black liquid dripping from its mouth, sizzling as it hit the ground. Its horrifying claws left deep scratches on the ground with every step.

Sephirena had encountered Executor-level demons before, but those were mostly weakened. The Reno before her was different. Having been meticulously raised, the aura it emitted was far stronger than those old, weak, sick, and disabled1老弱病残 (lǎo ruò bìng cán), idiom for those who are not fit for labor or combat. ones from before.

And I don’t know if it has learned any modern magic during this time. At this point, I should test it a little first.

Sephirena grasped the air, and a bow appeared in her hand. She drew the bowstring, and an arrow of fire materialized on it.

But its power was somewhat weaker than before.

“After entering your territory, it seems the mana in the air is clearly much thinner. It makes sense, though. You are an anti-magic stone elf, after all.” Sephirena released the string.

The fire arrow shot out, but upon touching Reno’s fur, it was deflected into the ground. Reno opened its gaping, bloody maw, swallowed the arrow, and absorbed its magic.

Sephirena carefully observed the spot she had attacked. It hadn’t left a single wound, not even a mark. Was it absorbed by the skin? Has it completely demonized? This is troublesome. Magical attacks are basically useless. The weapons I create are all a form of magic. If I use the holy sword before finding its demon core, it will alert the enemy. Besides, the holy sword isn’t complete right now, and its condition isn’t great. If possible, I should save it for a critical moment. So right now, I have to quickly find where its demon core is. The most efficient way to find the demon core is to see if it defends.

【Force of Nature】

Sephirena exhaled a cloud of white mist, and the surrounding temperature plummeted.

【Rain of Frost】

Countless ice shards assaulted Reno.

But Reno didn’t dodge, choosing to stand its ground and tank the attack.

Sephirena was sure she had controlled the ice to strike all over Reno’s body, but even so, it made no defensive movements.

Why? Sephirena didn’t understand. Although these attacks are scattered, the demon core is extremely fragile. Even a slight impact should be enough to heavily wound it.

Sephirena pressed her palms together. 【Ice Prison】

The ice shards appeared around Reno and shot towards it, and froze it solid.

“Awooo!”

But even this couldn’t hold Reno. It roared, shattering the ice encasing it.

Not on the outside? Is it inside the body?

Sephirena frowned. She had just consumed a massive amount of magic to freeze it, but even so, she couldn’t find its weak point.

If ice doesn’t work, should I try fire? No, that will just waste my magic. In this environment, my magic recovery speed is definitely slower than the enemy’s.

【Sword of Obstinate Stone】

For now, I can only try to figure this out one step at a time.

Meanwhile, onto the battle between Liana and Karen.

“Not bad. To go from a waste of space to this in just over a year. I admit, I underestimated you before,” Karen parried Liana’s attacks unhurriedly.

“...” Liana didn’t speak, just focused on her attacks.

Boom!

Liana heard a loud noise. Glancing over, she saw Sephirena had been knocked back quite a distance.

But her expression wasn’t grave.

If it’s just this, it’s still within my acceptable range.

“Hey, hey, where are you looking!” Karen suddenly attacked, his blade stabbing straight at Liana’s heart.

“Tsk.” Liana took two steps back, giving herself enough time to react and block his attack.

“You’re not even doing well yourself, and you have the spare time to worry about others?” Karen couldn’t suppress the smirk on his face. “You arrogant brat. Now do you see the power gap between us? It’s not just us. Your guard can’t even beat my mount.”

Liana’s arm felt numb.

His body is enhanced by demonic influence, and his swordsmanship was already top-tier. I’m naturally no match for him.

She took a deep breath. 【Gunlance】!

【Speed Boost】

【Strength Boost】

【Perception Boost】

Liana fired three consecutive bullets into her own chest.

“A chicken rib2鸡肋 (jīlèi), used here to insult, but it means useless but not entirely worthless, something one is reluctant to discard. of a magic. In the face of absolute power, enhancement magic is useless.” Karen wasn’t in a hurry. He enjoyed watching others struggle in vain.

I enjoy this. They look so comical and helpless.

Liana shook her hand. After the enhancement, she felt the burden on her body ease considerably.

“All that talk, and yet can you even beat your mount?” Liana looked at him contemptuously. “Mount? Who’s the mount?”

“What do you mean by that?” Karen asked, confused.

“You, who are dominated by a demon, how are you not its mount?”

This clearly hit Karen’s sore spot. “What joke are you spouting? Dominated by a demon? I control the demon’s power! I know exactly what I’m doing! And what I’m going to do next is rip your mouth to shreds!”

“The competition for status among demonkind is brutal, all based on power. Clearly, your mount is stronger than you. So, it’s only natural that you become your mount’s mount,” Liana mocked. “The once-glorious Young Lord Laurent, now reduced to being the mount for a beast? How laughable.”

The black demonic energy on Karen’s body began to twist strangely. Clearly, Liana’s attack was highly effective.

This is why I waited until after enhancing myself to say it. Otherwise, I might not have even had the chance to apply the buffs.

Karen instantly appeared in front of Liana.

【Reforge, Gem Shield】

The blade in Liana’s hand transformed into a massive shield, blocking Karen’s attack.

But because of the gap in power, Karen’s attack left a deep gash on the shield.

“What’s wrong? Are you all talk? When the real fight starts, your head shrinks like a turtle?” Karen struck Liana’s shield forcefully, but for the moment, he couldn’t do much to her.

“I’m not brainless like you. I have time. Do you? Sephirena is strong. She’ll soon slay that demon you’re so proud of.”