Chapter 342 - 249: A Truce? Impossible

Lancelot gave Leiden a surprised look. He hadn’t expected this Giant Goblin to know about a creature that had vanished for over a thousand years.

"That’s right. It’s a Demon."

He rose and slowly walked over to the Demon. At his signal, the Griffin Knight pinning it down let go and quickly retreated.

The Demon, which had required a Griffin Knight’s full strength just to hold down, was as helpless as a chick in the hands of this burly, middle-aged man. He grabbed it by the scruff of its neck and lifted it up.

"Can you believe it? Just three days ago, this Demon couldn’t speak the common tongue. After eating a few death row inmates from the Red Prison, it can now speak it. Both its Intelligence and Power have increased significantly."

Lancelot carried the Demon from one end of the hall to the other, as if wanting every noble present to witness the terror of this creature firsthand.

Hearing this description, Levi instinctively glanced at Fulina, only to find her looking back at him. They both saw the gravity of the situation reflected in each other’s eyes.

On their journey north, they had encountered the Zor Elves, who had been gone for centuries. And now, a Demon—a creature thought to exist only in millennia-old texts—had appeared.

It was as if the world was slowly lifting its mysterious veil.

The Lord immediately voiced his doubt. "Lord Lancelot, I must know—is there no limit to this increase?"

"Not exactly." Lancelot recognized the Baron. He and the young woman beside him were the cause of this war, but Lancelot felt no animosity toward them. Instead, he explained patiently, "According to Master Bodoff’s research, the creature was in a constant state of ’starvation.’ Once fed, it recovers its normal Power. So, while it appears to grow stronger by eating people, that’s not actually the case."

"However, one thing is certain: they do absorb a portion of the memories of those they kill. That’s how they become intelligent, even cunning."

This made the Lord breathe a sigh of relief.

’If they could grow infinitely stronger, then a Demon Lord would only need to have his underlings capture humans to feed him. His own strength would rise continuously, eventually reaching an unimaginable level.’

’Too bad it’s still nothing compared to the System.’

Lancelot drew his sword and lopped off the Demon’s head, tossing its corpse casually to the floor. It had served its purpose, and there was no need to keep listening to its vexing shrieks.

"Fulina, you’ve seen this evil creature for yourself. Damon is struggling to hold the line at the White Bone Fortress. The situation is critical." Lancelot said, his voice heavy with worry. "If they break through into the Southern Territory, countless civilians will die."

"Oh? So you mean to say you want me to form an alliance with Damon and fight these Demons together?"

Fulina picked up a glass of crimson wine from a nearby table and took a light sip, her expression calm.

"That’s right. Afterward, I will not interfere in the conflict between your two sides," Lancelot nodded.

"Your Grace, we sincerely wish for a truce with you, so that we may first join forces against these Demons," Cross said with a sigh.

Just then, Fulina set down the swirling wine glass. She let out an enigmatic laugh, her gaze sharp as she looked at the two men. Her voice was crisp and allowed no room for doubt. "I think you’ve made a mistake about something!"

"First, I have already taken Black Stone Castle. Kolon is within my grasp, and its defenses are depleted. You no longer have the qualifications to discuss a truce with me!"

"Second, what do the people of the Southern Territory have to do with me? At worst, I’ll lead my troops back to the Northern Territory. I can just wait for you to deal with the Demons and then march south again.

Don’t paint yourselves as some kind of noble heroes, sacrificing everything for the common folk, while we’re just a bunch of cowards watching from the sidelines."

"This is your Southern problem, through and through! Don’t try to bind me and my army with your so-called honor, responsibility... or any of that nonsense!"

Fulina’s clear, cold voice was like an Ice Cone hanging from a winter eave, stabbing into Cross’s heart and making it grow colder. "A truce is something the Northern People will never accept! Not unless we take Kolon and reclaim everything that belongs to my sister!"

Her speech ended. The great hall of the castle fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.

The worry on the face of the Griffin Knight Order’s commander was now plain to see, and Cross seemed to shrink, his posture growing more stooped.

As for the Northern Nobles?

If not for the presence of Lord Lancelot, they probably would have erupted in a collective cheer and sincerely raised a toast to express their excitement.

Because Fulina had said exactly what they were all thinking.

It had always been the Southern People’s own problem. Now they wanted to drag the Northerners in to spill their lives and blood for the Southern Territory. Where in the world could you find such a convenient deal?

They hadn’t forgotten how this same group of Southern People had cheered with delight when they saw Northern soldiers being blown into the sky by wildfire.

And now they wanted the Northerners to lay down their lives for them? Absolutely not!

’Once we take Kolon and support Miss Liya in inheriting the ducal title, then maybe we can consider helping fend off the Demons.’

’Of course, that’s only after these Southern bastards suffer devastating losses fighting the Demons on the front lines.’

"To show that I, too, care deeply for the people of the Southern Territory, I will provide some assistance out of the kindness of my heart." Fulina smiled. Just as Lancelot was thinking that his former student wasn’t entirely heartless, her next words left him speechless. "We will release the Southern Soldiers and nobles we’ve captured. We’ll give them swords and enough food to reach the White Bone Fortress. Let them go fight the Demons."