Chapter 2077 - 555: Vivian's Most Useful Episode (Part 2)

Vivian said nothing, simply snapping her fingers behind her.

From the ranks of the Hospital Knight Order, a tall, pale-faced young knight stepped forward and nodded slightly to the officer.

"Please, take care of it."

The aloof voice carried with it a sense of keeping others at a distance.

Yet, for a "medical soldier", this distancing voice did not leave an impression of arrogance but instead seemed reassuringly professional.

The officer dared not procrastinate and immediately made a gesture of invitation.

"This way, please!"

Five hundred knights dressed in white robes moved like white ghosts, guarding horse-drawn carriages loaded with medical supplies as they headed to the northern suburbs of Cold Crow City for charity.

Watching this special Knight Order disappear into the distance, admiration was plain in Edward's eyes.

"Swift as the wind, obeying orders without question... Prince Colin, having such an amazing sister is truly enviable."

Upon hearing these words, Erin raised her eyebrows and teasingly remarked to her brother.

"Oh? It seems Your Majesty is not satisfied with my abilities. I need to work harder."

Edward chuckled heartily and said.

"Haha, that's not what I meant!"

The atmosphere between the siblings was enviably harmonious.

Even more so, to the Demon King.

Standing nearby, Vivian glanced at Erin with pride, her chest unconsciously lifted.

Then she looked at her brother, with an expression that said, "See, everyone thinks I'm the better one," and began to swell with pride for having "won over her beloved".

However, the Demon King had to admit that under his tutoring, Vivian had indeed improved significantly, at least better than during her time at Demon High School.

He reached out with a smile and gently ruffled her small head.

"Awesome, awesome, I hope you continue improving."

Vivian's face turned an unnatural shade of crimson, and she let out a giggling sound.

If he would just use a little more strength, that would have been perfect.

Sarah's face bore a look of envy; if only Erin had arrived a second or two later back in the woods...

...

Far from the war-torn Burial Peak, in a secret animal path at the southern foot of the Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain Range, the Shrek warlord was panting as he traversed the dense forest.

This once arrogant leader of the ratmen now cut a sorry figure akin to a drenched stray dog.

The ornate armor he once donned was lost long ago, leaving him dressed in a piece of leather armor, whose origins were dubious.

Although the "Great Shrek Warlord" had undoubtedly suffered defeat, his ego remained unshaken, proud of his awe-inspiring wisdom.

Luck was on his side, for he ran swiftly!

Given the deafening roar atop Burial Peak, had he delayed by just one day, he'd become nothing more than human spoils hoisted upon a flagpole!

"That bunch of idiots... perish, all of you!"

Shrek grunted with labored effort as he pushed through obstructive thorns, glancing backward at the mountain peak spewing black smoke, and let out a couple of gloating laughs.

"As long as Shrek the Great lives, as long as Shrek's gold remains, where can't I raise a new squad? This disgrace, I'll eventually repay you!"

The plan was set.

Once he reached the Dimension Desert, he would reunite with his dispersed mother rats, mobilizing an ogre mercenary army with the gold he had taken from the palace. Once Brass Pass was breached, he'd reclaim the lost mountain peaks!

Yet, as he indulged in fantasies of a bright future, a sense of danger suddenly loomed, causing him to halt instinctively and survey the surroundings alertly.

It was precisely when he stopped that he noticed a dozen shadows standing not far away in the dense forest.

They wore identical dark gray robes, hoods pulled low to obscure most of their faces, exposing only a pale chin like ghosts emerging from the forest.

The intimidation pressing down from this chilling presence made Shrek's heart contract sharply; instinctively he wanted to retreat but found his path of escape sealed behind him.

"Who... who is there?!"

Feigning courage, Shrek drew the short sword from his waist, his ample belly trembling vigorously as he struggled to quell the fear etched across his face.

"Who are you? What do you want? Why obstruct the great Shrek Warlord's path?"

No reply came.

Among them, one man in a black robe slowly raised his head.

Even across the dozen meters, Shrek could feel the two eyes shining from beneath the hood, cold and dripping with disdain.

It was the look reserved for trash.

Soon enough, a terrifying pressure thundered down like mountains and tsunamis, crushing Shrek beneath its weight.

Thud—

The illustrious Shrek Warlord couldn't hold out for even a second, his knees buckled, and he found himself kneeling on the ground, trembling with his tail between his legs.

That power was all too familiar!

It was akin to the human powerhouse standing beside "Soul Shatterer" Mork, and even stronger than that continuously foul-faced mage.

He was a Diamond Level powerhouse!

"Great Shrek Warlord?" the leading black-robed man sneered slightly, "Quite the self-praise from this rat."

"Ma... Master Merlin!" Shrek's rodent head pressed against the ground, shoulders shaking incessantly, devoid of any courage to escape.

A key insider to "Tomb Guardian", the secret intelligence organization of the Ryan Kingdom, and a close aide of Marinus.

The sword of "Radiant Knight" Heigmer might not reach him, but this master could snuff him out in merely a second...