Chapter 2090 - 558: That's a Good Question—I'll Tell You Once I've Thought of an Answer

"Vivian."

The morning breeze swept through the camp, carrying away the scent of herbs and blood that permeated the tents.

Upon hearing the Demon King's voice, Vivian, who was patrolling the territory, instantly turned around, her ruby-like eyes filled with surprise and delight.

"Brother!? What wind brought you here?"

She lifted the skirt of her nun's robe and ran over with little steps, her face radiant with a dazzling smile, like a squirrel finding a pinecone.

"Did you sleep well last night? Alone, right? If any pesky little mice disturbed your rest, Vivian will smash them into bean paste!"

Listening to Vivian babbling away, Luo Yan's mouth subtly curved upwards as he smiled and stroked her restless little head.

"You've been doing well recently."

Whether it was matters of the Knight Order or events from last night, Vivian was unusually useful.

He intended to express this last night, but the timing wasn't quite right, and coupled with post-event dealings and a series of tasks, it was delayed.

"Ehe..."

Vivian's cheeks flushed slightly, her index finger shyly scratching the edge of her headscarf to reveal purple hair. However, her crescent-shaped eyes clearly asked for more praise.

"Thanks to your guidance, Vivian is merely perched on your shoulders!"

This girl isn't difficult to understand; it's just her way of speaking that's a bit odd.

Luo Yan proceeded to compliment her a couple more times, satisfying her vanity, then cast his eyes towards Erin, who was helping nearby.

"Moreover, could I ask you another favor?"

"Feel free to command, Brother! Vivian wouldn't mind being hung motionless on a bookshelf to be tickled—"

"I don't recall ever doing such a thing."

Luo Yan coughed, interrupting her tangent, and quickly continued.

"The favor I ask mainly involves Erin. I hope you can get along well with her. Can you do that?"

For a moment, the air solidified.

The "squirrel with a pinecone" transformed almost instantaneously into a fully armed hedgehog.

"Why!"

Vivian's eyes widened instantly, the sweet and gentle smile disappeared, and her ruby-like eyes turned into killing intent-filled scarlet—

Although it lasted just a moment, that naked killing intent was suppressed by the Demon King's slightly raised eyebrows, transforming into timid tremors and almost overflowing grievances.

"What's so great about that woman? Vivian could also..."

"Could do what?"

"Nothing... I need a reason for doing this."

Watching the sulking Vivian, Luo Yan paused into silence.

A reason?

Honestly, he hadn't thought of one.

Thinking about it, Vivian, this little ancestor, surely wouldn't care about ancestral glory or Extraordinary Power, thus using phrases like "You're mutually beneficial," "The Colin family has never corrupted such a powerful Chosen One," or "To make you even better" clearly wouldn't work.

Threats and bribes only work for scallions.

However, the Demon King is a master at playing mysterious.

Pretending to ponder, he gazed in the direction of the Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain Range, his eyes distant as if drifting beyond the Brass Pass.

"I'm playing a big game, and every step is crucial. Erin... is my pawn."

"A pawn?"

"Indeed," nodding to the bewildered Vivian, Luo Yan continued, "I cannot tell you now, but when the time is right, I will."

Vivian was indeed stunned.

Staring at the Demon King's face filled with wisdom, the flickering scarlet in her pupils gradually transformed into a blush on her cheeks.

So that's how it is…

That woman is merely a pawn, not a close-knit ally, nor a friend with established bonds!

As for the kiss that night, it was merely a deceitful tactic!

"Kukuku..."

A series of suppressed strange laughter spilled from Vivian's throat, her slender fingers lightly covering her lips.

"True to my Brother's nature; Vivian was previously worried you'd be corrupted by a mere human woman, but now it seems I was overthinking."

Hmm?

Have I been outwardly overreacting?

Luo Yan pondered seriously for two seconds but soon tossed this irrelevant triviality aside, focusing on the present.

"So, can I count on you for this?"

"No problem, leave it to Vivian!"

Underneath the holy headscarf, the smile grew increasingly sinister.

The "jealousy" inside Vivian's heart became a fleeting thought, replaced by the glee of the "accomplice."

Magnificent!

Manipulating that self-important "Beloved," squeezing her dry of value, and finally discarding her like trash—

That is a true demon!

No wonder Vivian's Brother!

At that time, Erin should be crying for her mother.

However, Vivian's pride, as always, was short-lived, and the smile planted on her face suddenly froze.

A drop of cold sweat trickled down her white forehead, landing on the black nun's habit, while her crimson pupils trembled like an earthquake.

Wait—

Get along with Erin?

The not-so-distant memory flashed through Vivian's mind, on a restless early summer night.

Not just the cicadas in the forest were restless, but also the two bodies intertwined, along with a garment thin as cicada wings, which barely covered anything.