Chapter 2098 - 560: Hive and Sea of Consciousness

The evening breeze silently blew, carrying away the lingering warmth from over two hundred corpses, and with it, the warmth from the Demon King's smile.

Luo Yan stood atop, his gaze sweeping over the corpses scattered on the ground, settling on the seemingly benevolent but in fact crazed old face.

"How should I address you?"

His lips curled into a slight arc, his voice calm and devoid of any discernable emotions.

"Are you the Tomb Guardian of the Silent Mountain Tomb, the shadow behind King Ryan, or shall I say, the 'Hand of the Late King'—Master Marinus?"

The old man whose identity was exposed showed no signs of stiffness in his smile, elegantly applauding as if to commend the accuracy of the intelligence.

"As expected of Your Majesty the Demon King, a notable figure from Hell; it seems your intelligence network is even deeper than I imagined... I certainly did not misjudge you."

The playful expression on Luo Yan's lips did not fade.

Not misjudging is still acceptable.

He realized that his alias had another use, which was as a touchstone to test the depth of the opponent's understanding of him.

Still using the name "Roxey Colin" means this fellow actually understands nothing, merely extrapolating from limited clues.

But one must admit, his guess was very precise.

This guy is also a master chess player.

Seeing the Demon King standing atop did not deny, Marinus smiled faintly, glanced at the corpse underfoot and continued in a voice like a wind-leaking whistle.

"As for these... Please consider them a small gift for our meeting. Only the dead can keep secrets, and only the dead won't leak tonight's conversation to those bookish fools of the Academic State."

"Aren't you afraid of the Academic State's wrath?"

"Haha, Your Highness Prince jokes," Marinus chuckled lightly, as if he heard a quite amusing joke, "haven't you been to the Academic State? Surely, you know what status their apprentices hold?"

Indeed.

The old farmer of the Aus Empire, magic apprentices of the Academic State, goblins of Hell... Strictly speaking, they occupy a similar niche.

Luo Yan wasn't surprised by Marinus' answer, but seeing that cold smile still invoked a slight sentiment in his heart.

That casual tone, like wiping away dust from a corner of a garment.

This fellow is truly ruthless, the Ryan people being saddled with such a Transcendent is bad luck across generations.

Although the Demon King is also ruthless, albeit unless one commits an unpardonable sin or seeks death, he generally lets them go with a smile, never stooping to engage with those weaker than himself.

Such talent was missed by Hell, allowing him to head towards the "Fifth Chaos," no wonder Hell is declining day by day.

"Why do you think I'm the Demon King?" Luo Yan asked calmly, his tone inviting curiosity, "Just because I have a few Alien Race subordinates?"

"That's one of the reasons, but it's not sufficient for me to confirm my conjecture, after all, there are many nobles who have sold their souls to demons, and they too have subordinates from Hell... What truly makes me confirm my suspicion is yourself."

"Me?"

"Indeed."

Marinus stepped over a corpse, his steps light as a ghost. His face maintained its constant gentle smile as he spoke softly.

"I don't know Hell, but I understand the Empire's nobles. Those arrogant fellows, their eyes are fixed only on the power of the Holy City and the gold of the New Continent. According to my understanding of them, even if you combine the entire eastern part of the Old Continent, it's less important in their eyes than a single Brass Pass... Any notion of Holy Light or faith, they've long since cast aside."

The old man halted, his gaze intensely focused on Colin standing atop and continued.

"Only the demons of Hell would be interested in 'Barbarians' living here. Because to you, even ants have value for exploitation... isn't that so?"

"That is an interesting theory," Luo Yan's lips barely lifted, "pity they are all your conjectures."

"But my conjectures are quite reasonable, are they not?" Marinus smiled and said, "The Campbell family defeated the Demon King; this is a fairy tale the world wishes to believe. But to me, the other side of the story fits reality better..."

He appraised Colin with a gaze of appreciation akin to a veteran hunter viewing another skilled predator in the forest.

His voice turned low, carrying a tinge of twisted admiration.

"You corrupted Campbell."

"You do not choose slaughter like those lower demons but instead opted for a more sophisticated conquest. You used strength, wealth, and pleasures irresistible to mortals, weaving a grand honey pot, turning the young and ambitious Duke, the innocent and brave Princess, and those citizens who think they've controlled their own fate all into your puppets."

In Marinus' understanding, the Demon King of Thunder County, much like he controls Ryan's king, lurks behind the scenes, manipulating the entire Duchy with sweet poison. Aaron Campbell publicly won everything but actually lost it all.

This sounds nearly like looking into a mirror.

Sarah's face showed an expression of surprise, her eyes gradually turning serious.

The Holy Mark Organization always considered the Tomb Guardian as the dagger under King Ryan's sleeve, yet didn't anticipate this snake, raised personally by the King, had actually turned around to entangle the King's hand?!

This truly was... beyond her expectations.

Luo Yan's face displayed an expression of curiosity, not refuting this "unique misunderstanding," merely finding it interesting.