Chapter 490: Stay

Adam’s expression became more serious at Lilith’s words.

"Why? What’s the problem?"

Isolde folded her arms. "Because Deiora doesn’t seem like the type to accept defeat quietly. He might be holding a grudge against you. And that White Demon who serves under him... there’s a good chance they’re already planning something."

Adam frowned. "Then maybe I should have killed him."

Sera, who had been listening quietly, immediately shook her head. "That wouldn’t have solved anything, Adam. If you had killed one of the Four Heavenly Kings, the demons would never have let it go. You’d only be giving them another reason to come after you."

Adam glanced at her. "You really think it would have gotten that bad?"

Sera nodded. "I’m certain of it. Deiora may have lost this time, but killing him would turn his defeat into something much bigger. The others would see it as an attack on the Demon King’s forces."

Lilith rested her chin lightly on her hand. "Then why don’t we simply make them submit to us?"

Isolde shook her head. "That’s not going to be easy. The Four Heavenly Kings are extremely loyal, and Deiora has already joined Thanatoa’s faction. If he truly intends to restore the demons to power, he’ll do whatever it takes to achieve that."

Adam rubbed his forehead. "Damn... this is getting complicated. Maybe we should just go to the Demon Territory and talk to the Demon King directly."

Sera immediately looked at him. "You’re serious? You can’t just walk into the Demon Territory like that. If you go there without a plan, things could get a lot worse."

"She’s right," Isolde added. "The Demon King isn’t someone who just meets whoever shows up at his doorstep. And even if you do meet him, what exactly are you going to say?"

Adam shrugged. "I’ll clear up the misunderstanding. That’s all."

"And if they still come after you?"

"Then I’ll have to deal with them."

Adam paused for a moment before adding, "But I’d rather not destroy another city if I don’t have to."

Isolde blinked. "That’s what you’re worried about?"

"Of course." Adam glanced at her. "I don’t want to cause another pointless disaster. Just look at this place."

Sera fell silent for a moment. Something about his words seemed to remind her of an old rumor.

"Adam... wait."

She slowly looked at him.

"Don’t tell me that rumor about the dragon who destroyed Khaeltar City... that was you?"

Adam answered as casually as if she had asked him about the weather.

"Yeah."

"You actually did it?"

"Well... technically, yes."

Isolde could only sigh and shake her head.

Lilith, however, seemed completely unfazed. She looked at Adam with a faint smile.

"Wouldn’t it be easier to just destroy their territory too? Then we wouldn’t have to worry about them anymore."

Adam slowly turned toward her.

"That’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid."

Lilith gave him an innocent smile. "I was only making a suggestion."

Isolde covered her face with one hand.

"Why are the two of you so casually discussing the destruction of an entire territory?"

Adam shook his head. "Even if I did destroy the Demon Territory, Luddict would probably get caught up in it too. I don’t want to end up delivering a message to a corpse."

Isolde sighed. "Alright, alright... Before this gets any worse, I’ll use my name to settle things."

Lilith raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile appearing on her face. "You’re awfully confident in your name. Is it really that famous?"

Isolde narrowed her eyes at her. "Are you making fun of me?"

"Not at all," Lilith replied innocently.

"Of course I’m well-known there," Isolde said with a hint of pride. "I’m recognized, and I’m highly respected as well."

Lilith smiled. "Oh? I didn’t know you were that important."

Isolde’s expression twitched.

"...You really are making fun of me, aren’t you?"

Adam looked at Isolde. "Are you sure that’s okay? You didn’t want to get involved with the problems in the Demon Territory in the first place."

Isolde sighed. "What choice do I have? Things have already gotten this serious, so we need to deal with them. Especially since we’re dealing with Thanatos’s faction."

Lilith nodded. "Then I guess that’s settled."

She stood up and stretched slightly. "I’ll leave you two to it. I’m tired anyway."

As she turned toward the door, Lilith glanced back at Adam with a playful smile.

"And don’t forget your promise, Adam."

She gave him a teasing wink before walking out of the room.

Isolde’s face immediately turned red.

"She really does like getting a head start..."

Sera, who had been quietly watching the exchange, cleared her throat.

"Ahem... In that case, I’ll leave too. I should go check on the others."

She stood up and looked at Adam.

"Once again, thank you for everything. And... if you have some time later, I’d like to talk with you. Just the two of us."

Adam nodded. "Sure. Just let me know when you’re free."

Sera gave him a small smile before leaving the room.

Isolde watched her go, then glanced at Adam.

"...Looks like you’re going to be busy."

Adam looked at her in confusion.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Nothing."

Isolde quickly looked away, her face still slightly red.

Adam noticed that Isolde’s face was still red and looked at her with concern.

"When you act like this, I really don’t know what you want from me."

"It’s really nothing," Isolde replied, quickly looking away. "Just go. Don’t you still have things to take care of?"

Adam frowned. "What’s wrong? Why are you suddenly trying to get rid of me?"

"I just..." Isolde hesitated. "I want to be alone today."

Adam looked at her for a moment. The more he watched her, the smaller and more vulnerable she seemed. He knew Isolde often tried to hide what she was feeling, and he had a feeling that she still wasn’t ready to talk about whatever was bothering her.

So instead of leaving, Adam moved closer and sat down beside her.

Without saying anything, he gently pulled her into his arms.

Isolde didn’t resist. She simply remained silent, accepting the embrace.

She always seemed small to Adam, but somehow, whenever he left her alone like this, she seemed to shrink even further into herself.

Adam understood that she might not be ready to tell him what was wrong. He didn’t need her to explain it right now.

So he stayed.

He remained beside her in silence, holding her until her breathing gradually became calmer. Eventually, Isolde’s body relaxed against him, and before long, she quietly fell asleep.