The afterglow of the sunset spilled over the serene lake surface, shimmering brilliantly, as if fish were swimming continuously on the lake.

A woman with long purple hair stood in front of this lake, wearing a jet-black long dress, looking mysterious, noble, and elegant.

"Nephilim, are you thinking about him again?"

Hearing these words, Final Song Hidden Nephilim couldn't help but turn her head, looking at the woman conversing with her, one of her deputies within the Curse Master Alliance, "Curse Song — Hanna."

"Is merely standing here admiring the scene of the sunset and afterglow considered thinking about him?"

"It's not hard to guess, Nephilim. Only he can leave you at a loss—only when you're confused do you come here."

Hanna walked up to Hidden Nephilim's side: "What happened in the Elf Kingdom is no secret. That day, there were too many influential figures from various races and major forces there, too many who witnessed his arrival and the killing of the Elf Queen. Even though the Elf Queen herself wasn't as powerful as you people, in the Land of the Ancestors, combined with the Elf Mother Tree, you couldn't defeat her."

She stated this directly: "So, the world already knows that the Hero hasn't declined but is terrifyingly strong. As long as he wishes, he can take anyone's head in this world, make a person's mind no longer belong to themselves—facing such an existence, who can remain calm?"

Hidden Nephilim withdrew her gaze and looked back at the tranquil lake surface: "So, what do the others in the alliance think? Do they want to push me out to face his wrath? I heard his hair is still gray now."

"I think many have the same idea, but you're strong, and no one dares to say it directly. However, it doesn't exclude someone might privately contact the Hero to test his attitude. If the Hero gives his consent, some might gain enough courage, then opposing you might not just be talk."

"Isn't this quite laughable?"

Hidden Nephilim's eyes stayed on the water: "We assisted him in rebelling against the Demon King for a better life, betrayed him because he failed to keep his promises, and now, we must surrender to him due to his immense power, even forcing me, the 'culprit,' to pay the price—so why did we help him in the first place?"

"It's certainly unfair, Nephilim." Hanna stood with her, staring at the water's surface, "But so what? This world never promised that efforts would be rewarded, that choices made, and prices paid would yield returns. Investing effort and price only to end in unsatisfactory or even terrible results… That's the world's norm, and thinking this way as the alliance leader is naive and childish. I shouldn't have to teach you this."

Hidden Nephilim couldn't deny these words.

Realizing effort being rewarded is a luxury... She was acutely aware of this. You pay the price, do you always gain something in return?

If all efforts always brought rewards, what a wonderful thing that would be.

From the perspective of the Curse Master Alliance, whether the decision was right no longer matters. For many organizations in this world, it's not about profit anymore, but whether there is a chance to continue existing.

Who knows if the Hero will suddenly unleash his wrath?

Recently, he was able to suddenly descend on the Elf Kingdom and kill the Elf Queen. Could he suddenly land on the Curse Master Alliance next?

Now, small-scale local wars are starting around the world, and besides that—what's the first thing major organizations are doing?

Hide!

Using magic, curses, alchemy items, various means, to conceal their headquarters' locations. Regardless of effectiveness, it's a psychological comfort. Not letting beings like the Hero find them is the simplest solution, whether supporting the Hero or betraying him.

Hidden Nephilim understood all this very well.

It is because she understood these things that she came to this lakeside, watching the water—to calm herself slightly.

"Were we wrong?"

"So, right or wrong is meaningless. We're not strong enough to change the world, so we can only adapt to it. If we had powers like the Hero, then regardless of what happens, we could act according to our will." Hanna spread her hands helplessly, "But we aren't, so facing the world's changes, we can only change ourselves. Struggle to survive. That's how we've always lived."

Curse Master—

In the Demon Race's territory, considered weak and treacherous, learning and using this power, regarded as "ominous" among humans.

It's a power unappreciated and uncherished anywhere.

Struggling to survive is the norm for Curse Masters; generally, a normal person wouldn't learn curses.

There are many wide paths in the world to choose from, many ways to live in the sunshine, and those who eventually become Curse Masters often do so out of some helplessness, perhaps because they had no other choice, or maybe some other reason—or perhaps they simply were bad people… The Curse Master group is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous groups in this world.

This kind of group, truly... is...

"If, and I mean if, I am killed by A·Gedora, would he continue to act against the Curse Master Alliance?"

Hanna tilted her head, looking at the other: "Are you seriously saying this?"

"If it's truly necessary."

"Don't say such ridiculous things. Do you think anyone would be grateful to you?"

"I didn't say this for others' gratitude in the first place."

Hidden Nephilim's expression was calm: "After all, if it's bound to happen sooner or later, perhaps seeking such a result proactively might seem more… dignified. If it's for survival, by any means necessary, whether avoiding, plotting, or shameless flattery—trying to survive means choosing one of these options, but, it's evidently meaningless. Even after an ugly, desperate struggle, death's resolution awaits; it's better to face death with a hint of heroism."

Dignity.

The Curse Master group is, in fact, not dignified.

After all, the following work is often dirty and exhausting, but correspondingly, they often emphasize what they lack the most—this group values dignity highly, even more than most noble-filled Mage Unions.

Their outfits are meticulously formal, no matter what they do, always treating it like attending a grand event.

There are also many so-called internal "rules."

Some even self-identify as "artists," with so-called "art of curses," "art of killing," "art of assassination," "art of torture"… Many unfamiliar with the Curse Master Alliance think it's some artist association.

They always adorn themselves with sophistication and elegance.

"It's definitely a proposal full of the Curse Master's flair. It's a decent way to remedy things, if it can gain his approval."

Hidden Nephilim then took out a plan and handed it to Hanna: "This is the plan sent by the Wise King."

Hanna took the plan and reviewed it carefully, her expression continuously changing.

Then Hidden Nephilim asked: "What do you think?"

"What do I think… is he seriously intending to kill the Hero?"

"Charlette and Adeline seem to think the Wise King seriously wants to kill A·Gedora, but to me—this feels like a suicide plan, detailing how we'll march towards our death's end."

Hanna closed the plan: "As a Curse Master, I can only say, I have the same feeling… It only involves high-level combat prowess, a plan concerning all grudges. If it can't kill the Hero and Demon King, everyone will die there. It won't involve anyone else, the leaders' deaths signal turning over past issues, leaving only the Hero and Demon King, or only one side… They will be the protagonists rewriting the world's pages. One can have such a feeling."

"You also feel that way, don't you?" Hidden Nephilim wasn't surprised by Hanna's response, "I haven't told Charlette and the others my feeling on this, nor do I know if they feel the same, but perhaps they've already prepared."

"Do you intend to implement this plan?"

"If this plan allows the Curse Master Alliance to continue, then it has the value of execution."

Hidden Nephilim placed her hand on Hanna's shoulder: "I believe the Wise King has already arranged everything, perhaps after his death, a coup in the Human Central Empire will follow immediately, and the Hero's faction will become the leader of all factions. I want to entrust the same mission to you, Hanna. After my death, you will become the chairman of the Curse Master Alliance. Between the Demon King and the Hero, make a choice based on your judgment."

Among the Demon King and Hero?

"But they..."

Aren't they united now?

Yet Hidden Nephilim did not directly answer her confusion but continued: "The Demon King was once defeated by the Hero, but she has now returned—do you think such a being would willingly remain defeated by the Hero? At least, from what the Demon King has done before, it tells me she is unwilling—so the Demon King's return can actually be anticipated. With the Hero being so immensely powerful now, the only one who might defeat him is the returning, stronger-than-ever Demon King. But which one is stronger... you can only judge for yourself. I can't make this judgment anymore."

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