"You said the Holy Legion went west of the Central Empire?"

When Mohe heard this news, she wasn't exactly surprised. She knew very well that this was "their" allowed "flexibility" under the unchanged "big plan." She also didn't think Charlette would act strictly according to the plan, though the final outcome was probably set, but the other side surely had their own little schemes.

In the Lizardman Kingdom to the west of the Central Empire...

Mohe glanced at the map by her side.

"The Lizardman Realm... As far as I know, this place can only be described as barren. Could it be that some hidden minerals have been discovered? Something that was not found by my people before... a very important strategic resource?"

Mohe thought hard but couldn't come up with any possible intelligence, and everyone else looked just as confused.

They had been working extremely hard recently to prepare the Gargoyle army.

But now it seemed pointless...

Speaking of the Gargoyle army, the good thing about such a legion is that, though they aren't smart, if you don't activate them, they'll just squat there like ordinary statues. Initially, Mohe considered these creatures an expression of art, so at that time, many Gargoyles in the Demon King City were quite good-looking... It's said that part of human sculpture craftsmanship is learned from the remains of Gargoyles.

From this perspective, perhaps contemporary human arts were influenced by Mohe, although Mohe always claimed she was studying human aesthetics.

No one could really clarify the relationship between the two.

If someone were to dig into Mohe's manor right now, they would immediately discover the underground filled with densely packed, motionless Gargoyles.

If anyone accidentally ventured in, there would likely be no good outcome.

It's an absurd feeling; they've prepared for battle here, and yet Charlette directed the legion elsewhere...

"There's nothing odd about it; Charlette didn't form this coalition truly to attack us. Attacking us is just an incidental result. What's more important are her political motives. Humans are always like this... Ever since becoming a human, I can vaguely understand some of these things... It's normal for her not to come."

In essence, Mohe didn't like such actions very much, though she could understand them, she wasn't eager to do it herself.

"Conquest is conquest, and plunder is plunder. Why insist on claiming righteousness?"

She meant to say this, but thinking about her own plans for Doro, she found herself not entirely justified either.

Mohe carefreely waved her hand: "In any case, keep preparing if you will, or quietly wait for developments in the Lizardman Realm. See exactly what Charlette desires by going there, what political goals she wants to achieve."

She was never interested in those things in the first place: "I'm more concerned about whether I can take this opportunity, given that Charlette has taken such a massive legion, to retrieve what belongs to me. Namely, my lung sealed at the Alchemist Association. Over the years, they've likely conducted a lot of alchemy research using my lung. I've heard it even caused some incidents."

Doro looked puzzled as he asked Mohe, "I've heard the Mage Union redeployed ten thousand mid-level or higher mages, why don't you take this chance to retrieve your horns?"

Mohe sneered, scanning the women present and noticing that they all nodded in agreement. She wasn't sure whether it was because Doro said it or they genuinely felt that way, but to Mohe...

She just wore a mocking smile: "You see, if even you can think of it, how could others not? Isn't that jumping straight into a trap?"

"..." Doro wasn't truly stupid, so he immediately caught Mohe's sarcasm. Although he wanted to retort, feeling he had no ground to stand on, he obediently kept quiet.

Mohe continued, "In any case, I will prepare to get my lung back. What you all do is your business, I don't need your help. The Alchemy Association is my best target."

"But since you put it that way... wouldn't others also think of it? The secret of the Demon King's alchemy is widely known, right?"

Doro had barely finished speaking when he again saw Mohe's mocking smile.

"I say... Even though you're now able to think like this, making people realize your progress, don't you think I'd also think of what you can think of? Since I can think of it, don't you think I have other preparations?"

Whether good or bad, aren't you saying it all? Still, Doro eventually understood Mohe's point. Her implication was likely that... if the human side has made preparations along the lines of the Mage Union, there's not much Mohe can do. But if they've made preparations at the Alchemist Association, Mohe is confident to take it down with her power.

So, is the Demon King's alchemy stronger than her magic?

Mohe didn't want to explain further to Doro.

"In any case, I need to go out for a while. The manor will temporarily be in your hands, and I hope nothing happens when I return—" Mohe gave Rose and Lisidorwei a meaningful look, giving them a "hint."

Mohe was constantly pondering.

When it comes to Doro, you think he's a good person? The previous Hero was definitely a good person, but Doro now absolutely isn't. Which good person roams between taverns, and even jokes crudely about the Snow Elf he used to have a good relationship with other men? Plus, he assisted the Demon King in attacking the Saintess Charlette.

This person definitely isn't considered a good person.

Then there's Lisidorwei who originally liked Doro, and was wholly devoted to Doro—there's no reason why their relationship shouldn't progress to the final step. And Rose even more so... One should know, she herself had bestowed Rose with the "Charming Demon" attribute. Still, has this person not realized until now that she would naturally feel close to Doro's aura and can use certain... um, things like his sweat or blood, or other such items as food?

Of course, theoretically speaking, hers could be possible for Mohe too, since Rose's resurrection and transformation itself utilized that one drop of Mohe's blood which stayed in Doro's body for a period as the foundation.

Mohe couldn't possibly let her subordinate from the Demon Race be fed on, but Doro probably wouldn't mind.

Perhaps it's because neither of the two felt a sense of crisis before, but now that Sword Saint Ah Xion is here, and this woman practically walks around the mansion almost as if she's wearing lingerie every day, clearly has nothing going on with Doro, but Lisidorwei and Rose are apparently really putting in all effort to prepare for battle!

It's been over two months since moving into the mansion!

Grape vines have already climbed up and grown lushly!

You're not contributing at all!

Even though Mohe is human now, she's not very clear about exactly what's going on.

After thinking over and over, she felt that perhaps she had influenced them.

Because she, the Demon King, was in the mansion, it prevented both Doro and the three women from truly putting their hearts at ease. Their hearts always held some guard against her, unable to genuinely face each other openly.

Consequently, they couldn't comprehend their mutual feelings.

If so, wouldn't it be fine if she simply left?

She just needed to show up elsewhere; naturally, Doro and the other women would relax, and how things proceed would be up to them... She eagerly hoped these people would progress further—after all, the Demon Race was under her control. Especially Lisidorwei and now Rose: as long as they genuinely formed deeper relations with Doro, she could substantially control Doro using these two people's lives.

Of course, she's indeed doing such things currently, but the fear now is—Doro might escape.

Just like he previously ran away from the identity of Hero A·Gedora. This man, if he doesn't establish deep enough bonds with the women, might end up abandoning everything as always, casting aside the identity of Doro and fleeing. For Mohe, that would be too disastrous.

Even if Mohe never explicitly shows it, personally, she believes that having the Hero right under her nose is a good thing... It's much better than in those heroic chronicles where a despondent Hero someday suddenly meets their "destined person." Then they are redeemed, and after being saved, the Hero resumes being a Hero, becoming even more powerful than before.

Then Mohe, as the Demon King, can only respond with: "?"

Keeping them under her observation, no matter what happens, always leaves room for maneuvering.

Even if they genuinely encounter that kind of "destined person," there's still room for maneuvering, whether through slander, misunderstanding, or outright killing—just like now, having her subordinates tempt Doro, these are all viable options.

But, are they really capable?

"Lisidorwei, come to my room later, I've got some business to discuss before I set off."

When Lisidorwei arrived at Mohe's room, Mohe promptly took out a small glass bottle containing a pink potion.

"Demon King, what is this?"

"This is a potent potion capable of even making dragons aroused; a Hero's body should be able to withstand it. This potion has no harm to the body; in fact, it even has a strengthening effect. It's been part of my treasure inventory all this time, with only a few bottles in total. I originally planned to sell them to nobles for money when poor—how to use it, make him drink it, is up to you. Of course, if you don't trust the potion, that's also your choice, you can even drink it yourself and go find him..."

Lisidorwei's face instantly turned red: "Demon King..."

"Take it or leave it!"

Mohe directly placed the potion on the table, then took a small bag and left the room.

Lisidorwei's crimson eyes stared at the transparent glass bottle containing the pink potion.

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