The two are not contradictory.

"...Hey, buddy, where should we go?" she murmured to herself, her fingers instinctively fiddling with the short dagger at her waist.

This dagger had countless times given her a sense of security in the darkness, but now, it felt exceptionally heavy.

There were only a few people on the street—Mole People, Skeletons, mercenaries, and several surface adventurers in worn leather armor. Their eyes occasionally swept over Chris, but no one paid attention to her.

She stood there like a ghost forgotten by the world.

After standing still for a long time, Chris finally started walking, slowly heading towards the caravan's camp outside the town.

The caravan's campfire illuminated the guards' armor; they were talking in low voices, occasionally laughing.

She knew these merchants would head to the surface, and Thunder County was the only place she was familiar with there.

Perhaps Jack from the Poison Snake Gang could introduce her to a job, if the Poison Snake Gang was still around.

That guy was loyal. Even though they had only cooperated a few times, he was willing to take risks to rescue her and Am... Although it didn't succeed in the end.

That's why, even though she had many familiar faces she had worked with, he was the first to come to mind.

"Do you need to hire a guard? I'm familiar with this area." She stepped forward, quietly asking the caravan leader.

The caravan leader was a weathered middle-aged man. He looked her up and down, noticed the short dagger at her waist and her calm demeanor, and nodded: "If you can mind your own business on the road, don't ask too many questions, and don't cause trouble, you're welcome."

After a pause, he continued.

"We need a scout, payment is 1 silver coin per day, the contract ends at the surface."

Chris didn't mind, silently nodded, and stood to the side of the team, joining them.

It seems no one remembers the 'Silver Scimitar' anymore.

This guy actually doesn't recognize her face nor see her as a threat.

But perhaps her demeanor has changed. Unexpectedly, at the Demon King's territory, where even Saint Sis couldn't redeem her, she found "resurrection".

Chris let out a bitter smile, shook her head, and gazed trance-like at the campfire.

The embers of the campfire burned gently, sparks rising into the night sky, like her past life.

She looked back once at the place that had made her feel a sense of belonging, but ultimately she couldn't stay.

She mumbled softly.

"Take it step by step..."

...

In the Transmission Room of the Demon King Management Department, dark magic patterns flowed across the floor, magical lamps hung from the ceiling, casting the space into a contrast of dark and light, akin to a modest palace.

Suddenly, the teleportation array flashed, and a figure cloaked in shadow slowly stepped out.

Luo Yan had just set foot on the marble floor when he saw Mia not far away, leaning against a stone pillar carved with magic patterns, silently watching over there with her arms folded.

Her long pink hair fell softly over her shoulders, heart-shaped pupils giving off a casual appraisal as her legs crossed in a seemingly unbothered manner.

However, the slightly upturned end of her tail still betrayed her undisguised joy inside.

Seeing Luo Yan walk down the teleportation array, she slightly raised her chin, her hands hiding her raised smile as she spoke condescendingly.

"Oh? Isn't this the revered Demon King himself? Finally willing to come back once?"

She hadn't yet thought of an opening for her speech, but Luo Yan, stepping down from the teleportation array, beat her to it.

"Yes, dear Mia Miss, long time no see, I've missed you dearly, how have you been lately?"

"D-Dear?!" Mia's face flushed instantly, struck down by this sudden bomb like a submarine sinking into the ocean, bubbling away.

"..." Watching the pair hit it off flirtatiously at first sight, Grien realized his role as the third wheel.

Though he wanted to chat with this increasingly famous junior, he silently walked away.

It's not urgent, after all.

"Seeing you full of spirit, I feel relieved, seems you've been doing well lately."

Luo Yan smirked, casually adjusting the cloak, speaking in a chit-chat tone.

"Aren't you going to ask how I've been doing recently?"

Mia hadn't recovered from the previous statement like a puppet on strings, stammering as she instinctively replied.

"H-how have you been?"

"I've been well, whether it's me, or the Maze, or the surface beyond the Maze… Everything is under control."

Admiring her brain-freezing expression, with the topic under his full control, Luo Yan gently smiled, not further teasing the adorable Mia Miss, but skillfully shifted the topic back to business.

"Especially the surface, the Demon King's corrosion is spreading throughout the Campbell Duchy. I believe it won't be long before that land sees a new order. This time I've returned intending to make this the main focus of my report. I'm sure for someone like you, who has silently supported me from behind, this too will be of considerable merit, don't you think?"

Hearing Luo Yan mention business, Mia was finally able to catch her breath and regained a calm demeanor, muttering softly.

"I-I have no objection… By the way, what method did you use exactly? The Campbell family is legendary heroes… They aren't easy to deal with, are they?"

"Certainly textbook-like infiltration, spreading corrosion under shadows, all the way to their power center, even the Duchy's King, and...the holder of the Light of Praise." Luo Yan said slowly, "Dealing with them truly isn't easy, but it depends on who it's for."

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