The Demon King is unfathomable

Chapter 298 Iger is a good boy

After dinner, the night gradually darkened.

Yige stood in front of the door of the main building of the manor and said goodbye to Luo Yan and Mia. Before he could finish his words, he hurried away with his suitcase, blushing, for fear of staying here for another second.

This guy is still the same, always extra polite. Compared with Vivian's "orthodox demons", they are two extremes.

"You're welcome to visit us often... Also, say hello to your father for me." Looking at Iger climbing onto the carriage, Lady Serena waved with a smile.

When Iger heard Mrs. Serena's voice, he almost tripped and fell, but fortunately the suitcase had been stuffed in, so he did not make a fool of himself.

Lady Serena's smile grew wider, with a barely perceptible hint of joy hanging at the corners of her mouth.

Luo Yan glanced sideways with slight surprise.

can not tell.

Mrs. Padridge, who always appears dignified, virtuous, elegant and decent in front of outsiders, actually has a dark side that is unknown to the public.

certainly--

Maybe it's because Yiger's temperament is too special.

If Mia is an "extremely aggressive" carnivore, then this guy is probably a maze-type slime that "always seduces others to bully him"... although he has no awareness of this.

Thinking that this guy could actually stay at the front line for a whole year and come back safely, Luo Yan couldn't help but worry for him.

"Okay, that's out of the way - well, I mean, dear Mr. Ashde Iger has left, let's go back." Lady Serena turned around with a smile, gently placed her hands on Luo Yan and Mia's shoulders, and led the two to the porch next to her with a strength that should not be underestimated, "Come on, little cuties, mommy will take you back to your room."

What the hell is Ashida?

Is this the last name?

Speaking of which, Luo Yan and Yige have known each other for quite a long time, but he has never asked for his last name, and Yige has never mentioned it on his own initiative.

Considering that the other party might be an illegitimate child like himself and it was inconvenient to reveal his surname to outsiders, Luo Yan did not ask any further questions.

However, just as Luo Yan was stunned, he found that he had actually moved from the lobby of the main building of the manor to the second floor... and he had no memory of even taking a step forward.

What kind of magic is this?
Could it be the field? !

Isn't it? !
"Mrs. Padridge, is this... the direction of the reception room?" Looking at the demon maid who hurriedly passed by with her head down, Luo Yan spoke hurriedly without having time to organize his words.

Based on his understanding of the upper class in Hell, the second or third floor of the main building of the manor is usually the owner's bedroom, while guests usually stay in the villa. Even those of noble status are arranged to stay in the corridor on the second floor.

in short--

This is not the place for him to be.

"What Mrs. Padridge? That's too distant! Why don't you just call me like Mia does—"

"Mom!!! What are you doing?! Quick, stop it!"

Before Luo Yan could react, Mia beside him let out a wail that was almost a scream.

The hot red color climbed from her cheeks all the way to her ears.

From her trembling lips and eyelashes, Luo Yan could clearly see her surprise and confusion, as well as her panic of not knowing what to do.

In the blink of an eye, the three of them arrived in front of an exquisite mahogany door.

The door is inlaid with a pink and gold relief, surrounded by two little devils holding three-pronged forks. The smirk from ear to ear is not at all eerie and scary, but rather has a kind of evil and cute feeling.

Mia's name is engraved next to the relief.

There is no doubt that this is someone's boudoir.

Luo Yan was certain that Madam Serena must have used some means related to supernatural powers, otherwise she would not have been able to lead them across a distance of hundreds of meters without any sense of push on the back.

At this moment, he finally realized how helpless mortals were in front of high-level succubus - there was really no chance of resistance at all.

At the same time, he finally understood why Yige escaped so quickly.

That was the intuition of a "veteran" who had been training on the front line for a whole year.

Great!
"arrive!"

Lady Serena clapped her hands in a gesture of accomplishment, then, despite Mia's desperate attempts to stop her, she smiled, grasped the door handle and pushed the door open.

"I've already cleaned the room for you. You're welcome. Ahem! What I mean is, please treat this place as your own home."

This lady probably misunderstood the meaning of staying overnight, or is this what staying overnight means in the world of succubus...

But no matter what, in order to avoid future embarrassment, Luo Yan felt that it would be better for him to be more mature and take the initiative to clarify.

However, just when he finally figured out the words, coughed lightly and was about to say something, the scene that came into his eyes made him freeze on the spot.

It was a wall covered with magic photos.

Among them are the Demon King Academy's group graduation photos, photos in the classroom, and photos in the cafeteria, or the library...but that's not the point.

The point is-

"You are finally back, dear. I have been waiting for you for a long time."

In the photo frame, the "paper man Luo Yan" wearing a college uniform showed a heartwarming smile on his face and said things that Luo Yan had never and would never say.

And this is not the oiliest part——

"Why are you back so late?"

"Oh hehe...it seems punishment is necessary."

Looking at the "self" in the photo frame who was looking at him with an evil expression, Luo Yan fell into a long silence, and the soles of his shoes made a faint creaking sound.

Mia's knees went weak, and she collapsed to the ground like a puppet with its soul drained out. Her eyes were lifeless, as if she was accepting the punishment of fate.

“…It’s over.”

She was mumbling words that were becoming increasingly difficult to understand, her eyes fixed on the non-existent crack in the floor. Occasionally, behind her empty expression, there could be heard two soft "haha" sounds, like a broken jar being smashed, which made the only human here shudder.

At the same time, the instigator standing by was completely unaware, and a devilishly innocent smile appeared on his gentle and dignified face.

"Ah... I'm sorry, Mia. Mommy forgot to put them away for you. It's strange. The photos were still fine during the day."

Lady Serena looked at her daughter apologetically, as if she was really apologizing, although the cunning hidden in the corners of her mouth still exposed her true thoughts.

Luo Yan would never believe that a powerful person at the diamond or even amethyst level could not see the trick in the magic photo?
You’re kidding me—bah, you’re kidding me!

This guy must have done it on purpose!
Lady Serena turned to Luo Yan and gave him an apologetic look, like a mother apologizing for her naughty child.

"I'm really sorry, Mr. Luo Yan... Please believe that my daughter has no ill intentions. She just... just made the same mistake that all the children in the Padrich family would make."

As Serena spoke, she winked at Luo Yan, signaling him to quickly comfort her daughter... as if this was a godsend opportunity.

Do not--

At this time, no matter how much you comfort someone, it will only make the person being comforted embarrassed, right? !
Luo Yan could probably understand this feeling.

It's like forgetting to delete the browsing history on the computer, and ending up with a relative's child finding things he shouldn't have seen, while the computer happened to be connected to the Bluetooth in the living room.

of course.

Even though he understood it, he still found it difficult to accept emotionally that these greasy words came out of "his" mouth.

That's not how you say dirty talk!

Just as he was thinking about how to end it, a mature and steady voice came from the side of the corridor like a savior who suddenly appeared.

"You're messing around again, Serena."

Luo Yan looked in the direction of the voice and saw a middle-aged gentleman in dark ink-colored clothes walking slowly towards him.

That was the head of the Padrich family, Mr. Festing Padrich.

When she saw her husband, Lady Serena stuck out her tongue and looked away guiltily, like a little girl who was caught making a mistake.

Looking at Serena who was pretending nothing had happened, Festing sighed with a headache, then looked at his daughter who was slumped on the ground, and then his eyes fell on the wall in the room.

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, then he cast an apologetic look at Luo Yan, cleared his throat and spoke.

"Please forgive me, Mr. Luo Yan, this... I will deal with it later."

Obviously, even with Mr. Festing's wide experience, it was the first time he encountered such an embarrassing situation, so much so that he didn't know how to start his apology.

"It's okay. I... don't mind."

Luo Yan did not make things difficult for him. He took the initiative to give everyone a way out, then looked at Lady Serena and gave a slightly tactful reminder.

"But... I still hope that Madam can pay a little attention to Mia's privacy. I don't really care what my photos are used for or where they are hung, but... it's better not to let me know about this kind of thing, what do you think?"

As soon as the words fell, Mia, who was slumped on the ground, suddenly trembled, as if the previous damage had caused another critical hit.

Although Luo Yan had no intention of hurting her, he was speaking for her instead.

"Okay, okay, I know I was wrong... Can you forgive me? Honey, mommy is just worried that you will be played around by humans... Wuuuu, I'm sorry! I won't dare to do it again next time... OK?" Serena seemed to really realize that she was wrong. She squatted down and hugged Mia's shoulders, coaxing her like a child.

But it was obvious that Mia's soul did not come back so quickly, and she just let Lady Serena hold her in her arms and rock her.

The pictures on the wall are still repeating the dirty talk...

Festing pressed his brows with a headache, and a wisp of black air popped out from his index finger, freezing the "Luo Yans" who were talking in the photo, just like pressing the pause button on a short video that was playing in a loop.

Then, he looked at Luo Yan sincerely and continued.

"I have asked the servants to prepare a room for you in the annex... It's quieter there. I will take you there now."

Luo Yan had never seen such a tired expression on Mr. Festing's face, nor had he seen such a pleading hidden behind his ease.

All along, this Grandmaster Shadow Fiend had left him with a very impressive impression, but now he was shattered to pieces in the hands of his wife.

But it was a blessing in disguise. He felt that his relationship with the Padrich family seemed to have become closer, and it was a good thing for both of them.

If this was Mrs. Padridge's intention, then this woman might be even more unfathomable than he thought...

But for Mia, the "price" may be a little too heavy.

"Then I will obey your command..." Luo Yan nodded slightly, paused for a moment and continued, "But before I go to rest, there are some things I want to talk to you about."

Almost at the moment when he finished speaking, a gleam of light flashed in Festing's eyes which were full of fatigue.

"Is it about the upcoming meeting?" Luo Yan did not hide anything and nodded frankly.

"Yes."

Festing remained calm and gestured for invitation.

"Please come with me."

……

The two moved to the study.

As the door of the study opened, the copper candlestick in the corner of the wall automatically lit up, casting a soft and heavy light into the dim room.

Luo Yan noticed that there was an oil painting with a deep and realistic style hanging on the wall of the study - it was Mr. Festing's own painting.

Unlike the magic photos in Mia's room, this painting does not move, and judging from its use of paint and its spatial composition, it should be the work of a master.

Festing closed the door and waved his hand. The curtains fell automatically, isolating this space from the noise of the corridor.

He did not start talking immediately, but stood in front of the wine cabinet and poured two glasses of deep red wine, then handed one to Luo Yan.

"I guess you need some."

"Thank you."

Luo Yan did not refuse. He took it and took a sip. He suppressed his fluctuating emotions caused by the previous episode and got straight to the point.

"I want to talk to you about the 'Continent of Janna'."

Upon hearing this, Festing raised his eyebrows slightly, said nothing, just sat down quietly and invited Luo Yan to sit down with him.

Luo Yan sat opposite Festing, looked into those scrutinizing eyes and continued.

"With your connections in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, you must have heard that I have a servant who is currently on the Janna continent... Although he has not yet established a firm foothold, I have enough confidence in him to sow the seeds of faith in the empire's colonies and slowly corrupt the colonists there into loyal servants of His Majesty the Demon God."

"Where does your confidence come from?" Festing asked casually.

Luo Yan smiled slightly.

"I'm not just running the Demon King's Territory... To be honest, the trade routes on the Vast Ocean also have a share in the Great Cemetery."

Festing looked at him in surprise, but perhaps because he thought of his human identity, he no longer found it strange.

Demons often find it difficult to integrate into the Oss Empire and can only indirectly control or corrupt the nobles there, but Luo Yan is different... he is a human being.

It is precisely because of this that he can do things that some powerful demons cannot do. This is not only Festing's own judgment, but also the recognition from the Minister of Intelligence Melusine.

"Do you know what I'm thinking?" Luo Yan put down his wine glass, crossed his fingers, and looked calmly into Festing's eyes. "That continent is a great opportunity for Hell. If we can leave our mark in the hearts of the local colonists, we will not only have the opportunity to draw the Lizardmen of Janna to our camp, but also use it as a springboard to spread the corruption along the most vulnerable nerve endings of the empire towards their torsos!"

Festing listened quietly, gently swirled the red liquid in the wine glass, and said in a low and slow voice:

"Your idea... is very good."

He paused, then changed the subject:
"But there are no outsiders here, so I'll just say it straight... I don't really recommend you to get directly involved in the game between Caesar Colin and Gorigo Soren."

"Especially since you had a disagreement with Goligo not long ago because of the incident in Port Saldo. The old guy didn't say anything, but that doesn't mean he is really heartless... In a place like Hell, liches have always been the most troublesome."

Festing hopes that Luo Yan can restrain himself for the time being and not be in a rush.

If the carbon is burned too red, it will easily turn into ash.

As for Hell,

That kind of grand narrative is just to deceive the goblins below. There is no point in talking about demons and hell when the door is closed.

Even Caesar Colin, the "Iron Prince" known for his toughness, had no real plan to push the battle line to the Holy City.

Just like the empire never thought it could really conquer hell - they didn't care about the underground where there was no sunlight all year round, just like the demons in hell didn't care about the soil under the sun.

Only the liches who live in the past and the goblins who can't stand the harsh environment are anxious.

Luo Yan did not rush to explain, but just nodded calmly.

"That's why I came to ask you for advice."

As soon as these words came out, Festing's eyebrows finally moved, and a faint smile gradually appeared at the corners of his mouth.

"You handled the Dragun family issue very neatly. I still haven't seen how many cards you have played. Why are you asking me now? You know best what to do."

Festing's implication is obvious -

Just follow the model of the Dragun family and build an obedient puppet to control it remotely. Why bother asking him?

But here's the problem.

Not everyone can be this puppet. At least he has to help him share some of the pressure from the Magic City, especially from Golico Soran.

He had to make his own plans, so this person must not be manipulated by the religious ministers of the Magic City. His ability could be lower, or even completely absent, but he must have a strong enough background to withstand pressure and not be tempted.

Mia is actually a good choice.

And this proposal is definitely beneficial to Festing, both from the perspective of training heirs and from the perspective of the family's practical interests... He will never keep the glory in his hands to himself.

But Festing didn't seem interested in this. It was unclear whether it was because he was worried that the unclear situation might affect the core interests of the Padrich family, or because he simply doted on his daughter.

Luo Yan couldn't guess what he was thinking, but he didn't force it. He just pretended that he had never hinted at it and spoke humbly with the attitude of a junior toward an elder.

"You are too kind. I have only a shallow foundation in the Magic City. It was pure luck that I was able to defeat Zakro... Only you can help me with this matter."

It doesn't matter if you are not interested.

How about recommending someone to me?

"I have to ask you something first," Festing looked at Luo Yan and suddenly said, "Is the Janna continent...important to you?"

Those were a pair of pupils that saw through everything.

Luo Yan could clearly feel the scrutiny in that gaze.

Not daring to relax for a moment, he nodded seriously and spoke calmly.

"Rather than saying it's important, it's the only opportunity I can seize right now... The land underground has been divided up, and so has the land above ground."

Festing looked at him.

"Isn't a principality enough for you?"

Luo Yan was silent for a while and then spoke.

"I'm only telling you this. If I were only satisfied with one duchy, I wouldn't even be able to sit still in a maze. So I can't be satisfied with just one duchy... This is probably the biggest difference between me and Miss Mia."

Festing's pupils shrank slightly.

For a moment he saw something terrible in the boy's shadow.

It was a flame different from desire and ambition, but hotter than the former two combined. The former burned a person's soul, while the latter burned everyone.

But it's just a feeling after all.

Because he had never seen it, he didn't know how to describe it.

After a long moment, an interested smile suddenly appeared on Festing's face. He leaned forward and leaned back on the back of the sofa, and his shoulders relaxed.

"Interesting answer... I rarely look at someone with new eyes twice, and you're the first one."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Luo Yan smiled faintly and spoke in a gentle tone.

"To be honest... I was pushed up here. Since the day I graduated, I had no choice."

"is it?"

Festing looked at him with a half-smile, without making any comment.

After a moment, he slowed down his tone and suddenly spoke meaningfully.

"Ig, that's a good boy."

Seeing that Festing had indeed recommended a candidate to him, Luo Yan was shocked and sat up straight, but then his brows frowned again.

"Ig? But he..."

He never betrays his friends.

I don't want to be cheated by my friends.

If it was Mia, he had the confidence to "help her up", but Yige... getting involved in such a thing might end up hurting him.

As if seeing Luo Yan's concerns, Festing smiled and said meaningfully.

"That kid... well, he's a lot like his father when he was young. Even though he occasionally does things that cause headaches, he's generally very reliable. He's someone you can trust... well, you can't completely trust him."

When he was halfway through his words, Festing's expression suddenly became hesitant again, and his eyes were evasive, which made Luo Yan's heart, which had just been lifted, also fall.

After all this time, this evaluation is not high...

"...In short, his family hopes that he can go out and try his luck, and he himself hopes so too. Is there anyone more suitable than him? As for ability, I don't think you really care about that. Anyway, you can do better yourself."

Perhaps he encountered a memory that he didn't want to recall, Festing forcibly skipped the previous topic and continued.

"As for his identity... my wife has already hinted it to you before. If you noticed it, you should know it in your mind."

Perhaps it was an instinct in the Padrich family's blood, Serena was really optimistic about this young man.

To be honest, he was a little jealous.

certainly--

This is just a joke.

He knew it was just admiration, just like his opinion of Luo Yan.

"It doesn't matter if you didn't notice. It's not important...or maybe it's better that you didn't know."

"His family won't do much to help him, but they will never let him be bullied by an old guy like Goligo."

(End of this chapter)