The Demon King is unfathomable

Chapter 604 The Demon King's Back Garden
Emerald green spruce trees stand on both sides of the country road, their dense needles dividing the sparse sunlight into dappled patterns. The snow-covered walls conceal the withered vines, yet cannot conceal the unique solidity of the stone architecture characteristic of the Kingdom of Ryan.

This is the southern outskirts of the city at dusk, about an hour's carriage ride from the train station in the south of the city, and at least twenty minutes of that ride is spent on a bumpy ride.

According to the governor's staff, there is a small town called Gravit next to the estate, about a 15-minute walk away, where there is also a newly built train station.

If there were more frequent train services, they could have come by train.

Luo Yan carefully searched his memories. He seemed to recall being here before, and with Eileen at that.

However, he had brought soldiers with him at the time, so he didn't pay attention to this manor surrounded by spruce trees.

As for now, he has also brought his troops with him.

However, he wasn't a lowly soldier; he was a "demon general."

"...This manor used to be the property of Baron Gravit. I've met that gentleman; he was quite knowledgeable about sculpture, especially stone carving. Every relief on the walls here was designed by him personally, and the stone used to build the walls was transported from the northern border of the Kingdom of Rhodes."

Walking beside Luo Yan, the officials accompanying the governor's manor led the way and introduced the history of the manor.

The man looked to be in his early thirties, dressed in a well-tailored official uniform. He spoke with a very appropriate tone, and his attitude was respectful without being obsequious.

Those who were sent to accompany Prince Colin to view houses must at least be quite adept at reading people.

Luo Yan looked at the antique stone wall in front of him with great interest, but couldn't see anything special about it.

Vivian was different.

She was wearing a purple fleece-lined cotton dress. She raised her small hand and yawned, her perfunctory attitude leaking out from between her fingers along with the white mist from her breath.

When it comes to historical background, the young master of the Colin family certainly wouldn't take a mere human baron seriously, especially one from a remote border region.

Pick up any stone from the Colin family manor, and you'll find a story on it that probably surpasses the entire forest behind the manor.

Karen walked beside Vivian, naturally lagging behind by half a step, and looked around with the same interest as Luo Yan.

After thinking for a moment, she asked curiously.

Is there anything special about these stones that were transported from the Kingdom of Rhodes?

Luo Yan actually wanted to ask this question too, but Karen asked it for him, which saved him the trouble of asking.

This guy is always exceptionally considerate in the details, which is just like me.

"People generally believe that the stones in the Dragon Tooth Mountains contain some kind of mysterious power that can improve one's fortune... Of course, I don't know much about the specifics, but this idea was very popular for a period of time. After all, you know there are more mage towers in the north, which may be related to this."

Vivian yawned for the second time.

However, unlike before, this time she chimed in with her own comment.

"So, do these stones improve the fortunes of Baron Gravit and his family?"

Even with their high emotional intelligence, the officials in the governor's office were taken aback by this remark and didn't know how to respond for a moment.

Obviously, the answer is no.

Otherwise, this manor would not have been an "inheritance" with no heirs, and after several changes of ownership, it would have ended up in the hands of the Holy Light Council.

Karen smiled slightly and said softly.

"Perhaps the gods have other plans for the fate of Baron Gravit and his family, and this may not be the best plan."

"Haha, indeed, compared to other nobles captured by the Green Forest Army, Baron Gravitt's fate was actually quite dignified..."

The officials at the governor's office gave the kind-smiling girl a grateful look and were about to change the subject.

However, to his surprise, Miss Colin persisted and became interested in the strange questions.

"Oh? How did he die?"

The official hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Prince Colin. Seeing that the latter didn't seem to find it unlucky, he coughed lightly and spoke.

"That gentleman... had a lung problem and passed away on his way to Roland City for treatment. Well, compared to the story of Baron Gravitt, I think His Highness Colin is more interested in the manor itself. Let's get back to the main topic..."

Seeing that Vivian was still eager to ask more questions, Luo Yan coughed lightly.

Upon hearing the cough, the little guy immediately shut his mouth and gave up in frustration.

To be honest, Luo Yan quite liked this manor.

The environment here is quiet and the scenery is pleasant. Moreover, it is far from the sight of others, which makes it convenient for him to place some of his own people.

As for the story behind the manor, he neither cared much about it nor was interested in digging into it.

In contrast, Karen was very good at reading his mind. She could tell at a glance that he was very satisfied with the place, and asked the sales assistant questions that he might be interested in.

Thinking about this, Luo Yan became even more satisfied with Ms. Karen.

As expected of the saintess he personally trained—

Her ability to see into people's hearts and her meticulous attention to detail are not much weaker than his.

……

Without Vivian's interruption, the governor's officials led the group into the manor and gave them a quick tour of the surrounding area.

The entire estate covers an area of ​​about 20 acres, with stables, an indoor garden, a wine cellar, and even a small chapel.

This is probably the biggest difference between the Lanes and the Campbells.

Few Campbell nobles would build a chapel on their estate unless the estate was so large it resembled a castle, making it difficult to even go out, and the estate had so many servants that they couldn't always travel to the nearby town.

However, in the Kingdom of Ryan, almost every nobleman is a paragon of piety, wishing they could bring idols into their own homes, and chapels have become a standard feature of private estates.

According to officials at the Governor's Palace, the estate and the title of Baron Gravitt were revoked by the royal family due to ambiguity in the succession.

With the change of the Devalo dynasty, the manor now belongs to the Council of Holy Light.

After touring the entire estate, Vivian nodded reluctantly, giving a rather reserved assessment.

"It's alright, it can't compare to my brother's manor in Thunder City, but it's not bad either."

As she said this, her eyes darted back and forth between the windows of each room, as if she were calculating which one would be suitable as her bedroom.

As for her criteria for choosing a room... Luo Yan could guess without even having to guess.

Anyway, I definitely won't let her succeed.

Unlike Vivian, who was only thinking about herself, Sarah, who remained silent throughout, circled the main building of the manor, seemingly assessing its security and privacy.

She glanced at the direction of the study and then took a closer look at the lawn of the manor.

For some reason, a subtle blush suddenly appeared on that face.

Luo Yan was curious about why she suddenly blushed, but remembering that Vivian was right there, he hesitated for a moment and ultimately didn't ask, keeping the question to himself.

The governor's officials led the group into the main building, where a spacious foyer and reception room were located on the first floor, with a stone fireplace.

Although the fireplace hadn't been used in a long time, it was well maintained and must have been cleaned regularly.

Luo Yan couldn't help but think to himself, no wonder the Holy Light Council was so eager to get rid of this property.

If such a mansion is left unattended for a long time, it will quickly fall into disrepair and eventually become worthless.

In order to prevent its assets from shrinking, the council has no choice but to spend money to maintain this place.

These unsellable assets have become a burden.

That's why, when Governor Ellarick learned that His Highness Colin was willing to buy a set, he was so excited that he almost kowtowed to him.

After leading everyone on a tour of the main building, the official observed Prince Colin's expression and tentatively spoke.

"If Your Highness is not entirely satisfied with this place, we have two other properties in the west of the city that are suitable for your status. Although they are smaller, they are closer to the governor's district of Twilight City—"

“No need,” Luo Yan interrupted him gently, saying calmly, “I’m quite satisfied with the scenery around here, let’s stay here.”

The official paused for a moment, then immediately flashed a warm smile.

"Since Your Highness is satisfied, the council's estimate for this manor is 500,000 silver pounds... What do you think? The forest outside is also yours!"

Five hundred thousand silver pounds.

Converted, it's less than five thousand Os Empire gold coins, which in Thunder City would probably only be enough to buy a small house in the suburbs.

However, in Twilight City, this amount of money could buy a twenty-acre estate, as well as breathtaking views from the windows.

This price is quite cheap.

It's worth mentioning that there's a spruce forest behind the manor.

Although the grove of trees was not included in the land deed, and the laws of the Holy Light Council did not support the private sale of forest property, the governor's official had previously hinted that he could use the grove as part of the estate.

After all, it was originally Baron Gravit's private property, and the nearby villagers had tacitly accepted this. Even if the owner of the manor used the timber from there, they wouldn't say anything, and the council and the city hall wouldn't cause trouble for no reason.

Although Luo Yan understood his implication, he neither confirmed nor denied it, and simply said it in a joking tone.

"I'm satisfied with the price, but as for the forest, there's no need for it, I don't need it."

He paused for a moment, then changed the subject and added a sentence at the end.

"However, I do have a suggestion: it would be best to set up a ranger's hut on the edge of this spruce forest and send people to patrol it regularly. In case the illegal loggers cut down all the trees here one day, at least someone can testify that I am innocent."

Upon hearing this, the official quickly waved his hand.

"Your Highness, you jest. Even if all the trees in the forest were cut down, we would never—"

"Just kidding, don't be nervous."

Luo Yan smiled faintly, took out a check from the Andes Bank from his pocket, filled in the amount and signed it, and then handed it to the official.

"Are there any other procedures that need to be completed?"

The official, who had just received the check, glanced at the string of zeros on it, and his smile instantly became even more genuine and radiant.

"No need to worry about the formalities. I will take care of everything for you and then personally deliver it to your residence!"

……

After receiving the checks, the official left a receipt with Luo Yan and then tactfully took his leave.

Vivian waited until he disappeared through the living room doorway before finally getting close to her brother and asking curiously.

"Brother, why did you suddenly decide to buy a house here?"

Luo Yan replied in a casual tone.

"It's not a long-term solution to always stay at the Governor's Mansion; after all, it's someone else's home. Besides, this is also a way for me to support the locals."

"support?"

"Yes."

The fact that Prince Colin was acquiring property in Twilight City was itself a signal.

This is tantamount to telling investors in Thunder City that this land is no longer what it used to be, and they can confidently come and invest in property here.

Vivian blinked, seemingly understanding, and pinched her chin, revealing a thoughtful expression.

Karen, who was standing to the side, spoke up at the right moment, in a gentle voice.

"If the locals knew how much trouble His Highness Colin had gone through for them, they would surely be grateful to you from the bottom of their hearts."

Upon hearing this, Luo Yan smiled faintly.

"Perhaps."

He didn't care whether the locals thanked him or not; he had already gained their faith through another alias. In other words, he had already received his payment. As for why he went to all this trouble, it was mainly because he planned to treat this place as his own backyard.

After all, his players have cultivated this land, it would be a shame to just give up like this.

"So, do you plan to live here permanently?" Vivian's eyes darted around, seemingly plotting something, as she pressed on.

Luo Yan pondered for a moment before replying.

"There are no plans for that at the moment, but it would be nice to come here to escape the summer heat. There are quite a few trees here, so it must be very cool in the summer."

Upon hearing this, Vivian suddenly gave a shy smile.

"I never expected that my all-powerful older brother would be afraid of the heat... Kukuku, this is really unexpected."

The laughter gradually became somewhat exaggerated, probably because they were thinking about something impolite again.

Aren't you afraid of the heat?

As soon as Luo Yan uttered those words, he realized that he seemed to have said something pointless.

How could a demon from hell be afraid of heat?

The reason this guy dislikes summer on the surface is more because he hates the sunlight, and it has nothing to do with the temperature.

"Don't worry! Vivian's body temperature is very low!"

Vivian said smugly, then her expression suddenly turned shy. She glanced at the Demon King with her crimson eyes, then looked away shyly.

"So, escaping the summer heat doesn't necessarily mean going to such far places. Vivian's embrace is warm in winter and cool in summer—"

not good--

Toes are clenched!
Before the wand could get too hot to handle, Luo Yan coughed lightly, interrupting the little vampire's rambling, almost obnoxious speech.

"Who did you learn that from?"

Completely unaware of the outrageous nature of her statement, Vivian proudly put her hands on her hips and looked up.

"Theresa!"

Luo Yan: "...?"

Seeing that her brother didn't seem to understand, Vivian quickly added a sentence afterward.

"To be precise, it was the novel she lent me... Ah, of course, that's not the original quote; Vivian slightly modified it!"

"Give the book back to her, and don't play with her anymore."

"Why?!"

Seeing the Demon King reject her outright, Vivian's face showed a deeply hurt expression, and she exaggeratedly pressed her right hand to her left chest, like a vampire with an arrow in her chest.

What struck her deeply was not that her brother forbade her to associate with Theresa, but that she belatedly realized that her carefully prepared lines had not worked!
This is completely unreasonable!

It must be said that this is indeed very unreasonable.

If Miss Padridge had said the same thing, it would probably have made the Demon Lord blush, and he certainly wouldn't have paid any attention to the wand.

However, she is Vivian.

The Demon King was already very restrained by not spanking her.

Seeing Vivian's sullen expression, Karen smiled subtly and said softly.

"Miss Vivian... is very lively."

This is a rather euphemistic way of putting it.

Luo Yan sighed softly.

"If I were just lively, I probably wouldn't have such a headache now."

Karen nodded thoughtfully.

"If you are troubled, perhaps... I can help you. Of course, this may require your cooperation."

"No need."

Although he didn't know what method Karen planned to use to make Vivian normal, Luo Yan still subconsciously rejected her kindness.

I have a feeling things are going to get more complicated.

Upon hearing this straightforward answer, Kallen's face showed a regretful expression, as if she regretted not being able to help the Demon Lord.

At that moment, Sarah, who had changed into a maid outfit at some point, came down the stairs leading to the second floor, lifting her skirt.

As the Demon Lord's most loyal cat, she is probably the most reliable person here, and she is now fully engaged in her work.

"Sir, the rooms here have already been cleaned. I've taken a quick look, and there's nothing that needs to be added. You can check in right away... Would you like to stay here tonight?"

Luo Yan nodded.

"Yes, I'll be staying here starting tonight."

The luggage is all in the spatial ring, and the governor's mansion has already been contacted. As for the missing servants and cooks, they can be temporarily transferred from Colin Manor.

Anyway, there's a train, so it's not too difficult to make a trip.

and--

The person is already on their way.

This was the real reason he wanted to move out of the Governor's Mansion.

"I want to live here too!"

Vivian quickly raised her little hand, seemingly having recovered from the earlier blow. "And also, please arrange for my room to be downstairs from or next to the Demon King's—"

"Just put this guy's room at the end of the corridor, as far away from the middle staircase as possible, so as not to disturb other guests."

“Yes, Demon Lord,” Sarah nodded, selectively ignoring the noisy Vivian, and looked at Kallen standing to the side, “Miss Kallen, what about you? Do you have any requirements for the room?”

"Me, do I live here too?" Karen was stunned, seemingly not expecting that she could live here, and was momentarily at a loss.

Seeing Karen at a loss, Sarah smiled faintly and said...

Do you have anywhere else to stay?

A faint blush rose to Karen's cheeks, and she lowered her head in slight embarrassment.

"No, not at all..."

The Salvation Army does have a few secret outposts in Twilight City, but those outposts are used for exchanging intelligence and are obviously not suitable for living in.

A few days ago, she lived in a side hall of the Governor's Mansion, just like Sarah. However, now that His Highness Colin plans to move here, it is indeed inconvenient for her to stay in the Governor's Mansion alone.

Moreover, the work of setting up schools and orphanages is basically handled in coordination with Vivian's side, so it seems pointless for her to stay in the city alone.

Unlike the Duchy of Campbell, most of the orphans and school-aged children in Twilight Province live in the countryside surrounding the cities, not in the cities.

The first schools established by the New Testament sect were also set up along the railway from Rapids Pass to Twilight City, around several larger towns.

There is a train station in the town of Gravit, near the manor.

Thinking of this, she raised her head, no longer refusing, and said with a blush.

"Your Excellency Sarah, please let me stay! Um... any place you like for me to stay is fine, either the servants' quarters or the attic, I just need a place to sleep."

Upon hearing this, Sarah couldn't help but smile, a gentle smile appearing on her face.

"You are the Demon King's guest, how could I possibly let you stay in a place like that... Please rest assured and leave it to me, I will make proper arrangements for you."

“Thank you…” Karen’s face showed sincere gratitude.

That smile warmed Sarah's heart, but something felt off.

Vivian, standing next to him, was still shouting loudly, her face flushed with anxiety.

"Wait a minute, leaving me at the end of the hallway is going too far! Is Vivian some kind of garbage for this family? And what's with the other guests?! Why are there other people here?!"

She could tolerate three people for now.

After all, Ms. Sarah was very honest and she knew her well, and Karen had left a good impression on her these past few days; she was a trustworthy follower!
However, my elder brother said there were others!?

Is Padridge, the vixen, also coming?!
Looking at Vivian, who had suddenly started acting strangely, Luo Yan's expression was somewhat odd.

"Otherwise, why do you think I was in such a hurry to move here?"

Although everyone in Twilight City was one of their own, there were still many people and a lot of noise.

Luo Yan is a person who cherishes his reputation.

Prince Colin had been using this disguise for quite some time, and he didn't want it to be tainted with strange rumors.

"Demon King... so you were aware of your own fickle behavior after all." The milky-white ghost floated beside Luo Yan and muttered a complaint in a low voice.

Luo Yan calmly answered in his heart.

'Youyou, that's not how the idiom is used.'

"Huh? Is that so?" Youyou turned into a wisp of green smoke and disappeared, probably to look up words in another world's dictionary.

This guy is as easy to fool as ever.

Just as Luo Yan was thinking this, Vivian suddenly paused, unexpectedly discovering a blind spot in those words.

“Isn’t it because living in the governor’s mansion isn’t a long-term solution, and also to support the locals…” she murmured, repeating what someone had said.

Luo Yan was also taken aback for a moment before he remembered that he had just said those words not long ago, so he immediately changed his words.

"Yes, that's the reason."

"What do you mean by 'that's the reason'? You actually lied to your dearest Vivian!" Vivian's eyes were filled with tears, and her face was full of grievance.

Luo Yan wasn't panicked at first, but now he really started to panic.

Seeing this, Karen quickly stepped in to save the day.

“Miss Vivian, I think… Prince Colin didn’t actually lie to you. It’s just that the first two reasons are more important, while the last one is insignificant, which is why he didn’t tell you about it.”

Vivian was taken aback again upon hearing this, looking at Karen with slight surprise, then at Luo Yan, and murmured something under her breath.

"Is that right?"

Luo Yan glanced gratefully at Karen, and was about to answer Vivian when the sound of a carriage suddenly came from outside the manor.

Immediately afterwards, a familiar voice drifted across the courtyard, accompanied by light and hurried footsteps that rushed into the main building of the manor.

That speed probably means they've used superhuman power.

"Hehehe, my dear, it's been a month since we last met, have you missed me?!"

The door was pushed open with a bang, and a graceful figure appeared in the doorway, while the crisp, melodious sound, unsurprisingly, came to an abrupt end.

However, Miss Padridge's next words still surprised Luo Yan; instead of a loud question, a clarion call came from her small mouth.

But -

"Ophia?!"

(End of this chapter)