Hypocritical

…But come to think of it.

In the game, descriptions of the Rhine God mostly lingered on the background board—as the main deity of humanity’s Rhine faith, the God of Holy Light.

More settings, like what exactly this god was? What gods were? Higher-dimensional beings? Faith-born machines? No one knew; players could only guess from scraps.

But to Vivian, this so-called Rhine God of Holy Light was no good thing anyway.

If Anis spoke true, then from Holy Son Charles’s cold, efficient, near-blasphemous power usage, that “Rhine God” or the “direction” its power was guided toward was no benevolent, merciful existence.

More likely… a rule-like vast energy source, efficiently “leveraged” and exploited in specific ways.

“I understand.”

Looking at Hero Anis before her, Vivian pondered long before responding.

“Truthfully, after returning to demon lands, I followed Lucia’s final battle, but info was limited—only that she fought four Demon Lords to death, yet no parade or celebration followed, just corpse display—this defies norm.

“I once doubted if Lucia truly died, but with her descending as 【angel】, no need to wonder further.

No room for wishful thinking.”

Vivian inhaled deeply, eyes sharpening on Anis.

“In short… Hero Anis, you want us demons to act, utterly slay this Holy Son Charles, right?”

“Consider it so.”

Anis avoided direct answer, lowering his head, replying circuitously.

Clearly, he shunned treason’s label, yet craved Charles’s death more.

“I see, but one more question.”

Vivian twirled her hair, eyeing him intrigued. “From your words, you were present—then as 【Gilded Hero】, you could slay him instantly, right? Why trek to demon lands, seek Demon Lord aid?”

Vivian narrowed her eyes.

“I cannot.”

Anis bit his lip hard, silent long before speaking pained.

“Holy Son Charles must die by demon hands! Never human ones.”

His eyes dimmed, cold. “I know not why Lucia spared you, nor your final time together, nor why she sent me to save you, but I trust her judgment, and hope you won’t fail her.”

“Heh—humans truly hypocrites.”

Hearing Lucia’s name again stirred Vivian’s sentiment, but she played Demon Lord fully, mocking laugh cold. “Rest assured, if as you say, this Holy Son Charles threatens more than Lucia—if chance arises, we’ll kill him.”

“Truth.”

From demon view, Charles’s ability was too outrageous; he must die regardless.

Demons were clueless before, but with Anis’s intel, targets clarified.

“Let other Demon Lords handle Charles?”

Vivian schemed, eyeing Anis, slowly speaking.

“Then—if no further business, Hero, please depart. This place withstands no more of your antics.”

After key matters, Vivian watched Anis.

“Truthfully, Anis is top-tier Hero; if possible, Vivian avoided conflict—not just winnability, but newly rebuilt Evernight City could crumble.”

“I know.” Anis nodded. “Today, we never met.”

“But as before—if next war we meet, I’ll kill you.”

“Heh.”

To Anis’s parting threat, Vivian coldly replied—then the Hero turned, vanishing silently into darkness, swiftly gone.

Once Anis fully left, Vivian smacked her lips irritated.

“…Tch, damn, with arrays I’d detect Anis far off, not let him sneak so close.”

Vivian gritted teeth, annoyed.

Demon Lord cities had perfect defenses; detection arrays easily spotted infiltrators, even strong ones—unless phased into alternate space or merged with shadows, standard arrays caught all, especially humans.

…But Vivian lacked funds now.

Rebuilding Evernight City demanded too much; every resource split in half.

Civil repairs, army supplies, infrastructure already strained—no spare crystals or rare materials for high-cost, maintenance-heavy defense arrays?

Vivian had no excess for advanced setups, allowing Anis’s approach.

“Seems defenses can’t be skimped; arrays must come eventually.”

Vivian stroked her chin, pondering territory security more, then returned to Evernight City, her tent.

“Lord Demon!”

Upon safe return, restless Aria and Luna rose.

“Nothing happened, Lord Demon?”

The little succubus asked worriedly.

“…Nothing, just an old acquaintance reminiscing, no hostility.”

Vivian waved off lightly, gaze falling on babbling, content Luna in arms.

She approached, scooped her up, face full of doting tenderness.

“Hehe—”

Seeing mother again, feeling warm embrace and familiar scent, Luna giggled, waving hands, secretly touching Vivian’s face.

Late night, after coaxing Luna to sleep, Vivian returned to stone desk.

She handled no affairs, sat quietly, then from inner pocket drew the twin-wing ornament woven of white feathers—Lucia’s final keepsake.

She placed it in palm, under soft magic glow, scrutinizing closely, repeatedly.

Fingertips brushed delicate feathers, sensing faint yet pure power residue.

Logically, 【Lucia】 descended as angel twice.

First, testing success, breaching Ashen frontlines; second, days ago slaying Ashen Demon Lord.

At 【Lucia】’s first appearance, the ornament reacted, burning, even stinging—but second time, nothing, perfectly calm.

Regardless, no simple token.

“…Lucia, you bastard, what were you thinking?”

Vivian gripped the ornament, staring, muttering involuntarily.

But anyway, Charles must be dealt with.

…Lucia’s power too dangerous; from demon stance, no reason to spare its existence.

Pondering, next morning Vivian used demon network, relaying to Demon Lords.

“【Lucia】 descends again as angel, wielder: Rhine Holy Church’s Holy Son Charles.”