After observing for a while, the red-skinned demon at the head stood up, preparing to return to their lair established within the fortress.
As it walked, it fell into deep thought.
“These knights are really strange. They don’t seem special at first glance, yet a single strike from their blades prevents us from reviving.”
“Yeah, what’s going on with that?”
The demon following behind seemed a bit slow, not very thoughtful.
Naturally, the red-skinned demon didn’t find this odd. After all, in its understanding, that demon was just a dumb brute; otherwise, it wouldn’t be leading this squad.
“Hmph, the power that stops us from reviving must be related to the Goddess. So these knights aren’t ordinary—they might be trained by the Goddess herself.”
“Trained by the Goddess? Then what should we do?”
“What to do? How come all you ever ask is ‘what to do’? Of course, we go and tell the Big Boss. Those two got killed by them; if we fight, we’ll probably end up the same way.”
If it were about raw combat ability, it actually wasn’t as strong as those few demons.
Facing these young female knights head-on, it would surely die.
That was unacceptable—it valued its own life too much.
So, telling the Big Boss everything and letting the Big Boss handle it was the best decision for now.
“The Big Boss? Can the Big Boss even beat them?”
“You fool, the Big Boss is—”
Before it could finish, the red-skinned demon suddenly stopped.
As if sensing something, a chilling coldness surged from its tailbone up its spine straight to its brain, quickly freezing its warm limbs.
The demon behind seemed puzzled by its behavior and hurriedly asked:
“Speak up, why’d you stop?”
After a moment of silence, it didn’t turn around but sighed heavily:
“…When did it happen?”
“When you got up and left.”
“I see… Didn’t expect the prey to become the hunter one day.”
No sooner had it finished speaking than a longsword pierced through its chest.
That’s right—the one following it wasn’t a demon at all but one of those young Rose Knights.
As for how it was uncovered…
Having witnessed the Big Boss countless times alongside it, how could it ever doubt the Big Boss’s strength?
If it did, then it certainly wouldn’t be a demon!
Those young Rose Knights were formidable, but before the Big Boss, they were utterly powerless!
Spewing a mouthful of blood, it collapsed weakly on the ground.
Through blurred vision, it saw the Rose Knight standing behind it.
She had long, pale blue hair and a cold expression, killing it as if stepping on an ant—without any emotional fluctuation.
“…Hmph, you think killing me will stop the Big Boss from knowing? I’m telling you, as long as I die, the Big Boss will sense it!”
“So what? That Big Boss of yours will be down here soon to join you.”
As if hearing the world’s biggest joke, it laughed loudly, but blood gushed from its mouth and nose, turning the laughter into violent coughing.
“Cough! Cough! You—just you lot?”
Whoosh—!
Without listening to its nonsense, Teresa swung her sword and cut off its head.
Looking at the corpse lying on the ground, she said calmly, “One hundred and twenty-eight more to go.”
Nightmare Demon, the demon disguised as a survivor, this red-skinned demon, and the demon that had originally followed it…
In less than half an hour inside the Sand Fortress, four demons had fallen to the Rose Knights.
……
Inside the military camp, Cassiu was already drenched in sweat.
He had mocked the Rose Knights for being unable to distinguish friend from foe demons, but the reality was that the young knights confused the demons, exposing their positions—and those demons ended up dying at their hands.
The demons he claimed were good at disguises were easily slain.
In less than half an hour, they killed four demons. Compared to their noble private army and the Empire’s forces, it was like night and day.
If it were their own team, those forty knights sent out probably would have been wiped out within thirty minutes…
Cassiu’s face was flushed red. At this moment, he didn’t dare look at the Emperor, nor even meet the gaze of the nobles who supported him.
These damned girls were just too strong!
The Emperor of Norwich Empire said nothing this time, but Cassiu knew his patience had reached its limit.
Resigned, he forced a smile and continued:
“Your Majesty, what they are doing now is actually meaningless. According to reports from the elite survivors, there’s a Big Boss of the demons inside this fortress!”
“That Big Boss they speak of is terrifyingly powerful, nothing like these low-ranking demons. It may have already transcended the low ranks…”
“Enough, Cassiu!”
The Emperor interrupted him, his corpulent body trembling slightly, perhaps with anger.
“I can tolerate your constant lies, but I cannot tolerate failure on this bet. Cassiu, think carefully about what to do next.”
With those words, the Emperor abruptly cut off the magical image.
Cassiu’s complexion did not improve; on the contrary, he grew even paler.
The other nobles breathed a sigh of relief. Their gazes toward Cassiu were mixed with pity, mockery, and disdain…
But mostly, satisfaction.
After all, Cassiu was the Emperor’s favorite, and he often exploited them.
Seeing him possibly abandoned by the Emperor gave them great comfort.
Mars, however, was mostly disappointed.
With a great enemy at the gates, these so-called nobles were still fighting among themselves. Where was the nobility in that?
Nola said nothing. She silently watched the images reflected by the Eye of Divine Sight, her eyes gleaming with strange light.
……
Inside the Sand Fortress.
A Dragonkin Demon, whose appearance was similar to a human but with a pair of horns and a tail, sat on the city lord’s throne, resting its cheek in its palm with eyes closed.
Soon, it seemed to sense something and opened its golden eyes.
“The scout is dead.”
Like a giant stone thrown into a calm lake, the once silent hall immediately erupted with strange sounds as many demons awakened.
“Who killed it?! Big Boss, let us avenge it!”
The mantis-like demon was the first to stand up. It licked the blood off its scythe, its 360-degree rotating eyes filled with cruelty and murder.
After it, many demons also demanded to go into battle to avenge the scout.
They appeared united, but the Dragonkin Demon knew better—they were just hungry, wanting to leave the City Lord’s Residence to forage throughout the Sand Fortress.
A pack of habitual liars.
But such was the nature of demons.
It nodded.
“Go. I want to see the heads of those humans.”
“Yes!”