Chapter 38: Familiar Scene

"What do you plan on doing next, Alice?"

Heris revealed a satisfied smile after finally getting her wish fulfilled. Then, she followed Alice out of Demon King City.

Although Alice had already destroyed the radioactive crystal, she did not intend on moving into the city. After all, she only needed the Demon King's identity. If she wanted to enjoy the treatment of a Demon King, she would need to possess a Demon King's strength and uphold a Demon King's responsibilities.

Obviously, Alice did not possess the strength of an actual Demon King, and neither did she want to lead the demon realm into invading the human realm. On the contrary, she was currently thinking of ways to delay the potential war between the human and demon realms and, if possible, figure out a solution to resolve the conflict between the two realms.

For example, she could improve the demon realm's environment.

The pollution in the demon realm was caused by polluted mana rather than industrialization. Hence, planting more trees naturally couldn't be used as a solution. However, Alice figured that since this world's inhabitants had figured out how to utilize mana, it should also be possible to come up with a way to purify polluted mana.

Of course, Alice couldn't mention this idea of hers to Heris right now. Heris was someone with the standard demon mind. She was filled with thoughts of having Alice lead the demons into attacking the human realm. Hence, in response to Heris's question, Alice gave a very standard answer, saying, "I cannot use my strength whenever I want right now, so I still need to continue training. Only after I can fully utilize the Demon King's Power will I go duel the Hero. Before that, I intend to conceal my identity to avoid human assassins and certain overly enthusiastic demons."

With the demons' personality, there were bound to be a few troublemakers who would come to pick a fight with the newly-born Demon King in the name of determining whether this new Demon King was worthy of leading the demon race. Alice felt that part of the reason past Demon Kings didn't like the demon race very much was because of these early troublemakers souring their impression of the demon race.

"You're right. Although you are indeed powerful, if the humans know your appearance and send assassins after you, things will indeed become troublesome."

Heris nodded in agreement with Alice's thoughts, the demoness's response causing Alice to suspect that the demoness would believe whatever she said right now. After all, although Heris had a mature and sexy appearance on the outside, she had an innocent personality. That wasn't to say that Heris was dumb. On the contrary, the demoness was more than capable of analyzing situations with a logical mind. It was just that she had a poor judgment of people, so she easily believed what others said.

Take Grant possessing Heris's body, for example. The gravity crystals Grant prepared in the castle's main hall were probably intended for restraining disobedient possession targets. Yet, Grant didn't even have to use those crystals to possess Heris. He only needed to whisper a few words into Heris's mind to get the demoness to obediently give her body to him.

"By the way, Heris, you're the daughter of one of the Four Heavenly Kings, right?" While fiddling with her phone and following Heris to the car, Alice suddenly remembered Heris's identity. Then, she looked up at Heris and waved her phone at the demoness, asking, "Can you have your parent validate my LINKS account?"

"Huh? It's possible, but if you want to have him validate you as the Demon King, I'm afraid things won't be that simple." Heris initially nodded to Alice's question but quickly revealed a troubled expression. "The Demon King is the demon realm's hope of invading the human realm, after all. Nobody is willing to see someone impersonate the Demon King. I might have seen you destroying that radioactive crystal, but if my father doesn't personally witness your strength, you might have to…"

"I might have to meet with your father, right?" Alice said, completing Heris's sentence for her.

This was a reasonable response. Unlike humans, demons were a race that worshipped strength. They wouldn't easily believe someone to be the Demon King just because this person destroyed a radioactive crystal. To be recognized as the Demon King, you would need to have strength rivaling the Four Heavenly Kings at minimum. Otherwise, even if you truly were the Demon King, the Four Heavenly Kings would not submit to you.

Fortunately, Alice had long since mentally prepared herself for such a possibility. In any case, she wasn't in a hurry to return to the human realm. So, she could afford to spend some time visiting Heris's father, Flaman Aregas.

"Sure. Bring me to meet your father, then."

Alice spoke in a calm voice. She didn't show the anxiety the average person would typically have when they were about to meet one of the Four Heavenly Kings. This reaction made Alice look even more like a Demon King in Heris's eyes. However, in no time at all, Heris couldn't help herself from pinching Alice's cheeks.

It couldn't be helped. Alice's petite body and princess-like appearance matched Heris's tastes too well. If Heris was slightly more perverted, she might've even locked up Alice and turned the girl into her pet.

"No problem. My father will be very happy if he finds out that a new Demon King is born. He has already had it with the demon realm's environment," Heris said. Only after seeing Alice glaring at her did she reluctantly release Alice's cheeks. Then, pretending to be serious, she continued, "Ever since he went to investigate the human realm's situation a few years ago, he would sigh and complain about the demon realm's polluted mana every day."

Alice expressed her understanding. To most of the inhabitants of this world, absorbing mana had already become an instinctive action similar to breathing. Meanwhile, absorbing polluted mana was no different than inhaling polluted air. Suffice to say, it wasn't a pleasant experience.

It might not be a huge issue if a person had been inhaling polluted air their entire life. However, if this person were to one day experience fresh air, would they be willing to continue inhaling polluted air?

—The answer would be no.

"But the journey from the Windy Kingdom to the Fear Kingdom will be a little long. We might be on the road for the entire day and night… Let's buy some food in the nearby city before we set off," Heris said as she opened the door to the driver's seat.

Then, after getting into the Beetle, Heris looked at Alice, who had gotten into the back of the car, and continued, "Although others say that the Four Heavenly Kings are scary, my father is a friendly person. So long as he recognizes you as the Demon King, he will certainly show his full support for you… Hmm? Something doesn't feel right?"

Heris hadn't felt anything wrong when she was walking before. However, when she sat down, she noticed a breezy feeling on her butt. Then, when she touched her butt through her skirt, she subconsciously exclaimed, "Where's my underwear?"

Alice stiffened, not daring to say a word.