NOVPUBIn some ways, Lanci’s illness had improved significantly compared to the first half of the year.
For others, growth meant drawing closer to truth and the gods, but for Lanci, it was the opposite: his growth might be the gradual shedding of a divine mantle to become more like a human.
Thanks to Xiu Bao’s relentless efforts, Lanci had already improved a lot.
"I’ve always been doing good."
Lanci answered in his mind.
Over the past year, he had done so many good deeds that they were too numerous to count, and his record of merits was nearly overflowing.
"..."
Talia felt that it seemed Xiu Bao still had a long way to go.
When necessary, she would have to help Xiu Bao manage Lanci as well.
In the hall, where banquet and song intertwined.
Nigel, having traded his usual military uniform for a suit, made his way through the crowd of fragrant perfumes and elaborate coiffures, his eyes fixed on a captivating figure in the distance.
The young lady was dressed in a pale purple gown, standing out like a wisteria flower amid the Demon Race guests encircling her.
The young man slowly walked toward her, drawing sidelong glances from the attendees.
The girl keenly sensed the young man’s approach.
When she turned around and saw the familiar and handsome face, her eyes widened in surprise.
She never expected him to come towards her.
However, just as he had resolved himself,
to walk over, Nigel’s
steps suddenly halted.
His stride froze again due to a piercing gaze.
At the height of the party, when the festivities were most animated, a mysterious male figure descending from the top of the staircase captured the attention of all the guests.
Clad in a dark blue classic suit, the cane slung over his shoulder gleamed softly under the candlelight.
Lord Perlman descended the stairs.
His eyes, with their gentle smile, seemed to be asking Nigel what he intended to do.
Nigel felt as though he was mired in mud; he could not move another step.
Having personally killed one daughter of his mentor, and now shamelessly attempting to approach another, his mentor’s gentle smile was akin to torture, making him feel as if he were plummeting.
Perlman quickly shifted his gaze from his disciple and looked over the other guests.
As the Lord of District 10, Perlman’s svelte and statuesque figure was like a sculpture; every step he took was measured and composed. Even from a distance, one could sense his magnanimity and authority through his eyes.
Though he appeared to be in his thirties, his outfit made him look more mature, and no one would question that he had actually lived for hundreds of years.
When the host Perlman descended to the first-floor banquet hall, the previously noisy party instantly fell silent.
The orchestra mutually ceased to play.
The guests parted to clear a path, faces awed as they bowed their heads, deliberately avoiding eye contact with him.
He was like a deity arriving on earth or the bright moon rising in the night sky, making all the Demons present seem insignificant in comparison.
As Perlman casually strolled to the center of the dance floor, Nigel watched his teacher’s figure intently, just as puzzled by his teacher’s thoughts and attitudes now as he had been many years ago.
The attention-grabbing Lord Perlman had a paler complexion and wore a hat that covered his demon features, leaving only the pointed ears that made him resemble a member of the Demon Race more closely.
His short hair appeared meticulously combed back, with his white sideburns emerging from beneath the brim of his hat.
Perlman gave a slight nod to the Demons.
As all the Demons waited in silence, the mysterious Demon lord finally spoke.
"Ladies and gentlemen,"
he surveyed the guests with piercing eyes,
"Thank you all for coming here tonight to join my daughter’s birthday celebration."
His voice was deep and resonant, reminiscent of a cello’s timbre, as if it could hypnotize them.
The Demons still had the lively festivity etched on their faces, whispering to one another or nodding with smiles.
"But as I believe you all know, many years ago, I had another daughter who ultimately perished due to the Curse of the great wizard Parlony."
With that statement, the air suddenly became tense.
Many Demons in attendance couldn’t help but glance in the direction of Siyala or look towards Nigel.
Siyala’s face lost its composure momentarily before she slowly dropped her head.
She and her sister were twins.
When they were younger, they always celebrated their birthdays together.
Until later, when she was left to celebrate alone.
But she didn’t understand why her father would mention her late sister at this moment—
because Nigel’s eyes had already taken on a hint of panic when looking at her,
as if seeing her made him also remember the sister he had decapitated with his own hands.
"Since then, Siyala’s birthday parties have become much more subdued. Not only have I lost a daughter, but also a beloved disciple who left my side,"
Lord Perlman continued, his voice devoid of anger, instead filled with acceptance and a barely detectable self-mockery. 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝔠𝔬𝖒
"I’m sure you all remember, from a hundred years ago, when the Demon World of the Northern Continent still existed and the war had not yet begun, I crossed the sea trying to break the prejudice between humans and the Demon Race, aspiring to create a society where humans and Demons could coexist beneficially and harmoniously."
He seemed to reminisce about his youthful ideals and passion.
The Demons nodded slightly, acknowledging his efforts.
Lord Perlman had played a substantial and decisive role in the establishment of what was now the Poson Demon World.
