Chapter 101: Serpent Shadow

“This won’t work, Miss Vilyric.”

The one who suddenly spoke up was not Savor, but Miss Aiste, the great demon general of the Moonshadow Clan sitting beside the black-haired girl.

Her expression wasn’t great, but she still explained frankly.

“Your understanding of the Ten Thousand Demons Alliance might be a bit off. We call it the Mountains of Ten Thousand Demons, not the Nation of Ten Thousand Demons, primarily because there isn’t a centralized authority like in other countries. Even the so-called three pillars only act as leaders to some extent due to their strength.”

“In fact, within most racial territories, everyone only manages their own affairs. Unless the issue escalates into an international dispute or something significant like the little prince’s case, the alliances rarely interfere with each other.”

“Especially this time with the mountain wolves; it’s crucial to clarify that it was the strong among them who chose to leave first. When that magical beast appeared, they couldn’t resist it. And the mountain wolves didn’t retreat first because they were weak; that was just normal territorial competition. This kind of household matter is definitely not something the other races would concern themselves with.”

“To put it harshly, it’s self-inflicted.”

“You’re being a bit too blunt, right in front of them…”

That said, Aiste wasn’t wrong.

The Mountains of Ten Thousand Demons operated under the laws of the jungle. These races were like independent families in a big society. If an external enemy invaded, they might unite to fight back. But if the head of a family suddenly ran away and then the kids got into a fight and lost, only to come crying to another family…

In human nations, the likely outcome would be that the government would transfer the child to an orphanage for protection. But as Aiste mentioned, the Mountains of Ten Thousand Demons lacked a centralized authority, and even the three pillars were merely larger families. Naturally, no one would care.

This was survival of the fittest, completely different from a legal system based on laws and rules.

Savor the wolf also confirmed in a deep voice.

“What this Moonshadow Clan demon general says is true. Originally, after our fathers left, our clan should’ve fallen apart. It was my repeated efforts that managed to maintain our situation, and I led everyone to forcibly resist the unresistable invaders. But strength lies with the territory; the weak retreat. I was too immature and too arrogant.”

“Is that so…?”

Just as she was about to say something further, Vilyric suddenly paused, turning her head instinctively towards the dark and deep cave exit. The little dragon daughter beside her, along with the perceptive wolves Aiste and Savor, followed suit, as if sensing something.

“Hissss ~ hsss ~”

The massive wolf, previously crouching, suddenly stood up. The mountain wolves, hiding in various parts of the cave and feeling downcast, let out anxious cries mixed with an increasingly eerie sound. Even Edwina and the others who were busy heard it, frowning and pausing their actions.

“Miss Edwina, what… what is that sound…?”

Tilysha looked outside the pitch-black cave, her complexion gradually paling, even subconsciously clutching her developed chest. Clearly, the palpitations and unease she had felt earlier stemmed from this approaching something.

“Don’t panic, Miss Vilyric is here, and I will protect you as well.”

The reliable and gentle Holy Knight stepped forward, unhesitatingly shielding Tilysha and the agitated wolf pack behind her. She drew her shining knight’s sword and unhooked her holy shield from her back, vigilantly watching the dark cave entrance, ready for battle.

Sister Leila and Renée exchanged glances, silently communicating. Leila took out the new spear given by the Wing Emperor Aistini from her bracelet, standing shoulder to shoulder with Edwina. Meanwhile, Renée drew her staff, always ready to release magic.

Snow-colored wings fluttered lightly behind the two white-feathered girls, with strong and abundant magical power radiating in a regular pattern from them. Clearly, after guidance from a renowned teacher, their strength as bloodline-reverted Winged People had further enhanced.

In fact, they were the strongest among Vilyric’s side, aside from the little dragon daughter. In terms of special mythical beings, it was just a matter of time before Leila and Renée reached the transcendent or even pseudo-god levels, provided nothing unexpected happened.

“This snake… is somewhat interesting.”

Watching everyone’s actions, Vilyric slowly lowered her hand again. The soul embodiment she had left at the cave entrance to monitor the situation floated in the air, observing a large turquoise serpent that had descended from the mountaintop and was rapidly approaching the cave location.

Long before, when she was scanning the entire mountain with SP, she had already seen the massive snake coiled in the hills, appearing to be dozing. At that time, Vilyric couldn’t determine the situation, so she chose not to act recklessly and instead directed her focus towards the cave where the mountain wolves were hiding.

It seemed that the sudden intrusion of outsiders and the bushes concealing the mountain wolves had been significantly disturbed by Vilyric, prompting the snake to detect something unusual and come looking.

A bit odd…

This snake was large, but its strength was only at the peak of the fourth tier, known as sky-level peak. Edwina, Leila, and Renée were all legends; even if the three teamed up, victory should be beyond doubt.

But it looked like they were all very cautious. Did they instinctively sense some danger?

Honestly, Vilyric couldn’t feel anything particularly special about the enemy. Perhaps the gap between her and her foes was just too vast; this was, in a sense, rather troublesome.

“Hissss ~ hssssssss ~”

The chilling sound of the serpent’s tongue grew clearer. In Vilyric’s second perspective, she could see that the enormous snake, at least over twenty meters long and with a body diameter exceeding a meter, had already precisely torn open the previously closed bushes and was stretching its head into the cave.

At that moment, Aiste suddenly stood up and handed the little wolf cub behind her to the black-haired girl.

“Huh? What does this mean?”

Vilyric tilted her head but didn’t immediately take the small body of Noviya. Seeing this, the Mage Wolf couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“Sorry, Miss Vilyric, but I really can’t ignore this kind of situation. And since there are deeper implications behind this territorial dispute, as the great demon general of the Moonshadow Clan, I have the right to intervene. Please take care of the little prince for a moment; I may not be able to look after her during the battle.”

“What? But you were just speaking so confidently…”

Pouting, the Priestess took the seemingly eternally sleeping little wolf cub, thanked Aiste, and turned to leave.

“Then I’ll go help too…”

“You stay right there!”

The black-haired girl, holding a baby, shot a fierce glare at the trembling brown wolf who was trying to rise and join the battle, making Savor hastily lay back down obediently.

Aiste was understandable; after all, she was a seasoned legendary great demon general. Wouldn’t sending a clumsy wolf who hadn’t even reached earth level and recently injured itself into battle just cause more trouble?

“Hisssssss ~”

Strange sounds approached the cave, and at that moment, the little dragon daughter, who had also been glancing towards the entrance, suddenly spoke.

“Master, this snake is a bit unusual; I can sense… it seems to hide some sort of special power within its bloodline.”

“Uh? What do you mean? Is it tough to deal with?”

“No, I mean…”

Seemingly reluctant, Xiao Guang hesitated for a moment before ultimately proposing a suggestion that surprised Vilyric.

“Master, let that stupid… Snow Wing come out. This creature should be a great boost for her.”

   

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