Demi-human Girls Completion Manual Chapter 1335 - 22: News (2)

I must also exercise caution.

She pressed her lips together and rose, her gaze falling upon Fisher, who was still not fully awake, and Ingrid, who had already lost consciousness and lay collapsed on the ground behind him. Just as she was about to take action, a sense of unease washed over her.

Puzzled, she looked behind Ingrid and suddenly realized that the headless corpses of the two presumed demons had vanished entirely, perhaps having been absorbed during the preceding ritual.

...

...

"Mr. Fisher, you should rest here for a bit. I will go and make arrangements for other matters."

Following the disturbance that occurred on the shore earlier, the entire Red Dragon Court was in a state of disarray. Rafael had managed to contain the information, with only a select few aware of the exact events. Yet, this did not prevent the inhabitants of the Dragon Court from indulging in speculation about the cause of the loud commotion.

Some asserted it was an attack from the Fake Court; others claimed the soldiers on the shore defense line attempted to desert and flee northward but were apprehended by the Queen. An even greater number believed it was a divine reprimand, interpreting it as a harbinger of war sent by a god.

Regardless, the Red Dragon Court was temporarily in an uproar, with Rafael, as the Queen, and Moli, as the Priest, shouldering the majority of the responsibilities.

Fisher was temporarily accommodated by Moli in a chamber within the Royal Court, while Ingrid was directed to receive medical attention. Fisher felt assured that he had only absorbed Barbatos’s seal, with no damage to his soul; for the remainder of his injuries, he entrusted them to the Dragon Court’s physicians.

Once the room fell silent, it contained only Fisher, meditating with his eyes shut, and Emhardt.

Emhardt drifted around him, noting that Fisher had yet to address Moli’s lingering concerns, and sensed that something was amiss.

He swiftly circled Fisher once more, inquiring,

"Fisher, what is happening with your body? Such chaos, and your soul too..."

Hearing this, Fisher opened his eyes, looked at Emhardt with a troubled expression, and explained,

"Do you recall the knowledge I shared with you in the Northern Realm previously?"

"Are you referring to... that forbidden, chaotic knowledge?"

Prompted by Fisher's reminder, Emhardt vividly recalled the agonizing memory of losing consciousness after merely reading a few words back then. He shook his head, lamenting,

"No wonder your ascension to the Mythical Rank is so unusual. You... I warned you before not to peruse those materials any longer, lest you succumb to madness or mutate into a monster one day!"

Fisher’s mind suddenly drifted to the illusion conjured by the Soul Completion Manual when devouring the seal on Ingrid’s soul earlier, the dark sludge consuming souls – a potential future for himself.

He shook his head and spoke with a faint smile,

"I had intended to cease reading them. Part of my ascension to the Mythical Rank was to settle my affairs properly, and then I would stop... but now, it seems I cannot simply stop. You mentioned earlier that Barbatos is a Demon Duke, meaning his true form should be of the Eighteenth Rank. I am merely entering the Mythical Rank, which is the Fifteenth Rank. If he were to make a move against the Dragon Court, what would Rafael and Moli do?"

Emhardt paused momentarily, listening as Fisher continued,

"And they are part of Saint Nali’s army. I doubt Elizabeth possesses the authority to command such a destructive host of demon species. They must have specific demands of Nali and Elizabeth... simply to protect them, I must continue to ascend in rank."

"However, ultimately, I remain a Rank Zero human in a world bound by fixed ranks. My progression to the Mythical Rank and beyond can only be achieved through uncontrolled chaos. I am aware of the detrimental effects, yet I am left with no alternative."

Emhardt opened his mouth, and after a prolonged silence, managed to utter through clenched teeth,

"It’s all Paimon’s fault!!"

Fisher appeared somewhat amused and inquired,

"What does this have to do with Helair?"

"Don't forget, she is also a part of the demons and the only one who has been free for centuries. In our four and a half years apart, she has undoubtedly committed numerous transgressions, and the release of those demons is likely connected to her actions!"

"Then, what is her objective?"

Emhardt's righteous anger subsided, for while he recognized Paimon's malevolence, he could not ascertain her ultimate goals. He only knew her intentions were far from pure!

Fortunately, Fisher did not anticipate Emhardt providing a definitive answer, as this might be a question he himself wished to investigate. Regrettably, the current paucity of clues precluded any meaningful deductions, compelling him to focus on the immediate issues at hand.

"Whether or not the demons' emergence is tied to Helair, the demon crisis is a reality I must confront. My past avarice, taking far more than I should have, now demands retribution."

"...My sole concern is that in your pursuit of righteousness, you might inadvertently sow destruction. Wielding such perilous, chaotic lore could prove ineffectual, potentially harming those very women you aim to aid. Your intention is to assist them, yet their deepest desire is for your continued well-being... that is, until their paths cross and they become aware of one another."