My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 895 - 896: Calm Days Wither

The entrance creaked open, allowing a young woman with flowing violet hair to step inside. Spotting the pair, her expression twisted into a scowl.

"You two banished me outside only to fool around on your own..."

Lilith's cheeks flushed a bit as she rose from Damon's thigh.

"W-we... we were merely chatting..."

"Right, that's believable..."

"Ahem." Damon coughed to clear his voice.

"Renata, got any updates to share?"

She let out a heavy breath, massaging her forehead. It was hard to tell if frustration or a touch of envy stirred within her.

"I succeeded in dispatching the invitations just as you asked, and recruitment for the backup group is underway. Concealing our money flows remains essential, though I've handled it temporarily. Shadow drone manufacturing has ramped up, yet it lags behind the pace from your nightmare stint."

Renata pressed on with her briefing as Damon absorbed it all in silence. In time, he exhaled deeply.

Beyond the primary group known as Lazarak, Damon had deployed Amon, his shadow duplicate, to establish a hidden faction in the darkness. Still, such groups demanded supplies, and supplies inevitably created tracks. This made Renata utterly vital. Her skills ensured seamless oversight from the shadows, practically steering Lazarak on her own.

The central outfit served as the backer for their insurgent network, or as Lilith liked to phrase it, their liberation force.

Their core mission centered on dismantling the Temple. Though a drawn-out endeavor, it granted them freedom to maneuver away from prying eyes.

Simultaneously, they funneled funds to the Temple. No suspicions would arise about Lazarak challenging the goddess when they posed as her allies.

Lilith navigated the realm of politics, wrangling nobles and wielding influence.

Renata oversaw the bureaucratic side and maintained order.

Damon, meanwhile, commanded the group's combat strength.

"Hmm. That's a hassle," he grumbled.

Renata folded her arms and perched atop his workspace.

"Demon conflicts have ignited, though assaults remain absent for the moment. The leaders continue debating strategies ahead. Presently, the realm braces itself for battle."

Damon inclined his head. His elder had noted that the divine races plotted a preemptive strike before demon overlords could mobilize.

"Indeed. And the Ashcroft shards? Any developments?"

Renata extracted a file from her satchel.

"The Temple proceeds with caution. They're collecting any shards discovered in Soltheon and locking them down. The bulk probably resides in the Holy Empire."

Next, she withdrew a fresh sheet.

"Word is the demon lands snatched numerous shards amid the prior demon clash, right after the mighty dragon Ashergon razed a city within the Holy Empire. Once transported to the demon territory, various confined shards escaped and dispersed. Just a handful reached the Snake Temple."

Damon linked his arms. Since the goddess had felled Ashcroft in Soltheon, it followed that plenty of shards stemmed from that spot. Over ages, the Temple had hunted, contained, and eradicated them alongside the Empire's aid. Most ended up secured in the Holy Empire, but thieves had pilfered many.

"Thus, the mightiest shards dwell on the demon lands. Those held by the Temple now are probably scarcer and less potent."

Renata dipped her head in agreement.

"Gleaning this detail proved no simple feat. The Temple suppresses news of demons holding the shards, hushing it since the previous conflict. So, what prize do you plan for my efforts in uncovering this?"

She inched closer, her features mere breaths from his.

Damon averted his gaze. A stunning, alluring beauty invading his space wreaked havoc on his composure, especially under Lilith's venomous stare.

"My deepest thanks, Renata," he replied in a monotone.

Renata grinned, grazing his nose with hers softly before murmuring, "How utterly dull."

Damon melted into shadows and reformed on the couch.

"Regardless, this signals a trip to the demon lands to claim Ashcroft shards. It ought to bolster my control traits and perhaps elevate my level. Yet my immediate priority lies in mastering domain creation."

Renata eased away from the desk and settled opposite him.

"This conflict will render the demon lands far riskier than normal."

Damon dismissed the notion with a shake.

"I'm not convinced. All our notions of the demon domain might stem from mere hype. They paint it as one vast kill zone."

Renata agreed with a nod.

"Fine. I'll arrange matters for your duplicate to depart. You're also slated for the Holy Empire journey to claim your prize for vanquishing Amon. In essence, yourself, during the war games."

Damon flashed a cocky grin.

"At last, those fools award me hero status amid all the chaos."

Lilith beamed, sweeping her hair aside.

"How's it hit you, seeing your boyhood aspiration realized? You're an official hero now."

Damon stroked his jaw.

"Hmm. What does it feel like? Give me a moment. It's like I've duped the entire globe. Even so, Damon Grey, the fabled champion, rolls off the tongue nicely."

Renata chuckled.

"Imagine crowning a demon as hero. And not any demon, but the successor to the Demon Lord of Domination. The world has truly lost its mind."

Damon couldn't refute it. Madness had indeed gripped the world. By now, his demon transformation had eased, partly due to the divine essence he'd seized from Lazarak.

Its true effects, though, stayed shrouded in enigma.

Appraisal failed against it, and no tomes in his knowledge touched on parallels.

He scowled and turned to Renata.

"What of Ittorath? Updates?"

Renata's face grew grave. She denied it with a head shake.

"Nothing. Pursuing a being beyond transcendence proves tougher than anticipated. Currently, he appears to be biding his time in hiding."

Lilith nibbled her lower lip.

"Unless I'm wrong, his scheme involves unleashing his true form in Lysithara."

Damon affirmed with a nod.

"Simpler in words than deeds. Lysithara's tainted inhabitants would never permit it. Their loathing for those nightmares endures even now."

Renata snorted dismissively.

"Meaning he'll seek an alternate path."

"Precisely," Damon whispered. "On that, I'm positive."