One year later, a specific antidote for the side effects of the blood magic potion was released. After a period of distribution and sales, those patients who had been confined in dungeons finally saw the light of day again.
This difficult problem, which remained unconquered by multiple factions, was solved by the Lord of an independent city named Gaderia, causing a massive uproar for a time. Gaderia also became wealthy as a result.
Regarding this achievement of Gaderia, the Northern Empire maintained a silent attitude, the Central Nations offered strong support, and the Southern Kingdom was also full of praise.
Another two years passed; this was now the fifth year since Nanoda had crossed over to this world.
Under the leadership of Aaron, the Lord who had abandoned his Imperial title, Gaderia developed at a flying speed. As its territory expanded, high city walls were erected, and rows of houses filled the city in a scene of prosperity that no longer lost out to the Royal Capitals of various nations. All of this benefited from the prestige accumulated by the earlier dissemination of the antidote, which had exchanged for quite a few connections for Gaderia.
Inside the office of the Gaderia Lord's Manor, Nanoda rested her head on the desk, her white hair hanging down, looking just like a salted fish.
"What's wrong? You look completely listless."
Aaron was processing official duties that had piled up like a mountain. The busyness of these years had added a few wrinkles to the corners of his eyes, and staying up late had given him eye bags.
"It's really nice, the development of Gaderia these past few years... Yuna will definitely be shocked when she comes back."
Nanoda's tone was a bit sour. Compared to Gaderia's prosperity, her own Mutual Love New Demon Association had come to a complete standstill after Jane joined. There were absolutely no new Demons coming to seek refuge, and the whereabouts of that previous batch of Demon soldiers were completely unknown. To be honest, Nanoda felt that those Demon soldiers hadn't promoted her cause at all.
As for the movements of the Demon King's Army, there had been almost none recently. Perhaps it was the deterrence brought about by the existence of the Hero Himmel, but there were no signs of large-scale Demon emergences, leaving Nanoda with no opportunities to reorganize an army.
"The Empire is too quiet. If the magic potion incident was just an accident, then it would be inevitable for the Empire to obstruct our development. But Gaderia's development these past years has been too smooth," Aaron suddenly said while writing with the fountain pen in his hand.
"Indeed. It is truly strange that the Empire would easily let us off the hook for being independent without taking any action."
Nanoda shook her head, which was resting on the table, rousing her spirits slightly.
If it was because of Earl Mannier's failure, needing a year of preparation would be understandable, but the Empire had already left the rebellious Gaderia alone for four years.
"In my view, the Empire currently doesn't have the energy to deal with us. I think the possibility of internal problems is greater."
"You already have intelligence?"
Seeing Aaron's confident appearance, Nanoda pressed for an answer.
"In recent years, quite a few of the Empire's corrupt nobles and high officials have been assassinated. I suspect someone is attempting to change the structure of the Empire, or perhaps taking revenge on the Empire."
Stunned for a moment, Nanoda suddenly recalled an important matter. Just as she was about to speak, Baron Aaron continued to mention another event.
"The Fortified City of Weise, that border territory of the Empire which has also been developing rapidly alongside us... a few days ago, the Lord there, Glück, invited me to attend a banquet."
"I see, so that's how it is." Nanoda already had a conclusion in her heart.
"Do you have any thoughts?"
Finishing the signature on one document, Aaron picked up the next one.
"It shouldn't be a bad thing. After all, that place is like us, also unpopular with the Empire, and it's a poor place."
"Heheh, I didn't expect you to know about that."
Aaron nodded, the corners of his mouth curving up.
"So, this time I want to take you along."
"Are you crazy? Taking a Demon to attend a banquet?"
"No, I think that if you disguise yourself well, they won't be able to tell. Besides, I will need a capable guard eventually. Even if they are potential allies on the same front as us, we must maintain some caution before meeting them. Gaderia cannot be without me!"
Nanoda could not refute him. Aaron was indeed a very capable politician and Lord; Nanoda felt inferior in this regard. Otherwise, her Mutual Love New Demon Association wouldn't have turned into its current miserable state. She felt that when she had free time, it was necessary to ask Aaron for some advice.
"Fine, I promise you."
"Come to my office the day after tomorrow. I will send someone to teach you some human etiquette knowledge and have a dress made to order. The banquet will be held at the end of this month."
"Please spare me..."
Seeing Nanoda's distressed look, Aaron put down the document in his hand and gave a wicked smile.
—
In the evening, after mooching a dinner at the Lord's Manor, Nanoda returned to the residence she shared with Aura.
"Mother is back."
Shaking her short white hair, Jane ran out of the kitchen. She was holding a storybook in her hands and welcomed Nanoda expressionlessly; recently, she had become very interested in stories.
In the kitchen, Aura was making stew. Linie was watching from the side, wanting to reach out and help, but her hand was slapped away by Aura.
Forced by Linie's mysterious cooking skills, the smart and diligent Aura had learned to cook by herself. Life now, without having to fight humans every day, was very stable and comfortable.
However, in her bones, Aura still wanted to humiliate and harm humans to her heart's content. When she had free time, she would go and tease Vincent and Zari, who were controlled by her Magic of Obedience, making the two of them do some shameful things.
Nanoda sat at the dining table. Under Nanoda's hinting gaze, Aura served the stew and plated it like a wife, then began to eat her own portion.
Seeing this, Nanoda had to serve a bowl for herself, and incidentally gave a bowl each to Linie and Jane.
The four Demons ate dinner together just like that, expressionless. There were no superfluous words; Demons were always that indifferent most of the time.
The desolate sky was now resplendent with stars. Moonlight spilled through the white window onto Nanoda's hair. After eating the average-tasting stew, a long-lost emotion climbed into her heart.
"Aura, thank you."
For no apparent reason, Nanoda offered a word of thanks to Aura.
Hearing this sentence, Linie, Jane, and Aura all gathered their gazes on Nanoda. There was confusion in their eyes; it seemed none of them understood Nanoda's behavior.
"Did you eat something wrong?"
Aura expressionlessly served herself another bowl. Usually, she played the pitiful one in front of Nanoda due to pressure, but now that they were familiar, Aura had become more casual.
"No, it's nothing. Just a sudden sentiment." Nanoda shook her head.
"Mother, tell me a story tonight." Beside her, Jane suddenly tugged at the corner of Nanoda's clothes.
"Sparring." On the other side, Linie also put forward a request.
Although it was only a little bit, Nanoda could genuinely feel that she had changed these Demons around her. Gaderia had also accepted the Demons. She had taken a step forward in realizing that legacy.
____
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