The Demon King is unfathomable

Chapter 382 The Demon King's Weapon

Professor Hector was far more efficient than Luo Yan had imagined.

Just one day later, teaching assistant Corgi hurried to the Magic Science Laboratory and reported the latest progress to Prince Colin, who was sitting at his desk reviewing the students' research progress.

"Professor, Professor Hector has sent word!"

Corgi's tone was filled with excitement and anticipation. Before Prince Colin could speak, he eagerly continued.

"As you entrusted, he has reached an agreement with Mentor Merck!"

The apprentices around them were used to this.

Although this Mr. Corgi was nominally Professor Hector's teaching assistant, they had long considered him "one of their own."

Luo Yan put down the report in his hand and raised his eyebrows with interest.

"Oh? What did he say?"

Although he expected it wouldn't be too difficult, he didn't expect it to go so smoothly.

Corgi excitedly recounted the agreement reached between Professor Hector and Mentor Merck, vividly describing the latter's reluctance to part with his beloved, and how Professor Hector, through persistent pressure, managed to pry open his mentor's mouth.

He paused for a moment at this point, then continued in a cautious tone.

“Professor Hector has done his best, but sir, this matter ultimately requires your approval. Although Professor Merck agreed to relinquish research access to Virtual Realm No. 178, he also put forward a condition.”

"explain."

"He requested to join your follow-up research on Virtual Realm 178 as an observer or participant..."

As he said this, Corgi couldn't help but add his own opinion at the end.

“Professor, you may think it doesn’t matter, but this request is actually a bit presumptuous in the academic community. Professor Hector didn’t remind you because he thought you didn’t care, but… I think it’s better for you to know.”

He paused, then whispered something else.

"Furthermore, based on my observation of Professor Merck, if Professor Hector puts in a little more effort, he should be able to reach an agreement without any conditions attached... Your willingness to take on this troublesome matter has already been a great help to him."

Scholars are never stingy in sharing their research findings in the Wise Man's Journal.

However, people usually keep their truly crucial technologies a closely guarded secret, fearing that others will learn their "unique skills".

From Professor Hector's perspective as his teaching assistant, he shouldn't have said these unnecessary things and added to his professor's workload. However, he liked the approachable prince very much and didn't want the prince to be schemed against by those scholars who seemed upright but were actually full of ulterior motives.

He wouldn't mind making a couple more trips for this.

Although Corgi looked worried, Luo Yan didn't care at all.

His true purpose was never to study magic, but to spread the "corruption" of the Demon King, so naturally he wasn't afraid that people would steal his skills.

"No problem, let him come."

With a playful smile, Luo Yan spoke in a relaxed tone.

"I'm also very curious about how he messed things up."

It's unacceptable that someone can't even copy homework properly.

He thought that was the magicians at Xuebang were best at this...

Corgi turned and went to deliver the message.

Ophia, who had been secretly observing this place, finally got her chance to appear. Recently, her beloved prince seemed to be troubled by trivial matters outside of his research.

Her respected father often told her that the Castellion family had no worries; if they had to find one, it would be that they had mountains of gold coins with nowhere to waste them.

come on--

Ophelia, this is an opportunity!
Holding a copy of "Advanced Mathematics" covered in devilish whispers, she casually walked to the desk, pretending to ask a question, and a charming smile bloomed on her elegant and dignified face.

"It seems that your esteemed mentor has encountered some trouble. Is there anything Miss Castellion can do for you?"

This quote comes from "One Hundred Blush-Inducing Secrets from the Girlfriends".

Although the book seems to be written for gentlemen, as her father always told her, the descendants of the Castellón family should not be bound by rules and regulations; they should be rule-makers, not slaves to dogma.

Ophia had complete faith in her respected father, especially when he said things she wanted to hear.

For example, she had clearly forgotten that her father had also said, "Don't abandon the forest for a single leaf." And that the bard's writings should be ignored, like a fart; don't take them to heart.

“Really? That’s wonderful. I happen to have something I’d like to ask Miss Ophia for help with.”

Looking at Miss Ophia, whose face was full of anticipation, Luo Yan smiled and took a note from the side, on which were written math problems he had prepared in advance.

Incidentally, these are also the offerings that players made to him.

"This is a problem I encountered in my research. Can you help me figure it out?"

Looking at the devil's ramblings covered in sticky notes, Ophia's expression changed. Cold sweat covered her fair face, and her stiff lips twitched slightly.

"Heh, heh heh... This little thing is no problem for me. What I mean is... are there any other troubles? You can rely on me a little more, that's fine too!"

"Really? That's great."

As he said this, Luo Yan smiled and took out a few more sticky notes with advanced mathematics problems written on them, and calmly handed them to Ophia.

Ophia couldn't hold back any longer. Her teary eyes glared at him fiercely, and she ran away, clutching her textbook covered in sticky notes.

Watching the fleeing figure, Luo Yan nodded in satisfaction. Looking at the sticky notes in the drawer, he felt that these things were much more useful than magic.

A shadowy figure appeared beside him, muttering a complaint under its breath.

"My Lord Demon King, Yoyo has discovered that you are truly wicked..."

Luo Yan calmly thought to himself as he picked up his teacup and took a sip of the warm black tea.

"Isn't this all for her own good?"

Youyou: "But you say that to everyone..."

Ok?
Is there such a thing?

……

Dusk fell quickly, but Ophia, the "genius girl" from the Holy City, was still racking her brains over the first question.

Ilana was somewhat worried about her condition and even more curious about what kind of problem Prince Colin had given her, so she asked her if she needed help.

This time, Ophia didn't hold back and decisively clung to a powerful figure.

Ever since Ilana showed her her skills last time, she has been completely impressed by this academic genius's incredible mathematical talent.

The two seemed to have become good friends.

Ilana quickly began working out the first problem she received.

Then--

Unsurprisingly, both of them were stumped by the tongue-twisting math problem.

Luo Yan, who was observing from the shadows, nodded in satisfaction.

perfect!

When Luo Yan returned to the dormitory tower after finishing his chores in the laboratory, an unfamiliar apprentice was waiting for him at the foot of the tower, looking travel-worn.

Upon seeing Instructor Colin, the apprentice's eyes lit up, and he rushed forward, excitedly handing over a letter sealed with sealing wax.

"Sir! You're finally back! Someone asked me to bring you a letter!"

The two metal golems in front of the dormitory tower stared menacingly at the apprentice, clearly having no intention of making an exception for him and letting him pass by.

However, the apprentice was also sensible enough to know he couldn't get into the professors' dormitory tower, so he chose to wait patiently at the bottom of the tower.

"Thank you."

Luo Yan smiled and accepted the gift, casually tossing the young man a magic stone as a tip. Amid the latter's delighted gratitude, he went straight back to his dormitory.

Sitting in a comfortable chair in his study, he opened the envelope, and a smell mixed with machine oil and metallic dust wafted out.

【

Dear Mentor Colin:
I apologize for writing this letter and for disturbing your precious time immersed in the endless truth.

This letter is to inform you that the magical artifact you commissioned our shop to make, which can be described as a "work of art," has finally been completed today, living up to your expectations, after countless days and nights of meticulous work and repeated adjustments.

You are welcome to visit my workshop at any time to personally examine this outstanding design that embodies the hard work of you and your apprentices!
Artisan Street, Alberto's workshops.

Sincerely, Alberto
】

The letter was from Alberto of Craftsman Street.

The letter was written in a humble and respectful tone, informing him that the mysterious "magical device" he had previously ordered had been completed and that he could pick it up at any time.

Clearly, after accepting the order, this skilled craftsman conducted a "background check" on his generous customer, using his connections in the Great Sage's Tower to find out what the name Colin meant.

Luo Yan wasn't surprised that the man was curious about his identity; he was just a little amused and exasperated by the man's drastic change in attitude.

It seems he is not as carefree as he appears on the surface. Although he left Xuebang, the imprint of Xuebang is still deeply ingrained in his bones.

Just as Luo Yan was pondering his upcoming schedule, a round shadow suddenly peeked out from under his robe.

Curiosity gleamed in his golden, vertical pupils, and his thumb-thick nostrils twitched as he muttered excitedly.

"A magical artifact? What magical artifact?! Is it a weapon?"

Taff's voice was filled with barely concealed excitement.

She gripped the edge of the table with her two little front paws, trying to climb higher so she could see the contents of the letter clearly.

She had long yearned for the legendary artisan street frequented by magic apprentices.

The thought of all sorts of novelties and delicious food she had never tasted before made her so excited that the tip of her little tail wagged uncontrollably.

It's mainly about food.

Seeing Taf's pitiful appearance, wagging its tail impatiently, Luo Yan smiled and nodded, saying happily.

"Of course you can, but you have to be obedient and not run around."

"Okay, okay," Taffy said impatiently, slapping his arm with her curled tail. "I'm not a child, I don't need you to remind me every time!"

Luo Yan smiled without saying a word.

He hadn't forgotten his previous experience.

The little one had been clamoring to come to his class to join in the fun, and he figured that many students were curious about his pet, so he brought her along.

At first, she was fine, sitting quietly on the climbing frame scratching her head and playing with her tail. But as soon as I started talking about things she knew a little about, this "knowledgeable little devil" started to get restless, making "poof poof poof" sounds and covering her mouth to chuckle.

Although she didn't openly sabotage him because of her master's orders, the buzzing sound was still quite annoying.

Later, Luo Yan certainly didn't indulge her; with a wave of his wand, she behaved herself.

A mere young dragon is no match for the magic of a platinum-level mage. Of course, afterward, Taff denied ever having this memory, instead stubbornly accusing him of being too sensitive.

Ignoring Taf's confident assertions, Luo Yan turned to the silent figure in the corner of the room and gave her instructions.

"Sarah, come out with me tomorrow at noon. Remember to keep an eye on this child."

“I’m not a child!” Tauf immediately protested.

Sarah, standing beside the bookshelf, moved slightly, as gracefully as a cat blending into the shadows, and respectfully nodded to the esteemed Demon King, completely ignoring the protesting little dragon.

"As ordered, Your Highness."

……

The following day at noon, the blizzard that had lasted all night subsided slightly, and the long-awaited warm sun pierced through the clouds, gilding the snow-covered plains with a layer of holy gold.

Luo Yan remembered that when he first came here, it was the coldest time of the year, and in the blink of an eye, spring was coming.

Although spring doesn't mean the ice and snow melt away for the northern wilderness, it at least allows some of the wilderness's beauty to emerge from beneath the ice and snow.

At noon, Luo Yan, along with Sarah and Taff, left the dormitory tower and set off on time for the artisan street near the Great Sage's Tower.

Sarah was still wearing her practical leather armor, with a fleece-lined cloak over it, and cradling the restless, wriggling little dragon in her arms.
She lagged half a step behind Luo Yan, like a silent shadow, isolating herself from the surrounding crowd while remaining vigilant against the danger lurking in the shadows.

The streets were far more bustling than usual today, almost teeming with people. Young apprentices dressed in robes of various schools of thought crowded the streets in groups of three or five, making the already narrow roads even more congested.

Luo Yan noticed that Sarah was unusually serious today.

It's clear that even after so much time has passed, this cat is still holding a grudge about its mistake in the holy city.

However, Luo Yan felt that she didn't need to be so nervous. There was probably no safer place in the entire continent of Aus than Xuebang.

This is the territory of the mages.

To put her at ease, he casually said with a smile.

"What's wrong, Sarah? You seem surprised?"

“Yes, Your Highness…” Sarah’s voice was hesitant as she spoke softly, “Why are there so many apprentices on this street?”

She remembered that there weren't usually this many people.

“In a few days it will be the Academy’s annual ‘All Souls’ Festival’,” Luo Yan said with a smile, speaking in a casual tone. “According to tradition, the Great Sage’s Tower will hold a grand ‘Maze Trial’ for the apprentices. These young men are probably here to purchase equipment.”

Many of his apprentices in his laboratory were also preparing for this event, such as Had and Bell, who were researching the "Thermobaric Blazing Bullet." He also encouraged the two to design their own equipment as much as possible, so that the power of the Magic Science Laboratory could be fully utilized in the dungeon trials.

If funds are insufficient, one can provide "sponsorship".

As for Ophia, she also wanted to show off her skills, but unfortunately, despite her talent, she was still a novice when it came to spellcasting and meditation.

The tutors at Xuebang would never allow the young master of the Castellion family to do something so dangerous.

Although it wasn't a real labyrinth, and there was no demon king or demons, it didn't mean there wasn't any danger at all.

"So that's how it is..." Sarah nodded in realization, a rare hint of curiosity appearing in her gaze as she looked around.

The same was true of Taff, who was being held in her arms; her golden vertical pupils kept darting around as she looked at everything around her with great interest.

However, rather than being curious about the new things themselves, her interest mainly focused on the sense of superiority that advanced civilizations felt over primitive people.

As she passed a potion shop, her gaze quickly fell on the pot of bubbling green soup behind the window.

Watching the wrinkled old witch throw a whole toad into the cauldron, she made a gagging face and complained in dragon language.

"...Unbelievable! They actually threw an entire toad, along with its entrails and excrement, into a pot to boil instead of analyzing and purifying its active ingredients. Is this alchemy or the creation of a biological weapon?"

Before Luo Yan could even acknowledge her, her gaze was immediately drawn to a stall standing in front of the alchemy shop.

The stall owner was enthusiastically promoting a talisman that allowed for short-range communication to the apprentices, seemingly for long-distance communication within the maze.

Objectively speaking, this thing is actually very useful, and the troops on the Imperial front lines are equipped with it, but not many are.

But for Tauf, this was clearly a low-class trick.

"Tsk tsk, point-to-point single-channel audio transmission, this thing can actually be sold as a commodity... If I had more friends, would I have to stuff stones in my crotch to stay in touch with them?"

Listening to her incessant criticism, Luo Yan couldn't help but smile.

He turned his head, looked at the arrogant little guy, and asked an interesting question in a casual tone.

Do you think that when something is invented, does it primarily serve the interests of the inventor or the user?

Unexpectedly, the Demon King would pose this question to her, but such a foolish question was clearly no challenge for Lady Taff from the Zeta Empire.

She answered almost without hesitation.

"Is that even a question? Of course it's the user! What else? Tools are created to solve problems!"

Luo Yan's smile deepened.

This self-evident answer is quite in line with how an "advanced worker bee" in an atomized society perceives its own identity.

“In terms of results, that’s true,” he said casually. “But if you look at history as a continuous accumulation of calculus, you’ll find that every new thing, at the moment of its birth, actually aligns with the interests of the inventor. It’s just that occasionally, the interests of the inventor overlap with the interests of the user… which creates a misconception for the latter.”

He pointed to a stall selling talismans not far away.

“Point-to-point communication is obviously for the purpose of selling more communication stones. The same logic applies to those magic scrolls that expire after one use... After all, the magic apprentices don't have a choice, do they?”

"At least for now, Xuebang has no competitors in this land. The Kingdom of Rhodes and Xuebang are only superficially at odds; they have always been part of the vast system of the Empire."

"And the various mentors in the Academy are not divided on the position of 'how to extract the greatest benefit from the apprentices.' Those who are truly capable of changing this situation certainly compete with each other, but they will never compete for the benefit of the apprentices. Instead, they are vying for the Void Realm that the apprentices can never reach in their entire lives."

"If you think about it from this perspective, don't all the unreasonable behaviors you see suddenly become quite reasonable?"

Taff was stunned; she had never thought about the issue from this perspective before, but her instincts and pride made her immediately retort.

"That's sophistry! It's clearly just the magician's dish here!"

"This has nothing to do with any debate; it's just how the real world is. Do you think it's just that the magicians in the Academy aren't smart enough, while your Zeta Empire is an exception?"

Luo Yan spoke slowly and deliberately, his caring gaze like that of someone looking at a child who was determined to succeed.

Looking at the little female dragon with her eyes wide open, he uttered a truly devilish whisper in a casual voice.

"...For example, why would the Zeta Empire 'castrate' all Zeta people at the genetic level, depriving them of the right to reproduce naturally? Is going to such lengths truly for the benefit of all Zeta people?"

"If that's the case, is the time you save through cloning technology—time that should have been used for conceiving and raising offspring—used to enjoy life, or to produce more 'surplus goods' that you can't consume at all?"

"Even if we take a step back, since you call yourselves an empire, you must have a head of state, right? Did he and those who came up with these terrible ideas strictly adhere to this rule, instead of enjoying the bliss of having multiple wives or family happiness? Or... were they all born from cloning pods?"

"If that's really the case, then I have to admire you."

These words were like a poisoned blade, precisely piercing Tauf's vitals.

She instantly broke down, almost screaming, "Enough! You devil! Mind your own business! The Zeta people are none of your concern!"

She wasn't defending the emperor; she was genuinely afraid.

He really wanted to promise the Zeta people to lay eggs!
This guy is a real devil; his seductive power is terrifying.

He can always easily find the weakest link in a person's faith and then cleverly inject the devil's genes into it!
And all of this, in the name of justice!

Tauf couldn't help but think of that "spaceship" that resembled a starship; it seemed that Xuebang had indeed established some kind of connection with her hometown.

Although she had considered seizing this opportunity to contact her hometown, report her situation, and even ask her compatriots to find a way to take her back, the thought of the unpredictable and mysterious methods this guy had displayed in the 440th virtual realm sent chills down her spine. She was terrified that he would follow the slightest clues and interfere in the affairs of her hometown.

It's probably best to avoid dealing with these psychopaths...

Especially given that the Zeta Empire's fleet seems unable to physically invade this universe on a large scale, the primitive magicians skilled in extraordinary powers seem even more unreasonable.

And the most important thing is——

She looked down at her little paws.

She's now just a "meat lizard," and she really doesn't know how to explain her situation to her fellow lizards.

Those guys won't just laugh it off like the Demon King.

If Zeta Empire's starships were to actually reach this place, the "meat lizard" industry chain, so vast that its economic value cannot be measured, would likely cause all the "dragons" on the planet to disappear.

Unbeknownst to her, her interests and personal safety seemed to have become inextricably linked with the demon king beside her...

Looking at the little female dragon in his arms, who was gripped by immense panic and self-doubt, Luo Yan smiled and decided to let her go for the time being.

His teasing of Taff was always superficial; there was no need to let a fellow sufferer break down his defenses repeatedly.

He nodded readily, gently ending the conversation.

"You're right, that's your own business."

After all, his reach wasn't that long; he couldn't possibly extend it behind the Void Realm.

But if it's possible, then that's a different story.

Just like the question he initially posed to Taff, whether something is related to the Demon Lord depends, of course, on the Demon Lord's interests.

……

The carriage stopped in a relatively quiet corner of the Artisan Street, where "Alberto's Workshop" is located.

Unlike the surrounding shops adorned with elaborate decorations for enchanted weapons and armor, this workshop appeared simple and unpretentious, seemingly untouched by the festive atmosphere.

This is likely related to the fact that the shop owner has been busy dealing with a big deal recently.

As soon as Luo Yan and his group arrived at the store entrance, a thin figure immediately came out from inside to greet them.

This man was Alberto, the shop owner. He was still wearing the leather apron that was stained with a little oil. His expression was excited, but he couldn't hide his nervousness. He looked like a apprehensive student who was about to present his graduation project and was waiting for his mentor's evaluation.

"Dear Professor Colin! You've arrived!"

Alberto strode forward, bowed deeply to His Highness, and spoke with great enthusiasm.

"The work you commissioned has been completed! It has been the greatest honor of my life, Alberto, to participate in such a brilliant design as yours!"

"You're too kind, Mr. Alberto. That was just an immature idea of ​​mine. I should thank you for making it a reality for me." Luo Yan smiled and nodded, not continuing the pleasantries, but instead giving Sarah behind him a look.

Sarah understood, and with one hand freed from under Taff's tail, she took out a heavy money bag and shook out seven gold coins into Alberto's hand.

The gold coins clinked crisply in Alberto's rough palm, the pleasant sound adding a touch of rosy glow to his already excited face.

"Thank you for your recognition, mentor! But..."

Alberto carefully collected the remaining payment, rubbed his hands together, and said apologetically, "The 'work' you ordered is simply too large to be fully displayed in this artisan street lined with shops. If you want to see its full size, we'll probably have to go to that open snowfield outside the city."

Upon hearing this, Taf became even more eager, craning her neck to peer into the shop with an expectant look.

Looking at the cautious Mr. Alberto, Luo Yan nodded with pleasure.

"Then I'll trouble you to lead the way."

This was, after all, his means of transportation to the Duchy of Campbell, so he naturally had to check it over; he couldn't let it fail at a crucial moment.

(End of this chapter)