I reign supreme in the Western fantasy world for eternity.

"Because you asked me if I can trust others."

Lilith was stunned.

"You were tricked by that fake mage, surrounded by slimes, and almost lost your life. You asked me, 'Can I still trust others in the future?'"

Ji Tian's voice was as gentle and calm as ever, "I didn't respond then, but now I'll answer you—yes, just believe me."

The room remained quiet for a long time.

The moonlight outside the window moved inch by inch, climbing from Ji Tian's knees to his chest, and then to his face.

Lilith lowered her head, her long, silvery-white hair obscuring her expression.

Her shoulders were trembling slightly, but she didn't cry.

She held back for a moment, then her voice drifted out in a muffled tone: "Master, you're such an awkward person. You're clearly saying something very emotional, but you have to put on this 'I'm giving a lecture' expression. You'll never find a partner if you keep acting like this."

"Those who cultivate immortality do not have worldly spouses; at most, they seek a Daoist partner."

"Then you're even more embarrassed. Do you know what this is called in picture books? It's called 'planting a flag.' People like this usually don't live to see the end."

"That's someone else's ending. I'll write my own ending."

Lilith looked up, her eyes red, and gazed at the figure on the windowsill, its edges gleaming in the moonlight. Suddenly, she felt—

He really will survive to the end.

It will survive until the extra chapters.

"Master."

"What's wrong?"

Are we going to the mountains again tomorrow?

"go."

"Then could you please stop using 'Minor Teleportation' to bring me back? My heart can't take it. Just now, I felt like I was folded into a tofu cube."

"You can walk back."

"I didn't say I wouldn't use it. I meant: could you give me a heads-up before using it next time? Like, 'Are you ready? Let's go!' or 'Three, two, one.' So I can mentally prepare myself and calm my nerves."

"it is good."

Lilith chuckled for a moment, then lay down on the bed, pulling the blanket over half her face, leaving only her amethyst-like eyes visible as she looked at the figure on the windowsill who had already closed his eyes and begun to meditate.

Goodnight, Master.

"Um."

"Aren't you afraid I'll ambush you in the middle of the night?"

"You're welcome to give it a try."

"...No, I'm afraid you'll fall asleep and punch me away."

……

at the same time.

Koldeid City, Adventurers' Guild, second-floor private room.

Unlike the noisy lobby on the first floor, the rooms on the second floor were as quiet as another world.

The thick oak door shut out all the noise from downstairs, with only the firewood in the fireplace crackling and occasionally sending out a spark or two that jumped into the ashes.

A huge parchment map lay spread out on the long table, its edges weighed down by several heavy books. The map was densely marked with mountains, rivers, towns, and arrows and circles drawn in red ink—the advance route of the Demon King's vanguard.

Alex stood in front of the map, his hands resting on the edge of the table, his golden hair gleaming softly in the candlelight.

His gaze shifted from one red circle to another, his brow furrowing slightly, as if he were measuring some unseen distance.

"Three days ago, the vanguard of the Demon King's army advanced to a point 120 miles west of the Western Mountains."

He then pointed to a mark on the map, saying, "According to the latest intelligence from yesterday, they have completed a new round of war mobilization and are setting up camp here."

His finger tapped lightly on the map, making a soft tapping sound.

"At this rate, they will reach the Cross River Estuary, 150 miles west of Kold City, in five days. That is the intersection of three trade routes. Once it is controlled by the demons, the supply line between the western border and the capital will be cut off."

Mason lay sprawled on the table, her long, fiery red hair cascading across the map. She rested her chin on her hand, her gaze lazily sweeping over the red circles, a nonchalant smile playing on her lips.

"So we need to take down their command structure before they reach the Cross River Estuary?"

Alex straightened up, crossing his arms. "Yes. While the Demon King's vanguard is numerous, the real threat is the demon general commanding them. If we eliminate the pro-war commander, the vanguard will fall into chaos. Forcing the Demon King's army to surrender would be ideal, thus avoiding unnecessary casualties..."

Bruno sat in the chair, the specially made iron chair creaking under the weight of his armored body.

The greatsword leaned against the table, its blade as black as ink, reflecting a cold light in the candlelight.

"Easy for you to say. The demon general is definitely surrounded by many guards. What if we, just a few people, rush in and get surrounded?"

"So cooperation is necessary." Alex turned to Anna. "What did the church say?"

Anna sat by the fireplace, holding a thick holy book in her hands, her silver hair gleaming softly in the firelight.

Her voice was soft and ethereal. "The Knights Templar will send a small squad to launch a feint attack on the western front to draw the attention of the main demon force. At the same time, the Kingdom's Third Legion will outflank from the north and cut off the demons' retreat."

She opened the holy book and took out a letter bearing the church's seal. "This is an order personally signed by His Holiness the Pope. The Knights Templar will fully cooperate with our operations."

Bruno scratched his head. "A feint? A flanking maneuver? Can you explain it in a way I can understand? Like, where do we attack from? Who do we fight? Where do we run after we're done?"

Mason laughed and slapped Bruno on the shoulder. "Simply put, the church and the army will clear the area for us. Our job is just to rush in, find the demon commander, and then—"

She made a throat-slitting gesture.

Bruno grinned:

"I understand."

Alex looked at Legolas.

The elf hadn't uttered a single word since he entered. He sat quietly in the corner, leaning against the wall, his longbow at his side, his amber eyes half-closed, as if he were dozing or listening to some distant sound.

"Legolas, what are your thoughts?"

The elf opened his eyes, his gaze falling on Alex's face and lingering for a moment.

"The demon generals' camps are not built in open areas. They will camp in sheltered places—forests, valleys, or abandoned mines. It is difficult for our scouts to get close."

Alex asked, "Can you come closer?"

Legolas paused for a moment, then said, "Yes, but I need time."

"how long?"

"Two days. I will observe their defensive patterns from the shadows and find the weakest point in their defense."

Alex nodded. "Then it's up to you."

He lowered his head again, his gaze falling on the dense markings on the map.

"Now, let's plan our attack route. Bruno, you're in charge of the frontal assault. Mason, you're in charge of ranged fire support. Ana, you're in charge of healing and Holy Light suppression. Legolas and I will break into the core and eliminate the commander."

His finger traced an arc on the map.

"This is the Templar Knights' feint attack route."

Draw another straight line.

"This is the detour route of the Kingdom's Third Legion."

Finally, his finger stopped at a mountain hollow thirty miles west of the crossroads.

"And this is where we will fight our final battle against the demon general."

The candlelight danced on his golden hair, reflecting two small flames in his deep blue eyes.

His voice is magnetic, making people believe him without even realizing it.

"We're leaving in three days. Any problems?"

"No," Mason was the first to answer.

Bruno patted the greatsword and laughed loudly, "Haha! Finally, we can fight!"

Anna closed the holy book. "May the Holy Light protect us."

Legolas opened his eyes and nodded slightly.

Alex looked around at his teammates. "That's settled then."

The twilight outside the window had completely fallen, and the streets of Kolde were lit up with twinkling lights.

In the distance, the torches on the city wall formed a winding line of fire, like a sleeping fire dragon coiled on the edge of the city.

Further afield, in the desolate western wilderness, fires were burning in the demon camps.

Two flames, separated by hundreds of miles of darkness, stood facing each other from afar.

The outcome will be revealed in a few days.