The magic cards I made are absolutely flawless!

Winning hearts and minds is also difficult.

It seems we still need to rely on intelligence research mechanisms.

Having gathered almost all the information Artis knew, Dekan was too lazy to bother with her anymore.

This rigid and meticulous demon refused to tell him anything special except for tradable information.

I don't know the answer when asked.

Of course, it's also possible that she genuinely didn't know.

Although Dekan found this guy's bad temper extremely annoying when they first met.

But when she truly showed no hostility, Dekan realized that this girl was so innocent that it was impossible to find even the slightest bit of pleasure in persecuting her.

Are you really a demon?

Dekan asked with utter disdain.

He even suspected that Artis might actually be a person disguised as a demon.

According to Dekan's understanding of demons, although demons look the same as humans, they are two completely different kinds of beings.

They don't understand the concept of malice, nor do they feel guilt or remorse. All behaviors that seem human are merely imitations and performances created to bewitch people.

Therefore, Dekan would not believe any demons.

Besides the master craftsman.

This Artis could be said to have been pretending to be human.

But now, with her willingness to risk her life and her unyielding spirit, she looks just like a saint.

This is not a quality that demons should have.

When Artis heard Dekan's question, she was startled at first, then lowered her head timidly.

"...I am a half-demon, and my mother is human."

She spoke haltingly, as if mentioning a secret she wouldn't tell any demon.

Dekan covered his forehead.

No wonder this guy looks so human.

"So, the Demon King sent you here as a prison warden not only to make you work, but also to keep you under control?"

According to Dekan's understanding, the wardens of each level are not allowed to leave their posts without the Demon King's personal permission.

While gaining access, they were also bound by this demonic prison.

Even moving to other levels is impossible.

"Yes."

Artis nodded in agreement.

Dekan finally understood.

This floor could even be described as Artis's solitary cell.

The Demon King was worried that she would betray him, but he also needed Artis's knowledge.

No wonder the rules on this floor are so strict for the jailers, but so lenient for the warden.

This was a form of protection for the prison warden.

Since Artis is too lazy to kill people or demons, it would be meaningless to restrict her like other levels.

However, if the restrictions on the jailers are not strict enough, it may lead to the kind-hearted Artis being bullied by them.

Is it possible that what we say here could be heard by others?

Dekan decided to try one last time to see if he could get more help from Artis, so he asked.

"The warden can't detect my study; this is a research room that the Demon King has granted me."

Although Artis did not understand Dekan's intention, she still answered.

"Let me ask you directly, do you see yourself as a human or a demon?"

Dekan's expression turned unusually serious, his eyes like a sharp blade.

[Bounty Settlement and New Illustration Preview]

I received 7082 monthly tickets for the monthly ticket bounty at the end of August, which is equivalent to 4.72 character illustrations. Rounding up, that's 5 illustrations. Adding that to the 7 I originally agreed to, I have a total of 12 character illustrations.

Next, we'll start updating character illustrations weekly.

The illustration for Volume 4, featuring the succubus Dekan, should be released before Volume 4 is finished, definitely in September. I will post the illustration as a separate chapter after it is released, so don't worry about missing it.

And here comes the important part—[Volume 5 Illustrations].

The illustrations of the church priests and nuns in Volume 3 received much praise, and Volume 5 will feature a larger-scale illustration of an even higher standard (Decan & Master & Temple).

XiXi Quan has already paid out of his own pocket to arrange for the artist who illustrated the third volume to draw again (but this time the artist's schedule is full, and the deadline is at least December. In order to get the illustrations out when the fifth volume is serialized, we have to rush it. This rush cost 8000 yuan per drawing, but in return, the illustrations can be completed in early October).

Don't worry about my wallet, everyone giving me more monthly votes is helping me recover.

Woof woof woof! Please give me some monthly votes at the beginning of the month~ Thank you, dads~

245 Dekan's Farewell

Artis did not hesitate when faced with Dekan's question.

"I am human."

Artis's eyes were exceptionally resolute.

She didn't know Dekan's attitude at the moment, or why he was asking her such a question.

But it stemmed from a long-held inner will.

Even if the Demon King asked her this question, she would answer in the same way.

"So what is your attitude towards this war between humans and demons?"

Dekan breathed a sigh of relief after confirming Artis's attitude, and then asked.

As mentioned in the background story of the Shadow World at the beginning, demons and humans are currently engaged in a fierce war.

The rescue of the Dark Saintess, who was otherwise unable to escape from the Demon Realm prison, was a major turning point in this war.

"I hope the war ends, and that humanity will emerge victorious. This is a war started by the demon realm, and even if the demon realm is destroyed, it will be its just deserts."

Artis said with a sorrowful expression.

"But if the Demon Realm loses, won't you suffer too?"

"Dekan asked."

"I was born in a human kingdom and grew up with my mother, often transforming into a human and living in human towns. But after the war began, my identity changed..."

At this point, Artis's expression turned extremely bitter.

She was clearly not accepted by the humans; rather than trust, they harbored more suspicion and fear towards her.

"Although there are humans who are willing to believe in me, most people... reject me and see me as their mortal enemy. The fact that someone is willing to help me escape is already the greatest kindness they can show me..."

Artis was clearly rejected by both humans and demons.

The Demon King did not execute her but imprisoned her here, not out of any kindness, but simply because he valued her worth.

Although she experienced malice from the human side, she also experienced genuine kindness.

All one can feel from the demon god is malice.

It's only natural that they would love humans more.

In addition, she has always considered herself a human being and grew up with her mother.

Therefore, she naturally considers herself a human being from the bottom of her heart.

"Can you detect a condition on me called [Blood Mimicry]?"

Dekan looked at her and sighed helplessly.

Artis's stance was already decided.

She had no bad intentions at all; in fact, she was excessively kind.

"?"

Artis gently reached out and touched Dekan's shoulder.

As she channeled her magic and carefully analyzed Dekan's condition, she quickly discovered the vampire's exquisite disguise magic.

"You...?!"

Artis instantly withdrew her hand as if she had been electrocuted.

"Yes."

Dekan answered before she could finish speaking.

Artis gazed at Dekan with a complex expression.

But at this moment, everything is understood without words.

She seemed extremely conflicted, and asked:

"You...are you trying to rescue the Dark Saintess?"

After the showdown.

Artis had also figured out a lot of things.

Dekan's only purpose in risking his life to infiltrate this prison was to rescue the Dark Saintess and end this war.

And some things that seemed out of place to her were explained.

For example, why can this little succubus and the unscrupulous merchant cooperate so well?

They probably already knew each other.