The magic cards I made are absolutely flawless!

"That day, everyone in the Card Makers Association went crazy!"

"The result, of course, also affected Mia, Alice, and Icardinos, who had taken Tata to the exam!"

"Wow... an instant explosion..."

Before Da Zhan could finish recounting the report from the capital, Dekan cut off the communication.

He didn't want to hear it.

I didn't dare listen any further.

Alice's wailing was so vivid in their minds that it was as if Dekan and Cornelia, sitting in the carriage, could already imagine the sound.

As he listened further, Dekan himself began to feel guilty.

did not expect.

Alice's crying during her third-tier card maker exam was nothing compared to what she had done back then.

Tata, I believe you didn't mean it, but you really went all out!

As expected of a perfect demon who inherited the combined power of Talomatti and Delois.

In just a few years, has it grown to the point that even its teacher is afraid of it?

Side Story 17: Advice from Dekan

The lord's carriage slowly drove into the lord's manor, the steady sound of its wheels echoing in the night.

The lights in the spacious courtyard punctuated the darkness, like lonely stars adorning the vast night sky.

As you pass through the ornate iron gate at the entrance, the sentries on night duty stand solemnly on both sides of the gate, their upright postures like sculptures, as if watching over every detail of the carriage.

The car drove along the gravel garden road and finally stopped in front of a magnificent mansion, with stone pillars and carved niches on both sides decorated with exquisite floral patterns.

Soon, Dekan and Cornelia brought Zestell off the train.

Even though Zestellila was still half asleep, she was stunned by the magnificent mansion.

She had never seen such a grand nobleman's home before.

"Zesterila, go to sleep first, I'll take you to play again tomorrow."

Dekan crouched down, looked at her, and said softly.

"Okay, goodnight Dekan, goodnight Cornelia..."

Already feeling sleepy, Zestellila drooped her eyelids and nodded dizzily.

Dekan then asked the old butler to take Zestel to the bedroom to rest.

Next, the steward of the lord's manor led Dekan and Cornelia to the second floor of the lord's manor.

After the steward respectfully opened the door, he saw that the walls of the study were covered with a series of valuable oil paintings, the floor was covered with a thick red carpet, and the long table was piled with thick documents and books.

The room lights cast swaying shadows, illuminating Chloeux's face at the desk and outlining her deep features.

Now, Chloeux is sitting in his office, carefully reviewing papers with a pen in hand, looking worried and tired.

He looks just like Lenn back then.

However, when he saw Dekan and Cornelia arrive, his brow seemed to relax a bit, and he put down his official duties.

"You're here."

"Do you miss us too much?"

Dekan picked up the documents on Chloeux's desk and glanced at them. Then, he and Cornelia sat leisurely on the sofa in the study, and Dekan smiled and asked with a shrug.

He probably knows how Chloeux is doing all day.

If he weren't so busy with official duties, he would soon be cornered by Judith, Miss Sherlia, and Miss Claire.

While escaping is shameful, it does have some effect.

"Indeed... I feel like only you can help me right now..."

Chloeux turned off the lamp on the table and, looking exhausted, walked over and sat down on the sofa opposite Dekan and Cornelia.

At times like these, even though Chloeux knew that Dekan wasn't always so reliable.

But Chloeux couldn't help but feel that Dekan would always be his true friend.

When I was most confused, it was the confident and determined Dekan who helped me.

Dekan leaned back on the sofa and shook his head helplessly.

He originally had the idea of ​​running away.

Unfortunately, Cornelia wouldn't allow him to be willful.

but.

Since Da Zhan has said it's nothing.

There shouldn't be any problem.

You are free to improvise without worrying about misleading Chloeux.

"Do you know what your biggest problem is?"

Dekan sighed and asked.

"what?"

"I can't understand it," Chloe asked, puzzled.

"Just like when Lunn was in the borderlands, it was unrealistic to save everyone, but he still managed to create an extremely high standard of underworld quest conditions for the [Throne of Snow and Thorns]."

The mission they encountered on the snow-covered northern border of the Holy Kingdom was essentially based on Lenn's wishes, and was also the same dilemma faced by Delois and Morpes back then.

Ultimately, if the Holy Kingdom's detective hadn't discovered the root of the problem, it's hard to say whether Dolois and Lenn would have broken off their relationship due to their differing opinions.

When not pushed to the brink or when his bottom line is crossed, Lenn is not as decisive as the other three.

"You don't want to hurt Judith, but you also feel guilty towards Miss Sheria. Of course, every time Claire cries, you feel guilty. You are different from the demons. They don't understand guilt, but you always feel an overly strong pang of conscience, which can even make you confused or indecisive."

Dekan continued speaking, then looked at Chloeux.

"So now you should face reality and be decisive. This time there's no Holy Emperor for you to kill. It's impossible to keep all three of them unharmed. You either choose Judith or the two sisters."

After Dekan finished speaking.

Chloeux lowered his head slightly and pondered for a long time.

"Wait, why are there two sisters?"

Chloeux suddenly realized something and asked.

Isn't it a choice between fulfilling the marriage agreement and being with Sheria, or selfishly breaking the agreement and marrying Judith?

Do you think Claire is willing to be your sister-in-law?

Dekan countered with a question.

"...!?"

Chloeux instantly realized that the problem was more complicated than he had imagined.

What a bitter choice...

Several minutes passed, and Chloe remained silent.

Upon seeing Chloeux, he fell into an even more confused state.

"If you really can't decide, then I can give you a few suggestions."

"Dekan said."

"what?"

Chloeux gazed at Dekan as if a glimmer of light had returned to his eyes.

As expected, his best friend was reliable.

Even Cornelia looked on with anticipation.

Dekan slowly raised his hand, held up his index finger, and said earnestly:

"The first strategy is for you to not marry any of them, so that they all regret it for the rest of their lives, and you regret it for the rest of your life too. Then do something big, and let the Shadow World record your story. Maybe in your next life you can challenge the Shadow World to simulate what the right choice should be, and then you will find the optimal solution."

Chloeux was stunned after hearing this.

Looking at Dekan's serious expression, he suspected that Dekan was playing a trick on him, but he had no proof.

But don't tell.

This suggestion actually has a slight chance of being feasible.

It was incredibly cruel to Chloeux herself...

"Even if there's a happy ending for everyone, it would have to be in the next life. Is there a way to make this life less regretful?"

"Kroix asked again."

Dekan thought for a moment, then made a peace sign and said:

"If you do this, you'll take Judith and Claire to fight in the Shadow World."

"why?"

Chloeux was completely baffled.

Why take them to fight in the Shadow World?

And why these two people?

Dekan chuckled and explained smugly:

"Given your imperial destiny, the battle will likely be very difficult, but with the cheat code of the Holy Emperor's Will to Die, you certainly won't fail. It's just that the process might cause Judith and Claire a lot of suffering."

Chloeux: "???"

Dekan: "At that time, they will all suffer the same torment as Miss Sheria. When you make your choice, you will not be biased towards Miss Sheria. It will be fair to choose either of them."

Chloeux did not speak.