CHAPTER 1028: CHAPTER 221: DEVIL’S CONTRACT

The citizens outside City Hall Square gradually dispersed as the guards evacuated them.

Mayor Matthias did not want citizens to freeze to death on the cold streets after everything was perfectly resolved.

It is foreseeable that the experiences in the dream will become a topic of conversation among citizens for a long time.

Knock knock knock.

"Come in—"

The wooden door of the office was pushed open as he spoke, and Assistant Valendo appeared behind it: "Mr. Lu Li is here."

Soon, Lu Li walked into the mayor’s office and informed him that they were ready to leave.

"Leaving so soon?"

City Hall was in the process of receiving the Inquisition’s legacy, and discussions on how to distribute and allocate resources needed to be convened with the councilors. If Lu Li stayed, it could avoid many unnecessary disputes and troubles.

"Yes."

Lu Li glanced out the window, seeing the God of the Deep Sea standing at the port in the distance.

The God of the Deep Sea was gradually losing its essence every moment, and staying too long might cause trouble for Vena Ice-Free Port.

"It’s truly unbelievable... An ancient deity would actually help us."

Matthias marveled, gazing at the far-off bay and comparing it to Vena Ice-Free Port, as if a child squatting on the beach, building sandcastles.

"Did we do something wrong?"

He suddenly whispered the question.

The God of the Deep Sea made him realize that deities were not entirely detestable. If they indeed could protect Vena Ice-Free Port...

"You were right, and so was the Inquisition."

Lu Li’s response made Matthias shift his gaze away from the port.

"You were all trying to ensure survival and self-rescue, even if each party overlooked their own flaws while magnifying others’ shortcomings. We should not blame too much for that."

"I’m glad you say that." Mayor Matthias placed his hand over his chest, respectfully responding to Lu Li.

"Please inform me when Captain Lifelien Xilia Wilt regains consciousness."

"I will, but it’s challenging."

Due to Captain Lifelien Xilia Wilt’s importance, many doctors were involved in the treatment, but progress was slow: "With the aggressive Inquisition no longer existing, I plan to strengthen ties with Midnight City next, to let them find a way to treat Captain Lifelien Xilia Wilt, at least temporarily awaken her."

Without the Inquisition’s checks and balances, Vena Ice-Free Port’s future might become less repulsive to weird powers, but it could be a long journey to become like Midnight City.

Before that, Vena Ice-Free Port must stockpile supplies just in case. Matthias asked Lu Li about the approximate stockpile of wood, and Lu Li called for Merchant Anthony to inquire in the Shadow Swamp.

It’s apparent that the wood from the entire Shadow Swamp wouldn’t suffice for Vena Ice-Free Port’s hundreds of thousands of residents for even a few days, so he needed to find new sources for coal and wood.

The Barren Lands could help with this, as it was abundant in coal resources, but previously, transportation costs and speed made it difficult to deliver. With the merchants’ help, it’s no longer a problem, though the speed at which merchants can retrieve goods is too limited to supply the whole city.

They needed more merchants, and Mayor Matthias had already sent people to find them. Searching across the entire Main Affinity Continent’s human settlements, perhaps it wouldn’t take long to find more merchants.

Bid farewell to Mayor Matthias, and Lu Li and the others boarded the mayor’s ride: a steam car, heading to the port.

Trouble suddenly came looking for Lu Li at this moment.

The inverted pentagram imprint on the back of his hand heated up without warning; the devil began tracking Lu Li again.

It dared to appear?

Lu Li looked toward the God of the Deep Sea in the bay, told the driver to stop, instructed the soldiers to inform Mayor Matthias to evacuate the surrounding citizens, told Merchant Anthony to notify the God of the Deep Sea to hide its aura and body, and wait for the devil to approach.

Then resolve the trouble.

In the narrow steam car, Lu Li sat by the window of a roadside café.

The wait wasn’t long, as the searing heat from the imprint on the back of his hand indicated its approach, becoming intolerably hot—

On the deserted cold streets, a delicate woman walked slowly, with her black ponytail, wearing a tailcoat and white gloves.

Jingling—Jingling—Jingling—

The café door was pushed open, allowing the cold and smell of sulfur to pour into the shop.

"Honorable Ancient One, offspring of Hell’s Monarch Monliabez XVI greets you."

She greeted the God of the Deep Sea, then turned her eyes toward Lu Li: "This is my avatar, so..."

"If you wish, I can trace her to her original body in Hell." The deity suddenly spoke.

"The portal is already closed, mighty and venerable one; you cannot descend to Hell." The devil’s body stiffened momentarily, respectfully replied, and turned to Lu Li: "Moreover, you wouldn’t do that, because I will help you."

"The devil’s... allure." Ophelia said.

"It’s an equivalent exchange. I helped you, so I hope you help me," the devil revealed its intention before hostility could be fully aroused: "I’ve been looking for you for this reason."

"What can you help me with, what can I help you with?" Lu Li asked calmly; the imprint on his hand was no longer hot.

"I know a way for you to acquire power without burden, as well as how to protect your hideout in Hell from being discovered. In return, I hope you can oppose my father for me."

"Is this a threat?"

Lu Li understood her reference to the hideout was Hades. It was a misunderstanding, but explaining it to her was fruitless.

"No, merely the content of the transaction." She genuinely seemed to think so.

"I can’t do it."

Recalling the devil who also liked formal wear, Lu Li shook his head in refusal.

"You can, just like you destroyed his avatar." The Devil’s Daughter exuded hatred toward her father. "This is also your opportunity... The imprint indicates he never let you go, does it not?"

"But there’s nothing I can do now."

Lu Li didn’t let the God of the Deep Sea intervene. The Devil Monarch might not compare to the Ancients, but that place was awash with lava and heat, where all the God of the Deep Sea could find was a sea of lava.

"Not now." The Devil’s Daughter softened Lu Li’s thoughts, her red lips parted: "I will tell you how to gain power, and when you’re strong enough, that’s when we start planning."

"There’s no downside for you. You gain an ally against your enemy and acquire power."

Lu Li looked at her calmly: "Why do you want to kill your father?"

The Devil’s Daughter hid her hatred beneath an exterior of calm: "If you knew how he raised his children, you’d want him dead too."

As she stated, it posed no disadvantage to Lu Li; the title of "Devil’s Daughter" was insignificant due to the God of the Deep Sea’s presence.

"Draft a contract, witnessed by the God of the Deep Sea," Lu Li said.

"As you wish."

The abominable human skin paper filled with contract terms, Lu Li and the Devil’s Daughter left their blood, vanishing into the void.

Contract concluded, the Devil’s Daughter unveiled the answer: "Cursed Titles, they are the most natural source of power. Go to Giant Tree Academy, where you can learn how to use power."

"What do Cursed Titles represent?" Lu Li asked her.

"I think they might be gifts from the guardians of the world, rewards for the brave, and the world’s self-preservation," she replied.