As dusk deepened, the world outside the window was gradually swallowed by darkness. Stars began to twinkle in the night sky over Icerite, and the full moon hung high, casting a gentle glow. Streetlights flickered on, illuminating the capital's night.

  Until the light spots on the bedroom window gss slowly disappeared, it seemed as if the whole world had fallen into a slumber.

  Seeing Lanqi asleep due to mana exhaustion, Talia knew that even if she wanted to wake him up, it would be impossible in the short term, so she simply left him by the table.

  Having fulfilled her duty to Lanqi, she finally took out the [Shadow World Recording Program].

  She had been eager to watch it at the first opportunity.

  In fact, she considered it more important than having dinner.

  Besides the content recorded about the Shadow World, Talia was particurly interested in the silver-haired, amber-eyed half-demon girl who participated in the challenge with Lanqi.

  She retrieved a modified magic projector from the bottom shelf of her bedside table, inserted the [Shadow World Recording Program] into it, adjusted the volume to the lowest setting so as not to wake Lanqi, and then turned off the room lights.

  The dim wall opposite the bed began to project images.

  The room was completely enveloped in darkness, with the only source of light being the quietly operating magic projector.

  Talia sat on the bed, hugging her knees, silently watching as if she were watching a movie te at night.

  The dim light from the screen cast shadows on her face, fluctuating between light and dark, as Lanqi and Huberrian's voices echoed in the room.

  Talia gradually immersed herself in the story, feeling isoted from the world, staring at the girl's figure on the screen as if reminiscing about the closest demon kin.

  "Iphatia, is she your daughter..."

  Talia murmured softly, her voice barely audible.

  Although their appearances were not simir, the hair and eye colors were too much alike.

  After watching the tter part of the Shadow World live broadcast until the end, Talia witnessed the cultist prociming that the Duke's daughter was a half-demon, which deeply made her suspect that this Duke's daughter could indeed be her sister's child.

  If she could see Huberrian in person, Talia might be able to sense whether there was a blood connection between them.

  However, it wasn't easy for Talia to approach this Duke's daughter, who was in the spotlight, in a crowded pce.

  The more she watched, the more she felt they resembled each other.

  Perhaps she should find a way to ask Lanqi to privately arrange a meeting with this Duke's daughter.

  As she pondered this, Talia also saw Lanqi's ruthless treatment of demons in the demon examination hall on the screen.

  It gradually made her frown.

  Although her long-term interaction with Lanqi had made her familiar with him,

  At this moment, she felt as if she had awakened, increasingly aware of the hatred and repulsion between humans and demons.

  Ultimately, humans and demons could not coexist peacefully.

  And the reason Lanqi could interact with her so well now, constantly trading, was simply because he didn't know she was a high demon.

  The day he learned the truth, he would surely look at her with malice.

  On the projected screen.

  Lanqi and Huberrian had just left the demon examination hall, walking along the corridor with the demon students.

  Huberrian seemed to hesitate for a long time before finally lowering her voice to tentatively ask Lanqi:

  "Lanqi, what do you think of demons?"

  Lanqi was slightly taken aback by the question, then replied:

  "They live long, even at hundreds of years old, they look like young girls."

  "...!"

  In the bedroom, Talia immediately gnced at the sleeping Lanqi.

  She didn't know if Lanqi was being intentional or unintentional.

  But she felt that no matter what, Lanqi thinking this way was enough to be damned.

  Moreover, Lanqi's response was filled with the same prejudice as those humans, treating them as monsters.

  The audio-visual on the screen continued—

  "If you encountered demons in the real world, would you act like you did just now?"

  Huberrian anxiously asked Lanqi another question.

  Lanqi looked at her silently, seemingly speechless for a while.

  Finally, he opened his mouth to retort:

  "Do you think I'm an old man eating arsenic, tired of living?"

  Talia took in Lanqi's reaction on the screen.

  She just found him increasingly annoying.

  Soon, Lanqi earnestly advised Huberrian:

  "Let's not talk about whether provoking demons is dangerous; there might be good guys among demons too. Huberrian, don't discriminate against demons."

  Hearing this, Talia seemed to freeze.

  Until, after a long time.

  She once again looked at the human boy who was sleeping.

  Just looking at him, no one knew what was going on in the depths of her golden pupils.

  "…"

  A gentle breeze blew in through the half-open window, softly caressing Lanqi's body.

  Feeling a gaze, Lanqi felt a chill and unconsciously opened his eyes.

  What caught his attention wasn't the cozy wooden furniture in the dim room, but a pair of golden eyes and a beautiful face.

  The cool and noble pupils held a trace of confusion, emotion, and bewilderment.

  As if wanting to reject others while also wanting to explore a little more.

  Lanqi raised his hand to touch his face.

  He thought something might have stuck to his face while he slept, causing Talia to stare at him like that.

  "Uh... Tata? Sorry, I fell asleep. What time is it now?"

  Lanqi tentatively asked, unsure if his dozing off would anger Talia.

  "Just past twelve."

  Talia gnced at the clock, answering him.

  Lanqi breathed a slight sigh of relief; it seemed Talia wasn't angry.

  If she were angry, she would have snapped at him instead of answering.

  "Ah, you're already watching the Shadow World content."

  He quickly noticed the only light source in the bedroom.

  "…"

  Talia shifted her gaze back to the screen, remaining silent until after a moment, she spoke again,

  "The Duke's daughter who challenged the Shadow World with you, what do you think of her?"

  "She's a good person."

  Lanqi answered decisively, knowing Talia was trying to gather information about her kin.

  Lanqi had already pnned to introduce Huberrian to Talia once the company was established.

  The elder demon Talia, far more powerful than Huberrian, should easily discern Huberrian's half-demon identity, though Huberrian would almost certainly be unable to see through Talia's intricate disguise.

  While Lanqi was thinking,

  "Don't bully her. Demons have heavy killing intent; if you anger her, I might not be able to protect you in time."

  Talia spoke calmly, as if merely fulfilling her duty to protect Lanqi, without revealing any intention to shield Huberrian.

  "What do you take me for! I'm not a school bully; I'm a good student, both academically and morally!"

  Lanqi excimed in disbelief, clutching his head.

  He wouldn't bully someone as honest as Huberrian.

  Moreover, Huberrian's gentle nature was completely different from Talia, the grumpy, murderous old dy!

  "…Sorry."

  Talia was certain Lanqi was telling the truth.

  Back when they watched in the open-air giant screen pza at Icerite Academy, she could clearly feel the students' dislike towards the Duke's daughter with demon blood.

  But throughout the entire Shadow World, Lanqi sincerely treated Huberrian as a trustworthy companion.

  Even after learning Huberrian's identity, his sincerity remained unshaken.

  "Huh, Tata, what did you just say?"

  Lanqi suddenly widened his eyes, pcing a hand by his ear and turning his head as if doubting his hearing.

  "Nothing."

  Talia felt this guy was a bit annoying again.

  And he seemed to be quite active mentally just now!

  "Don't worry, Tata, I won't allow discrimination against kind cssmates to happen in the academy!"

  Lanqi grinned at Talia.

  In her silence, Lanqi happily made a peace sign:

  "My principle is to love all living beings equally!"

  "…"

  Talia didn't respond.

  She was sure that this guy's "love" was somewhat terrifying, especially towards those who provoked him.

  But correspondingly, if they were friendly beings, even demons, he would treat them sincerely.

  After decades of wandering through the human kingdoms, Talia had been sure there wouldn't be a human who could treat demons without prejudice.

  —Until she witnessed Lanqi's attitude towards Huberrian.

  She saw the first one.

  Right in front of her.

  In the dim room, neither spoke for a moment.

  Only the silent night of the capital, with a gentle breeze brushing against the curtains.

  "Are you hungry?"

  Talia asked.

  "Very hungry."

  Lanqi rubbed his stomach, feeling the hunger surge after the drowsiness dissipated upon waking.

  "Let's have dinner; I'll pay today."

  Talia's tone was emotionless as she stepped off the bed, moving across the soft carpet.

  It's said human teachers reward students for good performance, so to better imitate humans, rewarding him shouldn't be a problem.

  This was also to make him more loyal to her.

  "Eh? Tata, are you treating me to a meal?"

  Lanqi pointed at himself in surprise, his expression incredulous.

  "Ask again, and there won't be any."

  Talia gnced at him, leaving the room without looking back.

  Thanks to the Silver Alliance Leader for the support, I'll try to update more in the coming days!

  (End of Chapter)

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