The villainous young master just wants to live a Buddhist-like life.

　“That’s a good idea,” Ophelia suddenly said. Professor Sylph looked at her and asked, “Will it work?” Ophelia nodded slightly and said, “No problem.” Professor Sylph pondered for a moment, then looked up and said, “Then let’s do it this way.” Dark knew she didn’t like contact with the elves, but everything was for the greater good.

　He said, "The general allocation is tentatively set, and we'll depart immediately after breakfast tomorrow. We only have one day, so we must do our best."

　After that, the group continued their discussion, making more detailed personnel allocations and outlining specific details for task execution, completing a complete plan on the spot.

　[I had a terrible headache in the early hours of the morning, so I used a sick leave note to save my life. I'll write 4,000 words to make up for yesterday's minimum. The bounty on the knife was 14,000 words; I should be able to pay it off after coughing up a couple of pounds of blood.]

Chapter 931 I, Son of the Valkyrie (4k)

　Unbeknownst to many, Dark had become the key figure in these negotiations. But given Professor Sylph's need to conceal her identity, he was indeed the most suitable person to step forward.

　By now, professors no longer regard him as an ordinary student—in fact, he was originally one of the professors.

　"Although the probability of being attacked when visiting the Duke and the church is practically zero, just in case, Angry and I will still accompany you."

　After much discussion, Ollie reiterated her stance. Darke granted her permission to accompany him, saying, "Since Ollie and Angrey are with me, Trina should go and protect Aurora."

　Trina frowned slightly, but still nodded in agreement.

　Although Aurora has the "Serpent Goddess" by her side, she herself is the weakest. The "Serpent Goddess" Nix is ​​not very smart, so she does need someone to protect her.

　But then Aurora suddenly said, "Um, could I go check on the elves?" Professor Mitya frowned slightly and replied, "The elves aren't exactly friendly towards half-elves."

　The term "half-elf" does not specifically refer to a group with half-elf and half-human blood, but rather to a hybrid with elf blood.

　Oberola is essentially a half-elf, and a moon elf at that!

　But that's precisely why she wanted to see that elven race. After all, they were the moon elves!

　She hesitated, saying, "But..."

　Professor Sylph suddenly said, "That might be a good idea. If Aurora were to accompany us, the elves would certainly focus some of their attention on her, which would make things easier for me."

　Professor Mitis frowned, but ultimately did not object.

　"What about me? I've been listening all night, and nobody mentioned me," Professor Lily, who had been sitting obediently, suddenly raised her hand and said.

　The crowd paused, and surprisingly, all fell silent at the same time.

　Seeing that the atmosphere was about to take a turn for the worse, Professor Kazel quickly coughed lightly and said, "Fairies and elves are both races blessed by nature, so Lily should be able to gain the friendship of elves more easily."

　Professor Mitis sighed and said, "Then come with us..."

　Ultimately, the team split into three.

　The human group, led by Dark, Professor Harvey, Ollie, and Angry, first visited the Northern Duke's military camp.

　Chris, on the other hand, went to the Holy Church camp to find out what was going on.

　The remaining professors, Professor Kazel, Professor Mitya, Professor Sylph, Professor Lily, Ophelia, Ergani, Trina, Aurora, and Nix, all went to the Elven forest.

　The latter group was indeed a bit larger, but it was a necessary compromise. Originally, according to Dark's plan, Aurora, Nix, and Trina were supposed to visit the Holy Church with Chris. But since Aurora wanted to visit the Elves, they had no choice but to adjust their strategy.

　"But since so much manpower is being invested, I hope to see results with the elves," Dark concluded.

　He had initially held little hope for cooperation with the elves, but now his feelings were somewhat different.

　0

　Around midnight, after discussing all the foreseeable details, the group announced their disbandment.

　Then everyone, without prior arrangement, went to the bathhouse—of course, men and women were separated.

　With the mage's abilities, building facilities like bathhouses in the camp is as simple as writing.

　Dak, along with Professor Cazell and Professor Harvey, soaked in the bathhouse for about half an hour before returning to their respective rooms.

　Dak sat on the bed, took out his notebook, and carefully studied it again before turning off the light and going to sleep.

　Among the group, including Aurora, everyone had extremely strong self-control and none of them experienced sleeplessness at night.

　Nothing was said that night, and the next morning...

　After getting up and washing up early, everyone gathered in the restaurant, had breakfast, reviewed the results of yesterday's discussion, and then set off immediately!

　There was no procrastination; everything was geared towards efficiency.

　As the sun shone brightly on the earth, Dak was already sitting in the Northern Duke's military camp.

　He received the highest honors simply for mentioning Dak Dimon's name.

　However, upon arriving at the reception room, he was not greeted by the son of the Duke of the North as he had initially expected, but by the Duke of the North himself!

　This surprised Dark.

　The Duke of the North had eight sons. The eldest son, Gavin North, who was originally stationed at the foot of the mountain, was the one who had the right to inherit the throne.

　Gavin North was renowned for his bravery and skill in battle, achieving considerable merit towards the end of the war. Now in his forties, he was granted the title of Earl, known as the "Tiger of the North Wind," and hailed as "a hero who could lead the North to glory."

　However, because the Northern Duke was too robust, the "Tiger of the North" never had the opportunity to "lead the North".

　Duke Ted North of the North, though over seventy years old, was in good health and full of energy, showing no signs of old age.

　He can still eat meat and drink alcohol with gusto!

　When Dak saw him, he was certain that he had seen this burly duke at a banquet in the capital before, but he was not aware of his identity at the time and therefore had no memory of it.

　But as a duke of a region, Ted North clearly knew a great deal about this future heir of the Dimon family.

　Upon hearing the soldier's report, he personally came and warmly invited Dak to the camp for a detailed discussion.

　After the two sides introduced themselves, the Duke of the North said cheerfully, "Don't be shy, make yourself at home. When the Valkyrie came to the aid of the North, I fought alongside her on the front lines. She was truly a heroine, so graceful and charming back then. I never imagined that my son would grow up so fast."

　He looked wistful and sighed repeatedly, as if he hadn't visited the capital last year.

　Dak glanced down at the warm wine in front of him and smiled, "When my mother reminisced about the past, she also praised the dragon in the North, who guarded the borders and was unparalleled in bravery."

　The Duke of the North raised his cup to drink, his face flushed: "Not at all, not at all. Compared to the Valkyrie, I am but a brute."

　Although he spoke modestly, he was clearly quite pleased. However, the old man ultimately did not urge the minor to drink.

　After exchanging a few words with him, Dak prepared to steer the conversation back on track.

　But just then, a soldier came to report that Lord Gavin North and Lord Stanley Longfellow had arrived!

　These two counts, who arrived even later than the Duke, looked hurried and slightly rushed, with a hint of drowsiness from a hangover.

　Darke glanced at them and knew the two had partied the night before. Gavin North lived up to his name, the "Tiger of the North Wind"—handsome, robust, and with flowing hair like a lion. Though slightly less imposing than his father, he was still a rare and courageous fellow.

　However, Count Stanley Longfellow, who came in with him, looked impotent, as if he had been drained by wine and women.

　Of course, if you look down on him because of his appearance, he will definitely take advantage of you.

　Stanley Longfellow was the head of the royal family's secret network!

　Once the two men were seated, the three-way talks, which began at sunrise, officially commenced.

　at the same time.

　Chris has also arrived at the Holy Church camp.

　She was accompanied only by Dani Sophie and a few maids from "Scorpio Palace".

　Because of their previous cooperation, Chris's arrival did not cause any rejection from the Holy Church.

　The Holy Church's head at the Mountain of the Gods was named Sabrina Melville, a female bishop from the Inquisition.

　Bishop Melville was the one who received Chris and her party. However, the Twin Paladins that Chris wanted to see did not appear. Meanwhile, Professor Mitia's group also visited the forest where the elves were stationed.

　"The Witch of the Silver Moon," Mitia Bartholomew, is actually quite famous among the moon elves.

　Therefore, this group of moon elves unexpectedly gave them a warm welcome. However, the person who came forward to greet them was not the leader of this moon elf group.

　The Moon Elves prepared fresh fruits rarely seen in the North and were extremely hospitable, but none of the people in charge showed up.

　The Moon Elves clearly had no intention of truly making contact with them.

　Therefore, it was Dark's side that got straight to the point first. "Hmm, so you mean you want to cooperate with us to explore the Mountain of the Gods?"

　Faced with Dak's straightforward proposal, the smile on the Northern Duke's face gradually faded.

　Gavin North and Stanley Longfellow also became noticeably serious.

　Dark said directly, "I came here today to explore the Mountain of the Gods. When Principal Art returned to the academy, she brought back some news that there is something I want in the Mountain of the Gods. However, considering that the Mountain of the Gods is adjacent to the Northland, I also came here today to inform you of this."

　"Arte," the Duke of the North said in a deep voice, resting his arm on the table, "I heard she returned some time ago, but how could she possibly allow you to come to the Mountain of the Gods?"

　"Permission?" Dark asked, slightly surprised. "Why do you say that, Your Grace?"

　Ted Northston paused, then suddenly laughed, "Indeed, I misused my words. How could a mere headmistress instruct us nobles of the kingdom? I just wanted to ask, Headmistress Cynthia St. Art... is she alright?"

　Dark smiled and said, "The headmaster is naturally well. However, this mission was indeed my insistence. When my mother learned of this, she sent Ollie to my side."

　Ted North slightly raised his head and glanced at Ollie and Angry standing behind Dark.

　His gaze then subtly shifted to Professor Steven Harvey, and he asked, "So, what's the story with this professor from St. Marian College?"

　Dark glanced at Professor Harvey and said, “Professor Harvey naturally has his own mission. We have already reached a cooperation agreement with the Academy. By exploring the Mountain of the Gods, we can each get what we need. I think... if the North also has a need, this could be an opportunity.”

　But Ted North shook his head solemnly and said, "The North has no other wish than for the Mountain of the Gods to be at peace forever. But it seems that many people do not want it to be at peace."

　His tone was not hostile, but the meaning behind his words was quite clear. Dak observed the seventy-year-old man without showing any emotion.

　From the moment they met, the old man did not treat him as a thirteen or fourteen-year-old child; his eyes held a wisdom that had been accumulated over the years.

　However, what the years have accumulated is not just wisdom.

　Dark tapped his fingers habitually and said, "I think that with Duke North's insight, he should already know that the situation is hopeless, and we are all caught in the middle. Only by breaking the deadlock can we find stability."

　Ted North said slowly, "What's wrong with being in the thick of it?" Dark looked into the eyes of the Duke of the North and suddenly fell silent.

　In that instant, he finally saw the air of old age in the old man's eyes.

　No matter how robust his appearance may be, he is already over seventy years old.

　Especially after experiencing ten years of peace, he can never go back to those days.

　As the lord of the North, Ted North could not possibly be unaware of the changes to the Mountain of the Gods; he simply pretended not to be.

　Under these circumstances, persuading him would be extremely difficult.

　“That’s a real shame,” Dark said, staring into his eyes. “But if the Duke was planning to do nothing, why is he here at the foot of this mountain?”

　The Duke of the North slowly uttered four words: "Protect the people."

　Negotiations failed.

　When you're young, it's called "steadfastness"; when you're old, it's called "stubbornness".

　The Duke of the North's concept was simple: he believed that excessive exploration of the Mountain of the Gods would bring disaster.

　But the Holy Church was too powerful for him to interfere with.

　The Moon Elves hold a superior position among the Elves, and it is impossible for them to follow his ideas.

　The same applies to the college.

　Unable to change the minds of other forces, he could only go to the site in person, lead his troops, and guard the front line.

　This is a difference in choice.

　But it has led to actual conflicts.

　Dark didn't dwell on the topic; he was heading to the Holy Camp.

　"Since Duke North has no interest in the Mountain of the Gods, let's leave it at that."

　After bidding farewell to the Duke of the North, Dak left the conference room decisively.

　However, he did not actually leave, but was led by a servant to another room.

　Ten minutes later, Gavin North and Stanley Longfellow appeared at the door.

　“Looks like we’re about to start the second half,” Professor Harvey said with amusement. Dark shook his head and said in a deep voice, “They were also present when we were negotiating with the Duke of the North, but they couldn’t utter a single word. What can they possibly produce in a private meeting now? I’m staying here simply to see what that fellow who belongs to the King wants.”

　As the footsteps drew closer, Dak said no more.

　Before long, he was sitting at the same table as Gavin North and Stanley Longfellow.

　Dark said slowly, "Earl Gavin North, it seems you have different ideas from the Duke."

　Count Gavin North firmly stated, "Father is father, and I am me." A slight smile played on Stanley Longfellow's lips.

Chapter 932 Darkdemon Takes a City (4k)