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

　Earl Gavin North was over forty, tall and athletic, with a strong yet imposing face, a scar running across his brow. However, it was very shallow, which ironically added to his valor.

　When he sat with Duke Ted North, Darke had a feeling that this "Tiger of the North Wind" was almost a one-to-one replica of Duke North.

　Although they showed two completely different attitudes toward the same thing at this time, it was mostly due to their age difference.

　Another reason is related to Stanley Longfellow, who was by his side. Count Stanley Longfellow was thin and had a vacant look in his eyes, appearing at first glance to be a sack of wine and women. But that was clearly just a poor disguise.

　If anyone underestimates them because of this, then they are not someone to be feared.

　Stanley Longfellow, secretly dispatched by the king to handle matters related to the Mountain of the Gods, was far from being as weak as he appeared.

　Although it is unknown how he did it, he has clearly won over Count Gavin North to his side.

　That's why we have this meeting now.

　Dark wasn't interested in how he tried to win over Gavin North. But Stanley Longfellow's actions, and the immediate consequences of those actions, were clearly in the Academy's favor.

　Since it's beneficial, why bother getting to the bottom of it?

　Dark raised his hand, a slight smile on his face, and said to Count Gavin North, "It seems Count North is interested in cooperating."

　Count Gavin North said calmly, "Change is imminent. If we stubbornly stick to the old ways, we will only be eliminated. Father is getting old and does not want to take risks, but that does not mean we can preserve the old ways by remaining still. With the overwhelming trend, the old rules are collapsing. If others advance and you do not, you will fall behind."

　Dark nodded and said, “That’s how things change. Let’s not talk about ideas, let’s talk about actions. We’ll set off tomorrow to go deep into the Mountain of the Gods. Count North, you can tell me what your thoughts are, what your needs are, and what help you can offer.”

　Gavin North's expression changed slightly, and he said, "Tomorrow?" Darke said without hesitation, "Tomorrow."

　Gavin North frowned immediately, the scar between his eyebrows turning slightly red, and said, "Is something urgent about to happen?"

　Dark narrowed his eyes and said, "Even if it didn't exist originally, Gavin North would have appeared later," and then fell into deep thought.

　He fell silent in thought, and Dark didn't urge him. Instead, he glanced at Earl Stanley Longfellow on the other side and said, "Earl Stanley Longfellow." Stanley Longfellow raised his head slightly and said with a smile, "Dimmon."

　Dark said, "Since Count Longfellow is here, I can assume that you also intend to cooperate in exploring the Mountain of the Gods."

　Count Stanley Longfellow nodded. "Of course. Exploring and developing the Mountain of the Gods was originally one of my collaborative projects with Count North. However, as Count North said, setting off immediately tomorrow seems too hasty."

　Dark smiled and said, "Time waits for no one."

　Stanley Longfellow narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Darke, saying, "To be honest, since we met this morning, I still can't believe you're the Damon I remember."

　Dark laughed, “It seems that Earl Longfellow met me in the capital. If we had exchanged a few words then, we wouldn’t be so estranged now.”

　Stanley Longfellow paused slightly and said, "Cooperation is no problem. But I'd like to know whether you're representing the Dimon family or St. Marian Academy now?"

　Dark replied without hesitation, "Of course, it's on behalf of the academy. I'm sitting here now because I'm a student of the academy."

　Then he turned to Professor Steven Harvey and said, "Also, this gentleman here is a professor at the academy; I don't think we need to reintroduce him, do we?"

　Stanley Longfellow looked up at Ollie behind Dark and said, "So what does this one say?"

　Dark couldn't help but chuckle, "The Mountain of the Gods is so dangerous, and I'm just a second-year student; naturally, I need someone to protect me. Count Longfellow's obsession with such a trivial matter suggests he thinks our St. Marian Academy is unworthy to cooperate with you."

　Stanley Longfellow said, "Of course not. It's just that if we're going to cooperate, wouldn't it be better to understand each other's positions more clearly?"

　Dark shook his head slightly and said, "We are both citizens of the kingdom, so what kind of positional issues could we have? But Earl Longfellow, you reached an agreement with Earl Gavin North so early, there must be some clear purpose behind it. If you have any special needs, it would be best to explain. If this causes a dispute on Mount God, it will not be good for anyone."

　Stanley Longfellow stated, "My collaboration with Gavin is still at the exploratory level."

　"I see."

　Seeing that Count Gavin North had looked up again, Dark immediately said, "In that case, some things need to be made clear. Our journey into the mountains tomorrow is not merely a trial run at the foot of the mountain. If you two are truly interested in traveling together, you'd better make all the necessary preparations."

　At nine o'clock, Dak concluded his meeting with Gavin North and Stanley Longfellow.

　But aside from expressing their respective intentions to cooperate and probing each other, the entire meeting yielded almost nothing else.

　Dac mainly indicates two things.

　One was a warning to the two earls to go all out and not to participate half-heartedly.

　The second point was to inform them that the academy would depart the next day regardless, and that their journey deep into the Mountain of the Gods would inevitably trigger some kind of change. The academy would not be responsible if this resulted in the destruction of what they sought.

　In other words, if they want to get what they want, they have no choice but to go with the academy tomorrow.

　After seeing Darke off from the camp, Count Gavin North and Count Stanley Longfellow returned to their room, exchanged a glance, and then laughed simultaneously.

　“That’s quite assertive,” Stanley Longfellow remarked, picking up his teacup and fiddling with it casually.

　Count Gavin North, however, stopped laughing and said in a deep voice, "They say a tiger father begets no dog son. I used to think the Valkyrie had a cat."

　Lord Stanley Longfellow said, "I heard he was born on June 6th, so he's two months away from his fourteenth birthday. Gavin, at his age... well, you'd already be on the battlefield, wouldn't you?"

　Gavin North shook his head and said, "I just experienced it. Putting that aside, what do you think of his statement?"

　Stanley Longfellow laughed, "How else can we see it? He's threatening us!"

　Gavin North said, "Whether he's a threat or not doesn't matter. What matters is whether you think his goals are the same as ours."

　Stanley Longfellow's expression immediately turned serious: "To be honest, I can't be sure."

　Gavin North nodded. "He didn't reveal anything in our previous conversation. But although he didn't show it, his itinerary suggested urgency. Could it be that something we don't know about is about to happen?"

　Stanley Longfellow narrowed his eyes sharply and said, "Impossible! He couldn't possibly have more information than us! After all, we have..."

　Gavin North said, "You forgot, Principal Art of St. Marian Academy only returned after exploring the 'Heavenly Court' for a considerable period of time. She went there herself!"

　Stanley Longfellow said, "But the prophets of the royal palace had already prophesied that Cynthia Saint Arth's journey to the 'Heavenly Court' would be fruitless. Without the 'blood of the gods,' she couldn't even pass through that gate!"

　Gavin North calmed down and said, "Let's assume you're right, Principal Art was indeed stopped by that door. But if she was stopped before, she should already know the information. This time, they've come back with a vengeance; there's no way they wouldn't have a way to break through."

　Stanley Longfellow immediately said, "Principal Arte is not here! And she can't possibly be here!"

　Gavin North covered his head and said, "Don't believe the prophets so much, Longfellow."

　Stanley Longfellow said, "You don't know the price we paid! But it's pointless to tell you. In short, you need to know that Principal Arte isn't coming, the Valkyrie is stuck in the capital, Caleb Norris is still at St. Marian Academy, and the Moon Elf Queen can't leave the elven territory. Now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! The future of the North is in your hands!"

　Gavin North glanced at him and said, "And what about you, Longfellow? Or rather, what does your king, the king behind you, want?"

　Stanley Longfellow grinned and said, "Didn't I tell you? All His Majesty the King wants is your loyalty."

　Gavin North's gaze darkened slightly, and he said in a low voice, "Even if this fails, the North will always be the North of the Kingdom."

　Stanley Longfellow held up a finger, shook it, and said, "Gavial North, don't you understand?"

　Gavin North sighed and said, "My loyalty to the King is as clear as day."

　“That’s good,” Stanley Longfellow said with a smile. “If His Majesty’s children hadn’t been so envious, this kind of good thing wouldn’t have come your way. Seize the opportunity. And don’t forget to sign this contract.”

　As he spoke, he pulled a contract scroll from his sleeve and unfolded it in front of Gavin North for the nth time.

　Gavin North stared intently at the contract, and this time finally signed his name.

　“Great! I wish us a pleasant collaboration!” Stanley Longfellow’s smile widened.

　"Professor Harvey, it has to be you."

　Watching the contract paper gradually disappear, Dark sighed softly. Professor Harvey chuckled, then extended his finger and closed the eyeball that was floating in the air.

　After leaving the Duke of the North's military camp, the two returned to the academy's camp for a rest.

　But to Dark's surprise, as soon as Professor Harvey sat down, he pulled out an eyeball the size of a fist and then projected a video.

　"A disposable projection tool, unfortunately it sacrificed a lot for concealment, and can only last for less than ten minutes," Professor Harvey said calmly.

　Gavin North and Stanley Longfellow could never have imagined that something could penetrate countless layers of barriers and transmit messages within that heavily guarded military camp.

　Moreover, it did not cause the slightest disturbance.

　All of their conversations during that period were presented to Dark and the others in their entirety.

　After sighing, Dark added regretfully, "It's a pity they're so overly cautious. They don't even speak openly in private conversations."

　Professor Harvey said, "That being said, we have been able to glean enough information from this conversation."

　Dark nodded and said, "Professor Harvey, do you know what kind of contract Gavin North signed?"

　Professor Harvey said regretfully, “My eyes can only convey sound and visual information, but that contract is definitely extraordinary. You see, from our perspective, all we see is a black mist. I even think that Count Longfellow couldn’t see what was written on the contract. It is a private contract between the King and Gavin North.”

　Dark said, "According to what they've said, the minimum validity of this contract should guarantee Gavin North's loyalty. If the North is ultimately inherited by Gavin North, it means it will be absolutely loyal to the King. This might be disadvantageous for us, but it's not something we need to consider right now."

　Professor Harvey nodded and said, "What we need to consider now is their true purpose."

　Dak said, "Longfellow mentioned the king's two children, which must refer to Charles and Elizabeth. Considering the situation of the Holy Church and the Elven race, their goals may have been limited by age."

　Professor Harvey said, "That should be clear by tomorrow morning. If it is indeed age-related, they should bring a few younger people with them."

　Dark leaned back in his chair, looked up at Auli's chin, and asked, "How many children does Gavin North have?"

　Auli spoke directly: "Gavin North had children with two different wives when he was in his twenties and thirties. His first wife has passed away, and her son is just over twenty years old. His second wife is still alive, and she has a daughter who is now fifteen years old."

　Dark said, "Judging from the Holy Son and the Holy Knight, these two children should be within the appropriate age range. Do you think Gavin North might lead them both into danger?"

　Professor Harvey smiled knowingly. "Whatever they want, venturing into the Mountain of the Gods means facing death at any moment. I doubt Gavin North will bring both his children. As for which one, that's beyond the old man's comprehension."

　Dark shook his head and said, "Danger is proportional to reward. Since Gavin North has already signed that strange contract, it means he has placed a heavy bet. Who can know what he's really thinking right now? In any case, let's wait and see."

　Professor Harvey smiled and said, "However, we've also gained some insights. At least we now know a little about the uses of the 'Blood of God.'"

　“Yes,” Dark couldn’t help but smile. “Anyway, we’ve rested enough. It’s time to visit the Holy Church.”

Chapter 933 Darkdemon and the Twin Paladins (4k)

　There are actually many mysteries hidden in the conversation between Gavin North and Stanley Longfellow.

　But there was no time to delve into the details. Darke made some quick preparations and set off again. This time, however, Professor Steven Harvey did not accompany him. No matter how much the prevailing ideas of the time had changed, openly bringing a necromancer into the Holy Church's domain was still considered absurd and unconventional.

　Dark left Professor Steven Harvey at the camp and, under the protection of Ollie and Angry, went to the Holy Church's camp.

　Although the Holy Church also used spells like barriers to conceal their camp, the unusually dense aura of light attribute hit them as soon as they got close—it was only slightly better than burying their heads in the sand.

　"Is this right here?"

　Dark's eyes gleamed with golden light, and the luminous barrier that enveloped the entire mountain range entered his field of vision in a peculiar way.

　Then, he clearly saw two humanoid figures rushing toward him.

　"Master, be careful!"

　Angrey appeared in front of Dark almost instantly.

　Ollie remained standing to the side and behind.

　Dark raised his hand and said, "It's alright, they're probably here to welcome us."

　A moment later, two knights clad in silver armor stepped out from the white light.

　The Holy Knight rank of the Holy Church is usually distinguished by bronze, silver, and gold armor. Silver-armored Holy Knights are second only to Gold-armored Holy Knights, and in terms of offensive and defensive capabilities, they are roughly equivalent to top-tier six-star Magic Elf.

　Of course, their actual combat strength and battlefield endurance are far superior to those of ordinary six-star magical spirits.

　In group battles, with various buffs, they can even transcend class barriers and fight against third-tier magical spirits.

　The Duke's battle maids are mostly at this level as well—but that was before they obtained the "Netherworld Fire".

　Relying on the "Netherworld Fire," the Duke's combat maids have raised their general combat strength to a level that is extremely terrifying to ordinary people.

　As for Angry, who has already gained the recognition of the "Aquarius Holy Armor", he naturally possesses overwhelming strength.

　Angry did not retreat, but continued to cautiously watch the two silver-armored paladins.

　Only when one of the silver-armored paladins removed his helmet, revealing a handsome face as if carved by a knife, and showed the young master the respect due to him, did she slide back and stand on the other side of the young master.

　After observing for a moment, thinking that all the Holy Knights of the Holy Church looked the same, Dak said gently, "It is I, Dak Dimon."

　The silver-armored paladin turned around and said, "Young Master Dimon, His Holiness the Bishop invites you." Dak nodded slightly and followed him into the barrier, stepping onto the clean and flat stone steps.

　Upon entering the barrier, the entire Holy Church camp was revealed—a magnificent palace that shouldn't have been there at all!

　"Field Spell Card?"

　A thought struck Dak, and he immediately saw through the true nature of the palace.

　“Maintaining a field spell of this scale for a long time is not easy,” Ollie said beside her.

　Dark nodded slightly and said, "It seems that our bishop is a person who values ​​rituals very much."

　“Bishop Melville is very particular about etiquette,” another silver-armored paladin who had remained silent suddenly spoke up to remind him.

　Dark laughed, “I also have a similar teacher.” Vigo, Head Maid of the Virgin Palace.

　Just as Dark was trying to extract something from the silver-armored paladin, the leading silver-armored paladin paused slightly and pressed his hand on the scabbard at his waist.

　The silver-armored paladin who had spoken immediately straightened his back, looked straight ahead, and completely sewed his mouth shut.

　Ducton found it boring and stopped talking.