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

　Here, one can find cuisine from almost every town in the country. As he savored the food, he heard Lord Montilfari expressing his worries.

　That was a problem he had already anticipated.

　The City of Freedom, fearing the devil

　The alliance has "usurped" the position.

　Establishing the headquarters of the Magic Alliance in the City of Freedom was originally a great thing.

　Lord Montilfali was also very much looking forward to the World Cup Duel Challenge, which was originally planned to be held in the city of Freedom.

　But Principal Arte ultimately decided to build a new "Duel City".

　Although the area of ​​that "City of Magic" is only about a quarter of that of the City of Freedom.

　But this is only a quarter of the total for a single city!

　The City of Freedom does indeed have a revenue-sharing agreement with the Magic Alliance and can also profit from the Magic Alliance's businesses.

　But that "City of Magic" was still too big!

　As the influence of the Magic Alliance grows, the situation where outsiders only know about the Magic Alliance and not the City of Freedom may soon arrive.

　Lady Montilfali and Principal Arte had a good relationship. But precisely because of this, she hadn't dared to complain to Principal Arte. And therefore, Principal Arte wasn't among those having lunch today. She could only come to discuss it with Alvette.

　She believed that Principal Art's intentions were certainly good. But sometimes, things don't go as planned.

　Even among relatives and friends, there are degrees of closeness and distance.

　Lady Montilfali and Alvette were true comrades-in-arms who had shared life and death. Whether it was confiding in someone or asking for help, she could always speak up in front of Alvette.

　but……

　The person in charge of building the "City of Magic" was actually right beside her.

　As Dak listened, he became somewhat embarrassed.

　Although Principal Arte initiated the construction plan for the "City of Magic," he was responsible for almost everything except for the initial step. While considering the plan, he did take the perspective of the Free City into account, but human nature is inherently biased, and he ultimately focused on the overall interests, which led to the current outcome.

　However, interpersonal relationships are actually very complex. The saying "unity is strength" doesn't mean everyone is of one mind. The establishment of the "City of Magic" will inevitably bring some negative impacts on the Free City.

　It's understandable that Lord Montilfali has these concerns. In the short term, this matter is certainly a good thing. But in the long run, it's not so certain.

　The initial purpose of building the City of Freedom was not to make it "bigger and stronger," but simply to create a home for hybrids.

　What she was worried about was the degeneration of the city of freedom.

　"Cough! Cough cough cough!" Dark choked a little and coughed several times.

　Arvit quickly came over and patted his back.

　Claire turned her head to look, a smile playing on her lips.

　Half a minute later, Dak caught his breath.

　Arvit sat up straight again and said to Lord Montilfali, "I feel that you still lack some of your former boldness."

　Lord Montilfali sighed softly, revealing a rare moment of vulnerability: "It's just how it is with age. It's you who's remained unchanged, that's strange."

　Arvit laughed heartily: "I'm still very young." True saints live long lives.

　False saints are short-lived and prone to illness. Alvitt was clearly a true saint.

　However, Lord Montilfari also possesses the bloodline of the Sun-Chasing Giants, belonging to the long-lived species.

　Therefore, age is not a reason for changes in mindset.

　She was overwhelmed with worries and lacked support, so she was exhausted.

　After all, Arvit had the backing of her family, unlike Lord Montilfari who had to bear enormous pressure to build such a city from scratch.

　The Zodiac Maid Corps she built was exceptionally capable; for example, Olivia was even able to handle government affairs, and Lady Jasmine managed the Duke's mansion impeccably.

　Especially in the last two years, not only has my son grown up, but my best friend has also settled down and stopped running around. Everything has been going exceptionally smoothly.

　If it weren't for the "bad times" of the gods' resurgence, she could have spent all day lying in a rocking chair knitting clothes for her beloved son.

　The two are indeed in different situations.

　"Don't worry, the City of Freedom will always be the City of Freedom," Alvitt said calmly. "The Magic Alliance is just the Magic Alliance."

　Lord Montilfali said, "I'm not worried about subjective occupation, after all, Cynthia is here. But many things happen subtly."

　“That’s why,” Alvitt said, “you could just make the City of Freedom bigger. The current Magic City is a quarter the size of the City of Freedom. If your City of Freedom doubles in size, wouldn’t it only be one-eighth left? And if it doubles again, wouldn’t it only be one-sixteenth left?”

　Lord Montilfali frowned and said, "You make it sound so easy, where am I supposed to find so many resources?"

　"The Age of Gods has just begun," said Alvette. "It's the time when resources are plentiful," she continued. "Besides, once the City of Magic is established, resources will be delivered to our doorstep. You're being too polite. Use what you need. Take that little snake, for example. You clearly possess a god, yet you just let it roam freely beside Aurora. Haven't you ever thought about digging up that Sun and Moon Temple beneath the City of Freedom and letting it see the sunlight?"

　Lord Montilfarli said, "You mean," said Alvette, "that a temple should be built!"

　In the past, those who built temples without authorization were often labeled as "heretics" by the Holy Church.

　But now is the time when temples should be built!

　The City of Freedom possesses a true god, though for now it is merely a minor serpent god, but its future potential is immeasurable.

　The early Age of Gods was a symbol of invincibility.

　The City of Freedom should have stood up for itself long ago!

　...

　As City Lord Montilfari pondered this seriously, Alvette suddenly remarked, "Seeing you all building this and that, I'm getting a little itchy to do the same." City Lord Montilfari looked up, a hint of doubt in her eyes. Alvette then smiled and said, "Although it's just a thought that came to me recently, you probably wouldn't mind being my neighbor, would you?"

　Lord Montilfali: "..."

　"We were just letting them expand, and now they're trying to take over our territory." "I definitely won't take your territory. I'll build further away." Alvit pointed to the northwest.

　Lord Montilfali sighed and said, "You can build wherever you want. This black soil was originally unclaimed land, and it is difficult to develop now, but that doesn't mean it can't be developed in the future. If we can occupy a small portion of the territory first, that would be good."

　Arvit shook her head and said, "I built the city simply for the sake of building the city, not for territory or wealth. You'll see later."

　Lord Montilfarli said, "I can't reveal it now." Alvette smiled, narrowing her eyes, "Alright, do you want to hear?"

　"Ha," said City Lord Montilfarie, "Do you think I would refuse to listen?"

　“Sigh,” Arvit said, “Fine, I’ll tell you then. I need a pretext to collect building resources.”

　After meal.

　Lord Montilfali said, "Are you sure you want to leave today? Can't you stay a few more days?"

　"I was planning to leave this morning, but you caught me," Arvit laughed.

　Lord Montilfali shook her head and said, "Then I'll say goodbye in advance. See you next time."

　"See you next time," both Alvitt and Claire said, raising their hands. Lord Montilfari took a deep breath, turned, and walked towards the door. Her mindset had undergone a complete transformation before and after the meal. The expansion of the City of Freedom, the construction of the Serpent God's Palace—especially the latter—needed to be arranged quickly.

　After she left, Alvett and the others returned to their room and casually set up a barrier. "Are we really going to build a city?" Dark asked.

　"Gathering building resources is real, building a city is fake. Of course, it can become real if necessary," said Arvit.

　“Hmm.” Dark nodded.

　The purpose of collecting building resources is, of course, to build the "Magic Kingdom". But building resources can be placed anywhere; there is no need to specifically transport them to the demon territory.

　Such a waste of manpower and resources, besides being self-deceptive, can only serve as a platform for the "City of Freedom."

　Principal Arte's Magic League certainly couldn't usurp someone else's position. But the Magic League wasn't just hers alone.

　Now her voice is the loudest, but what about the future, especially the future in which she intends to awaken Hermes?

　At that time, Hermes' voice will be the loudest.

　Arvit reminded Lord Montilfari that building the temple was also a way to seize the initiative and occupy the territory first.

　Otherwise, if Hermes wanted to build his temple in the Free City, who could say "no"?

　Therefore, we should occupy the City of Freedom first, and even if it becomes a divine kingdom in the future, it will be the divine kingdom of "Serpent God" Nix.

　Surely a being of divine status wouldn't stoop so low as to steal the territory of a mere snake?

　At most, I'll get him to move the Magic Alliance out.

　……

　Dak realized that he had indeed been negligent.

　When he originally planned to build the Magic City, he had not considered what would happen after Hermes was resurrected.

　The world is a collective, and every person and every decision has an impact in many ways.

　It's indeed very difficult to calculate everything.

　Dark pondered for a moment, then looked up and said, "Since things have come to this, why not... just build a city?"

　"What city?" asked Aylvit. "The City of Magic," replied Dark.

　"Wasn't it already under construction?" Arvit exclaimed in surprise. "It's been renamed Duel City now," Dark said. Arvit's mouth dropped open, and she was speechless for a long time. Claire's laughter rang in her ears.

　Dark said, "The Magic City and the Magic Alliance are too closely related. Renaming it the Duel City will immediately sever this connection. We will build another Magic City in the northwest, but it will not be open to the public. It will only recruit internal personnel and focus on magic research."

　To put it simply, it's a massive laboratory the size of a city.

　Dark had long had this idea, but it was originally planned to be established within the "Magic Kingdom".

　But now he suddenly realizes that his "magical kingdom" does indeed need such an "outpost" built on the outside.

　The "Magic Kingdom" is hidden inside, while the "Magic City" is displayed on the outside; the two are complementary.

　Moreover, once the "City of Magic" is truly completed, the Dimon family will have a way out for their future.

　If one day things completely fall apart with the royal family, then let's separate. As the saying goes, taking a step back opens up a whole new world.

　The Dimon family had no interest in igniting a war; they'd rather spend that time conducting another experiment.

　Also.

　By then, when people mention "City of Magic," they will think of his large laboratory and will not associate it with "City of Freedom," thus diminishing the subtle influence.

　Many of his architectural ideas for the "Magic Kingdom" could be tested first in the "Magic City" before being transferred to the "Magic Kingdom." As for such a large city, where to find...

　So many researchers

　Once the experiment of "life-forming magical spirits" is successful, he can have as many researchers as he wants.

　This "City of Magic" can also serve as an educational base for magical elves. After all, he can't always send the magical elves to St. Marian Academy.

　At last.

　He also had a need to build a temple. Enough said.

　The temple of the Moon Goddess should be built soon! "Speaking of the Moon Goddess, we should give her a name," Dark suddenly said.

　Naming the magical spirit is indeed troublesome; he had previously referred to "Soul of the Moon Goddess" as Moon Maiden.

　But obviously, we can't keep calling it that way anymore.

　She's almost a third of a god now, she needs a name. "Naming the Moon Goddess?" Claire perked up; she loved naming things. "How about Little Moon?"

　Alvit reached out and turned her face to the side, saying, "This is our first goddess, how can we give her such a casual name? In my opinion, let's call her Shana."

　Luna is also one of the symbolic names of the moon goddess. Although there is a risk of name duplication, it is indeed a good name.

　but……

　Dark said, "I already have a magical spirit with that name." Alvit frowned immediately and said, "Oh... I'll think about it some more..."

　Claire: "Then Lulu!"

　Arvit glared at her and said, "Why don't you ask it yourself?" "That's true." Dark then summoned the "Soul of the Moon Goddess." "Name it." The "Soul of the Moon Goddess" looked at Dark, its eyes blinking rapidly. It had long wanted a name like Victoria's, and for a while, it had spent entire days searching in the library for it.

　Unfortunately, the Moon Goddess lacked culture and couldn't come up with any unique and magnificent name.

　"Forget it, I'll do it."

　A series of names conceived by the "Soul of the Moon" floated into Dark's mind, and he finally sighed.

　"Serena, how are you?"

Chapter 1428 Darkdemon's Road Back to School (4k)

　The name "Selene" is a homonym of "Selene".

　Selene, also known as Selene, is the moon goddess in ancient Greek mythology.