The maid squad is too strong, what use is there for me, the Demon King?

The grand pronouncements have been made, but the important thing is how to actually do them.

The biggest problem now is that we can't find the way to [the Celestial Realm]. This is the first, and perhaps the only, problem that needs to be solved.

Gray then began discussing this with the Ten Shadow Attendants.

The first method proposed by Alpha was the one that could best utilize the vast power of the Shadow Court, but its effectiveness was extremely uncertain.

Alpha, with a stern expression and sitting upright, said: "Although due to the existence of the 'silence' mechanism, information about angels, the Goddess of Holy Light, and [the Celestial Realm] is almost never recorded in the Prime Material Plane, there is one exception."

As Alpha finished speaking, the other ten people immediately thought of that faction and shouted in unison:

"The Church of Holy Light!"

Alpha nodded slightly and continued, "Our understanding of these heavens comes entirely from the records in the Holy Light Church's scriptures. This is perhaps the only place in the Prime Material Plane that has not been 'silenced'."

The authenticity of the records is difficult to verify, but at least some of the content can be confirmed to be correct.

At least the existence of angels, the Goddess of Holy Light, and [the Celestial Realm] has been confirmed.

Gray understood Alpha's meaning and said, "You mean, we should allocate more manpower to investigate the Church of Holy Light?"

Alpha immediately replied: "Lord Demon Shadow has a clear warning."

Gamma expressed his agreement with the proposal.

"By leveraging the intelligence network of the Grand Chamber of Commerce, we have become the largest chamber of commerce in Olmec after the collapse of the Golden Weasel Chamber of Commerce. Even the Church of Holy Light needs to purchase some materials from us. Perhaps we can use this opportunity to find out more."

This involves utilizing intelligence networks and the fact that Gamma, who came from a commoner background, and even the Olmec-born waiters could all come up with this idea.

Gamma added, "The Church of Holy Light is the state religion of the Olmec Kingdom. Although the number of believers has greatly decreased, it still has some influence within Olmec. A direct confrontation could easily escalate into a war with a country."

Furthermore, the Church of Holy Light is responsible for training heroes throughout history and even provided a saintess with light-attribute talent to join the hero's party. It can be said that, fundamentally, they are opposed to us.

Upon hearing this, even Sita, who was usually almost expressionless, couldn't help but frown slightly.

As a demon, her hatred for the Church of Holy Light was extreme.

"Let's start the war..." Gray pondered for a moment and said, "I hope to avoid any overly aggressive actions as much as possible, as they may attract the hero's attention. Too much action may also accelerate the hero's growth and shorten the remaining time."

They must resolve all of this before the heroes grow up.

Gamma indicated his understanding: "Your subordinate, investigate the Church of Holy Light as discreetly as possible."

The topic shifted to the hero, who might become the biggest breakthrough point.

Gray asked, "Philippa... how is the hero now? What rank are you at?"

Gray remembered that the last time he saw Philippa, he sensed seventh-tier magical energy fluctuations. How long had it been since the Holy Light Pilgrimage? During the Holy Light Pilgrimage, Philippa was only fourth-tier…

The brave are indeed terrifying.

Regarding the hero, the Shadow Court has been keeping an eye on things.

However, the hero team was quite vigilant. The attendants responsible for "monitoring" them didn't dare to monitor them too much, otherwise they would be discovered very quickly. Only occasional news about the hero team came from various places.

All of this information will eventually reach the ears of the boss, Alpha.

Alpha replied, "Breaking news: the entire Hero Squad has been promoted to seventh-tier professionals and has already achieved the feat of killing an eighth-tier monster."

Upon hearing this, Gray was not surprised that Philippa and the Hero Squad had managed to kill a monster of a higher level.

After all, with the powerful protection of the hero, it's like having a protagonist's halo. It's not uncommon for the protagonist to kill two monsters of a higher level.

However, if a seventh-tier hero squad can kill an eighth-tier hero, will they have the strength to kill themselves when they reach the ninth tier?

Considering the unreasonable restraining effect of the light attribute on himself, Gray thought it wasn't impossible.

You know, when I faced an angel of the same rank back then, it took me quite a bit of effort to get used to the restraining effect of the light attribute. Now, when I face an angel, my body won't be unable to obey my commands anymore.

This doesn't mean that the light attribute is not effective against it. Being hit by light attribute magic is still extremely effective, and the damage may increase five, six, seven, or even eight times. This seems to depend on the purity of the light attribute.

Gray realized that he might not be able to give the hero any more time to develop.

If you kill the hero before she grows up, a new hero with even stronger protection will be born immediately. However, the new hero will need to grow up again, but with stronger protection, so the growth time will be shorter. Overall, it can still buy you time.

However, Gray, who originally had no hostility towards humans or the hero's party, became even less inclined to kill Philippa after learning that the Goddess of Holy Light was the culprit behind everything.

Although Grey and her meeting time was limited due to Grey's status as a princess, their friendship was genuine, and Grey considered their relationship to be that of "best friends."

Would you turn on your closest friend and kill them?

Thinking about all this, Gray didn't show any change in emotion on the surface, and just continued to listen to the other ten Shadow Attendants' speeches.

"The path of the Shadow Lord allows no room for error." Alpha spoke first, his voice steady and calm, carrying the objective analysis befitting a leader. "The existence of 'Heroes' has always been a variable. It must be treated with the utmost rigor."

Beta nodded slightly, her emerald eyes revealing vigilance rather than hatred: "The agents cultivated by the Light Side are not to be underestimated in terms of their growth rate and the trouble they bring. We need to keep a close eye on their movements." Her tone was more like assessing a risky project that required close monitoring.

“It is indeed a factor that needs to be properly ‘managed’.” Kappa nodded slightly, her tone no longer flippant but with a hint of consideration. “It would be best to have its movements completely under control to avoid unnecessary escalation of conflict, but we must also be fully prepared.” She emphasized control and contingency plans.

A sharp glint flashed in Delta's blood-red pupils, like an experienced hunter scrutinizing its prey: "Necessary surveillance is indispensable. The key is to assess its threat level. If its trajectory may pose a substantial risk to Lord Shadow or the plan..." She paused, choosing a relatively neutral term, "...then timely intervention is necessary."

“I second that. Risk management is of paramount importance.” Ipsyron offered her succinct support, seeing it as a necessary constraint on unstable variables.

Zeta tilted her head, not quite understanding the complex considerations, but she grasped the key meaning: "Oh! It means we have to keep an eye on that 'hero,' and if she misbehaves, we should hit her, right?" Her understanding was simple and direct, but the core was correct.

Aita flicked her tail and chimed in, "Meow~ Anyway, we can't let her bother Lord Shadow! We have to keep a close eye on her!"

Sita nodded quietly, her pale purple eyes showing a natural aversion to potential sources of interference.

Only Aiota listened in silence.

The Ten Shadow Attendants' hostility towards the hero was second only to that of the Goddess of Holy Light...

Therefore, all the speeches Gray heard were full of hostility.

In summary, it means "need to be monitored and eliminated before it gets out of control".

This point was almost unanimously agreed upon by the Ten Shadow Waitstaff, and Gray himself did not voice any objection.

I'll find a breakthrough by focusing on the heroes, and then I'll prepare to interact with them more.

This is the basic principle.