Deep Sea Hunter, but Deep Sea Titan

This level of task was actually nothing to Gretia, but since coming ashore, she had been handling various trivial matters for Lotin.

"There aren't many opportunities to help Lord Nautilus with his trivial matters, Swordfish. Often, we're simply not able to help at all."

Laurentina, who had followed Loting all the way, knew best that Loting had solved most of the toughest problems on his own. Most of the time, she helped Loting, who couldn't handle small objects with finesse, by making tea, turning pages in books, and eating.

"Besides, Lord Nautilus only ever gave orders to me and W. Swordfish, didn't you come along voluntarily?"

Skadi and the Doctor's activities made Laurentina feel more threatened than ever before, and this jealous resentment was reflected in her current conversation with Grandia.

"Cough cough."

Unlike many Agorians, Goredia did not engage in a sharp rebuttal. Instead, she coughed a few times, her face slightly flushed, and explained to Laurentina that it was because the land was too dry—even though Skadi's blessing upon ascending to the Overmind had allowed her to easily adapt to the land environment.

Grandia's condition relieved Laurentina's pressure considerably. She discovered that her former boss was even more arrogant and dishonest than Skadi had been back then.

"Then let's get to work and find this elusive lich."

“We should start by investigating the University of Engwald-Ludwig, where he used to teach.”

Laurentina ordered two takeaway coffees from the café run by the Queen's spy, and then boarded the intercity landship bound for Enwald Ludwig University with Gladys.

And what about Fremont at this time?

The old lich was trying to get his people out of Letania first. He knew that the Demon Lord [Nautilus the Conqueror] would definitely hold him accountable for helping Theresis escape and teaching him magic, not because they helped Theresis during the war, but because Theresis used the magic he obtained from the lich to have a near-devastating impact on the entire world of Terra.

As for himself, he had not yet said goodbye to his old friend, the Witch King. If sacrificing himself could appease the Demon King's wrath and preserve the Lich King's court, then he was willing to stand up and face the Conqueror Nautilus alone.

Chapter 294: Fremont

Enwade Ludwig University, one of Letania's finest comprehensive universities, still retains the appearance it had when Fremont first arrived in Letania.

Back then, even starting a fire was a troublesome matter. The Letanians lived in stone houses built along the banks of the river. At that time, the Letanians did not even have a magic tower.

Some buildings at Ludwig University in Engwad still retain the characteristics of that era, even though their interiors have undergone several modernizations. This gave Fremont a sense of the passage of time and how the world was rapidly changing beyond what he had ever imagined.

The old lich stood nonchalantly in the school's Hall of Fame, surveying the distinguished graduates and professors—despite having spent considerable effort setting up the Originium Arts spell array there.

He looked at an empty seat, a seat that should have been extremely conspicuous but was now empty.

That was perhaps the most accomplished graduate of the school. The vacant spot originally belonged to his student, Elector Envard, the former Emperor of Letania—Th. Dietmar Gustav von Utica.

He made indelible and great contributions to Letania, but he also brought Letania the same indelible scars. Ever since the Twin Queens overthrew the Witch King's rule, the Witch King's portrait has been permanently removed from the Hall of Fame of Ludwig University.

"It seems that I, as a teacher, am not much smarter than you, my muddle-headed student."

Fremont, who has always considered himself the guardian of the temple of knowledge, actually described himself with words like "muddled" and "stupid" as he reflected on and reviewed his choices—why did he acquiesce to the lich's support for Theresis?

Theresis was defeated, and the Conquerors won the war against the Sarkaz Military Council. Even the most clueless Sarkaz mercenaries could see the situation clearly at that time, while the liches, known for their wisdom and knowledge, still chose to support Theresis.

Fremont still cannot believe that the Conqueror would allow the Sarkaz to recuperate in an unprecedentedly peaceful environment. The liches know the Conqueror's true nature better than any Sarkaz tribe: He is capricious, tyrannical, bloodthirsty, and does not care whether the blood sacrifice offered is from a foreign race or a Sarkaz.

Historically, every demon king who consolidated his rule through the conqueror Nautilus was, without exception, a tyrant, or rather, became a tyrant—even if he was once an enlightened and holy ruler.

"The fear that arises from knowledge makes us lose our judgment; Therese is the real madman."

As guardians of the Temple of Knowledge, the Sarkaz tribe naturally took pride in the knowledge they inherited. Over the long years, this pride would become an authority that was superstitious. In the history of the Sarkaz, the people, who had not yet been freed from the grudges of their ancestors, were exposed to the raging aura of the conquerors for a long time, and they would indeed become more cruel and barbaric, especially the demon king who needed to appease his subjects.

However, Fremont did indeed clearly feel the moment when the Sarkaz were freed from the lingering resentment of their ancestors.

The old lich's preconceived notion of the conquerors' barbarity led him to arrogantly ignore this fact, unwilling to further examine the conquerors' true nature. Instead, he simply made a judgment based on outdated knowledge and experience, supporting the seemingly more rational Theresis.

And then what? Then Theresis turned around and did something huge to him. Fremont originally thought that Theresis would at most use the Demon Shards to trigger annihilation as a weapon of mass destruction, but Theresis turned around and became the Demon's de facto guide, going to give all of Terra a colossal blow.

Ultimately, the Witch King's court was stuck in this predicament, unable to move forward or backward, and ended up pleasing neither side.

"Ah, I never imagined that land dwellers could carve such interesting stone sculptures."

Laurentina admired the ancient reliefs on campus. Compared to the monotonous modern cities, these ancient creations of the land dwellers aroused her artistic interest more.

The university was open to the public, and the twin queens' letters of introduction allowed Lotin's two hunters to travel freely. After Skadi ascended to become the Overlord of the Great Group, the Deepsea Hunters' flaws were eliminated, so Laurentina and Grandia's senses were much sharper than before.

"Is that the old man?"

Grandia did not have permission to access the system chat interface, but Laurentina could still communicate with Grandia using the Seaborne bioelectric signals. Their movements were so light that the old lich Fremont, with the help of Originium Arts that enhanced his senses, did not notice them at all.

It wasn't until the air ripped by the circular saw and the spear created wind pressure that Fremont realized the two were getting close.

"Clap!"

Laurentina and Gretia simply swung their weapons, and Fremont's pre-constructed magical shield shattered in an instant, like an eggshell. It was too fast, far too fast. Before Fremont's consciousness could even react, the two Agorians' weapons were already at his neck.

"May I ask what brings you two Miss Agors here?"

Fremont did know that the Demon King Conqueror Nautilus had two loyal Agor hunters by his side, but he had never seen them in person. So who could it be that the Agor people were coming to him at this time in this manner?

"His Highness wishes to speak with you. His Highness seeks an answer to a question from Zhu Sizhi."

"Why have you been so slow in returning to Kazdel to report?"

Faced with Laurentina's questioning, Fremont was not flustered. He had already planned his fate. He understood that once the lich's deeds were exposed, the demon king's revenge was only a matter of time. At this moment, all he wanted was for his people to leave first, and for him to bear everything himself.

"The Lich King's Court is not yet ready to return to Kazdel to serve the Demon King. Please give us some more time, Your Highness."

Fremont's prepared spell array began to operate, and black, distorted smoke began to rise. This was Fremont's banishment spell, a powerful Originium Arts technique that could exile a person from reality to a wasteland.

Unfortunately, Lotin had already informed his hunters of this information in advance.

Fremont only saw two indigo phantoms flash by before the weapon at his neck and the two deep-sea hunters vanished. If it were any other opponent, Fremont could be certain that his exile was successful, but he couldn't be so sure about these two Agorians whose physical abilities were far beyond what was expected.

Sure enough, Laurentina and Grandia easily leaped to a safe position, then transformed into ferocious deep blue phantoms and flashed in front of Fremont. This was not any spatial Originium Arts or non-linear movement; it was just pure walking.

“Mr. Fremont, since you made the first move, can we assume that you did something shady behind His Highness’s back?”

Laurentina's polite smile sent chills down Fremont's spine. Even though he had seen countless more brutal executioners and killers, he still couldn't stop trembling.

After a moment of silence and shivering, Fremont spoke first.

"Take me to see His Highness the Demon King."

He realized that the fear did not come from this Agor man, but from the demon king behind him, Nautilus the Conqueror, and this Agor man happened to be Nautilus's most favored spokesperson.

Chapter 295: Exiled to the Front Lines Against Evil

"Then please take me to see the Demon King, young lady. There are many things that need to be explained."

Even now, Fremont is still trying to buy time for his people. Lotin has learned of Fremont's ulterior motives from Laurentina's report and has a rough idea of ​​what terrible trouble Fremont has gotten himself into, which is why he dares not return to Kazdel to report.

The liches were quickly detained by Letanian border control officers. For the Letanian authorities, it was wiser to appease Nautilus, who was more powerful and dangerous, and whom they had to rely on in the fight against evil, than to help the liches.

Lotin switched his skin to the Mountain and Sea Scroll state and moved quickly using the method he had used before, which involved controlling the terrain's deviation. He soon arrived at the city where Fremont was located.

This powerful, aged lich was brought before Nautilus by two even more powerful deep-sea hunters. Fremont stared at the colossal creature before him, and a terrifying sense of oppression arose within him in an instant, until the colossal creature transformed into the form of the conqueror.

"Why has the Lich Fremont not reported to me or the Royal Council in Kazdel for so long?"

Luo Ting wanted to see what kind of mess this old lich had gotten himself into.

“Your Highness, the situation is very complicated. In short, choosing to support Theresis was a foolish act on my part. I beg Your Highness not to implicate my people.”

Fremont's answer greatly displeased Lotin. What did this old liar, who was he to think he was? Nautilus did look a bit simple and clumsy, but surely he wasn't that easy to fool.

"Nonsense, I have already stated that I will not pursue the matter of taking sides during the Lentinium incident, so why are you still bringing that up?"

“Fremont, I’m giving you a chance to tell the truth. If I pry the truth out of you, things won’t be so simple.”

Lotin was giving Fremont a chance to show his attitude. He could switch to the [Light Knight] skin at any time and simply read Fremont's mind. But if the old lich let things develop to this point, the nature of the situation would be completely different.

This is a test of obedience and loyalty.

The conqueror's aura of fury made it difficult for Fremont to maintain his inner peace and stability. The restlessness brought on by unease was growing, and the heavy psychological burden was pressing on Fremont's nerves. His lips began to turn blue and purple. Finally, he spoke in trembling.

"It was my foolishness to allow Theresis to taint the power of the demons."

Fremont's voice was barely audible, but even so, it was enough to ignite a long-dormant rage in Loting.

It's worth noting that after taking his revenge, his level of detachment was comparable to Ling's.

"Fremont, do you even know what you've done?!"

The deafening roar of the hook axe slicing through the air rang in Fremont's ears, but he wasn't cut in half; the ground around him was simply cracked and severely collapsed.

"Foolish, foolish! Where is the wisdom that you liches are so proud of?"

Loting gritted his teeth and cursed loudly. It turned out that Theresis was able to cause such a big mess thanks to these bookish liches who had ruined their brains. These pedantic old scholars actually handed over the knowledge and power of demons to a stubborn madman like Theresis!

"Your Highness, I am willing to die to atone for my sins, I only beg you to spare the lives of my people!"

With the understanding one would have for the Demon King, Fremont knelt on one knee, pleading with the Demon King to be magnanimous and limit the punishment to him alone.

"Apologize? Are you capable of taking responsibility for the consequences of this?"

"You want to atone with your death? You think I'll let you die so easily?"

Loting’s words were enough to make Fremont tremble, and when he heard that Loting refused to give him a chance to apologize, he was utterly devastated.

"In the name of the Demon King, I strip the Lich King of his royal title and exile you to the scorching lands of the Burning Winds to face the demons!"

The accomplices of the demonic uprising were the liches who induced Theresis to use demonic power. Lotin's measures were to make them face the consequences of their own actions and atone for their heinous mistakes in the endless battle against the demons.

"The lich will be forever nailed to the pillar of shame in the history of the Sarkaz as a traitor."

"Laurentina, tell Quessina to tell the Carrion Court and the Spine of Life not to return to Kazdel, but to have them receive and escort the liches to the Burning Winds at the southern border of Letania."

Lotin forced himself to calm down and issued an ultimatum to Fremont.

"Lich, do you plead guilty and accept your punishment?"

"Your Highness, I have no objection."

For Fremont, it was a stroke of luck that the enraged Lothing hadn't killed him. The liches, who were the accomplices in the demonic uprising, should be held accountable for their actions. Faced with the judgment of the Demon King Nautilus the Conqueror, Fremont dared not object.

Lotin stayed in Letania until the liches were escorted away by the Carrion Court and the Spine of Life, at which point he gathered his hunters to prepare for departure.

"Your Highness, did I perform well?"

W, who had never felt so useful around Loting, finally mustered the courage to ask Loting for credit this time, but Laurentina and Skadi both gave her a sharp look.

"That woman, Doctor, is racking her brains to win over Lord Nautilus's favor. Isn't it a bit inappropriate for a Sarkaz to come along now?"

Laurentina began to use her position to bully W to some extent, but was stopped by Lotin.

"I've noticed that W has been quite obedient lately, so let's not be too harsh on her."

Loting gently stroked W's hair with his large, warm hand. The soft, white short hair felt wonderful to the touch, like petting a pet. For the first time, W showed an expression that was almost one of being flattered.

"It's terrifying. The Sarkaz mercenary I used to obey was quite arrogant and stubborn."

Grandia marveled at the changes that had taken place in W, and couldn't help but think of herself. Could W's present be her future?

Once upon a time, W was an incredibly unruly troublemaker who was always either cursing or thinking about running away, the kind of person who couldn't be controlled without physical punishment.

After that, Loting's discipline made W "fear" her, while her success as the Demon King made W "respect" her from the bottom of her heart. She had long been convinced by Loting.

"I will continue to work hard, Your Highness!"

While W was enjoying being stroked, Laurentina and Skadi squeezed in with serious expressions.

"Enjoy this, Sarkaz. I think Lord Nautilus's reward for you ends here."

Laurentina uttered a harsh remark, then turned her head and gripped Lotin's shoulder tightly. She sat on it, in her own private spot, while Skadi climbed onto the other side.

Meanwhile, the doctor, who was on his way to meet up with Bolívar and Lotin, felt a strange unease but couldn't quite put his finger on why.

"Are those two Agorians up to something again?"

The doctor sighed and said.

Chapter 296: The Black Stream Forest and the King of Amber

Bolívar, a fragmented nation, was colonized by several major Terran powers, including Colombia, Letania, and Iberia, all of which vied for control of the country.

To this day, this country remains a tragic situation, too far from paradise yet too close to Colombia, with the so-called "government forces" and "autonomous forces" locked in endless warfare, leaving the country fragmented and riddled with problems.

Unlike any country Lotin had visited before, Bolivar was completely incapable of shouldering even the slightest responsibility of resisting the evil forces on his own. Worse still, the turbulent and chaotic situation greatly increased the risk of the Amber King's seal loosening.

“Unlike the curse of the Sami Snowfield, Your Highness, it is said that the Amber King in the Black Stream Forest has already allowed a part of his body to touch reality. It was thanks to Lord Kal'tsit’s efforts back then that annihilation was not caused.”

Rinshi introduced Lottin to the knowledge passed down from the tribe, and Kal'tsit, who had just reunited with Lottin, was surprised to hear her achievements praised after a long time, and she acted like a bewildered child.

"At least you took responsibility for this, Kal'tsit, well done. If you could have been just as principled with the Originium issue—well, it's rare that you've proven so reliable, let's not dwell on that for now."

Loting's gentle praise relieved Kal'tsit. She had grown accustomed to Loting's high-pressure scrutiny, and now she could finally breathe a sigh of relief, just like a child being praised by their parents.