245 Dekan’s Farewell
Facing Dekan’s question, Altice did not hesitate.
“I am human.”
Altice’s gaze was especially resolute.
Even though she didn’t know Dekan’s current stance or why he was asking her such a question,
it was out of a long-held determination within her heart.
Even if the Demon King were to ask her this question, she would answer the same way.
“So, what is your stance on the war between humans and demons?”
After confirming Altice’s attitude, Dekan sighed with relief and then asked again.
From the very beginning, the backstory of the Shadow World mentioned that demons and humans were currently waging a brutal war.
Rescuing the Dark Saintess, who was originally thought to be impossible to free from the Demon Realm’s prison, was a major turning point in this war.
“I hope for the war to end, and I hope the human side wins. This war was initiated by the Demon Realm, so if it perishes, it would be getting what it deserves.”
Altice said with a sorrowful expression.
“But if the Demon Realm loses, wouldn’t you also be affected?”
Dekan asked.
“I was born in a human country and grew up with my mother. I also transformed into a human and lived among human towns. But after the war began, because of my identity…”
As she spoke, Altice’s expression became unbearably bitter.
It was evident that the human side had not accepted her. Instead of trust, there was more suspicion and apprehension towards her.
“Even though there are humans who are willing to believe in me, the majority… reject me and see me as a mortal enemy. To have someone help me escape is already the greatest kindness shown to me…”
Clearly, Altice was rejected by both humans and demons alike.
The Demon King hadn’t executed her but kept her imprisoned here, not out of any kindness, but purely because of her value.
Although she had experienced malevolence from the humans, she had also felt genuine goodwill.
From the demons, she could only feel malevolence.
It was only natural that she leaned more towards humans.
After all, since she was a child, she had always considered herself human, having grown up with her mother.
So naturally, from the bottom of her heart, she believed she was human.
“Then, can you detect a state on me called [Blood Mimicry]?”
Dekan looked at her and sighed in helplessness.
Altice’s stance was now clear to him.
She had no ill intentions and was even overly benevolent.
“?”
Altice gently extended her hand and touched Dekan’s shoulder.
When she channeled her magic and carefully analyzed Dekan’s state, she soon detected the sophisticated disguise magic used by the blood race.
“Could you possibly…?!”
Altice instantly withdrew her hand as if electrocuted.
“Yes.”
Dekan answered before she could finish her sentence.
Altice stared at Dekan with a complex expression.
But at that moment, everything was unspoken.
It seemed as if her heart was in turmoil, and she asked:
“You, do you intend to rescue the Dark Saintess?”
After the revelation,
Altice had understood many things.
Dekan’s perilous infiltration into this prison could only have been for the purpose of rescuing the Dark Saintess and bringing an end to this war.
Also, many things that had seemed strange to her were now explained.
For instance, why the little succubus and the unscrupulous merchant could cooperate so well.
It was likely they already knew each other.
And this little succubus was probably a human carefully selected by the human side, someone whose conduct was extremely similar to a demon’s, to the extent that even demons wouldn’t be able to detect any discrepancies if they entered the demon realm.
The human side must have been desperate to attempt such an impossible rescue mission of the Dark Saintess from the Demon Realm.
“Yes.”
Dekan affirmed.
Altice shook her head with a bitter expression and said:
“No, it’s impossible. It’s possible for you to gain the Warden’s approval and complete the trial, but taking the Dark Saintess away is absolutely something the Warden won’t allow. They would kill you without hesitation, unless you can defeat the Warden… However, even combined, the wardens from the first eight floors are no match for the Warden… ”
“I know, but we must rescue the Dark Saintess, there’s no way back, and we have to escape the Demon Realm within 14 days.”
Dekan also understood that the warden, this level 9 boss, was difficult to deal with.
So throughout these levels, he has been trying hard to gather intelligence on the Warden.
He felt that this Shadow World was more challenging than the typical level 7 Shadow Worlds.
Just looking at this boss, it seemed almost unbeatable.
Even without considering exploits that could bypass bugs to clear the Shadow World, tackling it normally shouldn’t be impossible either.
So there must be a way to get past the Warden, this level 9 boss.
“14 days?!”
Altice was quite surprised by the question.
“What’s wrong? Is it difficult?”
Dekan frowned.
After buying the map on the first level, he felt this timeframe wasn’t particularly stringent.
“It’s difficult.”
Altice shook her head bitterly and took out a huge folded map of the Demon Realm from the bookshelf.
She laid it on the table so Dekan and Morion could see.
This map was many times more detailed than the one Dekan had bought on the first level and even had explicit terrain and regional markings.
But this scroll was not portable.
The map was filled with Altice’s annotations, it seemed she had planned a route to escape the Demon Realm.
Altice: “Putting aside whether you can rescue the Dark Saintess or not, even if you manage to take her away from the Warden, this time limit is much harder than you imagine. Although traveling by vehicles, ten days would be enough to reach the border of the Demon Realm from the Demon Realm Prison, but after your escape, you will definitely be wanted, and there will be numerous pursuers and blockades along the way.”
Dekan: “So what?”
Altice: “If you can’t rescue the Dark Saintess today, it will be pretty hard. Rescuing her today, even with obstacles, has a high probability of succeeding and bringing her out on time. Every extra day will reduce the success rate by more than 90%.”
“This mission seems tougher than I thought…”
Dekan felt that this level 7 Shadow World was much harder than other level 7 Shadow Worlds.
Even bringing a few level 8 characters might not be enough to guarantee a win.
Besides this unbeatable Warden boss, there was also a strict time limit.
“I can’t help you with anything else, but if you manage to rescue the Dark Saintess, remember to follow this route. Based on my understanding of the Demon Realm’s terrain and provinces, this is the safest and fastest way, and there are backup plans…”
After saying that, Altice carefully drew the route with a pen on the map.
Dekan also marked the key points mentioned by Altice on his portable small map.
Soon enough, Dekan clearly understood the route he should take from the Demon Realm Prison to leave the Demon Realm.
“Thank you, you’ve been a great help.”
Dekan said.
Altice’s planned route almost ensured that Dekan could leave the Demon Realm within 14 days.
Otherwise, according to the original plan, even if Dekan rescued the Dark Saintess, it would be very hard to bring her out on time.
It’s likely that his adventure through the Demon Realm would be tough afterward.
“I can only help you this much.”
Altice smiled bitterly.
How much she wished she could leave with Dekan.
But after being assigned the title of Warden, she had no hope of leaving this place.
Unless the Demon King is defeated one day.
But if the Demon King were to be defeated one day, she wasn’t sure if she would even survive.
“By the way, is there any other intelligence about the Warden? Even seemingly useless information might help.”
Dekan sincerely asked.
Now both Altice’s and Dekan’s attitudes had changed.
Their stances were completely aligned, and Dekan trusted Altice’s character.
In the face of such large issues, small personal conflicts or misunderstandings weren’t worth mentioning.
Altice rested her chin on her hand for a while, then seemed to suddenly recall something, saying:
“There is one piece of intelligence, but I don’t know if it’s useful…”
“Please go on.”
“I heard the Warden was once defeated by an eighth-tier Paladin.”
“One-on-one?”
Dekan was somewhat surprised.
But he was more delighted upon hearing this intelligence.
Altice: “Um… but I don’t know anything about this Paladin or how they defeated the Warden.”
“That’s already very important.”
Although the intelligence wasn’t extremely useful,
it did clarify one point—
There must be a fatal weakness in the Warden.
Even with eighth-tier power, getting past the Warden is possible!
Perhaps due to a severe defect in the Warden,
During such intense combat situations, the Demon King assigned such a high-tier demon race to guard the prison at the rear instead of sending them to the front line.
…
After the conversation ended.
Dekan prepared to quickly leave this floor and head deeper into the prison with Teacher Cat and Morion.
After only spending a few hours, he had successfully cleared the first four levels, and the progress was quite sufficient.
He just didn’t expect this mission to be much harder compared to other level seven Shadow Worlds he had encountered.
As for saying farewell to Altice.
It’s better to skip it.
Although, in some sense, Altice could be considered his friend.
He appreciated her help and acknowledged her character.
However, saying goodbye to a character inside a Shadow World made Dekan feel somewhat awkward to express his emotions.
Altice was bound to remain under the Demon King’s control and would stay on this floor.
Dekan could see how much she wanted to leave, how much she wanted to return to her homeland.
Despite knowing she can’t leave, she still wanted to help the Dark Saintess escape.
It’s unimaginable how she could be in such a mental state, planning a series of escape routes, and then passing them on to Dekan.
Dekan didn’t know the real historical outcome of Altice in this Shadow World, nor did he know whether the character he plays now had such a friendship with Altice in the real history.
All precious things, the more unreal they seem, the more lamentable they become.
Don’t get too deep into the Shadow World—that was taught to him by Professor Arno when he first arrived at Hewenlit Academy.
“By the way, among these subjects, is there one you are particularly bad at?”
Dekan stopped and turned around to ask,
Just out of personal curiosity, Dekan wanted to figure out which subject the third round of the exam should select for a normal route through this prison floor.
And to remember some stories about his friend who crossed times and spaces.
“How did you know?”
Altice seemed a bit surprised but quickly lowered her head, fidgeting nervously with the hem of her clothes.
“Guesswork. I’m just curious about where my original chances of success are in this fair contest.”
No need for Dekan to elaborate.
Since Altice had previously admitted that this would be a fair contest,
There would be no rule set in which she would have a hundred percent victory.
Altice pointed to a box on the desk.
The words “Art” were clearly written on it.
“You can’t draw?”
Dekan was surprised that Morion’s guess turned out to be correct.
This old fox’s intuition was indeed something.
“Hmm…”
Altice admitted.
“You’ve been trying hard to learn for such a long time, and you still can’t master it?”
“If it’s copying another person’s work, I can do it. But if I have to create something myself…”
Altice started to speak but had trouble continuing.
“What happens?”
“Last time I drew a demon dragon, but all the demons thought I had drawn a highly poisonous slime…”
Altice said with a particularly awkward expression.
“Phew.”
Dekan finally burst out laughing.
Fortunately, at this time in the Shadow World, there was no technology for making magic cards.
Otherwise, with Altice’s thirst for knowledge and wisdom, she would surely have become a master card maker.
Dekan could imagine that if Altice were a card maker, she would probably be extremely reluctant to make a summoning card due to her drawing skills.
Because the summoned cards she made would surely be ridiculed by others.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to mock you on purpose, but it’s just surprising to find someone like you with something you’re not good at.”
Dekan looked at Altice’s embarrassed face and quickly waved his hand to explain.
This was the most relaxing moment for him on the fourth floor.
However, upon hearing Dekan’s words, Altice, who was a bit embarrassed at first, suddenly froze in place.
A moment later, with trembling lips, she asked:
“Someone like me…?”
Dekan nodded, asking curiously:
“Yeah, what’s wrong?”
“Are you seeing me as a human, not as a demon?”
Altice’s hand was on her chest, her emotions stirred as she asked.
“Unquestionably, you are a human worthy of respect, not a demon. At least that is what I see.”
Dekan nodded again, affirming resolutely.
This time, he seriously looked at Altice, treating her as a true friend.
Altice cried with laughter.
Her eyes sparkled with tears, but her face still wore a smile.
Soon, Altice wiped away her tears and said:
“Can you tell me your name? I want to remember you.”
Dekan thought for a moment.
In principle, out of respect for Altice, he should give his real name.
But giving his real name within the Shadow World also had no meaning as such.
It was all Morion’s fault for taking his name.
At this moment, he couldn’t easily give his name as Dekan.
And now, his current appearance made him feel somewhat like he was tricking Altice if he gave a male name.
Suddenly, for some reason, Dekan felt a name was quite suitable.
His current appearance might actually fit his other real name particularly well.
“My name is Tarlomati.”
Dekan answered earnestly while looking at Altice.
