Chapter 478

Davey didn't pursue the still, silent vampire any further. In the past, he would have delved into uncovering the individual responsible, but now he possessed all the information about the main instigator.

Davey was a Demon King, though he was an entity who garnered more hostility than trust from the demons. Some of the authority he had held as the Demon King had been absorbed by someone else, who now touted their own legitimacy as the Demon King to provoke them. There wasn't much more to add after learning that.

Even though there was commotion all around, Edison, engrossed in his work, and Elder Golgouda, assisting him, continued to present their opinions, leading to incessant clashes.

On the other hand, Rinne wielded a massive sledgehammer in one hand, relentlessly striking the metal parts. Normally, swinging such a large hammer would be physically taxing, as it wasn't the best tool due to its imperfect power balance. It was generally used for hammering large surfaces, but with her small stature, Rinne swung it as if it were a small branch.

"Rinne doesn't rate Master Davey highly, thinking he's slacking off," Rinne commented.

When Davey had set a trap and didn't return immediately, she appeared to be upset.

Just as Davey was about to quietly enter the workshop, Perserque grabbed his arm.

"Hmm?"

"Wait... Can you enter a bit later?"

At Perserque's words, Davey smiled wryly but remained silent.

* * *

The quiet grassland lay empty, but the night sky, adorned with numerous galaxies, stars, and two moons, was breathtakingly beautiful. The sky over the Tionis continent surpassed the beauty of any other world.

Was it because it existed in the highest dimension? Davey had always believed that there wasn't a significant difference between dimensions, but after his experiences here, he felt Tionis held something unique.

"It's been a long time since I've seen this," he muttered, lying with his head in Perserque's lap.

"You've been constantly on the move without rest; it's time to take a break."

"So, why now?"

"I have something to discuss with you."

It was Perserque's way of being considerate. After all, there was no need to bruise Edison's pride any further. Davey had already solved the main parts and the blueprint, leaving only the fast manufacturing and assembly of the metal parts for Edison.

The golems made by Edison were of significantly lower quality compared to the Decepticon Fleet. The limited time invested meant creating something entirely new was impossible. The best Edison could do was produce standard magic golems.

"Davey, are you planning to use void energy or something similar as the core of what you're making?"

"For now, I won't know until I try."

"And if it doesn't work?"

"I might use a dimensional key or find an alternative power source."

Regardless, for an alchemist, the challenge itself was valuable, much like how Edison, the technical advisor of the alchemy faction, was fervently working.

"If the demon race rebels against you during the process... will you kill them?"

"Should I?"

At Davey's question, Perserque's expression became strangely strained. "Stop testing me."

"You don't want to kill them, right?"

People did not realize that the demon race was just another species. The demons who invaded the Tionis continent were those who could not contain themselves and erupted. Still, the demon realm they inhabited likely housed countless demons intertwined in various relationships. Among them were children dreaming of the future and those fantasizing about a happy life with their loved ones and children.

"Davey, I know saying this is contradictory, but..."

"I know. If that's what you want, I'll do it."

"I'm sorry." Perserque flashed a faint smile.

Though it was the demons who used her to wage war against humans, as the Demon King, she must have looked after all the demons. And by all, it meant every single one of them.

"Of course, it won't be for free." Davey chuckled mischievously.

Perserque's expression soured. But soon, as if realizing what he was hinting at, her face turned a deep shade of red. She murmured, "You really want that?"

"We might hold off on more serious stuff, but we're about to be wed. Isn't it a bit much to abstain from everything?"

"Here, right now?"

"Yes. Here, right now."

When Davey said it with determination, Perserque's face crinkled in displeasure. After a moment of hesitation, she sighed. "Marrying you feels like a perilous choice."

"Don't think you can just run away if you don't want to."

If Perserque fled, Davey would bring her back even by force. He did not voice it out, but perhaps she sensed his intention, as she let out another sigh. She then slowly lowered her head.

As she gently drew her face nearer, her crimson eyes met his, their reddish hue either a result of her embarrassment or, perhaps, a reflection of the red moon, a symbol of the sun god.

"..."

For a prolonged moment, Perserque remained silent, gradually closing her eyes. Davey followed suit, closing his eyes in response. A gentle sensation brushed against his cheek.

Gradually, at an unexpectedly slow pace, they drew closer. Even if there were millennia between them, Davey had never been bothered by such a gap; otherwise, he wouldn't have held such deep affection for her.

His first love had been a mentor in the abyss, but she had always been too distant to approach. Davey, the living, and Death Lord Rho Aias, the already departed, had initially seemed like an impossible pair. Perhaps that's why she had kept her distance from him. First loves often failed.

Lost in the tender touch, Davey felt something moist and cautiously opened his eyes. He found Perserque gazing down at him with a playful expression.

"Oh, Davey, your face is all red," she teased, still vying for dominance even now.

In response, Davey slowly got up and looked at her. Apparently, even a simple cheek kiss was enough to make his face flush.

"You started it."

"What? Eek!"

Davey suddenly pinned Perserque down onto the grass, her eyes widening as he leaned in. Were they seriously going to stop at just a peck? While he enjoyed the playful teasing, for a couple about to be wed, it felt painfully slow. So, he decided to spice things up.

"Huh?!"

Perserque wriggled in surprise. Pinned beneath him, she attempted to squirm free, but Davey held onto her horn, preventing her from moving, and kissed her passionately.

After a prolonged silence and when Perserque's resistance ceased, Davey slowly pulled away. A thin silver thread extended from their lips before breaking.

"Just try to tease me again."

The earlier mischief vanished, and with tears forming in her eyes, Perserque looked up at Davey. Her face was as red as a tomato.

"Know your limits!"

She pushed him away with irritation, but there was little force behind it. Without a word, as he moved aside, she, overwhelmed by embarrassment, covered her mouth with one hand.

This was not Davey's first kiss with a woman. His first kiss had been stolen by Princess Aeria when her instincts awakened. But this time with Perserque was different. This intimate contact with her was indeed a first, transitioning from a comforting gesture anyone could offer to a romantic one shared only between lovers.

With her face still flushed, Perserque glared at him continuously, gritting her teeth. Whether it was embarrassment, humiliation, or a desire to get back at Davey, she grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close.

In essence, she had a similar disposition. She relished teasing and tormenting others. In fact, when they first met, she had not lost her composure and had tried to assert dominance.

"Did you think I'd just let you have your way?" Perserque narrowed her eyes and kissed Davey again.

Stunned by the sudden move, Davey remained silent for a long time before slowly reaching out his hand. "You started it first."

The silly pride battle over who would be the first to show embarrassment ended with Perserque looking away, her eyes brimming with tears.

* * *

The date of the match was drawing near, and the competition followed strict rules. Within the specially prepared arena, each side would display the combat abilities of the golems they had created. The theme was a duel, and everything would be decided based on which golem emerged victorious.

A colossal golem, presumably crafted by the head of the alchemy faction, was shrouded in cloth and transported into the arena on a massive cart, carried by dozens of workers. In contrast, there was no sign of the golem made by Edison.

The contest between the renowned head of the alchemy faction and the technical advisor, Edison, had already captured the attention of numerous members of the alchemy faction.

Humans and dwarf-like beings of various races gathered, peering down at the arena, as Edison let out a short sigh with a stern expression.

"Nervous?" Tiara asked.

"Huh? Why would I be?" Although Edison said that, his voice noticeably trembled.

"Grandpa! We've worked hard! We can win!"

"Old fool... Just go inside, wipe your feet, and go to sleep!"

"Really, Grandpa? Must you always be so cold?"

"You're the one lacking in affection!"

Observing the bickering between the grandfather and granddaughter, Davey calmly intervened.

"Don't worry. No matter what they bring out, they won't win."

When a level 5 golem was pitted against a level 99 golem, the outcome would be clear. While there might not be absolutes in the world, 99.99999% was a realistic possibility.

"Hehehe, Technical Advisor Edison, did you sleep well last night?"

As Edison silently tapped the finished golem's leg to calm his nerves, two men approached him: the head of the alchemy faction and Prince Duran. Their faces appeared quite relaxed, almost as if they believed they had already won.

And why wouldn't they? After all the underhanded tactics they had employed, could they really expect to lose? It was true that there had been complications because Davey was strong, but they had managed to destroy dummy parts and, coincidentally, obtain the blueprints, which was the icing on the cake.

"When did a technician start babbling so much? Headmaster, let's begin."

"But first, a clarification."

With a leisurely smile, Duran stepped forward, casting a mocking look at Davey. He probably believed Davey had no knowledge of his schemes.

"If we win, we'll strip you of your technical advisor position and reclaim all the rights to the works bearing your name. Also, you won't refuse the marriage proposal for your granddaughter, Tiara."

"Hmph!" Edison snorted, while Duran acted as if victory was already assured.

"And... you'll also have to kneel and apologize to us, won't you?" Prince Duran asked Davey.

Davey merely shrugged at his words. Duran appeared thrilled, convinced that everything was unfolding as planned.

Observing Duran's overconfidence, the King of Pogos, seated nearby, displayed a mixed expression. His feeling was one of regret. Having encountered Davey once during the previous war with the vampires, the King of Pogos knew what kind of person Davey was.

"Isn't that right?"

Facing Duran's taunts, Davey responded with a broad smile. "Yes, on the off chance a miracle happens and you win, I'll do as you ask."

"What did you...?"

"Though that will never happen."

Duran shivered at Davey's icy smile.