At this moment, Chafne had already risen.
She was sitting in front of a mirror, watching Shane and Liel enter through the door reflected in the glass, hence her speaking out.
"What brings you to me?"
The tone of Chafne was very calm, a stark contrast to her demeanor from just moments ago.
Liel immediately bowed to Chafne in respect.
Shane, on the other hand, first swept his gaze around, taking in the condition of the entire room.
The room's condition was the same as when Chafne had forcefully brought Shane inside earlier; it was not at all messy, as if the cracking and snapping sounds earlier were just an illusion and had never existed.
But Shane still noticed something was off about Chafne.
Or rather, the fact that this Enchanting Demon was so calm was already an anomaly.
To know, in the past few days, this Enchanting Demon had been unwilling to leave his side, constantly teasing him for her amusement.
But today, Chafne was serene, not even turning her head around, only looking over through the mirror, which was indeed strange.
Moreover, Chafne's state was also quite unusual.
Firstly, her breathing and heartbeat were both very fast, easily discerned by Shane's "Outer Destiny."
Secondly, her cheeks were flushed, her brows seductive, and her beautiful, large eyes seemed to glisten as if she were moved emotionally, enough to make anyone who looked at her feel thirsty and dry.
Lastly, she seemed to have become a completely different person compared to yesterday. Although there was a hint of weariness in her eyes, her complexion was extremely radiant, as if she had become sexier and prettier overnight, looking even more beautiful than before.
Liel caught sight of such a Chafne and had been emitting somewhat uneasy pants since the beginning, making Shane want to keep his distance from her.
However, what puzzled Shane the most was, for some reason, he seemed to be able to resist the charm of the Enchanting Demon.
He had previously been teased into near mental imbalance several times, but this time, despite her being even more beautiful, he didn't feel attracted but rather had an inexplicable feeling of pride and self-satisfaction, as if he had accomplished something memorable or carved out the most exquisite work of art.
This feeling truly perplexed Shane.
(Could it be that I have really developed a resistance to this woman?)
Shane thought this and, to verify his thoughts, began to stare intently at Chafne.
Immediately after, Shane confirmed it.
(I seem to really be able to resist her charm now.)
Shane became astonished.
In contrast, Chafne, realizing she was being stared at intently by Shane, her exquisite face turned increasingly red.
After a while, she couldn't help but speak up.
"What? Haven't you ever seen me before?"
The utter unfriendliness in her tone made Shane hurriedly restrain himself, his mind baffled even more.
(Did this woman have gunpowder for breakfast today?)
Shane once more found it utterly incomprehensible.
It could only be said that the old adage was true; the heart of a woman is unfathomable, like a needle at the bottom of the sea, beyond the reach of men not of the sea.
Shane, speculating in this way, had no idea that at this moment, the look Chafne gave him through the mirror was also growing incredibly complicated.
In it, there was resentment, shyness, worry, anger, and ultimately all turned into the richest form of helplessness.
Chafne, reflecting on everything that happened last night, felt both shame and anger, but her doubts prevailed.
Without question, she had been taken advantage of this time, at a major loss.
But similarly, the events she witnessed during last night's "Dreaming" were deeply etched in her heart, unforgettable for Chafne.
Chafne really wanted to ask for clarification, but after pondering for a while, she closed her mouth.
Simply because the matter was too significant, so significant that even the resurrection of the Hero causing instability among the Three Clans fell short by comparison.
Chafne thought that she still needed to find a way to confirm it.
Before she could confirm it, it was better not to publicize this matter.
As for the matter concerning herself and this man...
"Why are you looking for me?" Chafne's voice was both mysteriously unfathomable and somewhat annoyed.
Perhaps, not even she herself realized the sense of grievance in her tone.
Liel blinked, her face full of confusion.
Shane was equally at a loss, but sensing the grievance in Chafne's tone, he also felt an inexplicable sense of guilt rising within him.
(What's happening now?)
Shane quickly shook his head to dismiss these bizarre feelings.
The day's events felt somewhat odd and completely baffling to Shane, who was tangled in his thoughts; he could only decide to set them aside for now and discuss the pressing matters at hand.
Of course, before addressing the main issue, Shane had a few questions.
"What's wrong with you?" asked Shane curiously. "You seem to be a bit off today, aren't you?"
Such words could only be spoken by Shane.
Others, in the face of this beauty unparalleled in the Enchanting Demon City, would absolutely not dare to be so frank, would they?
If it had been any other time, Chafne might have found this rather interesting.
But today, there was nothing but grievance in both Chafne's voice and expression.
"Don't you think you're a bit off too?"
Chafne had begun to sound somewhat sarcastic.
"...I do feel a bit off indeed," Shane's eye twitched as he looked at Chafne, asking tentatively, "Do you know the reason?"
"Heh." Chafne chuckled.
It wasn't the delicate and touching giggle like before, but instead, like Shane's, it carried a hint of sarcasm as she uttered those two words.
This overly abnormal behavior even started to unsettle Shane a bit.
Could it be... something really happened...?
Shane began to harbor doubts.
But at this time, Chafne let out a sigh.
"Forget it, at the end of the day, this is my own doing, how can blaming you serve any purpose?"
Chafne seemed to have adjusted her mood and finally turned around to face Shane and Liel.
Upon this face-to-face encounter, the Enchanting Demon's beauty, even more exceptional than yesterday, caused Liel's breathing to intensify.
Shane felt that although Chafne was beautiful, she no longer made him feel as if he was on the verge of losing control as before.
It was as if he had already obtained that beauty...
Chafne's words interrupted Shane's thoughts.
"What exactly do you want by seeking me out?"
Hearing Chafne's words, Shane could only first explain the purpose of his visit.
Upon learning that Shane had come to request a right for the Sand Scale Clan to settle in the Enchanting Demon City, Chafne barely thought before waving her delicate hand dismissively.
"This matter can be managed by Liel in my name."
Chafne truly did not treat this as anything important, even conveying a sense of bemusement as if to say, "You came here just for this?"
Shane chuckled awkwardly, saying, "The Sand Scale Clan is just a weak fringe group after all; by allowing such a weak clan to settle in, I'm concerned it might cause dissent and unnecessary trouble for you."
Others were desperately expanding their connections, paying great costs for powerful clans within the Enchanting Demon City to vouch for them, or to develop their own strengths so that only after becoming significantly stronger would they meet the conditions to settle in the Enchanting Demon City; however, the Sand Scale Clan was allowed in because of a word from Shane, and it was inevitable for him to worry about potential repercussions.
Nevertheless, Shane's concern was actually unnecessary.
"Don't just talk about the Enchanting Demon City; the entire Enchanting Demon Territory belongs to Lady Chafne."
Liel spoke up with a cold voice towards Shane.
"Whoever Lady Chafne wishes to stay here can stay, and whoever she wishes to leave must go. Who would dare to object?"
That's the way it was.
So for Chafne, this was just a trivial matter.
"The reason why I have only allowed two clans to settle here over the past thousand years is not due to anything else; I simply have no interest in most people."
Chafne spoke indifferently, almost as if she were bored.
"I allowed the Stone Woman Clan to settle in the Enchanting Demon City because Liel has been serving me since the past and is the closest officer to me."
"I allowed the Rock Giant Clan to settle in the Enchanting Demon City because their decline was due to their sacrifices in battle for our Demon Clan."
"As for the other clans, I can't be bothered to deal with them and basically have no interest at all."
Chafne stated this mercilessly.
"If you want that Sand Scale Clan or whatever to settle here, then let them settle."
Chafne decided this matter with a surprisingly casual attitude, evidently not caring much about it.
"Alright," Shane nodded and continued, "This time, I owe you a favor. I'll find a chance to repay you in the future."
Shane's words, however, were met with Chafne's light snort.
"The debt you owe me is something you'll never be able to repay in a lifetime, don't even think about it."
Chafne unexpectedly threw out this line.
Once again, her tone was filled with silent resentment.
Shane's lips twitched, and he was at a loss for words.
Logically, he should have objected.
In his memory, he didn't owe Chafne anything; how had it become a lifelong, unpayable debt?
Not even a swindler would dare to say that.
However, when Shane wanted to object, he found he couldn't.
Somehow, he felt that her words were not entirely incorrect.
(What in the world...)
Shane cursed inwardly.
At that moment, Chafne began to hasten their departure.
"Alright, we're done talking, you two can go now, I want to rest."
Chafne waved lazily with a languid expression.
"We'll take our leave then, Lady Chafne."
Naturally, Liel would not protest and withdrew from the room with reverence, though not without a reluctant glance at Chafne.
Shane also wanted to retreat.
Today felt inauspicious, bizarre; he needed to go back to mull things over.
Yet, before leaving, Shane impulsively said something.
This made Chafne pause for a moment before finally allowing her face to relax slightly.
Only then did Shane turn to leave.
Chafne kept her gaze fixed on Shane's fading silhouette for a long time, seemingly lost in thought.