At this moment, the air in the conference room felt a bit silent.
Everyone's gaze was fixed on Shane, their eyes looking at him as if he were a brave warrior.
Even Chafne was no exception.
"You really have guts."
Chafne sighed and then felt a faint irritation.
This guy, when he first met me, seemed like he couldn't hide from me fast enough, right?
Now, facing my bad-tempered and dangerous sister, not only did he not hide at all, but he also directly made a move?
He avoids me, a delicate beauty, as much as possible, yet can't stay away from a truly toxic danger. What's that about?
Thinking of this, Chafne's mood instantly soured.
On the other hand, Camina stared blankly at Shane, her purple eyes seemingly full of unspoken words, with an inexplicable trace of complexity hidden within.
However, this trace of complexity quickly disappeared.
"I must say, you have great courage." Camina shrugged off Shane's hand on her shoulder and said softly, "I've lived for twenty thousand years, and it's the first time anyone has dared to touch me so recklessly."
This wasn't meant to be intentionally intimidating.
Because, after hearing Camina's words, the demons present all lowered their eyes somewhat silently.
Clearly, even these demons had never so recklessly touched Camina like Shane did.
Chafne had also mentioned that Camina's poison was a terrifying toxin that even a Transcend Level existence couldn't ignore, and they usually didn't dare get too close to Camina.
Hence, Camina's words were entirely true.
Actually, Shane already knew this was true without her saying it.
The reason was simple; it was just because after touching Camina, not only did the air he inhaled contain more and more toxins, but even touching Camina's body felt like it was being corroded by something, causing waves of burning pain.
If it weren't for the sealing of the Holy Sword being undone, with divine power constantly flowing into Shane's body, purifying the toxins, he might have already collapsed.
Even so, the burning pain was still unavoidable, making Shane feel like molten lava was being poured into his body.
But Shane's temperament was just like that.
Thus, Shane endured it while calmly speaking.
"Unfortunately, I don't have any exceptional skill, just that I'm indeed very bold. If someone provokes me, I can't feel at ease without paying them back."
Shane's skill in insinuation was already at level 10.
But Camina not only didn't get angry, she even let out a soft chuckle.
"You're quite an interesting hero, much more amusing than those previous fools." Camina stopped looking at Shane, simply adding, "I hope you can keep it up."
While saying this, Camina no longer minded Shane's hand, not even avoiding it, allowing herself to be embraced by Shane.
Shane also ceased to speak, merely silently enduring the burning pain within, feeling the toxins continuously pouring into his body.
"I hope [Inner Destiny] can be a bit more useful."
Though this skill couldn't defend against Camina's poison, Shane hadn't forgotten that one effect of [Inner Destiny] included "When attacked, if the damage is outside the skill's endurance range, gradually increase endurance capacity with each attack." That kind of description.
That is, the more attacks endured, the greater and higher [Inner Destiny]'s ability to endure that type of attack becomes.
In this way, even if Camina's poison is terrifying, given enough time to adapt, [Inner Destiny] will eventually be able to successfully fend off this Poison Demon's toxins.
Plus, with the effects provided by [Supreme God's Blessing], which include the blessings of all the goddesses of the Divine Race, there must be effects targeting such negative conditions as poison, and working together, Shane will sooner or later be able to completely ignore Camina's poison.
This was one of the reasons Shane intentionally approached Camina this way.
After all, given the current situation, the relationship between this Poison Demon and himself is not likely to be any good.
If, in the future, they really tear faces and have to fight, being able to ignore Camina's poison is undoubtedly a huge advantage.
Shane was plotting this while genuinely not wanting to appear weak, leading him to take such a bold action.
This Shane didn't know what kind of touch his thoughtful yet unsuspecting behavior had left in Camina's heart.
Camina felt Shane's hand on her shoulder, inhaling the unfamiliar male scent, her spirit somewhat entranced.
(How long has it been since someone got this close?)
As far as she remembers, the last person able to be so close to her and hold her without changing expression had long since passed away, right?
Having lived for twenty thousand years, Camina had never been approached this closely by anyone.
Except... for that one...
Thinking of that one who had already passed, Camina's heart felt a faint sadness.
At the same time, towards Shane, Camina eased a great deal of her hostility.
The reason she targeted Shane wasn't due to a grudge against him, but because she felt that as a hero—a natural enemy to the Demon Clan—and being so sheltered by her sister and younger sister, was indeed a bit annoying.
That youngest sister, who had been showered with love and often pampered by herself and other sisters, yet turned rebellious, even clashing with her over a hero, indeed left Camina in a not-so-great mood back then.
Then, Lilith's rampaging in the Poison Demon Territory led to a brawl between her and Camina, worsening their relationship even further.
The two reasons combined led Camina to be so bossy and aggressive towards Shane.
After all, she had a bad temper.
As long as there was any reason at all, causing others some pain and not completely dissolving them with poison could already be considered merciful.
But, Shane wasn't someone willing to suffer, and the two naturally ended up at odds.
But looking at it another way, their conflicts were only just that, with no real deep-seated hatred.
If there was real deep-seated hatred, Camina wouldn't be releasing poison only to this extent.
Therefore, Camina's impression of Shane wasn't great, but it was only limited to that.
Now, being so boldly embraced by Shane, Camina felt both unaccustomed and a bit nostalgic about the warmth of another's body.
As such, Camina's dislike for Shane significantly diminished.
(Let's see how long he can hold out.)
Camina couldn't help but feel a hint of anticipation regarding this point.
The entire conference room fell into a rather subtle silence.
"...What are you all doing?"
A voice that was overly familiar to Shane, familiar to the point of somewhat missing it, rang out inside the conference room.
The group of demons instantly perked up and looked towards the door.
Lilith also exclaimed in surprise, then joyfully leaped forward.
Shane did not immediately turn around.
However, that familiar aura, familiar atmosphere, familiar subtle Dragon Power, all told Shane who had arrived. The rightful source is novelꞁire.net
Shane slowly turned his head and looked behind him.
There, holding a pillow, a Dragon Race girl as delicate as a porcelain doll quietly appeared.
"Looks like you're okay, girl."
Ai Yi hugged the leaping Lilith, a rare smile appearing on her youthful face. Although she seemed the same age as Lilith, she acted like an elder, amusingly patting Lilith's small head like a little adult.
Lilith smiled at Ai Yi, seemingly very happy.
Lilith was naturally happy.
No matter what, when beside Shane, besides Shane and Lasha, it was usually Ai Yi who accompanied her.
Though Ai Yi was fond of sleeping, she took good care of Lilith.
No, this dragon girl also looked after Shane and You Lin, seemingly a little girl, yet her heart held a side unknown to others.
Shane just fixedly looked at her.
Ai Yi felt something too, lifted her head, and gazed at Shane.
Their eyes met, both remaining speechless.
But the warm atmosphere gradually surrounded them.
Shane nodded, equally concise.
There was no heart-stirring emotion, nor was there a grand reunion. They naturally returned to their old tone and atmosphere.
Of course, how both otherwise composed and calm individuals truly felt inside, only they knew.
Ai Yi took Lilith's hand and came nearer.
As she approached, Ai Yi first noticed Shane holding Camina's hand.
Seeing this, Ai Yi's eye twitched.
"...You're still the same, really can't tell if you're bold or skilled thus fearless."
A thread of discontent seeped through Ai Yi's serene tone.
Shane became somewhat embarrassed, instinctively withdrew his hand and moved away from Camina.
Camina furrowed her brow instead, snorted in displeasure.
This guy, had thought he was bold, didn't expect him to be a pushover.
Let's see how long he can keep it up?
This man's just a coward, only tough in front of others!
Camina kept ridiculing him in her mind.
On the other hand, the rest of the demons shifted their focus entirely onto Ai Yi after she appeared.
"Finally willing to come out, Little Aiyi?"
"I thought you'd come out before Camina."
Milu, like Lilith, dashed towards Ai Yi.
"Surprised you held out till now."
Even Sera exclaimed in amazement.
The demons all thought that after Shane's arrival, Ai Yi would be the first to appear and guard him.
Unexpectedly, Ai Yi not only wasn't the first but appeared last.
Regarding this, Ai Yi pushed away the approaching Milu, her expression remaining calm.
"I just figured, unless you all got serious, you couldn't possibly do anything to him."
Ai Yi appeared incredibly composed.
"Oh?" Camina shifted her gaze, after a moment, spoke to Ai Yi: "What if I meant it seriously?"
To this, Ai Yi replied in brief words.
"You're welcome to try."