The true forms of the sisters Liyu and Limo were not human.

They were spirit beasts transformed into Abyss Demons.

And unlike the other Demon King-class existences whom Yumo had dispatched across the Anqieka Continent to gather information related to the protagonists, these two girls mostly remained within the Winter Forest. Even after learning transformation magic, their lifestyles were still fundamentally no different from ordinary Abyss Demons.

Because the two children could transform into human forms, Yumo selfishly hoped they would abandon the barbaric lifestyle of tearing apart raw flesh and drinking blood and instead learn human habits.

As for Yumo’s proposal, the two sisters’ reactions were complete opposites.

Limo still longed for the life of a beast. Most of the time she maintained her giant wolf form, loved swallowing prey alive, and showed absolutely no interest in the cooked food Yumo constantly recommended, often leaving Yumo utterly speechless. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

She truly was a headache-inducing child.

However—

Compared to her older sister Limo, the younger sister Liyu was much more obedient.

She diligently studied human lifestyles, including etiquette, language, and all sorts of related knowledge.

Most of the time she maintained the form of a gray-haired little girl and even tried to avoid returning to her true form in order to keep her few fur clothes from getting damaged.

Recently, she had even begun learning how to cook.

Well... judging from Limo’s reaction after every meal—

Those cooking skills...

Probably still needed improvement.

Unfortunately, Yumo had no physical body. Otherwise, she would have loved tasting her daughter’s cooking herself while also teaching her a few culinary techniques.

After all, back in high school, whenever her parents were absent, she had often cooked personally.

Still—

No matter what, the willingness to work hard and improve was something worthy of encouragement.

Thinking this, the way Yumo looked toward Liyu became increasingly satisfied.

By comparison—

The way Yumo looked toward Limo became slightly “disdainful.”

As a result, the latter immediately transformed into a husky and started demolishing the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons...

—

Only after Yumo fiercely flicked the “husky” several times on the forehead—

Did she finally stop causing trouble.

A short while later—

Having calmed down again, Limo finally transformed into her human form and put on her ragged leather clothing.

Then, covering her swollen forehead, the wolf girl pitifully walked toward the entrance of the great hall and gently poked the unconscious boys and girls on the ground with a tree branch.

Enmm...

Not dead yet.

“By the way, Mother, what are you planning to do with these people? Use them for experiments?”

However—

Before Yumo could answer, her younger sister Liyu mercilessly cast a disdainful glance toward her older sister.

“Normally, only untalented ordinary humans get used for Mother’s experiments. Young people like these, who are talented and haven’t done anything wrong, are usually handed over to the seniors for training. Sister, you’ve stayed beside Mother for so many years, and you still can’t understand something this basic?”

“Wuuu~~”

Limo puffed out her cheeks and looked at her younger sister resentfully before proudly turning her head away.

“Hmph! I-I only asked on purpose... to test you!!”

“Yes, yes~”

Liyu clearly had no intention of arguing further over such a meaningless topic.

Instead, she slowly stepped forward and carefully examined the unconscious youths on the ground. A playful look gradually surfaced within her emerald eyes.

“Their physical abilities and soul strength are even better than the previous batch of sacrifices. And almost all of them are handsome men and beautiful women. Even the younger ones are future beauties.”

As she spoke—

Liyu turned toward the blood butterfly floating behind her.

“Mother, speaking of which, hasn’t Xiao recently been building a small intelligence organization? If these people are properly brainwashed, they should become decent new manpower. Coincidentally, Saiboke is here visiting you today. He can help transport them back and hand them over to Xiao.”

??

Hm?

Saiboke-Baniya?

Upon hearing the familiar name, Limo immediately regained her energy and bounced excitedly to Liyu’s side.

“Saiboke?! That guy came today?!”

“Yes, he’s outside the barrier.”

“Hm? Then why isn’t he coming in?”

Faced with her older sister’s question, Liyu pursed her lips and gave her a look of exasperation.

“Sigh, the reason is simple. Weren’t those idiots from the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church here earlier? It wasn’t convenient for him to enter, so he waited outside.”

After speaking, Liyu respectfully looked toward the blood butterfly.

“Mother, may we invite him in now?”

“Enmm...”

After glancing at the unconscious youths scattered across the floor and at the now mostly dressed Limo, several blood butterflies carrying Yumo’s consciousness slowly flew toward the outside of the barrier.

“Yes, let him come in.”

Now that she thought about it—

It really had been a long time since she last saw that boy. Time truly passed quickly.

Yumo could not help sighing internally like an elderly person reminiscing about the past.

At the same time, she casually summoned several Abyss Demons to clean away the dozen cold corpses lying in the center of the great hall.

—

A short while later—

Under the slightly astonished gazes of the two sisters, a white-haired middle-aged man wearing a monocle and dressed in elegant black butler attire slowly ascended the stairs and entered the ancient divine hall.

And naturally, the newcomer was Saiboke-Baniya, who had once lived within the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons together with Limo and Liyu for a very long time.

Looking at the two familiar figures within the hall, as well as the blood butterflies radiating invisible pressure, Saiboke respectfully knelt on one knee. His right hand pressed against his chest while his left arm rested behind his back.

“It has been a long time, Lady Yumo. And Lady Limo, Lady Liyu as well.”

Within the man’s respectful voice lingered a trace of joy at seeing old benefactors and companions again.

He was not an Abyss Demon.

He was a genuine human.

“Huh??”

Upon seeing the white-haired middle-aged man, Limo could not help crying out in surprise. She jumped directly before Saiboke, grabbed his pale white hair with her delicate hand, and stared at him in disbelief.

“You brat, how did you become so old?! Even your hair turned white?”

“Lady Limo, I am merely an ordinary fifth-tier human. Eighty years have passed. Growing old is quite normal.”

“Hm? Th-This counts as normal?”

“Yes.”

“But why are you only fifth-tier? Haven’t you been training properly all these years?” Liyu curiously asked from the side.

“Sigh, I did train. But I simply lack talent in that regard. After all, this old man is merely an ordinary person with mediocre aptitude. Being able to reach the fifth tier with Lady Xiao’s help already leaves me deeply satisfied.”

Saiboke smiled and waved his hand modestly before gradually turning his gaze forward toward the blood butterfly dancing before him.

At the same time—

Yumo’s voice slowly echoed within Saiboke’s mind.

“If you were willing to accept a bit of Shadow of Silence Power, breaking through to the sixth tier would not be difficult.”

“Thank you for your concern, Lady Yumo. But with this body of mine... it is better to forget it. I fear I do not possess the ability to endure the Shadow of Silence Power. Besides, I still wish to continue living as a human.”

“I see. Very well. Since that is your decision, I will respect it.”

“Thank you very much, Lady Yumo.”

Saiboke gratefully lowered his head.

“Also, stop performing such grand formalities every time you see me, okay?”

“Hierarchy must not be disrupted.”

“You really are something. It’s only been eighty years since we last met, yet you already speak like some ancient fossil. Fine then. But why did you suddenly come to the Winter Forest this time? Is there some urgent matter?”

“Yes.”

Saiboke nodded before solemnly looking toward the blood butterfly before him.

“Lady Yumo, we have several important matters to report to you.”

“Hm? What matters?”

“First of all... it seems we may have found information regarding the ‘protagonists.’”

“Hm??”

The moment those words were spoken, not only Yumo and Liyu, but even the usually carefree Limo immediately focused all their attention upon Saiboke.

“Wait? You’re saying... you found the protagonist group?”