Chapter 812: 561. Decisive Battle at the Demon King’s Castle_2

The land is cracked, crops barely survive, and water sources are exceedingly scarce.

Lin Da seemed to understand why the Demons were so relentless in their attacks on the Mystic Continent.

The survival environment of the Devil’s Continent was harsh, far worse than the Mystic Continent.

But Lin Da felt no sympathy for the Demons because of this.

No matter how dire their environment, it was no excuse for the slaughter of the Mystic Continent’s inhabitants.

Seventy percent of the population died tragically, amounting to tens of billions.

Demon soldiers, commanders, the Demon King… Lin Da intended to spare none.

Eighty-seven Legendary Rank figures flew straight toward the Demon King’s Castle.

Their momentum was unstoppable; even if the Demon Clan Legends noticed, they could only retreat.

A day later, the two sides’ Legendary Rank forces met in front of the Demon King’s Castle.

The two factions stood clearly separated.

Lin Da, wielding the Sword of Brave, walked at the forefront.

At a distance of fifty meters, he locked eyes with the black-and-white-winged woman opposite him.

The Demon King’s proxy, [Angel] Tina.

Tina led ninety-five Demon Clan Legends. Draped in a pure white gown, her charming face carried a smile, as though she wasn’t surprised by his arrival.

“Captain, I represent His Majesty the Demon King, and I welcome your arrival,” Tina said.

Tina raised her dress with both hands and performed a noble courtesy.

Lin Da remained indifferent and coldly responded, “I’m very disappointed in you.”

“But everything I’ve done has been for you,” Tina said. “Before the decisive battle, could you at least hear me out? Perhaps you’ll have a change of heart.”

“Lin Da, don’t listen to her nonsense,” Evelyn frowned and said. “A hopeless woman like her–just kill her.”

“Since I’m already here, a moment won’t matter,” Lin Da wanted to know why Tina had acted this way.

Among all the team members, only Tina’s favorability was at 100.

In theory, everyone else could potentially betray him–everyone except Tina.

“I’ll only give you three minutes.”

“One minute is enough,” Tina said with a smile. “After conquering the Royal Capital, I didn’t show myself on the Mystic Continent because I was creating our very own ‘Eden.'”

“Eden?”

“Yes, our love nest as well,” Tina giggled sinisterly.

Amid Tina’s chilling laughter, a massive light screen appeared in the sky.

The view shown was from a bird’s-eye perspective, revealing a city surrounded by grand walls.

Bell Tower, World Tree, Secret Realm Square, Adventurers’ Guild… all sorts of familiar facilities were completely intact.

Shops lined the streets, and people bustled about with constant laughter.

The screen depicted a bird’s view as it flew downward, landing on the roof of a manor.

In the yard, a blue-haired girl was watering flowers, smiling sweetly.

On the swing nearby sat a Catman girl and a Tigerman girl.

The former was asleep, her cat ears laying flat against her head, holding a book in her arms. The Tigerman girl stared fixated at her tail, drooling.

Through the mansion’s windows, a silver-haired maid could be seen mopping the floor.

Sweat covered her cheeks, and a stray lock of silver hair clung to the corner of her mouth.

She placed her hands on her hips and gently wiped her face with the back of her hand.

The bird took flight again, moving through the streets.

Citizens could be seen purchasing magical equipment and haggling with shop owners.

Couples entered jewelry stores to purchase rings for their vow ceremonies.

In a cake shop, a flat-chested red-haired girl sat contentedly, cheeks in her hands, savoring strawberry cake.

She told the pink-haired girl beside her that the Royal Capital’s strawberry cake was unbelievably delicious.

Across the table sat a blonde mage girl holding a notebook and feather pen, sketching designs for new clothes.

“My boutique opens tomorrow–don’t forget to come and support me.”

“Got it. With yours truly modeling for you, you should count yourself lucky.”

“Aiko, should I model too?”

“You and Lia both should.”

“Ugh, I don’t want to.”

…

Lin Da stared at the light screen, utterly stunned.

Everyone present–Lia, Bailuo, Evelyn–felt disbelief.

The city shown on the screen was the Royal Capital from ten years ago, untouched by war!

They all experienced a fleeting sensation of time reversal.

A city that existed in the past, yet the people inside seemed to live in a post-war, peaceful future.

The manor belonged to the Phoenix Tail Flower Adventure Team, whose members were shown living peaceful, happy lives. The Snow Goose trio enjoyed strawberry cake, while among the street pedestrians, Abner saw the deceased Gale.

In that moment, Abner was moved; he struggled to grip his sword.

Gale was seen flirting with a blonde Elven lady, his eyes glued to her rear.

What was happening?

Now, the past, the future… everything blurred into confusion.

“Everyone, don’t be fooled by that woman!”

The brown-haired girl with glasses, Mimi, bearing the title of Great Inventor, jumped out and pointed at Tina.

“Everything inside is fake. Every citizen is powered by Demon Cores as magic-guided puppets. Look closely at their necks–there’s a tiny clockwork piece.”

Magic-guided puppets?

The crowd was shaken, rubbing their eyes to take a closer look.

Indeed, the Snow Goose trio in the cake shop had tiny clockwork pieces on their necks.

Dummies?

Yet, they were so lifelike–their personalities, speech, hobbies–all replicated flawlessly.

According to Mimi’s explanation…

The entire city, with more than a million citizens, was composed entirely of magic-guided puppets.

This was a colossal undertaking!

How much time and effort did it require!

Lin Da was utterly speechless.

He couldn’t help but ask, “Tina, what is the meaning of showing me this?”

“During the ten years of war, including the time before the war started, I’ve been building this Eden Garden,” Tina said confidently. “And now, it’s finally complete–an exact replica of the Royal Capital!