Death... and me
chapter-2006

As Rui returned to the clan estate with his clan members, he couldn't help but glance at the twins. Sure, he was certain that what happened in the meeting hall was something Mephisto did. However, he would be lying if he said Mephisto's words didn't bother him. After all, the brothers had been a mystery to him ever since they first appeared. The only thing that made him relax was the fact that he knew the whole story of how they ended up in his clan.

The journey didn't last long with Rui's cultivation. Before they knew it, space opened once again, and Rui brought everyone into the Light Devil Clan. There, all the elders were waiting in the hall with excited expressions. They had received the Thoughts Transmission Talisman with the results, and all of them wanted to see the Underworld Relic that would be with the clan for the next thousand years, perhaps more if they won the majority of the contests again.

"Rui!"

"Clan Master!"

"Congratulations!"

"Titia, you did great!"

"Our Light Devil Clan's power will rise!"

Rui nodded at everyone as he walked through the hall with the twins' group. Eventually, he sat once more on the Clan Master's seat before bringing out the Underworld Relic for everyone to see. Immediately, everyone who was part of the Light Devil Clan felt a connection with the item. To them, it was as if it was directly supporting their very beings.

"With this, I want everyone in the Light Devil Clan to focus on cultivation and training for the next thousand years. The help it gives to one's cultivation progress is tremendous, and you know that from the Mephisto Clan's power," said Rui. "Let's be honest. The chances of winning most of the contests during the next thousand years are extremely low. So, don't let this opportunity fall under your grasp. I'm basically the only one here who can't do the same since I'm already at the peak of the realm. Nevertheless, it will also serve as a great item to help protect the clan."

Hearing those words, everyone cheered in excitement until someone finally looked back at Titia and the twins. "Clan Master, they did a huge service to our Light Devil Clan. They must be rewarded!"

Titia felt somewhat unworthy of all that praise. Other than using her Light Element in that item Rean was holding, she did basically nothing during the contest.

Rean noticed that, though. 'You are a devil, so take everything you can while you can. I don't know if you feel you were lucky to have been with us there or not. In any case, luck is also part of one's strength. Don't throw the opportunity away.'

Titia looked at Rean, or Gean... who wasn't really looking at her. A moment later, she steeled her resolve and nodded. Only an idiot would let this chance go by.

Rui, in the midst of all the clamor, stood up from his chair to talk. "Alright, alright! These three will be properly rewarded for their efforts."

Roan didn't seem to care about all of that. "There is only one thing Gean and I want, and you know what it is."

In response, the devils in the hall immediately went silent. After all, they were there when Fagund brought the twins with him. They made it clear they wanted to enter the Swamp of No Return if they won the Soul Guiding Contest for the Light Devil Clan. However, was it really fine? They all saw through the Clan Master's Divine Sense message how the twins performed in the competition. They were talented to the point that no one in the clan could match them at their cultivation level. To simply let them go like that...

Tapir, surprisingly, was the first one to raise his voice. Everyone knew how much Tapir hated the normal devils, after all. "You should stay. If you truly join the Light Devil Clan, you will also benefit from the Underworld Relic. Forget about entering that place. You will only be throwing your lives away."

Losferu looked at Tapir in shock. "Weren't you the one who wanted them to be gone the most? You know, if they're this talented, that means they've devoured quite a lot of living souls."

Tapir sighed in response. "Even if I don't like it, I can't deny the advantages they could bring to the Light Devil Clan in the future. More than my feelings, I will always consider the clan's needs first."

Rean and Roan looked at each other but shook their heads. "Thank you for the offer, but we have already made our choice."

Rui was still thinking about what Mephisto talked about. Eventually, he decided to ask it directly in front of everyone. "Do you have any connection with the Underworld Relic?"

Such a question took everyone aback. Nevertheless, Rui raised his hand, showing that he would talk about it later.

Rean crossed his arms for a moment while he discussed that with Roan. 'So he couldn't hold his curiosity back in the end, huh?'

Roan nodded. 'Mephisto lost the Underworld Relic, so it's to be expected that he would try something else. Seems like he told Rui a few things. However, it doesn't seem like Rui believes his words completely, or he wouldn't even try to ask. He would simply capture us straight away and lock us down.'

'That's how important the Underworld Relic is for the Underworld Realm, after all,' Rean added.

With that, Rean looked back at Rui. "That's not a real question, is it?"

"What do you mean?" Rui asked back. "I think the question was pretty straightforward."

In response, Rean shook his head. "That's not the problem. The problem is whether you believe us or not. Very well, let's give it a shot. We have nothing to do with the Underworld Relic. What do you think? Do you believe my words?"

While everyone had puzzled expressions, Rui narrowed his eyes. Hearing Rean's words, he had to admit his question was useless. It all depended on what he believed at that moment. "Sigh... Swamp of No Return, right? Very well..."