Chapter 47

"Oh? This is quite a show to watch. I never expected those two would think of testing the medicine on each other. It’s really quite amusing, isn’t it~"

Watching Lisbeth and Stalos facing off in the scene before her, a smile spread across Christia’s face. She then said softly, "Still, though both are fools, their characters don’t seem bad at all."

"Indeed."

After hearing Christia’s words, Hilda smiled and nodded. "Setting aside Stalos, Lisbeth... to be honest, she’s shrouded in mystery. But my sixth sense tells me she’s not a bad person. And I can see she genuinely likes you, Lord Demon King."

"Hmm, I’ve noticed that too. As you know, I have a skill that lets me faintly perceive a person’s emotions. Every time Lisbeth faces me, it’s... that kind of feeling..."

"That feeling? What kind of feeling?"

Watching Christia’s slightly blushing face, Hilda tilted her head in confusion. Meanwhile, Ovelia, who had been standing nearby, understood immediately and chuckled. "Lord Demon King, you mean Lisbeth has feelings for you, right?"

"Ah... no... I..."

After hearing Ovelia’s words, Christia’s face turned even redder. Still, she nodded slightly. "Yes, that’s exactly it. But I just don’t understand. I’ve never met her before, so why does she have such strong feelings for me?"

"I don’t know. At least, if that former Hero of the Human Race isn’t hostile, there shouldn’t be any problem. But I believe if the Human Race is missing a Hero, they should be selecting a new one soon, right?"

Ovelia’s words made Christia and Hilda fall silent for a moment. After all, the Human Race certainly wouldn’t let the Hero position remain vacant long. But soon, Christia shook her little head. "Still, there’s been no news from them yet, so we can set that aside. More importantly, why haven’t those two moved after finishing their talk?"

"Hmm? That’s true."

---

Wh-what to do? Even though we’re supposed to test the medicine on each other, how exactly do we do it?

This was Lisbeth’s most immediate thought, and also what Stalos was thinking. Since the other knew they’d be used to test the medicine, no one who wasn’t an idiot would voluntarily drink the potion from their bottle.

With only four hours left, using force was the most straightforward way to decide the winner quickly. But just now, when Stalos used an illumination spell, Lisbeth realized the restriction on her magic must have been lifted.

After yesterday’s heart-stopping event, Ovelia must have known restricting Stalos’s magic was unnecessary—and risky. Facing an opponent who could use magic, Lisbeth knew she couldn’t act rashly.

"What’s wrong? Not making a move? Or are you just too scared to act?"

"Hmph, you’re the one. You can use magic now, yet you’re not striking?"

Seeing both were bluffing, Lisbeth and Stalos knew the stalemate was pointless. They both sighed in relief. Stalos spoke first: "Lisbeth, you understand the situation. Fighting here might hurt ordinary people. Let’s resolve this peacefully."

"Hmph, ordinary people? I think you’re just afraid of wrecking the Demon King’s Fortress corridors and getting in trouble with that old lady. Whatever—I don’t want to fight either. Let’s talk calmly~"

Hearing this, Stalos smiled lightly. She walked up to Lisbeth and extended her right hand. "As proof of peace, shall we shake hands first?"

"Sure~"

Lisbeth stepped forward and slowly extended her hand. But before it touched Stalos’s, Stalos suddenly shouted: "Second-tier magic—Restraint!!"

"What!?"

As Stalos finished speaking, two rings of white light wrapped around Lisbeth’s body. Seeing her plan succeed, Stalos grinned maliciously. "Hehahaha, Lisbeth, you’re still too naive! Besides force to decide the winner instantly, what other way is there to test the medicine?"

"Damn it! You despicable scoundrel!"

"Say whatever you want! My breasts must get bigger no matter what—and this is for Lord Demon King too! Just become our stepping stone!"

As if victory was assured, Stalos casually opened a potion bottle, ready to pour it into Lisbeth’s mouth. But before she could act, Lisbeth coldly shouted: "Battle Aura!"

"Wha!?"

A cyan light shot upwards like a sharp sword. The binding rings shattered instantly. While Stalos was still shocked, Lisbeth stepped forward and punched her squarely in the stomach.

"Ugh!!"

The blow sent Stalos’s small body flying several meters. She landed motionless on the ground.

"Heh, Stalos, did you think I wouldn’t know your plan? True, fighting here and breaking something in the Demon King’s Fortress isn’t a joke. But deciding the winner in one strike? No problem at all."

"Cough... cough... you tricked me, you despicable scoundrel..."

"Damn it! You just did the same thing and have the nerve to say that!!!"

Seeing Stalos’s expression, Lisbeth without hesitation opened her potion. She forced Stalos’s mouth open—but the moment she touched her, the fallen Stalos smirked and turned into a puddle of water.

"What!?"

"Fifth-tier magic—Water Seal Complete!"

Though Lisbeth didn’t know where Stalos’s voice came from, the water suddenly wrapped around her body again.

"Snap!"

The space before Lisbeth tore open a large rift. Stalos stepped out from it. Lisbeth stared in shock. "Long-lost Spatial Magic!? Who are you really?"

"Hmph, mere Spatial Magic is child’s play to me. I can’t develop magical artifacts, but in magic use, I’m undoubtedly the strongest mage alive today."

"The strongest alive... who are you?"

Though brief, the exchanges left Lisbeth deeply shocked. Spatial Magic had vanished thousands of years ago—even basic teleportation was ninth-tier or higher. Yet Stalos could cast it instantly.

But soon, Lisbeth calmed down. "I see. No wonder Ovelia sealed your magic. Your current power must be less than a tenth of your prime. Otherwise, that fifth-tier spell would be far too weak."

"Tch, as expected, I can’t fool you."

The water bindings shattered. Stalos simply nodded. "Right. My magic limit is under ten percent of my prime. Casting that Spatial Magic drained me. In a real fight, I’d have no advantage."

"But if I hide in the spatial dimension, you can never catch me. That’s pointless, isn’t it?"

"Hmm, true. Let’s not use force. Our commotion was loud—if we attract the Demon King’s Fortress guards, that’d be troublesome."

Stalos nodded. "I agree. But neither of us would be a pushover and volunteer to test the medicine, right?"

"Exactly. Let’s decide the winner another way. The winner gets to make the loser test the medicine. How about that?"

"Oh? What do you want to compete in? But clear this up first—I won’t do arm wrestling or anything like that."