Why must the devil be Defeated?

In the end, Shane and Laischa's fight seemed fierce, but in reality, they couldn't produce a decisive outcome.

It was incredible.

Logically, with Shane's current strength, crushing a Mage below Level Eighty should have been a piece of cake.

However, this Mage not only managed to slip away every time but also continuously used Space Magic for Instant Movement, in addition to various other Magic for combination and support, and she ultimately left Shane at a loss for what to do.

Of course, if Shane really put his mind to it and used damaging tactics, it wouldn't have come to this.

But could he do that?

No, he couldn't!

Using excessive force, well, that wouldn't be right.

But without it, he couldn't catch this slippery eel of a Mage.

Finally, Shane simply stood in place, letting Laischa bombard him with Magic, turning the battlefield upside down, shaking the earth and sky.

This way, it was Laischa's turn to be unable to do anything to Shane.

Sure, she was incredibly slippery when running away, but her Magic was so weak that it couldn't even scratch Shane in the face of his "Inner Destiny."

Shane didn't even need to use Instant Movement like she did. He could just stand there and let her attack, and she still couldn't touch him.

This drove Laischa crazy, very crazy, so crazy that in the end, she almost cried in frustration.

It wasn't until half an hour later that the Lady had expended all her Magic Power and lay on the ground, gasping for air, with a miserable expression as though questioning her entire life.

"Why on earth did I ever trouble this bastard?"

Endless regret coursed through Laischa's heart.

Why had she gone to Lamijion in the first place?

Why had she taken an interest in the Magic Power of the Holy Sword?

Why was she seeking her own torment?

Why didn't she just turn around and leave at that time?

Laischa's regret was as endless as the ocean.

But Shane, looking as if he had just woken from a nap, looked down at Laischa lying on the ground with a confused face.

"Is it over?"

Shane asked subconsciously.

...

Laischa didn't want to talk to this guy anymore.

So, after regaining a bit of Magic Power, Laischa wobbly stood up, glaring at Shane.

Her gaze was surprisingly complex.

"Tell me," Laischa said with a complex expression, "what do you plan to do?"

Her posture seemed like she wanted to obtain justice for her Maid, or rather, to get an explanation, a status—it made Shane squirm uncomfortably.

He really wanted to tell Laischa that he had only been teasing her earlier, that there was really nothing between him and Lasha.

However, as Shane prepared to say this, he couldn't help but harbor a doubt.

Nothing happened?

Really nothing?

What if something had indeed happened without his knowledge, and he denied it flat out, wouldn't that make him an unrepentant playboy?

After some thought, Shane decided not to clarify the matter.

After all, he wasn't losing anything by it.

So...

"Why not just leave Lasha in my care?"

Shane directly exposed the wishful thinking he had harbored all along.

"No way!"

Without a second thought, Laischa flatly refused.

Shane wasn't surprised.

This girl, agreeing easily would be the real surprise.

"Then what do you suggest?" Shane replied rascally, "I've done what I should have, and what I shouldn't... uh... possibly... most likely... maybe... may have done, so you tell me what to do."

Shane's intent was to make Laischa uncomfortable, and ultimately, to coax her into giving in.

If she really would hand Lasha over to him, he might die of happiness in his sleep.

While the protagonists of other stories generally sought to recruit War Gods, who could conquer the world and bolster their prestige for them, Shane genuinely only wanted this "unremarkable" little Maid.

The reason was nothing else but the Maid's competence—even without combat abilities, she was exceptional enough to beautify the home, ensuring peace and order with no room for chaos.

But this was secondary.

Most importantly, the Maid had won Shane's heart, effortlessly perfect in every task, easily overshadowing her lack of combat skills.

If there was any dissatisfaction with the Maid, it was her impact on one's heart.

But no worries, it was in a good sense, not a bad one, and Shane was more than happy to welcome that.

Thus, Shane was genuinely planning to whisk away the little Maid.

After all, "daughters" would marry off sooner or later; the Lady should understand, right?

As Shane pondered this, Laischa showed unprecedented distress and difficulty, even with intense struggle.

Finally, Laischa sighed deeply.

"I really don't know what to do now."

Laischa said, troubled.

It wasn't unwillingness or reluctance but the appearance of an unspeakable secret.

Seeing this, Shane unconsciously dropped the playful façade.

After a moment of silence, Shane spoke.

"Is it because Lasha has a big secret?"

Shane suddenly blurted out.

"...you know about it?"

After a lengthy silence, Laischa responded gloomily.