Chapter 343: The Primordial Era
To Serie, Rhodes's approach felt necessary and efficient, the only thing missing being a bit more coercive enforcement.
However, she could compensate for that herself.
When they killed the elderly mage of the Southern Unified Empire, she and Rhodes had found many grimoires in the palace, including ones on Mental Contract Magic which the mage specialized in.
Therefore, she could place a restriction on Solitär-Flamme: if she attacked anyone, she would self-destruct directly.
But seeing this demon, whose appearance resembled a human child, reveal such a fragile posture... even knowing her non-human nature, Serie couldn't help but feel a faint twinge of discomfort.
Forget it! Considering her special nature, and that Rhodes might want to study her, she wouldn't make her self-destruct. Immobilizing her would suffice.
Moreover, looking at this cute-looking demon, for some reason, Serie suddenly thought of the future daughter she would have with Rhodes.
If she could be this cute, that would be nice.
While Serie's thoughts wandered, a voice suddenly cut in. "Lord Rhodes, how should we handle her next?"
It was Olivia.
Serie, who had been envisioning a happy future with Rhodes, was interrupted abruptly by Olivia. She couldn't help but glare at her.
Olivia: "?"
She didn't understand why Lady Serie suddenly glared at her. She just saw that Lord Rhodes hadn't shown any specific intention on how to deal with this demon, so she asked. Why did that incur Lady Serie's displeasure?
Olivia decided she wouldn't speak again unless someone asked her directly.
"We can't just let her stay in the laboratory forever, can we?" Serie crossed her arms.
Although she initially felt a slight strangeness due to the demon's appearance, Serie didn't want to see her every day.
If one day she was unhappy and accidentally swatted the demon to death, it would be a headache.
Rhodes's gaze swept over the still somewhat stiff Solitär-Flamme. "I will create an independent isolation and observation area in the Association's underground. Until she is confirmed harmless, that will be her residence."
"Isn't the sealing crystal down there? Is it appropriate to put her there?" Serie raised her concern.
This demon's origin and true identity were unknown. With the crystal sealing Annelise also in the underground, if some resonance occurred between them, it would be troublesome.
It wasn't that they couldn't defeat her if she got out, but this was the Imperial Capital of Ersten. Annelise's body contained a massive amount of filthy divine power; even a tiny leak could cause significant casualties in the city.
"No problem. They won't be in the same place. Besides, I set up quite a few magic circles. Even if resonance occurs, it won't break the seal."
Are you kidding? To set up that seal, he had thrown in all the Holy Swords he possessed, even sacrificing the Southern Empire's Holy Sword as the base.
Unless a god appeared, no one in this world could break that seal.
"Flamme, the task of settling her is yours. Execute it according to the highest security standards. Also, you handle the initial research. I have many things to do and need to focus my energy elsewhere."
He still had to research how to have offspring with Serie; he didn't have much time to care about this mysterious demon.
However, because she was too special and possibly related to his idea of changing the demonic life structure, Rhodes had to divert some attention to her.
"Yes, Master. But regarding the mission of Alvin and the others..." Flamme hesitated.
She didn't know how Alvin's mission was progressing.
"Don't worry about that. After that incident, they successfully dealt with the people tracking them and have returned to the Magic Association. I also sent Frieren to follow them. With their strength, plus Frieren, they should be able to barely complete the mission."
Under Flamme's tutelage, Frieren had improved significantly recently. Coupled with her own strength, dealing with most mages shouldn't be a problem.
Even if an accident happened, it didn't matter. Rhodes had left some magical items on them that could save their lives in a pinch.
Of course, if it came to that, he and Serie would have to step in personally.
"Alright, I understand." Flamme nodded, saying no more.
At this moment, Rhodes turned his gaze formally to Olivia, who had been standing quietly for a long time. "Olivia, regarding this demon, is there anything else you need to add?"
"Lord Rhodes, my knowledge is limited; I have told Flamme everything. Carlo left no further clues."
"As for this demon—" She looked at Solitär-Flamme. "Her existence itself is a challenge to current understanding. I cannot probe the source of her holy aura, but what is certain is that it is even more ancient... possibly involving existences from before the Mythical Era."
Before the Mythical Era was the Primordial Era. That era was unimaginably distant; even among the elves with limitless lifespans, few survived from then.
After all, elves having no lifespan limit didn't mean they couldn't die.
In fact, elves who lived over a thousand years were already considered the elite of the race. Those living over ten thousand years were exceedingly rare.
Listening to Olivia's report, although Serie didn't want to admit it, the Sky-Winged possessed unique insight into holy aura.
She couldn't help interjecting, "Could it be a mutation caused by the residual power of a fallen god? I heard quite a few gods fell in the Primordial Era."
Rhodes nodded thoughtfully. "Your point makes sense. After Flamme's preliminary research is complete, I will consider that possibility."
Hearing Rhodes's affirmation, Serie lifted her chin slightly, her mood improving a little.
Olivia continued, "Furthermore, the reason I could sense Carlo's aura was that he cast the highest-ranking Holy Magic."
"Is that so? It seems his strength has improved quite a bit." Rhodes pondered for a moment, then said to Olivia, "Olivia, if you have nothing else to do, stay at the Association for a while. Perhaps you can help me with research. Also, a thousand years have passed; many things are different. You should take a look."
Olivia was silent for a moment.
Rhodes's invitation, combined with Flamme's previous persuasion, finally led her to a decision.
She nodded gently. "I will obey your arrangement, Lord Rhodes."
Serie listened from the side, pursing her lips inwardly, but on the surface, she couldn't say anything to object.
After all, Olivia's ability was indeed useful, and Rhodes had already extended the invitation.
"Very good." A smile appeared on Rhodes's face. "Flamme, take Solitär-Flamme to the underground first."
Flamme responded and led the still-fearful Solitär-Flamme toward the underground area of the Association. Olivia followed Flamme and left as well.
Watching Olivia's retreating back, Serie gritted her teeth secretly. Finally, she could only huff and turn toward the training ground.
She decided to vent her annoyance toward Olivia doubly onto those unlucky apprentices of hers, Alvin and the others.
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