Chapter 223: Aftermath

Max stored Varkhaz’s demon core in his inventory.

He planned on giving it to the Demon Research Division to study the demonic core and hopefully find a way to create weapons effective against demons by collaborating with the Guild Artificers.

However, before giving it to the Demon Research Division, he had to show it to Lord Cassian Mireth—to complete his personal quest and receive the bountiful rewards.

Not only was he excited about receiving the million EXP points, but he was also highly curious about the mystery gift.

Aside from Varkhaz’s demon core, there were other materials to be looted from Varkhaz himself.

Since Varkhaz was at the peak of the Greater Demon rank, most of the materials obtained from him were Pseudo-Unique grade.

In fact, the inventory showed the quality of Varkhaz’s demon core as Pseudo-Unique rank.

However, instead of looting them, Max had no use for them anyway, so it was best to give them to the Demon Hunters Guild for research purposes, helping accelerate its progress.

Max glanced at the main battlefield and saw that the battle had already concluded.

Every demon hunter was lying on the floor—some sat while leaning backward using their arms, while those who were physically exhausted simply lay on the ground and gazed at the beautiful night sky.

Max smiled.

Every demon hunter who survived was completely healed by Amelia and Seraphina, who appeared to have barely any mana left. Yet, they were lying on the floor, conveying just how mentally and physically exhausted they were.

Danny walked up to him, visibly exhausted as well.

But seeing the dead body of Varkhaz, his eyes gleamed with excitement—the thought of the Demon Research Division being able to produce results that would help the Artificer Division create inventions capable of aiding them in the fight against demons in the future exhilarated him.

When Danny arrived, he glanced at Darius beside him and imitated his action to greet Max.

Max didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he heard Danny say, "Congratulations on winning the battle, Guild Master."

"Mhm." Max nodded. "You’ve worked hard. Everyone contributed as well. Don’t forget that."

His voice was neither loud nor low, but every demon hunter heard it.

Max’s words rang in their minds, startling them awake.

They had been in a daze after finally killing every demon, not knowing how to react.

Now that the Guild Master confirmed that the Greater Demon and his legion had been annihilated, and that he acknowledged their contribution, a surge of excitement woke them up.

One after another, cheers erupted but quickly died down due to exhaustion.

Max chuckled.

"Give everyone plenty of rest. Then, we will return to the headquarters."

Danny was stunned. "We won’t continue?"

Max shook his head. "We should collect the loot and bring it back to the headquarters.

"Since we have already killed a Greater Demon and his legion today, we can expect no demons at that level to appear for the next three days.

"At best, the Empire’s frontier settlements will have to fight against monsters. They can handle it."

Danny was surprised.

He thought that since there was a demon invasion, it would entirely be demons who would invade. Who would have thought that monsters would invade as well?

Just what is happening? This might probably be the biggest invasion that the Empire has faced in the last decade.

Has there been unrest between the monsters’ tribes and the demons’ territory that compelled them to randomly attack the Empire?

Danny couldn’t determine the reason, but since the Guild Master had already spoken, he didn’t say anything and complied.

The Guild Master had always been a visionary leader, as if he not only knew what would happen in the future, but truly understood the very reason why such a future would arrive.

Truly, an admirable leader that Danny looked up to.

In fact, he had initially thought that Max’s class hid his potential as a future high-ranking tactician. But since he was a Summoner, his decision-making and abilities were closer to those of a tactician, truly making the class suit him.

Danny watched as Max raised his hand and cast one spell after another, recalling his Radiant Knights to his Conclave Network.

Using Radiant Weave, he carried the Holy Knight’s body to Seraphina, causing the latter’s eyebrows to raise.

Such treatment... Seraphina didn’t know what to say.

If any other religious member saw how Max treated the Holy Knight, forget the fact that he was the bearer of an extremely rare Divine Authority—they would not hesitate to throw stones at him.

However, Seraphina could not deny Max’s contributions. If it was not for him, the Holy Knight might have died from the Greater Demon’s massive greatsword.

"Enough," said Seraphina helplessly. "Just leave him there. I will take care of him."

Max nodded and canceled his Radiant Weave spell.

Once Seraphina tended to the Holy Knight’s health condition, he turned towards Greyfen Village and smiled.

I guess it’s time to visit the village.

Max’s visit was not mostly about being sentimental.

He was seeking an opportunity.

Now that he had killed the demon behind Archmage Arlen and Blade Saint Branna’s deaths, Max was hoping for the lieutenant and the other B-rankers to reward him.

Max swept his gaze around and could confirm that it was currently safe.

The place was beyond wrecked and was far different from its previous appearance.

Furthermore, lingering mana still floated in the air, though the demonic mana, especially the Hellfire, was being extinguished by the divine mana of the Authority of Salvation.

It would only be a matter of time before the place could recover with the help of the Empire.

For now, Max gazed at it for as long as he could, wanting to engrave the current state of the place into his mind, as it was the first large-scale battle he had participated in as the leader.

He was normally just an Elementalist Mage on the main battlefield.

Being at the back, overseeing the battlefield and eliminating the opponent’s primary leader was a reality he could not have dared to imagine...

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