"Leaving the underground dungeon?" Upon hearing Connor's decision, Serence and Lilith both expressed their surprise. "Why?" Unlike Serence, who was loyal enough to carry out an order even if it meant self-destruction, Lilith dared to question the command of the Nexus Overlord: "Various demon kings visit us with ulterior motives. Are we afraid of them?"
I am afraid.
At the moment, nothing abnormal can be found, but over time, something will inevitably give away. If someone finds out that the current Nexus Overlord has lost all his power, they will surely rush forward and take everything away.
Not to mention there are heroes.
These enemies in fate will not flatter you or deceive you with empty promises.
Now that he and Nexus Citadel are on a precarious edge, which hero would not want to lead a large group of adventurers to kill the most famous Demon King and enjoy endless glory and wealth from then on?
If he doesn't leave now, is he going to stick his neck out for the other side's knife?
Of course, he can think like this but cannot say it out loud.
Connor looked directly at his two confused subordinates and said: "Nexus Citadel has been established for a century now. Speaking objectively, how do you feel about its development?"
"It is naturally excellent," Serence responded without hesitation. "As your creation, we are proud of your success in changing professions within a hundred years to become history's first successful transmigrated Demon King."
Connor shook his head and laughed: "No. Serence, you're thinking from my perspective. I've been in seclusion for one hundred years; everything revolved around me during that time. The resources of this underground city were so limited that they could have been used to improve your strength and quality of life."
"But now all the magic crystals have been used on me instead," Connor continued.
"I have succeeded in changing professions but what about you guys?"
Upon hearing Connor's words, Serence knelt down repeatedly: "As your creations, we should serve you."
"As a mainstay of Nexus Citadel for such a long time," Connor said slowly as if reflecting upon himself,
"I've only cared about improving my own strength while ignoring affairs within the city itself.
Is there enough food? Is our army strong enough? Are our weapons top-notch? Is our city defense stable? Are our people living happily? Have their spiritual needs been met?
I don't know anything about any of these things; other underground cities have made tremendous progress over one hundred years with demon kings supporting doorkeepers - working together towards common goals.
But what about us? Besides you two (Serene & Lilith), there isn't even a third gatekeeper or any other defense facility within this underground city...
I'm ashamed."
Connor covered his face with sorrowful sighs below before resigning his guilt decree finally.
Serence was overwhelmed with gratitude, tears streaming down his face. Connor's figure seemed to grow even taller in his eyes, and he trembled as he spoke: "The other gatekeepers are currently searching for magic crystals all over the world for you, my lord. As long as you-"
"That's not what I mean!" Connor interrupted with a stern voice. "You have served me for a hundred years, and how could I not fulfill my responsibility as the city lord? That is why I have decided to go to the human world immediately to understand the overall situation, make connections with talented individuals, prepare military supplies and reserves, and explore economic lifelines."
"I will work hard throughout my life to build Nexus Citadel into a prosperous and powerful homeland," Connor continued.
"Serence, you are my creation and cannot leave here. Stay behind and continue serving as the acting city lord. Everything shall be done as usual. There are still a few months of peace period left; as long as I am not in the city, they won't be able to harm you."
"As for Lilith," Connor turned his gaze towards her. "It's up to you if you want to stay here and assist Serence or come with me to the human world to accomplish something great after signing the Master-Servant Contract - since then, you've become mine."
"Oh no! Your dragon," Lilith added playfully while tilting her head.
Serence wiped away his tears and said seriously: "My lord is benevolent; please allow me to send off your departure."
…
"This is the great mission that you're talking about?" Within the city of Lingang, there was a Merchant Association and Logistics Center. Lingang City was located on the east side of Nexus Citadel and was the most frequent city for bulk commodity trade in Wind Country. Because it was adjacent to the sea, it was named Lingang. It had three ports with an annual cargo throughput of hundreds of thousands of tons. Therefore, couriers were the most popular and common profession here.
Regardless of gender or age, anyone willing to work could come here and find a job.
Now, Connor was planning to return to his old profession; he was about to take on an order from Lingang City to deliver goods to Changfeng City, which was located in King's Capital.
"You...you...you are going to deliver packages?!"
"What's wrong with delivering packages? Delivery is a declaration letter; delivery is a propaganda team; delivery is a sower. Wherever delivery goes, the light of righteousness shines there."
"But we are Demon Kings! Our mission should be-"
"Okay. Let me ask you: What is the mission of a Demon King? Isn't it to defeat heroes?"
"Yes."
"Before defeating heroes, don't we have to knock on their door first?"
"Yes."
"So what is the mission of a courier? Isn't it to deliver packages to heroes?"
"Yes."
"Don't they also have to knock on their door before delivering packages?"
"Yes."
"There you go. If a Demon King has to knock on the hero's door and couriers also have to knock on their doors before delivering packages - then isn't a Demon King equivalent to a courier when rounded off?"
"You...you are ridiculous! You are so strong that you will expose yourself!"
"I have my own plan."
…
Entering the logistics center, one could see a bustling scene of clients and couriers coming and going. Connor brought Lilith to the counter to register for their courier service. According to the process, any courier who wanted to register with the Merchant Association had to undergo a vocational assessment. Depending on their potential, they would be assigned different levels of tasks and rewarded accordingly.
If they showed extraordinary talent during the assessment, they might even receive an offer from one of the three major delivery companies and skyrocket in their career.
After waiting in line for some time, Lilith placed her hand on the appraisal crystal ball. Suddenly, a dazzling golden light burst forth from it.
"Oh my god! It's...it's a mage!" The female clerk responsible for appraising exclaimed with a trembling voice.
Vocational potential was innate and there was no fairness involved. Whether you were a hero or demon king, warrior or mage, noble or commoner - you needed specific potential to pursue your desired occupation. Life-related jobs usually had relatively common potentials while combat-related jobs had rare ones. Among them, mage potential was one of the rarest.
Therefore when a mage appeared, it would attract attention from various forces - they were partners of heroes, nobles in kingdoms, elites within churches, and dignitaries at large trading companies. They were truly superior individuals; some people never even met mages throughout their entire lives.
Even just personally witnessing an appraisal that confirms someone as a mage would be enough for this clerk to boast about it for years.
"Ah! Esteemed Mage Lord, please take a seat." The clerk spoke with added politeness because Connor was accompanying Lilith.
To be able to accompany such an esteemed Mage Lord probably meant that they were exceptional individuals as well. Thinking this way, she gently held Connor's hand and placed it on top of the stone table surface.