Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

The sunrise slowly ascends from the horizon, and the bright sunlight dispels the mist that envelopes the harbor, revealing the ruined town.

Having received the news of the harbor’s downfall, the Demon Clan hurriedly arrived to gather intelligence, only to see Lux and Yongfang Chunlan calmly leaving the harbor on a boat from a distance.

The boat piloted by Lux is not large but fully equipped, not at all inferior to the world’s most advanced warships, capable of carrying the two of them to the Demon King City at the fastest speed.

This time, the Demon King’s attack was very swift.

To maintain their gains, there must be quite a few Demon Clan cadres stationed in various areas, making the strength at the Demon King City relatively ”empty.”

Hero Lux’s target is only the Demon King.

As long as he defeats the Demon King, he can use the device he carries to completely absorb the Devil King’s Power.

The sea breeze gently blows through the purple hair, and her furry ears sway with the wind as Yongfang Chunlan lightly taps the sea surface, splashing a string of water droplets.

The entire boat is under the protection of magic, so Lux and Yongfang Chunlan need not endure the massive waves generated by the boat’s high speed.

Just like sitting on a slow-moving raft over the lake’s surface.

Yongfang Chunlan looks up at Lux standing at the bow; his gaze unwaveringly fixed ahead, wary of any potential attacks.

Though it’s a rare moment of solitude for the two, Yongfang Chunlan doesn’t go up to chat, not wanting to disturb Lux.

Any time spent with Lux is her happiest time.

The boat swiftly sails on the sea, seeming to transport Yongfang Chunlan back to the distant past.

Yongfang Chunlan’s Chunlan is the name of a country.

That country used to be one where humans and subhumans coexisted peacefully.

Unfortunately, the peaceful coexistence between humans and subhumans was completely shattered by her birth.

Born to a human king and queen, yet she was a half-beast.

Her mother was suspected of having an affair with beastmen and was imprisoned along with her.

From the time Yongfang Chunlan could remember, her memories were only of the dim prison cell and the unpalatable food.

Her mother always tried to prove her innocence but never succeeded.

Yongfang Chunlan will never forget her mother’s gentle touch on her face and her tales of past experiences with the King.

Her mother insisted she was indeed the King’s child, her resemblance to the young King was undeniable—she could not be anyone else’s child.

Soon after, Yongfang Chunlan met the King, her father.

Unlike her mother’s descriptions, her father didn’t have the handsome appearance she imagined; his eyes were deeply sunken and lifeless, as if perpetually tormented.

When her father raised his head, his eyes held a different kind of light.

Her father proposed conditions—if her mother could kill her and confess to her involvement with someone, all would be forgiven.

Her mother did not accept these conditions and continued trying to prove her innocence.

In the end, the King stormed off in anger.

The young Yongfang Chunlan realized that perhaps only her complete demise would reunite her father and mother.

Yongfang Chunlan was willing to accept her death, tearfully pleading her mother to kill her.

Her mother did not comply but instead embraced her, earnestly advising her not to act foolishly.

To assure her mother, Yongfang Chunlan behaved obediently.

Yet such obedience yielded nothing.

King Chunlan united various human lands and persecuted the subhumans.

Even in such an environment, her mother remained concerned with the King’s safety, worried he might be deceived.

Anxiously, her mother grew thinner with time.

Yongfang Chunlan thought her life would end this way until a sudden turn of events.

The aging Lux, along with a group, silently broke into the prison, questioning her mother extensively.

That group cleared her mother’s name.

However, what awaited Yongfang Chunlan was not a family reunion.

Unable to accept the truth, King Chunlan hanged himself; upon learning the King’s demise, her mother also ended her life hastily in prison.

The group had come just a little too late.

The young Yongfang Chunlan watched her mother’s lifeless body, bereft of the courage to live on.

It was Lux who wrapped her in a warm embrace, assuring her not to worry, that everything would be alright.

Yongfang Chunlan regained hope to live, and cried her heart out.

After seeking others’ approval, Lux took her away from Chunlan, raising her alone for three years.

Through spending every day together for three years, Yongfang Chunlan gradually opened her heart to Lux.

Unfortunately, Lux had tasks that required his presence in Chunlan; when the time was up, he had to return to the Village of Heroes.

Three years.

Lux’s ”time away” had come to an end.

Lux attempted to have Yongfang Chunlan raised by someone else, but under her fierce opposition, he abandoned the idea.

Thus, Yongfang Chunlan followed Lux to live in the Village of Heroes.

What Yuanfang Chunlan didn’t expect was that as a hero who once saved the world, Lux received no special treatment; on the contrary, the villagers of the Village of Heroes were hostile towards Lux and looked down upon them.

Lux lived in the forest, away from the villagers, looking after a dilapidated house and several acres of land.

Despite seeming quite poor, Lux would always bring out various delicious foods and interesting items for her enjoyment.

Life wasn’t too bad, still manageable.

Except for the occasional group of little brats invading the forest, disrupting her and Lux’s peace.

Those little brats would throw stones at their house while shouting: ”Thief Old Man, Thief Old Man!”

Lux was indifferent, but it infuriated Yongfang Chunlan.

Soon their parents arrived, but they did not apologize to Lux, merely pulling their children away in haste.

That night, Lux talked with her for a long time.

Yongfang Chunlan took the opportunity to request to learn magic.

After thoughtful consideration, Lux agreed.

As a condition, Yongfang Chunlan had to make all sorts of promises to him and strictly adhere to them.

Lux proposed several conditions that were difficult for Yongfang Chunlan at the time, such as ”when someone insults me, you can be angry but absolutely cannot hit them” and ”when provoked, don’t fall for it easily and be led by the nose, you must ignore it.”

Though hard to accept, Yongfang Chunlan promised Lux eventually.

Later, Yongfang Chunlan understood that Lux set those conditions intending to let her join the Village of Heroes to learn knowledge.

Lux also had things he needed to do, so he couldn’t teach her constantly; Lux hoped Yongfang Chunlan could interact with others and learn how to get along with them.

Yongfang Chunlan understood Lux’s concerns with few complaints.

After Lux repeatedly lowered his head, Yongfang Chunlan finally entered the Village of Heroes’ Magic Church to study, and her talent began to unfold.

This is how Yongfang Chunlan slowly grew up.