Chapter 58: One last class
Lirazel’s golden eyes shimmered with something between curiosity and calculation as she floated closer, her wings gently flapping in rhythm with her measured breaths.
The space between them was thick with unspoken tension.
Finally, she spoke again, her voice returning to that careful tone Nolan had come to recognize as her ’serious’ mode.
"Considering that the creature you killed was weaker than the average native spawn of this realm," she began, "it’s likely that whoever sent it was only testing the waters."
Nolan tilted his head slightly. "Testing?"
"Yes," she said, nodding once, slowly. "A preliminary probe. They were gauging whether this territory is safe for more substantial deployment. It’s standard strategy. And now that you’ve killed their spawn so easily—and without even using a weapon I provided—they’ll likely assume that you’re a threat."
Nolan raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Lirazel elaborated, her tone quickening with excitement. "They’ll think the one who killed that creature was just a strong native. An aboriginal. It’s the safest assumption for them. And if there are aboriginals strong enough to kill one of us, even the weaker ones, then their own spawns will retreat."
"Wait..." Nolan narrowed his eyes, "You’re saying that they might actually back off?"
Lirazel nodded again. "For now. Demon God spawns or not, we’re not stupid. If there’s a chance this plane holds native threats strong enough to injure or kill us, we’re trained to retreat and observe. Only come back when we’re strong enough to handle it."
Nolan blinked, utterly thrown. "But... I thought mortals couldn’t hurt you guys?"