Chapter 47: A Private Conspiracy.

At the frontier where the demon race and humanity met.

A heavy flatbed wagon, pulled by skeletal beasts, stood in a forest clearing.

It was piled high with high-purity magic crystals shimmering with arcane light, black crystals sealed with souls, and all kinds of rare body-refining medicinal materials.

“Clack, clack…”

The crisp sound of bones colliding drew closer.

Bane’s tall figure, fully encased in black armor, with ghostly blue flames flickering in his eyes, slowly emerged from the shadows.

At that moment, the air twisted.

It was as if countless tiny drops of blood were condensing in the void.

In the next instant, Ravina’s figure materialized out of thin air.

“Skeleton head,” she giggled.

She skipped lightly to the wagon and licked her cracked lips.

“You’re really generous.”

“So many good things.”

“Just looking at them makes my heart flutter.”

As she spoke, she casually rummaged through the magic crystals on the cart.

Bane stood to the side.

His bony fingers lightly tapped against his arm guard, producing a rhythmic clack, clack.

He smiled and said, “If you wish to join us, you’re welcome anytime.”

“With your strength, you’d be my ideal ally.”

Hearing this, Ravina’s smile grew even wider.

She suddenly spun around and dashed in front of Bane.

She stared at him with an extremely strange expression.

“Oh? Really?”

She whispered excitedly, her voice sending chills down the spine.

“I’m almost tempted to join your ranks, Lord Bane~”

The blue flames in Bane’s eye sockets flickered slightly.

He replied calmly, “I’ll be waiting.”

Ravina’s smile suddenly froze.

She took half a step back and spread her hands, putting on an exaggerated look of regret.

“What a pity.”

“That old hag put restrictions on me.”

“I can’t come over to your side.”

Bane let out a low laugh.

“If you’re willing, I’ll do everything I can to help you.”

“Our common enemies are the rotten human empire.”

“And that Demon King who tries to rule everything with false peace.”

“Is that so?”

Ravina leaned in again.

This time, her hand boldly touched Bane’s cold chest armor.

Her fingertips traced the hard texture of bone and metal.

Her voice carried a coquettish tone,真假难辨.

“Bane, you really are such a good person.”

Bane didn’t push her away.

Instead, he reached out with a bony hand and lightly patted her shoulder.

“Don’t worry,” Bane said.

His voice carried a strange, soothing quality.

“This is a private transaction between the two of us.”

“Like lovers whispering secrets.”

“The human inquisitors won’t discover it.”

Ravina burst into crisp laughter.

The sound was especially piercing in the silent forest.

“Oh, I didn’t expect you to think it through so seriously.”

She withdrew her smile.

Her eyes sharpened, turning serious.

“Alright then.”

“I’ll wait for you.”

She reached out and lightly tapped Bane’s skull-like cheek.

“When the day comes that you can remove this damned rune placed on me…”

“I’ll join your command.”

“From then on, I’ll follow your lead alone.”

“Alright, alright,” Bane waved his hand dismissively.

His bony finger pointed once more at the fully loaded wagon.

“Hurry up and eat these delicacies I prepared for you.”

“If they sit too long, someone might notice.”

“And that would ruin our plans.”

Ravina nodded with a smile and turned toward the wagon.

The moment she approached the resources—

The palm of her right hand suddenly split open.

A gaping, blood-red maw filled with tiny sharp teeth appeared out of nowhere.

The mouth let out a silent hiss.

Then it erupted with terrifying suction, like a black hole.

The magic crystals, soul crystals, and medicinal materials on the wagon—

As if seized by invisible giant hands—

Turned into streams of light and rushed wildly into the massive mouth in her palm.

That mouth devoured everything greedily.

It emitted wet gurgle gurgle chewing sounds.

Bane stood silently to the side, watching closely.

When the last crystal was swallowed, the mouth slowly closed.

It vanished back into her palm.

The entire process took only moments.

The wagon, once full, was now completely empty.

Bane looked at Ravina.

She was unscathed.

There wasn’t even the slightest fluctuation of magic around her.

He tapped his chin lightly and let out a curious chuckle.

“Ravina, you ate all of that.”

“And you don’t feel unwell at all?”

Ravina turned around.

A satisfied smile rested on her face.

She rolled her wrist, as if sensing the condition inside her body.

Then she suddenly leaned close.

One hand rested on Bane’s shoulder armor.

The other gently stroked his skull-like cheek.

Her voice carried playful amusement.

“Very good.”

“What you gave me was delicious.”

She leaned in close and spoke each word clearly.

“But you added a little seasoning inside.”

“Some runes that make others listen to you.”

The blue flames in Bane’s eyes shrank sharply.

They instantly grew solemn.

Yet he did not panic.

Ravina looked at him and smiled brightly.

“Bane, you’re being too impatient.”

“I do want to follow you, but—”

She paused.

Her voice suddenly turned cold.

“You have to remove the rune placed on me first.”

“Otherwise, everything is just an illusion.”

Hearing her words, Bane froze for a moment.

Then he let out a low laugh.

“Ravina, hearing you say that actually makes me happy.”

“I’ll do everything I can to help you find a way to remove the rune on you.”

“After all, a powerful ally…”

“Is far more useful than a bound madwoman.”

“Hehehe,” Ravina laughed lightly.

Her laughter was crisp and pleased.

“Then I’ll be counting on you, Bane~”

She asked with a smile.

“By the way, hasn’t the Demon King reacted at all yet?”

“I’ve almost torn through the western front.”

“Isn’t she worried her royal city will be left wide open?”

Bane watched her quietly.

Toward this woman once regarded as a madman, a different evaluation quietly formed in his heart.

He spoke slowly.

“I don’t know what the Demon King is thinking.”

“But judging from the current situation…”

“She has no intention of coming to the front lines.”

“She seems far more concerned with the little kittens in her own backyard.”

“But don’t worry,” Bane’s voice took on a manic edge.

“If she won’t come, I have ways to make her come.”

“If she won’t come looking for me…”

“Then I’ll deliver the battlefield right to her doorstep.”

Hearing this, Ravina’s smile grew even brighter.

She tilted her head and looked at Bane with great interest.

“Oh?”

“And what method would that be?”

Her voice carried a teasing tone.

“Aren’t you afraid that being too extreme will cause your plan to fail before it even begins?”

“That would be such a shame.”

“Hehehehehe.”

Bane suddenly burst into loud laughter.

The sound echoed through the silent forest.

“Ravina, you really are interesting,” he said with a laugh.

“I originally thought you were just a madwoman who only knew how to kill and devour.”

“I didn’t expect you to think this deeply.”

“This far ahead.”

“What an interesting madwoman.”

“Oh my,” Ravina said, pretending to be shy in her eerie tone.

“Look at how you’re thinking of me.”

She blinked.

Madness and clarity intertwined in her eyes.

“But well…”

“I do get a bit crazy sometimes.”

“Especially when I’m hungry.”

She licked her lips.

Her gaze locked onto Bane.

“But that’s exactly why…”

“I won’t let my future partner die so easily.”

“Your life…”

“Will be used to take blows for me in the future.”