"So, what did you want to talk to me about, Athena Hellness?"


    Twenty meters from where they had been standing earlier, Liliana folded her arms over her huge chest and gazed at Athena with her usual indifferent and cold demeanor.


    Just moments ago, Athena had requested a private conversation, leaving Liliana somewhat confused, but she didn''t refuse.


    As long as Athena didn''t pose a threat or something simr, Liliana didn''t harbor much hostility towards her.


    After all, the Dragon Empire and the Demon Empire had maintained contact since the time of her second ancestor, Morgan Crimson, even though the rtionship between the two empires was neither particrly good nor bad.


    In response to Liliana''s cold and indifferent demeanor, Athena smiled faintly and shook her head slightly.


    "Liliana Crimson, could you at least soften your cold and indifferent attitude? After all, I''m hundreds of years old and several generations older than you," Athena said in a light tone, like a senior offering advice.


    Liliana rolled her eyes mockingly, but she did not dispute the statement.


    Indeed, as a dragon, Athena had a very long lifespan,parable to that of her great-grandfather''s generation.


    But did she care? Of course not!


    In this world, strength was paramount, especially for her as the Demon Emperor, the pir and foundation of the Demon race''s survival and advancement. She could not show weakness to anyone, including Athena.


    This stemmed not only from her arrogant nature but also from her responsibility as the leader of the entire Demon race.


    Of course, there were a few exceptions to whom she couldn''t disy her arrogant attitude—her three daughters and Leon.


    Aside from them, she didn''t care and would maintain her domineering demeanor with everyone else.


    Swiftly, Liliana snapped out of her reverie and gave Athena her usual cold stare.


    "If you called me just to discuss something like this, then you may leave now, Athena," Liliana remarked indifferently, showing no kindness at all.


    Athena smiled slightly and did not press further about her demeanor.


    "Alright, let''s get to the topic I wanted to discuss," Athena stated with a tone full of majesty before continuing. "I want to know if that man is truly your husband, or are you trying to deceive me?"


    Upon hearing this, Liliana frowned slightly, casting a look of dissatisfaction at Athena.


    "Didn''t I say that I didn''t lie about that?" Liliana asked coldly.


    "Well, it''s not that I don''t believe it, but I''m rather amazed that a woman like you could get a husband, which is rather unexpected," Athena replied in a slightly mocking tone, nearly provoking Liliana to explode with anger.


    However, she swiftly restrained herself, taking a breath to calm down while maintaining the same mocking expression.


    "Hehehe! If your reason for admiration is my having a husband, then I''m even more amazed at you, a dragon who is hundreds of years older than me but doesn''t have a husband or even a partner." Liliana retorted, a mocking smile dancing on her alluring lips.


    Upon hearing this, the mocking smile on Athena''s lips froze slightly, gradually reced by anger on her exceptional, beautiful face.


    The topic of partners was a sensitive one for Athena, particrly because it brought to mind how Leon had rejected her, sparking a confrontation between them.


    Liliana''s words felt like salt rubbed into a wound!


    "Liliana Crimson, are you provoking me to fight?" Athena inquired coldly as a fiery red aura suddenly erupted from her body, condensing around her in a menacing disy.


    "Hehehe~ If that''s what you want, then I''ll ept it," Liliana retorted with a cold smile, her blood-red aura intensifying around her.


    The two women exchanged intense gazes, brimming with hostility, as their auras finally dissipated simultaneously.


    "Humph!" they both snorted coldly in unison, arms folded across their huge chests, each refusing to meet the other''s eyes.


    After a moment, Athena took a deep breath, attempting to calm herself, before slowly fixing her gaze on Liliana, who stood opposite her.


    "Alright, I won''t waste any more time," Athena remarked in her usual indifferent and cold manner as she continued, "The real reason I called you was to inquire about your altercation with Sword Hero Leon Kruger on the Dessert of Chaos."


    Listening to this, Liliana''s previously cold expression quickly morphed into shock as she turned her head to stare at Athena.


    "What does he have to do with you?" Liliana asked, her tone cautious and wary.


    From the outset, she had suspected a connection between Leon and Athena, particrly noting Leon''s tense demeanor upon Athena''s arrival.


    Furthermore, Leon''s abrupt adoption of the name ''Leon Orion'' when questioned by Athena earlier only solidified her suspicion of their concealed rtionship.


    Now, with Athena directly addressing this issue, how could she possibly maintain herposure?


    "Just answer my question. Did you truly kill him, as imed and dered by the Holy Empire of Elysium, or is he still alive? I expect an honest response, because if not, I will indeed engage in battle with you, even if it costs me my life," Athena replied with a cold re in her fiery-red eyes, instantly casting a gloomy atmosphere over the scene.


    The news of Leon''s death had been disseminated by the Holy Empire of Elysium, and although Athena harbored doubts about its validity, she sought confirmation from Liliana, whom the Empire had used as the perpetrator of Leon''s demise.


    Faced with Athena''s question, apanied by a threat, Liliana showed no fear but felt somewhat puzzled.


    It was the first time she had seen Athena disy such concern toward someone, which naturally left her surprised but also cautious.


    Leon was her man, and she couldn''t allow another woman to entertain thoughts about him.


    Taking a deep breath, Liliana suppressed the suspicion in her heart and replied nonchntly, "The sword hero Leon Kruger is not dead but alive. His power is formidable; it''s not easy for him to perish."


    She had no intention of disclosing her rtionship with Leon to Athena until she understood the full extent of their connection.


    Upon hearing this, Athena''s anger gradually abated, reced by happiness as a beautiful smile graced her lips.


    "So that''s it; I had expected he couldn''t be dead, and the Holy Empire of Elysium must have made a mistake," Athena remarked with a slight sigh, further alerting Liliana and instilling a sense of crisis.


    "Athena Hellness, can you tell me about your rtionship with Leon Kruger?" Liliana inquired, her eyes narrowing slightly.


    "Hehehe, are you curious?" Athena responded yfully, her demeanor now more rxed and cheerful than before.


    "Of course I''m curious," Liliana replied coldly before continuing, "After all, he and I are enemies."


    Athena remained silent upon hearing this, her smile still radiant with happiness.


    After a while, she closed her eyes, idly ying with her long hair, before answering in an affectionate tone, "Leon Kruger and I hehehe~ are a couple."