"Mister Ricky, how much do you know about human devils?" Queenie asked as a smile tempered the steel in her voice. She hadn't fully let her guard down, but after Ricky calmed himself down, she also stopped acting as threatening as before.
"I heard that there are living creatures called human devils in this world. That's all I know," answered Ricky. A resentful sneer dimmed the smile on Queenie's face when she heard his answer.
"You are right. We, human devils, are all low-level creatures to both creatures born on the continent and creatures of devil race. A genius like you, Mister Ricky, will never be interested in knowing that," she remarked indignantly.
However, despite the resentment that her words held, Ricky could tell that she felt helpless and indignant toward the situation as well.
'I guess the situation of human devils is not as good as I previously thought, ' reflected Ricky. Although honestly, he never gave much thought to human devils at all. But after hearing what Queenie said, he now understood why she felt that way. Unfortunately, he didn't have time to dwell on other people's problems, as he also had issues of his own.
At that moment, he still had a lot of problems that he needed to solve.
"I don't know about other people, but I never look down upon anyone or any race," Ricky told Queenie sincerely. "Even if they are my enemies, I will not judge them based on their bloodline and background. If I consider them my enemies, then it is because of their actions and not for anything else," he continued.
"I see that you are quite open-minded, Mister Ricky," responded Queenie, as one of her eyebrows lifted in disbelief. She had a hard time believing him, as life had taught her the opposite.
Since she was a child, she had learned never to believe anyone else except human devils. Otherwise, she would get hurt.
"We, human devils, have been trying our best to survive in this world over the past years. We have to deal with all the creatures born on the continent and creatures of devil race, and that is not an easy thing to do. I am sure you know that," stated Queenie.
She paused for a short while, reminiscing the hardships that she had faced in the past. And as Ricky looked at her in the eyes, he too could sense the difficulties she had suffered.
"Judging from your situation, I can only guess how hard it must have been, but I'm sure it is a hundred times harder than I can imagine," Ricky responded somberly, as he was aware of the delicacy of their topic, and he didn't want to say something insensitive.
"To be honest, we are truly grateful to all the creatures born on the continent, for many of you are just and kind. Their kind hearts are the reason that human devils have survived there until this day," added Queenie.
Then, she paused and studied Ricky. She had to take the time and breathe, for her words, at that moment, weighed heavily on her soul.
"However, in this world where the weak would fall prey to the strong, strength is the only thing that matters. And the most important reason that human devils have gotten to where they are today is mostly because of our strength," she continued.
Ricky nodded along and chimed in, "I agree with you there. In this world, strength is the only thing that talks. Trust and friendship between friends can carry you through the distance, but there is always a big chance that those who call themselves friends are not honest with each other. If you are dishonest to your friends, then what is the difference between friends and enemies? It is hypocritical to say that you are friends and then betray each other at the first chance you get."
Queenie listened to all these quietly, surprise widening her eyes. "You impress me. I wasn't aware that you thought that way," said Queenie.
She could not stop the small smile that found its way to her lips, and she nodded with a satisfied air at Ricky.
"Thanks for your appreciation," he answered at once with a vague amusement in his voice. "Our ancestors have been protecting and developing the ancestral land of our people for countless years to strengthen us.
This land seized the essence of heaven and earth, with the power of the sun and moon, to cast the grand humanoid evil tree," explained Queenie. A small gasp escaped Ricky, as he waited for her to elaborate. In the end, he could not help but ask, "Grand humanoid evil tree? What is that?" "For us human devils, it is a holy tree," she readily answered.
"The grand humanoid evil tree has two kinds of powers, and both of these are sacred and ancient. It holds an evil spirit and the continent spirit. Once a human devil manages to obtain a grand humanoid evil tree, he can become sacred by absorbing the power of the tree," explained Queenie.
"You mean, just one tree could make a human devil sacred? That's amazing," exclaimed Ricky, sounding awed and pleasantly surprised.
"That's for sure. As I mentioned, this ancestral land was developed by our numerous predecessors in the past, and it had cost countless years to be created. It only exists in the void, and only a human devil's direct descendants can enter it.
Then do you know why they cast this land in the void? Make a guess," said Queenie.
"I have a theory about it, so correct me if I am wrong. Your ancestors were afraid that human devils might be destroyed, so they built this land where your race could be reborn. After all, a human devil's identity is very sensitive. If the creatures on the continent don't trust them, they will be killed, and your race might die out," Ricky assumed.
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