Although Simon hated and was disgusted by the Odrasils because of their vile actions, the main reason he wanted to kill Varreth was because the Odrasil was also dangerous to him.
Simon had a feeling that if he did not kill Varreth, Varreth would pass the trials and successfully become an initiate.
And Simon could not live in peace knowing that an Odrasil was living close to him.
The reason been that one does not have to only eat the Longevity fruit to become addicted to it. Its juices could also be used.
There were cases in the past where some powerful heroes had their drinks and wine poisoned with the juices of the Longevity Fruit, thereby making them addicts of the crimson fruit.
Ths Odrasils were dangerous to him, and Simon wanted to kill any that was close to him.
’Hmm. He’s still closing his eyes... I see.’
Simon finally looked at Thorgan.
"What do you know about the Odrasils?"
"Hmm? Wha-?" Thorgan seemed out of it as he stared at the scene of madness at the massive dead tree.
Simon repeated again. "What do you know about the Odrasils? I don’t like repeating my questions."
Thorgan glanced at him before looking back at Varreth.
"Huh... Not much honestly. I know that the Odrasils can control wood but they don’t love to fight. I was wondering why one was in the trial."
Simon nodded. ’Just as I expected. He doesn’t know much, and it’s the same for many demons. The Odrasils try to keep their nature and things about them hidden even from the entire demon realm. Only those who actively study about them would know their abilities.’
’And this is probably why there are so many candidates who consumed the Longevity Fruit.’
’Many demons don’t like studying after all.’
Simon shifted his gaze to the girl who had brought them here, then he looked back at Varreth.
"Well, first of all. Just like you said, the Odrasils can control the wood element, and since we’re in a terrain with multiple trees, our battle is going to be very dangerous."
Thorgan absentmindedly nodded.
"Second, we might have to battle every single candidate that has been enslaved by him... No... Not might, we would definitely battle them. So, we have to be wary of them."
Thorgan nodded absentmindedly again, and Simon continued.
"Third, be wary of those fruits. Don’t let them enter your system no matter what."
This time around, Thorgan stared at the crimson fruits hanging from the tree.
"And fourth..."
Simon paused, then he tilted his head to the side, dodging a dagger that barely missed his face.
"And fourth, an Odrasil can see through the eyes, hear the through the ears, speak through the mouth, and control any demon it has enslaved beyond a certain point."
Thorgan was taken aback by the sudden appearance of the dagger, and he turned and looked at the girl who now had a completely different expression compared to before.
No longer did she have a frightened and fearful expression. Now, she was calm, cold, and indifferent as she stared at both Simon and Thorgan.
"The hell?"
A dagger appeared in Thorgan’s hands as he got into a stance. Meanwhile, Simon calmly turned and looked at the girl.
"Took you long enough to show your face." Simon said indifferently, and the girl smiled at Simon.
Then she spoke, but the voice that came out was not hers but of Varreth.
"You seem to know a lot about us, and it’s quite... unnerving."
Simon also smiled, then he looked at Thorgan.
"Kill her."
Thorgan blinked. "What?"
"I said, kill her. The bastard now has his eyes open." Simon gestured at Varreth behind them, and Thorgan turned and looked.
Just like Simon said, Varreth’s eyes were opened and he was staring them with dozens of tentacles sticking out of his body and his three horrifying faces.
Thorgan said nothing, then he flicked his right hand and shot out a dagger coated in his demonic energy at the girl.
Puchi!
The girl could not react as the speed of the dagger was too fast and it was unexpected. It pierced her forehead and she fell to the ground with a thud.
Simon took one last look at her, then he turned and looked at Varreth.
"You seem to have enjoyed and benefited from this trial a lot." Simon smiled at Varreth, and Varreth looked at him calmly with the face of a weeping boy.
Though, Simon could see the confusion in his eyes.
"Why are you against me? Why do you want to kill me so badly? You even went as far as looking for my followers to find me."
Simon chuckled softly. "And you led me right to you. I knew you were the one controlling her back then, and I’m quite relieved you led me to you."
Varreth raised a brow. "I don’t understand the hatred you have for me. I have done nothing to you."
A thought then appeared in Varreth’s mind, then he looked down at his nutrients.
"Could it be that one of them is your family member, friend, or lover? Or could it be that one of my people did something to somebody you cared about, and now you’re taking out your anger on me?"
Varreth shifted his gaze to Simon, and Simon nonchalantly shrugged.
"You don’t have to worry about that, just know that I’m going to kill you today. My face would be the last thing you see."
Varreth tilted his head slightly. "I’d advise against that. As you can see, I’m already a Superior Fiend, and I’m an environment that makes me a lot stronger than normal. While you’re just a Minor- huh- wait- a Superior Lesser Demon? How?"
Varreth was stunned to the core when he finally sensed Simon’s true heart rank.
The reason why he was able to increase his heart rank so quickly in less than twenty four hours was because he had access to so many nutrients.
But Simon was a Minor Lesser Demon the last time he saw him.
How could he have advanced to a Superior Lesser Demon so quickly?
’How is this possible?’ Varreth thought with a baffled expression.