Chapter 262 – Chapter 262 ― Gap (2)
Chapter 262 ― Niche (2)
“Accept humans as prisoners. Humans are no longer food. Aren’t some of them already trying to make you and your people’s land prosperous? Humans caught will be dealt with lawfully afterwards, but at least we must not threaten humans who have previously chosen to coexist with us.”
– All right. Your majesty.
— I will obey your order. Your majesty.
The Grand Dukes of Seohyeolryeong and Southern Darkryeong, who experienced the battle, each answered. The border between Northern Baengnyeong and Merde is still quiet, and Eastern Hwangryeong is at the far end of Evirgio, so there is no direct engagement.
“The humans who are currently in training or the humans in the border cities will be sent to the Eastern Emperor as much as possible. Can you accept it?”
– Do not worry. Didn’t you expect that humans would increase? I had it ready.
“Once again, God marveled at His Majesty’s wisdom. How did you foresee that the king of men would make such a foolish decision?”
Chancellor Aranya admired,
Lyron, who was sitting next to him, nodded and scratched his jawbone.
“About a month ago. I was dubious when you suddenly said that humans might come across the border in the future.
I apologize for the fact that humans who had not shown any military action suddenly resumed the war, but it was hard to believe.”
Minoreus’s eyes widened at the slightly cheeky words, but everyone felt the atmosphere agreeing with Lee Ron’s words. Araña, who nodded his head after hearing Liron’s words, also accepted his words.
“Indeed it is. The last war must have made the humans realize that we are not easy opponents. Why do humans want to start such an unfavorable fight in the first place? What is the basis for Your Majesty’s prediction?”
— If you can advise your vassals of Your Majesty’s insights on humans, it will be of great help in the future.
Seohyeollord helped with a word.
The demons do not understand the behavior of the human king, who obviously tries to attack the stronger one. It’s just an act unknown to the demons.
Roan gathered his thoughts and opened his mouth.
“What you need to keep in mind is that the thoughts of human kings and leaders are very different from the way we demons think.”
Small meetings and secretaries filling the meeting room,
And even the great lords beyond the magic ball held their breath and listened to Roan.
While the core of Roan is human, they are all demons and are among the strongest in this country.
In the end, it is difficult to understand humans who are relatively weak and have not had proper exchanges.
“Most of the leaders and strong people of the demons are those who have ‘proved their qualifications’. How did the chancellor become the family head?”
Upon receiving the sudden question, Aranya widened her eyes. The thorns in her arms snapped momentarily.
“I fought a duel with the former family leader and won.”
“How do you keep the head of the household?”
“If anyone challenges, I will defeat them.”
“How many members have challenged your position so far?”
“About nine. Including my eldest daughter behind me.”
The half-Arachne, who serves as Aranya’s secretary, bowed her head in shame.
“Then, when will the head of the demon tribe change?”
“I often withdraw myself when I think I am running out of strength. I’ll probably do that too… I have no intention of doing that now. Your majesty. I am strong enough.”
Aranya grinned.
She may be hundreds of years old, but her movements are terrifyingly fast. Befitting her wisdom, her magical abilities are also known to be outstanding. In other words, she is a balanced type of strong person, and is a talented person who is suitable for sitting in the seat of the Prime Minister, the second person in this country.
“Yes. The leader of the demon tribe is often the strongest among the members, and does not face major internal conflicts. No one doubts its rank.
However, human beings become leaders who have other qualifications, not strength. And after that, you have to prove your strength.”
Minoreus blinked.
“I have heard of it, but it is also difficult to understand at first glance. So, do subordinates follow the orders of those less powerful than themselves without question?”
“Okay. Human society is like that. So no problem. Whether it’s us demons or their humans, it’s because it’s our instinct to follow the leader’s words that are ‘worth it’.”
“Are you saying that Sprouse III is not enough?”
“It did seem that way.”
Shykvienna added a sullen voice to the chancellor’s tidying up.
Most of these present were present at the Armistice Agreement.
Some shook their heads, recalling the image of the indecisive and incompetent king who was swayed by the magician’s words.
“Okay. The human king is currently a person whose abilities are being questioned even in Merde. So he has to fight this war. War can weaken the power of the nobility, and it is an opportunity to strengthen one’s own power.”
“… But His Majesty forced a truce.”
“Then the king of men… They are driven as much as they can into a corner, so this is the only way out.”
Liron stroked his bony chin and came to his own conclusion. Roan nodded lightly, confirming his words.
“Human kings are weak, so legitimacy is important to force someone. He presented the common enemy of humans, the demons, but the demons actually stopped the war. Then there is only one option left for him. He has to prove he was right.”
“Otherwise, are you saying that everyone around the king will hold the king accountable?”
Minoreus blinked his naive eyes. Roan also agreed with that statement.
“Yes. That’s why human leaders value causes more than us demons, and use relationships with each other to do politics. And that’s why the war was only a matter of time.”
The secretaries behind the meeting made small noises and made eye contact. And Roan decided to add a few more words here.
In the past, when I had no intention of attacking Merde, I was looking at my liver while holding onto the information, but since the war started like this, I must win.
Sharing the information Roan knows with the Demon Command will help in some small way to victory.
“And besides his relationship with the nobility, Sprouse III has several other reasons to start this war and end it in victory.”
– What is.
The heavy voice of the centaur lord was heard from beyond the magic ball.
“He tried to assassinate Jim.”
And though I couldn’t see
A suffocating silence filled the conference room as if an intense wave had spread through the room.
Roan felt dizzy for a moment at all the intense emotions and voices that followed.
“What… ?!”
“You dare to assassinate?”
“Your Majesty, what do you mean?”
— Has an assassin invaded the imperial castle?
All kinds of threatening sounds came from the field and beyond the magic sphere. The thorns all over Aranya’s body rattled as if blown by the wind, and magic shook like a haze in some of Sohei’s bodies.
Roan lightly waved his hand with a little force.
Everyone who saw the emperor’s gestures shut their mouths with embarrassed faces.
“I discovered that there was an assassination plan, and I blocked it beforehand. The assassin was appeased.”
“I apologize, Your Majesty.”
The faces of the chancellor and Minoreus were white. However, Anmut and Urtellia did not even attempt an assassination attempt.
“It happened. I was just lucky to find it before they even started their full-scale activities.”
Because I knew the future.
“We can talk about this separately. Anyway, what this suggests at this point is that, after all, the king of humans gave me an excuse first. But Jim didn’t move.”
The conference room, where anger had subsided, was silent. Roan continued his explanation.
“If Jim had lost his life, Sprouse III would have gotten everything easily, but he didn’t. If Jim had used this as an excuse to start a war, the king would have had a chance, but that didn’t happen.”
“You mean, in the end, humans couldn’t stand it and raised an army first.”
The chancellor asked.
“Yes. In addition, the recent atmosphere in Merde must have made Sprouse III more anxious.”
– No way… Is it because humans come to Evirgio?
Roan nodded silently, realizing that the West Blood Lord could not see his actions and replied.
“Okay. Merde is currently a mess. We haven’t had a proper harvest for several years, and we bought Arteala’s wheat. There is land available for farming, but there is not enough food right now, people are starving to death, and local estates are collapsing.”
– Ah…
A low, sighing voice came from beyond the magic sphere.
— Somehow, it was strange. The behavior of the captive soldiers secured in Seohyeolryeong… No life… I understand. Your majesty.
“Hmm. So it looks like you’re more anxious. If humans are taken away by Evirgio, farmers to farm and soldiers to fight will disappear.”
Following the words of the West Blood Lord, the financial management theory presented speculation. They are right.
“Yes. The country is shaking, and the method of provocation the king has devised has failed. The time to take responsibility is approaching. Sprouse III would have been driven to a point where it would be difficult to retreat any further.”
“I am impressed by your majesty’s eyes.”
Leelon bowed deeply, applauding Roan’s story.
Anyway, the situation that was difficult for them, as demons, to imagine, the emperor, Roan, personally visited Merde to find out and prepare for it.
The Small Council knows how diligently the Emperor went to and from Merde, prepared something, and tried to move the humans.
Members of the four sub-councils present here could not help but admire the Emperor’s ability and insight, and his capacity to embrace his human subjects nonetheless.
— It is already unforgivable that you have invaded us, Your Majesty’s territory, for human reasons.
It was the Grand Duke of Darkness of the Southern Dark Spirit who gave a cold voice.
This invasion is also a good cause for the grand duke. He, too, had done something on the front, and had therefore wanted the war to continue.
Besides, the Grand Duke’s anger was real.
He may be dealing with some humans, but his mercy is not directed towards others. Humans who have invaded the Southern Dark Spirit will be brutally butchered.
Whatever ambition he may have,
And no matter what schemes he plots against Roan.
First of all, he is the great lord of the Southern Dark Spirit, a servant of the Emperor of Evirgio, and faithful to his duties.
Apart from aiming for the position of superiors by force, demons instinctively fear the strong and follow their power.
That is why, no matter how challenging they may be, they can also become loyal servants at the same time.
Noticing this, the two were silent for a brief moment.
Roan might be able to use this opportunity. A faint smile appeared on his face.
“Okay. It is unforgivable.”
Everyone in the conference room corrected their postures at the voice that naturally conveyed ‘will’.
“It’s not because humans invaded the demons or their own people. If you dare to touch those under my protection, I will show you that you will pay the price.”
When the war is prolonged, everyone suffers.
A quick end to this war would be the most righteous ending for all.
And the quick end of the war
It comes from overwhelming power.
“Knight Commander.”
“Yes. Your majesty.”
“Jim himself will end this foolish war. Get ready.”
A look of surprise spread.
Even before the armistice, despite the war that dragged on for several years, he was an emperor who had never left the capital.
But the silence didn’t last long.
At a pace that can be said to be almost without hesitation
The knight commander replied.
“I will follow your orders.”
The corrections officer and treasurer bowed their heads.
The chancellor opened his mouth.
“I will follow orders. Your majesty. We will make preparations so that you can go to war quickly.”
The voices of the four great lords beyond the magic sphere came like a chorus.
— I obey Your Majesty’s orders.
It will be different from the war humans faced last time.
