Chapter 206

A troubling possibility slowly surfaced in her mind.

“Sheffy… do you think the rebel army might have received some kind of external aid?”

“Xia, you’re being smart for once.”

“For example… residents from the frontier cities, or maybe the Kingdom of Aurus gave them some kind of sealing magic technique?”

“Too bad. I praised you too soon.”

“!”

Xiarette could analyze things—but only halfway.

Livra stroked her chin in thought.

The strands of her ink-black hair draped over her shoulders; the appearance of the kingdom’s princess deep in thought was truly wise and composed.

In a way, Livra was the real strategist here.

“As for who provided the aid, we should probably examine the army’s movements… Princess Belith, didn’t you just say the army was advancing north? A sudden assault on the Northern Territory’s border?”

“Yes… uh, why are you suddenly acting like a different person?”

“That’s not important. This is how I think when I’m focused. The key is, the Northern Territory… and beyond that, even farther north, is the land of the higher races…”

“You’ve hit the crux of the issue.”

No one had thought too deeply about it earlier.

But if one stopped to truly consider it—

It seemed the motive behind the Third Corps’ assault could be deduced.

If the culprit behind instigating the Third Corps’ rebellion, as well as the one providing support, was indeed the higher races…

Then perhaps everything would make sense.

At the moment Livra spoke her conclusion, Salnor’s corps chief of staff raised his head as well.

To serve as chief of staff of the First Corps meant he possessed a mind well-suited to the role.

He once again solemnly presented the initial proposal to the Demon King and Queen.

“Your Majesties, I urge you to immediately order the First Corps to move out and intercept the rebels without delay. They must not be allowed to reach the Northern Territory border. If they manage to rendezvous with the higher races, the consequences will be unimaginable.”

—

36. Commander

The Demon Clan rarely relied on their brains. They were foolish.

But that didn’t mean every demon was brainless.

Even a crane could stand out among chickens. So what if a clever one emerged from a bunch of fools?

As the chief strategist of the Demon King’s most orthodox First Corps, Salnor possessed an innate and sharp intuition for the flow of battle.

If there existed any kind of magic capable of restraining Her Highness Ailellek…

Then it could only be aid provided by the higher races.

The kingdom didn’t possess that kind of capability.

Combined with the rebel Third Corps’ northbound assault and their attempt to station themselves in the Northern Territory, the conclusion became clear.

—The rebels intended to coordinate internally and externally with the higher races, to merge their forces, and in the Northern Territory, use the rebel army as the vanguard foothold for the higher races to threaten the Demon Domain.

Allowing the rebels to reach the Northern Territory would be the same as giving them the conditions to be sheltered by the higher races.

Therefore, they had to be intercepted, turned back, or eliminated on the spot before reaching their destination. Only then could this rebellion—which should never have happened—be quelled.

Once he finished voicing his analysis, nearly all the nobles present in the grand hall agreed with his proposal.

There was nothing they could do if they disagreed—they all knew their minds weren’t as agile as the chief strategist’s. All they could do was act as if they had just come to a sudden realization.

The Demon King tossed his dark crimson cloak and chuckled quietly as he sat back on the throne.

He crossed one leg over the other, the crimson armor on his body creaking as it shifted.

Resting his chin on the back of his hand with an air of authority, Demon King Dielzner was thoroughly pleased with Salnor’s sharpness.

“…Oh-ho! I thought the same! Lord Salnor, as expected of the Demon Clan’s very own think tank.”

“Your Majesty flatters me, but the priority now… is to dispatch troops immediately and quell the rebellion.”

“Of course.”

To everyone else, what they saw was a wise Demon King who had long since foreseen everything and merely happened to agree with his subject’s suggestion.

But his two daughters? They saw the truth as clear as day.

“Big Sis, Father King is pretending to act all knowing again when he clearly hasn’t thought of anything at all. His mind’s probably full of nothing but wanting to go fight on the battlefield.”

“Shh… save the old man some dignity. How can you be so disrespectful as his daughter? Why can’t you be more like me?”

“……”

Ugh… Big Sis, even when saying something so shameless, how are you still this cute!

Truth was, the Demon King hadn’t thought that far ahead.

But after hearing Salnor’s statement, he now clearly understood the situation.

Dielzner gazed down at Salnor, who knelt below the platform like an immovable mountain.

His deep, powerful voice, rich with magic, didn’t need any amplification crystal—it naturally carried to every corner of the grand hall.

“To annihilate the rebels… this is, of course, the right decision. But tell me—who do you think is fit to take command of this expedition?”

Commander?

It was like tossing a stone into a still lake. At first, all one heard was a faint splash as ripples formed on the surface.

One had to wait just a moment longer—

Before the water exploded into a thousand ripples spreading out in every direction!

“Your Majesty! This old minister is willing to go!”

“Please grant your subject this opportunity, Your Majesty! I will not fail you!”

“I will crush the rebels without leaving a single survivor and safeguard the Demon Clan’s glory for all eternity!”

The sudden outburst, which came almost without warning, startled Livra.

She shrank her neck and quickly tried to make herself as inconspicuous as possible. To anyone watching, it might’ve looked like she was the one everyone was eager to subjugate, not the rebels.

Ugh…! If only the Kingdom’s knight order had this much enthusiasm, those arrogant wild rabbits always darting around outside the city gates would’ve been captured long ago! Then Livra wouldn’t keep getting tripped every time she climbed over the walls to sneak out!

Not that Livra said this thought out loud.

If she had, Sheffy would definitely have roasted her over every ridiculous detail.

While the high-ranking nobles were scrambling for the authority to lead troops and gain merit—spreading their wings and preparing for a battle of life and death—

Before all that could happen—

Salnor, still kneeling, raised his hand toward the back.

A gesture for everyone to quiet down.

“Please calm yourselves.”

After waiting a few seconds, Salnor lifted his head slightly toward the throne.

He stood like a calm pine, unwavering and steadfast.

At the same time, five black wings faintly manifested behind him, their shadows dragged long by the dim purple candlelight.

“Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness, but this matter is of grave importance. The appointment of a commander cannot be made lightly. I am willing to go in person and reclaim the rebels.”

“Oh-ho…! Lord Salnor, if you’re willing to go personally, that would be the—hiss…!”

“Your Majesty?”

“Ahaha… it’s nothing, it’s nothing. Just give me a moment—I need to think it over.”

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

A dignified Demon King would never halt the appointment of a commander midway unless the circumstances were extremely unusual.

Unless—it was the even more dignified Queen, who used her exquisitely controlled magic to release an invisible 【Ice Spike】 and slam it hard into Dielzner’s back.

Never mind that Dielzner’s inherent magic was 【Reflection】, rendering all magic attacks ineffective against him—

Herilet summoned the invisible ice spike while wearing a gentle smile and then physically drove it into his back!

How could someone melee with a magic attack like that…!

A telepathic voice connected with his mind in an instant.

【Herilet…! What are you doing?!】

【Sit down. Don’t move. And stop talking.】

【Stop talking? Hey… don’t get this twisted, I’m the Demon King.】

【Dear? Didn’t I already say—sit down and don’t get involved. Or… shall I ‘ask’ you again?】

【!】

Fine… fine.

The kids were here today. Herilet, I won’t stoop to your level. Don’t think I’m scared just because you’re holding an ice spike in your hand, okay?!

His Majesty the Demon King sat back down on the throne, silently.

And below the high platform, the previously fervent ministers all fell completely silent as well.

After all… there was a rumor circulating among the common folk.

A rumor.

When His Majesty the Demon King was speaking and suddenly went quiet, everyone should go quiet too.

Otherwise—an evil spirit might appear.

Just something kids said to spook each other… yet every time something like this happened, people instinctively held their breath.

Why?

Because when the Queen casually tossed aside some unseen object while wearing that kind, gentle smile… the atmosphere was scarier than any evil spirit!

Even Sheffy pulled her neck in, shrinking down just like Livra.

Herilet stood elegantly in front of the throne, hands held together before her. The dreamy blue hem of her dress trailed along the floor.

With the composure of one in a position of high authority, she looked down upon the half-kneeling Salnor.

Silver hair flowed beside her, and in her deep violet eyes, magic shimmered and light particles floated.

A flash of cold light flickered and disappeared. Whenever all eyes were fixed on the high platform, the Queen always maintained that same gentle wisdom.

“Lord Salnor’s self-recommendation to lead the expedition is commendable. However… it seems Lord Salnor may not be the appropriate candidate?”

“Your Majesty… the Queen?”

“Mm, if I remember correctly, the acting corps commander of the rebel army—Murof Yarin—is your younger brother, isn’t he?”

“Y-Yes… but I…!”

“At the time, his appointment as acting commander of the Third Corps… it was also based on your recommendation, was it not, Lord Salnor?”

“Yes… it was. For my younger brother to commit such a foolish act… he should be executed without delay. As the one who recommended him, I am equally culpable and cannot escape blame. I will personally sever his head and bring it back as proof of the Yarin Family’s loyalty—to cleanse our shame and redeem our name through merit.”

“Oh…?”

Herilet’s eyes had been quietly radiating a graceful, shadowy glow from the very beginning.

Now, that light faded.

Because she had already seen through to his soul.

The suffocating air of interrogation slowly dissipated.

Herilet narrowed her eyes, brought her hands together, and gently clapped once. Shaking her head with a smile, she said:

“Haha… there’s no need to be so tense. A recommendation and a rebellion are two unrelated matters. Both His Majesty and I firmly believe that Lord Salnor remains dedicated to serving the Demon Domain—just as you have done for the past century. In terms of loyalty, you are not the same as your brother, are you?”

“Yes. Please rest assured, Your Majesty the Queen—and Your Majesty the King. Even if it costs me my life, I will never betray the Demon Clan.”

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