Chapter 207

“Then it’s settled, isn’t it? Ha, all you ministers, listen well.”

The woman, symbolizing the beauty of the Demon Clan, extended her six wings behind her. She slowly raised both arms to rally the court.

It was not her high status that gave her this commanding presence—rather, it was this innate presence that allowed her to attain such status.

“Our Demon Clan’s rule has always been this: we do not punish the entire clan for the crimes of one’s kin. The one who acts bears the responsibility. If Lord Salnor remains loyal to the nation, there is no reason to punish a faithful subject for the faults of another. That would be wrong—and pitiful.”

As her words fell, the grand hall unexpectedly echoed with many sighs of relief.

More than that, waves of applause surged forth in approval, like crashing tides.

Livra also couldn’t help but clap twice, but under the weight of a warning glance from Belith, she quickly retracted her neck and resumed good behavior.

Ugh… but she really did admire the Queen!

Clearly, among the nobles present, quite a few had some connection to the rebels.

After all, military relations were complex and tangled; it wasn’t unusual for noble offspring or distant relatives to serve in the army. These nobles were precisely the ones worried: if the rebellion were suppressed, and the royal family chose to implicate them based on these loose associations, what then?

Should they cooperate with the Demon King’s army to purge the rebels… or simply go all in and rebel themselves, doing whatever it took to protect their own?

If left with no way out, some might truly take desperate measures.

In that case, the rebellion might not even be over before chaos engulfed the royal capital again.

With just a few sentences earlier, the Queen had essentially given all the nobles present a promise.

—In the aftermath of the war, the purge would not extend to them. Therefore, they could act freely without worry. Cooperate with the Demon King’s army, and simply do what they were supposed to.

Having resolved this matter, Herilet turned her attention back to Salnor in the audience.

“His Majesty and I both believe that, given Lord Salnor is the blood brother of the rebel leader, forcing the two of you to fight one another would not only be cruel—but also unnecessary.”

“Your Majesty needn’t worry…! I am willing to personally slay the traitor, and set an example for the Demon King’s army!”

“Your resolve is commendable, but Lord Salnor, this is also His Majesty’s decision. You should follow the arrangement. The command of troops can be entrusted to someone else.”

“Your subject… obeys.”

Even though Salnor wished to personally lead the troops, to prove his unwavering loyalty…

It seemed… the Queen had no intention of giving him that chance.

It was natural—and the most appropriate judgment.

Avoid suspicion.

The Queen had many things to consider. Even if Salnor was completely loyal at this moment, who could guarantee that once on the battlefield, upon seeing his own brother, he wouldn’t have a sudden change of heart? Would he go soft—or worse, switch sides altogether?

Rather than gamble on such unnecessary uncertainty, it was better to carry out a more stable plan.

“Sheffy… your mother is truly amazing. Just a few words… and she dispelled all suspicion and also kept the Chief of Staff restrained in the royal capital.”

“Impressive, huh? She’s even more impressive when she’s pulling my ear.”

“Wasn’t that your own fault…? Sigh, but this isn’t something that can be delayed. I think, your mother is probably about to name the commander and dispatch the troops immediately. When it comes to rebellion, there’s no time to weigh pros and cons.”

“Exactly! Then let’s just get on with it already. My lovely afternoon nap’s been completely ruined—who the hell is the bastard that came up with this rebellion scheme? Let Mother pick whoever she wants, just pick someone quick so we can settle this mess already! Whoever she wants to pick, just…! Uh…?”

Mo… Mother?

Please just start assigning troops already, so I can go back and sleep.

But why are you suddenly staring at me like that?!

 37. Ambushing Me!

Fortunately, before that exchanged gaze between mother and daughter could fully set Sheffy off, the doors of the Demon King’s grand hall were pushed open once again.

Ordinarily, if it were just a noble arriving late, it wouldn’t have been worth drawing much attention.

But this time, the instant the doors opened—

A vast magical pressure, almost tangible, flooded the entire hall. The noise instantly vanished as though the space had entered a vacuum, falling into complete silence.

The weaker nobles among the three-winged demons even found their breathing suddenly labored.

This was only natural.

After all, when a Six-Winged Demon stopped suppressing their magic out of anger, this kind of overwhelming presence was inevitable.

A hoarse, elderly voice approached from a distance.

Despite the feebleness of age, there was still a trace of fury in it.

“Your Majesty, this old subject heard there is a rebellion. Is this… true?”

“Lord Jeffriel, you certainly took your time arriving.”

“Ho…! This old man simply could not believe there would be traitors within the Demon King’s army. I thought it was just a servant’s joke. Hah… Truly, these old eyes are clouded, and my supervision has failed, allowing such wretched rats to run amok…! Hohoho, it seems some people have grown far too comfortable in peace, thinking their lives are a bit too long, eh!”

With each sneer, the contact of his cane against the floor sent ripples of magic surging outward, blowing the flames of the hall’s torches into a chaotic sway.

Jeffriel, the Six-Winged Demon.

The wrinkles around his eyes shimmered with killing intent as he glanced toward the kneeling Salnor.

As the most senior noble of the Demon Clan, Jeffriel was the elder of all other nobles. Upon hearing that Salnor’s own brother was the one stirring up rebellion within the army, this old man felt not only shame—but as though someone had slapped him across the face.

If he didn’t make an example out of someone here… then what dignity would the royal authority of His Majesty have left?

However, just as the magical storm surging around Jeffriel seemed about to intensify—

—it suddenly vanished.

A trace of surprise emerged in the old man’s eyes.

Because he had caught sight of the Demon Princess Sheffy seated in the corner of the hall.

So Princess Sheffy really had returned, huh?

But what puzzled Jeffriel wasn’t Sheffy’s return—his servants had long reported that to him.

What startled him…

Was that Sheffy was currently making a series of incomprehensible hand gestures.

She pointed to herself, then at the ceiling, then lightly pounded her fragile little arm. Suddenly, she raised both hands high into the air, scattering them like some celestial maiden casting flower petals.

He had no idea what she was trying to say, but somehow, Jeffriel couldn’t maintain his earlier fury any longer.

He let out a bitter chuckle and muttered to himself, unconsciously retracting all the magic power he had released in anger.

“This little rascal… still as spirited as ever… haha, I thought living through hardship in the Human Royal Capital might temper Her Highness’s temperament… but it seems this old man was overthinking it…”

There he was, talking to himself—and it nearly drove Sheffy mad with anxiety!

Fuming, she smacked the disguised Holy Sword at Xiarette’s waist with her small hand, causing the blade to emit a sorrowful ringing sound.

“Uncle Jeffriel…! Don’t just talk about how angry you are and then do nothing! Hurry up and recommend yourself as the commander to suppress the rebellion already! I’m seriously dying here!”

“Hm?” Xiarette tilted her head, looking at the increasingly anxious Sheffy. “Sheffy, do you think Mr. Jeffriel is the most suitable candidate? He’s certainly strong.”

“This isn’t about whether he’s suitable or not! Ugh, Xia, you just don’t get it… that look my mother gave me just now—”

“It definitely had deeper meaning. I’ve got a bad feeling… If Uncle Jeffriel doesn’t become the commander, I’m going to be in big trouble!”

“Wha…! Then… then why don’t you use Telepathic Voice to tell him?”

“I can’t! Uncle Jeffriel is too cautious—he always maintains a magic barrier. Telepathic Voice won’t work. But I gave him a hint just now with my gestures. He should’ve understood, right?”

“Hint?”

“Yeah, smacking my arm meant ‘go take the whole commander job’, and raising both hands means ‘courageously volunteer’!”

“Who could possibly understand that?!”

No, no… judging by how Belith was repeatedly nodding in admiration, did… did she actually get it?!

Unfortunately…

She might be the only one capable of interpreting Sheffy’s abstract body language.

Herilet sat back down in the Queen’s seat, smiling silently.

Leaving only the Demon King standing at the front, utterly confused.

Uh… so? Herilet? Who exactly is the commander you’re appointing?

In truth, everyone already had their own confident guesses.

Now that Jeffriel had arrived, wasn’t it obvious?

He held immense prestige, the most senior in rank, with unquestionable experience in leading troops.

Most crucially—none of us can beat him.

As long as Jeffriel said he wanted to suppress the rebellion, His Majesty the Demon King would have no reason to refuse.

But…

Although Jeffriel came with anger, he didn’t seem particularly urgent?

The cane in his hand dissolved into particles of magic light. His legs weren’t in the best shape, and it took effort for him to kneel halfway down.

“Lord Jeffriel, no need for such formality.” Herilet smiled faintly, as if she already knew everything in advance. “Since you’re here, that must mean the matter I asked you to supervise has been taken care of?”

“Replying to the Queen, this old subject has seen to it. The army to subjugate the rebels is already en route.”

Huh??

The speed at which the situation developed far exceeded the nobles’ expectations.

Just a second ago, they had still been debating who should be appointed commander—yet in the very next moment, the army to suppress the rebellion was already on the move?!

Perhaps it was because they weren’t part of the top echelon—their access to military intelligence was still too slow.

Well, except that even Dielzna, the highest authority as the Demon King, clearly had no idea either.

It was fine.

The army had mobilized, and he didn’t know about it—he was used to this sort of thing as Demon King by now.

Chief of Staff Salnor hadn’t stopped thinking.

Upon hearing that a unit had already been deployed, he was shocked, but immediately responded.

“Lord Jeffriel, could it be you mean…?”

“Yes, Salnor. At present, the only corps of the Demon King’s Army that can be mobilized outside of its station is just one.”

“That’s true… but that unit is far too… unreliable.”

“That’s not something you need to worry about, young man. Better to think about your own affairs.”

“Yes… Lord Jeffriel speaks wisely. Once we catch that disgraceful younger brother of mine, I will personally take his life… But if they run into higher races, and without the kind of order and discipline the First Corps possesses, I fear they may not be up to the task…!”

“If they encounter higher races, they are to exterminate them all. As a corps of the Demon Clan, there is no need to fear any enemy.”

“…”

Salnor truly had no right to speak further now. Tainted by his brother’s rebellion, he was currently just a criminal seeking redemption.

But as Chief of Staff of the army, he still found this decision deeply troubling!

“Your Majesty…! I know it is inappropriate to say this… but that corps truly refuses to obey orders. The level of unpredictability is too great… If possible, I would still request the First Corps be dispatched immediately. If they travel without rest, they can surely intercept the rebels before the others arrive!”

“…?”

Wait.

So this corps you’re all talking about…

Which corps is it, exactly?!

“The Demon King’s Army, Second Corps.”

Only now did Herilet, who had remained silent until now, finally reveal a pleased smile as she looked around the grand hall.

She gestured with her palm, signaling for Dielzna to return to the throne.

Once the Demon King was seated, it was as if an unspoken declaration had been made—this rebellion was nothing to be feared.

What no one noticed was that the moment Herilet announced the name of the unit that had already departed for the rebel stronghold, the little tuft of hair on top of Princess Sheffy’s head trembled—

—as if she had just realized something very bad was happening!

The voices of discussion quickly drowned out any words of praise.

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