Chapter 239: I Must Speak for the Eighty Thousand Fallen Soldiers

The smoke of Port Sardo had not yet dissipated, and the Hell soldiers who had suffered a crushing defeat were not yet cold in their graves.

And just as the grim-faced General Saibeisi led his remnants back to the Underworld along the volcanic tunnel, the War Department and the Logistics Department in the Demon Capital were dragged into a battlefield of sharp tongues because of a battle report.

An urgent battle report was thrown onto the center of the long table, the blood-colored wax seal attached seemingly predicting the heavy casualties at the front—

"Battle of Port Sardo, Red Flame Legion defeated, heavy losses, casualties reached eighty thousand."

"General Saibeisi failed to capture Port Sardo, Red Flame Legion retreated in full!"

When this battle report reached the Demon Capital, the military circles of the Demon Capital were in an uproar.

The total number of Hell soldiers killed, missing, or wounded reached eighty thousand!

Even worse, General Saibeisi's Red Flame Legion failed to hold the highlands north of Port Sardo, retreating across the board after the magic crystal cannon positions were destroyed, allowing the Empire to turn the tide in this battle.

The War Department and the Logistics Department were immediately pushed to the forefront, and an emergency military meeting was held in the Demon Capital.

In the gloomy and dark hall, the obsidian seats were filled with demons with gloomy faces.

Although the word "gloomy" was carved on every brick here, the atmosphere accumulated in the hall was like fire cooking oil, the sound of arguing vibrating and echoing between the walls, endless.

These high-tier demons might not care about the deaths of eighty thousand low-tier demons, but they did not want this big pot to fall on their own heads.

"Casualties of eighty thousand soldiers!" Salman, a high-tier war advisor of the War Department, slammed the table and stood up, roaring uncontrollably, his fiery red pupils burning with angry fire.

"How exactly was this war fought? How did the Red Flame Legion lose? General Saibeisi's tactics have always been steady, how could he suddenly suffer a crushing defeat?"

"Good question!"

Hakesi, the deputy official of the Logistics Department sitting opposite, snorted coldly, his slender fingers tapping the table lightly, his tone unhurried: "Saibeisi's tactics are steady? Then I would like to ask, how did such a steady general let his army lose eighty thousand people?"

The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly solidified, and one after another gloomy gazes collided between the officials of the War Department and the Logistics Department, as if a new battle would break out at any time.

Salman narrowed his eyes, his tone cold: "What do you want to say? You might as well make it clear."

The huge pressure spread along the table, soon spreading to the entire noisy venue.

Some officials of the Logistics Department could not help but shiver, but some glared back in anger, releasing their mental pressure without showing weakness.

Looking at the meeting venue that was about to become a duel field, the councilor attending the meeting coughed, his voice majestic:

"Silence."

The venue really quieted down.

In Hell, the Cabinet is the agent of the Demon God's power, and the Society under the Cabinet is completely controlled by nobles and clergy, equivalent to the second tier of power.

As for the huge bureaucratic department, it is responsible to the Cabinet and is also supervised by the Society.

On the surface, they were arguing for the soldiers at the front, but in reality, they were only responsible to the source of power.

"Eighty thousand troops were lost in vain, the War Department should give an explanation." Hakesi spoke slowly.

"This should be explained by your Logistics Department, right? Our General Saibeisi uses troops like a god, and the fact that he can achieve an absolute advantage in the early stages of the war is the best proof!" Salman sneered, arms crossed over his chest, looking gloomily at the logistics officials opposite: "On the contrary, it is you who are always holding back the young men at the front, and this is not the first or second time. General Saibeisi sits on 20 magic crystal cannons and sturdy highlands, the Imperial army can turn the tide only because of one reason, and that is that the supplies have a problem."

"Oh?" Hakesi raised his eyebrows, his gaze sweeping over Salman with disdain, then smiled lightly, his face full of sarcasm: "You want to shift the responsibility to our Logistics Department? Did you forget who recommended the magic crystal cannons?"

Salman's face sank, his pupils shrank slightly: "What do you mean?"

"Very simple." Hakesi's mouth raised, cold light flickering in his eyes, "Our Logistics Department certainly admits that the problem lies in logistics, but this problem is not the mistake of the Logistics Department, but the stupid decision of the War Department."

The meeting room instantly quieted down.

The councilor supervising the meeting had a gloomy face, his slender index finger tapping lightly on the table.

"How is this possible?" Salman sneered: "It is true that the magic crystal cannons were recommended by the War Department, but your Logistics Department also equipped them!"

"Indeed, we agreed to equip the magic crystal cannons." Hakesi nodded slightly, his eyes sharp as a viper, "But your War Department told us at the time that the magic crystal cannons would change the war pattern, but you didn't consider a most critical problem at all—"

He paused, the corners of his mouth raised slightly, revealing a mocking smile: "They have no mobility at all."

Salman was stunned for a moment, just about to refute, but was preempted by Hakesi.

"The loss of eighty thousand troops is not General Saibeisi's problem at all, but a big problem with the magic crystal cannons."

Hakesi's tone was slow and sharp, continuing aggressively.

"I have carefully read the detailed battle report sent from the front line. The reason why this battle situation turned sharply under the situation where General Saibeisi had an absolute advantage is that the Imperial army's Griffin Knights raided the magic crystal cannon position and destroyed all the artillery!"

"Your War Department promised at the beginning that the magic crystal cannons would be the most advanced siege and defensive equipment, convincing all of us... but what was the result?"

Hakesi stared coldly at Salman, continuing unceremoniously, "The results you handled and sent to the front line weigh more than ten tons, require at least ten artillerymen to operate, and cannot be flexibly transferred in battle at all. Once placed, they are like iron coffins! Do you think this is a duel between nobles? Humans won't line up slowly and set up formations waiting for us to make all preparations before moving!"

The officials of the War Department in the meeting room had blue-green faces, their gazes unable to help but look at each other.

And Hakesi continued to lower his voice, leaning forward with full pressure, hammering the obsidian table with his fist and saying.

"... If the magic crystal cannons could quickly adjust the shooting angle, or even be temporarily transferred in battle, General Saibeisi's position would not be easily raided, and the defense system would not collapse."

Salman gritted his teeth, his fist clenched quietly under the table, his face gloomy as if it were about to drip blood.

The officials of the Logistics Department looked at each other, a smile on their lips, obviously they had grasped the fatal weakness of the War Department.

"The magic crystal cannon project was promoted by Prince Kelin, are you questioning the Cabinet?"

"How could it be? We believe in Prince Kelin's decision, but this does not mean that you who are not enterprising have no responsibility. You don't have to move the Cabinet out to suppress me, I will naturally submit the report to the ministers and explain the truth."

Hakesi leaned back on the chair leisurely, his fingers crossed together, advancing by retreating.

"Of course, compared to pursuing who is responsible, we hope to solve the problem more, I believe Mr. Kelin will not object to this... Mr. Salman, what is your opinion?"

The air was silent for a moment, and several high-ranking officials of the War Department exchanged glances.

Finally, Salman took a deep breath, his voice low:

"I agree with some of your views... we should indeed solve this problem."

A smile appeared on the corner of Hakesi's mouth.

The dispute between the Logistics Department and the War Department on military equipment issues has been a long time, but this does not mean that he and Salman have an unsolvable private feud.

He had no intention of taking advantage of the situation to topple a high-ranking war advisor who had no conflict of interest with him, and even less intention of banning an epoch-making piece of equipment. What he really wanted to do was participate in cutting this increasingly large cake.

The Dragong family promised him that as long as he could cooperate with the Dragong family to make trouble for the Lord of Black Wind Fort at the upcoming hearing, forcing the Lord of Black Wind Fort to sell the territory in his hands to the Demon Capital and be directly administered by the latter.

The Chamber of Commerce he controlled would be able to participate in the orders for magic crystal cannons and be able to obtain more benefits by virtue of his relationship in the military.

He and Luo Yan had no grievances.

If you want to blame someone, blame the cake for being too big, it shouldn't be eaten by a human, and the Dragong family gave too much, he had no reason to refuse...

The news of the confrontation between the War Department and the Logistics Department soon grew wings, flew out of the meeting hall, and spread throughout the Demon Capital.

And at this moment, in a manor in the suburbs of the Demon Capital, Elder Zakeluo was watching the contents of the letter with cold eyes, a playful smile appearing on the corner of his mouth...

The war in Port Sardo had ended.

But the war between the Dragong family and Luo Yan had just begun...

"Let me see, what kind of ability you have."

Just as the War Department and the Logistics Department finished shifting responsibility, a hearing on the improvement plan for magic crystal cannons was also officially held at the Society Building of the Demon Capital.

Speaking of which, this was Luo Yan's first time stepping in here.

I heard that not only him, but the factory director of the magic crystal cannon factory in Black Wind Fort was also summoned.

However, that goblin engineer living in the far suburbs did not follow him.

On the contrary, accompanying him was Mr. Feisiting of the Partridge family.

This gentleman is a member of the Hell Society and has his own office in the Society Building.

Due to interest-related reasons, he was required to recuse himself from the hearing, so he did not attend this hearing.

However, as Luo Yan's friendly partner, he revealed the content of the hearing to Luo Yan in advance and told him the rules of the game beforehand, avoiding him being led by the nose by those bureaucrats.

Stopping at the downstairs of the Society Building, Feisiting glanced at the emblem hanging on the gate, narrowed his eyes slightly, and said in a chatty tone.

"This is the core of the Demon Capital's power."

Luo Yan looked at him with interest.

"I always thought the Cabinet was."

Feisiting smiled faintly.

"The Cabinet is certainly also, but it is generally not open to the public. Your ambition is not small, but it is better to be down-to-earth."

Luo Yan nodded slightly.

"I have been taught."

He certainly knew these things, but he also knew that Mr. Feisiting needed to prepare an opening for what followed.

And just as he expected, this master-level shadow demon paused for a moment and continued.

"There are 28 chairs in the largest meeting room, 42 at most, and only 20 at least... those who can sit there are without exception the real power figures of Hell. Their titles are at least Baron, of course, the title is not all of them."

Luo Yan: "Sounds a bit less."

"I also think so, the Demon Capital's Society should replenish fresh blood," Feisiting looked at Luo Yan, smiling, "For example, young people with talent like you, I think there should be a place for you there."

Luo Yan said calmly.

"I'm still thinking about how to get through this hurdle now. If I'm not mistaken, there should be the shadow of the Dragong family behind this hearing."

"Does this kind of thing still need to be said?" Mr. Feisiting continued in a joking tone, "Last year in the duel arena, you taught them a hard lesson, Xinuo Dragong almost lost the face of their family."

Luo Yan nodded, then sighed.

"Eighty thousand lives, what a big deal."

No wonder the high-tier demons of the Demon Capital don't want their children to go to the front line, that is not only a meat grinder for humans, but also for the Demon Capital.

Speaking of which, Yige has had no news since he graduated, and I don't know how he is doing, whether he has become the kind of "manly" demon he imagined.

Mr. Feisiting was silent for a while, saying lightly.

"Their methods are indeed not very elegant, so you have to be prepared, there may be bigger surprises later."

Luo Yan said casually.

"I know, and... this is also an opportunity for me, isn't it?"

Feisiting looked at Luo Yan appreciatively.

"Smart."

Just during the time the two were chatting, a succubus in formal wear walked through the front hall of the Society Building.

That succubus looked at Mr. Feisiting with fear, nodded slightly to indicate, and then looked at Luo Yan beside the latter.

"Please come with me, Mr. Luo Yan, your hearing is about to begin."

Luo Yan did not look at him, but nodded slightly to Mr. Feisiting beside him.

"Then I will take my leave."

Mr. Feisiting smiled and nodded.

"I am waiting for your good news."

After speaking, the two parted ways at the door.

Feisiting watched Luo Yan follow the official away, until he disappeared at the corner of the front hall, and then went to the office upstairs. Following behind that succubus, Luo Yan's steps were very relaxed, as if the pressure like a mountain did not exist at all.

On the contrary, the succubus leading in front was so nervous that he almost stepped on his own heel.

"Relax, don't be so nervous." Looking at his clumsy appearance, Luo Yan comforted him with a smile.

"Tha, thank you..."

"What is your name?"

"Kalisiman..." the succubus said nervously in a low voice, stealing a glance at him, his eyes filled with a trace of respect, "Sir... to tell you the truth, I actually admire you. That day in the arena, my partner and I bet you would lose, but the result was beyond our expectations, and all of us were slapped in the face."

Unexpectedly, there were actually his "fans" in this Society Building, Luo Yan joked with a smile.

"Oh? Then it seems I made you lose money."

"A few thousand Kaila is nothing... we witnessed the rise of a hero!" Kalisiman shook his head, his cheeks flushed with excitement, as if he had seen his idol.

Luo Yan nodded to him with a smile.

No errors, no omissions, all content is here!

"I am very happy to hear you say that, remember to bet on me next time, I can guarantee you that you can double your money back."

"I will!"

Kalisiman nodded excitedly, pressed his hand on the door of the meeting room, looked left and right, and then said hurriedly, "You have to pay attention to Deputy Official Hakesi of the Logistics Department, he may have prejudices against you, the factory director of the magic crystal cannon factory was even cried by him. On the contrary, the War Department has a pretty good evaluation of you... actually, I also think that this matter has nothing to do with you, it is entirely the improper operation of the soldiers at the front line."

"Thank you."

Luo Yan nodded and remembered the kindness of this little person, then straightened his collar, and stepped into the hearing venue with a steady face, just like stepping into his own audience hall.

Pairs of eyes focused on him, watching him walk to his seat.

Including officials from the Logistics Department, officials from the War Department, and councilors responsible for monitoring the meeting.

Looking at Luo Yan who was not overwhelmed by the momentum of the scene at all, Deputy Official Hakesi of the Logistics Department narrowed his eyes slightly, deciding to give this demon king from the countryside a bit of a warning first, letting him know that this was not the poor countryside of Lei Ming County, and not a place where he could mess around.

"Mr. Luo Yan, I think you should have seen from the newspaper that we lost eighty thousand young men in the Battle of Port Sardo, I want to know what your opinion is."

The majestic voice echoed in the venue, just like a wooden hammer knocking on the trial table.

Facing that sharp gaze, Luo Yan raised his chin slightly, and the corners of his tight mouth suddenly curled into a cold sneer.

"My opinion? I have never fought such a stupid battle, my opinion is, if there is a chance, I want to talk to General Saibeisi face to face, how did he let a group of two or three-meter-tall griffins touch under his eyelids... did he fall asleep on the battlefield?"

As his voice fell, the scene was in an uproar.

Not only did the officials of the Logistics Department widen their eyes, but even the officials of the War Department glared at him.

Standing at the door of the meeting hall, Kalisiman who was closing the door already had sweat on his forehead.

He didn't know what Luo Yan was thinking.

He had clearly reminded him that the War Department could be won over, but as a result, he pushed the latter to the forefront as soon as he came up.

Now it's good, this young demon king will face the pressure of the Logistics Department and the War Department at the same time.

What on earth is this guy thinking?!

Not only did Kalisiman have sweat on his forehead, but the goblin factory director whose figure was shrinking and shrinking had finally stopped sobbing, and now he was trembling again.

Previously, the big figures of the Demon Capital had "picked him up and tortured" him, and just put him down, and now the magic crystal cannon factory in Black Wind Fort was pushed to the forefront again.

That goblin engineer looked at Luo Yan pleadingly, trying to get the latter not to speak anymore.

However, Luo Yan didn't even look at him, still looking calm and composed.

The goblin's courage is still too small, almost no different from a goblin.

Will you not be messed with if you admit defeat?

That is too naive.

You can still fight if you stand, you can only be taken turns if you lie down.

Moreover, he is not unreasonably arrogant, but deliberately doing so to take the initiative.

Anyway, General Saibeisi is at the front line, even if he kicks his butt, he can't run to the hearing to confront him.

Unexpectedly, Luo Yan was so tough, Hakesi of the Logistics Department was also confused,

He looked left and right, seeing that Salman of the War Department had something to say, so he simply gave the opportunity to refute to the latter, and retreated to the background.

"I don't allow you to slander the generals of Hell like this." Salman stared at Luo Yan, his voice low.

"Is this slander?" Luo Yan chuckled, "Mr. Salman, don't forget where I came back from, I came back from the battlefield of Lei Ming County. The human army and the Chosen Ones are above my head, and there is a pile of disobedient scum in my labyrinth... no front line is more forward than mine, but why didn't I let Hell bury eighty thousand promising young men? Please answer this question for me."

Salman widened his eyes, his fist clenched tightly, but he couldn't say a word.

The officials of the War Department whispered to each other, and the officials of the Logistics Department had gloomy faces.

On the contrary, the flame demon councilor sitting in the main seat who was supervising the hearing looked at Luo Yan with interest.

He guessed what Luo Yan wanted to do, but he didn't expect him to take the initiative of the hearing in such a radical way.

This is actually a very risky behavior.

However—

It seems there is no better choice than this.

Facing pairs of questioning or shrinking eyes, Luo Yan stopped his waist and continued with a sonorous voice.

"I repeat, there is no problem with my magic crystal cannons! The failure of a battle does not explain any problem, you blame the problem of the magic crystal cannons, why don't you blame the swords and armor on the soldiers? A loser has ten thousand reasons to excuse his stupidity, and the most inferior way is to blame the equipment."

Looking at Salman who sat back, Havik, who originally intended to retreat to the background to watch the show, had to stand up again, biting the bullet and taking over the passive topic.

"But the problems in the battle report are not empty words, the mobility problem of the magic crystal cannons is indeed criticized by the soldiers at the front line. And the problem now is that we have equipped this new weapon, if we replace it rashly, the entire logistics system will have to be adjusted—"

Having been waiting for this sentence, Luo Yan spread his hands and said with a smile.

"This is easy to handle, just solve this problem."

Havik was stunned.

The War Department official sitting next to Salman leaned forward and said eagerly.

"Can you solve this problem?"

"Of course."

Facing those fanatical things, Luo Yan calmly drew a big cake.

"Not only can I make the magic crystal cannons move, I can also make them have defense comparable to abyss war beasts, and... mobility not inferior to the former!"

As soon as his voice fell, a commotion spread in the hearing.

Especially in the seats of the War Department, the eyes of those warlike demons instantly became fanatical, wishing that this demon king could fulfill this cake immediately.

The goblin engineer looked at Luo Yan in surprise, dumbfounded, losing his words for a while.

How is this possible?!

Deputy Official Havik of the Logistics Department's pupils shrank slightly, staring at Luo Yan, trying to see flaws on his face.

"Is this true?"

Luo Yan said with a smile.

"No jokes in the army."

"Everyone! You all heard it, this demon king from Lei Ming County said that he has a way to make artillery weighing more than ten tons move by itself, and also make it have defense comparable to abyss war beasts..."

Havik tapped the table with his index finger, a surprised smile on his face, looking around the hearing venue.

Then he looked at Luo Yan again, saying in a mocking tone.

"I hope he doesn't say in the end that he will equip every artillery with a Silver-tier Demon of Fear."

Luo Yan watched his performance quietly, a smile on the corner of his mouth.

"Of course, this equipment will undergo formal inspection by the procedure, and by then you will know that I am not bragging."

Havik stared at him without blinking.

"You only have three months to prove yourself, otherwise we will continue to initiate the impeachment procedure. If you haven't solved this problem in these three months, we can only regretfully think that you don't have enough ability to operate Black Wind Fort and the war factory there, and it would be more appropriate to be directly administered by the Demon Capital... of course, we will give you a compensation from the fiscal budget, and you can continue to retain the title of Baron of Black Wind Fort, but no longer as the Lord there."

"Then what if I prove it?" Luo Yan looked at him with a smile.

Havik narrowed his eyes, his Adam's apple moving slightly.

"That is your duty."

The two confronted each other, neither giving way.

This time the others closed their mouths, just watching them silently, waiting for the situation to become clear.

"Mr. Havik, I have something to say."

The flame demon councilor who had not spoken suddenly interjected, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

Pairs of eyes in the venue focused on him, waiting for his arbitration.

"... Since it is a bet, we should follow the principle of fairness, if Mr. Luo Yan fulfills his promise, Hell should reward him, instead of taking his contribution for granted."

After speaking, that flame demon councilor looked at Luo Yan, continuing gently.

"Then, Demon King of Lei Ming County, what kind of demands do you want to make as a reward for fulfilling your promise? Please feel free to say it, we can discuss it at the hearing. As for Mr. Havik's impeachment, you don't have to worry, that is not an easy thing."

Luo Yan smiled slightly.

"Respected Councilor, I actually don't have any personal demands, after all, if I fulfill my promise, then I will naturally be able to get orders from the War Department, and this itself is a generous reward."

The flame demon councilor looked at him in surprise.

"Oh? You mean... you don't need anything?"

Luo Yan shook his head gently.

"Although I don't have any personal demands, the eighty thousand Hell soldiers who died in the north of Port Sardo need justice. As a subject of the Demon God, I must speak for these loyal young men."

The scene of the hearing was in an uproar.

Including the flame demon councilor sitting in the main seat, his burning eyebrows couldn't help but jump.

Luo Yan put his hands on the table, looking meaningfully at Deputy Official Havik who was holding his breath, and then looked at other logistics officials who were sitting uneasily, as well as some officials sitting in the seats of the War Department.

The Dragong family's hand must have reached more than just the Logistics Department, that tangled network of forces had long spread to the entire hearing venue, and even penetrated under every chair.

But fortunately, there were not only people from the Dragong family here, just as it is impossible for the human body to be infected with only one kind of bacteria, but a dynamic balance reached by multiple bacteria and the immune system.

His enemy was not the Logistics Department, nor the War Department, but those who were bought by the Dragong family.

Some of them had already been branded by the Dragong family, but some were actually not deeply involved, and they were also hesitating whether to follow the chips in their hands.

Those people would be the key to victory or defeat.

And in order to disintegrate the resistance of those people, make them hesitate, or even fear, what he had to do was not just passive defense, but also take the initiative at the appropriate time.

Tapping the table with his knuckles, Luo Yan said word by word in a tone of declaring war.

"Mr. Havik has made serious accusations against me, thinking that I am not suitable to be the Lord of Black Wind Fort... as everyone knows, accusations involving titles and territory are the most serious accusations in Hell."

"Then I will also make my accusation, I think there is something strange behind this failed battle, this is not a simple military adventure, but a political adventure with ulterior motives."

"I request the Ministry of Truth to conduct a thorough investigation into the reasons for the failure of this battle!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 240 =====