Chapter 296: That is the Empire's territory

Carrying the goodwill of the "Baron of Deadwood Port," Kaidesen turned around and ran quickly toward the direction of the "Broken Ship Camp," calling those sailors who were only half-alive from hunger to pack their luggage and prepare to move to a new location.

"Move fast! Pack up everything that can still be used!"

"And the cargo in the hold... those tools might still come in handy!"

As early as when the Imperial soldiers appeared in this forest, those young guys had been curiously gathering nearby.

Hearing that the captain had reached an agreement with the local noble, they were so excited they couldn't help but shed tears, and secretly rejoiced that they hadn't hung the idiot who drove them into the storm on the mast, sparing his life.

A group of people quickly got busy.

They turned the hold upside down and brought out all the cargo that could be used.

Watching those figures busy with enthusiasm, Tichi fiddled with the silver scepter spinning in circles with his index finger, and squeezed his eyebrows at the servant in a black robe beside him with a look of pride.

"Look, how was my acting?"

Lumier, wearing a black robe and hood, looked back at him calmly and said flatly.

"It's alright, it would be even better if you could omit those extraneous nonsense."

Just now, he actually had a moment where he thought this guy was back to his old self, wanting to extort a sum of money from these poor people.

Now it seems that it was just his performance personality acting up.

Tichi didn't take Lumier's opinion to heart, grinned, and revealed teeth as white as those rarely seen on pirates.

"You don't understand, that's the part that can't be omitted... If you want others to believe you are a noble, first you have to do what a noble should do. Do you expect me to pick my nose while hooking Captain Kaidesen's shoulder and asking him 'Brother, want a bottle of rum to calm your nerves?', he would see what kind of goods I am at a glance and wouldn't treat us like this at all."

He shook his head and said with reason and evidence.

"We must suppress the other party in momentum, so they stop thinking about whether it's true or not, and instead occupy their brains with 'what to do?'."

He would never admit that he just wanted to satisfy his craving for being a noble.

A faint mocking smile appeared on Lumier's face, but he didn't bother with him, just quietly thinking about the next layout.

After the Demon King formulated a general direction, he handed the whole matter over to him to handle.

For him, this was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate his ability.

He had to carefully think about how to make this matter as beautiful as possible, beautiful to the point of being impeccable... and had no time to bicker with a tool man.

Seeing that he didn't pick up the conversation, Tichi had to dryly laugh, put away his teasing tone, and changed to a serious topic.

"But seriously—we're acting out this set with them... what exactly are we trying to achieve? They don't have as much gold as we do, and they don't have as many people as we do. If the Demon King doesn't want outsiders to know about this place, why not just kill them?"

As if guessing he would ask this, Lumier smiled faintly and replied in a slow, measured tone.

"Very simple, the Demon King needs a chess piece."

"The lifting of the Great Barrier triggered a huge storm. From their description, the impact on the outside world is probably no less than what we felt. The Imperial colonial fleet will sooner or later come here to investigate the cause, and Kaidesen and his sailors can convey a clear signal to the Empire's colonies on our behalf—"

"The Prince has arrived; this is a land with an owner."

Pausing, he continued.

"By the way, we can also mislead the Empire's investigation into this incident through these sailors. The Demon King hopes the outside world will think that a 'great storm' destroyed the Great Barrier, rather than the 'Great Barrier' triggering a great storm... this is very critical."

Tichi suddenly realized.

Seems like it...

He had mixed in the colonies for so many years, only hearing that there was a sea area that swallowed ships on the Vast Ocean, but had never heard of any Great Barrier, let alone what kind of thing the so-called Jiana Continent was.

Most people in the Empire have a very vague impression of a thousand years ago.

Moreover, the Saint Xisi Church itself is editing memories, downplaying the presence of the Dragon God and the Dragon God's descendants in that great battle, attributing all glory to Saint Xisi and the Emperor. If he hadn't seen too many historical artifacts while collecting scrap in the pirate ship tavern, he would have almost believed it—that Saint Xisi and the Emperor relied on their own strength to crush the Underworld.

Actually, if you think about it carefully, you can still see some clues.

The First Epoch was clearly the era ruled by the Gods of Elements; the Saint Xisi Church itself admits this. How did Saint Xisi inexplicably end up fighting the God of the Underworld, and after it was over, the Gods of Elements, along with the Dragon God, all disappeared together?

It is clear that too many parts were cut from the beginning and the end, leading to inconsistent memories.

If they don't take the initiative to confess everything, outsiders indeed cannot know the true cause of this storm.

They can even throw the problem to the Dragon God, who knows where, and point to the sea for those priests who come looking—saying "Right over there, go find it," and then sit on the coast and watch the show.

Tichi thought it more and more likely.

However, although the problem of the Great Barrier was rounded off, the problem of "the Prince has arrived" had not yet been solved.

Compared to the grand narrative of the former, the latter is the most direct problem they might face.

Everyone who sets foot on this land, whether adventurer or priest, or even an ordinary colonist, will repeatedly ask about the name Prince Kelin.

Who on earth is he?

At least Tichi had never heard of such a figure in the Empire's noble circles.

"Will they believe it?"

Lumier knew what he was doubting, but just smiled.

"That's not important."

Tichi was stunned, looking at him like a monster.

"Are you sure?"

He actually felt this was the most important question.

Looking at the confused Tichi, Lumier nodded slightly and said in a firm tone.

"Of course."

If he hadn't seen with his own eyes how the Demon King, relying solely on a fictional title and a wealthy persona, fooled the entire Campbell Duchy, making them immersed in a dream of wealth and unable to extricate themselves... he would probably also doubt that such a lie with obvious loopholes would be exposed in an instant, unable to fool even a slightly cunning farmer.

But the fact is the exact opposite.

Truth is one person's justice; being kept in the dark is pitiful.

But for a group of people, truth has never been important.

Consensus is the most important thing.

As for those high-sounding reasons...

They only become evidence of ridicule and regret when you lose.

When you win, they tacitly say nothing.

He smiled faintly, his face full of piety, imitating the Demon King's tone and saying.

"That's not important."

His gaze looked toward the edge of the dense rainforest in the distance, that wild continent hidden between mountain mist and forest waves.

"The so-called rule of law has never been black and white on paper."

"But a fait accompli after a game."

"The Demon King will make them believe all this is true."

"And willingly believe it."

Demon Capital, Demon King Management Department, Director's Office.

Luo Yan pushed open the heavy purple wisteria door and finally met Senior Gelien's superior—the Director of the Demon King Management Department, Count Kalan Watusi.

That was an elegant old gentleman, wearing a sophisticated high-collar formal suit, the collar embroidered with silver thread, the cuffs tied with black gemstone buttons, his temperament gentle and elegant, his face seemingly always wearing a decent smile.

Except for that pair of striking succubus horns, he looked no different from the nobles in the human world, even more like a noble than Tichi, who had become a pirate.

The previous few departmental meetings were basically chaired by Gelien, so strictly speaking, this was also Luo Yan's first time meeting the highest level of the Demon King Management Department.

But saying it was the highest level, it was actually just like that.

The Demon King Management Department itself is a department with very low presence, just like the various associations under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Its power content is not high. Although they are nominally managing the Demon King for the Demon God, this "nominal" itself is very abstract, so much so that any Demon King with hardened wings would not give them too much face, but instead be responsible to other servants closer to the Demon God—such as the Council and Cabinet, which directly possess legislative and decision-making power.

It is thought that precisely because of this, Kalan Watusi does not often appear in the Demon King Management Department.

And interestingly, Count Kalan Watusi's noble title is one level higher than Luo Yan's baron title, and he is Luo Yan's nominal "superior," but because the Demon Capital's councilors and the ministers of the bureaucratic agencies are in the same ecological niche, Kalan became Luo Yan's subordinate in another system.

In the past thousand years, this was the first time such a thing had happened.

Just as Luo Yan was pondering how to address the other party, Count Kalan Watusi took the initiative to reach out his hand and said with a smile.

"I've heard so much about you! Mr. Luo Yan, I heard your legendary stories long ago, and Gelien always talks to me about your affairs. I never had the opportunity to meet you, which is a real pity. And seeing you today, you are indeed as extraordinary as the rumors say! If only we had known each other earlier!"

Omit the title.

That is to get along as equals.

Luo Yan smiled slightly, shook his hand, and followed the trend, saying.

"I am also very happy to meet you, Mr. Kalan Watusi. It was a real pity to have missed each other several times before. When you have time, please be sure to come to my manor for tea."

When he had a conflict with the Delagong family before, not many nobles in the entire Demon Capital were willing to contact him. After the dust settled, the manor at Black Wind Castle became a bustling place.

However, he wouldn't care about such things.

Being a fence-sitter is better than kicking someone when they are down. The other party and he were not related, and there was no reason to take risks for him.

Count Kalan Watusi also smiled and said.

"Certainly!"

The two exchanged pleasantries.

Count Kalan Watusi enthusiastically invited Luo Yan to sit down and ordered the little demon secretary to pour him a cup of hot honey tea.

Misty vapor rose, just like the peaceful atmosphere in the room.

Looking at Count Kalan Watusi sitting opposite him, Luo Yan built a rough character portrait of him in his mind, while conceiving the following dialogue.

The reason he returned at this juncture was, of course, not because he was homesick, nor because he had figured out how to fool the Demon Capital's Council and Cabinet, but purely because of the summons of the cabinet ministers—

To be honest, the impact of the Great Barrier's aftermath was a bit beyond his expectations.

He didn't expect that the tsunami would not only sweep through the Empire's colonies, but even the Demon Capital located below the New World was affected by the earthquake.

According to Miss Mi Ya, the Cabinet attaches great importance to this.

Not only because there were subspace disturbances behind this great storm, but also because the Minister of Religion, Geligao, felt the aura of the Dragon God from it!

Not many people in Hell hold a grudge against the Dragon God anymore, but the liches are different—these paranoid and long-lived guys are like stones that are smelly and hard, holding extremely stubborn positions on the grievances of a thousand years ago.

Instead, the warlike Minister of Military Affairs, Caesar Kelin, started from a strategic perspective, feeling that it was inappropriate to rashly show hostility. For one thing, the Vast Ocean is the Empire's sphere of influence, and even if Hell wanted to reach out, it would be powerless; for another, they don't know the Empire's attitude now, and they still don't understand why the Dragon God disappeared suddenly back then, just as they don't understand why that guy appeared suddenly now.

If the relationship between Saint Xisi and the Dragon God is not harmonious, they might be able to try to win over those forces whose positions seem to be wavering.

Other ministers had no opinion.

But Geligao opposed it.

In short, the Cabinet has huge differences in the decision-making of this matter.

In order to make more accurate judgments, they need more intelligence.

Thus, the Demon Capital's most famous political black box—the door of the "Supreme Council Hall" opened once again.

And unlike the last time, this time it wasn't the two ministers required by the minimum threshold, but four full ministers!

This alone is enough to show the Cabinet's enthusiasm for this matter.

And in addition to many councilors being invited, twenty-seven Demon Kings whose territories are located in coastal areas were invited to return to the Demon Capital to report the losses of their territories in the "Great Storm" and attend the hearing as observers.

They don't necessarily have to be present in person, but basically, they will send their confidants.

At the same time, as a councilor and a Demon King whose territory is located in a coastal area, Luo Yan naturally received an invitation to the Supreme Council Hall and will participate in the council proceedings and the final vote as the only Demon King sitting at the main table.

Although he could entrust his office secretary, Karisiman, to attend on his behalf, or delegate other confidants to vote... that would be equivalent to giving up the opportunity to declare his interests.

He certainly couldn't give up such an excellent opportunity.

He wants to use this meeting to win over all forces that can be won over, while weakening those forces that might hinder him.

As for the specific operation, it involves the art of balance.

He has to let out the wind, indicating that he is interested, and has already participated in this game between "Hell and the Empire," but he cannot let everyone think that he has eaten all the chips, so much so that he has become a dish on the dining table.

After a few pleasantries, Kalan went straight to the point.

"I'm really sorry to disturb you at this juncture, Mr. Luo Yan. I believe you have already learned the ins and outs of the matter through the Council's channels, but I still have to repeat it as a matter of routine... The Cabinet attaches great importance to the 'Great Storm' that occurred on the Vast Ocean. The high-level needs to evaluate the impact of the 'Great Storm' on the outpost of His Majesty the Demon God on the surface based on the intelligence fed back by each Demon King, as well as the impact on the Empire, and use it as a reference for subsequent decision-making."

Luo Yan nodded calmly.

"I understand. After all, that 'storm' indeed exceeded everyone's expectations."

Kalan sighed, his eyes a little tired for a moment.

"Yes... it seems you already know, and I have nothing to hide from you here. All signs indicate that the storm was not a simple natural phenomenon, but caused by energy overflowing from the subspace. If it were just an earthquake, the Cabinet wouldn't have such a big reaction, but our respected Minister of Religion insists that it was the Dragon God's doing... and a thousand years ago, our relationship with the Dragon God was not harmonious."

Luo Yan nodded, hiding the thought-provoking smile on his face.

Dragon God?

That guy who is still nursing doesn't have this heaven-defying ability.

Because the meat lizard's DNA could not activate the "Conqueror's" landing module, and her previous corpse was picked up by himself, this guy who lost the status of "noble Zita Empire citizen" and "Dragon God" and was reduced to "livestock" is currently facing a double collapse of spirit and body, as well as a complete breakdown.

She won't be able to go home in this life.

And it's best not to be found by people from her hometown.

"... Mr. Luo Yan?" Noticing that Luo Yan seemed to have lost his train of thought, Kalan reminded him softly.

"Nothing, I just... felt surprised by the name Geligao." Seeing Kalan looking at him with a strange expression, Luo Yan coughed lightly, covering up the unnatural smile, and continued, "I didn't expect him and the Dragon God to have such profound... hatred? Do they have any grievances between them?"

"I'm not clear about that, but he is also an old man who served the God of the Underworld. Maybe he saw that guy on the battlefield... Alright, let's not talk about him for now." Kalan seemed to accept Luo Yan's explanation and quickly ended the topic.

There had been rumors in the Demon Capital that Geligao was dissatisfied with the death of Elder Zakluo, and even had a dispute with the Minister of Intelligence, Kalaramosi Meiluxinei, because of it.

Considering that Zakluo was Geligao's student, and Kalaramosi Meiluxinei was a close friend of Feisiting Padirichi, and Luo Yan was the "prospective son-in-law" favored by Feisiting, and also the person who directly killed Elder Zakluo... the relationship between Luo Yan and this Minister of Religion would definitely not be harmonious. As a noble drifting on the edge of the Demon Capital's power center, Kalan did not want to intervene in the contradictions between the two factions.

Luo Yan nodded and changed the topic smoothly.

"So, they intend to put the dispute to the Supreme Council."

"Exactly, and... this time it is mainly the dispute between Caesar Kelin and Geligao Suolun. I believe you know more about these two than I do, so I won't elaborate on their opinions."

Kalan nodded and continued in an official tone.

"In addition to these two, Chief Minister Asimeng Ankein and Minister of Intelligence Kalaramosi Meiluxinei will also attend. Now the Ministry of Internal Affairs attaches great importance to this meeting and requires subordinate units to prepare meeting outlines. The task assigned to the Demon King Management Department is to communicate with the summoned Demon Kings before the meeting starts and summarize the intelligence. The Demon Kings attending as observers can raise objections to areas where the summarized intelligence differs from the facts. If there are no objections, no further statements will be made. Compared to every Demon King speaking once, this can save speaking time..."

Speaking of this, he smiled embarrassedly and said politely.

"So... please cooperate with our work; just say anything."

Luo Yan smiled faintly and said in a gentle tone.

"This is my honor; let's begin."

Seeing Luo Yan so cooperative, Kalan breathed a sigh of relief, cleared his throat, and said.

"Then I will go straight to the point... although we know that Lei Ming County is located behind the Vortex Sea, we still want to ask, did the great storm affect your side?"

Luo Yan picked up the teacup and took a sip, staring at the misty vapor and thinking for a moment before saying.

"The labyrinth of Lei Ming County is very far from the core of the storm, so we were not affected. The only change was that it rained for those few days. However, the east coast of the Vortex Sea is already in the rainy summer, and there is no direct evidence to show that it was affected by the 'Great Storm'."

As he spoke, he put the teacup back on the tray, and the porcelain collision made a slight crisp sound.

"For us, the more imminent threat is the Chaos Legion from the Dimensional Desert."

Hearing this, Kalan's brow relaxed a little, and he nodded.

"Then I can rest assured... So, you don't have specific information about that storm suspected to be from the subspace?"

Luo Yan's mouth curled up.

"Not necessarily."

Kalan was slightly astonished, instantly becoming energetic, leaning forward and asking.

"Oh? Specifically?"

Luo Yan pushed the tea cup forward gently, answering calmly and composedly:

"I have a servant, or rather a believer—who happened to be swept into that storm that swept across the Vast Ocean. And when he woke up, he happened to be on an unfamiliar beach."

"... An unfamiliar beach?" Kalan was stunned, his brow slightly furrowed, "And then?"

"Then... he saw a scene he would never forget in his life." Luo Yan was silent for a moment, bringing Kalan, who was listening intently, into the story he had already fabricated before returning to the Demon Capital, "That was not an island, nor was it the 'New World' we are familiar with, but a brand-new land in the middle of the Vast Ocean that had never been discovered."

"He was very surprised, because no sea chart could find clues about that land; it was as if it appeared out of thin air on the sea."

"This reminded me of the legend about the Dragon's hometown. It is rumored that the Dragon God and His people originated from a place called Jiana Continent... perhaps my servant stumbled into there."

"And what surprised me was even more than that—"

"According to his statement."

"There is already an Imperial colony there."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 297 =====