Chapter 303: A Table Full of Schemes

As the words fell, the council chamber was terrifyingly quiet.

Several councilors frowned slightly, their eyes looking at Caesar Prince Prince Kelin with slight dissatisfaction.

This guy seemed to treat this place as his command tent, as if the conference table in front of him was a map stuck with military flags, and they—these senior councilors—were his soldiers.

Without a doubt, this was rude behavior.

However, some councilors revealed thoughtful expressions, or simply had an indifferent look, watching the excitement.

For example, Hefis was a typical example.

That fire demon councilor, whose body was wrapped in blazing flames and whose skin seemed to be cast from magma, leaned back in his chair, as if he didn't care about the contention in front of him, a faint smile even appearing on the corners of his mouth—

As a subordinate who had once served Caesar Prince Prince Kelin on the battlefield, he knew the temper of this "Iron-Blooded Prince" better than anyone.

This man never liked to beat around the bush, and even less would he hide his edge.

Caesar stared at Geligo, their gazes crossing in the air, as if sparks were struck.

This meeting was full of gunpowder from the beginning.

Luo Yan couldn't help but ponder in his heart; clearly, now was not the best time for him to speak. It was better to let Caesar and Geligo cross fire across the air for a while.

"Mr. Prince Prince Kelin, please sit down first."

A steady and introverted voice came from the end of the conference table.

Ankein Asmon, the Chief Minister of the Cabinet, coughed lightly and continued slowly.

"This is a council, not the frontline. We must fully listen to everyone's opinions before we can make a choice that meets everyone's interests."

He paused and added another sentence:

"This is also the teaching of the Demon God."

"Otherwise, the chaotic battle of all demons is the lesson from the past... we have already paid enough price for this, I don't want to watch you repeat the same mistakes."

His tone was gentle, but his words were not without hints.

Luo Yan's intuition told him that this shadow demon was not as neutral as he appeared on the surface.

From the restraint of his tone and the ambiguity of his position, his judgment was actually inclined toward Caesar.

But he wouldn't say it explicitly.

As the leader of the entire Cabinet, he had to maintain a balance on the surface—even if he really wanted to pull toward that side, he had to pretend to be balancing.

Just as Luo Yan was thinking this, a low, cold voice sounded slowly, like a ghost crawling out of a grave.

"Do you want to know my opinion?"

And the moment that voice sounded, the light in the council chamber seemed to dim quite a bit.

Geligo Solun's eyes, burning with green soul fire, cast toward Caesar, a faint, cold arc appearing at the corners of his mouth.

"When I was fighting them on the battlefield, you didn't even know where you were."

His tone seemed to be mixed with mockery and contempt, every syllable cold and bone-chilling.

"Objects to win over? If you really understood them, you wouldn't say such things."

"They want to eliminate us from the root, and not just us!"

The lich's voice echoed in the great hall like a magic spell, every word powerful, not showing at all that he was just a decaying corpse.

"The eyes of those fanatics don't have the word 'contract,' and they, like the Dragon God they believe in, are all a bunch of complete lunatics, and lunatics who possess terrible power!"

"Their gods don't believe in anyone or any reason; they use any means to achieve their goals and stop at nothing... even at the cost of destroying themselves."

"Just like they once clamored to eliminate death, only to bring the whole world into an endless abyss."

"Win them over?"

"You're not playing with fire, you're dreaming!"

Saying the last sentence, the soul fire burning in his skull was like erupting magma, almost swallowing every inch of shadow.

His skinny fingers tapped on the table, every tap like a nail driven into a coffin, making people involuntarily stop their breathing.

It could be seen—

Gutafu had hurt him thoroughly enough.

Luo Yan sighed inwardly, silently saving face for Taffy.

This kid is really guilty of heinous crimes.

Reincarnating into a pig is not wrong at all.

Perhaps, this is retribution.

The conference table was silent.

Looking at the stubborn Geligo, Caesar Prince Prince Kelin's eyes narrowed slightly, his face changing, making it hard to guess his inner thoughts.

Watching the atmosphere at the conference table fall into a stalemate, Asmon could only come out to smooth things over again.

However, just as he was about to say something, an elegant voice with a bit of frivolity suddenly came from one side of the conference table.

"What a wonderful debate."

"It's just a pity that, ultimately, our intelligence on the Jana Continent is still a blank slate... therefore, if I may be blunt, whether it's continuing the war of a thousand years ago or winning over former enemies, the two's judgments are completely built on castles in the air."

The person who spoke was Karamos, Hell's Minister of Intelligence.

The moment his voice fell, two gazes focused on him in unison.

Asmon looked at Karamos, who was just acting like he didn't care a second ago but suddenly jumped into this fire pit, in surprise, clearly not expecting him to speak suddenly at this time.

Luo Yan also looked at him quite unexpectedly, secretly admiring him in his heart.

Is this the composure of a demigod-level powerhouse?

If it were him, he would probably wait for the two demigod-level powerhouses to be tired of fighting before handing over the ladder in his hand, even if he had the confidence to suppress them.

Geligo looked at Karamos expressionlessly, not speaking, just using those cold eyes to speculate on the motives hidden behind that smile.

And in contrast, Caesar's attitude was much tougher, a proud arc already raised at the corners of his mouth, refuting unceremoniously.

"Castles in the air? Does that mean we do nothing without intelligence? And on the contrary, my decision is precisely out of caution for the current situation of intelligence deficiency."

"If the lizardmen on the Jana Continent are as strong as they were a thousand years ago, it just shows they are qualified to be Hell's strategic allies. And if their strength is weak, assisting them against the Empire's infiltration can also reduce the pressure on our frontline. From any angle, winning them over is more reliable than fighting a battle with no chance of winning across half the vast ocean!"

Before the words fell, Caesar Prince Prince Kelin suddenly snorted coldly, his sharp gaze flickering slightly, a hint of undisguised mockery in his straightforward tone.

"And speaking of intelligence... isn't collecting intelligence your duty, Minister Karamos?"

"Of course." Karamos wasn't provoked by his provocation, just nodded elegantly, and continued to say. "Peering into the truth behind the fog is precisely my duty... but intelligence is something that always takes time to collect. Even His Majesty the Demon God cannot conjure up messages that don't exist out of thin air."

When he said this, he suddenly changed the subject, his peripheral vision glancing at Luo Yan who had been silent, and the smile on his lips became increasingly meaningful.

"But fortunately, we are not without clues."

"Sitting in this council hall right now is a Councilor who has an understanding of the Jana Continent that perhaps far exceeds everyone present... even including you and me."

The air seemed to solidify at that moment.

The gazes of all the demons gathered at one point like a torrent—

Not expecting that he suddenly became the focus of the whole field, even though Luo Yan had prepared for his speech in advance, he was caught off guard by this sudden situation for a while.

It's too early now.

However, Karamos didn't intend to let him go, smiling and pushing him to the front of the stage formally.

"Then, respected Councilor Luo Yan, now is a good time for you to share your insights. I think not only me, but Caesar and Geligo must also be very curious about how you view the situation on the Jana Continent... can you share your thoughts with us?"

He threw this hot flame crystal over lightly.

Damn the composure of the strong—

This guy is clearly here to be a stirrer!

Luo Yan cursed in his heart, but his face showed no ripples, still maintaining composure.

He stood up slowly, his eyes sweeping calmly across all the scrutinizing, questioning, or expectant gazes in the field, and then spoke slowly.

"... Since Mr. Karamos has kindly invited me, I will dare to insert a few of my personal insights."

Pausing, he continued in a deep voice.

"Just as Mr. Karamos said just now, we know too little about the Jana Continent, and making any major strategic decision now will appear hasty and sloppy."

Caesar's eyes narrowed slightly, seemingly examining the intent of his words. And Geligo didn't look this way, seemingly not taking his words to heart.

Luo Yan breathed a sigh of relief slightly and continued.

"... But I also agree with Mr. Prince Prince Kelin's point of view; we can't always wait until we have mastered all the intelligence before making decisions. The Empire has already walked ahead of us. Regardless of what method they used to cross the Great Barrier and establish a colonial outpost on the Jana Continent before the great storm destroyed it, this is enough to show that their understanding of that land far exceeds ours... including their understanding of the lizardmen on the Jana Continent."

"Oh?" Karamos looked at him with a smile, asking with interest, "So what is your conclusion? Conquest or winning over, which one are you more inclined toward?"

"I don't agree with either," Luo Yan shook his head slowly, speaking. "My suggestion is, we don't need to stare at such a grand strategic goal as the Jana Continent, but can intervene in the local situation from a smaller entry point."

"For example, establish a Demon King territory below Deadwood Port!"

Before his words fell, whispers had already spread in the gallery.

The councilors sitting in the meeting seats also exchanged glances with each other, seeming to think this was a good idea.

Indeed—

The Jana Continent is too far away.

Even if they wanted to win over the Gutafu United Kingdom, they might achieve little effect because of the diplomatic distance, not to mention that as Minister Geligo said, they didn't understand those lizardmen.

And conquering that place was even more of a fantasy.

They all knew in their hearts that even if they took that continent, with the Imperial fleet existing on the vast ocean, it would be very difficult for them to hold it.

By comparison, building a Demon King territory was undoubtedly a more compromise-oriented and practical choice.

They weren't colonizing the Jana Continent, but colonizing the Empire's colony!

As for further decisions, they could wait until they knew enough about the local situation!

After forming this consensus, what Councilor Luo Yan said next was simply to their hearts' content—almost becoming their mouthpiece.

"... That is the Empire's colony. I think even if we reach our hands there, it won't alert the Gutafu United Kingdom, but might instead gain the other side's favor."

"First, we clearly state our hostile position toward the Empire, which is equivalent to telling the lizardmen on the Jana Continent that we have a common enemy."

"Second, we can maintain distance while observing the situation on the Jana Continent at close range, especially deepening our understanding of the Gutafu United Kingdom, and retaining the space to make strategic choices."

"We don't necessarily have to choose 'war' or 'alliance' now; sometimes 'waiting' and 'probing' themselves are also higher-level strategies."

"The above is just my personal opinion; if you have better ideas, please don't be stingy with additions."

After the speech, Luo Yan nodded slightly and sat back in his seat calmly, without saying much more.

The council chamber fell into a brief silence.

Immediately afterward, several whispers sounded.

Many councilors and Demon Kings in the gallery nodded one after another; although many demons still had cold expressions, their gazes were still mostly appreciative.

Chief Minister Ankein Asmon leaned back in his chair, looking at Luo Yan thoughtfully, a hint of rare appreciation flashing in his eyes.

Unlike the many councilors present.

What he appreciated wasn't the idea Luo Yan proposed itself, but his ability to adapt and remain calm in the face of danger.

——This guy has brought the art of language to the extreme!

Asmon could certainly see that Luo Yan was inclined toward Caesar Prince Prince Kelin,

But the clever part is precisely here—his words from beginning to end seemed to be considering the position of Religious Minister Geligo.

And he didn't have a single flaw in what he said.

Sending a Demon King naturally equals sending troops to the Jana Continent.

It's just that the target they are attacking is not the Gutafu United Kingdom, a potential object to win over, but Hell's old rival—the Os Empire.

Even the undead who still hold stubborn conservative positions toward the Dragon God and his descendants couldn't find fault with Hell's high-level decision.

Geligo is actually the representative of this group of people.

Asmon could clearly see from the silence of this demigod-level lich—this stubborn old thing had already made concessions.

High!

Really high!

Asmon appreciated more and more, looking at the young guy and feeling more and more pleasing to the eye—bringing him into the council was indeed a wise decision.

His position?

He supported Caesar Prince Prince Kelin from the beginning. Hell is currently taking advantage of the Os Empire's chaotic logistics to advance the frontline; where would they have the energy to settle old scores with the Dragon God from a thousand years ago?

With Geligo's tacit consent, this topic had no controversy.

As for Caesar.

This Iron-Blooded Prince also liked the compromise plan proposed by Luo Yan very much.

However, the meeting didn't end here.

Next, there was a key problem that needed to be solved—

That was who would be responsible for establishing a Demon King territory on this strange continent!

"I think... we must carefully consider the candidate for this Demon King; his position will represent Hell's position on the Jana Continent." Asmon coughed lightly, then looked at Geligo, throwing this topic to him first. "What is your opinion? Religious Minister Geligo."

Seeing Asmon cast a caring gaze toward himself, Geligo glanced at him lightly, and then his voice sounded slowly.

His attitude was as cold as ever, and no emotional fluctuations could be seen in the calmly burning soul fire.

"I have no opinion."

"The Demon King is the servant of the Demon God; whoever goes is the same to me."

Anyway, the candidate he nominated would be vetoed by Caesar, just as he would definitely veto Caesar's nomination; letting the two of them make a choice was meaningless.

Speaking of this, he seemed to think of something, and then changed the subject.

"But I want to declare one point—"

"This person cannot come from the Graveyard."

When he said this sentence, Luo Yan could clearly feel that the dark green soul fire burning in the skull was staring at himself.

For a moment, he caught a glimpse of the Demon God's shadow behind that burning green light.

He is suspicious of me!

Enduring the pressure from the demigod-level powerhouse, Luo Yan's scalp felt slightly numb, and the fist resting on the table tightened involuntarily.

Luo Yan was psychologically prepared for the possibility that Geligo might hold a grudge against himself.

After all, his apprentice Zakro died in his hands, and was even exposed in the street in an extremely miserable way.

However, what surprised Luo Yan was that the hostility he read from that look wasn't just hatred, but something beyond hatred—

It was more like vigilance from a peer!

But why?

With his strength, it shouldn't be enough to attract his attention.

Luo Yan's thoughts turned rapidly, instantly analyzing countless possibilities, even subconsciously looking at the Demon God statue that couldn't speak, even considering the Demon God's whispers.

Watching Geligo staring dead at Luo Yan, Asmon smiled bitterly and shook his head in his heart.

This guy...

Haggling with a junior, really living backward.

Unlike Luo Yan, he didn't think so much, just purely understood Geligo's hostility as "hatred for the person who killed his beloved apprentice."

This old guy seemed to have taken a step back toward Caesar, not continuing to dwell on how much power Hell should take to avenge the descendants of the Dragon God.

But in return, he still maintained near-naked hostility toward Luo Yan.

Asmon coughed, breaking the heavy atmosphere lingering on the conference table.

"Alright, Religious Minister Geligo, I don't think Luo Yan has ever said he wanted to pick a demon from the Graveyard to serve as such an important role..."

Saying this, he cast his gaze toward Luo Yan, freeing the latter from the pressure of the Religious Minister.

"Am I right? Mr. Luo Yan."

Feeling the heavy pressure piled on his heart dissipate, Luo Yan took a deep breath and stood up again, speaking calmly, a casual smile appearing on his face.

"Of course."

"The Jana Continent is too far from the Graveyard, far exceeding the limit that my jurisdiction and resources can cover. I just shared the intelligence I mastered out of my duty as a Hell Councilor, that's all... I never intended to interfere in this matter from the beginning."

"Is that so? That's a pity. In my opinion, you were clearly the most suitable. I even thought... whether I should transfer you from Lei Ming County." Karamos, who had been listening for a long time, suddenly inserted into the topic, looking at Luo Yan with a smile, the expression on his face as if he were truly regretting it.

Luo Yan coughed lightly.

"That probably wouldn't be very convenient... Lei Ming County's labyrinth cannot be without me."

"Haha, I'm just joking. I don't have the power to interfere with His Majesty the Demon God's will," Karamos joked, looking at Luo Yan and continuing, "Then... as compensation for my regret, can you recommend a candidate who you think is more suitable?"

Pairs of gazes focused on Luo Yan again, including Geligo, who had just moved his gaze away.

Looking at Karamos with a smile, Luo Yan couldn't help but sigh in his heart that this guy who didn't show his mountains and water usually was probably the most difficult old fox at this conference table.

However—

He didn't have a reason to refuse.

After all, this was originally the decision that best met his interests.

Even, for him to recommend the candidate for this Demon King, it was itself a favor Karamos sent him by going with the flow.

"I happen to have a candidate."

Everything was just as in the script, Luo Yan continued unhurriedly.

"This person graduated from the Demon King Academy and is a graduate of the same class as me; whether it is knowledge, ability, or character, it is impeccable."

"Not only that, he has been training at the grassroots level for this year, performing excellently, with extremely strong organizational power and discipline, and also has sufficient independent judgment."

Touching his conscience, Luo Yan said these words against his conscience.

But it couldn't be considered a complete lie.

With Ig's small body being able to survive to the present on the frontline where demons dance, there must be some skills he didn't know about.

Let's just assume so!

"You don't want to recommend Miss Mi Ya Partridge, do you?" A councilor sitting opposite suddenly joked, looking at Festin without a trace, the teasing meaning in his eyes obvious, "If so, I think it's better for you to go yourself."

Festin's expression didn't change at all.

He seemed to have expected this scene today, so he didn't mention his daughter's name at all that night, but instead recommended a complete outsider.

These demons seemed to have ten thousand schemes.

On the surface, it was he who used them, but it wasn't that he wasn't being used by them.

However...

So what?

Bathing in those gazes full of schemes, Luo Yan steadied his mind, and then slowly said the wording he had already brewed.

"Of course not."

"Miss Mi Ya is also excellent, but I think the respected Religious Minister Geligo definitely won't be satisfied with me nominating an outsider who has 'absolutely no frontline combat experience' to serve in such an important role."

Geligo didn't comment on his wording, but the attitude hanging on his face clearly acknowledged this point.

While saying this, Luo Yan's gaze looked toward the Chief Minister, swept across several other ministers, and finally stayed on those two groups of dark green soul fire.

"The one I want to nominate doesn't belong to any faction; he is a true neutral... he will take Hell's interests as the first priority and will not be influenced by anyone, including me."

"His name is Ig."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 304 =====