The atmosphere at the scene was a little strange for a moment.
Just now, thinking it was an enemy attack, many Demon Tribe Soldiers had rushed out, but now all of them were being controlled by Necromancy.
They had all hoped that their commander would help them vent their anger, but unexpectedly, that excessively beautiful pink-haired girl pulled out a sword and shouted a nickname at him that sounded like a childhood pet name, and the commander fell to his knees with a loud slap.
A Demon Tribe man over two meters tall, such a huge figure, just dropped to his knees like that.
When he was choked with tears and his lips trembled as he opened his mouth, all the Demon Tribe Soldiers thought he was about to shout the word “Mama.”
Fortunately, he didn’t.
A few minutes later, the Hand of White Bone withdrew underground, and the Demon Tribe Soldiers regained their freedom.
General Yanpo, the Rhinoceros-horned General, and the mysterious girl went into the camp, a top secret matter, and no one was allowed near.
“Demon King, they’re spreading rumors everywhere that you’re dead, but I don’t believe it, and neither do the others. We believe that day will come!”
The man, over two meters tall, had just wiped away his tears and his eyes were still red.
Ella was deeply moved as well.
Back then, after the second Tavern Uprising, it was she herself who had promoted Yanpo.
He was brave and loyal, born with great strength.
It was said that when he was born, he smashed through the stone floor with his head, hence his name.
Iron Ox was the nickname Ella gave him—affectionate and easy to remember.
“Demon King…”
“I go by Ella now. For certain reasons, don’t let it slip.”
“Y-yes, Lady Ella.”
Yanpo changed his address and nervously asked, “What exactly happened back then?”
Ella thought for a moment, then slowly said, “Three months ago, I was ambushed by the Human Hero Squad. They attacked when I was alone. I went along with their plan and used a Secret Art to turn myself into a Human girl, infiltrating their ranks.”
“Now, I’ve already made contact with several major Political Factions of the Human Kingdom, gained considerable influence, and am making preparations. You understand, right?”
A look of sudden realization appeared on Yanpo’s face.
“So, you lost on purpose three months ago?”
“…You could say that.”
After all, there hadn’t really been a winner or loser anyway.
Having said her piece, Ella asked about the current situation of the Demon Race.
Now it was Yanpo’s turn to look troubled.
“After you went missing, those tribe leaders started widely spreading the news that you were dead. Their wolfish ambitions are obvious to all. Some are searching everywhere for the Royal Bloodline of the Former Dynasty, trying to claim legitimacy. Others have simply declared themselves King.”
She knew about the latter—she’d just chopped one down the month before last.
“But no matter who it is, none of them have your abilities, so there’s still no winner. Lady Ella, when can you return? Without you, the Demon Race can’t unite.”
Yanpo was speaking from the heart, and it was objectively true.
Decades ago, the Demon Race had many civil wars, and no previous Demon King could keep things under control.
“No rush.”
Ella picked up the teacup on the table.
“This is just the right opportunity to lure out the internal pests and clean them up.”
She took a light sip, then immediately spat it out.
“Cough, cough, cough—why is this wine?!”
Yanpo scratched his head, not knowing how to answer.
In this rough wilderness military camp, everyone drank wine—no way were they going to sip tea like city folk.
He thought for a moment and said, “Lady Ella, I remember your drinking capacity used to be…”
“That was then, this is now. Over there, I have the image of a well-behaved, upright girl. I can’t smell of wine.”
Yanpo nodded, but suddenly had a question he didn’t know if he should ask.
Ella saw right through him.
“Say what you want to say.”
“Yes, Lady Ella… Um, your current body—is it Human or Demon?”
“That’s not important.”
The beautiful pink-haired girl set down her cup and gracefully said:
“In the Human Kingdom, I am Human. In the Demon Territory, I am Demon King.”
Admiration shone in Yanpo’s bull-like eyes.
That’s how it was. Ever since the Tavern Uprising speech, the Demon King always came out with these half-understood but seemingly philosophical sayings, which was why so many loyal followers gathered around her.
“Let’s not talk about that now. I have a plan—the Kingdom is preparing to re-establish relations with the Sea Demon Tribe at Harbor City, and they’ve almost entirely put me in charge of the mission.”
Ella started with this announcement, then gave a cold laugh.
“But they’d never expect that the Sea Demon Tribe is not easy to deal with. The diplomatic plan is bound to fail.”
Hearing this, Yanpo’s face darkened and he nodded vigorously.
“Those bastards.”
Back when Ella became Demon King, she carried out sweeping Grand Reforms and proposed the far-reaching Theory of Racial Identity—that all mutant species, magical constructs, and dark creatures were part of the great Demon Race family.
The Sea Demon Tribe looked neither human nor ghost, and spent all day in the pitch-black depths of the sea—mutated and dark, they fit the bill.
So a delegation was sent to make contact.
The Sea Demons were easy to talk to, agreed to all the conditions, and accepted all the gifts.
But on the day of the signing ceremony, the entire diplomatic group turned and jumped into the sea, never to be seen again.
Ella couldn’t send the army into the sea to hunt them down, so she had to swallow the loss.
But now, finally, there was a chance for revenge.
“According to my estimation, the Kingdom’s envoy group and the Sea Demon Tribe will surely come to blows at Harbor City, and I’ve already found an excuse for war. Just wait a little longer. When the time is right, I’ll send a signal. You’ll charge down from the mountains, drive away those oath-breakers, and Harbor City will be ours.”
She’d long had it planned. Once the diplomatic attempt failed and the battle was won, the Sea Demon Tribe would be driven back to the sea, and the Kingdom would have to give up on development.
By then, Harbor City would become her de facto territory.
As for how to explain things to Celes and the others, Ella was confident.
Yanpo was fired up.
“Great! The brothers have long dreamed of entering the city—life up in the mountains is just too rough. As expected of you, so easily laying out such a plan!”
This was the Demon King he knew—always in control, schemes at her fingertips.
As for whether they could defeat the Sea Demon Tribe, there was no need to worry.
Just a bunch of shrimp soldiers, crab generals, and rotten fish—how could they possibly lose?
Unless their god really showed up to help.
“Even if their god appears, I’m not afraid.”
Ella snorted coldly.
“The Saintess of Light from the Human Kingdom, the one like the Goddess of Light’s own daughter, is now in my grasp. If you think about it, even the Human god’s power is already at my disposal!”
“As expected of you!” Yanpo was full of admiration.
“All right, enough small talk. I have to head back soon. When the time comes, I’ll use this to send you the signal.”
Ella raised her White Bone Sword.
“You know what sound it makes.”
Yanpo nodded hard.
“Understood!”
The howl of the Undead was the Demon King’s command.
After explaining everything, Ella left the camp and followed the trail of Vina’s Magical Anchor Point back the way she came.
[Bone Summoner, Necroblade]
Type: Sword
Grade: Legendary
Description: Your followers believe in the vision you paint, so much so that even the dead are willing to serve you.
[“Let the Demons Be Great Again!”]