Hmm?
“Kill people, eat,” Albion said while holding a book.
“You can’t just kill people as you please.”
Via pressed down on Albion’s book.
“Albion, there are plenty of things tastier than humans. Humans can provide you with food too. You mustn’t randomly kill them to eat.”
“Is… that so?”
Albion blinked in a very strange tone.
“Yes. You can try this.”
Via pushed a strawberry cream cake in front of Albion.
“This dessert made by humans is called cake. Give it a try.”
Albion’s eyes lit up. She picked up the small plate and shoved it straight into her mouth, ending up with cream smeared all over her face as she beamed with joy.
“Cake, delicious!”
“So you can’t randomly kill people to eat them, understand?”
“People… can’t kill any?” Albion licked the cream from the corner of her mouth.
“Not necessarily. For example, on the battlefield, during combat, the situation is different.”
Albion nodded and used a pen to write crooked, earthworm-like characters in her notebook.
“Fighting, good.”
Right now, she was just like a kindergartener who had just started school, learning various characters under a teacher’s guidance.
It really isn’t easy. I’m the great Demon King, yet the day has come when I have to do early childhood education?
Via felt a bit helpless.
She was teaching Albion the Common Language of the Theia Continent.
Before leaving, Sashaya had asked her that if she had free time, she should teach Albion how to speak and read so she wouldn’t remain an illiterate dragon.
That was why she had begun teaching Albion.
Fortunately, Albion learned fairly quickly. Although her way of thinking was rather unique, with proper guidance, Via believed she could give Albion common sense.
“Via.”
A knock sounded at the door, followed by a familiar voice.
“Stella? Come in,” Via replied.
Stella pushed the door open and walked in.
After a night’s rest, she had adjusted her condition. She looked completely clear-headed and ready to set out.
“The new imperial army is all prepared.”
“So it’s time to depart?”
“Yes, Via. Next, we need to launch a full assault on the capital. If we succeed, then according to our alliance, I will become the emperor of the Saint Luo Empire, and the two of us will work together to achieve peace between the two races. If we fail…”
Stella fell into a subtle silence.
Even though she had prepared herself mentally, when the moment truly arrived, she still felt a bit nervous.
“If we fail, I can take you back to the Demon King’s Castle and make you a secretary to help me,” Via said with a smile. “I’ll make sure your treatment is satisfactory.”
“If I become a secretary, I want four days off for every three days of work, start at ten in the morning, leave at five in the afternoon, and no overtime.”
“Isn’t that a bit excessive? That doesn’t sound like working as a secretary. That’s more like going on vacation.”
“That’s why the next battle is so important. If I succeed, none of that will be necessary.”
“Then it really is necessary to make you emperor.”
“However, Via, I have a premonition.”
Stella put away her smile, her expression turning serious.
“Next time, I may need your help. Soren definitely won’t sit and wait for death. He will use very powerful trump cards to protect his throne. This might exceed the range I can handle—it’s a domain that ordinary people cannot touch.”
Via nodded.
“Alright, Stella. I promise you. If it really comes to that, I will make a serious move and clear the obstacles for you.”
Stella let out a long breath, her tension easing.
“With those words from you, I can rest easy. Then let’s set out together for the capital!”
In the imperial palace of the Saint Luo Empire’s capital, a minister was reporting to Soren.
“Your Majesty, the imperial army led by Prince Kaiso was defeated by the rebels in the battle at Posi City. Their current status is unknown—alive or dead.”
“Unknown means they’re dead!”
Upon hearing this, Soren flew into a rage.
“Kaiso is nothing but a blowhard good-for-nothing! I already allocated so many elite soldiers to him, hoping he could hold the rebels back for a few more days. And the result? In just one day, he lost to the rebels?”
“According to the intelligence, it seems an unexpected force provided support to the rebels.”
“What force?”
“A demonkin army.”
“What? Demonkin?”
Soren’s eyes widened. He thought he might have misheard.
“Why would a demonkin army appear inside my own Saint Luo Empire? Are your words true?”
“Absolutely true, Your Majesty. It was the assistance of a demonkin army that caused Prince Kaiso to be defeated so quickly,” the minister replied.
“Absurd! How could there be demonkin inside the Saint Luo Empire?”
“This… I don’t know either, Your Majesty.” The minister looked quite helpless.
“The demonkin army should still be at the Yamar Border right now, shouldn’t they? Why suddenly appear at Posi City? Could it be…”
Soren realized something and froze completely.
He had thought of a possibility.
That was, the so-called demonkin capturing the outpost at the Yamar Border and preparing to wage war on the human race with a large army pressing in might have been nothing more than a feint.
It was meant to make him and the Holy Land transfer their main forces over there—a classic diversion tactic.
This way, the defensive strength of the capital would be greatly weakened.
If the main forces hadn’t been transferred away, even if Kaiso lost, it wouldn’t matter. Others could lead troops to continue surrounding Posi City and simply wear Stella’s side down to death.
But now, the situation was different.
“Damn it, Stella! To seize my position, you actually dared to collude with outsiders!”
“Your Majesty, what should we do? The rebels seem to have already set out and are heading toward the capital!” The minister was somewhat panicked.
Soren supported his forehead. He felt as if his head was about to explode.
“Why is there still no news? I clearly sent people to notify…”
“Your Majesty, someone requests an audience!” A soldier entered and reported to Soren.
“Who is it?”
“It is us, Your Majesty. We should have made it in time, right? It seems the rebels have not yet stormed the capital.”
Before Soren could even agree, the clerics of the Holy Land walked into the palace.
Soren looked carefully and saw that it was one of the Holy Land’s bishops, Belon, as well as the current Saintess of the Holy Land, Sophie, along with the Holy Knights.
He did not reproach them for the lack of etiquette. Instead, an extremely delighted expression appeared on his face as he hurried forward.
“Holy Land, you have finally arrived!”
“The Holy Land has received Your Majesty’s request for aid. We have led the Holy Knight Order and rushed here to your side with all speed.”
Belon gave Soren a slight bow.
“Allow us to assist Your Majesty in crushing the rebels and defending the capital.”