“Next, the Representative Ambassador of the Lin City Human Autonomous Region, Aurora, will speak.”
Following Demigura’s announcement, a young girl with light red hair and gold-tinted tips stepped out from the group.
From a distance, Qiaolin observed the girl’s delicate features.
She radiated three types of Magic Power, marking her as a rare Multi-attribute Magic Talent.
Although most people in this world only ever awakened a single attribute of Magic Power, occasionally, individuals developed the ability to control other attributes later in life.
Such people often went on to achieve great things.
Aurora bowed respectfully before speaking.
“We are grateful for the Demon King’s continued care for the people of Lin City. This is the list of supplies Lin City is offering to the Demon King this year. Please, have a look.”
Aurora presented a document.
This time, the Demon King examined it with a bit more care.
Hidden behind the throne, Qiaolin took the opportunity to glimpse some of its contents.
‘It’s worth about 300,000 gold coins… What’s the deal with this Lin City? A human autonomous region? I haven’t heard of humans being ruled by the Demon Race. Isn’t The Church doing anything?’
After the former Demon King’s delusions of using her power to dominate the world were shattered, the various races had established clear boundaries.
Even economic trade faced various restrictions.
This was all intended to allow the smaller, weaker races that had been enslaved and victimized to recover.
Concepts like expanding one’s rule simply did not happen anymore.
While Qiaolin frequently received news of the outside world over the years, he mostly cared about whether an extinction-level war or disaster was about to break out, or news regarding Saint-level Powerhouses.
After all, the Saint-level Powerhouses of the entire Saloran Continent couldn’t even be counted on one hand.
‘It’s strange. Gabriela never mentioned this to me. I’ll have to find a time to talk to her later.’
“I will convert these supplies into currency and return half of it to you,” Gabriela said.
“As long as the residents of your autonomous region remain law-abiding, we will keep our promise. Consider these funds a token of gratitude for the handmade goods you provide to the Demon King’s Castle.”
“Thank you, Demon King!”
“Mm…”
“Next.”
The work of reporting and accounting lasted the entire afternoon until the dusk light poured through the windows, casting long shadows across the steps of the throne.
As the crowd dispersed, the Demon King’s Palace grew considerably quieter.
“Sigh…”
Gabriela rested her chin on her fist, looking distressed.
Only after everyone had left could she finally relax her tense, serious expression and slump back into the throne.
“How long will it take you to approve all those official documents?”
Qiaolin emerged and asked, looking at the mountain of scrolls.
“I don’t know. Either way, I’m going to have to pull an all-nighter…”
For a few moments, Gabriela actually wished Caesar would hurry up and rebel.
Anyone could have this seat for all she cared.
However, if her power were seized, she would undoubtedly become a puppet or a slave tasked with processing paperwork.
That outcome would be even worse.
“Good luck, Lina! I’ll stay right by your side!”
Demigura raised a small fist to cheer the Demon King on.
Qiaolin merely waved his hand at the two women.
“Then keep up the hard work. I’m going to get some dinner…”
“Hey! Do you really have the heart to watch Lina suffer?”
Demigura yelled.
“Since you’re a Hero, shouldn’t you be at our beck and call? You have to stay and help, too!”
“Don’t try to guilt-trip me. I’m not one of your Demon Race,” Qiaolin said righteously.
“Even if you treat me like a weapon… as the saying goes, why use a cleaver meant for an ox to kill a chicken? Besides, as the Demon King, Gabriela has to fulfill her responsibilities!”
Speaking of responsibilities, he, the Celestial Hero, had slaughtered plenty of the Demon Race in the past.
Of course, he couldn’t say that to their faces.
“Well… Qiaolin has a point.”
“Lina! Don’t listen to this man’s honeyed words!”
“Haha, it actually is dinner time, though. Let’s go eat first,” Gabriela said with a smile to Qiaolin and Demigura.
“Fine. Since it’s Lina’s request, I won’t object.”
Demigura continued checking a list as she spoke.
Qiaolin leaned in to look and saw it seemed to be a record of names.
“What’s this?”
“An attendance sheet. To prevent certain people from slacking off, I record everyone who comes to report. I know exactly who didn’t show up.”
Demigura’s gaze stopped on the name “Loki,” and her brow furrowed slightly.
“It’s this Loki again. In my memory, she’s barely shown up at the Demon King’s Palace.”
“She is…?”
“A half-blood of the Demon Race and humans. Many children of Human-Demon Bloodline were born after Lin City was established. Humans fear their power, but we are willing to take them in. She is one of them.”
“By the way, Gabriela…”
Qiaolin asked as she finished tidying the documents.
“What’s the story with Lin City? From the way that girl described it, it sounds like an area under the jurisdiction of the Demon Race?”
“Sorry, I almost forgot to explain that to you.”
Gabriela walked down the steps and stood before Qiaolin.
“Not long after I became the Demon King, many human refugees entered the Demon Realm. We took them in temporarily, but that wasn’t a permanent solution. So, I partitioned a piece of wasteland in the east of the Demon King’s Castle for them.”
“Refugees?”
Qiaolin slowly recalled.
That period coincided with the time when Nolan launched the Unification War.
Although the original intent of the war was to establish a stronger, unified Empire, it inevitably left many people displaced.
So, that many people had ended up fleeing to the Demon Race’s territory.
“There are also some people exiled from other human nations. I don’t know what crimes they committed… regardless, they all fled to Lin City. We provide protection, and in exchange, they pay us in supplies. They also sell us various fabrics and handmade goods. You humans may have short lives, but your craftsmanship is ingenious. It’s something even magic struggles to replicate.”
“Hearing you say that, I should probably thank the Demon King on behalf of humanity,” Qiaolin teased.
“Hmph, then hurry up and kneel down to kiss the Demon King’s feet!”
Demigura puffed out her chest and smiled triumphantly as if she were the Demon King herself.
After tidying up, the three left the palace.
The scene outside opened up.
The architectural style of the Demon Race remained the same as it was hundreds of years ago — rugged and majestic.
Massive granite pillars supported the structure on both sides.
Looking back at the gates of the Demon King’s Palace, it looked like a palace built for giants.
As the three walked along the corridor discussing what to have for dinner, the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from behind.
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