When Yila opened his eyes, he saw that the ceiling was made of stone bricks. After a moment of confusion, he realized that he was in Demon King City... and he would be staying here for a while as the Demon King's teacher.
But before that, he needed to attend the early morning court.
It seemed that in every world, as long as it was related to the "King," there would always be something like an early morning court. Perhaps it was an inevitable part of history... Similar to any country or era.
Kings always wanted officials to manage the country, and officials always needed officials for the officials. Those officials each had their own duties and needed a time and place to gather and communicate, and communication often required the King to make decisions.
Hence, there existed the early morning court.
"Creak..."
As the room door opened, Yila looked up to see Hilena open the door without knocking. She immediately greeted Yila the moment their eyes met: "Good morning, Mr. Yila. How was your sleep last night?"
"Not too bad, thanks for asking."
Yila responded as he put on the coat beside him, straightening his clothes while instructing her: "After the meeting, please have Vera mend my coat."
"Miss Vera? Mend it? She doesn't seem like the type to do needlework."
Responding to Hilena's confusion, Yila, now dressed appropriately, simply said: "Vera can use the 'Textile Activation Technique,' fixing clothes to their original state is not difficult for her."
So why not just change into another piece?
Hilena kept this doubt to herself, guiding the way as she listened to Yila say: "Satan Ye came to me alone with some desserts last night. Keep an eye on that."
Yila really intended for Hilena to pay attention to royal etiquette, but Hilena clearly misunderstood, replying with a smile: "Are you referring to body control? The Crimson Dragon race doesn't need to worry about body control."
*That's clearly not the point! Does anyone in Demon King City care about the "Demon King's majesty"?*
*With this doubt in mind, Yila followed Hilena to the hall from yesterday. Below the hall was a spatial seam connected to the Half-plane Prison, truly a dangerous design.*
Yila seemed to be the last of all the ministers to arrive, standing calmly in the corner of the room, watching Hilena walk to the empty Demon King throne, waiting for Satan Ye's arrival.
The number of leaders in Demon King City was fewer than expected...
A tall male beetle-type Insect Man, a high-ranking Blood Clan girl, a Witch Demon escaped from the empire, a Mutated Slime chef, a Fairy maid, a Black Flame Headless Knight, a Mechanical Body, a Royal Black Knight, a Ghost Girl with glasses, and five little fairies.
That was it...
Compared to the empire's overwhelming number of officials, this place indeed seemed much more shabby, which might be related to most cities starting to ignore the Demon King's commands.
Also, was it just an illusion, or did everyone seem very relaxed... Even having chairs to sit on?
While Yila was pondering this, Satan Ye came down the stairs, supported by two maids, looking sleepy. She opened her mouth and said: "Yawn~~~~"
Did she just yawn?!
*At this moment, Yila deeply understood the difference between the empire and Demon King City... If he had to say, he preferred the serious and meticulous empire, but he couldn't deny he liked the atmosphere here with the Demon King more.*
"Eh? Mr. Yila doesn't have a seat?"
Satan Ye asked, to which Vera, sitting nearby with her legs crossed, smiled and said: "Ah, that guy probably hasn't gotten used to it yet. Let him stand."
*You, why are you so carefree here in Demon King City?*
"Oh, is that so?"
Satan Ye said, finding her groove a bit. She sat up slightly, no longer slumping like a pile of mud, and said: "Does anyone have anything to report?"
*Shouldn't such "Report if you have something, retreat if not" words be said by Hilena? Why are you saying it yourself, Satan Ye?*
In Yila's shock, the tall Insect Man began to report his content... Really just directly reporting, without any "Minister has matters to report" prelude.
"On the battlefield with the empire, the empire's offensive has slightly eased, and their main forces seem to be withdrawing from the main battlefield."
The Insect Man said as he glanced at Yila, continuing: "Mr. Yila's intelligence was accurate. The thousand-year war between us and the empire seems to be coming to an end."
"Actually, it's not ending, but temporarily pausing."
Vera interjected, saying: "We've paid a heavy price; our controlled territory has shrunk by twenty percent compared to before the war."
"..."
At this point, all the leaders looked at Yila, as the Demon King's army's defeat and collapse were the result of this man named Yila.
"Most of the races that betrayed us retreated from the battlefield almost immediately, and some races have re-established contact with us, saying that previous offerings were delayed but will arrive in the next few days, indicating their renewed submission."
The Blood Clan girl said, supporting an umbrella and asking Satan Ye's opinion: "How does the Demon King intend to deal with those rebellious turncoats?"
"Hmm..."
Satan Ye made a thoughtful sound, looking toward all the leaders present, waiting for their opinions.
"Kill them, and those who resist will be killed. The rest will be made into slaves."
The Insect Man said.
"That leaves no way out; other traitors will see us as enemies..."
The Ghost Girl in glasses voiced a different opinion.
"That's true."
The Insect Man responded, raising his head and waiting for Satan Ye's decision.
"..."
The others did not seem inclined to speak.
*At this moment, Yila understood what Vera meant by Satan Ye being indecisive. She still hesitated, unsure of what decision to make.*
Vera, meanwhile, was winking at Yila, with no clear intent.
"..."
*In fact, Yila really wanted to say something because... From any angle, the only way to handle it was to act as if those races never betrayed, showing understanding for their "submission."*
*However, Yila should not speak now, as his identity was not appropriate.*
*If Satan Ye wanted his opinion and advice, she should wait until after the meeting to ask him in the Imperial Study Room or somewhere similar. If it were a normal emperor, they would directly skirt over this topic.*
"Mr. Yila, can you help me?"
"..."
"!!!"
*Yila forgot, Satan Ye was not a normal emperor, and her phrasing was "help me?" Even the worst-case scenario should be "Lord Yila, what's your opinion?" Why such a difference?!*
*But... why?!*
*A slightly different feeling?*