Chapter 26: The Unspoken Contract

Yunajin was not preoccupied with the immense effort she had expended, or the risk of plunging the Demon Race into war by bringing Qiaolun to the Demon Lord’s Castle; rather, she was consumed by the profound sense of loss that followed her failed attempt to reveal her true feelings.

Thanks to Meredith’s rigorous tutelage, Yunajin had, at a remarkably young age, cultivated a mind capable of rivaling the most brilliant strategists of their era.

She possessed countless methods to bring Qiaolun back to her side, regardless of the human’s willingness.

Yet, Yunajin felt no sorrow over Qiaolun’s departure at this moment; instead, she was meticulously dissecting where her approach had faltered.

She harbored no extravagant hopes for Qiaolun to fall in love at first sight, knowing that despite his resemblance to someone from her former world with whom she shared a deep bond, here, they were distinct souls.

Like any normal courtship, she desired a gradual progression from familiarity to mutual affection.

Yunajin had consistently suppressed her instinctive impulsiveness, believing that her patient, dominant approach would steadily bridge the distance between them.

Nevertheless, Qiaolun had ultimately left.

‘I know he yearned for his family, and I understand the preciousness of loved ones. The journey from Aldelit to the Demon Lord’s Castle, traversing the abyssal rift, then across an endless desert teeming with countless ferocious demonic beasts, was long and arduous. For anyone, however resolute, to be alone in a foreign land would inevitably stir thoughts of returning home.’

‘Ultimately, I still do not understand him, just as I do not entirely understand Meredith. She would never have stopped me from bringing a human to the Demon Lord’s Castle, as she holds no prejudice against any race and always regards matters with unwavering objectivity.’

‘It is vexing; that night when I bade him farewell, this feeling wasn’t particularly strong. My heart wished more for his safe return… why now am I—’

“Your Majesty, regarding the alliance between our two races.”

“Cough, cough—” Meredith’s unintentional cough jolted the Demon Lord, who had been staring blankly at the steps, back to reality.

Yunajin lowered the fist she had been propping against her cheek.

“Let us sign the contract.”

Yunajin waved her small hand, and a parchment shimmering with purple light slowly descended before the newcomer.

Victoria, the current Elemental Dragon King, though over five thousand years old, still had to bow her head before the Demon Lord.

Even if she wasn’t required to be as reverent as Roaring Wind Dragon King Wendy beside her, she still had to rein in the inherent arrogance of the Dragon Race.

‘To think she agreed so quickly. The Demon Race must truly fear the Angelic Race.’

Victoria meticulously read the contents of the contract.

Since the other party had already agreed to an alliance, she assumed the signing would merely be a formality.

At least, that was Victoria’s initial thought, until her form, transformed into that of an elf, began to tremble subtly, and distorted blue veins gradually appeared on her forehead.

‘All members of the Dragon Race, including the elite Dragon Guard, must obey the Demon Lord’s command.’

‘Seventy percent of the annual income from Victoria Port on the Therest Continent is to be allocated to the Demon Race, which will also be provided with exclusive market stalls and reduced taxes.’

‘Consent to the construction of a teleportation array capable of directly connecting to the Demon Lord’s Castle within the Dragon Race’s main lair.’

‘What kind of joke is this? You intend to annex the Dragon Race and conquer the entire Therest Continent?’

A tyrannical aura permeated the air, and the elements of earth, wind, fire, and water quivered uneasily.

“I bid you farewell!”

The Elemental Dragon King cast aside the contract placed before her, suppressing her fury as she turned to leave.

“Wait, Victoria…”

“Wait!” Wendy’s plea was overridden by Yunajin’s stern voice, prompting Victoria to turn her head, her gaze sharp.

“Pick it up.”

“What?”

“This King commands Your Excellency to pick up the contract. As a revered figure of the Dragon Race, are you truly so disrespectful?”

“Your Majesty should examine what is written upon it. This is an alliance of equality and mutual aid, not an excuse for enslavement.”

Yunajin smiled, a gentle, perfectly composed smile, as if fixed upon her face.

“This King did not compel your agreement through force, so you must be mistaken.”

To put it plainly, the Dragon Race possessed no leverage for fair negotiation with her, thus they had no choice but to accept such a contract, regardless of their satisfaction. After all, she was a benevolent ruler who disdained resolving issues through violence.

Except for a small number of otherworldly dragons tainted by magic, most dragons wielded the most primordial power of this land: the elements.

And Victoria, the Elemental Dragon King, capable of simultaneously manipulating all four elements, was an exceptional figure even among dragons.

Now, this five-thousand-year-old being was actually being threatened by a nascent Demon Lord?

‘Force? Power? Do you truly believe I wouldn’t dare to act?’

Victoria was convinced she could slay the Demon Lord on the throne with a single thought, but then there was the primordial demon standing nearby…

Meredith, the High Priestess of the Demon Race, Meredith, the Shadow King.

Rumor had it that if she willed it, she could effortlessly extinguish any life on this land.

A deep purple gaze flickered towards Victoria, and she recoiled.

“Since Your Majesty speaks thus, I believe Aldelit in the eastern part of the continent might be interested.”

With that, she swept her robe and exited the Demon Lord’s Great Hall.

‘Aldelit? I wonder how far Qiaolun has traveled by now…’

Noticing the trace of melancholy in Yunajin’s eyes, Meredith’s brow furrowed slightly.

The alliance with the Dragon Race thus came to naught due to Yunajin’s deliberately structured contract.

Anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of Demon Race history knew that, in their quest to seize the magical wellspring ‘Eye of Creation,’ the Dragon Race had been the first to align with the angels, unhesitatingly turning their claws and dragon’s breath against former allies with whom they had once fought side by side.

Therefore, Yunajin could not, in this instance, trust them as her ancestors once had, especially when they lacked any basis or justification for negotiation.

In this era, the power of the Demon Race was ascendant, which was precisely why the Angelic Race should not interfere with the surface world; there was simply no need for such an ‘ally’ who could betray them at any moment.

Of course, if the dragons had unexpectedly agreed to the aforementioned conditions, the alliance would have been easily forged!

“Lord Meredith, inform Eliog to closely monitor the movements of the Elemental Dragon King and the border regions. Furthermore, if any humans are discovered within Demon territory, treat them kindly and escort them beyond our borders.”

Returning to her office, Yunajin issued instructions to Meredith while reviewing various documents.

Meredith was not only her mentor but also an exceptionally reliable and trustworthy assistant.

Regardless of the command, she would execute it with swift decisiveness after offering any pertinent advice.

This time, however, Meredith delayed her response to Yunajin’s words.

“Lord Meredith?”

She should have promptly replied, “Understood, Your Majesty,” or “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do you perhaps need to rest, Your Majesty? What I mean is…”

“Did I mishear, Lord Meredith? You are suggesting I rest?” Yunajin’s expression revealed a hint of surprise.

“You appear distracted in your work. Is it due to that human?”

Meredith’s words struck home, and Yunajin lowered her gaze in a moment of dejection.

“It is nothing. You know me; I dislike imposing my will on others, and I oppose such behavior.”

Compared to the rule of previous Demon Kings, Yunajin’s governance was remarkably balanced, with commands and rewards always held in equilibrium, and the freedom of her populace founded upon enlightened laws.

She had never sought to keep Qiaolun by her side, but rather wished to be by his.

“You are right, Meredith. I truly should ‘relax a bit’ and stretch my limbs.”

Yunajin rose with a smile, arching her back, and addressed Meredith, “No need for lunch today. We shall go to the Demon Lord’s Altar.”