Chapter 32: The Wise King’s Gambit

Receiving the final document of the day, Yunajin reviewed it thoroughly before affixing her signature.

—The Serene Demon Lord.

Each generation of Demon Lord bore a unique title and name, some bestowed by their subjects based on their distinct characteristics, while others were chosen personally by the Demon Lords themselves.

Yunajin, the Serene Demon Lord — this appellation had been conceived by Meredith when Yunajin first awakened her powers, for indeed, countless beings across the land might share the name ‘Yunajin’.

A human, an elf, or even a mere cat could conceivably bear such a name.

Meredith glanced toward the sunlight streaming through the window.

“It appears Your Majesty has been exceptionally efficient in handling today’s affairs.”

Meredith’s violet eyes remained as placid as ever, yet Yunajin faintly detected a hint of surprise in her tone.

Ordinarily, Yunajin would procrastinate until sunset, often extending into dinner time, before concluding her work.

Yunajin and Meredith, her current secretary, both gazed outside, watching the sunset’s final radiant glow paint the sky crimson as it slowly descended beneath the horizon.

Meredith sensed her hesitation and unease.

“What is it you wish to say, Your Majesty?” Meredith’s usually frigid tone had subtly softened.

“Today… the weather is rather pleasant, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. Fortuitously, it has remained so for several weeks. Soon, however, winter will officially begin, and the biting frost shall return to this land.”

‘Just as expected of Meredith; even a simple transition into winter solstice sounds profoundly significant when she describes it.’

Yunajin grumbled inwardly, finding herself utterly at a loss for words.

Meredith was always like this: either speaking in vague generalities or steering the conversation directly into a dead end. How was she supposed to continue their chat now?

“So, Your Majesty, do you intend to use this time to conduct an on-site inspection, embark on a discreet private visit, or perhaps mediate inter-racial relations?”

Before Yunajin could even begin to ponder how to discreetly reveal her intentions to Meredith, the other woman had already subtly unveiled them.

Yunajin wished to travel to the human United Kingdom, Aldelit, for there resided someone she longed to meet.

After all, she had been the one to lure Qiaolun to the Demon Lord’s castle, and even if he had been foolishly swept away by his heroic dreams at the time, a desire to explore the world beyond the Demon Realm had blossomed within Yunajin.

“To mediate racial relations, of course. You truly are my most capable assistant, Lord Meredith; your guess was spot on.” Yunajin smoothly adopted an expression of admiration, secretly wiping a bead of sweat from her neck.

“Your Majesty, you flatter me.” Meredith curtsied to Yunajin. “To my understanding, you seek to reconcile the conflicts between the Demon Race and the Human Race. On the issue of territory alone, these two races have been embroiled in disputes for over a century. Although the human empire to the north, Keltus, has been willing to engage in trade since the reign of the Third Demon Lord, the current Aldelit presents a different challenge. Not only are its leaders united in their stance against us, but a significant portion of its populace is also deeply prejudiced against demons…”

‘Damn it, I’m so sleepy…’

Yunajin rubbed her eyes. Meredith had once again launched into one of her interminable explanations, capable of making Yunajin feel as if she were back in a classroom at any time, in any place, provided the moment was opportune.

She truly was a walking, talking tutor!

This time, however, Yunajin forced herself to listen intently, absorbing every detail, allowing it to sink deep into her memory.

“Excellent, excellent.” Yunajin clapped her hands, praising with a smile. “You think precisely as I do. We have been in a standoff with Aldelit in the eastern part of the continent for nearly a millennium. During this time, aside from military force, our predecessors attempted to ease relations through peaceful means, yet unfortunately, such efforts rarely endured for more than a century.”

A shared history, recorded by both demons and humans, spoke of a time during the late reign of the Third Demon Lord when the two races had cooperated to repel a common enemy. Subsequently, the Demon Race had successively established specialized diplomatic agencies within Aldelit, primarily operated by races like Vampires and Succubi, whose appearances closely resembled humans. However, as Yunajin noted, such periods of harmony never lasted long. Demon diplomatic missions throughout different eras faced varying degrees of suppression, and by the end of the Fourth Demon Lord’s reign, contact had all but ceased.

Consequently, numerous demons found themselves isolated and without aid in human territories, compelling them to seek alternative paths to survival.

“Could it be, Your Majesty, that you intend to—?”

If gentle methods were rejected, if they even dared to provoke and retaliate, then absolute force would be the only means to conquer all opposition!

Yet, Yunajin held a different perspective.

“Lord Meredith, you yourself mentioned that, compared to the reigns of previous Demon Lords, my subjects have bestowed upon me the title of ‘Wise King.’ Do you truly believe I would choose war?” Yunajin rested her chin on her hand, her words to Meredith, unbeknownst to herself, imbued with the unhurried composure of a true leader.

War would always be a ruthless, cruel, and greedy meat grinder. Beyond instilling fear in the vanquished, victory offered no true meaning.

“You just mentioned their unified stance against outsiders, but remember, even the most formidable wall becomes utterly useless if the interior it protects is allowed to rot and decay.” Yunajin extended a delicate, pale hand, curling her fingers into a fist, a triumphant, wicked smile gracing her lips. “By dismantling them from within, one by one, we might even manage to co-opt some of their factions if the effect is extraordinary. Then, without expending a single soldier, we can savor this eastern ‘dessert’.”

“Hmm…” Meredith mused. Internal disintegration was undoubtedly a more advanced operation than mere espionage. Previous Demon Lords had been preoccupied with managing internal tribal affairs; the Demon Race of that era was far from the harmonious unity they enjoyed today. It was a true world of the strong preying on the weak, where large tribes devoured smaller ones, slaves were rampant, s*ave owners ran amok, and inter-racial enslavement was commonplace. Consequently, the Demon Lords themselves had no leisure to concern themselves with the Human Race.

“This plan is feasible. As for the personnel involved…”

Since the operation would take place in the Human Realm, it should be entrusted to the Succubi, who had long operated in various environments. Their skills in charm and brainwashing significantly increased the mission’s success rate.

They were natural-born agents.

Among the many Succubi, Meredith could readily list dozens of exceptionally talented individuals. However, the veteran Eight Demon General, Almilina of the Seven Sins, was incapable of freely controlling her own personality, prompting Meredith to regretfully cross her off the list.

“No, *I* shall go personally!” Yunajin declared with confident resolve, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Your Majesty… I advise you to reconsider carefully.” Meredith’s tone left no room for misinterpretation; she was counseling Yunajin as a loyal subject. “For such a mission, we lack the resources to deploy excessive personnel. The Eight Demon Generals cannot easily abandon their posts, and furthermore, the enemy’s core combat strength remains unexposed. Much of the intelligence available currently cannot be definitively verified. This would be a perilous journey.”

“Rest assured, Lord Meredith, this has been well within my expectations. Have you forgotten that numerous remnants of our Demon Race still reside within Aldelit? They shall serve as crucial assets for my operations in the Human Realm.”

Upon hearing Yunajin’s words, Meredith’s expression subtly shifted, and she silently continued to listen.

“I desire a disguise, an identity—an identity recognized by the world.”

Imagining Yunajin temporarily shedding her Demon Lord identity, she would require a non-demonic persona to enter Aldelit openly. Such an identity would need to be well-known, and naturally, possess a certain degree of nobility. Yunajin had no desire to be brushed against or have her skirt hem touched by unknown ruffians on the street, fearing she might lose control and tear them in half.

Or perhaps, that would be too cruel; a gentle snap of the neck might be a more merciful alternative.