After Being Sold Out By The Empire, I Decide To Assist The Demon King
Chapter 103 - 102: Identifying the Traitor!

Chapter 103: Chapter 102: Identifying the Traitor!

"Yesterday, during the White Ball Monkey training, we encountered migrating Water Teeth Beasts and were attacked. Two Demon Dog Trainers were injured, and one White Ball Monkey was killed. We exterminated all the Water Teeth Beasts."

The Insect Leader, Rainbow Shell, reported this. He was the first to be called for help by the little fairy yesterday. While Yila slept soundly, he had already led the Insect Man troops and exterminated all the Water Teeth Beasts.

Well, speaking of "exterminated," it was actually just seven or eight of them.

Yesterday, Hilena came looking for Yila to eat the Water Teeth Beasts together. This type of Magic Beast, somewhat resembling an otter in appearance but with longer big buck teeth and a sharp tail, looked like a Pokémon from the Pokémon world.

After being grilled, they smelled delicious. Even Rainbow Shell ate some. Although the Insect Men were omnivores, they typically ate less meat... at least relatively less.

Satan Ye was also aware of this since she was eating yesterday too, so she just nodded lightly.

"Regarding the other territories... we no longer need to wait until the end of spring."

Senata said this. Because Yila joined the Demon King Territory, many territories changed their uncooperative attitudes and began to restore their tribute.

So, what good would it do? They could only be forgiven...

The original strategy was to wait another quarter, and after the quarter ended, determine the priority and urgency of dealing with each territory based on their loyalty.

But now, Senata suddenly said "no need to wait until the end of spring." What was going on?

As everyone looked on in confusion, Senata shook her head and said, "The territories that have re-submitted themselves have already sent their tributes. The remaining territories cannot be hoped for, because of the Duchy’s previous policy of ’granting Magic Beasts citizenship.’"

Indeed, the Traveling Merchants had brought this news before. The decree was to "acknowledge the citizenship of Foreign Clans, allowing Elves, Beastmen, and Dwarves to obtain the Duchy’s noble titles." Although the status of Magic Beasts was still slightly lower, it was already quite good.

This was the first human country to acknowledge the status of Magic Beasts. Although, apart from the Duchy, Empire, and theocratic country, there were no other major human countries in the world.

The theocratic country that didn’t believe in gods was a very interesting nation. Moreover, Yila finally also had no ties with the leaders of the theocratic country... Eh? Why say "finally"?

"Are those territories planning to rebel?"

Little Black asked this, and his normally gentle voice was filled with deep emotion. His helmet, empty except for his glowing red eyes, showed only regret.

In response, Senata nodded, acknowledging the Black Knight Leader’s words and said, "Those Magic Beasts, along with the Blood Clan... who have split from the Demon King Territory without hiding in other countries, have been categorized by me as—ready to rebel."

"..."

This could be considered, in a sense, a case of the greater good taking precedence over family ties.

Yila thought this as he looked at the calm Senata, knowing she had made up her mind. He didn’t speak further about the Blood Clan, instead asking, "What is the situation now? How many have re-submitted? How many territories are confirmed to betray us?"

He remembered vaguely that previously, out of seventy-four Demon Control Areas, only forty territories had paid tribute, and only about ten territories paid in full.

How many now, after Yila’s intimidation?

"Of the seventy-four territories, excluding the Centaur Territory, Lizardman Territory, and the already deserted Gorgon Territory, fifty-one territories have made up the payments and paid their tributes."

Senata said this. She, in charge of the Demon King Territory’s diplomatic affairs, continued, "That means twenty territories have been unable to pay tribute. Twelve of those have decided to defect to the Duchy, five have announced independence, and three want to pay but have no money."

That meant seventeen territories were determined to betray? Was the information really that detailed...

"Your intelligence-gathering skills are quite impressive."

In response to Yila’s compliment, Senata lifted the hem of her gown and curtsied, saying, "Thank you for the praise. It’s quite easy for the Blood Clan to gather intelligence."

Indeed, since Vampires could turn into small bats to gather information from the ceiling, or at least control a Magic Beast to become a blood servant and have them reveal all the information.

Therefore, the Blood Clan could also be used to disrupt the enemy’s rear lines. Though Succubi were most suited for this, unfortunately, the current generation of Succubi was no good: some became housekeepers, some were boxers, and many became maids.

There were no proper Succubi... their proper role was, in some ways, to become improper.

"Hm... What about the Gnolls?"

Satan Ye asked this, and Lodya also looked at Senata, waiting for her response... it seemed she too had a considerable fixation on the Gnolls, just like Satan Ye.

"They are one of the three territories that want to pay but have no money due to their reckless spending."

In response to Senata’s answer, Satan Ye blinked and said, "They aren’t loyal; the Gnolls are just afraid. They are cowardly creatures... thinking this way, some littler clowns don’t really need to be killed."

"..."

"..."

After saying this, the hall fell into silence. Though that was said, everyone was still hesitant about how to handle these traitors. Should they be killed? Or what?

"Ding~"

Yila noticed Vera’s glance. He twitched at the corners of his mouth. Before Satan Ye could utter his name, he preemptively said, "Just kill the Gnolls."

"The Gnolls couldn’t pay tribute because they brought it upon themselves. They just used the money meant for tribute on other things. Or... it’s good that they couldn’t pay their tribute; if they had enough money, it wouldn’t be as easy to settle accounts."

Speaking coldly, Yila found Satan Ye’s cuteness appreciable and said, "The point isn’t about why to kill them. If you want to kill them, not even a thousand excuses for innocence would be meaningful."

"..."

Satan Ye fell silent, looking around at the serious faces of her leaders. She realized she had once again overthought things... the trust of everyone was the reason she could do anything she wanted.

"Understood! Then... what about the other territories? The other nineteen despicable territories?"

As Satan Ye’s eyes brightened, Yila tilted his head... Wait, wasn’t this an easy thing to understand? Vera surely knew but just didn’t want to say it.

——————————

Yila: "Don’t bother with them..."

Satan Ye: "Huh?!"

Yila: "The Duchy wouldn’t really accept those Magic Beasts, would they?"

Satan Ye: "Huh? Why wouldn’t they? Didn’t we accept you, Mr. Yila?"

Yila: "..."

*It was somewhat irrefutable, but I still had some combat ability. However, accepting those Magic Beasts wouldn’t benefit the Duchy greatly, and they’d be pressured by the Demon King Territory. The gains and risks wouldn’t be compatible, would they?*