After Being Sold Out By The Empire, I Decide To Assist The Demon King
Chapter 257 - 1 Yila: The rumors just won’t stop, will they?

Chapter 257: Chapter 1 Yila: The rumors just won’t stop, will they?

"Orphelus! What exactly is going on?"

Duke Novak demanded loudly of the noblewoman before him, his brow deeply furrowed as he spoke to her in a stern tone. "Explain to me why the Caesar Royal Guard appeared on the battlefield?!"

Or rather, why does the Caesar Royal Guard still exist after the merger?

"Why wouldn’t they?"

Answering him was the young lady known as Orphelus, who was casually sipping her tea. She truly matched the stereotypical image of a ’noble girl,’ even to the point of being a caricature.

She wore a knitted silk coat, a beautiful felt scarf, a stunning gemstone necklace, and daintily held a teacup with her slender hand. Her gorgeous chestnut curls and petite pointed boots completed the look.

Of course, her milky white skin and eyes that sparkled like pearls, reminiscent of an innocent little girl, added to the effect.

However, her real age was very questionable, just like Duke Novak, who also appeared very young. She was definitely a false loli.

"Since it’s war, naturally all troops need to participate, to protect the nation... it’s only right."

*As Orphelus spoke, Duke Novak suddenly smacked the table, shouting in anger.* "You ought to know that this war is just a ruse! Our only goal is to weaken the remnants of the former Caesar Duchy!"

*After all, those old relics who fantasize about restoring the glory of the Caesar Duchy spend their days acting superior without actually doing anything productive... They don’t work, refuse to take up government positions, and despite having no money, they act pretentiously.*

*It’s been heard that there are many of them.*

*Thus, the war came to be.*

*Either they recognize reality and establish their new status within Duke Hazad through their achievements in war, becoming new nobles... or follow orders and die on the battlefield.*

*The empire eagerly cooperated since they stood to gain new territories, territories that were relatively easy to acquire... However, once they swallowed the prize, it was impossible for the empire to regurgitate it.*

*Therefore, the Duchy needed to control the situation with a delicate balance.*

"Quite straightforward... This isn’t exactly a hidden motive worth mentioning."

Orphelus said, pushing an empty teacup toward Novak, "Would you like a cup of Golden Apple Tea? The fruit slices are in the bag beside you."

"..."

*Seeing Orphelus’s slow, unhurried demeanor, Duke Novak could only suppress his anger. He took a few slices of dried Golden Apple from the bag and poured himself a cup of fruit tea.*

"Add some water for me too."

Duke Novak’s eyelid twitched at her command, but he added water for her, then asked, "What exactly are you planning? Why haven’t you disbanded the Caesar Royal Guard?!"

*It was a rational choice, both for the surrendered troops on the battlefield and for the forces recruited by opposing nobles. If wanting to incorporate them, the first step should be disbanding them and evenly distributing them among existing troops.*

Originally, Duke Novak thought Orphelus had done the same, but reality proved otherwise.

"If you don’t provide a reason, I will propose to the entire council at the next major meeting to dismiss you as chairperson and strip you of your councilman position."

Despite Duke Novak’s declaration, Orphelus remained unperturbed, shaking her head gently. "Because it’s impossible to disband them, Novak... You are merely a councilman."

The underlying meaning was... Orphelus, being the chairperson, didn’t need to explain much to Novak.

Seeing Novak’s tightly furrowed brows, Orphelus continued sipping her tea calmly and elaborated slightly. "Let the Royal Guard freely kill enemies on the battlefield, until they die in battle or achieve fame... As the official declaration of war’s commencement."

"..."

Duke Novak felt as if he had been plunged into an ice cave.

*Not because of ’letting the Royal Guard freely kill enemies,’ which was understandable. If the Caesar Royal Guard could not develop a sense of belonging to Duke Hazad, then it would be inevitable for them to perish alongside the Caesar nobles.*

*But what did Orphelus mean by her latter words?*

"War’s official commencement?"

Duke Novak repeated Orphelus’s words, and in that instant, he thought of many things. Eyes wide, he asked, "Are you saying that the war between the Duchy and the Empire is to continue?"

Originally, in Duke Novak’s and other councilmen’s understanding... At some point, by exchanging several cities, they would have a tacit agreement with the Empire to halt the war.

The Empire would have gained more land without any military losses.

The Duchy would have addressed internal conflicts without reputational damage.

*It should be a mutually beneficial arrangement!*

"The Duchy has been divided for too long, Novak."

Orphelus said, her tone steady and unflappable, "Caesar will not see an end. Our only path is unification, but it’s incredibly difficult."

*Hearing this, Duke Novak understood the goal... Shifting internal conflicts outward to forge unity through external threat, a classic yet effective strategy.*

*But surely, it can’t be just that...*?

"What else?"

Duke Novak asked, staring into Orphelus’s eyes. "In the end, we won’t simply give up, right? Even if it means enduring severe losses, are you determined to escalate the war?"

*Naturally, because...*

"The Empire’s strength isn’t as formidable as it once was... The millennia-long war against the demons has severely weakened both the Empire and the demon-controlled regions. This is our golden opportunity."

Orphelus said, lightly tapping the table with her slender fingers. "Novak, the Empire’s thousands-year reign as the dominant power is due to end... You must know, conditions within the Empire are far from favorable."

*Few discern this, but Novak and Orphelus were among the few—within the Empire, due to Yila’s defection, the situation resembled a ticking time bomb poised to explode any moment.*

*The Yila Faction... truly an unstable element for the Empire.*

"But as long as Yila speaks, Queen Isabella can still control the Yila Faction."

To Novak’s statement, Orphelus gave him a glance and smiled. "Can you do anything, Novak? Given your acquaintance with Yila Elkaras?"

To this, Duke Novak could only shake his head. He was merely someone Yila knew, not a ’friend,’ nor even a ’familiar acquaintance’... However, this was no surprise to Orphelus.

Orphelus: "Then, let’s proceed with the second plan..."

Novak: "I might as well ask, what is the plan?"

Orphelus: "I heard... Yila Elkaras has a fondness for lolis?"

Novak: "Give it a try, there’s no harm anyway."

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