After Being Sold Out By The Empire, I Decide To Assist The Demon King
Chapter 41 - 40 Inquiry of Yila

Chapter 41: Chapter 40 Inquiry of Yila

"The Duchy of Hazard has acknowledged that foreign clans, including magical creatures, can become its citizens. It also allows elves and beastmen to become nobles of the Duchy... What do you think, Satan Ye?"

At Yila’s question, Satan Ye was momentarily stunned. She instinctively looked for help towards Yila, Hilena, and Vera, but quickly realized that this was likely a test.

If it were Vera, she might casually reply with something dismissive like, "Just watch," and make light of the situation...

"Hmm..."

However, Satan Ye seriously thought about it and then concluded, "The Duchy does not have confidence in defeating the Empire... because they never expected the Empire to decisively cease their war against us."

Indeed, this was something that many could realize.

The Duchy had initiated the war with the Empire. After observing for some time, the Duchy believed the Empire was not strong enough to handle both the demonic creatures on the southeastern front and the Duchy on the northeastern front.

And in reality, it was indeed the case...

The Empire’s *Governors* were professions meant for slaughtering magical creatures. Although effective against any mana-bearing beings aside from humans, they ultimately couldn’t make a difference in the war with the Duchy.

Even if the magical creatures were destined to be destroyed within a century, during that time, the Empire would be exhausted by fighting on two fronts, leading to significant losses.

No one expected the Empire to decisively withdraw their troops from the demon-controlled territory and the Empire’s border, fully committing to the war with the Duchy.

Even though large-scale battles hadn’t formally begun, only minor skirmishes and clashes had occurred, the outcome was foreseeable... When two titans collide, both would suffer to varying extents.

The Duchy might suffer more greatly.

"Quite right. So, do you think the Duchy’s decision was correct?"

At Yila’s question, Satan Ye looked at Yila, who was cautiously holding onto the reins of his horse, and after thinking for a moment, she said, "Probably not correct... Because various races won’t be easily dragged into the Duchy’s affairs."

"Exactly."

Yila, who had never learned to ride, responded as he sat on the borrowed horse and watched Satan Ye riding around, "The Duchy hopes to gain support from other races, hoping to get our (monsters’) help."

"But that’s impossible. We, who are severely weakened, need to focus on recovery, and other races won’t easily join in. Ultimately, they’ll only get help from a few free non-human races."

*Even though it was both an equestrian lesson and a world affairs lesson, it felt like Yila was the one who was truly learning. He said, "And as for the non-human races, the *Governor*’s power can easily handle them."*

"..."

Satan Ye thought carefully, then nodded in agreement and said, "Regardless of whether we recover, as long as the World Tree allows the existence of the *Governor* profession, we won’t pose a threat."

"The Empire considered this, which is why they decisively abandoned their attack on us, giving up the chance to completely obliterate the monsters... Isabella’s strategy is really brilliant."

Feeling she still needed to learn more, Satan Ye said, and then, in her contemplation, she looked towards Yila, who was avoiding her gaze, and she felt she understood something, "It was you, Mr. Yila, who proposed this, wasn’t it?"

Indeed, it was Yila who proposed this viewpoint... The principle of not pursuing a cornered enemy was just that simple.

"Actually, there was a deeper consideration. I mentioned it at the time... The Empire needs the existence of monsters."

Yila said this, and if Isabella had listened to him at the time, then for now, the monsters wouldn’t need to worry about being attacked by the Empire.

"The monsters have reached an impasse, and within a century, the Empire will choose an appropriate time to turn the demon control area into a vassal state and then gradually assimilate the monsters."

As Yila talked about his past plans, he gradually became more accustomed to riding, and he simply said, "This was my strategy, naturally built on the premise that within a century, the Empire’s quality of life and abundance of resources would become enviable to all races."

*Although it was somewhat embarrassing...*

"In my plan, monsters and foreign clans would replace the current slaves of the Empire, while the Empire’s slaves would have the chance to rise to civilian status, and civilians could become nobles based on contributions like military achievements."

"Then there would be a significant issuance of noble titles to civilians, abolishing the hereditary system for titles below the marquis, making the noble titles once earned through land contributions irrelevant, while the royal family would gain loyalty, population, and land, achieving a high concentration of power."

Yila said things that left Vera, Hilena, and Satan Ye all dumbfounded. He awkwardly touched his nose and said, "My plan might indeed be a bit ruthless, but from the Empire’s perspective... It is a tremendous boon."

*It was more than just a bit ruthless. This national policy considered human nature, demonic nature, and the nobles’ inclinations so thoroughly that it planned the Empire’s future strategy for two hundred years... no, even five hundred years.*

*Like a monstrous, crude plan, but also monstrously forgiving, sweeping in like an unstoppable, grand, inevitable force.*

Even now, knowing this plan, Satan Ye had no idea how to respond to it.

"Ahem, so today’s test question is... How should my strategy be countered?"

Yila asked...

...

How should it be countered?

How... should it be countered?

In a daze, Satan Ye felt as if she were sitting at a chessboard, with Yila sitting across from her. Faced with the given chess game, she could only hold her piece, completely unsure where to place it.

*She was at a complete loss.*

*No matter how she thought, her side’s paths seemed completely blocked. Nothing she did would work, but... in a daze, the figure of Yila facing her turned into the petite Empress, still bewildered and looking at the chessboard.*

*And Yila came behind her, gently holding her hand, ready to move the piece.*

"..."

The answer was already clear.

"I don’t know. I can’t think of a way to break this strategy."

Satan Ye answered honestly as she watched Yila riding alongside her cheerfully, "So, I would ask Mr. Yila to tell me... I’m not asking; I’m presenting my method."

"Which is—to ask you."

Satan Ye said this, feeling she had found the only answer.

"..."

"Alright, so your answer to the test question is ’ask Yila’? Don’t try to take shortcuts..."

Yila laughed helplessly and indulgently. Having learned to ride within such a short conversation, he jumped off his horse and, like a knight helping a princess dismount, extended his hand towards Satan Ye.

At the same time, he provided his answer.

"Within a century, let us become a nation that even the Empire needs to look up to!"