Chapter 227
Chapter 227: The Benefits for Both Sides
“Sending a top-tier Undead as a representative? Why the sudden change?”
While wiping the tea-soaked corners of my mouth with a handkerchief, I blurted out in surprise.
“Well! I heard that the vampires have infiltrated Evaroti! They’re the real enemies of the human race—!”
Puffing her cheeks out, Enma exclaimed.
“I want to contribute more to you, Jil-kun— I mean, to the Demon Lord Kingdom!”
The Undead King (over 200 years old) threw a fit and pouted.
“Wait… even if you want to contribute, what can you do?”
“Of course, absorb knowledge!”
Quickly pulling herself back from the pouty phase, Enma replied with a serious face.
“To be honest, we don’t have anyone experienced in agriculture or livestock.”
—I briefly glanced at Claire. She was also the daughter of a baker…
“Undead can be called upon for simple tasks like weeding… but, well, the execution is still a bit lacking… sometimes we accidentally pull out the crops…”
That’s downright terrible!!
“We don’t know anything about livestock either! We want to learn more and be of help! You understand, right, Jil-kun?”
With a sweet smile, Enma declared.
“I want to gain a role beyond just being a weapon!”
She was cutely clenching her fists in front of her, but…
The Undead were actually saying they wanted to get more involved in food production, which was quite the shocking proposal.
Currently, the Undead forces led by Enma were already contributing significantly to the Demon Lord Kingdom just by transporting goods with skeletal horses. If they turned against us, the Demon Lord Army would struggle to move for a while.
As long as we provided dark magic, they could run all night without needing fodder, with comfortable wagons for transport. The logistics power they offered…
But now they wanted to break into the food sector too? Once they mastered the technology, they might even start claiming that the human race and territories were unnecessary!
“Of course, it’d make sense they’d be irritated about being beaten to the punch by the vampires…”
Well, that’s true. They’ve always been at odds, so there’s probably something about face at stake.
“Hmm…”
I slowly sipped my herbal tea, contemplating.
…It would be very easy to reject this. Just the idea of allowing Enma’s subordinates into the Autonomous District was already giving me bad vibes. However…
“That’s right. You’ve mentioned wanting to contribute peacefully to the Demon Lord Kingdom for a while now. I understand your feelings well, Enma.”
I nodded in a way that sounded reasonable.
“—Alright. I’ll allow the Undead representative to remain, as long as they don’t harm the Autonomous District folks. However, the vampires also keep their presence a secret from the residents. Make sure the Undead do the same. Since you’re a top-tier Undead, you can disguise yourself as a human at night, right?”
“Hoho! Just as expected of you, Jil-kun! You understand! I love it!”
Enma jumped up in innocent delight, her stylish glasses nearly flying off as she stumbled, shouting, “Whoa there!”
From the Demon Prince’s perspective, this Undead presence in infrastructure was both a danger…
Yet, from the hero’s perspective, the danger was something to welcome. The more unstable the Demon Lord Kingdom became, the better.
Honestly, the Evaroti Autonomous District alone lacked the production capacity to influence the food situation of the Demon Lord Kingdom. Perhaps if more districts emerged…
But hypothetically, if Enma mastered agriculture and livestock at an astonishing pace, contributing significantly, and then claimed the Autonomous District was unnecessary…
I’d immediately raise the alarm to the Demon Lord about the dangers of relying on the Undead and the intrinsic value of the Autonomous District as a “Breeding Battlefield” to protect the human race.
On top of that, if the Undead’s food production started wielding significant influence…
—By the time I needed to take action, I could just oppose Enma.
I could make a severe attempt to eradicate Enma or harm the Undead, creating an irreparable rift in the relationship between the Demon Lord Kingdom and the Undead.
If their food production faltered, it would mean another blow to the Demon Lord Kingdom and ensuing political chaos.
In that gap, I could arrange alliances, preparing for a unified offensive—Undead hunting was the Holy Church’s job. Of course, dealing with Enma and the top-tier Undead would fall to me.
“Hehe.”
I smiled at Enma.
So now, I’ll play the role of an understanding ally of the Undead.
“Ahaha!”
Enma returned the smile.
The more unstable the Demon Lord Kingdom became, the more it worked in my favor…
“So, what kind of person do you plan to send?”
I casually asked. Since I hardly had any interaction with Enma’s group, it would be advantageous to learn more about their hand.
“Well then, I think I’ll ask Claire!”
Enma’s cheerful voice chimed in.
“Wait, what?!”
Claire and I exclaimed in unison.
“—Me? Why?!”
Claire jumped up, hastily closing the magical book she was reading, completely forgetting to change her expression, appearing uninterested.
“You’re free, familiar with Jil-kun, and to be blunt, as a top-tier Undead, you don’t have a specialized field at all, so you’re the only one that fits…”
“Ugh.”
Claire groaned in response to Enma’s counting.
“Well, to be honest, I’d love to go myself! As the responsible one! Jil-kun seems busy lately, but we could catch up properly over there!”
Enma’s eager gaze was fixed on me, and I desperately wanted her to cut it out.
“But, I’m also in a somewhat tricky position… I can’t move as freely as you, Jil-kun, because I can’t even use a dragon mount…”
By the way, only Demon Race can arrange flying dragon transport on their own. Other races can only attach themselves to the Demon Race’s arrangements. Mainly for considerations towards the Dragon Race, who barely preserved their pride after negotiating with the first Demon Lord.
“I see, so that’s why you’re traveling by wagon…”
I had also moved by wagon during my first battle, and it took quite some time… Though, thanks to the super smooth roads finished by the Korvto Tribe and the rapid skeletal wagons, it was quicker than the typical wagon travel in allied territory.
“It sounds like a long journey…”
Claire still seemed reluctant.
“If we happen to break down and get sun exposure, it turns us to ash. Unlike our mentor, we wouldn’t last even a few seconds.”
Claire pouted, explaining how careful we had to be about travel.
…During the war against the Defteros Kingdom, Claire and her group had been dispatched to the front for body disposal…
Oh, right… That’s how it must be. They certainly couldn’t move during the day, and it wasn’t like they had conveniently available dark places.
Once outside the wagon, where the scorching hell spread, they could only sit still until sunset…
—I kind of imagined Claire turning into ash.
That could be… a relief for both her and me.
But before that happened, I couldn’t help but wish to connect with her in some way…
That was just my selfish desire.
“Next time… well…”
I hesitated to speak.
“If I fly to the Autonomous District, how about I take you with me? I think we could get there before half a day passes while the sun’s down.”
…I felt bad for Leila.
“Oh…?”
Claire looked at me, startled, her expression blank as she jolted.
Could it be she didn’t like it?
…I quietly felt a blow to my ego.
“EEEEEHH?!”
But before I could wallow in my heartache, Enma screamed and jumped up.
“WAAAAAAAIT! You can’t do that! Spending hours on a sky date with Jil-kun!? No way!!!”
Gripping her lips tightly, Enma fell to the floor, throwing a tantrum, “No, no, no! It’s not fair that Claire gets to go!”
“……”
Claire and I stared at her, genuinely taken aback.
Is this the true form of the Undead King?
It’s like she’s just a 200-year-old toddler. Embarrassing. Even if she’s dead.
“Oh, hey! I have a suggestion, Claire!”
Suddenly springing up, Enma wore a bright smile like flowers blooming.
“How about you take a little nap temporarily? I could possess Claire’s body instead!”
…Huh?
