Chapter 257
Chapter 257: Retaliatory Measures
In broad daylight, under a cloudless blue sky, I’m flying with Leila.
We’re on our way back to the Demon Lord Castle from Evaroti. Normally, this would be my naptime, but I’m buzzing around like a dragonfly dealing with the Izanis Tribe and their green pests.
Now then—how am I going to handle this situation?
I’ve been thinking about various strategies, but first comes the matter of dealing with the green pests. Releasing magical beasts into the Autonomous District is a clear act of hostility against me.
Just because the Izanis Tribe caused the trouble doesn’t mean they can play dumb. It doesn’t matter if it was intentional or an accident—I’m going to collect what they owe me as the prince of the Izanis Tribe.
For now, I’ll maximize my extremely unstable position as the Demon Lord’s Prince No. 7. Currently, I’m keeping my distance from Aiogias and Rubyphia, but I should make a move to engage Rubyphia.
Of course, I’ll protest in front of everyone about the magical beasts flowing in from the Izanis territory. I can already picture Aiogias’ confident smile twisting into a grimace. If I change sides to Rubyphia’s faction, he’ll be the one in the most trouble.
The source of this mess, that green pest, must be feeling pretty cramped in the faction. They’ll definitely get scolded by Aiogias.
…By the way, is it really smart to be openly hostile when the faction leader is actively keeping an eye on my movements and even trying to contact Spinethia?
“Good grief, what a hopeless man…”
Even Leila’s fuming now.
…It seems all my thoughts are leaking through our connection. I’d rather not pour these dirty thoughts into Leila’s mind.
But earlier, when I was lost in thought without holding the reins, she gently scolded me, saying, “Please let me share that feeling too.” Ugh.
“Don’t worry, I’m not that pure of a girl,” Leila said with a laugh, though a hint of bitterness surfaced.
Is that so? I’ve never met anyone with a heart as pure as yours.
“Eh… really…?”
Leila was left speechless, squirming with a flustered smile. Yeah… that’s the part that gets me.
Leila must have seen many good and bad sides of people. But at her core, she’s, dazzlingly kind and pure, I believe…
“If you say that, then… Alex is also… really straightforward…”
No, no, I’m just a cynical guy.
“I’m the one who’s cynical!”
Not true!
“Yes, it is!”
No way!
“…Hehe.”
…Haha.
“GUHAAAAA!!”
Suddenly, Antendeixis let out a strange scream.
Hey, what’s wrong with you all of a sudden? Leila’s surprised too!
“How can I not scream?! Try being on this end, listening to it endlessly—it’s zero distance, zero distance!!”
I don’t care!!
“Well, well, how about we agree that Liliana is the purest one here?”
Remembering Antendeixis’ presence, Leila hurriedly said to change the subject, blushing slightly.
“Wao?”
Feeling a gaze, Liliana tilted her head slightly while peering at the scenery in front of me.
No… Liliana isn’t exactly pure… Calling this situation “pure” feels a bit off…
Well, anyway.
I’ll relentlessly corner that green pest and worsen their standing in Aiogias’ faction. The goal is to make them come over with a box of sweets and a bow.
Of course, I’d love to just kill them, but that’s a treat I’ll save for the Demon Lord succession war.
Next up, the Izanis Tribe itself.
As for the harassment I can inflict currently on the Izanis Tribe, there’s only one thing that comes to mind.
The undead’s high-speed communication network.
I asked Claire about it once.
“How exactly does the Daily Evaroti run?”
“I’m called to the Demon Lord Castle to report to my master.”
Since Enma allowed the information to be released, Claire answered simply and truthfully.
“Actually, there’s an undead that’s always calling me, just like my master. Once I leave this body and enter the spirit realm, I’m automatically summoned to a certain place in the underground palace.”
After reporting to the waiting Enma, the undead’s summoning temporarily halts.
“In that time, I use a simpler summoning undead I prepared next to my body to return to Evaroti.”
By the way, it seems the summoning undead from the Demon Lord Castle draws magic power from the ley lines, making it output high energy. The simple type is, of course, weaker than that. Thus, while the summoning undead from the Demon Lord Castle operates, it pulls you toward the castle, and when it halts, you’re pulled elsewhere.
You can teleport from Evaroti to the Demon Lord Castle in an instant, but going back takes a few minutes due to the output limit.
Even so, if Leila goes all out, she can travel a distance that usually takes hours in just a few minutes.
If this were applied to communication… it would be disastrous.
And once high-speed communication via the spirit realm spreads, the Izanis Tribe, currently operating as messengers with their dragon mounts, would become practically obsolete.
“Just what…”
No, don’t finish that, Antendeixis.
I get it. This would certainly supercharge the Demon Lord Army.
While it might deal a significant blow to the Izanis Tribe… it raises the fundamental question of whether retaliation is necessary at all.
Plus, I can’t shake off the eerie feeling about Enma being able to keep tabs on the Demon Lord Army’s actions…
So, considering various circumstances, I’ve concluded that revealing the high-speed communication network is way too reckless. I’ll hold off on retaliating against the Izanis Tribe for now.
Finally, concerning the Izanis territory adjacent to the Autonomous District.
I’ve been mulling over various ideas, but nothing that screams “this is it!” comes to mind.
This is because, apparently, there’s hardly anything in the Izanis territory aside from mountains and forests.
There are only a few towns seized from the humans.
That’s probably why they’re trying to mess up the Autonomous District’s development plan, insinuating, “Doesn’t the Autonomous District have too much grain storage? Shall we seize it as our Izanis territory? It would be more efficient.”
I plan to diss the Izanis Tribe as “a clan so weak they even let big game like Asurabear escape,” but I’m unsure how effective that will be.
Asurabear, which reportedly gave the soldier squad a hard time, is merely a weak monster to the demon race…
It’s like a stray cat or dog from one’s own territory wandering off somewhere else; if I petition about the suffering of the Autonomous District’s citizens, the conversation will likely end with “It’s their fault for getting defeated by such weaklings.”
Hmm… what to do… even if I drive the magical beasts back to the Izanis territory, it won’t bother them at all.
The issue lies in the fact that the Izanis Tribe has nothing in this territory that they ‘need to protect.’ I can’t outright raid their towns…
“Oh, there are magical beasts. What shall we do?”
As I neared the Izanis territory after exiting the Autonomous District, Leila asked for my instructions.
“Where are they, and what kind?”
I squinted and looked below but saw nothing yet. Under the glaring summer sunshine, the lush green forest spread out.
“12 o’clock in front, looks like a bear with many arms.”
Ah, another Asurabear.
“If you want, I can handle it.”
Yeah, please do. It’s okay if the fur gets damaged this time.
“Then, excuse me—”
While flying, Leila opened her mouth wide.
“—GAAAAAHHH!”
A roar that didn’t resemble her usual voice sounded. When she talks in her dragon form, it seems she’s forcing her voice, akin to what we’d call falsetto.
So, this powerful roar is actually Leila’s natural voice.
A beam of light shot from Leila’s mouth.
It pierced straight into a corner of the forest.
The White Dragon’s light-type breath—upon reaching the sky, an Asurabear with a scorched head lay collapsed under a large tree.
Whether it’s dead or still alive… with its head burned entirely, it won’t be escaping unscathed. The other creatures of the forest should finish it off.
“Impressive power.”
While stroking Leila’s neck, I nodded in admiration.
Not only the power but her aim was spot on, and her exceptional tracking skills were outstanding.
I can’t help but feel that, without the contract with a demon, dragons are the strongest race of all…
“Eh heh heh.”
Leila blushed, showing off the results of her ‘hunt’ while basking in my pure praise as she circled above the Asurabear.
… The Asurabear isn’t moving at all, did it truly die from its head being burned?
As I watched the smoke rising from the Asurabear’s head, I was struck with an idea.
There’s something important that could be troublesome for the Izanis territory.
…Hey, Leila.
“Yes, what is it?”
…After a brief hesitation, I asked Leila.
“If you unleash your breath with full force, can you burn down the forest?”
Looking up at the glaring summer sun.
“Wao?!”
Liliana, who had been sitting on the saddle as if hugging me, turned with a face that seemed to say, “Are you serious?”
