After Being Sold Out By The Empire, I Decide To Assist The Demon King
Chapter 55 - 54: The Offerings Arrive

Chapter 55: Chapter 54: The Offerings Arrive

Two days before winter ended, tributes from various territories arrived...which were silver coins transported in carriages, as tax, to the Demon King Territory. The quantity was consistent with the figures from Vampire Leader Senata.

"The tribute has arrived, sourced from forty territories."

Senata reported during the morning assembly, but her expression was exceptionally grim. Not only her...everyone’s face was gloomy, except for those who went with Yila to find the Harpy yesterday.

Even the Mechanical Body and the Black Knight, whose expressions were hard to read, were surrounded by a dark, oppressive aura.

Senata, with eyes burning with fury, looked at Satan Ye, who still had no clue what had happened, and reported through gritted teeth: "But, many territories did not pay according to the agreed proportions! Over twenty territories!"

The Ghost Glasses Girl also appeared furious. She, who managed the finances of the Demon King Territory, usually had a good temper, but at that moment, she could hardly resist pounding the ground with her fists. She added: "Seven of those territories only paid half of the amount!"

This truly was an incredibly infuriating situation.

Even though the Demon King Territory had become weak, it was not the Demon King’s fault. Moreover...the Demon King Territory had not weakened to the point of being bullied like this. Did they really not fear the Demon King’s army storming their lands?

Insect Leader Rainbow Shell, with his little black pearl-like eyes that couldn’t express emotions, spoke with volcanic-like restrainted anger: "The Jackal Wolfman Territory! They sent an empty carriage!!!"

As he spoke, he fiercely threw the Jackal Wolfman Driver’s head, which he was holding, onto the center of the hall. The still-fresh blood formed a red puddle on the ground.

The smell of blood immediately filled the hall.

"..."

"Furthermore, an official declaration from the Jackal Wolfman Territory’s entire populace and the leaders alike."

The Black Knight, usually warm and considerate like Yasashi, spoke in an extremely cold voice: "The specifics of the declaration are not something the Demon King should concern herself with."

This act of sending an empty carriage was no longer just mere *superficial compliance disobedience* or simple *betrayal*. It was an *insult wanting war*, not to mention the so-called official declaration.

"..."

Everyone was enraged, even Vera, who had joined halfway through, appeared extremely furious...

Yila thought calmly. He naturally felt neither anger nor rage, not just because his sense of belonging to the Demon King Territory was limited, but more because he was the Governor.

*A Governor must not get too angry; otherwise, it would lead to dire consequences like mutation. Therefore, he had long learned to keep his cool...the nobility had turned into such foolish beings, yet he could still work with them calmly on the surface. This showed his excellent control over his temper.*

*However, since the Governor’s emotions were inherently suppressed, he did not need to make an effort to endure them.*

"So, should we change our approach? Prioritize exterminating the Lizardmen, slaughtering every single one of them, leaving only the young Lizardmen who have yet to understand, and killing the rest?"

Yila said.

Hilena forced a smile, suppressing her desire for slaughter. She apologized: "Sorry to make you laugh, Yila. But it’s really too..."

These territorial lords were truly too excessive this time.

Yila understood this and acknowledged it with a nod.

"That’s why I suggest adjusting the priority of slaughter."

In the current Demon King Territory, Yila might have been the calmest person. He looked at Satan Ye, who was sitting there with clenched fists and hadn’t said a word, and remarked indifferently: "Though there’s actually no need to pay attention to the barking of wild dogs."

Appearing calm and somewhat out of place, Yila spoke under everyone’s gaze: "But if you wish, you can first offer the Jackal Wolfmen’s bodies as a blood tribute to the Demon King’s throne. That is entirely feasible."

"..."

The cold, indifferent, and calm voice echoed through the great hall, like cold water splashed over everyone’s heads, rousing them from their anger almost instantly.

Yila was not a polite person, much like how he referred to Lizardmen, Centaurs, and Gorgons as *creepy crawlers*, he freely called Jackal Wolfmen *wild dogs*.

This was extremely contemptuous.

However, if someone said he was wrong, they’d have to admit he had the right to despise, given his qualifications...and along with him, the Demon King Territory had the right to look down upon the wild dogs and creepy crawlers too.

"You’re truly impressive, Yila..."

Calming down, Vera remarked. She looked in Satan Ye’s direction, waiting for the Demon King’s response.

"As Mr. Yila said, it doesn’t matter which territory we deal with first."

Lime, whose body had turned almost pink due to anger, said as he stood in front of the little fairies with claws out, "Let the Demon King decide?"

The others said nothing, just waiting for Satan Ye’s thoughts.

"..."

"Hoo..."

With a sulfurous sigh from her mouth, Satan Ye closed her crimson dragon-like eyes. Her agitated tail became somewhat calmer. She said: "We’re sticking to the original plan."

Which meant, on the first day after winter ended, the first day of spring, the attack on the Lizardmen’s territory would commence. If the losses weren’t significant, they’d immediately march to the Centaurs’ and Gorgons’ territory.

Yila’s original words were *if solved without casualty*, but the other leaders automatically filtered them to *if there aren’t too many losses*...because it was unrealistic in their view.

Satan Ye knew nobody needed her explanation, but she still wanted to speak. She looked at the nodding others and said: "If we first kill all the Jackal Wolfmen, the Lizardmen might be scared and surrender. Then we wouldn’t be able to kill them."

"But if we deal with the territorial leaders first, even if the Jackal Wolfman leaders surrender, even if they beg, we will still kill them...leave none alive."

"..."

"Kill them all! Reclaim everything! Although...the Jackal Wolfmen’s souls are actually insufficient to become Headless Knights."

Headless Knight said gloomily. She refused to acknowledge any Jackal Wolfman had the *soul of a warrior* fitting the Headless Knight’s criteria. Maybe there were some...but they were truly rare.

"Creating Black Knights out of their flesh is doable, as long as they’re strong enough."

The Black Knight said.

"The distribution of spoils...let’s talk about it after the slaughter~"

Hilena chuckled softly as if her anger had dissipated.

"..."

The atmosphere seemed relaxed, but the desire for slaughter had reached a peak...on the battlefield later, the Lizardmen might be implicated due to the anger caused by the Jackal Wolfmen.

However...

That was inconsequential.

...

"Do as you please."

Yila responded.