In the southernmost part of the Demon King's territory, near the sea, there is a land inhabited by demons... From the current perspective, it is clear that they have negotiated with the territory of the half-demons and decided to work together to put pressure on the Demon King's territory.

After all, once everyone had managed to resolve the issues with the half-demon and vampire territories and returned to the Demon King's territory for a short rest, the demon-inhabited territory had already conveyed the message that they would make up for the previously owed offerings as soon as possible.

This message came from a little bat that flew over on their way back, so the vampires are really useful as intelligence agents.

Although there was no mention of paying more tribute in the mixed-use territory, they have temporarily accepted the rule of the Demon King's territory again... This loyalty is quite fragile, so the cement needs to be laid as soon as possible.

We have the materials and the production capacity, so there shouldn't be any problems in that regard.

"Has anything happened recently?"

Satan asked Youyou, who was left behind in the Demon King's territory, as she sat comfortably in her seat, feeling relaxed. After all, they had been marching for so long and had only been sleeping in tents recently.

She did look quite comfortable, after all, her wings were drooping limply on the throne... This morning meeting was the first one since everyone returned to the Demon King's territory.

Apart from Senata receiving intelligence from her vampire subordinates, all the other leaders were present, including Wolf, who represented the blacksmith... but she didn't need to report anything at the moment.

"No, everything is normal."

As she spoke, she looked at Xiao Gang, who was also staying in the Demon King's territory, and said, "Recently, cement roads have been paved on all the main roads in the Demon King's territory, and the little demons seem to be very happy."

Yes, although the main purpose of the cement road is not to make it easier for the little monsters to walk, it is only natural that they would be happy to have a smooth road without sharp debris everywhere.

"Then, for the other important roads, Xiao Gang, you guys should consider laying cement... After that, we'll consider starting to pave the Demon Lord's Road and extending it into the Lizardmen's territory."

As Yinla said this, the morning meeting seemed to be coming to an end, since no one else wanted to say anything... So, next up was the matter of the Lich territory.

They despise Isabella and therefore refuse to pay offerings... What exactly is going on?

As Illa was thinking this, Senata, who arrived late, walked into the hall. Seeing everyone staring at her, she urgently reported the intelligence: "Yesterday afternoon, the Duchy and the Empire went to war."

This battle was already anticipated by everyone, so it didn't cause much of a stir, and everyone's expressions remained calm.

However, Senata looked very serious. She unfolded the parchment she was using to record information and told everyone the intelligence she had written down, saying, "From yesterday afternoon to early this morning, the Empire has captured two towns."

Two towns were captured in one night?

If such efficiency existed, a city could be captured in just a few days, and the principality could be unified in a few years... Of course, logically, this calculation is impossible.

However, taking down two towns in one night is simply too outrageous.

"How did you do that?"

As Yinla asked this question, he knew the Empire's strength better than anyone. Although he didn't think the Duchy could gain any advantage, it shouldn't be pushed forward so easily.

The surrounding leaders were also somewhat shocked... Had the empire grown stronger without their knowledge?

"Among the Empire's troops, the most notable are the appearance of the eighth seat, Shara Elkaras, and the tenth seat, Heidirin Miriam Wols, leading the troops. The Duchy's troops have been retreating steadily and have now retreated to the first city, where the battle has reached a stalemate."

In Senata's report, Vera clearly realized something. She looked in Inra's direction and asked with some worry, "Inra, has she torn up the contract with you? Now the Empire's Consul can turn humans into wings?"

If that's really the case, then the duchy is definitely doomed, and might even fall even faster than the monsters...

“Impossible. Isabella definitely had that thought, but she couldn’t do it…”

Yinra, who understood Yinsabella very well, said this while frowning as he pondered the reasons for the development of the situation: "Moreover, if the governor can do this, then there will definitely be more than just the two of them on the battlefield."

In response, Senata looked at the data she had previously recorded on the parchment and said, "But in the first half of the night, in terms of casualties—the Imperial forces were almost evenly matched with the Duchy forces, only slightly better... and the exchange of troops was also more cost-effective."

"Does that mean... no decisive factor has emerged?"

As Yinla said this, he seemed to realize something, and his heart, which had been in his throat, relaxed. He said, "It seems to be the effect of the idol effect... Such an effect is common on the battlefield, and it is relatively short-lived, so it doesn't have much practical effect."

Upon hearing Yinla's words, everyone realized something... To put it bluntly, with the governor present, the morale of the imperial troops was high. That's what everyone understood.

But if it's the first half of the night... what happened in the second half?

Just as everyone had the same question in their minds, Senata continued with the follow-up information: "However, in the middle of the night, Imperial General Ulrichira Jem Goodwin joined the battle... and two villages of the Duchy fell."

In other words, did the Imperial forces advance to the outskirts of the first village in the first half of the night, and only after Little Ur arrived did they advance with unstoppable momentum?

Ulrichira Jem Goodwin is one of the most outstanding generals among the younger generation of the Empire, but because he is an Inra faction member, he only commands Inra faction troops.

This is a very common practice; each nobleman manages the troops of their own nobleman, and the nobles of the Imra faction manage the troops of the nobles of the Imra faction... What? You're asking about the Queen's own troops?

Yes, this is what Ira has been trying to reform... There are very few, if any, troops that only obey Ira's orders; that's the state of the empire.

“If it were Ur, then it would indeed be understandable… However, the nobles shouldn’t have allowed him to reach the battlefield so quickly, since if it were for military merit…”

Yinla frowned and muttered to himself. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he looked up and exchanged a glance with Vera, who had also realized something. They both understood.

...

Yes, because Yimra left.