Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

After the meeting had ended, Ming Dalak dismissed the other envoy ministers from the meeting room and handed Yang Yu a finely crafted sandalwood square box.

”His Majesty is very pleased with your performance. This is the Racial Essence he has awarded you. Make good use of it; we also look forward to your future performance.”

Taking the box, Yang Yu placed it into the System.

It was not the time to refine the Racial Essence; Yang Yu had other, more important matters to attend to:

”Thank you, Prime Minister, and Your Majesty for your concern.

With this, it seems I don’t have to worry about an outbreak of my ’Woodification Disease’ for now.

I have some matters I wish to consult you about.

Could I take up some of your time?”

”Speak freely,” Ming Dalak did not refuse.

”Who exactly was leading everything in the years before the war?” Yang Yu, unreserved, asked, ”Wansheng Country has many wise people; it’s impossible that they didn’t foresee the consequences of sending nobles’ offspring to battlefields arbitrarily.”

”That’s quite a sharp question to start with.”

Raising his hand, Ming Dalak’s index finger emitted a Holy Light that enveloped the entire meeting room, weaving a Barrier that blocked sound from leaking out, keeping the conversation between him and Yang Yu confidential.

”To clarify this matter, we must start from the founding war of the Wansheng Country during the Dark Age. How much do you know about the Dark Age?”

Sorting through the intelligence received from the All Things Library in his mind, Yang Yu began:

”The so-called Dark Age was a time of many small countries and chaotic multi-nation warfare.

There are various theories about what exactly began the Dark Age.

Some say it began with the fall of Hero’s companion, Angel Amon; some say it began when the Hero slew the Catastrophe Witch, spreading the Catastrophe with her dying body; yet others say it started the moment Hero Lox defeated the Demon King...

The end of it, however, is consistently recounted.

Due to the unprecedentedly powerful Demon, the Goblin Emperor, emerging, all races united to overthrow the rule of the Goblin Emperor.

People, weary of the long darkness, yearned for peace and jointly proclaimed the end of the Dark Age.”

”What about the events that followed?” Ming Dalak asked blandly.

”In fear of Demons, Humans directed their wrath towards various Sub-human Species, which eventually led to the formation of Wansheng Country.

Later on, Serti rose to prominence...

Reaching out to the Dragon God Evaluation Country and being put back in their place by the giant dragons.

The giant dragons, learning from the lessons of the Dark Age and Serti’s rise, set rules for this world.

This led to the formation of the current world order.”

”The giant dragons weren’t exactly willing to set these rules for the world.

Many things have vanished into the dust of history, and the ever-neutral giant dragons were compelled to establish those rules.”

Ming Dalak said expressionlessly:

”The reasons Humans persecuted Sub-humans weren’t as they seem.

On the contrary, they were quite absurd.

Recently allies in battle, merely one generation later, the companionship was forgotten...

Let’s put aside Human affairs for now.

In short, know that the Dark Age of Sub-humans continued even after the Human Dark Age had ended.”

Ming Dalak rose from his chair and walked to the meeting room window, a hint of nostalgia appearing in his eyes,

”Back then, some Sub-human Races fled to the Dragon God Evaluation Country ruled by the giant dragons, while others chose to stay and resist...

This country’s past King, myself, and the figure I’m about to mention were part of that Resistance Army.

Leading the Sub-humans to resist was no easy task, but that King always came up with bizarre strategies that caught others off-guard.

And that Grand General always fought bravely, leading the troops to victory time and again...

I was still somewhat naive back then; despite having lived for several centuries and supposed to be the wisest among them, I always acted on theory, making quite a few mistakes...

Not thinking rationally before and continuing to let the nobles send their offspring, perhaps because I believed the plans of past partners were better than my own.

However, it seems he had ultimately grown old...”

Issuing a long sigh, Ming Dalak turned and returned to his original seat,

”A long time ago, he had resigned from his position as Grand General, but his judgment still influenced our decisions to some extent. This continued until his death.”

”May I ask what kind of judgment he made initially?”

”He felt this era was too peaceful, the nobles completely unaware of danger while dwelling in safety, possessing ranks inconsistent with their capabilities, ruthlessly exploiting the residents of their domains.

Thus, he vigorously implemented a merit-based system.

Anyone with the strength could depose a noble.

’If you do not want to lose your fief, then show me your worth. Exist for the protection of this country,’ his attitude was resolute.

The nobles, eager to retain their positions or ascend to higher ranks, thus continuously sent their offspring to the battlefield.”

”And what was the reason for bringing back those offspring with great expense?”

”Our country produces a massive amount of food from the Sailuomen Plain, losing the plain would disadvantage us the longer the war dragged on.

Issues with logistics would sap the strength of the frontline warriors.

In the early stages of the war, Wansheng Country had numerous wealthy lands in the hands of the nobles... does this make it clearer to you?”

Yang Yu nodded, ”Tactfully using the captured offspring to coerce the nobles into relinquishing their lands or collecting their surplus produce, forcing them to support the war.

It was a just way to purge the stubborn nobles, indeed a clever maneuver.

At least, it looked like Wansheng Country was united from top to bottom.”

”Indeed it was clever, but...” Ming Dalak shook his head, ”as you see, we still failed to grasp the measure, and it turned out like this. To do something right often requires a corresponding price.”

It’s truly a miracle there wasn’t a rebellion. No, perhaps, some Sub-humans might have prepared something somewhere, but it was all nipped in the bud.

It wouldn’t be easy for the Beastmen to defect either.

Luo Ze Empire’s attitude towards Beastmen is clear; leading the way for Luo Ze Empire, what likely awaits them is not glory and riches but meeting a grim fate.

Ming Dalak looked at Yang Yu, ”Are your questions over?”

”That’s all for now,” Yang Yu nodded again, ”Does the Prime Minister have anything he would like to ask me?”

Ming Dalak slowly rose to his feet, smiling at Yang Yu:

”Originally, I did have several questions, but now there’s no need. Your responses have completely answered my questions.

I will borrow whatever race’s Strength necessary to ensure Wansheng Country’s survival.

Any race.

You go back and rest well, and prepare for the first negotiation the day after tomorrow.”