Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

Dongmu laughed heartily, ”How many pieces of Epic Equipment have you collected?”

Sitting atop Lotcar, and looking through Bai Jin’s Crystal Ball, Yang Yu replied,

”I haven’t collected many pieces of Epic Equipment, maybe three or four.

Along the way, we also encountered the S-rank adventure group ’Wild Warriors,’ but there was no major conflict.”

”Hahaha, more than I expected. You truly live up to the name General Potato!”

Dongmu stroked his chin, a full smile on his face,

”The item you needed has already been sent; the remaining task is to go to the Kafezaro Desert and acquire the other materials needed for the Antidote.

Minister Ming Dalak has already sent people over, and they have secured the materials by now.

As soon as Emperor Wan Zhangshi recovers from his illness, you’ll have achieved another great feat!”

”If His Majesty could recover, that would be better than anything.”

”Cut the formalities.

How much longer until you arrive here?

I’m eager to see how you command the troops and drive those humans away.”

”It shouldn’t take much longer, maybe around three or four days.”

”Three or four days, good, good, I’ll be waiting! There’s one more thing...” Dongmu crossed his arms, ”Minister Ming Dalak spoke with Emperor Wan Zhangshi. He believes your achievements are already worth several pieces of Epic Equipment. Even if you don’t specifically search for Epic Equipment, the Emperor is willing to provide the Equipment you need.”

”I gratefully acknowledge His Majesty’s generosity. But I do not wish to ask for too much.

I simply want to be a general who contributes to the peace of this country and leads Wansheng Country towards peace and cessation of war with the Luo Ze Empire.”

”You... think so? Alright, I’ll convey that.”

For some reason, Yang Yu felt a sudden sense of distance in Dongmu’s words.

Yang Yu didn’t speak, continuing to wait for Dongmu to talk, but Dongmu’s subsequent words reassured Yang Yu of his reliability as always.

”General Potato, now, make a trip to Kena Rockz.

Minister Ming Dalak has established a liaison point there, and it’s also a necessary route to the northern Norma Defense Line.

Emperor Wan Zhangshi has already sent the items you might need there.

Once you arrive, you can quickly retrieve your items without needing to return to the royal capital.”

After finishing his explanation, Dongmu showed Yang Yu a detailed map, indicating where the main force was currently located and exactly where Kena Rockz was.

Yang Yu carefully compared the map before allowing Bai Jin to cut off the communication.

Like the supply city Yenodore of the Luo Ze Empire, Kena Rockz is one of the supply cities of Wansheng Country.

The materials to be sent to the northern front lines would stop here for storage, sorting, and distribution before being sent to the stagnant front lines by reliable Beastman logistical troops.

With the speed of Lotcar, it took Yang Yu only one day to reach Kena Rockz.

The Beastmen bustled about here. Beastman Soldiers stationed on the sturdy fortresses kept watch over their surroundings and scouted vigilantly, not daring to relax for a moment.

Having declared their identities to the guards, Yang Yu and his companions were quickly admitted into the city and directed to the liaison station.

Greeting Yang Yu and his group was a black-haired Elf.

She bore a striking resemblance to the liaison officer Dorena whom Yang Yu had previously met, possessing many of the typical advantages of elves, with a curvaceous figure and beautiful features, though the direction of her bangs slightly differed from Dorena’s.

”I am honored to meet you, my name is Lorena, the eldest of quadruplets. Perhaps you have met my sisters before, but to avoid confusion, I have introduced myself this way.”

Unlike Dorena, who conducts liaison duties with utmost seriousness, Lorena is enthusiastic about everything.

As soon as she saw Yang Yu and the others, she enthusiastically welcomed them into the VIP room and personally served them steaming hot black tea.

”I have heard a bit about your affairs, and it’s amazing that you have achieved so much at such a young age.

You have traveled a long way, and I can only offer you this simple tea.

I know why you have come.

Please wait here for a moment while I have someone prepare.”

Yang Yu, along with Bai Jin and the others, sat down in the VIP room, savoring the tea.

Lorena hurriedly went out with a file in hand, Yang Yu’s gaze following the sway of her black hair until she disappeared from the room.

Although Yang Yu had heard of black-haired elves, this was the first time he had seen one in person.

It was not long before Lorena returned to the VIP room, smiling apologetically:

”Since those items are very valuable and not just readily accessible, being stored in places difficult for ordinary people to reach, and your sudden visit requiring their retrieval, it might take some extra time. If you are in a hurry, I suggest you come with me to the warehouse.”

”Let’s go then!” Yang Yu finished his tea in one gulp, standing up, ”I also have some valuables to give you, to avoid prolonging the task.”

”I understand. Then please follow me.”

Yang Yu observed Lorena’s expressions towards Bai Jin and Iyas but did not notice her showing any emotion—neither envy nor anything else—toward the blond-haired Bai Jin and Iyas.

On the way to the important warehouse, Yang Yu openly discussed hair color with Lorena,

”Miss Lorena, you truly have a beautiful head of black hair, quite different from ordinary elves.”

Yang Yu deliberately pointed out Lorena’s difference from ordinary elves, but Lorena still seemed unconcerned:

”Thank you, General, for the compliment. But if you want to have tea, invite me after this war ends.”

”That’s not what I meant. Though it may be intrusive, I just wanted to ask if this black hair color is natural for you?”

Unable to skirt around, Yang Yu directly asked the question, and Lorena did not intend to avoid it.

”My hair color is not natural. My three sisters and I originally had golden hair, just like ordinary elves.

Except for a few cases, most black-haired elves are caused by external factors.”

”Do you know why black-haired elves exist?”

”General, you seem very curious about our elf clan, and you even have these two lovely ladies accompanying you…”

”These are guards sent by the Elf Queen; explaining their presence might take a bit of time.”

Lorena chuckled, ”Is that so?

No need for the General to trouble himself. If I want to know, I will find out myself.

Since the General is interested in us black-haired elves, I’ll explain the reason why I turned to having black hair.

The reason, there is only one.

I abandoned my faith, I stopped worshiping the goddess, and instead, dedicated myself to studying magic deeply.”