Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

Lux Calendar 415, August 9.

Luo Ze Empire Capital, War Meeting Room.

”Who exactly leaked our battle plan?

If our plan hadn’t been leaked, those beastmen wouldn’t have been able to react so swiftly.”

General Wayne Jason clenched the report in his hands tightly, unable to accept the outcome.

The battle plan had been carefully prepared to stabilize the morale of the troops.

Look at what’s written in the report now...

Various raiding forces encountered ambushes of varying degrees en route, with many units losing too many soldiers to fulfill their original tasks?!

A few units faced no resistance, advancing forcefully and achieving their set objectives, but before they could thoroughly savor the fruits of victory, multiple elite beastman forces recaptured the towns.

The raid operation failed, further dispersing the troops’ morale...

Isn’t this an inversion of priorities?

Flipping through the intelligence department’s reports repeatedly, National Guardian General Walsh Eden slightly stroked his white goatee, his expression stern:

”According to the investigation reports, the colorful-haired masked man has appeared again and defeated more than one raiding force with lightning speed. It seems that he also had a hand in recapturing the towns.”

Emperor Luo Hui Qimia Luo Ze, seated in the chief seat, supported his cheek with one hand, his face displeased:

”Again him... During the winter offensive, it was him; at Qinghe Volcano, still him; now, once more him... Where did this guy come from?”

Walsh Eden slightly furrowed his brow, ”His growth rate is extraordinary; if left unchecked, he might indeed develop the strength to turn the tide of the war.”

Wayne Jason slowly spread out he balled-up report, stood upright as if the earlier breakdown had never occurred, and spoke:

”Once the battle situation is reversed, all the manpower and resources we’ve invested in the war with Wansheng Country will be in vain.

At that point, the citizens will undoubtedly be full of grievances, and societal unrest will become inevitable.

I think, at the very least, we need to capture the Sailuomen Plain.

We’ve invested heavily there, constructing such a massive wall...

As long as that city wall is completed, even the beastmen will be helpless against it.”

General Walsh Eden shook his head, ”This year, our reclamation of Sailuomen Plain was too delayed.

And there have been sabotages in the construction of the wall, it seems unlikely that the wall will be completed this year.”

Wayne Jason fell silent.

It was well-known that certain factions with ulterior motives had infiltrated the troops.

Unfortunately, even after extensive searches, only a few traitors were rooted out.

Without those disruptions, Luo Ze Empire would have already determined the victor last winter.

Even the emergence of a colorful-haired masked man wouldn’t have changed the tide.

Emperor Luo Hui sighed deeply,

”Impatience, far too much impatience. With a bit more time, we would have had a greater assurance...”

Had it not been for the news that the Demon King was to descend, the Luo Ze Empire’s actions would have been more cautious.

They had been prepared for over a decade of fighting, not intending to bite off more than they could chew during the merger, but rather to gradually, step by step, change the beastmen’s barbaric ways through culture and ideology.

As the meeting fell into temporary silence, a general seized the chance to stand and speak, ”Your Majesty, I believe the pressing matter now is to discover the cause of the Holy Maiden’s death and cleanse the Curse Sect...”

Before the general could finish, Luo Hui interrupted him,

”I’ve heard this many times already, and I don’t wish to hear it any further.

Let this matter drop here, do not bring it up again now or ever.

I have already sent people to follow the Curse Sect’s movements, and a statement will soon be made to the Goddess Sect and the public.”

”Yes, Your Majesty, my apologies.”

An evident weariness tinged Luo Hui’s words, the speaking general slumped back into his seat, his face expressionless and rigid.

”Let’s refocus on how to deal with that colorful-haired masked man; we strayed a bit off topic,” General Walsh Eden reassured.

Emperor Luo Hui spoke, ”Great General, what do you think we should do about that man?”

After thoughtful deliberation, General Walsh Eden said:

”We might indeed only rely on an assassination squad, but ordinary assassination squads would probably not suffice...

Only the best of the best can eliminate him.

Therefore, I propose:

To entirely subdue Wansheng Country, we’ve cultivated many elites.

As you have heard in the Qinghe Volcano and winter offensive reports, we lost many elites...

Some units are left with just a handful of men, and would be perfect to form into an elite assassination squad.

If this elite assassination squad just catches an opportunity, I believe they should be able to take down that man.”

”Hmm. Have you considered what our course of action would be if they fail?”

General Walsh Eden continued to present his viewpoint:

”Given the current circumstances, we can’t aim for the maximum benefits; our goal is to preserve as much of our existing interests as possible.

No matter how strong the opposition is, they are but one man.

Fighting against the Beastman Army, as long as we avoid ambushes, we are confident of victory on the open battlefield.

As long as we monitor that man’s movements, deploy our troops preemptively, and avoid direct confrontation with his forces, there should be no problems.

This approach is viable even now.

I think we should temporarily delay the proposed absorption of Wansheng Country and focus our offensive efforts on the plain.

If we secure a substantial advantage, we could propose making peace of a ceasefire nature.

As long as we use the pretext of a universal crisis demanding joint efforts, we could place Wansheng Country in a precarious position.”

”And if they refuse, do we label them as the Demon King’s lackeys?”

”Exactly, we would have demonstrated ’sincerity’ first, and if Wansheng Country refuses, that’s on them.”

”Really, can it go smoothly like this?

Forget it... Let’s proceed as you’ve suggested.

It’s the only solution for now.

Order the Ruins Research Institute to halt current projects and focus on replicating those hair fibers to create specialized insulating garments, aiming to outfit every soldier for winter warfare.

If we secure our victories over winter, the beastmen will have nothing to dispute.

Alright, let this meeting be adjourned.”

Sitting in the main seat, Luo Hui waved his hand, signaling the end of this war meeting session.

Meanwhile, news that the Wansheng Country Army had successfully resisted the border incursions spread throughout Wansheng Country’s streets and alleys, causing the beastmen to rejoice once again.

And not long after, another more heartening news filled the entire nation of Wansheng Country with excitement.

Wansheng Country’s true King, the Wanzhang Lion, had regained his health and returned to the throne, retaking control of government affairs.