Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

Massive stones rose from the ground, stacking together as if with consciousness, forming a giant circular platform akin to a temple.

Several purple beams flickered in midair, resembling brushes sketching a complex teleportation array on the platform.

The black armor gleamed, and the current Demon King Guian Emperor lowered his raised hand, thus another transmission platform was completed.

Alongside the transmission platform, a signal tower was also erected.

As long as the signal tower exists, intelligence from different regions can be promptly relayed to the Demon King’s ears.

As the battlefield gradually expanded, the affairs increased.

Moreover, the Demon King had his own matters to attend to, making it impossible to make decisions personally for everything.

The Demon King established a dedicated command center to handle various complex affairs.

Only the most important matters would the Demon King immediately attend to, providing handling methods and solutions.

Sometimes important messages are mixed in with regular reports, and the demon clan responsible for the command center would prioritize reporting the most important news to the Demon King and then convey the remaining information.

Now is the time for the Demon King to receive messages from the command center.

A blue light flickered before the Demon King, forming a screen, a masked descendant of the demon clan holding collated manuscripts appeared on the screen.

Even before the masked demon could speak, the Guian Emperor asked first:

”Has the investigation into Tian Hanxue revealed what happened?”

One day ago, the Guian Emperor received news of another failed offensive, and Tian Hanxue, who went to support the attack, also mysteriously vanished during that war.

As a Demon King and a father, Guian Emperor had tried numerous times to contact Tian Hanxue, but each attempt fell into silence.

If caught in some conflict, contact should at least be possible.

Tian Hanxue had a magic device for emergency contact; simply pressing it would command nearby forces to swiftly aid her.

But...

Tian Hanxue disappeared inexplicably.

The reporting demon hesitated slightly but proceeded to convey the newly received intelligence to the Guian Emperor:

”Lord Demon King, there is some highly unfortunate news.

Lord Tian Hanxue seems to have been defeated in the battle, sealed within some device.

This wasn’t actively discovered by us; it was intelligence released by the Luo Ze Empire.

Lord Tian Hanxue is in their hands, and they could end her life at any moment.

They hope that Lord Demon King can slow down attacks against them and discuss terms.”

The expression of the Guian Emperor was covered by a black helmet, revealing no emotions as he murmured to himself:

”Not killing her immediately, sparing her life, is that their intention?”

”Lord Demon King, how should we respond?”

After contemplating for a moment, the Demon King replied: ”Continue the original offensive.

The assault will be slower without her, but pressure must be maintained.

Don’t worry about Tian Hanxue; everyone stick to the original plan, conquer all surrounding countries, displaying our power, leaving them no choice but submission.

If by then, the Luo Ze Empire still resists and wants to use her somehow.

I will be prepared to lose her.

Compared to her current predicament, I am more concerned about who defeated her, was it the Hero this time?

Thus far, I haven’t received any news of Hero activity. If it was him, it’s not unacceptable.

Upon the Hero’s appearance, I should also take action.”

”Regarding this matter...” The masked demon flipped through his materials, ”It’s probably not the Hero.

There have been no reports indicating the appearance of the Hero in Ruiert Kola’s intelligence.

...It should be the group that once thwarted Lord Tian Hanxue.

To be cautious, we will further investigate whether the Hero was involved.”

The Guian Emperor stood in place silently, purple light flickering in his eyes, as if suddenly recalling something.

The masked demon swallowed nervously.

If the Demon King were to lose his temper, it’d be better than this; seeing no expression from the Demon King, unspeakable fear lingered in his heart.

To avoid showing a distressed appearance in front of the Demon King, his habit of wearing a mask was the reason he was chosen to communicate with the Demon King.

Striving to stabilize his emotions, the masked demon continued his report:

”If there’s any news, I will contact Lord Demon King immediately.

Next, there are several seemingly minor issues, but if not handled well, they could trigger a series of problems.

Thus, I must consult with Lord Demon King.”

The masked demon spoke cautiously and, seeing the Demon King remained unresponsive, continued:

”With the second batch of troops came a logistics unit, and someone blatantly escaped.

He left a note for the demons in his unit, stating that he wants to strive to achieve something and repay Lord Demon King’s endeavors, as being just in logistics is a waste of his talent.

His identity has been investigated; he is a ghost clan member, initially with the lowest recruitment evaluation, meant to enroll later.

However, during recruitment, he often came to the barracks entrance, setting up a stall, showcasing his culinary skills.

He mentioned being rushed last time, not having prepared well, wishing to venture early to another world, contributing to the Demon King Army, seeking leniency from the military officer.

Originally, the recruiting officer wanted to reject him outright, but his cooking was too enticing, attracting several nearby officers.

Those officers seeing his cooking skills, decided to let him join early, granting him the position of head chef.

However, shortly after arriving in this world, he vanished.

We never thought such a situation would arise.

According to military regulations, if someone runs, they must be captured and severely punished, though it will consume significant forces.

Therefore, the officers over there asked me to consult Lord Demon King on whether to go to such lengths for this person; if he returns later, how should he be dealt with?”

The reporting demon cursed those officers inwardly, rules are rules, how could those officers break them just because of tasty meals?

If the officers who ate the meals were present, they would say to the reporting demon: You would speak differently if you had tasted his food, holding yourself back is impossible.

Listening to the report, the Demon King absent-mindedly spoke:

”Such peculiarities exist, such matters cannot be indulged.

The army must know the severity of military law, lest they violate regulations.

If captured, kill him directly, no need to report to me.

No major issues, halt the reports for now.

Report anything significant a few hours later, as I must contact the Four Heavenly Kings now. Certain matters need explanation to them.

Give me all the intelligence on the enemy Tian Hanxue last faced.

I have already lost a Grand General, I will not permit losing a second one.

If indeed difficult to confront, I won’t hesitate to intervene.”