Chapter 183 Preparations for the Thunder City
Outside the Demon King's Palace, Father Matt sat on a stone bench and waited, and soon saw an acolyte in a robe walking towards him.
"Please come with me, Mr. Matt." A hoarse voice floated out from under the shadow of the hood, like a whisper in hell.
It is hard for anyone to hear that sneakiness without feeling shuddering, but in Matt's ears, it was a completely different feeling, as if he had returned home.
After all, he is not a human, but a corpse.
It is only for the great cause of the Demon King that he has to lurk in the human world, and has been there for almost half a year.
Yes.
Matt nodded slightly and followed the acolyte, following his footsteps through the long corridor and arriving in front of a huge arch.
That huge arch stands in the depths of the cave. The obsidian-carved door frame is inlaid with complex and magnificent patterns, just like the entrance to the abyss, and like the open mouth of an abyss beast.
Through the arch, he entered the main hall, and everything in front of him suddenly became clear.
Spacious, majestic, eerie and scary!
There is also the familiar aura of the undead——
This was his first feeling!
The entire hall is based on rough granite, and there are no gaps in the walls, as if they were cut out of the entire rock formation.
Countless granite steps surround a huge throne, which stands directly in front of the audience hall. Eighteen huge obsidian pillars cluster on both sides of the stone road, like totem poles overlooking the visiting guests. People can't help but lower their heads, not daring to meet the eyes of the demon on the totem with its teeth and claws.
Huge fire pots are inlaid on the surrounding granite walls. Purple flames dance in the fire pots, lighting up the entire solemn and solemn space with a strange light. The stone guards holding halberds stood under the fire basins. The dark armor exuded a frightening cold light, depriving them of the last trace of warmth.
There is no trace of human life on their bodies, and this is the most frightening thing about these stone statues.
It seems that as long as the Demon King is willing, they can wake up from their slumber at any time and turn into loyal guards to guard the safety of the Demon King's palace!
Father Matt's face was full of piety, and he knelt on one knee until the majestic voice floated from the front and enveloped his head.
"Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Demon King."
Matt stood up slowly and stood at the foot of the steps with his head bowed respectfully, like a loyal servant, waiting for his lord to allow him to speak.
Luo Yan stared at that pious and respectful face.
After this little half a year, the corpse he awakened himself became more and more human-like.
若非洞察力敏锐之人，几乎察觉不到他活死人的身份……而这也正是罗炎最满意的一点。
This shows that his soul has adapted to the new body and identity, and has completely integrated into the role he plays now.
After a moment's pause, Luo Yan continued to speak in a majestic voice.
"I have read Charles's letter. I have been hearing about recent events in the Principality of Campbell. You can reply to him for me and say that I understand their current situation. The agreement between us is still valid. As long as they do not break the tacit understanding between us first, we will not take the initiative to change the status quo."
"As ordered." Matt responded respectfully.
Luo Yan looked at him and continued.
“If it’s just for this matter, I don’t think you should come here specifically. Do you have anything else to report to me?”
"The first thing is about rescuing the refugees on the outskirts of Thunder City in the name of the Flame King. Because the porridge shop we set up in the suburbs of Thunder City unexpectedly received the support of Irene Campbell, the legend of the Flame King is spreading at a speed we did not expect, and even has a tendency to spread outside Thunder County."
"With all due respect, many followers of St. Sith even foolishly regarded you as the messenger sent by St. Sith to the mortal world, so much so that there were traces of pilgrims in the church in Silverpine Town. Some of them came from other counties and counties of the Principality of Campbell, and the farthest came from the dukedom and provinces of the southeastern part of the Kingdom of Lane."
Tapping his index finger on the armrest of the throne, Luo Yan thought for a long time and said.
“But this has also created variables for our next plan. The recognition from the Campbell family has made the sacred aura of the ‘Fire King’ so dazzling that it has eroded the gray area we deliberately created between black and white... I would like to ask you if you want to continue to implement the original plan, Gradually guide public opinion to merge the identity of King Yan with your other identity, the Necromancer of Beifeng Mountain. 」
The two vests will be gradually merged in Leiming County, and the legend of King Yan will continue to be spread outside Leiming County. This is Luo Yan’s plan set long ago.
On the one hand, this will allow him to absorb more power of faith, and on the other hand, it will also allow the residents of Thunder County to gradually eliminate their wariness against the Demon King.
But it may not be that easy to do this now.
Under the influence of the Campbell family, people have spontaneously believed that he is the messenger of Saint Sith. Even if someone deliberately leads them to rely on the identity of the Flame King on another of his vests, I am afraid that not many people will believe this "foolish talk".
Even if this is the truth.
Unless he tears off his vest in a more violent way, however, this also carries another risk, that is, the work he has done before will be in vain.
Whether he continues to gain greater influence at the risk of the legend completely deviating from his original intention, or to give up on good results and risk his previous efforts being wasted, he needs to choose between the two options.
Luo Yan thought for a moment and finally chose the former.
"The matter of merging the two identities can be put aside for the time being. You can be responsible for spreading the legend of the Flame King for the time being."
Matt nodded slightly, paused for a moment and then continued.
"There is another thing. Just a few days ago, Irene Campbell sent an envoy to the church in Silver Pine Town. The envoy expressed it in the name of the Duke and the royal family, hoping to meet with King Yan."
Luo Yan frowned slightly.
What do you want to do?
Speedthrough?
Luo Yan was speechless for a moment when he heard the words, and was stunned for a long time, but he understood after a while.
From Erin Campbell’s perspective, the choice she made was perfectly normal.
In other words, if he saw a saint suddenly appear in his territory, he would probably be curious to meet him and see what kind of bull demon he was.
On the one hand, she can show her people-friendly side and win over the lower class people of Lei Ming County. On the other hand, she may be able to win over a powerful magician, and even if she fails, it will not be a loss for her.
Of course.
This is just from the perspective of interests.
Hence does not rule out another possibility. She actually didn't think about it that much, just out of curiosity or wanting to do something with her own power.
"This is too dangerous!" Looking at the Demon King who seemed to have some ideas, Sarah couldn't help blurting out these words.
Seeing Luo Yan turn his attention to her, she took a step forward and walked to him, kneeling on one knee and admonishing him.
"Master Demon King, please don't forget that Irene Campbell is the holder of the "Light of Praise"! The previous Demon King died in the hands of this artifact!"
"I've heard about it," Luo Yan nodded slightly and continued, "What about your suggestion?"
"My suggestion is to nip the danger in the cradle!" Sha A cold light flashed in La's eyes, and he said in a low voice, "I heard that Irene Campbell has just received the inheritance of the Light of Song from the previous Grand Duke, and her own strength is currently only bronze, and her combat experience is not that rich!"
The cold voice echoed in the empty hall, and the sharp eyes flashed with the light of a hunter.
Sarah does not have any good impression of the Campbell family.
After all, under their rule, the demons and mixed-blood demons living on the surface were basically in a state of racial segregation or even extinction.
This is completely opposite to the treatment of humans in the Demon City.
Now that the Campbell family has once again set foot on Thunder County with the "Light of Praise", the murderous intention in her heart has never been greater.
This is not only for the Demon King, but also to defend everything she has now.
Although the two are actually the same thing.
Luo Yan has no doubt about Sarah's determination, but he does not encourage her to do so.
Perhaps because of her training on the planet Kaa, her body is still more or less stained with the corrosion of killing.
After all, the effects of force are mutual. People who face chaos will also be affected by chaos, but the degree is different.
"That is the worst option," looking at Sarah with sharp eyes, Luo Yan said in a gentle tone, "I just asked Mr. Matt to reply to the Knight Commander of the Principality of Campbell. The tacit understanding between us is still valid. If we take the initiative at this time If you take action, you will go the same way as Reggie Dragon. "
"But..."
Perhaps because she saw that the Demon King did not take the threat seriously, Sarah's eyes couldn't help but be a little anxious, and she tried to say something.
Luo Yan looked at her and continued.
"No matter how powerful the Light of Song is, it is just a weapon. The real threat to us must be the person who uses the weapon, not the weapon itself. As for whether Erin Campbell is a threat to us, I would like to confirm this with my own eyes. Changing the owner of the Light of Song may not be a good thing. Maybe the next holder will be more troublesome."
Luo Yan is not naive enough to think that everything will be fine if he grabs this sword.
If it was really that simple, what were the other demon kings doing?
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That artifact should be more than just binding the holder.
It should represent a kind of protection attached to the bloodline, just like the "Blessing of the Dragon God" and "Blood of the Dragon" he holds.
If Erin Campbell dies, it is most likely not to explode the equipment in situ, but to send a new oracle according to the ancient contract, such as taking back the light of praise and refreshing it at Fort Campbell or the ancestral land of the Campbell family, and inserting it into a certain stone for the next person to pull out.
At least Erin Campbell was the chosen one.
It’s not necessarily the next one. Maybe he will be like Aaron Campbell, a perfect and almost impeccable God’s Chosen One.
"I understand..." Sarah, who seemed to be convinced and realized that she had been hasty, bowed her head obediently.
Although the experience on the planet Kaa has changed her temperament, her ability to listen to advice seems to have remained the same.
This is also the most cat-like thing about her.
"Get up. In addition, if you want to give a report in the future, you don't need to give an audience." Luo Yan looked at Sarah and nodded, motioning her to return to her seat, then looked at Father Matt who was standing under the steps and said.
"Reply to Irene Campbell's messenger and say that King Yan agrees to meet with her, but not now, but at the beginning of next month... Just make up a story for me about the specific reason, such as me practicing in a distant place or going on a pilgrimage to a holy city."
He believed that the story compiled by Father Matt could be more self-explanatory than him.
After all, this guy has been doing this recently, and all kinds of rumors about King Yan spread from him.
Matt nodded and ordered the leader.
Yes.
Seeing that he had nothing else to report, Luo Yan waved his hand and said.
"If you have nothing else to do, please step aside."
This throne is too hard and there is no cushion. Sitting for a long time is still a bit painful for your buttocks. If it weren't for the sake of maintaining the majesty of the Demon King, and if the monsters in hell and the players who were keen on performance art were just like this, he would actually prefer to communicate with his subordinates in an approachable way.
After receiving the Demon King's permission, Father Matt bowed respectfully and then exited this majestic hall.
Watching the stooped back disappear under the shadow of the arch of the audience hall, Sarah still looked at the Demon King sitting on the throne with some worry.
"Lord Demon King, do you really plan to meet that Erin Campbell?"
Luo Yan replied in a relaxed tone.
“Why not?”
Sarah said hesitantly.
"But if she sees your identity, wouldn't your situation be very dangerous... The surface of the earth is still human territory after all, and there are adventurers nearby."
Although she knows that the Demon King has silver-level strength, a sufficient number of adventurers is still enough to pose a threat to him.
The gap in strength is not absolute.
Even a diamond-level demon may fall under the siege of a group of mortals without extraordinary power.
Luo Yan knew what she was worried about.
But what she worried about happened to be what he was least worried about.
After all, if there is a conflict, it’s hard to say which side the locals will take.
Even the demons in the Magic City know that the citizens of Thunder City are a group of soft-footed shrimps, not to mention that the place has been riddled with holes by their own direct or indirect interests.
Since he came, even the income of adventurers has increased a lot, and the originally deadly maze has become more expensive than life.
This is what happened after the reopening of Mist Town.
Since the Necropolis took over the local Adventurer's Guild, the organization originally established to defeat the Demon King has gained a new business.
As long as a pre-deposit of Hades Coin is deposited in the Adventurer's Guild's account, those captured by monsters in the maze can automatically deduct the ransom and release them to a safe area.
This is also one of the bad ideas made by players.
The price of the ransom is clearly marked, and it can be reduced in half if you surrender voluntarily. This not only effectively reduces the adventurers' will to resist, but also increases the efficiency of players' gold harvesting.
Luo Yan thought it was interesting, so he took it and used it. Unexpectedly, it directly gave the Adventurer's Guild in Mist Town an additional banking business.
Those who want money rather than their lives are ultimately the minority.
Since the income of adventurers is high, it is better to just earn back a ransom after losing it than to live in the Demon King's dungeon.
"The word "Devil King" is not written on my face. I have even met her father, so how can I be afraid of her? Not to mention that there are very few people who have seen my true face. Our eyes are everywhere in Thunder City. Even if she sees something, there is no possibility of threatening me."
Looking at Sarah who looked worried, Luo Yan smiled and continued in a comforting tone.
"Besides, as you said, she has just obtained the Light of Praise, and her strength is only bronze. At least for the time being, she does not pose a threat to us, but may become a pawn for us to invade the Principality of Campbell."
When he said this, he paused, and then continued to tell his plan.
"In the next few days, I plan to go to Thunder City to see with my own eyes the holder of the Light of Praise, and to take care of some things on the way."
Sarah looked at the Demon King in astonishment.
"Are you planning to go to Thunder City in person?"
She thought the meeting place was Silverpine Town, but she didn't expect it to be Thunder City! ?
"That's right."
Looking at the surprised Sarah, Luo Yan said in a relaxed tone.
"I was in a hurry when I passed by there last time and didn't take a closer look at the situation there. Taking this opportunity, we can just investigate the place."
He had this idea a long time ago, but because he did not have the ability to protect himself at the time, he delayed it until now.
As for now, Sarah is strong enough to serve as his bodyguard and handle troubles for him when it is inconvenient for him to take action himself.
Although her demonic bloodline is a problem, her characteristics are not obvious. She only needs to wear a cloak to cover her cat ears.
Without looking at her ears, it is basically impossible to tell the difference between her and others.
Sarah asked in confusion.
"But... didn't you make an appointment with her next month?"
"That's just a cover, I have no intention of meeting her at the agreed time."
Luo Yan smiled lightly and continued.
"I have my own rhythm. If necessary, I will use my identity as King of Flame to talk to her face to face."
"But if it is not necessary, then I will ask Father Matt to tell Princess Irene Campbell that we have met before."