When he opened his eyes, Yila saw a ceiling made of stone bricks. It took him a moment to realize he was in Demon King City... where he would be staying for a while to teach the Demon King.
But before that, he needed to attend the morning assembly.
It seems that in any world, wherever there is a "King," there is always something like a morning assembly. Maybe it is a historical inevitability... similar across all countries and eras.
Kings always need officials to manage the country, and officials need other officials, whose officials need a time and place to gather and communicate, and often the king is needed to make decisions during such communications.
Thus, the morning assembly exists.
"Squeak…"
As the room door opened, Yila raised his head, seeing Hilena, who had opened the door without knocking. The moment their eyes met, she greeted, "Good morning, Mr. Yila. How did you sleep last night?"
"Not too bad, thank you for asking."
As Yila replied, he put on a jacket and instructed, "Please have Vera mend my jacket after the meeting."
"Miss Vera? Mend it? She doesn't look like someone skilled with needlework."
In response to Hilena's confusion, Yila, now properly dressed, simply said, "Vera knows the Textile Activation Technique. Restoring the clothes will be no problem."
Then why not change to a new one?
Hilena kept this question to herself as she led the way, listening to Yila, "Last night, Satan Ye brought snacks to find me alone. Keep an eye on this matter."
Yila's intention was to have Hilena pay attention to royal etiquette, but she clearly misunderstood, responding with a smile, "Are you referring to controlling body shape? The Crimson Dragon race doesn't need to worry about body shape."
Obviously, that's not what he meant! In Demon King City... does anyone really care about the Demon King's stature?
With this uncertainty, Yila, guided by Hilena, arrived in yesterday's hall, with a spatial rift linked to the Half-plane Prison underneath—quite a dangerous design.
It seemed Yila was the last of the ministers to arrive. Standing calmly in the corner, he watched Hilena walk to the empty Demon King's throne, waiting for Satan Ye's arrival.
The number of leaders attending in Demon King City was less than expected…
A tall Beetle-type Insect Race man, a high-ranking Blood Clan girl, a Witch Demon from the empire, a Mutated Slime chef, a succubus maid, a Black Flame Headless Knight, a Mechanical Body, a Royal Black Knight, a Ghost Glasses Girl, and five little fairies.
That's it…
Compared to the empire's countless officials, it seemed rather shabby. This may relate to most cities starting to disobey the Demon King's orders.
Moreover, perhaps it was an illusion, but everyone seemed relaxed... even with chairs to sit on?
While Yila pondered this, Satan Ye was escorted down the rear stairs by two maids, yawning sleepily, "Yaaaw~~~n~"
Yawned?!
At that moment, Yila deeply understood the difference between the empire and Demon King City… If he had to say, he preferred the serious, rigorous empire, but couldn't deny he liked the atmosphere at the Demon King's side more.
"Huh? Mr. Yila doesn't have a seat?"
To Satan Ye's question, Vera, sitting with her legs crossed, smiled and said, "Ah, he must not be used to it yet; let him stand."
You, why are you so lax on the Demon King's side?
"Oh, is that so?"
With that, Satan Ye found her stance, slightly sitting up without slouching like before, and asked, "Does anyone have matters to report?"
Such words like "report if you have matters, retire if not" shouldn't Hilena be saying those? Why are you saying them, Satan Ye?
In Yila's shock, the tall Insect Man began to report directly… truly reporting with no "minister has a matter to report" sort of preamble.
"The battlefield against the empire, their offensive is slightly easing, and the main forces seem to be withdrawing from the main battleground."
After glancing at Yila, the Insect Man continued, "Mr. Yila's intelligence is accurate, our centuries-long war with the empire seems to be coming to an end."
"In fact, it's not an end, but a temporary cease."
Vera interjected, speaking under everyone's gaze, "The price we paid was extremely heavy, our controlled region shrank by twenty percent from before the war."
"..."
At this, all leaders turned to look at Yila, as the Demon King's army's defeat and rout were the results of this man named Yila.
"Most of the tribes that betrayed us withdrew from the battlefield almost immediately, and some re-established contact with us, claiming prior tributes were delayed and will arrive in the coming days, signaling renewed allegiance."
The Blood Clan girl said this, holding a parasol, and asked for Satan Ye's opinion, "How does the Demon King think we should handle these treacherous fair-weather friends?"
"Hmm…"
Satan Ye made a thinking sound, looking at all the leaders present, waiting for their opinions.
"Kill them, kill the resistors, the others can be made slaves."
The Insect Man suggested.
"Then that leaves no room for maneuver, the other betrayers will see us as enemies…"
The Ghost Glasses Girl provided a differing view.
"That's true."
The Insect Man responded, looking up to await Satan Ye's decision.
"..."
The others showed no intention to speak.
At this moment, Yila also understood what Vera meant by Satan Ye being indecisive; she hesitated until now, unsure of what judgment to make.
Vera, meanwhile, made funny gestures towards Yila for reasons unknown.
"..."
Indeed, Yila wanted to say something because… from whatever angle considered, the only way was to act as though those tribes never rebelled and understand their "submission."
However, Yila shouldn't speak now; his identity was not suitable.
If Satan Ye wanted to know his opinion and suggestions, it should be asked after the meeting, in the Imperial Study Room or similar setting, as a normal emperor would skip over this topic.
"Mr. Yila, could you help me?"
"..."
"!!!"
Yila forgot, Satan Ye wasn't a normal emperor, and the words were "help me?" Even in the worst cases, she should say, "Lord Yila, what's your view?" so why this choice of words?!
But… why?!
A different sort of feeling?