Usually, a king does not patrol the territory, whether it is an empire or a duchy, but the Demon King seems different... It seems that the structure of the demon race is not a tightly-knit kingdom.
This can also be perceived from previous conversations, where it was mentioned that "rebels interrupted the tribute," and so on, so the so-called "Demon King" is actually a type of Lord in some sense.
The Demon King is only responsible for the Demon King Territory, whereas other lords are responsible for their own territories... The title of Demon King is a recognized Lord King, more similar to an "Alliance Hierarch" rather than an "Emperor," so patrolling the territory becomes the most important thing.
Rebels not obeying the Demon King? This is a rather serious situation... No, I don't need to concern myself with this either.
Yila analyzed this way, the good and bad within the Demon King Territory he didn't need to care about, he just needed to cultivate the Demon King into a battle-ready king, and after repaying his favors, he could leave heedlessly.
Casually thinking this, Yila, with Hilena and Satan Ye, left the castle under the protection of the Headless Knight.
Generally speaking, noble patrols are done on horseback or by carriage, nobility would often own a beloved horse, but it seems that in the Demon King Territory, horse riding is not popular, perhaps due to not keeping horses...
After all, Headless Knights as a cavalry unit come with their own horses, needing no feeding nor pastures.
From this point, the empire before the appearance of the Governor repeatedly lost battles, which is quite reasonable.
The area of the head is also replaced by flames, the dark horse armor reflecting the nether glow, an oppressive feeling that ordinary imperial warhorses truly cannot rival.
Sitting on one of the handsome warhorses of a Headless Knight, Yila was thinking this, looking at the master of the Headless Warhorse walking beside him… feeling a bit guilty for occupying his warhorse.
"According to the schedule, we will be heading to the Blue Ganoderma fields and other planted lands from here, to inspect the 'poor yield' situation as mentioned by the fairies, patrolling all the way to the seaside before returning to the Demon King City."
Also riding on the warhorse, Hilena spoke to Yila about the plans, she looked at the residents of the Demon King Territory saluting the patrol team and said: "It's normal for the residents to be curious about Mr. Yila, I hope you can understand."
Yila naturally understood this, he looked at the little fairies, insect exoskeletons, goblins, kobolds, inferior demons, and such monsters around him, and the Blood Clan bowing in the shadows... He found it somewhat strange.
"The Demon King Territory here seems to have a different system compared to the Empire."
Saying this, Yila observed those seemingly energetic monsters around him and said: "In the Empire, residents are divided into slaves and ordinary residents, the former being the emperor's and noble's property, the latter being the citizens of the Empire, but it seems different here in the Demon King Territory."
Having seen noble territories, Yila was very aware that if citizens could be described as "pale and thin," then the slaves in a territory truly had no human rights at all.
A noble's orders are everything to the slaves, and all the yield from planting and harvesting belong to the nobles, even eating what one has personally labored to earn is considered a reward from the nobles.
If a noble took a liking to a slave's daughter, the slave must obediently hand his daughter over to be sent to the noble's castle... Those slaves are living, yet they are already dead.
In the Demon King Territory, although conditions seemed unfavorable, the residents' eyes... were much brighter than those of many ordinary residents under noble territories in the Empire.
"Yes, Mr. Yila."
Agreeing with Yila while sharing a ride, Satan Ye nodded and said: "Everything in the Demon King Territory is my personal property... Certainly, when it comes to 'magic rights (human rights),' it cannot be compared to the Empire?"
Listening to the slightly unwilling Satan Ye say this, Yila didn't know what to say—In other words, are they all slaves? Yet their attitude towards life is entirely different.
The monsters along the street, in the presence of the Demon King, did not tremble, nor were they extremely fearful, they didn't even kneel, just bowed in salute, and although there was some exhaustion on their faces, there was no envy or fear of the Demon King's power.
Yila saw only respect.
"How much of their harvest will they turn over to the Demon King City? Or do they have a fixed amount to offer each quarter?"
Unable to resist asking this, Yila received an explanation of curiosity from Hilena: "But since the crops' yield cannot guarantee success or failure every time... it is naturally the 'surplus' portion that will be turned over."
"..."
Looking at the quietly flickering gaze of Yila in silence, Hilena wasn't sure what he was thinking, and continued: "Don't worry, the fairies leading them will rely on enough experience to reserve enough food until the next harvest, and only then will the remaining part be handed over."
"..."
Hilena's words obviously imply she thought Yila was concerned about the dietary issues of the monsters within the Demon King Territory... but Yila just remained silent, persistently, inexplicably silent.
"It seems that the sanitation conditions within the Demon King Territory are similar to those in the frontier areas of the Empire..."
Yila lightly spoke, deliberately avoiding the topic of "slaves" and "residents," looking at the dirt roads where feces were seen everywhere... It appears the monsters even lack the habit of digging latrines.
After leaving the castle of Demon King City and crossing the bridge over the moat, stepping onto the dirt road, Yila could smell an unpleasant scent... Such conditions would commonly appear in the territories of imperial nobles, but not within the Imperial City.
"Originally there were specific monsters for cleaning, but now the manpower is severely lacking."
In response to Hilena's words, Yila nodded again to show understanding, looking at Satan Ye sitting in front of Hilena... the poor little demon king, who still hadn't found a conversation topic to join.
"How about building a toilet... it doesn't need to be like the kind in the Demon King City, just digging a latrine would suffice."
Speaking like this, Yila looked at Satan Ye, he was speaking to the wandering little Demon King, who didn't realize Yila was suggesting something to her, and said: "Satan Ye, what do you think? How about digging several latrines in the Demon King Territory?"
"Eh? Hmm..."
Listening to Yila's words, Satan Ye considered his suggestion but didn't quite understand the significance... yet the smell around them was indeed not pleasant.
"Hmm, let's go with what Mr. Yila suggested."
Satan Ye answered this way.
"..."
Looking at the silent Yila, Satan Ye tilted her head, confusedly asking: "What's the matter?"
"Then, who will be responsible for this? You should personally find someone who can manage it, or arrange for me or Hilena to carry out your orders."
This is how Yila guided her.
"Is that so? Then, Mr. Yila, could you help me with this..."
"..."
Yila stayed silent, today for what seemed like the umpteenth time, feeling like he was experiencing the sense of "manipulating the emperor," and had a sense of déjà vu as the minister from "Akame ga Kill."
However, he didn't want to become such a person, but... he couldn't help but admire Satan Ye, who was able to trustingly hand everything over to her subordinates to accomplish, though she might just be "naive" rather than "knowing how to utilize talent."
"I understand, and will comply with your orders."