Reji is well aware that Hektor's words are not boastful at all.
If the above Sword Demon squad is the nightmare of all human elites.
Then the current Great Demon legion is the nightmare of all human soldiers.
The Great Demon is, without a doubt, number one in solo combat strength among all demon races.
Even the lowest-ranked Great Demon is level 50.
For comparison,
The "Champion Warrior" among humans is around level 40.
The "Grand Archbishop" of the Radiant Church is about level 55.
And even if both sides are of the same level, unless it's a once-in-a-generation prodigy among humans, Great Demons typically have 1.5-2 times the attribute values, especially in terms of physique.
It can be said that Great Demons are pure war machines.
Just like a modern tank in a farming society.
Three high-ranking, over fifty mid-ranking, compared to the Great Demon clan in its prime during the first playthrough, has indeed shrunk quite a bit.
But even a lean camel is bigger than a horse, this is still a terrifying force that can sweep through any small human kingdom.
That's right.
Hektor is being conservative here.
It's not about capturing a few more human cities for Reji.
It should be said, capturing a few more countries.
In charge of the military, Pierre and Hektor, were already discussing the order of troops to be deployed, preparing to tally the troops.
Afterwards, not wanting to be outdone, the Decay Demon Eris also showcased the plague she created to Reji during the meeting, while the Sorcery Demon Dian brought out many magic scrolls with great lethality against humans.
On the throne, Reji did not speak or stop these apostles, just silently listening, using this as an opportunity to quickly understand the remaining strength of the demon race after a thousand of years.
Whether it's the million demon troops.
Whether it's the assassination team proposed by Pierre, targeting political figures with Sword Demons, or Hektor's plan for a violent breakthrough with the Great Demon vanguard. Whether it's the corpse poison plague brought out by the Decay Demon, capable of destroying several strong fortresses without shedding blood, or the Sorcery Demon's magic, refined over a thousand years, specifically terrifying and exquisite against humans. The strength of the demon race after a thousand years is very different from what he had imagined before; although fallen, it is not at the point of decline, still possessing the power to fight.
Reji indeed must leave the chaos rift, and the sooner, the better, as this would allow for development opportunities. However, Reji does not wish for the demon army to leave with him.
This force of demons is undoubtedly powerful, but Reji believes it's better to keep them in the chaos rift until he has grown fully and can have absolute control over military matters.
This is no simple task.
Although Reji has thought through how to convince these apostles, he cannot be the one to initiate this. It needs to be someone else, no, a demon.
Someone who can "grasp" what he means,
Reji finally set his gaze on the Wisdom Demon, the only one among the apostles, who were eagerly discussing the counterattack, who had kept silent the whole time.
Feeling Reji's gaze, Leo seemed to confirm something.
He nodded at Reji.
As if they had understood each other without speaking, already in tacit agreement.
Then, the Wisdom Demon stood up from his seat, and Leo loudly broke the council's discussions.
"Everyone, stop."
"Discussing in the wrong direction no matter how much is just a waste of energy, a futile effort. I think... you all have misunderstood our great demon king."
If the Succubus is considered the leader among the female apostles.
Then the Wisdom Demon should be the one with the most weight in his words among all apostles.
When Leo started to speak, the other apostles consciously quieted down, waiting with puzzled looks for what the Wisdom Demon would say next.
"Firstly, I also agree with his majesty's decision to leave the chaos rift tonight."
The Wisdom Demon stated his position.
But then, he continued, "However, I believe that his majesty's departure does not mean we should openly start a war with humans."
"On the contrary, our departure should be stealthy, low-profile, minimizing the noise and visibility of our exit from the chaos rift as much as possible."
Hektor, the commander of the army and a Great Demon, was the first to object to Leo's statement.
"As a military leader, I do not understand, Leo. Not all demons can conceal themselves like Sword Demons and Shadow Demons. Your idea is too difficult, simply impossible to achieve."
"Indeed."
"So, our action tonight will not include any demon army." Leo did not argue but nodded, seizing the moment to make his main point.
This statement caused many apostles to frown.
For demons, they have grown accustomed to steamrolling their way through, an offensive approach passed down from their ancestors.
Without an army,
What kind of counterattack is that? What are they counterattacking against?
Only the Wisdom Demon turned his gaze back to Reji on the throne.
Although Reji was inwardly pleased,
The Wisdom Demon did not disappoint him.
But outwardly, he still had to maintain the cool demeanor of a Demon King, which also facilitated the execution of his strategy. The less he spoke, the better, allowing his subordinates to speak more.
"Continue"
One simple words.
Reji merely nodded slightly as a sign.
But for Leo, this was already the best encouragement and affirmation from the Demon King.
Following this, the Wisdom Demon spoke with even more confidence and composure.
"Fellows, ever since our defeat a thousand years ago, I have been reflecting, trying to learn from our failures, and I have come to a conclusion."
"Arrogance. We, the demon race, were too arrogant."
"We thought we could destroy everything effortlessly, believing that the mere resistance of humans was but a tickle, useless before our mighty demon armies."
"However, the reality proved us wrong, and it was our continuous success that made us lose the most important thing - the ability to strategize"
The Wisdom Demon showed a look of regret and sighed.
"Imagine, if a thousand years ago, we had captured a few humans for the Decay Demon to study before our attack, having the plague we have now, would those human fortresses that troubled us have fallen without a fight?"
"What if we had captured a group of human mages for the Sorcery Demon before the attack, would the human magic that caused us heavy losses also have been easily dealt with?"
"Even, if before the invasion, we had acquired information about the chosen one, and sent Shadow Demons and Sword Demons to eliminate him before he grew, would the humans, without their savior, have any capital to resist us? Would they have posed any threat to our previous king?"
The Wisdom Demon's words were sharp.
Making many apostles lower their heads.
Especially regarding the chosen one.
Eileen's reaction was the strongest, her lips pursed, fists clenched tightly.
Seeing everyone silent, Leo finally took a deep breath and slowly concluded:
"Fellows, we are no longer as glorious as in the past. We need to admit the decline of the demon race, and because of this, we cannot afford to be reckless, impulsive, or continue to use the traditional methods."
"We need intelligence, to understand the state of humanity after a thousand years of recovery and development post-war."
"Which countries, which strong ones do we need to be aware of? Will there be another chosen one like before?"
"Without clarifying these things, I do not support any form of attack. Our greatest advantage lies in staying hidden; humans not knowing or even forgetting our existence. Premature attacks would only waste this advantage"
The Wisdom Demon's speech resonated with Reji on the throne, who internally agreed with every point.
He would have approached it from the same angle.
Leo's speech came to an end.
The Wisdom Demon finally explained to the other apostles: "Therefore, I believe my king's intention tonight is for us, the apostles, to traverse the portal to the human continent."
"This is a long-term infiltration plan. We need to root ourselves in human nations, fully integrate into human society, and gather intelligence on humans. Only when we truly control all aspects of humanity, should we launch an official attack, crushing humanity in one fell swoop. This is the true way to avenge our thousand years of resentment and to restore our race's glory!"
The more Leo spoke towards the end, the more firm and certain his voice became.
As proof.
The Wisdom Demon then turned around, respectfully asking Reji on the throne, "My King, have I correctly interpreted your intentions?"