Translator: Yang_Wenli
The next day. Demon Realm. Royal Capital.
Cecily flipped through a book written in human writing. The book contained the knowledge about magic, something very rare in the Demon Realm.
The information contained in the book was only beginner-level magics. They were very simple for Cecily to learn. However, Chaos Demons were born with the talent for ‘destroying’ magic. The magic meticulously constructed by mages were completely unless before Chaos Demons.
That was also the reason why Chaos Demons would look with contempt toward the battles against mages.
Unfortunately, no matter how many mages Cecily could defeat, they would not help her solve the problem with the Royal Capital’s famine.
“Your Highness, the sentinels has left for the Four Duke’s domains. Currently, we’ve learned that the vegetation in the Water Elemental Overlord’s territory hasn’t been affected by the ‘plague.'”
Carrying a book that was nearly half her height, the Prophet entered the dust-covered library. She tiptoed and barely managed to place the book onto Cecily’s desk.
“The Water Elemental Overlord? The Demon Realm’s borders then... I remember a portion of that territory is suitable.”
Cecily helped the Prophet place the book properly on the desk. She opened the book to the page with a map of the Demon Realm.
This shape of the map can only be described as ‘unnaturally round.’
The territories of the Four Dukes were all located at the edge of the Demon Realm. The territory occupied by a powerful Water Elemental was the Demon Realm’s ‘ocean.’
Various islands and beaches were scattered all around that ocean.
“But, transporting inferior demons and horned demons to the Sea of the Border is an extremely expensive endeavor. Furthermore, if we are to cultivate the area for vegetation growth right now, we will only be able to harvest foodstuff a year later. Your Highness... ahh... please wait.”
The Prophet tiptoed to look at the map on the desk. Unfortunately, she was simply too short.
In the end, the Prophet ran to a chair nearby and, with strenuous effort, carried the chair over to the desk and stepped onto the chair. Only then was she able to clearly see the opened book on the desk.
The Prophet extended her finger and pointed at a corner of the map.
“I suggest that we communicate with Duke Black Dragon to allow our soldiers to hunt in his territory.”
“Duke Black Dragon... he is not someone easy to communicate with. But, if necessary, I will make him understand what his standing in the Demon Realm is.”
Cecily placed her hand on the sword on her waist. As the Duke ruling a section of the Demon Realm was a powerful Black Dragon, his territory does not possess any subjects living in it. There were only preys...
If the residents of the Demon Realm wish to enter the territory of Duke Black Dragon, they must receive his permission. Otherwise, he will burn all the intruders to dust.
To hunt for food in Duke Black Dragon’s territory would be a last resort for Cecily. Afterall, making a Black Dragon yield was no easy task.
“Your Highness, there’s actually another method...” Before the Prophet could finish what she wanted to say, she was stopped by Cecily.
Cecily knew what the ‘other method’ was. It would be to enter the human territories and plunder for food.
She had considered such a method before. But, doing so would signify an official declaration of war against humanity. If things weren’t handled properly, it will only worsen the famine of the Royal Capital.
Right at this moment, a message from the magic network appeared before Cecily’s eyes. It was a message from Joshua... Cecily can only hope that Joshua was able to find merchants willing to conduct trade with the Demon Realm.
‘Good morning elder sister,
I’ve chatted with many merchants in Norland yesterday. A couple of them were capable of providing large quantities of foodstuff for sale. Two of them have agreed to allow apprentices recommended by you to study in their arcanotech factories. The headmaster of an advanced magic academy in Norland has also agreed to admit knowledge-seekers from the Demon Realm. I’ve already had my subordinate Zenarth prepare the teleportation gate. The location of the teleportation gate will be in the Forest of Twilight’s Shadow located in the Duke of Bones’ territory. Please don’t worry, the Duke of Bones will gladly receive the guests to her territory.
Signed,
Your brother Joshua.’
Joshua’s message was extremely formal. Perhaps he did that out of consideration that Cecily would be busy with official matters and didn’t want her to spend too much time chatting with him.
Cecily thought about sending a message back to Joshua to greet him. But, after seeing how detailed Joshua’s message was, she decided to focus her mind on proper business.
“Prophet, I’ve decided on the way to settle this matter,” Cecily waved her hand and closed the message. She turned to look at the young-looking demon before her.
“Your Highness Cecily, please do tell,” Prophet pushed her wooden glasses. She was prepared to accept Cecily’s orders.
“Whether it be proceeding to the Water Elemental Overlord’s territory to clear up wildlands for food cultivation or to proceed for the Duke Black Dragon’s territory to hunt for food, I will be able to handle both of them,” said the Prophet.
“No. You will be proceeding to the Duke of Bones’ territory, the Forest of Twilight’s Shadow.”
Cecily extended her finger and pointed to the area closest to the human world on the map. It was a forest filled with death.
“Forest of Twilight’s Shadow? Your Highness Cecily, that forest is covered in the aura of death. It is impossible to grow live vegetations in that forest.”
“I know. You are not going to the Forest of Twilight’s Shadow to clear up land for food cultivation,” Cecily placed the book containing human magic onto the desk, “Instead, you will be proceeding to the human city of Norland to learn knowledge related to magic.”
“Norland?”
Cecily was no stranger to Norland. As one of Demon Realm’s rare demons that bothered to research magic, she was filled with curiosity toward the city of Norland.
The knowledge about magic contained in the city of Norland far surpassed any other human city. On top of that, there was the research of the ancient magic that the mages of Norland spent over a hundred years studying as well as the newly created arcanotech machineries.
“But, aren’t we repelled by humans?”
Even though she had learned that she would be able to study magic in Norland, the Prophet’s expression remained as calm as before. The first thing that came to her mind was the hatred the humans held for demons.
“I naturally knew about the attitude the humans had toward us demons. But, it seemed that recently, under my younger brother’s influence, Norland has transformed somewhat. An advanced magic academy in Norland is willing to admit demons as students,” Cecily looked at at the Forest of Twilight’s Shadow on the map before saying, “The teleportation gate to Norland is located in the Forest of Twilight’s Shadow.”
“Your Highness Cecily, are you certain that this is not some sort of... conspiracy from your younger brother and the humans?”
With an ice-cold tone, the Prophet asked a question that could very possibly anger Cecily. Cecily looked at the young-looking demon who was able to remain calm in her gaze.
“That is a possibility that I cannot rule out. As such, Prophet, you shall use your eyes to verify it. Our race has hidden ourselves in the Demon Realm for too long. If we continue to seal our eyes like so, we will only bring ruin upon ourselves. Prophet... I need to borrow your eyes to learn all the changes that have occurred in the human world,” Cecily gave a responsibility-filled order.
“Understood.”
The Prophet accepted Cecily’s order without any hesitation.
“Go and carry out your mission, sentinel,” said Cecily.
The Prophet nodded her head. Then, she closed the archaic book half her size. Carrying it, she leaped down from her chair and started walking toward the exit.
Cecily watched as the little girl’s body swayed back and forth as she walked out the library.