After Being Sold Out By The Empire, I Decide To Assist The Demon King

Although in front of Satan Ye, Yila had said something like "I am your Deputy Officer," after giving it a little thought... she still let Hilena bring Satan Ye along.

On one hand, when Yila was speaking in front of all the kings, Satan Ye would be sitting alone at the round table, with no one to talk to. This might make her feel a bit uncomfortable.

On the other hand, Yila realized that her identity might be somewhat problematic... Not to mention, if she were to sit next to Satan Ye all the time, Isabella might get upset.

"..."

"Phew~"

Yila touched the scarlet World Spell on her neck. To be honest... when she wasn't angry, she felt the pulsation of the Wing Pillar and Mana within her body. This feeling wasn't bad, but it was quite peculiar.

And then, Yila realized for the first time that people in this world were dying every moment...

Yes, after receiving the "Phase Reward" from that snake woman, Yila's range of Mana absorption had indeed "increased slightly" in the world.

The extent was roughly... the size of the entire Main Plane.

*People died every moment*. Yila had always been aware of this, but when the Mana of deceased people from all over the world converged towards her, this became less about *awareness*.

Also, the ice and snow had just melted, and a bit of heat could already be felt... This kind of weather caused by the Calamity led to a phase of increasing fatalities.

What came rushing in was not only Mana but also the souls enveloped by it.

Those souls also entered Yila's body... It was funny to think that the "Soul Federation," which didn't exist in this civilization, suddenly saw a population surge after Tipcapu became Mutated.

However, there was no need to worry about the federation running out of space... after all, there were still space cities to live in. Every race would find its own way, and the past within their souls was the same.

"Tipcapu: It seems everyone thinks that this place is the Divine Country where the dead will arrive, and some speculate that this is inside the World Tree... Lord Yila, should we tell them the truth?"

Yila listened to Tipcapu's conversation with him, looking at the large number of "muted" souls within his soul from a special perspective... If he unmuted all of them, it'd probably be deafening.

For now, only Tipcapu and Raphael could communicate directly with Yila... Even souls like Vera, who were also within him but didn't go to the federation, were no exception.

"Yila: No, and tell Raphael not to inform them either... Any hostile actions will be subjected to AI's *Imaginary Transformation*, and... never mind, just try to prevent those who know the truth from telling everyone else once they arrive."

"Yila: However, it's not absolute. We'll temporarily conceal this part of the truth until I think it's necessary to reveal it..."

"Tipcapu: Understood."

"..."

Yila rested her chin in her hand. Besides instructing Tipcapu not to tell everyone the truth within his soul, he also wouldn't share this fact with the entire Main Plane for now... Sometimes, knowing for certain that a fallback plan exists isn't beneficial.

Although the mutation of Mana and the incorporation of souls into his body weren't uncontrollable or harmful, this made Yila more suspicious about the woman's hidden motives...

Were souls, the Spirit Realm, and bodies all connected in some way?

After visiting the World Tree, aside from knowing that "the Calamity had no relation to that guy," his doubts didn't decrease but rather increased, which was quite frustrating.

Yila thought about this while watching various kings arrive one by one. He saw many faces he'd had more or less contact with before... His social circle indeed included many high-ranking individuals.

One could even say that Yila naturally found himself in the so-called "upper" circle, where others struggled to break into, just by living his daily life.

Actually, one could say that Yila himself was a crucial part of this circle.

As Yila sat in the venue, watching one king after another arrive with the help of mage apprentices and some mages, be they young kings, young princesses or princes... Of course, there were also quite a few elderly.

The seniors' status and age couldn't be judged by appearance within this world, which might be one of its interesting aspects.

Of course, some major nations' kings hadn't arrived, and many of those present were kings from smaller countries... Surviving in the gaps between countries, seeing each "city" as a "nation."

Generally, they were vassal states of larger nations... This referred to Duchies here.

Other nations did not have such practices.

...

Key figures couldn't arrive too early... Yila had taught Isabella this, and today he taught it to Satan Ye. So now, Hilena and Satan Ye were learning in the Pure White Tower.

Yes, learning (playing) under her teacher, Qiara Rudnev. Although many people felt that Master Qiara was a very strict teacher who imposed iron-fisted punishment on many students,

if you weren't her student or if you were exceptionally clever and didn't require much effort, she was actually a kind and somewhat childlike person.

At least, she seemed to like Satan Ye quite a bit. Hopefully, they would have fun...

"Senior Yila, has Mobillas Valendo come?"

As Yila was pondering, a female voice came from behind. Yila smiled lightly and decisively called out the person's name while turning his head: "Severia Alroyo? What's the matter?"

Severia looked at Yila in amazement at his response and said, "It's surprising that Senior Yila remembers my name. But that's not the point... The Great Master of the Necromantic School is looking for Mobillas Valendo."

Mobillas Valendo, the leader of the Witch Demon Territory, a junior of the Pure White Tower alongside Yila... He and Master Topps were currently at a critical stage in their research on the "Automated Magic Wand," so he wouldn't be leaving the Pure White Tower at this time.

"Mobillas hasn't come... Does Master Isidro of the Necromantic School want to relay something? I can help pass it on."

Yila responded.

Then, before Severia could shake her head and reply, the characteristic, bone-rattling sound of Isidro Collins came from behind them--

"No need; I can tell you right here, it's the same."

Isidro Collins said this as he stood there, serious and with an *I need to quickly deliver this news or else everything will be lost* look. He simply shared his conclusion under their gaze--

"The gods who created magic no longer exist. After chanting, our tracing of magic and Mana led to the interior of the World Tree. In other words... A monster resides within the World Tree, acting in place of gods, or perhaps the only remaining 'god' is there now!"

"..."

Severia Alroyo: "!!!"

Yila: "..."

*He realized such a profound truth by himself? Truly a commendable master...*