The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

General Hamoldon's wave of the hand left Ticky breathless with just one sentence.

"A total of twenty-eight ships, all should be maintained properly."

He had seen the improved efficiency of the Grace's engine, and the craftsmen of Saint Yil Castle marveled at it, finding it incredible.

He wanted to see if the engineers here were truly that magical, or if it was all just a coincidence...

As for the money?

That was the quartermaster's concern.

...

Within the heart of the Sun Step Mountain Range, a gentle sound of space distortion echoed between the steep cliffs.

As the netherworld-colored light flickered above the magic array, a face with delicate features slowly appeared on the unremarkable ground.

The acolyte waiting beside the teleportation array was momentarily stunned, initially thinking it was a mistake.

It wasn't until a few Beastmen, goblins, and strange demons also stepped down from the teleportation array that he breathed a slow sigh of relief.

But it wasn't long before he began to worry about other things—

Were these guys really the High-level Demons from Demon City?

They felt less reliable than those from the Great Graveyard Maze...

"Boss, is this going to be our new base?"

Behind Egger, an eager Beastman over two and a half meters tall strained his neck to take in his surroundings excitedly.

His large nostrils inhaled the fresh mountain air so rapidly it raised goosebumps on Egger's neck.

"Feels great! But the facilities are a bit basic!" Another goblin stood on tiptoes, trying hard to look towards the distant scenery.

"It's already not bad! After all, we're just getting started..."

Unlike his carefree subordinates, Egger appeared nervous, clutching tightly to the straps of his backpack, his eyes wary of his surroundings.

The backpack contained the demon king's core—the highest level core secret in Hell!

Watching this group of unreliable subordinates, he lowered his voice to remind them, "Don't wander off, stick close to me! Even though this place is remote, if an adventurer suddenly pops out and snatches the core, we're doomed!"

Though the demons behind him agreed verbally, each of them was still curiously looking around.

Among them, apart from the Beastmen, goblins, and demons, there were a few slimes and a group of small demons with little horns.

These fellows were comrades Egger had met during his service on the front lines, stepping onto this unfamiliar continent right from the teleportation array.

Thinking of their future roles as the demon king's subordinates, some might even become a Demon General, everyone was filled with excitement.

Isn't that better than being cannon fodder on the front line?

Apparently, they didn't realize that cannon fodder remains cannon fodder no matter where it goes.

However, at the moment, they don't need to worry about a sudden attack from adventurers, as Withered Wood Port is currently just a port crammed with "refugees"—on the same starting line as their yet-to-be-built demon king's territory, with no adventurers venturing here.

"Mr. Egger."

Just when Egger felt at a loss, the acolyte nearby slightly nodded, bowing as he spoke.

"I am a servant of His Majesty Luo Yan, ordered to wait here for your arrival. Since you've arrived, please follow me."

He wasn't optimistic about this High-level Demon from Demon City.

It was said that when Lord Demon King arrived, he did so alone, landing in a human town without apparent helplessness.

Perhaps this was precisely why Lord Demon King chose him.

"Yes, yes! Thank you!" Watching the acolyte approach, Egger quickly nodded, then clumsily called his subordinates to follow.

A bunch of oddly-shaped demons and monsters trailed behind a handsome young man, looking rather amusing.

If an adventurer happened to pass by, they might mistake the guy with the small backpack for a victim kidnapped by demons, never guessing what was hidden inside that backpack.

The troop of demons walked along the mountain path through several narrow canyons, sunlight scattered across the rugged road, and the distant blue sea gradually appeared in view. The demons were delighted, and even Egger's expression slightly relaxed.

However, as they rounded the mountain's base and the port loomed ahead, Egger's expression instantly froze.

The northern coast displayed a fleet of majestic warships quietly anchored in the bay, their prows flying the Imperial Griffin flag, imposing and solemn.

"...Is that the Imperial Navy?" Egger's voice carried a hint of nervousness, evidently unaccustomed to battlefields beyond the desert.

The acolyte nodded calmly, glancing at these young soldiers from Demon City, and spoke lightly.

"It's General Hamoldon's fleet."

"Hamoldon!"

At the mention of the name, the expressions of the demons transformed from tension to sheer terror, especially the previously lively Beastman warrior, whose neck shrunk as his body hair stood on end.

"It's the Imperial Griffin Hamoldon!"

"How could it be him?!"

"The legendary general who defeated General Sebes?!"

"Wasn't this supposed to be a hinterland of the Empire?! What's he doing here?!"

Though in the Seldo Port battle, there was suspicion that General Sebes had compromised, the ensuing battle at the Blood Red Wilderness still gave the brothers on the eastern front plenty of trouble under this legendary general.

Before, they hadn't faced him in the central region, and fortunately so.

Otherwise, with their leader's reliability, they might not have survived till now...

Fear didn't plague just the front-line cannon fodder, even their leader Egger turned pale as paper, with eyes like a startled fawn.

Nonetheless, he fulfilled his duty as Commander, forcibly calming himself to shout at his subordinates.

"You... don't, don't be afraid! The elder... I mean, Mr. Luo Yan, he, he, he certainly won't leave us alone!"

However, his willowy frame was far less convincing than General Hamoldon, and his generous words didn't uplift the cannon fodder's spirits like the latter did.

In pre-war morale boosting, the Empire seemed to secure another point—

The demons who just set foot on the Gana continent had yet to lay eyes on adventurers, and their morale had already hit rock bottom.

The acolyte leading the way gave a cold smile, unfazed by their fear, continuing to walk ahead with a calm demeanor.

Initially, he had a glimmer of admiration for Hell, but now, witnessing these demons who cowered underground had long lost their ancient valor and courage.

No wonder they've been trampled underground for so many years!

It's worth mentioning that after seeing the High-level Demons in decline, the acolyte's faith wasn't shaken, but instead became more steadfast.

His heart was filled with fervor.

Beyond doubt—

Bayele could no longer save them.

Only His Majesty the Demon King, chosen by the gods, could save these fallen demons!