Alien world

Chapter 1832, page 465. Carefully feel it.
"In short... you know the situation."

Smelling the sulfurous scent emanating from Claire, Annan said, "We can't do without you. The people of the Duchy need you."

"I see."

Whether it was due to a change in personality caused by advancement or because this clansman was truly incompetent, Claire's expression was very cold.

"You can give Girardi a good beating when you get back, no need to do it for my sake." If it weren't for his reputation, Annan would have wanted to do it himself, but now he can only let Claire do it for him.

"I will."

When Claire left, she also took some officials arranged by her older sister with her.

In peacetime, Liberty City can avoid interfering in the domestic affairs of the principality to protect its reputation, but when faced with a formidable enemy, sometimes a bad ally is more dangerous than a powerful foe.

That night, the cries of Grand Duke Girardi as he was whipped in the castle could be heard even in Free City.

On the fifth day of the Empire's garrison in Old Val, a reconnaissance airship was dispatched to the neighboring battlefield.

The reconnaissance airship did not dare to get too close, and remained in the Gray Mountain Range to observe the situation from a distance.

The walls of Old Vale grew higher every day, resembling a reef in the waves amidst the rat horde, seemingly precarious, but the ratmen had no chance of breaching them.

The magical images captured were transmitted back to Free City, and Old Val Town, which had become the main battlefield, blocked the rat horde. However, at the same time, more and more rats were leaking in from the side, just like slimes eating food and slowly wrapping it up.

If this continues, the rat swarm may overflow into the surrounding areas due to its large size, such as the smaller factions outside the Empire and Free City.

In fact, these days, private letters, pleas for help, and invitations from minor factions have been arriving at the city lord's mansion like snowflakes.

Their appeals to the Empire for help went unanswered, receiving only a curt "too busy," so they set their sights on the rising Free City, also located in the western region.

The city lord's mansion held a meeting to discuss whether to offer assistance.

Annan made a brilliant move: he invited Biros to the meeting.

After ignoring Biros for nearly a week, Annan figured the six-armed serpent demon had probably calmed down, so he knocked on her door.

“Byros, it’s me.”

A moment later, a response came from behind the door: "The door is unlocked."

Annan pushed open the door, and there sat Biros, her snake tail curled up, in the room that was rather low for her, holding a book that she had taken from the bookshelf and was half-read.

“My head maid said you haven’t gone out or eaten anything.”

“Food isn’t that important to high-ranking demons.” Biros closed the book, her serpentine eyes fixed on Annan with a complex mix of emotions that Annan perceived as the pain of betrayal, disbelief, and the sorrow of leaving her people.

Actually, I was thinking about what emotions I should express at this moment.

"You've been reading?"

"What else can I do besides read books while under house arrest here?"

"No one is holding you captive; you are free to move around as you please..."

At this point, Annan suddenly realized something: "Ruth didn't come to see you?"

He specifically asked Rusto to keep Biros company... Has Rusto forgotten?!

Seeing Biros shake her head, it seemed that the succubus had disappeared without a trace as soon as it returned to Free City, like a dog unleashed and running wild.

"I'm sorry, there was some misunderstanding. I didn't put you under house arrest. I didn't come to see you these past few days because I was afraid you were still angry and didn't want to bother you..."

Bilosi listened quietly to Annan's explanation.

What should I say at this point? Forgive him, or pretend to be angry? If I'm angry, to what extent should I roll him up and throw him out the window?

Biros sighed, regretting that she should have sent Lady Lilith in her place. To Annan, this sigh conveyed a sense of helplessness about the current situation and the discomfort of being dependent on others.

"Don't worry, I have no intention of being an enemy of demons. You don't need to betray the Succubus Queen and the demons. Our only enemy has always been the Ratmen."

Biros said, "We are allies with the ratmen. When you fight the ratmen, you are also fighting the demons."

"This is not a problem. We've become allies, so isn't this just a private matter between us?"

"ally?"

Sensing that Biros was in a better mood, Annan walked past her to the window and pointed to the church area in the distance:

"Let me introduce you: the most complete building is the Lady of Wealth Church."

Biluosi, who had curled up to lower her height, nodded, indicating that she already knew.

Annan pointed to the side: "That's the Church of Order, and next to it is the Church of Doom."

Originally, the Church of Misfortune and the Church of Wealth were next to each other, but the Church of Wealth felt that the Church of Misfortune was unlucky, so they paid the Church of Misfortune to move to another location.

"That place is the Spider Queen's Church of the Dark Elves."

While the earlier appearance of Biros was somewhat understandable, the sudden emergence of the Spider Queen's Church silenced her.

How did those lunatics get involved with Liberty City...?
Annan's introduction wasn't finished yet; his finger continued eastward:
"That's the construction site of the Sturn ratmen craftsmen; they've been busy with the 'Self' line."

"Selfish?"

"It's an abbreviation for Liberty City to Seltovis. You've never seen a magic train before, have you? It's tens of meters long, and it moves like a giant snake, hissing... Sorry, I was just joking."

Faced with Biros's indifference, Annan put away his playful smile.

Okay, the Six-Armed Serpent Demon may have the word "serpent" in its name, but it is not a snake.

Although trains are not snakes.

"I just want to say, why can't we form an alliance?"

"Do you understand demons?"

Annan nodded and then shook his head: "I don't understand demons, but I understand you."

"I?"

"A calm, wise commander who takes responsibility in critical moments will not allow his subordinates to run rampant."

This statement would be too absolute to say in a formal setting, but it would be just right to say it to Bérôme in private.

"No need to rush to give me an answer. You can explore Liberty City more and experience it for yourself..."

……

In the council chamber, the young and energetic officials of Free City were discussing the issues raised by Vice Lord Italia.

"Will the aid affect our development?" Eli Shatter was not present; instead, his official spoke on behalf of the Ministry of Construction.

“We are not an empire. The aid we give them is not free. We need to exchange it for resources, tax breaks, and other benefits,” said Finance Minister Ingrid, standing up. “At the same time, these smaller powers all have their own commercial districts, which we cannot ignore.”

“We need not only aid, but also a swift and decisive strike.” Fermi stood up and echoed, “Moreover, if we let the ratmen run rampant, they will not only sever our connection with the Empire, but new rats will also hatch from their nests. We can’t just sit idly by and watch the ratmen’s lair right on our doorstep.”

Soruman Bronzebeard sat there, his eyes red, or perhaps he had already stood up, or perhaps he was still sitting because it made him look taller: "The equipment I manufacture, working twenty hours a day, is for you to use, not to pile up in a warehouse to mold and rust!"

Military Minister Renato remained silent, having already discerned the purpose of the meeting, allowing the young officials to freely express their opinions.

(End of this chapter)