The Demon King is unfathomable

Chapter 436 I'll be watching

Karen, standing at the entrance to the tower, was still dressed in the same outfit she had worn when she stood on the castle's high platform.

The nine o'clock sunlight shone on her softly shaped face, and even the conservative nun's robe could not completely conceal the fullness and health that belonged to a country girl.

Traditionally, Saint Cecilia nuns were often depicted as tall and aloof, mainly because most women in the empire were tall and valued restraint, much like grapes hanging on a high trellis.

The girls of the Kingdom of Rhodes, on the other hand, are more like ripe tomatoes pressed down on lush green vines.

As it happened, she was wearing a bright green olive branch crown.

Luo Yan thought with great interest that this might become a standard feature of the nuns of the "New Saint Seism".

"What are the girls in hell like?" Youyou asked curiously after hearing Luo Yan's thoughts.

That was purely out of curiosity.

Luo Yan thought for a while and replied in his mind.

"They were probably ripe tomatoes hanging on the grapevines."

That's actually a bit unscientific, but it seems pointless to talk about science outside of Xuebang.

Especially in a place like hell.

Youyou: "Pfft..."

"...I knew you would be here."

Karen stepped forward, her clear eyes filled with affection, like a toddler who had just learned to walk turning around proudly and seeing their parents looking at them with approval.

That surpasses all rewards in the world.

Although Luo Yan was not her father, he was indeed looking at her with approval at this moment.

Just now, he witnessed another new legend.

"How did you guess that?"

"The saint's intuition."

Karen blinked gently, a smug smile playing on her lips, her serene face radiating unprecedented confidence.

She was no longer confused about her mission, and Luo Yan was very happy that she had found a new meaning in life.

“This crown suits you very well.”

"Really?" Karen opened her eyes in surprise, a hint of joy flashing in her bright eyes.

"of course."

Luo Yan smiled and continued, "This is a good idea. How did you come up with it?"

"Actually, there's no real reason... I hope you won't laugh at me after hearing it."

Karen blushed slightly and said shyly.

“I heard that Brennan is going to get me an iron crown, but I’m worried it’s too heavy, and if I’m going to wear it all the time… I’m afraid I can’t handle it.”

Luo Yan didn't laugh, but Taf, standing to the side, laughed out loud in a very tasteless way.

Hearing the "plop plop plop" sound, Karen's face turned even redder. She stood there, unsure of what to do, her index fingers twisting together behind her back.

"Did I...did I say something wrong?"

"No, it's just that this little guy is used to being free and undisciplined and doesn't understand what boundaries are... I'll teach him later."

Luo Yan gently kicked Taf's tail, and the latter calmed down a bit, though it still bared its teeth defiantly.

At that moment, Sarah, who had been standing in the shade like a shadow, emerged. Without saying a word, she lifted Taff from the ground and held her in her arms like a big cat carrying a kitten.

Taf had something to say, but due to the familiar contract, she could only manage a humiliating groan after grimacing for a long time.

"Okay, quiet down..." Sarah patted Taff's back and muttered softly, like an inexperienced mother cat soothing her kitten.

And it's a cow cat.

Seeing this heartwarming scene, Karen couldn't help but chuckle, covering her mouth with her hand. The sound of her laughter was as clear as a wind chime, diluting the sacred atmosphere of the tower.

"what happened?"

Seeing that the "god" was looking at her, Karen immediately realized that she had been somewhat out of line.

Two blushes instantly rose to her cheeks, and she hurriedly waved her hands, explaining incoherently.

"Yes, I'm sorry, Mr. Colin! I just didn't expect you to have such a... uh, human side?"

In her mind, both "Mr. Colin" and "King Yan" were lofty and otherworldly figures.

At this moment, however, she felt a rare sense of human warmth from the man who was playing with her "pet".

However, her limited vocabulary made her expression so strange that the little dragon with no sense of boundaries started pfftting again.

This guy has an exceptionally strong sense of pride, and he's a total hot spot, but unfortunately, he's not strong enough and gets ridden on by the hairless monkey. He can't win in a fight or an argument... so he can only win back his pride through inexplicable performance art.

Luo Yan didn't care about Taff's attempt to save face. It was too easy to break this guy's defenses; all he had to do was have Sarah add an extra egg during her intercourse.

He shrugged helplessly as he watched Karen gesturing with her index finger and explaining incoherently.

"What are you saying? I am a human being, what do you mean by 'like a human'?"

He hasn't tried playing a non-human creature before, so I don't know why this guy has the illusion that he's not human.

However, Karen was taken aback when she heard this, her mouth slightly agape as if her brain had frozen.

We were originally...human?
That magical power to conjure bread out of thin air, and that divine light to dispel the dark clouds... are these really things that humans can do?!
It took her a while to come to her senses, and she stammered as she asked.

"Then, what about the Flame King?"

Luo Yan answered casually, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

"That's just my title."

Just a title...?

Karen stared at him blankly for a long time before whispering something.

"Then... are the rumors about the 'divine child' also false?"

This honest and simple girl pondered for a long time, but couldn't think of a good way to phrase it, so she cautiously used the word "deceive".

She wasn't complaining; she was just a little incredulous.

She always believed that she had been saved by God, and that the meaning of God's salvation for her was to ask her to redeem the people in hell.

She also deeply believed in the legend of the divine child that people passed down by word of mouth later on.

However, this deity told her that he was not a special being, but a genuine human being.

So what am I?
Upon hearing this amusing question, Luo Yan burst out laughing. Then, looking into those clear eyes, he spoke.

"In my memory, the term 'son of a god' didn't exist back then. The people of Thunder City were too conservative and lacked imagination. They only said that the Flame King was a 'holy son,' born near lava, and only survived thanks to the protection of Saint Sith. The people of Twilight Province have much richer imaginations. I'm a little surprised that I've become Saint Sith's son in just a few days."

He never claimed to be the Son of God; almost all the stories surrounding this title are fabrications.

There are drunkards.

There were wandering poets.

And adventurers.

Over time, the legend of the Flame King became deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people of Thunder County, and even Princess Campbell believed it wholeheartedly.

After all, Yan Wang's porridge shop did indeed help many refugees outside Thunder City.

"...So, it was all just a misunderstanding?" Karen said blankly.

Luo Yan shook his head.

"Not entirely. To be precise, it was a misunderstanding caused by deliberate manipulation. I do not deny that I did it on purpose."

"But...why did you do that?" Karen asked, puzzled.

"It's very simple. The people here need a god who has no worldly interests, who can hear their voices and affirm them, and I just happen to be able to satisfy them."

Seeing that Karen was still unable to let go of the matter, Luo Yan said with a smile.

"Actually, this isn't a bad thing. You might as well think about it from another angle. If Thomas, the owner of the caravan, asked you to do those things, are you sure you could have the courage to see it through to the end? Miracles happen only when everyone has a firm belief in them."

Karen tried to imagine it, but couldn't picture it at all, so she blushed and shook her head, then nodded.

"Thank you for telling me all this... You didn't have to tell me, did you?"

Luo Yan nodded.

“If I had worldly interests here, I wouldn’t need to tell you, but I don’t have those demands on you who have nothing. I’m just curious where you’re headed.”

Generally, a "chosen one" will only teach half of the secrets, because half is enough. A chosen one with too many ideas will only cause trouble for himself.

However, the situation in Twilight Province is rather special; the incomplete manuals are probably no match for the various forces entangled here.

He needed to make this saint know not only what happened, but also why it happened, so he had to teach her some real things that neither Chaos nor Saint Sith taught.

Even on the way, in addition to explaining his revised version of the Bible to her, he would also tell her why he made those changes.

She must offer devotion to the fanatical people in order to lead them away from the hell beneath their feet. At the same time, she must remain clear-headed, or they will head to another hell.

Looking at Karen, who remained silent for a long time, Luo Yan said with a smile.

"disappointed?"

"No."

Karen shook her head gently, her shy and innocent smile returning to her face, and spoke apologetically.

"Actually... when I heard that you were human, besides being surprised, many of my doubts were suddenly resolved. To be honest, I was also a little bit... happy to hear you tell me these secrets."

Luo Yan could understand both surprise and enlightenment, but the only thing that surprised him a little was his happiness.

He had thought she might be disappointed by her "fall from grace" and confused by losing her "right direction," but he never expected this girl from the fields to be so optimistic and to be able to find joy in this realistic monologue.

"Are you happy?"

"That...that's a secret."

Karen suddenly looked away, her hands, which she didn't know where to put, had secretly moved from behind her to in front of her, although her tightly clasped fingers were still nervously intertwined.

Seeing the nun suddenly become embarrassed, Luo Yan pondered for a moment and decided not to press the matter further.

He is a god with a sense of boundaries, unlike some dragon gods who like to look around and be curious about everything.

Karen seemed unwilling to continue the topic, so she coughed lightly and revealed a reliable side beyond her piety.

Earlier in the carriage, she received more than just "divine revelation" from the deity; she also received information beyond the mystical.

And now—it's time for the gods to inspect her "learning results"!
"...Um, regarding the Salvation Army's follow-up work, I've made some preliminary arrangements. Could you give me some advice?"

Luo Yan nodded with a smile.

"Of course, happy to oblige."

He suddenly felt like he had returned to the school, and Ilana's figure seemed to overlap with Kallen's... well, not exactly overlapped.

The two are completely different types in terms of personality, temperament, and appearance.

Having received the gods' approval, Karen's lips curled into a smile of joy, but she quickly regained her serious and solemn expression.

She was like a true saint.

"First is spring planting. There is too much abandoned land in Sparrowwood Territory. I plan to send some Salvation Army soldiers to the Wheat Field Village area to help the returning residents reclaim and cultivate the land. Firstly, most of our soldiers are from farming backgrounds and know how to farm; secondly, many of their villages have been destroyed, and I want to take this opportunity to help some of them settle down in Wheat Field Village... I think that only with a home can they truly find a sense of belonging."

Luo Yan nodded.

"This is a good idea, but we must pay close attention to the allocation of land."

Although he had never farmed, he had a general understanding that different lands had different values. Some lands could grow anything, while others could only support the most common crops. There were also issues such as the distance from water sources and the difficulty of reclamation.

If all the fertile land were in the hands of Salvation Army soldiers, it might not seem like a big deal in the short term, but it would certainly breed new problems in the long run.

“I’ve already considered that,” Karen said with a smug smile, listing her knowledge as if it were her own. “We’ve decided to apply different tax rates to different lands and assess their output on an annual basis, making the results public by village, including the soldiers’ land. While guaranteeing absolute fairness is unrealistic, we will do our best to ensure relative fairness in principle and satisfy the majority as much as possible.”

Luo Yan nodded.

For a country still in the feudal era, the promise of "satisfying the majority as much as possible" was already quite difficult.

They weren't Campbellians sitting on steam engines; the wealth of Thunder City alone was enough to surpass the output of the entire duchy's farmland.

Even with divine assistance, these people, who had just been freed from serfdom, still had to grope their way forward in the dark for a long time.

Seeing the god nod slightly, Karen felt encouraged, and her voice became much more natural, no longer as tense as before.

"Secondly, there is the land along the Benliu River. It is the most fertile land in the Sparrowwood Territory, and there are ready-made irrigation canals and waterwheels, but it has been abandoned due to the neglect of Earl Seron. According to Earl Seron's steward, he had proposed to the Earl to repair the water facilities and roads, but the Earl, out of concern for the instability within the territory, has always refused to pay for it, preferring to move the tax revenue to Twilight City to purchase real estate."

“General Brennan and I discussed it and decided that we should take this opportunity to take over these water facilities and the mills belonging to the lords and bring them under the control of the Salvation Army. Then we can organize people to repair these facilities and provide services to those in need in exchange for a reasonable fee.”

"This is probably not a good idea."

Karen paused for a moment, then asked instinctively.

"why?"

Luo Yan replied without hesitation.

"Because the farmers of Twilight Province used to use these facilities for free, and now you're suddenly charging them, they'll just think you're not even as good as Earl Seron."

Karen was somewhat confused and wanted to try arguing with her mentor.

“But those water conservancy facilities haven’t been used for a long time, and the land used to belong to the lord, but now it belongs to them. They should be able to understand…”

“That’s another matter,” Luo Yan interrupted her fantasy without any politeness, and said succinctly, “Don’t expect everyone to be rational and have coherent thinking. Even the residents of the Holy City don’t have that awareness yet, and most importantly, they don’t have money, and neither do you.”

Grain doesn't turn into money just by being grown; a group of newly freed serfs might only have a few copper coins in their pockets.

Taking away those few copper coins would be pointless; it would only make them leave the irrigation ditch unused and stubbornly carry their buckets to the riverbank.

Karen, being a humble and eager-to-learn "student," immediately realized the problem and remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"Then what do you think we should do?"

Looking at the humble and eager-to-learn Karen, Luo Yan smiled and nodded, then spoke.

“I won’t make the decision for you directly. But if it were me, I would let them use it for free, and then find the money from somewhere else. That way, they wouldn’t be able to find fault with it, and they would even feel like they got a good deal, while also keeping the facility running.”

This involves the art of ruling.

He knew that Karen wouldn't understand just by saying that, so he patiently continued.

“I’ve heard that the timber from the Twilight Province is renowned throughout the continent of Os, but war and famine have caused the timber export business to shift to the northern border of the Kingdom of Rhodes. You know what it’s like there; the climate is cold and transportation is difficult, while your Rushing River can reach the southern Duchy of Campbell and flow into the northeastern estuary of the Whirlpool Sea.”

"If it were me, I would consider improving the existing water conservancy facilities and using some of the power for timber processing. If you can make use of the forest resources of Twilight Province and take advantage of the unique advantages of the Benliu River for export, I think the extra income can not only make up for the losses of the water conservancy facilities, but also have a surplus to subsidize other areas."

"Of course, with war going on now, exporting to the Duchy of Campbell is not very realistic, but the dwarves of the Ten Thousand Mountains are still worth considering. Although their tools are not as sophisticated as those of the Campbellians, they are just as durable and cheap, especially their steam engines."

Karen's eyes lit up with hope, as if she had seen a glimmer of hope, but it soon dimmed again due to the realities of life.

“But… I heard that the dwarves are in the eastern part of Duskwood, near Brass Pass, which is too far from us.”

Luo Yan had guessed she would say that, but he didn't think it was a problem at all.

After all, there are other dwarves in the world besides those with braids; in the not-so-distant Calamity Fortress, there is also a group of bald dwarves.

“There are dwarves on Shattered Rock Peak too. I see on the map that it’s not too far from here. There’s a tributary of the Rushing River that connects to it.”

“Shattered Rock Peak? I heard from the locals that it's inhabited by bald dwarves…” Karen muttered softly, “Those are hellish dwarves, aren’t they?”

“That’s a myth,” Luo Yan said without batting an eye. “How many dwarfs have the locals ever seen? What do they know!”

What's the big deal about not having hair?
At worst, they can just go to the cemetery and buy a wig to wear!

Now, corrupted by the players, the hell dwarves of Calamity Fortress seem to have eyes only for money, and they won't miss any opportunity to make a profit!
There is a railway network from Calamity Keep to the Great Cemetery; as long as the timber can be transported there, it is equivalent to transporting it to the Duchy of Campbell.

Once the goods are transported to the Duchy of Campbell, they are essentially transported into the Empire's trade network. As long as money flows in, merchants like Thomas will naturally come.

After a moment of confusion, Karen nodded and noted down this important clue. After thanking the generous deity, she continued her report.

The subsequent arrangements were all fine, including personnel appointments and job positions. By modern standards, they were certainly too hasty, but for the Sparrowwood Territory that Count Seron had ruined, they were too advanced.

This simple-minded girl with a passionate streak clearly took everything she was told to listen to.

Luo Yan was very satisfied.

So far, everything has been fine. Rather than making changes for them, it's better to let them figure out the rules that suit them best.

"...Finally, there's the identification numbering and household registration work. We plan to establish a dedicated records management department in addition to the existing registration department. The priests in the castle are willing to cooperate with our work; they have extensive experience in copying and organizing records."

"Our biggest problem right now is the lack of seeds, but Thomas said he would try his best to find a way. We should be able to buy some in Twilight City, and there are also some seeds left in the castle's granary."

After finishing her report, she clasped her hands in front of her and looked cautiously at her deity, her clear eyes filled with expectation of affirmation.

Like students waiting for their exam results.

Luo Yan was certainly not stingy with his praise; in fact, she had done a very good job, and an approving smile appeared on his face.

“You have done well. Although there are some flaws in the details, I can see a bright future for you. Just as I said last night, you need to give your people hope so that they can use their own strength to create miracles.”

He paused for a moment, then continued.

“I can help you with the seeds, including catching up with the spring planting schedule and repairing water conservancy facilities... I happen to have some people here who are very good at these things.”

"Really? That's great!"

Karen's face instantly lit up with barely suppressed joy, but she quickly realized that they were discussing work, so she coughed lightly and her expression returned to that of a solemn saint. "I... on behalf of the people of Twilight Province, thank you for your help."

Luo Yan looked at her trying hard to maintain her dignity and said with a smile.

"You don't need to do that with me."

Karen, caught off guard, had her thoughts read again. She secretly stuck out her tongue, revealing a side of herself that most people never see.

"I'm just worried that you think I'm unreliable."

“Whether I think it or not is not important,” Luo Yan smiled and said in a gentle voice, “It’s enough that the people who follow you think you are reliable.”

Once the business was over, the rooftop of the tower returned to its relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

The sun was almost directly overhead, casting a white glow on the cold stone slabs and rock walls. Smoke was already rising from the campsite in the distance, as if the war were far away from everyone...

Karen enjoyed the feeling, not only because of the warm sunshine, but also because of the warm smile in front of her, which was as gentle as the sunshine.

Only in front of Mr. Colin could she truly remove the heavy mask of "saint" and return to the relaxed and free countryside of her memories.

As for the reason, perhaps it's because he's seen all sides of her—whether she's disheveled, confused, or devout and holy…

Karen's voice suddenly carried a hint of emotion and curiosity, "I never imagined that Mr. Colin had the identity of 'Flame King.' To be honest, when I first heard it from people, I thought it was just a rumor..."

Luo Yan smiled without saying a word.

He neither admitted nor denied it, and continued to perform consistently well.

Seeing his "indulgent" manner, Karen became bolder.

She suddenly winked playfully, revealing a side completely different from her solemn demeanor during the ceremony: "'Colin,' that can't be your real name, can it?"

Luo Yan looked at her in surprise.

This time, not only him, but also Sarah, who was standing in the shade, and Taff, whose mouth was being pinched by Sarah, stared wide-eyed in surprise.

Especially Tafel, who was so excited she almost shouted out loud.

Dressed up!
Pfft, pfft, pfft! This century's biggest con artist has finally been exposed!

She was eagerly anticipating seeing that composed face break down, but unfortunately, it didn't. Luo Yan simply looked at Karen with curiosity and asked her a question.

"How did you guess that?"

“This time it’s ‘Karen’s intuition’,” Karen said smugly, a sly smile on her face. “Thanks to what you taught me, maybe I really have awakened some ‘special abilities’.”

"Knowing too much isn't a good thing," Luo Yan reminded her with a smile.

But this time, Karen didn't back down as usual, nor did she inexplicably start apologizing. Instead, she bravely met his gaze.

She stared intently at that handsome and gentle face, and mustered the courage to ask the question that had been lingering in her heart for so long.

"May I...know your real name?"

The believer made a fourth wish.

However, this time, the gods probably cannot fulfill her desires.

However, Luo Yan didn't refuse; that wasn't his style. Instead, he gave a vague but hopeful answer.

"'Colin' is also my name, just as I was indeed born near lava, and the rumors are not all lies made up by people."

"As for my real name... if your performance satisfies me, I will tell you when the time is right."

Karen was not discouraged by this answer; at least her god had not rejected her and had even given her a promise.

A contented smile spread across her face. It was the innate optimism of the Rhodesians, as pure as her smile, emanating from the same field.

"Then I'm relieved. I'll work hard to prove myself!"

Luo Yan nodded.

This time, instead of saying anything vague like "You don't need to prove it to me, just prove it to your followers," he gave a definite answer.

"Yes, I'll keep an eye on it."

(End of this chapter)