Dreaming for 10,000 years

Chapter 367 Scheming
“Then you…” Mal'Ganis was about to interrupt when Asa continued his speech. The prince was like a prophet standing on the edge of a cliff, proclaiming his prophecy to the world.

"The world, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of unity, tends to divide." A glint of wisdom flashed in Asa's eyes. He raised his arm, as if to grasp the scepter of destiny. "Now...it's time to reunite the divided territories."

Mal'Ganis seized the opportunity and deliberately exaggerated his tone, saying, "Do you intend to unify the human kingdoms and become the new emperor?"

The demon's bone wings trembled slightly, revealing his inner excitement.

"To be king?" Asa suddenly laughed, a laugh tinged with aristocratic sarcasm. "It's nothing more than managing a slightly larger estate."

He paced to the window, gazing at the spire of Stratholme Cathedral in the distance: "Those stubborn old fogies would rather argue for three days and three nights in the council chamber over tax rates than glance at the wider territory on a map."

The prince turned around, the moonlight casting a sharp shadow on his handsome profile. "They're playing ridiculous political games, using marriage as strategy and banquets as diplomacy."

His voice grew increasingly agitated: "What short-sightedness! A skeleton in a tomb!"

Mal'Ganis's eerie green eyes suddenly lit up; he knew perfectly well who the "old fellow" Asar was referring to was—including King Terenas, who was sleeping peacefully in the palace chambers.

The demon's bat wings fluttered with excitement; he could almost see the dramatic scene of father and son killing each other. What a wonderful beginning to depravity, starting with contempt for one's own father.

"You believe in demons?" Mal'Ganis asked, feigning surprise.

How could a human being imagine a demon?

"Because the Holy Light has abandoned me." The prince gave a bitter laugh, his voice carrying just the right amount of melancholy. As a former paladin, he knew better than anyone the pain of losing the Holy Light's favor.

"Since the path of light has been severed, what's wrong with using the power of darkness to achieve our goal?"

"Aren't you afraid I'll betray you?" Mal'Ganis probed.

"Trust?" Asa shook his head, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "We don't need something so dangerous between us. This is a mutually beneficial partnership. You help me resolve the crisis in Stratholme and gain prestige. In return, I'll help you achieve your goals. How about the deal?"

Malganis felt an overwhelming surge of excitement.

An ambitious human prince yearns to unify the entire continent! He can almost see the future, and with a little guidance, this proud young man will sink deeper and deeper into his lust for power.

When the prince discovers that his hands are stained with blood, depravity will become his only option.

Moreover, his top priority was to create greater chaos and cause more deaths. Following that were the Burning Legion's orders to weaken humanity.

The war between human kingdoms will bring endless death and chaos, and the ultimate victor will be the fear lord hiding behind the scenes.

Thinking this, Mal'Ganis's lips curled into a sinister grin. This game was getting more and more interesting.

"Now, demon, tell me your true purpose!" Asa placed his hands on the oak table, leaned forward slightly, and burned with the flames of ambition in his eyes.

The candlelight flickered on his angular face, casting a long shadow on the tent canvas.

"The foundation of our cooperation is mutual benefit! And even greater mutual benefit!"

Mal'Ganis wanted to say, "My goal is to create greater chaos and kill more humans," but such blunt words were far too crude. For a Nathrezim, weaving lies was as natural as breathing. A sinister smile played on his lips: "Deep within this continent lies an ancient treasure."

"What treasure?" Asa asked.

The demon shook his head mysteriously, his bat wings slowly unfurling behind him: "I can't say now. But to obtain it, immense power is required. We've created zombie miners for this purpose, if..."

“I promise you!” Asa suddenly interrupted him, slamming his fist heavily on the table, making the ink bottle jump. “Once I unify the seven kingdoms, I will immediately send people to excavate this treasure for you!”

Mal'Ganis's eyes flashed with fel energy as he continued probing, "The place where that treasure is located is filled with death energy; even I can't get close. Only the undead can approach, so the person digging it out must be..."

"Death row inmates, prisoners of war, traitors—we have as many as we want." Asa didn't even blink, his voice as cold as the polar wind. "What are these sacrifices for the sake of the Empire?"

Such cold words, coupled with those eyes burning with ambition, made Mal'Ganis burst into a grating laugh: "Good! Very good! Only a prince as decisive as you is worthy of making a deal with me!"

“In that case,” Asa said, extending his hand as a matter of course, “you will be in charge of solving the plague in Stratholme.”

“No.” Mal'Ganis’s smile vanished abruptly. He saw the dangerous glint in the prince’s eyes before slowly adding, “That was the work of your human cult of curses; I can refrain from interfering.”

Cult of Curses?

Asa is not very familiar with this sect.

“Yes, young prince.” Mal'Ganis’s voice suddenly hissed like a venomous snake. “This is the test I’ve given you. Want power? Take it yourself!”

His body began to turn into a cloud of green smoke, and the bat's wings flapped one last time, stirring up a gust of cold wind.

He planned to use the ambitious prince to suppress the Cult of the Damned.

He has too many pieces in his hand, allowing him to sit back and watch the battle unfold while achieving his goals.

"Wait!" Asa stepped forward. "How can I contact you?"

A demonic laugh echoed through the smoke: "I will appear when you truly need me." Before the words were finished, only a few wisps of fel energy remained in the tent.

Once the demonic aura had completely dissipated, the flame of ambition in Asa's eyes suddenly died down, replaced by an unfathomable calmness.

He slowly sat back in his chair, his long, slender fingers tapping on the table.

The entire performance was flawless. Mal'Ganis had indeed ulterior motives; what he wanted was never any treasure, but rather greater chaos.

Once you grasp this point, Mal'Ganis is like a foolish donkey eyeing a carrot.

If Mal'Ganis had made his move just now, Asa would have shown him the highest wisdom of a strategist!
He picked up the quill pen on the table, flicked his wrist slightly, and the tip of the pen drew a sharp white sword aura, neatly slicing the falling curtain in two. White holy light flashed briefly on the sword mark before dissipating into the air.

The greatest wisdom of a strategist is to possess absolute military force to handle all situations!
(End of this chapter)