Industrial Revolution of the Mage Lords

Chapter 511 The Second Higher Demon

In Harvey's castle's underground laboratory, there is a small compartment separated by a separate partition, which contains a sacrificial summoning array solidified by magic.

After completing the recitation of the summoning spell with ease, Harvey saw the dark red mist surging in the magic circle as he wished, and then the illusory figure of the inner demon slowly walked out of the irregular space channel in the cyclone.

The demon stretched out his long, twisted, skinny arms, as if to hug Harvey. "Long time no see, Mr. Kel'Thuzad!"

"Long time no see, Mr. Heart Demon." Harvey smiled. "I've been busy with government affairs lately, so I entrusted Asdaren with summoning and receiving you, but he told me you rarely responded..."

The inner demon's giant eye blinked, and a series of voices spoke simultaneously, "You know, in your territory, I can only gather positive energy. Its composition is too simple and boring. If this continues for a long time... I'm afraid it will cause me to lose balance, which is a very dangerous thing."

Harvey nodded in understanding. His inner demon had told him a long time ago that the reason why demons frequently came into contact with humans through faith and sacrificial rituals was essentially to collect the willpower released by humans after their desires were aroused. This "food" unique to demons must be complex and diverse enough to allow them to maintain the balance of their own existence... just like humans also need to ensure a balanced diet.

However, once the demon breaks the "balanced diet", the consequences will be more serious. As a higher-level demon, the accumulated willpower will be unbalanced, and it is very likely that it will slowly and irreversibly degenerate over a long period of time, falling directly into the level of lower-level demons and becoming a chaotic, bloodthirsty and inferior existence. This is something that the already scarce upper-level demons cannot accept. They would rather sleep for a long time than go crazy.

"So...during this time, you went somewhere else to rearrange your followers and collect negative energy for you?"

The inner demon chuckled, "Have you heard of any evil and bloody demonic sacrifices taking place in the southern region recently?"

"I don't think I've heard of it..." Harvey smiled. "I've come into contact with your followers. Although their actions are quite crazy and bizarre, they don't seem to be keen on using unnecessary killing and flesh and blood sacrifices."

The Inner Demon snorted with a hint of pride. "Of course. While some higher-ranking demons occasionally enjoy this kind of bloody sacrificial ritual, I'm different. Don't forget, I'm the Inner Demon! Compared to the cruelty and madness inflicted on the body, the fear ignited on the spiritual level pleases me much more..."

As he spoke, he was suddenly stunned. His huge blood-red eye blinked again and he asked doubtfully, "Have you discovered any traces of other higher-level demons?"

He crossed his arms and said unhappily, "I'm not always reading your thoughts. It's just that the atmosphere of our conversation today was a little weird. I always felt like you were testing me!"

Harvey shrugged and explained with a smile, "I'm sorry, there was indeed a sensational demon sacrifice incident recently, and I subconsciously thought it was you who did it."

Higher Demons were few in number, and it was quite rare for Harvey to meet one by chance while wandering the magic web. However, most of the rituals and spells for summoning Higher Demons in the real world had long been lost or destroyed, so when the demon sacrifice occurred in Isengard... he subconsciously thought of the inner demon.

After hearing Harvey's explanation, the Inner Demon smacked his lips in dissatisfaction. "Human stereotypes are truly disgusting... But this is not my doing. I have no interest in driving a human king crazy."

Harvey asked doubtfully, "So... there's another higher-level demon manipulating this?"

"Why must the devil be the culprit? Humph... just because we are the embodiment of evil and depravity, all crazy and sinful acts can be blamed on the devil, right?"

"Perhaps it was some unproven potion or a dangerous flesh-strengthening ritual... In short, there are many reasons why people can go mad. Don't blame it all on the devil. I even saw a noble claim that he committed incest with his children because he was bewitched by the devil... The charlatans of the Church Inquisition actually believed him and actually held a grand exorcism mass for him, then forgave his sins."

The more the inner demon spoke, the more excited he became. It seemed that after absorbing sufficient willpower, he began to uncontrollably reveal the human nature that came with desires and emotions.

Harvey couldn't help but laugh, and quickly changed the subject, saying, "Regardless, I want to get to the bottom of this. Even if it's a despicable conspiracy disguised as a demon, exposing it to the public will benefit my current plan... I need a legitimate reason to start a war." "You want to go to war with Isengard?" The inner demon's tone turned cheerful, and he pleaded directly, "Take me to the battlefield! War always brings death, and it would be a shame to waste all the fear, unwillingness, and pain before death."

Harvey raised his lips, knowing his goal had been achieved. "How about helping me investigate the demonic sacrifice incident in Isengard in exchange for me summoning you on the battlefield?"

"Deal!" the inner demon said proudly, "This is easy for me."

"You need to send believers to infiltrate Isengard, right? This is a country where the church's beliefs and power are deeply rooted. Even the Spellcaster Union can't take root and develop..."

"Even beneath the brightest lights, there will always be a shadow... Don't worry, I have believers in Isengard, and their status is not low."

……

After sending Mr. Inner Demon away, Harvey immediately returned to the castle office.

Asdalen sat in front of the magic brain instrument, handling the online work of the spellcaster forum for Harvey.

"Sir, the news that you will be crowned king as a spellcaster has spread on the forums... and it has made these magical politicians restless again. Many members have sent you individual messages and exchanged requests recently."

Harvey curled his lips and waved his hand, saying, "Except for my friends in the real world, I won't reply to anyone else. A direct rejection would seem too arrogant. Just pretend I didn't see it."

Asdaren nodded and then said, "Then...should we also not reply to the communication from Mr. Earth-loving of the Principality of Barkley?"

Hal recalled the help and acquiescence of the Earth-Follower during the expedition against Duke Carlo. Although it was also to use him to suppress the border lords who posed a threat to the royal family, he still owed him a favor of varying degrees.

He then walked to the magic brain device and tapped the crystal screen to open the communication content.

As expected, Mr. Earthbender asked him again about the time of the official coronation, and expressed his hope to prepare gifts in advance and send them to the North. This was both a congratulations from the members of the Spellcaster Forum to the "agent" and a sign of respect and recognition from the Barclay royal family for the new king of the neighboring country.

Later, the other party mentioned the matter of ironclad ship transportation in the communication. The Ralph River runs from south to north through the entire central southern border, and also has a section of the river flowing through the Principality of Barclay. It is their only way to reach Pharos by water and enter the sea. If they can reach cooperation with Harvey in ironclad ship shipping, it will naturally be beneficial and have no disadvantages.

This was all expected, and Harvey was not surprised - he was not a warmonger. With closely related forum members mediating, a neighboring country that was willing to actively cooperate and achieve mutual benefit was a good thing for both Saint Valen and the North.

But the inquiring request at the end of the letter surprised Harvey.

Mr. Earth-Favourite actually proposed a political marriage between the two countries to Harvey on behalf of the Barclay royal family and the Coffman family... and the candidate for the marriage was actually their newly crowned queen.

(End of this chapter)