The doctor suffers from amnesia, but not complete amnesia.

He spoke again after Theresis sat down.

“I already know why Your Highness has come. Princess Theresa’s actions are something neither of us wanted to see, to the point that rumors have even circulated that Your Highness wants to sever ties with Babel.”

The man smiled and spoke in a friendly voice.

"So, Your Highness, is the rumor that you want to sever ties with us true or false?"

"...One of the terms of our deal was that Theresa could not become the Demon Lord, but that term is no longer valid, especially now that she has become the Demon Lord. There is no doubt that more Sarkaz will follow her instead of me, and even my subordinates will be drawn away by her—are all my efforts over the years just to benefit my sister?!"

You, being a siscon, might actually be happy to do this.

Qiao Yelan's face remained expressionless, while Kal'tsit breathed a sigh of relief.

By defining the breakup as a rumor, the doctor offered Theresis a way out, suggesting that as long as she didn't insist on it, there was still a possibility of negotiation.

Therese clearly didn't want to really turn against them; her words were obviously an attempt to back down. The two sides just needed to start bargaining over Therese becoming the Demon King.

It seems my previous reaction was too extreme; there was indeed no need to evacuate...

"Your Highness Theresis, is the rumor that you want to sever ties with us true or false?"

The man's smile faded, and he repeated the question he had just asked.

Hey?

Therese's expression immediately changed. Qiao Yelan's words, said once, were meant to give him a way out, but said a second time, they were practically forcing him to resign—he wanted Therese to give a clear answer as to whether or not they wanted to continue cooperating.

He didn't know what to say for a moment, so he could only stare at Qiao Yelan with a sullen face.

It's a dead end.

Qiao Yelan chuckled inwardly.

When he asked the question the first time, he did offer a way out, but this way out wasn't for Theresis to take; rather, it was to test Theresis's true intentions.

If Theresis pushes him back, it means that his love for his sister can outweigh his love for Sarkaz, implying that Theresis is a complete lunatic. Qiao Yelan will not hesitate to cut ties with him, even if it means suffering a loss.

Because my mother said we should stay away from mentally ill people.

The fact that the other party is walking down the stairs means he remains rational; his sense of responsibility to his race transcends his sister-complex attribute. Therefore, he is a political animal. His previous anger and unannounced arrival were all a performance, designed to exert pressure and gain the maximum advantage in negotiations.

Qiao Yelan is best at dealing with political animals.

So Qiao Yelan asked the same question a second time, not only saving face but also turning the situation into a power struggle—demanding that Therese clarify whether they would continue to cooperate or sever all ties.

Kazdel is now completely unable to function without the help of the Tower of Babel. Due to the surrounding political environment and its own small land area, it not only relies entirely on the import of food and raw materials from the Tower of Babel caravan, but also has its industrial production monopolized by the Tower of Babel. Theresis has nothing except some army and connections.

He could destroy Babel by force, which would also mean destroying Kazdel, the last settlement of the Sarkaz.

Because after the destruction, he was unable to get Kazdel running again.

Therefore, he had no choice but to negotiate.

No matter what the other party does, Therese is the one at a disadvantage in this negotiation, which is why he has to make a show of force and exert enough pressure in order to cover up his own weakness.

Of course, it was quite successful. Kal'tsit, because of her friendship with Theresa, her guilt over Theresa becoming a Demon Lord, and her fear of Theresa's army, was so intimidated by this attitude that she even considered abandoning everything and running away.

Therefore, Qiao Yelan showed no mercy to Therese, after all, protecting one's own is a quality that every person in a position of power should have.

However, Manfred was also in the office at that moment, and Therese could not and dared not show weakness in front of his subordinates, otherwise he would lose even the support of the army.

That's why Qiao Yelan said—it's a dead end.

However, the person who will break the deadlock is coming soon.

boom!

The office door was kicked open.

"Brother! This was my decision alone, and it has nothing to do with Dr. Kal'tsit!"

Behind the anxious figure, Ascalon remained silent in the shadow of the person she served.

Chapter Five: Qiao Yelan's List

Therese merely glanced back at her sister indifferently.

For the first time, he felt relieved that Theresa was on the Doctor's side.

“Your Highness, no, Your Majesty Theresa, we are merely discussing the next steps—after all, what has happened has already occurred, you have always been our supporter, and your brother, His Highness Theresa, is also willing to work to resolve the situation.”

Qiao Yelan stood up and bowed to Theresa.

Therese remained silent, but his silence spoke volumes.

“Then I will also participate in this negotiation—the crown ultimately chose me instead of you, so I accept my fate, brother.”

But that shouldn't be your destiny!

If you accept this fate, then what is the point of everything I have done in my long life, all the efforts I have made to prevent you from becoming the Demon King!

Therese wearily supported her forehead.

"Your Majesty Theresa, it is precisely because of your current status as the Demon Lord that you cannot participate in this discussion—I think you must know what the title of Demon Lord really means, right? It is not just a banner, but more importantly, it means that other countries are all turning their attention to Kazdel."

Qiao Yelan sighed.

"But now I've become the Demon King, and they'll find out soon enough. I'll take responsibility—"

It's 'soon' rather than 'already'.

Qiao Yelan interrupted Theresa.

"In fact, because this event happened in such a secretive and sudden way, not many people actually saw you being crowned—and His Highness Theresis quickly blocked the news, and the Tower of Babel cooperated with this action, so the news of your becoming the Demon King has not yet leaked out."

“You must understand that in Kazdel, where there is no Demon King, even someone as outstanding as your brother can only temporarily assume the power of the Demon King under the title of ‘Regent.’ Some of those who submit to him are loyal to him, some are waiting for the Demon King, and some believe that he will become the Demon King—but right now, you are the only Demon King.”

The man gently persuaded Theresa.

"On the contrary, if you insist on participating in our negotiations now, your identity will be exposed immediately, which will cause a substantial split in Kazdel, and we will not have time to deal with the series of problems that will spread beyond Kazdel - so you must not expose your identity now."

"Only when we are prepared and have measures in place to deal with all problems can you appear as the Demon King. Otherwise, it will be just like two hundred years ago, with the Demon King and the innocent Sarkaz being crushed by the Allied Forces, and then the new 'Six Heroes of Sarkaz' will appear."

Shifting the topic back two hundred years immediately calmed Theresa down.

"I'm sorry, I—"

"It's alright, Your Majesty. This day will come eventually. The throne of the Sarkaz Demon King will not remain vacant forever. You're just a little too impatient."

Qiao Yelan smiled gently, like an elder who had seen his granddaughter break a bowl, without a trace of reproach.

"...Yes, I understand. I will conceal my identity for the time being."

Seeing that the other party had finally stopped asking to join, Qiao Yelan turned to look at Kal'tsit.

"Kal'tsit, why don't you go for a walk with her?"

"..."

The doctor and Qiao Yelan exchanged a glance, nodded slightly, and walked towards the door.

"Manfred, you go with him too."

Therese suddenly spoke up.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Manfred glanced at Qiao Yelan with concern, but still obeyed Therese's order.

The door closed, and now only two people remained in the office.

“I think we can have a proper discussion about our future plans now, Theresis.”

Qiao Yelan sat back down in her chair, making no mention of her earlier attempt to force him to abdicate.

"I don't think there's any other good way besides destroying the Demon King's crown."

Therese seemed to have forgotten the other party's attitude just now, and spoke calmly.

"Stop thinking about protecting Theresa. It was the same two hundred years ago, and it's still the same now. What exactly are you protecting with this kind of protection? Do you really think your sister will still listen to anything you say?"

"Then tell me, what other options are there?"

Therese's anger finally reached its breaking point.

“If Theresa becomes the Demon King, then all the ambitious people who were originally attracted to me will gather around her, and those non-Sarkaz races will also see her as a thorn in their side! They will use any means, with their armies and assassins, to eliminate her!”

“Even the Sarkaz race will be divided into two parts as a result—yes, Theresa’s political ambitions are too naive and too idealistic, but her strength and gentleness will undoubtedly win over many Sarkaz people, leading them down a path that is impossible to succeed!”

“Don’t let anger blind you, Theresis—you’ve been in Kazdel for too long, so long that this tiny land has bound you.”

Qiao Yelan crossed her arms and supported her chin.

"First question—you said that ambitious people would be drawn to Theresa, so do you think those guys could bypass me and interfere with and manipulate Theresa?"

Therese was taken aback.

"Second question, you said that non-Sarkaz would regard them as a thorn in their side and would definitely kill them as soon as possible. So, have you ever looked at the countries formed by non-Sarkaz races?"

Qiao Yelan picked up the documents beside her.

“It’s already 1077, Theresis. You’ve been operating in this place for far too long, so long that you’ve started to think that all you need to do is take care of this little patch of land—”

"This is the September Coup that happened in Letania last month. The Witch King was assassinated by a pair of twin assassins, and the Electors of Letania are gathering their armies in the Letania capital, Vidonia, to elect a new emperor."

"This was the Ursus Rebellion, which broke out three years ago, two years after the death of the late Emperor Vladimir. The Sixth Army attacked the capital, Fort Saint Eagle, while the Second and Seventh Armies came to the aid of the Emperor. It was not until last year that the rebellion was barely quelled, and the Crown Prince was enthroned."