Seeing his chance, Westheid finally revealed his hand and said with a smile,

"If you are still concerned, then how about this... Entrust them to me. Rather than executing them outright, let them atone for their sins with meritorious deeds. We can form a Punishment Camp and drive all those you deem disloyal into it. I will lead them on the front lines against the Demon Legion."

"If they die in battle, so be it. But if they can accumulate merits in the bloody war against the Demon Realm and survive, it would be enough to wash away their past disloyalty and grant them a new life, would it not?"

Eilvette, completely oblivious to Westheid’s machinations, brightened up immediately upon hearing the proposal and praised it,

"This... is actually a good arrangement. If they must die, it is better they die for the Royal Court. Duke Qinghui, since you are so merciful and wish to spare these tainted sinners, I will leave them all to you. Whether they’re cannon fodder or something else, it doesn’t matter, as long as they are useful in the war of liberation."

As for why he let Westheid handle the formation... it was naturally because Duke Qinghui was the key to launching an offensive. In any case, Eilvette did not want any unstable elements remaining in the rear.

"However, to make it official, we still need Her Majesty the Queen’s approval."

Even though the Grand Law Officer could have made the decision on his own, he still put on a good show of following protocol. At least, he himself felt he was being very respectful to the Wind Law Queen!

"Of course. We can tell Ailorus upon our triumphant return."

Westheid smiled faintly, but inwardly, he couldn’t help but mock the other’s incredible obtuseness.

’What a paranoid idiot. He’s actively cutting off his own people and pushing a large number of the Royal Court’s citizens right into my hands. All I need to do is show them a little kindness, and I’ll gain a large group of loyal followers within the Thousand Laws Royal Court.’

’This is far better than dispatching a few legions into the country. Adapting to local conditions is what I do best.’

With Westheid’s suggestion, Eilvette finally gave up the idea of a purge and moved on to other matters:

"This campaign has essentially achieved its objectives. However, before we head back, we must first stabilize the newly liberated City in the Lake."

Of course, he wasn’t going to personally oversee reconstruction. As a powerful court official of the Royal Court who managed both military and political affairs, Eilvette wasn’t that idle. When he said "stabilize," he meant fortifying the border—or more precisely, drawing a clear line between them and the neighboring Demons.

Upon arriving at the border of the City in the Lake, they saw the Barrier created by the Thousand Laws Ceremony enveloping the entire domain from the outer court, leaving no blind spots to exploit. The Grand Law Officer had specifically strengthened the border defenses when he’d played his strings earlier.

A wide river divided the friendly and enemy borders. On the far bank was the Demon Realm; on their side was the territory of the Thousand Laws Royal Court.

The fields on the other side had been devastated by the massive waves of Magic Power. The legion dispatched by the Master of Blazing Flames had been utterly crushed by the might of the Thousand Laws Ceremony.

At this moment, the Demon’s followers were still cleaning up the battlefield, barely managing to clear out a clean patch of open ground.

"Looks like they don’t plan on leaving. Are they going to attack again?"

Yolanda asked, puzzled.

Westheid chuckled. "They’re waiting for someone, I suppose."

The storm he had previously stirred up had already wiped out an entire legion. For them not to flee with their tails between their legs meant there was only one possibility.

As if to confirm his suspicion, a moment later, a tremor radiating sparks spread from the horizon. Accompanied by a sharp shriek that tore through the sky, a tall, dark figure plummeted onto the fields on the opposite bank.

His entire body was covered in dark Armor, its surface rent by crimson cracks. A faint scarlet light pulsed from within, breathing out embers as if it were alive.

A vertical slit ran down the middle of his inverted triangular helmet. The sharp edges of his Armor were cold and fierce. He raised his head slightly, gazing across the wide river.

"The Master of Blazing Flames..."

It had been said many times before: when Emperor Qianlu underwent Soul Fusion back then, he would devour anything. Never mind the Master of Decay, the King of the Cannibal Bone Demon; the Master of Blazing Flames’s original form in ancient times was that of a volatile Elemental Spirit. After his demonization, he gained a rough physical form. This current appearance was likely something he forged for himself after breaking free from his restraints.

The instant he saw the tall, imposing Demon, Eilvette stepped forward and pushed back his sleeve. The faint golden glow of Runes emerged, spreading from his arm to his cheek, even more ostentatiously than Westheid’s.

’Who the hell invented these Runes of Music? This stuff is really useful.’

Westheid had personally experienced the power of the Runes. Although they lacked durability and had only lasted through one battle, they had left a very good impression on him.

Duke Qinghui’s limit for bearing Runes was two hundred. Even among Tuners, this was considered exceptionally talented.

And Eilvette? As the Grand Law Officer, how many Runes of Music could he accommodate?

The answer was three thousand.

Even without the aid of the Thousand Laws Ceremony, relying on these three thousand Runes alone, Eilvette’s stats weren’t that far off from Westheid’s. It was a testament to his sheer hard work and effort.

Seeing the Grand Law Officer fully armed and ready for battle, the Master of Blazing Flames spoke. His voice was like smoke, yet it was incredibly piercing, exploding beside their ears:

"The Master of Decay is dead. What a surprise. To think there’s a mortal capable of slaying one of us."

The Master of Blazing Flames took a step forward, looking at Eilvette.

"Did you do it?"

However, before he received an answer, he shook his head and said,

"No, no, no. You spawn of the Thousand Laws, you reek of it. Even now, you do nothing but cower behind the Laws of the Thousand Laws. You lack the blood of a Warrior."

The Master of Blazing Flames fixed his gaze on Westheid.

"It was you, wasn’t it?"

Westheid was amused. "Heh, you’ve got a sharp eye. Do I really look that much like a Warrior?"

"No. Your pretty face reminds me of Qianlu, which is nauseating. It’s simply because his aura still lingers on you."

The Master of Blazing Flames immediately denied it.

Having found his target, the Master of Blazing Flames raised his hands, which seemed to swim in molten magma, and said,

"I was just fighting that Bone Demon. His skull would have been an excellent trophy, one that could add a certain flair to my weapon. I’ve been hunting him for a long, long time, but I never expected a mortal to swoop in and steal the prize."

"Are you talking about this?"

Westheid took a skull mask with deer antlers from Mephit’s hands. It was stained with indelible blood and scars.

Among the disintegrating Demon Form, this shrunken skull was the only remaining part. Operating on the principle that every part of a Demon Form is a treasure, Westheid had taken it with him.

"Yes, yes, that’s it!"

The Master of Blazing Flames clapped his hands and said,

"Give it to me, and in my great mercy, I will temporarily forgive your presumption and offense."

"Hm? So you’re saying if I don’t give it to you, you’re planning to come over and fight?"

Hearing this, Westheid shot back a blunt provocation, "Then give it a try. I’m right here. If you dare to cross the river, I’ll put you in your place!"

"...Killing the weakest piece of trash among us seems to have made you quite proud, mortal."

The eyes of the Master of Blazing Flames could not be seen beneath his helmet, but his raspy, smoky voice had clearly dropped much lower. He said coolly,

"Your sense of security comes from nothing more than Qianlu’s legacy. I am not foolish enough to willingly step into the range of your ceremony. But this protection has its limits. Once we have settled the score and decided who is the true master of this Land of Thousand Lakes, Elves! Your ridiculous Royal Court will be nothing more than a toy to be destroyed at a whim. Then, you will all taste the fate that awaits those who dare to transgress and resist."

"You can hold on to that skull for now. A trophy taken with my own hands in battle is far sweeter than one I have to ask for."

After leaving this threat, the Demon Form said no more and simply turned and left.

PS: This is the last update for today. No Chapter tomorrow. Ape God mode, activate!