A Core Ship From The Start

Chapter 2663: Chapter 1796: This Hero Identifies Threats (Open a Window for Fresh Air When Drowsy)

With the Demon King defeated, the Demon King’s Army fell into complete chaos, and at the very forefront of it all was... the struggle for the Demon King’s throne.

The reason the Demon King’s Army could be unified in the first place was because the Demon King used its overwhelming Strength to rule the entire Orc clan. But now the Demon King was dead, blown away together with the Demon King Palace, not even ashes left behind. So naturally, everyone started fighting over who would claim the Demon King’s throne.

But when it came to how to choose a new Demon King, nobody had a clear idea.

"I think we should find the one who killed the Demon King and then take it out!"

An Orc with a tiger’s head roared as he clenched his fists.

"Only the one who avenges the Demon King has the right to become the new Demon King!"

"What kind of joke is that?"

Another Orc with an eagle’s head dismissed him with disdain.

"We’re talking about someone who managed to kill even the Demon King. Leaving aside whether we can even find them, even if we do, who exactly is capable of killing that kind of monster? And besides, how are you going to prove the one you killed is actually the murderer who killed the Demon King, and not just some random slave you grabbed off the roadside?"

"What? Are you saying I’d fake evidence on purpose?"

"Who knows...?"

"You bastard...!"

The upper echelon of the Demon King’s Army was in a huge shouting match, everyone with their own opinion. Some believed that whoever killed the murderer who slew the Demon King would be qualified to become the new Demon King. Others felt this was going nowhere, and it would be better to simply decide it by Strength—whoever was stronger would be Demon King, just like the last Demon King, who had subdued them all with sheer combat power.

There were even those who felt that since the Demon King was already done for, there was no good end in continuing to serve under this banner. The enemy had already killed the Demon King; what if one day they came knocking at their own doorstep? Better to just run and hide!

In the end, the Demon King’s Army’s high command completely fractured and split into several small factions.

And this, of course, was well within Duanmu Huai’s expectations.

This was why he didn’t do it the way he had before—taking out the Four Heavenly Kings first and then killing the Demon King. Or simply wiping out both the Four Heavenly Kings and the Demon King together. The reason was simple: in this world, Humans were at far too great a disadvantage. Even if the Demon King was eliminated, it didn’t mean the Demon King’s Army would just collapse.

But as long as he left the Four Heavenly Kings alive, they would inevitably tear each other apart fighting over the Demon King’s throne. By then, Duanmu Huai wouldn’t even need to lift a finger; they would kill each other off, saving him a lot of effort.

However, that didn’t mean Duanmu Huai’s side had nothing to do. After returning to the temporary camp, Duanmu Huai met up with Hei Chuan Chi Yin, who was in charge of Scouting, Mary, who had been operating guerrilla in the rear, and the combat units returning from the execution grounds. The news they brought back, however, was anything but good.

The first was Mary. Her original mission had been to hold off the Beast King and take the opportunity to rescue as many Human slaves as possible, but...

"During the process of us rescuing the Human slaves, we encountered a lot of resistance."

"...Resistance?"

Hearing the word, Duanmu Huai didn’t react, but Lisetta’s face was full of bewilderment, as if she suspected she’d misheard.

"We’re trying to save those Humans from their suffering, so why would they resist?"

"They believe the Beast Race has already conquered the world and that Human resistance is meaningless. They think what we’re doing will only bring disaster upon ourselves and drag them down with us. They even tried to Attack us, hoping to use that to secure their place in their Orc masters’ hearts."

"......"

Lisetta’s jaw was practically hanging open; she felt like she was listening to some absurd fairy tale. Duanmu Huai, on the other hand, remained perfectly calm.

"So how did you handle it?"

"I have purified all who resisted. I hope their Souls may find peace."

"Impossible. Let them burn slowly in the Tribunal’s furnace instead."

Duanmu Huai bared a ferocious grin.

"Since they’re unwilling to willingly sacrifice for the Human Race, then we’ll just force them to sacrifice... Chi Yin, what about your side?"

"The news I have is similar to Miss Mary’s."

Hei Chuan Chi Yin frowned deeply.

"During my investigation, I came across a very... peculiar piece of intel. I heard that in a Beast Race territory somewhere to the south, there is an army composed of Humans."

"A Human army? Serving under a Beast Race Lord?"

Lisetta felt like her brain had completely melted. Of course, Duanmu Huai had never placed much hope in her brain to begin with.

"You’re sure?"

"Yes, I’m quite sure. Supposedly that Beast Race Lord doesn’t discriminate against Humans, and instead calls for peaceful coexistence with them. Within its territory, Humans live a peaceful life and aren’t subjected to abuse; they seem no different from ordinary Humans. Other than being unable to leave the territory, they don’t appear to have any other problems."

"There’s actually a Beast Race Lord like that!"

Lisetta’s eyes lit up instantly as she clenched her fists.

"That’s really great, Hero, we should go there immediately. Maybe we can persuade them to fight alongside us to save the Humans..."

"Yeah, you’re right, we do have to get there as soon as possible."

Duanmu Huai nodded at Lisetta’s words.

"Heretics must be wiped out. This danger is much greater than the Demon King."

"......Huh?"

Lisetta stared blankly at Duanmu Huai, as if she couldn’t believe her own ears.

"What did you say? Heretic?"

"That’s right. Whether it’s something that Orc Lord made up, or it really means it from the bottom of its heart, this is heretical thinking. What’s even more dangerous is that this kind of heretical thought has already contaminated the Humans over there. From the looks of it, we have to eradicate every last one of those heretics! No matter if they’re Orcs or Humans, they all have to die!"

"No no no, why?!"

Hearing this, Lisetta completely failed to understand what Duanmu Huai meant. She waved her hands hard, loudly trying to stop him.

"If they’re just putting on an act, that’s one thing, but what if it really does want to treat Humans kindly? They clearly can live together in peace, so why do you have to completely destroy them? I think that’s a great idea."

"If you think it’s great, then that just proves it’s not great at all."

Duanmu Huai gave Lisetta a look like she was an idiot, then turned back around.

"...Chi Yin, you know where that territory is, right?"

"Of course, Mr. Duanmu."

"Good. Call everyone, get ready, we’re setting out immediately!"

After the Demon King was eliminated, the Barrier covering the Demon King Territory disappeared as well, and Lisetta’s function as a "Teleportation Portal" came into play once again. However, this time, faced with Duanmu Huai’s order, she firmly shook her head.

"I absolutely will not help open a Teleportation Portal to that territory!"

"..............."

"It’s finally an Orc willing to live in peace with Humans, what’s wrong with that! I will never allow you to ruin their lives...!"

Standing in front of Duanmu Huai, Lisetta shook her head hard. She was a Goddess after all, with her own dignity and convictions. What was wrong with Humans and Orcs working together, advancing hand in hand? Something so wonderful—why did Duanmu Huai treat it like a viper and a scorpion, insisting on killing it as fast as possible?

"I’m not interested in explaining things to idiots. Since you don’t plan on sending us, then we’ll just walk there."

Duanmu Huai didn’t even glance at the sulking Lisetta. He picked up the map and confirmed the location of that territory with Hei Chuan Chi Yin.

"Yeah, we’ll pass another territory on the way. Perfect, we’ll clean that one up first."

"Won’t the Demon King’s Army target us?"

"Those Aliens are too busy with their own mess right now. Who doesn’t want the Demon King’s seat? Let them tear each other apart like dogs."

Duanmu Huai finalized the route, then waved his hand.

"Alright, let’s move out!"

"Wait, you can’t..."

Lisetta rushed forward, trying to stop them, but Duanmu Huai didn’t even look at her. He just barreled straight into her and sent her flying. By the time Lisetta rolled several times on the ground and scrambled back to her feet, Duanmu Huai’s combat unit was already heading deep into the forest, while Lisetta just collapsed blankly to the ground, staring at their receding backs.

No, why? Why is this happening?

Lisetta racked her brains, desperately trying to think, but no matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t understand why Duanmu Huai regarded this as an even greater threat than the Demon King, to the point where he couldn’t wait to head out and destroy it immediately. Although along the way Lisetta had guessed that Duanmu Huai definitely had his own logic, still... still... couldn’t he have a bit more trust?

The problem now was, what was she going to do?

For a moment, Lisetta felt an impulse to open a Teleportation Portal and run to that Orc territory to warn them, but the next second she calmed down. Lisetta knew what the consequences of that would be—Duanmu Huai would definitely kill her, and without a shred of hesitation, because that would mean she was a Heretic as well... The Tribunal never shows mercy to Heretics.

Duanmu Huai would kill her, without the slightest hesitation.

Thinking of this, Lisetta trembled, then stood up. She gritted her teeth and still ran after the group.

No matter what, she had to figure out why all this was happening.

She couldn’t get an answer from Duanmu Huai’s side anymore, but that Miss Mary... maybe she could talk to her a little. At least from their previous interactions, Lisetta felt that Miss Mary was quite polite and gentle; at the very least, she wasn’t like Duanmu Huai, whose thoughts you could never read at all.

Lisetta quickened her pace and ran forward.

She had also made up her mind: if this time she couldn’t accept Duanmu Huai’s reasoning, she planned to return to the Divine Realm and... let the other Deities deal with him.

Lisetta felt that she was no longer up to the task.