The Demon Emperor was Saint Emperor

Chapter 156: Price

"Leonard! If we join forces, we can take him on!"

Gutts suffered a minor setback as soon as they clashed, but he wasn’t really hurt. To him, this Demon Emperor absolutely didn’t have the supreme power of the Late Emperor. If Leonard was willing to team up against him, he felt he had at least a sixty percent chance of winning.

After all, they were both strong at the demigod level, and there wasn’t a tier difference. The odds were always favorable in a two-against-one situation.

"This is your mess, I’m not cleaning it up for you!"

Being repeatedly called out made Leonard a bit angry as he shouted at the demons trying to pit him against the new Demon Emperor. He really couldn’t understand why they were so eager to oppose him, acting as if defeating him would grant them the throne of the Demon Emperor. In reality, without a Divine Envoy status, anyone forcibly taking the throne would lack legitimacy.

"Are you really willing to let a demon dragon that appeared out of nowhere step all over you?"

Gutts shouted in anger while constantly trying to rescue his followers from under Lynn’s giant axe. Unfortunately, every time he approached, he was easily knocked away, even though he was equipped with a full set of top-level demon armor, unable to withstand a single blow.

"It’s only you who’s unwilling. I, Leonard, don’t care who becomes Demon Emperor, as I can’t become one myself anyway."

Watching Gutts, whose power was on par with his, being tossed around like a fly by the new generation Demon Dragon Emperor, Leonard was even more disinterested in intervening.

That guy is so powerful; let him be Demon Emperor. He can’t strip me of my fiefdom or confiscate my wealth. Why oppose him when we can all invade other worlds together for profit instead?

"Damn! No ambition at all! I look down on you!"

Though cursing aloud, Gutts was already aware of the kind of demon Leonard was, and had little hope in him. Unless he saw immense benefits in front of him, the guy was just as lazy as those affected by the epidemic of sloth in the Sloth Demon Kingdom.

"Whatever."

Leonard was completely unconcerned with Gutts’s swearing. He wasn’t like those hot-tempered fellows from the Fury Demon Kingdom. As long as it wasn’t a matter of profit, he never cared about winning or losing.

"You still have the leisure to chat with demons, aren’t you going to check how many followers you have left?"

At this point, Lynn interjected, holding his blood-dripping giant axe. Gutts was startled and looked back, only to see that the dozen or so trusted aides who came with him had been slaughtered to just a few. Only four demons including him were left, though he had managed to protect his son at great risk, keeping him alive for now.

But that was just for now. Considering the power Illidan had just displayed, if he wanted to kill his son, it would only take a bit more effort; he was definitely capable of doing it.

"Illidan... Demon Emperor Sir, let’s stop here. I am willing to pledge my loyalty to you. Perhaps a peak Great Demon doesn’t mean much to you, but with the Demon Realm in decline, a demigod is crucial. Please, don’t slaughter your kind anymore and let other worlds gain unearned benefits."

Gutts, up until now, hadn’t truly clashed head-on with Lynn. Still, from his relaxed demeanor, the gap between them was obvious. As long as this self-proclaimed demon dragon willing to be Demon Emperor wanted to defeat him, it wouldn’t be particularly difficult.

In his heart, he was not convinced, as he hadn’t been defeated head-on. Yet, given the reality, even if he was unwilling, he had no choice but to bow his proud head.

"Pledging loyalty to me is simple. You have three rebels defying my decree behind you. Kill them all, and I will accept your allegiance."

Lynn stood there, casually resting his giant axe on his shoulder, watching Gutts with amused eyes. He wasn’t a demon of unforgiving nature. As long as the other party was sincere, negotiating was possible.

"Demon Emperor Sir, they are my most loyal subordinates and have made remarkable contributions to the Demon Race. Back then, in the battles on Miracle World with the Late Emperor, they killed and defeated tens of thousands. Could you spare them for their past achievements?"

Instead of getting inflamed by Lynn’s terms, Gutts clasped his hands and recounted their past military deeds, letting him know that his subordinates were not the incompetent nobles who had never left the Demon Realm. They were seasoned fighters, battle-hardened among blood and fire, the finest of their tier, with commanding experience, and incorporating them would hold far greater benefits than killing them off for authority.

"Oh? They’ve led soldiers in battle before?"

Hearing this, Lynn stroked his dragon whiskers, showing a slight hint of interest.

"What does the Demon Emperor think?"

Seeing this ferocious demon dragon seemingly softening his stance, Gutts quickly asked with a cautious smile.

"But if they survive, wouldn’t that be a slap in my face? Let’s be honest, my face is worth at least ten demigods, right? Here’s the deal: I’ll give them one minute. If the three of them can collectively reach level 9000, I’ll spare them!"

As Lynn spoke, he swung his giant axe again, pointing it towards the ground as he spoke with a playful smirk.

Three demons reaching level 9000, averaging 3000 each...

If they could achieve that, you’d be the one begging for mercy right now!

What kind of hellish joke is this? It’s uncertain whether even the mighty Destruction Demon God could reach level 9000, so how could these three possibly dare to outdo the Demon God King?

"Demon Emperor Sir, please don’t joke like this, we are genuinely offering our allegiance!"

Gutts’s face darkened, but he didn’t dare get angry. He felt there might still be a chance to salvage the situation, and they hadn’t reached a point of no return.

"Who said I’m joking? Keep track of time; thirty seconds left."

Lynn glanced at his demon-armored wristwatch, speaking somewhat sternly, clearly issuing a warning.

"Leonard! Team up with me to defeat him! I’ll give you all my fiefdom!"

Having reached this point and hearing the demon dragon’s angry voice that didn’t sound feigned, Gutts simply gave up on surrendering. He had confidence in surviving against an equal-tier opponent, but reality had already proven he couldn’t protect the other demons.

Being left alone and losing his beloved youngest son was a far more severe cost than ceding all his lands.

Besides, the Demon Realm is in turmoil now. He could simply seize lands from other nobles later. Who else could stop him? Hasn’t Leonard been doing just that lately?

"Bullshit! Our two countries don’t even border each other; can I even manage your lands?"

Leonard initially felt tempted by the offer from a Grand Duke willing to yield an entire duchy. It was an enticing offer momentarily. But he quickly regained his senses.

Belonging to different kingdoms, with another two realms dividing them, managing two duchies across such a distance, even with teleportation arrays, was a costly and time-consuming endeavor.

More importantly, Gutts’s duchy, having been managed by him for so many years, wouldn’t be easily taken over with just a promise. He’s greedy, sure, but not a fool.