The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

Chapter 1297 381: The Demon King's Weapon (Part 4)

This expected answer fits well with the self-perception of a 'high-level worker bee' in an atomized society.

"In terms of results, that's exactly right," he said leisurely, "but if you view history as a continuously accumulating calculus, you'll find that every new thing, at the moment of its birth, actually aligns with the inventor's interests. It's just that occasionally, the inventor's interests coincide with the user's interests... which creates an illusion for the latter."

He pointed to the stall not far away that was selling Talisman Stones.

"Point-to-point dissemination is, of course, aimed at selling more Communication Stones. The same goes for those Magic Scrolls that become invalid after one use... anyway, those Magic Apprentices have no choice, do they?"

"At least for now, the Academic State has no competition on this land. The Rhode Kingdom and the Academic State don't get along on the surface, but that's just on the surface. They have always been part of this vast Imperial system."

"And among the mentors in the Academic State, there is no disagreement on the stance of 'how to extract maximum benefit from Apprentices'. Those truly powerful enough to change this situation do compete, but it's not for the benefit of the Apprentices. It's a struggle for the Void Realm that Apprentices could never access in their lifetime."

"From this perspective, don't all the seemingly unreasonable behaviors you've observed suddenly make sense?"

Taufu listened, bewildered. She had never thought about the issue from this angle, but her instinct and pride made her immediately retort.

"This is sophistry! Obviously, the Mages here are just incompetent!"

"This has nothing to do with sophistry, it's the reality of the world. You think it's just that the Mages of the Academic State aren't smart enough, and your Zeta Empire is an exception?"

Luo Yan spoke slowly, his gaze of concern like looking at an indomitable child.

Looking at the young dragon with wide, round eyes, he casually uttered a true demon's whisper.

"...For example, why does the Zeta Empire genetically 'neuter' all the Zeta people, taking away their right to natural reproduction? To such an extent, is it truly for the interest of all Zeta people?"

"If that's the case, the time you've saved through cloning technology, which should have been used for nurturing and raising offspring, is it used for enjoying life, or for producing more 'surplus goods' that you can't consume?"

"To take a step back, since you call yourselves an empire, there must be a leader, right? Did he and those who came up with these bad ideas also strictly abide by this rule, instead of enjoying joyful family time, or... did they also pop out of cloning vats?"

"If that were true, I'd have to give them some admiration."

These words, like a poisoned blade, pierced precisely into Taufu's vital spot.

She was instantly defenseless, almost screaming, "Enough! You devil! Mind your own business! We Zeta people don't need your worry!"

She wasn't defending the empire's leader, but she was genuinely scared.

He really intended to promise the Zeta people to lay eggs!

This guy is a true devil; his power to manipulate is terrifying.

He can always easily find the weakest link in a person's belief and cleverly inject the devil's genes into it!

And all of this is in the name of justice!

Taufu couldn't help but think of the "flying boat" that resembled a starship, and it seemed the Academic State had really established some connections with her homeland.

Although she had thought of seizing this opportunity to get in touch with her homeland, report her status, and even let her compatriots find a way to take her back, the thought of the mysterious methods this guy displayed in the 440th Void Realm made her shiver with fear, terrified that this guy would interfere with her homeland.

It's better not to deal with these Spirit-obsessed lunatics...

Especially since the Zeta Empire's fleet doesn't seem capable of physically invading this universe on a large scale, and the Primitive People Mages skilled in Extraordinary Power seem even less reasonable.

And most importantly—

She looked down at her little claws.

Now she's just a 'meat lizard'; she really doesn't know how to explain the current situation to her compatriots.

Those guys wouldn't just laugh it off like the Demon King.

If the Zeta Empire's starship truly arrived here, the entire planet's 'Giant Dragons' might disappear in the face of an 'meat lizard' industrial chain too vast to be measured by economic value.

Unaware, her interests and personal safety seemed to have long been tied to the presence of the Demon King beside her...

Seeing the little female dragon caught in great panic and self-doubt in his arms, Luo Yan smiled and decided to let her go for now.

His teasing of Taufu was always just a taste, no need to continuously push someone also fallen from grace.

He nodded amicably and gently concluded the topic.

"You're right, that's your own issue."

After all, his hand wasn't so long as to reach behind the Void Realm.

But if he could, it would be another matter.

Just as the question he first posed to Taufu, whether something involves Lord Demon King or not, of course, depends on the interests of the Demon King.

...

The carriage stopped at a relatively quiet corner of Artisan Street, where "Alberto's Workshop" was located.

Unlike the surrounding shops adorned with luxurious decorations for enchanted weapons and armor, this workshop appeared plain and unadorned, seemingly disconnected from the festive atmosphere.

This was likely related to the store owner being busy with handling a big business in recent days.

As Luo Yan's group approached the store entrance, a thin figure immediately emerged from inside.

This person was the store owner Alberto, still wearing a leather apron stained with some oil, his expression both excited and nervously anxious, like a student about to present his graduation project, awaiting a master's judgment.

"Honorable Master Colin! You're here!"

Alberto quickly stepped forward, bowing deeply with enthusiasm and respect, and said with eagerness.

"The project you commissioned has been completed! Being involved in such a genius design as yours is the greatest honor of my life, Alberto!"

"You're too kind, Mr. Alberto; it was just an immature idea of mine. It's I who should thank you for making it a reality," Luo Yan smiled and nodded, refraining from further pleasantries, instead giving a knowing look to Sarah behind him.

Understanding, Sarah freed a hand from beneath Taufu's tail, taking out a heavy money pouch, and shook seven Gold Coins into Alberto's hand.

As the Gold Coins made a crisp clinking sound in Alberto's rough palm, the pleasant noise added even more color to his excited face.

"Thank you for your approval, Master! It's just..."

Alberto cautiously pocketed the final payment, rubbing his hands, and said apologetically, "The 'project' you ordered is simply too gigantic, impossible to fully unfold within this store-crowded Artisan Street. To glimpse its full appearance, we might have to go to the open snowy field outside the city."

Upon hearing this, Taufu grew even more expectant, looking eagerly, stretching her neck to peer inside the shop.

Watching the cautious Mr. Alberto, Luo Yan nodded happily.

"I'll trouble you to lead the way then."

After all, it is the transportation device he intends to use to travel to the Campbell Duchy, so he must inspect it to ensure it doesn't fail at a critical moment.