The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

Chapter 1475 - 425: Pawns Moving Toward the Board (Part 2)

"What I mean is, since they're already like this, there's no way to fix their minds in two weeks. May as well make use of this waste... so they don't come back and become our neighbors."

"Damn it, you're a bloody genius!" Krueger cursed, as if spitting at a madman.

However, thinking about those stubborn blockheads who won't listen to reason, he couldn't help but be tempted.

Of course, he's merely an instructor at the recruit camp, not a frontline commander.

Perhaps he should talk to the rescue army's superiors about forming a special "Hunter Soldier" unit, rather than regular soldiers.

This way, they could make some use of these foolish wastes...

...

In the training field of the recruit camp, the shouting was earth-shattering, and several kilometers away, the city council hall was equally noisy.

As the recruits of the Campbell Duchy were sweating on the training ground, the council members representing the citizens were loudly arguing for their rights at the meeting table.

"Your Highness! My esteemed Princess! You can't do that!"

"I know your kindness can't bear to see our compatriots in Twilight Province suffer in a hell of deep water and scorching fire, but your mercy is pushing us into hell as well!"

"Our taxes are already very high, and you recently announced the sixth bill. Now the bill isn't even passed, and you're asking us to fork out more money for your war. Where are we supposed to find so much money?!"

At the very front of the meeting hall stood Erin Campbell in full military uniform. Her golden hair was impeccably pinned at the back of her head, her high-bridged nose resembling the eternal "Light of Praise" of Campbell Duchy, yet at this moment, her sword-like brows were furrowed with worry above that brilliance.

At this very moment, she faced her most beloved citizens, who were also her brother's most steadfast supporters.

Among them were the chairman of the chamber of commerce, craftspeople from artisan guilds, or even owners of emerging factories, some even wore badges of a knight or sir on their chests.

As the most prominent citizens of Thunder City, they were representatives of other citizens. Although the Campbell Royal Family didn't need to heed this group of mascots most of the time, in times of taxation, their opinions were needed.

Such has been the case for five hundred years!

Standing beside her, Theresa glanced at the Princess with some worry.

Although, compared to two years ago, her Princess has grown significantly, issues involving taxation could be tricky even for her father and brother.

The citizens supported this righteous war and were willing to shed blood for it.

But asking them to donate money was another matter entirely.

This issue is not difficult to understand.

Those donating their lives and those donating money, though both citizens of Thunder City, are not the same group of people.

Seeing the council members valiantly defending their rights, Erin took a deep breath of scorching air and spoke earnestly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I know you face difficulties, but please consider our distant compatriots in Twilight Province! They are also citizens of the Kingdom, just like us, they are children of Saint Sis. If we do not extend a helping hand, allowing them to slide toward hell, the flames eventually rising from them will scorch us too!"

A craftsman wearing a felt hat couldn't help but shout.

"Then they should turn to Saint Sis! Or to their King! Instead of troubling their neighbors to clean up their mess!"

"By Saint Sis on high, can't King Ryan or the Provincial Governor foot this bill?! The Campbell people have decided to bleed for them, yet they are unwilling to pay even a single price!"

"No one will agree to such an unequal treaty!"

Watching the council members seething with anger, Erin fell silent.

What they said wasn't unreasonable, and in her heart, she knew she was indeed asking the impossible.

For the prosperity of Campbell Duchy, the citizens of Thunder City have already borne a heavy tax burden, even far exceeding what the feudal lords contribute in money.

And now, to extract more from them would be unreasonable both in emotion and reason.

Besides, judging by their agitated demeanor, there likely isn't much money to squeeze out.

And most crucially, if the Sixth Bill can't gain broad support in Parliament, those impoverished people might continue living in dire straits.

For the prosperity of Campbell Duchy.

Just as Erin was caught in a dilemma, a venerable gentleman suddenly stood up.

"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to say a few words."

As his voice fell, the restless and contentious atmosphere of the parliament hall subsided as if doused with a bucket of cold water.

Erin instinctively turned her gaze toward the man, a fleeting glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes as calm as a lake.

The gentleman was none other than Yang Andes, the current head of the Andes Family.

This middle-aged gentleman was not only the wealthiest merchant in Thunder City but also her brother's most steadfast ally.

This expedition to save thousands was driven by her brother. It seemed Mr. Andes would surely help her with some ideas to prevent the fifty thousand expedition troops from falling into an unsustainable predicament before setting out for the battlefield.

"Your Highness, if I may be frank, the citizens of Thunder City are not unwilling to alleviate the Duchy's troubles. If it's to crusade against the legendary Demon King and defend our home, I believe everyone here is willing to open their purse for Campbell's survival."