The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

"...Regent King, that's a good name."

Jelock is an excellent knight, but after all, he is a soldier.

He has no governance team of his own and cannot manage a vast duchy, ultimately having to rely on the Glanston family.

Earl Derek wore a radiant smile as he drained his glass of red wine, as if drinking a cup of rich blood.

Only after finishing the wine did he seemingly remember to add another remark.

"To the future of Campbell... cheers."

...

Andes Manor, Duke Edward's study.

The morning sunlight passed over the sparse birch trees, leaving scattered shadows on the floor of the room. The air was filled with the scent of cedar, a winter incense replaced by the manor's servants for the guests.

The weather gradually turned colder; in the blink of an eye, winter was approaching again.

As Earl Derek toasted to victory, Duke Edward leaned back in his chair, reviewing a report on the construction progress of the "Mire City" Special District, absorbed in thought.

His subordinates mentioned two notable matters.

One was the surprising construction equipment appearing on the Mire City Special District site, including steam-spewing tracked vehicles and large True Qi-driven hoisting equipment.

These seemed to be a product of the Thunder City New Industrial Zone, with hints of Dwarf craftsmanship, yet many Dwarf artisans claimed they had never seen such things.

The other was a scout's report stating that a group of Lizardman raiders' corpses was discovered in the forest of the Southwest Swamp.

These unfortunate fellows were suspected to have been counterattacked during an assault on a supply team. However, the dense bullet holes were hard to ignore; it would take at least three hundred-man teams firing in unison to create such firepower.

Perhaps the "rear-loading rifles" shown by Prince Colin were not the entirety of the Gutaf Kingdom's strength; they still had more hidden.

Edward couldn't help but marvel internally.

No wonder they are the Dragon God's people...

Their strength is as unfathomable as a Giant Dragon!

At this moment, the door was rhythmically knocked.

"Come in."

Yang Andes entered with a file in his arms, speaking respectfully.

"Grand Duke, I have prepared a briefing on last month's economic activities in Thunder City for you. May I know when you will have time to review it?"

"Leave the file here, and tell me about it as well."

Edward put down the report in his hand, gesturing for his confidant to sit as he interlocked his fingers with interest.

"I want to know how the orders brought by Mr. Sak Jifeng have energized our market... and if there is anything noteworthy recently."

Yang Andes nodded cautiously and sat down, his expression much more serious than usual.

"Your Majesty, our market is unprecedentedly flourishing, as clearly shown in the reports. But if you ask if there's anything noteworthy... I think something beyond Thunder City's impressive import-export data deserves our attention."

"Oh?" Edward raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharpening, indicating for him to continue.

Yang Andes dared not delay, opening the file and pulling out the topmost report. Judging by the format and the stamp, it was a document from an importer under the Andes Chamber of Commerce, belonging neither to a bank nor to City Hall.

"The grain trade in the Valley Plain has almost come to a halt."

"Starting with the North Stream Valley Earl's Territory, the lords there seem to have made an agreement—none of the wheat harvested this year has been shipped to Thunder City. Initially, we thought there was an issue with the supply chain, but later found out this wasn't the case; they simply didn't want to sell."

Edward frowned slightly, sensing something and spoke in a low voice.

"Perhaps their harvest wasn't good?"

"Quite the opposite." Yang Andes shook his head, immediately dismissing this speculation, "Our merchants have dealt with them for many years; those who buy grain know their harvests even better than the locals do. Given this year's climate, the Valley Plain's yield should be better than previous years... and that's precisely the problem."

He placed the report on Edward's desk, pointing to the historical grain import-export data curve, and stated earnestly.

"Grain is the Northern Vassals' main source of income. Typically, around this time each year, they would sell most of their surplus grain to Thunder City for money, after setting aside enough for winter and the next year's supply, to purchase items their territories cannot produce."

"But this time, they unusually chose to hold back during the harvest season. I can't help but worry if they're waiting for something, or... preparing something."

At this, Andes paused.

As a shrewd businessman, he knew what he could and couldn't say.

He trusted that, with the Grand Duke's wisdom, he would surely guess what it was.

The study fell into a brief silence, broken only by the ticking of the clock.

Edward's face was as calm as the Vast Ocean, but his interlocked fingers were unconsciously clenched, and a cold smile curved his lips.

"It seems famine has erupted in our granary."

He released his hands, tapping his finger on the table, and pushed the report back.

"Do not make this matter public."

Andes, with head bowed, stood up and respectfully retrieved the report.

"I understand, Your Excellency."

"You've done well in this matter."

Andes said, head lowered.

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