Near the capital of the Aldridge Empire, the famous Garcia City finally lifted the alert in the city. The extraordinary crisis in Angus City and Kurus City had passed.
The Gabriel’s Empire’s reinforcements, the United Airship Fleet led by the Duchess of Sarnia, Duchess Bellina, had successfully suppressed the mutated demons in Angus City and Kurus City. Before the Radiant Church’s forbidden spell “the Judgment of God” could be used, the demons were removed, and many important noble ladies were rescued.
The Radiant Church had announced that the anomalies in Angus City and Kurus City were the work of the Darkness Church, who had also claimed responsibility for the matter. The rest would be handled based on official statements.
Although there was a Darkness Church stronghold in Grim Forest near Angus City, it was already deserted. Since the Darkness Church said it would take on all responsibility, it had most likely made some shady secret deal with the Radiant Church.
The truth of the matter would never be released to ordinary folk, and the only one who knew everything was Bella, the female Demon King fishing in troubled waters. In this operation, Bella had received many beautiful young mages from the Aldridge Empire and began her infiltration into the top ranks of the empire.
The royal members of this Arcana nation, Princess Effie and Princess Eveny, were already Bella’s girls. On top of that, she was also close to her roommate, Princess Ariel, one of the Black Warriors, thus becoming best friends with the three princesses.
The three elite academies of the Aldridge Empire that were also part of the Twelve Ivies had close connections with Bella. They were Karoluna, the student president of Frederica Academy of Ocean Trade and Magic; Student President Alephia of the Listabel Magic Teachers’ Academy; and Gladdis, the student president of Dimiost Academy for Great Wizards. They were all Bella’s allies when this year’s competition between the Twelve Ivies began.
Bella had also taken advantage of this opportunity to lure Chief President Angelia to her bed. Apart from President Isaman, who was still struggling, the other presidents of the Olsylvia Academy had fallen into her clutches. Bella was interested to see how long President Isaman could hold out.
Bella distributed the rest of the girls to her staff. The other students from non-human academies were sent to Succubus Queen Aisha and her succubi for “special teaching.” They would be gradually returned to their original academies and become Bella’s spies.
The Imperial mages and mercenaries captured from the Rofsky Camp couldn’t remain in the Arcana Nation, because the Aldridge Empire considered them dead. If they stayed, they were in danger of being killed since the Aldridge Empire didn’t want the truth behind the Angus City incident to be revealed.
All these commoners had been sent back to Sarnia Duchy, where Bella required mages. This group of girls was almost fully trained. She assigned the succubi to teach them to be competent subordinates. The great Arcana Nation didn’t have a shortage of mages, but Bella did. And since they didn’t want them, she would gladly make use of the girls.
The female prisoners captured from Starbell Prison—the evil mages originally imprisoned there, the noble ladies of Angus City, and the civilians—were handed over to Bella’s close aide, Abyss Demonic King Skyrme for training.
Bella hoped to strengthen her forces in Kurus City and Angus City, so she could easily interfere in the political situation of the Aldridge Empire in the future. Angus City had no city lord while the adopted daughter of the Kurus City lord, Karoluna, was already one of Bella’s people. Bella was interested in the two cities as well as the nearby areas.
In the city lord of Garcia’s mansion, Imperial Duke Anderson held a banquet to celebrate the safe return of Anna Rosa, his daughter. Bella, the savior of Angus City, was specially invited. She became the first non-magic outsider to attend a banquet for high-ranking nobles of the Aldridge Empire.
Lisha and Kriss didn’t receive an invitation. Although they were princesses of another empire, they had always been discriminated against for having non-magical professions in the Arcana Nation. Bella was the exception in nearly a thousand years. At present, Lisha and Kriss were staying at the Imperial Hotel in Garcia City. Together with Chief President Angelia of the Olsylvia Academy and the other girls who didn’t want to attend the banquet, they awaited Bella’s return before setting off for the academy.
After the completion of the investigative mission in Angus City, the 30-point competition was split up. The Olsylvia Academy got 10 points, while the remaining 20 points were divided equally among the three magic academies of the Aldridge Empire and the Alexis Academy for Assassins. The student presidents of these academies disliked this sort of banquet meant for aristocrats. Upon saying goodbye to Bella and taking the exclusive communication crystal, they left Garcia City with their schoolmates.
This way, they wouldn’t attract some noble young master. Or Bella would have to use her fist to reason with them again. Bella didn’t really want to come to this party if it weren’t for the reward from the Aldridge Empire.
Bella changed into a golden evening gown instead of the knight’s official uniform for the banquet. She looked no different than a noble lady. Although Bella was unarmed, she had brought one of her strongest bodyguards. With her there, these arrogant mages and nobles wouldn’t dare look down on her.
Devouring Holy Dragon Euphenisia was dressed in a lovely white gothic loli outfit with a playful expression on her face as she walked behind Bella. Her figure was similar to Devastating Evil Dragon Emperor Lolita. Bella had helped style her long white hair into two ponytails. At the moment, her white eyes were sparkling with a strange luster. Bella almost had the illusion that Euphenisia and Lolita were a black and white loli couple entangled in a bitter romance of love and hate.
Euphenisia’s ability to devour was unlimited, that was, to absorb everything. Besides, her identity was rather special. Although she was a subordinate of the leader of the Chaos Bringers, she first began studying under the leader of the World Destructors. Hence, she went along fine with both camps. The conflict with Lolita had a long history. One was the Devastating Evil while the other the Devouring—both often fought with each other in order to decide whether the target would be devastated or devoured.
Eventually, Euphenisia went to the Chaos Bringers, which temporarily ended her fight with Lolita.
After interacting with Euphenisia, Bella realized she was an innocent loli who loved food, not as scheming as Lolita. The reason she managed to stand against Lolita for so long was probably her cynical side.
Servants were allowed to attend the banquet with their masters. After some thought, Bella decided to bring Euphenisia. Anyway, Imperial Duke Anderson had already prepared a sumptuous meal. Euphenisia might as well join in and enjoy the delicious food.
Without Lolita around, Euphenisia was the best choice. The three Abyss Creators who fought with Bella had returned to the Abyss with their demons.
Mechanical Empress Andulisna had to go back to deal with matters regarding the Abyss territory. The maid agreement she owed Bella would have to be paid another time. Meanwhile, Insect Empress Vicky Hill, who had already allowed Bella to “get her hands on her”, would also return to handle the conflict with Andulisna. Furthermore, she would bring the Demon God’s token of confidence that Bella had entrusted her with as an apology to the two Abyss Creators she had accidentally offended.
Bella wanted to officially “gobble up” Insect Empress Vicky Hill, but she asked her to return and solve those problems first. Only when Vicky Hill handled everything properly could she serve her master with all her heart and soul.
As for Jade Bone Demon Velouria, she was to help Bella watch over them to prevent any infighting, so she would temporarily disappear from this plane.
The banquet was held in the hall of Imperial Duke Anderson’s Mansion. Bella personally witnessed the wealth of the noble mages today. This place’s decoration was even more luxurious than Bella’s substitute body, Princess Felia’s residence, the royal palace of the Octavia Empire. The royal palace of the emperor was no better than the residence of an Imperial Duke in the Arcana Nation; what an economic gap!
Hundreds of tables were set up in the banquet hall with many delicious foods on them, the variety comparable to a Manchu-Han imperial feast. The tables could seat ten people. Bella was placed at the VIP table right in the center of the hall. Devouring Holy Dragon Euphenisia moved a chair and sat behind Bella.
According to regulations, servants brought by the guests weren’t equal in status to the host. But based on strength, it was another case entirely. Euphenisia’s situation was obviously the latter. She sat there motionless, though the food on the table automatically flew into her hands.
To use command magic so skillfully was a show of her strength. Only a handful of mages present could actually do this. After all, strength was an alternative tool for gaining respect. Bella silently admired Euphenisia. This sort of quiet form of showing off was most effective.
As a wizard with such substantial magic attainments, Euphenisia was willing to serve Bella as a maid. This made many mages and nobles who originally despised Bella redefine her position in their hearts.
Except for Bella, the guests attending the banquet were all nobles belonging to various magic families in the Aldridge Empire. Bella couldn’t be bothered to speak to anyone and sat at ease in the VIP position.
On the left and right of Bella were Princess Effie in a black evening gown and Princess Eveny in a pale blue evening gown. The two princesses already had a “bare-all” meeting with Bella. Upon her arrival, they obediently sat beside her, which made Imperial Duke Anderson, the host, a little surprised and embarrassed.
According to the most traditional method, the top echelons of the Aldridge Empire intended to woo Bella to their side. She would be introduced to suitable men in hopes of a political marriage. This was Imperial Duke Anderson’s original plan. He had already found several handsome male mages, all of whom were members of noble families in the Arcana Nation.
However, with Princess Effie and Princess Eveny sitting beside Bella, Imperial Duke Anderson’s little calculations were overturned. What baffled him was the fact that aside from the noble ladies, no other man besides an old fart like him had managed to squeeze into the VIP table.
Imperial Duke Anderson’s daughter, Miss Anna Rosa of the Olsylvia Academy, was also at the same table. And so was Kurus City Lord’s daughter, Karoluna. Anna Rosa was wearing a light blue evening gown while Karoluna was wearing a pink evening gown. If they sat elsewhere, they would only draw Bella’s ire. Having already shared intimate relations with Bella, they would be punished to a sleepless night.
The remaining four seats were also occupied by beautiful women, namely the Empress and Imperial Concubine of the Aldridge Empire, as well as Imperial Duke Anderson’s two wives. Bella wasn’t so desperate for company to stoop to looking at other people’s wives, so she didn’t remember their names. Imperial Duke Anderson was a winner in life. The two ladies looked well maintained and must have been seductive beauties when they were young.
The Empress of Aldridge Empire was the mother of Princess Ariel and Princess Effie, while the Imperial Concubine was Princess Eveny’s mother. Bella treated them with respect, as if she were meeting her in-laws for the first time.
The Empress and Imperial Concubine were also kind to Bella, asking her about her life. Several times, they steered the conversation to Bella’s love life, but she deftly changed the subject. It was difficult for her to answer these sorts of questions. If she admitted to being single, they would definitely recommend a few men to her. The matchmaking routine in her previous world was rather similar to this world’s. Yet Bella couldn’t lie that she had a boyfriend. It was a matter of principle, and she wasn’t willing to admit even a fictitious boyfriend.
Bella’s tactful response finally succeeded in making the Empress and Imperial Concubine give up the idea of introducing men to her for now. Bella looked at them with a smile on her face, thinking about the possible consequences she might face if she suddenly confessed to sleeping with their daughters.
Princess Effie and Princess Eveny both looked at Bella nervously for fear that she might say something strange. Although they had fallen deep into lesbian territory, they weren’t ready to come out to their parents.
Bella enjoyed the delicious food while bargaining with Imperial Duke Anderson, the old fox. As for Princess Eveny and Princess Effie, they would be taken to her dormitory, Pure White Heaven, when they returned to the academy. After that, she had all the time in the world to slowly enjoy them. There was no hurry now.
Princess Effie and Princess Eveny pretended not to know Bella very well, secretly serving her food when their parents weren’t paying attention. The two princesses were too proud to admit that they were familiar with Bella.
The two noble ladies, Karoluna and Anna Rosa had a tacit understanding to help them cover up and attract the Empress and Imperial Concubine’s attention.
“Imperial Duke Anderson, you show such generous hospitality. The meat of sea demonic beasts is several times more expensive than those on land. And everything here is…”
“Duchess Bellina, don’t mention it. Just behave as you would in your own residence and enjoy the food. By the way… about the price of your airships… “
“Oh, it’s not expensive at all; very cost-effective, I assure you. One airship is worth 100,000 gold coins. If your empire is short of gold coins and only has diamonds, I gladly accept that as well. Otherwise, I can forego the money entirely if you create the airships and return that to me.”
During Bella’s mission to rescue Princess Eveny, Imperial Duke Anderson promised to compensate Bella on behalf of the Aldridge Empire for the cost of all the airships she lost. At the time, Bella lied that there were more than 600 lost airships, but now, the entire army was wiped out. The last one was also scrapped after completing its mission. The price of 60 million gold coins was too much for even the rich Aldridge Empire. Adding to the cost of dealing with the mess in Angus City and Kurus City, the price would exceed 100 million gold coins.
Bella wasn’t lying about the cost price. The cost of 100,000 gold coins for an airship was already considered on the low end. The cost price of a similar airship made by the Aldridge Empire was at least 200,000 gold coins. But the emperor of the Aldridge Empire didn’t want to lose so much money. Considering Bella’s past experience, the emperor of the Arcana Nation came up with a compromise. If successful, the Aldridge Empire wouldn’t have to spend even a single copper coin.
“Imperial Duke Anderson, have you… have you received the wrong imperial edict? I’m a Duchess of the Gabriel Empire and have my own territory, the Sarnia Duchy!”
“Not at all, Duchess Bellina. You can just change your name to fool the Imperial Union. It’s no problem at all. Change into a mage’s outfit, put on a tall wizard’s hat, and voila!”
“But, I am Gabriel Empire’s…”
“It’s okay. What the swordsman empire can buy, we, the Arcana Nation, can afford as well. Bellina, just accept it, and we’ll all be one happy family… Cough, I mean citizens of the same empire. “
The Aldridge Emperor’s imperial edict clearly stated that the region from Angus City to Kurus City would be unified and merged, becoming a new territory called the Angelos Duchy. The emperor also conferred the title of Lord of Angelos Duchy, Duchess Baize. The title inherited by Karoluna, daughter of the former Kurus City lord, would be promoted from earl to marquis. Her job would be the censor of Angelos Duchy, responsible for Bella’s daily work.
This was the first time Bella had encountered something like this—changing her name to obtain two territories at the same time. She didn’t know what to say to Imperial Duke Anderson, but the imperial edict had already been written. The compensation was clearly decided by the court. If she didn’t accept it, she wouldn’t get a cent. Thus, she was left with no other choice and became the first Duchess of two territories in the entire human history.
