Thousand-Faced Dragon

Chapter 483 Blowing Up Balloons

Which is more deadly, the beast or the bottom lizard demon?

It's a difficult question to answer. After all, given the choice between being eaten and being torn apart, it's hard to say which is worse.

But compared to the sealed beast, the Lizard Demon who has accumulated the power of the entire race for hundreds of years, or the entire army of the race that is about to attack you, it seems that there is no need to think too much about which is more deadly.

"Once it is successfully sealed again, this underground ruin area will become the strongest and most secure underground fortress, with enough living space to even farm underground. In addition, with the passage leading to the dark underground hell and the port near the sea, it will be difficult for this place to become a true death zone."

When Dania, following Rean's advice, introduced their greatest threat to these outsiders, she described it as a safe haven.

In the lobby, there were not only visiting guests, but also our own senior executives. This major project required comprehensive support.

But surprisingly, as she spoke, Dania became more and more confident.

"It sounds so real."

"It must be true."

Those who speak, those who hear, those who overhear, and even those who offer advice themselves, all speak with increasing conviction.

Living in the underground world certainly has its share of troubles, and monsters are spawned from underground ruins at regular intervals. However, during the apocalyptic war, when survival is the only goal, this doesn't seem to be a big problem.

"If the seal is successful, the birth of monsters will decrease, and perhaps become more controllable."

This is actually an advantage, because the evolution of orcs requires monster materials, which is the core reason why Radiant City became the number one city in the kingdom, and more than 70% of the city's output is related to them.

Simply staying underground will eventually weaken you, but if you can continuously cultivate, reproduce, raise troops, and train soldiers underground, that's a different story.

Located on the edge of the continent, it can avoid the perilous battlefield. If it were really captured, would those bottom lizard demons be willing to dig and conquer it layer by layer if it were to hide underground?

"But can you be sure that the beast will be successfully sealed?"

When questioned by visitors, Dania smiled and shook her head.

"No. But if it were certain, the city-building rights for that area wouldn't be sold to you either. Even if it's not given to our citizens, it could be sold at a high price to wealthy merchants and nobles in the central part of the continent. They are much richer and have more resources than you."

“But they’re not here.” The visiting count is a true power holder in the Federation, and if nothing unexpected happens, he will be the next speaker. He’s not someone who can be easily persuaded.

“Indeed, what we need most to seal the beasts is time. Since fate has brought you here, perhaps it's to give you an opportunity. We need funds, manpower, and combat strength. With the apocalypse approaching, you also need this sanctuary.”

It's just a matter of mutual benefit. We're making it clear that we're discussing gains and losses. If you're willing, come; if not, I'll find someone else.

While listening to all this, Rean recalled those infamous pitfalls from his past life, those traps that "those who are willing to take the bait."

The biggest Ponzi schemes rarely make definitive promises; they simply present irresistible returns and wait for others to take the bait.

"It can mitigate risks to the greatest extent possible, and if that doesn't work, there are also passages to the sea and the Underdark." Dania changed the subject, not discussing its feasibility, but mentioning the latter option.

This, on the contrary, made the visitors even more interested. The other party seemed to be serious. They had seen the underground ruins and towns, and the investment was really huge. The princess in front of them had even cast a sworn vote for a god and become a chosen one.

"Let's go back and discuss it again."

Some things cannot be settled directly. Even if one's mind is wavering or even certain, a rational negotiator will not give a direct answer.

"Will they take the bait?" Dania asked as she returned to her lounge and watched Rean stealing her snacks and tea.

"Yes, they will. They're desperate, and they have no other choice."

Before the war even started, the Federation sent envoys so quickly, even having powerful nobles from within the country lead the delegation. The Federation's high-ranking officials were truly anxious and had begun frantically searching for a way out.

This also suggests that they have no confidence in defeating their opponent. The Federation couldn't defeat the Kingdom of Hadur before, so naturally they can't defeat the demons who destroyed Hadur now.

This time, the opponent is different from the previous kingdom rivalry; they are a true foreign race. You can't just surrender to them and keep your wealth and status. Their social structure doesn't matter whether there are nobles or not.

Even knowing that the options Dania offered were unreliable, they were still willing to try, as there were only other options and no better choices were offered.

"They're already interested; it's just a matter of how much they'll invest."

Multiple betting is a basic tactic, but Dania felt that other kingdoms couldn't offer better terms.

“Other kingdoms will not accept them building cities unless their national strength is really too weak, but if they are really too weak, then there is no point in relocating.”

Dania estimated that they would eventually diversify their investments, transferring some of their industries and noble status to avoid being wiped out in one fell swoop, but not too much. Two or three times would be the limit, otherwise they would be divided and devoured.

Finally, they were probably like a group of former nobles from overseas dynasties, who had some industries and status, but were out of step with the locals.

"This is already a national-level asset transfer. Is the situation on the front lines really that bad?" The higher-ups are already planning to run away with the national treasury before the fighting even starts. Isn't that a bit too outrageous?

"We absolutely cannot win, and the opponent will definitely fight; it's just a matter of when. Don't overestimate the fighting spirit of those so-called nobles. They might sacrifice themselves in battle, but only for the continuation of their family. In dire straits, they'll run faster than anyone else."

They were talking about the Federation's nobles, but Rean and Dania both knew they were really referring to Aiselin's group. Those guys had been up to something really bad lately, with practically no stopping.

The same reason why Rean's suggestion received Dania's support and was immediately implemented is the same principle.

"We have no way out."

"We must set up a banner to attract resources and manpower."

"It's impossible to get off the bus now. People can run, but resources will remain."

Both of them felt that it was somewhat like a Ponzi scheme because it was a bottomless pit, absorbing resources and manpower in an almost infinite way, and no one knew whether it could be filled in the end.

Those who have already joined the scheme will keep bringing in new people in order to win the final share of the profits. In the end, everyone's fortune is tied up in this scheme, and they can't stop, having staked everything on it.

“From the beginning, we didn’t have a choice, did we?” Rean saw very clearly that he had a choice, while Dania did not.

"Um"

"It was already an apocalyptic ending, could it get any worse? Maybe it will become one, let's just keep bringing in more people to fill the hole."

"If you don't know how to comfort people, then don't try!"

I made up my mind a long time ago; I was just joking to ease my emotions.

With the end of the world approaching, having an ark worth investing in is good enough; being picky is going too far. These days, with the real threat of the bottom lizard demons, the nobles within the kingdom have become obedient, and every day someone is surrendering to Her Highness the princess.

At least, this is a reasonably decent post-apocalyptic project.

"Let's increase our publicity efforts to attract more resources and manpower."

This is the real truth. With the end of the world approaching and people filled with anxiety, they naturally want to take the opportunity to launch their own doomsday projects and try to gather more financial and human resources.

This is indeed a "scam" that keeps getting bigger and bigger, if it fails halfway through. But if it's hyped up big enough, it might actually come true.

"By the way, tell me about the plot to murder you."

After finishing their business, Dania changed the subject and got to the current priority, which was also the reason why she had to meet with Rean.

"Uh, how did you know? I gave the order, Suliman shouldn't tell you, right?"

Rean hadn't intended for Dania to know, as that would likely cause a huge uproar.

"You don't need to worry about it." The girl turned her head away, not wanting to answer.

It seems obvious; besides Suliman, Rean definitely has other people around him.

Could it be a maid? Rean shook his head, too lazy to think about it anymore. Anyway, he couldn't find out, and his own bedmate might just be the biggest spy.

"What do you plan to do?" Rean was confident he could handle it, but since Dania had spoken up directly, it meant she was prepared.

"Those who dare to kill me, may many more die." Dania's eyes were filled with murderous intent; she seemed truly enraged.

It seems that I've been too kind lately, which has allowed some scoundrels to surface.

"So domineering, so domineering."

While clapping and praising the girl's domineering presence, Rean noticed a hidden implication in her words.

"It doesn't sound like the Beast Order or other cultists?" If they were cultists, they would be enemies, so there's no need for Dania to be so angry.

"No, it's some shameless people who don't appreciate kindness."

It seems that, with the tolling of the apocalypse bells, more defectors have boarded Dania's ship.

When it comes to espionage, perhaps the royal family, with its extraordinary and advanced secret agents, is the most professional.

"Um, Dania, can you tell me the details? Which old noble families have your spies?"

You should ask, which company doesn't have it?

(End of this chapter)