One week after the territory battle, inside the office of the Gaderia Lord's Manor.
"Are your injuries okay?"
Nanoda asked casually as she munched on an apple, addressing Baron Aaron who was sitting at his desk.
"It nearly cost me half my old life, but fortunately, I survived. Also, that is mine."
Baron Aaron, draped in a robe with his chest wrapped in bandages, pointed somewhat helplessly at the apple in Nanoda's hand.
"Sorry, I just grabbed it in passing. I didn't intend to eat your tribute."
"..."
"Those guys should have already told you the situation, right?"
Nanoda was referring to the inside information revealed by Vincent.
"Although I had guessed it long ago, I didn't expect it to come so quickly. I thought the war would at least happen after this winter."
"Why?"
"My younger brother was bewitched by a spy sent by the Empire and leaked military intelligence. That's why that guy Mannier was confident enough to attack us ahead of schedule."
Baron Aaron's expression turned gloomy; he had already ordered the imprisonment of his second brother, Abel.
"Do you think I should kill him..."
"Whether to forgive him or not is your business. He is your blood brother; what does it have to do with me?"
Nanoda was completely indifferent. She wasn't close to Abel and didn't want to get overly involved in Aaron's family affairs.
Hearing this, the expression on Aaron's face softened slightly.
"Hehe, I've always wondered, are you really a Demon? Although you are occasionally dense, many times you are too full of human touch."
"Think whatever you like. But from the public's standpoint, I must be a Demon that everyone wants to beat."
Nanoda pointed to the broken horn on her head, swallowed the last bit of the apple, and spread her hands.
"I want to make this place independent from the Empire."
Out of the blue, Aaron spoke words of treason.
"Hoh, that's interesting. How do you plan to do it?"
"I want to establish an independent Free City, without prejudice or conflict. Just as we, who were originally bandits, can live and work in peace here, I will also allow Demons to live here. Of course, the prerequisite is peace and stability here. Coexisting peacefully with humans is also your goal, right? For the establishment of such a new city, are you willing to lend me a hand?"
Aaron was very serious and sincere. He stared unblinkingly at Nanoda, seeking her opinion. An unprecedented ambition projected from his gaze.
"I really didn't expect you to have such boldness. I really have to look at you with new eyes this time. So, are you serious? Not hesitating to cooperate with a Demon like me?"
"In my eyes, you are special. I need your power."
Aaron extended a hand toward Nanoda.
"Do you want to continue cooperating with me?"
Nanoda looked at that palm covered in calluses, and a decision formed in her heart.
"Don't let me down."
She reached out and grasped it. Time seemed to freeze at this moment; the future of Gaderia changed right here.
Before she left, Aaron added two instructions.
"Give me a week. I will arrange everything."
"Also, since you are here, go visit Yuna too. that girl showed great prestige on the battlefield. As her teacher, you should praise such an excellent disciple."
Nanoda nodded and left, closing the door.
At the stronghold of the 'Love and Peace' New Demon Association.
"What kind of move was that? Why can't I beat her at all..."
Bruised and swollen, Zari lay by a tree, questioning his life after being severely beaten.
An hour ago, Zari had foul-mouthedly mocked the stew Linie had cooked, which looked like black mud, and was subsequently given a "friendly" guidance session by Linie.
Vincent was currently directing the knights of the former Imperial Army to repair the stronghold.
Because they had betrayed the Emperor and were also under Aura's Magic of Obedience, this unit originally belonging to the Empire simply rebelled en masse and worked directly under Aura.
Perhaps because Nanoda had emphasized not to harm humans arbitrarily, everyone felt that these Demons were very special.
Aura sat on the roof with a lonely expression. She missed Hafleet a little; she missed Hafleet's screams and begging for mercy. With Hafleet running away, the small leather whip in her hand had no place to be used.
Qual was wholeheartedly researching the Magic Sealing Ore. He had already discovered that this sealing stone, with its fist size and purity, could disorder mana within a one-meter range, thereby achieving the effect of sealing magic.
Nanoda returned to the stronghold and notified everyone to go to Gaderia in one week to attend the celebration.
One week later, a small platform had been set up in front of Nanoda's bronze statue. Baron Aaron rarely wore a formal suit. Aside from his shiny bald head reflecting light, he looked quite majestic overall.
The citizens gathered in the square, a massive black crowd. Nanoda's group stood at the very front of the platform, and the knights of the Imperial Army also stood in several rows surrounding the platform.
"Mom, it's Lady Nanoda! She came back again."
A child shouted, pointing at the Demon girl sitting on Qual's shoulder. This Demon girl had once saved him when he fell into the water.
"Shh, the Lord is about to speak."
The mother beside him spoke softly to stop him.
Looking around at the familiar faces, Baron Aaron cleared his throat.
"Everyone, today I want to announce an important matter. After this speech, Gaderia Territory will independently break away from the jurisdiction of the Northern Empire! It will become an independent city!"
As soon as these words came out, the crowd below was in an uproar, with discussions rising everywhere.
"I know everyone has many thoughts, but right now, Gaderia Territory is about to face a catastrophe! Everyone knows about the conflict with Earl Mannier, right? This is actually the Empire's dissatisfaction with us. If we do not take action, sooner or later we will suffer oppression and lose our territory and freedom!"
Aaron's voice echoed over the square. As his speech continued, the voices below gradually decreased.
"I have already contacted the various nations of the Central Lands; they will support our independence. Please believe in me, I will build Gaderia into a Free City. Here, there will be no discrimination of any kind; all living things are born equal!"
The field was silent.
"Lady Nanoda, who has helped us greatly over the past year, will jointly protect this Free City that is about to be established. So, may I implore everyone to lend me a hand again, just like when we fought against Mannier?!"
Aaron looked at the crowd. In truth, he was very nervous right now. He was afraid the citizens would oppose him, but he didn't show it, displaying as much dignity as possible.
"Hahaha, I believe in Boss Aaron and Lady Nanoda! Count me in!"
A rough middle-aged man started it off.
"I am old, but if this is for the good of future generations, count me in too."
An elderly man leaning on a cane spoke up.
"Lady Nanoda saved my child, count me in as well."
A woman held up her child and shouted loudly.
More and more voices of agreement rang out, and the square became lively again. This moved Aaron greatly. Seeing that the atmosphere was good, Aaron shouted loudly.
"For freedom!"
The next moment, the same voice erupted from the square.
"For freedom!!!"
____
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