"Looks like it resembles the fertilizer we purchased."
Vera said this, standing outside with Yila, Satan Ye, and Hilena, watching as the goblins used homemade fertilizer... that is, diluting it with water and then sprinkling it on the soil.
If the fertilizing was done before planting, there would be no need to be overly cautious; one could simply mix the fertilizer with the soil and plow it to ensure the soil's fertility. However, things were different now.
Applying fertilizer during the crop maintenance process was called top-dressing, and it was best to mix it with water first, or it could lead to crop death.
As for the specific proportions and methods of fertilizing, Yila did not know.
To put it bluntly, he had never actually visited the empire's farmlands. Apart from the battlefield... all his energy had been spent dealing with those shit-eating nobles in the court.
However, the magic creatures, whether it was the little fairies or the goblins, had previously used fertilizers, so they now knew how to utilize the homemade fertilizer.
This was their wisdom.
"Of course it resembled the real thing. The empire's original understanding of fertilizer was simply dumping excrement into the land. Many years ago, I... well, I had improved the fertilizer to what it was today."
Yila said this, watching the three of them in the warm winter sunshine as they observed the little fairies and goblins working. He continued: "There's nothing interesting about the fertilizing process, I..."
Just as Yila was about to say something, he saw a goblin who was working stagger and fall to the ground. He rushed forward in a flash, faster than anyone could react, and caught the goblin.
After helping the goblin regain his balance, Yila looked at the goblin's thin face, even among the goblin group, and analyzed: *"Malnutrition combined with overworked labor?"*
"Goo... Lord Yila."
The goblin seemed very uneasy and a bit fearful, taking two steps back. He said, "Although I know you're now... no, I'm very sorry, but..."
The goblin stammered. It wasn't out of fear of the status gap with Yila, since he had only shown respect and reverence toward Satan Ye and the others.
Undoubtedly, the goblin had seen Yila on the battlefield.
This phenomenon was common in the Demon King Territory. Almost everyone who had been to the battlefield seemed to suffer from a disease called 'Fear of Yila,' so seeing Yila's face still gave them chills.
"Lord Yila"
"He was one of the ones"
"stirring the fertilizer."
"We had already"
"asked him to rest."
"..."
The little fairies meant that this goblin was one of the magic creatures they had arranged to participate in stirring the fertilizer. Initially, he didn't need to take part in this fertilization, yet he voluntarily chose to work.
Nobody urged, nobody forced him, and nobody whipped him, yet he worked. Was it stupidity? Or did their leader, the king, truly deserve this kind of devotion?
At least... in their eyes, it was the latter.
Yila looked at Satan Ye and Hilena, who had a concerned expression. He couldn't help but chuckle lightly, then turned to Vera, who seemed bored and indifferent... Indeed! Such an attitude toward civilians was normal for an empire person!
"Sigh..."
Yila couldn't help but sigh, and in Vera's *"Yila, why did you sigh?"* query, he shook his head and said, "Nothing, I'm just thinking about something else."
"Hmm? What?"
Satan Ye asked, blinking her eyes and fluttering her wings behind her, waiting for Yila's words. She looked so obedient that she hardly seemed like a Demon King.
"I'm thinking about the fishing industry."
Yila said this, using examples: "In my impression, coastal cities usually have seafood as one of their food sources, but this doesn't seem to be the case in the Demon King Territory."
Vera nodded at this, as she was born by the empire's seaside. Her childhood memories were filled with eating sea fish and seaweeds, though her family's good economic condition meant she also ate lots of meat.
"Fishing? Fishing had always been done by the Naga, Fishmen, and Gorgons, who then offered the fish to the Demon King Territory. The Demon King Territory's port was Battle Port and Trade Port, where no fishing was done."
Satan Ye said, pondering for a moment as her eyes lit up. "Right, we could fish for meat, couldn't we? Anyway, since trade hasn't resumed and the war is almost over, can we?"
For some reason, Satan Ye, as the Demon King, still asked *"Can we?"* seeking opinions from Hilena and Yila. Who really was the Demon King and who was the subject?
To this, Vera simply shrugged and said: "Actually, Yila... he meant that... he was respecting your Demon King authority by consulting you."
Vera said this helplessly, poking Yila's waist as he looked at her in confusion. She continued: "Moreover, Yila wants to maintain your authority, so he wouldn't mention it earlier in the morning but rather whispered to you now."
*What does whispering mean...? Shouldn't it be called giving advice?*
As for Yila's speechless expression, Vera sighed and said: "Sigh, you and Isabella are so awkward. You trust each other, yet you can't show that trust."
"..."
Yila fell silent for a moment. He knew he couldn't thoroughly explain to Vera, so he simply said: "Court matters can't be achieved with mutual trust alone."
"I trust Isabella trusts me wholeheartedly, but I also know she cannot completely trust me because she must be responsible for the empire; Isabella trusts I trust her, yet she knows not to let my powers grow stronger, as my power is hers at her disposal."
Yila said this. It was a complex matter he didn't expect Vera to understand fully. But in simple terms, as a subject, he needed to do the duties of a subject.
"What? This makes no sense. If Isabella knows you're loyal to her and the empire, why would she need to keep you down? Your logic is flawed..."
Vera said, completely failing to grasp *"responsibility to the empire"*. She waved her hand impatiently and said, "Anyway, you don't need to consider all that in the Demon King Territory, right?"
"The Demon King is silly enough to be easily manipulated." Vera said.
Satan Ye: "Eh?"
Listening to Vera, Yila then turned his gaze to Satan Ye and looked at the loyal Hilena who pretended not to hear, and then back to Vera.
"Indeed, perhaps I should gradually try to be more straightforward and honest, as Satan Ye's silliness is quite adorable."
Yila seemed to agree with Vera's viewpoint.
*Satan Ye (Why doesn't anyone speak for me? Hilena, why don't you say something good about me? Do I really look silly and cute? Never mind, just say something.)*
"Meow meow meow?!"