Glancing sideways at the toad attendant standing behind him, Ink Ash—stiff-bodied and uncomfortable—asked quietly, "Hey, Toad! Is the interview over yet?"

"It's over," the toad attendant replied quickly, watching the finished news broadcast.

Ink Ash let out a long sigh of relief. Sore all over, he awkwardly stretched his joints. "Whew... Standing like a statue for over half an hour. If this happens a few more times, I'll really die young!"

"Boss, it's not that I'm being nosy," the dutiful toad attendant said after much thought, gritting his teeth. "You're the leader and symbol of our Demon Realm. You should mind your image."

Sneering contemptuously, Ink Ash snorted indifferently. "Image? That thing isn't worth money. Why bother?"

"Uh... true," the toad attendant muttered. Seeing the Great Demon King's clear attitude, he fell silent, not wanting to push his luck.

In the solemn conference hall on the tower's first floor, Ink Ash sat formally on the central throne. Calmly sweeping his gaze around, he asked flatly, "Speak if you have matters to report. Otherwise, court is adjourned~!"

*Slap!* A sudden smack slammed onto the back of the young man's head.

Meng Youlian glared coldly at the utterly undignified Ink Ash. Fulfilling her duty, she warned calmly, "Great Demon King, please take this monthly routine seriously."

*Ahem.* Ink Ash coughed heavily, shedding his casualness. With a grave expression, he asked again, "This is a crucial meeting. I expect seriousness... Who has issues to report?"

"...

The four generals exchanged glances, then unanimously stayed silent.

*We're just rough guys. Who even knows what 'report' means?*

Feeling the eerie dead silence and seeing his subordinates' obvious expressions, the ever-busy Great Demon King spoke up. "Same old rule: I ask, you answer. First, Bear—haven't any justice-obsessed heroes come knocking lately?"

"Boss, I'm just big and strong! I've got nothing to do with bears..." Mo Kuang—the ogre leading the four war generals—stood helplessly. Baring his fierce fangs, he replied miserably, "Heroes? They all went extinct years ago."

Ink Ash slammed the table in disbelief, furious. "Extinct? Impossible! The Human Realm trains heroes yearly. Shouldn't they represent justice and eliminate me—the Demon King?"

"Oh, Boss, your reputation's too good now," Mo Kuang said, rolling his eyes. "Heroes can't find excuses to crusade. Besides, it's thankless work with no profit. Only fools do it."

Waving his arms indignantly, Ink Ash complained, "Crusading is every hero's duty! They get paid well but slack off. We must condemn them—humanitarianism demands it!"

"Boss... we're not human," Mo Kuang said innocently, pointing at his oddly-shaped comrades and blinking.

"Idiot, 'humanitarianism' is an adjective! Must I explain everything?" Ink Ash nearly slapped him. Head throbbing, he turned away. "Forget it—I'll die of anger talking to you. Pleasant Goat, your turn. What about those detained heroes?"

"I solemnly declare: I'm Capricorn, not a goat. Respect my race, Boss," Jie Zhi said nonchalantly, pushing up his small glasses. The smartest of the four generals added, "Those heroes joined our Demon Realm three years ago. Now they're building a brighter future."

Ink Ash gaped, his worldview shattered. "Huh? Weren't they loyal, steadfast heroes? Where's their integrity? Did it all vanish?"

"Thirty percent were won over by our stable, wealthy life," Jie Zhi analyzed calmly, eyes gleaming with wisdom. "Forty-two percent adore our top-tier food and entertainment. The rest... ahem, normal male needs. They've settled down with families."

Stunned, Ink Ash murmured, "That simple? No hidden schemes? No enduring hardships?"

"No!"

"Bastard! You dare lie? I won't believe this! Spit the truth—did you secretly dispose of them?" Ink Ash stood abruptly, glaring around. "And you, Bear! You claimed to eat three thousand people daily—uncomfortable if you skipped a meal. Why no captures lately?"

The honest ogre scratched his head, showing uncharacteristic slyness. "Well... I exaggerated to recruit troops. Human meat tastes awful—veggies are better! With so many delicious options now, who eats people?"

"Boss... Boss, stay calm!" Xiong Zhan cried, his sturdy arms locking around the raging Ink Ash.

Ink Ash kicked the "bear" aside. Cold-eyed, he fixed his gaze on the falsely reporting "Pleasant Goat." "Calm? I'm perfectly calm. But if your answer disappoints me... heh, my spear might slip."

"Is that... dangerous?" Jie Zhi whispered, pale-faced, eyeing the black spear tip.

Ink Ash smiled sinisterly, oozing killing intent. "Not at all. I guarantee it won't miss."

"But... Boss, your spear hasn't hit anything in years..."

"Exactly!" another general chimed in. "Ancient wisdom says lancers have rotten luck! Your divine spear's too picky for trash like us—it never lands!"

"If it blasts another hole in the hall like last time," Xiong Zhan warned, "repairs will cost a fortune... Boss, think thrice!"