Chapter 60
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Chapter 60: I, Lolth, Am a Good Friend to the People of Hillenbrand!
“People of Hillenbrand, please pay attention! Please pay attention!”
“I am Lolthlinda Falt Sokabus from the Abyss, the new ruler of this land! I have important news to announce to everyone. Please stop what you’re doing and make sure to be at the central square within half an hour!”
“I repeat, be at the central square within half an hour!”
The echoing voice carried across Hillenbrand Town, reaching everyone’s ears.
As the message settled in, the residents realized with a start that the legendary demon race had finally arrived.
Hiding at home, pretending nothing had happened, wouldn’t stop reality from moving forward—and the townsfolk grew increasingly anxious.
Most hadn’t expected anything good to come from being called to the square. Yet no one dared to disobey a demon’s command.
The evil and powerful reputation of the Abyssal Demon had already taken root in their minds.
Even the town’s only adventurer, the mayor, couldn’t resist the demon race. What could a group of farmers and small vendors do?
So, within half an hour, the town’s residents gradually made their way to the central square.
Unease, fear, and a hint of hostility filled the air as people brought their families and formed a circle around the square.
In the center, they saw a simple wooden platform stacked high with boxes, where three young women stood.
The leader was a girl in a black hoodie, with devil-like pointed horns and a long tail. She held a white, trumpet-shaped object—possibly a special trumpet.
Behind her stood a silver-haired girl in a maid outfit. She had a full chest, an impressive figure, and long pointed ears. Her perfect face was almost too striking to look at, yet her expression was one of extreme respect.
Next to the silver-haired maid stood a girl in a black dress. Her cold expression matched the shackles on her neck and limbs.
This strange group stood on the platform, awaiting the gathering of Hillenbrand’s residents.
Though they appeared demon-like, they weren’t as fierce or terrifying as the residents had imagined. After a while, the group even began a performance by eating two children to entertain the crowd. The onlookers’ fear slowly faded, replaced by a growing boldness.
Whispers began to ripple through the crowd as they spoke in hushed tones about the “demon race” on the platform.
“These demon race beings seem quite similar to us!”
“Yes, and they are all very pretty young girls too!”
“Did this thing scare away the nobleman?”
“Shh… It’s all just an illusion. When everyone gathers, their true selves will be revealed for sure!”
“Could they be here to collect money as well?”
“Collecting money is not the worst. The demon race actually eats people. Maybe in the future, we’ll have to send children to them every month to be eaten!”
“If that’s the case, then I’ll fight them!”
“Can you really fight them? On second thought, why does the silver-haired girl seem more like an elf…”
“She might be an elf demon. Didn’t the mayor say that the demon race comes in many varieties?”
“Then… that girl in chains, she looks just like us, without horns or a tail!”
“I’m not sure, but she does seem well-mannered. Could she be a noble caught by them?”
“Will they have to punish this noble soon?”
“I’m not sure… But I don’t like the demon race and nobles!”
“Fool, the demon race must be worse!”
The whispers from the crowd were clearly heard by the three women on the platform.
Tina, who had fully shifted her mindset, and Isabella, still feeling down, didn’t react much to these discussions, as they no longer held much meaning for them.
However, Lolth began to feel a slight headache.
‘Indeed, people still hold deep prejudices against the demon race…’
Despite her best efforts to appear friendly, as a succubus, Lolth noticed that the guarded and fearful looks from the crowd showed her efforts weren’t working well. If any of these people were fighters, they might already be preparing to resist. Choosing this low-combat, remote small town had indeed been a wise decision!
But changing people’s impressions would take time and effort.
Today marked the first step—delivering a speech and declaration.
It was a small step for the succubus Lolth, but a giant leap for the entire Abyssal Demon.
She looked around, noting that almost everyone had gathered. Though there were just over two hundred people, the crowd still created a bustling effect due to the small size of the square.
Lolth observed that the town’s population was fairly balanced, consisting mostly of young and middle-aged adults, with a few newborns and elderly individuals scattered among them.
It was truly a town that rarely interacted with the outside world, radiating a peaceful atmosphere.
Clearing her throat, Lolth raised the magical horn in her hand.
“Ahem, hello, hello,” she said, performing a quick sound check. After confirming her magically amplified voice could reach everyone, she began her speech. “Dear residents of Hillenbrand Town, I am your new ruler, Lolthlinda, serving as an interrogator in the Demon Army of the Abyssal Demon. You may call me Lolth, or your Excellency, the interrogator.”
“You may have heard rumors before, from the nobles and missionaries, the higher-ups of the humans, saying that we Abyssal Demons are evil creatures, merciless monsters who enjoy killing people…”
Lolth scanned the crowd and saw the residents watching her quietly. She took a deep breath before continuing.
“All those rumors are total nonsense!”
“I came to Hillenbrand Town for only three things!”
“Development, development, and more development!”
“Starting today, Hillenbrand Town will announce three new policies!”
“The first policy is to abolish land taxes for our farmer friends. From now on, all farmers can keep everything they grow—no need to give it to me or anyone else! Taxes will only be collected once a year, based on family and individual income. There will never be an increase in taxes, whether in war or peace!”
“The second policy is to build plantations, ranches, stores, and new public buildings in the southern part of town, like schools, hospitals, and later on, entertainment facilities. But don’t worry, you won’t have to pay for any of it! Of course, I’ll need help with the construction, but I won’t force anyone to work. Everyone can volunteer, with meals, accommodation, and salary all provided!”
“My residence is in that black tower at the northeast corner—that’s my lord’s mansion. I’ll set up a mailbox in town for suggestions and opinions. And if there are monster invasions or civil disputes, you can ask for help from me and my two assistants—the silver-haired elf, Tina, and the human with blue hair, Isabella! They’re both skilled fighters!”
“I will always be the friendliest friend of the people of Hillenbrand!”
“From today onwards, everyone in Hillenbrand Town will have plenty to eat and warm clothes to wear!”
