The day after the fall of Traunil, most of the active rebel groups in the Blue Army-controlled areas rose up at once.
　The armed forces, reinforced by equipment and battle golems supplied from nowhere, went on a rampage, assassinating key figures and blowing up infrastructure facilities.
　It was difficult for the Blue Army, which had lost many of its troops in the defeat of Traunil, to deal with the situation effectively.

　It was clear that the "Ciel-Teirah Exile" was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
　Such a rebellion, even if it succeeded at least once, was certain to be crushed in the medium to long term (and it was unclear if the people fighting understood this), but it could cause chaos in the short term.
　In the meantime, the Blue Army cannot turn its sword against the exiled nation of Ciel-Teira.

　As the chaos spreads, the military and officials are forced to withdraw from the area of the rebellion.
　But at the same time, another incident was taking place.

　However, there was another incident.

　Gosho, the Prime Minister, rushed into the audience hall while Ryuyuchi was receiving a report from Hoshihuan about the situation of the rebellion and the future strategy.

"Lin Ming's solution?
Yes. Yes, and processed potions as well.
　"Yes. And processed potions.
　They say they already have some in the eastern coastal states and will ship them as soon as they are ordered. ......

　Noishou seemed to have recognized the gravity of the situation and brought the report himself.
　After listening to his explanation, Long Yuan immediately understood everything.

"............ Hahahahaha!
　Oh, yeah, that's right!
　You got me. It's the only thing I didn't anticipate!
　I see, everything is different from the Demon Lord's army. They use gold!

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.
　It would be correct to say that Lin Ming's original solution, which had once been purchased, was now being re-imported.

　It was thought that the purpose of buying up raw Lin Ming liquid, the raw material for healing potions, was to make it more difficult to treat the disease by depleting supplies and effectively spreading the cursed plague. ...... In fact, that may have been correct up to that point.
　However, the Caenis Empire purchased a large amount of Rimmin solution from the Faraiya Republic. Once this arrived, it was only a matter of time before the plague was brought under control.
　Then, even if they sold back the stockpiled Lin Ming, it would only speed up the process a little.

"Be honest, No-Shao. Can you impose a price control?
　The undiluted solution is a living thing. They can either give it up and sell it back at a lower price, or they can throw it away.
...... I have to say it is difficult. This is a measure that is highly opposed by the public. ...... The plague is prevalent in the Blue Army-controlled areas, and the current situation is one of social chaos due to the outbreak of rebellion. In some places, the government is almost at a standstill.
"If we can't control it completely, what's the point?
　The money taken from the people to pay for the medicine is then used by the merchants and the Kingdom of ...... Lugarut!　And through Lugarut, it will be in the hands of the Rose Princess of Hell!

　Ryubuchi clenched his fists.

　The people who are afraid of the plague will have no choice but to buy it even if it's a fake. And once the rebellion area is used as a 'back door' into the country, it will be extremely difficult to control the distribution from there on.
　If control is applied half-heartedly, it could even become a source of funds for the rebel forces if not handled properly.

　If that's the case, it would be in the best interest of the Empire to just let them import it and turn a blind eye. It would also speed up the suppression of the plague rather than waiting for the solution to arrive from the Republic.
　As a result, the "Rose Princess of Hell" would be able to make a lot of money.

"It will sell like hotcakes, even if the price is twice as much as the price they paid for the raw Lin Ming.
　Even though we are planning to import it from the Faraiya Republic, it will be a long time before it arrives.
"You think you can pierce several people with one arrow?
　The reason you spread the plague was to create demand for and earn money from the phosphorus solution.
　And our country is left with a debt and a useless Republic's stock solution.

　Long Yuan let out a breath that was somewhere between a deep breath and a sigh.
　And then sharply ordered.

"Lower the battle lines to a sustainable level, Starling.
"Ha! ......
If I had been able to hit the 'Rose of Hell' with all my might from the start, I would not have been in such a mess.
　The reason why we could not do so is because we were busy stabilizing the occupied areas and new territories.
　It is time for our country to gain a foothold. We had planned to take as much as we could get, but ...... now would be the time. Let the rebels take what territory they can't hold for now. Soon, we'll conquer them all over again and break their fangs.
　And ......

　For a moment, Ryuyuan wondered if he should withdraw his next order.
　He wondered if it was really worth it.

　But then he reconsidered and made his decision.
　To underestimate the enemy is the first step to defeat.
　It's obvious just by thinking back on the battles we've fought.
　You, this empire, are now facing a ...... human threat.

"The Star Chamber. Set up a countermeasures office for the Rose Princess of Hell under you.
　You can treat it as a branch of the Demon Lord's Research Institute for the time being.
What?　Yes!　At your service!
If we can't beat her with one hand, we'll beat her with the whole country.
　If we can't win now, we'll win in 10 years. That's all right.

　As if urged by something, Ryuyuchi stood up.



　Long Yuan was elated.
　The more difficult the battle, the more fierce the abyss, and winning against such a powerful enemy is the greatest pleasure.
　The "Ciel-Teirah Exile", who had defeated the Blue Army despite being outnumbered, and had also stirred things up politically, was an interesting enemy worthy of Ryuyen's excitement.

I will give the victory of this day to the Rose Princess of Hell.
　But I wonder if ...... he really understands.　I'm sure he understands the difference in power.
　All we have to do is win in the end.

　The deep, clear pond surrounding the audience hall rippled like a stormy sea.

　I get the impression that the exiled Ciel-Teirah knew the difference in power between them and the Caenis Empire, and did what they could to snatch victory.
　But even so...

　But even if that's the case, don't you think that it's only "numbers" that they're losing?

"I won't let a little girl from nowhere stand in the way of my 400-year-old dream.
　If he is truly a gifted man, then there is no one else to destroy him but me.
　I'll hunt him down like I'm tearing off his limbs, and when he's lost everything, I'll use my own hands and my own power to ......".

　The surface of the water swirled upwards.

　It was as if a dragon had flown from the bottom of the water, but it was just water flowing directionally to the sky.
　With a thunderous roar, several columns of water like geysers rose up around the audience hall, and the soaring water suddenly became a torrential downpour, pouring down on the Imperial City from the clear sky.
　The starry rings and the noisemakers hung their heads still, as if struck by the majesty.

"...... Crush me!
　Hahahahahahaha!