Happy Cooperation

Too suspicious, and far too deliberate.

Vivian pondered, finding it somewhat strange.

If Lucia were still alive, the intelligence shouldn’t be this vague and unclear—moreover, the human side should be loudly proclaiming it, yet aside from the Ashen Territory’s direction, no related intelligence about Lucia had appeared elsewhere for now.

“…Still too passive.”

Vivian sighed.

The Evernight Territory currently relied on external sources and the Demon Lord system for incoming information. In truth, every mature Demon Lord territory had its own intelligence personnel team, but for the current Evernight Territory, that was complete luxury—joking aside, even security patrols lacked manpower, let alone spare hands for dedicated intelligence gathering.

Vivian scanned downward and soon saw the Ashen Territory’s request for aid.

But regrettably, the Evernight Territory lacked the human resources to reinforce them now; it could only depend on others.

“The possibilities are simply too many, all sorts of them. Though I’d love to go see what’s really going on, the Evernight Territory still can’t do without me right now.”

Vivian thought for a moment and made her decision.

She chose to selectively ignore the Ashen Territory’s plea for help—after all, this was a cry for rescue from a neighboring territory. The current Vivian had neither the obligation nor the strength to save them; it was up to the other Demon Lords’ capabilities.

In the following days, Vivian forced herself to temporarily suppress her doubts about Lucia, focusing on the matters at hand.

She strengthened the territory’s alerts and patrols, while more closely monitoring Carol’s flesh puppets and the batch of slaves dispatched by Angeist—she needed to ensure no internal issues arose before external ones.

As for Angeist, this drow steward conducted a comprehensive, all-dimensional inspection of the Evernight Territory over these seven days.

She was no longer content with superficial tours but delved into the details.

She would suddenly appear at a construction site, inquiring about the specific implementation of the performance system and workers’ feedback.

She would squeeze into the crowded laborers’ cafeteria, sharing tables with sweat-soaked craftsmen and farmers, discussing their living conditions and views on the future.

She even wandered alone at midnight along the edges of newly reclaimed farmlands.

Her questions were often sharp and direct, pinpointing various loopholes and difficulties in the current reconstruction efforts, but she never criticized or mocked.

Instead, she frequently offered suggestions from a merchant’s perspective that seemed feasible, even somewhat enlightening.

This professional and pragmatic attitude gradually made the demon managers, initially wary of her, willing to communicate.

Vivian silently observed all this through Aria’s reports.

She had to admit, Angeist was truly worthy of being a steward of the Goldmelt Caravan; she was an exceptionally skilled observer and analyst. Many of her insights even inspired Vivian in refining certain systems.

Days passed in a flash, and as the seven-day period approached, the atmosphere grew subtly tense.

The people of Evernight City speculated in secret about what outcome this massive caravan would bring to the rebuilding Evernight Territory.

On the evening of the final day, Angeist did not inspect as usual but sent someone to formally request a meeting with Vivian, at the same location—her main camp tent.

Vivian, accompanied by Aria, once again entered that luxurious tent filled with exotic flair.

Inside—Angeist was already waiting. Today, she wore a relatively formal yet still accentuating her drow allure dark gown, her face bearing the formulaic yet sincere smile characteristic of merchants.

Without much small talk, Angeist cut straight to the point.

“Demon Lord, the seven-day period has arrived.”

She presented with both hands a scroll edged in silver thread, emanating a faint magical glow.

“This is the final resolution from the 【Goldmelt】 headquarters’ supreme council after urgent deliberations.”

Vivian took the scroll; it felt heavy in her hand, as if bearing immense weight.

She slowly unrolled it, her eyes quickly scanning the clauses written in elegant demon script.

The terms were clear and detailed, evidently carefully considered.

The core revolved around Vivian’s proposed “investment” concept:

The 【Goldmelt】 headquarters would provide the Evernight Territory with the first large-scale batch of reconstruction materials and human resources, paid in installments via goods offsetting from the Goldmelt Trading Company.

That is, all the slaves Vivian needed this time, plus the additional hired troops, required no immediate cash payment; the costs would convert into a long-term, low-interest loan.

Next was the collateral—this loan’s collateral was not Evernight City itself, as that involved territorial sovereignty and was too sensitive, but a certain proportion of the underground mineral veins in the Evernight Territory over the next five years, specifically the highest-quality Evernight crystals and their associated mineral resources.

It was a precisely calculated share of “priority mining rights and exclusive trade agency” that the Evernight Territory could bear while satisfying the company, with this priority ranking after the Winter Territory.

Then came technical support—the 【Goldmelt】 caravan would dispatch a capable team of technical advisors, including vein prospectors, junior magitech engineers, and project managers, to assist the Evernight Territory in developing resources more scientifically and efficiently, as well as guiding related infrastructure construction. These costs were included in the loan.

There was even military assurance.

Until the loan was repaid, the 【Goldmelt】 caravan promised that its armed forces stationed near the Evernight Territory would provide a certain degree of security within “reasonable bounds” against potential external threats, with the terms detailing “reasonable bounds” and trigger conditions.

As for future cooperation… the two sides would establish a long-term strategic partnership.

Goldmelt would enjoy priority purchasing rights for certain non-strategic materials from the Evernight Territory, while the Evernight Territory could, through 【Goldmelt】 channels, prioritize access to urgently needed, regulated resources, technology, and human resources.

This was nearly a perfect agreement responding to Vivian’s needs!

It resolved the Evernight Territory’s most pressing funding and manpower issues, introduced technical support, and even included a degree of military assurance. The terms were not overly harsh, interest within acceptable range, and the mortgaged mineral share left room for the Evernight Territory’s own development—fully embodying 【Goldmelt】’s “sincerity” and optimism about the Evernight Territory’s future potential.

Vivian carefully read every word, even repeatedly scrutinizing several key clauses.

Finally, she looked up at Angeist’s eyes, filled with anticipation.

“A very thorough agreement.”

Vivian’s voice was calm, betraying no joy or anger, yet praising the company’s boldness and vision, which was admirable.

Angeist’s smile grew even brighter.

“Then, what does the Demon Lord mean?”

Vivian did not answer immediately.

She fell silent for a moment, her gaze sweeping once more over the clauses on “priority mining rights” and “exclusive trade agency.”

Vivian knew this meant that for the next five years, the Evernight Territory’s most valuable mineral resource lifeline would be largely tied to the 【Goldmelt】 company.

It was a double-edged sword.

But… did she have a better choice?

Continuing to struggle slowly in isolation without aid would take far too long, all while facing threats from the territory, Carol, and the possible crisis from the “revived Hero”?

“I agree.”

Vivian finally spoke, her voice clear and firm.

She picked up the prepared contract magpen authenticated by her Demon Lord mana and fluidly signed her name—Vivian—at the designated spot at the scroll’s end.

The instant the magpen touched down, the magical patterns on the scroll glowed softly, signifying the agreement’s formal activation and protection under demon contract laws.

A flash of relief and immense joy crossed Angeist’s eyes as she neatly signed her own name in the other spot.

“Pleasure doing business, Demon Lord!”

Angeist extended her hand.

“Pleasure doing business, Steward Angeist.”

Vivian extended hers, giving a light shake.

At this moment, it marked the Evernight Territory and the 【Goldmelt】 company—these two forces of vastly different scales yet mutually beneficial—formally embarking on a path of cooperation filled with risks.