Bang!
In the early morning, an explosion suddenly rang out.
Chen Hai woke from his sleep, then met eyes with Izawa Shizue beside him.
Shizue, who had already opened her eyes, smiled slightly.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
Chen Hai wrapped his arm around Shizue's waist, pulled her closer for a kiss, then stood up and walked to the balcony.
Smoke and dust billowed from the forest in the distance.
Gale-force winds accompanied the impact, raging everywhere.
Some monsters were fleeing in a panic from that direction, as if they had encountered some evil spirit.
Chen Hai only had one answer in his mind.
Most likely, Milim was causing trouble again.
"Miss Shizue, I'm going to take a look; you should get ready first."
"Alright."
Unlike a girl, Chen Hai simply tidied his hair, put on his jacket, and then jumped off the balcony, heading towards the "600" forest.
As soon as he arrived, he heard hearty laughter.
"Guhahaha! How was that! How was that! I'm the strongest!"
Milim stood with her hands on her hips, surrounded by giant trees that had been snapped by brute force.
Their thick trunks even pierced the ground, embedding themselves in the soil and rocks.
Most of the monsters nearby who hadn't yet fled were dressed as artisans.
These monsters wore headscarves and carried felling axes, staring with troubled expressions at the trees Milim had knocked down with a single punch.
"Oh my! Chen Hai! Good morning! Why are you here?!"
Noticing Chen Hai, Milim quickly ran to him.
What happened last night was already water under the bridge for Milim; she had long forgotten it.
Or rather… she didn't want to remember that sudden kiss.
In any case, Milim, looking no different from usual, smiled and said,
"These people were logging just now, so when I saw them, I offered to help and directly knocked down this giant tree; it should be enough for them for a long time!"
"You're quite enthusiastic, aren't you…"
"Hehehe! No need for praise!"
"But it seems you scared away a lot of people."
"Who told them to stand near the big tree? I didn't mean to flatten those little guys, you know."
Milim quickly explained.
Chen Hai nodded, then asked,
"Have you had breakfast?"
"Yes, I ate some when I was hungry last night, once in the early morning, and again just now."
Three 'breakfasts'… unheard of.
Chen Hai listened, then patted the loli Demon Lord's head, and turned to the troubled monster artisans.
He walked over, his gaze falling on the smaller trees flattened by the giant trees.
Although they were small trees, their diameter exceeded half a meter, enough to make many things.
"The reason you are felling trees is…"
"Lord Chen Hai, we've noticed that more and more monsters are gathering here, and the demand for housing will definitely increase, so we thought about felling trees to build houses, and…"
One of the monsters' gazes fell on the plaza not far to the right.
"We believe Lord Chen Hai will soon hold an event to establish a 'Federation', so we need to prepare in advance."
"A Federation, huh…"
Chen Hai had indeed considered such matters.
Once a country was established, it would be easier to assign jobs to monsters and improve efficiency.
After all, the strongholds currently built by the Goblins were populated by monsters of different races; to get them to cooperate well, they would have to be reassigned.
"That's a good idea, but there's no need to invest too much. Let's just hold an event to establish the Federation this afternoon."
"Eh? That fast?"
"The situation is changing rapidly now, and turmoil has also appeared outside the Jura Forest. Rather than focusing on 'establishing the Federation,' it's better to think about 'plans after the Federation is established'."
"As expected of Lord Chen Hai, always thinking far ahead! Then can we go inform the others?"
"Of course, everyone can prepare together, and then we can finish quickly."
"Alright!"
The monsters believed him and quickly ran towards the stronghold.
For them, the establishment of a 'Federation' meant that the monsters who came here would have a true patron.
It was like a territory dominated by monsters.
Although they had to pay taxes to the monsters, they would also receive the Demon Lord's protection.
Upon hearing this, Milim, who had just knocked down a towering tree, frowned slightly.
"If Chen Hai is going to establish a nation, then that's a bit troublesome."
"Why?"
"Think about it, I'm a Demon Lord! I rule over a land, a nation. Right now, we're just friends, but once your identity becomes 'Ruler of a Nation,' it means we'll have an alliance. Other Demon Lords will definitely pay close attention!"
"Really? Milim, you actually think about such complex things!?"
"Huh?! You make it sound like I'm an idiot! Of course I think about these things!!!"
Milim swung her fists, playfully hitting Chen Hai's shoulder.
The force wasn't great, but she was genuinely a little annoyed.
She even pouted and turned her head away.
Chen Hai smiled and handed her a bottle of drink with his right hand.
He had just transferred it from the apartment fridge to his hand.
"Don't be angry. I think your analysis makes a lot of sense, but... isn't it interesting to be targeted by Demon Lords?"
"Interesting..."
Upon hearing this, Milim turned around, simultaneously taking the drink Chen Hai offered her.
Milim twisted open the cap and pressed, "Why do you say that?"
"If Demon Lords are interested in our alliance, they'll come to us. It could be for cooperation, or it could be a challenge. Either way, it won't be bad for us."
Cooperation means we can expand our strength.
Challenge means we can defeat enemies and gain rewards.
"Simply put, we don't have to run around; people will come to us. We can enjoy delicious food and fine wine while waiting for opponents to fall into our trap. Isn't that good?"
"That's true. If anyone we don't like shows up, we'll just wipe them all out!"
As she said this, Milim waved her fist in the air.
She had completely understood Chen Hai's meaning.
"Our alliance is like telling this world—we'll be waiting right here for them to come!"
"Exactly, Milim. Just wait, no need to run around. We can conserve our energy and wait for the opportune moment."
"That's too awesome!"
Milim finally smiled.
At this moment, the two reached an agreement—
The Demon Lords of this world, or any other powerful enemies... no matter who they were, they would wait for them to appear, and then defeat them!