"Although today we can stand together due to the compelling circumstances, I cannot guarantee that tomorrow we will sit down like this again to talk. Moreover, don't forget, I'm not just a Knight, I'm also a Priest... Making deals with demons is forbidden by my faith."

Actually, to tell the truth, when Charles heard the Demon King propose this deal, his heart was far more than just shocked; he even doubted for a moment whether he had heard something wrong.

Cooperating with the surface humans...

Even if he agreed, wouldn't this guy fear the punishment of the Demon God?

"This is not a deal," Luo Yan shook his head, smiling as he continued, "Rather than calling it a deal, which is a vulgar expression, I prefer to call it... an understanding, or say, rules of engagement."

"Rules of engagement?" Charles hesitated slightly and looked at him puzzled, continuing, "Sorry, could you explain that a bit clearer?"

Luo Yan said casually.

"It's simple, like how warring armies do not kill envoys, or how teams do not attack medics... What I mean is not attacking Priests first."

"That's impossible, you will definitely attack Priests first," Alex suddenly interjected, and seeing both men look towards him, he hastily continued, "But I understand what Mr. Demon King is trying to say, he means we can fight more gentlemanly! Not like before, you burn one of my tribes, I burn one of your villages."

"Exactly! I like that analogy!"

Luo Yan snapped his fingers, growing increasingly fond of this clever young man in front of him.

"Just like the duels that you surface humans are so fond of, let us duel as well. We will conduct honorable wars under the mutual gaze of Saint Sis and the Demon God... not a savage, all-out war using any means necessary."

Charles pondered for a long time, seemingly unable to imagine the scenario described by the Demon King, yet he felt it wasn't completely impossible.

"Honorable war... This kind of thing has precedent between lords, but I've never heard of it happening between humans and demons."

Luo Yan smiled and continued.

"Then why not start from Thunder County? It's beneficial for you and me, and it also does not violate 'your principles'."

Charles pressed for details.

"What specific terms do you want to agree upon?"

"First, designate safety zones... I believe this is the first and fastest step in building trust."

Luo Yan laid out the conditions he had prepared, smiling as he continued.

"For instance, Mist Town can be a safe zone, where humans can act, as can demons and the Undead. We can do everything here except attack each other, including but not limited to spreading our respective faiths... as long as the means are peaceful."

"If someone, whether human, demon, or Undead, breaks the rules, then we will punish them according to the law. If they commit an unforgivable crime, whether you pursue that person's responsibility or not, at least they will no longer have a place in this labyrinth."

"How can you guarantee you won't show favoritism towards your own people?" Charles's eyes were filled with doubt.

Anticipating this question, Luo Yan flowed smoothly into his response.

"It's simple, I will ensure that judicial and law enforcement powers are independent from my rule over the local area, and I will involve the residents living here in the process equally, not just letting demons or the Undead serve as judges," Luo Yan said smilingly, "Both you and I know, absolute fairness does not exist, but at least I am willing to do some things to ensure relative fairness."

Charles thought for a moment and indeed could not find any faults.

Especially when he thought about how Captain Mel could arbitrarily bring people into the interrogation room and kill them, he even suddenly felt that this place might be fairer than Thunder City?

Of course.

All this was predicated on the Demon King actually keeping his promise.

Promises never fulfilled bear no significance for discussion.

Watching Charles silently accepting his proposal, Luo Yan paused briefly before continuing.

"Moreover, not just safety zones, the labyrinth underneath Thunder County will also introduce VIP services."

Still pondering whether those terms were appropriate, Charles was momentarily confused and didn't keep up with the Demon King's thoughts.

"What?"

"Simply put, it means membership... essentially a supplementary contract for certain adventurers."

As he spoke, Luo Yan took a crystal from his chest, injecting it with a greenish energy.

"Like this crystal in my hand, I will imbue it with the Demon King's mark. As long as adventurers swear at the designated institutions in Mist Town to not initiate attacks against 'non-combat personnel' in the labyrinth, the rules of Mist Town will no longer be limited to the town itself. In other words, they can enjoy the right to free passage on floors 1 to 4 of the labyrinth with this mark."

Right to free passage?!

Charles was stunned on the spot, his expression of astonishment growing clearer, and his gaze toward Luo Yan turned from shock to outright disbelief.

The Demon King allowing adventurers into his own labyrinth?!

Does this guy not know what those people are here for?

Almost all adventurers harbored the same dream—

That was to kill the Demon King!

Seeming to see through the confusion in his eyes, Luo Yan smiled and explained.

"I know you're here to kill me, at least nominally so, but I don't believe that everyone who enters the labyrinth is prepared for that."

"Like those adventurers who are just getting by, they might just want to come in for a hunt, gather some materials, and incidentally fulfill a guild's commission... Would it not be a pity if they lost their lives for that?"

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