360-degree, no-blind-spot photography.
This was an opportunity,
Chen Yu would absolutely not let slip.
Black history.
The dignified Great Demon King had become entranced and foolish, wasn't this news explosive enough? Fortunately, this was in the catacombs. If it were in the world outside the catacombs, Chen Yu would have immediately transformed into an online editor.
Shocking: Demon King Barbara Actually...
The traffic would be through the roof.
Even though there was no media network now, these photos were of great use to Chen Yu. Perhaps in the future, he could extort some benefits from Barbara.
After the photoshoot.
Chen Yu left with Sona and Kaelin, faintly hearing their conversation.
"You're really not going to manage it?"
"Eh, what's there to manage? This is our city-state, our territory. Could she possibly be threatened by anything?"
"I still feel like it's not right."
"Don't worry, trust me, it'll be fine. You've heard the saying, only magic can defeat magic, right? She's bewitched, so we'll use hunger to make her body's functions forcefully awaken her."
"Those orcs won't... to her..."
"Hiss, can't say that."
Their voices grew fainter. Although Sona's words were filled with concern and worry, she didn't stop attending to her. Before long, only four pillars remained in the entire area, and Barbara stood alone in the desolate open space.
A gentle breeze from a distant alleyway blew, caressing her clothes.
Faintly, a creaking sound could still be heard.
One didn't know if it was a broken tree branch or some other noise.
...
...
...
Inner City of the City-State.
Chen Yu deliberately avoided the survivors' work areas. He didn't want to interact much with the survivors yet. According to his plan, the survivors should be the ones to proactively contact him.
Besides, Kaelin still hadn't displayed the demeanor of a city lord.
When the two of them were together, if one observed carefully, it would be easy to sense that their relationship was not as Chen Yu claimed.
"Kaelin."
Along the way, Chen Yu didn't waste time assigning tasks to Kaelin.
"Regarding the survivors, treat them with a relatively fair attitude as I mentioned before. There's no need to be deliberately harsh, but a slight pickiness is acceptable, as it will make them work harder."
"Okay~"
"You can tell them that lodging and food will be provided, but the commission will be slightly lower. If they don't need lodging and food and can arrange it themselves, the commission will be higher. You can gauge this range yourself. I believe you can handle this well."
"City Lord, I can do it."
Kaelin's reply was firm and decisive.
Honestly speaking,
Chen Yu truly admired Kaelin's confidence and determination. Such people would generally have a place for themselves anywhere. In the early stages of development, when Chen Yu lacked management personnel the most, Kaelin's appearance had indeed resolved many of his troubles.
"Also, Fang Xiu's suggestion can be adopted."
"Ah?!"
At this point, confusion appeared in Kaelin's eyes.
"City Lord, do you mean that all the buildings in the city-state need to be demolished? If so, this is a massive undertaking, and with all buildings demolished, the accommodation issue will also be difficult to resolve."
"Demolish, but not all of it."
Chen Yu explained in a low voice, "We can carry out zone-by-zone demolition. The current construction of this city-state has significant flaws. If we expand upon it further, it might save resources, time, and manpower, but the future hidden dangers will have a greater impact on the city-state. Transportation within the city-state will be greatly restricted."
"Oh~"
Although Kaelin didn't quite understand everything, since the City Lord said so, she felt that everything was correct.
"Fang Xiu should have suggestions for the zoning, you can ask him more and listen to his ideas. Later, you can relay his thoughts to me. You don't need to shuttle back and forth for this matter; communication can be done via the wristband," Chen Yu whispered.
Kaelin nodded slightly. Chen Yu then turned his gaze and asked,
"How are the slaves doing?"
"I've been in contact with Suna and learned about the slaves' situation from her," Kaelin replied seriously. "A portion of the slaves want to leave our city-state; they want to return to their homes. Suna has tried to persuade them, but the effect isn't very significant. Another portion is observing, waiting to see the city-state's attitude towards them. And there's another portion who are very willing to stay and survive in our city-state."
"Heh..."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yu let out a cold scoff.
"It seems that human nature is the same everywhere. Before I came here, their lives were already at their worst. I sent troops to liberate the city-state, and instead of being grateful, they're now scrutinizing me."
In Chen Yu's opinion, those who were observing were the worst.
He could understand those who chose to leave.
Many of the slaves were captured and brought here, far from their homes. They didn't have the strength to escape before, but now that they were finally liberated, they wanted to return to their former homes and reunite with their families.
It was understandable.
Chen Yu could accept and support their choice.
But—
Among those who stayed to observe, Chen Yu wouldn't condemn them all indiscriminately. Some of them might indeed be confused and uneasy about the future.
They feared that Chen Yu might be the next abyss.
However, there were definitely those among them who wanted to take advantage of the situation but were afraid of not getting what they wanted.
These people were generally more selfish and greedy.
They lacked great talent but considered themselves extraordinary, not knowing their place.
Chen Yu naturally had no good feelings towards such people. But he remembered that a city-state would always have all sorts of people. He was now a city lord, no longer the leader of a small camp or an ordinary citizen outside the catacombs. His perspective on issues and the residents of the city had to change.
"Let those who are observing continue to observe; don't bother them."
"These people will not be provided with food. Their accommodation can be resolved, but if they want to obtain food, they must labor for it."
"Our city-state does not provide free meals to them."
"For those who wish to leave, you can persuade them to work for a period, earn a certain commission, and then let them go if they wish. Be as kind as possible to them. Their departure might bring potential benefits to our city-state. It's highly possible that upon returning to their villages, they will mention our city-state, encouraging their villagers to come live or work here."
"As for the group willing to join our city-state, let Suna directly manage them."
"We welcome their joining."
"Understood, City Lord, I've noted it all down." Kaelin nodded with a smile. Chen Yu also smiled slightly before letting her leave to carry out her tasks.
After Kaelin departed, Sona raised her eyebrows slightly.
"This is quite surprising to me."
"Hm?" Chen Yu responded with a soft sound. Sona smiled, "The solution you just proposed for these slaves truly showed me the shadow of a city lord. Your decision just now was very wise~"
"Is that so?"
Chen Yu stretched lazily and shrugged his shoulders.
"I was merely doing what a city lord should do, nothing more."