Chapter 238: Harmonious Interlude
In the bustling business district of Demon City, the headquarters of the Abyss Times is nestled among a cluster of old ancient buildings. Although its decor doesn't match the grandeur and official style of the Magic City Daily headquarters, the Abyss Times boasts a loyal readership in Demon City due to its sharp news style and exclusive insider scoops, with sales rivaling the other.
This particular issue is especially notable.
As the latest sales figures were announced, the entire editorial department buzzed with excitement!
Not only did they set the highest sales record in the newspaper's history over the past 10 years, but they also surpassed the Magic City Daily during the same period! To satisfy readers' thirst for news, the printing house collaborating with them even reprinted twice within the same day!
And according to the complaints from the printing workers, the magic ink used for printing magic photos nearly ran out to meet these unexpected orders!
This is simply a miracle!
What's even more incredible is that it was all due to a striking headline—
"Lord Demon King angrily condemns bureaucratic cowardice and incompetence, claiming to seek justice for eighty thousand fallen soldiers!"
On the bottom right corner of the headline page, there was a line of small print—
"Reported by this newspaper: According to an anonymous source from the Parliament staff..."
This "anonymous source" was none other than Karisman, a seemingly inconspicuous Dream Demon in the Parliament Building.
According to the Abyss Times editorial department, this Dream Demon was initially just an ordinary clerical assistant in Parliament, responsible for sorting documents, and carrying reports, with a mundane daily routine.
He had such a low presence that colleagues occasionally forgot his name.
Yet, it was this unassuming little character who enabled the Abyss Times' latest issue to achieve an extraordinary sales miracle.
Furthermore, based on field surveys from the sales department, the significant surge in sales primarily came from Demon City's suburban areas!
The people there typically wouldn't spend money on newspapers, but now they're generously buying the Abyss Times. Winning the favor of these people would undoubtedly be a substantial "growth market" for the Abyss Times!
Not only that!
It's said that for an entire day, the streets and alleyways of the Demon City slums were abuzz with discussions about Lord Demon King's "world-shaking" actions. Old soldiers in taverns toasted his name, and young lads spread the legendary tale of the "Demon King who speaks for the frontline," even boasting because they have worked briefly at Black Wind Castle!
Isabelle, a journalist with an exceptionally keen instinct for news and an Enchanting Demon skilled at manipulating people's hearts, quickly noticed the public sentiment swirling in the streets and alleys while working in the Abyss Times editorial department.
Although public opinion in Demon City has never mattered, or only matters when the upper echelons find it useful, this doesn't prevent the Abyss Times from mining popular information for gold!
The atmosphere was particularly lively in the Abyss Times editor-in-chief's office.
"So!" Isabelle leaned on the table with both hands, her heart-shaped pupils sparkling, "Since the Demon King has such newsworthiness, why don't we directly interview him?!"
Sitting opposite her was Lulu, a seasoned editor of the Abyss Times—a semi-transparent Slime.
As a Slime, she has worked at the newspaper for a full decade, known for her calmness, rationality, and sharp tongue.
At that moment, Lulu's Slime body slightly wobbled, emitting a "glug" sound, as if trying to digest Isabelle's wild suggestion.
After a few seconds, she raised her gelled eyebrows, showing a "are you serious?" expression.
"... Are you saying you want to interview the Demon King of Thunder County?"
"Exactly!" Isabelle nodded confidently, "We need firsthand information! Picture this issue's cover title—'Voices for Frontline Soldiers! Exclusive Interview with the Ruler of Thunder County!' I bet sales will break records again!"
Lulu took a deep breath, put down the goose feather pen in her hand, and looked at Isabelle with a glance like she was looking at an idiot: "Girl, did you get choked by your own tail while sleeping last night? Who do you think you are? That's the Demon King, a truly powerful figure, would he really make time for your interview?"
"I heard he's human, and a man at that." Isabelle smirked, her eyes gleaming with the confidence of an Enchanting Demon, "With the right approach, there's no interviewee that can't be reached."
Lulu glared at her.
"Don't give me that; those sorts of figures aren't small characters you can dazzle with just a glance."
"Then just wait and see." Isabelle shrugged, "I'll definitely make it happen!"
Lulu looked at her playfully, as if already witnessing a joke.
"Alright, since you're so confident, let's make a bet. If you really manage to interview the Demon King, I'll have the newspaper create a special column just for you, along with a private office and a dedicated assistant."
Isabelle's eyes lit up: "Oh? Are you serious?"
"Of course," Lulu said leisurely, "but if you fail—"
She paused, and a mischievous smile tugged at her lips: "Your bonus and performance for this year are gone, and... you'll also have to be responsible for the editorial department's public office area sanitation for a whole year."
Isabelle's smile instantly froze: "... You're kidding, right?"
"I'm very serious." Lulu spread her sticky hands, "If you're not daring, quickly dismiss this foolish notion."