This revelation sent murmurs through the room. The idea of demons using their lifeforce directly without purification was both fascinating and alarming. It explained their formidable strength and resilience in combat.

Henry nodded in agreement, adding, "These findings suggest that the demons' combat arts are intrinsically tied to their very being. Their ability to manipulate matter and energy at will makes them incredibly dangerous. Understanding this is crucial for developing strategies to combat them effectively."

Suddenly, one of the researchers seated beside Henry whispered something in his ear. Henry's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly conveyed the message to the translator, who also showed a stunned expression. The translator then spoke, "Lord Henry says the researchers might have found a way to defeat the demons based on Lady Aisha’s team’s findings."

The researcher continued in Arcanis, which was translated for everyone: "He says that since we now know the hearts are made out of mana and magic, they looked into the documents and found that every heart was created using a magic spell called 'Create Connection' that mages of sequence 9 and above can perform. This spell allows one to copy an existing object entirely made of mana."

Everyone listened intently, still not fully understanding where the researcher was heading. "Unlike humans, the demons have large mana pools to draw from, allowing them to create something as complex as a working heart. But the spell has a weakness!" He paused for emphasis. "If the caster runs out of mana or dies, the spell is dispelled."

The room started to buzz with anticipation as he continued, "And since demons don’t age or die normally in the underworld, it made logical sense for them to make hearts with this spell. But now it’s different—we can kill a demon with red black steel."

Chaoxiang spoke up, "So if parents made a heart for their children, and the grandparent for the parent, if we follow this line, most of the original hearts for the highest-ranking demons should be made by the Demon King, the original demon." Edina nodded and translated his words.

The researcher responded, translated by the translator, "He says that’s right. So if we can somehow kill or stop the mana sharing from the Demon King, we will be able to kill all the demons at once."

A wave of realization swept through the room. The leaders exchanged glances, understanding the magnitude of this discovery. The key to their survival and victory over the demons lay in severing the connection that powered the demons' hearts.

The room fell silent as the leaders pondered this newfound knowledge. It was a glimmer of hope, a potential path to salvation in the face of overwhelming darkness. The air was thick with determination and the weight of responsibility, knowing that the future of humanity might hinge on this plan.

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Then, everyone turned their attention to Edina. A young man in his thirties with brown hair spoke in Leonese, "If we can somehow locate the Demon King and have you sneak there, will you be able to kill him? I don't know how you do it, Your Highness, but you have assassinated every demon you set out to kill. So, can you?"

This was a well-known fact: Edina somehow always managed to assassinate demons that threatened the base and eliminate any and all kinds of demonic beasts, as long as they could transport her to them. Everyone knew Edina didn’t have any combat training or ability; she was literally a crippled person who walked with a cane, yet somehow she was able to defeat the most dangerous enemies.

She replied, "I might be able to, but we need to locate the Demon King for that to work." When Chaoxiang, speaking in Han language, asked, "What did he say? What are you talking about?"

Edina didn’t reply immediately. She then explained what they had discussed. Everyone around the table went silent, contemplating the possibility that Edina might be able to defeat the Demon King and, in doing so, cause every demon to fall. However, this was just a hypothetical scenario; they didn't have to act on it yet. Testing the theory was more important first.

The discussion continued, with each leader contributing their thoughts and ideas on how to utilize this new information. The room buzzed with a renewed sense of determination. Despite the overwhelming odds, the leaders of the Final Frontier were committed to finding a way to protect their city and, ultimately, the future of humanity.

The meeting lasted well into the afternoon, with the leaders leaving with a clear sense of purpose. They had much to do, but now they had a better understanding of their enemy. As Chaoxiang and Edina exited the hall, they exchanged a glance, knowing that their fight was far from over but also feeling a flicker of hope that, with this new knowledge, they might just have a chance.

Chaoxiang went straight to his quarters, his mind already churning with the tasks ahead. His role in the Final Frontier was to manage strategic housing and infrastructure, a crucial responsibility in the crowded city. He sat at his cluttered desk, the room dimly lit by the fading afternoon light seeping through the small window. Maps and documents lay scattered around him, a testament to the constant effort required to keep their fragile society functioning.

He picked up his quill and began writing, his strokes precise and methodical. His first task was to draft plans for accommodating the influx of refugees. Every available space needed to be utilized efficiently. He sketched out ideas for converting larger communal spaces into temporary shelters, ensuring that families could stay together while still maintaining some semblance of privacy. He also noted the need for additional sanitation facilities to prevent the spread of disease in the cramped conditions.

Next, Chaoxiang turned his attention to the agricultural needs discussed in the meeting. The southern fields had been identified as potential farmland, but they needed to be prepared for planting. He detailed plans for clearing the land, establishing irrigation systems, and setting up protective barriers to guard against potential demon attacks. The success of this endeavor was vital; without a stable food supply, their situation would quickly become untenable.

The most pressing issue, however, was the lack of drinking water. Chaoxiang reviewed the locations of existing wells and identified areas where new ones could be drilled. This required careful consideration; the wells needed to be deep enough to access clean water, yet close enough to the city to ensure they were easily defensible. He also proposed the construction of rainwater collection systems to supplement their water supply, a task that would require coordination with the city’s engineers and mages.

As he finished writing the proposal for the rainwater collection systems, the door opened, and a woman in her early thirties with striking red hair walked in. It was Edina. Chaoxiang was quite surprised by this, as she usually didn't give him the time of day unless he was trying his best to flirt or propose a night in his room.

Edina looked at him with a straight face and said, “Chaoxiang, I have something to tell you.” Chaoxiang stopped and looked at her with a flustered face, anticipation building at what she was about to say.