Episode 57 – Loser (7)
It was already known that the Legion possessed intelligence surpassing that of the average Demon, and operated with a systematic structure.
However, the true ruler of that Legion and the nature of their abilities remained a mystery.
Some argued that a separate command entity must exist, while others claimed that it was merely an innate instinct—though an exceptionally powerful and intricate one.
With no conclusive evidence forthcoming, Ludras wagered everything in this decisive battle against an adversary that defied coexistence. He sought to uncover the identity and essence of the threat that had abruptly arisen, threatening to shatter the peace that had endured in this region for quite some time.
“Could it possibly be a being like this?”
Finally, with his own eyes, Ludras confirmed the true nature of the Legion. Ultimately, the leader of the Legion—the Queen—was an entity that defied all previous assumptions.
“I can exist anywhere and command my soldiers from any location. Just as many Demons possess unique strengths based on their race, I am no different.”
“Could such a creature even exist? It’s impossible. There’s no way.”
“It wasn’t always like this. Starting out as mere insects, we gradually grew and evolved on our own. When I think back to those weaker days, it feels like the heavens and earth have shifted.”
Every existing entity within the Legion was part of a massive collective consciousness led by the Queen’s self-awareness—a colossal Hive Mind.
Simultaneously, based on that immense consciousness, the Legion evolved and grew in real-time. The early stages were undoubtedly their greatest weakness—a fact that Ludras found doubly frustrating since he had unknowingly overlooked their true nature.
Ludras was stunned by the words of the Queen who had now reached him.
If this were the conclusion, his defeat in this war and the handover of regional dominion would undoubtedly yield consequences far beyond what Ludras had foreseen.
“What is your purpose? Are you like countless maddened insects, endlessly warring until you eradicate all life and reduce this land to desolation?”
“If survival demands it, we have no choice but to do so. We do our utmost to survive. Isn’t it the natural duty of any living thing?”
Ludras was fated to die here. The Queen, who did not refuse his questioning, shared everything she could.
And with each word exchanged, Ludras felt an inevitable despair.
The Legion had already made extensive preparations. They had engaged in an all-out war while avoiding unnecessary attrition, and had succeeded. When Ludras saw his final gambit falter, it confirmed that his arsenal had been completely depleted.
“Perhaps we simply encountered you too late. Even the arrogant Superior Demons in the center of the continent will soon fall to us.”
“Such an absurd…”
Though Ludras gritted his teeth upon hearing of their ambitions to target even the central continent, he couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence.
Certainly, the factions in the heart of the Demon Realm far outclassed Ludras in strength.
But the monsters led by the Queen only grew stronger by consuming and learning from their stronger opponents, evolving further than ever before.
Having experienced this firsthand, Ludras couldn’t deny the possibility that these creatures might truly conquer the entire world by defeating all forces.
“It’s unfortunate. Had you possessed a natural talent, you could have joined us in this endeavor.”
The Lamia Lord Rozalyn, a failed noble in her own right, had instead thrived as a Knight of the Legion due to her innate ability to accept the collective consciousness.
However, while Ludras was an exceptional commander and lord, he lacked the ability to embrace the hive mind.
With no other choice, the Queen lamented as she wiped out Ludras’ Hobgoblin army before ultimately finishing him off.
[The Hobgoblin territory, with its main forces wiped out, has lost all defensive capabilities.]
“We’ll win by advancing cautiously.”
Ludras’ final decision had driven the blade to my jawline.
I let it happen, confident that it wouldn’t kill me, and now, having emerged victorious, it was time to reap the rewards.
There was no need to rush. The main force of the Hobgoblin territory had been obliterated, and time was now on my side.
The local lords of this area now stood no chance against me in my evolved state. Once I consumed Ludras’ land, the disparity in strength would grow even further.
No need to rush. Slow but steady infiltration would suffice.
“It’s time to give the lords in the west a taste of our might.”
With an abundance of resources, it was only natural that we could produce a greater number of troops.
The Western Lords, ignorant of our giant combat units, wouldn’t stand a chance. Without proper countermeasures, even a few of our monsters could collapse their ranks and transform the battlefield into a chaotic free-for-all.
[Abandoned regions are being incorporated into our territory.]
The Workers, spared from heavy losses due to caution, moved en masse toward Ludras’ crumbling territory and immediately began converting it into our domain.
The Hobgoblins had split into two groups: those who fled their land, abandoning their homes, and the few who opted to fight to the death.
But resolve alone can only triumph when the opponent wavers.
Despite their bravery, the force disparity was undeniable, and one by one, they fell to our forces. As their territories were wiped out, the nesting process began.
[Consciousness Enhancement 10] [Physical Enhancement 10] [Reproduction Enhancement 10]
Using the achievements and resources gained from consuming Ludras’ territory, I raised all attributes to the 10th stage.
And with each enhancement, we transcended our limits.
“The Demon Realm’s core…”
With newfound strength coursing through my veins, I remembered my last words with Ludras.
The factions in the core of the Demon Realm must be on a different level than the outskirts. The Vampire Kingdom, where Syla originated, was one such entity.
Just as we had decimated the minor lords on the periphery, these were the forces who would become our next prey. To achieve that, we must evolve further.
“First, we must end this war that’s dragging on and establish the northeast as our undisputed domain.”
“Should we prepare for a counteroffensive?”
“Yes. The western factions are thrown into chaos due to the refugees fleeing from Ludras’ territory. If we push our advantage, we can win.”
I shifted my attention to Syla and Rozalyn, who had been on the defensive until now.
With Ludras’ territory now absorbed and converted into our domain, the two-front war was effectively over. We could now channel our full focus onto annihilating the remaining Lords.
I distributed our newly mass-produced forces to Syla and Rozalyn, instructing them to obliterate the alliance.
It was time to solidify our control over this region.
“A total force of 100,000 troops, including 100 elite mega-combat units, should be enough to sweep through the entire area.”
“Even this is just the beginning. Once the nests in Ludras’ territory start full-scale production, the numbers will only…”
Syla and Rozalyn, adorned with masks, went into battle.
Even Rozalyn’s trembling was a testament to the fact that this was just a fraction of our true power. Once we fully consumed Ludras’ territory, the number of troops would far exceed this.
“Once we dominate the entire region, what’s the next target?”
“Well, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Syla, already envisioning our victory, gazed toward a distant horizon. While I had planned this much, providing a definitive answer was premature.
Our adversaries are not NPCs adhering to a set pattern; they are living, breathing individuals who, like Ludras, could always act unpredictably.
“Others will make the first move. We’ll respond accordingly. One thing is certain, however: the fighting will never cease.”
We must fight to survive. The stronger we fight, the more we grow. This contrasts with most other races, who grow weaker and weaker through conflict.
Thus, we must continue the fight. Powerful enemies still abound.
And those powerful foes…they may not be confined to this world alone.
[The alliance of Lords is collapsing.]
“Preserving control was their limit.”
There was no need for a full-scale assault.
The extreme confusion arising from Ludras’ solo, disastrous engagement with his strongest force left the outlying minor lords unable to continue the war.
With the Mega Combat Units leading the charge, our path was effortlessly cleared.
Deploying multiple times more troops behind them, no amount of individual strength, training, or countermeasures the Lords’ coalition possessed could withstand the assault—they crumbled like leaves in the wind.
“The Workers will have their hands full.”
Through the eyes of our soldiers, I watched the spoils of our victories pile up and smiled.
My faction had finally reached a stable trajectory.
[End of Episode]
