Chapter 59

Chapter 59 – Loser (9)

[Achievement unlocked: Ascension to Ruler. Reward: 10 Attribute Points granted.]

Ruler, an in-game achievement requiring the conquest of at least 1,000 territories to be achieved. This is also one of the accomplishments I’ve now reached after consuming several Viscount-level fiefs and a Count-level one.

Of course, unlike the game, which applied uniform criteria regardless of where one had started, my current situation falls short of the true ‘Ruler’ rank. In reality, to be considered on par with an Emperor or King in this world, I would need to control several times the territory I currently hold, especially given I only possess peripheral land.

“Still, things are starting to get interesting.”

As the Queen of the Legion and central consciousness of the hive mind, an increase in my territory doesn’t mean expanding a dominion in the classical sense.

It means consuming the vast amount of nutrients present in that land, which can enable a host of possibilities.

Mass producing soldiers and creating stronger entities is only a small part. Right now, I can use these resources to further enlarge my Auxiliary Brain.

The Auxiliary Brain consumes vast amounts of nutrients in real-time to sustain its immense processing power. However, increasing its size and enhancing its functions allows it to process a much larger amount of information at a significantly faster rate.

This makes my soldiers move and act like units controlled by advanced artificial intelligence. It also greatly expands my field of vision and the volume of information I can process simultaneously.

[Auxiliary Brain upgrade successful.]

“This much expenditure is worth it.”

I smirked as I observed the interior of the nest being expanded by Workers and the growing enormity of the Auxiliary Brain, which they tirelessly worked to enlarge.

The Auxiliary Brain is literally a brain. That writhing mass of flesh lacks any defense mechanism.

An ordinary person could puncture it with a single finger, making it an inherent weakness for the now oversized Legion. If damaged, the entire operation could halt.

It’s not something that can be placed carelessly.

It must be situated in the deepest part of my current base, where my main body resides.

Considering this, it’s a rational choice to continuously modify and fortify this location, despite the labor and resources it consumes.

“My Queen. The territories of the lords who opposed us have all fallen. The survivors have fled to the surrounding regions. What are your plans now?”

“Just wait and see how they react.”

As I fortified our gains real-time using the spoils and nutrients from the recent conquest, a transmission came from Syla, stationed at the front lines.

Our primary goal was to conquer and occupy all nearby territories, and we’ve successfully completed this objective.

“Unfortunately, it seems we couldn’t kill Viscount Cacu of the Lizardmen.”

“That guy… He’s always been the type to retreat quickly.”

As I mumbled about the results, Rozalyn chimed in cautiously. It was Rozalyn who had led our main army to break through the Lizardmen’s territory.

Unlike the Gargoyle Viscount Ikon, who fought until the end, Cacu, the Lizardman Viscount, abandoned his post and fled to a neighboring fief upon our arrival.

This didn’t particularly concern me; realistically, hunting down every fleeing soldier to eliminate them is impossible.

“Given the intelligence I’ve gathered, it’s inevitable that the neighboring territories are in chaos.”

The area I’ve now occupied is located in the northeastern corner of the continent. Having consumed everyone here, we now share borders with numerous and more powerful factions, closer to the central continent.

Even those who initially dismissed my rise as mere trivial mischief now realize just how serious the situation has become.

The influx of Refugees and our rapid conquests, which have propelled us into becoming a major force, only adds uncertainty about when we might invade their territories next.

‘They only stand a chance if they unite. As individual factions, they’re weaker than me.’

Regardless of how strong the factions closer to the central continent may be, compared to me after consuming the territories of Ludras and other nearby lords, they can’t compete head-on.

More importantly, I possess the ability to extract resources from harsh landscapes, which they cannot. By consuming monsters and using their data to adapt, I can now digest even the tough, poisonous Demon Realm plants that none others can. No one can match our efficiency in breaking down organic matter.

“Will they ever let their guard down?”

“Probably not. They’re surely already aware of our presence, and the refugees won’t be idle either.”

As Syla firmly stated, we can no longer rely on catching our foes off-guard.

Our existence, once a small group on the peripheries, has now spread across the entire Demon Realm, and they will do all they can to counter us.

It’s more likely we’re heading towards a straightforward struggle of power rather than relying on underhanded tricks or counterspies.

“First, fully establish nests in all the territories we’ve occupied. In the meantime, we’ll need to gather some intelligence.”

Though rushing headfirst into battle without any preparation may be our strength, we still need time to rest and recuperate. We haven’t even established nests in all the territories we’ve claimed or collected all the spoils.

During this consolidation period, we’ll decide on our next move by gathering information on how best to proceed.

One thing’s certain: almost every faction now considers us an enemy, so the difficulty has multiplied.

To overcome this, we’ll have to fully engage the spies I’ve planted within their ranks.

*

“In the end, this region has completely fallen.”

“Those crazed monsters will never be satisfied with what they’ve conquered so far. Even if things are quiet now, they’ll surely expand their nests and keep multiplying.”

The infernal demons, who evolve continuously and whose numbers seem endless. All allied territories that resisted them have perished, and the survivors could only seek refuge in nearby regions.

None can survive in the lands they’ve conquered.

The Mercenary Band led by Cruiger was in the same predicament.

Despite their impressive accomplishments and increased strength thanks to their renowned tactical skills and battlefield choices, with the lords who employed them now vanquished, there was no reason to stay.

“But there will be plenty more work for us in the future, no, Captain?”

“That’s right.”

Cruiger nodded at the comment from his companion, the Orc Shaman Grash.

What started as a lone Orc warrior has now grown into a band of nearly a thousand comrades and subordinates.

Such a large mercenary organization is rare and difficult to sustain outside special circumstances. However, the current situation was uniquely favorable.

Moreover, Cruiger firmly believed his force would continue to grow until he could reclaim the territory stolen by the player.

“While the demons aren’t following us right now, they’re just predators. Once their prey runs out, they’ll inevitably spread further.”

“That’s true.”

“Many lords have already fallen, and neighboring lords cannot ignore what they’ve seen. They’ll certainly hire mercenaries like us.”

The woman riding quietly beside him nodded her head. Her radiant silver hair shimmered in the sunlight.

“We might even have the chance to resupply and re-equip ourselves by serving the increasingly desperate lords.”

Cruiger muttered as he looked into the inscrutable red eyes of the woman beside him.

Cruiger’s rise to success amidst the chaos unleashed by the rampaging demons began only after meeting her.

Acting as both strategist and brilliant mind of the mercenary band, she seemed to possess an almost divine insight into the unfolding events.

Even those mercenaries who had scoffed at her origins as a frail human slave and dismissed her as merely Cruiger’s concubine now showed her immense respect, because she was the one who held their lives in her capable hands and gave unimpeachable orders without fault.

“In line with our plans, we’re heading to Count Agor’s territory.”

Their chosen destination was Count Agor’s territory, where the Orc lord was actively preparing for war and accepting Refugees.

They intended to continue building accomplishments and expand their forces as they had been doing.

‘While having our enemies is fine, I can’t let them unite. I’ll have to try my best to make them scatter and deal with them individually.’

Of course, the plan to go to Agor’s territory was also quietly suggested by her.

Her goals, however, differed slightly from those of Cruiger and the other mercenaries.

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