Episode 60 – Losers (10)
The moment we moved closer to the center, away from the outskirts of the continent, the power and influence of those who ruled the land here were far stronger than what we had seen before.
Even the Hobgoblin Count Ludras, who had dominated a region as a minor lord and caused many lesser lords to tread carefully, seemed ordinary in comparison to the powerful lords ruling this land.
And the further we ventured, the more giants appeared, wielding even greater power and commanding larger forces.
“Considering it like a game, we’re about 30% through.”
This wasn’t my first rodeo, so translating my current situation into a game-like scenario wasn’t impossible.
Starting from the outskirts and gradually expanding power by devouring territories, I had managed to achieve a portion of my ultimate goal—conquering the entire Demon Realm.
I wondered what would happen if I accomplished this goal. What would become of us after we had consumed everything?
I’ll think about that later. For now, it was simply time to claim what lay before me.
“Judging from his reputation, Orc Count Agor is an aggressive and somewhat radical lord, a warrior to the core. He doesn’t seem like someone who would simply set up a defensive strategy.”
“I’ve heard that too. He plans to send an army to reclaim lost territories.”
“That doesn’t sound like a great idea…”
Cruiger pondered deeply. Even though his actions have been guided by me, all his previous experiences leading mercenaries into battle against my soldiers were genuine.
Through those battles, he inevitably grasped a critical insight: the enormous potential of the power that I, we possess.
“Even before, I had my doubts, but when the Gargoyle Viscount Ikon’s territory fell and those monstrous Bomb焰鬼 creatures appeared, I became certain. They evolve at a pace that exceeds our expectations every moment.”
His voice trembled with genuine fear.
Cruiger had one reason for gritting his teeth and staying active in this region: to easily gather his forces and seize the opportunity to retake his lost territory.
He was gradually understanding our true essence and wanted to avoid confrontations with us.
“Doing what we’re doing now works. When dimwitted lords foolishly challenge your legions, we simply collect the rewards. That’s what mercenaries do.”
“True, but… I can’t help but wonder what’s coming next. As these creatures gradually grow and expand their territory, I wonder if they’ll finally emerge as the true danger of this Demon Realm.”
I chuckled lightly to reassure him, though Cruiger’s face remained wary, his instincts sensing something ominous.
I didn’t bother answering his final question.
I am certain that a predetermined future awaits us.
‘There’s nothing much we can do when it comes.’
I suspected the moment Cruiger truly understands the truth, he’ll join us. Rather than becoming mere fertilizer through death, integrating and maintaining his self while joining us would be much better, wouldn’t it?
“There’s no sign yet of the lords uniting, but just in case, let’s expedite things.”
While my clones diligently gathered information around Cruiger, my main body and army continued to work tirelessly.
Extending the nests, covering the desolate lands with Sunflowers that generated nutrients from sunlight, and more.
Territories saturated with corpses and organic matter became wastelands as our nests expanded and countless workers busied themselves.
I couldn’t help but smirk at the entire sight.
Idiot Agor. Without the genetic information of Demon Realm plants or the ability to synthesize Demon Realm animals, what hope did he have of reclaiming devastated land?
A broken and destroyed ecosystem would never return. It could only be utilized by us.
“How soon do you think they’ll attack?”
“The sooner, the better.”
With her tendencies altered along with her body, Syla yearned for battle even in this moment.
I didn’t intend to prolong this. While lords might not get along, the possibility of them uniting in response to our presence is certainly real.
“Let’s start causing chaos.”
The first plan was reconnaissance. To test how the new enemies would begin their counter-attack.
[Many troops that were in hibernation are now moving.]
After the occupation, most combat troops, except for those tasked with eliminating remaining survivors, had been placed into hibernation.
Now, their hibernation ended as they all became active. The goal was to stir trouble in the borderlands.
Though not at full strength, our remaining forces still numbered into the tens of thousands.
The mere hint of movement already triggered reactions from the already tense enemies.
“With a direct probing attack, they’ll definitely react in some way. We can adjust accordingly.”
“Unlike the enemies who must consolidate countless heads into unified decisions to wield their strength, we share everything and move as one. Even if the sky splits in two, they can never keep up with us.”
As Syla pointed out, we outclassed the enemies in judgment and reflexes. All the will and consciousness controlling this massive army is solely mine; Syla and Rozalyn are merely extensions of me.
Even if we grew dozens or hundreds of times larger, that would remain unchanged. Even operating units within a computer pales in comparison to our current level of command.
We’ve already surpassed limitations in command.
*
“No, it’s them! Real demons are coming!”
“Not yet!?”
The territories bordering our conquest were shocked by the appearance of countless hostile soldiers on the frontier.
They had assumed, based on our nest-building and expansion strategies, that we’d need more time to stabilize the recently occupied lands after wiping out the previous lords and inhabitants.
However, the Queen didn’t give them that time. While expanding the nests internally, she immediately launched an assault on the remaining forces.
“Did I not say it? They’re nothing but beasts rushing forward recklessly!”
Lord Morta of the Lizardmen, who had fled with his territory abandoned, shouted to the panicking crowd.
While urging the others to be prepared for full strength defense due to the unpredictable nature of the enemy’s arrival,
“Enough noise. I’ll inform the Lord of this news, so from now, everyone here needs to prepare for battle. No exceptions.”
The Orc Chieftain, in charge of fortress defense, silenced those panicking with a stern look.
There were more refugees in this fortress than stationed soldiers. All had fled from territories conquered by the Legion, including Morta.
But refugees had no rights. They were escapees, surviving by running away.
Even Morta, once a Lord, gained little respect in the Demon Realm after abandoning his land and people to run for his life.
“Let’s see if all this fuss is real or not.”
The Orc Chieftain armed and forced the panicked refugees to the front lines while steeling his face.
Through the refugees, he had heard countless tales of the Legion. However, facing them directly was new.
He didn’t fully trust the exaggerated and fear-laden testimonies of the refugees.
He planned to personally lead his chosen elite soldiers into battle to verify everything himself.
“That’s…”
But when the Orc Chieftain and his men, who had armed themselves and taken positions, saw the distant, massive enemy army, even they were taken aback.
Even from afar, massive beasts prepared at the forefront for a charge, and in the skies, many enormous creatures hovered, ready to unleash roaring energy at any moment.
Even veteran warriors accustomed to estate battles and monster hunting had never seen such a sight.
“Big ones too!”
“It’s the Bomb焰鬼 who annihilated the Gargoyles!”
Meanwhile, those who had already faced the creatures in fierce battles and suffered defeat trembled with fear.
Such fear did not escape the collective consciousness, who could see everything through the soldiers’ eyes.
“Good.”
The Queen twisted her lips into a satisfied smile as she observed her own soldiers alongside the terrified enemies.
Overpowering one’s opponent through sheer intimidation was an important principle she had honed through countless experiences.
