Ever since Lucas had activated his magic he had been quite busy. When he wasn't training his new tricks and abilities, he was either reading up in the library about the nation or having discussions with Diablo.
Over the past few days the old demon lord had really grown on him. He was quite a nice chum. They often discussed politics and strategy and ended up astonishing each other of how despicable schemes could possibly get. Personally, Lucas felt he had learnt a lot, the demon lord had a lot more experience than him. It was like a whole new world of sordidness and shamelessness was opened up to him. It was beautiful.
He also learnt a lot about the world. The world divide into the two realms. Diablo wanted to unite with the humans as soon as possible because of a new threat. What exactly was the threat, Lucas wasn't told yet.
Lilith also dropped by from time to time trying to learn more about him and testing his capabilities in various ways.
"A Demon lord has to be ready for assassination attempts at all times! I will help you train! Don't worry I will hold back." she had declared as soon as Lucas had completed his basic magic training. Lucas knew he couldn't afford to underestimate this Lady of darkness. with her cloak of darkness and dagger of light, she was an extremely terrifying assassin.
So when Lilith jumped out of the darkness stabbing straight at his heart. He was prepared and he didn't move at all....
Lilith passed through him.
It was just an illusion made of refracted light, the real Lucas wasn't even there. He stepped out of a nearby shadow and pointed a revolver at her.
"Yes! I survived the assassination!" he exclaimed in glee that was in odd dissonance to his actions.
Lilith soon recovered and smiled equally gleefully. "Congratulations! You passed!"
"So are you going to leave for the operation?"
"Yes, You will come with me right!"
"Of course, How could I leave you alone. I have to keep you safe and keep testing you too!" Lilith humphed and replied.
Lucas was planning to go undercover into the realm. Until he had seen the situation of the nation from ground zero, he wouldn't be able to make the right decisions when and if he succeeded the Demon lord.
----
"So, you wanna say something to me before I leave old man?"
"Not really, just wanted to say bye."
"You seem awfully happy"
"Yeah, you seem promising I can finally get rid of this stupid throne and become free!"
"Free?"
"Yes, though being the demon lord gives me power, there are also a lot of rules and responsibilities. It was fun while it lasted, now I want freedom."
"So, what will you do after retirement?"
"I dunno, tour the realms. There quite a few stunning sights hidden there. Perhaps go and visit the merpeople. I heard they were quite a seclusive bunch. Perhaps if the technology develops, an interdimensional world-hopping tour would be really swell."
"Tch! What kind of useless Demon lord you are. Ever so ready to throw away the throne and run around like a little kid"
The demon lord laughed sheepishly which was quite an amusing sight to see, at least for Lucas I am not talking about normal people here.
"I have gotten old. Just remember to that you can't abandon power nor freedom. Use your power to protect your freedom."
He paused for a minute as if hesitating, but finally said
"If possible don't take others' freedom to protect your power either"
Quite uncharacteristic for a Demon Lord, but Lucas understood what the demon lord meant. If the anarchists hadn't been so overbearing and merciless in their previous world they would have been worshiped by the people instead of being treated as terrorists.
Lucas knew that he had gone too far last time. So he was determined to find out why and where he went wrong, so that the next time the anarchists rose they would be welcomed and not hated.
Keeping an open mind was thus essential.
"I will try to avoid it."
The demon king smiled relieved then as he thought of something smiled viciously.
"Of course none of that applies when dealing with scum. You know better than me how those disgusting hypocrites are to be dealt with."
"Of course old man. None of them will be spared."
Yes, this trip also had another purpose. It was to purge the demon nation from the inside to prepare for their integration with the human realm.
Diablo told Lucas of his plans for surrender and how he hoped Lucas to eventually be able to take over the combined nation that ruled both demons and humans alike. This was a Trojan horse, if they cannot defeat the enemy, just join them and take over. After all the main reasons for the demons to attack were scarce resources, and not irreconcilable differences.
---
"So are you ready to leave?"
"Yes. What are we going to use as identities."
"Beastmen mercenaries."
"Isn't that too predictable?"
"Yes, but there is nothing anyone can do about it."
"That's right."
Unlike the Human and Demon nations, the beastmen didn't have any countries. Evolved from animals they still had their instinctive distrust towards each other. They had small settlements here and there and the Lion king did represent their species but thats all.
Other races like the merpeople and elves had rarely been seen since the war started. They were mostly seclusive tribes and occasionally traveled for trade purposes.
-----
Somewhere in the demon nation in a mercenary camp.
"So who is the new rookie?" A tall member of the bear clan and clearly the squad captain inquired.
"Yes sir, he is someone from the snake clan." the vice captain, a member of the fox clan reported.
"Elements?"
"Pure fire and metal of the earth series."
"Is he a blacksmith?"
"No sir he claims to be a 'demolition expert'"
"What's that supposed to be"
"He blows stuff up! Like the exploding fireball spell but in a whole bigger scale"
"What name did he give"
"Vincent sir."
....
"Vincent Crepitus."
"Say the whole name in one go, who are you trying to build suspense for here."
Clearly feeling wronged the vice-captain still admitted his fault.
"Yes sir, will keep that in mind.'
"Is there any news of the other mercenary camps?"
"Yes sir! Among the Big Five other than us two other camps have also accepted new rookies."
"So many rookies at once! It seems that the times are getting even more dangerous."
"A storm seems to be brewing!" the vice-captain declared in a grave tone.
"Will you quit it with all the drama!" the captain retorted.
'Who the heck just said that the times were getting even more dangerous! Asshole!'
"Sorry sir!"
---