The one who ruled the Valias graveyard and the adjoining areas was always an undead wielding great power. Though the lord only changed twice since the territory had been established, none of them brought shame to this title.
As undead summoned by one as great as this, it was necessary to refrain from staining their master's prestige, but as majority of them lacked proper intelligence not much was expected from them and neither did they expect much from their master.
The master who summoned them this time was strict but fair in his ruling. He gave rewards and punishments when needed, but never played favourites. He was rather conservative for a ruler but never backed down from an opportunity. That was why when he received confirmed intel that the dragon inhibiting the forest couldn't fight anymore, he immediately prepared to invade.
Those among the undead with a decent amount of intelligence realized how fortunate they were and were eager to accumulate achievements and experience to evolve, but all of their dreams were crushed before the invasion truly began.
Even those who knew the most were only aware that a strong human that didn't smell like a human and his comrades, had stopped their plans. For a time it was believed that they would try again, but that never happened.
Instead, around ten years later, the one who had stopped them became their new master.
When the elite among them were called to the throne room, none thought much about it. It was a rare event, but that was all.
However, any with the tiniest amount of cognitive ability was surprised by the reveal of a new master. So far the masters of this castle had gained the position through an appointment by a superior member of the skeleton faction, making this the first time the master had changed through a battle. But they didn't care about that, they only wondered what their afterlives would be like under this new master.
The undead would be worked up whenever a living being appeared, but the new master had a unique aura that even their primal instincts couldn't defy.
As he swaggered towards the throne, the new master seemed carefree yet hid a strong desire for order. This was proven when he executed Farrow without a second thought because of his rudeness.
Not a single one of them were discomforted by Farrow's death, nor were any of them planning on leaving. For undead like them being used by their master, no matter who they may be, was their duty.
...
Many years later, when their master's name had been spread far and wide, some of the undead who had managed to climb the ladder of evolution and stayed under his honourable command, were interviewed by demons seeking to make an article about his life story.
When asked about its first impression, one lich gave this response.
"Ah, the time I first met the Great Lord. I believe it was a dazzling night like this one. The moonlight focused on him like a spotlight and we all watched our new master assume his rightful place on the throne."
"Hmm, how did you feel when the one who was your previous master stepped down so suddenly?"
"Nothing much really, I was only focused on taking orders and carrying them out. Even when I saw it happen, that didn't change."
"Saw what happen?"
"You know the story about that insolent lich."
"Oh, that one! So you mean to say that you weren't flustered by his sudden death."
"No, my loyalty wouldn't be shaken so easily. I couldn't have predicted that that night would be the night that our fates changed. Few of my comrades from those days still exist, but I'm sure all of them were grateful to the Great Lord for being our master."
When asked about what he thought about his master as a person and as a leader, a death knight had this opinion.
"The Great Lord didn't like to put on airs so a few of us were lucky to talk to him while we were working and even got praised. It was a strange feeling at first since we were just doing as we were told, but the Great Lord was the type of master who could inspire us to risk our lives for him even without any orders or directives."
"I see, as expected of ******. What a great man!"
"Mhmm, however back then the Great Lord wasn't perfect. There were still things that gave him trouble on a personal level."
"Oh? For example?"
"Well, as you should know, the Great Lord and ****** were close during those times when the Chaotic Rebellion first began, and it was quite the sight."
"Oh, continue."
"In those days though the Great Lord tried his hardest, he couldn't always pretend to be unaffected by the charm of ******. In fact it was enough for even undead like us to sometimes cringe from secondhand embarrassment."
"Hoh? Could you tell me more?"
Many embarrassing tales were exposed by this death knight, but it was said that both the death knight and the ones who heard these tales had that section of their memories erased.
Moving on, there was also a strange variant of the demon fox tribe who answered the question of what were the greatest strengths of ******.
"Greatest strengths? Of course there are a lot. Dear Master is a master in both magic and martial arts, he's smart and knowledgeable, he can read through his enemy's moves. There's simply nothing that my dear master can't do!"
"Yes, I'm sure. But if you were to pick one thing ****** excels at particularly, what would it be?"
"Hmm, that's a hard one... Oh, I know! His petting! When Dear Master pets me it feels so good, I'm sure no one can pet better than him!"
The interviewer didn't see much value in this response but after being published there was a rise in those holding the desire to have ****** pat them.
Next was a young drow woman with short silver hair. She was spoken highly of by those close to ******, so the moment the interviewer spotted her he immediately tried his best to get at least one response from her.
"A biography for ******, I see that's you."
"I'm honoured that a demon of your stature has heard of me."
"Mmm, and your question?"
"Ah yes, how would you describe ******'s romantic relationships?"
"...Are you really asking me that question?"
"Well, the readers have been wanting something along these lines. And I'm sure you know the rumours concerning ****** affairs with women."
"I suppose. It is Master's fault for not making things clear with them. He's unbelievably busy whenever he's awake but I think he just doesn't see much importance in these things."
"I see, so ****** is a man more concerned over his people rather than his personal life. As expected of the Demonic One."
"...Mhmm, sure."
"Oh, this won't be in the article but, does ****** happen to have a favourite-"
"Kai! Why did you leave me behind?"
Interrupting the interviewer and the drow woman was a three-eyed demon, also known as a high beholder. She had a friendly and cute appearance as well as a chest that shook with each step, but the moment he saw her the interviewer hurriedly made his escape.
Since she was aware of the inside story, the drow woman only chuckled, but her friend seemed confused.
"Who was that?"
"Just a fan. Let's go."