Just after an hour, the army was already formed. Outside the city, my blessed demi-humans and monsters are forming. From monsters that I took from the outer border of monster zone to the goblin kind that I took from my previous cave. It was a lot of fun to see this kind of number.
Others are not composed. After all, they are all excited because we will invade another land. What a maniac for war.
"My Lord, we are prepared. Should we begin the march?"
Rayas approached me from my seat. I was just behind the formation and could see the entire army.And what can I say about it? Rayas really did a great job of training them.
"Before that Rayas. I would like to praise you for the successful unification of different races."
"No, My Lord. I don't deserve your compliments."
I almost laugh at Rayas' reaction. Who would have guessed that this tiger kin was once a thickhead who oppressed other kinds.
"Rayas. You can't be too humble, huh? Okay! Start the march."
This is really a coward's invasion. If I think a war should be, there is still declaration needed. But I am a monster. I can't think of any declarations.
What will humans do? Will they foolishly use their stupidness to attack my founding nation? I hope they're not that stupid.
The march has started and my followers from human race are waving at us. They have really got close to each other. Or was it that they were just afraid of me? Nonetheless, I don't care.
We only took an hour to get from the woods to the plains. This town is really what you call a downgrade from a proper city. The defense is weak and their walls are deteriorating.
From my perspective, I could say that the city of Rena invaded, and compared to this town, there is just a 10% difference. There's nothing special about Rena's invaded city, it's just that the city was located on top of a flattened hill.
I cracked my bones as I stretched and stood up from the seat that my servant monster was carrying. Call it a lazy act, but I need to recover the MP I used for flying.
"Men! Don't kill those who don't want to fight. Kill those who wish to oppose us."
My order was distributed throughout the army, and I received a response to the war cry. Good. I can't dare to fix human society by killing those who are innocent.
From afar, I can see that there is an army of humans forming.
"Hoh... so they also anticipated this? Or are they just waiting for us?" I made a remark and a smirk appeared on my young face.
"My Lord, I believe that they are special knights from the capital."
Special knights? Now that I've observe them again, I can say that their equipment is exceptional. The armors were smithed as well as the stature of this men are also great. I believe there are approximately 5000 people in total.
"Hahaha. How can they accommodate that huge number of people in a small town?"
"I don't think that they are accommodating that much, My Lord. Look, there's scaffolding and construction."
Oh right. I think I should forget about my INT stats. Rayas is an expert at observing, isn't he?Or did I just assume things? It's not great.
I let out a grin in delight and commanded my men.
"Left flank, prepare for combat. Main force, prepare to assist them."
I can't underestimate my enemy. After all, they appear tough, and I can't take my man back to a retreat either. And also, if I was just to attack by myself, it would spoil the fun for my men.
The goblin army started moving. Even though I am deceptive with numbers, if my plans work, we may be able to win this war.
The main force: tiger kin who have transformed into Beast Form and are assisting on the frontlines.
The war started and clashing sounds started to surround the terrain.
***
[The Human Side]
There are some who grin, but there are also those who are concerned. After hearing that the fortress city had been invaded by monsters and demi-humans, they intended to use the nearest city as their new fortress.
Despite humans' plans, they still can't believe that the other side has a formidable force.
The monster army, and especially the monster zone's tamed monsters.
"These are hideous creatures. I can't believe that they defeated Sir Bernard. I bet they used some underhanded tricks." One of the knights made a remark about it.
"Tsk! And now we even need to act. How could the Golden Pheonix Order be used as a shield from monsters?! Can't they use those weak soldiers?"
"Oy! Shut up! The monsters are moving!"
As soon as the war started, war cries filled the entire land. From the back lines up to the front lines, every one was screaming their cries.
At the back of the formation, inside the city, there was a noble-looking fat male. The man, who has blonde hair and stands 160 cm tall, still appears to be in his thirties.
He stood up from his seat and shouted out his complaints. "Can't you just finish it already? Use the Artifact! Idiots!" The people inside were agitated after hearing a loud exclamation.
"Young Sir Santino, please come down. Even though you are the acting commander of the order, please observe your behavior." A remark made by one of the older-looking veteran knights.
Despite this remark, the young noble was pissed off at the words of the knight. He then threw his glass into the knight and then exclaimed more. "You dare! Men! Arrest this idiot!"
But no one listened to his words. As a result, he was taken aback, and he had a surprised expression on his face.
"Wha-! What are you doing?! If my father discovers this, I'm sure your family will die until the next generations!"
However, the veteran knight only released a snicker. It was more like mock and insult to the foolish young noble.
"Your father would never do something like that. Do you know why? Because he sent you here to get rid of you. Pft. There's no way that our kingdom can defeat that monster. His calling himself a demon lord. Even if we believe his words are just for show, there hasn't a demon lord been defeated before."
The young noble's eyes widened as he heard the words of the veteran knight. He noticed the bitter face that the knight was making while wiping his face.
He then recalls all of the treatment inside their house.
Deemed as trash, he thought that his father was his only ally. He mesmerized his self with his father's preachments.
After a while of thinking, he came back to reality and fell into his seat and smiled bitterly.
"My father wasn't that supportive of me, after all. I assumed he was referring to my potential."
'It was to dispose of me... Because he was not my real father, but my foster father, only the second husband of my mother.'
A forgotten memory came back to his head when he was still a child, sneaking out into the night. But he heard his mother's plan to kill his real father.
"It was all for money. He wanted to steal my assets after murdering my real father."
The young noble was left in silence. He surrendered himself to despair as he walked out of the camp.
"Prepare the Artifact, and give it to the monsters."
At that words, the people around him was startled.
"There's no way I am going to obey those words! Are you thinking of betraying the country, young Sir Santino?"
The young noble just laughed in an awkward tone. "Then go back to the capital and spread what you heard. Tell them that the Santino Noble Family is to blame for this town's demise."
***
The tide of the war was turned by Lucifarge's men with their monstrous strength. The Special Knights were fleeing to save their lives, but the monsters' instincts told them to hunt down and kill the fleeing knights.
A grin emerged from Lucifarge's face as he dismounted from his seat. He took a tall jump and landed in the middle of the battlefield.
"This is getting boring. I want to finish this as soon as possible." He muttered as he picked up one of the swords from a human knight's corpse.
The sword reflected the sun's setting light. Lucifarge turned to the west to see the sun setting and hiding behind the mountain. The orange color of the light reached his eyes as he turned back to the battlefield.
He then saw the corpses of his men and his enemies. The majority of those killed were human knights, but his goblin army also suffered casualties.
"What a drag." He tiredly uttered before rushing to the wave of human knights.
"Move! I want to see your boss!" He exclaimed as soon as he started running.
"Heek!" The knights were startled and fled to the side to avoid the demonic-looking human boy.
The rattling sound of the knights' armor reached Lucifarge's ears as he passed through the wave.
After a few seconds, he reached the barracks of the knights and saw a young adult, fat human male crying on his knee. The male has extravagant clothes which Lucifarge assumes as the noble of the knights.
He approached it and kicked the crying man.
"What are you doing?" He inquired, but the man ignored him.
Only a second of sobbing reached his ears, making him irritated by the volume of sniffs and sobs.
"Hoy! I am asking you! What are you doing?!"
The man fell silent and turned to face the boy who had just kicked him.
'Fuck off. What's a kid doing in the barracks.'
"You don't have any business with me. I want to wait for the monster to ask him for a favor."
As the man's words piqued Lucifarge's interest, he raised his left brow.
"Then what will you ask him?"
The human man cleared his throat and wiped his wet face and started to talk.
"I want him to kill every man who only loves to extort money. I want him to kill my family! Especially Victor, who stole my family's surname!"
Lucifarge smirked as he released his monstrous aura.
"Were you waiting for me? You don't need to ask that. I am obliged to exterminate them after all."
"You! You are the rumored goblin king who wants to become a demon lord?"
Lucifarge chuckled. "You're right. But I still can't evolve into one."
***
The invasion was a success. We even got a haul. Thank goodness that they are not that strong. Hah...
I am still not sure of the strength of the human side. That's why I am attacking them so slowly. I still want my plan to be perfect and killing monsters would be futile to level up. Before realizing, maybe I destroy the ecosystem and its balance. I don't want that to happen.
I can't really see the future, but it is good to be careful. We don't know when that interruptor will move again.
I stretched my bones and faced Rayas who was ordering the other tiger kins.
"Rayas."
"Yes, My Lord!"
"Can you clear first the open field? I want to establish the Gate there."
"Yes, My Lord!"
If what I am doing right now, it would look like I am lazing off, but of course I am mentally tired 3 restless days.
The sun finally set and torches and campfires emerged as a light in the darkness.
I took out a fragment of the dungeon core and looked at it.
[Hanzel, do you want to do it now?]
'Yeah. I already slit my hand. I want to sleep now. This body has less energy than my previous one.'
Tema finally moved a skill into the fragment of dungeon core.
'Hah... This is going crazy. Can I take a leave? This reincarnation is becoming too exhausting for me. My mental energy is completely depleted.'
[Haha. Hanzel, you're even making a joke right now. Of course, you can. Leave half of the work to your Heavenly Demon General.]
'To Rena? Yeah... Maybe... Tomorrow, I will visit that beauty.'
[Oh. You called her beauty? Perhaps you want to take her as your wife?]
I almost disgust at that words of Tema. Just how did she thought that? This stupid system even dares to think like a human.
'What are you talking about? Of course, she is a beauty, but it doesn't mean I am attracted to her. Straight your thoughts.'
[Yeah. Yeah. I forgot you were a virgin in your past life.]
'What! Stop that!'
[Okay. Okay. Haha. Just make the mood light.]
I let out a sigh and headed back to the barracks. I want to take my rest seriously. The work is never ending.
***
The morning sun rose and met me. I was currently activating the dungeon core in front of the Gate of the town.
I have a new idea. We can't waste that land in Rena's invaded city. We must take evey land we can take for.
The Gate activated. As soon as it opened, the other side of the Gate opened too.
"Tema, what do you think is the best name for this town?"
[I don't know Hanzel. But if you want a suggestion, I have one. Yowai. What do you think?]
"Hm... I can see what you wanted to call this weak town. Then let's combine yours and mine. Let's call it Hinayowai."
[I see... A combination of both weak meanings. Just how do you want to degrade this town?]
"Hm... I don't have really. You started it first after all."
[Haha. Sorry.]
I guess I will have to fly right away. I didn't even have breakfast, and I thought I would go eat at Rena's place.
"My Lord. Are you leaving already?" I heard Rayas as he approached me from the gate.
"Yes. I should probably ask for Rena's help. And also discuss her our next plan."
"I see. I will surely do my job."
"Okay. But first, hunt some meat. We will have a banquet later." I ordered him as I levitated into the air.
"Yes! My Lord!"
I started moving at a fast speed in the direction of Rena's City. I wonder what that city's name is. Shall we also name it?
'Tema, what do you think of Rena's city?'
[Why? Are you really that eager to marry Rena?]
"Of course not, dumbass. I just want to name it."
[Better ask her, not me. It is her city in the first place.]
Ah! That was stupid of me. I just thought about everything and made a decision.
'You're right.'
After an hour, I reached Rena's place and landed in the open arena where the Gate was already opened.
They were clearly perplexed.As soon as I landed, they looked at me with an awed feeling.
"Si- Your Majesty." I saw Olivia approaching me.
I smiled at her and told her the news I brought. "I successfully invaded a land. Later, we will welcome you to our family."
After I said the news to Olivia, Rena soon greeted me. She was dressed in a red sheath dress that came all the way down to her calves. Furthermore, it was designed with glitter that reflects sunlight.
She looks more beautiful wearing that dress. I almost forgot that I had something to tell her. Her outfit was just mesmerizing as it really suited her aura, and that made her look like a cold beauty.
She smiled as she stepped down the stairs, reaching the arena. "Welcome, Your Majesty."
This... It really confused me. Just why do they call me majesty. Not like I don't have an idea, it's an adress to a monarch but... does that mean they are recognizing me as their king?
"What's with 'Your Majesty', Rena? As far as I know, I have yet to become a king or a royal."I stated as soon as she got near to me, enough to reach my words to her ears.
"Seriously? You still don't see yourself as a king? Now that you have established a relationship with a monarch of a race, isn't it suitable that my master should be higher or equal of me?"
I reflected on what she had said. Maybe it's a good idea to declare myself king, but I'd rather have people recognize me than declare myself king.
If I become a king, it's not like I'll stop calling myself a Demon Lord. The Demon Lord in this world is a race, not a position, so I was experimenting with triggering the condition.
Even though I am still level 1 in this body, should I evolve if I achieve a condition instead of just a level?
It's not bad... Then, I should announce myself as a king to spread my governance. In fact, I can keep leveling up and triggering more conditions favorable to evolution or skill.
It's a pain in the ass that I don't know the conditions. This is a guessing game rather than a strategic one. I still lacks information.
'Tema, isn't there another choice to learn my future evolution? Not just leveling? It's keeps me bothered that an evolution after reaching a cap is unknown. It would be bad if I evolve into something unlikely.'
[Don't worry, Hanzel. System Motherboard didn't limited you time. You can use your time at your own pace.]
I see... It seems that I was more pressured as soon as I recalled my memories. It wouldn't be bad if I did it at my own pace.
"Okay, I get it. I will discuss this with my people. But first, should you invite me for a meal? I came here in an early time so that we can have more time to discuss."
"Haha. Sorry, then let's go."
"By the way, your dress suit on you well. Was it weaved by your children?"
My words are pure honesty. I think this item needs to be complimented.
"Hm... Yes it is. Thank you for the compliment."
I just winked, making a smug face.
***
After having a meal, we started to discuss some matters. Importantly, this idea of mine is to make this land into a colony.
"Rena, should we make this a colony? Let's just exchange people to help you build this land into something fortress type."
"That's a nice idea. "Thank you for that suggestion; I really don't know what to do about government."
"You probably put too much faith in me." I made a troubling remark. It's just too fast for her to trust me that much. Especially touching her ways of governing.
"What are you talking about? My properties, Your Majesty, are now yours. There's no need to be bothered."
"I see. You may be right. So, first and foremost, let's fill all of the open positions. Since you killed all the nobles, your land is devoid of officials. We can't let those who are not knowledgeable handle the papers. I'll give you the nobles I have; all you have to do is take their hearts. I don't care if you hypnotize them, they're rotten to the core after all."
That was the first reason I didn't kill them: I wanted to learn about politics and society from them. I can take their bodies, or use them as disguise, but of course, there's no thrill that. I still search for thrills after all.
Why did I not choose a body from the fortress? It was because I want a body that suffered in Florans Kingdom to know what is the neglected side of the kingdom.
"All right. You will still become the leader of this land. Nurture it, then let's continue our prior plan of infiltrating human society. I have many nobles at my disposal. I can use their bodies so that we can easily build a background."
Rena's eyes widened at what I said. Does she know little about me? Oh right. I haven't even talked about my life with her. Maybe we should get familiar first. Our similar interests simply bind us together.
"Hahaha. Sorry. We haven't talk about ourselves. So let's become familiar with each other first."
We started talking about our lives. Apparently, she has an Arachne form, but she uses her human form most of the time to reduce the space she takes up.
We became more acquainted, getting close to each other's secrets. I talked to her about my life as a goblin, and how I had this human body.
Then, because the majority of our lives had been mentioned, we came to an end of our conversation.
"I'll take your words. I will go to your place for the banquet and our ceremonies." I smiled at her words. She is extremely trustworthy.
"Yeah... I will announce my coronation and establish my land as a nation."
"That's good. Let's have more fun, Your Majesty. I can't be bothered by the nobility of humans. "Let's fix it, as your great mother tasks you."
Following that, I converted the skills into a two-way gate to become more convinient. Since they will not leave this land and make it into our colony, we just have to exchange talents to build a strong nation.