"M-my soul?"
Dah replied simply, "Yes"
"I've already killed for you…"
"You didn't kill for me", stated Dah. "This kill was for yourself"
"Have no fear" he continued, "If you aren't interested you are free to go"
'A lie of course. If she didn't agree to this then he would have to take her soul in exchange for the loss of taking the leaders life whom he allowed her to kill'
But if she agreed and gave her soul willingly then it would be far more powerful then taking it by force. This led Dah to believe it was an acceptable risk.
Sora went to speak but Dah interrupted.
"One more thing"
Then allowed his true demon form to re-emerge.
'After all if she couldn't handle his true form then he wouldn't be interested in taking her soul any other way except through force.'
To Sora's credit she barely flinched.
"That's how you're so fast." She stated after a moments deliberation.
"Will I live?"
'Nothing wrong with a strong will to live, in fact that's quite respectable' Dah thought then responded, "You will but under certain conditions."
"I'll explain. If you freely offer your soul to me you will continue living as you are now with the exception that all of your physical abilities will become stronger and your mana will become more plentiful. However you will not be able to defy my orders and if I die then you will as well."
"You will never again have any hope of fitting in with society. You will become an outcast everywhere except in my domain. You will gain a mark of our bond on your left shoulder in the form of the Demon Lords flag that can never be removed. Also when you die your soul will stay with me for eternity."
"Also just so we are clear. I am the Demon Lord and I have plans to conquer the world and control it through bloodshed and fear. I will start my reign of terror on the nearby village."
Sora deliberated then replied with a strong but quiet voice, "This world has never accepted me in the first place. If you will, then my soul I freely offer."
Upon her voicing those words Dah reached out and placed his right hand on her left shoulder. Then took his pointer finger and with the claw pierced her flesh.
From deep within Sora came swirls and a wispy light that only Dah could see. Swirling faster and faster they developed into the shape of a ball then floated towards his chest. The ball of light slowly absorbed into his chest and Sora gave a little sigh.
The ceremony complete she fell exhausted. Dah caught her and examined her in a close light.
'My first soul freely given'
Potentially his last also he thought as he recalled Annabelle's words telling him that very few souls have ever been given freely in the past.
He would have Annabelle return with Sora to the castle. After tonight's victory he knew beyond doubt he would have no problem eliminating the villagers and besides now that Sora had become an asset it would be better to get her in a place she could be cared for as the process of losing ones soul freely given or not is hard on both the body and mind.
Annabelle departed that evening. Promising to drop Sora off and then await his return at the castle. Upon initially seeing Sora though your companion did sneer slightly.
'It shouldn't be a problem that she's a demihuman. Indeed there are some demihumans within our current ranks now.'
Unsure what the issue would be though Dah decided not to ask at this point in time.
Nucleus layed down in an area with moss, Dah joining him spread out a thin bedroll and blanket. Laying down Dah knew that a Demon Lord such as himself didn't need warmth or shelter to survive.
'But this sure doesn't beat sleeping in my castle' Dah pondered.
Even with immense power conquering the world would be no easy feat. If it were too easy then anyone would've done it.
'If it were too easy it wouldn't be fun'
He would have to set up strategy meetings when he got back with the minister and his top generals.
'I never realized this before but there's a lot more to being a Demon Lord then just spreading chaos and fear.'
Dah wanted to spread chaos and fear in a purposeful manner. In a way that allowed his domain to spread and triumph. After all he was the Demon Lord.
Dah closed his eyes suddenly feeling sleepy. He had no worries about tonight Nucleus needing little sleep would keep watch and awake him if needed and together they could handle any foe that this village had to offer.
Drifting off to sleep Dah had a realization
'Tonight was fun, I'm looking forward to tomorrow'
...
Dah woke well before dawn, his joints popping as he began moving.
'Even Demon Lords get stiff'
Nucleus, already awake, was alert and ready for his master. Perhaps instinctively Dah began talking to him about how he had slept. Nucleus of course did not reply. But inclined his head ever so slightly as if he appreciated the sentiment.
Hopping onto Nucleus the pair headed off in the direction of the village. They would get there within minutes thanks to the speed Nucleus provided.
Arriving on the outskirts of the village, although still dark, it was bustling with activity. Its inhabitants were scurrying in all directions. Focusing his hearing he overheard a conversation.
"Those kids still aren't back yet"
"What business did they even have going into the forest at night we've been up for hours looking for them!"
"Those rascal kids, I'm gonna wrong their necks next time I see them" another voice butted in.
The village awake with activity armed with torch's and whatever light weaponry they had apparently have been looking for the youth for the last few hours and were very much awake.
'Well the plan hasn't changed although the execution of the plan will have to'
…