"Not bad. He is strong enough to absorb most of the demonic energy."
The demon that Derroth transformed into was a demon species known as horned demons. They are three meters tall bulky demons which specialized in close combat.
They mainly use physical brute strength rather than demonic magic when fighting their enemies.
"I feel so much stronger. My body is filled with strength. Thank you for your blessing great lord."
Derroth knelt down and said respectfully. The other cult members were also filled with devotion and fanaticism. Although they did not become complete demon like Derroth, they still got much stronger than before.
Adrosiean nodded and considered this was enough. With this transformation, these cult members now at least possessed passable combat strength. Moreover, their loyalty towards Adrosiean was further solidify.
"Good. Continue leading Crimson Cross. Rexhell will be your deputy."
Adrosiean ordered. He did not want to waste time personally commanding these Crimson Cross demonic humans.
It was insufficient and a waste of time. He left that duty to Derroth and Rexhell. Since there were no change in leaders, there should not be any problem.
"As you command my lord."
Derroth had no objection. He was the leader of Crimson Cross to begin with. There was no different in anything.
Halivan looked over at Rexhell with envy. Seeing his greatest rival having a position way above him was not a good feeling.
However Halivan did not dare to say anything. How could he possibly complain to a demon lord? He would just be digging his own grave and asking for death.
"It doesn't matter. I will make great contributions and surpass Rexhell. Sooner or later I will take his position."
Halivan thought inwardly with determination.
Adrosiean extended his hand and took out three equipments from his inventory. They were a waraxe, a blood red colored armor and a spell book of demonic magic. All three of them were epic grade equipments.
Adrosiean handed the waraxe and the blood red colored armor to Derroth while giving the demonic magic spell book to Rexhell.
Adrosiean had many legendary grade equipments and items but they would be better with his death knights. Epic items were already too good for someone like Derroth and Rexhell.
Derroth looked at the waraxe and blood armor. They looked too small for his new bulky demon body.
However since it was given by the demon lord, he respectfully accepted them without any hesitation. When the two items touched Derroth's hands, it suddenly grew comparable to his size.
In Rise of the Worlds, there were many species and races that players can choose from. Each species had it's own size and unique appearances.
Thus, there was a function in every equipment items that the size would turn compatible according to the user. If not, there was no way Adrosiean would be able to wear his celestial bracelets.
Derroth was stunned at the sudden growth but but he quickly put on the blood armor and held the waraxe. Rexhell was also excited and wanted to take a look at the demonic magic spell book.
Since this was given by the demon lord himself, Rexhell was certained that the knowledge of demonic magic contained in this spell book might beyond the world. This was extremely valuable to him.
However he held back his excitement since he was at the presence of Adrosiean. It would be extremely rude to open the spell book and read it right in front of a demon lord.
Rexhell took a glance on Halivan's envious look and sneered inwardly. Halivan had been a nuisance to him for quite a long time. But now Rexhell had truly outmatched Halivan.
At this moment, a guard hurriedly came up to them and knelt down in front of Adrosiean.
"Pardon me great lord, we have sighted an army outside the forest. They are currently surrounding the forest. Their objective seem to be us."
The guard reported while panting heavily.
"Is the Crenoth kingdom surrounding us with their army? Do they not afraid that Astenora empire will make use of this?"
Derroth said in surprise. Adrosiean turned his head to him curiously. It seemed that there was definitely some unseen agreements.
"Astenora empire? Tell me more about it."
Adrosiean decided to ask Derroth about it. There was a very low chance Derroth would lie to him. Furthermore even if he lied, Adrosiean would instantly know.
Since Derroth had absorbed Adrosiean's demonic energy, Adrosiean had complete control over him.
Derroth nodded and explained Adrosiean everything he knew about the political struggles between the kingdoms and empires without hiding anything.
Adrosiean carefully listened. These information were deeper secrets that Rexhell did not know of. The political war between the ambitious Astenora empire and the four kingdoms alliance was new for Adrosiean.
According to Derroth, Crimson Cross had obtained some secret support from Astenora empire in the past. Astenora empire intended to make things difficult for the four kingdoms and weaken them before waging war them.
Crimson Cross was just one of the many chess pieces set by Astenora empire to surpass the Crenoth kingdom.
However, who would have thought that a small chess piece would successfully summoned a demon lord and influenced the situation of the whole world.
"My lord, pardon me for intrusion but we have also sighted a division of Astenora empire. They are working together with the Crenoth kingdom's army to surround the forest."
Another guard came over and reported.
"Impossible! Astenora empire is working together with Crenoth kingdom to eliminate us?"
Derroth said in shock and panic. He knew clearly of how bad the relationship between the Crenoth kingdom and Astenora empire were.
According to his understandings, there was zero chance of that two nations working together. It could only mean there were unknown variables he did not aware of.
Derroth was initially frightened at first. If Crenoth kingdom was willing to pay the price to eliminate Crimson Cross once and for all, they would be wiped out.
After all no matter how many cult members in Crimson Cross, they cannot resist the full might of a kingdom.
No matter how weak a kingdom is, a kingdom is still a kingdom. Their foundations cannot be challenged by some demonic cults. If not for the help of Astenora empire, Crimson Cross would never reach the current size.
However, that was only the case in the past. Now even if the main armies of the empires came, Derroth was not afraid not to mention this was only a small division of Astenora empire's army.
The reasons was obvious. It was because the strongest being in the world was with him. With having the most powerful demon lord at his back, Derroth was confident in dealing with the two armies.
"What are your orders, my lord?"
Derroth bowed and asked Adrosiean respectfully. Adrosiean pondered. He thought of a plan and smiled.
"Hmm. Assemble the cult. We will crush both armies head on."
He ordered.
"By your will."
Derroth lowered his head and bowed to Adrosiean before leaving to prepare for the incoming battle.
Adrosiean extended his hand as he activated a skill.
"Demon Portal - Low Tier."
A wide blood red demonic circle with a six pointed star appeared on the ground. The demonic circle illuminated with bright blood red light as a large amount of low level demons came out.
There were more than a thousand of them. They had various appearances and shapes. Some were humanoid while some had monstrous forms. Their fractures were crude and terrifying.
Summoning this numbers of demons was nothing to Adrosiean. But there was a major weakness. All these demons summoned by skills had a time limit.
They could not store in items like the summonrd undeads from the crown of Aryumaya. After the time limit is up, these demons would simply disappear or die.
Thus, Adrosiean preferred undeads summoned from the crown of Aryumaya. Adrosiean only summoned these because he was planning to use them as cannon fodders.
_ _ _ _ _
Outside the forest, at the human alliance army camp, a knight with full plate golden armor stood at the front with his head straight.
His armor was gleaming with radiance. He held a longsword which currently sheathed. It was not a normal sword either.
"Lord Rufardo, we have completely surrounded the forest as you ordered but there is no signs of Crimson Cross."
The general of Crenoth kingdom's army said respectfully to the knight. His tone was filled with admiration and awe. Although he was the general, he still showed great respect to the knight.
"Move in formation. Tighten the encirclement. These demon worshippers had killed many innocent people. They shall not escape from their crimes."
Rufardo said coldly. He was not from Crenoth kingdom nor Astenora empire. He was part of the most powerful knight order in the whole continent. He was none other than a solar knight from Solarstras empire.
In this operation of eliminating Crimson Cross, both Crenoth kingdom's army and Astenora Empire's army were temporarily under the command of Rufardo.