Some shapeshifters gathered in a forest, watching a small village in the distance.
Using the form of an old man with wispy hair, their leader gave a briefing. "Remember, we're only here to make fake news that the lizardmen have been hunting humans again. So, don't kill merchants or adventurers. They are always on the move and will spread the news throughout the country…. Why am I saying this to all of you? You shouldn't forget that since you are shapeshifters."
"You've been hanging out with humans too much." One female shapeshifter commented.
Vorn could have sent out his underlings to spread false information. However, the demon lord wanted solid proof regarding this massacre, so people wouldn't debunk it.
He wanted people to think that the lizardmen deserved to be exterminated. So, their faith in the demon lord doesn't diminish.
"Let's go." The leader changes his form to become bigger, grows a big tail, and makes his skin scaly. He was like a giant lizard but stood on two legs and had arms.
The other shapeshifters followed suit, then raised their respective spears. After that, they ran out of the forest towards the village.
***
"You guys should be proud to be here!!!" Someone's voice echoed aloud on the palace grounds. "You will fight for your homeland, the land that gives life and happiness!!!"
Meanwhile, Fergus was watching it from the window of a tower. He was fascinated with the recruits standing before the person who made the speech.
Those thousands of people clearly didn't want to be here. Some looked down, and some were holding back tears. Young and old, rich and poor, commoners, no exceptions.
And this is just the first batch of recruits. Many more men will be taken from their families to serve as soldiers.
A chuckle escaped Fergus' mouth. Soon, this massive army would be his, and he would use it to destroy the empire of Vorn and then rule the world.
"S-sir Fergus." Olivia, the daughter of the Ashford family who became the maid of the dark magus, whispered. "S-sorry, but I think it's about time you rechecked your research."
"Ah, that's right." Fergus pulled his head from the tower window and started walking. "I can't wait to see what will happen."
Just as the dark magus descended the stairs, he ran into a blonde-haired man who was probably in his late 20s.
"Ah, Prince Alric." Fergus chuckled again. "I've been here for several days, but this is the first time I've met you."
The crown prince of the kingdom of Durcia snorted. "Hey, I want that power-enhancing potion."
Fergus laughed, triggering Alric's further annoyance. The soldiers escorting him pointed their swords at Fergus, but the dark magus paid no heed.
"Are you so desperate to ask directly like that?" Fergus crossed his arms over his chest. "You really want to show that you are worthy to lead this country, huh?"
"Don't talk too much." Alric brought his face closer to the dark magus. "I'm tired of being called a useless prince. I will show my worth to my father and those who doubt me."
"And you ask others for help, not trying on your own?" Fergus shrugged. "At least ask for help politely, kid."
"I'm not a kid anymore!" Alric's face started to turn red with anger. "I am the crown prince of the kingdom of Durcia, Alric George Durciann!!! I am your future king!!!"
Fergus held out his hand at the prince. Alric immediately held his neck, his eyes widened, and he had difficulty breathing. He looked like he was being strangled by an invisible force.
Just as the prince's guards were about to attack Fergus, the dark magus pointed at them. "Don't even try, or he will die."
The soldiers could only freeze with expressions of fear mixed with rage.
"Don't mess with me, kid. I don't care about your status." Fergus hissed. "For now, I will spare your life, but don't let you cross the line any more than this, or you will die a painful death."
Fergus was reluctant to admit it, but he had to be on the side of king Durcia for a while. Currently, he couldn't gather many people into his army. He had no other choice.
However, when the time came, he would do something about it.
Fergus removed his stranglehold from Alric's neck. The prince fell down while coughing violently.
The dark magus continued walking down the stairs. "Shit, I'm not in the mood to do research. Maybe drinking cold wine while being massaged by the ladies would be fun….. Argh!!!"
He hit the wall, causing a large crack and, at the same time, triggering Olivia to flinch in terror.
The armor he uses does have extraordinary potential. But it will not be able to replace the organic body.
He couldn't taste the things he used to enjoy, even though anything was available in this palace.
"I'm not going to check those super soldier potion specimens! I'll do that later!" He snapped. His steps got quicker. "We're going to the vampire bitch's place instead!"
"V-very well, sir," Olivia answered.
"How is she?"
The maid gulped. "S-she still doesn't want to drink the blood we provide, sir."
The dark magus' two hands clenched tightly. He didn't understand. Why did everything here make him pissed off even more?
? "Force her to drink it! You've seen me force a special potion into her mouth, right!? Just copy me! What's so hard about that!?"
Olivia didn't dare to answer and just lowered her head, continuing to follow her master.
Just as he reached the end of the tower stairs, a soldier ran up to the dark magus.
"What is it?" Fergus snorted. He felt that the information the soldier would convey would make him even more irritated.
"The prisoner who is the subject of your research…." The soldier caught his breath as he bent down and held his knees.
"Hey, answer me! Don't just stay silent like an idiot! I don't have an all day!"
The soldier straightened up. "The subject escaped and went on a rampage, killing many people!!!"
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