I flew through the night sky with some succubus that carried shapeshifters or mares.
Since I'm focused on training my subordinates, I'm only deploying a few succubi to scout the surroundings of the base. So, it's natural that something is missed.
Well, sometimes I think, am I ready to face war? My manpower is limited, even though I have a lot of wealth.
I've tried to hire mercenaries, but they turned me down. They don't want to side with the demons. Or maybe they still think that I and my subordinates are mere bullshit.
"But who are the fools who come to our place?" Emily squeaked in my arm.
"Is this what the shapeshifters reported, my lord?" Xenora lined me up. "That some people who support you are secretly organizing something?"
"Maybe." I shrugged. "But until now, I don't really know what they're doing either."
Well, I'm also short on shapeshifters. So, I asked them to focus on propaganda to increase worshippers. That's why they are a bit lacking in getting information.
"Looks." Xenora pointed at several torchlights in the middle of the forest.
"Let's go!" I signaled to my subordinates. "Follow me!"
We dived into the forest and landed before a group of humans. They were walking alongside a carriage drawn by two horses.
They knelt and bowed down as soon as they saw me. One of them, a woman with short blonde hair, spoke. "We are very honored that you would come to us in person, lord Vorn!"
I narrowed my eyes, observing her. She's a bit familiar to me. "Have I ever met you?"
She lifted her face and looked at me with teary eyes. "I'm Robyn, Your Honor. You saved me once when I was about to be sold to slavery in Marystar city. I came with the other victims."
Ah, I remember. Her hair was still long at that time. " But, I don't remember the people we helped back then being this many."
"They are your loyal followers from other places too. Little by little, we are forming this group, my lord."
Emily approached a man with short hair and a medium build. "Finn? Is that you?"
"My friend in another city happened to be in this group." He replied with a smile. "I joined at the last minute."
The undead supreme chin dropped, indicating she couldn't believe her eyes. "I don't understand. Basically, I killed your fiancé. Why did you come to this place? Didn't you know I was here?"
The whispers of the humans began to fill the air. Apparently, they also just found out that fact.
Finn glanced at me and widened his smile. "I came here not because of you, lady Emily but because of the influence of lord Vorn. Sir Ritor accompanied me to meet my late fiancé. And you also freed her because of the influence of lord Vorn, right, lady Emily?"
The supreme undead could no longer speak.
"We have also brought gifts for you, Lord Vorn." Robyn pointed to the large package on top of the carriage that came with them. "This is to prove our loyalty."
"One question." I knelt before that woman, making her body tremble, either from fear or surprise. "Why didn't you all tell me about this? You know some of the people who spread my name, right? Didn't you think to ask them? Maybe they could contact me."
I'm referring to the shapeshifters I deploy in several cities.
"From what I've read, you will kill anyone who wants to join but doesn't ask you right away." Robyn looked even more tense. "Humans who want to join must struggle first to meet you. They can't ask your subordinates for help. That's strictly forbidden."
"Huh?" I frowned. "I never said that."
"I've read something like that in an old version of the holy book. Many parts are omitted from the holy book of today." Emily explained. "In the past, Vorn liked to play with humans. He will make humans overcome various deadly obstacles just to meet him."
"I see. So, that's why." I stood up and flashed a smile. "Welcome to my base, then. I'll take you there."
The humans smiled almost simultaneously as if they had just acquired the most precious treasure in the world.
I turned around and then whispered to Xenora and Emily. "Keep an eye on them."
***
Ritor frowned to find Finn in the base.
"Who are you? Why are you waving at me?" The minotaur asked.
Finn spread his arms. "It's me, Finn! How could you forget me!? We've explored the undead cave before!"
Ritor folded his arms across his chest and scratched his head with one finger. He seemed to have a hard time remembering that moment. "Why the fuck are you here?"
Finn glanced at Lana, who continued to hold the minotaur's hand. "Well, why not? Aren't we friends?"
"From now on, they're our comrades, Ritor." I chuckled at the ironic sight. Long ago, the minotaur general was eager to destroy humans. But, now, he was close to them.
A low thud echoed as two minotaur soldiers lowered that human gift to one side of the base.
"We hope this is to your liking, my lord," Robyn's voice is so stiff, a sign that she's nervous. "We took the initiative to make this after hearing the story of a religious leader. He said that you have no place to sit... Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."
Ah, that must be Jude from Silkdale.
I pulled the black cloth from it and couldn't help but smile. It was a large black throne with carvings in the shape of crow's feathers. In addition, this seat is also decorated with transparent red shiny stones that are shaped like horns of various sizes.
It's beautiful but still terrifying.
The atmosphere became silent as I rubbed the soft chair. And when I sat on it, I felt surprisingly comfortable, even though it was hard.
If there wasn't anyone, I might jump for joy. But I held back my excitement so I wouldn't look childish in front of the humans and my subordinates.
"So..." I looked at those humans. "I really appreciate this. However, you guys didn't just come here with this and an oath of allegiance, did you?"
The humans exchanged glances, but Robyn stepped forward and spoke again. "We're here to serve you too, my lord. Most of us can fight. Others don't, including me. But we would be willing to do anything for you."
Sorry, Robyn. Maybe you think I will use you to satisfy me. However, I'm not interested in you.
"For those of you who can fight." I leaned forward. "Soon, we will be at war. Are you guys ready to die for me?"
"We are ready, Lord Vorn!!!" They answered without showing any hesitation at all.
I glanced at Emily, who immediately frowned.
"If you die, are you willing to be resurrected as undead to fight again? You will have no consciousness anymore, and I will use your bodies until they are completely destroyed."
They looked at each other and whispered. But there was one man who shouted. "I am ready, lord Vorn!!! You have temporarily resurrected my late wife to give me closure! So, a sacrifice like this is nothing compared to what you gave me!"
All the humans fell silent again. However, they followed that man one by one, shouting to show their loyalty.
After that, Robyn put on a big smile. "They're ready to take the risk, your majesty."
I leaned my back against my new throne. "Tomorrow, we will depart for the Slivland valley."
Well, at least I get some extra manpower.
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