Neil Wooden Hammer was once proud of having led the Giant Demon Tribe through a long and dark night.
As the Grand Chief of the Giant Demons, he considered himself to have dedicated his entire life to the tribe.
But if placed ten years ago, he could never have imagined, even after his death, that he would continue in an endless battle.
It was one night.
The moon was bright with few stars, yet the dark clouds in his heart never dispersed.
He was contemplating where the future of the Giant Demon Tribe would lead.
Should they fight fiercely with those reckless madmen of Tunisia, gambling everything to see if there's a chance to carve a bloody path out?
Or should they choose to compromise, joining two seemingly united but discordant nations to eliminate the poison of the Abyssal Church that lingered on the lands they had lived for generations?
He didn't know.
He truly didn't know how to choose.
If there were a correct answer, there would be no need to consider, as he would just choose correctly.
But the issue is, none of the choices before him were absolutely right; the only thing he could consider was what consequences he could bear.
This left him, already increasingly old, exhausted in both body and mind.
Then, that man came by moonlight.
"Grand Chief, shall we make a deal?"
That night, the man called Mayer, the Dragon of the mortal realm, gazed at him with his glittering golden eyes and said:
"Do you merely wish to retaliate against Tunisia, or do you want to fight for a new tomorrow for the Giant Demon Tribe?"
The Grand Chief unquestionably chose the latter.
Thus, the man said, "Then let's sign a contract and form the Curse Binding Legion! In the name of Louis Charles Julius, I guarantee you and your soldiers will always appear on the battlefield for peacekeeping."
The Grand Chief initially didn't believe, but seeing the sincerity in those eyes once the mask was removed, he eventually chose compromise and made, what he believed to be in his pale and powerless life, the most correct decision:
"If it's to eliminate those who disrupt order, then it doesn't matter, but I have one requirement..."
That requirement, later, became known across the entire continent.
The immortal Curse Binding Legion swept through the Giant Plain, purging the remnants left by the Abyssal Church, while the fearless Giant Troll Suicide Squad shook the world.
Later… he received news from the titular Corps Commander, about the sacrifices of the Giant Demons.
Spanning thousands of years, the Giant Demon Tribe finally welcomed the future they had longed for, establishing their own nation, truly standing tall in the world's forest.
On the day the Giant Demon Empire was established, Louis Corps Commander patted his shoulder and said:
"Come, let's go to a place."
"Where?"
"To the place where your dreams rise."
Neil Wooden Hammer stood dumbfounded, for a moment feeling as if the heart that shouldn't have been beating was wildly pounding again.
The site where the Giant Demon Tribe's court once was, under the leadership of Mayer Commerce Association, had now constructed city buildings in the style of Giant Demons.
Louis stood on the viewing platform of the Giant Demon Empire and said to the last Grand Chief of the Giant Demon Tribe, the first King of Giant Demons, Nuke Long Xiao:
"I made a promise with the former Grand Chief that one day, when seeing the flag of the Giant Demon Empire flying high, I would keep my promise and bring them to see you."
The shadow spread around the viewing platform, cold purple-black soul fire wafting as the Giant Demons emerged from it.
And later…
Later, Neil couldn't remember clearly.
Tears blurred his eyes.
The Prince of the Empire disguised as a top merchant kept the promise, and the Giant Demons would surely give back in kind.
On the night the flag flew high, unknown how many Giant Demons truly surrendered to that human and were willing to struggle for him.
Yes.
Not for that somewhat hollow "world peacekeeping," but for "fulfilling the benefactor's wishes."
Would you say there was not a shred of emotion in Neil's heart?
That is impossible.
But as a Grand Chief, he, for quite a long time, was active on the world stage as a politician.
He wasn't so easily giving up his loyalty.
Following orders and loyalty, that's two different things.
But that Prince perhaps genuinely considered many Giant Demons' feelings and did not choose to use the authority of the Book of the Dead to forcibly conscript them.
—The Grand Chief actually always knew, once they became the Curse Binding Legion, their lives and deaths were not their own.
But, again and again, Louis fulfilled his promise.
He didn't naturally use the Curse Binding Legion as his tool; only when facing the Abyssal Church and even enemies threatening the entire continent did he let them emerge from the Fallen Shadow Nether Realm.
Every battle was a sword swung against the enemies of the world.
Gradually, when the Grand Chief came back to his senses, seeing the Corps Commander who charged the enemy ahead of the Curse Binding Legion, he realized he inadvertently was already following closely behind.
"Perhaps he truly is a suitable leader for us as Corps Commander."
Another day.
He approached and patted his shoulder, saying: "Grand Chief, tomorrow, we're going to do something."
He said: "What is it?"
"A big thing, go see the most demon-afflicted land on the continent."
"Where is it?"
"Beneath our feet."
"Tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow!"
So he began rallying, gathering those soldiers wandering within the graves.
He even saw those Magic Knights of Tunisia, who were extremely opposed to them, gearing up for battle.
Clearly, this time will be a tough fight!
