A6P5: Prepare and fight!

I used the entry I just created to enter the dungeon and together with Phara in her Fenrir form I headed to the lowest floor. When I sit on my throne I could call anyone to my position.

The people I called were Renzir, general of undead army, Hestia, leader of Vampire brigade and Kesugi, leader of spy unit in MB army.

„Renzir, Hestia and Kesugi. I called you to tell you that we recieved declaration of war from Dwarven council state.“

„Are you sending us to crush them under our feets?“ Renzir asked with sadistic smile.

„Not really… Theo ne who will go is Renzir and Second Air force unit. Hestia, you will guard the town. I’m not sure it will happen right away, but I got the feeling that Duke Durel will not let this slide. For that, could you prepare some fun in that valley that leads to the destroyed elf village?“

„The only entry point to the mountains? Understood,“ Hestia smiled.

„Kesugi tell me, how’s the harpies doing?“

„Most of them have their feathers fully regrown, their leader sadly isn’t one of them, but I belive that they can work under one of the Dragonewts that went with you.“

„How many we can get?“

„Twenty at best.“

„Well that’s little low, but I will have to work with that. Send them to your children for new gear.“

„Yes, my King.“

„Renzir, you will be our vanguard this time. Pick your strongest and most resiliant warriors.“

„Will a horde of liches, Zombie knights, Nightless children and Death skulls suffice?“

Some of the names were new to me becouse I didn’t have them in my summoning list, but I allowed it.

„Now, go and do your work.“

„My lord, can I ask a humble question?“

„What is it Renzir?“

„You said that I will be the vanguard, but why do you want to use harpies? They are one of the weakest birdfolk.“

„That’s exactly why. If even the weakest birdfolk defeat army of council state, they will know that picking a fight with us is a bad thing to do.“

„I see! Briliant as always master!“ Kesugi said with big smile.

„Now, if you excuse me, I’m going to see Fia and get some things I ordered from her.“

When I get to the alchemy lab, Fia was just finishing things I asked her for. Explosion powder. Stored in highly fragile vials we had more then we could actually use.

„How’s it going Fia?“

„Good,“ she said coldly.

„Is something wrong?“

„Not really my Lord,“ she said coldly again.

Is she angry or something?

„Well, I will take enough for two or three missions. Do you have any progress on petrification cure?“

„I was able to resurrect birds and reptiles, but resurrecting mammals is still out of my reach,“ she said apologically.

„It’s fine, keep up the good work,“ I answered her with shoulder pat.

„Y-yess,“ she said blushing.

After that I returned to Amas City and waited for Council state to start moving. That happened in ten days.

„Our harpy report says that army of Niah city entered Fortress city.“

„I see. I belive that next will came army of Tur city which is on other side of the mountains. After that Lana, Tonkat and Zir will unite in Carben and move together… no, if they are anything like the old man Guzzner, then they will stay put there and wait for how the battle turned out.“

„But that would mean they underestimate us.“

„Correct Kyoko. They probably think that I didn’t took over entire Ork kingdom, ‘couse I was weak. Actually this rumor spread in Astenna kingdom from our people. Plus the fact that Hero died after coming to fight me is still only known in Holy empire.“

„So are we going to let them go?“ Zalum asked.

„„„No,“““ me, Yuki, Phara and Kyoko answered as one.

„I–I see.“ Zalum said gloomly.

„Well, I’m not fond of massacring people just becouse I’m in war, so if they throw away their weapons and submit to us, I will let them live.“

„M-my lord…“

„Those who go against us will be the only one who will suffer. I will not touch civilians.“

Although I already massacred the entire city…

„I see.“

„You don’t call to arms children right?“

„No. Only people of 85­–185 years of age.“

I—I forgot that dwarves lives for three hundread years easily…

„So we will wait for now. I will hand out the explosive powder before action. I want five harpies directly under me. The rest will follow Rhetsu the Dragonewt.“

„„„Yes sir!“““

And in three days the army left the city.

The army was made up from mostly foot soldiers in heavy armor made mostly from iron. The leaders in back, five dwarves, were on monsters called Bugont, which are just overgrown pigs with disgustingly tasting meat. All five of them wore a mithril chainmail.

The rest of their army was made from pikemen on Goabs (just a fancy goat). There were about five or six priests in the back together with ten siege towers dismanteled in twenty carriages.

„My lord. They have crossed the bridge,“ one of the five harpies said.

„Good work Hajumi, go with Gaku, Juko, Arnett and Hooki and bomb that bridge like we planned.“

„You can leave it to Harpy elite 5 sir!“

„Thanks,“ I smile dat the little saluting girl with wings instead of hands.

Hajumi took bag with explosive powder and left the tent I prepared.

„Renzir.“

„Yes! My king.“

„It seems like there are priests. Take them in together with leaders of the army.“

„Understood. Now please watch the battle.“

The battle will take place on Dungeon area, so I will get some DP from this…

The battle started soon after. The undead outnumbered the dwarves by 10:1 and they quickly encircled them.

When the dwarven army stopped in it’s tracks to form a united front line, Harpies under Rhetsu dropped the Explosive powder on them, which broke their formation, some of the soldiers wanted to run back, but they soon found out that the bridge was gone.

The battle started with liches and Elder liches sending a barrage of spells at them and after that our foot soldiers moved in. Zombie bears went on suicide mission to destroy the front line of shield wielders. The bears were followed by Walking shadows and Creep stalkers. After them were our foot soldiers, the Zombie knights and Death skulls, acompanied by Nightless children

We lost less then a quarter of our undead army while completly anihilating the dwarves. The priests run out of mana relatively quickly and the leaders were more of siege experts then experts on battle techniques.

The battle was our absolute victory. The dead dwarves were turned into undead by Renzir and the leaders were brought before me. I quickly noticed that the priests had mana sealing bracelets.

„So these are the fools who decided to stand agains the TRUE demon lord?“ Yuki said laughingly.

„It’s not nice to laugh at peoples supidity Yuki. But you are right. They are fools. I have nothing to use you for so I think that I will send you to the rest…“

„P-please wait a moment! We came here just becouse Head of the state asked for our troops! We had to listen or we would had to go through the pain of double tax!“

„What double tax? Zalum, could you explain?“

„Yes my lord. The double tax is a law that states that city that will not provide levies during war campain, will have to pay for provisions of the army by doubling it’s tax revenue.“

„I see… Yuki, tell everyone how we manage the armies.“

„Yes! The most important thing is that army is always living in the Main dungeon. Therefore, the food is imported from outside the dungeon, in other words, the dungeon area. Given that our first army is made out of undead, the cost is significantly cut. That means that unless the Second or the Third army is deployed, no food is needed.“

„There you have it. This is how we do things. Now, back to your problem. Even if you tell me that you had no other choice, you did attacked, so I will show no mercy.“

„Please, I beg of you!“

„Demon lord, please let us live!“

„Oh, why did you thought that I will kill you? I said I will show no mercy, not that I will kill you. Well, not now let’s say… Hear my order my servants! The priests are to be put in jail in Amas city for the time being. The leaders will be put under Gobura and will be working in the mines for one hundread years!“

„„„We heard your wish our lord and we will follow your lead!“““

With that the leaders were took away. The priests were looking around in beliwilderment.

„So, priests. I would appreciate if you look at the people I supposedly opress. Could you do that when you are in the city?“

When the priests left a messenger came with report about our progress:

‚The new wooden bridge was put in place and our armies are moving towards the city. Some troops with ability to fly are already on other side and are encircling the city.‘

„Hm, this is really good…“

A black cloud appeared above my head and single black fruit dropped from it into my hands.

„Oh, so it’s time already? I guess that time flies faster when you do something seriously… well, let’s put it in my magic bag for now.“

I went out to the bridge and in head of my army I stood before the gates.

„Listen to me people of Fortress city! If you open the gates right now I can guarantee you that I will not impose any reparations and I will let you live your everyday lives!“

„And if we don’t?“ a voice came from other side of the wall.

„Do you know what happen to city of Glu? I can guarantee you it would be simmilar, or worse.“

„You really are a Demon lord!“

„What can I say, if you bow your head I will show you meaning of piece. But if you oppose me, well… that wouldn’t be so nice.“

In that moment a series of roars broke through the city and I could hear swords clashing, screams and cries.

„Wh-what is happening over there?“ Yuki asked.

„Rebellion broke out. I guess that a group who want’s to live is desperately trying to open the gates, but soldiers are holding them back… it’s really tiresome… the rules of this world… survival of the fittest… I despise this thing…“

„Zaru-darling?“ Yuki looked at me worriedly.

„It’s nothing Yuki…“

The voices went down in less then a hour.

And the gates opened. On main street were lined up three rows of people kneeling. Most of them had blood on their faces, and some were wounded. I quickly turned the city into dungeon area and called our healers from dungeon, the lamias.

All of these half-snake ladies were wearing nurse costumes made by Kesugi’s kids, per reguest from Albea, the succubus. I thought that she wanted to seduce me with cosplay, but it seems like she created uniforms for our Lamia girls in the end.

The lamias started healing anyone who had injury, and even with their small numbers, they managed to heal everyone before sunset.

The dead bodies of soldiers, who opposed opening the gates, were brought to cementary and buried there.

„Now that this city is under my direct rule I will apoint a regent. Rhetsu! Come here.“

The white dragonewt came before me and kneeled.

„Your work during the battle was excelent, therefore I appoint you as new Mayor of this city. Turn this city into paradise you dragonewts always dreamed about.“

„Yes my King!“ Rhetsu answered.

„The freed dwarves will split in two parts, one will stay in Amas city and the other half will stay here. Please treat them well.“

„Your wish is my command sir!“ Rhetsu answered.

With that I left for the dungeon. There I met with Lizzie, who just came from Dulitor where she met with the guildmaster.

„I’m back Zaru…“

„Welcome back, Lizzie,“ I said while hugging her.

„Lord Zaru it’s emergency!“ Gavin run into the room, breaking the atmosphere.

„What is it?!“ I said little annoyed.

„King of ogres is dead, rebellion broke out! Three dukes are asking for reinforcements in return for crown of Ogres.“

„I guess it’s already here…. Kyoko will join in as my wife… Lizzie…“

„I know about it. And about Phara too. Well it would happen either way. Just keep giving us all your love equally okay? Plus I already won,“ she said patting her belly.

„Heheheh, sure thing. I love you,“ with a kiss on forehead I left the room and with MB army under Gurako, I set my eyes on Small Ogre kingdom once again.