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Chapter 4: The Sage Tramples the Recapture Troops (Part 1)
The corpses withdrew from the audience room.\nI placed a handful of crystals on the table.\nSealed within them were her remains.\nThey were magically processed to protect her.
I gently caressed the crystals.
âAs I thought, she wonât returnâŠ
I spontaneously mumbled.\nI derided myself in my mind for it.
Not even my abilities could turn the remains before my eyes into an undead.\nWas it her soul rejecting me, or was it a problem of my emotions?\nWhatever it be, I have to keep her secure.\nIf she disappeared by any chance, I will not be able to bring her back.
That was the reason I sealed her in the crystals.\nI planned to unseal them the day I resurrected her.\nTill that time, I will make sure I do not lose her.
As I silently gazed at the crystals, I heard the door open behind me.\nBending his body as he entered, was the ox-headed undead.\nThe flames in his eye sockets were blazing as always.\nThe ox-head briskly walked across the carpet.
âDemon Lord! The preparations for the meal are complete. Please follow me to the dining hall! I have put all my soul into making it! â
ââŠIâm sorry, I canât eat or drink. Isnât that obvious just by looking?âv
I responded as I sat on the throne.\nThe ox-head expressed his surprise with exaggerated movements.\nHis shoulders drooped as he tottered about.
âWhatâŠ!?ăTo do such an inexcusable thing⊠It is the greatest sin of this Gromâs life! â
The ox-headâ Grom, balled his fists in vexation.\nAfter a long pause, he finally clapped his hands and continued to speak as if he had just hit upon a good idea.
âThen, how about we select your clothes!?ăIf you order me to, I shall look around every corner of the capital to find the finest clothes for you. By the way, is there any colour the Demon Lord likes in particular?â
Grom continued the topic in a garrulous manner.\nAs he spoke ceaselessly, I pressed the sides of my skull with my finger.\nI could feel a headache.\nIf I were alive, I would have been massaging my temples.
Seeing my subordinate animatedly talk of the potential choices of clothes, I lamented in my heart.
Geez, how did it end up like this?
It had been three days since my fateful meeting with Grom.\nHe was now my loyal vassal.\nHis arrogance disappeared as if it were never there to begin with, and was replaced with consistently courteous speech and conduct.\nHis personality had thoroughly mellowed out.
Grom said that my purpose and ideas had deeply impressed him.\nHe declared that he would work devotedly as an executive of the Demon Lord.\nEver since then, he has been like this.
Incidentally, it was I who named him Grom.\nIt was the name of a Sage from history, but the person in question seemed to like it.
Despite how horrible the damage was, he regenerated in a blink of an eye when I gave him magic and miasma.\nAnd he was now moving about energetically.\nAs a person of power comparable to the Demon Lordâs, his vitality and resilience were extraordinary.
As I had learned in these past three days, not only was Grom skilful, he was also erudite.\nSetting aside his skillfulness, it was strange for him to be this knowledgeable, having just been born.\nWhen I investigated it, I came to know of some facts.
Grom was an aggregation of resentment and miasma.\nThey all mixed into one entity due to my magic and formed an entity with its own ego.\nAs a result, Grom had partially inherited the memories and experiences of the corpses that constituted him.
That was the reason he had common sense and could use magic.\nWhat a convenient existence.\nHe must have made use of the cooking skills of someone to make the meal for me too.
Grom turned out to be a lot more capable than I had imagined.\nAlthough there were times when he lacked consideration, he was a very obedient and trustworthy subordinate.\nHe would never betray me.\nHe sure was the perfect undead to be a loyal vassal.
âGrom.â
âYes! What do you need? â
Grom replied gleefully.\nHe gracefully straightened his back.\nIt clearly did not suit his appearance.
I got up from the throne and ordered.
âWait for me to give orders. Iâll go procure the goods.â
âWhat are you saying, milord! Please leave the trivial tasks to this one. How could I possibly trouble the Demon Lord!?
Grom stood in my way.\nHe seemed a lot keener now than when we were battling.\nThe flames in his eyes seemed to somehow overflow with a sense of purpose.
What was it that spurred him?\nHe was completely different from our first meeting.
In the end, I gave in to him.\nI entrusted Grom with the procurement of goods within the capital.\nThe fact that it was troublesome to persuade him played a major role.
âLeave it to me! This Grom might be incompetent, but I shall most certainly carry out the Demon Lordâs ordersâŠwaitâŠis that dust there!?ăI cannot let that be. I have to clean it!â
Looking at one corner of the room, Grom took brooms and dust-cloths in his eight hands.\nHe made full use of them to make the room sparkling clean.\nSatisfied, he gracefully bowed before leaving the room.
His figure was reminiscent of a meddlesome old butler.\nWatching the incident unfold as I sat on the throne, I felt like heaving a sigh.
No, but you canât deny that Grom is excellent.
It was a happy little accident, being able to make such a powerful undead my subordinate.\nI could turn a blind eye to his little eccentricities.\nI could clearly discern his desire to work for my sake.
Grom was fine.\nThere were more important things to consider.
This morning, I had announced my presence throughout the kingdom.\nI sent a message that I would not attack if they swore loyalty.\nI donât want to unnecessarily slaughter those who have surrendered.\nIf they surrender, Iâd welcome it.\nIt was undeniably the first step towards peace.
I was also concerned about the reactions of neighbouring countries.\nThe royal capital was occupied by the undead.\nAs you would expect, I couldnât let that fact be known.\nHow will each country respond to the new manifestation of the Demon Lord?
It was certain that a subjugation party would be formed before long.\nThey couldnât let me be.\nPerhaps they will gather ones who can use Holy Magic too this time.
I also have to prepare an environment suitable to call myself the Demon Lord.
I would like to reform this land and prepare for even more subordinates.\nI need allies with a personality like Grom.\nThey were indispensable for taking systematic action.\nShowing this to be a kingdom of the undead, I wanted to quickly form an army.\nI needed at least that much preparation to become an eternal scourge of this world.
There must be someone, somewhere, who wishes to become my subordinate.
Back when I was alive, albeit lacking in number, there was an organisation that believed in the Demon Lord.\nIf my existence were to be known, I might come into contact with such influences.\nHowever, such organisations risk running wild in ways I donât want.\nAs expected, I need the ones I can put my trust in.\nGathering subordinates is a problem for the future.
As I was thinking of various matters, I heard footsteps from outside the room.\nIt seemed awfully busy.\nUndead do not usually run about like this.\nI immediately knew whose footsteps they were.
âDemon Lord, Iâm here to report! â
âWere there any movements? â
I asked Grom, who opened the door and leapt inside.\nThe flames in Gromâs eye sockets grew larger and he nodded.
âYes. Apparently, troops were dispatched from the nearest province. Imprudent things, they are proceeding, aiming for the capital.â
âThey aim to recapture the capital. I expected this response.â
The pillar of the country, the King, had been killed.\nThe nobles wouldnât let that be.\nIt was a matter of the survival of the kingdom in a literal sense.\nI had expected them to expend all efforts to defeat me.
But what caught my interest was that they had formed an expedition in merely three days.\nDid an excellent military officer quickly form one?\nOr was it a group of fools driven by emotions and accomplishments?\nâSo then, what should we do?ăIf it is me, I can easily exterminate them.â
âIâll go face them. I have to let them know that the Demon Lord has returned. Grom, I leave everything to you while Iâm out.â
I have to make an example of the Recapture troops by annihilating them.\nI want to use them as fodder to make the world know of the menace I am.\nIf I did great damage following the fall of the capital, people would understand just how dangerous I am.
Presently, I still hadnât received a reply to the notice of submission I had sent to each province.\nBearing in mind the events that happen this time, it would be great if they declared their intentions.
âHah! I understand! I shall protect the Demon Lordâs castle with my heart and soul! â
Grom placed a hand on his chest and kneeled on the floor.\nIt was a reliable response.\nWith his strength, he could easily deal with whoever would attack.\nHe had the same strength as the previous Demon Lord.\nEven if an army were his opponent, he could deal with them without a problem.
âThen, Iâll be leaving.â
âOh, Demon Lord, wait for a bit!â
Just as I was about to go deal with the Recapture troops, Grom held me back.\nHe seemed quite serious.\nDid he forget to report something?
âWhat is it?â
âPlease change your attire!ăThe skies are bright at long last. Let us show those despicable humans what a Demon Lord is!â
Grom triumphantly stated, the flames in both his eyes sparkling.\nHasr: I made a discord server, join it for spoilers and fun!