Chapter 174

Chapter 174

Otherworld Demon King Survival Guide.

Episode 174: The Reason The Orcs Moved (6)

As soon as the Lamia departed, we began our march at night. It might be exhausting, but a swift retreat was often wise. Indeed, the ability to retreat quickly could be seen as a mark of a skilled commander.

One should not be overly optimistic, even after engaging in discussions with the Lamias, who were often blinded by their mating instincts.

“Lamia.”

I remembered watching the Lamias move, their snake-like lower halves propelling them forward. They were incredibly fast. I couldn’t be certain, but I believed they were faster than me when I ran.

No, they were definitely faster. Even if I, as a demon, were to run with all my strength, I couldn’t match a Lamia’s speed.

The Lamias outpaced us when we ran on two legs.

“Speed and body weight.”

Not only were they swift, but their snake-like lower halves also meant they carried more weight.

Imagine Lamias, spears in hand, charging in formation.

—Thwack!

I pictured the scene of human soldiers, shields raised, being utterly overwhelmed.

“They are like cavalry…!”

Horses were commonly seen as domestic animals.

A trained soldier on horseback was referred to as cavalry or a knight. They wielded tremendous power. Merely mounting a horse greatly enhanced a human’s combat capabilities.

How often have humans been overrun by cavalry? Knights were seen as invincible, almost divine, and they made full use of the terrain.

Cavalry would be ineffective in this jungle.

But.

The Lamias navigated this jungle as if it were their own home. Furthermore, their snake-like lower halves allowed them to change direction effortlessly.

These pseudo-cavalry could fulfill the role of cavalry where none exist and decisively defeat the enemy.

—Thump.

My heart quickened at the thought.

“Exciting.”

Of course, Lamia cavalry wouldn’t be practical in open fields. There, real cavalry reigned supreme, and Lamias would merely be prey. But in this jungle, where humans could not deploy cavalry, these pseudo-cavalry would undoubtedly reign supreme.

Although they couldn’t be utilized in open fields, they were incredibly powerful in jungle terrain.

If I could bring these Lamias under my command here, then everything would be perfect. Whether facing orcs or anything else, I could blast through them all. Even if humans invaded, it wouldn’t pose a problem.

He who controlled the cavalry rules the world!

“Good!”

I would make the Lamias mine, no matter what!

So what if their lower bodies were snakes! They had all the right parts where it mattered! Ah, but it might be inconvenient that I couldn’t approach from behind! Perhaps we’d have to face each other and go at it that way?

Honestly, as long as they were pretty and had big chests, that’s enough for me. I could definitely conquer them. I might feel a bit of repulsion, but if I could make them mine, I was willing to overcome that as much as necessary.

With these thoughts, we continued to march.

And we managed to reach the dungeon without encountering any Lamias.

“We’re here! Guys!”

Upon returning, I immediately organized the luggage and allowed the soldiers to rest, then checked for any anomalies.

“Lumica. Was everything alright while I was away?”

“Yeah. It was normal. Nothing attacked, and the hobgoblins did just what they were told. Don’t worry.”

“Hehe, that’s a relief.”

It seemed everything proceeded as usual, whether I was there or not. But I had to see for myself, so I inspected the dungeon.

“We’ve done everything you ordered! Increased livestock, taught the hobgoblins their tasks, and stuff like that!”

Serinu, who was beside me, eagerly reported. Listening to her report and inspecting everything, indeed, operations were running smoothly. The livestock numbers had increased. The equipment crafted by the hobgoblins was also well organized.

It seemed like my next task was to infuse magic into the equipment.

While pondering this, I called Muturi and the hobgoblins over. Let’s skip Muturi since he still couldn’t speak. According to the hobgoblin leader:

“Grak. No need to go hunting. Just doing what’s asked. It’s comfortable.”

This was precisely what was said.

“Is working inside better than hunting?”

“Grak. Yes. No dangerous work. Not at all.”

“Then I’ll be counting on you from now on. Unless it’s a special situation, you’ll continue to do that kind of labor.”

“Special situation. What is it? Grak.”

“When humans invade.”

“…Grakrak.”

They truly had a natural talent for labor. Anyway, assigning all the menial tasks to the hobgoblins was a good decision.

Next, I checked what the Kobolds had done.

“Oh! Gyuil! You’ve done a great job!”

“Kyussatssat. It’s nothing.”

“Hehehe! You’re like a full-fledged labor foreman now! I’m proud!”

The Kobolds had made the rooms as I ordered and even expanded the prison. It seems about time to develop the second floor and the basement.

Lastly, Imsoong.

“Grruk. Hunted diligently! Master!”

“Ah! You did really well, Imsoong! You’re the king of hunting!”

“Grrrruk!”

Imsoong excelled even when he’s just sent out to hunt.

After checking everything,

“Perfect!”

Even in my absence, the dungeon was running very well! I had raised them well!

“Lumica! Serinu! Both of you have been watching the house so well! At this rate, you could be the lady of the house, the lady of the house!”

“What. I used to lead the pixies, after all! This is simple!”

“Hahaha, the lady of the house, you say. I’m happy you trust me. Thanks for the compliment?”

According to what I heard, Serinu was the hardest worker. She has leadership qualities and continued to give orders for what I had instructed.

Lumica, though quiet, has seniority, so her words carry weight.

“They’re so pretty and competent. Huh? Why are they so capable?”

—Swoosh.

As I patted Serinu and Lumica on their heads, both of their faces quickly turned red.

“I’m the pixie captain, after all… This is the basics!”

“I, I was always competent, you know?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

From now on, I’d need to train Serinu and Lumica to fully take charge of the dungeon in my absence. I couldn’t just engage in dungeon dweller activities simply because I was a demon lord. It’s about making them the true ladies of the house.

To the point where I could trust them and leave the dungeon in their care whenever I was out.

“Then, since we’ve checked everything, let’s have a meeting. Call everyone.”

“Okay!”

Let’s have a meeting.

The nuns remaining in the dungeon quietly practiced dark magic. They occasionally went for walks for scouting purposes. Exercise and swordsmanship training were all they did.

There was nothing else they could do without specific orders.

Anyway, seeing the nuns made my lower half tingle. It’s been a while, so I was glad to see them. My sexual desire was boiling over. What was today’s sex duty schedule? I’d start right after the meeting.

“So, what was it?”

As I sat down, Reika spoke up.

“What was the reason the orcs moved?”

“A new race has appeared.”

“A new race?”

The nuns tilted their heads in curiosity.

“What… race could it be?”

“It must be stronger than orcs.”

Irene and Liza exchanged opinions.

I felt like they’d be shocked if I told them.

But still, I had to say it.

“Stronger and smarter than orcs. Perhaps a race akin to pixies.”

“…Pixies.”

For a moment, it seemed like Reika glared at me, but no. She really was glaring?

“Sister Reika?”

“Why?”

“Why that look?”

“Just say it. What race are they?”

“Well, surprisingly, their upper bodies are those of beauties, while their lower halves are that of snakes.”

Upon saying that,

“Ah?”

Silence fell.

—…

—…

—…

Vanessa, who had accompanied me, crossed her arms with a displeased hum, while the others seemed unable to comprehend what they had just heard.

“I’ve tentatively named them ‘Lamias’, but they were the ones who drove out the orcs. They were stronger than the orcs. Fortunately, we retreated without a fight. Though, the snake lower bodies did seem threatening.”

As I smoothly continued,

“What, whaaaat?!”

“Wh, whaaaat?!”

“Snakes…!”

Everyone was shocked, albeit a moment too late.

Right.

Women hated snakes, after all.

“Is, is that true?! Women with snake bodies!”

Irene asked in horror.

“Ha.”

Vanessa sighed and replied.

“The upper body is human… It was a snake. You can imagine that the snake part starts just a bit above the knees.”

“Such a race exists in the world…!”

“Surprised? But that’s not even the surprising part! This guy! This guy in front of those snake women…!”

“Yes?”

Vanessa spoke with displeasure about that event.

I had boldly negotiated to mate with the snakes.

“What, what did he say! Has this guy lost his mind?”

Naturally, Reika was furious.

“Hey! If the upper body is that of a woman, is it okay? Huh!”

“No. Sister Reika. Well. Even though the lower half is a snake, from the knee about a palm’s length up? Just that part is snake, so the actual snake ratio is less than 30%…”

“Bullshit! Are you out of your mind?! This guy’s completely nuts!”

Reika, her face turning fiercely red, stomped over to me, grabbed my shoulders tightly, and yelled.

“Even so, that’s not right! If you’re going to violate someone, at least let it be a normal race!”

Her outcry seemed genuinely heartfelt. Naturally. Reika was smitten with me. She must be appalled that I would consider being with a snake woman.

“Hehehe, no. Sister Reika? Are you perhaps upset because you think I’m playing around with another woman?”

I teased her a little.

“Wouldn’t it be?!”

“Uh?”

Her immediate response.

“The guy who bedded me now wants to bed snake women too?! Then what am I?! Comparable to a snake?!”

Ah. Was that what this was about?

“That’s right! Now you want to bed something that doesn’t even look human…! That’s weird, that!”

“…I definitely think it’s strange too.”

“If you call it promiscuous relations between inferior species, you’ll get an earful.”

Outbursts of opinions.

It wasn’t just Reika who was surprised. Everyone seemed to share similar thoughts, so I had to properly explain and make them understand.

“Sister Reika, and everyone, please calm down. It’s not just for fun.”

“Then what is it for!”

“Of course, I prefer the women here. The idea of snake women is a bit much for me too. But there’s a reason. Listen.”

I explained the usefulness of Lamia cavalry.

Initially shocked, they calmed down as I properly explained the concept of cavalry, listened to the discussion, and eventually concluded that if there was such a reason, it couldn’t be helped.

“If you’re convinced, that’s all that matters.”

“…”

With that, the matter was concluded.

We continued on to the next meeting.

And a few days later,

The Lamias came to the dungeon.