Chapter 191

Chapter 191

Otherworld Demon King Survival Guide.

Episode 191: Dark Elves (2)

We had been fortifying our defenses, conducting battle training, and organizing military supplies, all while stockpiling food.

It was fortunate that we hadn’t fully developed the farmlands yet. Had we been attacked with such assets in place, it would have posed a significant risk.

It’s only because we were in the process of preparing the land that we weren’t caught completely off guard. Had those guys arrived just a bit later, we could have faced serious trouble.

Anyway, it’s a blessing in disguise.

After defeating the dark elves and absorbing their power, we could use that to enhance not only the farmlands but everything else as well.

It seemed that the dark elves were a race similar to humans. If that’s the case, we could utilize them on a larger scale. We might even be able to usher in the Iron Age.

So, we waited for the scouting party while preparing for four days.

—Saralarak.

The scouting party returned!

“Oh! Juria! Serinu! You’re here!”

A cry of joy!

“Any injuries?”

“None!”

“No injuries.”

“Damn, that’s a relief!”

I was really worried there might be casualties, but the pixies and lamias who returned looked tired and dirty, yet they appeared uninjured.

“Wow! You really did great, Lady Juria! And Serinu too! Everyone has worked so hard these past four days! Let’s go inside, wash up, and rest!”

We cleared the way and let the scouting party in. The soldiers will rest immediately, but the squad leaders will need to report after washing up.

“Ah, I’m really tired!”

“There are a lot of dark elves!”

“Kaha. The village. There was one.”

The pixies and lamias tossed these comments at me as they entered the dungeon.

“I’ll listen to everything. First, let’s wash up and rest. You’ve all worked hard.”

I only needed to hear from Juria and Serinu anyway. I nodded in appreciation to the soldiers, and finally, I addressed the officers.

“Lady Juria. And Serinu, once you’ve washed up, just briefly tidy things up before coming to my office.”

“Ah! What! I want to rest too!”

“You can rest once it’s done. Wash up first.”

“Can’t be helped!”

Serinu showed her dissatisfaction, but Juria quietly bowed and said,

“Then, I’ll come and report after I’ve washed up.”

“Yes, Lady Juria.”

As soon as the conversation ended, the two officers headed straight for the underground. That’s the burden of being an officer. While all the soldiers rest, the remaining work needs to be handled. I’ll make sure to compensate them later.

“Everyone! Get ready to gather! The scouting party is back! Let’s hear their stories!”

After making that announcement, I arranged the setting. It seems like it wasn’t a major incident, considering their attitudes. If it had been a disaster, Serinu would have started singing about it from the beginning.

“Let’s start with your report, Serinu.”

“Okay!”

Serinu nodded vigorously and proudly began,

“First of all, there are no injuries. It’s all because our pixies conducted thorough scouting. They flew stealthily to assess the threats and used the lamias’ speed for quick maneuvers without being detected.”

She spoke clearly and adorably.

“That’s what we call maintaining stealth.”

“Yes! Stealth! We maintained it well!”

“Well done!”

I could see why there were no casualties. Pixies tended to be timid. They must have scouted thoroughly just as I taught.

“And, we found a dark elf village. But when we looked secretly, it wasn’t finished yet. They were actually building the village?”

“They were building it?”

I immediately looked at Juria.

“Yes. Exactly as you said. The dark elves were building a village. They must be newcomers from other regions, intending to establish a new settlement here.”

“Hmm.”

It kept coming from above.

“What’s happening up there?”

“It seems so.”

“Lady Juria, can you elaborate?”

Juria nodded and provided a more detailed report. Simply put, the dark elves might be expanding their influence by establishing new villages in various places.

“Expansion of power. Are these guys just like me? Lady Juria, has it always been like this?”

“Of course, it has always been the case. Whether it’s dark elves or lamias, they have been fighting for greater power, even from the west. But to come all the way down here…”

From what I heard from Juria last time, this land overlapped with human territories, so they usually didn’t venture this far.

“But still, they keep coming down… Is that really the case?”

There’s a lot to consider. Perhaps the ambitious dark elves were overextending their forces to completely eliminate the lamias.

“Please continue.”

“Yes.”

“I want to speak too!”

That’s how the report went.

Using the pixies’ stealth to observe the village under construction, it seemed it wasn’t particularly militant. It felt more like they had relocated from another major city.

“Typically, a dark elf village is centered around two large buildings.”

“What kind of buildings?”

“Buildings where males and females live. They use separate buildings based on gender.”

“Is that so?”

So, they operated separate dormitories for men and women.

“Yes. And typically, a female leads the village. Should we call it a matriarchal society? To our knowledge, the oldest unmarried female dark elf becomes the leader in the village.”

“Hmm.”

That’s somewhat unusual.

The oldest spinster dark elf taking on the role of leader.

“Why isn’t it a man?”

“What?”

“Ah, I asked the question wrong.”

Lamias, being a female-only species, would naturally find a matriarchal society logical.

“Is it always a woman who becomes the leader? What about the men?”

“Well, I’m not sure. I haven’t heard anything about that…”

So, it’s natural for a spinster to do it.

It seemed like a species where women hold more power.

Could it be?

“Ah, and about the physique? Are female dark elves bigger than the males?”

“No, that’s not the case. If they’re not young, the physique is similar between males and females.”

“I see.”

The captured male dark elf warriors were all quite slender, almost feminine enough to be mistaken for women. Could it be because there’s not much physical difference between the sexes?

“Well, I roughly understand the culture.”

Next, the size.

“What about the size?”

“I tried hard to figure it out, but it seems to be about 50 people!”

“Wow. That’s two platoons.”

To think that 50 had come down from another major settlement for expansion. This was a significant number. Just by the numbers alone, it was indeed intimidating.

“Lady Juria, and Serinu. Based on the scouting, what are our chances if we attack?”

At that, Juria smiled like a serpent.

“It seems they are not aware that they might be attacked. Then, while they are building the village would be the perfect time.”

“Right! If we attack first, they won’t be able to respond! They’ll be too busy building the village!”

Serinu also shouted confidently.

“When they finish work in the evening and are about to rest! If we attack right then, they’ll be too exhausted to retaliate!”

“Wow. Serinu, you’re really smart, aren’t you?”

“That’s the basics!”

Always a warmonger.

Anyway.

If the two women were saying this, it must be certain.

“Great! Let’s launch a surprise attack! Like last time, it’ll be troublesome if the dark elves invade! Now that they don’t know about us! Let’s attack first and take the initiative! Got it! Officers of the Kyuse Demon Army!”

With that declaration,

“Keruuuuuk!”

“Grrrrk!”

“Waaaaaaa!”

The officers in the meeting room shouted. The personal guard just nodded their heads.

“Then, let’s start preparing for war!”

A real war was about to begin.

After the meeting ended.

Reika called Kyuse.

“Hey. Wait a moment. Look at me.”

“Yes? No. Lady Reika. Are you suggesting a secret rendezvous right now? Let me see, today’s duty roster…”

“It’s not that. Just come here for a moment.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Watching Kyuse, who usually sported a mischievous smile, made Reika feel uneasy. He was often like this… but in crucial moments, he truly seemed demonic.

Whether that was a positive or negative trait, Reika couldn’t determine.

—Thud, thud.

Thus, she led Kyuse outside the dungeon. Behind her, there were whispers of enjoying outdoor activities, but she paid them no mind.

Once they were a safe distance from the entrance, Reika faced Kyuse and asked,

“You’re planning to attack the dark elves, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I plan to launch a surprise attack and take all the female dark elves there as prisoners, hehe.”

“Tch.”

Making such comments in front of her? Reika thought. She felt uneasy every time he mentioned increasing the number of female prisoners.

She didn’t want to admit it, but if it wasn’t an attempt to impress her, then she couldn’t explain his behavior. However, she was powerless to change it. That’s how he consolidated his power.

In any case.

Pushing aside those unnecessary thoughts, Reika continued.

“I’m bringing this up because I’m a former nun.”

“Go ahead.”

“Can’t we resolve this through dialogue? Is it necessary to massacre an innocent dark elf village and take prisoners? Don’t you think that’s evil?”

“Lady Reika… I understand your perspective.”

He probably saw her as a naive pacifist.

“Of course, just because a few dark elf warriors have scouted our territory, it doesn’t mean the entire village is culpable. Indeed, it’s wrong for us to invade.”

“Then.”

“But that’s irrelevant. We can’t coexist with the dark elves in this territory. Inevitably, we would have to confront them one day. Therefore, attacking now is the best strategy.”

“…”

“I always say, regardless of good or evil, the well-being of the dungeon’s members is my top priority.”

It’s the same rhetoric every time.

What mattered wasn’t the welfare of others but that of his own people.

Yet, there’s no counterargument to that logic.

“I understand. You’re a former nun, so naturally, you’d think like a good human. But Lady Reika, if we don’t act now, everyone will be in danger. So, could you lend your strength?”

The whisper of a devil.

Reika thought it would have been better if they had met in another place, doing something else.

“No, well. Not lending my strength? I just said that because I’m a nun. Talk to me when it’s time to fight.”

“That’s very like you, Lady Reika. Oh, but I’m a bit thirsty.”

“What?”

At that moment, Kyuse quickly lunged forward and grabbed the bra she was wearing.

“Hey, hey! Wait! Wait!”