Chapter 345

Chapter 345

Otherworld Demon King Survival Guide.

Episode 345: Back To The Jungle (4)

Serinu, who had gone out on a reconnaissance mission, returned and reported.

“It looks like there’s nothing around here! We’ll have to go further to confirm anything!”

“True. If they were nearby, we would have fought them already.”

Nekri and Juria said that those kingdoms were deeper in. In other words, there was nothing significant until we got there.

We should be able to advance without issue.

Of course, encountering medium-sized monsters might be a bit dangerous, but with our current strength, we could eliminate them without any injuries.

“Exactly! So I think we should advance further and secure a prime location! Let’s leave supply management to the rear guards!”

“Wow! Serinu!”

To think she could make such a tactical judgment!

“Have you reached the point where you can think this far ahead now?”

“I’m a commander too, you know. I should be able to make at least this level of judgment.”

Serinu, seeming pleased with the praise, puffed out her chest and placed a hand over her sternum, speaking proudly.

It really made me want to bite her chest.

“You’ve grown so much, Serinu. You’re becoming stronger and smarter by the day.”

“Of course! That’s the kind of existence I am! Kya-ha-ha-ha!”

“Alright then, let’s see some chest action!”

“Got it!”

ㅡBounce, bounce!

Serinu, responding energetically, began shaking her chest right in front of my eyes.

“Watching this gives me strength! Serinu!”

“Touch me quickly!”

“Of course!”

Since she had done a good job scouting, she deserved a reward. As I grabbed and massaged Serinu’s chest, I organized my thoughts.

It couldn’t be helped.

I had wanted to rest a bit longer while we were in the dungeon, but now that it was clear there was nothing in the area, staying idle wasn’t an option. We needed to advance quickly, set something up, and establish our lines.

“Nekri! Juria! Over here!”

“Yes!”

The two women quickly came running, Nekri sprinting and Juria slithering over like a snake.

“There’s nothing in the vicinity.”

“That makes sense. The kingdom is farther away.”

“That being the case, lead the way. We’ll be moving out soon.”

“Are we heading in immediately?”

“There’s no need to waste time. We’ll advance quickly, gather intelligence, and decide whether to engage in war or employ tactics.”

“Hohoho, as expected of Master. You’re thorough. Understood. I’ll lead immediately.”

Everyone was eating right now, so spread the word. Once mealtime ended, we’d prepare for a leisurely march. We’ll set out shortly after the food settled.

“Understood.”

Marching immediately after eating could upset their stomachs. It’s better to wait a bit before moving.

I went to find Juragi.

“Juragi.”

“Shwack! Master!”

“Bring all the rear guards over. I’ll enhance them with magic while we’re at it.”

“Shralalala!”

With a loud shout, Juragi went off to gather the rear guards. Infusing them with magic makes them stronger, something my subordinates know well.

“They’re all here, Shwack!”

“But it seems the new recruits are a bit nervous.”

“Shwack. They’re still stupid and lack intelligence. They’re simply being controlled.”

Indeed, the new recruits looked frail and timid. With barely any intelligence, they would only follow the orders of the pack leader.

“Even they’ll become useful once they receive some magic. To your positions!”

“Shwack!”

After sending Juragi to his position—

ㅡFlash!

ㅡRumble!

I drew upon my power, creating a magic circle for infusion beneath their feet. There was some commotion, but as soon as my energy seeped into them, they cried out as if intoxicated.

“Shwaaaaack!”

“Grrrrraaaargh!”

They could feel my magic permeating their bodies. Even the new recruits began showing signs of intelligence in their eyes.

“Shwaaack! Ka-hack! Ku, ku-hack? Words? I can speak?”

Now, even just infusing them with magic allowed them to speak immediately. Back when I first started, it took a lot more time. Well, naturally. Gradual growth was better for potential than sudden magic infusion.

“Listen! I am the Demon King, your ruler and sovereign! With my power, I’ve bestowed blessings upon you! From now on, work hard and obey my orders! Understand?”

“Shwaaack! Answer! Do you understand?”

“Shwack!”

“Graaaargh!”

Seeing their vigorous response lifted my spirits. Yes, after giving them a magical high, this much was expected.

“Juragi, I’m heading deeper with the others, so manage things well here.”

“Shwack, understood.”

“And when we return, you might need to relocate as well.”

“Relocate? Shwack, you mean?”

“Yes.”

I briefly explained the schedule to Juragi, mentioning that we had occupied human territory and might live there in the future.

“Shwack…”

Though Juragi seemed a bit surprised at the idea of settling in human lands, he brightened at the prospect of being closer to receive more blessings.

“Understood! I’ll inform everyone immediately, Shwack! Loyalty to Master!”

“Good. They say you’re the smartest among the Lizardmen. Heh heh heh.”

I couldn’t wait to expand our forces and return to my territory.

“…”

A domain populated by monsters. It sounded quite appealing. Monsters were my absolute support base as the Demon King. As such, I must care for their welfare.

Monsters were no longer mere prey to be hunted. Now that they were my family, they were individuals with dignity.

When I conquered the world, both humans and monsters would live together. After all, even my monster armies were already a multi-racial coalition.

Thinking of adding humans to this mix—

If they come under my rule, they’d get along just fine with the monsters.

“Move out!”

We began marching immediately, progressing swiftly. The local residents, like the dark elves and lamias, already knew most of the paths, so we were able to move forward without any trouble.

While on the move, there was the minor inconvenience of wild monsters appearing, but we subdued them with ease and turned them into subordinates.

“Keryaaak! Fresh recruits hunting time!”

“Grararark! Beat them up and bring them in!”

“Gyusasasat! Initiation time! Initiation!”

My cute subordinates couldn’t contain themselves whenever they saw new recruits during the march.

“Keryak!”

Of course, the weak physical abilities of the wild monsters weren’t enough to outrun the eager veterans who wanted fresh recruits. They were swiftly caught and beaten.

“Yap.”

And then, I would dominate those recruits.

“Kerrekkerrek! Master! This is great from the start! At this rate, won’t we form a division by the end of the journey?”

“Hehehe, maybe. Anyway, Buril, make sure the new recruits don’t fall behind. Also, from now on, no more recruiting.”

“Kerak. Why’s that?”

“It’s more convenient to capture them on the way back than to drag them around now. Wouldn’t it be better to handle everything in one go later?”

I had allowed recruit hunting to let the soldiers indulge themselves for a bit. For faster and more efficient marching, I decided that the next hunt would take place only after everything was settled.

Although it might be disappointing, they would still be satisfied with what they had enjoyed.

“As expected of Master! Kerrek! Understood!”

Buril saluted energetically.

Thus, we continued advancing into the heart of the uncharted territory, alternating between resting and building defensive positions. This was the longest march we had ever undertaken.

While moving diligently and listening to Nekri’s advice during reconnaissance:

“I found something!”

Serinu flew back in a hurry.

“How does it look?”

“Just as expected—they’re at war!”

“Where?”

“Up ahead! The lamias and dark elves are fighting fiercely!”

“Is that so? Let’s see for ourselves. Evil Eye!”

Unfortunately, the distance was too great for me to communicate with Karuti. The Evil Eyes Karuti had sent had all exhausted their energy midway.

Previously, we were near our territory, so communication had been easy, but it wasn’t possible now that we were far away.

However, I could summon my own Evil Eye.

“Evil Eye Summon!”

ㅡFwoosh.

The sacrificial piece of meat ignited and transformed into the shape of an Evil Eye. I closed one of my eyes to sync with its wavelength, and soon my vision connected to it.

“Serinu, let’s go take a look.”

“Okay!”

Serinu grabbed my Evil Eye and flew off again. Covering one eye, I focused on the Evil Eye’s vision, feeling a slight dizziness.

It felt as if I were flying with Serinu.

As we ascended in altitude:

ㅡClang! Clang!

ㅡScreech!

ㅡThud!

The sounds of battle reached my ears.

“Kyaaaah!”

“Kill them!”

“Defend!”

“Kidnap them all!”

The scene of dark elves and lamias fighting ferociously came into view.

“Ooooh.”

I couldn’t help but marvel.

It was like watching a battle between ancient warriors. Although their equipment was sparse, they were all fighting courageously, laying their lives on the line and spilling blood. Even death row prisoners promised amnesty for winning in the arena wouldn’t fight this fiercely.

However—

“Their spirit and courage are flawless, but…”

Their equipment was poor, and their tactics were far inferior to ours.

“…”

In the past, there was an elite cavalry force called the Eight Banner Army of the Qing Dynasty. Renowned for their bravery and cruelty, they were the pride of the nomadic dynasty. Yet their formidable horsemanship and devastating mounted combat skills were rendered meaningless in the face of Western armies armed with matchlocks.

No matter how brave and ruthless they were, to the Western soldiers armed with firearms, they were merely outdated warriors.

The Eight Banner Army’s cavalry charges were majestic enough to stir the heart, but that was all. As soon as the matchlocks fired in unison, the Qing Dynasty’s elite warriors were shattered.

“They’re no match for us.”

The same applies here.

No matter how courageous they may be, they were merely ancient warriors. With proper equipment and tactics, they were no threat to us.