Chapter 310

Chapter 310

Otherworld Demon King Survival Guide.

Episode 310: Lady Vera (1)

The Lamias’ nature was left to the beautiful and impressive Dark Elves to explain.

“Listen up!”

For now, Anna’s human infantry included senior non-commissioned officers composed of Dark Elves. After all, you couldn’t operate a unit with just fresh recruits; that’s a recipe for disaster.

That’s why experienced Dark Elves were assigned to the unit.

This strategy served multiple purposes: Dark Elves were mysterious, beautiful, strong, and kind.

As a result of these combined attributes, the human soldiers naturally respected and followed the Dark Elf officers. Honestly, if a Dark Elf lady had kindly taught me, I’d have followed her too.

“Those snake women are called Lamias! They are mercenaries of the forest, under the command of us Dark Elves! They were brought in to minimize our losses in this war!”

“I-Is that so?”

“Exactly. Any questions about this, soldiers?”

Vina, the senior officer, skillfully managed the situation.

“Private! James! I have a question!”

“Go ahead, James.”

“Aren’t the Lamias dangerous? I find it hard to believe that monsters can understand contracts!”

“Sharp observation, James. But no need to worry. Lamias are intelligent enough to understand contracts.”

“Understood!”

With that, the soldiers’ unease subsided.

The angels were already understood to be defectors. The pixies were perceived as holy beings. And they had yet to see the goblins’ faces.

Although they encountered the mixed-species unit, the careful preparations we’d made to normalize this interaction paid off, and there were no major issues.

“Heh heh heh.”

This was why thorough preparation was crucial.

“Anna, are there any other issues?”

“Well, while their questions about the mixed species have been answered, new doubts have arisen about the enemies we’re fighting.”

“Go and tell them. This battle was against the forces of Count Saidin.”

Matters like these required proper explanation.

Soldiers who didn’t know who they’re fighting or why were just fools. Mindless combat was never effective. Wars must have reasons.

“Count Saidin planned to kidnap our Saintess by force, intending to make her his wife and take everything from her.”

I gave Anna a simple explanation.

“He used the angel invasion as an excuse to rally forces and commit atrocities. This is something we humans cannot tolerate, which is why we fought among ourselves. Do you understand?”

“Yes…! I’ll explain that to them!”

Anna, looking deeply moved, immediately ran off to deliver an educational speech to the soldiers. This should handle their morale and resolve.

And with that mental fortification in place, we must arm them materially as well.

“Now, we’ll begin organizing the spoils of war!”

Victory deserved its rewards. The human soldiers, having played their role as the anvil, should receive a fair share.

Armor, clothes, personal belongings of the fallen enemy soldiers—

All of it was worth an incredible amount.

“Woooooaaaaaahhh!”

With such rewards, any lingering distrust among the soldiers vanished. Whatever the situation, tangible rewards always bring happiness.

It was an official grand victory.

The streets buzzed with news of triumph, and the soldiers who participated in the battle spread the word everywhere, filling the entire territory with excitement.

I devoured all the resources possessed by the three lesser lords. Their value was immense. These lords had been hoarding military supplies for years, and now I consumed them all at once!

Unfortunately, unlike Helson next door, this wasn’t a neighboring territory, and other complications meant demanding reparations would be difficult.

Nevertheless, the Count wouldn’t dare provoke me easily now.

“Good.”

With that thought in mind, I descended into the underground prison.

Viscount Kelson had become a shadow of his former self. He had lost all his weight, having been sent here by Count Saidin to spout nonsense, only to end up wasting away.

“Good morning, Kelson.”

“Ah, ahh…?”

“Myler, Mellerja, Ogonbrite—three baronial armies crushed. The Count has no more cards to play, does he?”

“W-What?!”

Kelson was visibly shocked.

“I never expected you to defeat them all…!”

“You assumed we’d lose, didn’t you?”

“Y-Yes. How did you manage to overcome three lords alone? This is impossible!”

“It’s the truth. So tell me, what do you think the Count will do next?”

This man was the Count’s confidant.

By using him, I could indirectly gain insight into the Count’s thoughts and strategies.

“O-Of course, he will come to negotiate again… He sees you as an equal now, so he won’t cause a scene like I did. He’ll want to draft a proper treaty.”

“Hmm.”

An alliance negotiation, then.

“Please… Please give me some food… I’m starving so much I can’t survive on what I’m getting…”

Kelson, now half his former weight, pleaded pitifully. Fine. I can’t have him dying, so I’ll allow him occasional special meals.

“Jailer.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The jailer was a Dark Elf.

“Serve him porridge with plenty of beans.”

“Understood.”

“Nooo, not beans…!”

He was still picky? Unbelievable.

After achieving a resounding victory, we organized the supplies, stockpiled military goods, spread propaganda, and improved the welfare of my subordinates.

As a result, everyone had become so accustomed to life in the city that if I told them to return to the forest dungeon, they’d ask how they were supposed to survive there.

“Master, listen! The human shops were so dazzling!”

“It was so much fun!”

“Yeah! It was amazing!”

Starting with Juria, then Nekri, and even Serinu—they were now receiving money, and I had granted them squad-level outings during their free time. They’d go out, buy food, or get trinkets, enjoying themselves immensely.

“Heh heh heh, was it really that great, everyone?”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

“Yeah!”

Seeing them this happy made me feel good too. Perhaps it was because they were women? The Lamias, Dark Elves, and Pixies loved going out, while the Goblins and Kobold Imps seemed less interested.

They preferred lounging in the barracks and sleeping. They cared more about tasty food than money.

“This is truly a monster paradise, a monster utopia. I never imagined I’d see my territory transform like this.”

“Isn’t it nice, Lady Reika?”

“I guess it is.”

“Look around—monsters and humans are living together in harmony. That’s the essence of peace, isn’t it?”

“Sounds nice at first glance, but aren’t those monsters killing humans too?”

“Heh heh heh, well, there is that.”

ㅡSwish.

As Reika spoke, she sat on the edge of my desk.

“Well… does this mean we’ve established ourselves?”

“Indeed. We’ve grown stronger. Ordinary barons can’t even compare to us anymore; we’re at the next level. But we’re not on par with a count yet, so it’s too early to be complacent.”

“Is that so… Hey, by the way…”

Reika seemed like she wanted to say something.

“Are you suggesting we go to bed?”

“I don’t know, damn it.”

Well, if that was the case, let’s go.

As Kelson predicted, Count Saidin sent another envoy.

“Hmm.”

This time, however, it wasn’t just the Count—an envoy from another lord had arrived as well.

ㅡClink.

It was a female knight.

She had sleek brown hair and a well-proportioned figure. Her sharp eyes were quite captivating, and the discipline and loyalty evident in her movements stirred my possessive instincts.

Overall, she resembled Vanessa—a female knight with a similar aura. Strengthened by mana and physical training, she was both beautiful and alluring.

“Lady Vera sent me, General.”

“Lady Vera.”

I introduced myself as the Saintess’s General, and the knight respectfully addressed me.

Lady Vera… I’d heard of her before. The Saintess had mentioned her.

She was said to be a powerful ruler, known for her fiery red hair and reputation for being both beautiful and wild. Her influence rivaled that of Count Saidin, but she had maintained neutrality in the current angel crisis.

Her territory, being somewhat removed from the central regions, allowed her to stay neutral.

But here, she wasn’t that far away.

“My Lady wishes to have a close discussion with the Saintess. Additionally, she expressed a desire to speak with the black-haired general who defeated multiple barons.”

So, this Lady Vera seemed interested in forging a connection with us. I paused to think. Unlike Kelson, this knight had shown proper courtesy.

That meant we could have a productive conversation.

And a beautiful lady lord? Intriguing. If I could dominate this Lady Vera, our faction would undoubtedly grow stronger.

“I’m curious about what she wants to discuss. Could you give me a hint?”

“If you wish.”

ㅡSwish.

The knight retrieved a scroll from her belt and handed it to me. Reading it over, I saw the contents were indeed related to an alliance.

“Hmm.”

There was much to consider here.

Currently, the strongest noble by far was Count Saidin. Though already powerful, he had rapidly expanded his influence during this war. He’s undeniably the top player.

Lady Vera, while equally strong, hadn’t grown her influence as much due to her neutrality.

She’s essentially second-tier.

She’s likely receiving numerous proposals from the Count, but her interest in allying with me—someone now openly opposing the Count—suggested something interesting.

“Heh heh heh.”

This woman seemed to have grand ambitions.

It felt like she intended to devour Count Saidin herself. The moment I discerned her ambitions, my interest in Lady Vera deepened.

This was an incubus’s instinct.

The impulse to claim a superior female was stirring within me.

Even amid a war with the angels, humans were exploiting the situation to wage endless civil wars. With humans like this, it’s only natural for a demon like me to smile.