Coctus was the current leader of the vampires. And had he not been called by the Demon King, he would have likely continued to stay out of the matter.
“Well, that’s fine. If you always had that kind of attitude, we would not have to waste time like this. Remember that.”
The vampire shrugged and projected a map of the continent on the round table.
Most of the northwest part was colored in a toxic purple.
“Hedekias has fallen into my hands completely. A few of the marine port towns are resisting…but it’s just a matter of time before they are finished.”
“Have you anything else to report?”
“No… Ah, apparently, there is one Hero over there. But it seems like he is taking time going through a single dungeon. So there is nothing to worry about.”
The Immortal Lord said with disinterest as he slumped back into his seat.
“I will make my report next then.”
“Lord Emeyugil. I will say who goes next.”
“Now, now. Don’t be so strict. I think my report is just the thing to light the king’s mood.”
Said the old withered man. While he looked like an old human, he was really a monster.
“Kedena is also in my grasp. Currently, I am gathering creatures in the area, humans and demihumans. And making some modifications. All for your glory, Lord Demon King.”
“I see… I will look forward to it then.”
Came the short reply. The old man bowed.
The area that he ruled on the continent was dyed black. He used magic arts to control living creatures, and also had the ability to modify them. He was one of the most famous amongst the demon lords.
“There is also a Hero on my lands. But I doubt he can do much. Thanks to the work of my spies, all the royals are suspicious. They will do what they can to stop this Hero.”
“…I see. And what else?”
He was a strategist at heart, which interested the Demon King. And so he happily continued with the report.
“Within the elf lands to the center, a dying tribe of dwarves were driven. They are currently trying to decide whether or not they will cut down the tree of their ancestors. And things look like they could erupt at any moment… Furthermore, the dragon tribes who live in the mountains…they had their eggs stolen by humans.”
“What happened to the eggs?”
“We are making good use of them. I hope to be able to show you soon.”
“How tedious. Why should the Demon King care about your little toys when he has the power to create creatures of his own?”
The giant groaned.
“If you have good news to report, say it! I do not want to listen to your horrible voice more than is necessary!”
“In that case…Lord Zono. Let’s hear your report.”
“Ye-yes!”
His face suddenly became serious.
“After our army regrouped, we returned to invading the various fortresses. We wiped out the groups of Heroes and are taking back most of the land.”
On the map, his lands of red were being pushed to the edges.
And even if he was regaining ground, it did not look like he had accomplished much.
“An…and so…um…”
“Be quick about it. How many do you need? Say it.”
“Ye-yes. I will tell the strategist later…”
“Why not say it now? Eh? Battle Demon Lord.”
The vampire said with a smile.
“Ask for soldiers that will help you out of this predicament. Since a Hero tore through and defeated your troops.”
“…!”
Zono stood up without making a sound. And in all of his hands, he gripped the weapons.
Axe, sword, spear, clubs. Brandishing these, he glared at the immortal.
On the other side, Cactus stood up gracefully and turned to the giant.
“Stop.”
The Demon King said without getting up from his throne.
The giant lowered his weapons and sat. The vampire bowed gracefully.
“Do not interrupt the proceedings with this nonsense. There is still the last report.”
“Really? But we have all reported the current situation.”
“No, the battles may be over, but the scars of war remain. Isn’t that right… Demon Lord?”
Up until that point, it seemed like everyone had been ignoring him. But now, all attention moved in his direction.
“Berganda. Let’s hear your report.”
The Minotaur stood up.
“The army of Heroes who traveled from the Central Continent, known as the Radiant Military, arrived at the port of Zaneji in the northwestern region. They rallied their warhorses and began their invasion. Several nearby fortresses have already been destroyed, and the advance shows no signs of stopping.”
“It cannot be helped. Even my demon beasts struggled against them. And you only have goblins, orcs and wyrms? It is little wonder that you lost.”
“That being said, one would hope he could do better. I feel bad for the Sea Demon Lord who died.”
“Now, now, you two. The Demon Lord is doing his duty admirably. After all, his role is to attract the Hero’s eye, just like bait.”
Said the elder, and the two laughed.
“I see! Yes, now that I think about it! Ah, I am sorry!”
“I am very happy to have someone like you with us. And I hope you continue to work well, as the cattle you are.”
As the insults came, Bergunda erased all emotion from his face and bore it.
Besides, they were not even wrong.
During the first meeting, the Demon King had asked him,
‘In the event that we spread out powerful monsters in every corner of the map, how would the Heroes respond?’
Without waiting for an answer, he continued.
‘They would work together, and do what they could to survive as long as possible. After all, they have the restriction of levels. Instead of relying on local soldiers and mercenaries, they would want allies. Heroes who could share their god’s blessing.’
In past games, Heroes had cooperated often.
In fact, that was what happened when the true ancestor was defeated.
‘However, if there was a land without strong monsters, where it was easy to level up, how would they act?’
While cooperating would raise their chances of survival, it also meant they would have to share the spoils. And since they relied on leveling up, gods would generally want to place their Hero in a good hunting ground, and keep others out.
Regardless, the Demon King had been right, and over a hundred Heroes gathered in Morania.
As for the other continents, with a few exceptions, most of them were not invaded, allowing the Demon King army to expand.
“However, why did the Hero army start its invasion towards Morania? Perhaps it was because your army was too weak, and they wanted to take a continent to make up for it?”
While furious by the vampire’s provocation, he kept his calm as he replied.
“They probably meant to defeat the Hero there, and gather blessings. Because they felt that they lacked power to defeat my army.”
“In any case, the fall of Morania is just a matter of time. But perhaps we should consider gathering our forces to the center continent, and crush the Hero army with full force.”
While Zono and Coctus did not look pleased by Emeyugil’s proposition, they had somewhat similar opinions.
“Well then. I think that is enough for today.”
“I am nearly finished with making adjustments on my test subjects. Please excuse my insolence, Lord Demon King.”
“Next time, my report will be one of victory.”
The three declared before vanishing from the hall.
Only Beganda remained, but he too started to get up.
“Wait.”
“…”
The Demon King was smiling.
Up until that moment, he had looked so uninterested.
“I have not heard your report yet.”
“But…”
“A report of victory. A cheap display from bad actors. I have more interest in seeing how someone speaks of defeat.”
He really was strange.
Berganda hid puzzlement as he changed the map to Morania, and gave what information he had.