"Welco back, my Warriors," Ilschevar greeted with a soft smile. "The news about your splendid performance reached my ears you did. Without each of you telling what you did in the battle, I can tell what you managed to achieve and how well you fought."
Gazing over the entire army, he continued, "Still, I need to hear the report of the Generals who have splendidly led their troops in the conquest of our nesis, Antares. Lemius, Jovenus and Velucan--all three of you, step forward and tell about the conquest."
The three Generals stepped forward and paid their respect. Starting from Lemius, each of them told Ilschevar about their fights and the happenings they noticed during the battle that many people might have missed.
They expressed their concern about the Temple's lack of action. Sending three Legions of Paladins to support Antares in the fight was not a huge help at all. Considering how close Antares and the Temple were, it was a plain declaration of disinterest. They knew what they were doing--they knew the three Legions were nowhere near enough.
There was a possibility that the Temple knew the fight couldn't be won either way, which was why they half-heartedly support the Antares Army. No matter how close they were, after all, Antares was not just another Kingdom under their influence; they wouldn't think it was worth it to waste their manpower on it.
Thinking logically, that reason was highly likely to be the case. Having dealt with humans for millennia, though, the people of the Verniculos Kingdom knew well how tricky humans were. They had learnt to never take things for granted from humans. They always reminded themselves to be careful with every stunt humans pulled.
The unexpected appearance of Elegast in the war also further convinced the Generals that humans had sothing waiting for the people of Verniculos. No one knew when the Elven Commander invaded the battlefield, so they were sure everything was preditated.
"...as for that matter, my Liege, I strongly suggest you ask Layland for the details."
Velucan, who had finished his report, bowed politely and then took a step back. His words caused everyone to turn to Layland at the sa ti Ilschevar turned his head to the said young Demon.
Receiving everyone's gaze, Layland ignored them and stared into Ilschevar's eyes. "Allow to tell you about what happened inside the small Domain I made during the battle."
Ilschevar nodded his head in response to Layland's words, prompting Layland to get out of the line as he walked toward Ilschevar. Stopping two steps before the Demon King, the young Demon, who was as tall as the Demon King, fearlessly stared the Demon King in his eyes.
Ilschevar smiled brightly, yet one could feel the hint of bloodlust hidden underneath the smile. Did Ilschevar feel offended? No, he didn't. Quite the contrary, he was excited. He wanted to test how much stronger Layland had beco for him to show that much gut. Like the others, he could hardly tell Layland's limitation.
"Do speak, Layland."
"Very well, My Liege." Layland nodded his head. "During the ti I was playing with the Hero who had his heart replaced by a wackily modified heart, an Elf nad Elegast Lunio, who claid to be the Third General of the Eternal Light Army invaded my Domain."
He went on about the chronology of the event. He comnted on the prowess and the raw power of Elegast. He hoped that every bit of information he had would help the army greatly in the future but his comnts made his fellow Warriors realize how far away he was from them. The way he viewed Elegast as a fairly challenging opponent said a lot about his competence.
He also talked about Phoebesius, the Guardian Beast of the Light Elven Empire, which surprised a lot of people. No one knew about this piece of information--not even Ilschevar and Valeria--until he said it, so they couldn't help but wonder if it was the reason why he assud his True Form.
They were half right about it. Phoebesius, indeed, had a hand in Layland assuming his True Form; however, the reason why it happened was Kruff's death, his first loss in this world. The mood beca solemn as he talked about how much he appreciated Kruff as a senior and ntor. It reminded them of their fallen comrades.
Being the Warriors of the Demon King made them different, of course. They got over the solemn mood quickly and focused on admiring Layland's wit in handling the situation with Phoebesius. They admired the fact that Layland could trade blows with the Phoenix. First and foremost, of course, they respected Layland for being able to trick the Phoenix.
"Then...should you et the Phoenix again, how well do you think you will fare against it?" Ilschevar asked.
"Is killing it good enough?" Layland quipped.
Cackling softly, Ilschevar nodded his head. "Yes, it is, my Warrior."
Bowing respectfully, Layland joined the Generals. He stood beside Lemius who was looking at him in astonishnt. The Demon King General couldn't believe Layland had the confidence to stand beside them. Not even soone as strong as Eliseus, after all, ever did what he did after being asked to report sothing to the Demon King.
"Don't worry, I am not underestimating you here," Layland spoke, attracting Lemius' attention. "I am standing here because I know our Liege will reward with sothing soon."
"Why are you so sure that you are going to get one?" Lemius retorted in amusent.
"Now, now. I am not so sure about that either. Who knows that I might get three?"
"Cheeky bastard..."
The straight-faced, eternally stoic Lemius smirked humorously, causing Jovenus and Velucan to wonder if the Demon standing with them was the Demon they knew. They soon shook their heads faintly as they couldn't help but admire how powerful Layland's skill of making people like him was.
"Layland Kleinhaus," Ilschevar called. "Of all the Warriors I have ever had; you are the fastest to climb the rank and achieve great things. I can't help but wonder where your limit is; therefore, I want to find out."
Ilschevar smiled faintly but mysteriously, causing Layland to slightly frown. He could imdiately tell that Ilschevar was about to do sothing that would bless him as much as it cursed him.
"All of my warriors perford splendidly in the conquest that was just concluded. I have prepared a reward for all of you but I have an extra reward for so that did exceptionally. Layland, I am sure you already know you are one of the exceptional perforrs. I will give you a special reward but know that I also want to test your limit."
Smirking lightly, Ilschevar taunted, "Do you think you will be able to accept the reward?"
Layland didn't mind what he had done went unrewarded. He had reaped a lot from the fights he had, so he had enough rewards to refuse Ilschevar's reward. Despite that and the fact that he had a slightly uncomfortable feeling about it, he didn't refuse. He knew Ilschevar had sothing planned for him and he was sure he would throw away an opportunity to advance should he refuse the reward.
"I won't refuse the gift from the Demon King."
Satisfied by Layland's answer, Ilschevar smiled brightly. The look on his face caused Layland to click his tongue in irritation.
"Very well, my Warrior, Layland Kleinhaus. I, the Ninth Demon King, Ilschevar Verniculos, hereby bestow you the full right to govern the newly conquered territory Antares!"
Pin-drop silence descended upon the field after the people heard what Ilschevar said. Bewildered gazes were directed at Layland, anwhile, the disbelieving looks of so individuals filled Ilschevar's vision.
The two ignored their surroundings and stared at each other. Both of them smirked at the sa ti--one challengingly and the other one irritatingly. It wasn't explicit but it was clear to so people that Ilschevar had just exposed Layland's identity. Layland could already imagine the trouble that would bombard him soon, so he couldn't help but feel irked.
Having overco countless hardships, however, he soon shook his head. Every predicant was a challenge and a challenge was a quick way to improve himself--it was sothing that he should be thankful for.
"I shall perform as well as your expectation." Saying this in determination, Layland bowed politely.
"Good." Ilschevar nodded his head. "Ah, I think you need to know this. I will assign so of my chosen Warriors to help you manage Antares, so don't be afraid--you will not carry everything on your shoulders. You are still the man in charge, though, so the prosperity of the territory is in your hands."
Even without Ilschevar telling him who the helpers would be, Layland could already tell who they would be--the other Demon King Candidates. Layland wasn't sure whether Ilschevar wanted to end it once and for all or he did it for his amusent but Layland was sure things would get interesting.
After Layland was allowed to return to the line, another Warrior was called to the front. It was soone whom they least expected to be rewarded with sothing--Vibiane. Many but Layland and so who knew her wondered if there was a mistake. It wasn't until they heard what she had done did they widen their eyes in shock.
She had led so Fifth Wing Warriors to infiltrate the Kingdom to kill the remaining army there while everyone was busy fighting. They managed to seize the capital and prevent the self-destruct chanism of the Kingdom from activating.
It was a huge achievent for Vibiane who had always been under the radar because of her lack of confidence. She was rewarded with the Seventh Wing Rank and it made her so happy that she ran at Layland while crying happily.
Layland smiled softly and hugged her without having the urge to choke her to death for the first ti.
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