Waking up on a pile of furs is never going to get comfier. My back would kill me if I didn’t have the amount of endurance I have, I swear it...

Rolling out of my makeshift bed, I quickly don my Demon Lord clothing. The chirping of birds and soft wind on my face to ease my weary soul… Until the crunching leaves and a twig snapping shatter my alone time.

Seeing that it is Sek and Rezvorn I sigh and wipe myself off of any dirt to look presentable.

Sek is still wearing his black as night armour, and wielding his claymore as if it was a pool noodle in weight. His back as straight as a board and is staring straight at me however, which isn’t a surprise.

Rezvorn on the other hand has all four of his hands free which is odd considering he is always holding his bows or swords, and is grinning ear to ear in his leather armour. Note to self, make sure I never see a Ravager grin or smile again. Tongues and teeth shouldn’t be that long nor sharp.

“So what happened for you to already be back Rezvorn. I don’t think this is your send off for your mission.” I ask, stroking my chin.

Rezvorn nods his head several times in rapid succession, not losing his psychotic grin in the slightest. His swords clanging on his back as if wind chimes for how fast he is moving and generally fidgeting.

“No, Master, I bring back amazing news from my mission!” His grin grows wider as he speaks and I hear the faint sound of skin tearing. “The base that I was supposed to find is but a few hours away from our camp. Not only that, it is hardly defended by a small ragtag ill equipmented amount of men.” He scoffs.

“It’s almost as if they want us to conquer it. It’s in disrepair by massive degrees, only the inner keep is somewhat defensible and in somewhat useable state. The ‘guards’ positioned there are all around the same amount of power of the Hobgoblins here, except their leader which is about as strong as one of our Hindbears.” Rezvorn finishes.

“Is it really that bad?!” I exclaim. Is Lady luck showing me some needed love and affection today?! If it’s true, I will definitely build you a shrine in the base if we conquer it!

Notification

You have gotten the attention of ‘Lady Luck’, and is eagerly awaiting a shrine to be built inside The Citadel of Hope. Disappointing her will achieve very Negative results. However if you achieve this, you will most likely be given a blessing in kind!

What the hell is this shit! What is it with me getting the attention of Gods, Goddesses and mysterious entities! Is there a parental control or something in this world. Perhaps incognito or something!?

I’ll just have to deal with it… Think of it as karma for what I did before we left the village, guh…

“Yes, Master! Only the inner keep of the base is still semi-useable and they are only defending it with about twenty men, which is around two/fifths of their total number.” Rezvorn cracks his knuckles. “I believe that we should attack tonight, strike fast and hard without them knowing what hit them.”

“Master, I agree with Rezvorn. It would be best to strike tonight as we never know when or if their numbers will grow. We will make sure we scout once more before the initial strike to make sure the numbers are accurate.” Sek states and bangs his chest. “By tonight it shall be yours!”

I smile eye to hear. “Wonderful! We will have to iron out all the details when we get the second report, right?” Sek banges his chest in response. “Perfect, make sure you gather your men and start doing drills for preparation.”

“By your will be done, Master.” Sek saluates and leaves with Rezvorn, who is still grinning. I’m going to have to reward him for a good job done. Hopefully he stops grinning though…

Twenty men defending the inner keep of famous defence against daemon kind, as well as it being semi-useable. What are they thinking? Their probably bandits, it has to be if there is only around fifty of them and ill equipped in a broken down Citadel.

Now that I can’t get my mind off of it, I wonder what defensive features it has… With Rezvorn saying how weak they are, I bet he could easily go in there and kill them all without being spotted. But, was he even able to get into the Citadel? He did say only twenty are defending and that's two/fifths if them.

I should’ve asked for more information dammit! I’ll find out before the attack anyways. Worst comes to worst, we retreat and go a different direction. We’re going to have to find more soon. Shit.

Why couldn’t I have just been Hero instead of a Demon Lord for fucks sake… No use in complaining. I do have a large amount of loyal followers who would go through hell and back for me… Who are also consider me their hero… Sigh…

What would father do?

...You know what, lets not do what father would do, holy shit!

Let's just go see Erlin again. Maybe this time I will actually ask for his help with magic and not get drawn into one of his and Nibbit’s arguments.

Walking back to where Erlin is usually staying I find him alone reading a dusty book. Perfect.

“Erlin, I would like your help with a magical problem I’m having.” Scratching the back of my head. “Could you please help me with it?”

Erlin looks up with a pleasant surprise on his face hearing me. I know because his head whipped up, closed the book and his fire eyes grew a bit. Not because I startled him.

“O-of course Master! It would be my pleasure. What is the specific problem you are having with the arcane arts? Lack of mana? Imagination? Willpower?” Erlin asks which I groan at his last question.

His skeletal face twists into a sly grin. “I see, now. Your having problems with Drekon and Bryo’s teachings aren’t you?”

“Is it that easy to notice?” I scowl and cross my arms.

“Don’t let it stress you out, Master. This is normal for all disciples of the arcane arts, going for a branch not in their affinities.” He slides his book away and gives me his full attention. “It doesn’t help that the one you have been giving the most attention to is Cryomancy with Byro, and you have the Hellfire affinity.”

“And what about Soulmancy then?” I growl out shaking my head side to side.

“Your trying to hard most likely.” He states.

“I’m sorry. Did you just say… ‘Trying to hard’?” I hiss between my teeth.

He sighs, tapping his leg. “Master, you need to relax. Certain magical affinities do not come when you wish to force them. Some need the right mentality to be used and philosophy about what they represent. This does not hamper affinities however, but will empower them if you follow them.”

“So your saying, the reason I’m failing is because I’m not in the right mindset, when I’m trying to cast the new spells?” I put my hands together and lean forward. Which Erlin nods.

“Exactly.”

“Then why does both of your sons keep saying ‘use your willpower’, over and over again…” I grumbles out, which Erlin sighs. Asshole, I’m the only one allowed to sigh in this camp…

“I keep forgetting you were never properly taught about magic and how to wield it.” Erlin extends his hand out having his palm face the sky. “The willpower stat helps you connect with the Mana in the world which explains why it helps Mana regen. It also allows you to connect with one's self, and the world.

A ball of pure blue mana the size of a basketball appears above his hand. “It helps you ground yourself if you need it, or helps guide you to enlightenment if you are attempting to learn a new spell.” I start to feel the air chill and the ball of mana slowly freezes over. “If you relax and let it guide you, you will slowly but surely reach the thought process and emotions needed to cast the spell, and if it’s one of your affinities, empower it.”

The ball of now Ice mana collapses in on itself and dissipates leaving his boney hand to be covered in frost. “This is why when my sons say, ‘Use your willpower’, their telling you to allow it to guide you through the process. Not to mock you.” He chuckles.

I rub my face as I grit my teeth. “It was that simple?” He nods.

He claps his hands together. “How about you try the two spells my sons have been trying to teach you? With how high you told me your wisdom stat is, and Magical Rank, I believe you will have it in no time now.”

“Well, I’ll try.” I mumble.

“Just relax, and you will succeed, Master.”

I rub my face once more before I try to relax and think about the spell Soul Seeing. I sit, staying still as I start to feel a tingling sensation over my body. It gradually moves specifically to my eyes. My mana soon follows the tingling sensation. Once both are together in my eyes I feel a great heat in my eyes before opening them.

The world lights up with me seeing small light blue lights within all the living creatures nearby. Even the undead and Erlin have them. They are all within the chests of everything I look at except the plants and trees which have it in their flower head or in the middle of their stem/trunk.

Congratulations!

You have learned your first new spell of an affinity you do not have! Congrats once again for learning [Soul Seeing]!

Soulmancy [Mage Rank]

Soul Seeing: [Active] When cast, you can make it that you see the soul of any object and where it is within their body, in your vicinity. [100 Mana per Minute]

“I see the souls… I see souls! Muahahahaha!!!” I couldn’t stop myself from laughing maniacally! After two bloody weeks I have learned that damned spell!

Erlin starts clapping. “Congratulations, Master! It wasn’t that hard after all was it?”

“Your right! It really was that easy. Time to try out Ice Spear now?” I ask Erlin who nods and gestures to a tree.

At his invitation I start going through the meditation like trance again. This time I felt a chill go through me. It as well as my mana goes towards my right palm is frantically bouncing around there waiting to be released. I point towards the tree and watch a 2 meter long icicle burst out like a rifle round and pierce through several trees before stopping in the eighth one.

Cryomancy [Mage Rank]

Lesser Ice Spear: [Active] Shoot a 2 meter long ice spear that will try to piece anything in it’s path. Can cause frostbite and in worst cases, hyperthermia. [100 Mana per Cast]

“Just be warned, Master. The stronger the spell, and higher the Magical Rank, the harder it will be able to learn it.” Erlin says seeing my crazy smile after casting. “It won’t always be this easy.”

“Understood, Erlin.” I start to rub my hands together. “Erlin, we are moving out tonight to possibly attack the base you we’re talking about.”

He gasps. “Already? Did you already scout it out?” I nod. “Okay then, I will make sure my mages are ready tonight's possible attack than.”

Nodding to him as I walk away to go find Nibbit. It’s been a while since we sat down and chatted.

After a couple of minutes walking around the encampment, getting some flowers from the Hobgoblin children and respectful bows from their parents, I find Nibbit talking with Stronk in a makeshift hut.

Stronk has been doing pretty well, wearing banged up platemail and wielding an unchipped and rusty sword now. He has even started to sharpen his tusks coming out of his mouth. He even gored a Wolf on one them when we were hunting.

Once he sees me, he stops he turns right towards me and saluates. Nibbit looked confused for a moment why Stronk did that before realization dawned him, and he bows towards me as fast as he physically could.

“Stronk, Captain of the Royal Guard stands at attention, Master. What is thine will.” Stronk shouts out as he stands at attention. His eyes staring straight towards me with a hardly concealed zeal and lust for battle to prove his worth.

‘Perhaps making him the Captain of the Royal Guard was a mistake and too soon… He is after all the only one so far, and did need to tell him he doesn't need to sleep in the same bed as me for protection… How are you supposed to protect your liege if you sleeping anyways? Not like I’m using him to guard me when I sleep anyways with all the Undead around.

‘Nah. Given time he will probably grow into it and be amazing at the job, sooner or later. Just give it time.’

“At ease, I just wish too talk to Nibbit” I gesture for him to relax, but he tenses up when I only say I wish to talk to Nibbit. “And you as well after.” I quickly add, before he cries again for being excluded like last time.

He nods to me and relaxes as Nibbit wryly smiles at me as he too relaxes. I gesture to sit on the few surviving chairs and table we took from the village.

Nibbit swiftly takes a seat and Stronk grunts and shakes his head. “When Master is within my presence, I must be diligent to protect him! I can not sit.”

I shrug and take a seat across from Nibbit who is still smiling and whispers to me. “I told you, making him that would go to head.” I just scowl in return as he chuckles.

“So, what do you need to speak with me about, Master?” Nibbit asks as he starts to fiddle with his fingers. His eyes trying to keep eye contact but every so often wanders off skittishly.

I snorted as I stretch my arms above my head. “What? I can’t speak to my right hand man and friend without having something on the agenda?” I smirk at him, which he stiffens. “I thought we were getting closer.”

“N-no, not at all, Sire! W-wait I m-mean…!?” Nibbit stutters and and waves his hands around frantically trying to apologize as I just started howling at him in laughter as he slowly calms down afterwards, looking like a fire hydrant.

“Relax man, I was just jesting with ya. You don’t need to have a stick up your butt. It’s quite funny that you act so superior to everyone unless you're talking to me personally.” I wipe away a tear. “You can rip into someone about how someone screwed up something simple, but if it’s between us your like a maiden in love!”

I grinned at him. “Your not gay for me are you? I’ll have you know I already have my heart ready for someone.”

He shakes his head frantically. “N-no, no, no Sire! I w-would never! I like f-females alright!” He says shakily and I start laughing again.

He sighs and puts his head in his hands as he sighs heavily and grumbles. “Sometimes I think us bringing you to our village was more of a curse than a blessing…”

I stop laughing and bite my tongue as he says that. Thinking of the village burning down, and all the dead goblins… ‘Maybe I was actually a curse to them and not a blessing…’

Noticing me not laughing at anymore and the solemn mood he instantly goes into his panic mode again. “I didn’t mean it like that, Sire!” His face in desperate panic. “I just mean that all of this teasing and stress of being your right hand man isn’t good for my heart! That’s all.”

Rubbing my face I take a deep breath before I try to purge the thoughts from my mind and try to relax. “I see… Y-.. You want me to relieve you of being my Right hand man then? More time to yourself no stress from it?” I ask.

He shakes his head as his eyes then stare into my. His face resolute. “No. It is an honour to serve as your Right hand man, Sire. I wouldn’t give it up for the world.” He bangs his chest, and then winces for hitting it hard. “I swear it.”

I smile and chuckle softly. “Thank you, Nibbit. It means a lot to me.”

“It’s no problem, Sire. It’s what we’re here for.” He smiles back.

I straighten my back and get serious. Nibbit noticing this does the same. “Well, I believe I wasted enough time. You are correct I had something to talk with you about.”

“It’s about the base, Erlin was talking about yesterday?” Nibbit asks as he frowns and spits to the side. “I don’t think we should go anywhere near it, Sire. If it was used to fight off Demons and the Demon Lord, It could be dangerous for you.”

“Normally I would agree with you Nibbit, but I got a report from Rezvorm this morning about how fortified the position is and if there is anyone there.” I grinned deviously. “Apparently, there is only around fifty people guarding the broken down base. Their ill equipped, around as strong as normal Hobgoblins we have here, and their strongest is about as strong as a normal hindbear.

“I believe that we can easily crush them tonight, and have gotten Sek and his lieutenants, including Erlin, ready to strike it tonight.” I lean back. “We will move out tonight, sending out a scout before we attack to make sure it is still as weak as we thought before we fully commit.”

He frowns and stops fiddling with his fingers. “So you came here, only to tell me that?”

Shaking my head negative, I reply. “No, I want to tell you that and hear your opinion of the plan. I want to hear your input on my decision. Not always will act upon my decision before hearing your opinion of it.”

I scratch my chin. “This choice was already decided once Rezvorn told me how bad the defences are and…” I sigh before rolling my eyes. “I got a ‘quest’ from Lady Luck to build her a shrine there when I take it...”

“You got a quest from Lady Luck!?!”

“Yeah, like I said. She wants a shrine built in th-”

Nibbit smashes his fist onto the table, causing Stronk who wasn’t really paying attention to jump up in shock and look around frantically for the noise.

“You must complete it, no matter the cost, Sire!” He leans over the table grabbing my cloaks collar. “I can not stress this enough, Sire! You never displease Lady Luck, and you do whatever she asks of you!”

“Aight, alright, Nibbit! I got it! Calm down!” I push the crazy eyed lunatic away as his slowly calms down. “I know Goblins and their close relatives like the Hobgoblins are blessed by her, but what the hell man!”

“I- I don’t know what came over me, Sire. Sorry…” He bows his head.

I sigh and put my hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay, just… Don’t go exorcist on me please.” I grin. “I don’t have any spells to purify possession.

He just stares blankly at me. ‘Huh, I shouldn’t be surprised he doesn’t get the reference.’ I shrug and put my hand on my chin.

“So, no opposition for the attack tonight.” I chuckle.

He shakes his head. “None at all, Sire. I think the people will actually be happy that we will have a new home soon.”

“Wonderful! One less thing to worry about.” I clap my hands and look to Stronk. “Get over here. I want to ask you something.”

He walks over and salutes which I sigh. “What do you wish to know, Master? I will answer anything you wish of me.” He raises his nose and tusks up as he smiles.

The edge of my lip raises. “How many of the Hobgoblins are trained for battle?”