32: Building An Army

In the afternoon, Darius was finally freed from Maria's grasp after hours of scolding session. She was worried to death and couldn't sleep for the whole night, waiting for his return.

Maria was calmed down when Lilith briefed what had happened in the dungeon. Well, she patched the story with lies here and there, to keep the Demonicon World secret from the gullible young lady by altering the truth. Slightly. It was too dangerous for a mere human to know the truth since Demonicon was one of the cursed weapons in this plain.

"Okay, let me get this straight, your name is Lilith, a demoness who had been sealed in the dungeon and now you are Darius' servant after he undid the seal and put Restrictive Spell on you?"

"Correct!" Lilith lift up her ragged shirt to show her crotch tattoo to Maria. "Look, this is Master's mark!"

Maria immediately pulled Lilith's shirt down. As a dignified young lady, Maria despised any form of inappropriate manner. Her face twitched upon looking how dirty and smelly this little demon was. She couldn't stand it anymore and decided to dress Lilith properly.

"You shouldn't show your tummy so freely like that! Also, why your clothes is ragged here and there, it's revealing your skin to much. Geez! Have some decency!"

"Decency? Oh, you mean by putting a cumbersome dress like you do? It's too much for the hassle for a demoness like me."

"This brat!" Maria yanked the little succubus' hand. "Follow me!"

"Eh, wait where are we going?"

"To the bathroom, We will need to wash the filth."

"Eh? No! Anything but that!" Lilith retaliate like a cat who despised water. "Master, help me!"

In the end, she couldn't do anything but to accept her fate. Darius couldn't care less about it and let Maria do her things with Lilith. It's also could be a good lesson for Lilith to learn how to live amongst humans and blends herself in the society.

Darius, however, pretended to not hear anything and changed his clothes. He then picked the Chieftain Staff along with the Demonicon Grimoire and walked out.

"I'll check on the Village Hall, meet me there once you've done." Darius says in a slightly high voice.

"Sure, I'll catch up with you!" Maria replied from the bathroom while she restrained the stray cat in her hands.

Afterward, Darius arrived at the Village Hall and found the place was already crowded with villagers. And of course, Mathilda was the center of their attention.

"... And thus, The Child of Heaven brought Belial, the Demon Warlord, right beneath his feet. He brandished the sword upon the demon's neck and said this; "Yield, or shall the cold steel of my blade be the last thing you feel."

The villagers, especially the kids, applauded in festivity. They began to believe that the Child of God in Mathilda's song was none other than Darius' himself. After decades living in modesty, it's time for Undine Village to hoist the sails and conquer the plain for their Chief is now here.

Darius stood behind the crowd with perplexed feelings. Bjorn and Skallgard were the first who noticed Darius' presence. The two burly warriors greeted their chief and parted away, followed by the other villagers with respect.

Mathilda immediately step off the stage and let the Village Chief to do his speech.

"You said unnecessary things, Mathilda." Darius whispered, annoyed by her fabricated story.

The Black Witch chuckled. "Fufu, just enjoy the moment. Besides, your people needs someone to look up to."

Notwithstanding her usual mischievous antics, Darius step up on the stage and cleared his throat to get their attention.

"My people," Darius voice was deep, carrying a charisma that was exceeded the previous Village Chief. "Until now, I've only heard your struggles, pain and agony throughout the years since the very first hut was built on this soil. But today, I have experienced how it feels to loss the people you loved. The hardship that it takes to put the foods on the table. By tomorrow, I promised you, there will no cold houses, there will be dinner on your table each evening and no children shall die in vain, ever again!"

The villagers cheered aloud and only stopped when Darius raised his hand.

"It's time to change, it's for us, to show the whole world who we are and what we are capable of!"

"Chief!"

"Hail the Chief!"

"Long live the Chief!"

Darius let villagers hailed his name until they quieted down.

"However, my words would only be a dream without hardship, resilient and we must steel our heart and mind to fight those who will brought their swords, spears and arrows onto our front doors. The enemies are closing, and we will hit them back by hundred folds!"

"Ooohhh!"

*****

Darius' speech lighten up their spirits.

After that, everybody was busy day and night preparing the weaponry and the village defense wall. Although the wall was made from wood and stitched together with rope and clay, it look very domineering from the other side.

Walking on the shores, Darius busied himself by checking the defence line as well as drawing the summoning circle for his Demon Army that is stored inside the Demonicon World.

At last, he summoned Belial, the Demon Warlord whose strength was equal with Early Rank 3 Mage to the real world. Unbeknownst to anyone, Belial's core had been restored which also allows Darius to change Belial's personality and get rid of his resentment toward him.

"My Sire." Under the cover of the night, Belial kneeled before Darius. 

Mathilda was there also, to supervise that Belial was indeed has been tamed by Darius after he rewrote the demon's personality.

'Not only recording their soul and true name, Demonicon Grimoire could also alter the Demon's personality as per the owner's wish? Just how strong is Darius' Spiritual Sense?!'

"What do you think, Mathilda?"

"Hmm, having a powerful Demon to our side will give us a massive advantage. However, Baron Roger Von Gill would have an upper hand if he report your allegiance with demons to the Heavenly Church. You know what I am saying, right?"

"Indeed. But none of those bastards shall live to tell the tales." Darius said, coldly.