The Barracks

"Well then, time to get out of here, let's go Hunger and... Shane." Nemesis told Hunger before his voice grew quiet in discomfort. He wasn't used to saying Shane's name when not addressing him in person. Well, unconscious in this case.

He had always lived his entire life in solitude, his only companions being Hunger and Deale during the entirety of his previous life. He was trying to grow accustomed to speaking the name of his new companion before simply sighing softly, his smile from before slowly turning into a frown.

"Well, he definitely deserves his rest for what he's done." Nemesis spoke to himself, dejected and couldn't help but mutter softly aloud. "But, how much of his previous battle was his own power and how much of a benefactor was my gifts to Shane during that fight."

Shaking his head as he continued his slow and steady stride out of the brothel being cautious to not disturb his sleeping Shane. A gentle smile grew upon his lips as he stared at Shane's innocent expression, only a single thought overtaking his brain.

'Is this what a parent feels like to hold their child after they did something - though with your aid - accomplishing the task you set out for them not expecting it to be a success.'

Nemesis shut his eyes as he buried one last thought which he kept secret from Hunger away.

'Anyway, to make sure they don't escape [Void Shackles].' Nemesis thought to himself as elsewhere in the brothel, chains appeared from the floor restraining the two nude demons and covering their mouths causing a silence effect to occur, though unnecessary currently as the two were still past out.

Re-opening them he gazed around and closely examined the area he was in, the [Rank-12 Demonic Village] [Vanquished Town].

Gears turned and a dull vibrant yellow flashed by Nemesis' eyes. Soon his right emerald green eye altered its shape, like jelly being churned about until it took the shape of a square. Various complex lines were drawn across the eye swiftly and in a moments notice the square-shaped eye now appeared to be of a map.

Gaining an aerial view of the entire town of around 30-40 or so buildings which surrounded the brothel which stood erected high and mighty in the center of the city being used for both the city council, mayor's building, brothel and a source of jobs which the village inhabitants did for Spites; it really was the lifeblood of the town for it not only ordered edible food and clean water to satisfy the body's requirements but also was directly connected to the [Bureau of Invoked Intelligence], not that any of [Vanquished Town]'s inhabitants were aware.

He could spot using his left eye the state of the buildings. They were in shambles, barely being held up through the use of stone and other metals which were smelted and fixed into shapes which didn't match the other materials used for the construction of the buildings.

Every building within the town that he could see through both his map and left eye were in that state; a decaying mess which even rubble could feel proud to not be in that state. Isn't dwelling within a destroyed mess better than sleeping within a shambling building which even an accidental punch by an average [Rank-12 Demonic Trainee] could topple it over causing extreme harm to whoever would be inside when the various materials collapse over them.

Staring further away, towards the east of the map, three buildings stood strong, unlike the inhabitant's buildings within the town these were built with care. Nemesis could sense several [Rank-12 Demonic Trainees], a few [Rank - 11 Demonic Apprentice] and a single [Rank - 10 Demon Fighter] stationed there. He could see the place through his right eye which gave him sight of the area as if he were standing right in front of the buildings. The outward appearance of the three buildings made it crystal clear as to what they were. They were extremely long rectangular-shaped buildings with curved roofs and in pristine condition.

The barracks which trained the inhabitants of the local [Rank-12 Demonic Villages] so as to become guards, the only prerequisite to entering would be offered a job after another guard noticed their talent being above average.

Smiling at his new destination his right eye reverted back to a circular shape as he walked off to leave town - pulling Shane's hood over his face, altering Issolde back to her dagger form and sheathing her then returning the Void shield back to its origin - through the only entrance of [Vanquished Town].

----

Within the [Bureau of Invoked Intelligence] a frantic scene revealed itself upon the staff and officers working there. Silent yet imposing steps were what was causing the chaos within the Brothel Management Department, where they organised and communicated with every brothel within the Underworlds and brought alight their problems to the other departments to have them deal on their specified task.

The imposing steps came from Great Demon General Ryrdle, the right-hand man to the [Overlord of Perjury] Lucas. His dark-crimson battle armor was an imposing sight, it was originally black but as rumours stated it gained its dark-crimson hue after countless battles where the honorable and valiant armour was stained in pools of blood.

The real reason as to its colouration was unknown and so many of these rumours spread like wildfire, the previously stated becoming the most popular.

He wore his mask which he only ever took off in the sole presence of the Overlord, a mark of his loyalty to the Overlord alone. Many speculations and more, suggestive rumours had spread across the entire Underworld about his appearance but most importantly his relationship with Lucas.

It wasn't known if he wasn't aware or didn't care as the two eye holes always held contempt within them and his mouthpiece which was actually just several small lines to allow for air to pass through but not allowing sight of his mouth.

Right now, Rydles was furious. For the first time ever in his thousands of years of living had anyone dare oppose him, or for the hundreds that the [Invoked Project] had been operating, there had been no one stupid enough to face Lucas and succeed. Petty rebellions would occur now and then but they would all be quelled down through sheer might and repressive fear.

Even though the incident which irked him occurred in a desolate [Rank-12 Demonic Village] named [Vanquished Town], he could not let the perpetrators slide. If he did so, their protection would be questioned and how they dealt with criminals would be too. Many friendly and neutral Overlords may turn a blind eye to them, cutting ties and establishing new ones with their enemies, strengthening their bonds through using the secrets which they were aware of against them.

He could not fail his lord, and that was the thought that irked him further. Shutting his eyes he recollected his meeting with the [Overlord of Perjury] centuries prior.

----

Within the [Overlord of Perjury] Lucas' bedroom. A massive room which squared hundreds of meters, inside all sorts of decorations and paintings adorned the walls. At the end of the room, directly opposite the large, spectacular arched doorway stood a handsome demon kneeling before the bed which had curtains draped over the sides, concealing the demon which sat down upon the enormous bed alone.

"Mi'Lord, permission to speak?" Rydles politely inquired, lowering his head as he did so.

"Permission granted." An impactful, powerful voice spoke from within the curtains of his bed, only his silhouette visible to Rydles.

"Mi'Lord, I believe we should strengthen the forces at all our brothels. Just hours ago a brothel was assaulted and many of the staff injured with two confirmed deceased. It is imperative that we ensure that one of the brothels do not fall for that may lay distrust and loosen our ties to our allies, customers and sway the opinion of those Overlords who lay neutral."

"Hmm... what rank was the city in which the brothel was assaulted?" Lucas asked, his voice uninterested and emotionless to the events which occurred.

"It was a [Rank-7 Demonic Megalopolis] Mi'Lord." Rydles hastily responded back, not keeping his lord waiting an additional second.

"Hmm." Lucas hummed aloud as he thought for a moment before continuing. "Strengthen the brothels rank 9 and above, any ones lower aren't worthy of wasting the resources. Besides, it would be pointless for any adversary to strike those for the information is quite easy to cover up as the Underworld is vast, yet those... vile 'cities' as they like to be called have yet to catch up technologically."

"Alright, Mi'Lord." Rydles immediately responded once again, waiting to be excused as thoughts raced through his mind.

'Mi'Lord is all-powerful and intelligent, but is it really a wise move to basically abandon all the villages rank 10 and below? Perhaps he is right.'

"You are excused Rydles."

"Yes Mi'Lord, I thank you for considering my opinion."

With that Rydles lowered his head once again to the floor then raised himself, saluting a unique salute known to all knights who swore a vow to the [Overlord of Perjury] then left the room.

-----

Rydles re-opened his eyes once he finished his recollection and immediately spoke intimidatingly to the first employee he saw.

"Are there any armies nearby [Vanquished Town]?"

"Ye-yes, sir! The 397th battalion is nearby, close to [Rank-11 Demonic Hub] [Panthalon Village]. They're going there to inspect the females there and take any with worthy genetics and pleasing sights away to the [Jallon] in the [Rank-8 Demonic Metropolis]." The frightened employee immediately answered in a shaky voice as his teeth clattered and legs shook.

"Divert them immediately to [Vanquished Town], I want to know the state of the brothel there. Inform them that it is a direct order from I and I want them there within 3 days!" Rydles bellowed out, unleashing some of his pent up anger.

The employee shook her head then ran back to her workstation to quickly send a message to the 397th battalion of their new orders.

-----

"Hey, don't you think it is strange on how they're moving now? I thought they were on break, they always took an hour so why are they leaving now? It's only been around 15 or so minutes." A questioning voice spoke as he was quickly responded with two different answers.

"Maybe they received orders to return?"

"Perhaps they just went the wrong way and only now realised it?"