They were worthy of that much respect, were as powerful as their t.i.tles, and had greater armies than other demon kings.

But, a war with Enroth?

“How did you survive?”

Muyoung couldn't help but ask.

The territory obviously had great potential. Most cities wouldn't be able to compete with it. This was because the people were plentiful, and so many diverse species had gathered to create it.

However, it wasn't enough to fight against Enroth. If they were to look at things objectively, it would be normal for them to have been completely destroyed.

But, looking at the territory, they had actually become more prosperous than in the past. Even though they were at war, the territory and the population had increased in size.

Not just that.

The ones who survived also had excellent skills. Most high tier monsters wouldn't be as strong as one of them.

Although Muyoung had returned, they didn't seem to really greet him.

The lord who disappeared for two years without a word while a war had started. Of course, it was understandable for them to be in a bad mood.

Still, they looked at him with hopeful gazes. They believed the army Muyoung brought would certainly be of help.

While shaking his head, he led Muyoung to the castle.

“I'll fill you in on everything after we go up.”

***

The inside of the castle was no different from how Muyoung remembered.

First, it had been kept very clean. It had not been left untouched. Because of this, Muyoung believed their faith in their lord had not bottomed out.

'Soul a.s.similation…'

Muyoung sat on the throne and looked at Baltan.

Baltan was kneeling on one knee in front of him, and his soul began to look sharp again.

It was a sign that the connection that had been broken had started to reconnect.

As a result, Baltan became a va.s.sal again. The Guardian of the Territory. As an undead created by Muyoung, he had regained his function and authority.

Name: Baltan

Level: 445

Type: Guardian Knight

Strength 447 (427 + 20) Agility 355 (335 + 20) Stamina 498 (478 + 20)

Intelligence 320 (300 + 20) Wisdom 345 (325 + 20) Indomitable 483 (463 + 20)

+ Great understanding of swords

+ Great physical const.i.tution for battle

+ Guardian of the Territory (Within the designated territory, all stats +20)

+ Cry of the Guardian (Within the territory, the toughness of 'allies' increases slightly)

+ Strengthening Potential (Become stronger when you fight to protect)

+ Resolve for Revenge

+ High Conservation Rate (High autonomous will)

As Muyoung observed him closely, the Status Viewer showed his information.

'As expected.'

Baltan had grown incredibly. Although Muyoung had felt it, it was different from actually looking at the stats.

If he grew this much, it was enough to consider him as powerful as a top tier monster.

There was only one condition for Baltan to grow. The condition was that he needed to fight battles to protect others.

The last two years of uninterrupted fighting had made this possible.

But even so, it was abnormally fast growth.

'There must have been something else.'

It was difficult to become this strong with just battles.

Without another opportunity.

“Speak.”

Muyoung commanded.

Baltan raised his head.

“After the lord disappeared, we increased our territory. As the territory got bigger, rumors spread, numerous species joined us, and we became that much stronger.”

Different species gathered and lived in the Demon G.o.d's Territory!

There definitely would have been many who were waiting for such news.

Even if it was the Demon G.o.d's Territory, there weren't only evil monsters.

Those who believed they should pool their strength came to the territory, and the territory thrived.

“And when the territory became a certain size, something strange happened with the dungeon.”

Dungeon. It was Murdudun's Kingdom where the murlocs lived.

“What sort of strange thing happened?”

“The murloc's appearance changed, and the boundaries of the dungeon disappeared. When you arrived at a certain location where the 'sages' gathered, you could receive training from them.”

The sages?

Murdudun popped out as Muyoung was puzzled for a moment.

– It seems like he is talking about the ancient sages. But, they should have all died. Since they would have lost their strength after I died.

“That is true. They all had the appearance of stone statues. However, their thoughts remained. Thanks to this, the warriors of all kinds of species, as well as myself, were able to rapidly raise our fighting power.”

The meeting with the sages became an opportunity.

– Huh, that's really fortunate. They were truly great. Although they had run far away because of my dictators.h.i.+p. If they had stayed by my side, I wouldn't have been fooled by Dantalion's stupid trick. Rather, Dantalion would have been defeated.

Murdudun spoke with great regret.

Dantalion was a demon G.o.d. Murdudun spoke as if it would be natural for them to win against a demon G.o.d with the sages. The sages seemed to have been that strong when they were alive.

Either way, what Muyoung wanted to ask was the next question.

“How did you become involved with Enroth?”

“Do you know that the demons are fighting as factions?”

“I do.”

“They are quickly fighting a war to conquer more territory. Enroth is also trying to make numerous areas his. Our territory is currently one among a few areas that he is after.”

Ahh, it wasn't an all-out war with Enroth.

Well, that was probably why they lasted for 2 years but…

'A war to conquer has started.'

Muyoung thought about what Baltan said.

It was progressing fast. Didn't it start after the Great Calamity in the past?

Diablo and Sky Lord. And other things created variables.

And those variables were all created or influenced by Muyoung.

'I have gained strength to fight against the variables.'

However, Muyoung didn't just wait for things to happen. Even though variables had appeared, he had gained much power as well.

As the future wasn't determined yet, there were that many ways the future could proceed.

“There are 4 demon kings under Enroth's command. Do you know which among them have come?”

A demon king couldn't have another demon king as their subordinate.

This was normally the case, but it was different for the top eighteen demon kings. Especially, Enroth's Four Devas were famous.

“Shar-Shazar. He came leading a hundred thousand devils. While we are enduring their attack and protecting our territory, the fire tars are close to being completely destroyed.”

“You didn't join forces with the fire tars?”

“They have great pride. Maybe because you weren't here, but they didn't even think about cooperating with me.”

Muyoung nodded his head.

The fire tars were the owners and natives of this region.

The huge giants of flame. Predators.

Most devils would avoid fire tars, but if it was one of Enroth's Four Devas, the story was different.

However, if it was Ogar, the vice-chieftain, he should have been able to work it out.

But, even that wasn't possible?

“Our territory has also lost many strong personnel. Irene also… was killed by Shar-Shazar.”

Irene. Muyoung remembered. The woman who supported Baltan.

However, Baltan was an undead. He should barely have any change in his emotions, but Baltan was furious.

Was this the cause of 'Resolve for Revenge' that appeared on the Status Viewer?

Until revenge was achieved, he would endure all kinds of hards.h.i.+ps. Seeing how it was written on the Status Viewer, Muyoung was able to understand how vengeful he was.

“Is this an evolution as an undead?'

Regarding this part, Muyoung couldn't help but find it slightly odd.

Even though he was undead, Baltan was regaining his emotions as a human.

If he really thought about it, it wasn't just Baltan. Bae Sungmin was also like this.

'Is it because of Art of Death, or is there something about undead I'm unaware of.'

The moment when Muyoung clicked his tongue, the door burst open.

“Lord! Did, did you come back?!”

A small figure ran as he waddled.

It was the dwarf, Kalmooh.

In the past, Muyoung saved him from the underground arena, and he had been following Muyoung since.

“Kalmooh.”

“Ahh, you really did return!”

Kalmooh's body shook violently. He was almost about to weep.

“I thought something terrible had happened to you. Of course, I didn't believe it, but time pa.s.sed so quickly.”

“I won't die.”

Never.

“Of course. I believe in you.”

“I would like to know in detail what has happened in the territory.”

“Yes. I will explain it all.”

Kalmooh enthusiastically nodded.

After Muyoung learned about his territory.

The things that had changed in the past two years. If he was to use theskill, 'Lord', he could find out a lot of the things, but a territory couldn't be understood through just numbers.

It was much easier to understand when he heard what actually happened, and what was currently happening. It was especially true in the midst of a war.

“…Because the conquest war began, the dwarves were unable to return. Seeing how we can't even get in touch with G.o.d's Hammer Bartas, they probably started their own line of defense.”

Their own defense.

It was an extreme act of hiding themselves from the enemy.

Like in the past, when they were fleeing from the dragon.

But, Muyoung needed Bartas's ability. As he was planning to get G.o.d's Hammer Baltas to make the rest of the 'Immortal King's equipment'.

The fragments of Immortal King.

And the items that contained the full blessing of the moon.

As the items were prepared, now all that was left was to find a craftsman.

“If we make a way and give you soldiers, are you confident you would be able to find Baltas?”

“You mean me?”

“Yes.”

Kalmooh thought for a moment before he nodded.

“I will try to do it. No, I can do it.”

“Go with Tacan. As he can use magic related to teleportation, when you find Baltas, he'll be able to connect you to this place right away.”

“Yes!”

Kalmooh cheerfully answered. It seemed like there was one person who was really happy to see him.

“What was the reason you fought with Sky Lord?”

“It was to get a sample of its skin. We concluded it was the only way to block Shar-Shazar's lightning… as the Sky Lord sheds every 14 days, I believed we could take advantage of that time.”

But, the reality was much different from what was imagined. Baltan spoke with a bit of regret as he had faced Sky Lord's overwhelming power.

If Muyoung hadn't stepped up, he would have lost almost all his soldiers.

By the way, speaking of Shar-Shazar.

He was a demon king who used lightning.

Although Muyoung hasn't encountered him before, as he was one of the top demon kings, it would be that much more powerful.

Even if they had become stronger, it would have been hard to battle a demon king like Shar-Shazar.

That was why he gambled to gain an ingredient to block his lightning attack.

'It won't be easy.'

However, Muyoung never thought he would lose.

If he couldn't defeat a demon king like him, how could he compete against demon G.o.ds?

Muyoung petted Anguish.

Then, Anguish cried lightly.

* * *

Shar-Shazar liked to play games.

Instead of crus.h.i.+ng his opponent with overwhelming strength, he liked giving his opponent a bit of hope as he slowly killed them off.

“This is truly art.”

A completely yellow man who didn't wear any clothing.

Shar-Shazar admired the giants that were skewered befroe him.

Besides them were creatures of other races.

As Shar-Shazar stretched out his hand, electric waves stirred up the bodies that were skewered and burned them.

“Don't bring shame to a warrior and kill me! Just kill me!!”

The giants had all died. The creatures of other races had also all died.

However, just one. There was one living being.

A warrior who was trapped in a huge iron cage, the vice-chieftain Ogar!

While looking at him, Shar-Shazar laughed.

“Didn't they all come running to save you? But, how could I kill you? It's so fun not to.”

All these giants charged towards Shar-Shazar to save Ogar.

As well as the creatures of other races, that were like ants that lived in a certain 'territory'.

He didn't really care much about them.

“You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! I will kill you! At least you! I will break every bone, and won't leave a piece of flesh on your body!”

“That is quite amusing.”

Shar-Shazar burst into laughter.

Afterwards, a devil subordinate of his approached and spoke.

“Shazar.”

“What? I believe I told you not to talk to me when I'm performing art?”

“I'm sorry. But, the owner of the 'territory' of the mixed races has returned.”

“Hmm?”

The creatures of other races. Was there an owner to those of humble origin? Even if they had one, what could he do? ShShazar laughed.

“It's not of any importance.”

Pop!

The devil's body popped. And as ShShazar started to laugh once again, Ogar started to laugh.

'He has returned?! He, Muyoung! Kyahahaha!”

“What is so funny?”

“He didn't die! As expected, he's immortal, kyahahahaha!”

Ogar laughed as if he'd gone crazy.

“Crazy b.a.s.t.a.r.d.”

ShShazar believed that Ogar had finally lost his mind.

That he had lost it after seeing his colleagues die off.

He didn't pay much attention to the owner of the territory, Muyoung.