**Chapter Five: A New Direction II**
Oliver, who had recently looked like a drenched dog, suddenly brightened at my words.
“Whoa, Boss, are you serious?”
“I want you to work too, Oliver. After all, Vampires aren’t suited for defense, are they?”
There are too many weaknesses. While there are necessary precautions to take when attacking, once we go on the defensive, our opponents will come at us like Master Beasts, exploiting every weakness a Vampire has. I don’t mean to say it’s unfair; Vampires are strong enough to be considered underhanded.
“Of course, Boss. With your power, we can handle not just Humans, but even the general demon kind without a hitch.”
It’s remarkable how much he’s changed since we first met when he was in a considerably poor condition. He was terrified right after helping me; how deep must his trauma regarding Vampires run? Compared to Alba, who must have gained a curse through a similar experience, Oliver’s murderous intent is on another level.
“Oliver, you’ll be the vanguard.”
“!? Me?”
“You have no weaknesses and are sturdy enough.”
As expected of a breed created by the Ancestor, Werewolves have almost completely covered the Vampire’s weaknesses. It’s likely that the Death Spirit Mage who created the Beast King, Lycos, produced them to counteract the numerous weaknesses that could never be entirely erased. They may be weak against Vampires, but they have no significant flaws otherwise—aside from silver weapons, perhaps.
Compared to me, he has no weaknesses, and he’s sturdier than Monica. More importantly, unlike Mireille, I wouldn’t feel too bad if he accidentally died. Plus, he has the absurd ability to transform into a Human. If he could also suck blood, he would be perfect.
“Hehe… I’m Third Rank, after all… I really have no weaknesses when I can transform at will.”
“Werewolves only show their true worth under a Vampire’s command.”
I didn’t mean it as a compliment, but Oliver stuck out his tongue and laughed ferociously, while Monica whispered to me.
It seems that Werewolves possess a certain level of loyalty. There’s no worry about being betrayed, I suppose. Well, I hardly sleep anyway—
“Let’s play it smart. We’ll start by issuing surrender demands to the weakest Demon Kings in order.”
“Hmm? Aren’t we going to set up an ambush?”
For a Vampire with so many weaknesses, ambushes hold immeasurable merit. However, there must be limits to control through fear. My objective isn’t to become a King; if negotiations can resolve matters, that’s even better. After all, I’m trying to recruit them, so having more people on my side is undoubtedly advantageous.
At my words, Monica hesitantly offered her input.
“End-sama, demons won’t surrender without a fight.”
“……You won’t know until you try.”
“Well, if you insist, I’ll do it… it’s a hundred times better than gathering information.”
It seems the tasks I had assigned to Oliver didn’t suit him. Being a Demon King is quite the challenge.
“Let’s issue surrender demands to those we can likely defeat head-on, and ambush the larger, tougher opponents. As for the Human nations, we’ll negotiate.”
It would be problematic if word got out that I had destroyed a nation when I reunited with Senri, and with the Order of the Final Knights unable to act properly, the Human nations are in dire straits. If we gather our military strength and negotiate like gentlemen, they won’t say no.
Mireille clapped enthusiastically at my flexible strategy, her face beaming as if she were about to play her favorite game. Though my ethics have somewhat diminished since becoming a Vampire, glimpses of my previous life’s personality still shine through.
“Elementenemy, what should we call ourselves, brother-sama?”
“Hmm? A name… a name, huh.”
Indeed, a name is important. If we become famous, it might reach Senri, who is fighting somewhere. In that case, we should choose a name that would be immediately recognizable to Senri. The End Army might be an issue… My name is already known to Rufuri and the others. Ideally, it should be a name only Senri would understand.
“…………Senri’s Favorite Army…………?”
“Brother-sama…………”
Mireille’s expression, which had been bright with joy no matter what was said, suddenly darkened. Oliver twitched his cheeks and shot me a look of disbelief.
After a moment of silence, Monica squeezed out her voice.
“End-sama…………………………that name might cause trouble for Senri-sama.”
“J-joke! Right, it’s just a joke!”
“I thought the army would end before it even began.”
Indeed, if Senri were to fight desperately while the Senri’s Favorite Army wreaked havoc in the outside world, it would put him in a troublesome position. That’s not what I want, and it goes without saying that I love Senri now more than ever.
The Lord designed me as the King of Twilight Palace. So using that name wouldn’t be bad, but… did Senri even know that name? The battle with the King of Void Shadow was fierce, and since then, I’ve been asleep for over three years. Whether it reached Senri is a fifty-fifty chance.
I nodded vigorously, then looked around and declared.
“Alright, I am—‘The King of the White Puppy.’ It’s decided!”
“Eh!?”
“!? So, we’re the ‘King of the White Puppy’ army now!?”
“Got a problem with that?”
This way, it will definitely reach Senri. There’s little chance of name overlap. Even if there are other Demon Kings with white puppies, they wouldn’t dare call themselves the King of the White Puppy.
“Brother-sama, that’s… kind of cute.”
“No one will accept a surrender demand from the King of the White Puppy… Besides, a name like that is clearly a downgrade compared to the Beast King, which has a similar theme—”
“It’s fine; it’s not like we’ll be stuck with it forever. I’ll engrave this name into the minds of those who oppose us, along with fear. Got it, Oliver?”
“A-at least call me the King of the White Dog or something—”
“No good! That won’t convey my intent!”
When I glared at him, Oliver’s tone weakened. It seems my seriousness got through to him.
Besides, it’s not all bad. With this name, when the time comes to fight, the enemy will definitely let their guard down… and once my power is known, no one will forget the name. I am serious.
Moreover, they would never expect the power of the King of the White Puppy to be ‘Curse Absorption.’ The war begins long before the fighting starts.
“However, brother-sama, you do have a tendency to turn dark sometimes…”
“Monica, we’ll start with the weakest King in the area. I’ll grant you the position of strategist. Understand? One year. In one year, we’ll find Senri and put an end to this damned era!”
I grasped the sword inherited from the King of Void Shadow, lifting it. The cursed magic sword fit my cursed body perfectly.
If I hadn’t been pushed to the brink in that battle with the King of Void Shadow, this era wouldn’t have come to pass. At the very least, I wouldn’t have been separated from Senri.
“Y-one year!? Y-yes, I understand!”
“……Brother-sama, what is my position?”
“Um… then you can be the King’s Woman.”
It seems the beginning of this era was marked by the downfall of the Annihilation Empire. That man always gets in my way.
I smiled as I checked the stiffened expressions of Monica and Oliver, and Mireille, who was overjoyed at being given the title of King’s Woman, and issued the first order of the ‘King of the White Puppy Army.’
—
“Buhaha… Wh-what!? What did you say!? The King of the White Puppy!? A white puppy? Did you come up with that yourself?!”
“……That’s right. The name may be cute, but don’t underestimate it… Deliver this letter to the King.”
“So you’re just a little dog, huh…”
“…….”
Receiving blatant mockery, Oliver gritted his teeth.
The letter he handed over was carelessly taken by a soldier of the Dark-Eruv, a constant night Demon King who was patrolling the territory—he laughed through his nose. The other soldiers surrounding Oliver looked down on him as well.
It was the first time Oliver, in Werewolf form, had been so belittled. It was all because of the name.
“So, how many people are in this army of the King of the White Puppy? A hundred? Two hundred? I’ve never heard of it—”
But he couldn’t voice any complaints. This situation was predictable even before receiving the letter. If Oliver were in their position, he would likely act the same way.
The name of a Demon King should represent their valor and be a source of pride for their subordinates.
The Constant Night Demon King is one of the more powerful Kings in the area. They mainly gather fairy-type demons capable of using strong magic, and with their extermination power, they have already grown to a scale that the nearby nations cannot resist. They are now slowly corroding into the territories of other Demon Kings. To the soldiers under such a leader, a lone soldier carrying a letter from the King of the White Puppy would seem like a joke.
“……Four. Four people.”
“Four people? Four people… you’re joking, right? Don’t hide it.”
“……”
“Wait, could it be—are you serious!?”
Laughter enveloped Oliver. It’s understandable; it’s rare for someone to claim to have an army of just four. In fact, four is fewer than the number of soldiers surrounding him now.
As a Werewolf, Oliver has resistance to magic. Even so, facing so many soldiers at once would likely end poorly for him. The opponents are Mages, but they aren’t lacking in physical capabilities either.
Of course, he could run away—but—
He patiently spoke to the underling of the Constant Night Demon King before him.
“Consider this a surrender ultimatum. I have no need to return with a response.”
“Kuuh… N/A… I-I understand. I will certainly inform the King. I’ll tell him that a mad magic King, known as the puppy King, has appeared.”
With a flick of the elongated claw, flames ignited, instantly turning the letter to ash. The mission had failed, but Oliver felt no regret.
There was no way a surrender ultimatum could succeed without a fight.
When asked about the weakest King, Monica chose the Eternal Night’s magic King as her first opponent.
An army of countless soldiers wielding powerful offensive magic was indeed a threat. However, magic had no effect on the cursed Vampire.
The white puppy King might have his quirks, but he was strong, brave, and cunning.