Chapter 102: Returning Home in Splendor
For many days, Commander Jima of the Vanguard Legion personally visited her loyal troops.
Legends about her were spreading like wildfire, with pompous nicknames such as “Sun Controller,” “Destroyer,” and “Bride of Terror.”
However, many were also eager to act, harboring a simple thought: what would be the cost of casting a spell capable of destroying an entire Chosen Ones army?
With the Vanguard Legion visibly growing in strength, Blood God Minotaurs and many demonic warriors were coming to join. Some of these demon knights had leveled up to become Chosen Ones, while others even granted fitted scorpion-tailed lions, showcasing their bravery and power.
The temptation to lead such a formidable army was immense for the demon clan. But those itching to act were suppressed when Jima stood on her floating island and inspected the Vanguard Legion, a significant part of the resistance softened.
Beside her, the gnash-toothed Pink Demon sorcerer pointed not far away at a dozen demon warriors mounted on scorpion-tailed lions.
They were tall, exceptionally skilled, adorned with blessings from the four gods, their armor covered in runes, imposing and strong as they flapped their wings in tandem.
They were resistant to the expansion plan you proposed; firstly, they didn’t want their heads under the legendary total war command system. Secondly, they were unwilling to form a small team, preferring to lead their cavalry to fight for you.
Jima understood their motives. After all, it was rare to ascend from a rookie to an “hero,” who would willingly return to being a mere subordinate? Who didn’t want to lead their own army?
Unfortunately, this contradicted Jima’s battle strategy.
Feeling her restored ample chest, based on past experience, she confidently said, “Let me talk to them.”
With that, she addressed her soldiers from the floating island, welcoming them into her army, promising a grand kill to all—
Before she could finish, a demon warrior suddenly hurled an axe at Jima, coming like a bolt of lightning, with great intensity.
“Bang.”
The heated axe smashed to the ground before Jima, shattering the magical barrier. Jima’s expression turned cold, very cold. She understood this was a test; among the demons, those without ambition and gamblers were willing to bet everything for a slim chance of victory.
“I admire you,” Jima said, suddenly opening her wings dramatically and letting out a fierce roar: “Come battle me!”
The demon warrior rode forward on his scorpion-tailed lion, and then Bald Strong appeared behind him. In front of the entire army, Jima shattered him, teaching everyone the consequence of challenging her.
Only then did the Vanguard Legion truly become Jima’s loyal army.
“Is there anyone else?” the Everlasting Chosen Marus inquired.
Beneath his feet lay a heap of corpses. The supposedly indestructible armor was dented and broken, molten iron dripping from the seams, splattering onto the corpses, fizzing as it fell.
Those demons seeking to challenge his status ultimately bowed their heads, presenting their weapons, saying, “Thank you for eliminating the weak, making us stronger.”
Marus suddenly felt like cursing ferociously; he had never been in such a pathetic situation.
“But” you live, Jima, leaving him in that state. She personally destroyed the army he had built, causing him to retreat like a defeated dog.
She crushed the prestige he had established over many years, revealing that the four gods had turned their backs on him.
Those who challenged him no longer queued up, but resorted to beating him up in groups.
No, don’t focus all your attention on the False King. The Everlasting Chosen Marus thought, she was merely a dog of the four gods.
“What doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger.” He breathed, molten iron dripping down.
He commanded, “Immediately set off, and bring those willing to follow me to Rick to personally destroy the capital of the Empire.”
He firmly believed that the world-ending artifact lay beneath the Aadolf Sigma Cathedral.
He knew this was just a low point; life had many low points, and he had overcome them all, this time would be no exception. Besides, the god of gods had promised him that as long as he created enough slaughter, He would be willing to show His grace.
Personally watching the world, destroying all mortals beneath his gaze.
An hour later, the great demon army set out, with Everlasting Chosen Marus only bringing a squadron of air and cavalry, intending to go directly to Rick through a portal to command the attack himself.
Though surrounded by many, Everlasting Chosen Marus felt an emptiness beside him.
Looking around, he no longer saw that familiar figure—his loyal servant.
After pondering, Everlasting Chosen Marus was convinced it was that perverse and vile Jima who had instructed George to kidnap his beloved wife.
He appreciated George, a resilient warrior, hoping George wouldn’t fall, regretting that he would pay any price.
Or have a life-and-death battle with him.
However, even with this thought, Everlasting Chosen Marus still worried about what George might do to his beloved Jima when it came to revealing George’s identity.
After all, some rumors claimed that George had a fondness for demon women with tails.
Everlasting Chosen Marus found it very reasonable; otherwise, George wouldn’t have fallen in the False King Jima’s gentle embrace.
“Write to the False King Jima,” Everlasting Chosen Marus ordered his subordinate. “I want to ransom my steed; for that, I can arrange for two dragon demons to favor her.”
Talabek, the largest province of the Empire.
It comprised Morik and Nui.
In the spirit of not letting the enemy get what they want, almost the entire cavalry of the Vanguard Legion rushed westward toward Talabek at great speed.
But Jima, standing on her floating platform, was even faster. She held a cat and walked along the imperial road, where some life could still be felt.
The corpses hanging from the trees were quite fresh; when the last one died, the wind passed, and the bodies swayed as if welcoming visitors.
Jima yawned and said, “There are both Empyreans and demon Northerners here; it seems there’s a decent matchmaking mechanism.”
The gnash-toothed Pink Demon strategist, following beside her, remarked, “Unfortunately, the power of destruction has yet to reach this place, but as long as the king gives the order…”
Jima shot the Pink Demon strategist a glance: “Strategist, your flattery skills are too good; you didn’t even realize what I wanted.”
In an instant, as Jima began to contemplate creating death for the people on this land, he lowered his head, though lacking a neck, saying, “I apologize, my king.”
This ugly demon had many thoughts and finally said, “May I privately refer to you as ‘Madam’?”
Jima, puzzled, asked, “Madam?”
“Madam George.”
Jima almost dropped the cat, sneering, “If you keep running your mouth, I won’t hesitate to shove you into the lotus of the great swamp, letting you communicate your feelings with the spirits of bile inside.”
“Yes, my king.”
Though the Pink Demon strategist was lowly, he kept sneaking glances at Jima, realizing that while she appeared angry, the thunder was loud and the rain light, which only reinforced his judgment.
The Demon King Jima was indeed the partner of the Brave Award, and she still didn’t want to unleash her army to slaughter the Empire indiscriminately, lest it incite the resentment of the Brave Award.
Before the Pink Demon strategist could revel in his own thoughts, Jima’s cat Lianxi suddenly stood up and shouted, “Meow meow meow!”
Jima looked down and couldn’t help but exclaim, “What a remote village this is.”
It was situated in a small valley, somewhat hidden, fortunately untouched by the tsunami of destruction, with several people still present.
Surrounding the village was a gray expanse; the trees were gray, the dirt was gray, and the wheat in the fields was also gray.
Some villagers were still moving, stepping about without any peculiar mutations.
Lianxi transformed into human form, pointing to the distance, saying, “That used to be my home!”
Looking closely, it was a large thatched cottage on a hillside, rather big, within the village’s walls.
“Creative,” Jima said. “This time, I want you to return in style.”
“No need, my master,” Lianxi replied uneasily. “I’ve long stopped missing my parents who chased me away; I have forgotten who drove me off, who bullied me; they are irrelevant.”
“I think it matters,” Jima replied happily. “We’re going back with the entire army—ten magical maned lions plus new mages. Of course, my last cavalry is also in place; it has reached 99! Let’s form a grand procession! We’ll march grandly past the village, scaring them.”
Lianxi reminded, “Master, 99 can’t form a square.”
The hundredth will be you, Jima pointed out her envisioned spectacle. You lead, walking at the front, riding my floating platform, flying while ringing bells, singing as we go, riding a heavy copper bull to surround the village tightly, with the magical giants standing stoically behind…
Seeing her master excited about creating a spectacle for her, Lianxi felt a sense of relief and couldn’t help but laugh, saying, “What about having the giants hold up banners?”
“That’s a splendid idea!” Jima praised. “Let’s not wait for the Vanguard Legion’s banner to be raised; we should have a banner up front written with three words for you, and the three words behind it say, ‘The Strongest Demon King in History.'”
Lianxi’s neck shrank: “Master, that could undermine your authority.”
“Come on, add another line in small print at the back saying, ‘Your strength increases.’ Wouldn’t that be good?”
Lianxi’s eyes moistened as she murmured, “Master, thank you.”
“Of course,” Jima said, patting her bottom as she walked away. “They’ll definitely regret driving you away. When they’re all crawling on the ground, you can make them give you a reason to forgive them, which will satisfy you.”
“And then throw some food; that contrast will make them grateful to you.”
Wiping her eyes, Lianxi said, “Okay.”
