The Real Monster 26 Turning Away From Humanity VIII

"So, you've been monitoring those that sheltered my enemies? You didn't have to do that but good job anyway. They only reacted naturally right? Plus, someone who has power to destroy a country all alone is something to see as a bigger threat than other kingdoms or enemies.

"It's just that they don't know where I am hiding out that they are combing the whole realm. Not to mention, this human realm is divided by two empires isn't it? Plus, Acadria is so far away from the Imperial Capital that they had to march their army a long way, so it's not necessarily a combing but a route."

There's probably no need to mind that large army at the moment. They'll take years just to march that large army anyway. I have time to train people to enact my plans.

"Well then if that is all you have to report on at the moment, I will proceed to telling you what I am planning on doing from now on and my own goals."

I gave them the serious look they might not have seen from me ever. What I'm going to tell them now might go against their own beliefs and whatever so I have to be as straight as a beam of laser from my eyes.

"I'm planning on taking the whole realm or in other words the whole human continent into the palm of my hands." The moment I said so and paused there, I looked at the reaction of my subordinates.

[[[[!!!]]]]

They had faces as if they ate something spicy and can't take it. Opening their mouths and closing them in a fish-like manner. I know it's a big announcement; it may be even a bit too big for them to swallow. However, I don't have the patience to tell consider what they want or if they agree or am against my decision. What I need is their loyalty. Time to test that it seems.

But my thinking was a bit too limited it seems as they immediately followed through with their answers to my announcement, [S-Sire are you telling the truth right now, you are probably not joking but this is huge! We, no, I want to take part in this no matter what!] Caltec was the first to say that followed by the rest of them saying things with the same tone and enthusiasm as the previous.

How could I not be surprised? Are they really like this from the start? I never pegged them to be people who wanted to get into conflict or something without being provoked or commissioned for it.

Then, [However, Sire, our forces are limited. At the current state of affairs we only have us 4 plus the few 7- 8 men that are part of our families. Even if we include our children, they would still only amount to 15 tops. And we have people working for us at the moment but those are mercenaries and adventurers who have taken it as their job to maintain the peace of this city as a commission. We can't trust them.] Caltec reported as it was in his scope of influence to do so.

[I also have people under me but they are weak and untrustworthy.] Jon seconded while Mor also joined the club. Only Isaac said something different, [Sire, those under me are also untrustworthy, however, we can use them as our eyes and ears as they are as well. I'll leave it to your discretion what to do with them.] They have served him for a few years now, but I do not know them and especially, I don't have a grasp on them. If they chose to betray me by any means, I won't have anything else to do but to kill them then clean up the mess which would give me further work to do. I deem it unbeneficial to have those people work for me. I need those who I can trust with my back and finding those kind of people is like looking for clean politicians in the senate.

"Isaac, I know you put confidence in people you've selected, it's the same with Lucretia, but I will repeat myself and you can't use the card you used on her again, I don't like keeping untrustworthy people around me. I am confident in all of you because your lives are under my protection. Although, that would sound as if I'm holding your families as hostages, I am not. I am genuinely trying to keep their lives and make it prosper so that you won't have to worry about them while under my protection; I promised you that didn't I?" After saying that I kept silent and thought a bit more only to speak after a minute passed.

"Let's see. At the current state of affairs, it probably looks bleak on your end to try and take over the entire continent, but I am confident I can do it even without you moving. What I want you to do actually are just to take your time and train the men here even those children five years old and above to a level where they can take on monsters like the top predators of this peak once upon a time. What do you say?"

[But Sire, we want to support you with conquering the lands by your side; we can't sit still while you go around and take over places. We want to take part!] Caltec said in complaint. He sure disagreed fast.

"Well, with the four of you moving as well it would make it easier for me, but if we do that, we leave the risk that the city you built would be left without anyone to defend it from monsters and humans alike. We can't run that risk now can we?"

[Sire, how about we slowly do what you propose and take over the continent one place at a time? Like taking over the neighboring kingdom first and then slowly work our way towards the west, east and south? How does that sound?] Isaac is always the one thinking a bit more rationally.

"Naturally that is how we are doing it. I can't very well just visit each kingdom and massacre those who would naturally oppose to the idea now can I? It's good that you seem to be thinking well Isaac, unlike these three who are a bit too thirsty for battle.

"I know you feel stifled that you can't use that power as you acquired it. It's very frustrating isn't it? To have that much power and be unable to fully and freely use it, it's very frustrating indeed. However, there's a reason why I want you to still train to reach a higher level because I am not an absolute existence.

"Let me ask you, have you ever heard of a monster from the Demon kind that looks like a toad but isn't a toad with a humongous round body? I think its name is Ag, Ag Agaru?" Dammit I forgot its name since I only called it frog from the moment I saw it. Grrr.

[Sire, do you perhaps mean Agamemkeru, the Lord of the Swamps of the demon realm?] Hmm? Isaac knows about it?

"Yeah, I think that's the name. Are you familiar with that frog?" I asked.

[Sire, that monster is one of the Demon Lords of the demon realm. There are four of them that rule the four major directions of North, South, East, and West. And Agamemkeru rules the South which shares borders with the frontline village called Agera, which was by the way burned to the ground by mercenaries I hear at that time. The villagers were spared though, just relocated to other places in the kingdom. That Agamemkeru is one of the most powerful demons there is in existence Sire, what is your relation with it?]

Damn, Isaac knows a lot about that frog and wait…

"What did you say?! Agera was burned to the ground by mercenaries?!!!" I couldn't keep my voice lowered when I found out that those they sent to find me burned a village to ground just for being associated with me. "On whose orders did they burn it?" I asked while looking at people who are part of that group who hunted me down that time.

Upon seeing my face full of inquiry and a bit of fury, the three who were originally mercenaries who hunted me down for coin at that time, swallowed saliva grandly.

"I understand your hesitation in answering because I might not believe you, but I trust that you will not hide truth from me especially at this stage, correct?" I said with even more substance in my voice.

[S-Sire it was ordered to us by one of the commanders of the royal army of Acadria. I was the captain of one squad but I did not have authority over others as mercenary groups tend to have their own command hierarchy.] Caltec quickly told me what he knew, [We were opposed to burning down the village there Sire, because we knew the importance of that village, but they did not listen and still did it, so we left and joined Uncle's group on the way to the forest where we found you.] Jon also said. Only Mor had no explanation, he must have been too low in the hierarchy to be told what's what.

"Dammit. So that happened as well? Tsk. All the more reason for me to really make a move now, however, as Isaac said, Agamemkeru is that one frog which almost killed me. The reason why you found me in the forest that time was that I was recuperating from the damage that I got from that monster. I'm not sure if I can fight that thing now and win, but I can't get complacent and stop training. That's why I want you to train and train until you can at least run away from him if need be. I had the same strength that you currently have at the moment when I faced him then, and I almost got killed. Do you get my point now?"

I made it as grave sounding as possible.

[[[[You almost got killed, with your strength at the same level as us at that time?]]]] They asked the same question at the same time. How synchronized their timing and thoughts are.

"Yes. My body was reduced to nothing with its technique called I only survived thanks to some quick thinking and a gamble that time. So that's why, you have to make it your priority to train yourselves to be able to face monsters like that and get away if things go south. With that said, the human realm is not the end game I am talking about. I'm talking about the whole world. It's a lofty dream and ambition I know, but that's the only way for me to fully take advantage of my powers. Just like you men, I also am itching to try to test my strength and measure it with others. As you are now, you can't be my sparring partners on the same level so it's boring for me." I had a dead-fish-eye on my face as I said the last line.

[That indeed is a very large ambition Sire; however, we want to be part of it nonetheless. We want to be able to share in the glory of being part of the people who unified the whole world under the banner of one person. That's just glorious!] Caltec said passionately. I did not notice as well at first but the people who were sleeping from drunkenness have already woken up and are listening to us intently one by one. They also have faces that say, "We'll be with you" or "We'll support you for sure" but for some reason I am not worried about them, instead I am even more enthused to do this now.

Conquering the world, is it really such a goal that is achievable? Only time will tell, but time, is fleeting to me. I will see to it I will achieve it, definitely.

Chapter end