The Expansion of the Demon Army
"Oh, oh! It’s growing! It’s actually growing!"
"Shaa!"
As I planted the crops in the small, makeshift garden and channeled Sharan’s power into them, the plants shuddered like salt-covered slugs and began to grow at an explosive rate!
—*Shudder!*
"Oh, my! Sharan, you beautiful thing! You grew them right up!"
I immediately pulled Sharan into my arms, showering her face with kisses and heaping praise upon her.
"Ma, Ma-wang-nim...!"
With Sharan around, cultivation wouldn't be a problem at all!
"But doing it all at once is hard..."
"It’s fine! Now I know it’s possible! Sharan, imagine this land completely filled with crops."
"Then even Sharan can't do it."
Naturally, Sharan’s power alone couldn't cover the entire field.
"I’m not asking you to make them all grow instantly. I’m asking if you can watch over them so they grow well. It’s about creating the right conditions. The conditions. Over time."
"Shaa... I think I can do that much."
"Great!"
As expected of a Dryad!
I knew it the moment I saw her making plants grow!
With Sharan, I could consider the cultivation itself to be a non-issue. She was a being who instinctively knew how to make plants thrive. A natural-born farmer. A transcendental one at that.
Now, all that remained was to create the laborers to manage the fields.
"Buril, get over here."
"Keruk?"
At my call, the Hobgoblin chieftain, Buril, came trotting over.
"I want to build a Hobgoblin settlement around here. What do you think?"
"Keruk? A house?"
"Yeah. We’ll build houses here and live in them."
"Keruk... The dungeon is safe, so it’s good."
"I’m going to make this place safe, too. And it’s not even that far from the dungeon."
"Keruk-ruk. I don't really know."
"You’ll see when it’s done, you idiot."
My plan was simple. I intended to form a company of Hobgoblin garrison troops and station them right here where the fields were. They would guard the crops, repel any wild monsters that dared to attack, and harvest the produce.
All under my protection, of course.
I’d leave this place to Buril, and I could have Muturi command the Hobgoblins doing chores inside the dungeon.
"To do that, I’ll need more Hobgoblins... It’s time to expand our forces again. Let’s head back. We’ve confirmed everything we needed to, so it’s time to return."
"Shaa? Ma-wang-nim? We’re not farming?"
"Not starting today. We have to prepare first."
The expansion had begun.
"Listen up, Demon Army!"
The preparations were complete.
"From today, we will begin expanding our forces in earnest! To do that, we need more soldiers!"
I gathered my subordinates on the parade ground and delivered my speech.
"Goblins! Kobolds! Imps! And Hobgoblins! We will subdue and kidnap every single one we encounter and turn them into our subordinates! Every last one of them will become our comrade-in-arms!"
To do that, we had to march!
"Princess Julia!"
"Yes, Ma-wang-nim."
"I grant you the honor of being the vanguard of the Demon Army! Conduct reconnaissance during the march and locate the monsters! Do you understand?"
"Understood, Ma-wang-nim."
Julia bowed elegantly.
"Serineu!"
"Yes!"
"You must find the hidden monsters! I want to see the Pixies' search capabilities put to proper use!"
"Leave it to me!"
I distributed the tasks to my subordinates one by one. I divided them into a group that would march with me to kidnap monsters, and a group that would remain behind to operate and defend the dungeon.
If I had my way, I’d stay in the dungeon and let my subordinates handle bringing in the new recruits. It would be more comfortable. But I couldn't just sit on my ass during such a critical expansion phase.
I had to take the lead.
"And Lumika, keep a close eye on the dungeon. You’re the mistress of the house, so you need to manage it well."
"Fufufu, leave it to me. I’ve done it many times before. And I’ve gotten close to everyone, too."
I decided to keep the female elite guards in the dungeon. Wouldn't the dungeon system run properly only if the brains stayed behind? They would be the ones giving orders to the Imps, Kobolds, and Hobgoblins.
"You’re all so reliable. Now, Demon Army! Advance!"
"Keruuuuuuuk!"
We began our march immediately.
I led a unit composed of Goblins, Lamias, and Pixies on the march. The supply of monsters worth recruiting as new soldiers had dried up in this vicinity. Therefore, we had to go further.
Outside our current range of activity. Specifically, we had to cross beyond the area where the Orc tribe had been established. If we went there, there would be an abundance of wild monsters.
"That is correct. As we traveled down from the Lamia Kingdom, I observed which monsters were living where. If we go there, you will be able to obtain the new recruits you desire."
Julia explained calmly and pointed out the direction.
She was truly competent.
"Excellent, Julia. Let’s head that way. Oh, but what is the probability of encountering other Lamias on the way?"
"They are located much further away, so it should be fine. The probability of an encounter... honestly, it is so low that it is hard to say."
"Is it the same for the Dark Elves?"
"Yes."
For now, Dark Elves and Lamias were the ones to watch out for. Julia had said that if we crossed over to that side, they might appear.
But this should be fine.
While chatting about such things, we continued our now-familiar march, found a suitable spot, and set up camp.
"Keruk-keruk. Ma-wang-nim. Can we catch a bunch of Goblins?"
As we sat in front of the campfire preparing to eat, Buril asked with a bright smile.
"Hehehe, yeah. Catch every last one of them."
"I’ll catch a hundred, two hundred, just catch them all, keruk. Then I’ll be a company commander, a real company commander. Kerurung."
He really had a massive desire for promotion.
"You little shit. Do you like it that much?"
"The more subordinates I have under me, the better! Keruk!"
"Fine. Enjoy it to your heart’s content. You cute little bastard."
He was someone who would go far later on.
"Ma-wang-nim."
As we were eating and chatting, Sharan said with a smile.
"It would be so nice if humans didn't invade like this every day. Every day is so much fun."
"Hehehe, I wish it could be like this every day, too."
A heartwarming atmosphere. Sharan must have felt like we were all out having fun together. We were far from home, lighting a fire, and grilling meat. It was certainly peaceful and enjoyable.
Of course, it wouldn't stay peaceful forever.
"Oh, by the way, Ma-wang-nim."
"Hmm?"
Julia spoke up then.
"The other day... didn't we have a group mating session?"
Julia hesitated, her face flushed.
"Ah, we did. But why do you ask?"
"Actually..."
Julia leaned in and whispered in my ear.
"The subordinates laid unfertilized eggs..."
"Ah."
I guess they didn't get pregnant.
Lamias laid eggs. They laid eggs the size of ostrich eggs, and it seemed they laid them about once a quarter. They usually laid unfertilized eggs, but if they received seed, they would lay fertilized ones.
As an aside, Lamias had both a vagina and an anus... Anyway. I already knew that the Lamias wouldn't get pregnant easily. We had done it so many times, yet no one was pregnant yet.
"Hmm... isn't it because we are of different species? We’ll know if we try a few more times."
"Fufufu, then by all means, next time as well."
"I’ll make sure of it."
"I’m embarrassed, Ma-wang-nim."
Julia grinned and patted my shoulder.
"Oh, but even if fertilized eggs don't come out."
"It doesn't matter. With Ma-wang-nim’s ability, you will be able to easily subdue and conquer other Lamias."
You know me well.
"There is no need to force an increase in our forces through pregnancy."
"That is true, hehehe. Let’s eat and get some rest. We have to move tomorrow, too."
From tomorrow, the real search begins.
"Found it. A Goblin den."
"Found this one, too. A Kobold den."
The Lamias I sent out for reconnaissance returned after pinpointing the locations of the monster dens.
"Very well done. As expected, Lamias are natural-born hunters."
"That... is obvious."
When I praised them, the Lamias blushed and looked pleased. They were such easy women to handle. They got shy just from being praised for their abilities.
That’s why they were so cute.
"Pixie."
"Yes?"
"Serineu hasn't come back yet, right?"
"No news yet. I think we’ll have to wait a little longer."
"Shall we wait while I fondle your breasts?"
"Ah, you’re going to touch them here?"
At my mischievous joke, the Pixie giggled, walked over, and showed me her chest. I had to wait for Serineu anyway, so I decided to take a break.
The moment I thought that.
"Hey! I found Hobgoblins! And Satyrs, too!"
Speak of the devil.
"Why are there so many bastards living here? Anyway, good work, Serineu."
Shall we attack them in order?
"Ma-wang-nim?"
"Hmm? Julia. What is it?"
"Now that I think about it, it seems there are no Satyrs in the dungeon."
Ah. That?
The Satyrs had tried to violate the Pixies during their mating season. I couldn't take such horny bastards as subordinates. My women were only for me to take.
"I don't need them. They’re useless. Anyway. Let’s go attack them in order, starting with the Goblin den. Lamia! Lead the way!"
"Kyaa. Understood."
We followed the Lamia immediately.
"Oh."
Before long, a Goblin den appeared.
"Buril. Grab your club."
"Keruk! Everyone, grab your clubs!"
"Go inside, beat the bastards up, and drag them all out. Then tie them up tight. It’s time to harvest new recruits."
"Keruk! More juniors are coming in! Work hard, you youngest ones! You’ll be seniors soon, too!"
"Kerururung! Understood, Buril-nim!"
"Then go!"
The Goblins let out a war cry and charged into the den. They were all so eager to receive new recruits that their eyes were practically glowing.
—*Keryaaaaaaak!*
Soon, screams echoed from inside. How could ordinary Goblins stand a chance against a trained Goblin army that was also enhanced with mana?
Before long, the wild Goblins were dragged out, covered in blood.
"Now, let’s show off our skills after a long time! You there, Goblin! Tie up everyone they dragged out!"
"Keruk! Understood! Ma-wang-nim!"
The wild Goblins were restrained immediately.
Demon Domination
It was a bountiful harvest of new recruits!
In that way, days passed as I stably supplied new recruits and developed the cultivation fields. They were truly rewarding days. My subordinates were increasing, and the fields were looking more impressive by the day.
It was only natural, as I was pouring in the manpower and resources obtained from sweeping through new fields. The tech level was rising so visibly that I felt an extreme sense of accomplishment. I was just a caveman before, a total caveman.
Anyway, one day, while I was spending my time so enjoyably and rewardingly.
"Keryaaaaaaak! Intruders! Intruders!"
"Keruk! Keruuuuuk! Intruders!"
I woke up to those sounds!
"All troops!!!"
I jumped up immediately and shouted!
"Prepare for battle!!!"
Which bastards were invading the dungeon in the middle of the night!!!