Zamart says "What? Rank five?! We can't deal with something like that!"

"You won't have to, I will deal with it."

Zamart says "Can you?"

"Yes, I am currently rank four. I can overpower him and suck him into my soulscape."

Zamart says "You said you were part demon, but rank four?"

"I have been through a lot."

Alexa says "So what do we do about the two thousand animated corpses then?"

"Hawk, are the corpses at the front or the back?"

Hawk says "They stay at the rear of the formations at all times."

"So they plan to use the controlled humans as fodder and finish us off with the shadow demons."

Mercy says "Why would the king waste his secret army like this?"

"I don't think it is the king, he may have ordered the army to march but that's it."

Zamart says "You think it is the shadow demon and Quill?"

"That is my guess, yes. If they only care about collecting corpses for shadow demons to inhabit then this strategy makes perfect sense."

Alexa says "But how could the king not know?"

Mercy says "The king never leaves the castle, all he knows is what he is told."

Zamart says "Exactly, and Quill controls all the information coming into the castle."

"If Quill reports the army suffered massive casualties but managed to wipe out the rebels and kill me the king won't care one bit."

Mercy says "But what is the shadow demon's plan? Why do all this?"

"Drog, how do demons and shadow demons feel about each other?"

Drog says "Absolute and eternal hatred for each other!"

"What are the chances that the shadow demon knows the demons will invade sometime soon?"

Drog says "Almost guaranteed!"

Zamart says "Why is that?"

Drog says "Demons are known as the corruptors, shadow demons are the masters of secrets, and devils are known as the hoarders of knowledge."

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Mercy says "What are you thinking, Ash?"

"I am thinking that this shadow demon is planning further ahead than we think. I think all this is just him setting up to go head to head with the demons."

Zamart says "You think he wants to use our kingdom as a base for the war?"

"I think this shadow demon wants to use all the nations to not only rank up but as hosts for an army of his minions."

Mercy says "Why start with us?"

"Probably, pure chance."

Zamart says "Most likely because of Quill."

Alexa says "If we kill Quill will the shadow demon be banished?"

Drog says "No, not now. If his agent had been killed earlier maybe."

Mercy says "So how do we deal with these changes?"

"Drog, do I have to eat the demon in the soulscape to gain its power?"

Drog says "No, as long as it dies in the soulscape you gain the power."

"The two thousand animated corpses, what rank are the shadow demons?"

Drog says "As far as I could tell they were mostly rank one."

Mercy says "What are you thinking Ash?"

"I'm thinking that when the battle starts I will attack them from the rear and the rank five should turn around to come after me."

Alexa says "Are you seriously thinking about taking on two thousand troops all by yourself?"

"I found out earlier that if the shadow demon is killed the corpse is reduced to ashes. If I can pull a bunch of the shadow demons into my soulscape I can kill them easily. I will also get stronger for each shadow demon I kill."

Drog says "So you want to kill a bunch of the little demons to make yourself rank five and then face the leader?"

"Yeah, that is what I am thinking."

Alexa says "Well, dividing the enemies attention is a sound strategy."

Mercy says "I'm not comfortable with Ash taking on all the risk."

Zamart says "I agree with Mercy, this is our war."

"Fighting the king's soldiers is your job. Leave the shadow demons to me and Drog."

Drog says "I get to help? You are going to share?"

"Yes, whatever I can't pull into the soulscape and any others besides the leader are yours."

Drog says "Finally, I'll be able to regain some of my power!"

Alexa says "If Ash is confident and wants to do this I say we let him."

Mericel says "Sister, you can trust Ash."

Mercy says "Okay, we will try it your way."

"Good! I will take care of it. You just have to worry about ten thousand mind controlled soldiers."

Zamart says "Don't worry we are well prepared!"

"Okay, then I guess everything is settled."

Mercy says "Now that we are agreed, let's finish this bottle of wine and retire. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day."

Drog 'Master, do you really think you can defeat so many shadow demons at once?'

'Yes, I will kill them all with one attack.'

Drog 'I know your imagination is powerful, I've faced it, but one attack?'

'Drog, to be honest, physically you were really close to killing me, but in the soulscape I was just learning. Now I could kill you in one hit as well, there are things in my imagination that would give even a demon like you nightmares.'

Drog 'You are my master so it is wrong to doubt you, but I really can't believe that.'

'Just wait and see then.'

Drog 'Anyway master, what do you think of Mercy?'

'She is quite a good leader, she will make an excellent queen.'

Drog 'That's not what i mean, doesn't she look sexy in that dress?'

'Oh, shut up, Drog!'

Mercy says "Ash, can I speak with you?"

"Of course, princess."

Mercy says "This battle is important, but not as important as what comes later. If it turns out you can't handle things or something unexpected happens I want you to promise me you will prioritize your life above all else."

"Mercy, you really don't have to worry, I am very good at keeping myself alive. Everything will be just fine, I promise."

Mercy says "Alright, well then, goodnight, Ash."

"Goodnight, princess, sleep well."