Season 3: Chapter 78: Setting The Grand Stage

“The first to bring me that yellow duck, shall be gifted a lord’s title and ONE HUNDRED GOLDs!”

Ah… wait. Ok. Not where I thought this would go but ok.

Instead of cowering in fear at my theatrics, the paladin’s greed trumped his fear, the man drawing his blade and ordering his men forward with the promise of gold.

The humans below brandished their weapons, spellcasters invoking their spells, archers nocking their bows.

Nearly a hundred attacks suddenly flew into the air, raining down on Slimey and I as we sat in the stadium box where the Demon Emperor himself once stood.

Well, shucks.

I guess I'm dead.

OR WOULD HAVE BEEN IF I HADN'T PLAN FOR THIS AHAHAHAHAHA!

HOLY BARRIER!

Harnessing the power of my followers, a magical translucent barrier of holy power erupted, blocking the attack much to the dismay of the humans below.

“I-i-impossible!” The leader of the looters called out, face twisted in shock.

Now, you may be wondering, how is it I can see and hear them? Well, the fact is, MY SENSES EXPANDED!

Well… sorta.

After countless hours, months of training, and prolific use, my minion synchronization skill had finally reached level ten, allowing me to share sight and sound with my highest affinity minion.

Aka, Slimey. So long as ANY part of her was within close proximity, I could see and hear everything she felt.

Of course, it was a bit jarring. Unlike taking control of a minion directly, Slimey and I shared senses, almost as if I were viewing from two separate monitors. So long as she remained by my side, I could passively see what she saw.

Anyway, back to the action.

Immediately Gobledo sprung forward, the holy goblin, brandishing his blade and ordering his goblin in arms into formation as the humans began to recover.

The goblin phalanx affixed their spears forward, shields raised, their unified movements adding to the confusion of the human’s failed attack.

“You’re last chance, a kindness afforded by the Great Yellow One. Those of whom wish to surrender, you need but lay down your arms and no harm shall befall you this day.” Slimey said, the Slime Queen gazing down at the humans unaware that they were wholelly in the palm of her body.

Gobledo marched forward with his blade held out as Slimey spoke, the forward center of the main vanguard striking an Imperial Blade Stance known as the Broad Ward.

Body exposed with his blade held out parallel to his body, Gobledo walked slowly with his blade pointed at the enemy, inviting those brave and foolish enough to attack.

A mercenary charged, broadsword in hand, some blonde idiot who saw Gobledo’s exposed body as an opening. His one and final mistake.

Gobledo pivoted, his blade parrying the fool’s sword with the end of his blade before slicing open the mercenary’s throat.

The human fell to his knees, eyes wide, clutching at his throat before hitting the ground with a thud.

I’m so proud of you! That’s my boy!

At the sudden loss of another comrade, several mercenaries dropped their weapons, drawing the ire of their commander.

“You fools! What are you doing?! Pick up your arms! Stand and fight you cowards!” Danse barked “Are you not men of the Kingdom! Members of humanity?!”

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Spooderman. I reached out. Release the Beast.

Several of the rattled mercenaries went to pick up their weapons, but a roar, followed by thundering of large foots seized their hearts.

From above, mana swirled, four phase spiders appearing out of thin air and depositing the Ayaka’s titanic guard, the massive armored spider striking the ground with a roar.

And to make matters worst, on it’s back, Zorin sat, the four-armed reptilian woman carrying spears in either hand with her own voice joining with the Spider Juggernaut.

“Kill! Kill! Kill!” Ayaka let out, the tiny drider riding on the head of her knight. “Bow before me humans! BOW! Or I’ll gobble up your entrails!”

As amusing as it seemed, the sudden appearance of an A class monster, a small S class creature, and an unknown class of humanoid riding said A class, was enough to strike fear in those reconsidering their surrender.

More of Danse's mercenaries dropped their weapons, walking towards the gate much to the dismay of their leader.

Oddly though, only a few dozen surrendered. Leaving at least twenty humans still under the paladin’s command who, much to their credit as sellswords, stood beside their patron.

“Damn you! You cowards! Shoot them! Shoot them now!” Danse screamed, grabbing a crossbow from the hands of a nearby retainer and firing at the back of the retreating humans.

Suddenly the sand shifted, a wall of slime shooting out and dissolving the arrow before it could make contact with the surrendered.

As rehearsed, my goblins immediately rushed in, two dozen goblin knights forming a shield wall to protect those who chose to surrender. After all, I had promised them that their lives would be spared.

At least for today.

As the last of the surrendered walked off into the eastern gate under the protection of my goblins, Danse grew ever angrier, tearing up the map he held in his hands.

Yeah. That's right. Get angry you rat bastard!

No. Keep calm. Stay calm. This revenge is better served cold.

The commander began to cuss, rant as he seemed to realize that he'd been betrayed, not only by his soldiers, but by Berus with even his supposed butler walking off.

“To those that remain. My Lord congratulates you on your bravery.” Slimey said, making a grand gesture with her hand before her signature smile came out. “Of course. Since you have blatantly attacked those fleeing unprovoked, willfully showing your true colors, my Lord has decreed that you will all die here and now. Please resist.”

At Slimey's words, Danse snarled, ordering his men to attack, yet as they did so, a rumbling could be heard, the entire cavern shaking as the sand beneath the human's feet began to stir.

Screams and cries of surprise began to flood the arena, the sand beneath the human's feet revealing itself not to be sand, but rather, Slimey, her acidic body mimicking the sand to catch the mercenaries caught off guard.

Those without mana or enchanted gear were dissolved immediately, vanishing into puffs of steam, their screams fading away shortly behind them as they were erased from existence.

“Aww! But I wanted a nibble!” Ayaka pouted, my minions on the field unharmed by Slimey's body.

The few humans that remained, survived by either latching onto the carts they had brought along or casting various skills or spells that protected them.

Unfortunately for Danse, he fell into the latter half.

Idiot.

The paladin stood on a platform of mana, fuming with rage as the corners of the arena pit lifted, forming a collapsing tidal wave of blue divine slime.

What survivors remained looked on in shock and horror, regretting their decision to stand by their leader.

Some shouted, some begged, calling out for mercy and praying to their gods.

“Ahahahahahaha!”

Sadly, the only divinity here was me and mine. And I was fresh out of mercy.

As the waves closed in, Slimey let out a manic laugh, consuming the entire ancient floor with her main body, the tidal wave washing away the screaming humans.

Suddenly a burst of power, Paladin Danse brandishing his sword, blasting a hole through Slimey's body and nearly shattering my Holy Barrier.

In his hands, the paladin held a familiar weapon. A golden katana, one that I knew all too well.

The Muramasa.

A barrier of blood formed around Danse, his will, resonating with the legendary armament that I had once wielded, my first attempt at bringing katanas to this world.

And this man had it.

When Berus had informed me of his weapon, I didn't want to believe It- couldn't! Believe that my own creation had been used to slaughter my descendants.

Yet here it was, the weapon held by scum.

Originally, I had wanted to lure the humans to their deaths and slaughter them in the winding tunnels of my dungeon.

But that way, didn't ensure Danse was trapped. Didn't ensure that the killer of my kin stood before me with all his supplies ripe for my taking.

I wanted him to suffer. To be abandoned. To see as all of his efforts were for naught and all hope of survival taken from him as his supplies were stolen. Even if I were to be defeated this day. At the very least, Danse would never return home.

Being the nice duck I am, I had heeded Lhikan's and Berus's request to spare as many as possible. To give the humans who surrendered a chance to join my army as future agents.

Danse however. Would be afforded no such luxury.

Today he would die.

And by my hand.

Synchronize.