Chapter 490: A Demon Must Act Like A Demon To Be A Demon (2) |
The chosen Four Heavenly Kings were the following demons—Rimoura, Donovan, Ballitos, and Carpediac. Lonovera was sad that she didn’t become one of the Four Heavenly Kings, but this was the best decision.
‘She had already played many roles, and she has made way too many appearances.’
It was good to see faces that had already been seen, but the debut of a new face was great as well. I was worried that Lonovera would attract all the anger in the world because of her frequent appearances.
Speaking of the new debut, the demon named Carpediac looked ordinary in many ways, but their acting was impactful.
Anyway, I worked hard in distributing the big and small roles. I was planning on splitting the demon army into four groups, but we needed supporting actors here and there.
In order to create an exciting war, there had to be demons who would act as contrasts, supply officers, mobile strike forces, and even reinforcements.
It was a bit annoying to assign important roles because of the level of detail necessary for the roles to succeed, but those details would improve the project’s level of completion.
The mise-en-scène couldn’t be overlooked. In some ways, it was the most important part. I couldn’t let the Four Heavenly Kings of Belial fight on the battlefield, and everyone also knew that each Heavenly King had to possess a background that was suitable for them.
The film would be shown all over the continent, so the details had to be detailed enough and correct—from the location where they would first encounter the humans to where the climax of their story would take place.
It couldn’t be helped since it was going to be a huge event, but the high priests were surprised because I was slightly annoyed.
Today was the same…
“Ah, we should focus on this a bit more. How many times do I have to tell you? This is where you’ll be fighting. I came here just to make sure, but… ah… Seriously… ah…” I ordered.
- W-What are you so unsatisfied about?
“Mr. Ballitos. Where’s the location of your intense battle with the lowly humans?” I asked.
- T-The food storage.
“Do you really think that I placed you there for no reason? The atmosphere is important, and I’m sure you know that as well. If you understood your character, then you wouldn’t have destroyed this place like this. I don’t want to say this myself, but you’re a scummy demon who enjoys eating human meat,” I explained.
- H-Human meat doesn’t taste good…
“I’m not telling you to actually eat it. I’m human, so I won’t tell you to do something that’ll make me feel uncomfortable as well. Just hang a few unidentifiable chunks of meat. We brought a lot of magic beast meat. Anyway, the people who’ll come here will think that those chunks of meat are human meat. And please decorate the place with cooking tools and fill the iron pots with random spoiled dishes,” I ordered.
- O-Okay.
“If you’re low on stamina, recover by eating the meat here because that’s your gimmick. I’ve already told you many times. You have to eat something so that the humans will be more afraid of you,” I continued.
- I-I’m sorry, Mr. Lee Ki-Young.
“There’s a reason I’m telling you this. I’m sure you don’t like hearing this from a mere human, but I’m saying all of this for your sake, Mr. Ballitos. Really,” I added.
- How could I doubt you, Mr. Lee Ki-Young? I, Ballitos, know very well that you’ve been working harder than anyone for the 27th Legion and that you’re doing this for me.
“Whooo, this isn’t the time to feel relieved just yet, Mr. Ballitos. I’m sure you already know, but recently, Mr. Ulcarox…”
- T-That’s…
“Just because you got the role doesn’t mean it ends there. You all know this—Whoo. I am done saying my piece,” I said.
- We’ll do our best.
“I’ll come back in three hours. If I don’t see any improvements by then, I’m sure Belial will be really disappointed,” I told him.
- Okay.
“And the entrance to this place was a little too clean, so please make it a bit messy. I feel like the tense atmosphere that was here before has disappeared. I understand that you like cleanliness, but please be a bit more devoted to your role. What kind of human would be scared of a demon who enjoys cleaning?” I asked.
- Understood.
The situation went like that…
‘Ha, I think my guys are going to be here soon, and he’s still not ready.’
I thought it would take them about ten days, but there was something wrong.
‘What kind of drug are they on…?’
I didn’t know exactly what was going on, but there were things I could tell just from looking at them from afar. The troops had gathered at an unimaginable speed, and it seemed like the supplies had been prepared ages ago.
I expected the Federation to interrupt in the middle of it, but Gellahan and Jamila had to have decided to jump onto the bandwagon because they were getting along with the existing troops.
The Republic was really passionate about this as well. In addition, a skilled scouting party had even started gathering information within the Federation.
For the sake of smooth progression, the demon troops started spreading some information around, and the way the scouting party was picking up that information made me wonder if the continent’s previous status was just an illusion.
The way they moved naturally and in harmony made me think that they had been training for their role for decades.
Of course, the fact that mankind had unified faster than I thought made me happy, but on the other hand, I was worried because haste was bound to make waste. Everyone had gathered to fight together, but there were many scandals in the process.
I felt awkward because I was sure that everyone’s relationship with each other would become a bit strange.
Of course, my current situation was more than just awkward.
‘I still have some time left…’
The big cities that Belial had claimed as his own territory were enveloped in darkness. I had to use my holy power to navigate through the area.
The Union had to conquer all the demon bases in between the big cities, so I was sure that they still hadn’t reached Amera. Therefore, only mid-ranked demons and mid-bosses had been dispatched so far.
One of the objectives of the Federation’s recapture plan was to conquer the areas one by one and clear the fog of war on the map. We also gave them information about how the 27th Legion’s presence was weak in locations that weren’t within Belial’s territory.
Therefore, unless the strategy team of the Continental Union was filled with nothing but idiots, they should be able to conquer those locations soon.
‘The preparations have to be perfect.’
I was getting anxious, which was unlike me. However, there was a lot on the line, so it was only natural for me to feel pressured.
I started walking while thinking about many things.
When I saw Rimoura, I instantly felt a bit better. She was one of the Four Heavenly Kings overseeing Amera. She hadn’t abandoned her tentacles, which had long become part of her identity. She also had a complete understanding of her character.
In other words, she was basically flawless.
- What do you think…
“I have nothing else to say to you, Miss Rimoura. You’re amazing. I could have never imagined that you’re capable of covering an entire region with your tentacles… It gives a grotesque feeling, and there’s a good amount of terror in the air as well… I’m sure a weak-hearted human will cower in fear the moment they enter this place,” I replied.
- No, I still lack many things. I haven’t looked into the detailed parts yet… Could you tell me how much time I have left?
“At most, we have about four days… Two days if we hurry things up. The overall rehearsal will probably start the day before. Hm. if you don’t mind, could you tell me exactly what your role is again, Miss Rimoura?” I requested.
- I have full knowledge about my role, Mr. Lee Ki-Young. Basically, I’m going to suck out the mana from the humans in Amera as well as from you to oversee the demons of the army, am I right?
“That’s right. I was worried for nothing,” I answered.
- I understand that you’re worried. Anyway, I like the role you’ve assigned me because it goes well with my lovely tentacles. I’d like to take this chance to thank you for creating this new character for me, Mr. Lee Ki-Young.
“It’s my job to give a talented actor a good role, so there’s no need to thank me for it. Haha, I know I said this before, but your role in this plan is more important than any other role because if the food storage—where the humans are stored is liberated—then it’ll be difficult to summon more demons. Basically, this is the beginning and the end of this plan,” I told her.
- The burden of my role is heavy, and I’m really grateful that you’ve given me this opportunity. If this works out well, I’d like to create a power that will allow me to absorb mana using my tentacles. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make that big of an achievement, though.
“Hahaha. That power does fit you well,” I laughed.
- By the way, Mr. Lee Ki-Young. Mr. Donovan doesn’t seem like he has been doing much. Has he been uncooperative? If that’s the case…
“Ah, that’s not true. It’s because he hasn’t been assigned a region yet,” I replied.
- What? How come…
“Mr. Donovan is playing a defensive role, so there’s no need for him to make preparations. Hm, I haven’t told this to anyone else, but Mr. Donovan will directly attack the joint training hall where the humans are gathered,” I answered.
- Ah…
“Mr. Donovan will buy us time, and he’ll have the greatest impact on the first battle,” I continued.
- He does fit the role, but personally, I’m kind of worried. He’s not a bad person, but his nature is different from ours. Honestly, I’m pretty surprised that he agreed to join this project since he’s usually not the type to enjoy things like this.
“Hahaha. I thought the same thing, but Belial said it should be fine to believe Mr. Donovan at least once since he has been working hard for the legion,” I said.
- Then does that mean the other regions are prepared?
“The characters themselves are still a bit unrefined, but I believe the preparations are complete, and the overall picture is done as well. However, there are still a lot of things that require work…” I replied.
- If there’s something I can help you with…
“It’s fine. I just want you to focus on your role, Miss Rimoura. There’s no need for you to worry about other things since you’re the leading character of this project…” I answered.
- You’re embarrassing me.
“You got this role yourself, so have a bit more pride in that,” I told her.
Hard workers would be acknowledged in this project, and Rimoura knew that as well. I wasn’t anxious anymore. I was happy to see Rimoura’s progress, but my happiness only lasted for three hours before it was completely destroyed.
- Mr. Lee Ki-Young.
“Yes?”
- The… army of humans is approaching Belial’s territory. W-What should we do?
“What?”
‘Why are they moving so fast? Shit.’
Their speed was beyond my calculations.
‘How are they so fast, and since when did they start cooperating with each other?’