The Plan...

The war council was heating up and no one knew how to react. When Bollock warned them about the danger that was the Peasant uprising, the only assurance of safety came from the fact that Lucifer had a secret plan.

Currently, Lucifer's army had only 3000 combat-ready personals whereas the rest of the world had 30,000 peasants, several religious practitioners and some leftover soldiers accounting their numbers to nearly 45,000 combatants. Not only that but Bollock predicted that their numbers will only grow with each passing day.

It was also calculated that in the current situation the Demon kingdom will fall on three days after the attacks occur. In short, they had to choose from, stand strong and perish or retreat and gain nothing to show for their effort.

In the time of difficulties, only one man remained unwavering and became the beacon of hope for them.

Lucifer pointed at the map held by two servants.

"Here is what we will do first, order all the surrendered nations to send as much gold and food resources as they can to our nation." He traced his pointing stick over the nations farthest from the Demon Kingdoms capital. "They will be ones to revolt first so we need to take advantage of their surrender as soon as possible."

He then tapped over the holy kingdom on the map and said, "Next, send 1200 soldiers to capture the holy kingdom, these soldiers will be the ones maintaining order until our takeover. Lastly, distribute the rest of the army into border defense and protection of resources. When the other countries attack I want to have at least some form of protection and resources."

He slapped the stick to his other hand and continued.

"We can't do anything about the rest of the countries but I need all of you to make sure that there is at least one kingdom under our control and I want that to be the holy kingdom." He pointed at the holy kingdom on the map while synchronizing his words. "Are there any doubts?"

Upon his question, a demon raised his hands and asked.

"Why do we need to capture the holy kingdom first if we look at the current situation it wouldn't it be better to capture resource-producing kingdoms first."

The rest of the councilmen agreed with him while Lucifer glared at him as if he was looking at an idiot.

"I want to capture the Holy kingdom first because I don't want to lose the war. I don't know if you remember or not but the war started because the Holy Kingdom decided that they don't need demons in this realm and unified all the human kingdoms to attack us. We need to make sure that the Holy Kingdom is defeated or else we would have won absolutely nothing and become a laughing stock in the eyes of the future. Not only that if we don't capture the Holy kingdom now then we will remain in a constant state of war."

The Councilmen were reluctant but finally accepted his explanation. Once lucifer was sure everyone was on the same page he continued.

"Start recruiting new soldiers, craftsmen, alchemists, and mages. I don't care who they are human, demons, elves, devils, or fairies. As long as they are willing to work they will be recruited... Bollock,"

"Yes, My Lord."

"I will give you the task of recruitment. Gather required personals and tell them to start recruiting."

"As you wish my lord." Bollock placed his fist on his chest and saluted.

"Is there any dissatisfaction with my decision." Lucifer traced his eyes looking for any unsatisfied personals.

"I don't know My lord but should we really recruit humans?" A councilman spoke.

"I never thought that you were an idiot, councilman Monra. When I said recruit I obviously didn't mean recruit."

"Are you going to use violence against them?" Monra asked in delight.

"No, we are not going to use violence against them, I don't want my labors to die. Instead, we are going to blackmail them. Capture all the humans that can be used as combatants and manual labor and explain to them what are we going to do with their homes and family members if they didn't listen. Tell them that as a reward of aiding us we will provide them with food and shelter."

Everyone was smiling at the beginning of the explanation but when they head the last sentence their expressions turned foul.

"My lord public won't be happy if we spend our resources on those insects."

"They will understand it when I command them." He threatened the councilman, "You all should know this too since you all have some doubts in your heart. I don't mind throwing scraps to some insects if it can assure the security of my grain deposits."

Many rebellious faces emerged but they were forcefully silenced.

"And finally I need someone who will lead the 1200 men to the holy kingdom. His job will be to take control of the holy kingdom and stop them from an uprising." His eyes traveled towards the faces of his councilmen and stopped at Rava.

"Rava you wanted to rule Holy kingdom for a long time right?"

"Yes my lord." His eyes gleamed with greed and he rubbed his hands in excitement.

"Then you shall, when the dates change tomorrow at sunrise you shall be the ruler of the Holy Kingdom and as the ruler, your first task will be to stop any opposition that might occur in the holy kingdom. You are also required to use the holy kingdom and produce foods and soldiers for the nation. While you are doing that the nation will create a straight and secure route from there to the holy kingdom which will serve as a means of control and transport. I hope you can do that."

"Yes My Lord."

Lucifer smiled at Rava while others were in awe.

Every councilman knew the importance of a direct route and was amazed that Lucifer thought to introduce it. Normally the council would have been the one to suggest it after the holy kingdom was secured but Lucifer managed to do that without their help, his intelligence was cunning and they feared it.

The meeting continued without any delays or problems after that.

...

It was midnight when the meeting ended and everyone left Lucifer's tent. Everyone except Bollocks that is. It was now clear as day that Bollocks became very close to Lucifer and was now appointed as his personal guards. This made others jealous.

Jealousy was normal amongst Demons but that does not mean that their hatred was gone.

Two dark silhouette resembling demons walked together under the dark sky, both of them came from the meeting with the king and were now returning to their quarters.

When they were sure they were alone, one of them spoke.

"Damn that foreign offspring he thinks he can command us just because he is called "the king"."

His tone was low but clearly indicated anger which turned sarcastic when it reached the word, King.

"The former king must have gone mad when he decided that to give his throne to that bastard." He added.

"He has forgotten his place, that servant to think he decided to order us and there nothing we can do about it." The other demon added his dismay.

"If it wasn't for the fact that the army adores him I would have killed him and take the throne already." His voice raised.

When the other realized that his friend was speaking out loud he silenced him and looked for any eavesdroppers. "Shhh... Do you want to get our head guillotined."

His friend understood his wary and assured him of he was now in control.

"Don't say things like that out loud, there are some people, some powerful people who have gone in lengths to make him the King." His tone changed mid-sentence and from caution to fear.

"Is it true? The thing you just said." he cautiously asked.

"Yes, it is. I don't know who they are but I heard that the king suspiciously died after announcing the current king as his heir."

"I thought that the king was in his deathbed when Lucifer was chosen as his heir. So that wasn't the case right."

"Yes. I believe it was all part of some conspiracy."

"Do you think the people who made Lucifer the king is present inside the council?"

"I can't be sure but seeing as how much power they have it must be true."

The other demon shook in fear and nervously asked, "Will they come for my head if they knew what I just said."

"Don't worry about it they too are planning to take over the throne from him but due to the war they delayed their plans and now that he has shown some results they need justification for killing him. If you kill Lucifer now, it will only benefit those secret individuals."