And So, There Are Demon Lords

"You wanted to see me, My Lord?" Agamemnon speaks, bowing before me.

Other than the competition I have to prepare for, there are a lot of other things that require my attention. For one, with the whole change of dimension thing, my source of income just got cut off. Which means, in another month or so, unless we pillage and plunder the nearest city, which would be Dorma, my army, and residents of Aeolia will starve and die, or go rampant and desperate.

They managed on the resources and materials stashed in on the Isle while I was away, but now that I'm back this is a great issue. No money, no resources, and no food. The only reason the monsters on Aeolia haven't staged a revolt of some kind is because they're afraid of my ten generals, and myself. Most especially Agamemnon. Honestly, I'd be more afraid of anyone who isn't afraid of him.

With how incredibly frivolous Amaymon is, I'm surprised the high pure blood vampires haven't staged a coup yet. I didn't create any vampires other than Amaymon, so they're loyalty only lies with strength. Amaymon's title as the King of Vampires, and mine as his creator has been what have kept them in check till now. Which means Agamemnon must have worked some serious overtime while I was away. As much as I fear him, I also need him.

"Agamemnon," I start after a small sigh. "I more or less already know what you have in mind, but still, tell me what your plans are."

"Plans?" Agamemnon repeats in question, wearing a confused expression for only a moment, before a smirk spreads across his lips.

I'm pretty sure this guy's IQ is definitely over 160, but somehow, of all outcomes he can come up with, it's always the ones that involve the most suffering and hardship. What manner of hell are we to raise this time?

"As per your request last time, I had a few of my spies look into the possibility of other demon lords in the area," Agamemnon begins, not letting his grin fade.

Other demon lords? Did I ever mention that? I'm pretty sure I only pondered about it in passing. Or... did I maybe think aloud? That or... this guy has started reading minds. That train of thought is scarier than anything I imagined before. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

"The result of the search came back as you had expected, my lord,"

I expected nothing.

"There are seven others who claim to be demon lords around the continents," Agamemnon continues. "Two even reside here in the Dremid continent, and one of whom is not very far away. About a few kilometers from the city of Saphriden."

Saphriden? Isn't that where the mage's Ivory Tower is? Hard to imagine the mages of the tower allowed a demon lord to take up settlement to close to their city and just let it be. Or do they just not know.

"The mages of the tower and the demon lord have reached an agreement to not bear arms towards each other for the coming years." Agamemnon adds.

Mind reader!

"It appears that the self proclaimed demon lord residing in the Rasmirez empire is attempting to go to war with his fellow demon lord," Agamemnon states, continuing his summary.

"War?" I repeat. How puzzling. "A war between demon lords? If they are even an inch as powerful as I expect them to be, then a war between two demon lords would..."

"Yes, you are right my lord," Agamemnon speaks, picking up my train of thought. "A war of that predicted magnitude would engulf the surrounding nations. I assume that Rasmirez is also using this as an opportunity to wage war against Halrio."

A war huh? By the state the country is in now, it's probably not a problem that has gotten to the point of calling an emergency, but they are most likely aware of the consequences. That's probably why the tower came to an agreement with a demon lord. Better for both sides, plus probably why they are being very cautious and reckless when it comes to Aeolia. During this stalemate on the edge of war, the addition of a third party like high level demons and monsters on a floating isle with weapons greatly exceeding any form of current technology and magic is most definitely going to be the element that may tip the scales of war in any one country's favor.

Which would also mean that the order of knights, and the ivory tower mages in Halrio aren't the only things to worry about right now. When the deciding factor of a potential war has been sitting dormant for years, it's hard to believe only Halrio has been attempting to reach the inside of Aeolia.

So many bugs to be wary of all of a sudden.

"If a war may potentially happen, I estimate giving the state of affairs right now, it will probably occur within two or three years,"

"I am in agreement, my lord," Agamemnon agrees, his smirk ever not fading.

"So, how does this help us now?" I ask, eyeing the monster I have created.

As his master and partial creator... no, as someone who actually admires him, I know better than anyone that Agamemnon has already found a way for us to benefit within all the chaos that is to ensue. I don't know if I should be more wary of him, or stop and be impressed.

And if I'm right, I'm pretty sure I know what his next words will be.

"Master's desire is world domination, no?" Agamemnon begins, lifting his head so his cold eyes land on my silhouette. "Then it only makes sense we start regaining even an inch of our state of affairs by raiding and absorbing the monsters around the surrounding area."

I had already thought about that, but there's a problem I found with that. And if I realized it, then so did he.

"But to stop there would be an offense to one with a title such as yours," Agamemnon continues. "Master's strategy is intricately delicate and wise, so recklessly absorbing all the monsters in the area under Aeolia's command would be more detrimental to your plans that good as it will prematurely alert the nations surrounding us of our existence before we are adequately prepared and fully equipped with enough information and knowledge about this place. And a worse case scenario, a hero is commissioned to eliminate you. A threat to the other nations is to early right now."

As I thought.

"So what do you wish to do?" I ask, dropping all formality.

"While standing as a threat by amassing monsters under your rule is premature and disruptive, for the goal of world domination, being a threat is unavoidable, and essential," Agamemnon speaks, with a cold smile. "Hence, rather than stop at mere monsters, why not engrain your name in the hearts of the people, and history, by eliminating every force that may rival you from the beginning? Starting, with these so called demon lords."