Chapter 6

The atmosphere in the room was intense, but there was no sense of hostility, even when they were exchanging words, which was good. It shows that the general might not actually meant the words uttered, and had no intention to cause commotion since he didn't seem disturbed by the question asked.

Some were starting to think the reception he received was what made him act out, while others didn't care much about the ongoing event, as kneeling with their head down pose no problem to them, so long as they get to keep their heads. Believing that if a clash was about to occur between them, they knew they would be the first one to go with the chaos and aftermath.

Momentarily, after taking a breather, the general regulated the energy in the sphere shaped mirror, for imagery to be a bit more visible to both parties, and calm himself, so, as to not deviate from the purpose of him contacting them. Knowing they would probably be on edge, after hearing what he has to say, and if he want his plan to succeed, he'll need to calm them, and win them over.

"Hmm… You're right, I contacted you not for word play, but because there has been a new development… A change of plan you might say"

"I see, and what is the change, sire?"

"An invasion, you are to prepare yourself and members for an invasion" he said with all seriousness.

"An invasion? Right now?" the other demons whispered, with a stain of worry, in their voices to what they heard.

Normally, they would be excited about the news, but with the report the remnant demons gave, and the words the general said earlier, thoughts of them being cast out for slaughter couldn't help but stir up in their minds, as their courage were starting to waver. Although they don't really expect less from their superior, since value was based on either bloodline or power level, but making it obvious just made them felt antsy.

Like them, lord Oka was also scared for his life, but was more concerned of if the general knew of the supposed strength of the hunters here, and if lord Yu had completed the original mission. Since he knew lord Omiha was no more, and believed, proceeding with an invasion when the original mission was yet to be accomplish seems foolish, especially when they marketed the value of what she took to be of immeasurable value.

And, even if lord Yu did complete the mission, an invasion with their combine force seems inadequate, due to their numbers and individual strength. At most they might be able to take over certain regions, but if the stated strength of the hunters here were as the remnant state it to be then, it would be close to, if not impossible.

Since three ordinary members was all it took to wipe out a lord and most party members, without addressing the issue of the strength of the hunters, an invasion would be suicide, lord Oka pondered, believing the general needs to clear the air on the issue.

However, he knew a direct approach might not work, since it might be perceived, as a form of insolence or insubordination, which might only be him putting his head out for slaughter, but not asking would also guide him and his members to their end. But taking account of the bluntness of the general, with that he knew there was a chance, he might just dish-out threats or insults instead of any actual action. Making his chances of being charged less.

"Okay, general, but if I may ask, why now? I mean, lord Yu is still in pursuit of Alice… won't an invasion hinder his effort since our numbers, is not nearly enough to assure the success of it… And the…"

"And is that your excuse for choosing not to proceed with the mission?"

"No, Sire, I was only…"

"Enough, I don't need your petty excuses… But I guess you're going to find out sooner or later, so, I'll entertain your question, but I'll advise that you brace yourself… the answer is not all that pleasant"

"Okay sire…"

"The reason behind the change of our mission and why the affairs of lord Yu will no way be hindered is because lord Yu and his party members are dead, as that of Omiha and most of his party members, even the ones he sent to the east… they were killed yester night…" the general replied displeased with how easily the lords met their end, cutting in to lord Oka statement, as he shared the news which he believed would put them on edge, while prepping to ease them, and counter lord Oka pointed flaws.

"What-What? Lord Yu and his party members were also killed, but he is one of the top ranking lord, his strength and energy level is unbelievable, what the hell is happening" the demons whispered in panic to what the general said.

The remnant demons were not that shaken to hear what had happened to lord Yu and his party members, as that of their party members, who were sent to the east, since they've witness the strength of the hunters firsthand, but like lord Oka, they were wondering how the general knew of their demise, but since he wasn't done talking, asking would be them cutting in, which would be rude and of no benefit to them, so lord Oka waited a bit for the general to finish his talk.

"It was weird since like you all their energy were concealed, only one from the rank of captain upward should be able to sense them… Although the remnant of the hunter's corps here are rumor to be fierce, a force to reckon with, at least some of them and am not talking about their captain or the vice…"

"However, taking down two lords in one night with few manpower available is damn right hardcore, they are way stronger than I thought, or maybe you lords are just weak? But either way they must be dealt with"

"I see, so, you knew the ordinary members of the hunter corps here are stronger than your average one?"

"Yes! What about it…"

"But Sire!?"

"But what? You lords are nothing more than just lucky bastard who were born with immense demonic power, which gives you the edge over most demons, but you never worked a day for it…"

"Rogue demons and even low level demons are still better off than you wuss, at least they push themselves and train to break their limit, but you bastards only bask in the immerse power you were born with, but never work for it, and you don't even try to break your limit or become stronger… that's why most of you remain just lords craving easy wins to get by… you all disgust me..." the general relayed mocking their status and bloodline.

Lord Oka was enraged by every word uttered, but even so, he made sure to tame his rage, not to overreact, after all, the general was still his superior. Acting out would only give him the excuse he needs to execute his previous threat.

The image in the sphere shaped mirror was clearer, when the demons in the room raise their gaze to peek at the general in the mirror. As expected they saw the look of disgust on the general's face, along with the expression of annoyance, which shows how much he dislikes their lord, the nobles and their bloodline.

Although lord Oka party members were not nobles, but they just couldn't stand their lord being insulted or mocked by anyone, even the general. Each word of insult uttered were stirring up anger within them, even as they kneel.

Unable to do nothing, other than bottling up their anger and concealing their rage, since saying or doing anything, would only add to the problem, especially when they were all low-level demons. All they could do was listen, as it was cutting their lord's pride to shreds.

While the rogues present were less concern about their dispute, and the remnant demons of lord Omiha, were just watching the show, surprised by the possibility of their speculation, and the general bluntness.

Although the general words was harsh, but there were truth to it, the lords don't try, or try to improve their technique, or strength. They just enjoy the pleasure in either scenery, or tend to be sadist, psychopath mostly along those line, at least most of them.

After looking pass the insult some of the demons, especially the rogues, reasoned to it. They started to think their personality might had been what brought the quick end, to both lords, as they were subconsciously accepting the words of the general, while seeing a possibility of success in an invasion under his rule. But the thought still horrified them of an ordinary member being extremely strong, as that of the possibility of being a pawn.

Lord Oka on the other hand, was infuriated by his words, and eager to know, if that was the reason he sent them to their deaths. Using the mission as an excuse, while trying to gauge the possibility of the speculation sprung by the remnant demons.

"So, is that why you sent us here on this mission to… Teach us a lesson, sire?"

"Don't flatter yourself, if I wanted to teach you wuss a lesson, I'll do it directly… I won't let some hunters deny me the pleasure of such... So, get off your high horse, you're nothing special..."

"The only reason I sent you all here is to get Alice, mainly what she took, the relic… You see is important in the success of the war…"

"The others are just bonuses and Lord Yu seem to have caught her few months ago, but his stupidity gave her the chance to escape before word got to me, and a repeat happen yester night before he and his party got killed…" the general replied sharing what he knew to keep them on good terms with him, and at the same time past the blame on lord Yu for their current circumstance.

"I see, so, that's why you overlooked my lack of participation and didn't complain till now, but that would also mean we are in this mess because of that sick bastard… But still what about the info you gave us? It's false and what's the relic that she stole? And why is it so important?" lord Oka thought, realizing having one question answered only open doors to many others.

Upon realizing that, he kept it to himself, after observing that his members seemed to be relating and acknowledging his answers, which was reducing the room tension and that was good enough for lord Oka at the moment.

"You all are probably thinking the information I gave was false or might have been for something other than the mission I gave, but it wasn't a set-up, nor was it false… I can't tell you how I got the information to be exact, but I assure you that it is not from any actual living being…"

"It's like I said earlier, it was a rumor that there were stronger hunters here than the average ones in the sector, but it wasn't confirmed nor were there any proof at the time, and believe me I checked…"

"But out of caution, and to prevent personnel casualties, since my life is also on the line here, I made sure to conceal your presents with the seals passed to your lords to share with you, while making sure my subjects add much needed pressure on the hunters in the soul sector, in order for them to seek reinforcement from all their branches in the human world…"

"Especially here, rendering the corps here short of manpower, removing the key players like the captain and other senior ranked hunters to make your work load less, while believing your strength will be enough to handle them, but It seems even that is not enough and I didn't anticipate they'll be this strong…"

"Either way I guess I underestimated those bastards and overestimated you all, that's a miscalculation on my part… but that is why am here now to handle the situation and make it right" he continued persuading them that he was doing everything to keep them safe, and now he was here to change everything.