"What do you want?!" The injured high demon shouted in fear.
Naga observed the high demon who is currently lying in the bed. This high demon is humanoid. He is tall, around two meters in hight. He has pale skin, angelic face and a slick black hair. Instead of a demon, he has the elegant presence of a human noble.
"I will ask, you will answer. What is your name?" Naga smiled and said with a firm voice. He took the golden knife from his earring's storage.
The high demon was intimidated. "Yy... you are lucky that I am injured and restricted right now, kid!"
Naga stood up and approached the high demon lying in the bed.
"Your name?" Naga asked again while pointing the golden knife on the high demon's right hand.
'Holy Aura!' The high demon was shocked.
"I am 2nd Class Demon Noble Korzak Darkwind!" He answered.
"Good. Thank you, Mr. Darkwind." Naga said.
He smiled and continued, "Who injured you that much? Hextor said that he didn't waste time fighting you. He just made sure that you got the dragon mark."
'Dragon mark... So that's why.' Now he knows how their den was located.
Korzak closed his eyes and answered, "Correct. That dragon was powerful but we did not fight that much since he escaped."
He continued, "What happened to me was a punishment from one of the generals. The dens... They believed that those were destroyed because I am careless."
"I see." Naga answered with a low voice.
He continued, "The reason why there are few demons here is because most of them left already, correct?"
Korzak looked at him and answered, "Yes. This place was planned to be the main camp but the two dens failed. Also, the current Demon Lord decided to attacked the Overlord Mountain so the plan was changed."
"You and those demons stayed here since you still wanted to attack our city? Is this only to redeem your honor?" Naga asked.
Korzak closed his eyes and did not answer. 'Hmph.'
He thought for a bit and said, "My mind is now clear. It seems that I will die anyway so I will not tell you anymore information."
Naga smiled and said, "That is fine. Thanks."
After that, he utilized his arcane mana and looked at the scroll. "Activate." 'Bzzz!'
The camp trembled. 'Quake.'
"What is happening?" Korzak asked since the the ground is trembling.
The scroll floated and it is now pulling him with great force.
"Kid, what's this?!" Korzak asked worriedly.
"I thought you are ready to die?" Naga frowned and asked.
"Ww... what?" Korzak asked. 'Insane!'
"Haha! Don't worry you are not dying. You will be imprisoned inside the scroll." Naga laughed and said.
"Imprisoned?" Korzak asked with a worried voice.
After the scroll pulled him completely, the scroll closed and landed to the ground. 'Tik.'
"It is the scroll of Divine Demon Prison anyway." Naga smiled and took the scroll.
He walked inside the camp and checked the items. There are magical items, treasure chests and scrolls. He took all of it and placed inside his storage ring.
He left the camp and observed. Draxus and Hextor are doing a great job in pushing back the strongest demon. Nicholas and Old Samuel are dominating the demon warriors. Dubanov is doing fine as well and the way how is utilizing his shield is superb. However even with all of these, Alfred is being pushed back.
"Haha! Is that all you can do?!" The high demon is continuously attacking him with the magical axe.
Alfred is having a hard time blocking all the attacks. He tried to counterattack but he was greeted by another powerful slash.
'Damn. This can't continue.' Alfred thought.
Naga sent a telepathic message, "Don't just block it or counter with a direct attack. A sword should not just block an axe, you will not really win. Try to counter in a different way. Use your advantage."
'My advantage.' Alfred forcefully jumped backward to create space.
"Are you afraid now, arrogant bastard? Haha!" The high demon asked.
Alfred exuded a strong dragon power again and attacked with a piercing strike.
"Hmph! I will destroy that sword!" The high demon attacked him as well with another powerful slash.
When their weapons were about to clash, Alfred suddenly stopped, ligthly pulled his sword and tilted then he swiftly turned around with an upward slashing strike. 'Swish!'
The high demon was surprised so he was not able to block it or do a counterattack.
Alfred did not waste the chance and he attacked again. He was able to slash the high demon again.
"Ahhrg!" The high demon was pushed back.
Seeing this, Alfred concentrated his dragon mana to his left hand and fired a pure dragon magic power.
With this, the high demon took a lot of damage and was blasted away.
Alfred looked at Naga and nodded. 'Thanks, Boss.'
"You! I will finish you now!" The demon shouted angrily. The ground was shaken. He exuded a strong demonic force.
'We should finish it now.' Naga smiled and utilized his arcane mana again. This time, he casted his Arcane Power Blessing.
A strong arcane presence was exuded in the area and it fused with Naga's companions.
He improved this arcane technique further using the Book and his own understanding of magic. It can now provide a 60% increase in physical power and a bonus of two tier increase specifically to strength and speed.
The more powerful you are, the more you will benefit from this. This is the case for his friends now, specially for Draxus and Hextor.
'This is!' Draxus and Hextor looked at Naga who's smiling at them.
'I will end this now.' Alfred smiled and looked at his oponent confidently. This is his second time experiencing the arcane blessing
'So this is what Alfred told me? An arcane blessing from our Boss.' Dubanov was surprised.
Naga summoned his great flame bow and commanded with a strong voice, "Let's finish it now!"
"Yes, My Lord!" Draxus and Hextor answered confidently.
"Yes, Boss!" Alfred and Dubanov answered with firm voices.
Old Samuel and Nicholas just smiled and nodded.
'They changed!' Both the archdemon and the high demon felt that something strange happened.
Naga started attacking using his great flame bow. He supported Dubanov and also assisted the elves in eliminating the remaining demon warriors.
After an hour, the battle ended with victory of Naga's group. The archdemon and the high demon were killed.
"Great job." Naga looked at them and said.
"Thank you, My Lord. You provided us a huge help." Draxus said.
"Haha! It was dangerous yet fun!" Nicholas laughed and said.
Naga nodded and smiled. He looked at Dubanov and Nicholas, "Take these two scrolls. This will consume the bodies of the demons. We need to clean this place."
"Yes, Boss." Dubanov and Nicholas answered.
Naga commanded again, "Alfred, take this scroll. This will consume the archdemon and the high demon."
"Got it, Boss." Alfred said and took the scroll.
"Draxus and Hextor, check the camps. Get all valuable items." Naga looked at the two dragons and said.
"As you wish, My Lord." They respectfully bowed and said.
"Old Samuel, is it possible to fix the artifact that was used to conceal this place?" He asked and smiled.
"Yes. I can do that. Hextor and Draxus can help me." Old Samuel answered and smiled.
"Good to know. Let's help the demon in cleaning and fixing this place." Naga said and smiled.
Old Samuel laughed and said, "Haha! Sure, helping them cleaning their place is a kind act."
He continued, "It is our payment to them for trying to harm the city."
"A good payment indeed." Naga smiled and responded with a low voice.
After the things that they needed to do, Old Samuel and Naga opened the portal then the group went back to their manor.
At the manor's martial ground, they saw Bill waiting with two guards and servants.
"Greetings, My Lord." He bowed and greeted Naga.
"How was it?" Naga said.
"The leader and the officials of the Seven Sword escaped to the duke's teritory. Cris and Eryn are monitoring them." Bill responded.
"Eryn?" Naga frowned.
"Yes, she is just waiting for the command. She will attack anytime, My Lord." Bill said.
'Those poor bastards.' Draxus and Hextor looked at each other and smiled. Eryn is not just an ordinary soldier dragon, she was a royal guard. She might not be able to match the echelons of the high demon race but destroying a fief of a duke is not a problem for her.
"Oh, tell Cris and Eryn to go back. Let those swordsmen enjoy for now." Naga said.
"It seems that you are in a good mood, My Lord." Bill said and smiled.
"Haha! We gained a lot this time." Old Samuel said.
Bill smiled again and said, "Old Samuel is in a good mood too."
"Hahaha!" Everyone laughed and entered the manor.
Even though there are still a few hours before sunrise, the servants already prepared the breakfast. They heard that the mission was a huge success so they became more diligent in creating a great breakfast for their masters.
The Tiger Alliance took over the Seven Sword's properties in the city. The House of Iron Crow did not show any concern about it however, the Tiger Alliance still gave them gifts.
"Did you hear it? The Alliance took over the branch office of the Seven Sword Society."
"The great House didn't even look at the Seven Sword's properties."
"Hmph! Lord Willard doesn't care about those things."
The sword society was pushed out of the city and became the common topic of the people. Some are glad because they hated how the swordsmen acted like gods before while some are celebrating because this event can give new opportunities to a lot of them.
All of the residents, noble families and big organizations are beginning to truly admire the power of the House of Iron Crow. Gifts and invitations are being sent to the manor of the great House daily because of it.
The Magic Hall's fame increased greatly and this is not just because of their magical weapons and armors but also because of the skills shown by their knights and ranger squad. With that, even rich foreign merchants and famous adventurers are now visiting the Hall.
Profound Sky City became more bustling and because of that, a developing village in the south was overlooked.
A week after the fight between the House of Iron Crow and Seven Sword Society, some of the needed facilities in the village are completed. The workers and masons were surprised with the magical equipments provided by the Magic Hall. There is a rumor among the workers that their employer is a friend of Lord Willard.
Alfred went to the manor to report the improvement of the village to Naga. When he arrived at the manor, he saw Naga sitting on the stone bench near the lake.
"Boss, the tavern along with its underground gambling room is finished. The guard posts are done as well and the protective wall is almost complete. After the wall, the workers will start on building the other facilities you requested too." Alfred bowed and reported to Naga.
Naga smiled and said, "We need a partnership with the Clear Sky Wine Shop. Our tavern needs their wine. If they have a wine which will be supplied only to our tavern, that is much better."
Alfred nodded and said, "Got it, Boss."
The Silver Sparrow doesn't have to worry about their finances because of the treasures and other resources they got from attacking the archdemon's hidden base. This is the reason why the Magic Hall was able to gather materials for the magic equipments that the workers needed and also to pay for a signature wine from one of the best wine makers in the empire.
Naga thought for a bit before asking, "Al, did you ask your uncle about my offer?"
"Yes, Boss. Not just uncle but the residents also agreed. There are only five families living in that village anyway." Alfred responded with excitement.
"Good to know. Then, take this and give this to your uncle." Naga gave a pouch to Alfred.
Alfred took it and Naga continued, "Tell him to use that in buying new farming equipments."
Naga asked not just the leader of the veteran mercenaries but also the village head to be part of his Silver Sparrow. He wanted to make the village his main base and center of operations.
The village head discussed Naga's plan with the residents. He wanted them to decide if they will leave or not. The head of each family agreed to stay and did not even think about it twice. Before the Silver Sparrow's arrival, the village is about to collapsed. People are moving out of the village to live in the city or other places until there are only five families left along with the village head.
These families still believe that their village will soon rise to prominence. They said that the man who created the village was a great soldier who saved the life of the first emperor twice. The great soldier supported the first emperor with all his might so after the first imperial war, the emperor gifted the whole northern teritory to the great soldier and gave him the noble title of a count. However, the emperor was poisoned and died just a week after returning to the royal city.
The great soldier became one of the suspects. The nobles said that he planned it all since he got frustrated when he was not given the title of a duke. He was accused of many war crimes too. He was tortured and humiliated but he never gave up since he believed that the truth will still prevail but life failed him. A new emperor was named and this emperor wanted to execute him as well.
The most powerful duke of that time, the man who created the Profound Sky City in the south, went to the royal city and asked the new emperor to pardon the great soldier since there was no evidence for the crime aside from the accusations thrown to him. The emperor agreed and the man was banished to the south. The great soldier, the first emperor and the duke were good friends. The duke gave him a piece of land outside of the city. He lived as a solitary farmer for two years. But one day, ten of his friends from the military arrived and decided to live in the south with him. Even as a farmer, the former great soldier remained loyal to the empire because it was built by his good friend, the first emperor. His only dream is that one day the village will rise to prominence, a place that his good old friend will be proud of.
This is the reason why men from this village always wanted to enter the military. They want to fulfill the great soldier's dream. Since they have the Silver Sparrow this time, they believe that they can achieve it.
Naga decided to help the village more when he heard the story. He was betrayed and was accused of many war crimes too. He gave all for his country but he was given nothing but sh*t.
"Al, gather the representatives from the five families along with your uncle and the mercenary leader tonight." Naga commanded and looked at the sky.
He continued, "The Silver Sparrow will start roaming the sky now."
Alfred stood up straight and answered with great anticipation, "Got it, Boss!"
I wanted to write more but I am currently busy at my work. :(
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GOT IT