Chapter 24: Getting By Deceptively

Beautifulopposite sex always tend to inspire varying degrees of fantasy in male animals. And when such a woman also bears titles like saint, princess, or queen, it adds another layer—fantasy. This fantasy might be about conquest, a story that must be told, or simply a collection of curiosities. In any case, if someone claims to be able to have some kind of intimate contact with such a woman without feeling anything, then he certainly isn’t a man raised in human society!
“Resting while holding the grand duchess in my arms—this must be considered good fortune, right?”Neo spoke to himself in a tone that was less frivolous and more playful self-amusement.
It wasn’t that he didn’t understand sexual desires or physical longing; it was simply his pursuit of perfection. Just as most people feel when looking back on their youthful days as they age—somewhat foolish, yet filled with a purity and sincerity absent in adulthood—Mellien remained, inNeo’s eyes, the tree that could replace an entire forest. Perhaps this was an unconsciously held hope by a conspiracy theorist, someone striving to become cunning and deceitful, to preserve the last pure land, the last line of defense, the last bit of innocence in his heart.
Enduring his burning curiosity,Neo immediately focused on his task: he had to play the role of Soren Anvintus, and Nancy knew what he needed to master right away.
Another hour passed asNeo practiced diligently.
A demon hunter appeared at the entrance of the earthen hut. The troops had been assembled for some time, and dawn would arrive in just over an hour. This was the third time he had come to check on the situation. Urgent first-hand intelligence had been delivered over half an hour ago—the enemy was seeking emergency aid, indicating heavy losses. A strike at dawn should allow them to overwhelm them in one fell swoop.
“Lord Nightstar orders that no one or nothing may enter,” said the Eternal Night Warrior, his tone utterly cold, as if he had completely lost all emotion. Soren didn’t use the surname Anvintus outside; instead, he used the traditional elven surname Nightstar. He indeed had elven blood in his veins, with one of his ancestors suspected of using violence to procreate.
“The situation has changed. Delaying now could cost us dearly!” The demon hunter was also annoyed. Their direct superior was Sanders, who already resented this newly arrived Soren. Moreover, they had fought fiercely the previous night, losing many comrades. If they delayed any longer, all their previous efforts would be in vain, and he naturally wasn’t happy about that.
“Important matters! Always thinking about important matters! How enlightened!” Soren’s arrogantly flavored voice rang out at just that moment. In the darkness, two faint green lights flickered—Soren’s eyes—before his figure gradually emerged.
“Lord!” The two Eternal Night Warriors and the demon hunter bowed to Soren together.
Soren smiled playfully. “It seems my ‘lordship’ pales in comparison to these important matters…”

Cold sweat beaded on the Demon Tamer’s forehead. If he still couldn’t detect Sauron’s displeasure, he was truly foolish. As he looked at Sauron with a fearful and obsequious tone, he happened to see Sauron’s hand extending out, glowing with dark purple light.

“Ah…” A pitiful, brief cry of agony echoed in the earthen kiln area. The dark mages, demon tamer, insect masters, and dark swordsmen waiting inside the large earthen kilns turned their gazes toward Sauron’s direction. In the silence, they faintly heard that sound.

Just a short while later, Sauron appeared before their eyes, coming like a ghost—silent and accompanied by a chilling wind.

Thud! The Demon Tamer’s corpse flew into the center of the kiln, crashing into the glow-blue magical kindling. The corpse with its twisted expression was quickly devoured by the flames, emitting thick smoke and a pungent stench.

What terrified the dark followers even more was Sauron’s gaze—green as fire, fierce as a wolf! It had to be said that this was the first time they had seen Sauron with such an expression in the few days they had known him. It seemed far more direct and deadly than Sanders’ menace. No one doubted the cruelty and brutality of someone with such a gaze.

Sauron’s gaze slowly swept over the faces of the dark followers, as if searching for the next target for slaughter. Unconsciously, everyone lowered their heads.

There were many ways to make people submit temporarily, but Nio had undoubtedly chosen the simplest, most direct, and brutal method.

No one protested the death of the Demon Tamer, nor did anyone show defiance or individuality at that moment. After finishing his inspection, Sauron said in a gloomy voice, “Power, wealth, authority… Our organization provides everything. There’s only one requirement—tell me what it is.”

No one spoke. No one was stupid. It was obvious he was looking for an excuse to kill. Who would go against him at such a time?

The silence seemed to irritate Sauron even more. With a darkened face, he casually pointed at a dark swordsman. “You speak!”

“Uh…”

Bang! With a casual wave of his hand, the dark swordsman was flung backward like an arrow, crashing violently into the wall of the kiln and creating a large hole. He spat out blood instantly, slumping to the ground.

Everyone was stunned. What kind of power was this? An instant spell? But they didn’t sense any magical fluctuations. How could a person be thrown away like that, as if hit by a sledgehammer? And with such incredible force! It was only because the dark swordsman was armored; if it had been the Demon Tamer or a dark mage, would they still be alive after that hit?

“You speak!” Sauron pointed at another this time.

“Loyalty!” the dark swordsman replied loudly. He wasn’t stupid either; he realized the previous one had been punished for hesitation.

“Hmph!” Sauron sneered disdainfully. “Look at your expression—loyalty! You don’t even believe it yourself!”

“You speak!” Sauron chose another this time—a dark mage.

“Obedience.”

Sorren raised his hand, and the dark sorcerer thought he was in trouble. Instead, what flew at him was a mass of pure dark energy. Like rain falling on dry land, it penetrated his body without any resistance. The dark sorcerer immediately felt an unprecedented force surging within him, burning fiercely. Though it caused some burning pain, his consciousness felt as refreshed as if cold water had been poured over him in the heat. He also noticed that foul-smelling sweat began to seep from his skin. His body, which had been deteriorating due to practicing dark magic, now felt much lighter!

“Thank you, my lord, for your generosity!” The dark sorcerer knelt down on one knee to pay his respects.

Sorren smiled softly and waved briefly at the dark sorcerer. Then he said to everyone, “Obey orders. In military terms, it means following commands. When you have time, think carefully about what these four words mean. Remember, your intelligence isn’t meant to tell your superiors—or me—what to do, but to figure out how to better carry out the orders I give. If I fail, someone will demand my head; if you fail, I’ll demand yours. If you succeed, the organization has rules and rewards, and so do I. Do you understand?”

“We understand!” they replied in unison.

Sorren showed his pale teeth and said softly with a smile, “I hope you truly understand…”

“It’s just whatever you say! Do you really think we’re idiots?” Though they didn’t say it aloud, they truly understood.

Next,Neo glanced at the urgently delivered intelligence, skimmed through it, and casually shook it—turning the letter to ash. It was almost a copy of the rescue request he had sent to the Celestial Temple the previous night. As he had expected, the enemy placed great importance on this convoy, determined to seize it at all costs. That meant the traitor inside the Celestial Temple must already be trapped in the net laid by Orland and Spencer.

“Sharl, from now on, you’ll take over Gertila’s role. Organize the gathered demons and prepare the demon nest.”

The dark followers were surprised. The task assigned byNeo couldn’t be completed in a short time. Even if done carefully, it would take two or three days at the earliest. And building a demon nest—wouldn’t the team stay here instead of leaving? What about that task?

Sharl, who seemed dull-minded, immediately stepped forward and bowed silently toNeo.

Neo nodded. “Take your people and go.”

Twelve demon herders left with Charl, none falling behind or showing hesitation.

“Santiago, have your men extend the duration of the Dark Veil spell. Cancel all patrols by the wandering souls. Also, select sacrificers from the demons filtered by Charl. I need 500.”

“As you wish.” Santiago, the leader of the dark sorcerers, appeared elegant as he performed a mage’s salute toNeo before leading his men away.

“Queen, have your men rest thoroughly. In the morning, send someone to observe the convoy from a distance to check if their mounts are intact.”

“Understood!” The dark swordsmen also left, taking along the unlucky guy who had vomited blood.

“Lombard, you guys go down and prepare for the insect-devouring ritual. From now on, the combat tactics of the Dark Rot Insects need to be changed.” …
Killing one, injuring one, reprimanding one, rewarding one—these intense and vastly different treatments made all the members of the Dark Forces stay on high alert, allowing Neo to successfully deceive them. Of course, this was far from over. Since loyalty was nothing but nonsense, it was unrealistic to expect these Dark Forces to carry out any orders without hesitation.
Moreover, Neo was well aware that as a commander, establishing authority mainly relied on facts, which were far more effective than threats or rewards—regardless of faction. The laws of the Dark World were especially cruel; a commander who messed up, no matter how skillful, would inevitably face betrayal and abandonment from his subordinates.
Neo thought to himself that, as this Dark Commander, he at least had some unique advantages for now—such as the ability to completely stage his own confrontations!