I was staring at the floating names above everyone’s head in silence. They all picked up on that and seemed like they wanted to ask. I quickly coughed when I noticed this as I continued. Just something else for me to look into.

  “A-anyway yes, let me explain what that thing you’re seeing is Mordred.”

  “See, I told you it was there!!” Mordred yelled as he kept pointing at the floating menu, glad that he wasn’t going insane.

  Before they started to ask more questions, I started to explain about [Game Screen] and how it would work. At first it was a little difficult, considering that something like video games don’t exist in this world. But they started to quicky get the gist of it.

  I thought it would be best to keep quiet about being able to see their rankings on their stats. I can already imagine a certain someone and how they would handle such information. Yeah, I would rather avoid any unnecessary conflicts.

  They all listened intently, processing my explanation for a bit before Zeph started to speak. His talon rubbing against his chin while thinking.

  “Hmmm so that’s it. That would explain your unusual motions from before. An ability that lets you navigate through your own progression and manage your followers huh? I could see how useful it can be.”

  Mordred, who had listened to my every word had his fists to his chest, his eyes sparkling in pure joy. “…. that….is….so cool boss!! Being able to track your growth and to be this strong already. That’s a testament to your strength boss!!”

  Hearing such praise, I couldn’t help but put my claws to my sides while huffing a puff of air in certainty. “Veehahahahaha, that’s right I am great, aren’t I? ~”

  Damian upon seeing my reaction was looking a bit flushed before shaking his head to concentrate. “…So why is this [Game Screen] appearing before Mordred now?”

  “Ah, that’s because I’ve gained a new use of it and now it seems I’m able to message and call any of my followers. I was testing it out on Mordred to see what would happen.” I explained.

  Damian tilted his head “…So like, sending a letter to someone? Does that mean we can respond to?”

  “Good question, we should test it out. Mordred why don’t you try.” I looked at Mordred, who was coming out of his admiration.

  “Oh, right away boss! Now uhm…” Mordred tried to use his big fingers to mess with his notification with little luck. “How do you…. this thing is a little small for me….”

  Not wanting to see him struggle more, I explained on how to use the menu. I tried to make it as clear as possible and eventually we settled by simply thinking the message up. I was then notified of my own message as I read it out.

  {“Boss? Hey boss?! Is it working?!”}

  Heh, glad I wouldn’t have to hear it. I could only imagine how loudly he was screaming those thoughts. I gave Mordred a thumbs up to indicate that I got the message letting him grin.

  To test it out further I had Damian try to send me a message first. Luckily, Damian picked up on how to use it rather quickly and was able to send his own message as well.

  {“You are too adorable Vladdyyy. I just want to give you a big hug right now!!~”}

  …. My body instinctively shivered when I read that message as I looked at Damian, who was giving off his usual stoic expression. Just how does he always keep a straight face when he has emotions this strong?

  I sighed, choosing to change my train of thought. At least we can confirm they can freely message me first. That would make communications a lot easier. Now I just need to test out the call feature next.

  As if reading my mind, I suddenly felt a ding in my head. As if I instantly knew the person contacting me was. I thought to myself to answer the call, and I suddenly started to hear Zeph’s voice in my head.

  “Testing testing, can you hear my voice bossman? ~”

  When I looked at Zeph, he gave a knowing smile while pointing a single talon to his head. Right, he probably wants me to answer back. Using my mind I returned a response.

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  “I can hear you; I’m going to try a group call now.”

  “Understood bossman, I’ll let you know if I can hear the others.” Zeph proceeded to give a thumbs up.

  Next, I tried to give a mental call to Mordred and Damian. They shook a bit upon receiving the call with Mordred having a more exaggerated one in comparison, but they answered it, nonetheless. Once I was sure they did I began to ‘speak’ with them.

  “Alright, you should be able to hear me now.”

  The next voice I heard took me by surprise as it felt like someone was screaming right in my ear! “OH, THIS IS INSANE BOSS! I CAN TOTALLY HEAR YOU!!”

  It seems I wasn’t the only one who was surprised, I actually managed to see Zeph lose his composure as he nearly lost his footing while Damian was pointlessly trying to cover his ears. Well at least we can confirm the group call works….

  I acted quickly, I needed to before we all were going to get a splitting headache! “MORDRED, volume!!

  Mordred managed to calm down as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his head while nervously laughing. “OH! .... eheheheheh sorry boss”

  Shaking my head trying to get my hearing back, I tried to get a response from Damian next. “Aaaannyyyywwwaayyyy, what about you Damian?”

  Once he was sure that Mordred’s voice quieted down, he responded back with the call feature, all the while keeping a straight face. Except…..

  “Everything is working quite well Vladdy~”

  …. Seems using your own thoughts to communicate makes it harder to hide your emotions. Damian voice was giving that weird cutesy tone he usually reserves when he’s smothering me, just hearing it makes my body’s instincts want to run away in fear of having the air squeezed out of it…

  “Urgh, why do you have to use that kind of voice? Now I gotta hear it on my head….” Mordred let his arms dangle down as he sighed in exasperation. Well at least HE doesn’t have to go through the love bomb he gives day in and day out hmph…

  To my surprise, I managed to see Zeph’s confused expression in turn. I have to admit, I never thought I would ever see a vulture look totally baffled. I just couldn’t help but chuckle to myself, I’ll have to explain Damian’s ‘quirk’ to him later.

  With all the testing done I was happy to conclude the use of the new features my [Game Screen] provided. Now it was just a simple matter of figuring out how I could best utilize it. Since we can now communicate without uttering a word, I lowered the walls giving us privacy.

  I made a mental note to show these new features as well as explaining [Game Screen] to V when they wake up. Heh, I’m sure they’ll find it all amazing and jump in excitement. ~

  I had my henchmen return to their duties for the rest of the night with an extra reminder to keep [Game Screen] to themselves for now as well as to use the call and messages for when they need to, more specifically towards Mordred. I was glad that it seems like even my minotaur understood.

  With all that done I decided to sleep for the rest of the night. Going through all that mental work was rather exhausting. With our new communication potential, infiltrating the kingdom of Mivtic should prove to run much more smoothly. But for now, it was time for bed. I even yawned to indicate how tired I was.

  Good thing my minions had already set up my sleeping arrangements. They even had my bed arranged next to V. Guess they thought it was better for them to rest near me since they were acting that clingy earlier, not that I mind. I crawled into my bed as I let sleep overtake me, thinking of what we need to do tomorrow.

  I find myself stuck in the same room again, my old room…. This time I realized that I was in a dream. Choosing not to panic again, I assessed the situation starting with checking out my own body. Hmmm still the same red kobold body, good.

  Even if I know this is a dream, it still makes me feel uncomfortable being here. Since it looked like I won’t be able to wake up for now I took a look around, still looking as neat as before. Everything organized and ordinary, with the only thing unique being my two separate bookshelves.

  Going through several of them, I remember how one shelf I would use for my studies. I could only shake my head in disapproval over it. I immediately went through the other shelf, finding myself smiling as I remembered enjoying going through the various stories I’ve come to enjoy whenever I had free time. Being reminded of my overall goal of conquest.

  But as I reminiscent on old fantasies of conquest I suddenly heard the door in my room creak. I noticed that it was slightly cracked. Curiosity was taking over me as I checked it out.

  I had flashes of memory of the last time I saw the other side and shook my head. It might be different this time around. I slowly opened it with a bit of nervousness and made a bit of a sigh of relief as it wasn’t the same black void with the marching group.

  That relief soon turned into dread when I realized what I was looking at...

  It was THAT room, with that damnable ritual! I even saw the same kobold from back then, with the same look of fear in their face as they’re chained down. But something was different.

  They were suddenly looking right at me, their eyes practically begging me to save them. I immediately tried to reach out. Even if this was a dream, I can’t let the same thing happen again!

  But try as I might, I couldn’t get past the door. As if there was an invisible wall keeping me out! I desperately banged at the invisible force. I can’t let it happen again Damn it!

  I nearly screamed as the same ritual activated as I saw the life in their eyes die out!

  I woke up in a cold sweat, my breathing frantic and out of control. I tried to calm down, but I could only think about that damn dream. Come on now, take deep breaths and relax… I can’t let my followers see me like this.

  It was then I felt something holding on to me. I saw that it was V, who was clinging on to me tightly while still asleep. Seeing them instantly calmed me down, letting me process my dream.

  It seems that ritual is still getting to me, I doubt I’ll be over it until I resolve this kingdom issue. But still, why do I keep going back to my old room…

  …. I shook my head, now isn’t the time to worry about that.

  Today was time we dealt with Mivtic kingdom. With their knight commander at the forefront.