It’s been some time since I conquered the old Mivtic Kingdom. We were still in the middle of going over what my new kingdom had to offer. But first, I needed to take care of two important businesses that I cannot delay on.

  With all my henchmen with me, we went back into the castle. I had V stay behind despite their insistence in joining in, didn’t want them to see what that fat pig did. I left them in the care of my minions, who were more than happy to keep the young goblin entertained.

  “Alright let’s take care of this.” I stated, my henchman noticing the seriousness in my tone.

  We first returned back to the ritual room. I ignored the body on the ground, there was no need to pay attention to it after all. I was more concerned to looking for the room nearby where they kept my fellow monsters detained. According to the humans who participated in this ritual at least.

  “Hey Vlad, are you sure we should leave the others with the humans? I know they said they would be your minions but are you sure they were telling the truth?” Zeph asked, with less concern in his voice and more asking out of curiosity.

  I nodded, showing no hint of questioning the humans’ new loyalty. After all, there was one new feature I had gained from [Game Screen] upgrading that I failed to mention. At the time we were too focused on the invasion for me to properly pay attention to it. Though it was rather subtle that I wouldn’t have easily noticed. But apparently, I now am able to visually see who my follower was. It comes off as a very thin transparent line around their body. It blends so well to its surroundings that I almost had to squint just to see it. It also has the added benefit of those listed as my henchmen having their names floating above their names. Something I noticed when I figured out the mental calls and messages.

  Either way, this is definitely a boon for me. Now I can make good on my statement back than in noticing a traitor within my ranks. Keeps possible enemy infiltrators from getting too close to me. I tapped my head for Zeph, and he seemed to somewhat get it as he chuckled to himself.

  We managed to find the room and as we entered, we were stunned. Inside was similar to the jail cell that me and Zeph were imprisoned in, but larger. There were several types of monsters trapped inside. Not only the familiar kobolds and goblins, but even a small group of orcs as well. There were even a few monster species I haven’t seen before. Out of curiosity I did a quick Inspect on them. I didn’t pay attention much to their stats; I was more interested in what species they were.

  There was one group that looked like humanoid hyena’s. At first glance they seem like Beastmen. But upon looking closer they looked less like humans and more like wild beasts walking upright. Even when they were hunchbacked, they looked larger than the average human, matching closer to Damian’s height. [Game Screen] informed me that they were called Gnolls. The name sounds familiar, but I couldn’t fully remember. One look at us and I could tell they would have tried to gnaw on our flesh if they weren’t restrained.

  The next set of monsters looked like regular humans, except for their wings where arms would normally be, as well as talons for feet. They seemed to keep to themselves but were monitoring us by the corner of their eyes. Well, it’s easier to tell they aren’t the same as Damian and Zeph, from what I could tell Beastmen seemed to physically take more from their animal counterparts than their human sides. Rather [Game Screen] listed them as the harpy species. Now that name I definitely recognized, they tend to be almost a staple monster race in the stories I read.

  But the last of them all was the most interesting, there was only one of them but one look at them I could easily tell what they were even without having to Inspect them. With a rocky exterior and a body larger than even Mordred’s in comparison. They didn’t move, as if they had no thought of their own kind of like a robot. But it was unmistakable what I’m seeing here was a genuine Golem!

  Now this is definitely the most fascinating mix of monsters I’ve ever seen. Though some of their members in their groups were acting differently from the others. They were just standing there, almost motionless. Just looking on how they were acting was making us all feel uncomfortable, but I definitely recognize this behavior….

  Damn it! Just how many of them did that useless king experiment on! Without delay I walked to the center of the room and tried to grab their notice. At first, they didn’t pay attention to me. Their focus was more towards my henchmen. It wasn’t until that I spoke did they finally looked at me.

  “Attention everyone my name is Vladimir, and I am here to free you!” I stated with the same grandeur I always give.

  Before I could continue the imprisoned monsters interrupted me. It was one of the orcs who spoke. “Get lost! What does a weak kobold get off saying nonsense like that!”

  Hearing the rude comment, Mordred expectedly was ready to make an example. It was a good thing that Damian was there to stop him, waving his hand in front of him before he could draw his weapon and shook his head. Mordred reluctantly relented and let me continue.

  “Now now there’s no need for that. After all, me and my henchmen has just recently taken over this kingdom.”

  The larger monsters started to laugh, causing the smaller ones to cower and back to a corner. “What a lie! As if a weak monster like you could defeat those humans!”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Ah, it’s just like before as well. Guess I’ll just do as I did and display my strength. First off, I needed to prove who exactly was in charge, so I called on my loyal minotaur. “Mordred, come here. ~”

  “Right boss!” Without delay, Mordred obeyed and immediately stood at my side. Most of the monster prisoners were shocked, especially after I jumped on his shoulder with no hint of fear. In fact, I made it a point to show my confidence around him and even patted him on the side of his face to prove I was in control. ~

  The other kobolds and goblins looked at me in admiration. One even nervously spoke up. “D-does he actually listen to you?”

  Deciding not to answer myself I motioned for Mordred to instead. He was more than happy to do so, adding some emphasis over his joy in his response. “Of course, I loyally follow the boss and his orders. He even beat me in a battle when we first met! ~”

  I heard the sounds of amazement from several of them. I added a bit more just for extra measure. I dropped down from Mordred as I walked up to my fellow Kobolds’ prison bars. “Would you like me to free you now? ~”

  They were quick to agree, backing away to let me do my work. I should have recovered enough mana to be able to use [Material Forge] which I used to bend the bars apart and released my fellow kobolds. They ran out of their cells like their lives depended on it, no sooner did they did they frantically looked back and around their surroundings as if they couldn’t believe it.

  The others looked at my display of abilities and were surprised. Enough so that they didn’t utter another word. While they were busy trying to process what they seen I went to the goblins and helped them out of their cells.

  One of them started to speak, it was one of the harpies. “How!? Those were no ordinary metal!”

  Hmm now that I think about it, it was strange that none of the stronger monsters just tried to break out themselves. Being a bit curious I decided to inspect the broken bars. Color me surprise when I realized what kind of materials they were made from.

  Most of it was the usual iron you would expect to use on prison bars. But I managed to pick up a trace of thin layers of [Mithril] inside the metal as well. Now that I think about it, it did feel like I used more mana than expected to move those bars.

  It just means that I got more of a chance to prove my strength to the undecided. But it also meant that I needed to be more mindful on how I used my mana on this.

  It took some time, longer than I like. But I managed to get everyone outside their prisons. The smaller monsters were very appreciative and even the harpies were thankful. As for the rest well, the orcs stopped laughing at me and seemed willing to listen at least.

  It was the gnolls that were giving the most trouble. I should have paid more attention, but they were currently dealing with their ravenous hunger. The second I set them free they couldn’t pounce at me fast enough! But my henchmen were just quick to respond, pushing back most of them but one of them managed to pin me down on the ground. There was little reasoning in their eyes, bearing their fangs at me and drooling like they couldn’t wait to take a snack!

  I was more pissed off than scared though and without a beat I reshaped the ground below me and shoved his mouth full of stones. He staggered back and I used the momentum and trapped them and their colleague in a casing of stone.

  I immediately felt the effects of pushing my mana this soon, but I stood my ground. Only losing my footing for a second. I can’t show weakness right now. After shaking off the headache I looked back at the rest of them. Most of them were nervous but the orcs were more amazed than anything.

  “I said I would free you, don’t test my patience now while I’m still in a good mood!” I warned them. They seemed to get the message with their silence as their answer.

  Now what to do with the gnolls, based on how they acted it would be very difficult to recruit them. I must assume that they were fed the same as the rest, but their hunger seemed larger than even Mordred’s. For now, I need to satisfy their hunger. It was then that I had a…. well something of an idea.

  “Take them to the room out here.” I ordered my henchmen; they seemed to pick on what I was telling them to do.

  “…. Wait, you don’t mean….”

  I simply nodded, not feeling like finishing his question. After releasing their bindings, I sent them out for a bit and not too long afterwards they came back. The gnolls looking satisfied and calmed down meanwhile my henchmen looked like they wanted to forget what they saw.

  After getting over what they saw it was Zeph who answered for them “Heh, you’re more brutal than I thought Bossman, but not like I disapprove. Had to be done after all.”

  I gave everyone some time before I continued my conversation with the ex-prisoners. Some of them had asked me what I would do with them now.

  “Plan on recruiting them now boss?” Mordred asked, expecting the usual from me.

  Though what I said surprised them all. “…No, let them leave. I rather not recruit them like this.”

  “…. But why?” Damian asked, looking just as confused as Mordred.

  “Yeah, don’t you want to conquer everything? ~” The vulture asked, looking intrigued and amused, wanting to know my reasoning for my decision.

  I extended my claw out and curved my fingers to emphasize my point as I spoke. “You’re right. I do want to conquer everything. This world, the lands, and the people that live in it. But I want to do it with my effort. I refuse to accept anything that hasn’t submitted to me directly.”

  I then moved my claw and pointed at the ex-monster prisoners. “So, you’re all free to leave and if later on after you’ve all recovered you decide to serve under me, I’ll be glad to accept. ~”

  One of the goblins looked towards his unresponsive brethren with concern in their eyes. “B-but what about the others. They’re minds were shattered!”

  “Ah yes, I do wish to help them recover if possible though it would take some time to find a solution. In the meantime, you’re free to decide what to do with them until then. Leave them with us or allow us to visit to help I shall leave the choice to you all.”

  They all looked at each other, quietly discussing what to do though from the sound of it they can’t seem to figure out an answer.

  “Take your time, you can find me once you have decided. For now, why don’t we get you all out of here.”

  I led the ex-prisoners out the jail room, except for the golem who still seemed inactive from its spot. I’ll have to figure out how to get it to move later on, maybe it needs some kind of power source. But later, I need to worry about the current active monsters I have with me.

  Once we left, we chose to ignore a certain something left on the floor, though the others showed signs of shock in their expression. That’s to be expected but I had them continue to move. There’s much to do for me for my new kingdom.