36.
The emperor watches the world from his throne. Around him the screens flicker with images. Some are of peaceful villages. Others are of a chamber with Lillithmon canoodling with various soldiers, clawing them in her fury. He supposes she feels deprived of her toy. The emperor doesn't want to remind her of the consequences of killing your own soldiers while the war continues, but it may prove necessary if the body count mounts much higher. The plan has not been fully executed. Honestly, impatience is a silly vice.
He flicks a wooden finger and the picture changes on another screen. There are children, children because Generals are not children, generals stay back, these are fools with backwater titles and not enough strength, and they are running. They are running so far and so fast and it is painful to watch because he can see they are going to die.
Well, to be fair, everyone dies.
He keeps watching for a moment. Deciding they are too much like mice for his taste, he changes the channel once again.
His eyes flicker. He recognizes that darkness trying to warp the image. The child is unconscious, but around it, slithering, is something he knows very well.
"I wondered what he had done with that."
Bagramon snaps his fingers. Within seconds, a great beast lumbers in, chomping on a piece of quartz. "Blastmon."
"My lord! What do you wish of my greatness?" Blastmon can't bow, but really, that's too much work to expect of him.
"Conquer a Zone or two." He gestures to the monitor, and Blastmon's pit eyes sparkle. "It seems as though Dust Zone would have plenty of treasures in all of the rubble, correct?"
"It does! I must conquer it immediately!"
He's gone before Bagramon can say anything else and the demon almost laughs.
"Easy to please." He waits for a moment. When Tactimon arrives, he smiles through a sudden chill. "Tactimon. I have a special job for you. It concerns that boy."