There were plenty of new developments that had to be taken into account within Shinji's castle. The past few moments certainly did not make them any easier. It was now up to the women who were held at chained in front of Shinji to reveal what valuable information they were supposed to hold.

The sight of Misato at Shinji's side was a confusing one for many of the girls upon their arrival and became the first subject that needed to be addressed. The addition of new women to his harem was perfectly accepted by now but seeing her in particular after a prior arrangement seemed egregious at first. It took a brief recollection from Shinji to explain everything that happened up to this point to resolve the tension that had been created.

Forcing herself to accept that she would not be able to protest Shinji's decision at this point, Mana determined, "If she really has decided to fight for us then she probably has a chance to prove it now."

Mayumi reminded, "After all those stories he told us about how Asuka treated him, it would be more peculiar for him to not forgive Misato."

One of the Rei clones agreed with the sentiment reminding, "She is not the one who wanted us dead anyway."

Rose knew the subject was brought back to their two prisoners as she reminded everyone of an important opportunity for them, "Speaking of which, perhaps these two have at least a interesting story to tell us."

Shinji agreed with this setup telling Maya and Ritsuko, "You both have a chance to prove yourselves now. I'll even know if you're telling the truth."

Before either of them could call out his claim, Misato added to the conditions, "If either of you are lying, I'll be able to tell him."

Ritsuko tried to understand what sort of stakes were in store for her by asking, "You're giving us a chance to make a significant choice but what are we even being offered in return?"

Shinji laid out the terms for his interrogation, "If neither of you lie about who I'm supposed to be ready for, then I'll let you both join us. If you do, well I remember hearing from the alchemists how they plan on milking you, however that turns out."

The ultimatum was clear but also frighteningly laid out for both Maya and Ritsuko. There were a few times Ritsuko ever really got to know Shinji very well, but she was able to immediately tell that he was the opposite of his father in nearly every way. Perhaps now that power was being given to him along with the approval of many women at his side, this was him seizing the chance to utilize the potential he always had.

This served as the context Ritsuko knew she could not begin to bargain anything. She and Maya were now at his mercy and she in particular was a prime target for the Rei clones. Just one mistake would be all it would take to put her life in Shinji's hands.

Resigned to accept where she was, Ritsuko told him, "We'll tell you everything we can."

Maya watched Ritsuko at her side realizing she was in the same position before confirming, "Just demand whatever you need."

Shinji agreed with the conditions by beginning, "Alright. First thing then, when Third Impact happened, where did you end up?"

Ritsuko thought back to the day she arrived in this world answering, "It was this strange place that seemed to be a union of ancient Rome and Greece. It is supposed to be the largest nation in this world. The Glorious Empire."

It seemed rather odd for a country to be called "Glorious," but Shinji could not find himself wondering about the naming conventions of this world by now. If anything he found it more amazing that he did not attract the attention of more officials now that his reign was rising. As far as he could tell, he was probably going to see more of them soon enough.

Placing a hand on Misato's shoulder as a gesture of adding her to the group, Shinji asked, "You all showed up there and you were transformed just like we were?"

Maya confirmed, "We were met by one of their generals, I think his name was Borius. We just tried to find out where we were and he almost had his way with us."

Looking down to Misato, Shinji found the recollection was true as she added, "He thought we were new prostitutes for the city and wanted to have us first. It was Ritsuko's idea to say we were part of and adventuring guild to make him leave us alone."

Ritsuko confirmed this was the case, "He would have let us go but he apparently wanted us to go to Heaven's Peak from... well what you were doing."

Asuka picked up on a crucial detail about the account, "Did he have some business there? It sounds like he must be someone important."

Maya answered, "I think he said he was a governor but I don't remember if it was for that place."

This made Ritsuko reveal more details of her hiring, "We were told about an Overlord that was rising in the world as soon as we came here. We thought we would have to go along with it would keep us alive or even find you here."

Shinji understood the situation the three were placed in observing, "You kept yourselves alive that way. I probably my would have done the same thing in that situation."

Misato denied the scenario by clutching Shinji's leg telling him, "If it's worth anything, I would have come to you right away if I knew you were here."

Shinji was pleased to see his new Succubus Queen pledging such loyalty at this point, "I believe you. You said this was the biggest country in the world?"

Maya confirmed this for Misato, "That's what we heard. I honestly don't know much else about where we are. Other than that Borius man being important I suppose."

Realizing what might have been a unifying force behind what brought them here, Shinji asked, "And the seven heroes all serve that place?"

Being left in fear that she was running out of information to give, Ritsuko kept herself composed revealing, "We heard that's who they're staying in league with. If I had a chance I would have tried to understand more of it and who was in charge."

He could not even begin to imagine what sort of individual he might have been now that he was here as Shinji admitted, "We probably would have turned out much differently if we had found ourselves out there."

Having an idea of the situation made Asuka determine, "At least it sounds like we'll have something to answer to if we beat the other heroes. It's probably the biggest challenge we'll have to deal with."

Mana agreed with the challenge ahead of them alluding, "Just a classic story of underlings facing a mighty empire. Seems like we couldn't escape it in this world."

The idea that there might have been a foe that was capable of unifying the heroes in some way made sense at first but was not an appealing idea either. Shinji hoped the conflict would end as soon as he defeated the last hero. Even in this new life he was forced to remember there were many who planned to challenge his hopes and dreams for happiness.

He hoped to find some way out of this potential growing conflict by suggesting, "That's assuming we won't be able to reason with them. They must have some kind of ruler."

Ritsuko confirmed, "An Emperor by the name of Solarius. The most I have been able to determine is that he believes in human supremacy over all others."

Maya added, "We have only heard stories, but he seems to be imprisoning them and magic users."

The very foundation of whatever sort of empire that made an enemy of everyone seemed to be a shaky premise. A nation that apparently prided itself on human supremacy but still allowed itself to be affiliated with the things it supposedly hated? It had to be an obvious flaw in the story these two were telling.

Mayumi echoed the hope he had for this discrepancy by asking, "Magic users and non-humans? Some of the heroes aren't human already! How does that even work?"

"That is where I can come in." Rose answered. "I was once engaged to the emperor's right-hand man, Marius. I can tell you for certain this is what the sentiment was in the empire."

Asuka admitted there was a certain logic to the plan, "It is not uncommon for a regime to utilize what they hate before crushing them as soon as they're done with them. No idea what the state of the world must have been like up to now, but it was probably going to get really ugly at some point."

Mana believed there was nothing "I guess that answers that then. We probably won't be able to reason with them. Not as long as we want to keep magic flowing through this place."

The situation was not what he was hoping for in the slightest. Shinji hoped he would not have to kill or destroy the lives of anyone else if he could solidify his place in this world. In return for his aspirations, he was faced with another obstacle that threatened to undo everything he might accomplish.

While he knew he could not avoid this threat anymore, he tried to get an idea of how soon he would be facing this nation by asking Mana, "Do you think it's a good time for us to challenge them by now?"

The Castle Heart took the chance to interject suggesting, "We can't control what the enemy does but we can try to anticipate and prepare."

Although Mayumi was not entirely pleased with their current position, she knew she would have to go along with the current plan accepting, "We might have decent numbers by now but I'm pretty sure we can't figure out what they're doing without any spies."

This earned the approval of the Castle Heart as it suggested, "That is certainly one thing we can do to prepare. In the meantime it would do that we dealt with the lesser threats first."

Asuka agreed with the plan concluding, "That way we don't die from a thousand cuts before taking the empire on."

"Exactly. Just think of it this way, you will be able to face them once you have accumulated as much strength as you possibly could to overwhelm them."

The plan had been set as Shinji determined, "Maybe that is the best approach. If we are going to keep our hold then were stuck with one option. Expanding our territory and defeating our enemies."

"It sounds like that is what we have to do. In the meantime, we can always make sure that we keep you motivated to lead Shinji."

Shinji nodded remembering, "Judging from what we've learned it sounds like we have at least two more joining us."

The conversation had gone beyond what Maya and Ritsuko were capable of telling anyone. They were both left to hear whatever new plan might have been in store for their enemies. Both of them were able to realize one observation their overlord had just come to. He trusted them enough to overhear this observation and he was making a major assumption about them both.

Maya looked up asking, "You... you want us to serve you after all?"

Ritsuko voiced what protest she had left adding, "But... We cooperated!"

Asuka grinned confirming, "You did Ritsuko. This is the reward."

Misato stood up as the Rei clones released their prisoners before she asked, "You were never going to leave this place anyway. Why don't you just let yourself cut back and enjoy yourself?"

Ritsuko realized the precarious situation she was in attempting to appeal, "God damn it Misato! You aren't going to even try to stand up for yourself?"

Misato refused the appeal placing her hands on Shinji's shoulders denying, "Why? I'm right where I want to be. And so will you."

Instead of chains, both Maya and Ritsuko found themselves bound by the Rei clones. While some of them looked on in derision, others grinned in anticipation at what was happening. The new succubus recruits were about to undergo their own initiation so to speak.

Shinji made his way over to the two as the Rei clones saw where he was headed. This made them cover Maya entirely as one body after another puled itself on top of her. First she had her lips locked with one of them while her breasts squeezed against another one before she felt herself being felt all over by fingers and a number of tongues that made their way across her skin. She could not see anything that was going on with Shinji's judgment but she would struggle to even focus on the idea before long.

Ritsuko looked around while feeling herself kept in the ground by several Rei clones but looked up to see Shinji standing above her. He was not the shy boy he was before but now a ruler looking down on a prize for him to take. Just seeing him look over her with a smile as he removed his kilt to reveal his erection was the one sight she needed to confirm a change this drastic.

He prepared himself by telling her, "Since you've been so vocal, I think you should go first."

Ritsuko did not even have a chance to hypothesize what Shinji was thinking about. He brought himself on his fores and positioned himself right above her. With one hard thrust he stuck his member into her before finding himself buried to the base.

Ritsuko tried to protest again but was taken aback as soon as she felt Shinji enter her. There were few times she ever thought about what sort of life she would have in this cobbled together fantasy world she inhibited and a reignition of a sex life was not something she had gotten to ponder. As soon as it happened, she realized she would not even have a chance to question how she got here now. She could only let out an audible gasp as soon as she felt herself filled by the younger man.

Shinji was not as immediately taken by the feeling as he noticed a key difference from her and Misato. Ritsuko's canal was not so desperate to accommodate him or squeeze on his organ as Misato was. It was a peculiar observation but he could not allow himself to be hampered when he was already committed.

Just as soon as he entered, he pulled most of himself out before making another thrust again. This caused Ritsuko to let out another gasp before feeling Shinji set up a repeating series of motions. He forced himself out and forced himself in at a rapid pace while she found herself being driven to the stone floor beneath her from the repeated penetrations.

More of the Rei clones let go of Ritsuko as they watched their killer subjected to the repeated rhythm their master had established. Many of them looked down to see Shinji piston his organ in and out while listening to Ritsuko moan and writhe at being repeatedly penetrated. The sight became even more enticing as they saw her pushed harder against the stone floor.

Being surrounded by onlookers was not a situation Ritsuko had ever been hoping to go through. She never thought she would have been able to handle the embarrassment or the judgment of anyone who watched her. The longer she remained the subject of Shinji fucking her, the harder it became for what to maintain a critical mind to evaluate the situation around her. The least she could evaluate herself, the less she could realize what her body was doing in response.

Shinji continued to push in and out of Ritsuko while noticing a change in her body. He was experiencing the familiar tightness he felt from Misato just before. There was not much he understood about succubi but he came to deduce there was a pattern behind this moment happening.

He did not have a chance to make up for it however as he made one penetration after another. From each one he felt his erection either voluntarily or involuntarily squeezed by Ritsuko's insides. The evidence he had about the effects he had were noticeable as he heard the tone of her moans and the writhing of her legs as they attempted to wrap themselves around his waist.

Time had been lost for both parties but Shinji groaned as he made another push and felt Ritsuko let out a yelp at the climax. Her walls tightened around his organ as she claimed one spurt of his ejaculation into her womb after another. It was an instant that Ritsuko tried to keep herself from completely losing her mind to but it had become a great struggle to do so.

Shinji sighed as he looked down and saw Ritsuko pant at what she had gone through. In spite of her new status she was struggling to keep herself composed at what she had gone through. He could also tell she was not yet totally worn out just yet.

Keeping himself observant over what he accomplished, Shinji asked, "Tell me. Do you want to feel that again?"

Ritsuko's pupils shrunk as soon as she heard that question. She looked up to Shinji before realizing what degree he was suggesting. His erection was still fully up and ready for another round of action.

It was a sight that left Ritsuko in a state of bafflement at her best attempts to process what she was going through. More importantly she needed to give an answer to someone who was doing everything possible to make sure she knew her current place. What was even more confusing to her was that she realized she found herself enjoying it.

It may have been from being stuck in the dungeons and being brought to the constant state of near climax while being denied release but this was the feeling she felt awakened in her. Being dominated and having her insides filled with Shinji's erection was not only a pleasant experience but one she wanted to feel again. All attempts at rationality were lost to her as she realized what sort of desires she was playing into.

After a short while she finally answered without thinking, "Yes..."

As if on cue she felt the Rei clones let go of her arms entirely to leave her being looked down on by Shinji. He had his answer, and he was about to ensure it would yield his desired result. Kneeling down he flipped Ritsuko over before pulling her towards him.

Ritsuko immediately recognized which position she was in as she felt her back lean against Shinji's chest and felt her legs part. It left her open as she felt Shinji position his erection right at the entrance of her folds. She found she would not be granted her immediate desire however as she felt Shinji move the tip of his penis away from her. This made her try to sink down in desperation to reconnect herself with Shinji but only felt it slide away from her while he wrapped his arm around her stomach under her breasts.

Ritsuko could not move and did not have a chance to fulfill the carnal desire she up until now did not realize she allowed herself to be consumed by. All thoughts of reason she had before were lost as she was left to struggle and comprehend whatever reason she was being kept here. She was stuck in a single position and at the mercy of Shinji's will to fulfill what she wanted right now.

Shinji made this position known as he leaned into Ritsuko's ear and asked, "Now for certain Ritsuko. Will you serve me?"

The boy she was asked to answer to completed the contrast he was demonstrating. All of this was putting at risk everything she originally was as an individual. All so she could satiate her immediate desire to once again have a feeling she was being denied. This was the one reason she could determine she would shout her answer.

"Yes overlord! I will serve you!"

Ritsuko was immediately rewarded for her answer. At least that was how she imagined it happened as she could not keep track of everything she was doing once she impaled herself onto Shinji. Once again he was inside her but this time she was doing more of the work on her own as she thrust her hips up and down to grind on his organ.

Just like many women before, Ritsuko's assets were not what should have been humanly possible. The sight of them being moving up and down at the force they went was a demonstration of how little hold gravity had over her. It would have been a detail she would have observed before, but she could not even make herself care as she focused herself on one thing only. Satisfying the itch that had taken hold of her since she was made subject to Shinji's condition.

Shinji in the meantime noticed a difference withing Ritsuko as she continued her gyrating. Her inner walls did not need to tighten themselves this time, they were as tight as Misato's when she first thrust herself upon him. It was a perfect sign that she had nothing but the absolute desire to appease both her and him in sex. A confirmation that she had finally given herself to him.

Pleased to see this was happening, Shinji began to thrust his hips in return as both he and Ritsuko allowed their bodies to slap against one another in unison. He heard her moan harder than before as her folds were penetrated again and again by the force of his motions. He wrapped his arms around her breasts as he forced Ritsuko on her fours while continuing to take him into her.

Many of the Rei clones looked on watching a display that did not fulfill their desire for revenge but provided a new kind of contentment they did not anticipate. What they did see happen from this repeated union was something they themselves could not accomplish in the dungeons with her. The sight of her being unable to maintain the defiant face of authority she once had. Now completely in service to her overlord.

It was a sight that should have left her in a feeling of humiliation at minimum. Whatever sense of shame Ritsuko had left was long gone now that she was fully accepting her place. As a servant to an overlord that was once a timid boy who did not even seem to think of being in this position any time before.

Time passed and Shinji pounded into Ritsuko from behind for a length of time no one was interested in counting. As much as both could wish for it to go further, they both had to accept the end that was coming. It was an end Ritsuko was more than willing to accept as she felt her walls clench around Shinji's penis as hard as it could while she felt herself flood in anticipation for what she wanted the most.

Ritsuko's patience was rewarded again as she felt one spray of semen after another pour itself into her womb. She let out a mighty moan at every drop that went into her while keeping herself at the base of her overlord's pelvis. She did not want them to stop but it took an unaccounted amount of time for her to finally feel herself released from the hold while Shinji slid out of her.

Ritsuko lay face first on the floor while Shinji stood up praising, "That's good to hear Ritsuko. I look forward to seeing you out there with me."

The other occupants were not so immediate to observe anything as they took in what they had just seen. Asuka was at work pleasuring herself while both Rose and Mayumi were locked in a make out session at what they had just seen. The only ones who were not engaged in anything sexual at the moment was Mana and Yersia as one looked on in anticipation while the elf was left in a state of wonder at what was being demonstrated.

Misato herself grinned while several Rei clones and Phanton surrounded her in a series of touches as she observed, "I always knew she wanted to relieve the college days."

Mana had her hands on Yersia's shoulders as she spoke into her ear, "Just think, if you prove yourself, that could be you one day."

Yersia could not find any words to say be they on anticipation or dread. She could only find herself being compelled to watch while the debauchery continued around her. The more she thought about it, the more she decided anticipation probably was the right word to describe it.

Shinji knew he had more work to do as he turned his attention away from Ritsuko and told several Rei clones, "I think it's her turn now right?"

One of the clones answered, "We have been hard at work to prepare her just for you master."

One by one the clones removed themselves from Maya to reveal her to him. She was coated with saliva that was already solidifying while the vaginal juices remained more persistent in the most important places. What was more, she was in a state of absolute denied bliss from what she had gone through. It was clear from how she was now that she would not be worked on as much as Ritsuko.

Prepared to begin again, Shinji asked Maya, "You saw some of that right? Do you think you would like it?"

Maya looked up at Shinji in a state of concern. She realized what was at stake and what her choices would do to her. There was also the fact she did not want to be left on the sidelines anymore.

She looked up to him with clenched teeth before finally answering, "Whatever it takes... I'll do whatever you want Shinji!"

Pleased to hear Maya answer this, Shinji sat down on the ground before seeing her crawl his way up to him. She did not need to be instructed what to do next as she took hold of his shoulders and positioned herself right above his erection. It took one swift motion of her hips before she was finally fulfilling what she had been so desperately waiting for.

Shinji could not tell if it was from her eagerness to have sex with him or from the preparation the Rei clones went through with her. As soon as she thrust herself down she was going up and down in a repeated motion squeezing his organ. Just like Ritsuko before, Maya was anxious to squeeze him dry of every drop he had in him and would go through the work necessary to make it happen.

Shinji rewarded her enthusiasm by bucking his hips upwards every time Maya collided with his. The two remained stuck in their position as one clash of one another's skin after another resounded through the room. He refused to let her separate from him as he threw his arm around her waist and clashed his body with hers.

The sight of the two bodies gyrating in unison together caused the women who looked on to be captivated by such a union. Misato had fully engaged herself in using her fingers to explore every area of Phanton's body while they were locked in a passionate make out session with one another. Several of the Rei clones even joined on top of them hoping to have a chance at enjoying the exchange.

The sight around her finally caused Yersia to fall to her knees but felt Mana wrap her arms around her asking, "Too much for you to handle isn't it? Being left out?"

It was not an emotion Yersia was proud to feel but she finally admitted, "I... I... I can't tell..."

Turning her head to face her, Mana told her, "You know how you wanted to repay me? Let me show you how."

Mana kissed Yersia as deeply as she could before they both fell to the floor below. Their bodies were completely entangled with one another while Yersia found herself giving in to urges she could only scarcely recall before. When it came to the feeling of the girl above her though, she could not find herself mustering a protest.

With both arms around Maya's body, Shinji continued to hammer into her as fast as he could while he felt his manhood reach a boiling point again. As if she could tell this was the case, Maya's canal tightened in preparation for what was about to come. It was only the first step however as she felt the juices of her vagina leak out in her building orgasm that caused her to let out a long moan from the release she was denied before.

Shinji was prepared for this as he managed to make three more thrusts before burying himself into Maya. The moan she had before grew in fervor as she felt her womb being filled with one spurt of his seed into her after another. She brought her arms around his body as her nails clawed their way down his back while she was left to bask in the feeling she never imagined before.

Shinji let out a few breaths before asking, "Do you see what I have now?"

Forcing herself to regain some sense of attention, Maya shook her head before answering, "Uh... Y-yes my overlord."

Much to her amazement she felt Shinji bring a hand around her waist before lifting her up as he told her, "I don't think you do."

Before Maya could say anything else she found herself being flipped upside down with her head on the floor. She brought her arms up to support herself but could see Shinji still had hold of her legs as he provided some support. It was an awkward position for her at first, but Maya found herself being even more taken aback by what was being prepared. Shinji was rubbing his cock along the edge of her folds, and it was hardening.

Maya did not even have a chance to ask what was happening before she felt herself penetrated again. Shinji's manhood was just like it was before as it filled her. This time, however, she felt as though she was being penetrated in an area she did not even imagine possible.

She was feeling a repeated sense of this as Maya felt herself being thrust into by Shinji and rocking her back and forth. Both the position and the feeling of being filled she had made her lose her perception of the area around her. The only thing she could do to support herself was wrap her legs as hard as she could around Shinji's waist attempting to keep herself from touching the floor. Even then she still felt the top of her head brushing very close with the stones beneath.

Maya was subject to a repeated series of thrusts while she felt her breasts wave back and forth in front of her eyes. Even if that was not happening, being held upside down made it a struggle for her to tell what was going on in the throne room that had broken down into an actual orgy of limbs everywhere. She was in the center of it all and she found herself unable to deny what she wanted more of.

After a series of thrusts continued to be established, Maya clenched her legs as hard as she could in her attempt to keep the distance between her and Shinji close. She continued to feel the depths of her canal touched in areas Ritsuko never managed to reach while being panting to keep up with her overlord's rate. As much as she wanted to keep going indefinitely, she found it would not be possible now that she felt herself tightening. Shinji's knew this moment was coming as well as he quickened the pace of his thrusting.

Both parties only had a few thrusts left in them before both gave their mutual release in unison this time. Maya's canal clenched on Shinji's organ before letting out a climax that awaited his release. It did not take long for her to get her wish as she once again felt burst after burst pour its way into her womb that readily accepted every drop into her.

After an exhausting display from them both, Shinji helped Maya to the floor before looking at both her and Ritsuko turning to one another. Both had accepted where they were, and they were now in service to the same boy who introduced them to this world. It was an experience they did not anticipate identifying with but neither of them could say they hated what they had gone through.

Looking around the room, Shinji could see the multitude of women engaged in an orgy that few could ever imagine. The only noticeable difference he could see was the three new women who had officially joined him. Both them and the growing bellies that stood out from many of the others.

Attempting to get an idea of what caused this made Shinji ask the Castle Heart, "Is there a reason it only affects them and not the other succubi?"

The Castle Heart thought about the phenomenon before answering, "There appears to be some sort of effect that occurs from their fusion. It may have come from some substance they were exposed to before they came here but I cannot determine the specifics."

Shaking his head in disappointment, Shinji accepted this is what he would have to work with as he observed, "There are still mysteries in this world."

The Castle Heart took his mind off the concern by reminding, "A more immediate one is what is causing you to hesitate. There is a good number of women here who need your attention now."

Indeed, there were challenges waiting for him as the remaining heroes waited for him to challenge them. The most immediate matter he knew he had to work with however was the state of the women who were in service to him. He would have to tackle one obstacle after another, he might as well enjoy himself in the meantime. It took up to this point, but he was finding it harder to say he would have protested against where he was now.

Goldo looked out to the horizon where he saw his destination waiting for him. Just as he was prepared, he would be taking the fight to the rising new overlord. Behind him his army was standing at the ready for the chance to follow whatever orders it was given.

This assembly gave Goldo a reminder of years ago when he fought the previous overlord. When the armies clashed against one another to determine the fate of the world. Once again he was faced with a challenge that demanded him to demonstrate the hold he held over not only his own throne but of what he had taken.

Being the defacto ruler of the Evernight Forest was not a realm he could easily draw from in its current state. The constant nightmares that arose long ago to stop the dwarven armies from conquering them were still standing guard from one of the heroes of old. Goldo's old friend Oberon Greenhaze was now at the mercy of the new overlord that had already taken two of their own.

It was not a preferred choice but Goldo would rather have the choice to consider Evernight Forest on his own terms rather than struggle under the hold of an encroaching darkness. He could only hope that Oberon would feel the same way if his best men could receive word from him about this threat. All things in his favor, he would establish a temporary alliance to stand a fighting chance against the new overlord and face the challenges of the world that would be come after.

He would face these challenges right away as he saw one of his men limping across the field towards him bloodied and battered from a recently fought battle. The lack of other soldiers making their way towards him was the one thing that left him struggling to comprehend what just happened. They were strong and mighty enough to brave even the mightiest nightmare that would pose a challenge to them. Being forced to see only one making his way back from whatever carnage occurred left him to comprehend what sort of attack his men endured.

Marching his way up to him, Goldo demanded, "Soldier! Where is your division? Where are Oberon's emissaries?"

The battered soldier panted as he leaned on his axe answering, "My lord... I'm sorry... He is not there..."

Taken aback by his soldier's report, Goldo asked, "Not there? What do you mean? You mean to tell me you could not brave the elements against his nightmares?"

His soldier looked down in shame before answering, "My lord... There were none to brave... The armies... the armies of the overlord... they arrived before us..."

Rage boiled in Goldo's mind before asking, "This cannot be... You mean to tell me they arrived and you did not stand against him?!"

The soldier continued to struggle keeping himself stable as he reasoned, "We... stood out best my lord... But not even Oberon... Not even he could stand against them..."

It was clear to Goldo what he was facing now. The armies of the overlord had evidently taken down another one of the seven heroes while he was making his advance. Whatever assistance he would have been able to claim would not be his to lay claim to.

Goldo groaned before cursing, "Damn them... They saw our initiative! We cannot let this undo out conviction!"

Turning away, Goldo saw the leaders of his army standing at the ready

Raising his axe he ordered, "One of our own has fallen! The wrath of the overlord awaits us! March forward until we begin battle with him!"