"Hey everybody! We're back!" Mari proclaimed upon her entrance.

The gathering of Rei clones led by Mari made their way through the halls dragging the spoils of war from their recent venture. Any victory was worth boasting when it came to the rapidly growing hold over the world he now held, but Mari believed she had one that would explain her recent absence. Given the changes that recently happened, she would discover she was not the only one making significant changes to the world she inherited.

Shinji, Mayumi, and Mana greeted her as Mayumi realized, "Mari? We haven't seen you in a while. Did you really have to weave off the path in the forest like that?"

Mari grinned as she held up the head of an elf answering, "I think having one of the heroes killed off is a pretty good excuse."

Shinji's eyes widened as soon as he realized who was just now slain. Another one of the heroes that was supposed to be a challenge to him had just met his end. This being an elf, it was easy for him to deduce that Oberon Greenhaze had met his end.

Thus far, everyone seemed to have a hand in wearing away at the numbers of the ones that supposedly saved this world before. Asuka had defeated Melvin, he himself had done away with William, and now Mari had just finished off Oberon as though it were just a trivial matter. The way things were going, everyone would have a chance to say they were crucial to the downfall of those who were once venerated.

Hopeful that more than violence was achieved, Shinji tried to get an idea of what was achieved by suggesting, "That saves us a bit of work. Maybe there are some there who can give us their assistance now?"

Mari looked back at the Rei clones wiping the blood off their bodies as she recalled, "I thought they could but that's really what held us back for a bit. We made contact with this army and I had to do a lot of killing to make sure they didn't find us."

Mayumi voiced what she considered to be a discrepancy by asking, "An army? What sort of army do the nightmares have?"

Shinji turned to her asking, "Is that what inhabited the forests?"

Realizing the others did not have a chance to read up on what inhabited the world, Mayumi recalled everything that caused the forest to be what it was up to now, "Well not the kind of army we might comprehend. There is a long history behind what sort of inhabitants have been lingering in the Evernight Forest for such a long time. If Oberon has been defeated, then it shouldn't be a problem for us anymore."

While the soldiers that would have otherwise been a bother to Shinji's expansion were no more, there were still casualties that needed to be accounted for that made him ask, "There doesn't seem to be anything other than dwarves here. This isn't what that army looks like does it?"

Mari shrugged remembering, "It seemed like the nightmares dissipated as soon as Oberon was finished here. If we head back, we probably won't find any of them."

Deciding there was too much information that would have to be shared among the others, Shinji suggested, "We should probably tell the others. We might be able to decide our next plan."

The gathering of women only had a little time to fully comprehend the changes that were happening in their ranks. Receiving news about one of the heroes fall would have been a cause for celebration any other time. As soon as news of the army making its advance was revealed, many were forced to accept they were about to have a greater conflict making its way towards them.

The Castle Heart pieces together the ideas at hand determining, "Ah so the dwarves of Golden Hills is it? It sounds as though they are attempting an offensive."

Asuka was resigned to accept what was coming before observing, "Guess it had to happen sometime. Question now is if we're going to take their fight or take the fight to them."

Accepting he would have to make a choice, Shinji looked over the map deciding, "Either one's a risk but we could always have surprise on our side if we head out there."

Mari voiced her approval, "That's a good idea. We don't want them beating down our doors any more than we wany anyone to."

The Castle Heart added, "You also do not want to leave this place defenseless. We could very well open ourselves up to any dangers that could be out there."

Shinji agreed there was a possible strategy at play, "The other heroes wouldn't take the deaths of their own lightly, that's for sure."

"I think we have a plan to work out then." Mayumi picked out two rolls of paper before requesting, "Please assist me with setting these up."

Asuka and Mari prepared several pieces to establish the borders while Mayumi set up the map of the world. It was a short while before Mayumi set up the pieces showing where she and the others were located along with a path to the forest area nearby. It was here that Shinji would have a chance to see how strategizing would function and what he would be up against.

Pointing to the forest area, Mayumi determined, "We have the Evernight Forest taken care of, and Heaven's Peak won't give us too much trouble. If Mari is right, the dwarves should be coming to us from the forest."

Shinji saw two pieces laying in wait asking, "And all the way down south we have this Ruborian Desert waiting for us. How many does that leave us?"

Knocking over a piece in the forest area, Mana deduced, "Since Oberon is finished, that means there should be four to go. We know one of them is headed towards us and we don't not have any idea where the other ones are hiding."

Although it gave a sense of achievement, Mayumi prepared to give an idea of what was waiting for them by adding, "Well the map we have here is out of date now. We have another area to add."

Mayumi laid out a map next to the one that was already rolled out to reveal the Glorious Empire to the east of Heaven's Peak and the Golden Hills. A massive landmass that doubled the scope of the world everyone inhabited. Physical representations of the world made many believe the two realms were separate from one another. Traversing from one area to another would still be a demanding journey with many opportunities for either side to take advantage of one another.

Ayanami looked at the doubled world size before asking, "So we know they're right next to us? Is there any way to know how close they are to getting to us?"

Asuka used her earlier assumption to determine, "If they don't want to have any more nonhumans and magic users to deal with, there's no reason to expect they won't just try and wait us out."

Mayumi tapped her chin determining, "It does say a bit about their ruler, that's for sure."

Hoping this intuition would give them an idea of how to face their enemy, Asuka asked, "Anything really useful?"

Mayumi gave her assumption of their distant enemy, "It says he thinks he's strong enough to take on everyone but only if the heroes don't get in the way. Whatever reason he thinks, he probably wants us to do all the handiwork for him."

Mana tried to make sense of why the situation was laid out for them by reasoning, "Even if their emperor hated everyone, throwing everything into just a few people doesn't make a lot of sense. He knows we already took down a few of the heroes, he should know we aren't exactly local robbers anymore."

Mari found a way to explain the situation by correcting, "Sure it is. Final bosses are always sitting on the sidelines waiting to see which lackey kills the protagonist if they can."

Ayanami realized what would come next under such a scenario determining, "In this case they would probably get rid of them if any of them got rid of us."

Asuka hoped Shinji would not be holding back when it came to the other heroes as she told him, "There's no stopping fighting everybody. Our plan of dealing with the small fries is probably the best bet we have. After that maybe then we deal with the big threat waiting for us."

She was relieved to hear there was some determination in the fight at hand as he suggested, "Maybe if we can gain the support of the others we'll be able to pull this off."

While there was a certain pragmatic approach to the idea, Ayanami reminded them of their handling of Melvin, "That will probably be a hard ask. We've already seen how hard it is to get the halflings to want to side with us when their hero gets taken out. I don't think these others are going to be much different."

The responsibility of fighting so many was not enticing already but knowing their stature was an intimidating idea. He did not come to enjoy the constant air of death that followed him in the few conquests he managed to make. It made the premise of remaining in the castle with the embrace of the other women waiting for him enticing in a way few men would desire. He even found himself forgetting crucial details he knew he should have kept track of.

Hoping for a refresher on what he was about to face he asked, "So all the other heroes are also rulers?"

Mayumi gave a brief rundown on the enemies they were about to face, "The dwarf king Goldo Golderson. The one attacking us. Jewel the thief and Kahn the warrior are probably both leaders of the Ruborians down in the desert. Then finally... the wizard. There doesn't seem to be anything about him or even whatever land he's supposed to rule."

Having the leaders reestablished made Shinji admit, "They all sound like important figures given what they control."

Asuka agreed with the situation, "No matter what we do, we won't be able to stop anyone from trying to fight us. Or from making at least half of their people want to kill us."

Mayumi agreed, "That is going to be the general gist of the situation."

Crossing her arms and looking over the map, Mana prepared for the upcoming series of battles, "I guess we have to just prepare an offensive and get ready for the long haul."

Shinji took several pieces and placed them in the forest area deciding, "We'll just send out several konouchi to see if they can get a hold of his location and infiltrate Goldo's ranks for us."

Approving of the strategy, Mayumi added, "That's about right. Just a question of who holds this place down and who gets to meet the king."

Selecting from the pieces located in the castle area, Shinji laid out his decision, "Ayanami, I want you, Misato, Phanton, and Mayumi to follow me out there. Everyone else should stay here."

Asuka questioned the plan, "You think you'll have enough Shinji? Especially for someone who just came here?"

He could see the concern behind the layout but Shinji remained committed to his decision, "Our goal should be to take out Goldo and then we leave his army to fend for itself. Hopefully then we will have a clear path into the desert. If we don't know where this wizard is, we should be ready for him to appear anywhere."

Mayumi was not so burdened by the situation as she reasoned, "I guess the only complaint I have is that we're still trying to be okay with handling some new additions who we don't entirely trust just yet."

Remembering that Ritsuko and Maya would be left among the others, Shinji assuaged the fear by suggesting, "Consider everyone here to be the insurance for that."

Ayanami made her way up to Shinji accepting, "The trust you place in everyone should make the defense possible. We only require the armies we need to handle them. It is very possible we might end up fighting them all in one spot if they want to trap us."

Despite the advantage that was at hand, Shinji saw the possibility that was still open as he observed, "It does seem odd they don't try to work together but they could be trying to make us drop our guard."

Ayanami took hold of her weapon as she prepared herself, "We'll be ready for however they see fit to challenge us. I am prepared to move out when it is time."

Shinji knew the dangers of waiting any longer. The more he remained in the room strategizing, the closer Goldo's army would make its way to his castle. The conviction he had to reestablish now that he made this world his home would not stop challenging him until he stood over his defeated threats as the sole victor.

Prepared with this in mind, Shinji announced to the women present, "We have our objective. Prepare to move out."

Within the halls of the castle, the army of Rei clones were being prepared while the konouchi had their equipment prepared. The runners would take point to see what was in the area ahead to make sure their konouchi sisters would have an idea of where they would have to go to infiltrate. Anyone who saw them would discover it would be the only warning they would have to the arrival of Shinji's army.

Shinji himself prepared his equipment as the three women he assigned to him made their way to his side. Ayanami had her sword and shield prepared while her sister clones preparing their equipment. The other two gatherings however would consist of divisions that would give him an aerial advantage when used properly. For his newest succubus Queen however, he found that any opportunity she had to betray him would only now begin to have some foundation.

Misato looked at the succubi assigned to her asking "So you're saying you all specialize in charming the enemy to our side?"

One of the succubi confirmed, "That is what we do best."

Another one realized, "You still do not even know your own power do you?"

In this new world she lived in, Misato came to realize she had not come to fully comprehend what she was capable of. She was not sure if she was in danger of being subjected to imprisonment again but knew this skirmish she was being sent out would be a test for her. One she would have to make sure she would not be defined by a humiliating failure.

Misato relied on the hope the others would continue along with her sense of discovery as she admitted, "I guess I really just wanted to fuck Shinji after all I went through. The thought of killing or taking over his position never crossed my mind."

"Killing is a possibility for us but not quite the preferred option." The gathering of succubi turned to see Phanton making her way to Misato as she continued, "You might discover quickly however that strength is not quite what we specialize in. Our means are more, suggestive shall I say?"

It did not take long for Misato to realize what's Phanton was referring to. She was not human anymore now that she had embraced what she was capable of. Doing so made her realize she would have to think like one of her kind. Especially if she was

Misato saw the logic behind such a strategy realizing what she was now, "Makes sense. That's what a succubus is supposed to do for a living isn't it?"

One of the succubi took a chance to add, "Of course. He does not wish to see more death around him because he wants a more efficient strategy."

Another one of the succubi agreed, "That must be why he chose us. He wants to take on the king himself while sparing as many as he can."

Nodding in confirmation, Misato observed, "That sounds like him."

Another succubus realized this rumor was possible as she pointed out, "So you did know him in the world he came from."

Misato confirmed, "It's a long story. I thought he would hate me forever after everything that happened to him. Ending up here sure is a lot to take in."

Phanton smiled at the situation Misato had as she observed, "Really? Because if anything it seems like you were made for this station. Your friends are certainly a nice addition."

This compliment made Misato bring out more of the pride she had boasting, "Well not to brag but I was the center of attention for a lot of boys where I came from."

Phanton ran a finger on Misato's shoulder, "I find that easy to imagine. Fortunate for you, you will be using that as a power now."

Looking across the room, Misato realized she was still under the observation of Shinji and Ayanami as they prepared themselves for the upcoming battle. It was one thing for her to make sure she wanted to fight at his side, remembering her place as a leader among his minions was a duty she had to be willing to demonstrate. She was not his superior anymore and she needed to demonstrate her determination when the time came.

Looking at the waiting gates in front of them, Misato asked, "So if I'm getting this right, I just charm a bunch of little dwarf things, and they'll all start fighting for me?"

Phanton elaborated on the power they had, "Only a specific number. Even we queens have our limits. But it is more than enough to give us entire armies to command."

Misato accepted the duty she was given accepting, "Whatever helps Shinji. I'm ready."

Seeing the two queens prepared for the battle ahead, Ayanami told Shinji, "It would seem we have someone else who wishes to join us."

Shinji turned to see a familiar face equipped for battle. An elf who has recently arrived under the care of the soldiers who brought her back. He had his share of suspects he believed could still betray him, but he did not anticipate her to have a chance to stand up to him.

The elf corrected his assumption however as she announced, "My lord. If it is no trouble, I want to join you in battle. I do not require any troops to lead if that is your concern."

Making his way over to her, Shinji asked, "I saw you in the throne room. You said you were named Yersia right?"

Mana appeared behind Yersia answering, "I'm sorry if she is a bother. She says she wants to join you."

Shinji tried to get an idea of Yersia's ambitions by simply asking, "What for?"

Yersia snapped to attention with her bow at the ready answering, "I want my land back. I want my people to be free again. The land I fought for so long was all a never-ending illusion. A dream of a once great hero who lost his way."

There was much Shinji did not get a chance to comprehend when it came to this world or what the Evernight Forest must have been like before the corruption. He also did not have the time to try and discern if she was telling the truth or what her real intentions were. The most he was capable of achieving was seeing if her presence in the field could still be a net benefit no matter what he decided to do.

He tried to make this much clear by asking, "So you want to try and bring your people back together. Even if it involves cooperating with my rule?"

While she could not say she was worried about being dismissed, Yersia pressed further with her appeal, "The greater enemy that you speak of must be what the Alliance became. Even in the days I served, human supremacy was beginning to take hold."

Mana interjected Yersia's appeal by adding a small tease at the end of her observation, "That sounds like some interesting history to get into. I think the main gist we have is that you at least want to fight for us even if it risks Shinji's... subjugation so to speak."

It was clear to onlookers that Mana's attraction to Yersia was still palpable but still had a central observation behind it. She understood the risk that having Yersia anywhere in the ranks could be even with her history in mind. For everyone who watched, it was only a reminder that what their overlord would proclaim would be the final word how they would go forward.

Making his way over to Yersia, Shinji decided, "Well, a motivated warrior has to be worth something. Maybe your people are waiting for someone to lead them, and you might be the one they are waiting for."

Hopeful she would have the chance she was waiting for, Yersia asked, "Then you will allow me to join you in battle?"

Reminding her of the conditions in place, Shinji told her, "It will be up to you to muster your own forces. If the elven people want to stand against their enemy, they have to know who they are fighting for. I'll trust you to tell them that."

This was the only bit of acceptance Yersia needed as she kept her bow and arrow prepared announcing, "With your support, I will be the regent over the land you require."

As soon as Yersia made her way to the others, Mana took hold of Shinji's shoulder asking, "You think it's a good idea to send her out with mission that critical?"

He could see the reason for suspicion Mana was referring to. It was a conundrum Shinji was trying to reckon with even before the call to assemble. How there were already a number of people in his ranks he should have been more judicious in keeping close.

Shinji applied a sense of practicality by answering, "It's up to her to decide. I have to find out if she is the one I can trust the Evernight Forest to."

Mana realized what Shinji was looking for as she recalled, "Like Alacram before her. Maybe we can get this world in better shape after all."

He was able to calm the expectations of what one soldier might have been trying to do behind his back. Even with such a resolution, Shinji was reminded of what was making him decide to push on so hard in the first place. There were many who had come into this world he valued and he was doing everything he could to provide a better place to live than where he came from. That responsibility lay in his hands for him to make possible while accounting for what was expected of him.

He was relieved to see none of his troops were expecting him to move out right away as Shinji took the chance to confess, "I was told I would be an evil overlord when I came here. It doesn't seem like I have to follow an obligation to be that way. It seems like my role is to remain unopposed."

Mana recognized what sort of doubts Shinji faced before suggesting, "Mari said that villains always see themselves as in the right. In some twisted way, that might be what this world is asking for. Someone who's sure of himself to set everything right "

Thinking back on the life he lived in the world he came from and what renewed sense of purpose he had ever since escaping Third Impact made Shinji try to reconsider what sort of life he was going to embrace. How he was treating others would also set up how others were going to live as well. It was a lesson he came to learn too late in his old world when it mattered most but was finally able to make right. No matter what sort of enemies we're lying in wait for him.

He summarized the expectations he set for himself agreeing, "Maybe I was too weak to do that before. This is my chance to make up for my mistakes."

Not wishing to hold him back any longer, Mana accepted the newfound conviction Shinji had before reminding, "Your soldiers will need their overlord. If all goes well, you'll have slain a king and given us a new foothold."

Preparing to leave his castle, Shinji agreed, "Keep track of everyone while I'm gone. I won't let this place fall."

Mana gave Shinji a quick kiss before telling him, "I'd be happy if you kept Yersia alive if it's all the same to you. Even if she does not stay loyal to us, she can have her uses."

It did not take much for Shinji to imagine what Mana would want from Yersia. What was more important to him was that he had his conditions laid clear. Battle was waiting for him and he needed to discover who held the same general approach to this new world as he did.

He nodded to Mana as he turned to the gates where the other women were waiting for him. Now was as good a time as ever to head out and face the newest challenge to the realm. No matter the struggle, he would be prepared to enter the Evernight Forest and follow through on his desire for this world.

Taking hold of his nearby arsenal of weapons, Shinji told everyone waiting for him, "If everyone is ready... Let's hunt some dwarves."

There was much that needed to be done for Goldo to prepare for the advance upon the castle of the overlord. His troops were rallied but shaken at the recent development of trying to enter the Evernight Forest and the casualties they took. While the nightmares of Oberon were no longer a threat, he still chose to maneuver around the forest if only to make sure his men did not have to suffer the same lowering of morale they went through before.

It would only take a little while for him to realize that attempting to face the overlord would not be such a simple task. His maneuver around the edge of the forest was not interrupted but he found his advance to the new overlord would have more participants than just him. The kind that would make him reconsider his current battle strategy.

Golding Golderson was the firstborn son and heir to the throne of his father who also served as a commander among the army of his father. He was more anxious to attempt facing the new overlord waiting for them than to be reporting to his father but news as important as what he received was too important to dismiss. Bearing this information forced him to consider the harsh possibility of what sort of battle he was about to enter. One where his kind were not going to be recognized as the slayer of the rising enemy.

Kneeling before his father, Golding reported, "My lord, we have received news from allies making their way to our location."

Looking up from his battle map, Goldo requested, "What is it?"

Golding took out a letter repeating, "It would seem the Ruborians are prepared to assist us. Unfortunately, they have gone through the woods and have not answered our messengers."

It took a second for Goldo to recognize there were two individuals in mind as soon as he heard about the Ruborians. He did not anticipate the need to gather allies but this development made him see an immediate opportunity. One that would make his own personal desires more attainable.

Looking at the section of the Evernight Forest on his map, Goldo realized, "So old Kahn and Jewel want to join in do they? Sounds like an opportunity for us."

Anxious to demonstrate his aptitude in strategizing, Holding asked, "I think I see what it is. We have them flanked on both sides and unable to stand against us?"

Goldo turned around shaking his head correcting, "Your thinking is too simple. What we ought to be doing is leading the enemy to them. Then we have them where we want them."

Such a premise seemed simple to accept at first but Golding was hesitant as soon as he realized what it would cause. Against a common enemy, this plan should have saved their army some trouble as his father suggested. Golding knew they were not up against a common enemy.

He tried to warn him of this weakness by reminding, "These are the ones who have slain Melvin, William, and now Oberon. Both of them might face their end if we do not assist them."

Goldo grinned at the concern his son was showing by reminding, "The best thing that can happen for us is that they are both slain in battle. The fewer humans there are, the more valuable our current masters will see us."

Golding was prepared to protest further but realized what his father was preparing them for. The current masters they were tasked with serving at best kept themselves from a distance. If they were not the first target of their ambitions, they eventually would be given time.

Golding bowed his head as he realized what potential his father the king would achieve, "The empire has reason to bring its sights to this land and Heaven's Peak. Under your reign we can still stand against them. Without the overlord to stand against us, we will yet have a chance to survive. All this world will know you as both the slayer of the overlord and the eternal hero of our kind."

This evaluation made Goldo nod in confirmation confirming, "Perhaps that is what we will have a chance to achieve. So long as we are able to stand against the empire, that will make out cause all the more worthwhile. I only need to trust that my men are capable of standing against them. For now I have to trust that you are capable of setting them up for that victory my son."

These conditions made Golding bring a fist to his heart as he vowed, "Of course my lord. All I require is their cooperation and I will stand firm against all who oppose you and your reign."

Certain he had a hold of what his son would achieve, Goldo sent him away with the order, "I hope to see that resolve in the frontlines. Prepare to continue our current advance. Send a sufficient distraction to misdirect the enemy."

Recognizing the strategy his father was demanding, Golding stood up accepting, "Right away my lord. I look forward to fighting alongside you in battle."

Watching his son leave his tent, Goldo was given the time he needed to look over his map and review how the upcoming battle was plotted. He was fortunate to have not only his son but an entire army of men so prepared to fight for whatever cause he rallied against. There were many who were about to die but the rewards he imagined were his for the taking as long as he was victorious.

He made his way over to his personal chest as he looked at the gold coins inside reflecting, "That would be a nice incentive. I like to think that when Jewel is slain however, I will have an opportunity to find every bit of gold she has. No more elves to bother with, no more opposition, I only have to concern myself with the empire while I take all that I want."

The opportunity was his for the taking. The name of Goldo Golderson would indeed become as interwoven with his ideal of heroism as it would be with his great desire for all the gold he could have. It was the perfect cover for him as he plotted to end the lives of those he once considered to be his friends.

All of this plotting made him think back to the one individual who made this possible. His own assumption would have guessed that he was an apprentice of his friend the Wizard but he could not be sure. He could only guess but he knew he would not receive an immediate answer of what greater scheme was at play. Only that for now he would find his personal goals aligned with that of the mysterious figure.

All he could do for the moment was brandish his axe as he asked no one in particular, "How much can I trust you to be interested in my gains?"