Bloom

A devilishly handsome young man with golden eyes sitting on a comfortable throne made of crystal said, “Seven million, four hundred and fifty one thousand, two hundred and ten soldiers. Uncounted amounts of preparation. Uncounted amounts of supplies. Practically a thousand years in the making.” A crumpled set of scrolls was thrown to the side as his skin started glowing with red light. “Explain this debacle!”

A metallic set of armor with eyes the color of bright blood knelt before the young overlord. “The humans had aid. A creature faster than anything I’ve ever seen before. It moves among the woods like a hungry ghost, devouring anything magical it can reach, my King.”

“A single creature cannot withstand an army, no matter how powerful it is. Even I couldn’t withstand the might of millions attacking me all at once. Although I wouldn’t die, it would take a certain cost to retreat safely.” The youthful appearing demon king started tapping his fingers on the throne’s armrests. “A creature we’ve never seen before you say…” he muttered to himself frowning.

Taking a glance around the king surveyed the room. There was the group of ministers that handled his empire, their greedy claws always attempting to wrest more power from him on the left. To his right were the military contingent, currently attempting not to draw his rage further. The richly opulent throne room was practically dripping in valuables. He could finance a thousand wars with what was visible. His personal treasure room alone was filled with objects that money couldn’t buy. Yet, even with all this wealth, he would pay half his kingdom for someone to solve this issue faster.

“Lux, it’s not like everything is lost.” a voice said, as soft hands crept over the back of his throne and kneaded his shoulders from behind.

Meetings would be so much less bearable if he didn’t have his private elven masseuse thought Lux, the current reigning Demon King of this pathetic world.

Atriel, his aide was worth every bit of the four point eleven million gold he’d spent on her at his homeworld’s slave market. It was also helpful she at least had decent strategic capabilities. The number of general’s she’d saved with her soft voice and delicate touch was uncountable.

“Everything doesn’t need to be lost. It just needs to be delayed. Delay means danger. Who knows if one of the damnable Pantheon will discover this place with another thousand years to spare!?” Lux grumbled under his breath. Although this world was out of the way from the normal places the Pantheon managed, it wasn’t invisible. All it would take is a single errant ship, or even a high level individual with a bout of wanderlust and his plans would vaporize in smoke. It was hard enough to keep the portal back to his homeland operating in secret.

“Simply go around this…obstacle…for now. It’s not like every human kingdom can fit in a single mountain after all.” said Atriel.

“If enough of the human royalty dig in, there’s no counting how bad things can get. Humans have an atrocious habit of turning things around at the last minute. Not to mention any second one of them could get the attention of them. That would be a right piece of work. A few glowing light shows and even the weakest member of the Pantheon could have them eating out of their hands.” Lux said, his expression gloomy. All that faith pumped right into a waiting member of the Pantheon, it was enough to sicken even the most twisted of demons! He could practically see those drooling idiots waiting for him to be discovered!

“If you can’t control the situation…” said Atriel.

“…indeed.” Lux said, his mood brightening. There was no need to think hard about this. A quick and final solution was in order here.

Straightening up, he loathed the loss of his personal aide’s miracle fingers before saying with a commanding voice, “Smoke them out. Every piece of wood. Every grain. Every piece of walking meat. Leave nothing remaining but ashes. If they wish to abandon their kingdoms then ensure there is nothing left to return too.” Lux said, his voice growing more powerful by the second. “As for the woods that have troubled you, cut it down. I don’t care how many soldiers it takes, I do not want to hear that a mere piece of forestry stopped you from killing the humans to the last man, woman, and child.”

Lux watched as his greatest general knelt, “As you command, my King.”

***

Dryad stared at the forces that had returned around after a little over a month from when they had retreated. This new army clearly had a more focused intent. The majority made an enormous detour around her forests, before heading directly towards the old human controlled area.

A small portion of perhaps twenty percent broke off from the main army moving towards the mountain.

They were well armed.

They were well trained.

They were well prepared with magical might.

Her grin widened as blood red light started to seep from her body.

They were going to become delicious food.