"I have decided to appoint the Hero of Darkness, Samael, as the Lord Commander of all the Demon Armies of Tenebria."
A collective gasp rippled through the room. The announcement was nothing short of a bombshell. The Demons exchanged looks of surprise and unease, their expressions a blend of disbelief and contemplation.
"P… Princess?!" Kratos's voice trembled with disbelief. Among the assembled demons, his shock was the most palpable. The title of Lord Commander, the Supreme Commander of all Armies, was the highest rank one could achieve in the Demon Kingdom, second only to the royalty itself.
Memories of the previous Lord Commander still lingered vividly in everyone's minds. Under the Demon King, the former commander had been as powerful as he was merciless, executing the king's ruthless orders without question. His defeat by the Heroes of the Light Empire had left the position vacant for years. Azariah had prioritized other matters over appointing a new Lord Commander—until now.
Azariah's decision to resurrect the title and bestow it upon the Hero of Darkness was a deliberate one. The title of Lord Commander was not just an accolade; it was a beacon of absolute strength that instilled fear across the continent, even among the Divine Knights.
Elevating Samael to this position was a strategic move to inspire hope among their people and signal the dawn of a new era for the Demon Kingdom of Tenebria.
Kratos's upset was evident. It would be a lie to say he hadn't coveted the rank himself. Known as the strongest knight and an archdemon, Kratos had garnered respect and camaraderie among the knights. The idea that this prestigious title and the highest rank were being granted to a human—a foreigner from another world, albeit a Hero—was unfathomable to him.
The other Division Commanders shared his skepticism, their expressions mirroring his disbelief.
Anticipating their reactions, Azariah was ready with a response. Her voice was calm but commanding as she addressed them. "After all these years, a Goddess has finally smiled upon us, and Samael is her gift to us. We all know how many gods are against us, yet this Goddess has reached out in goodwill. If Samael is her gift, I trust her judgment. I trust it completely, and thus, I trust Samael."
She paused, allowing her words to sink in before continuing, her gaze unwavering. "Our goals are aligned. Elevating him to the rank of Lord Commander is a pivotal moment for us all. This marks the beginning of a new era where the Demon Kingdom of Tenebria will rise again. For this, I need all of your cooperation."
Samael remained silent, observing the proceedings with an unreadable expression. He had told Azariah to entrust him with all the power, promising to eliminate their enemies, but he had not anticipated being promoted to the highest rank among the commanders of the Demon Armies.
The room was heavy with silence until the first figure rose. It was Semiramis.
"I will always trust you, Princess," she declared, her voice firm. Turning towards Samael, she added, "Semiramis, Commander of the First Division of the Tenebria Army, Your Excellency." She placed a clenched fist over her chest in a gesture of allegiance.
A blond-haired man stood up next, his lips curling into a twisted smile that highlighted a burned scar. "Ah, if the Princess is doing it, then I shall happily join," he laughed. Like Semiramis and the others, he had horns protruding from his forehead, marking him as a high-ranking Archdemon.
"Laguna, Commander of the Second Division of the Tenebria Army, My Lord," he said, mirroring the gesture of placing his fist on his chest.
The next person to rise was a strikingly beautiful woman who appeared to be in her teenage years. She fixed Samael with a reproachful gaze. Her long red hair was tied in a ponytail, and her crimson, slit reptilian eyes burned with intensity. "Megara, Commander of the Third Division of the Demon Army of Tenebria. I greet you, High Lord," she said, her tone cool.
Samael's eyes lingered on her, noting her youthful appearance. She seemed even younger than him, yet she held the rank of Commander. He quickly compared her to Semiramis, who looked to be in her early twenties and had a more mature figure, whereas Megara was notably more petite.
Noticing Samael's gaze drifting from her breasts to Semiramis' bountiful breasts, Megara's cheeks flushed red with anger, but she held her tongue.
Finally, a bald man with prominent horns stood up, a fierce grin on his face. "I will trust ya, Princess, and also the Goddess, so I will obey you, Lord Commander," he said, his voice booming. "Kragen, Commander of the Fourth Division. Lord Commander," he added, striking his chest with his fist in a powerful gesture. He was the most muscular among them, his physique imposing.
Cadell stood up next, leaning heavily on his cane. "I am the high minister and adviser to the Princess. I will also trust you, kid," he said simply, his voice carrying the weight of his years and experience.
Finally, all eyes turned to Kratos, who remained seated, his expression a mix of reluctance and resignation. Azariah's gaze was firm as she addressed him. "I wish for you to become Samael's Vice Commander, Kratos. He will need all your knowledge, and I need you by his side as well," she said, her tone more of a request than a command.
Kratos sighed, a smile breaking through his stern demeanor. "I will never refuse you anything, Princess. As much as I don't like him, I recognize his strength. I will be the Vice Commander. I am Kratos," he said, finally standing and addressing Samael directly.
Samael, had remained silent until now, his legs shaking slightly on the table. His single golden slit eye wandered around the room, taking in the faces of the five Commanders, Cadell, and the other nobles. They were all waiting, expectant.
Azariah stepped forward, holding a black metallic armband. "Here, this is the symbol given to all the Lord Commanders for generations by the previous rulers," she said, handing it to Samael. The armband bore black horns and red eyes, a terrifying emblem known across the world. It signified the wearer as the strongest knight of Tenebria.
Samael ignored her, clearly reluctant to don the armband. Azariah, not giving him a choice, grasped his left arm forcefully and clasped the armband around it. Samael frowned slightly but did not resist.
With a serious gaze, he finally spoke. "Since all the antics are over, tell me where the Heroes of Kastoria are."
Kratos nearly erupted at the apparent disrespect Samael showed towards the ceremony, but he calmed himself, recognizing the gravity of the situation.
Semiramis spoke up. "From our sources, they should reach the western border within a day. It might be a first show of strength by the Kastoria Kingdom to instill fear in us."
Samael's face twisted with contempt as he recalled the puppet king of the Light Empire. "Another pathetic attempt from the rulers of a kingdom. I'm used to it now," he said dismissively.
Semiramis, sensing his readiness to act, asked, "Should I prepare the army? Five thousand troops should suffice, or should I ask for more?"
Samael, already standing and ready to leave, stopped and turned his head. His single gold eye glowed darkly as he replied.
"The army is myself."