Astaroth remained frozen on his throne of bone. His eyes never wavered from the red numbers ticking down in the air.
[Remaining Time for Quarter 1: 29 Days, 23 Hours, 58 Minutes.]
[System Suggestion: Proceed with expansion immediately. Slaughtering the border city is an efficient opening.]
[Efficiency, my ass,] Astaroth cursed inwardly.
He had just died from overworking. Being told to lead a genocide and manage war logistics now? Not a chance. If he could, he would curl up in a corner and cry.
"Almighty Astaroth," Malphas's raspy voice broke the silence.
The robed skeleton was still prostrating, his blue flames flickering. "The Vanguard forces are ready at the main gate. We await only a single word from you. Shall we tear down the walls of the border city now?"
Astaroth's mind raced at lightning speed. Panic began to crawl up the back of his neck.
If he refused the war, his subordinates might suspect that their Demon King had been replaced by a cowardly soul. If they revolted, he had no idea how to defend himself.
He was Level 999, but he didn't know how to cast a single spell!
However, the SEPU System continued to give danger signals. He needed a lazy solution. A solution that would buy time without him having to break a single sweat.
Astaroth leaned back against the throne. He looked at Malphas with a half-sleepy gaze, trying to mimic the expression of the tyrant boss at his old office.
"Send the troops to the border," Astaroth said quietly. His voice sounded heavy and incredibly intimidating due to his dry throat.
"But... do not attack."
Goliath, the giant orc, looked up. His coarse face looked utterly confused. "M-My apologies, Your Majesty? Do not attack? Then how shall we rend their flesh?"
"Just stand outside their arrow range," Astaroth cut in quickly. He crossed his legs elegantly.
"Take the entire army. Stand. Face the city. Do not make a sound, and do not attack unless attacked first. Do this for seven days and seven nights."
A total silence fell over the throne hall.
Astaroth began to break into a cold sweat beneath his robes. [Damn, is my excuse too stupid? Do they realize I'm just trying to postpone work so I can sleep?]
Suddenly, Malphas's skeletal body trembled violently. His jaw clattered loudly.
"Incredible... Ah! Truly a most cruel thought, Your Majesty!"
Astaroth raised an eyebrow slightly. [Huh?]
"I understand now!" Malphas stood up, his blue flames blazing with insane enthusiasm.
"Attacking physically would only crumble stone walls. But forcing those weak humans to stare at their death every single second, without knowing when that death will arrive... You wish to crush their spirits first!"
Goliath widened his eyes, then let out a hoarse laugh while stroking his axe.
"Psychological Terror! We let them stay awake in panic, and then we harvest their despair! Almighty Astaroth is truly the most sadistic demon in the history of Gehenna!"
Astaroth remained silent. His face stayed as cold as ice, even though inside, he wanted to bow down in gratitude.
"Correct. Carry it out," Astaroth said briefly.
The two generals immediately took their leave with a chilling laughter that echoed through the castle hallways. They couldn't wait to implement their boss's 'brilliant strategy.'
Astaroth let out a long sigh, nearly sliding off his throne. At least he was safe for the next week. He needed to find a bed, and fast.
Just as he turned to leave the hall, a melodic laughter that sent shivers down his spine echoed from behind a pillar.
"A most elegant tactic, my King."
A beautiful woman stepped out of the darkness. She had curved horns, small bat wings, and a manipulative smile on her lips.
It was Lilith, the General of the Shadow Division.
"As a gift for your awakening, I have prepared a little toy from the human world in your chambers," Lilith whispered in a highly seductive tone.
Astaroth swallowed hard. His heart hammered against his ribs in fear.
[Wait. A toy from the human world? Good God, don't tell me she kidnapped a human king to my room in some bloody state?! I just want to sleep!]
(Author's Note: Lilith has arrived! What kind of "toy" do you think she left on Astaroth's bed? Write your guesses in the comments! Don't forget to drop your Power Stones!)