The throne hall of the Demon Domain was carved from obsidian that drank the light rather than reflected it. Torches of hellfire crackled along the walls, their blue-black flames leaking upward like living shadows. At the very end of the enormous hall sat Novus Chronus, the newly risen Emperor of Shadows, resting upon a throne formed from the skeletal remains of ancient dragons. His white hair spilled over his shoulders like falling moonlight, contrasting violently with the black sclera and the red-and-blue eyes that glowed with cold dominion. The air trembled.A dark pressure hung over the hall—heavy, suffocating, suffused with predatory hunger.
The Elite Fifteen knelt before him. But only five stood closest, positioned in a crescent around his throne—the most dangerous beings under his command. The Primordial Demons.
Diablo, Rouge, Asta, Hades. Legion. Five incarnations of calamity. Five beings whose existence alone could end continents.
Their power crawled over the hall like invisible knives; even the torches flickered and bent under their presence. Only Novus remained still, head slightly tilted, gaze sharp and merciless as a god surveying creation.
"Report," Novus commanded, voice calm… yet the hall vibrated like a beast growling deep within its chest.
Diablo stepped forward first. His smile was elegant, graceful—yet behind that smile was enough violence to drown kingdoms. "As ordered, my lord… the foundation of your empire has been reorganized." He bowed deeply, one hand on his chest. "Every division has received your preliminary command. We await your final structure."Rouge, with his blood-red hair flowing like living crimson smoke, leaned forward. "My liege—the Dark Elves have begun infiltrating the borders. Several scouts have already returned with the first fragments of intelligence."
Asta's voice warped space itself, deep and resonant: "The ogres await combat deployment. Zenpoku has finished training rotations. Hayakimaru's swordsmen have demonstrated overwhelming lethality—perfect for shock assault. "Hades' killing intent seeped like frost. "The undead legions request permission to expand their burial grounds. Death increases our strength. "Finally, Legion let out a guttural, animalistic growl, multiple voices overlapping like a chorus of monsters. "Construction complete. Chaos wants war." Novus rose from his throne. A wave of pressure burst outward—several of the lesser monsters behind the Primordials collapsed to their knees, trembling uncontrollably.
"Then let us shape," Novus said, descending the steps, each footstep echoing like a judgment. "Today marks the true beginning of my domain." The hall silenced. Even the flames froze.
THE STRATEGIC FORMATION OF EMPIRE
Novus lifted his hand. Immediately, Diablo handed him a detailed holographic map of the Demon Domain—a massive expanse of blackened terrain, corrupted forests, mountains that howled with ancient predators, and regions untouched for millennia. "This land is mine." Novus' voice thundered. "Its chaos will be forged into order, and its savagery will become my sword."
He flicked his fingers. A crimson marker appeared on the far-left region of the map—representing the vast Dark Elf territories.
Dark Elf Intelligence and Espionage Division
Leader: Elsa, Queen of the Dark Elves
Number: 5,000 elite elves
Role: Shadows, espionage, infiltration, silent elimination
Novus spoke: "Elsa will operate beyond the borders. No kingdom shall move without me knowing first. Their spies will crawl into every city, temple, guild, and throne room." Rouge bowed. "The Dark Elves understand. Elsa has already sent three squads into the human territories."
A wicked smile curved Novus' lips."Good."
He moved his gaze to the next division.
The Armed Forces — Ogres
General Zenpoku: 4,000 ogres
Hayakimaru: 1,000 swordsmen
Princess Kira: 500 ogre maids + 1,000 monster maids
Zenpoku, a mountain of muscle and armor, smashed his fist to the ground. "My emperor, the army stands ready! Give the order, and mountains will fall!" Hayakimaru, unlike Zenpoku, moved like a ghost. His wrinkled face and ancient eyes hid a depth of sword mastery that surpassed mortal comprehension. He stepped forward, blade sheathed. "My swordsmen do not require rest. Name your enemy… and we shall erase them." Novus eyed him, sensing the razor-thin slicing intent that lived within the old man's every breath. "Your division will become my Frontline Execution Unit. No fortress will stand against your blade." Hayakimaru bowed deeply. "As you command, my liege." The map shifted again.
Goblin Division — Riders, Archers, Warriors[leader: Grimlor{The Goblin Lord}]
Number: 10,000
Riders:Contracted with Rampa (Black Wolf King) and Dark (Midnight Cat)
Archers: High-range snipers
Warriors:Shock troops
Novus tapped the Goblin region. "They will serve as the auxiliary army and cavalry. Their speed will control the battlefield." Legion growled approvingly, the beast-like demon's many voices chanting, "They evolve fast. They desire war."
Next:
Air Force — Dragons
Leaders:Hydra (Black Dragon), Ryu (Ice Dragon)
Number:7,000 dragons, wyverns, drakes
Special: Dragon Lords evolve into humanoid Dragon Faithful
Novus' eyes glowed. "The sky will belong to me." Hydra and Ryu knelt simultaneously, their voices shaking the hall. "We soar only for our king."
Finally:
Torture & Interrogation — Vampires
Leader: Valkyrie
Number:6,000
Medical Division — Momochi & Dryads
Leader: Momochi
Number: 2,000 dryads
Special: Healing, regeneration, monstrous biology mastery
Charm & Seduction Division — Succubi
Leader: Succubus Queen[Seraphis Noctura]
Number: 1,500
The Primordials stepped aside as Novus reached the center of the hall. He raised his hand, and the map disintegrated like ash. "All divisions: prepare for the First Imperial Command." The entire hall lowered their heads. "From this moment… we move from chaos to dominion."
THE FIRST COMMAND — BLOOD AND ORDER
Novus' aura surged. An immense killing intent burst outward, cracking the obsidian under his feet. Nearby torches bent sideways, as if bowing in terror. Diablo knelt, smiling with fervor. "State your decree, my lord." Novus spoke: "All divisions shall fortify the capital." Thunder rumbled across the hall. "All borders shall be secured." The Primordials bowed deeper. "And all enemies within my territory… shall be purged."
A violent silence followed. Then—
BOOM.
A portal of swirling black dimension ripped open beside Asta. A Dark Elf scout collapsed out of it, blood trailing from her nose, armor cracked. Elsa herself stepped through the portal behind her, tall, graceful, and dangerously beautiful—her silver hair stained with someone's blood. "My emperor… the first intel is delivered." Novus' eyes gleamed. "Speak." Elsa kneeled, head bowed. "There are three neighboring kingdoms currently monitoring the Demon Domain. Two prepare reconnaissance. One prepares preemptive invasion." The hall trembled with killing intent.
Diablo's smile widened unnaturally. "Shall we kill them all?" Novus raised a hand.Diablo stopped immediately. "Not yet. Information first." Elsa continued: "Human kingdoms grow paranoid. The royal families fear a rise of a new demon lord. Their adventurer guilds are increasing patrols. Word spreads rapidly." Rouge cracked his knuckles, excitement in his crimson eyes. "Bloodshed awaits." "More," Novus commanded.
Elsa's expression darkened. "Your Majesty," she said quietly, "a large group of orc survivors has begun migrating deeper into the Demon Domain. Something is forcing them from their lands. Something strong."
Novus tilted his head. "A threat?"
"A threat… or an opportunity," Elsa said carefully.
Rouge licked blood from his fingers. "Orcs rarely move unless driven. Something must be manipulating them."
Novus processed silently. He did not yet reveal—that in the far future, those very orcs would become a major conflict. For now… He needed structure. He needed unity. He needed dominion. "Elsa," Novus ordered, "continue investigati—" A massive BOOM shook the hall. Hades' shadows expanded, swirling around him like death incarnate. "An intruder," he murmured, voice echoing with a thousand dead souls.
"Alive?" Novus asked.
"No," Hades answered, smirking. "Not anymore."
A corpse teleported into the hall, thrown across the floor like trash. Half its torso was missing; the remaining parts were twisted unnaturally, as if peeled apart by invisible claws. A scout from a neighboring kingdom. Hayakimaru examined the body. "A spy. Before dying, he attempted to record our numbers."
Novus walked past the corpse.
"Burn it." Legion's countless voices whispered, "With pleasure…" The body dissolved into black dust.
THE EMPEROR'S INSPECTION
With all commands issued, Novus left the throne hall, ascending into the open sky.
He spread his hands—
And shadows erupted beneath him, forming wings that lifted him high above the domain. Wind roared. Mountains shrank beneath him. Below, his kingdom pulsed with monstrous life: Goblins marching in formation, Ogres training until the ground cracked Dark Elves slithering like phantoms, Dragons circling the skies, Vampires disappearing into shadow tunnels, Dryads healing wounded beasts, Succubi alluring weaker monsters into obedience, Wolves howling in harmony, Undead armies rising from newly-built graveyards
The kingdom was a tapestry of chaos—but under his rule, it was becoming order.
Novus' eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "My empire," he whispered. As he flew, several beast-men and monster tribes knelt from the ground, trembling as his aura brushed over them. A Minotaur chief dropped his weapon and collapsed in worship.A salamander tribe hissed reverently. Giant spiders lowered their bodies until their legs touched the ground. Every creature recognized him—
Not as a king.Not as a ruler.But as a natural disaster wearing human skin.
The Emperor of Shadows.
THE COUNCIL OF WAR
When Novus returned to the throne hall, the Primordials awaited him. "Prepare the war table," he commanded. Asta opened a portal in the air, pulling out a massive, obsidian war-table marked with demonic runes. The surface showed a magical 3D reconstruction of the Demon Domain and its surroundings. Novus placed his hand over the table.
STRATEGIC DIRECTIVES
1. Fortify the Capital
"Hydra. Ryu. Your dragons will begin construction of aerial fortresses. Any who fly toward us without permission will be incinerated."
Both dragons bowed.
2. Expand Espionage
"Elsa. Begin deep infiltration. I want the names of every noble, king, guild master, and hidden tyrant." Elsa nodded. "Consider it done, my liege."
3. Internal Purging
"Hades. Clean the domain. Remove all rogue monsters. Leave no survivors."
Hades bowed, shadows writhing.
4. Army Mobilization
"Zenpoku, Hayakimaru—your forces will train day and night. I expect perfection."
Zenpoku roared. Hayakimaru simply bowed.
5. Diplomatic Preparation
Novus placed a marker representing the Dwarven Kingdom. "They will become my craftsmen. My builders. My armory." A faint smile curved his lips.
"Chapter 4 begins our search for them."
THE SHADOW EMPEROR'S DECREE
Novus raised his hand one last time. "Spread my will," he said. Diablo stepped forward. "What shall we declare to the entire Demon Domain, my lord?" Novus' eyes glowed with abyssal light.
"Tell them…" His aura erupted, forming a black storm swirling behind him.
"…the era of shadows has begun."