After the group that infiltrated the City of Sven returned, Verc was able to hear the information they brought from their mission the next day.

So apparently—he was officially called and listed as the [14th Demon King] in the Arcanis History now.

The human scholars and the royal courts had already written his existence into their official records, stamping his presence with a title that sounded heavy and terrifying to the common folk.

Though, he was also known as the weakest one; just because the fact that he was a new Demon King that sprouted out of nowhere.

The human kingdoms assumed that because he had no prior history and had only recently claimed a small portion of the woods, his overall military force and personal magical output must be at the very bottom of the legendary ladder.

The whole Arcanis even believed that Verc had been building his power and force up until now, and only decided to reveal himself now.

They figured he had been hiding in the shadows of the deep canopy for decades, slowly accumulating wealth, weapons, and followers before finally launching an attack on their previous expedition force.

They would’ve lose their mind if they learned that Verc had been barely in this world.

If the people found out, his title as the weakest would’ve been changed into something entirely else.

They would have viewed him as a monster with an impossible growth rate, a terrifying anomaly that needed to be erased from the face of the Arcanis.

Anyway, because he was known as the greenhorn and weakest Demon King—Verc also learned from Bernia that a new expedition group to eliminate him will follow after the previous one.

The human authorities weren’t about to let a demonic ruler sit comfortably on their borders, especially after losing their entire first vanguard to his defenses.

The expedition group will be bigger and stronger than before.

A high ranking hero being deployed is highly possible too.

But Bernia also added that the expedition group wouldn’t be coming for a few months or at least a year or two.

"The human nations are currently occupied with their own internal squabbles, My Lord."

Bernia had explained, her voice calm.

"They are too busy looking at their neighbors’ borders to fully focus on the [Cursed Forest] right now."

She added.

So based on the information they got, some kingdoms under the Empire of Ironcrest and the Alliance of Aurum are currently in war with each other with them trying to expand their lands and influence.

The major powers of the [Valethar] continent were locked in a massive, greedy struggle for territory, pouring their resources, gold, and soldiers into frontlines against each othe.

Verc thought that them fighting with each other even though a threat appeared near them is so human-like behavior—it was stupid.

They were literally ignoring a rising disaster right on their doorstep just so they could steal a few extra miles of farmland and gold mines from their rival factions.

Anyway, Verc thought that that’s good for them; so before the next expedition team come—he plans to conquer the whole [Cursed Forest], and receive them much stronger than before.

He would use this golden opportunity to unite every single monster tribe under his banner, absorbing their strength, territory, and resources into his village. By the time the next expedition team finally marched into his woods, they wouldn’t be facing a small village, but a massive, fully armored kingdom.

Right now... Verc knows it himself—he can’t escape the title Demon King anymore.

The world had already labeled him and viewed him as an absolute enemy of humanity.

So Verc thought that he might as well embrace it.

Also, he’s aware of it now as well that his strength... He was getting stronger at a terrifying pace.

Every single time he completed a training session or meditated on his internal energy, the volume of mana inside his core seemed to multiply, his physical limits expanding far beyond what should be naturally possible.

Not just fast—but insanely fast.

His body was adapting to combat and magical circulation with a efficiency that bordered on the unnatural, transforming him into a completely different entity week after week.

He was able to confirm this after meeting Elianna and Kael again before.

The two of them had possessed an aura that used to make his instincts shout warnings, their sheer presence commanding the space around them.

He didn’t fight them, but unlike before where he was sure he would lose even if he pours all his strength fighting them—now he felt like he can take on them properly.

The invisible wall that separated his power from theirs had completely vanished, replaced by a quiet, solid confidence that he could stand his ground and survive a direct clash with them without any issue.

And this discovery made him ask his skills and abilities as a vampire.

He began to question the very nature of his existence in this world, wondering why his biological traits were so completely different from the legends recorded by human historians.

In the history book, Vampires are known strong, but the number of them are low, there’s even a possibility that they’re extinct now.

They were treated as ancient myths, rare creatures of the night that had faded away into the shadows of the past because they couldn’t maintain their population against the rising human empires.

But Verc... he can turn others into vampires by biting them or making them drink his blood. He had already created an entire inner circle of loyal followers using this exact method.

If the vampires have this kind of ability, then them being extinct makes no sense.

If ever, vampires would’ve ruled the whole world by now.

They would have established a massive global hierarchy, turning kings, emperors, and generals into their personal thralls, dominating the continent from the shadows without a single struggle.

So Verc realized that this ability is probably exclusive for him, not the vampire race.

It wasn’t a standard racial trait belonging to the ancient species, but a unique, broken system mechanic that was granted specifically to him when he entered this world.

Also, his innate ability that makes him stronger whenever he drinks blood... Tatum and the others that he turned into vampires can’t do that.

He had observed his subordinates carefully during their meals, and while the consumption of blood sustained them, it didn’t give them the same results.

Yes, they grow stronger after drinking blood—but they don’t acquire abilities from it like him.

Verc realized that his skill is broken, and he’s a special being in this world—if he plays and plans everything right... then being the strongest in the whole Arcanis isn’t impossible for him.

The potential for growth was literally infinite. As long as he continued to defeat powerful adversaries and consume their blood, there was absolutely no ceiling to how high his power could climb.

And having that thought enter his mind—

"Hmm, being the strongest... that’s not a bad idea."

He muttered that with a smile on his face.

"Hmm,,,"

Anyway, he turned around and looked down below him.

He was on top of the walls, at the entrance of the village.

And below him—warriors of his village; orcs, gnolls, kobolds, dark elves, and humans—are armed up.

They were all looking up at him.

Every single face in the crowd was turned toward the top of the wall, their eyes filled with an absolute, unwavering trust as they waited for the single command that would launch their campaign.

Verc smiled again seeing the enthusiastic look on their faces, then—SHHK!

The metallic sound of moving iron cut through the quiet air of the courtyard.

He unsheathed his sword.

The polished metal of the [Moon Blade] caught the dim light, a sharp, silver flash that drew the collective attention of every single soldier standing in the dirt below.

Verc opened his mouth, then pointing his sword at the west—where their gates are facing—

"Move out."

He ordered that.

He didn’t need to give a long, dramatic speech to stir their hearts; his simple presence and the single directive were more than enough to ignite their fighting spirit.

And at his words—

BAM!

A single, massive footstep echoed as the entire army shifted in perfect unison, their heavy boots slamming against the earth as they moved forward.

The warriors started walking.

They’re now headed toward the wolf-kin tribe!