With the addition of the Shadowkhan, Grubby and his crew were able to complete the work in half the time. Since the shadow ninjas required neither food nor rest, they could work around the clock. Grubby was certainly happy with their help.
By the end of the month, a massive, sprawling fortified medieval city had risen on the surface above the tower—a looming stone colossus of spires, battlements, and towering walls. Tall, slate-roofed buildings clustered tightly behind thick stone fortifications bristling with arrow slits and defense towers. Streets were lined with sturdy timber and stone houses, chimneys rising like fingers into the sky. Guard towers stood at key intersections, and the iron-wrought gates bore the sigil of my domain. A red banner depicting a silver drawing of my ominous helmet flapped ominously above the city entrance. It was a perfect front to house servants and prisoners, and most importantly, to draw the attention of the Empire.
After all, my plans can't even truly begin until the Empire takes notice of my existence.
Still, it's better to have plenty of time for preparation.
I haven't been idle this month either. Every day, I descended into the spawning pits and used up every last drop of my mana to summon minions of all types—browns, reds, greens,blues and plenty of Shadowkhan I now have about 500 of each
And while the spell gacha was a daily feature, I didn't want to flood my mind with an endless deluge of spells. So rather than using it every day, I opted to draw only once a week, giving me 15 new spells in total. They were as follows:
1. Drain Life (Dragon Age: Origins)
2. Ice Spike (Skyrim)
3. Fist of the Maker (Dragon Age 2)
4. Death Ward (Baldur's Gate 3)
5. Bound Bow (Skyrim)
6. Accio (Hogwarts Legacy)
7. Depulso (Hogwarts Legacy)
8. Rain of Isis (Fate/Grand Order)
9. Maelstrom (Baldur's Gate 3)
10. Pocket Dimension (Dungeons & Dragons)
11. Mystic Armor (Darkwatch)
12. Sun Fire (Skyrim)
13. Stendarr's Aura (Skyrim)
14. Blink (Dishonored)
15. Enlarge (Baldur's Gate 3)
I was pleased with the new additions, especially the two solar spells and Death Ward—though I was admittedly baffled by how an evil overlord such as myself could wield magic usually reserved for the faithful and the righteous.
Still, the other big winners were Rain of Isis and Pocket Dimension. Now I could finally carry all of my belongings with me.
The only other thing of note that happened this month was that my health increased to 4,000, and my mana rose to 2,000.
As I mentally reviewed the month's events, Gnarl waddled over, hands clasped behind his back, his hunched frame bobbing with each step.
"The city has been completed to your specifications, Lord," he croaked with a proud grin. "There are many houses of decent quality, a bustling marketplace, a proper prison, a well-stocked hospital, a charming playground for the little ones, and even a school."
He gestured grandly, then leaned forward with a crooked finger raised. "The walls have been fortified quite well. They can take a good bashing from the majority of siege weaponry and still stand. Though I do hope you'll consider my advice about eventually layering them with enchantments against magic."
Then I turned to him, arms folded behind my back as I stood tall on the stone balcony overlooking the bustling city. "I intend to, Gnarl. However, neither of us are skilled in enchantment. That'll have to wait until we find someone capable."
I narrowed my eyes, my voice dropping slightly. "But while we're on the subject of the city, you're not even going to question why I had so much effort put into a city meant to house servants and prisoners of war?"
Gnarl gave a thoughtful hum, stroking his long white beard and smiling with crooked yellow teeth. "Of course not, Sire. I completely understand. Ensuring that they live good lives will keep them happy and productive. Sure, they'll be upset at first—but once they realize that their lives are basically the same and the only thing that's changed is whom they serve, they'll adapt just fine."
He leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "And as for the schools and playgrounds, I take it you have no intention of putting children to work?"
I looked at him firmly, my expression sharp yet resolute. "Evil I may be, but children are my future subjects. What good are they to me if their spirits are broken before they become adults? Or if they only have enough education to count their fingers? No. Children in my domain will not be made to suffer."
Gnarl blinked slowly, then gave an approving nod, a rare reverent tone entering his raspy voice. "That's very gracious of you, Sire... and yet another point that puts you far above my previous masters. They did not understand the value of nurturing future generations. Their servants and subjects were horribly uneducated and appallingly incompetent."
He sniffed. "Though we will need to find teachers. Have you ever noticed, among the minions, I am the most highly educated?" He scowled. "And I'll say this now: I would throw myself into a fire pit if you commanded me... but I will not waste away teaching other people's younglings. If you ever have any of your own—that's another matter."
Then I said firmly, meeting his gaze, "Nor would I ask you to, Gnarl. I need you to remain in your current post—probably until you die."
Gnarl beamed with pride. "That's all I ask, my Lord."
While we were in the middle of our conversation, a Shadowkhan suddenly materialized behind Gnarl and whispered something into his ear.
Gnarl's yellow eyes lit up with intrigue. "Oh yes, I see. Mmm, yes. Good work." Then he turned to me and said, "Sire, it looks like our presence may have been noticed. There are three hunters just over the hill, staring out at the city. What would you have us do?"
I walked to the edge of the city wall, letting my dark armor gleam in the moonlight as I made myself as visible and imposing as possible. I stood tall, the wind catching my cape as my eyes locked onto the distant figures.
Once I was certain the hunters had seen me, I turned to Gnarl and said coldly, "It only takes one to deliver a message. The other two die. Have some Greens follow the third and ensure his survival—so that he may tell the Empire about us."
I folded my arms and gazed toward the dark horizon.
"The terrain on the way here is too difficult for an army to traverse without lots of preparation. So, they're likely to send parties of adventurers instead—which is what I'm counting on."
Gnarl let out a delighted cackle, rubbing his clawed hands together. "Your wish is my command, Sire!"
He promptly dispatched the Greens—small, stealthy minions equipped with wrist-mounted blades and capable of spreading poison like wildfire. Immune to toxins themselves, they could also disperse clouds of poison into the air. Perfect for assassination.
---
Hunter's POV
"What do you think this place is?" asked the first hunter, squinting at the city in the distance.
"I have no idea... but it's creepy, whatever the hell it is," muttered the second.
The third hunter frowned. "What are all these little goblins running around? I've never seen anything like them. And that massive, evil-looking warrior... who the hell is he?"
The first hunter grimaced. "That likely isn't a man. He's most likely a monster. We need to report this to the capital as soon as possible. They need to know about this."
"Yeah," said the second hunter, turning to walk away. "Let's get going before we're—"
Before he could finish, a small green figure leapt out of the bushes and drove a blade straight through his heart.
The other two hunters watched in horror as their friend collapsed, lifeless.
The first hunter raised his bow, but before he could even knock an arrow, a second green skittered out of the shadows and slit his throat in one smooth motion.
The third hunter panicked, scrambling backward and trying to crawl away—only to bump into a third green standing silently behind him.
The three minions surrounded him, their yellow eyes gleaming. One stepped forward, raised his blades to the hunter's chin, and hissed:
"You go. Tell people. Stay away. Let all know... they not welcome."
The hunter frantically nodded, then scrambled to his feet and bolted down the mountainside as fast as he could.
The leader of the three Greens turned to the others and grunted:
"Come. We follow. Ensure he make it to destination."
The other two nodded and vanished into the brush, stalking after the hunter in silence as he fled toward the Empire's capital—unaware that every step he took was watched.Overlord POV
I looked to Gnarl and said, "How long do you think it'll take for them to arrive?"
Gnarl tapped his claw thoughtfully against his chin. "Hmm… even without all the bureaucratic nonsense and bickering amongst themselves, the terrain alone will take a few weeks to traverse. I'd give it about a month."
I leaned back slightly, a confident smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. "That's more than enough time. I'll be able to increase our numbers while we wait—and increase my power as well." My tone grew firmer. "Also, Gnarl, have Grubby start working on our real kingdom in the Netherworld."
Gnarl bowed low, clutching his gnarled staff. "Right away, Lord. I'll inform him immediately." Then he turned and shuffled off to find Grubby.
I returned to the throne room, the echo of my boots bouncing off the ancient stone. With a flick of my hand, I started my other two gacha.
"First," I muttered under my breath, "the new spawning pit."
A flash of light illuminated the room, and when it faded, a rune-covered pedestal stood before me.
Direwolf Spawning Pit — Cost: 3
I grinned. "That's actually great… now the Browns will have mounts."
"Alright," I said, rubbing my hands together. "Now for the item gacha."
Once again, blinding light burst forth, and as it cleared, a series of items materialized before me one after another.
1. 100 Raw Steaks
I blinked, unimpressed. "Really...? Well, at least I'll have more food for the minions."
2. 4 Cases of Dynamite
"Huh," I said, inspecting one of the crates. "That could be useful when I want to build roads later."
3. Multi-Rang (Ty the Tasmanian Tiger)
I picked up the strange boomerang-like weapon, giving it a testing spin. "Could be useful," I said with a shrug.
4. Smash Ball (Super Smash Bros.)
As it shimmered ominously in the air, my eyes widened. "Holy shit…" I whispered. "I'll save that for later."
5. Changing Chopsticks (Xiaolin Showdown)
"Another Shen Gong Wu," I muttered with a raised brow. "Interesting."
6. The Death Wish (Far Cry 5)
"Oh hell yes," I said, my grin widening with devilish glee. "I can see it now… the minions rampaging across the battlefield, mowing down everything in their path."
7. 25 Tomato Seeds
8. 25 Cabbage Seeds
"Huh… okay," I said, tilting my head. "Well, I have stuff I can grow now."
9. Tower Addition 1 of 9: Kitchen
I blinked as the scroll hovered before me. "Oh, cool—new room in the tower." I paused… and slowly frowned. "...Wait a minute. We didn't have a kitchen. Where's the food been coming from…?" I stared blankly ahead. "...Never mind. I don't want to know."
10. Summoning Ticket (Fate/Grand Order)
"Oh fuck…" I muttered, running a hand down my face. "Another one. I didn't even use the first." My voice dropped slightly, laced with anxiety. "I'm too worried about who—or what—will show up. Especially since, lore-wise, without a catalyst, the servant summoned is based on the Master's personality or core values."
I stared down at the ticket, the weight of possibility heavy in my palm.
"So I'll either get someone evil… or chaotic," I said with a grimace.