Chapter 416: Stabilizing the situation

After the incident in Reginald's land, Ren told Henrietta to announce to the other noble houses that Duke Reginald had already surrendered and was now serving under him. Although, he didn't really need to announce that since even without Reginald the other noble houses will most likely bow down to Ren.

When they learned that the armies they sent alongside their family heads and heirs had been massacred, even if Reginald was able to somehow escape, and continue his supposed crusade, the current noble houses would never think about opposing Ren again.

...

Those that were able to somehow survive that day had returned and reported to their superiors about what had happened.

Despite the contents of the report were unbelievable, they had no choice but to believe it. Since the bodies of those that died that day were still in the city. Of course, in the beginning, they had their doubts.

So they sent scouts to determine if the reports were true. The elite scouts that they had sent came back with pale faces, reporting of the carnage they saw that happened in the city.

Unable to believe it still, despite hearing numerous reports some of the new heads personally checked the situation and what they saw was a horrific sight. The whole city that used to be beautiful and full of life turned into a land of death filled with monsters. It would seem that the monsters were attracted to the smell of the dead bodies, and had gathered in the city.

So now that they knew the truth, the noble houses didn't care if Reginald was on Ren's side or not. No matter what, at this point, they would've sided with Ren either way. The power Ren wielded was something they cannot even begin to imagine. Since the reports were true, that would mean Ren only sent a total of twenty-one people to deal with an army of thousands. Just that thought alone scared most of the noble houses.

...

Now that he was done making the Serbek Kingdom into his own, Ren could focus on other things. Still, before he did anything he needed to assure himself that his family was well protected. The last time, he had miscalculated that outcome was not something he wanted to repeat. So to ensure their safety Ren ordered Nyarlom to be his mother and younger brother's protector.

'What the f*ck you want me a Primordial Demon to be a babysitter?!' Nyarlom screamed in his mind. Still, no matter how discontent he was about the order he would never say it to Ren's face.

"Understood," Nyarlom had no choice but to reluctantly agreed.

"Of course, you understand what will happen to you if either of them has even a single scratch or if even a single hair on their heads was harmed?" Ren looked at Nyarlom with a smile. Seeing Ren's smiling face Nyarlom quickly went down on his knee and bowed his head.

"I will protect them with everything I have. If either of them is harmed, I will personally avenge them, then take my own life as compensation."

"Hmph, no, no, no, Nyarlom it would seem that you are mistaken. If either of them is harmed, death would be too easy an escape for you. How can I allow that? So for starters, you should know that I will torture you until you would beg anyone to finish you. Then I will bring upon you a pain that you wouldn't even be able to understand. Well, that's if they are harmed. On the other hand, the moment one of them dies..."

When Ren said those words the atmosphere in the room has suddenly gotten extremely tense. It felt like the very ground was shaking in fear of Ren. The room's walls were also cracking as Ren stood there the expression on his face unclear.

At that moment Nyarlom had difficulty breathing, as his head suddenly slammed onto the floor. Ren wasn't touching him, there was no mana fluctuation, nor was there any bloodlust.

Ren was just standing there his back facing Nyarlom. There was no indication of something being done, yet everything around them was being crushed by an invisible force. Nyarlom could hear the bones of his new body creaking as his whole body was now on the ground, hugging the floor. Not only was his body creaking, but even his spirit was being crushed by something.

Nyarlom thought that this was it, that he was going to disappear permanently but then the atmosphere suddenly lightened. Nyarlom was able to lift his head and saw that Ren was now kneeling in front of him looking at him who was on the ground.

"Sorry about that, I just got a tiny bit angry just imagining that outcome. Well, anyway if that were to happen, then expect your very mind and soul to break before your body." Nyarlom gulped dryly as he nodded his head.

...

Once Ren was done introducing Milly and Kurt to their new bodyguard, Ren gave a new mission to Arthur and the Shadow Clan. The mission was to gather information on what was transpiring in the other kingdoms near the Serbek Kingdom. Of course, Ren had already asked Henrietta to send people to do the investigation, but some of them were unable to return. So for the places that they weren't able to gather information, the Shadow Clan would finish the mission.

This time, Ren gave Arthur a handicap while performing this mission. Arthur wasn't allowed to use mana during the duration of the mission. The moment he did so, he would be punished in an appropriate manner. Despite the absurd order, Arthur without hesitation agreed.

"Understood master, this time I promise that I will fulfill this mission and achieve absolute victory."

"I expect to hear the great news."

"As you will master."

...

Once he was done with all he needed to do in the Serbek Kingdom, Ren decided to finally visit Tsukiko and Leila who he left at the tree of life. As he was about ready to leave he first informed his mother and his younger brother about his departure.

"Is the place you're going to going to be dangerous?" Milly couldn't help but ask worriedly. She somehow understood that her son was pretty much the strongest human in the Kingdom, but still, she was concerned. It was possible that there were stronger beings out there that could kill her son on a whim.

"Don't worry mom, the place I'm going to is safe."

"Can I come?" Kurt asked as he stretched his hands upward wanting to be carried by his big brother. Ren patted his younger brother's head and answered.

"Sorry, your big bro isn't going there to have fun, I have some business to attend to. I promise that the next time I go, I will bring you with me."

"You promise?"

"I promise. So while I'm gone you better listen to mom. Also, you better tell me if that guy over there is protecting you properly." Ren pointed at Nyarlom who was standing at the side.

"Mhmm." Kurt nodded his head in response.

"That's my little bro." Ren once again patted his younger brother's head.

"Alright then, I'm going." As Ren was about to leave, Valdel came running towards him.

"Ren, are you going to meet with the fox and those pointy-eared people?"

"Yeah, I am."

"Can I come with you? There's something I want to confirm." Ren shrugged his shoulders before replying.

"Even if I said no, you would still go anyway, so why do you bother asking?"

"Cause unlike you, I have manners."

"Heh, manners from a dog?"

"Well, that just means you have worse manners than a dog?"

"Huh? Can you say that again? All I heard was barking."

While Ren and Valdel were arguing they were already jumping and running. Hearing the two arguing with each other as they left made Milly smile.

A lot of things have changed, and there are many things she still couldn't wrap her mind around. Yet when she saw the two of them act like that, she felt at peace. It was as if she was transported back in time when they were all still in that tiny village of theirs.

The time when she would prepare dinner, while Ren, Valdel, Lara, and Lisa were playing and her husband was out hunting. When it was time for dinner, Valdel and the other kids would usually eat with them. At that time Ren would advise them on what they were doing wrong on that day. Valdel would happily talk about his dream to become a hero and repeat the tales of what he heard from the village elder. Lara would be eating quietly as she looked at Ren from time to time. While Lisa would happily listen to Valdel talk about his dreams.

She and her husband watching them grow and eating happily together. Those were the times, that the world still felt sane, that the world still felt like it wouldn't disappear tomorrow. Milly who was smiling couldn't help it, as tears suddenly fell down her face.