The room has been transformed into a dining hall with a long, oak table stretching down the center. Food of all kinds, gathered from all the land of Esteria, covers the top as far as the eye can see.
"It took you long enough," General Magnar says, a sweet roll in both hands. He sits in the farthest corner from them, munching away. "I nearly finished my meal."
Magnar stands in the presence of Gareth and bows.
"It is rude to eat without the master, Maggie." Lisha shoots him an unapproving glance.
"It is all right, dearest," Gareth says. He gives Magnar a look of approval as the general sits down at the table, downing a keg of beer to wash down the rolls.
"You drink too much and that is going to be your downfall." Neron chuckles, taking the seat next to Magnar.
"I can still take down the humans, so I am going to keep drinking until I can drink no more." Magnar leans back in his seat, downing more beer. "Especially after that long mission."
"What of the Western Kingdom then, Magnar? How was your journey?" Gareth asks from his seat in the middle of the table. Lisha plops down next to him and spoons some soup into her mouth quietly.
Neron looks at the Exalted One and back at Magnar, waiting for his response. "I'm curious as well."
"Well," Magnar clears his throat, "it is definitely the strongest of the four kingdoms. The Western Kingdom is fortified in the desert, and sandstorms rage across the land. It was a brutal trek. It will be no small task to topple the queen and her men, my lord."
"What is her name again?" Gareth asks as he twirls his glass around watching the red wine swirl in a small cyclone.
"She is Queen Victoria," Magnar says as he grabs another chicken leg. "She is a true queen of the people, they say. Strong, beautiful, and feared. Honestly, I would not want to clash with her."
Gareth looks at Magnar with disgust and speaks sternly. "Fear no human, General Magnar. You are leagues above those pests."
Magnar nods at the Exalted One. He continues to munch on his chicken leg.
"We will need to bolster our forces," Neron offers to the Exalted One, "The Eastern Kingdom could be the perfect place to take the land and turn it into our headquarters."
"I agree, the Uncharted Lands are nothing to look at." Lisha turns her attention to Neron. "It's ugly, and the rivers are black, and there is barely anything to eat here."
"You mean Hilda, dearest," says Gareth.
"Yes, her, my lord." Lisha nods. "Forgive me. I forgot her name because we never see her."
"Well, she and her goons are always hunting, making sure we have something to eat." Neron rolls his eyes again.
"For that, I thank her." Magnar waves his chicken leg bone in the air happily.
Gareth looks around the table, watching his generals enjoy their meals.
"I really enjoy your company, you lot." The Exalted One raises his glass proudly. "Being together is what is most important."
Lisha, Neron, and Magnar grin, listening to their ferocious leader goes on. The sun shines into the room over all of them, as if the heavens are bathing them in power.
Gareth's eyes glaze over. "We will rid Esteria of the curse of humanity and take over the land for ourselves. We will plunder, steal, and destroy all who stand in the way of our goal. We may even bring down Astra herself! You are the strongest demons in our army. Do me proud and continue to bolster our forces as you have been, so we will be prepared to launch our assault in the coming weeks."
Lisha stands up and slams her fist down on the table. "We can take the wretched human queen and her Eastern Kingdom for our own!"
"You are ravishing when you are excited, Lisha." Gareth smiles smugly.
"Thank you!" Lisha winks at Gareth. Groans come from Magnar and Neron. "I'm ready to crush some skulls in your name."
Lisha licks her lips and leans toward Gareth in his highchair. "What say you, oh Exalted One?"
Gareth looks at Lisha's awkward pose and answers, "Do what you like, dear. We know their kingdom is weaker than the others," he continues staring at the other two generals before him. "If you are to overthrow the capital, make sure you take some wolfen. Take at least a hundred of them with you to ensure victory. Even though they seem weak, do not underestimate them. There are still some warriors in that part of the land, especially the War Master."
Magnar and Neron nod at their master and take that as a cue to continue eating. They must fill up for their next missions, after all.
Lisha adjusts her dress and leans forward so that Gareth has a full view of her breasts, covered in only the purple leather binding them at the bodice. Gareth raises his brow as she starts to saunter over to him.
"I will ensure that I take care of myself for you, my lord." Lisha comes close to his face before she licks his ear playfully.
"Wait for me," she whispers seductively.
Gareth shakes his head at the temptress with a grin.
Neron looks over, disgusted again, and lifts his fork to eat his salad "Save some killing for us, Lisha."
"Who knows? You may need backup!" Magnar chuckles.
"You wish," Lisha spits. "But I would like to see more blood on your outfit, Neron."
Lisha walks over to the open window and jumps out of the window her long, lavender skirts trailing behind her. Moments before she reaches the ground, her lavender wings stretch, propelling her into the sky.
Gareth looks at his remaining generals and smiles. "Finish your meals, gentlemen, and take some time to rest. Our day of destiny is upon us."
With that, he gets up out of his chair, leaving the two behind to devour the remaining food and drink. He closes the doors behind him and makes his way to the foyer.
A shadowy figure awaits him patiently, sharpening a broadsword with his palm.
"What of your mission, Nagi?" Gareth asks, approaching the shadow.
The masked man bows in front of Gareth and breathes, "Exalted One…"
"You can rise, good servant."
"I have eliminated twenty-five high-level warriors throughout the Eastern Kingdom," Nagi says. "Without these warriors, our invasion of the Eastern Kingdom should be of no concern to you, my lord. You should not have to lift a finger traveling to our new home."
"Very good, Nagi!" The Exalted One smiles wide.
"But," Nagi gulps before continuing, "there was one warrior in particular, a female, whom I could not eliminate, my lord."
Gareth's smile fades into a frown. "You, bested by a female? Surely you jest."
"She had a healer and another swordsman with her. I retreated before the situation became dire, my lord."
"Hmm…" Gareth strokes his chin. "Do go on."
"I'd rather eliminate my target than battle for long periods of time Thus is the life of this assassin, my lord," Nagi says apologetically.
"Thank you, Nagi, for the honest report." The Exalted One pats his shoulder. "Do keep an eye on that group for me."