The Demon King's Paladin Part 2. All Out War.

Chapter 397. The End Of Hershel's Day

                                                                         Hershel Demalo's Point Of View

/ rumble.../

" Hmm.... Wooo..."

Good... My breathing and control are nearly at 100% again. After the last attack, the young ones decided to walk away... So young, so idiotic. I suppose I was like that as well, long ago, when I felt nothing mattered... But don't they understand the position that they're in? When I was their age, I was hopeless. Locked in my own grief of where we were, as a country... As a people. Just endless emotional attacks against our enemies, no rhyme or reason for any of it. I thought that was all we'd ever do. Never would we make progress, always satisfied just killing foot soldiers and an occasional commander, but now... For the first time in my life, I found an answer to the endless void I found myself in. But King Warrick failed at every opportunity. The disappointment soon morphed into anger... That led me to only one real option to offer my services to. And I've been living my life since then for Our Lord. And now, these kids, they have a figure to look to, to lead them. Yet instead of taking this seriously, they'd rather mess about for who knows how long. Even the one who stayed behind, Greg, I believe his name is, he's taking a nap against the tree to my right... I can hear him snoring. It must be nice to relax like that!

* Pop!*

" Ah!"

/ thump.../

" Dammit! You foolish beast!"

* SNAP! CRACK!*

" h..e..l..p.."

" Shut your mouth, scum..."

I growl out my order. It works, it returns to being silent. The job of a Mind Mage is never easy. Which is why I'm supposed to have guards around me so I can work with peace in my own mind so I can focus on my work. Honestly... The fools. If only I could've been paired with my own generation, this would've been smooth sailing. But instead, Our Lord decided to pair me with a squad of children. Now the work is harder. Even while I'm hiding here in the forest, even a D-Rank Monster could interrupt my delicate network.

" m...oo....m..."

* CRACK!*

Again, these things possess too much of a will for only being children. What was the point of slaughtering their parents and siblings if they still choose to fight with their wills anyways? The predicament is stressful to say the least. In this forest, it took 3 days to find a clearing like this. Large enough to create a camp and the magic circle to make this assault on that Adventurer Village work. I was currently in the center of the circle. All around me at separate points in smaller circles were the 10 Human children that we found with mana within them. 1 of them even being a Fire Mage. They're the key that makes this all work. But the Fire Mage is the most important. By taking their mana and life energy from their young bodies, I'm able to cast spells from the Fire Mage's mind that I control. The effect of combining their energies along with my Mind Magic will surely break through that Barrier holding the village together. And once it's gone, they'll be easy pickings for the rest of the battle. The only issue is that we'll need to find similar candidates in the countryside before attacking Phoenix Tail. No doubt the defenses will be strong as well... Perhaps 50 more orphans will be needed?

" b...r..o...t...h..e...r..."

Great! Now even the Fire Mage is beginning to try and fight back, I'll need to wipe their personalities better. What a curse it is to be given such a delicate Job even though us Demons are much better at just full-scale destruction. Perhaps the Gods see it fit to test my patience? My Mother always did tell me that I was too impatient. Perhaps she'd laugh at me now... If she were still here on Gaia's soil.