The Abyssal Demon Aeath lowered his blood-red eyes indifferently, sweeping them over Hammer Bone, who stood with his head bowed.
His figure flickered, and he leaped down from the back of the gigantic Abyssal Spawn. His hoofed feet, covered in obsidian-like carapace, landed on the gravel-strewn ground with a dull thud.
He headed straight for the fortress without looking back, ordering in a hoarse voice:
"Have your legion commander come out and see me."
Hammer Bone's burly body trembled slightly. Bracing himself, he said, "Lord Aeath, the legion commander is undergoing a trial. If you need anything, you can ask me."
Aeath stopped, turned around, and fixed his gaze on Hammer Bone. With interest, he said, "Good. Then from this moment on, I am the legion commander. Do you have any objections?"
"Uh..."
Hammer Bone's throat went dry. For a moment, he was at a loss for words, his hand instinctively tightening around his spiked mace as he fell into hesitation.
Just as he was still wavering, Grumg beside him had already split his broad mouth in a laugh. Leaning on his staff, he stepped forward and bowed to Aeath.
"Grumg pays respects to our wise and unfathomable new legion commander—Lord Aeath!"
His voice rang out, filled with undisguised fawning and submission.
The surrounding goblins clad in fine iron armor looked at one another, their gazes shifting toward Hammer Bone, the highest-ranking among them, as though awaiting his final decision.
At the same time, Hammer Bone felt Aeath's gaze upon him. He had no doubt that if he showed even the slightest hesitation, this demon would feed him to those Abyssal Spawn without a second thought.
Before absolute power and the terror of the abyss, so-called loyalty appeared pale and powerless.
His enormous head lowered even further. Drowning out his