I had reallocated tasks:
Lilith: She became my right hand, managing the entire operation of the palace and the army. She oversaw resource gathering, organized patrols to suppress any remaining pockets of resistance, and, notably, managed the "Refinement Chamber" where the Queen was imprisoned. Lilith proved to be extremely efficient and devoted, always seeking to please me. At times, she would even proactively "purify" slaves who were no longer valuable to keep the ranks lean. Elara: Despite still being weak, Elara was assigned the crucial task of "refining" mana. I had established a complex dark magic system in a special chamber beneath the palace, where Elara would sit at its center, continuously channeling her light mana into a magical circle. That mana would then be converted into Demon Essence or dark mana for my use. This process was exhausting for her, but Soul Command and my periodic "restorations" ensured she couldn't cease. I could even feel my own mana gradually growing stronger, like a surging river, thanks to this refinement. Slave Mages: The surviving mages, both male and female, were forcibly trained by me. I no longer allowed them to use light magic; instead, I compelled them to learn basic dark spells. This process was not easy, and those who resisted faced severe punishment. Gradually, a few began to accept their fate, and dark mana started to flicker within their souls.
TING!
[Quest: Establish Control (60/100%) - Consolidate power within the Kingdom of Elara.]
[Side Quest: Gather Resources (3000/5000 units) - Scavenge for resources within the Kingdom of Elara.]
Progress was slow but steady. The biggest issue was that my subordinate count was still too low to control an entire kingdom.
One day, while inspecting the "Refinement Chamber," I saw the Queen. She was noticeably thinner, her hair disheveled, her eyes vacant, almost lifeless. Her body was still full and alluring, but now it was merely a tool, covered in marks of torture and humiliation. Lilith stood nearby, smiling with satisfaction as I observed.
"My Master," Lilith said, "the Queen is serving you very well. The amount of mana extracted from her is becoming increasingly stable."
I reached out and gently caressed the Queen's gaunt face. She didn't react. I felt the faint mana flowing from her. My Life Drain had turned her into a living resource.
"Good," I murmured. "Continue to excel. I want her to live long enough to witness the grandeur of this empire."
I decided to use the Demon Essence I had accumulated. I opened the Shop.
"Buy Crafting Skill (Level 1)." Cost: 100 Demon Essence.
[Purchased Skill: Crafting (Level 1)! Demon Essence remaining: 85.]
With the Crafting skill, I could now create powerful equipment myself. And I knew exactly what materials I needed.
"Lilith," I commanded. "I want the strongest armor, worthy of a Demon Lord. Order your subordinates to seek out special materials. I want the bones of the strongest Light Knights, the blood of the purest Light Mages, and the hearts of the highest-ranking Spirits that were corrupted in the battle. All of it."
Lilith looked at me with surprise, then a cunning smile spread across her face. "An excellent idea, My Master. You wish to use your very enemies to bolster your power."
"Indeed," I replied. "This is the price of opposing Azazel. I will transform their suffering into my dominion."
In the following days, hunts for materials took place across the kingdom. Lilith personally led the Demon Warrior squads, bringing back the gruesome materials I requested. The white bones of knights, vials of fresh mage blood, and even the blackened hearts of corrupted spirits.
I began the crafting process in a newly constructed magical forge beneath the palace. This process was complex, requiring intense concentration and a large amount of mana. I used the Crafting skill, imbuing each material with dark mana, transforming them into a part of my Demon Lord armor.
Each time a piece of armor was completed, I felt my power increase. This was no ordinary armor; it was a symbol of dominance, forged from the very essence of my enemies.
The price of power was cruelty. I had cast aside Ethan's humanity to become Azazel. But in return, I had gained everything: power, subordinates, and beautiful slaves. The Kingdom of Elara now lay at my feet, and this was only the beginning.