With Valoria's treasury depleted and the Ancient Spirit Heart in my grasp, the conquest had far exceeded expectations. The city was now a scene of controlled chaos. Corpses still littered the streets, but my Demon Servants and human slaves had already begun clearing them, piling up spoils, and cleaning dried bloodstains.
I moved to Valoria's slave market, renowned for trading all manner of creatures. This would be the place to implement my new skill: Dark Slave Market.
TING!
[Quest: Conquer the Trade City of Valoria (80/100%) - Dominate Valoria and turn it into a Demon Lord's base.]
Upon arrival, I found my Demon Butchers had already herded hundreds of Valoria's surviving citizens into large cages. From trembling women to exhausted men, all bore eyes of despair. My Mass Intimidation automatically activated, making them cower even further.
I stood in the center of the market, clad in my Blood-Dark Demon Lord Armor, my crimson gaze sweeping over the crowd. These were my new resources.
"Bring forth the strong, the ones with potential," I commanded. "Especially the females with vibrant life force."
The Demon Butchers and Demon Warriors began their selection. Screams and cries filled the air as families were torn apart, young women dragged out. I felt no remorse. Emotions had long abandoned me.
After the selection, about fifty individuals were kept. Among them were around twenty young women, beautiful and with alluring figures. A few of them seemed to be mages or had magical potential, based on the faint mana I sensed.
"The rest," I ordered, my voice cold, "turn them into food for my demons. No waste."
Another massacre unfolded right there in the slave market. Blood splattered, desperate screams tore through the air. The selected slaves trembled, watching the scene, but no one dared to resist. I felt my HP and Mana steadily increase thanks to Pain Energy Absorption.
Once the market was "purified," I turned to the chosen slaves. "You," I said, "will serve me. You will labor, and you will satisfy my desires. Remember that."
I activated Dark Slave Market. A new interface appeared before my eyes.
[Dark Slave Market (Level 1)]
[Function: Manage and develop slaves. Can buy/sell slaves, upgrade slave potential, and assign specific tasks.]
[Current Slaves: 50 (20 females, 30 males).]
"Excellent." I nodded in satisfaction. This skill would help me optimize the use of my slaves.
I began assigning tasks. The strong men would be sent to resource mines or construction sites. The mages would be sent back to Elara for further training in dark magic by Elara. And the women... would be brought to the palace.
TING!
[Quest: Conquer the Trade City of Valoria (100/100%) - Completed!]
[Reward: 700 EXP, 100 Demon Essence, New Skill: 'Dark Slave Market' unlocked! (Already acquired).]
[Azazel has leveled up! Level: 10]
[Base stats have increased.]
[New Skill: Blood Domination (Active) unlocked!]
I smiled. Level 10! And a promising new skill: Blood Domination. It sounded like a mind-control skill or one that enhanced my power over those I had already corrupted.
With Valoria completely under my control, I began establishing dominion. Just like in Elara, I would turn this place into a strong base, a source of resources and slaves.
"Prepare for the march back to Elara," I ordered the demons. "Bring all spoils of war and the selected slaves. I want those mages and women to be thoroughly 'prepared' before I return."
Valoria had been conquered. Now, it was time to return, consolidate my empire, and savor the fruits of victory. I couldn't wait to test the Blood Domination skill on the new slaves, especially those beautiful women.