With everything prepared, Luka sat at the head of a makeshift war table with a large map spanning the Amol highlands.
Iris stood facing him with a sour expression, pointing at the small village near the entrance, leading to Bayblon's central territory. "The goblins have taken control of almost all of the Amol Highlands, with camps here, here and their largest camp in the centre of the plains, which links directly to the desert.
She pointed to a small camp near the entrance, another to the west, and the last camp was at least half a day's ride on horseback.
"My Lord, I believe this will be a long battle."
Gerard's words soured everyone's expectations as faces became grim.
"What would you do, if it were your choice, Gerard?"
Although he retired, both Galatea and Luka requested the old knight to join the meeting, along with Zack and those who supported Iris.
"My lord, although this old man is experienced, I know only how to swing my sword..."
'Nonsense, you're just testing me, old man.'
"I see."
Luka leaned with his elbows on the table, a smirk growing on his lips as he pointed to the entrance to their land. "We don't need to defeat them all, for now, we just need to take back this village and prepare to strike the secondary force within three days."
"What?! Are you saying to ignore our people suffering in the central gap?!" Iris banged the table while shouting at Luka, her attitude towards him remaining the same, from start to finish.
'Ah, I see.'
"So, this gap, where the mountains narrow, blocking off the majority of the methods to invade from the desert, is where you bandits set your camp?"
"Milita!"
"Mhm, so. Do you truly think we can reach there, rushing now for half a day? How exhausted are your people and horses after doing that task?"
Irina slammed her fist against the table again, before pointing outside to the gathering of huge, grey wolves the size of horses. "Our direwolves can complete the journey in a few hours, and don't have pathetic stamina!"
That's when Luka's lips twisted into a devilish grin.
"Ah!"
"Oh?"
Old Levi, Galatea, the older female behind Iris and Gerard's lips, also curled upon seeing their Lord's reaction.
"Iris."
Luka stood from his seat and circled the table before placing both hands on the petite woman's shoulders. Despite her small figure, the tight muscles under his palms hadn't changed a single bit.
'Yes, of course you'd be the same, easy to anger, but honest to a fault.'
Iris glanced up at him, her reaction less abrasive than he imagined, as she bit her lip and turned to the side, speaking with a weaker tone. "W-What do you want?"
A pulse thumped within his abdomen, the dark, murky energy stirring once more as he felt his body reacting to the scent and subtle glimpse of her bare breasts peeking from the loose tunic from above.
'Calm yourself, Lucifer!'
The moment he scolded himself, a powerful force sucked the dark and murky energy flowing to his limbs towards his back, and it vanished inside his sheathed blade.
[Oblivion has devoured your excess Desire]
[Sin Energy Increased: 10 --> 11]
'Oh? So I can control my desires in this manner...'
Luka found the new emotions and bodily reactions quite enjoyable, but now wasn't the time for him to focus on them. He needed to win over the Militia and train them into an elite unit that would protect him from harm in the future.
"If I save your people, what will you do for me, Iris, Leader of the Militia?"
She slowly turned back, "Save them?" while looking at him with furrowed brows "Do you mean that?"
He nodded.
Then pointed at her and brushed his finger against her small, pointed nose.
"I swear on the name of Babylon, to save your people. But in return, everything you have will become mine."
"What!?"
"Luka?!" Even Galatea's voice sounded.
"W-Wait, Leader!"
The tall woman behind Iris jumped to her feet and shouted before Luka finished, glaring at Luka as she grasped her blade and stepped forward to strike him.
A flash of silver glinted in the corner of his eyes, followed by a gust brushing his cheeks as Gerard and Galatea drew their blades to her throat in an instant.
"Remain Still!"
Their blades pressed against her neck as she could only give up and raise her arms while throwing Iris an aggressive glance.
"W-Wait, don't hurt her, she's just too emotional!" Iris jumped up and blocked the path between the blades and the woman. She then turned to scold the woman in a soft voice. "Why do that, Brea?! I'm fine, as long as you are all happy and alive... I can endure it! Even if I become some pale, noble boys' plaything!"
"Young Miss..."
Before things escalated, Luka raised his hand. "At ease, Galatea, Gerard. There is no need to draw the blood of our allies. We need to separate our forces and prepare for a harsh two days."
Iris remained defensive, her eyes glaring at Galatea and her grandfather like a cornered cat.
"Iris, I cannot promise to save everyone, but for those who can endure and survive until tomorrow, I will save them."
"How can I trust you?! You just tried to kill my nanny!"
'This girl...'
Luka approached her and the tall woman who was the same height as the enhanced Luka. Brea watched him with cautious eyes and swallowed, but she didn't reach for her blade this time, while Iris remained defensive.
"The promise I offer is that I will personally ride with the people sent to save your village. In return, you, your village and everything become mine."
'Not that I planned to abandon such valuable resources in the first place. A buffer for the Fallen and a land rich in iron, copper and other minerals and gems.'
He didn't expect the woman named Brea to react so intensely, but Luka failed to understand the stress humans faced. His confidence and mental resilience came from his first life and living as a divine being.
Though the time would come when even he would have to accept this state.
The war room remained soaked in a hostile state for several minutes before Iris pushed away from Brea and rushed towards Luka, looking him straight in the eyes.
"I accept!"
"I see."
"I said I accept!" Iris seemed angrier, despite his response.
He shrugged and decided to keep toying with her, knowing that she would eventually adjust and grow to accept him.
"I also said I see. Now, let's get back to planning, how to split our forces and who will take part in the difficult mission of taking back Amol village."
"Gerard, I'll leave the plans for the entrance and breakthrough to you."
With that, Luka handed the planning for the first mission to Gerard, while Galatea chased after him the moment he left the tent.
"W-Wait, Luka!"
"Oi, don't just leave, what about Amol?!"
Of course, confused and unsatisfied with his response, Iris followed after.