The grand halls of Draegor's fortress gleamed with an ethereal yet kingly aura, illuminated by the soft glow of magical chandeliers. At the heart of his domain, where power and authority were inseparable, Draegor sat upon his throne—a masterpiece crafted from obsidian and gold, with armrests sculpted into the form of raging dragons.
In front of him, his loyal undead minions and summoned beasts stood at attention, their eyes shining as they looked at their master with unwavering loyalty. The spacious room was thick with anticipation as his armies awaited his command.
Expanding Control
Draegor's territory was no longer a mere fortress—it was growing into a thriving dominion. The desolate lands surrounding the fortress began to take shape, with villages and towns forming under his rule. Necromantic laborers tirelessly constructed lofty walls, foreboding towers, and mystical furnaces. Every new structure solidified his grip on the region.
Nevertheless, despite the rushed expansion, Draegor knew well that ruling was not simply conquest—it demanded governance, diplomacy, and strategy. He leaned forward on his throne, his red eyes surveying the group of people before him.
Albedo, ever composed, stood beside the throne in her elegant black dress, her golden irises gleaming with respect. Demiurge, the perpetual calculating tactician, slid his glasses up with a smile, his mind probably working out how to continue strengthening their hold on the land.
"Report," Draegor commanded, his voice level but commanding.
Demiurge appeared and bowed. "My lord, our conquest proceeds as planned. The villages that we captured began to incorporate into our domain. The locals, while resistant initially, began to yield to our authority because of the efficiency of our systems."
Draegor nodded, expecting no less. "How are the undead units performing in these settlements?"
Shalltear, who was standing to the side, laughed. "Oh, they act perfectly, my lord. The fact that our Death Knights are present is enough to keep them in line. No one would dare go against us."
"Good," Draegor replied. "But we must be careful. Fear is useful, but we need stability in the long term. Have some of the lesser undead serve in administrative roles rather than enforcers. Let the people see that we bring order, not just terror."
Albedo smiled, clearly pleased with his wisdom. "A wise decision, my lord. This will make our rule far more durable."
The Strength of His Army
After the reports, Draegor turned his attention to his ever-growing undead army. The warriors he had defeated and revived now stood among his ranks, their former allegiance revoked, replaced with loyalty to their new lord alone.
They included:
Death Knights – Large undead clad in darkened armor, with massive swords and shields. Their presence alone could cause terror in an army.
Wraith Blades – Phantom assassins that were able to walk through walls and strike from the darkness.
Lich Sorcerers – Undead spellcasters with incredible arcane might, capable of summoning destruction upon enemies.
Undead War Beasts – Massive skeletal abominations that once roamed the battlefield, now at his command.
His army increased with every battle. Any enemy slain could be brought back as a loyal minion, so ultimately his army was unstoppable.
But Draegor knew that brute force was not enough. His undead were powerful, but they could not think for themselves—except for a select group of higher-ranking creatures. That was why he needed his intelligent minions to control them.
"Demiurge," Draegor called, turning to face the demon strategist. "I concur that I wish you to oversee the training and coordination of our army. We may be powerful, but I will not be impulsive. We must fight with strategy, not just brute force."
Demiurge bowed deeply, his smile growing wider. "As one would expect of my wise lord. I shall ensure our army is honed to perfection."
A Greater Vision
As the meeting continued, Draegor's mind drifted to his long-term goal. Conquest of this world was assured, but there was more.
There were other powers, shadowy forces in the background. He had not yet found them all, but soon, he would have to decide between conquest and alliances.
For now, his focus was still on building his empire, growing his power, and streamlining his army.
"Prepare the next phase of expansion," Draegor said at last. "We are only just beginning."
His loyal servants bowed as one.
"Yes, my lord!"
The empire of the dead was rising.