Demonic Witches Harem: Having Descendants Make Me Overpowered!

Claude and Aubree rode a horse on top of a grassy hill, his sharp eyes surveying the village nestled below. It was larger than Hyte Village but still small compared to a proper city.

Unlike the last one they'd attacked, this village had a fortified gate and defensive walls—nothing grand, but certainly more of a challenge.

He hadn't brought his full army this time. Claude had split his forces to optimize progress, assigning Hendrich to lead an attack on another village.

This way, they could cover more ground and conquer faster.

"I know some of you might think this'll be another easy sweep like the last time," Claude began, his voice carrying across the hilltop.

"But don't forget—some of you got wounded back then, and that was embarrassing."

In front of him floated a pair of holographic lenses—an enchanted artifact allowing him to see inside the village without being seen.

Through the lenses, he watched unaware guards lazily pacing, oblivious to what was coming.

"So this time, don't screw up. Follow your platoon leaders and obey their orders."

He raised his hand, holding it for a beat before cutting it down.

"Attack!"

With that command, the cavalry thundered down the hill, hooves pounding the earth as the knights charged.

The village guards finally noticed the oncoming threat, and panic erupted as the warning bell clanged through the air.

Arrows were readied, and the front gate slammed shut—but it was too late.

Claude had already planned for this.

The frontline dark mages raised shimmering barriers, shielding the knights from incoming arrows.

With precise timing, mages launched a coordinated magical blast that obliterated the gate in a fiery explosion, sending debris and bodies flying.

"Get inside and hold your position!" one of the platoon leaders shouted.

"Dark mages, maintain the shield! Archers, stay behind and cover us!"

The troops poured into the village with brutal efficiency. Resistance was minimal.

A handful of holy men tried to stand their ground, but their strength paled in comparison to Claude's trained forces.

They were swiftly beaten down and taken captive.

Claude watched from above with a satisfied smirk. "Well, well. That went better than expected."

He crossed his arms, muttering to himself, "Also, I really need to restructure my army. 'Platoon leader' sounds so bland… Back in my world, it was 'sergeant', right?" He chuckled.

"Yeah. Time to start a little military revolution in Dark Elysium. Make this army more structured."

A black hawk suddenly circled the sky before descending onto Wren's shoulder. He unlatched the small scroll tied to its leg and scanned it quickly.

"It seems Hendrich was also successful in his campaign," Wren said, grinning. "He's very excited, Your Majesty."

Claude smirked, already mounting his horse to enter the village. "As expected of Hendrich. It was an easy target anyway."

As they rode through the village streets littered with empty houses and corpses, Aubree's expression darkened, discomfort written across her face. Wren followed behind quietly, observing.

"What's wrong?" Claude asked, glancing at her sideways.

Aubree's voice was low, heavy with unease. "Was all of this really necessary?"

"To build a kingdom?" Claude replied without hesitation. "Yes."

"Not because of your hatred for humanity?"

"Hatred?" Claude let out a low scoff, the corners of his mouth twitching upward as they reached the center of the village, where the remaining villagers knelt, trembling.

"Hatred is too small a word to describe what I feel toward humanity," he said.

"But no—this time, it's not about hatred. I simply want to increase the productivity of my kingdom."

Aubree's hands tightened on the reins, her knuckles white. "You're cruel."

"Hm… yet you still like me anyway," Claude smirked.

Before she could respond, a villager suddenly lunged from the crowd, a knife gleaming in his hand.

"Die, you filthy daemon!" the man roared.

Claude didn't flinch. He raised a hand, calmly uttering, "Void Strike."

A thin beam of dark energy shot forward, piercing the man's chest and reducing his body to ash. Screams erupted from the villagers, panic spreading like fire.

Claude sighed, his voice booming. "Calm down! Or would you all prefer to end up like him?"

The fear in the villagers' eyes was immediate. They dropped their gazes, pressing their foreheads to the dirt.

"Now, now. I'm not a cruel ruler," he said.

"I only need a few slaves to help cultivate my lands. You all can manage that, can't you?"

No one dared to speak. Instead, they nodded in unison, too afraid to even look at him.

Claude turned to Wren. "Register everyone who will be staying here. Send the rest to Elysium. And have tents set up for the troops—and myself."

"Yes, Your Majesty! I'll get it done right away!" Wren saluted and rushed to carry out his orders.

Claude tugged at the reins and began riding toward the outskirts of the village, Aubree reluctantly riding beside him.

"Where are we going?" she asked, brows furrowing in confusion.

"Don't worry," Claude said with a low chuckle. "I'm not about to kidnap you, drag you into the forest, and kill you."

She glared at him and smacked his chest lightly. "That's not funny."

Claude laughed again, more amused by her reaction than his own joke. "Relax. I need something to do. "

He spurred his horse forward, galloping away until the lively forest turned into a dead one as the trees started to rotten and bones of animals even monsters scattered anywhere.

A faint, eerie purple mist slithered between the trunks, swirling in the air like whispers of death.

"Stay here," Claude ordered, dismounting with a swift motion. "I'll handle this alone."

"But—" Aubree started to protest.

"It's fine. Poison doesn't work on me," he said casually, striding toward the mist-covered woods without looking back.

Deeper into the forest, the air thickened, reeking of rot and corruption. Claude moved unbothered, his steps steady until he reached the gaping mouth of a massive cave, its entrance veiled in shadows and seeping venomous fog.

He then entered it, it was dark, and then as he kept walking a glowing blue mixed with purple shone around the cave, shining his way.

After a while, he found a really vast area with many glowing crystals in it.

With a flick of his hand, he summoned his sword—its black blade wreathed in flickering hellfire.

"Whoever's in there," Claude called out, voice calm but commanding, "show yourself. I've come to claim your treasure."

A low hiss echoed from within the cave, and the purple mist churned violently. Then, the darkness stirred.

From the depths emerged a colossal serpent, its purple scales gleaming, each one like polished iron.

Its eyes glowed in gold, and when it opened its maw, venom dripped from its fangs—each longer than a man's arm.

As the liquid hit the ground, the earth hissed and melted into nothingness.

The serpent coiled, its voice a rumbling snarl as it laughed.

"You dare challenge me? I am the Great Serpent of Malevolence! My venom has rotted kings from within and melted armies into puddles!"

Claude rolled his shoulders and tilted his head, lips curling into a grin. His sword ignited with a brighter flame, casting dancing shadows around him.

"Yup," he said, eyes gleaming with anticipation. "This is going to be fun."