The next day, Nolan woke up early in the morning, washed up and used her storage box to clear out her valuables in the room after having breakfast.
Once she was done, she took out an outfit from the storage box and wore it. It was a sleek, high-collared dark coat adorned with intricate silver embroidery, giving it a regal yet battle-ready form.
Underneath she wore a form fitting dark tunic that allowed for ease of movement paired with slim, durable pants tucked into sturdy, knee-high boots with silver buckles.
The whole outfit was as dark as her hair which made her white skin stand out even more. The combination of her outfit and elegance made her stand out as a mystical little beauty and a formidable force, especially with the hidden eerie aura around her.
This outfit was not ordinary, it could also be regarded as a defensive magic treasure since it could withstand any attack under 6th circle magic and could also repair itself once damaged. It was a gift from Luna during the past six months.
Nolan had to admit that this goddess liked to spoil her a lot every now and then.
After making sure nothing valuable was left behind, Nolan went down the tree and headed straight outside to the edge of the desolate mountain. Instead of using her flight magic, she decided to walk.
Although there was not much to see on the desolate mountain, Nolan didn't mind the sight of the barren land, dead trees and the remains of dead magic beasts along the way.
"You are leaving?"
Luna's voice suddenly echoed in her head.
"Yes. It's time for me to do my job." Nolan replied as she continued walking forward.
"Hmm... I almost thought you'd never leave this wasteland. So, what is your plan now?"
"There's a small village I scouted just outside the desolate mountain a few days ago. I'll start there." Nolan replied, then fell into deep thought.
"That's it?" Luna interrupted her thoughts after a few seconds of silence.
"Yes. I need a base of operations and subordinates first."
"Subordinates? You?" Luna was surprised.
"Yes. In my previous life I was "The Executioner." A lone killer for hire and the world's greatest assassin because that's what my world needed me for." After saying this, Nolan paused and looked up to the sky.
"In this life however, I'll be "The Executioner." A ruthless Demon Lord who punishes evil. For that to happen, I need to take in subordinates who can do my bidding and help spread my influence all over this world."
In her domain, Luna was speechless. She hadn't expected Nolan to have such thoughts.
"Are you sure you want to become a Demon Lord? The world will look upon you as its enemy if you do." Luna's voice echoed again in Nolan's head after a long silence.
"Then let me ask you a question, goddess Luna. When was the last time this world was united and incorruptible?" Nolan asked with a smile.
"Huh? Of course it was during the war with the devils..." Upon saying it out loud, Luna froze as she realized what Nolan meant.
"A common enemy. One powerful enough to shake the entire world without destroying it. That's what this world needs. If I become that enemy, the world will bare its fangs towards me at that time. Making it easier for me to filter out those evil doers." Nolan said.
Luna was surprised. She hadn't thought of this idea before because it sounded crazy. Becoming the world's enemy in order to save it?
Who would think of such an insane idea. But listening to Nolan explain her reason for such an idea, it sounded plausible. In this world's history, people had always united when faced with a powerful enemy that threatened to destroy or take over the world.
"Hahaha! I really chose the right person this time!" Luna shouted excitedly in Nolan's head.
"Very well! I'll be watching over you as you complete your plan. Tell me if you need anything, I can't interfere much with the mortal world, so you'll have to be careful."
"No problem." Nolan replied.
After that, Luna looked at Nolan with an intense gaze, a mischievous smirk appearing on her face.
"Ah, before I leave, I have a request." She suddenly said while Nolan felt a chill run down her spine.
"No." Nolan sternly replied.
Luna wanted to reply but Nolan cut her off again before she could even speak.
"NO." Nolan sternly said again with a serious face.
Luna: "..."
After that, Luna's voice stopped echoing in Nolan's head while Nolan continued her journey. Six hours later, she arrived at the edge of the desolate mountain
Standing at a cliff that was at the edge, Nolan looked back and memories of the time she had spent here began flowing into her head, making her feel nostalgic.
"Haa... Looks like it's time for me to start my mission. This place is not so bad, maybe I'll come back once I complete my mission."
After that, Nolan turned around and jumped off the cliff. In her domain, Luna watched with an amused expression as she rested her head on her hands, silently admiring Nolan's outfit and appearance as usual.
"Haa...I wonder if I can convince her to wear a dress for me like last time." Luna muttered to herself.
Elsewhere, not far away from the desolate mountain, nestled between rugged hills and forgotten by time. A small village of little more than a scattering of thatched roofs and crumbling stone walls. Dirt roads wound through the heart of the village, brown and cracked underfoot, the dust rising in a soft, constant haze when the wind blew. Every corner seemed to whisper of years of neglect.
The houses were small, their wooden frames sagging with age, and most were patched with scraps of metal or faded cloth. The villagers moved slowly; their faces marked by the years of hardship.
Clothes were worn thin, and shoes, for those who had any, had more holes than leather. Children played in the dirt, their laughter a faint contrast to the gruff voices of their parents, who toiled without rest just to scrape by.
There was a quiet despair in the air, a sense that no one expected any change here.
At the top of a hill within the village was a mansion. Compared to every house in the village, it could be considered to be a wealthy household since it was a decent mansion.
Inside the mansion in a hall, a fat man wearing fancy clothes sat on a throne. Two beautiful maids in revealing attires quietly stood by him on each side as many guards clad in old armor could be seen in the hall.
In the middle of all of this, a young woman knelt in the hall. Her hands and feet chained like a wild beast. She had blonde hair covered in dirt and wore tattered clothes. Her beautiful face twisted into a ferocious scowl towards village chief Torak, the fat man seated on the throne.
"Hahaha! Truly a rare beauty indeed, even in this sorry state your charm is as evident as ever. So? Tell me, are you willing to be my concubine now?" Chief Torak spoke in a deep voice.
"Go to hell!!" Lilith, the blonde woman yelled out in retaliation.
"Oh? Seems like you still haven't learned your lesson. Drellis!" Chief Torak called out a tall burly man with a sword on his waist among the guards.
"Yes chief?!" Drellis came forward and bowed.
"Take her to my bed chambers, I've waited long enough, tonight I'm going to have some fun with her, whether she likes it or not."
"Y-You...!"
Thud! Lilith was knocked unconscious by Drellis before she could retaliate. Afterwards, Drellis picked her up and walked out of the hall with Lilith on his shoulder, his face immediately turning dark once outside the hall as he clenched his fists and a hint of killing intent appeared in his eyes.
His hatred for chief Torak evident as ever in his eyes. Chief Torak was truly the scourge of the world. A fat, greedy, selfish pig who knew nothing but to indulge in his own pleasures. Even little girls in the village were not spared from his perverted ways.
However, his older brother was a magician in the city. So no one in the village dared to stand up against this little tyrant. In this desolate little village forgotten by time, he was like a king.
Outside the village, a short distance away, appeared Nolan's figure walking towards the village. The village was surrounded by a tall fence made of tree logs, at the gate were two guards carrying old and worn swords and wearing old armor.
"You there! Stop!" One of the guards shouted as he noticed Nolan approaching.
Nolan stopped and raised her hands to surrender. She was still a distance away, so the guards approached her with their swords drawn.
The closer they got, the more surprised they were, why would such a beauty come to this desolate land. Both of them were speechless, they just silently stared at Nolan in disbelief.
Seeing this, Nolan spoke up to break the silence.
"Ah... I got separated from my group and got lost. Do you mind if I stay at your village for the night?" Nolan's soft captivating voice broke the silence.
"Ah... So, the little lady is lost, come, I'll introduce you to the village chief!" One of the guards, Reggie, a tall scrawny man said as his face beamed in a perverted smile, his eyes scanning Nolan's entire body like a predator about to pounce on its prey.
The other guard, Kyle, a young man with red hair looked at Nolan with worry in his eyes.
"Little miss, you should turn back. This village is not safe for you." Kyle warned Nolan.
"Huh?"
Bang! Kyle was hit on the head by Reggie with the hilt of his sword.
"Hahaha! Little lady don't mind this idiot. The safest place for you in this village would be the chief's mansion, which is where I'm taking you. Come, follow me."
"Ah... Alright..." Reggie grabbed Nolan by her arm and basically dragged her inside the village while Kyle watched as he rubbed his head from the pain of Reggie's strike.
Many villagers noticed Nolan as Reggie led her to the chief's mansion, with her beauty and unique clothes, she stood out like a sore thumb. Many gathered on the streets just to see her as if they were watching a parade.
A few older villagers sighed as they saw her being led to the chief's mansion. With chief Torak's infamous reputation, such a little beauty was like a feast to be devoured in front of him. Everyone knew what was going to happen to her, but no one dared to intervene.
Along the way, Nolan also noticed the state the village was in, such a place was not suitable for humans to thrive in.
A few minutes passed and the chief's mansion came into view. Compared to the other houses in the village it was like a whole new place. The mansion was surrounded by a wall made of bricks, inside, it had a paved path, green grass, and flowers which were well maintained. Coming inside was like coming into a new world compared to outside.
As they entered the mansion, many servants inside also noticed Nolan, their reactions were the same as the villagers outside.
"Oh my. Such a beautiful little girl!"
"It's a shame she's going to be the chief's next victim."
"I wonder how long she'll last."
The servants whispered among themselves in hushed voices, Nolan acted indifferent, but she heard everything.
Later, they arrived in front of the main hall. Drellis was outside standing guard.
"S-Sir Drellis!" Reggie bowed to him.
"Hmm. What is it?" Drellis asked, he hadn't yet noticed the little girl behind the Reggie.
"Ah, this... I have a guest for the chief." Reggie nervously replied as he moved, and Nolan came into Drellis's view.
A frown appeared on Drellis's face and the veins on his forehead bulged, showing how furious he was.
"Hmph! Go ahead!" He yelled, Reggie wasted no time and rushed into the hall with Nolan.
Entering the hall, he told Nolan to wait at the door before he went in and announced himself.
"This humble servant of yours has brought a guest for the chief!"
Inside the hall, chief Torak was sitting on his throne, being fed grapes by a maid in revealing attire, sitting on his lap.
"A guest? Can we still have guests in this desolate land?" Torak snorted as he looked at Reggie.
"My lord, trust me. This girl is a rare beauty, I don't think you can find someone like her even in the city." Reggie replied with a cunning smile
"Oh? Then bring her to me. Let me be the judge of that."
"She's already here my lord; I can bring her out for you if you promise me a reward." Reggie said as his cunning smile became more perverted.
"Oh? Name your prize then."
"One night."
"Huh? What do you mean." Torak frowned.
"Promise me one night with her." Reggie repeated himself.
"Hahaha! You're a bold man! Very well! If she's as much of a beauty as you claim, then maybe I can give you a night with her after I'm done."
"Thank you chief!" Reggie couldn't hide his excitement; he stood up and went back to get Nolan.
A moment later he came back in with Nolan. As soon as Torak laid eyes on her, he was flustered and his breath quickened. He threw off the maid on his lap and abruptly stood up, heading straight to Nolan like a crazed fanatic.
Without touching her, he slowly circled and inspected Nolan like she was a piece of art.
"Perfect! Absolutely perfect!! Such beauty actually exists!! Hahaha!"
Torak was like a madman at this point. Even Reggie looked at him like he was crazy.
"Uhm...Sir, are you the village chief?"
Nolan suddenly spoke up. Surprising both Reggie and Torak, this little girl was so quiet the whole time that they forgot she could even speak.
(Author's note: Lol sorry for the long chapter. I got so engrossed in the writing that I forgot to keep up with my word count. I appreciate the support ^-^. Chapter 6 coming soon.)