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The dark Overlord leans above a makeshift table and a very roughen up map from the closer area within a room that was designated as War Room. Well… If you can call a place which is only half a room, half missing and full of wreckage, ruined books and whatever you can find in a rampaged place.

Well… if he had known he would take this place, he would have through twice before ripping a hole in the wall as part of a distraction plan.

But right now he was frustrated as he reviewed the last few days. First he found out that he been betrayed at every single angle possible, except for his wife as far he could tell. Second once named Overlord, he had to learn that from all the things the tower had to offer, only two remained… One was the brown minion hive, the other three hives were taken, and a crystal that acted as substitute towards an artifact named the Nether heart, the center of the Overlords might.

Originally it was the tower heart, but it got blown up by the time between the third and fourth Overlord and then the forth restored it and threw it at an anti magical shield to disable it.

Also, which is less surprising for him, he had only a very small amount of forces. Originally only 10 minions. But due some exploring, guidance from Gnarl and attacking some random animals and bandits he had now 20 Brown Minions at his exposal. And all of them were working.

The Overlords first order had been to ensure that this place wouldn't collapse on his head, speak strengthen whatever remained on walls and pillars to keep the structure standing. Afterwards they could think about getting this place comfortable. He would need more troops for this anyway.

Gnarl suggested to find the Nether heart first as it was necessary for spreading the forces far and wide, especially since the Nether heart powers the transportation.

While the Dark Overlord has own means of getting to places fast, it would helpful for any ally he could gather to have a working transport system. And while Gnarl wasn't specific, here were many other benefits of getting the nether heart back… not to mention that it would be terrible if some idiot tried to do something with the Nether Heart is wasn't designed for. The place where the Tower Heart exploded in the past was still quite a messy, magic overflowed place.

One of the only good news he had on hand was that the lower section of the Tower was, while messy still in acceptable shape, with the forge being intact and the blacksmith alive… so if they come across some good materials and artifact the overlord could upgrade his equipment. Also the teleport system was in one piece. The reasons was that it was mostly ignored by the raid as nobody wanted to mess with something while inside an upside hanging town…

The tower in where the Dark Overlord, the sixth of them, resides was a hybrid of the one used by the second and third one and the one the forth used… IF one would look at the maps than the top half of the tower was a regular dark tower, the lower half is in a wide cave upside down and draws energy from below. The fifth Overlord made modifications as the central transport room used to be the throne room of the forth overlord. Why moving it all the way up and installing something inferior was beyond his understanding…

Anyway back to the matters. The Dark Overlord needs resources, life force and gold in large amounts. And all three of them are not growing in trees.

While for life force he just has to kill everything that isn't a rat or so. The rest makes him trouble. That is why he studies this map. While old, he was assured by Gnarl that it was enough up to date to determinate locations of interest in the close region.

"You called Mylord?" asks Gnarl as he walked in and the Overlord snapped "Over an hour ago! Now Gnarl! The collection of Life force: How does it work? Or more precise what is required to work?"

"I fear I don't understand my liege" told Gnarl and the Overlord sighs "Listen up! For the plans I have I need troops. Lots of troops and how much would it help if I run around and constantly collect lifeforce if I couldn't set up a system that provide a more or less steady supply of said lifeforce?"

"Oh now I understand my liege! Yes, yes I understanding now. Wonder why nobody thought of it before." Told Gnarl and moves close "Orb in Overlords gauntlet necessary. Without it the life force cannot be gathered. Not transferred into the hives."

"When we get back the Nether heart and link it with my Gauntlet, is it possible to produce more orbs? So far inferior that it only useful gathering the lifeforce?"

"Theoretically possible it is" admits Gnarl "But never tried before"

"So we have to add a magic expert into our list" mumbled the Dark Overlord before pointing to a village at the map "Does this village still exist?"

"Yes Mylord. Thought it isn't village. It is a small town but has still large activity in farming and mining"

"What are they mining?" asks the Overlord

Gnarl looked at his master and replied "Iron Mylord. But why asking?"

"Because we need Iron to outfit the Minions" was the reply "And before you object: Right now we have limited numbers of Minions and in the foreseeable future, the income of lifeforce will be a small one. So I want that every born minion got a basic set of armor and weapons to decrease the chances of it getting killed before getting or doing anything useful! We go to this town, see how we can conquer it and let it produce or purchase what we need: Gold, resources and life force!"

"I understand master!" told Gnarl "That's an excellent first step of conquering the lands. Getting a foothold with a town that will produce our most necessary needs. But how are you planning to conquer the town? You said yourself, my liege, that if we press on too early we might be wiped or the heroes might appear too soon"

"That's why I am going to explore there. Without armor and minions" told the Dark Overlord "I can see the weak points of the town and explore how I could take control. Perhaps here is a more subtle way than trying to invade the place with troops"

"M-M-Master… are you sure that is a wise decision? If you die we have to look for a seventh Overlord. And you would be the first Overlord in history to have last only a few days… not really a desirable way of being remembered"

"If you have a better plan of action, you are free to tell!" told the Dark Overlord "Else I am off and expect me to return either at the sunset or tomorrow morning. Otherwise you can expect me death"

"I understand master" told Gnarl and watches after his master has he walks out of the room, to the armory to get his armor off and heading off to the Town they discovered.

It took quite a while to reach the town, which is running by the name Direscar. It was build relative close to a mountains due the minerals there. But also due the fertile lands, a lot of fields and animal herding runs around this place.

The town itself looks unattractive. With its gloomy wooden rooftops, murky wooden walls and dirty roads, Direscar has a morbid atmosphere.

The main attraction is a monument, which was built 24 years ago and designed by dwarves. At least according to the rusting plate on the statue and having caught the current date of this place.

And he also found out that the town has two very skilled smiths and if his acknowledge and experience is right, the town should prosper very highly. However the looks of the buildings, the state of the clothes here and the fact that the lack of shops selling luxuries are telling that the economy of this place looks very bleak… also here aren't many guards, and those existing looked very nervous, as they were expecting something to come at them.

Which only begs the question: Why?

To get an answer he went to the first tavern he found. From the outside it looks horrible, dirty and unfriendly. Plastered walls and marble pillars make up most of the building's outer structure.

It's tough to see through the large, curtained windows, but the awkward silence from within can be felt outside.

As the Dark Overlord enter the tavern through the worn, metal door, he's welcomed by a layer of smoke hanging below the ceiling and a few groans. The bartender is rubbing a glass with a cloth, though it's not getting cleaner and makes no effort to acknowledge your presence.

It's as dull inside as it is on the outside. Hardwooden beams support the upper floor and the broken fans attached to them. The walls are covered in pictures of what were undoubtedly better times for this tavern. They're now more of a painful reminder of what it has turned into.

The tavern itself is almost completely abandoned. The few people inside are silent and they keep to themselves, but whoever they are, he prefers they'll leave him alone, just like he is leaving them alone. For now.

Sitting down in front of the bartender he tossed a few of the gold coins he brought along for this trip at the bartender and he put down a drink at him. After smelling at it and nibbling, noting whatever this stuff is… it wasn't good. Not strong like some other stuff he tasted but also not the worst he ever had. But if he had a list it would be close to the bottom line.

He simply sat there for a while before asking "I am new here… care to tell anything?"

"What should I tell you?" asks the barkeeper in a rough voice "Do I look like an entertainer or tour guide?"

So business is running worse than the Dark Overlord thought… which means he has to press on differently if he wishes to know thing. Especially since he wants to take over this place without spending days or even weeks to build up enough Life Force to get an army to take over. Not to mention the pain of replacing any of the idiotic minion that dies. While he didn't suffer any losses yet, it was only thanks to the fact he is pretty new in business. But still… without a proper way to farm lifeforce, he doesn't want to risk his lower numbers of forces, no matter how loyal to death and replaceable said forces were.

Drinking some more of his bad drink, the Dark Overlord turned around in his seat, eyeing the other guests… while they weren't a prime example of rich people either, their clothes are better than the ones outside. So whatever keeps them poor also hits the higher ranks in the cities society as well. From what he knows, only a few things could affect the popularity like that.

For an Epidemic the graveyard was too small for a city like that, and here wasn't a sign for a mass grave. For a catastrophe the buildings would be either newer or highly damaged. Which isn't the case. If it were taxes than he would have heard a lot of murring about them. Not to mention that the guards would be in better shape and in higher numbers to prevent trouble raising up from the people.

Which only leaves only one possible solution…

Raising his head, the Overlord asked "Do you got a bandit trouble?"

The Barkeeper stopped cleaning the glass, put it down and told "Yes! And if you value your neck, then don't bother to talk about it, leave the town as fast as possible and be gone forever! We don't like strangers! And we don't like questions! And we don't like questioning strangers"

"That was only one question" told the Overlord and drank out this terrible stuff. He didn't make a comment about this, because he was sure the barkeeper was aware of it and that he knows the barkeeper properly lack the means of getting something better, given how little he properly made since they are troubled with the bandits.

While he didn't say yes, the reaction was answer enough. As he walked out, he only wondered one thing: How to get on these Bandits and render them out as threat, while getting the cities favor. If he killed the Bandit Leader and show he really did that, then the people would be more than willing to follow his demands. Thought he cannot overtax them in the beginning but he was sure he could ask for the most pressing points: Life Force and resources. And by explaining that giving him life force, rather more living things, could help him raising a force that would defend the city, do a few more favors, then he could take over with the time.

Gnarl could possible bite him an ear out for such a "heroic" action but… What is Evil? Who decides if his action is good or evil? Shaking his head the Overlord will make a point if necessary that he is acting pragmatic. And getting a favor from the city by dealing a threat is pragmatic. Also… perhaps he can get the bandit leader doing his orders if he plays the cards right.

The only problem he has is: Where are the bandits. Unless he knows where they are hiding or when they are attacking, he cannot build up a solid strategy to deal with them. Not to mention their general strength, experience and numbers are quite necessary for him.

While he walked aimless through the streets with said thoughts, he stopped as he heard a horn sounding. At first he didn't want to pay any attention to that but then he saw the faces of anybody who happened with him on the street.

They were full of fear. Only seconds later, all people were running, retreating into their houses, locking up. Well… this means trouble for the town is coming. And the Dark Overlord was more than willing to guess WHAT this said trouble is.

He walked at the center of the town as it is the best chance finding out from where they are coming as he saw that a group of people were coming. A set of soldiers, some man guiding sheep, a large number of sheep on top of that and one man who had the best clothes he had seen so far in this run down town.

And a heavy looking, well decorated iron chain around his neck. The Overlord assumes this man was the Mayor of this town and if he was guiding so many sheep here, then perhaps… he went into the shadows of the side streets and risks a closer look at the soldiers and bingo! They had four chests with them.

It seems they got as far into a agreement with the bandits that they are paying tribute towards the oppressors, in exchange of being left alone… but looking at the towns state these tributes were quite taxing. Well… guess the taxes are draining the people. But these taxes are properly raised to get the money together for paying the bandits.

Watching the man waiting at the plaza a second group came in. At the sight of the rough unmatching clothing, the sheer difference of weapons with them, it was clear that this was the bandit group. The Overlord sneaked around to get closer and was just reaching a good hiding spot close to the bandits as he saw, who he assumes the leader. It was quite a fat guy, sitting on a horse and having a big axe attached on the back.

The Mayor bowed down and told "G-Greeting L-Lord Mintus… how was the week?"

Aha! Thought the Overlord. These bandits are coming every week… no wonder this place was at this state.

"It was quite nice! And I see you have my sheep and my gold ready as always!" laughs the fat bandit "Kator! Count!"

A very thin one who could barely hold himself up with the short sword at the back and began to check the contents of the chests and counts the sheep. Everybody was having their attention on the man doing his job, that the Overlord used the chance and sneaks behind one of the bandits at the back row, wrapping his arm around the man and covered his mouth in a quick motion and blocked off his access to air. While the man struggles, the Overlord pulled him back to his allay and let go, followed up with a punch into the stomach and slamming the head into a stone wall to knock him out before he could call for anybody. Leaning him down, close enough to know him out again if necessary, he looked over the corner and watches them.

Kator was finished by now with the sheep and called "Boss! These are only 61 sheep! Not the usual 100"

"What is the meaning of this?" asks Mintus while grabbing the handle of his axe "Are you trying to cheat us! What are we going to find out if we count the money? Would they also not our usual payment?"

Falling on the knees the major begged "Please forgive us Lord Mintus! But your tribute are taxing us more than we could effort! And your presence also drove off most of the merchants visiting us. We simply lack the means to keep up gathering the money. And for the sheep… we need simply time to regain the numbers we are used to have. We cannot pay each week 100 sheep. If you would be so kindly lower the burden you place on us, we would be able to satisfy you."

"Dear Major Mustafa… I am an reasonable man and if you have trouble, then we can simplify a solution: Sell some of your people as slaves and pay this gold to me. And as for the sheep. For every sheep you cannot deliver I demands 10 000 more gold! So next week, when I come back, you have the money you couldn't pay today AND the usual sum be ready."

"But Lord Mintus-"

"DO you understand me? Or does my man have to look for themselves for their gold and sheep?" asks the bandit leader and Major Mustafa gulped "I… I understand my lord… we will do our best."

"Good. But may the gods have mercy on you if you disappoint me once again!" told Mintus and called "Man! Get the gold and the sheep! And we take every person who happen to run over our path!"

Turning back to the Major "For this time, each person we take with us, counts as a sheep!" The bandits went and took the chests of gold and began guiding the sheep out of the town. The Overlord had heard enough and grabbed the bandit he knocked out and retreats, with the intention to return to the tower through a neat short cut he knows… not really noticing or care that the major was on his knees, hands in face and crying loudly over the worse changes he is facing.

Back in the tower called the Overlord "Gnarl! Move your butt here together with some minions! Work is to be done!"

The old Minion didn't waste any time to appear in front of his current master and asks "You called my Lord?"

Pointing to the "guest" he brought along he ordered "Hang him upside down over the Netherworld. I want that this guy understands that he will meet his doom any time, as I intergorrate him."

"Ah, Master wants to force the answers out of this human. From smell and clothing I assume a bandit. But what value could a bandit have to pull such a work?"

"Part of my plan to take over the town" told the Dark Overlord "I need him to guide me towards the hideout of his comrades"

"Ah taking over a bandit group you plan?" asks Gnarl "And use it to take over town. Very Evil Mylord, very Evil"

"And if it works out as fine as I plan, we got two good income sources of gold" smirks the Dark Overlord "One more reliable in the beginning and another constantly growing with the time"

"My liege is using practical means of evil. Very interesting. Reminds me a lot of the third and forth Overlord who had chosen the practical ends of their decisions. Thought I would have appreciated it if either of them had taken the measure to wipe out these annoying elves."

"You cannot have everything" told the Overlord while the called Minions dragged off the bandit and get on his armor.

Down in the Netherworld half of the tower, the Dark Overlord was standing in front of the bandit who was hanging upside down, with the best view what is waiting below. The evil man was sure that seeing that, the surroundings and finally his appearance would make a wonderful first impression on the bandit. He just hopes he won't be a spoilsport and spill everything out at once. He needs practice in this field after all.

A groan caught his attention and saw that the bandit was waking up. This filthy human was looking around frankly, panic written over his face "Wh-Where am I? What-What is this?! I AM IN HELL???"

"No!" told the overlord "Just on its door with me deciding if you enter or not!"

The bandit looked at the Overlord and screamed like a girl at the sight of him. "PLEAESE! DON'T KILL ME DONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLME-"

The Overlord listened for some time for these constant pleas of not killing him but then shout "SILENCE! OR BY THE NEXT BEG YOU MAKE, I PLUNG YOU DOWN INTO THE DEEPEST PART OF THE NETHERWORLD AND YOUR SOUL WILL BE FOREVER PART OF THIS WORLD, TORMENTED FOR ALL ETERNITY!"

The Bandit shut up and fair and the Overlord grabbed the Bandit on the collar, lifting him to eye high and told "I want you to guide me and my forces to the hideout of your boss and your comrades! Comply and I let you go once I am done! Lie, betray or trick me, and you spend quite some time in the torture room before I plunge you into the deeps! WHAT IS YOUR ANSWER?"

The bandit, who was no snow white in face, hair and eyes, heck even his clothes lost somehow their color, nodded weakly "I… I will bring you to our hideout! I will do whatever you want from me!"

"Good! And as reminder…" smirks the Overlord and let him fall. He cried madly until the rope stopped his movements and he hangs down with the best view of the Neitherworld. "I let you hang there some more before you are brought to the "guest" quarters! Just to ensure you understand your position!"

"Y-Y-Yes" whimpered the Bandit, not even daring to pee in fear, thought the urge was there.

Satisfied the Overlord turned around and stomped off, leaving the poor bandit alone, with minions who are laughing at the soul and making pranks. But careful that they don't kill him by accident… their master made already clear that if he falls down, any of them responsible will follow him.

Minions may be stupid and loyal to death, but this doesn't mean they are death seekers. They understood that if the Overlord throws them down, it would be a death they didn't want to befall on any of them. Even Gnarl was careful on this part as he received the same threat. Curiosity from the Overlord to ensure Gnarl wouldn't do some own agenda to undermine the Overlords plan. For whatever reason…

Some hours later the Overlord ordered to throw the Bandit into a cell and give him enough water and bread to ensure he has enough strength to guide them after a good rest. And the minions were more than eager to do that.

The Overlord later called Gnarl over and asks "Can the minions build several of these?" and shows some rough designs he had made.

After a good look Gnarl told "The minions will be able to produce this, my lord. Thought I would wait with their construction until we have a sufficient number of them as many will without doubt find their unfortunate death. And no minion had traveled down there so even if we have the blues back, these minions would be lost to us"

Nodding the Overlord told "Good! I can wait that long. And about the numbers. I am working forward a way to get at least some numbers on a regular basis."

"Of course. Your plan how to take over this dirt of a town." Told Gnarl "Other Overlords were much farther than you right now, but none of them has to face a group of heroes like you have to face, not to mention how successful they managed to render the entire town in ruins and brought of the artifacts away. Right now the Nether Heart should have been at least located which is also not the case. But regarding that I have new My liege"

"And these news are?" asks the Overlord

"The Nether Heart isn't far. In fact it must be within a few hours of footwork. If we could get it back, then the Netherworld gates could be activated once again and Gruppy, the Minion Digger were able once again to open them and the Minion Gates for your commend" replied Gnarl

The Overlord nods in acknowledging it. This means if he keeps looking he might find it but right now he went for the task on hand: Going for the bandits.

Before he could issue orders he stopped and told "While the Netherworld gates are understandable, why would it be a problem for the Minion Gates to work?"

"Because they are linked. While you might find Minion Gates anywhere, digging them takes time and we use the power of the netherworld to speed it up. While we still have the access, the power is greatly decreased. Because of this digging to any place takes far longer than it would be normally."

So after he executed with his own plan, the Overlord is forced to go for the Nether Heart to simply get things running smother. Especially as he doesn't want to start experimenting with some of his abilities and how minions react on them. This is one of the points why he wants to get on with large numbers of minions: Doing some experiments regarding how well they could handle certain aspects of their Overlord.

"Get the bandit" came finally the order "And prepare every Minion we can spare to move out. We are going to attack a bandit camp"

"Yes my liege! I will see that the troops are all ready for you to command." Told Gnarl "I hope that you slaughter many of your opponents for their life force"

"We will see about it" countered the Overlord.

The bandit was kicked out of the tower with the Overlord and his troop of Minions following him. Not even trying to do anything funny, as he got an explicit warning, with an axe blade hold under his nose, the bandit guided the troop through the forest once he was able to tell where he has to go. The walk took a few hours and had to reassure that he wasn't even close of tricking the Overlord as the question came up a few times how long it would still take.

After what seems an eternity, the bandit stopped his tracks and pointed forward. The Overlord stepped to his side and he saw that they were at the outskirt of a small village. From the looks of it, it seems that the bandits took an abounded place as their headquarters and he could hear that the bandits were having a party.

"T-This is the place… but please… please let them know I guided you there. They would kill me" told the bandit

"Don't worry" told the Overlord and shoves a blade into his brain "They will never know it."

Pulling the weapon out, he let the body fall and one of the minion was more than eager to get the life force and hold it at his master. Waving the arm with the Orb over it once, the Lifeforce was gathered and send back to the tower, ready to be converted into a new minion. Putting the blade away the Overlord ordered the minions "Stay at the backside of the houses until I call you! Then you kill as many as you can before either all of them are death on the ground or say stop. Understood"

"Yes Master!" told one of the minions and his small troop was rushing forward to take position, like their master ordered.

Once he was sure that the Minions were waiting and NOT rushing in without conscience, he stomped forward, making on purpose heavy stomps for a theatric effect. The bandits noticed that he was coming and turned to him, in wonder why somebody in such an amour was moving between them. And any who tried to stop him to demands who he was, were simply shoved off with force. His forceful walk only stopped once he stood in front of the bandit leader. The self complained Lord Mintus.

He sat with his fat body in a makeshift throne, munching on a sheep leg and waves the piece of foot at the Overlord "Who are you? And why are you daring to simply walk into my realm?"

"I should ask you, why YOU are trespassing" told the Overlord "I am the Overlord… and I demand you to kneel in front of me or die"

The bandit looked odd for a moment before laughing "Do you hear boys? This guy thinks he is the overlord!"

The others joined the laughing but the Overlord didn't react to it… he only thought they are fools who will either see the truth soon or are death before they knew what hit them.

"Don't tell stories! The last Overlord I know was killed by a group of heroes! Or are you the new one? Then you're pretty bad in controlling your lands because people we robbed would warn us about you!"

"That is a matter I am fixing" was the simple reply and the Overlord pointed his most nasty looking weapon in possession at the Bandit Leader "Now bow or you face the consequences!"

"Nice weapon" told the Bandit Leader and called "Brutus! Here is a toy for you!"

From the shadows stomped forward a mountain of man, nasty looking, surely a brute of a man and the different sets of bone which makes his armor tells that he has fought many and made an armor of it. In his left hand he wielded a large spiked club.

"If you beat Brutus, I will consider your offer "Overlord". If you die… well… I bet your armor, or rather what will be left of it, can be sold for good money. Now let's us have a spectacle of you trying to kill him with your heavy but useless armor!"

He laughed hard. So hard that he didn't see the following moments and as he was looking again, he saw that Brutus was already attacking the Overlord. Who does dodge each attack. And then he swung his weapon at the enemy but the blade only scratches the bones of the armor which annoyed the Overlord. Also what he didn't expect was that Brutus was turning around more quickly as he thought and the spiked club hits his armor and sends him flying.

Grunting in pain upon landing, the Overlord got up and mumbled something about the dents in his armor. Once being back up at his feet, he saw the club flying down on him once again and the Overlord jumps aside, and slashes at the arm, only scratching on the bones again, growling now annoyed.

Brutus swings the club around, thought the Overlord wasn't planning to keep within reach and plans his next strike… thought what he failed to expect was that somebody was sweeping his feet with a staff or something like that. With a loud crash he lands on the back, groaning and gasps as a foot planted on him. He grasp the foot and tried to lift it but it was futile.

Brutus lifts his spiked club to smash it into the Overlords head but he growled "Oh, no! You won't!" and waves the head at him. Brutus laughs at such a foolish action, and was to swing down. But stopped at his tracks halfway. Before falling down backwards with a spear in the head.

Mintus looks in terror as he saw how his Champion have fallen and the Overlord pulled out the spear and points it at the Bandit Lord

"Well? Your answer?" asks the Overlord "I give you the simple choice: I am your Master and you life. Or die trying to defy me"

Mintus winced at this clear threat. And given on how EASILY he killed his best man, he isn't taking chances. Not to mention the Overlord is said to have always and army of Minions at his disposal… and he was damm sure they were in the near.

"I… I accept your offer, My Liege" gave the bandit leader with a weak voice, knowing he can only hope to life long enough to escape this monsters wrath.

"Good! Off my throne now!" he demands and Mintus was quick to get off while the Overlord took seat and called his Minions. Why keep them hiding if he already won this battle?

The browns rushed in and surround their liege, the bandits all disturbed by the thought that they could have easily attacked them from behind while the Overlord was in the center of their attention. If a battle had been ensued, it would have become a massacre.

Especially Mintus was disturbed… if the Overlord had wished, he could just have swept in and killed them all without demanding anything. Looking at his new master, the Overlord told "Now to business"

"Y-Yes?" asks Mintus

"I am aware that you terrorize and rob the town of Direscar. This has to stop. A dead robbed town is of no use for me. Next week is the last time you will appear there but you won't take anything. You will flee at the very moment I appear and threaten you"

Gulping down the leader told "Y-Yes sire"

"Then you have one month to find new robbing grounds. After this I send each week a few minions to gather half of everything you stole. If I am not satisfied with your earnings, less or no minions return of the number I send or don't receive nothing… pray that you are either in a deep dungeon or death. Else I will hunt you down, slaughter your man and throw you into the deepest parts of the Netherworld. Is this clear?"

"Clear as water" whimpered MIntus.

The overlord continues "For now, I am satisfied with taking most of your ill gotten goods. Only leave you what I deem necessary for you to survive the next weeks"

"As Milord decides" told Mintus, gulping dryly. While it would be a giant setback for him, he would life… at least long enough to figure out if he should try to run or go with it and follow this monster of a new master.

"Guide me to where your treasure is" demands The Overlord and MIntus was quick on his feet to guide the Overlord to the largest building, in fact the only building protected in this whole village. They opened the doors and the Overlord had to hold back a whistle. It was quite impressive what they had gathered but one thing caught his attention… a large crystal ball which radiates pure power.

"The Nether heart!" declared Gnarl in their telepathic connection, thanks for the orb in his gauntlet. "Master, if you bind the Nether Heart with the help of your dark power and the Gauntlet, then we would be able to get enough energy to dig the tunnel fast enough to get a portal set up and we are able to bring the Heart back home fast"

Nodding to this, the Overlord stepped forward, placed the Gauntlet on its surface and concentrates the power into it.

The heart glowed up as it reacted with the Dark Overlords might and sparks of pure magical energy flew around for a moment before the heart darken and he removed his glove from it, satisfied as he knows that the heart is now bond to him.

A rumbling came up from the side and a small Netherworld portal opened up. Grinning he called the minions with the order to move the Nether Heart back into the tower, together with most of the treasures. Also he demanded from Mintus to know how many sheep are still alive and how much food they have in complete.

Since Mintus had no idea, he called his right hand Kantor. And from him, the Overlord learned that they are have still 70 sheeps left from their weekly takings as they ate up many of them and sold some others to very high prices back to the town.

And the Overlord decided to take of these 70 sheep 50 of them. This would ensure he gets a boost in the number of minions.

Once all the sheep and treasures were back in the tower, the Overlord told Mintus "We see us next week… don't disappoint me" and moves to the portal, returning to his tower.

Kantor looked at MIntus and asks "Boss… what will we do now?"

Biting his lip he weightings his options "This guy killed Brutus without much effort. He took most of our sheep and gold. I say we disappear and hope he never find us. But first… Direscar must bleed. As payment what he did to us!"

Back in the tower the Overlord called "Gnarl! Make sure to get the Lifeforce out of these sheep and get the new Minions ready. I am pretty sure these idiots won't wait until next week and just move out to get what they can before disappearing! And I make sure they disappear if they act like that"

"Of course master" told Gnarl and laughs "They will never know what hit them. They will fall before your might and the town, once with messing your greatness will bow before you without much hassle"

"Indeed" told the Overlord, sitting down on his throne… his first time he would fight with his army a real battle. While it is only a bandit group with their champion removed, it was the first real test if he deserved the title of Overlord. And he don't plan to fail this plan. He would be victorious and become stronger as result of the match.