Established Pinnacle: The Enigma

"And that's not all. Each demon above the rankless hierarchy has their own unit they command. This is also a law of『Hell』that has been circulating over and over again, ever since ancient times.

"A Demon Lord... has a Division of at least fifty thousand demons. Within, there could be a few Demon Chiefs (Saints), a couple of High-ranked Demons (Legends) and tens of Low-ranked Demons (Epics). Let alone the Demonic creatures and Demonic critters that are under them.

"Just a Company alone is enough to give us trouble. Because it has a Demon Chief (Saint), six High-ranked Demons (Legends) and ten Low-ranked Demons (Epics), as well as thousands of Demonic creatures. Something we, who just recently started out lack." She concluded her words with an exasperated sigh.

Her words, led everyone to have ugly expression as silence descended among them for the nth time. She said "just a Company", meaning that there might be even more Companies or higher units mixed in.

Just one was already enough to terrorize this place. After all, the number of Great masters were less than five, while Grand masters were only two. There was no other Epic either than Kuma and no other Legend either than Ali.

Plus, demons grew up fighting most of the time, meaning that their battle power was higher than those of the same rank. Be it military size, might or numbers, the other side wiped the floor with them.

"But sister, our sqaud only had Apprentice combatants, maybe an Adept as a leader, how could they injure a Demon Lord to such an extent? At least, so much that they could pull off a chunk of their flesh or whatever that thing is." Nuu, the smart one among the sisters, frowned as she realised a problem with Lulu's earlier conclusion.

True, a demon lord was a terrifying existence at the Half Deity level. Their might alone was almost tens of millions of times stronger than Apprentice or Adept combatants. Even if they were millions of them, it still didn't change a thing.

So how could such a group of people damage a demon lord to such an extent? Plus, why would the demon lord leave the piece of evidence right there on the open? It's either they were looking down on this place too much or, there was much more to the picture than what Lulu had guessed.

Maybe that horn, was left there deliberately to scare them. Then the conclusion changes if that was so, the possibilities increase by more than twofold.

It's either, a real demon lord appeared, and just left I there coincidentally, and decided that picking after themself was useless.

Or... it could also imply that the attackers were much weaker beings, who left the fragment there, to scare them into thinking that a real demon lord attacked.

There were both flaws and cons for both possibilities, as well as the one that Lulu thought of. But Nuu dud not want to delve deeper into that right now.

She thus suggested her thoughts everyone, who seemed to agree with her hypothesis. Even Lulu agreed, but she still kept her caution regardless if dhich possibility it was.

"This thing is a horn. And it's most likely that a third party was involved. I'm not sure of the details, but Ali, Kuma, I'd like you two to accompany me outside as we investigate.

Perhaps we can dig up more information, if we lucky enough." Lulu shook her head, but her eyes were also not sure of her own words. Bit whatever the case, she was the pillar right now.

"What if it's a trap? Big dister, sir Ali, sister Kuma, be careful. I feel like there's more to this, compared to what we are thinking." Nuu warned sternly as she looked intently at her sister, Lulu.

They all knew how her life force was depreciating, draining her divine power down with it. She might not be stronger than any of the new gods that got promoted immediately.

"Don't worry. I'll be careful, thank you. Ali, Kuma, please, let's go." Lulu rubbed Nuu's head affectionately,  as she consoled her gently. She then sternly looked at the father-daughter pair and invited them to join her.

"Roger." Ali responded valiantly. His dog ears slightly twitching in excitement. He was never a man to fear backing out of a threat. Especially if it was to protect his family.

"Hm."

Kuma also nodded her head at Lulu. Her tail slightly waving left to right in excitement. Beastmen had one drawback, they were all battle freaks or had too much excess energy to spare.

Thus the duo's response was rather normal.

"Nuu, I want you to pull back each and every team we sent out to scout or collect food and resources. Times of peace seem to be inching away from us. And take care of the place while we are gone too."

Lulu ordered her smart little sister, before turning to the other two. Nuu might be a bit too paranoid at times, but her awareness and insight were top notch. She was trustworthy.

"Yes, ma'am." Nuu sternly nodded her head as she agreed. She wasn't going to let the demons have it their way either. Not when everything was going so well for them.

"Night, please contact Lord Enigma and let him know about these news. Perhaps he might know a thing or two about what is actually going on. And please, try to contact your sister again. It's been over a month now." She then commanded Night sternly.

Her latter statement though, was laced with worry and exasperation. She knew Noelle wasn't dead, but her being not here was not a good thing at all. Look now.

"I'll do so immediately." Night nodded and prepared to leave and enter the sacred praying grounds. Noelle was being a problem again, and it was not good.

"Neon, rally up anyone who can fight and increase the intensity of their training. Also, hire more soldiers and warriors, start a foundation for an army. Though it's too late, and we lack a lot of resources, we can't just idle around." Lulu then gave her last sister a gentle look and calmly gave her instructions.

"I've already planned that out, just that I never had the time to start up on it." Neon shrugged her shoulders as she responded. She was the closest to becoming a Great master, one inch behind Noelle in terms of determination as well.

"And one more thing, all of you, don't spread this news around, lest I'm mistake or we cause discord and chaos within the village. Until Lord Enigma arrives, absolutely, do, not, spread, the news. Is that clear?" Lulu turned to everyone before they left, gave out her final order sternly with squinted eyes.

" " " CLEAR!!! " " "

The whole group loudly responded at the same time, before finally spreading out to do as they were instructed. Time was ticking, time never waited for anybody at all.

• • • • •

Middle Realm

Green Continent, World Forest

Enigma was 'carefully' escorted throughout the relatively small settlement of what the system calls dark elves. Sure, he knew what elves were and what they looked like.

But the ones that took him in were a bit unique. They had tanned skin, busty figures, slim physiques, black hair and long ears. All a western dark elf should have.

But these one's had dark membrane wings on their back, black tattoos inscribed all over their barely covered bodies as well as being pupiless. They looked nothing like western dark elves alright.

"Hurry it up will you?" One of the female dark elves pushed him forward using the spear in her hand. As a god, Enigma felt no pain, so he didn't complain at all.

"...."

The female dark elf, that looked like the leader of this group was surprised by his obedience. She frowned then decided to speed up without saying anything.

Seeing her take the lead, the followers decided to take the job of pushing Enigma forward instead. The reason she hurried forward was because she felt uneasy around Enigma.

Being from a Matriarchal tribe, she expected the other sex to be obedient under her pressure. But even when her race's natural aura was released, she felt as if her entire being was sinking into a bottomless abyss.

Regardless of race or gender, males weaker than her should fawn at her and those stronger than her would still be ensnared by her beauty. But she felt niether from Enigma.

Their tribe might not be too big, with a little over ten thousand nether elves, but their strength was not to be looked down. Their beauty alone matched those of the moon elves of the Elven Empire, let alone their strength.

But now, a man, someone who should be begging to be looked at by her, was not even giving her any attention. Sure, he was humble and obedient, but he opted to look down instead of any of them.