Naming the thirty Ogres consumed over 50,000 of Damien's Magicules.

With the remaining 14,000, on Hakurou and Akahiko's recommendations, Damien named five special talents in the village.

These were Shirayuki, skilled in medicine; Kurobei, the surviving blacksmith from the original story; Kintsume, a calculating male; Yuki, a highly learned female; and Akahime, from the same Red Ogre lineage as Akahiko and Benimaru, confident in her culinary skills.

Perhaps reflecting their natures, the extra skills these five gained after Damien's naming aligned with their talents.

[Damien]

[Magicules: 26,000 EP]

Twenty-six thousand... this was Damien's remaining Magicule count after the first wave of naming.

Less, yet not truly diminished.

"My Magicules haven't vanished. They've merely taken another form, staying by my side."

This wasn't like spending money on virtual companions. Beyond Benimaru and Souei, Shuna and Shion were genuine, charming allies.

Especially Shion, who, since becoming Damien's guard captain, stuck to him like glue.

Shuna felt a twinge of jealousy but couldn't afford to be as carefree as Shion.

As a Priestess Maiden, she not only served Damien closely but also relayed his decisions to the Ogre tribe.

After taking charge of the Ogre village, Damien began reforms.

First, he restructured the village from a mercenary-based system to one of greater self-sufficiency.

Next, he ordered the clearing of new land to expand the village's area.

Every Ogre was a humanoid excavator, even the children contributing their strength.

"The village center will be a plaza, with four zones divided in a cross pattern."

In a quaint, traditional courtyard, Damien sat under the eaves, Ogerpon... a delicate, fairy-like girl... resting on his lap.

Ogerpon curled up, nuzzling into Damien's chest, her nose gently sniffing his scent, murmuring contentedly.

"Residential zone, work zone, entertainment zone, and farming zone."

"Then, along the cross roads, set up shops to create a market street."

Damien patted Ogerpon's back, lulling her to sleep, while calmly assigning tasks.

Scribble, scribble.

Shuna meticulously recorded Damien's instructions, listening intently and occasionally asking key questions.

"Mhm, I see…"

Shion, too, was scribbling nearby.

Damien sneaked a glance at Shion's notes, finding boxes of various sizes.

As for words…

He could only say it was very Shion.

Completely illegible.

Thankfully, Shuna was there. The Ogre tribe's Priestess Maiden was brilliant, with a knack for governance.

"The residential zone is nearly complete, but isn't it a bit too large?"

Following Damien's orders, Shuna had the Ogres clear a forest for housing.

The number of houses far exceeded the tribe's needs.

With fewer than 250 members, even including the 30 away on mercenary missions, the residential zone's houses were less than half occupied.

This was impossible otherwise.

The Ogres lived in family units, totaling just over 80 households, far fewer than the number of houses.

"It's for future plans."

Damien thought of Rimuru's village in the original story, planning to emulate it by recruiting more monster races.

This would not only bring new Magicules but also lay the groundwork for establishing a nation.

To become a Demon Lord, he couldn't stand alone.

Vassals, armies, and citizens were essential.

"Your meaning is?"

"The Jura Forest isn't home to just the Ogre tribe."

Damien said, "Lizardmen, Goblins, Insect Monsters, Tengu, Orcs…"

"I need their strength."

As his subordinates, Shuna and the others could now know some of Damien's secrets.

"If we can subdue them all, even at 1%, each providing 10 Magicules, that's millions."

Shuna's face flushed as she spoke of millions, resembling a wife thrilled at her husband's million-dollar salary.

"1% is just the start."

Damien was confident his benevolent policies would increase the Magicule contribution rate.

This Magicule feedback wasn't a one-time deal.

Once they became his followers, named, or subordinates, their every improvement would grant Damien 1%–3% of their Magicule growth.

When the time came, Damien would use those Magicules to name them.

This raised their contribution from 3% to 15%.

It seemed like a loss, as Damien spent Magicules to evolve them.

But was it truly a loss?

Take the Ogre tribe: were Benimaru, Shion, and the others, at 12,000 Magicules, at their limit?

Clearly not!

They would grow stronger.

Their additional Magicules, unrelated to Damien, were returns on his investment.

Thus, with his unique skill Leader, naming wasn't wasteful but a strategic investment.

'Leader is powerful, but it has limits.'

Over time, Damien had gauged Leader's cap: 'Its limit is 1 million Magicules. Beyond that, it can't interfere.'

This wasn't surprising.

Leader was just a unique skill, not capable of infinite Magicule growth.

Fortunately, Damien could use these Magicules to strengthen his subordinates.

'As long as I spend them before hitting 1 million, Leader can keep generating Magicules.'

This cycle would elevate both Damien and his named monsters.

Thus, Damien wouldn't harm the forest's intelligent races but would offer them a better future.

'You're all my precious experience packs!'

No killing, just submission, for a steady Magicule stream... what could be more delightful?

"Let me go, Lord Damien!"

Shion eagerly volunteered. "I'll beat them all into submission!"

"I've already sent Souei and the Shadow Guard to scout."

Damien wasn't rushing to attack. "Once he returns with intel on nearby races, I'll make arrangements."

"Ugh…"

Shion pouted, itching to fight.

"Don't worry, you'll get your chance."

"Really?!"

Shion was easy to please.

The straightforward girl, much like Ogerpon, wasn't the sharpest.

***

Bonus Chapter:

100 Power Stones = 1 BC

300 Power Stones = 2 BC

500 Power Stones = 3 BC

700 Power Stones = 4 BC

1000 Power Stones = 5 BC

***

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