The Pioneer Church isn't truly a church by strict definition—they don't worship any god.

In the Crystal World's current understanding, no beings exist at the god level. Only false gods and demigods roam, with the Goddess of Creation, Gloria, as the sole true deity.

Yet they follow the creed of positive energy, embodying the knightly virtues: humility, honesty, compassion, valor, justice, sacrifice, honor, and spirit.

This positive energy is, essentially, the Holy Light.

The church calls itself the Pioneer Church—not the Holy Light Church—due to its founding purpose.

They are humanity's pioneers, the vanguard against chaotic evil creatures from the negative energy faction. They also serve as the most trusted envoys to Light faction races sharing this positive energy.

As the saying goes: if you can't trust the Pioneer Church, no one in this world is trustworthy.

Wielding the Holy Light demands adherence to those eight virtues. An evil-hearted person cannot use high-tier Holy Light. For the church's leaders, such power is a basic requirement.

This human army includes their "Holy Son"—at minimum, a high-tier Holy Light user. I must be cautious.

He's likely just a young lad. His experience can't match mine. But he is the Holy Son, accompanied by a thirty-first-ranked Champion and other strong fighters.

If sneaky veterans lurk, waiting to ambush me when I slip up, I might suffer an unexpected defeat. That'd be embarrassing.

I'm old—or rather, I've lived quite long. My personal strength has nearly peaked. Advancing further is incredibly difficult.

But if I can't grow stronger myself, why not boost loyal forces?

That's one reason I collect maids... though my personal quirks matter more.

"Dark Lord, what's your plan?" Ona pressed close to me, glancing at the distant army. She rubbed her chest against me affectionately.

"Take down the leaders first," I shrugged. "Beat that so-called Holy Son and Champion. Make them realize they can't take my head. I won't rout all three hundred thousand troops."

I glanced at Lily beside me as I spoke.

Champion versus Overlord is general versus general. Units like tanks, floating warships, or dragon knights trouble even a Duke—let alone an Overlord.

But it's far from simple.

Demon Race Dukes have lived centuries. They're powerful, with deep reserves. Human Champions are young. They may wield strong gear, but as short-lived beings, their training time is limited.

Even if raw power matches, their stamina and experience fall far short.

So Champions always bring companions and support troops—to protect them until the final clash with the enemy commander.

Otherwise, if subordinates drain the Champion before the fight, resistance is pointless.

Both sides have similar health bars—a knife to the heart kills either. But the Overlord's stamina and mana pools are ten times larger. It's a frustrating truth.

Still, if the Champion falls, others lose all reason to fight. No one defeats an Overlord.

That's why the human army fled silently after I repelled the Champion last time.

They knew they were cannon fodder—meant to clear my path for the Champion. They could never kill me, the general.

"Wuluwu, how's the reconnaissance?" I stood on a hilltop, watching the advancing army, and called to her nearby.

Glowing magic circles swirled around Wuluwu. She concentrated intently, channeling spells to scry on the humans.

I can use magic well, but I brought Wuluwu for a reason. Her skill likely rivals mine now.

Her magical talent is genuinely exceptional.

"...I sensed multiple strong presences. It doesn't match Cecilia's report," Wuluwu replied after a pause. She sighed in relief. The circles dissipated, and she turned to me.

"Multiple? Can you confirm how many?"

"...No. The distance is too great. They're using joint spells to block perception. I can't get exact numbers—but there are more than Cecilia reported." She blinked.

"Hmph... as expected," I snorted. "Many lurk in that army, ready to ambush me. Charging in blindly? I'd barely escape unscathed."

I stroked my chin, pondering.

"Can't rush in foolishly to find them... Handle the other forces first. Then chat with that Holy Son and Champion."

I muttered, grinning wickedly at the mixed troop formations below.

"Got it. Let's play it this way first."

I smirked. Beside me, Lily shivered involuntarily.