Reincarnated with a Military System in Another World

231  Adjusting Strategy

The Demon Lord sat alone in his grand throne room, the silence of the massive chamber broken only by the distant sound of thunder rolling across the darkened skies. His towering figure seemed almost statue-like, draped in black armor that shimmered faintly in the dim torchlight. His crimson eyes glowed softly, fixed on the jagged stone floor, lost in thought.

He had no generals to consult, no assistants to rely on. The recent failures of his forces and the growing strength of the coalition had driven him to eliminate even those who once served him. They had proven inadequate—disposable. Now, he preferred solitude, where no voices could distract him from his dark machinations.

The memory of his encounter with the humans resurfaced in his mind. Eldoria had been a simple conquest—a display of his overwhelming power. Yet the coalition's response had been troubling. Their unconventional weapons and machines were unlike anything he had ever faced. The humans' reliance on technology, rather than magic, introduced an unpredictable element to their tactics.

He clenched his fist, recalling the loud, rapid bursts of their firearms and the thunderous explosions of their artillery. Their weapons were versatile, able to attack from great distances or at close range, and they did not rely on the aether flows of the world. This made them difficult to counter. More troubling were their machines of war—their tanks, which rumbled across battlefields like metallic beasts, and their aircraft, which dominated the skies with an ease that unsettled even him.

The Demon Lord rose from his throne and approached a massive window carved into the side of the chamber. The view overlooked his desolate domain—a land of swirling black clouds and jagged peaks. He gazed into the stormy sky, his thoughts turning to the humans' aerial superiority. Their flying machines, untethered by magic, could rain destruction from above while remaining out of reach.

"They've taken the skies," he muttered, his deep voice resonating in the empty room. "And with it, they've gained an advantage I cannot ignore."

He thought of the coalitions' tactics. These machines worked in perfect harmony with their ground forces. The soldiers advanced under cover from the skies, and their mobility made them nearly impossible to pin down. If his forces were to face such an assault again, even his magic might not be enough to counter their unpredictable maneuvers.

Returning to his throne, the Demon Lord's mind began to churn. His reliance on brute force alone had been his strength for centuries, but now it was clear that such power was no longer enough.

"They've adapted. So must I."

He began forming a plan, one that would account for the humans' technological ingenuity and the coalition's combined strength. First, he would need to understand their weapons and machines more thoroughly. Their mechanisms and functions were a mystery to him, and that made them dangerous. He needed to learn how they worked, what powered them, and—most importantly—how to disrupt them. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

This realization led to a second thought. His magic had been his greatest weapon, but against the humans, it had proven less effective. Their firearms fired too quickly for his shields to block completely, and their machines were unaffected by his curses. Perhaps he could develop spells specifically designed to counter their technology—spells that could jam their machines, disable their weapons, or disrupt their communication.

The Demon Lord's thoughts shifted to the coalition itself. Humans, elves, dwarves, and other species—working together. It was a fragile unity, born of desperation, and he knew such alliances were often riddled with mistrust and internal conflict. If he could find a way to exploit those fractures, he might weaken them from within.

"Their unity is their strength," he said to himself, his voice low and menacing. "But it is also their weakness."

He would need to gather information. Spies were unnecessary; his dark magic could grant him visions of the coalition's movements, revealing their plans and their weaknesses. If he could strike at key leaders or disrupt their supply chains, he might throw their forces into chaos.

The Demon Lord stood and began pacing the chamber, his heavy footsteps echoing in the vast space. His plan began to take shape, but it would require time. He could not afford to rush into another battle unprepared.

First, he would enhance his forces. If the humans had their machines, he would create his own countermeasures. Winged creatures infused with dark magic could patrol the skies and engage the humans' aircraft. Beasts of immense size and strength could tear through their armored vehicles. These creations would need to be faster, stronger, and more cunning than anything he had unleashed before.

Second, he would spread fear. The coalition's morale was fragile; their hope was a thin veneer over their deep-seated fears. He would strike in ways that reminded them of his power—not through open war, but through calculated acts of destruction that would sow terror in their hearts.

Finally, he would wait for the right moment. The coalition would grow complacent if he disappeared for too long, believing they had gained the upper hand. It was then that he would strike, with a force they could not anticipate.

The Demon Lord raised his hand, summoning a swirling orb of dark energy. Within its depths, he glimpsed a vision of the battlefield—a clash between his forces and the coalition. The humans' machines roared, their weapons blazed, and their soldiers advanced with determination. But his creations—winged demons, hulking beasts, and spellbound warriors—met them with equal ferocity. The skies burned, the ground quaked, and the air was thick with the sounds of war.

The vision faded, leaving the Demon Lord staring into the orb. His lips curled into a grim smile.

"They will not be ready for what I have planned."

The storm outside intensified, lightning illuminating the jagged peaks of his domain. The Demon Lord returned to his throne, his thoughts as turbulent as the tempest. He knew the road ahead would not be easy, but the challenge only fueled his resolve.

"They think their machines make them invincible. They think their alliance makes them unstoppable. They will learn the folly of their arrogance."

The castle trembled as thunder rolled across the land, a fitting backdrop to the Demon Lord's contemplation. He sat in silence, his crimson eyes glowing brighter, his plans set into motion. The coalition had won a reprieve, but it was only temporary.

The war was far from over.