by Road Warrior
“Heathens that call themselves the Order of Extinction have said those exact words. However, what do those heathens know? They are fallen people who have scattered and resorted to thieving, prostitution, and begging as they failed to predict their own fates and lost their land and crown. There is no need to take heed to a single utterance of their words.” She became a bit excited, but her words continued without faltering and with powerful strength throughout.
“If the honored lady’s thoughts are so, then I have nothing more to add,” the Vagabond King said and did not open his mouth again.
When the individual she was most careful with had turned silent, Aquiroa got the opportunity to speak her mind without any interruptions. “If Sungchul appears in this area, we’ll use everything to take care of him.”
“If killing him is impossible?” Shamal suddenly tossed out his question to which Aquiroa let out a soft laughter.
“Not that it would happen, but if that becomes the case, we must at least protect THAT from him.”
Sujin felt unease at Aquiroa’s tone.
“And that is?” When Shamal followed up with a question, Sujin’s unease hit its peak, and Aquiroa’s blunt answer confirmed her suspicions.
“Protect him. The Demon King Hesthnius Max.”
–
When dawn broke, the full might of the Demon Army that had been veiled in darkness was revealed. The devils had the numbers to envelop the horizon from end to end. The sight of hell siege engines and the gigantic towering monsters were intimidating to behold. The soldiers positioned on top of the hill began to murmur when they saw the grand army of the devils.
“Look over there, it’s a variant of Tam Tam! It looks as terrifying as it is described in ancient texts.”
“Is that the Hell Siege Engine that is their main weapon of war? It’s larger and scarier than I had imagined it.”
“There are also juvenile Sea Demons. If the babies are that huge, I can’t even grasp how large their adults are.”
The soldiers reacted with curiosity rather than fear. The morale of the allied forces commanded by Martin Breggas was so high that it could pierce the clouds. More importantly, an important mission weighed on their shoulders: the sacred mission of protecting one’s home and family.
The Army gathered under the banner represented every spare warrior from the front lines of the Demon Realm and its neighboring territories. If Harupaya Ridge were to fall, then not only Trowyn, but the territories of Storm Battlefront and the Elven Tribal Alliance of Varan-Aran which neighbored the ridge would also be in immediate danger. The Elves and Dwarves who had lived on their land for thousands of years burned with a greater sense of duty than the humans.
“Victory or death.”
Sungchul had to have heard this phrase being repeated hundreds of times as he roamed about the dwarven barracks.
A steady stream of new updates was brought by the scouts to this location. Currently, the devil that commanded the Demon Army was not the Demon King Hesthnius, but a High Devil below him known as Prontorowa. He was a commander whose rank wasn’t particularly high, being ranked 8th, but he was ancient even among the devils. He had lived for tens of thousands of years, so he was said to be a cunning devil well versed in vile black magic and military strategy.
Martin’s headquarters had determined that the devil itself was not a strong combatant, but it more than made up for it with abundant experience with commanding large-scale operations, making it an especially tricky enemy to deal with.
Sungchul was lingering around Martin’s tent; gathering all of the needed information. Prontorowa. It looks like he wasn’t there during the last attack on the Demon King’s Palace.
If this devil had been there, he couldn’t have been here. Sungchul had killed every devil in sight during that assault.
Whatever the case, the good news was that the upcoming battle on Harupaya Ridge seemed to be slightly in favor of the humans. Their numbers were a third of their opposition’s, but they held the advantageous terrain along with seasoned troop with high morale. The desires of Martin who stood as their leader were also quite high. His selfish desire to have his favored offspring hoard the merits stood out, but it was undeniable that the man desired victory overall. He personally oversaw various parts of the battle line to inspect the deployment and the state of soldiers and used a pittance from his own pockets to rile up their morale.
The civil militia led by Martin’s child also had unexpectedly high combat potential. It didn’t quite meet up to the Order of the Iron Blood Knights in their heyday, but they had a number of powerful warriors that could hope to meet up to those standards. If they were placed in the right place at the right time, they had the potential to change the flow of battle in a single moment.
It looks like Ahmuge’s prediction won’t come to pass.
Ahmuge’s predictions were something he let pass through one ear and out the other, but they couldn’t be completely ignored. Regressors tend to speak of uncertain futures, but it was undeniable that the future they had seen was one of many that could unfold. Fortunately, if the battle would continue at this rate, then Sungchul would not have to reveal himself here.
Sungchul estimated that the human faction had over a seventy percent chance of victory. Even if they did not win, they would not suffer a defeat, as the demons would have incurred a large enough casualty to make any further invasion impossible. In other words, it meant that he had no reason to step up, whether they won or lost. That is, as long as nothing exceptional happened that could cause the frontline to fall apart.
Sungchul’s unit had been dispatched toward the left flank of Harapuya ridge where it was especially dangerous. The dwarves who were skilled in mountain battle formed the main front line of the left flank, and a great many of their famous siege artillery were fielded. And to combat possible assault by air, many units of Elven bowmen were likewise deployed with the Dwarves. Sungchul was planning on giving his all as the guest mage, Ahmuge Kim, during this battle.
It should be enough if I destroy about ten Hell Siege Engines.
Firepower superiority over the left flank should be decided with that amount.
Sungchul had a light heart as he waited for the battle. He utilized the leftover time to practice Alchemy as he had always done in an effort to raise his Intuition and walked up and down the ridge with the dwarves to get familiarized with the nearby terrain.
The day of battle soon approached. A messenger from the demons came to Martin. It was a demand for surrender asking for passage through the region in return for a guarantee from the Demons that the surrounding regions will not be harmed. And as a bonus, the Demons offered to impart their knowledge of magic. Martin refused the offer without hesitation and prepared for battle. The Commander of each division relayed orders to prepare for battle.
The Defensive Unit of Kaal Bomba that Sungchul was affiliated with began to inspect their weapon and armor before standing along the battle line. Demons nearing a hundred thousand stood before them.
“There is a disgusting amount of them.”
“It looks like there are more here than yesterday, or am I just seeing things?”
“It’s a good thing that there are more demons to kill.”
The dwarves swapped light-hearted jokes as they put the final touches to their oversized crossbows and axes.
The Elven archers stood behind the Dwarven axemen. In contrast to the noisy dwarves, they calmly stood their ground and gauged the strength and direction of the wind with their fingertips. The thundering voice of the Commander rang out in the distance. He was far away and on a different elevation making it difficult to understand what he was saying, but people knew that the voice belonged to the head commander of the allied forces, Martin Breggas.
Martin Breggas, who stood in flashy armor behind the banner of a winged skull, looked over his subordinates and began a speech to raise their spirits. It wasn’t clear whether the speech had actually managed to raise their morale,
but it at least appeared so on the outside.
The sound of the horn flute of the demons came next.
“Prepare for battle!”
The commands of the non-commissioned officers rang out in every direction with a slight delay.
THUD
The dwarven axes moved in perfect order to form an axe-shield wall.
As expected of veteran soldiers polished through a hundred battles on the Demon Realm Frontlines. It would be impossible for the common demon to break through.
Sungchul turned his gaze to look toward the commander situated below. The central unit that Martin was commanding was mainly composed of humans, and they were the core force of the allied forces made up of powerful mages experienced in battles big and small and veteran mercenaries hired from various regions. Behind Martin was his son, Parlim Dargott. The powerful Trowyn Civil Militia he commanded was holding the ground as reserve forces. The central unit was the most powerful among the entire army.
The most concerning region was the right wing held by the Order of the Iron Blood Knights. They formed a defensive barrier composed of two unique fortresses said to have been made by taking apart ancient artifacts, but the ranks of the Order of the Iron Blood Knights were greatly diminished, and their morale had hit rock bottom. Sungchul held a great deal of suspicion regarding that topic.
Martin’s personality was the worst, but he is a man of great ability. Why did that man leave such an important flank to that husk of a group?
The way Sungchul saw it, it was only a matter of time before the Order of the Iron Blood Knights crumbled. They would endure until the end, but that would be just that. A story regarding Martin suddenly appeared in Sungchul’s mind.
Could it be? Did that bastard dispatch the Order of the Iron Blood Knights to their graves on purpose?
The blades of the spears held by the civil militia of Trowyn glistened in the sunlight as they stood behind the central unit. It was at this moment that Martin’s intentions connected clearly in Sungchul’s mind. He could feel a familiar feeling of revulsion in his stomach.
To use them as stepping stones even during a battle with the survival of humanity on the line.
It wasn’t only Martin Breggas. Those that held their vested interest in this land with a death grip had made a choice no different than Martin.
Sungchul did not detest avarice or self-interest. Instead, he believed that avarice and self-interest were the driving force of progress. It was just that those with power in Other World exceeded the bounds of greed. They had forsaken their duties and had repeatedly chosen options that benefited them. They didn’t care how many died in the process. These were people who would offer up the entire world for their own security.
“…”
Sungchul’s hatred of humanity that he had forgotten about began to bubble back up from the depth of his heart. He now had to question whether he should participate in the battle since the ones who would benefit the most from the battle would be Martin and his child. The faces of Sophia, who had been abandoned by her own father, and Elijah, who would live out the rest of his life in eternal suffering, entered his mind.
It was at that moment.
“What are you standing there frozen for, human friend?”
The dwarves including Kaal Bomba had surrounded Sungchul at one point.
“He couldn’t be stricken by fear, is he?”
“…”
“Well, there is no way someone of your calibre is scared, but an army of that size is enough to make one freeze, but don’t be so concerned.”
The dwarves marched forward past Sungchul. “This land is our land and home. We will definitely protect this place with our blood and life.”
The reserved elves bowed toward Sungchul and followed after the dwarves. Sound of the horn flutes of the demons rang out toward the skies, and the Hell Siege Engine began to pour out fire. The battle had finally begun.
Sungchul calmed his momentarily turbulent heart as he stood beneath the banner that was fluttering in the strong gale flowing along the top of the mountain’s high points.
That’s right. I’m not fighting for my own benefit.
Nausea and revulsion still swirled in his mouth, but Sungchul shrugged off those emotions and stepped confidently onto the battlefield.
“Bertelgia.”
“Yes!”
“I’ll leave the counting of Meteors to you once more.”
“Can’t you just fight with the hammer?”
“I can’t.”
Soon, meteors began to fall from the sky and mercilessly struck the Hell Siege Engines spewing green flames. Five of the Hell Siege Engines broke apart in moments due to Sungchul’s Meteor.
Cheers echoed from every direction, and the dwarven siege weapons spat out flames in response. The firepower superiority of the left flank was being firmly grasped by the dwarves. Everything was proceeding smoothly.
As Sungchul thought this, there were some unexpected movements from the right flank of the battlefield.
“It is now. My brothers. Let us deal proper punishment toward the traitors that turned their backs on us.”
The tip of the spears held by the Order of the Iron Blood Knights toward the direction of the demon army suddenly reversed. They were now faced toward none other than the army commanded by Martin Breggas.
***
Martin Breggas was struck the hardest by the betrayal of the Order of the Iron Blood Knights.
Sungtek Jo, did you finally go mad?
Strategies that had been planned out with his heart and soul collapsed in a single moment. Putting aside Parlim’s glorious debut, he couldn’t even guarantee the victory. Martin trembled as he watched the tide of battle.
The Mobile Fortresses that the Order of the Iron Blood Knights boasted of were busily circling their eight massive legs toward his direction. The cannons that were densely packed onto the front face of the fortress were now facing his way.
“Fire!”
Dozens of cannons fired explosive shots at the same time toward the center unit when the officers shouted out the command. All that remained after the chaotic bombardment were countless corpses and the moaning of the injured.
Then the Devil Army joined forces with the Order and broke through the right flank to head toward the side face of the center unit at a rapid pace. There was a face that Martin recognized well at the head of the charge.
“Martin Breggas! You fucking mutt! This will be your grave today!”
Knight-Captain of the Order of the Iron Blood Knights, Sungtek Jo. He stood at the head and was charging in this direction with the knights and the devils. Martin’s thoughts momentarily went blank as he witnessed this scene. His thought process only managed to resume at the urgent cry of his advisor’s voice. “Lord Marquis! A command! Give us a command!”
Martin kept the embarrassment of his momentary lapse in thought to himself before giving out a short command. “We face them. Give the command to the Civil Militia of Trowyn. Tell them to punish those fucking traitors appropriately.”
The Civil Militia of Trowyn lead by Parlim Dargott began to move. Their imposing armor and blade shone in the light as they marched toward the traitors.
Sungtek, who noticed this, was livid. “Good! It’s the unit led by that son of a bitch’s child!”
The spirit of the Order of the Iron Blood Knights burned as if on fire. Sungtek swung his blade as he rode on his large black steed. One young militia member raised his sword confidently to meet Sungtek’s blow. The victor was quickly decided after they crossed swords a few times.
“Kuwaaak!” The young militiaman bled out as he fell.
Sungtek snagged the fallen militia’s body with a single arm, quickly slit his throat, and raised his body into the air. “This will be the future of you bastards!”
Sungtek held the head that was dripping with blood in the air while the winged devils behind him flew past. They were the Balroqs wielding a flaming whip and sword. The morale of the ci
vil militia plummeted when the very symbol of the demon army’s might, the high rank devils, appeared. Their formation broke as they began to scatter.
“Everyone. Everyone, calm yourselves! Please put your faith in me and follow me into battle!”
Parlim calmly tried to reassure his men, but they were a fresh unit without military tradition or history. It would have been different if the battle was in their favor, but their limitations were fully revealed as their current circumstances quickly grew dire. The civil militia ran away as the Balroqs approached with the Order of the Iron Blood Knights. Martin, who saw this spectacle, began to rack his brains with his mouth clenched shut.
I-I think there might be a way to turn this around… but the civil militia that I raised with such painstaking effort might suffer grave losses, and Parlim might not even be able to ascend the ranks. That’s not profitable. In any case, this loss wasn’t even due to my mistake.
Martin took in the sight of Sungtek letting out a bellow in the distant battlefield with his faded blue eyes. He clenched his hand into a fist.
It can’t be helped.
Martin looked around his surroundings and spoke with a pained voice. “We give up Harupaya Ridge.”
It was a response that the commanders could not believe. The entirety of the Order of the Iron Blood Knights might have betrayed them, and the civil militia might have fallen, but for the man that held the duty of protecting the Demon Realm Battlefront to renounce that duty once it became disadvantageous was despicable conduct that couldn’t be believed even as they witnessed it.
A few commanders who had a stronger sense of duty spoke their honest opinions.
“If you back from here now, even the Lord Marquis’ territory will be devastated.”
“If we turn away here, the northern territories will fall to the hands of the devils.”
“We still hold the advantage on the left flank. There is still an opportunity to turn the tide.”
However, Martin wasn’t listening. He had no desire to. “If you people want to defend this place so badly, you all are welcome to do so.”