Chapter 282

Chapter 282

Otherworld Demon King Survival Guide.

Episode 282: Land War (3)

Since that day, we continued moving along the expected infiltration routes, setting up traps.

“Wow. It’s definitely convenient not having to worry about supplies.”

Even during this, the Saintess kept sending me supplies as ordered.

It was incredibly easy when they handled all the supply logistics over there, and we just received and used them.

Getting proper supplies from the stronghold made things so convenient. It was great not having to think about anything else and just focusing on combat. Yes, this was what it meant to be a lord. Until now, I had to manage everything myself. But with an estate, that was no longer necessary.

From now on, we just needed to focus on maximizing our combat effectiveness through a strict division of labor.

“Hehehe, everyone! Take a break for now!”

“Kehrk! It’s break time!”

“Kerururung!”

“Hey! Eat the snacks we brought!”

At my command, my subordinates who were working immediately put down their shovels and formed a watch. Let’s replenish fluids and calories during the break and get back to it with energy.

“You’re really preparing thoroughly. The more I see, the more impressed I am.”

“Well, of course, in war, you must prepare thoroughly. If you don’t, you lose.”

“Still, compared to other lords, the level of preparation you’re doing is visibly more. It’s not just about the war.”

Vanessa said this with a satisfied smile. Well, it was definitely better for me to take charge than leaving it to medieval-style slapdash handling.

“This is exactly the secret to victory. Anyway, Vanessa, once we’re done here, isn’t this the last spot for blocking the expected infiltration routes?”

“From what I know, yes. Unless Baron Helson plans to operate an air force like us, carve a new path through the mountains, or march through the mountains without supply wagons, just with infantry, the preparations should be done.”

That was a ridiculous scenario.

It was not worth considering.

“Buril, once this is done, we just wait for the war to start. We just have to wait.”

“Kehrk, is that so? My blood is boiling! Kerukkeruk!”

Buril’s eyes lit up at the mention of war, his excitement clear. He’s grown to enjoy war, becoming a veteran soldier.

“I want to finish this and head back to the castle to eat some fried food! Kehrk!”

“Buril… do you know what the good thing is about winning this war?”

“Kehrk? What is it?”

“It’s that we can take money.”

We’d squeeze compensation and resources out of Baron Helson—iron, cloth, weapons, armor, leather. Just thinking about it excited me.

“Money… Kehrk. My lord, I’ve always been curious about something.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t get what this ‘money’ is.”

“Money?”

“Yes. I don’t understand the value of those little metal pieces. Wouldn’t food or weapons be better? Or even big chunks of iron seem more useful.”

This guy had become a firm believer in bartering.

“It’s a bit complicated.”

Buril hadn’t grasped the importance of currency yet. But I was not equipped to give a full economics lecture here, nor was there any need right now.

“The important thing is, whether we think so or not, humanity is obsessed with money. If we take reparations, we can use that money to buy more oil and meat. What does that mean?”

“Fried food party! Kerururung!”

“Exactly! Money is a fried food party!”

“Money is great after all, Kehrk!”

Buril jumped up and executed a backflip, shouting excitedly.

“Everyone! The boss has promised us a fried food party after we win! Keruk!”

“Keryaaaaak!”

“Gyusaaaaaaa!”

The morale skyrocketed.

“Krrrk! My lord! We’ve caught some game!”

“Ah! Then let’s eat some meat and get back to work!”

Work joyfully.

But the preparations were thorough.

Baron Helson ordered the march after preparations were completed.

“Begin the march.”

“Yes, my Lord!”

The knight under his command responded loudly, and the squire next to him blew the trumpet. At the same time, the veteran soldiers shouted, and the flag bearers at the front raised the banners.

—Thud! Thud! Thud!

Baron Helson, mounted on his warhorse, moved across the soldiers to take the lead. His knights followed closely by his sides.

“Advance!”

At the baron’s command, the march began.

—Thud. Thud. Thud.

—Thud. Thud. Thud.

—Thud. Thud. Thud.

The soldiers’ gear was varied, with no real uniformity, but the bands around their helmets or hats made identification between allies and enemies clear.

“Finally, we’ll devour Baron Pakel’s territory.”

Helson felt a surge of elation. He even felt a bit grateful to the angels. Thanks to them, he could bring his long-standing rival, Baron Pakel, to his knees and take control of his domain.

“My Lord, please be cautious. I’ve heard the angels are powerful mages.”

“I know. But just because they’re powerful mages doesn’t mean they can change the entire battlefield on their own. If that were possible, the angels would have already ruled the kingdom by now.”

Helson spoke, feeling confident in his own judgment. Let’s think logically. There were angels, known to be powerful. Yet, they were still in a stalemate with humans.

In other words, if they were truly that strong, the angels would have already won.

Plus, he had prepared well. He had summoned archers, crossbowmen, and hired mages. Angels aren’t invincible. He’d heard they, too, could fall to magic, crossbows, and arrows.

And there were fewer than ten angels.

They wouldn’t influence the bigger picture.

“Increase the pace. Baron Pakel’s territory is undefended. We must storm the castle and take it in one swift attack.”

“Understood.”

They had to move as quickly as possible. Although the territory was supposedly undefended, if the enemy caught wind of their attack and issued a conscription order, it would become troublesome.

They needed to fully exploit the advantage of the surprise attack.

“Demon King! They’re here!”

The pixie who had gone on a scouting mission returned and called me.

“Hey! Pixie! How’s it looking?”

“Still nothing in sight!”

“Is that so? Good job. Go rest now.”

—Rustle.

After patting the pixie on the head, I gave the order to rest. I had already sent the pixie scouts beyond this mountain range. I had instructed them to fly back at specific intervals, so we’d know immediately when Baron Helson’s forces showed up.

No matter how fast their army was, they wouldn’t be able to keep up with the speed of the pixies.

Besides, the pixies couldn’t really do much against a large army. For now, they were best utilized as scouts.

As we waited—

—Whizz!

Another pixie flew over.

This time, it was one of the pixies sent in a completely different direction. Alright, let’s hear the report.

“Demon King! Demon King! Demon King!”

“Hey, Pixie!”

“The army is coming!”

What!

Oh, damn. Looks like they were planning to use a different route. Well, this was expected. I sent out the pixie scouting divisions in all directions to prepare for such an event.

“Which direction?”

“Over there! Ah! I’m from the 3rd division!”

If it was the 3rd division, we needed to head west.

Rally point: Point C.

“Good job, Pixie. You did excellent. We need to move quickly and get into position ahead of time.”

“Okay!”

“Everyone! It’s not this way! We need to head further west!”

“Keryaaaa! Everyone pack up quickly! Move out!”

“Keruk! Move out!”

—Shuffle!

At my command, the soldiers moved swiftly. They had undergone rigorous training under me, so they were very quick in breaking camp and preparing for the march.

—Thud. Thud. Thud!

They finished preparations in no time. Let’s hurry and get into position.

“Pixie, go back to the others and tell them to head to Point C.”

“Okay!”

“Got it!”

The pixies could fly, so they could gather the others on their own. Meanwhile, we started marching.

“So, it’s finally a real war, huh?”

“Yes. Lady Lilriel, we’re counting on your brilliance in this battle too.”

“Hahaha, just trust us fallen angels. We’ll completely crush the enemy infantry!”

“Oho, Lilriel, your confidence these days is quite something.”

“Well, I’ve finally found my purpose!”

With aerial mortars, it was no wonder she’s confident.

Anyway, we marched towards Point C, and as soon as we arrived, we began preparing for battle. Everything will go according to plan. All we need to do is wait for the enemy to arrive.

“Everyone, hide inside the fortifications and take turns resting. Make sure you’re fully rested so you can fight well when the battle starts. Got it?”

“Keruk! Understood!”

The fortifications built by the kobolds were perfect. They dug so deep that with just a little camouflage, it became impossible to tell if anyone was there.

“Alright, Sharan. Please make the surroundings dense with vegetation.”

“Sha! Got it! Lumica!”

“Yep, I’m on it.”

When Sharan and Lumica team up, the synergy is amazing. For plants to thrive, water is essential.

—Snap!

—Crack!

Immediately, Sharan began to thicken the vegetation around us.

“Sha…!”

Thus, the area started to transform into a jungle-like space, one we were all familiar with. Although only part of the area was changed, spreading out this type of terrain would greatly enhance our camouflage.

“Hehehe, come at me, Baron Helson.”

The goblin infantry, the imp grenadiers, the dark elf special forces, and the lamia jungle cavalry—everyone was waiting. Not to mention the pixies and fallen angels too.

“Hahaha, I’m so excited, Demon King.”

“Let’s show them what we’re made of, Lady Juria. Oh, by the way, that armor looks fantastic on you.”

“Doesn’t it?”

The lamias were currently wearing black-painted plate armor. It really suits them. This battle was going to be dangerous, so they were properly outfitted with protective gear.

“And they’ve got chain skirts around their lower abdomens as well. Human craftsmanship is really something. I doubt anyone could pierce this armor.”

“Exactly.”

Anyway.

The role of the lamias was extremely important this time. First, we’d use the pixies to scout the enemy formations. Then, we’d send in the lamias to create chaos where the enemy wagons and cavalry were positioned.