140. The Path of the Monarch (2)

The Shield of Coldness.

A special unit renowned for gathering exceptionally skilled knights, even among the Royal Knights.

The vice-commander of that unit. The adjutant to the Elf High Knight, Krien.

Dragon Larwin was surveying the main camp with a serious gaze.

‘The preparations are coming along very smoothly.’

Just a few days ago, they were on the verge of annihilation due to Aquarite’s demon army and the torrential rain.

But now, the atmosphere of the Western Demon King’s army headquarters was completely different from before.

The main camp, which had been unilaterally overwhelmed by Aquarite’s demon army, was now preparing for a counterattack under Yulian’s command.

“Yunir’s blessing has reached our new Demon King~!!”

The incessant, loathsome rain continued to fall.

But a war song echoed through the heavy, humid air.

‘A familiar melody. His Majesty Lucifer used to hum it often…’

Larwin, also a Royal Knight, had many opportunities to be by Lucifer’s side with Krien.

And now, a new war song based on that melody was naturally spreading through the main camp.

‘A new Demon King, eh?’

Not only the Royal Knights but also all the soldiers of the Western Demon King’s army were excited.

Even though their lord, whom they thought would never return, had come back just a few days ago. Although it wasn’t His Majesty Lucifer, everyone was thrilled by his appearance, which was so similar that they couldn’t deny he was his son.

‘Archbishop Ruian said that he was also chosen by Yunir.’

The lyrics of the war song were not false.

Yulian von Reinhardt. The new lord of the Royal Knights was officially recognized as an Apostle of Yunir.

An Apostle is one who acts on behalf of a god’s authority.

The mere fact that Yulian was with the Western Demon King’s army greatly boosted morale.

‘It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this kind of atmosphere.’

It was comparable to the morale of the old Demon King’s army when Lucifer’s army entered the Imperial Capital of the Empire.

Just before they were about to conquer that vast empire, their morale had soared to such heights.

Even now, the circumstances were different from then.

From high-ranking commanders to low-ranking soldiers, everyone was well aware that the Demon King’s kingdom was in dire straits.

‘Just before the summons to this place, news of the fall of the southern border cities had already spread.’

The Demon King’s kingdom’s bitter enemy, Southern Caceres.

The southern army, led by that cursed Duke Pedro, had launched a large-scale offensive.

Meanwhile, the Chaotic Gate in the eastern part of the Demon King’s kingdom, Flutia, was activating an unprecedented number of demons.

It truly felt like the end times were approaching.

But even so, the great Demon King, to whom the Western Demon King’s army had been solely loyal, was absent.

Even his superior, Krien, was drinking heavily every night and falling asleep due to that terrible anxiety.

Of course, that was all before Yulian joined them here. Now it was different.

The Western Demon King’s army now had a new lord.

“Remember the name of Yulian~! The son of the great Lucifer~!!”

The voice singing the war song grew louder.

Larwin savored the lyrics.

‘His Majesty’s son. But…’

Larwin had seen it with Commander Krien.

The Aura that engulfed the area in pure white light. The ultimate technique, White Night, used by Grand Master Wilhelm of the Reinhardt Frontier.

And the young lord had perfectly recreated Wilhelm’s White Night.

‘To be a Grand Master at such a young age…’

That wasn’t all. Larwin was a dragon.

So he knew very well how great an Ancient Dragon was.

Just being an old dragon doesn’t make you an Ancient Dragon. You need a very special enlightenment or Yunir’s special recognition to reach a realm that transcends race.

‘The lord has even reached the realm of the Ancient Dragon.’

His whole body trembled.

Fear and a great sense of awe washed over him.

He was unconsciously sending new expectations and respect to him, the same as Lucifer, no, even surpassing Lucifer.

‘His Highness Yulian might be able to end even the chaos of this era. No, he certainly will…’

At that moment.

The voice singing the war song paused for a moment.

‘What’s going on?’

Larwin looked at where the soldiers’ gazes were directed.

There were several young women there. They were all beauties to the extent that everyone unconsciously turned their heads towards them.

The soldiers gathered here were full of vigor, so it wasn’t strange.

‘They are the lord’s companions.’

He didn’t know if they had seen Larwin. But since they were the lord’s companions, he bowed politely.

Of course, as a distinguished Royal Knight, he didn’t cast impure glances at the beautiful women.

‘Although they are human, they are enlightened people who have been inspired by the great lord and have left the human camp to join the demons.’

Above all, what was leading them was the platinum-blonde woman who stood out among the group.

And Larwin could see that the soldiers’ gazes were focused on that woman.

‘To think that the famous princess of the Demon King’s palace would join the lord.’

Elegant dragon horns were revealed on both sides of her platinum blonde hair. Larwin already had a wife, but apart from such impure thoughts, it was an unavoidable beauty.

That dragon was Cecilia.

She never left the Demon King’s palace, but those who had seen her face even once praised her beauty all day long. She was the princess of the Demon race.

‘It’s amazing. I heard that she failed in her contract with the Demon Archduke and passed away.’

There were many stories about that contract even in the Demon King’s palace.

The first thing Ustina, who had taken control of the Demon King’s palace, did was to purge the demons who had forced Cecilia to make a contract with the Demon Archduke.

Anyway, that rumored princess was now treated as a goddess among the soldiers.

‘Oh dear. The incarnation of the goddess is already here. That’s blasphemous.’

But from the perspective of the demons. It was true that Cecilia was too beautiful.

At the same time, she had a pure and fragile impression, so she naturally evoked a sense of protection.

‘She suits His Highness Yulian well.’

If the High Elf Remiella, who led the Western Demon King’s army, was the most beautiful woman among the elves, then Cecilia was by far the most beautiful among the dragons.

If those two became Yulian’s queens, no one would complain about their beauty.

However, Larwin was surprised again. Soon, his new lord stood side by side with Cecilia.

‘Cecilia-nim’s beauty fades when she is next to His Highness.’

As expected of the son of Lucifer, who was famous for his devilish beauty.

And the soldiers who witnessed Yulian’s appearance once again sang the war song.

“Yunir’s blessing has reached our new Demon King~! Yulian, the son of Lucifer~!!”

A moment later. Larwin, who had a blunt personality, unconsciously sang along to the war song.

---

The preparations for the counterattack were progressing steadily.

No matter how high-level the dragon-class demon was, it had been pouring rain in the vicinity for over a week. The rain was gradually weakening.

Now it was just ordinary rain, not a downpour.

‘The moment this rain stops. It’s time to launch a counterattack.’

Of course, Aquarite would use the power of the Ancient Dragon again to stop the counterattack.

But Cecilia, led by my lovers, was cooperating with the people in the main camp.

If they could neutralize that bad weather. After that, it would be a battle of skill.

“The morale of the Western Demon King’s army is higher than ever! Our counterattack will surely succeed!”

The general of the main camp. White Dragon Aitekia shouted in a vigorous voice.

The atmosphere of the other commanders was the same. Remiella, who was in charge of the commander-in-chief, also had a bright expression.

“It’s all thanks to His Highness joining us!”

And her eyes met mine. Then she unconsciously bowed her head.

But soon she raised her head again and shouted to the commanders.

“The lord has set the start of the operation for three days from now! Until then, all commanders should encourage the soldiers and make every effort to prepare for battle!”

“Understood!”

All the commanders shouted in unison at Remiella’s words.

A moment later.

The commanders left the main camp headquarters.

And four people remained in the camp.

Lucia and Remiella. Ruian, the dwarf Archbishop of the Yunir Church. The three of them continued to talk with me.

“The situation is not good.”

As much as the commanders were dismissed. This was a separate story from the previous Aitekia.

And Lucia, who had a serious look on her face. No, Yunir, who had become her, said.

“The Great Temple of the Primeval Forest. The oracle from that place doesn’t seem to be good.”

Ruian looked at Yunir and bowed his head.

“That’s right! Goddess!”

The goddess Yunir was here. So it was a bit strange to see a separate oracle.

Yunir, who was in Lucia’s body, was only an incarnation.

She had omnipotence that could not be compared to humans. But as an incarnation belonging to the earth, she could not fully exert her omnipotence as a god.

If Yunir, the incarnation, used that omnipotence carelessly. She would have to sleep for a very long time.

In order to persuade the Archduke of Wrath, who was with Ustina. Yunir had to be with me until she met him.

So Yunir ordered Archbishop Ruian. Ruian had already carried out the order.

The Primeval Forest, where a considerable amount of Yunir’s magic as a god remained.

He divined the future by borrowing Yunir’s divinity at the Great Temple there. Ruian conveyed the results.

“The Old Imperial Capital of the Lamir Empire. Most of the demonic power of the Infinite Prison, the last Chaotic Gate sealed in that place, has awakened.”

Yunir’s expression became serious at those words.

“That means Knoia’s resurrection is imminent. Yes. That child… Agnes and Lucifer’s power can no longer maintain the seal.”

My expression also hardened at those words.

I knew why my parents had passed away.

‘It’s a fact that’s not well known to the world, but…’

The Great Saint Agnes, who was directly blessed by the God of Light, Zedin. And the ruthless Demon King Lucifer, whose strength even my maternal grandfather acknowledged.

In the Great War 20 years ago, there was no one or demon who could kill them carelessly.

But even so, my parents had to sacrifice their lives.

The absolute seal they created by sacrificing their lives barely delayed Knoia’s resurrection.

“If the previous four Chaotic Gates. If those apostles are still alive, Knoia’s power will be even stronger.”

The Apostle of the Chaotic Gate.

Lamiar. And the resurrected Graiel. Duke Pedro and the apostle of Eastern Flutia.

Ruian was talking about those four apostles.

Yunir said.

“Fortunately, the apostle of the west was neutralized by Yulian here. Wilhelm should be able to handle Graiel in the north.”

“Then the problem is this Demon King’s kingdom.”

She nodded at my words.

“Two apostles are moving simultaneously in the east and south of the Demon King’s kingdom. The worst result for the Demon King’s kingdom, no, for humanity, is that the eastern and western Demon King’s army forces that are facing those two apostles are defeated individually. If those two apostles are safe and Knoia is resurrected. Even you, Yulian, can’t handle it.”

I knew exactly what she meant.

The more the power of the apostles exerts a great influence on the ground. The stronger Knoia’s resurrected power becomes.

“We have to eliminate those two apostles from the Demon King’s kingdom at all costs.”

Yunir nodded.

“But those apostles will also try to kill you. They must have noticed your existence.”

At those words, the Archbishop’s gaze turned to me.

It was not a modifier to praise the new monarch.

He seemed to have really realized it through the goddess’s words. That I was an apostle chosen by God.

The expressions of the other people were heavy.

I said calmly.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. I have no intention of dying for them.”

Yunir smiled at those words.

“Yes. You, Yulian, can do it. The task of preventing the end of this world.”

At Yunir’s words, the Archbishop quickly made the sign of the cross.

“With the goddess’s blessing with His Highness. The evil demon god will not be able to destroy us! We will prevent that end only in His Highness’s name!”

Even though the goddess’s incarnation was right in front of him. I could feel the awe from him.

I replied to Yunir.

“Even so, the Imperial Army and the Royal Knights are already moving. I asked Lilia to launch a surprise attack on the rear of the south, regardless of the outcome of the talks. The momentum of the southern army will be temporarily broken. Even if there are two apostles, it depends on what I do in the future.”

Remiella’s expression brightened at those words. Yunir smiled.

“That’s right. You, Yulian, are my apostle. I believe in you.”

And Yunir, who had finished speaking, quietly fell asleep.

A moment later.

Lucia and the Archbishop left the headquarters camp.

I decided to talk to Remiella, the commander-in-chief, again about the operation that would take place in three days.

It was an operation that had to be carried out very carefully. We had to be careful.

But it was then.

Remiella, who had been silent for a moment. She suddenly hugged me.