Ch.101The Devil’s War (1)

# The Great Holy War

Heaven responded.

Tens of thousands of angels descended from the sky, displaying beams of light that moved humans to shout in jubilation.

“Oh God!”

“You’ve finally come to save us!”

Though they should have rejoiced at receiving such boundless worship, the angels’ faces remained stern. The moment they descended, they grasped the situation. The world hidden beneath dark clouds was in a more serious state than expected.

Except for the Papal Territory, other regions were groaning under the cauldron of various heresies and wars. It was a situation where prayers to God could not be offered.

“Lord Secretary, we cannot advance like this.”

“The Archangel wishes to protect only the Papal Territory, but even that is impossible in the current situation.”

“Let’s stabilize the situation before subjugating those heretics.”

The officers unanimously agreed. The strategy itself was excessive for dealing with demons who had barely occupied the southern continent, so proceeding step by step was the right approach. Secretary Ruphiel accepted their counsel.

“Very well. First, let’s capture all the subversive elements operating near the Papal Territory. We shall establish the order written in the scriptures and further recruit warriors worthy of the Holy Knight Order.”

“As you command!”

The crusading army moved busily. The knight order took the vanguard to restore light to the human realm.

A golden cross gleamed beneath the dark clouds. The hymns of the desperate echoed in the distance, bolstering allies while simultaneously warning enemies.

Those who had betrayed must flee hastily, for God was about to look down upon the world.

“There is only one God in this world. A thousand years ago, and a thousand years hence.”

Ruphiel lowered his helmet visor. With his narrowed field of vision, he could hear distant cheers.

The Secretary strengthened his resolve, standing in for the indolent Archangel.

#

“If the central region is purified, the south will be next.”

“I am concerned whether we can withstand the angels’ fierce attack.”

The Dark Order was also quickly accepting the situation. They had reorganized to face the angels, but it wasn’t enough. Heaven had not given them time to expand by absorbing the forces previously led by the Holy Maiden.

The white wave that started from the center rapidly consumed the chaos. The speed was greater than expected, causing Durin to pull forward the time of war to an earlier date.

“It was a war that would come anyway. Governor. Give me troops, and I’ll sweep away those damned enemies.”

Chapir, the Northern Great Warrior and most aggressive figure among the expeditionary force, growled. His subordinate commanders also wore determined expressions. They welcomed the approaching flames. After the Blade Wind War had narrowed their position, they were actively seeking to recover their standing.

“We have fought angels often since ancient times, so we will skillfully return with victory.”

“You want to break through the blockade, I see.”

“We nomads don’t particularly enjoy being trapped in battle, so it can’t be helped.”

Never in the history of the demon realm had an expeditionary force possessed such cavalry—six thousand strong. Even excluding the undead cavalry of lower quality, the elite Keshik guard of the Northern Great Warriors had personally joined the battle, so they despised the tactic of being holed up in occupied territory.

“As you say, battle is inevitable. We cannot leave those crusaders alone.”

“Haha! I knew you would decide on war. I’ll prepare for immediate deployment.”

“However, the expeditionary force has not yet been fully assembled for a full-scale war. It’s too early for a hasty advance.”

Durin’s order stopped Chapir. The Northern Great Warrior immediately wore a sullen expression.

“I’ve brought this army all this way, and we’re not going to fight a decisive battle?”

“There is only one opportunity, Great Warrior. Do not forget that a wrong choice will lead the demon realm to destruction.”

As the red eyes glared, Chapir lowered his tail. He seemed to have something to say, but since Durin’s words were sound, he couldn’t offer a rebuttal and sat down.

“I understand, Governor. I will follow your will.”

Though Durin had reprimanded only the Great Warrior, his criticism was directed at all the warriors. There were those who couldn’t contain their fervor due to continued victories. While the southern forces led by Verdia remained calm, the continental forces newly joined to the expeditionary army were not. It was necessary to cool them down first.

“We have just set foot in the human realm. We have defeated the previous Demon King and established a new Dark Order. But our deficiencies remain. They can wage war many times, but we have only one card to play.”

The red eyes quickly scanned the tactical map. The primary objective that the demon realm needed to achieve to rise.

“Rudmila. We will find the sacred relic hidden in the eastern continent.”

“It’s right to regain divine power to even the odds.”

“Moving with a small elite force as before would be ideal, but there are no suitable personnel in the current situation.”

It would have been preferable for Durin to lead the southern forces forward as usual, but he was now the commander of the expeditionary force. As a commander who had to fight tens of thousands of angels, he couldn’t leave his post.

“Your Excellency, do you intend to fortify the border for the time being?”

Verdia asked. The southern forces and other units were confident, having become accustomed to defensive battles through various wars. They showed the spirit to repel any enemy.

“Then we will…”

“No. This war is not simply divided into offense and defense. It depends on who secures the necessary advantages first.”

Durin rose from his seat. All eyes gathered on him.

“From now on, we will engage in diversionary tactics to prevent their forces from gathering.”

“Diversionary tactics! Haha!”

Chapir, who had become noticeably gloomy, heated up again. It was time to finally showcase the nomads’ specialty.

“Great Warrior, go and ravage the enemies around the border. If you and the Keshik cause only chaos, I will permit your deployment. If you commit any further folly, there will be no more opportunities. Will you do it?”

“Leave it to me! Surprise attacks while avoiding the enemy’s main force are our tribe’s specialty!”

After watching the warrior who answered while pounding his chest, Durin turned his gaze to Verdia.

“The southern forces will build defensive lines until the Order stabilizes. Prepare thoroughly so that crusaders who follow the nomads cannot set foot on this land.”

“I will follow your orders!”

With Verdia also receiving his orders, only Yoannina remained.

“And me?”

“This is not a conversation to be continued here. Follow me, and I will give you the rest of your orders.”

The Governor said this and turned around. Chapir and Verdia’s gazes turned to Yoannina.

The Western Queen looked around and shrugged.

“I don’t know either. I guess I’ll find out after receiving the orders.”

With a slight chuckle, she rose.

As Yoannina followed Durin, the hall became noisy.

#

Day by day, the expeditionary force grew.

Support from human knights, not demons, increased to the point where separate units had to be formed. Those who had suffered from the eradication of heretics gathered seeking revenge, and their eagerness for battle exceeded even that of demons.

“These are soldiers who will play an active role in this war. They will be essential resources if the war turns into a war of attrition.”

Durin said, looking at the simply prepared training ground. Yoannina nodded in agreement.

“The west experienced a similar situation. We had to mobilize native lizardmen rather than demons.”

“That’s why you’re perfect for this task, Yoannina. You must lead them and deploy them to a new battlefield.”

“A new battlefield?”

Yoannina turned to Durin.

“Weren’t we avoiding a full-scale war against the crusaders? That’s the impression I got from all the orders just now.”

“There will be no head-on collision against Heaven with its superior forces. However, if things continue as they are, we will wither away, so we must create variables.”

“Variables… You mean the sacred relic in the eastern land that you mentioned to Rudmila?”

Durin affirmed the queen’s question.

“The only beings that can immediately cause confusion for Heaven are sacred relics. Those who were preparing to deal with one will be troubled when they have to face two or three or more.”

“I understand why you sent Chapir to the front line. We need to hold their attention.”

Keep the crusaders fixated on the southern continent so they can’t look elsewhere. If demon cavalry were sent to irritate them while the central fire was still burning, Heaven would have no choice but to respond. Unlike those who had nothing to lose with no second chance, Heaven had too much in hand and had to protect it all.

“Yoannina.”

“Yes, speak, Governor.”

“I will give you two thousand human knights. With the addition of warriors who have pledged allegiance to the Order, open a path to the east. Your mission will be accomplished if you bring back all means that could benefit us.”

“So I just need to open the path, not seize the sacred relic?”

“They will make the choice.”

He glared at the angels who would be fighting their own war beyond the horizon.

“The sacred relic, or subjugation for a quick end to the chaos.”

No longer defending passively. The mobile cavalry gave Durin wings.

“Even while leading tens of thousands of troops, they will ultimately concentrate on breaking through one place. If they try to secure both, they’ll have to put down what they’re holding.”

The full power of the demon realm could grab Heaven by the collar.

If they counterattacked, they would choose war even if it meant bloodshed; if they avoided and focused on securing the east, the northern cavalry would be driven straight to the center.

“A battle where we bite without hesitation when they show an opening. Isn’t that the kind of war demons do best?”

They had only been defending because they lacked strength.

This time, they would grasp the sword and aim for the enemy’s neck.