Ch.105East (2)

San Mariano Cathedral.

The ruins where the first human challenged Durin when he set foot in the human realm.

Now considered little more than an unremarkable scar of war with only traces remaining, but within the Dark Order, its evaluation was quite different.

“That deceased one was the leader of the order before the Saint consumed it. He was an old man who had early on awakened to the truth of death and conducted research, but sadly, he was brought down by other believers blinded by vengeance against the heavens.”

Information that had been hushed within Lucretia’s dominated order was now gradually emerging into the world. As the will to revive memories of the previous era that worshipped the God of Death and restore the essence of religion strengthened, the importance of San Mariano Cathedral, where he had resided, naturally increased.

Durin, who had taken the power of sacred artifacts, showed particularly strong interest. After handling all expedition force-related duties during daylight hours, he would always visit the cathedral’s underground. The space, still imbued with the Creator God’s power, housed various materials.

“Still, it seems he never abandoned the doctrine until the end. He organized information about the forgotten goddess and the ancient demons who followed her in a way easily understandable from a human perspective.”

“It would be good to add this to the new scripture.”

“Moreover, it’s sufficient to serve as educational material for us fallen angels. To think such a brilliant talent existed…”

Ursael smiled bitterly with regret. If the previous Demon King had not fled to the human realm, and if the deceased had continued his research during his lifetime, the religion could have developed further. Though not enough to stand against the heavens, the goddess’s existence would not have been completely buried as it is now, but would have been passed down by a few.

“Regret is not something to dwell on, Ursael.”

“I keep that in mind, Your Excellency.”

“Besides, had fate not twisted the paths of the hero and Lucretia, we would never have had to emerge into the demon realm like this.”

“That is also true, sir.”

“Whatever comes our way, we just need to overcome it. The demon realm has always been this way and will remain unchanged in the future.”

“I shall follow, my master.”

Durin received Ursael’s worship.

The surrounding fallen angels also knelt in admiration. Only the human clergy couldn’t quite join the atmosphere. After awkwardly glancing around, they followed the fallen angels in worship. This was one of the things the Regent hated most. There was barely enough time to work for the demon realm as it was.

“Stop this useless display and continue working on the demon realm scripture.”

“As you command, Your Excellency.”

Fortunately, the cringeworthy atmosphere ended. As Ursael led the group of clergy to begin work on the scripture, the mood became solemn once again.

How to make the Dark Order even greater.

The power of the order was crucial. They increased human resources by acquiring prisoners from the battlefield through Chaphir’s nomadic cavalry. Since the heavens had been overwhelming them with numbers until now, they also needed large numbers to match. Above all, with many veteran soldiers and knights from the Crusaders, they would be useful forces on the battlefield after undergoing mental reconditioning.

Just as Durin had continued to develop in the demon realm, military power was not an issue. With chaos on their side, they could create enough strength to withstand tens of thousands of holy warriors. If there was a problem, it was the qualitative level. To counter the opposing holy power, they needed equally pure divine power.

The sacred artifacts of Diphrine obtained after driving out Lucretia and the clergy who followed them were precious resources.

With fallen angels adding heaven-specific rituals, they had evolved in a direction that could gather more faith. The holiness manifested through actions would gather people’s hearts. If they continued to build population through war, they would surely gain the power to resist as a single force.

Of course, this alone was not enough.

A thousand years could not be overturned in just a few years. There was only one way.

Chaos.

They needed to engrave a shock on the central continent severe enough to make them lose even the power they had.

“Your Excellency! Yoannina’s eastern expedition force has arrived at its destination!”

A harpy messenger arrived with news just in time.

The low-ranking demon who burst through the door prostrated before Durin.

“Any other news from the southern border?”

“The Great Warrior has withdrawn his forces behind the defense line. The Southern Crusaders are completely annihilated. All have been absorbed into our order. However, tension is growing as the Holy Army is applying pressure.”

The situation was going according to plan.

The Holy Army that rushed down urgently, unable to suppress the chaos in the center.

Chaphir who preserved his forces intact, and Verdia who built solid defense lines to fight against holy power.

Finally, Yoannina who took measures to extend their grasp to the eastern continent.

“Then I shall go to Ludmila.”

“Are you departing for battle, sir?”

“I need to find a sacred artifact hidden in the eastern continent.”

In response to Ursael’s question, Durin turned his head to look at the map engraved on one wall.

The eastern continent covered in forests. A point marked somewhere there indicated the location of the sacred artifact. Time created as the front line temporarily fell into a stalemate.

It was time to invest that precious resource.

#

The expedition force was stirring.

Supreme Commander Durin had finally made an appearance. Since the Northern Great Warrior had been the only commander leading the forces for two months, they had been enjoying a strange stability. Seeing the growing cathedrals and power of the order, one might have mistaken it for a time of peace.

To those humans who had settled in place, Durin gave a wake-up call.

The fact that war was being waged in the outside world. Countless lives had been lost, so this was an era where absolute safety could not be discussed.

“His Excellency is coming!”

Buuuuu-

The horn sounded long. People gathered.

With the signal to depart, some of the southern forces, called the expedition’s elite, made way. At their head, Demon Realm Regent Durin strode with majestic steps.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

Disciplined steel boots struck the ground. Halberd infantry armed with heavy armor were first.

Grrrr….

A beast cavalry unit specially trained in the central region, not the north, followed.

Though smaller than those raised in cold lands, their fierce eyes made humans’ hearts shudder.

“His Excellency will bring victory again!”

“Mock those heavens! They still haven’t come to their senses!”

Though only two thousand in strength, one being added to the threat. A black-armored knight carrying a greatsword on his shoulder made it seem like nothing could resist against the world.

While demons showed firm trust, humans were transforming their fear of the heavens into worship. A warrior sent by god. The strange angels with black wings said he was a child of the god who brings the peace of death.

They explained it was the march of a successor who had been pushed out of heaven, not a demon.

“Please save us…”

“We don’t want to experience any more war.”

Unlike grand ideals, humans were modest.

They didn’t dream of greatness but wished for stability. They longed for peaceful daily life away from the flames of war.

Having briefly tasted comfort as the order’s power expanded, they craved it all the more.

“Do you hear their voices? This is what faith is.”

Ursael said with a smile. A new world that demons couldn’t understand was unfolding. What was warmth to some was heat to Durin.

Like the flames of war, it was turbulent.

“So angels have handled this power for a thousand years.”

Durin looked up at the sky.

He sneered at the heavens, his lifelong enemy.

“How incompetent. Not properly utilizing that greatness.”

The end was approaching now.

The past millennium praised the greatness of light, but the coming millennium would sing of the peace of death. These humble first steps would show a myth to future generations who would follow the footprints in the darkness.

“Activate the gate.”

At Durin’s command, the gate management sorcerer manifested magical energy.

A sticky energy flowed from the makeshift warp gate. It was always voracious. It swallowed the two thousand troops in an instant.

“May you find Mother’s peace.”

Ursael’s final wish spread out. It added to the magical energy spreading like a net. It wasn’t a simple voice but a fallen angel’s prayer. It became a gentle light that settled on Durin’s hand.

The first piece of faith that appeared.

Durin looked at it quietly and then clenched his fist.

Kwaaaa-

With the sound of space being crushed, the Regent advanced to the east.

#

Human Realm Eastern Border. Expedition camp at the entrance of the Great Forest.

Yoannina’s ears twitched. She had detected the flow of enormous power. The Regent had finally moved his heavy steps. The sharpest spear in the demon realm had descended upon this land.

“I should prepare to welcome him.”

Yoannina slowly rose from her seat. As she opened the tent flap wide and went out, half-burned ashes flew before her eyes.

“Hmm…”

She closed her eyes as if enraptured. The acrid scent excited the Western Queen.

The battlefield atmosphere had once again awakened the demon’s instincts.

“Welcome, Durin. I’ve been doing some preliminary work.”

When she opened her eyes, a red sky appeared.

Was it sunset? No. It was a scene made solely of flames.

The Great Forest, called the heart of the eastern continent, was being devoured by fire. It looked like a red cliff.

Yoannina spread her arms. She smiled brightly at the dying life.

“This is war!”