Ch.109Forest Tragedy (1)

The legion began its advance toward the World Tree.

Excluding the rear stabilization forces for regional security and southern church expansion, they numbered exactly one thousand. It seemed too few for an army that had subjugated tens of thousands of elven forces with sheer momentum. Yet when faced with them directly, no one dared to draw their sword.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Massive figures, more than twice the size of healthy adult elves, trampled through the forest. Their gleaming eyes swept the area ahead, spreading terror in all directions.

These warriors, who seemed capable of securing victory just by being unleashed on the battlefield like wild dogs, maintained strict military discipline.

“Keep your eyes forward! Any misconduct will be severely punished!”

Their master, Durin, had brought the western forces completely under the legion’s control. His red fighting spirit restrained their rampaging nature. It wasn’t dominance through cruelty or rule by force.

From the time of decline to this era of resurgence. A warrior who always stood at the front, fulfilling his duty. Devotion to the Regent was the driving force leading the army.

‘The Regent desires the ruins buried beneath the World Tree.’

‘The conquest of elves is merely a small stone on the path to achieving our grand purpose.’

‘If we fail due to personal desires, generations will curse our names.’

They could not become rogues. They wanted to gain honor under the Regent.

Just as the southern barbarians had become the core of the legion and were active on the Archangel front, the west also wanted to prove its great power and stand alongside the Regent. For now, they were merely looking in the same direction, but someday that time would come.

“Information collection is faster than expected. Records are coming in from everywhere.”

Thanks to the western warriors’ zealous mission performance, more spoils than usual were pouring in. Elven ancient books scattered throughout the region were gathering along the legion’s advance route. The quantity was so great that there weren’t enough hands to send them to the rear.

“We’ve mobilized even local elves for analysis, but it seems to take more time than expected.”

“Is the damage severe?”

“Not that. There’s plenty of material, but the timelines in the records are inconsistent, and the content is often contradictory, so we need cross-verification. Usually, the lesser angels are good at this kind of work…”

“Send a reinforcement request to the church. We should deploy more knights for rear stability.”

“I’m worried whether they can spare resources, considering the fierce battles happening at the southern border.”

Despite the confident army, Yoannina continued to point out uncomfortable issues. This was her role in this expedition. While Durin maintained focus and advanced toward the objective, the western queen identified potential stumbling blocks and continuously warned the Regent.

“If we organize mainly with lower angels and human knights, there should be enough resources.”

“Growing too large might attract the attention of the Holy Army. They have abundant reserve forces and would immediately send troops here. If localized warfare breaks out in the forest area, it might be difficult to achieve our objectives.”

The first plan to carry out the operation secretly had fallen apart. The soldiers’ enthusiasm had actually created more work. While it wasn’t a bad deal considering the resources the church would gain, a cloud loomed over the prospect of facing the massive Holy Army with small numbers.

“This might be for the better.”

War was always a series of disruptions. Things never went according to the original plan. All one could do was adapt flexibly to the flow of overflowing variables.

“Prepare for war on the eastern continent as well.”

“Y-Your Excellency?”

The guide elf who had been calmly following their conversation asked in surprise. He had been groveling to avoid war, but suddenly sparks were flying.

“Attack human settlements near the central region and induce them to send urgent reports.”

“I hope they don’t come in large numbers.”

“It would be best if they don’t come as we hope. We’ll make as many troops come as possible and ensure battles take place in the forest.”

Combat utilizing terrain features. This was the kind of warfare the demon realm had always waged against the heavenly forces with their massive military power. The western legion, which had faced angels in swamplands, could be particularly useful.

“Yoannina. I’ll entrust you with the remaining thousand monster infantry to conduct a delaying action.”

“I can’t guarantee victory, but I’ll buy as much time as possible.”

“I will enter the World Tree interior with the hero. This might actually be better for minimizing resistance.”

If the legion pushed in, the priests protecting the World Tree might perceive it as a major threat. It was better to approach them with a small number and extract the desired information.

“Anyway, with me and the hero, we can face even an Archangel, so it’s right to proceed this way.”

“I hope you obtain the sacred relic, Durin.”

“Return safely.”

The legion determined its direction and moved cohesively. Only the elves who had followed the monster infantry were in disarray.

“What is this…”

Their efforts to avoid war had ridden a strange current. The choice they made to preserve their race through humiliating submission had pushed them into an even greater fire.

The forest was destined to burn.

Regardless of demons and angels, good and evil.

#

“W-where is everyone going?”

“Weren’t we heading to the World Tree?”

The elven chieftains in Arminkerkesi were in an uproar. Having just overcome a crisis with the demons, they were now contemplating how to prove their purity to the approaching Holy Army when disaster struck.

“We surrendered all the records as demanded. Why is there talk of war now?”

“It’s His Excellency’s order. Stop complaining and take care of your own people.”

They grabbed a passing human knight and pleaded, but were callously thrown aside. The knights paid no attention to the wailing elves. They moved swiftly in response to an order delivered by a harpy.

“Plunder all settlements concentrated in the west, by eastern continent standards!”

“It’s time for spoils!”

“The war that His Excellency has arranged for us has begun, so dedicate yourselves with your whole body!”

The knights, who had been suppressed while watching the monster infantry, shouted enthusiastically. Having harbored feelings of inferiority and insecurity toward higher beings, they were determined not to miss this opportunity. Except for a few diligent volunteers who remained for rear stability, everyone rushed out of the forest with spears in hand.

“E-Eliya. Please stop them. At this rate, the entire forest will burn!”

Touching humans would be the end. Would the enraged Holy Army leave the elves alone while they waged war against demons?

Those who had opened the way for the sole reason of wanting to live would be targeted for execution as collaborators. Above all, it was a good opportunity to label those who had held the Mother World Tree faith for generations as heretics.

If they wanted to live, they had to cooperate with demons, but even that path ultimately led to war.

“What can I do? The situation is already beyond our control.”

“Eliya! Have you truly sold your soul to demons?”

“I desire the survival of our race. Is that what you say to someone who risked death to come here for that purpose?”

When Eliya, who had been serving as a bridge, shouted angrily, the chieftains fell silent. After all, she too was under the command of the demon realm’s Regent. They didn’t dare to argue, fearing they might bring great calamity by offending her.

“Gather warriors immediately and provide as much assistance as possible to the human knights.”

“So we cannot avoid war after all.”

“We must spare blood. Return to your villages immediately and evacuate everyone toward the World Tree.”

The place where the most powerful Mother Tree priests were located. Above all, it was safe because Durin and the hero, whom no one in this world would dare to oppose, were there.

“We need to survive first! How long will you hesitate?”

Their instinctive aversion to demons kept making them hesitate. But death had placed its blade at their throats, so they had no choice. The subdued chieftains left the young ones behind and hurriedly turned back toward their homeland.

“Eliya.”

Another person sought her out. It was Asha, the elven leader.

Having sent Durin off and trying to manage the elves, his expression was indescribably complex.

The demon contract engraved on his body. If the Holy Army saw this, it would serve as excellent evidence of heresy to execute all elves. Knowing this fact all too well, he was sorrowful.

The solution he had come up with after much deliberation had turned to bubbles in an instant, leaving him feeling helpless. He could only look at Eliya and utter lamentations.

“You truly…”

“I’m only thinking about the elves.”

Stride by stride. Eliya faced Asha directly.

“You may have the duty of protection, but being in the highest position of power, you must have your own concerns.”

“…”

“But I’ve lost everything, so it doesn’t matter anymore.”

Saying this, she passed by Asha. She had changed her attitude as easily as flipping her palm when faced with survival.

There was much she wanted to say, but the timing was poor.

She planned to have their unfinished reunion after the war ended.

Eliya returned to her post.

#

Duty. Duty. Duty.

The shackles that bound the legion. Suppressing instinct was a great pain.

Just as the Regent had endured everything, they too were simply persevering to follow in his footsteps.

“Prepare for war. His Excellency has permitted slaughter.”

“No need for that. We were preparing to explore the World Tree, but that’s unnecessary now.”

“He has taken care of our hearts. He had arranged everything for the future.”

The monster infantry growled with delight. They were so happy that their firmly gripped battle axes trembled.

“Advance! Advance!”

“Don’t mind the trees! We will kill more humans and obtain more spoils!”

Bwooooo-

With the horn of advance, the situation changed dramatically.