Ch.111Chapter 111. All-Out War Against the Demon Army (2)

Not long after clearing out the succubus and incubus troops, Naidrian joined the hero’s party along with Biscon’s main force.

Lin felt the need to have a conversation with the elf who was treating him coldly for some reason, but the urgent situation wouldn’t allow him to stay idle.

“Her Highness the Imperial Princess will return to the territory, and His Grace the Duke plans to come back to Lowellina.”

Biscon’s words meant that the main episode had now perfectly transitioned to the demon army front.

Lin had hoped they might be able to go to the Elf Forest, but he completely abandoned that expectation now.

“Sigh, this isn’t going to be easy.”

Lin muttered to himself after a long time.

His plans, which had been going relatively well until Gilles, had fallen apart starting from the Holy Nation.

The immediate problem was that he hadn’t properly developed the hero’s party.

The Holy Nation was clearly meant to be Arsil’s strengthening episode, but here, Arsil hadn’t powered up, let alone awakened her ultimate skill.

They hadn’t even visited the Elf Forest, so Naidrian’s level hadn’t improved beyond the original version.

According to Lucy, even the temporary holy sword didn’t fully obey its master, so they weren’t fully prepared.

The only character who had properly grown was Tigria.

His worries deepened, and his sighs grew heavier.

The demon army front episode featured consecutive battles against the Four Heavenly Kings, as commonly seen in other games.

In this world, the demon heroes held positions equivalent to the Four Heavenly Kings, so they would face three consecutive battles against the demon heroes.

Originally it would have been four battles, but since Ravin was no longer a demon hero, one was eliminated.

That was quite an achievement, but Lin still had a deep concern.

The consecutive battles were implemented that way due to game system limitations, but in reality, they would occur simultaneously across three different fronts.

The northern desert zone, the central reed field front, and the southern jungle forest front—the hero’s party would need to clash with the demon heroes in different combinations at each location.

First, Lin absolutely needed to go to the northern desert zone.

Right before the battle site, there was land that Lin had prepared for the elves.

It used to be a place where desert sandstorms blew, but now he wasn’t sure.

The seeds he had planted a year ago would have to bear fruit.

He had to trust Naidrian.

He needed to confirm the results with his own eyes.

If Lin went north, Lucy would naturally follow him.

Without her baggage carrier, the hero would surely go berserk.

Lucy, who had been keeping her distance after being scolded by Ravin earlier, gave Lin a frightening smile when their eyes met.

When Lin turned his head away, Tigria informed him that Lucy’s eyes had turned hollow.

Inevitably, Lin and Lucy would head north.

This meant the demon hero appearing there would naturally be the illusionist Adora.

It was confirmed since she had been established as Lucy’s rival in Valtercrois.

Even though this was a game manipulated by the demon god, it was difficult to completely ignore the framework of the main episode, which was their only source of information.

“Then Tigria and Arsil to the central front.”

Conversely, Denarua was fixed to appear on the central front.

This made sense realistically too, as the dual swordsman was the senior-most demon hero and had the highest level of pure combat power.

Denarua needed to lead the demon army from the center.

The battle taking place in the fields required definite firepower.

That’s why Lin didn’t hesitate to deploy Tigria, the mage, there.

Then there was Denarua’s ultimate skill, Dark Fang Protection Howl.

It was an area-of-effect skill that buffed himself while debuffing enemies.

To counter this, Arsil was absolutely necessary.

Even though the final battle was important, Arsil was planning to use a massive amount of holy power in this battle.

Naturally, the remaining combination was Ravin and Naidrian.

They would face Salamei in the southern jungle forest.

In some ways, it wasn’t a bad matchup.

In the dense jungle, Salamei would have difficulty using her spear effectively, while Ravin with his agile movements and Naidrian with her ability to snipe around tree branches had a good chance.

Though Salamei’s skills were not to be taken lightly, the fact that she couldn’t mount her horse due to the jungle would work greatly in their favor.

The problem circled back to the Lucy and Lin combination.

“If Lucy falls victim to illusion magic, we’re in big trouble…”

The concern about affection levels that had been a major worry right after rescuing the hero was resolved, but instead, her mental vulnerability had increased.

Lin now acknowledged it.

It had become something beyond dependency on him.

It was like a twisted affection, but there was no time to correct it.

He considered whether he could form new combinations, but there were no variables.

The time spent worrying was just wasted.

“So I propose deploying the hero’s party to each front like this.”

In the meeting with Biscon, Lin unusually took the initiative to make a suggestion.

Having already received reports that the demon army was divided into three, there were no particular objections.

In fact, when Lin said he would deploy the mage with maximum firepower and Arsil the healer to the center, Biscon was very pleased.

He was so pleased that even though it was the baggage carrier Lin who suggested it, he applauded it as an appropriate measure without any criticism.

With the vice commander’s approval, the other generals couldn’t raise any objections.

They also thought it was the right deployment.

After the military meeting ended without friction, Lin immediately gathered the hero’s party.

“As you all probably know, this operation is really important. If we’re not careful, the front line could be pushed back completely.”

A party meeting led by Lin, the baggage carrier.

Who would have imagined that the one who had been bullied and despised would become the center of the party?

Only Naidrian seemed somewhat displeased.

“Lin, what if the illusionist doesn’t show up? The spear wielder said the illusionist is very sick.”

“That would be much better. The illusionist is quite troublesome when she does appear.”

Among the demon heroes, she had the lowest combat power, but that was only relative to other demon heroes.

The ultimate skill Space Separation that Lin had used several times was none other than the illusionist’s exclusive skill.

She had actually used it to separate Lin and Lucy in the Holy Nation.

But Lin had already prepared countermeasures for Tigria’s concerns.

Everyone nodded as Lin explained the plan.

“Make it for everyone, not just Lucy and me. On a large-scale area basis.”

“Got it, I’ll get right on it.”

With that, Lin’s tasks were done.

All that remained was action.

However, as he was about to suggest that everyone disperse for preparations, Arsil cautiously approached him.

“What is it?”

“Well…”

The saint hesitated until Ravin gave her a firm pat on the back, startling her into blurting out what she wanted to say.

“Your arms! Let me see your arms!”

“Ah…”

Lin was a bit troubled.

In this upcoming three-front battle against the demon army, Arsil needed to use an enormous amount of holy power.

He didn’t want her to waste limited resources on him.

“Lin, I can tell from the holy sword’s energy that both your arms are in serious condition.”

Lucy chimed in, seeing his hesitation.

“But there’s no pain…”

“The demonic energy climbing up your arms will soon spread throughout your body. When that happens, you’ll turn into a demon, right?”

Ravin joined in as well.

“Trying to make someone a widow who hasn’t even had her first kiss.”

“……”

No one dared to argue with that statement.

Having no choice, Lin extended his arms, and Arsil quickly examined his condition while channeling holy power.

But realizing that the internal corruption of both arms was already complete, Arsil began to cry as she infused holy power.

“Why are you crying again?”

“…Because I’m sorry.”

Though he had said he was sick of apologies, Arsil couldn’t help but say it.

Lin didn’t point that out.

Since returning with Ravin, Arsil’s demeanor had changed significantly.

The now-calmer saint no longer showed her usual outspoken personality.

She was cautious around people and tried not to speak much.

When her eyes met Lin’s, she would demurely purse her lips and lower her gaze.

“What are you sorry for?”

Arsil was silent for a moment.

Even during her silence, she continued to infuse holy power into Lin’s arms without reservation.

Lin felt his arms becoming lighter than usual.

“For not acknowledging you as a comrade and not treating you like one.”

“And?”

“…For being afraid alone, giving up, and not doing anything.”

Pass.

This was a passing grade.

Lin took out a soft cloth and wiped away Arsil’s tears.

Then he pulled out a new hairpin he had kept from Cosmos.

“Lin…?”

Lin placed the pin in the confused saint’s hair.

“I meant to give this to you when we first met.”

Arsil’s shoulders jerked noticeably.

“I’m finally able to give it to you now.”

Arsil tried hard to hold back her tears.

No matter how much she suppressed them, the tears that seeped out only made her feel more regretful.

All the women except Naidrian gave jealous looks, but they didn’t interfere with Lin.

“Work harder.”

“…Yes.”

Arsil wiped her own tears.

She couldn’t just cry until she was forgiven.

She had to take action to earn forgiveness.

That was Arsil’s resolution.

Still, the pin in her hair felt warmer than anything else.

“We must succeed in this operation.”

“Leave it to me. I’ll definitely defend us.”

Ravin showed confidence by bumping his fist against his palm, but Lin firmly shook his head.

“The goal of this operation isn’t defense.”

“Not defense?”

To the puzzled Lucy, Lin stated his purpose without hesitation.

“With this battle, we will subdue the demon heroes.”

Whether they were favorable to him or not, they were demons—Lin’s enemies.