Ch.126The Battle of Barzella (1)

The central and southern regions were separated by mountain ranges, making it difficult to deploy cavalry.

Most of the front lines were marked by fortresses and palisades, creating a territorial struggle. This highlighted the importance of heavy infantry for defense, while cavalry was deployed for reconnaissance and in battles where victory was assured.

It was truly a traditional battlefield where Durahans and Holy heavy infantry faced off against each other.

In contrast, the eastern region had blurred boundaries due to its vast plains. Except for stronghold cities along rivers, there were no obstacles to stop cavalry. Well-maintained highways built for trade gave wings to the demons.

The Crusaders’ efforts to form defensive formations were inevitably hampered by the terrain. To stop Durin, they needed to use large cavalry units for mobile warfare, but the Dark Order repeatedly hindered the knights with constant disruptions to their rear.

Durin, strengthened by the power of sacred artifacts, had emerged as an unstoppable force.

And thus, he finally achieved a perfect breakthrough in the east.

“Your Excellency. The battlefield you desired has appeared.”

Central, eastern, and southern.

A fortress built at the intersection of highways from the three continents.

Called Barcella by humans. Capturing this stronghold was the first objective.

The legion prepared for the siege warfare they had avoided until now. It was a decision to secure a good position on the plains where the decisive battle would take place. The fortress was strategically located to regroup tired troops while monitoring the Crusaders approaching through the connected highways.

If the battle didn’t go as planned and the eastern Crusaders approached, it would serve as a buffer to protect their rear.

“According to our scout beasts, the fortress is defended by a total of sixty troops.”

“That’s a small number.”

“It’s a region under the Papal State’s control. Since there have been no wars in the central region except for heretic suppression, it’s maintained with minimal management.”

“If we had been a little late, the fortress would have been packed with troops.”

“I can only admire Your Excellency’s insight in choosing breakthrough over siege.”

The Order knight’s flattery was ignored by Durin. The Regent’s gaze was fixed on the fortress. It had a shabbier appearance than the towers built in the demon realm.

“Do they appear to be in battle formation?”

“I will go and offer them surrender, Your Excellency. Please leave it to me.”

They had a force of two thousand. Sixty humans, not even angels, were no match for them.

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Pardon?”

“Look over there.”

In the dimming evening, lights flickered around the fortress situated on the hill. They looked like defensive forces, but upon closer inspection, they were moving farther away.

“They’re fleeing.”

“Fate is telling us it’s not yet time for battle. Quickly, take the troops and occupy the fortress.”

“As you command.”

“Also, drive away all humans in the vicinity. Let the Crusaders know we are waiting for them here.”

“I will prepare for battle, Your Excellency!”

The legion moved swiftly and hoisted the legion flag over the fortress. The Demon King’s banner fluttering in the human realm. Durin gazed up at it quietly.

This one victory would completely turn the tide going forward. The heavy responsibility weighed on his shoulders. Fate kept asking him:

-Can you overcome this?

The destruction of the demon realm. Just thinking about it internally made fear creep up.

“If I cannot overcome it, only death awaits.”

Durin clenched his gauntlet tightly. The power of the forgotten god swirling around his wrist surged. He had not yet fully adapted to freely wield the power of death.

But the god was with him. Though only in six fragments, they were engraved in his body. Despite fate’s mocking tricks, no cracks had formed.

His mother was watching over him.

The warmth felt deep in his heart, along with his will to protect, sustained Durin.

“I will never falter.”

He did not contemplate defeat. He was committed only to victory.

#

That night.

Bonfires blazed. The legion was resting in preparation for the upcoming decisive battle.

Durin looked down at the steadily burning flames from the fortress tower. He could faintly hear the chattering of troops gathered in small groups around the bright lights.

“Your Excellency. The Elf Grand Chieftain requests an audience.”

The Durahan had come at a late hour.

“Let him in.”

“As you command.”

The Headless One retreated into the darkness. In his place stood the pointed-eared Asha.

“Your Excellency.”

“You’ve managed to follow us into battle.”

“I believed this was the right path to save the elves.”

“You are a leader. Governing from the rear is also important.”

“Even if I disappear, another leader will fill my place. What matters is the will of the elves.”

There was conviction in Asha’s voice. No hesitation.

“For a thousand years, we lived stable lives under the protection of the World Tree.”

“Don’t you want to go back? To that time.”

“If peace is what we desire, yes. But the incoming tide would not leave our race alone.”

The elf’s eyes were filled with regret.

“Looking back, the life our race enjoyed was all under the grace of the World Tree.”

“The fact alone that you opposed the Archangels for a thousand years is worthy of praise.”

“It is also the source of our faith. Perhaps we believed too blindly.”

When an absolute being provides protection, the created beings become dependent. That was the law of nature, and angels gained power in the same way. They made humans weak to elevate their own position.

“Following your orders, I examined the ancient texts and learned many new facts. Or rather, truths we had been ignoring.”

“Have you come to confess?”

“I wish to clear my doubts before battle.”

Asha looked up at the sky. There were no twinkling stars. Looking around the human realm, which was murkier than the demon realm, he lamented.

“Mother World Tree endured for ages to protect the forest, but there were limits. We were always the same. When power seemed insufficient, we either gave land to humans or sold out our own kind.”

“By land, you mean the eastern border regions of the human realm.”

“The elf companions of the hero you saw are our pain that we gave away.”

Durin turned around. Asha, meeting his red gaze, revealed words he had been unable to speak.

“To maintain peace, we always sacrificed the few. It was a tragedy that occurred because we believed it was right if the majority was happy.”

“One cannot protect everyone.”

“Then at least we should have fought back. When peace, the most noble desire, was at stake, the elders should have taken up swords, but the elves could not. Having lived leaning on the World Tree all our lives, how could we imagine being someone else’s support?”

These were scathing words. Engulfed in self-reflection, the Elf Grand Chieftain was overcome with grief.

“If I had stepped forward, if I had shown a little more courage, I could have erased the pain of the previous era. There would have been no need to sell our children to humans to extend our lives, and we could have built our own kingdom on broader lands beyond the forest.”

“…”

“Only after everything passed did I realize. When I recognized through the ancient texts that the pain was truly suffering, my eyes were opened.”

He was a leader. A great being leading a race. He did not dwell on negative emotions that would pass. He shook off sorrow with determination. For this, the Grand Chieftain had come to the battlefield.

“I will set a precedent, so please lead our race to freedom.”

“You may shed blood and still not achieve peace.”

“But we won’t be trapped and slowly wither away. We won’t just stand by and watch like before. If blood flows and conveys will to someone else, I am satisfied with that.”

Asha smiled. It was close to ecstasy.

“Death will bring peace.”

“That’s quite a demonic statement.”

“Haven’t I already joined? The number of holy knights who have died by my hand already exceeds fifty.”

“You’re an excellent heretic. One the Papal State would burn at the stake.”

Durin patted Asha’s shoulder. Instead of the imposing demeanor he had shown until now, he made a light joke.

“Don’t be too consumed by death. It’s more important to convey will while alive. You said peace was the most noble desire.”

“Indeed.”

“Peace exists above life. After all, it is the living who bear the duty.”

With those final words, Durin left the tower. He would prepare for war in the command tent.

Left alone, Asha remained in place.

“The duty that the living must bear.”

He repeated the Regent’s words. Though brief, they carried weight.

If the demons fell, the Papal State would undoubtedly covet the eastern region, a hotbed of other faiths. If they wanted to maintain the World Tree as it was, they would make more demands. This was the last place to retreat to.

“I will bear it all like you. For the elves.”

#

In the dim dawn.

The land where last night’s bonfires had all burned to ashes awakened cautiously. Two thousand troops advanced over it, cutting through the blue light.

“Dark Order, one hundred to the rear to monitor the situation. I’ll assign scout beasts to you; if eastern reinforcements arrive, report immediately.”

Durin personally took the lead. In his hand was the Demon King’s Castle legion flag.

“The elves will join the remaining Order knights and make a wide detour around the battlefield. Avoid direct confrontation with Rupiel.”

“Your Excellency, we…”

Asha stepped forward urgently, but Durin cut him off with a gesture.

“The angel secretary is better at handling divine power than physical force. He will try to snipe our main force along with the priest corps. A head-on confrontation would result in heavy casualties. Do you want to die meaninglessly?”

“Then what should we do?”

“Make a wide detour and attack from the flank. You will target the priest corps.”

Saying this, he looked at the Order knights.

“Do you know the geography of this area well?”

“There’s a secret passage we used during Order activities. It’s a path the Papal State hasn’t discovered yet; if we move in small numbers, we can easily conceal ourselves.”

“I’ll entrust the hundred elves to you. It’s a crucial mission to create confusion among them.”

“I will definitely accomplish it.”

The small detachment that saluted disappeared with the elves. The remaining force was around a thousand.

Two hundred elves, one hundred beast corps, and seven hundred Durahans were all that remained.

“The rest of the elves will prepare to hold the fortress. When you are needed, I will immediately raise the support flag.”

“As you command.”

“Demons, have no fear! You will advance to the battlefield with me and take the Archangel’s head!”

Durin raised the legion flag. There was no resounding cheer. The unit composed of Durahans silently followed the Regent. The demon war horses’ snorting showed their fighting spirit instead.

“Let’s go!”

As he spurred his mount, the unit exploded forward.

Their target was Rupiel, who would be hurriedly coming up from the south.

The decapitation operation had begun.