Ch.131Expedition Party (1)

At the break of dawn, Durin moved.

Behind him followed a carefully selected elite force in white. It included not only Durahans who had assisted him since the early days of the Empty Throne, and monsters who had joined from across the western regions, but humans as well. Raw power wasn’t what mattered.

Those who were willing to sacrifice their lives for the mission had all gathered. They were envied by others.

As they marched forward, they were sent off by comrades who remained behind for different duties. The fluttering legion banner laid out a red carpet leading to the battlefield. The soldiers lined up on both sides did not speak, but blessed their path ahead with solemn expressions.

“We’ll meet again in the warm embrace of Mother after death.”

Chief Asha patted the shoulder of an elf who was following. They nodded slightly and joined Durin’s procession. Though great pain would overwhelm them, they were ready to willingly endure it as a pilgrimage toward glory.

“Your Excellency. All troops have completed their preparations.”

Dawn was breaking. Durin looked back. He saw the legion watching the front with sharp eyes. These were soldiers tempered by strict military discipline and iron-clad rules. Even the newly joined members had adapted to the atmosphere, wearing stern expressions.

“Today we will collide with the wall of destiny. A moment’s decision will twist the world, and a small mistake will bring destruction.”

“……”

“Nevertheless, I wish to first express my gratitude to those who stand here together. This is respect sent to you not as a commander, but as a warrior.”

“Your Excellency. The legion is not yet worthy of praise. We face trials ahead but have not yet overcome them.”

A veteran among the Durahan soldiers stepped forward before the Regent.

The headless warrior knelt with proper etiquette. The Regent bowed his head to look down at the soldier. His weighty voice asked:

“Your name?”

“Gorgon, sir. I have served since the time of the Fleeing King and continue my service to the castle to this day.”

“You’ve been following from the very beginning.”

“Protecting the castle even when the throne is empty—that is my duty to fulfill with my life.”

“Gorgon. I will remember your dedication.”

Durin raised his head to look at the rest of the troops. He examined each face one by one.

“I will remember all of you who willingly accepted sacrifice.”

“My lord. May you be glorified.”

“The glory belongs not to me but to the legion. Are you not the ones who have taken up swords to protect the land we live in, even to this distant place?”

The Regent raised his fist. Red fighting spirit flowed from his tightly clenched gauntlet. Not the divine power he had wielded for victory until now, but pure combative spirit flowing from his demonic nature.

Battle will like instinct. The essence of a warrior, condensed from the desperate desire for victory.

“The moment you threw yourselves into duty, there became no high or low among us. Having accepted death for the survival of all people, are we not comrades on the battlefield!”

A thunderous roar erupted like a drumbeat. The legion’s heart beat fiercely as well.

“Show your resolve to the ancestors who have already returned to Mother’s embrace! This is the moment to prove that the sacrifices continued for a thousand years were not in vain.”

Crack!

As the air split, a sword emerged. Durin’s beloved weapon, which had crushed thousands and tens of thousands of skulls that had threatened the demon realm, revealed itself.

“Our descendants will be the ones to judge us.”

“I should pray that we’re properly recorded in the scriptures.”

Laughter spread at Gorgon’s joke. It wasn’t a light smile. It was the final smile of those filled with desperation and longing for victory.

At the same time, Durin’s red eyes glowed. His fighting spirit boiled as he began to focus on the front again.

“All troops. To positions.”

“To positions!!”

Buuuuuuuu-

The horn of destiny sounded long and clear.

……

Buuuuuuuu-

The demons’ sound reached the Holy Army as well. The holy knights reacted first. The vanguard riding on the road stopped. They quickly surveyed the surroundings, first identifying terrain suitable for an ambush.

“A place where they could charge against the solid Holy Army.”

Rupiel muttered. His gaze stopped on a certain hill. A hill close to the road. He could sense the energy emanating from an area not yet touched by the sun.

“It’s them.”

The moment he identified the location, banners rose above the horizon. It was the demon legion coming over the hill. The unholy demon flags fluttered. They exuded hateful energy under the cloudy sky.

Rupiel shouted.

“Demons! Quickly form a defensive formation and prepare to meet them!”

Peeeeeeee-

The horn was met with a whistle. As soon as the sharp sound rang out, the priest corps formed their formation.

Clank. Thud!

Shields were raised like fortress walls to firmly hold the front. They boasted a formidable presence that would never fall even under continuous magical bombardment.

“Prepare to fire!”

“Priest corps. Prepare to fire!”

Following Rupiel’s orders, the angels clasped their hands. They offered prayers to their god. Golden light surged and rose like a waterspout.

It was a marvelous wave. It contained the purifying will to not tolerate heresy even an inch. It was like Rupiel’s firm belief, who descended directly out of pity for humans abandoned by heaven.

“Fire!”

Boom!!

Compressed air exploded. Holy power was fired directly at the demons positioned on the hill.

Kwaaang!!

The first projectile, drawing a line through the air, hit the legion directly. The second and third followed. Golden particles scattered, instantly illuminating the world. The light was so strong that even the Holy Army had to squint.

The force led directly by the archangel showed formidable power. Even the holy knights who had been harboring complaints were left with their mouths agape.

But it didn’t last long. The sound of hooves came from beyond the dust. The ground shook.

“So it is the Regent.”

Rupiel marveled. The legion had begun its charge without taking damage. The Durahan cavalry, maintaining orderly formation with aligned spears, charged fiercely.

“Fire! Stop them!”

Boom! Kwang!!

This was within expectations. The priest corps continued firing holy power projectiles without panic. Their target was Durin at the front. If they could just break his spirit, the spears alone couldn’t damage the Holy Army.

Crack!

Durin swung his sword to deflect all attacks.

Holy power collided with the blade.

Faith built up over a thousand years was ineffective against the red fighting spirit. They had aimed for the great demon’s heart, but the attacks bounced off and were deflected elsewhere. Some even returned toward the Holy Army.

“Ugh!”

Some shield bearers staggered. It was clearly an attack aimed at the priest corps.

“Impressive power.”

Having confirmed the might of the demon realm’s Regent that he had vaguely heard about in heaven, he bit his lip in anxiety. The attack he had launched hoping to at least break their momentum had been blocked helplessly.

In a large-scale battle, the priest corps’ power would be maximized, but in a situation where a small elite force was charging, it wasn’t as effective as expected. Rupiel glanced at the holy knights.

The knights began to see hope as the tactics they had so stubbornly insisted on proved ineffective.

“Secretary! The enemies have come down the hill. They will soon collide with our forces!”

At the urgent voice of his aide, Rupiel finally had to issue orders.

“Send the knights to intercept them.”

“As you command!”

“Tell the choir. They must inspire courage with holy hymns.”

Peeeeee-

The whistle sounded briefly. The charge order had finally been given to the knights who had been lingering beside the defensive formation. As if they had been waiting, they began to move away from the main force and advance to the battlefield.

Though the enemy numbered only a hundred, thousands had stepped forward.

“Is this to face Durin?”

Rupiel watched the battlefield with anxious eyes.

Though they had overwhelming numerical superiority, he couldn’t predict what outcome would result against the Regent.

-Lord, give us courage to fight against demons.

-Bestow Your light upon the warriors.

-But deliver us from evil.

The choir’s hymn rang out. As the song of courage continued, intense waves of holy power spread. The Holy Army began to use its full strength to catch just a hundred demons.

“……”

Nevertheless, Rupiel couldn’t shake off his unease.

#

“Uaaaah!”

“Die! Damn angels!”

Shouts and screams intersected.

Those with broken spears drew swords and aimed for their opponents’ necks. Blades imbued with holy power likewise rushed at Durin, but he easily deflected them with his fighting spirit. He felt a heavier impact than before. With the archangel’s blessing and the choir’s hymns added, the knights’ power was doubled.

The holy knights knew no fear. Believing that God was watching over them, they rushed at the Regent without hesitation. Durin thrust his sword into one knight’s chest, precisely targeting only the knight as he passed by on horseback.

Crunch.

“Aaaagh!”

Durin lifted the knight’s heavy body entirely. The holy knight, struggling with the sword embedded in him, screamed in pain. The moment the choir’s hymn was drowned out, the Regent threw his comrade at another knight charging at him.

Kwang!! Crack.

Two bodies in armor entangled and fell from their horses. They soon spilled blood on the ground. Similar sword fights were happening all around. Most of the dead were holy knights.

The holy knights struggled against the Durahans with souls engraved in armor and giant monsters. A few knights would be sent flying with just a few sword strikes, showing the strength of those who had protected the demon realm.

However, the disadvantage remained.

No matter how strong the warriors were, they faced thousands of holy knights. Even if screams drowned out the heavenly hymns, the battle cries of even more holy knights surged in. They allowed no moment of respite. Blades swung without pause, slashing at the demons.

Among the rapidly passing war horses, they beheaded enemies and swung fists to dismount them. Enemies were everywhere they touched. Holy knights stubbornly filled any empty spaces.

A short time passed, but the battlefield that had been relatively spacious became crowded. Holy knights were everywhere. Among the pure white armor, demons fought alone, surrounded on all sides.

The moment they stopped moving, unable to maneuver, their lives would vanish. In fact, when some monsters couldn’t keep up with Durin and fell behind, they collapsed, pierced by dozens of spears.

The holy knights cleverly adjusted their spacing to prevent the suicide squad from easily breaking through. They caught the ankles of demons trying to push through to the end, hunting those who became isolated.

“Your Excellency! I will break through first!”

“Glory! Glory comes to me!!”

Despite the desperate situation, the demons couldn’t hide their excitement. As the monster corps, their strongest force, all died, the Durahans rejoiced and swung their swords. They celebrated death.

“Ah, Your Excellency.”

“Mother. My Mother.”

“Please embrace me.”

Their numbers rapidly decreased. Those embraced by Mother lay down comfortably. Though they had no heads, one could feel the smiles they wore.

The sounds gradually faded. Holy power covered everything. It expressed the intent to not let a single demon escape alive.

-This is land ruled by the God of Light. Following the will of the Creator God, we shall eradicate all evil.

A verse from the hymn reached Durin. Amidst the desperate struggle, a sneer escaped. He could see the tower built on false belief.

The breakthrough was blocked by a wall of densely packed holy knights. The encircling forces tried to strangle the demons.

Durin gripped his sword again. Glaring at the false faith, he declared:

“Everyone gather under the banner!”

The Regent himself raised the legion banner. The symbol of the Demon King’s Castle spread under the sky inspired the demons. Though most of the Durahans had lost their lives, the remaining humans and elves resisted fiercely.

“Hold on!”

He swung his sword toward the shields. Warriors too wounded to fight threw themselves without hesitation. They embraced the shield wall, slowing the holy knights’ advance.

“Hold on!”

He pushed himself to the limit, his entire body trembling. The demons’ battle was always desperate. Under the lonely fluttering banner, they continued their endless fight.

“Hold on!”

Now only evil remained. The suicide squad had dwindled to just over ten members. One Durahan who had given his name, a few cult knights, and young elves who had come in place of the chief.

Death approached, but the warriors did not retreat and shouted to the end:

“Endure!”

The legion banner standing in the center fluttered greatly in the wind. Wondering if holy power bombardment would continue, Durahan Gorgon raised his head and heard a faint sound.

Thud thud thud.

It was the sound of hooves. The Holy Army had already invested all available cavalry forces. They had committed excessive troops to cut off the demons’ breath, but had not yet achieved results.

Then there was only one possibility left.

“They’ve finally come.”

The rear of the encirclement became noisy. The urgent sound of whistles and screams indicated a reversal of the situation. At the same time, they could see it.

Another legion banner fluttering in the distance.