Ch.136Looming Dark Clouds (1)

The severed head hung on the highest pole.

There was no cross that the dead archangel had desired. Only his wretched head remained, skewered on a spike. His noble golden hair was soaked in blood, dyed crimson.

Drip, drip. The falling droplets of blood were tears. The sacrifice of one who had squandered heaven’s final chance had lost its luster. No one showed mercy. Only the upside-down banner of the Crusaders offered him comfort.

“Your Excellency.”

Gorgon approached Durin, who had been staring at Rupiel’s corpse hanging on the hill. Disciplined legion soldiers showed reverence behind the Durahan.

“All prisoners have been gathered.”

“Tell me the numbers.”

“We’ve captured one thousand holy knights and two thousand priests.”

“Were there not separate infantry units?”

“There was fierce resistance during the capture. They tried to protect the priesthood, so we had no choice but to execute them all.”

The angel knights had surrendered, feeling disillusioned with their faith. Yet ironically, the human soldiers showed greater resolve—a pitiful sight.

“A messenger just arrived from the south as well. The Crusaders have begun retreating to the central region.”

“The spoils must be substantial.”

“If the eastern and southern forces connect, we can maintain pressure on the central region indefinitely by holding the corridor through the Barcella Fortress.”

The path to the Papal Territory lay wide open. While other routes were blocked by mountain ranges and forests, the highway passing through Barcella Fortress connected directly to the main gate of the Celestial Temple. With Chaphir’s beast cavalry at the vanguard, they could reach the enemy’s throat.

“Has there been any communication from the elves?”

“The Great Forest is still engaged with the remaining Crusader forces. The Order’s knights have occupied the border trading cities, but they will quickly lose those areas if the Papal Territory sends heretic knights. Without Your Excellency’s intervention, maintaining occupation is virtually impossible.”

“We have won the war, but we still lack the ability to sustain it.”

A war of attrition was still beyond their means. Unless they could completely reduce the Papal Territory to ruins, they would have to postpone delivering the final blow, as the source of holy power still remained.

“Send a messenger to the Elven Grand Chief, telling them to settle matters by forming agreements with the trading cities. If they focus on defending their territory at the Great Forest border rather than confronting the heretic knights, the other side will not pursue further combat either.”

“Will those known for their cruelty maintain peace?”

“For now, they will. How can the Crusaders rally their strength after losing an archangel? Only with the descent of the Archangel Commander could they begin to recover.”

If Heaven recognized the gravity of the situation and declared total war, the demon realm could respond by sending the Demon King. Though Serphin’s abilities were still lacking, the morale boost throughout the demon realm could generate immeasurable power. As for frontline battles, there would be no issues if Durin personally took the field, as he had done this time.

“But Heaven cannot recklessly descend to the human realm with their secretary dead. There must be angels who wish to divide the power and forces he led.”

“Could that be why the priesthood…”

“Place them on the negotiating table. They will contact us.”

The plan to incorporate the priesthood—whose devotion to God exceeded anyone else’s—into the demon realm’s forces was absurd. Deploying fallen angels like Ursael would only invite insult.

“I would be delighted if Heaven moved according to plan, but I am concerned.”

“I understand your worry, Gorgon. But remember that their situation is no less difficult. Remember that when internal strife creates a rift, it does not close easily. Even when an external threat is at their throat, they may hate their own allies more.”

This was something Durin had experienced firsthand during the period of decline. It was why he had personally executed all rebels and even quartered the Senate members—it came from his own pain. Despite sacrificing the entire Black Army, they had still fought among themselves for the throne.

Observing the angels’ responses throughout the war, it was clear they were experiencing a similar history. Combined with the information provided by Ursael, it was evident that Heaven was not in a position to leisurely watch over the human realm.

Archangels like Azakiel had died without receiving support from Heaven. Such indifference could only be explained by internal conflict.

“By now, they must have acquired vast holy power and turned their attention to the human realm.”

“I now understand why you decided to end the war at this point.”

“Yes. We need only compromise at an appropriate level without provoking them.”

The southern and eastern regions were lands of non-believers anyway, so they held little value for Heaven. As long as they didn’t encroach on the central region, there was plenty of room for negotiation.

“Gorgon, go to the south immediately and tell Rudmila to prepare a delegation. I will report directly to His Majesty the Demon King.”

“I will do as ordered.”

The demons, who had once been driven to the brink of extinction, were now advancing into the human realm and preparing to bring angels to the negotiating table.

He would achieve with his own hands the vision that fallen warriors had dreamed of.

Gorgon moved quickly upon receiving Durin’s orders. The headless Durahan’s steps were remarkably light.

“You are blessed, Rupiel.”

Durin spoke to the severed head.

“For you will not see your comrades heading toward destruction.”

#

“The Secretary has been executed?”

The Crusaders received the unbelievable news.

That mighty archangel had died less than a week after beginning combat operations. If he had retreated after being defeated in a great battle, the shock wouldn’t have been so severe. Since his opponent had been a Regent and not a War Commander, it would have been within the realm of understanding.

The problem was that seven thousand elite troops and the entire eastern continent had been lost.

They had lost everything in less than a month since the war began.

Surely God had said He would punish all demons and bring light back to this land. They had believed and followed the archangel, who was absolute in the human realm. Now they felt betrayed. The demons’ black swords remained sharp and could ravage the continents of the human realm at any time.

The demon Regent was connecting with southern forces and collecting nearby prisoners, so the enemy’s numbers would continue to grow. The presence of hidden heretics throughout the eastern region had also been proven. They now had to fear enemies appearing from all directions.

“Is there no word from the Papal Territory?”

“All communication has been cut off since the day news of our defeat arrived. His Eminence the Cardinal only keeps repeating that it will be resolved soon.”

“Damn it. That means there’s no solution.”

The remaining Crusader command lamented. Looking around, there were many high-ranking angels, but none capable of facing Durin. All of them could barely match his sword only with the thick protection of holy power provided by the priesthood.

And now even that priesthood had been captured by the demons, so there was essentially no hope.

“In the end, we must avoid battle until the Archangel Commander arrives.”

“Who knows when that will be? We cannot keep holding all our forces until then. The angels’ morale will break, and supplies will become a problem for the human soldiers.”

“…So the name of the Crusaders has become worthless.”

They lacked the ability to maintain their position. That was the command’s assessment.

“We have no choice. Even without orders from the Papal Territory, we have a duty to survive for the next war.”

“Disbandment?”

“We return to regional defense. With many fortresses imbued with holy power, central defense should not be a problem. Each of you, take your forces and protect your lands to prevent demons from crossing over. The remaining angel adjutants will discuss how to readjust the front lines.”

It was bleak. But they could not afford to despair at this pessimistic outlook.

As members of Heaven, they had to carry on Rupiel’s will.

“Everyone retreats to the center. We must also distance ourselves from the problems the Inquisitors will cause.”

“I understand this as an order to prohibit all combat.”

“Yes. Preserving our strength is the priority. Hurry.”

It was essentially acknowledging defeat. Unable to deal with the stubborn Inquisition, they had given up.

“Surely the Archangel will act.”

They clung to this last hope. Without that option, recovery would be impossible.

Surely no one in the realm of the God of Light would abandon this land. At the very least, they would have to protect their foundation. This was why the command staff, who could have reasonably surrendered long ago, still held onto their command batons.

Survival for the future rather than glorious victory.

It was the moment when the positions of the demon realm and Heaven were reversed.

#

“…So it has come to this.”

There was one who had watched this scene from beginning to end.

In Heaven, where warm sunlight shone down. While peace existed in this beautiful world, the world spread out beneath the dark clouds was not so fortunate. It was filled only with blood flowing from war.

The human realm, abandoned by Heaven after harvesting all its holy power, was nothing more than a farm. It served only to supply resources needed for the battlefield where angels fought among themselves. It had been so for a thousand years and was destined to remain so.

“But now it has been distorted.”

An angel raised his hand. The holy power that had once gathered easily now carried a weaker energy. With the human realm suffering damage, faith had naturally diminished. They no longer praised the great Heaven. The foreign substance of disbelief had interfered, preventing them from enjoying pure joy.

“Is there no reaction from the Archangel Commander? With damages this severe, he surely would have shown movement.”

“He was certainly surprised. When the Secretary led the army, he guaranteed victory. But when only news of a miserable defeat came back, he took the situation seriously.”

“Has the one who sent all his opponents to their deaths under the pretext of invading the demon realm finally come to his senses?”

The price of arrogance grew steadily larger. What had been mere tricks of fate gradually approached as calamity. Misfortune would visit Heaven.

Signs of a falling nation were increasingly visible here.

“He will soon convene a meeting, so please attend. Then we will be able to see the future.”

“How sad. The will that Rupiel tried to convey could only be transmitted through death.”

“We too cannot escape responsibility. The sin of standing by is heavy.”

“I am aware.”

The world was still beautiful but like a mayfly flower that would not last long.

Asriel, the strongest warrior among the archangels, could feel it.

“I will accept the punishment gladly. But we cannot pass it on to future generations.”

Heaven stirred.

“The war over destruction is our responsibility.”

“I will remember that.”

Those who would finally face the coming trials began to move.