Ch.150The Final Expansion

The Western Plains and the Northwestern Bay.

It was time to consume these two lands.

Though there was still enough growth potential for now, cities had been established in the last undeveloped swamplands and northern mountains, leaving no more territory to exploit.

However, the core that still resonated with me could devour two more regions, and I didn’t want to leave that vacancy unfilled.

Acquiring the plains north of the Western Forest would allow me to support not just millions, but tens of millions of people, and by consuming the bay west of those plains, two ports would emerge, enabling the import and export of more population and resources.

Conveniently, Pale Harbor was already trading with the east, so the ports established in that bay could facilitate trade with the west.

“But… why aren’t there any core fragments?”

“I wonder about that too?”

Something was disrupting my plans—namely, the absence of core fragments in circulation.

In this world, nations constantly cycle through creation and destruction, so typically core fragments would circulate among the great powers, albeit at steep prices.

“Strange? It’s unusual for there to be such a complete absence of core fragments…”

It’s not like there haven’t been fallen nations.

Countless countries had collapsed due to economic ruin from military expansion, and enough time had passed since the deaths of those monarchs for core fragments to have formed.

My informants had even reported that refugees from fallen nations had recovered core fragments when demons departed, so the complete absence of fragments in circulation was peculiar.

“Perhaps other nations have used them all? With all the recent chaos in the north, to strengthen their national power…”

“If that were the case, they would have sold the fragments to pay off debts first.”

“Ah…”

Not just anyone can use core fragments.

These mystical objects are difficult to destroy except by monarchs who have contracted with the core—so where had all those fragments gone?

My advisor and I racked our brains until we reached a rather deflating conclusion.

Core fragments are created when a monarch’s corpse merges with the core.

And without exception, a monarch’s corpse would be located at the center of the nation… and when the barrier falls, tens of millions of demons reduce the former nation to ashes.

After such a storm passes, what was once a nation becomes a vast ruin, a monster den teeming with countless beasts. The larger the nation, the more dangerous the den becomes.

“So… because they suffered such devastating military losses, no one can even approach the capitals?”

“Y-yes, Your Majesty. That’s what we’ve confirmed.”

“Good grief. They weren’t even such large nations…”

Even if treasure exists, it means nothing if you can’t get past the guardians protecting it.

The small and medium-sized nations of the north, their military strength severely diminished by the economic crisis, had lost the ability to project military power externally. As a result, they were simply staring blankly at fragments they could have taken if they just reached out.

“I don’t know whether to be pleased or disappointed…”

With a dejected expression, I summoned the army.

*

“Our lord desires the core fragments!”

“””Core fragments!!!”””

“His Majesty will take those fragments and claim the plains and coast!”

“””Plains and coast!!!”””

“He will cover the plains with fields and orchards, and illuminate the coastline with docks and lighthouses!”

“””Fields and orchards! Docks and lighthouses!”””

The legion soldiers of Amurtat shouted their war cries as if the world had half-collapsed.

It was approaching the time when people would suggest that 200,000 standing troops might be insufficient for Amurtat, and discussions about expanding the military were actively circulating within the nation.

Of course, Amurtat’s legion still maintained its size of 200,000, and this army, focused on quality over quantity, could proudly claim to be the only unrivaled military force in the north.

They had decided to march forth under Tiberius’s command to secure two core fragments, and an enormous force of 100,000 troops had been allocated for this operation.

The fact that more troops were deployed than had been sent to save three nations indicated just how dangerous the journey to the capitals of fallen nations would be.

What they had to fight were not mere followers of demons, but actual demons that had descended to earth, albeit of lower rank, along with mighty beasts capable of tearing even such demons to pieces.

And since these could not be driven away by the power of gunpowder alone, ordained knights were followed by priests and clerics bearing sacred duties.

With the addition of the priesthood, who blessed bullets and consecrated blades, the marching forces exceeded 200,000, and the supply wagons following them numbered over 20,000.

It might seem excessive, but this was the nature of warfare in this world.

Wars fought not to kill humans, but to slay monsters and demons—these were the most common conflicts in this world.

“Hire adventurers and mercenaries! The path through the ruins shall be opened by their blood!”

And because they couldn’t afford to let valuable soldiers and priests die, they hired expendable adventurers and mercenaries on a large scale to clear the path to the two ruins they targeted.

They only needed to prepare half the payment.

Because less than half would return alive.

And three months later.

As expected, even half the prepared funds remained unspent, and the army of 200,000 began to advance along a path littered with the corpses of countless adventurers and mercenaries.

*

Demons and beasts are powerful beings.

But even demons cannot corrupt mortals just by making eye contact.

That would be possible only in a very limited way if a greater demon were to descend.

However, they had no trouble tearing humans apart with pure strength, which meant that even lower-ranked demons were not easily dealt with except by the exceptionally strong.

Even priests, who could serve as a counter, would be swept away if ambushed, so it was impossible for adventurers or mercenaries without a trace of holy power to face demons in battle.

But with an army, the story changed somewhat.

Once in the material world, demons inevitably became bound to flesh and blood.

This meant they could be killed, and with sufficient physical damage, it was possible to defeat them without having to expend holy power.

What would be impossible for a single human was possible for an army—the organized force of humanity.

Especially bullets consecrated one by one by priests would be the ultimate remedy against demons.

“We march for Amurtat!”

“””And we know no fear!!!”””

And most importantly, purpose.

Purpose was crucial for a nation’s leader, and the same applied to the lowest-ranking soldier.

Knowing why one fights versus not knowing creates a profound difference.

For example, the soldiers’ morale was high now because they fought with pride for Amurtat and were waging a holy war, risking their lives to find a mystical object that would make Amurtat even stronger.

What, then, of soldiers who march to war without pride or reason?

Deserters would surely emerge from the beginning of the march, and when battle finally commenced, they would sooner surrender and become prisoners.

The saying that humans will not fight without reason conversely means that humans will fight as long as they have a reason—a lesson all rulers of the world should take to heart.

Stomp! Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!

Rumble rumble rumble…

The massive army approaching 200,000 strong, followed by 20,000 supply wagons, inspired awe in all who beheld it. Merchants and travelers on the road quickly stepped aside to make way when they saw Amurtat’s banners.

Should anyone cause that vast, long column to halt, they would pay dearly for stealing Amurtat’s time.

“What is the shield of Amurtat?”

“””His Majesty’s legion, resolved to death!”””

“What is the blade of Amurtat?”

“””His Majesty’s soldiers, promising annihilation!”””

“What have we promised our homeland?”

“””We have promised eternal service and to fight in the darkest of times!”””

“What do our families and friends await?”

“””They await news of victory from distant lands!”””

“What does our lord desire?”

“””He awaits the eradication of all terror and evil that threatens his well-being!”””

With the swirling sound of military songs, the legion soldiers advance.

For their master, and for their lord.