Ch.155The One Who Must Live (2)

The southern forces had gathered in one place.

It was a military composition rarely seen. Upon hearing that Conrad was on the move, nobles from various regions who had suffered at the hands of demons, along with the remnants of the Holy Army, brought all their remaining troops.

Though they were all emaciated from failing to withstand the brutal offensive, they held onto one hope.

“If we fight together, we might be able to hold out.”

“At least we won’t die like dogs. We have the Holy Knights.”

The common soldiers relied on holy power. They had found something to believe in and depend on, in their own way.

The problem was that the Holy Army felt the same way.

“We must use these troops as a breakwater to reorganize ourselves.”

“Spare the priests. We have no holy power to waste on them.”

Though a large army of eight thousand had gathered, a rare spectacle unfolded where everyone concealed their sinister intentions.

“Look at these fools thinking others won’t notice.”

“It’s deplorable, Lord Conrad. How has humanity fallen so far?”

Conrad’s vassals clicked their tongues as they observed the gathered forces. Since they had no intention of fighting, all their gestures were meaningless.

“How can we achieve victory with them?”

“We should find another path.”

“With the Hero’s arrival day approaching, it would be better to hold out.”

The Papal State’s decision and the only savior heaven had granted them.

The Archangel Warrior was there, but he was currently attacking the defensive line to punish the rebellious East and subjugate the World Tree.

This was their last lifeline.

“We have sufficient troops, so defense should be possible.”

Conrad looked back. His vassals nodded in agreement. The old woman with him also seemed to concur.

The tide was in his favor. If he could keep the troops here to prevent demons from entering freely and avoid war through negotiation…

“Defense alone is not enough!”

At that moment, the door burst open with a booming voice. All eyes turned in one direction. A Holy Knight who appeared suddenly shook the situation.

The heavy sound of military boots echoed with metallic clanks.

“The demons are surely planning to sow seeds here and devour us all at once. If we remain idle, we’ll be defeated, so we must strike first.”

The final commander leading the southern Holy Army had arrived. Holy power similar to an angel’s swirled around his body. With his golden hair, his appearance naturally inspired awe.

“Lord Justiani.”

“I will command the army. I am more proficient in war against heretics than anyone, so you need not worry about defeat.”

“The enemy is demons, not mere heretics.”

“I have inherited the blood of angels. My mixed blood protects me from demonic energy.”

Justiani clenched his fist, and an intense wave spread out. Ordinary knights could barely keep their balance.

“Lord Conrad, give me the troops. I will achieve victory.”

“I cannot. We must first establish a defensive line.”

“Didn’t you clearly declare that you would fight the demons?”

“I declared it, but objectively, we don’t have the power to fight them on equal terms. We must hold out until the Hero arrives.”

Conrad stepped forward, not intimidated by the pressure.

“Don’t you know it too? That at this rate, there will be deaths that won’t even be considered martyrdom.”

He understood the Holy Army’s fighting spirit, but as a great noble who ruled a province, he knew that wasting troops could lead to an unmanageable catastrophe.

“I don’t want to pay the price. So I won’t hand over the troops. Even if we fight together, I’ll use defensive tactics from the fortress.”

“Lord Conrad…”

“Were you thinking of fighting in the field? Then I have even less reason to give them to you.”

The two men confronted each other firmly. In the past, they would have had to comply with the Holy Army’s demands, but the situation was too dire.

After suffering a major defeat, the Holy Army’s authority was at rock bottom. They lacked the power to force mobilization.

“While the Pope is exerting power in the East, we must protect our position.”

“I will decide that position.”

“My, how stubborn.”

“That’s what I wanted to say, Lord Conrad.”

BANG!

Justiani stomped his foot hard, leaving a deep mark on the floor. His angry holy power flickered like flames.

“I will remember this.”

But that was all. With clenched fists, he had no choice but to retreat. The Holy Knight withdrew, suppressing his anger.

“I will report your cowardice to the Papal State.”

His final words were quite threatening. It was a warning that even if he survived the war, he would not be left unscathed.

Immediately, the assembly became noisy.

Having made an enemy of the Holy Knight, only disadvantages remained whether they won or lost. The vassals hurriedly ran to Conrad.

“M-my lord, why such a choice…?”

“There is no other way. We must choose between survival or death here.”

Die immediately at the hands of demons?

Or postpone it and be branded as heretics by the Papal State?

A cruel fork in the road had been presented. It seemed as if inescapable fate was mocking him.

“Make sure our troops don’t waver.”

Conrad left the office, escaping the confused atmosphere.

“Are you going to your office?”

The head servant followed him. He was prepared to move flexibly at any time during this emergency.

“I’m going to the church. Guide me.”

“As you wish.”

Their steps quickened. The flow of events was rushing like rapids.

#

The chaotic political situation continued throughout the afternoon.

The remnants gathered for safety, but with units having different directions, conflicts were severe.

The army gathered around the Holy Army threatened to leave the domain immediately. They exploited the vulnerability of being without protection from the church.

“Get out! We don’t need you!”

“You’ll be devoured too if you’re abandoned in the fields!”

The Holy Army was in a similar situation. They raised their voices out of pride, but there was no substance.

With all the monasteries destroyed, the only place they could receive support was from the nobles’ domains.

The moment they were turned away for being emotional, the demons would bare their fangs.

They desperately needed the fortress.

They were growling at each other, trying to maintain their pride while also looking out for their interests.

“It’s not even funny. They still haven’t come to their senses.”

In the dark night church, with guards firmly protecting the front, Conrad’s voice continued softly in the empty space.

“This is why I’m inclined toward negotiation.”

The southern great noble raised his head.

“Don’t you agree?”

“It is the judgment made by the wise Lord Conrad. Who would dare call it false?”

It was that old woman from before. A being who had begun to converse with Conrad at some point.

“How can you attribute the credit to me when you saved our domain from war? The merit of avoiding conflict lies with you, not me.”

During the period when Rupiel and the demons were fighting fiercely.

While the southern Holy Army was giving their all, the nobles of nearby domains gathered supplies to support heaven.

However, Conrad was an exception. Knowing the history of fighting heretics for a long time, he sent only adequate supplies and saved human resources.

When he requested help from the Papal State, citing difficulties due to heretics, they partially approved.

Everything was thanks to the advice of this old woman who came when the church’s personnel were rampaging in the south. Conrad adopted the opinions of suspicious individuals without prejudice to maintain life in turbulent times.

“So please tell me quickly.”

Conrad urged the old woman. He needed to know the church’s answer to align his movements.

“Don’t worry about that. The knights have moved.”

It was the news he had been waiting for. The noble’s face brightened.

“Then you’ve arranged a meeting place? It will be difficult to avoid the Holy Army’s gaze, but I’ll do my best to prepare a place. Where should I go?”

The remnants were gradually gathering in the domain. If they stalled for time, this place would become a center of resistance rather than a safe zone.

Conrad did not want such a situation.

Rather than turning his domain into a battlefield, he wanted to defer to the Hero.

That was his ultimate goal.

“There’s no need to go.”

“What? Then where…?”

“You’ll soon face them, so don’t be hasty.”

“I need an answer to align with the church!”

He was overcome with urgency. Conrad stood up angrily. Of course, he immediately flinched. The Holy Army was outside.

If rumors spread that he was communicating with the church…

“Hahaha. Someone is coming. I’ll take my leave now.”

The old woman left Conrad behind. Dumbfounded, the great noble froze in place, unbecoming of his dignity.

While he was standing there like a statue, wondering what was happening.

BANG!!

“Lord Conrad!”

It was Justiani. The Holy Knight approached, and it seemed the old woman had fled.

It was a truly awkward situation without being able to seek advice, but Conrad quickly regained his composure. He turned around with the same calm expression as always.

“What is it?”

“They have appeared. We must march out immediately.”

They.

There was only one entity the Holy Knights would refer to like that.

“Heretics?”

“Demons are with them too. They say they’ve divided the forces that occupied the main road.”

Justiani exclaimed with vigor.

“This is our opportunity. We can gain the upper hand while they’re dividing their forces, concerned about the Hero.”

“……”

“Lord Conrad, I apologize for my rudeness earlier today. Please join us. We need you.”

The proud Holy Knight bowed his waist. It showed how desperate he was. A devout man who wanted victory had cast aside his pride.

Conrad looked at him quietly.

“I beg you like this.”

“Very well.”

He finally agreed. It meant he would allow the army to be mobilized.

Justiani straightened up with a bright expression.

“Do you mean it?”

“If that’s what you desire so much, I cannot turn away.”

“Thank you, Lord Conrad. I will properly report your devotion to the Papal State…”

“No. That’s unnecessary.”

The great noble slowly walked forward. He approached the Holy Knight and patted his shoulder.

“I will prove it by marching out with you, so don’t worry about unnecessary things.”

“Lord Conrad…”

The Holy Knight’s expression showed genuine emotion. Conrad walked past Justiani.

“I will prepare the army and march out on the second day at noon. Remember that.”

“The Holy Army will also be fully prepared!”

Hahaha!

The laughter of the pleased Justiani was heard from behind. Conrad moved forward with that voice as his background.

“Your Excellency, are you really going to war…?”

“Shh. We must go along with it for now.”

He stopped the head servant who was expressing concern. There were too many watching eyes.

“I’ll handle it later. For now, comply.”

“Understood.”

Conrad slowly walked on. After examining the anxious eyes of the soldiers, he entered his office again.

‘Meeting.’

He repeated the old woman’s words.

This seemed to be the answer.