Ch.157The Crumbling Fortress of Faith (1)

The battle between those who called upon their gods had entered a new phase.

The appearance of five hundred demons had sent shockwaves through the front lines. Though they hadn’t launched a surprise attack or initiated an offensive, their mere presence was enough to cause unrest among the Crusader Army.

“Has Lord Conrad departed?”

“He led his forces out immediately upon hearing the news. There are reports that some of the frontline units have already engaged in combat with the demons and the Southern Army’s vanguard.”

“Have those creatures already penetrated so deep into our territory!”

“A small contingent of monsters, including wyverns, is reportedly striking at the weak points in our defensive line.”

“Then we still have a chance to stop them.”

Conrad commanded eight thousand soldiers, two thousand of whom were crossbowmen. While nearly ineffective against demons, they were a different story against monsters.

With favorable terrain and the ability to fire from a distance, they were a force to be reckoned with.

“We cannot remain idle either. Gather all available knights and clergy immediately.”

“We can draft personnel from the reserves, but if we send them to the battlefield…”

The aide trailed off. He meant that doing so would deprive the vanguard, already pushed to their limits defending the front lines, of their recovery time. Sacrificing allies for the Southern Army.

It was not an easy choice to make.

“I will personally hold the front line. Remove all wounded who are unable to fight.”

“I will also select priests who are still combat-capable. Since the Order hasn’t yet depleted their magical energy, we have quite a few available personnel.”

“Thank you, but I must decline. They are resources needed elsewhere on this battlefield.”

Justiani hurriedly gathered his weapons. Even the time spent steeling his resolve felt precious.

“I will go alone and hold them back.”

The warrior with angel’s blood in his veins was overcome with ecstasy. Death continued to beckon to him, and he was eager to draw his sword and advance.

“This is my chance to prove my noble faith.”

Fear was merely a sacrifice for courage.

His steps moving outward showed no hesitation.

#

Without clergy, the army filled with ordinary people had to advance with courage alone.

Though they faltered in fear at the demon forces that appeared and disappeared like the wind, the officers driving them forward allowed no delay, however small.

“Get out there now!”

“Die by the demons! Unless you want to die by my blade!”

After cutting down ten men on the spot, no one dared to flee. The concrete terror of screams right behind them instilled greater fear than the vague dread of facing beings beyond common sense.

Of course, merely forcing them forward didn’t yield proper results.

Those who encountered minotaurs in the first engagement vanished on the spot.

The reinforcements were attacked by wyverns and scattered in all directions.

At least Conrad’s main force, coordinating with the priests dispatched by the Crusader Army, was holding strong. They had overcome all the monsters they’d faced so far through the combined efforts of holy power and crossbowmen.

In the process, many infantry lost their lives to brutal attacks, but it was a small price compared to victory. Morale rose in various places, to the point where priests were even urging to go on monster hunts.

“It’s merely a victory against mindless creatures. If you rush out impulsively, blinded by achievement, and encounter a demon legion, you’ll die helplessly.”

Conrad immediately dampened the excited clergy’s spirits. Having little intention to fight in the first place, he saw no victory.

Because he judged that true victory belonged to the demons.

“I believe it’s important to first secure a cathedral that can serve as a fortress. Which is the closest one from here?”

“The Decardo Cathedral. Since they retreated quickly when the Dark Order attacked, the building should be relatively intact.”

“I will dispatch clergy and knights to occupy it. I will join them personally.”

The clergy, surprised by Conrad’s declaration, tried to dissuade him.

“It’s dangerous. If demons are present, we could be annihilated.”

“We’ve only seen their vanguard so far.”

“Please be aware that their main force may be closer than we think.”

“As long as Justiani stands, the demons won’t easily redirect their forces.”

And then events unfolded as if orchestrated by God himself.

“Lord Conrad! Lord Justiani is attempting a breakthrough! It appears he’s trying to push back the depleted Order first!”

Conrad turned his gaze to the clergyman. The Crusader Army commander was personally leading the charge at the front.

The depleted Order would struggle to hold alone. The demons would have no choice but to divide their forces.

“If we want to shake the front lines, we must also take a gamble. If we can capture that fortress and defend it with strong soldiers, we can buy enough time to hold out until the hero arrives.”

He was like a warrior before a holy war. The clergy, moved by his resolute appearance, found themselves nodding unconsciously.

“We believe in you. And we will follow you.”

They reverently praised the nobleman’s courage.

“It is because of warriors like you that the human realm has not yet fallen to demons.”

Conrad did not respond.

To some, it might have appeared as the virtue of humility. But his gaze was fixed elsewhere.

On the dark shadow visible beneath the setting sun.

“Your words are appreciated, at least.”

He fingered the sword at his waist.

#

“Gah!”

“Ah, demons!”

As dark night fell, the hunt began. The holy knights scattered throughout the area were delicious prey.

The moment they were spotted by wyverns, the information was immediately relayed to other demons, who drove them all to their deaths.

“We’ve captured a unit of knights that was on the move.”

“They seemed to be trying to support the humans.”

Cesario and the other dark knights presented the severed heads to Durin. After fierce battles, stragglers inevitably appeared.

There were quite a few units returning after using holy power to heal wounds or going out to rescue other comrades.

On the way to meet Conrad, they hunted all these small fry, achieving better results than expected.

“I regret not being able to join the hunt, Your Excellency.”

Verdia, who had accompanied Durin, licked her lips.

“I’ve been itching for battle lately.”

“Be patient. You are a resource to be used in the war against the heavens.”

“I will bring victory with all my body and soul!”

“That’s still far off, Verdia. Calm yourself and continue to persevere.”

“Yes. I will keep it in mind, always.”

She was no longer suppressing herself. Verdia smiled broadly, not hiding her anticipation. It was a moment when the last trace of regret disappeared.

“Your Excellency.”

It seemed matters had progressed quite a bit in the meantime. While Durin was engaged in light conversation with Verdia, a demon soldier burst into the main hall of the cathedral where they were.

“Conrad has arrived.”

It was when the night was at its deepest. Verdia, who had been somewhat relaxed, straightened her posture again. She took her place behind Durin.

Durin, who had been sitting on the platform, rose. The red eyes of the demon regent blazed crimson.

“Let’s see him.”

In the distance, through the darkness, a figure gradually approached, cutting through the night.

Tap, tap.

His upright gait was impressive. Durin observed his dignity.

“Are you the human who wishes to survive?”

Moonlight filtered through the cathedral’s stained glass. Beneath it, an elderly human revealed himself. His sharp gaze was fixed directly on the red hostility before him.

While fear wasn’t entirely absent, he was at least able to lift his head. Durin expressed satisfaction at this.

“I permit you to answer. Identify yourself.”

Durin unleashed his demonic energy. Only then did Conrad take a deep breath. Simultaneously, he fell to his knees as if collapsing.

“Not knowing demon etiquette, I bow first.”

“Formalities are unnecessary. Speak first of what you desire.”

The red eyes looked down. Feeling the gaze, Conrad bowed his head even deeper and answered.

“I wish to survive.”

“Do you beg for your life?”

“Please save not me, but the entire South. My wish is to guarantee the lives of the humans living in this land.”

“A statement both befitting and unbefitting a nobleman.”

“Because I can only live if my subjects survive. What could I possibly do in this world if I merely extended my life pathetically?”

Behind the grand words of wanting to save everyone lay a small greed. Durin found the desire hidden within the greater cause.

“You need something to rule.”

“It is my shameful wish, Great Demon.”

“However, there is someone not included in the South you mentioned.”

Durin raised his head to look beyond. The group of humans who had followed Conrad. Their hands were stained red.

“A request?”

“A small token of sincerity.”

“Small to me, but not small to you.”

“I have staked everything on this meeting.”

A human soldier stepped forward. Moonlight poured onto an object that had been hidden in shadow.

It was the head of a clergyman, seized by terrible agony.

Betrayal.

Despair.

Frustration.

Complex emotions remained in the torn soul. The dripping blood spilled onto the floor like screams that could not be uttered.

“Please accept this.”

Humans who turned their backs on God.

Such cases were common enough to be easily found throughout history. But accumulated defeats had diluted the fear that had been imprinted.

“I will follow you. Forever.”

A great crack had formed in the firmament.