Ch.169Resurrection Ritual (1)

After completing the ceremony, Durin returned to the church and sat in his office for the first time in a while.

“I’ve taken care of all the urgent work, you know? You can rest easy today.”

Ludmila shrugged with a satisfied expression. She looked like a child seeking praise.

“You must have worked hard. Staying behind alone at headquarters to handle the miscellaneous tasks.”

“I’m glad you understand. There are more useless reports than I expected. It’s great that our soldiers are vigilant and keeping an eye on the enemy, but sometimes it’s excessive.”

Once Durin acknowledged her efforts, Ludmila began chattering away as if she’d been waiting for this moment.

“Some report wanting to crush a few hundred Holy Army soldiers with the Wyvern Brigade. When I tell them to leave it to the Knights instead, they grumble about not understanding why we should share the military achievements. After I finally manage to calm them down by deploying them to another battlefield, they then request to be sent to Barcella Fortress.”

“……”

“Judging by their attitude, they’re already fighting an all-out war with the Celestial Realm. We’ve only just managed to secure and maintain the southern region. I was so worried they might extend our battle lines due to unnecessary overconfidence… Sigh.”

She had quite a lot of pent-up complaints. Durin decided to listen quietly without responding.

There was no need to humor her. Like a knight charging into battle, she continued speaking without pause once she started.

“Speaking of battle lines, I just remembered something else. The eastern front was nearly dying fighting the War Lord. If it weren’t for Yoannina, the entire forest would have burned down long ago.”

“Don’t underestimate the power of the World Tree. It’s a child of the Creator God that has lived for a thousand years.”

“Hmm. Wasn’t she just a woman who survived by bowing to the Celestial Realm? She offered up elves to the hero party.”

“That bought us time. The World Tree’s patience played a significant role in preserving our forces in the east.”

Since the Celestial Realm couldn’t focus on the south, defense had been much easier. This fact remained unchanged, so Durin didn’t accept some of Ludmila’s complaints.

“My role was more significant though.”

Ludmila pouted. She crossed her arms tightly and gave Durin a haughty look.

“Do you know how many troops and supplies I provided to maintain the eastern front? The reports detail it very clearly…”

The High Sorceress, who should have known when to back down, began arguing point by point in a manner unbefitting her status. Watching her ramble on while clutching parchment, it seemed she would continue all night if humored.

Finally, Durin had to stop the sorceress.

“Enough. I don’t have time for leisurely conversation.”

“But couldn’t you just listen a little longer? I have nowhere else to vent.”

“Do that with anyone else. If necessary, I’ll summon someone for you personally.”

Saying this, he abruptly stood up. As soon as movement was detected in the office, attendants who accompanied the Regent appeared in a rush.

“Your Excellency. We’re at your service.”

“Not needed now. Stay here and assist the sorceress.”

“Pardon?”

“Ludmila. You’ll have a good time with Berdia.”

With those words, Durin left. Ludmila wore a bewildered expression, but received no response. The steady footsteps faded as they continued outside the office.

The space where complaints had been pouring out now held only High Sorceress Ludmila and Berdia, who had been left behind unexpectedly.

“Hmm.”

Ludmila turned her gaze to the blue-horned demon.

*Flinch!*

Despite holding the great position of Southern Army Commander, he was outranked by the High Sorceress who could glimpse the future. Berdia immediately sensed his fate.

“Well then, shall we continue where we left off?”

“Y-yes.”

“Ah, but you weren’t here from the beginning, so you don’t know, right? Let me explain in detail.”

“Is it… a matter of importance?”

Berdia was floundering, not knowing the context. Watching him, Ludmila smiled mischievously.

“It is important. I’m planning to complain about my terrible workload.”

“Ah…”

“Now, listen with deep empathy. Understood?”

Damn it.

Berdia inwardly made a miserable face.

He endured because it was Durin’s order. Otherwise, he would have stormed out without a word. As the Southern Army Commander, he could have challenged even the High Sorceress on the basis of authority.

“Where should I begin? Maybe from when Durin left me behind to go to the front lines, and all the church duties fell on me.”

Oh boy. Should I really just leave?

#

“The integration of undead soldiers into the legion is proceeding smoothly.”

Fallen angel Yursael, one of the core figures of the church.

After completing the revision of scriptures and dispatching missionaries everywhere, he also excelled in military affairs.

“With Lucretia as the assault captain, we have a total of five hundred heads. Many of the Holy Army prisoners are in critical condition, so if we turn them all into undead, we could secure a force of nearly a thousand.”

“Are there any who volunteer to become Durahan?”

“Of course. Knights who have suffered severe injuries wish to serve on the battlefield.”

The church had been engaged in continuous combat for nearly a year. The frontlines maintained through manpower consumption left numerous disabled veterans in the rear. A considerable number of clergy were deployed to care for them. There was a need to alleviate this through undead conversion.

“If you give the order, I will prepare the ritual. I would like you to conduct it directly in the cathedral this time.”

The San Moriano Cathedral was a symbolic place that Durin had insisted on. The church understood the Regent’s intentions but seemed somewhat disappointed. It was unusual for Yursael to advocate so strongly.

“Do you want to make them warriors of the goddess?”

“I intend to make dying in battle an honor. Once they consider the Mother’s embrace sacred, warriors will march to the battlefield without fear.”

This was a tactic used since ancient times. By glorifying divine spaces, one could remove the fear of death. Pain could be disguised as a trial bestowed by fate, and humans filled with desire for honor would burn their lives away as if entranced.

In fact, demons were the same.

There were countless demons who refused to back down from fights, wanting to be remembered as great demons in the scriptures.

Their obsession created the current Demon Realm and became the steps toward survival.

“Please grant permission, Your Excellency.”

Yursael earnestly requested Durin. Though not difficult, such acts would later become part of mythology when recorded. Like an angel, he was building a narrative to fuel religious devotion.

“I agree with your opinion.”

“Thank you. Then right now…”

“However, I lack the authority to perform it myself in the cathedral.”

Authority?

For the first time, a question appeared in Yursael’s expression.

What could possibly be lacking for Durin, the successor of the goddess?

“I will bring Her Majesty directly.”

While punishment of traitors could be carried out in the goddess’s name, becoming a soldier required the approval of the Demon King, the ruler of the Demon Realm.

Durin’s very existence placed him in a lofty position beyond the constraints of power as the successor of the goddess, but this power was ultimately a weapon to confront the Celestial Realm. He had no intention of seizing the Demon Realm.

Eventually, he would move to a higher place. The undead to be used in the legion, rather than as powerful warriors, would be forces for Serphin who would remain in the Demon Realm. She needed to appoint and govern them.

“I will report and make the request on my way. Her Majesty will gladly accept it.”

“Th-thank you, Your Excellency.”

“Reserve your worship for the supreme being in the Demon Realm.”

Due to Durin’s extended stay and strong grip on the human realm, some adjustment was necessary.

Now was the right time after concluding a war, and an opportunity to delegate some power to the core leadership, including Yursael.

“Long live the Demon King. May she be praised.”

He needed to distance himself gradually.

Now he was the successor of the goddess, not just the Regent.

He would entrust his position to someone else and face the trials ordained by fate.

“Prepare the warp gate. I will head to the Demon Realm.”

With the resurrected Mother.

#

The war in the human realm brought many changes.

The Demon Realm was immersed in the atmosphere of successive victories. While the highest ranks, including the Demon King, couldn’t fully enjoy it as they discussed the future, the lower legions rejoiced and sang songs.

“I hear the Regent is returning this time.”

“They say he’s presenting spoils of war along with post-war reports to Her Majesty.”

“That’s something to look forward to!”

Soldiers gathered in groups around the warp gate. They were eager to meet the Regent as soon as possible.

“Do they know? That this victory is not just a simple triumph.”

Serphin, watching the soldiers from the royal hall, spoke in a solemn voice. The king was not excited.

“A great trial will soon cover the Demon Realm. We might face a crisis worse than the previous era of decline.”

This was why they couldn’t simply rejoice.

The fact that they had regained their goddess still didn’t feel real. Having never properly felt the power of death, it remained vague. She had only noticed that the energy Durin showed on his last visit had changed.

“I’ve been troubled since receiving the report from the observatory.”

“It’s the weight a king must bear.”

Grand Magistrate Matheus did not comfort Serphin. Instead, he offered firm words.

“The fact that the Celestial Realm is moving its army and preparing for a full-scale invasion won’t change just because we fear it. You must remain steadfast to keep the lower legions from wavering. Moreover, through Durin’s visit, our Demon Realm regains the power of the goddess.”

“That’s actually what I fear most.”

Serphin gave an unexpected answer. The Grand Magistrate was momentarily taken aback and couldn’t continue.

“What do you mean, Your Majesty?”

“Durin will become the successor of the goddess and follow her will.”

“That’s natural. And it’s also a blessing to celebrate.”

“That means Durin will leave my side.”

The divine warrior. One who must eventually conquer the Celestial Realm.

He will awaken the forgotten Mother and go to reclaim stolen rights.

If that happens, what of herself as the Demon King?

“I will remain alone in the Demon Realm to rule this land, and that’s what I fear most.”

The Grand Magistrate pondered the king’s words. It wasn’t simply about fear. She had been governing this land well on her own until now, yet suddenly worried about Durin’s absence. This could only mean one thing.

“You seem to be relying heavily on the Regent.”

“That’s…”

Serphin fumbled with her words. It wasn’t about royal virtues or administrative abilities.

It was emotional. Her heart, which depended greatly on him, was wavering.

She had been certain that the Regent who left for the human realm would return someday. He would be able to spend time with her.

But…

“If he leaves, I think I’ll be very lonely. How should I put it… I can’t express it any further.”

Serphin smiled awkwardly. Unable to express her feelings, she kept biting her lip. Grand Magistrate Matheus watched with sympathy. The old demon immediately understood what the young demon was thinking.

“Your Majesty, I have no way to advise you on this path.”

“Should I visit the Witch of Prophecy?”

“No. This is not determined by fate. It’s like a tangled thread that only Your Majesty and the Regent can unravel together.”

“…It’s very complicated.”

“It will be a trial too strong to express in words.”

Serphin pondered Matheus’s advice. She knew well what he was saying. Though expressed indirectly, this growing feeling would eventually need to be addressed.

“It has moved from dependence to expectation, and from expectation to excitement.”

“Being drawn to a powerful demon is natural.”

“How embarrassing. Let’s leave it at that.”

The Demon King shook her head. She lightly patted her cheeks. Though it was an undignified action, the Grand Magistrate overlooked it.

“Set aside your worries for now and focus on your duties. Complex feelings are best forgotten through necessary obligations.”

“That’s a good idea.”

The Grand Magistrate’s advice was excellent, at least in the Demon King’s opinion.

“Then let’s go.”

Serphin walked majestically.

Her footsteps echoed in the royal hall. As she gracefully descended the stairs leading to the corridor, the golden magic of dominion spread. The legion parted to the left and right.

Her destination was the warp gate.

The place where the Regent would be waiting.

The short corridor leading there felt longer than expected.

“…What am I thinking.”

Serphin swallowed her feelings.

As Matheus said, duty came first now.

At least for now…