Ch.177Blood Memory (3)

“I’ll stay here.”

The meeting with Durin hadn’t gone well.

It reminded Serphin of the Southern Rebellion, the worst period of his life.

Though they were now bound in a master-servant relationship and treated each other with respect, back then they had harbored great hostility.

To be precise, it was during Serphin’s immature days when he alone had been raging wildly.

Several unpleasant incidents had occurred while correcting that behavior, so it was natural to feel dejected.

“Hmm.”

Azmotha wore an awkward expression. She had arranged this brief reunion since it had been a long time since they’d met Durin, but the outcome wasn’t good.

“That’s unfortunate.”

After all, this world created from the Golden Milky Way was meant more for the Night Goddess than for Serphin. It didn’t matter as long as she was enjoying the spectacle. The failure of a small event was very trivial.

“Cheer up, Serphin. It’s time to move on to the next chapter.”

Nod.

A faint feeling stirred inside.

Azmotha closed her eyes with a gentle smile at Serphin’s small sulking gesture.

Simultaneously, the world moved on.

#

“Your Majesty. They have raised an army.”

Durin opened his eyes.

Morning had arrived after the dark night.

Bright sunlight poured down.

“They’ve already breached several border fortresses in succession.”

But the hall was extremely noisy.

“Chaotic” would be an apt description. He was standing in the king’s bedchamber.

The Golden Milky Way had brought him to a point considerably later in time.

“The legion is already prepared. Please give us your command.”

An aging king deep in thought before officials who bowed their heads.

This was the first scene of the stage Durin now faced.

“How many of them are there?”

“The advance force has been confirmed at five thousand, sir.”

“Not as many as I thought.”

“They seem to be testing the state of our fortress. If they sense instability due to our consecutive defeats, Heaven will see this as an opportunity and launch a full-scale war.”

Caldragoth passionately addressed the king.

He was trying to instill vigilance in the demons who had been reassured by the small numbers.

“We must block them now! If we lead the legion and crush them at once, they wouldn’t dare approach again, and the demon realm will secure its next opportunity.”

The ultimate goal was singular:

To recapture the northwestern front and restore Istria’s prestige that had been unrecovered for so long.

Caldragoth was more fervent than ever.

“Your Majesty. Do not hesitate and miss this chance. If you entrust me with the army, I will fulfill our long-standing aspiration.”

“The Red Horns will cooperate as well. Fighting against Heaven has been our wish too.”

Killahal stepped forward to make his case. Caldragoth glanced at him with suspicion.

The cunning demon smiled back at him. Though they were supposedly helping each other, it was quite unpleasant.

Because the dark intentions behind it were obvious.

-He’s trying to elevate the Red Horns’ position in a war that’s certain to be won.

For Caldragoth, who was designated as the next king, this was an unwelcome proposal. But he couldn’t refuse.

No one would look favorably upon someone who openly threatened civil war.

“It is truly a pleasing sight to see demons united in the face of crisis.”

Old King Etarna, who had been watching this scene with closed lips, finally spoke.

“If we stand together like this, we can surely defeat Heaven, so I hope you will continue to work together.”

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

The two leaders of Istria and the Red Horns bowed their heads.

Now only one thing remained: the order to march.

“The end is truly approaching now.”

With those words, the king rose from his throne. Though he was old enough to be near death, his eyes were still sharp.

Knowing this was his final war, he put determination in his voice.

“Here we shall wash away our tarnished honor and advance for the sake of future generations.”

“Your Majesty! I will lead the vanguard. Please grant me the honor of command.”

Caldragoth exclaimed as if he had been waiting for this moment. It was also the expected course of action.

He strongly wished to lead the glorious battlefield in place of his elderly father.

“Commander…”

Etarna held back his next words. Caldragoth sensed that something was wrong.

He had expected to be granted the king’s sword in the momentum, but that scene did not immediately follow.

Instead, it took a twist.

“The demon who exerts the greatest power against archangels. That is the right person for this war.”

An ominous premonition surged. And it never missed the mark.

“Captain of the Guard. Durin.”

Etarna called for the Red Horn general.

A towering warrior who had been waiting at the back of the formation walked forward with heavy steps.

“You called for me.”

He gave a simple salute. It was quite arrogant, but fitting for his abilities.

Etarna responded with a benevolent smile.

“I shall pass the honor of command to you. Lead the army, subjugate those angels, and return.”

At Etarna’s gesture, a waiting secretary brought forth a sword.

A rugged steel sword. It was the treasured weapon worn by generations of Demon Kings and favored by the first king who had fled to the demon realm.

As that precious item was placed before Durin, two gazes converged.

“I have always believed in you.”

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

Killahal and Caldragoth.

The two demons were not pleased with this situation.

#

Preparations for the expedition went smoothly.

Though there were dissatisfied factions, the legion followed Durin who had received the Demon King’s support.

If one wanted to achieve merit in war, they had no choice but to join him.

“You want to utilize the private armies of Istria and the Red Horns?”

“Hmm.”

That’s why they couldn’t help but be perplexed by this order.

Durin spoke to them in a calm tone.

“As you know, we’re dealing with an advance force. The legion hasn’t fully recovered from the damage of the last war, so we need the help of private armies. Your forces have been used to protect the central region, so they’re still intact, aren’t they?”

His voice directed at Killahal was like frost.

It contained a warning that something might happen if he didn’t comply.

The same applied to Caldragoth.

“The same goes for Istria. The legion’s capacity is directly connected to the authority of the Demon King’s castle. This is a provision for the next war, so please follow along.”

It wasn’t a bad proposal for Caldragoth either.

When first asked to provide troops, his thinking had stopped due to the characteristically oppressive atmosphere, but he soon understood.

If it was for the Demon King’s castle, it was the right action.

“Very well. I will use Istria’s forces to destroy the reconnaissance team.”

“…”

“Surely you’re not going to say you won’t participate in this, Killahal.”

Caldragoth smiled triumphantly.

“I’ve been saying since last time that command should be transferred to the Red Horns. Now is that opportunity. Let’s achieve merit and rise to that glorious position.”

The consumption of the Red Horns would be beneficial to Istria.

He thought that Durin, as one who served the progenitor Belial, was doing something to help the Green Horns.

“Prince Caldragoth.”

But that was just a fleeting thought.

“The Red Horn units will be used to reinforce fortresses near the border.”

Durin had decided to use the Istria forces elsewhere.

“Then where will our Istria forces go?”

“You must go to the western border region.”

The swamplands.

A notorious land called the terrible green hell where lizardmen natives lived.

It was also the reason why Heaven, unable to break through the northern border, couldn’t bypass to the west.

Going there meant…

“I would like you to comfort the soldiers who are holding back the angels. That’s why I’ve specially assigned Istria forces rather than the legion. If you devote yourself fully, the royal family’s popularity will increase even more.”

“Hmm.”

Caldragoth knew as well. That Durin had arranged this placement thinking only of the castle’s authority.

But the west was an uncomfortable space for royalty to live in. His head told him he should go, but his heart was not moved at all.

So he hesitated for a long time.

“Then I’ll take that as acceptance.”

Durin was merciless. Despite Caldragoth not answering, he enforced the deployment using his authority as commander.

Thus, the deployment positions for all units were determined.

The legion would occupy the passages positioned between the border areas, and the Red Horns would monitor the surrounding borders and ensure a perfect defensive posture.

Finally, the Istria forces would advance to the western region to block any possible variables and comfort the border legion, thus beginning Caldragoth’s first expedition.

The conquest of the northwestern front had begun.

#

“Aunt, what should I do about Captain of the Guard Durin?”

On the way to the western continent.

Caldragoth lamented.

“If I become the Demon King, I must control him, but he doesn’t seem to come under my hand at all.”

“So that’s why you’ve been so hostile?”

Azmotha smiled and answered.

The young king-to-be had asked for her advice.

“Rather than hostility, it was closer to jealousy. He has power far beyond mine and receives the king’s favor.”

“He has perfect abilities to the extent of being appointed commander for this war. He’s not someone that the still inexperienced Your Highness can easily handle.”

“I want to receive his loyalty. If left alone, I worry he’ll become a great trouble later.”

“Then it wasn’t jealousy but fear.”

Caldragoth had been speaking indirectly.

Being a high-ranking demon himself, he couldn’t carelessly utter words like “fear.”

The young successor, struck at his core, lowered his head.

“It’s an entirely natural emotion. Don’t be too ashamed.”

Azmotha comforted him.

“They say a demon should naturally challenge the strong, but there are times when that’s not possible. You worry about being pushed back out of fear or becoming someone who can’t do anything and depends on him.”

This was also a message to Serphin within.

“But I think a king should know how to use even that.”

“Use it, you say?”

“Focus on using his power to eliminate enemies or solidify your authority. Moreover, Durin is a warrior who can be very easily used.”

“I wonder if I’ll ever have such power.”

“Durin will gladly follow if you provide him with adequate power.”

Azmotha spoke with conviction.

“He is a warrior who thinks only of the demon realm. He will give great help to overcome trials together.”

“Hmm.”

“So don’t think too one-sidedly. It’s better to focus only on using that powerful strength to make the Demon King’s castle even greater. This is my advice to you and…”

It was also a message to Serphin.

“Aunt?”

“Don’t worry about it. I was going to say more but thought it might not be necessary.”

Azmotha briefly looked inward.

-…

She could glimpse Serphin, similarly troubled.