Ch.178Blood Memory (4)

In the memories of the past, the expedition had gone very smoothly.

This was because the entire demon realm hadn’t collapsed like when the betraying Demon King fled. The legions that still firmly held their positions had repelled numerous invasions. Of course, one couldn’t say there weren’t places still shaken by the shock of defeat from the previous era, but stability was quickly restored when Durin personally led the army.

[The northern fortresses have pledged their loyalty once again. Their hearts remain unchanged toward the Istria Demon King, so I believe they can be trusted.]

[I am currently comforting the soldiers of the western legion. Those who silently maintain the front line in filthy conditions are truly admirable. Durin, bring back news of victory for Istria.]

Two messages arrived simultaneously.

Though it had been a long time since he’d seen them, they were still as grumbling as ever. It was a scene from his memories, but experiencing that familiar landscape after so long awakened something in Durin.

“Mother. We overcame our trials through unity. Though we ultimately fell, we endured to the best of our ability.”

Durin looked up at the sky.

He offered a prayer to the Goddess of Night, who must be watching from somewhere in the clear streams of light.

“Witness our resistance. Comfort the resentment of those who struggled.”

After expressing his final wish, he gripped his sword firmly.

The scene before him was a battlefield. In the distance, five thousand angels were approaching. Nothing had changed from hundreds of years ago until now. They began their advance arrogantly, disregarding the demons.

It was time to engrave the moment of victory once more.

He brought forth emotions that had worn away over the long years.

The golden Milky Way recreated the battlefield it had desired.

“Charge. Don’t leave a single one alive.”

#

“A great victory.”

“Not one survivor among the five thousand angels of the advance force.”

“The northwestern front has been greatly weakened. Now is our chance!”

On the western front commanded by Caldrago.

The news of victory that arrived after a long time greatly encouraged everyone.

With Durin achieving a great victory, hope blossomed that everyone else could do it too.

“We cannot miss this opportunity.”

Caldrago also responded to the calls of his vassals.

Currently, there were about twenty thousand celestial forces stationed in the demon realm.

With five thousand of them gone, holes were bound to appear in the front line. Durin’s legion would drive forward from the front, and Killahal’s Senate forces would apply pressure from the east, so the west couldn’t remain idle either.

“Let’s go immediately! We must achieve merit to elevate Istria’s authority!”

Speed was crucial. It would be best to strike while they were still in confusion.

“Please stop.”

Just one person.

Among the Istrian staff caught up in the momentum, a voice of opposition arose.

“Considering our army’s objective, we must not advance.”

Azmosa. The Green-Horned Matriarch stood in their way.

Had it been anyone else, they would have been immediately ignored, but Azmosa’s authority was considerable.

The command that was about to lead the army had no choice but to hesitate.

“Aunt, why are you stopping us? We should sweep them away right now.”

“This is the western front. Do you think breaking through the line is possible?”

“That’s why we need to go now. We should strike when they are greatly weakened.”

“No matter how weakened the celestial realm is, how can you invade land overflowing with divine power? Without a legion from the castle that includes sorcery battalions, do you think you can accomplish this with just Istria’s private soldiers? Impossible.”

With Azmosa, who was originally in an advisory role, taking such a strong stance, there was little they could do.

The only one who could oppose her was Caldrago. But even he was being pushed back.

“B-but I need to achieve merit. If it’s to fill the collapsed authority of the castle…”

“Young king, have you not yet realized why Durin sent you here?”

“…Is it not because I am still lacking and thus was assigned to the rear?”

Shamefully, he thought this was the truth.

He believed he had been relegated to the rear because he was so lacking that Durin had to tell him directly to build his strength.

But Azmosa said that wasn’t the answer.

“The authority of the castle comes not only from victory but most importantly from the loyalty that comes from other continents. The greatest enemy of the demon realm is neither competitors with different horns nor the celestial realm, but a divided future. Why are you still so fixated on achievements without realizing this?”

“I thought that if we crushed them with victory, they would follow naturally.”

“What use is that without power! You must give your subordinates a reason to follow you, not just look at results. Caldrago, you are still a child, so you need time to grow, and you need people who will buy you that time.”

You don’t need to do it alone.

Authority doesn’t come from one’s own strength.

The demon realm’s principle of “the strong rule” ultimately means that power flows to those who hold all the strength.

“Caldrago, if you truly want to be king, find those who are dedicated to duty. If you gather them and make them Istria’s force, the day of your leap forward will surely come.”

“Can I do it?”

“You must. If you fail, the Istrian dynasty will end with Caldrago’s generation.”

Azmosa fearlessly uttered these frightening words.

One could call it disrespectful, but no one refuted her. It was because the failures that had continued for hundreds of years were truly strangling them.

It was time to move toward acknowledgment.

“Aunt is right. I will accept it all.”

Caldrago bowed his head as if ashamed.

It was difficult to do as a king. But this moment became a stepping stone and an opportunity for advancement.

“Instead of thinking about fighting, try to embrace the west. I’ve already found a warrior for you.”

“A warrior?”

Gathering resources that will form the foundation of power.

Caldrago’s eyes widened, as if he hadn’t expected that work to begin immediately.

“Come in, Yoannina.”

Someone entered the command tent.

It was a woman with the eyes of a beast. Though she lacked the unique aura that demons should have, her powerful physique was evident.

Caldrago could instinctively sense it.

“A lizardman hybrid?”

“My father was once the ruler of the west.”

The demon who openly introduced herself as a local power looked at Caldrago and grinned.

“So I think I can be of great help. Don’t you agree?”

It was a manner of speech that completely ignored central etiquette.

That resonated deeply with Caldrago. Gathering such demons to increase his power.

There must be many in this world who haven’t been reached by the central authority, so soon the Red-Horned Killahal would grow into a force that couldn’t be ignored.

It was the moment he instantly understood what Azmosa had said.

“I look forward to working with you, Yoannina.”

“Sure, Cal… drago?”

Their firmly clasped hands heralded change.

……

Shhhhh.

The golden Milky Way receded.

Serphin’s consciousness rose to the surface.

“Phew.”

When she closed her eyes and opened them again, the familiar night sky of the observatory came into view.

Azmosa’s form had disappeared, and a sparkling light was facing Serphin.

[Even the great King Caldrago wasn’t extraordinary from the beginning.]

The Milky Way approached Serphin gently.

[He built his reputation through stages of growth.]

The golden light rippled.

Numerous scenes flashed before Serphin’s eyes.

-Come forth, great warrior of the north! The master of the castle has arrived!

-The south is an ancient land. I will grant them autonomy in exchange for the duty of war.

-All demons of the center, unite! We will triumph against the celestial realm!

As time passed, Caldrago grew steadily.

Erasing his previous emotional self that was obsessed with authority, he focused on expanding his power.

Indeed, those efforts bore fruit, leading to what was called the demon realm’s renaissance, a second golden age.

“But Demon King Caldrago didn’t succeed.”

Serphin knew the outcome through history.

The Demon King, despite his successful progress, ultimately fell.

Despite all that effort.

“I’m afraid the same will happen to me. Plus, I don’t even have any power base.”

I will change.

I will try.

I will stand with him.

Despite making numerous resolutions while going through various wars with Durin, there were still no tangible results.

What achievements had she accomplished even within the Demon King’s castle?

It seemed like all she had done was tame a dragon to fly around on.

Compared to the bloody efforts of her struggling retainers, it was far too meager.

[Weak and fragile Serphin of Istria. Don’t be too sad.]

Azmosa didn’t give up. She continued to instill strength in the young queen.

[Caldrago didn’t fall. Rather, he passed his will to you.]

“…What do you mean?”

Serphin turned around. That’s where the voice had come from.

The young queen could now see Azmosa’s form that had somehow drawn near.

[It would be better for you to see it directly.]

“What?”

[Caldrago’s great final moment.]

Azmosa took one step closer.

It seemed like she was caressing her, but her hand pushed Serphin without hesitation.

“Huh?”

Falling from the night sky to the ground.

Her consciousness sank again. She prepared for another past to unfold.

[That time of desperate resistance against the celestial realm.]

[The day when the demon realm’s final flame flickered.]

[You will see the will that Istria left behind.]

The golden Milky Way announced the finale.