Ch.186Flame (3)

Legion banners embroidered the horizon, fluttering proudly.

They were the proud symbols of those who served the Demon King. Each time the wind blew, golden demonic energy rippled through them, creating a magnificent spectacle rarely witnessed in one’s lifetime.

“Your Majesty. We have been waiting for you.”

As Caldragoth arrived at the northwestern front, Durin greeted the king with proper ceremony.

Despite countless battles fought, the Demon Castle’s greatest warrior remained formidable as ever. The hastily assembled legion, gathered merely for their love of war, was overwhelmed by the sight of these elite forces.

“You’ve kept your position.”

“I was merely fulfilling my duty, as I should.”

“The demon realm has stood unwavering because of you. I express my gratitude first.”

“I appreciate your words, but time is of the essence. Please come to the command tent to receive a report on the battlefield situation.”

Durin declined the king’s praise, prioritizing the crisis at hand.

Though this could have been perceived as disrespectful, the king who had spent long years with him was pleased. Caldragoth gladly accepted Durin’s unique expression of loyalty.

“I shall do so.”

“I am deeply honored, Your Majesty.”

With the king’s permission, Durin immediately took command of the troops.

“What are you all doing? Escort His Majesty inside at once. The rest of you, check the condition of the newly incorporated legion members and supply them with necessary provisions. If you fail to make them into warriors worthy of the front line, you will be held accountable.”

His thunderous voice echoed through the sky, causing demons to hurriedly find their positions. It was a sight that satisfied Caldragoth.

“Please enter, Your Majesty.”

As Durin performed the final courtesy toward the Demon King, the king was so satisfied that he forgot about the earlier behavior.

“I shall do so, my great warrior.”

#

The first thing to greet the king was a war map.

Many markers were drawn on the western swamplands, most indicating victories for the demon realm.

All were moves placed by Durin. Caldragoth examined them carefully as he spoke.

“I hear you moved the Western Legion.”

“They’ve achieved great results against the Holy Army.”

“Great results indeed. It seems the beasts of the west are more effective than expected.”

“They’ve demonstrated physical abilities that can withstand holy power to some extent. Moreover, the western swamps are their homeland, so they’ve used the geographical advantage to defeat the knights one by one.”

“I understand they’ve killed hundreds of knights. An impressive achievement.”

They weren’t even regular demon forces, just local lizardfolk. Using the swamp’s toxic energy, which neither holy power nor demonic energy could penetrate, they had defeated the knights—an achievement that bordered on the impossible.

Of course, in the grand scheme, it was small, but the desired outcome wasn’t the annihilation of the knights but drawing the Holy Army out of the swamplands.

“The damage to the Holy Army may be minimal, but we’ve properly wounded the pride of those arrogant ones. They should start moving soon.”

“We’ve already confirmed through our scouts. The Holy Army is positioned at the central passage of the swamplands, preparing to advance.”

“What is their troop strength?”

“One hundred thousand, the same as our army.”

“They’ve dispatched considerable reinforcements as well.”

Considering the head of the warrior general that Durin had taken, it seemed few, but for the demon realm, even that number was quite threatening.

“Do they intend to crush the border legion?”

“Since there’s no benefit to them in occupying the demon realm, it seems they want to make us bow our heads to a reasonable extent.”

Caldragoth looked back. Rudmila, who was attending the king in place of Regent Azmosa who was in charge of defending the Demon Castle, listened to Durin’s words and responded.

“According to what our sorcerers have gathered, the celestial realm is currently troubled by issues in the human world.”

“The human world?”

“Dark cults that worship our demon realm are rampant across the continent, defiling the land.”

“It seems the observatory is busy with various matters.”

“Humans do not follow fate. They merely get swept up in the waves they themselves create.”

“Whatever the reason, the center is now safe from the threat of heroes, and the celestial realm cannot properly focus on the demon realm. This is an opportunity granted by fate.”

Caldragoth looked forward again. His gaze fixed on Durin, who had listened and understood the situation.

“I understand that the only place for a large-scale battle in the western theater is this central pioneering zone.”

“The celestial realm has laid many obstacles in preparation for our offensive, but I won’t worry about that. Since you’ve brought sorcerers to break through this area, I’ll utilize them to the fullest.”

At Durin’s words, Rudmila thrust out her chest.

It was a sign of confidence. Caldragoth smiled at the young demon’s spirit.

“No need for lengthy talk. You already know my intentions.”

“As soon as we complete the integration of the legions, we will break through the central region and advance to the northwestern front.”

“We will reclaim our ancestral land and seize all the warp gates and supplies they’ve established.”

“Everything shall be done according to Your Majesty’s will. I shall obey.”

Durin bowed his head.

With such a reliable commander, Caldragoth could set aside his concerns for a moment.

“I will trust in you.”

The king’s sincere words.

Durin, with his head bowed, accepted the command.

#

Three days passed from then.

The border legion and central legion, reunited under Demon King Caldragoth, completed their preparations to face the angels. Under the fluttering banners, they displayed a fighting spirit so intense it seemed they would rush to the battlefield at any moment.

“Sorcery Battalion! Prepare!”

It was time to lay the groundwork for them. The elite sorcerers personally assembled by Azmosa stepped forward.

The western swamplands, known as the Green Hell, did not permit any divine power, but that was only within the bounds of common sense.

If they brought all the sorcerers from the Demon Castle and unleashed their formidable firepower, the story would be different.

The power of Istria, which had declared total war, rose from within the massive pentagram, and a dark red energy began to strike the entire western continent.

BOOM!

CRASH!

THUD!!

The obstacles installed to prevent large-scale armies from passing and the swamp’s toxic energy evaporated in an instant. It left only barren land for the demon legion to rampage freely.

“Increase output! Strike the celestial army as well!”

As Rudmila raised the output further, the surging demonic energy swept the front like a wave. It struck beyond the uninhabited zone, hitting the defense line managed by the enemy.

CRACKLE!!

BOOM!

Intense sparks erupted. As the holy barrier burned away the demonic power, tremendous smoke billowed out. It covered the world in darkness to such an extent that it evoked memories of the ancient Heaven-Demon Great War.

WHOOSH!!

Of course, the celestial army didn’t just take the attack passively.

A beam of light poured down, pushing back the demonic energy of the sorcery battalion. There was no earth-shaking impact, but it burned everything around it, demonstrating the power of the celestial god.

-Is it you? Those who defy the will.

A deep voice echoed from afar.

It belonged to a white-winged figure that rose from the land where a round of bombardment had just occurred.

-Demon King Caldragoth. I have personally joined the battle to slay you.

He had four pairs of wings.

The white energy was so pure that it seemed to embody the principles of the world.

An overwhelming presence that even demons could appreciate.

The demon warriors could immediately identify who he was.

“Krazael.”

The great warrior favored by the God of Light.

The equivalent of Durin in the celestial realm. The one who wielded holy power most violently had descended upon the demon realm, leaving them with only judgment as their fate.

“I’ve been waiting.”

Caldragoth ignored the whispers of fate. The king greeted him with a broad smile.

The adversary.

The destiny he had accepted.

The aspiration to make the demon realm great again and reclaim forgotten rights, not just for the falling Istria.

The duty he had inscribed many times for that purpose.

“My end will shine brilliantly on this glorious battlefield.”

Caldragoth drew up his power.

It was the maximum ability the Demon King of Istria could show.

The golden demonic power, murkier than holy power, spread throughout the area, pushing back the light that had been burning the demonic energy.

The power of dominion, as powerful as the primordial forces that had confronted each other.

“Watch. I will engrave my final flame upon you.”

The golden light enveloped the legion.

The demons no longer feared holy power.

A flame that couldn’t burn was merely an illusion.

“Caldragoth!!!”

“My king!”

The legion stomped their feet.

The vanguard, spears at the ready, advanced fiercely toward the angels, transforming the chaotic land into a brilliant dueling ground.

-Stop them.

-All forces, deploy!!!

The angels were not to be outdone.

The Holy Knight Order, on horseback, volunteered to lead the charge against the demons.

The tips of spears forged with holy power aimed for the demons’ throats.

“A glorious battlefield!”

“For God!”

The two armies approached each other with roars.

The noble first steps were soon engulfed in death. Fear briefly emerged but was quickly consumed by frenzied heat.

“Die!!”

All that remained in the end was killing intent.

Weapons seeking to slaughter the opponent aimed for each other’s hearts.

The ensuing fountains of blood severed the threads of reason, pushing everyone into a battlefield that resembled hell.

“AAAAARGH!!”

“GACK!”

“AAAAGH!!”

As screams intertwined, soulless bodies tumbled about.

The glory they had cried out for was nowhere to be found. Only severed limbs and ownerless heads rolling on the ground.

The Heaven-Demon Great War was always centered around horrific butchery.