Ch.189Flame (6)

One Step.

Though destiny pressed down heavily, making it difficult to exert strength, if they could just take that one step, they could overcome the trial.

The Legion fought with all their might for the world they sought to reclaim.

Even if it was a desperate struggle, nothing mattered as long as they could achieve victory. They advanced willingly, knowing they would be recorded in scripture as warriors who, alongside the Demon King, defeated the angels.

“They’re retreating!”

“The enemy is falling back!”

The moment they had only dreamed of.

The Celestial forces could not withstand the offensive and fell back. At first, they retreated in orderly fashion, but gradually they couldn’t endure the fierce pressure. More and more threw away their dented shields and withdrew.

Fear.

An emotion never before seen appeared in the eyes of the white-winged ones. The Legion finally felt that destiny was looking upon them.

They had done it.

“Let’s go!”

“Advance!”

While the right flank struggled fiercely against the elite forces, the left wing reached the enemy’s flank first. They trampled the broken formation and began their charge toward the center where the Archangel would be.

“Istria has done it.”

“Erase the sins left by the primordial bloodline! Let us prove that the Green Horns are the true royal lineage!”

When they finally stood proudly before destiny,

The flow of the world tested them one last time.

-Come, demons.

Four pairs of brilliant wings painted the sky golden. A deep voice resonated, pressing down on the area with powerful pressure. The advancing demons halted their steps. Istria’s soldiers looked up as if entranced.

-I have been waiting for your challenge.

Archangel Krazael,

The warrior commander who had defeated countless demons descended, and the world froze.

“W-why is the Archangel here…?”

“Why must His Majesty face such an opponent…”

The confused Istrian commanders hesitated. They had clearly thought this space would be empty.

Logically, shouldn’t the Archangel be fighting the Demon King?

Who would be responsible for the Celestial front line!

-I shall witness not my glory, but the victory of this war. I will judge you and restore order.

Krazael drew his golden sword. A powerful light colored the sky, announcing the arrival of another sun.

The high demons of Istria finally snapped to their senses.

If they didn’t retreat, everyone would die.

If the left wing collapsed, the center would be breached.

‘Couldn’t His Majesty break through the center where the Archangel is absent?’

‘Kaldrago’s physical condition prevents him from advancing to conduct the war.’

Once the conclusion was reached, there was no hesitation.

This time, it was the demons who had to retreat.

“All forces, withdraw!”

“Do not engage! This is an opponent we cannot defeat!”

The Istrian commanders made a swift decision. They couldn’t wastefully expend the Legion in a futile death.

However, an orderly retreat did not materialize. They faced soldiers fleeing in disorder, terrified by the Archangel’s might.

“The rear! Who will take responsibility for the rear!”

“I will step forward myself. Let the young ones withdraw!”

Elderly nobles sacrificed themselves to preserve the main force. Despite facing an unwinnable battle, the green-horned demons drew their swords and charged.

Even if it was a futile gesture, they burned with determination.

“We must regroup. If we collapse, our flank will be completely exposed!”

Simultaneously, they urgently searched for one demon.

“Where is Durin?”

“The right wing is in a stalemate. They cannot break through to influence this area.”

“Then…”

All remaining Istrian demons would have to rush in to hold back the angels.

They thought steps toward victory remained, but fate extended harsh choices.

-Will you die gloriously, leaving behind an honorable name and sacrificing your life for the Demon King?

-Or will you flee dishonorably, preserving your life but suffering terrible rumors for generations until you end your own life?

“Damn it!”

They could not retreat.

As members of the royal dynasty, if they left behind disgrace, even living would not be truly living.

A future consumed by holy fire. That was the only move left to them.

“AAAAARGH!”

Leaving the fleeing soldiers behind, the entire Istrian command staff turned around.

With five hundred cavalry, they leaped into the flames.

-How fleeting.

Though they appeared infinitely small in the eyes of the angel watching this scene.

#

“Truly an incomprehensible war.”

The left flank was collapsing.

They had launched a major charge in coordination with the right wing, but the Archangel’s appearance stopped everything.

“In the end, I must lead the army myself. That is the only path to victory.”

Before the left flank completely collapsed, they needed to win the main battle.

Kaldrago knew this well and was about to advance to the front line.

“Your Majesty. Your physical condition is poor.”

“If something were to happen to you during battle, the future of the demon realm would be shaken.”

The few remaining royal guards held back the king.

They were concerned about Kaldrago’s damaged body.

“Please leave it to the royal guards. We will accomplish it.”

“Time is short. Don’t you know that we must overwhelm their main force immediately to win this war?”

“Nevertheless, the royal guard wishes to block Your Majesty’s path. This is a problem that cannot be solved by will alone.”

The royal guards absolutely refused to yield. If the main formation collapsed under the left flank’s offensive, they intended to withdraw the king without delay.

No, it wasn’t just a hypothetical concern.

Considering the Archangel’s forces pushing in from the flank, the scales of victory had already tipped. Unless Durin achieved a miraculous breakthrough on the right wing—but even that seemed unlikely with the celestial elite forces concentrated there to block him.

“Then… must we retreat again?”

Kaldrago’s voice was mixed with indignation. His demonic aura of dominance wavered uncontrollably with his emotions.

The change was significant enough for the fighting soldiers to feel it.

“If we cannot achieve victory this time, the demon realm is finished!”

Kaldrago shouted as if screaming.

The pain was all the greater because they had briefly tasted the sweetness of victory that fate had momentarily offered.

“It is not the end. Outstanding individuals will sustain our future. If we can rebuild our internal strength, the opportunity can be passed to future generations.”

“Do you think the Red Horns will leave us be? They will usurp the throne and discard all the achievements I’ve built. For their own authority and security!”

“We have Durin. Trust him. How could anyone rebel when the greatest warrior of the Demon King’s castle stands firm?”

Kaldrago, who had been uncontrollable with excitement, hesitated. The name of the general who had defended the borders through years of turmoil gave him a moment of stability.

The look in Kaldrago’s eyes, which had nearly lost all reason, returned.

“Yes. Durin. He was there. The most trustworthy warrior.”

He was a warrior who could match the enemy’s elite forces on the right wing. Although he currently lacked the strength to break through, he clearly had the potential to pierce the celestial forces if given time.

Above all, his dedication to duty had been proven throughout history.

“Then I am reassured. I can take to the battlefield myself.”

“Your Majesty!”

“He will ensure the demon realm does not fall. With such a great warrior, we can remember our ancient rights against the celestial threat!”

Emboldened, Kaldrago emitted his demonic aura even more powerfully.

His wavering dominance was instantly strengthened. It was the purest golden demonic aura ever seen.

Even the high demon royal guards were swept up by it, involuntarily kneeling.

“I shall not tremble under the weight of fear. I will fight the enemy boldly!”

Kaldrago drew his sword.

His demonic warhorse responded with a neigh. The powerful cry echoed across the battlefield, pounding the hearts of the Legion.

“Let’s go!”

The king advanced without hesitation.

The royal guards followed. The reserve forces, caught up in the atmosphere, charged toward the front together.

“Follow the king!”

“Do not fall behind His Majesty! The Legion consists of warriors who advance and cut down the enemy!”

A wave crashed into the main force where both sides had been evenly matched.

#

“General! The center is moving. The aura of dominance has grown stronger!”

After an intense battle, a messenger ran to Durin, who had temporarily withdrawn.

It was sweet news to the right wing soldiers whose momentum had been broken after failing to break through the celestial elite forces.

“You mean His Majesty has taken to the battlefield?”

“Yes, sir. He is reportedly leading the royal guards at the front.”

Durin felt a chill.

There was only one case when the Demon King would risk danger by stepping forward.

When the tide of battle turned defensive.

“This is no time to be standing around. We must break through in coordination with the center.”

The demonic cavalry hurriedly formed ranks.

Time was of the essence. Before the king fell, they had to break through that solid celestial wall.

“All forces, prepare!”

At Durin’s signal, the cavalry raised their tension once more.

Their burning fighting spirit flickered like flames. Their determination to follow the king was more abundant than ever.

“General!”

At that moment, the aide’s cry awakened everyone.

Even Durin, immersed in the war, could not maintain his tension.

“What is it?”

“L-look over there.”

The aide pointed to the rear.

There was no king or royal guards there, only sorcerers and a small protective force. There should be no one to give orders…

“A retreat signal?”

Durin’s eyes caught a fluttering flag.

It clearly ordered a retreat.

There was no one who would act independently.

This meant it was the Demon King’s final order.

“We couldn’t overcome it.”

With a legion damaged by long attrition, it couldn’t be done.

Durin tightly closed his eyes.