Ch.27Blood Memory (2)

There was a land the Regent sought to gain by relinquishing the throne.

The homeland of beasts who grew up gazing at the hazy celestial palace under skies where frost winds blew daily. The harsh environment breathed life into strong creatures and granted them the right to live as masters of the land. Survival alone was equivalent to a medal of honor.

That’s why it was a resource that made the Castle salivate. The robust bodies forged through severe trials could resist divine power, providing great assistance on battlefields against angels.

Beast farms were where northern trainers, employed by the Castle, prepared for war.

However, due to the North’s characteristic of being divided into tribal units with separate opinions rather than under a single leader, they weren’t particularly friendly toward the central government. Their isolationist tendencies naturally intensified after their beast companions were thrown away as meat shields in war.

One hundred years ago, when the era of powerful Demon Kings passed and a time of decline arrived, the decision of the Northern people, depleted after countless wars, was inevitable. The moment the king they nominally served disappeared, they immediately declared separation from the central government. They also gathered troops to threaten against carelessly crossing their borders.

“But now they must realize. That it’s futile.”

History would have been different if they had pushed toward the central region then. But the divided North couldn’t choose the option of advancing. Conflicting opinions blocked their path.

While Durin was settling the South, they could only watch the end of chaos as the price for their hesitation.

The Demon King’s Castle had grown strong enough to face Heaven’s legions on the battlefield alone. They were not an opponent to be taken lightly. Had it stopped there, the North might have joined in increasing their forces to resist, but Durin’s moves were much faster.

“Our East has also prepared troops as the Regent wished. Besides the five thousand who arrived in the central region as envoys, ten thousand are ready for deployment.”

Alberto, the secretary exercising rights as a proxy for the Grand Duke who held the title of Elector, reported to the Regent. In exchange for making Serphin king, they received forces at the legion level. Combined with the central forces, they would form a massive army approaching 30,000 troops.

Even that number alone made their past expedition with barely 800 troops seem laughable, but it wasn’t the end.

“Your Excellency. The South has also scraped together and sent troops. As many as 3,000, they say.”

“3,000? Considering Laktelun’s situation, isn’t that excessive?”

“The Governor’s guard is only about 500, but the barbarians they conquered have gathered warriors themselves to send. They say they want to prove their loyalty.”

The forces grew each time Spranches spoke. They became even stronger with the addition of the Southern army, which had come completely under the Castle’s control. Moreover, these were warriors armed with loyalty.

Alberto burst into laughter as he heard the report.

“You said you were selecting an Elector, but you were actually preparing for war. It’s frightening how such an army can appear so suddenly.”

“We need to unify the demon realm quickly to have a chance against the angels. We must hurry while they turn their eyes to the human realm in search of the Demon King.”

“But our East also has eyes and ears. I hear Heaven has already sent down a legion; do you have means to stop them?”

“When the Grand Duke’s army, which will ravage the northeastern front, takes the main attack, we can move to the border. It will be sufficient deterrence.”

At Durin’s gesture, Verdia quickly ran over and spread a map on the table. A red line drawn as the advance route crossed the central region toward the North. Alberto examined the operation board carefully.

“Deploy toward the Western continent to check the warlords, then advance to the Northern border and station there…”

“They’re two continents facing off against angels anyway. Just putting pressure with the Castle’s forces will prevent them from acting rashly.”

“It’s a shame the gains are small considering how many troops we’ve mobilized. But we must be careful as large movements could provoke Heaven.”

“But it won’t be long. Once we cut out the Northern problem, we can focus entirely on the angels. The need to worry about what comes after will disappear.”

“I’m not sure if the North alone will make that happen. Based on this old demon’s experience, another problem always emerges.”

Alberto turned his gaze from the map to look at Durin. His eyes held doubt, like an itch that couldn’t be scratched.

“Regent, our East and the central region have not yet washed away our grudges. You might not know, but it’s obvious among lower demons, and even worse among the high demons of the Senate.”

“They were already fighting before I arrived.”

“Our East is trying to be patient after reading Your Excellency’s grand plan, but the Red Horns of the central region seem difficult. I’m concerned as even the Royal Guard is hostile to us.”

“That’s natural. They’ll support different demons in the Demon King selection, so small conflicts are to be expected.”

“…Your Excellency, do you think such division is right when facing war?”

“Secretary of the East. Do you believe deep grudges can be mended?”

“Impossible. They’ll hate each other endlessly until one side falls. But you, Regent, have the power to suppress even that hatred.”

Alberto pulled himself closer. He lowered his voice as he spoke to Durin.

“Give a little more power to the East. If we can advance more into the central region, it will help your future endeavors.”

“I’m already helping the Grand Duke’s daughter sit on the throne. Are you saying that’s not enough?”

“We want to see beyond that, Your Excellency. While Miss Serphin rules for hundreds of years, shouldn’t the demon realm cultivate strength to face Heaven again?”

The lead-up was long. Durin watched to see how far he would go. Seeing the Regent’s interest, Alberto excitedly brought up what he had prepared.

“The Black Army. The Grand Duke has a strong will to rebuild the army that disappeared.”

“……”

“We must reclaim the old glory, Regent.”

“Secretary.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“Whose glory do you wish to reclaim?”

Durin questioned. Alberto took a moment to catch his breath before answering.

“Naturally, the glory of the demon realm. Remembering the time when angels couldn’t invade carelessly…”

“You’re recalling Istria’s past. You want to find the power from the era when your ancestors reigned as Demon Kings.”

“……”

Alberto tried to object, but his mouth wouldn’t move properly. Memories carved in blood were unknowingly fueling his anger. Still, he had to endure. This was the king’s hall, after all.

“Cooperation with the East extends only until conquering the North and bringing it under the Castle’s control. After that, a king will be elected through proper electoral votes, and the system will be established.”

“Your Excellency, for the great cause, the necessity of more troops…”

“Did you want revenge that badly?”

Before his efforts could bear fruit, the thread of reason became precarious. The old demon’s expression hardened. The corners of his mouth, which had been conversing leisurely, stiffened.

Detecting this, Durin dug deeper.

“When the Istrian Demon King disappeared and no legitimate successor was found, the Red Horns saw it as an opportunity.”

“They abolished all policies that had strengthened royal authority and cut off all support for the army.”

“All Green Horns who could be designated as successors were assassinated within three days. One week. That’s how long it took for the advanced demon realm to regress 500 years.”

“Didn’t you also witness that era, Regent?”

The time when Durin served as a vanguard commander in the Black Army flashed by. When he washed away the water of lower demons as a gladiator and began walking the path of a high demon in earnest.

“Without punishment for the Red Horns, the East will not easily open its heart. Our pain, carved in blood, will never be forgotten.”

“I plan to tie up loose ends before proceeding.”

“I won’t ask how you’ll do it. That’s entirely the Regent’s choice, so we will watch.”

The East would determine its future attitude based on the direction he took.

That’s what Alberto was saying.

“I hope we won’t fight over power later, Ruler of the Red Horns.”

The anger didn’t last long. Alberto turned away after leaving those words. The room where they had met became a space for contemplation.

Even without such expression, Durin had already decided how to deal with the Red Horns. However, it wouldn’t be as radical as the East wanted. He had also attached the Royal Guard to that side in case of resistance.

“War will solve everything. Demons originally conversed with blood and steel.”

The best move to divert attention from the grudges entangling various continents.

He needed to create a common enemy while also receiving loyalty oaths from the border warlords.

Angels and the arrogant other continents.

They were the sacrifices.

“Spranches. Is the atmosphere for war prepared?”

“Yes. The Southern army reports they can be deployed immediately.”

“Good. As soon as they arrive at the Castle, we will set out. Prepare.”

It was time to draw the sword that had been put away while strengthening internal affairs.