Ch.32Trial (1)

The two armies faced each other across a stone bridge spanning the river.

Beyond the massive icy waterway that divided the Central and Northern regions, the demonic desire for war was spreading. The Central Army of Durin, quietly waiting with support from the rear fortress, prepared to draw their swords.

At the vanguard stood Serphin, heir to the throne. The nobility-hungry aristocrat was eager to spill soldiers’ blood. The shadow of the golden tower she wished to climb obscured her vision.

As the daughter of a Grand Duke, she constantly shouted to maintain her dignity, relentlessly whipping her soldiers with her voice.

“We shall conquer those damned barbarians. They are treacherous rebels who have defied the Central region!”

“If the Central and Eastern regions unite with drawn swords, we can defeat those who consort with beasts. Do not be afraid!”

“I will stand with you all.”

Of course, most ignored her words. Despite receiving secret support from the Grand Duke and Durin, her own power was far too weak. The Grand Duke’s army from the East was the only force that properly followed Serphin’s orders. The remaining forces organized by various Central warlords remained indifferent.

“Weren’t we supposed to fight alongside the Regent?”

“Don’t know. Apparently, that kid might sit on the throne someday. That’s why she’s personally shown up like this.”

“Does she have any war experience?”

“I heard she hasn’t even seen the tail of a barbarian, let alone an angel.”

She commanded no respect from the nearly ten thousand soldiers following her. Most had come along without knowing why, simply because their masters had sworn allegiance to this child. The formation was maintained only thanks to the steadfast Durahans from the fortress.

Had Serphin led the army alone, it would likely have collapsed before even engaging in battle. Alberto’s growing struggle to recognize and address this reality would become a tale for later days.

Nevertheless, Serphin had thrown down the gauntlet, and Durin was watching them from the high ground.

An irreversible decision had led them to the battlefield.

Victory or defeat.

The god who would determine their fate must be laughing with delight.

“Your Excellency. The Great Warrior’s army.”

Durin’s scouting beast caught sight of a dark mass in the distance.

Since the legion had made the first move, the other side had matched their rhythm. This was the best possible situation for the North. How fortunate that the enemy would cross the river of their own accord when staying put would have meant certain death.

The experienced Great Warrior waited at a distance for Serphin’s army to approach. Once a sufficient number had crossed over, he would immediately strike the Eastern forces. There was a high probability they would be attacked without resistance if swift cavalry charged while their formation was still incomplete.

They were crawling right into the battlefield the enemy had targeted. It was then that Rudmila, standing with arms crossed beside Durin, began to look perplexed.

“Hmm. No matter how I look at it, they’re going to get thoroughly beaten and retreat.”

“Once the Great Warrior’s cavalry begins to maneuver, they’ll immediately fall into confusion. Being able to retreat at all might be considered a blessing in this situation.”

“The Durahans can hold out for a while, so they might be able to save their lives by retreating during that time.”

“They weren’t sent there to die.”

“I know this is arranged so they can personally experience the power of charging Northern cavalry. Still, I can’t help but worry a little.”

The reason why even past Demon Kings had failed to properly subjugate the North despite their efforts.

Those who witnessed it firsthand could plan the next grand strategy.

“Your Excellency! The Eastern army has begun to advance!”

In the midst of their calm conversation, a soldier’s cry announced the war they had been waiting for.

The legion extended their spears forward. Serphin’s army, arranged in a column formation, marched beyond the Northern boundary line into beast territory, their military boots stomping powerfully toward the coming war.

They slowly walked into the jaws of the Great Warrior, who was still exercising patience.

#

“Hurry up and prepare! The Great Warrior could strike at any moment!”

“Set up obstacles first! Throw down the caltrops in front!”

This stone bridge was reportedly built by the first Demon King a thousand years ago to establish friendly relations with the North. The sound that echoed with each step of the war horses was solid. He had hoped for the entire continent to unite against the angels with combined strength, but reality had been different.

When the angels turned their attention away because of the Demon King who crossed into the human realm, everyone immediately began tearing at each other. The Central nobles pointed their swords at each other for the throne, while provincial warlords fought to regain their former freedom.

It was lamentable. Though conflict was instinctive to their race, since when had they fought each other like this while the real enemy remained?

As Serphin Del Istria advanced toward the battlefield, she made a vow. Like the powerful Demon Kings of the previous dynasty, she would draw her sword to resolve all conflicts. She would become an emperor with mighty power, reigning over unified demons.

To emphasize once more, she dreamed of “unified” demons, not at all focused on that small desire to reign over them.

“My lady. The cavalry!”

Lost in her thoughts, she had quickly crossed to the other side. Gripping the reins, Serphin looked where her secretary Alberto was pointing and saw dust rising in the distance.

The bright rising sun and the hazy sky revealed the movement of distant forces. The beast cavalry, said to pose a significant threat to the Central region if ten thousand gathered. The power that had maintained a separate government for over a thousand years was now greeting Serphin.

“Hurry! The Great Warrior is close!”

“Fall back once the caltrops are set! Form the defensive formation first!”

The soldiers moved at the shouts of experienced non-commissioned officers. The Demon King’s fortress army, centered around the Durahans, formed their ranks with precision. If the cavalry charged in now, they would be devoured.

But the problem wasn’t the undead legion positioned to protect the flanks, but the noble soldiers in the center with Serphin.

“W-what? Are we really fighting like this?”

“There’s a river behind us. How are we supposed to escape if things get dangerous!”

“We can’t escape at all. We’re fighting cavalry on open ground.”

The Central private soldiers, who thought they would just swear allegiance and return home, began to panic. They had reluctantly marched all the way to this cold land because orders were given, but now they faced actual combat.

It was natural for demons, who sought honor in victory, to feel fear on a battlefield where defeat seemed likely. This was why even Durin, desperate for troops, had not counted on the Central forces at all, even after including the Eastern army.

*SHRIEEEK*

But the signal announcing the start of the war shot into the sky.

What had been mere dust clouds quickly began to approach. The howls of hundreds, thousands of beasts pounded their ears. It was a terrifying sound that made the obstacles planted in the ground to stop them look pitiful.

“Raise shields first! They always send light cavalry first!”

*BOOOOM*

Serphin’s army responded in kind.

As some approaching beast cavalry fired arrows, they blocked with shields. They sought to display their solidity with tight formations and the fortress’s quality equipment.

Each time a wolf-like beast growled, a sharp sound erupted. Most were blocked by shields with only light metallic sounds, but some found gaps.

“Ugh!”

“Aaagh!”

“Quickly pull out the wounded! The formation must not collapse!”

With each scream, the non-commissioned officers led by Alberto became busy. Serphin must not feel anxiety. If the Eastern army appeared shaken compared to the unwavering Demon King’s army, she might not receive trust when she ascended the throne.

The East could not remain merely a supporter. To recreate the glory of the Istria era, they needed to demonstrate their strength more.

“Hmm. We seem to be struggling against such a small number of cavalry.”

But concerns soon began to manifest as reality. The current situation was not to her liking, given her lack of war experience.

The cavalry the Great Warrior had casually deployed numbered only about five hundred. Despite Serphin’s army having nearly eight thousand troops in the center alone, they were pinned down by the flying arrows. Hiding their heads like turtles behind shields was not at all honorable.

“Alberto. Why can’t we properly engage them?”

“We must not underestimate cavalry. Right now, they’re testing us by firing arrows.”

“Testing?”

“Yes. If we lose our temper and break formation, they’ll immediately charge with heavy cavalry.”

“But we have the fortress’s undead and above all, the loyal Eastern army. Couldn’t we drive back the cavalry if we fight in formation?”

“My lady, solid infantry can hold back cavalry, but the Northern beasts are sharper than spears. They are not opponents to be taken lightly.”

“We can’t afford this delay…”

Serphin glanced behind her. In the distant hills, Durin would be looking down at her. At Serphin Del Istria, who had boasted she would demonstrate her qualifications to be king before marching to the battlefield.

But if the situation dragged on so tediously despite her bold voice, it would surely be seen unfavorably.

Ten thousand troops being pushed around by merely five hundred? It was a clear display of incompetence.

“This won’t do. We need to take a more aggressive approach and drive them away.”

“My lady. We should finish forming our ranks first and then advance slowly…”

“I don’t have much time. We are a legion meant to fight angels, not to be toyed with by those barbarians.”

Serphin gripped the reins. She drove her warhorse forward. The surrounding staff tried to stop her, but the guard surrounding the Grand Duke’s daughter had already moved to the front line.

“Everyone prepare to advance! Don’t be swayed by such flies—march forward steadily and take the head of the Great Chieftain!”

A delicate voice rang out across the battlefield where arrows flew. All eyes turned to one place. Serphin, who had boldly stepped forward amid the rain of arrows battering shields, shouted toward the front.

“Return fire with arrows! Respond aggressively! Do not be afraid! I am here with you!”

The commander had stepped forward. Seeing this, the soldiers would gain morale and repel the enemy’s attack.

It was a common scene in stories, but the situation here was different. When the person they were supposed to protect suddenly came forward and began taking charge, the front-line non-commissioned officers rushed to her in alarm.

“It’s dangerous! Please return at once!”

“It’s fine. How could I leave you all behind?”

“But…”

“Hush! Don’t worry about me and return to your positions. How can you leave your subordinates like this?”

*If a stray arrow were to harm your noble body, the Eastern army would be finished that very day!*

Unable to speak the words that had risen to his throat, the officer bowed his head and returned to his position. Since the enemy’s offensive hadn’t fully begun yet, they could still protect her adequately.

After all, the Great Warrior’s current attack was just a taste. He probably wanted to test our solidity.

The real battlefield would be on the plains a bit further ahead. If we maintain our formation like now, there won’t be any problem…

*SHRIEEEK*

A sharp sound cutting through his thoughts echoed in the sky. The Northern signal. An ominous cry announcing the start of an attack.

The soldiers tensed. The light cavalry was retreating according to the signal, but they didn’t let their guard down. The retreat of their scouts meant one of two things.

The end of the attack, or the beginning of a horrific battle.

Unfortunately, the Great Warrior had chosen the latter.

*THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD*

Hoof beats echoed, incomparably stronger than before. The dust cloud was abnormally large. The aura emitted by the beasts instantly traversed the distance and struck the soldiers’ hearts directly.

“Ugh…”

“Ah, ah…”

Everyone except the undead soldiers froze. Hands holding shields began to tremble.

Fear enveloped the ranks. It covered Serphin equally.

“A-all troops…”

The young demon’s voice trembled. She had tried to command confidently as before, but couldn’t shake off her fear. Until the fortress’s undead and Eastern guard formed a defensive formation, she could do nothing.

This meant that the remaining nearly eight thousand troops were exposed to the cavalry without direction. That momentary gap changed the flow of the battlefield.

*SHRIEEEK*

The signal cried out once more with a sharp scream. But this time it wasn’t just a signal. A rain of arrows followed, covering Serphin’s army.

*THWACK-THWACK*

There weren’t even screams this time. The bows used in the North needed to pierce beast hide, so they were extremely powerful. Demon soldiers wearing only light armor couldn’t withstand such destructive power. They fell to the ground with large holes in their bodies.

The casualties, consisting solely of fatalities rather than wounded, instantly swept through the army. Those falling like autumn leaves instilled even greater fear in the Eastern army. They were reminded of the history they had momentarily forgotten.

“The Lion of the North…”

When rebellion was rampant and chaos reigned, the North was the one region no other warlord dared invade.

The Great Warrior who guarded that place was the very one who had repelled challenges from prominent Central family gladiators and created a world separate from the fortress.

“B-block them. We must block them. Reform the ranks!”

Alberto struggled alone, but it was beyond his ability. His efforts to restore the broken formation and build a solid wall quickly turned to foam.

It was already too late. The cavalry had approached within reach while the warriors couldn’t even properly hold their spears.

They had to engage in close combat.

“KIHIYAHA!”

With strange battle cries, the Northern warriors thrust their beasts’ jaws forward. They drove spears into the exposed bellies of the Eastern army.

*CRASH*

“Kill them!”

“H-hold on!”

Triumphant shouts and pitiful screams.

A horrific battlefield that Serphin had never anticipated unfolded before her eyes.