Ch.36Angel (2)

The wounds from the battle over the heavens have yet to heal.

The primordial war that erupted even before the first Demon King appeared 1,000 years ago split the fate of the two races.

Few knew why they fought. Only the ancient survivors who retained memories from 1,000 years ago might vaguely recall it in their memories.

But now it was simple. They fight because they have always fought. They hate us because we hate them. Blood washes blood, and revenge answers revenge.

Angels and demons.

Their relationship was, in a way, trapped in a cycle resembling children’s quarrels.

“It’s regrettable that our rare meeting must involve such unpleasant business.”

The seeds of that conflict were once again beginning to sprout.

“Many things have happened lately. Though I’ve lived for a long time, I never imagined experiencing something like this.”

Rakael, commander of the angel garrison.

Tension filled the air as he was received in the reception hall after arriving at the Demon Castle without prior notice. Only minimal guards remained to prepare for potential conflict, yet even they growled at each other, unable to draw their swords.

“Still, seeing you conquer the North, it seems you’re doing well. As expected of the only Grand Demon of the Demon Castle.”

“Spare me the small talk. I don’t wish to speak with you at length.”

“But wouldn’t it be better if we did? You know well what will happen if I return empty-handed.”

Rakael sneered, his expression bordering on mockery.

“One legion has descended from the heavens, waiting to subjugate you. Tens of thousands of angels will soon descend upon this demon realm. I wonder if you can handle it.”

“Let them come if they wish. We demons are confident we can kill all of you.”

“Haha. You’re as bold now as ever. You think you can defeat us with the castle’s power? Isn’t suppressing the rebellion already challenging enough?”

“Remember that my greatest desire is to sever your heads as a declaration of war gift, Rakael.”

“You seem quite eager. A commander mad with desire for war.”

The angel adjusted his posture. Abandoning his mocking tone, he now pressured Durin with a serious demeanor.

“I’ll be brief, Durin, Guardian of the Demon Realm. The Heavens request that you disband all the troops you’ve gathered in the central region. We’ll give you a month, and we hope you’ll comply with our demands by then.”

It was an absurd statement. Durin snorted and retorted:

“We’re trying to select a new king with our own hands, and all you have to say is that?”

“I’m suggesting we avoid conflict and proceed amicably, unlike before. Wasn’t the peace of the last 100 years pleasant?”

“I’m most curious about the head of someone like you who seeks peace with demons. Still, since you asked politely, I’ll give you an answer.”

Durin rose from his seat. His eyes, filled with contempt, fixed on Rakael.

“Get out, angel. Leave on your own two feet while I’m still feeling merciful.”

“Do you truly desire war? Are you not afraid of the Light God’s direct punishment?”

“It’s not us who should be afraid, but you.”

He crossed over to the opposite seat. As the angel guards retreated, wary of Durin’s approach, the regent whispered to Rakael:

“You must be anxious with the Demon King’s presence in the human realm. How could you stand by and watch your divine power base being destroyed?”

“……”

“Even a toothless Demon King would require two Archangels to face. That means two of the four Archangels would need to cross into the human realm for a successful subjugation…”

Durin let his words trail off. The implication was clear without further elaboration.

Seeing Rakael’s eye corners trembling despite his maintained smile, Durin let his joy flow unfiltered.

“Do you think one Archangel can devour the demon realm? I hope that damned white god you believe in won’t be left weeping. How pitiful that such miserable leaders guide his followers.”

“Are you confident you won’t regret those words?”

Rakael glared back in response. As the commander leading the angel host, he could resist Durin’s fierce demeanor.

But that was as far as it went. Suddenly, an angel interrupted the tension between them.

Rakael was about to burst out in anger but calmed down after seeing the parchment handed to him. Durin silently stepped back, showing tolerance. He distanced himself, indicating that the angel could take care of his business.

“……”

That gesture proved more venomous. Rakael failed to maintain his composure.

His eyes, unable to contain his anger, stared directly at Durin. Seeing him maintain his composure, Rakael gritted his teeth.

“Regent.”

“Speak.”

“Peace is now over. The Western Continent has crossed the border and attacked our detachment.”

“My, what a dull regret I express.”

“We’ll meet on the battlefield.”

Rakael stormed out without looking back. His entourage hurriedly followed their commander out of the reception hall. Still fuming, his footsteps created loud noises as he departed.

“Hehe. Those guys. They look pathetic.”

Verdia, who had been glaring at their retreating figures, laughed triumphantly. She had barely suppressed her nausea from the divine power subtly emanating from the angels. Moreover, she had heard the word “war.” As a warrior from the South, she couldn’t keep her body still with excitement.

“Your Excellency. Just give the order. I won’t let those messengers return unscathed.”

“Do you wish to intercept them?”

“I want that foolish fellow to return rolling his severed head rather than walking on two feet.”

“Then I authorize your deployment. Gather swift fighters now and attack them moderately when they cross the border.”

“Moderately?”

Verdia slightly raised her head and asked.

Durin answered as he left the reception hall:

“Just give them a warning. However, that one is a commander-rank and very powerful, so rather than direct confrontation, just shoot some arrows at him.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Your Excellency.”

Let’s go!!

With the regent’s permission, Verdia moved excitedly. She was faster than ever. She too had undoubtedly been influenced by the castle’s fighting spirit.

War with the angels was truly imminent now.

It was time to further organize the army for what was to come.

#

At the same time.

Serphin stood alone in the king’s hall. While everyone else had gone to arm themselves, surprised by the angels’ declaration of war, she foresaw the coming future.

The revival of the Istriyan throne.

The era that the green-horned demons had once so desperately yearned for would dawn again like daybreak. She could almost feel her father, the Eastern Grand Duke’s joy from here.

But she focused on the still unbridged emotional divide.

The shortcomings felt in this war would not lead to the subjugation of the red horns. She knew it well herself. The authority Serphin possessed was merely an illusion created by Durin’s support.

If she showed weakness, the regent would not hesitate to pull her down.

The cooperation for the Northern conquest had also dimmed after this war. In other words, the East and Central regions could easily fall back into discord.

In the worst-case scenario, like the end of the previous Istriyan dynasty, the green horns could be completely expelled from the central region and become a marginal family again. Moreover, with Durin holding the baton of massacre, he could cut off their lineage to prevent any future opportunities.

They could disappear without a trace, like the barbarians of the South.

The Red Horn Senate, which had erased traces of the green horns, was still strong. They had even grown more vigorous.

Unlike the Eastern army, which had been pushed to the brink of defeat, the Central forces had steadily captured border fortresses and accumulated achievements. In a way, they could be considered the greatest beneficiaries of this Northern war.

“So this is where you were.”

The voice was confident from the start.

They didn’t bow even to Serphin, who would soon ascend to the throne after the mere formality of the Grand Duke’s council. They gathered in groups in the great hall.

“What brings you here? The regent should still be in the reception hall.”

“While His Excellency deals with the angels, we too must prepare. Many volunteer soldiers have been gathering lately, and we wanted to discuss how to handle them.”

“Why do this in the king’s hall? This is clearly the regent’s domain.”

Serphin snapped, but the old men of the Senate answered without showing any sign of embarrassment:

“His Excellency is busy, isn’t he? We should help. The more war approaches, the more our Senate should lend its strength.”

These were the same gentlemen who had been busy protecting their own houses when the castle was unstable, and now they were stepping forward to help. Serphin was displeased but held back for now.

With her influence still weak, she needed to be cautious. The old nobles, who knew this fact better than anyone, laughed and spoke:

“We’ll be seeing each other often here from now on, so let’s get along well.”

“……”

“When the regent steps down, you will be the master of this hall after all.”

Serphin clenched her fist. Though their words were polite, the content was quite arrogant. The Senate, well aware that the balance of power already lay with the regent, would hide behind him to secure their own interests.

It was a warning. A sneer suggesting that once she ascended the throne, she should not clash with Durin but behave properly as his puppet.

Anger welled up, but she endured again.

I must endure. I must endure.

Someday, when she gained Durin’s recognition and became a true Demon King, she would strike down all those cunning snakes. Not simply for power, but for the future of this castle, it had to be done.

They were the ones who had initiated the era of decline that had continued for 100 years.

She would not remain a Demon King in name only.

“Very well. Let’s get along.”

Until then, she would grit her teeth.

Power struggles despite angels at their doorstep.

Serphin sharpened her blade while observing the rotting Central nobility.