Ch.46Awakened Seed (1)

While the demon realm was undergoing a new transformation and consolidation…

The situation for the angels was also becoming urgent. Their downfall was the arrogance that had gradually spread while the demons were weakening during their period of decline. The angels had grown complacent, believing that the demons would collapse on their own and they would never have to face demons anywhere in the world again. Positioned to claim victory in the thousand-year war, they had half-released their grip.

Instead, they fell into internal strife. Having judged there was no external enemy, they didn’t hesitate to fight amongst themselves to serve the God of Light more closely.

That wasted time gave demons the opportunity they needed. The angels had essentially stood by and watched as the demons grew into an enormous threat.

“Commander, the situation doesn’t look good. I’m told the demons gathering in the central region are already formidable. The offensive from the west is growing more serious, and our troop losses are mounting. If we don’t come up with a solution, we’ll wither away.”

The fatal flaw of an expeditionary force: without timely reinforcements and supplies, they could do nothing about the accumulating losses. Those who had once snickered from the closest vantage point while demons fought their civil war now found themselves having to withstand a unified offensive.

“What happened to those we reassigned to detached units? Have they withdrawn from the north?”

“We’ve deployed them all. It’s still not enough.”

“If it’s not enough, we fight with what we have. What else can we do? Take a look at this.”

Commander Rakael showed the tactical board. It displayed the landscape of their garrison, positioned with the natural fortress of the swamp as a shield wall. Placed on top were wooden pieces representing each unit.

Two or three units had been combined to block passages against the demon legions deployed at the border. They were facing larger armies with fewer numbers. All recent reinforcements had been sent in that direction.

Yet it was still insufficient. No words were needed. The moment they pulled troops from the faltering western front, they would have to pull back defensive lines elsewhere as well. If they ground down their forces trying to hold positions that couldn’t be defended, only the angels would suffer losses.

Demons born endlessly in their homeland would keep coming. Attrition warfare had to be avoided at all costs. They needed the main force to arrive before they could properly engage.

“Commander!”

While Rakael was deep in thought, a messenger entered the tent and prostrated himself. With a trembling voice, he spoke.

“Heaven has made a decision.”

“A decision? What decision?”

“War! They say they will no longer stand idle against the movements of the demon realm.”

“Now? At this point?”

The demon realm had already fully mobilized its forces. Rakael was furious that Heaven had been squabbling over petty matters while barely managing to search for angels who had fled to the human realm and the missing hero.

Seeing them step forward now to try to contain the situation after it had become serious, he could hardly tell who the real demons were. But Rakael restrained himself. There was a possibility that an archangel might be watching through this messenger if he did anything to him.

Being omnipotent, they were certainly capable of that. Taking slow, deep breaths, Rakael decided to address his questions one by one.

“What about the Demon King? Has Heaven decided to withdraw from the human realm?”

“The humans have already formed crusades and are combing the entire continent. News should arrive soon.”

“That’s fortunate, but… can humans defeat him with their power? We would need to send at least two archangels from our side to match him.”

“They will only pinpoint his location. Since they haven’t even selected a new hero yet, there’s nothing they can do.”

“I see. They’ll just stir up trouble with their inquisitions again. I suppose that’s better than granting divine power.”

Rakael clicked his tongue. In the end, nothing had been accomplished. What fools in the leadership. Angels corrupted by greed.

“Then how many reinforcements are coming to the demon realm?”

“Four legions, they say.”

“Oh? That’s more than I expected.”

The previous deployment of one legion had barely been enough to hold the line, so this was a significant reinforcement. To stand on the same battlefield with them, they needed at least that many.

“And, they say an archangel will descend personally.”

While Rakael was strategizing how to deploy the newly reinforced troops, the messenger delivered shocking news. Startled, the commander asked again.

“An archangel is coming? Can they spare one?”

“Actually, Heaven is skeptical about searching for the Demon King. They’ve determined that if she’s determined to hide until she declares her intention to conquer the human realm with her true power, she can’t be found.”

“So they’ve decided to focus here. Good! Very good!”

Rakael clenched his fist. If they only had troops, they would have to make defense their primary objective while advancing slowly, but with an archangel, everything changed.

He was a strategic weapon. To face him, the demon realm would need to field an entity of similar caliber.

That meant…

“Durin. They’re targeting him.”

The core of the current demon realm, hiding under the title of Demon King while secretly sharpening his blade against the angels. Heaven wouldn’t leave him be.

Rakael repented inwardly. I apologize for calling you fallen angels. In truth, you were watching over everything in the name of the God of Light.

“We can do this. We can win.”

The white wings were finally about to unfurl after being folded for so long.

The cycle of vengeance that had continued for over a thousand years.

It would roll greatly across this battlefield.

The fork in destiny that could drive one side to the path of destruction had finally revealed itself.

#

“Durin. We won’t stand idle either. We’ve been monitoring everything.”

With Serphi at the forefront, the perfectly reorganized Demon King’s castle faced a new trial. The system that had finally returned to normal was building strength, but time was short.

The angels had immediately begun to respond. Ludmila, who had been spying on fate with the sorcerers, poured out news without pause.

“Three days from now, four legions will appear in this demon realm. Judging by the numbers, they’re not just simple reinforcements.”

“Is there any way to know which division they belong to?”

“If I could do that, I’d be calling myself the Witch of Prophecy, not the High Sorceress.”

“Fair enough.”

Durin nodded in agreement. Still, they had gathered enough information to have time to prepare a response.

“First, we need to order the Western Continent to withdraw. With that many troops, they’ll push forward soon.”

A single continent couldn’t hold back five to six legions. At least two continents would need to join forces to repel them.

Of course, this only applied to soldiers. Knowing this, Ludmila sighed and said:

“With an archangel coming this time, I’m more than a little worried. I’m not confident we can hold them off.”

Even she, who could glimpse the future, felt anxious. It meant she couldn’t guarantee victory or defeat. This was despite Durin standing right in front of her.

“The only one who can match him is you, Durin.”

Ludmila handed over a piece of parchment. A portrait drawn on the brown background stared at him with intense eyes.

He had a sturdy, powerful appearance typical of an angel warrior. One peculiarity was the scar running from his eye to his jaw—a mark from fierce battle.

“Finally seeing you.”

While everyone was worried, Durin smiled. It was a face he hadn’t seen in a long time.

“It’s time to settle this.”

Demons and angels cross swords countless times on the battlefield. Because of this, they know each other better than anyone. Some even feel a sense of camaraderie. Durin had such an opponent.

The only adversary he had spared no effort to take the life of for hundreds of years.

“Azakiel.”

Durin murmured his name. He made no attempt to hide his fighting spirit as he thought about the opponent he would finally exert his power against in the coming war.

#

“Prepare for war! An archangel is coming!”

“Show training worthy of the Regent’s satisfaction. We are the elite!”

News from the observatory shook the Demon King’s castle.

War. War. War.

The clouds of war that had been drifting finally revealed themselves. Moreover, the numbers were far greater than the previous heavenly war. The time had come to feel through blood the glory that many demons had been crying out for.

The soldiers swung their weapons vigorously. To penetrate divine power and smash angels’ heads, they needed powerful strikes. The mental strength and will to overcome pain even as their bodies burned, and the physical prowess to instinctively support it.

“The training level is quite impressive. I didn’t expect this much after absorbing the noble private armies.”

“It’s because we have to fight angels.”

Aurela answered Verdia, who was expressing admiration. The governor who had come here as the Archduke of the South now held the position of Southern Army Commander. In this wartime situation, he had left administration to local leaders and brought his entire force.

The Southern Army, virtually an extension of Durin himself, devoted themselves to training the soldiers who had pledged allegiance during Serphi’s coronation. There was nothing more important than creating reliable comrades for the battlefield.

Uniting as a single legion regardless of horn color. Aurela could roughly grasp what kind of scene Durin was trying to paint.

“This is your first heavenly war. How do you feel? Aren’t you nervous?”

At Verdia’s question, Aurela tilted her head.

“Well, I don’t really feel it yet, so I’m not sure. What about you?”

“I’m very excited. As a former barbarian, how could I not be happy to enter the battlefield I’ve dreamed of? Only angel collaborators would act otherwise.”

“The old senators were doing that.”

The Senate, completely purged by Durin’s hand, had been disbanded. Their forces had all been absorbed into the castle’s legions, and with Killahal, their focal point, executed as a traitor and his entire clan exterminated, they naturally scattered.

Among them, the older ones hoped to return to their hometowns to live out the rest of their lives. In contrast, the younger faction had always supported Durin, so they naturally integrated into the officer corps of the legion.

The increasingly organized command system and unified power of the demon realm grew day by day. So much so that everyone who witnessed it was amazed.

“I really think we can do this.”

“The Regent said so.”

Challenge your enemy.

The time had come to begin that great journey.

“General.”

Verdia was about to shudder with the surge of excitement, but unfortunately, a Southern Army soldier who suddenly appeared broke the mood.

Momentarily angered, Verdia glared at him.

“What is it?”

“Well…”

But the soldier felt nothing. It wasn’t that he was insensitive or ignoring Verdia. There was something wrong with his eyes. They seemed entranced, unfocused.

Sensing something strange, Aurela pushed Verdia back and stepped forward.

“Who are you? State your affiliation.”

“I am a messenger from the Golden Guard. The Demon King has ordered me to deliver news to important people, so I came here. My business is with General Verdia, so please step aside.”

It seemed to be an important matter, and Aurela had nothing more to say. She reluctantly stepped back.

Verdia, whose anger had given way to curiosity, stood before the soldier instead.

“You have business with me? What is it?”

“Please bring your ear closer.”

The soldier approached and covered his mouth with his hand. As Verdia lowered his head to match:

[It’s about the hero. All key personnel are requested to attend.]