Ch.48Prelude (1)

The Demon Lord declared war.

It was good news for the Demon Lord’s army, which was finally transforming into a proper legion with a command structure after the civil war had ended.

An army without war is useless. Humans drew their swords to protect and defend their families, but demons desired only the glory that surged in blood. When news spread that angels had descended with their legions, madness spread as if it would reach the heavens.

“War! War!”

“Kill them!”

It didn’t matter whether they were low-ranking or high-ranking demons. Already intoxicated by the boundless pleasure the battlefield would bring, they busied themselves gathering weapons. Even the Royal Guard couldn’t contain their excitement and began training unnecessarily in the drill grounds, so there was no need to mention the rest.

Only the command center of the Demon Lord’s castle remained calm.

“Administrator. Is the legion well-prepared?”

At Serphin’s question, Durin rose from his seat. Instead of answering, he unfolded a strategic map large enough to cover the table in the great hall. In the midst of various terrains drawn around the center was a single black dot. It was concentrated exactly at a distance of one night’s journey from the Demon Lord’s castle.

“What is this?”

“The Demon Lord’s army.”

“Our forces?”

“Yes. Tens of thousands of troops are gathering in the center to fight the angels, enough to appear on this map.”

Not only well-armed soldiers forged with weapons from the Demon Lord’s castle and trained, but warriors from all regions had come. Those who had once been warlords or wanderers outside of the rule had finally found their place. Forces that had scattered during times of chaos began to appear.

‘Where did you serve?’

‘I was an officer in the Royal Guard long ago. And you?’

‘I was in the assault unit of the Black Army!’

Soldiers from the golden age had revealed themselves. They were ghosts who had not fallen on ancient battlefields. Some had abandoned their demonic bodies and chosen to become undead. They had given up, unable to endure years of suffering, but their will remained, and they joined the legion by instinct.

The gathered force numbered 60,000.

Add to this the 40,000 troops of the Demon Lord’s army, augmented by absorbing the forces of demon warlords, and they could field a total of 100,000 troops. It marked the end of an era when Durin alone swept through battlefields leading just 800 expeditionary forces.

A force that could truly be called a demon army had emerged.

“Your Excellency. Please order the attack. I shall crush their heads and return.”

Durin implored Serphin. Though merely a formality, it recreated an ancient scene.

Demons receiving authorization for war from the Demon Lord, the supreme commander. Their opponents were celestial beings with whom old grudges needed to be settled.

“Wait a moment.”

All that was needed was to give the order. But Serphin didn’t proceed immediately.

The young demon descended from the throne. He approached Durin, who was holding his hands up in a gesture of worship.

“I’ve heard there is something the Demon Lord always bestows upon demons who go forth in place of war.”

It was a verse written somewhere in the law.

When the primordial Demon Lord completed his lifespan and the next king ascended the throne, the world was in great chaos. Challenges from the previous era’s meritorious subjects and angels vowing revenge. The Demon Lord of that time, insufficient to overcome all these challenges, sought out an Archdemon he could rely on. And spoke thus:

-Though I lack the strength to lead personally now, I wish to declare that our war against the heavens has not ended.

“So take this Demon Lord’s magic, defeat our enemies, and return. Fulfill our long-held wish and avenge the blood of our ancestors.”

The images of two Demon Lords overlapped. Serphin placed his hand on Durin’s head. Simultaneously, golden demonic energy seeped into his body. An ancient spell that only direct bloodline descendants could perform was manifested right there.

“How nostalgic.”

It was a scene beautiful enough to impress even the old Chief Justice.

Serphin and Durin looked at each other. Though no words were exchanged, the meaning contained within was fully conveyed.

“Announce our resurrection to the heavens.”

“I will inflict an unforgivable grudge upon them and return.”

The two demons were looking in the same direction.

#

The eastern gate of the Demon Lord’s castle.

There was a massive dimensional jump device visible after proceeding down the corridor from the great hall. Durin moved quickly, intending to transport directly to the battlefield. Meanwhile, his secretary Spranches rapidly reported on the war situation.

“Your Excellency. The Duke of the East has raised his army and is currently heading north. He will soon join with the Great Warrior to form a new defense line.”

“There must still be significant resentment between them. Just in case, have some troops from the border regions advance with them. They will serve as monitors to prevent any foolish actions.”

“I will do as ordered. Also, newly born magical beasts from the farm have been incorporated into the legion. I wanted to ask if they should be deployed in this war as well.”

“Of course. Attach them all to the main force.”

Durin issued orders one by one to his secretary. He would not be with the main force. The Royal Guard Commander Durahan and Chief Justice Matheus would take command positions to lead the 100,000-strong force on the march without non-combat losses. Durin was not specialized in overseeing the broader battlefield but in shattering the war situation with swift, decisive action.

Well aware of this fact himself, he planned to head to the west, where sporadic conflicts were occurring, ahead of the full-scale battle.

“Durin. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Upon arriving at the gate, Ludmila waved to him. The High Sorceress, who had become the Demon Lord’s advisor since his appearance, had increased her authority. The demonic energy she wielded was considerable.

Because of this, she had gained the power to move thousands of troops to different regions.

“The location is Downfall, the western capital, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Berdia is going with you this time, so sweep through them thoroughly.”

“These are angels, not rebels. It won’t be easy.”

“Then at least cripple Azakiel, that bastard.”

Durin nodded. A strong enemy, an unfavorable war situation, an overwhelming difference in forces.

These might be the most unwelcome words for a general, but for Durin, who sought to navigate through waves of adversity, this was the ultimate battlefield.

It was excitement and pleasure, the very meaning of his existence.

“So I wish you good fortune in battle, Durin.”

Ludmila, having given her light blessing, snapped her fingers. The eastern gate began to vibrate greatly and started to distort the world. The aftermath was tremendous, as it was a massive operation to move thousands through dimensional jumps. Surrounding sounds began to blur as they were sucked into the spatial gap.

Durin closed his eyes. In the crumbling world, he envisioned the battlefield to come.

The Celestial War. On a day more than 100 years ago. Like a red watercolor, the world would once again burn in flames.

Those who survived would be remembered as the victors of the era. There was no place to retreat now.

Essentially the last chance. He had to seize the opportunity on the board set by fate, which had planned the Demon Lord’s escape.

Whoooosh—

He heard the sound of demonic energy dispersing. Someone pulled down his floating body. The blurred world gradually became clearer, depicting not a castle but another land.

Green. Trees so dense the sky couldn’t be seen, meeting with soggy swampland.

A terrible land spewing gas as if to dissolve everything in the world.

The West. They had arrived at a war like hell.

#

Same time. Same place.

The horrific scene of battle in the terrible swamps of the west.

Broken wings and horns were scattered everywhere, and even more blood formed rivers.

“……”

There, a warrior with white wings raised his head. Red blood flowed down his neck.

The wind blew toward the angel with closed eyes. Various information was conveyed.

Lizard warriors fleeing after defeat in battle, a demon trying to cling to its fading life with a shattered body.

Even allied angels who had fallen to them. It was the common end of battle. There were no winners or losers. Only survivors and the dead.

Thud!

He thrust his spear into a demon where breath could still be felt. There was no scream. With a deflating sound, the light in the demon’s eyes went out.

The angel still held his head high. He never looked at the ground. Never faced death.

What he wanted to see was much farther away.

“You’ve come, you damn demon.”

The angel opened his eyes. Jade-colored pupils stared directly at the sky. He searched for a warrior who could match him, not some vermin-like being.

“Yes. This time we must determine a clear winner. I’ll kill you for certain.”

A grim smile appeared. At the same time, the deep scar on his throat writhed.