Ch.50Prelude (3)

The Western Continent had established a peculiar military system.

Unlike the central Demon Lord’s army, which consisted of undead and extremely loyal demons for security purposes, they actively recruited locals. They didn’t discriminate against those without horns or those with mixed beast blood. They conscripted everyone capable of fighting into their legions.

“We have no choice because we share a border with the angels.”

“I suppose you can’t be picky when you need to replenish lost troops.”

“That’s right. Above all, no one except the locals can withstand that terrible swamp.”

“Then those deployed to the battlefield…”

“They are soldiers who serve with utmost loyalty, prepared to die.”

“We should prepare rewards for them.”

At Durin’s words, the Western warriors stirred with excitement. Glimpsing a true path to glory, they seemed ready to head to the battlefield immediately. They possessed an even greater bellicosity than those from the South or North.

Verdia had reason to be jealous watching them. When it came to warrior spirit, they were formidable opponents, if not more.

“Your Excellency. Our Southern army is also ready. Please place us at the vanguard.”

They clearly didn’t want to lose either. The Southern soldiers, led by Verdia, wanted to prove their worth. Though they had been through many wars, this could be considered their first true battlefield in a sense.

While victory in a civil war might be summarized in a single line, defeating the Celestial Realm would earn a page in the sacred texts. It was one of the few opportunities to be remembered not just as honorable, but as a great demon.

A competitive atmosphere ignited between the West and South. This was exactly the dynamic Durin preferred.

However.

“Not yet. For now, stand down.”

Durin stopped Verdia. He had determined this wasn’t their battlefield.

Shocked by the firm refusal, Verdia was at a loss for words. Her expression resembled someone who had lost the sky itself. She asked with a trembling voice:

“Y-Your Excellency. Why are you abandoning us?”

“I’m not abandoning you, but it’s time for training, Verdia.”

“We have completed all preparations! How can you say such things?”

Verdia was on the verge of tears. Nevertheless, Durin was merciless.

“Have you ever fought in a swamp?”

“No. But we can overcome it!”

“If willpower alone could win battles, we would have conquered the Celestial Realm long ago. For now, keep quiet and wait.”

“Then on which battlefield can we stand?”

Her voice trembled with desperation.

To this, Durin gave a definitive answer:

“Cut off the angels’ breath. That is the order I will give in the near future.”

Brief but intense. It was enough to startle the other demons. Some immediately cast envious and jealous glances. The reaction of Verdia herself needed no explanation.

She immediately praised Durin and bowed in worship.

“I will follow Your Excellency’s will. Deploy us wherever you wish.”

“Good. Spare no effort and give your all. I will use you for important tasks.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency!”

The delighted Verdia stepped back. They left the tent, waiting for that day to come. The military commander of the Western Continent, who had been observing from the side, cautiously asked:

“Your Excellency. I apologize for my presumption, but no matter how much they train, won’t they struggle to survive in the swamp?”

“I know. There’s no need to push them into a battlefield where they’ll die.”

“Then…”

“It’s a hunting drive. We need to force the angels to move and guide them to fight on our chosen battlefield.”

“So that’s the role of the Southern army.”

“Correct. Make sure to convey this to Yoanina. We must provide training for those who will cut off the angels’ breath.”

Not all of the Western battlefield was swampland. There were plains and basin terrains suitable for deploying large armies. They could either trap and kill them, or drive them in during an advance and deliver a fatal blow.

There were many options. Since the Celestial Realm had hastily deployed troops without capturing the Demon Lord, opportunities existed. Moreover, according to Ludmila, the Celestial Realm was experiencing a period of division just like the Demon Realm.

The Archangel Azakiel. While it was clear he was strong enough to challenge even continental rulers, he couldn’t overcome the barriers of fate and time. If they could force a decisive battle where the angels’ lives were at stake, gaps would inevitably appear.

“Meanwhile, I will lead the army to cut off their advance route. Bring the elite forces from our reserve troops.”

“I will do as ordered.”

#

“These are them.”

The warlords of the Western Continent that Durin had organized gathered eagerly. They called themselves elites and expressed their desire to accompany the Regent.

If it had been his former self, he would have appreciated their devotion and incorporated them into his legion, but the situation was somewhat different now.

As mentioned before, the Western army was a mixed force. While they had the advantage of rapid troop supply, allowing them to quickly reinforce changing battlefields, everything else was a disadvantage.

Their command structure was a mess, and their equipment wasn’t standardized. Compared to the central legion, which moved as one toward victory, they were closer to a ragtag bunch. Even the Western lieutenant who had brought Durin to the training ground seemed embarrassed and lost for words.

The little he did manage to say was along these lines:

“B-But their vision for glory is second to none.”

“Everyone excels at that. Don’t try to dress it up.”

At Durin’s pointed remark, everyone finally hung their heads. The warlords who didn’t understand the situation thought they were showing proper respect and hastily prostrated themselves.

“Please choose us!”

“I want to stand at the vanguard!”

Though they were disorganized, their passion was certainly top-tier.

If the Captain of the Guard had been here, he would have shed tears and incorporated all of them into the legion. But Durin was in the position of Regent. A cool head always prevailed over a hot heart.

“It seems they’re the ones who need training, not us.”

“Still, we have sufficient numbers. The soldiers gathered here alone number fifty thousand. If more reinforcements arrive, we could muster at least seventy thousand.”

“How many among them could actually fight against angels?”

No answer came. Durin looked coldly at the Western Continent.

“Your ability to leverage terrain advantages and lead well so far is admirable. But that’s all. We need to strategically drive them in and prepare for the decisive battle.”

“Is it possible with just the strength of our Western Continent?”

“As I’ve repeatedly said, it’s the central army that will cut off the angels’ breath. You must become the sword for them.”

Becoming sacrificial pawns. The Western warlords didn’t like the sound of that. From their perspective of seeking glory, this was barely a role worth mentioning. This wouldn’t even earn them a line in the history books, let alone a place in mythology.

The faces of those prostrating gradually hardened.

Could it be that we’re considered that inadequate? Are our achievements in fighting angels until now not recognized? Anxiety permeated the air.

Even the lieutenants sensed the atmosphere and became flustered. With morale about to break before the battle even began, they tried to salvage the situation.

“Your Excellency. Perhaps we should continue this discussion inside…”

“There’s no need. I’ll settle this right here.”

Durin turned to face the warlords. Unlike the red-horned demons who only looked after their own interests, the black-horned ones craved only the battlefield. Right here were the very individuals Durin had always idealized as Regent.

They were definitely not cards to be discarded.

“I need someone who can cast Azakiel down to the abyss from the swamp.”

“…”

“I will give an opportunity to whoever achieves the greatest merit. If successful, I will personally select those who will be incorporated into the central legion and receive glory.”

After saying this, Durin entered the tent.

He didn’t wait for their response.

More precisely, there was no need to.

“Your Excellency! Please give me a chance!”

“We will accomplish it. We will endure any training!”

“The central army! Can we really become part of the central army!”

Their spirits were already blazing at the highest level. What mattered to them was indeed glory. The opportunity to fight in the same rank as the Regent.

Given that chance, they accepted without hesitation.

They resolved to complete the mission assigned to them.

#

Busy with war preparations, he eventually heard that the main force he had dispatched was approaching the border.

They would tighten the encirclement to prevent angels escaping from the swamp from going elsewhere. Some might argue that this would make Azakiel put more effort into breaking through the swamp, but anyone who experienced the battlefield firsthand would not say such things.

“Ugh. The smell…”

The stench of decaying corpses, along with the endless toxic vapors, made even breathing painful.

The reason angels had established a base here was to secure a bridgehead safely in the demon realm where they were at an absolute numerical disadvantage, but in a situation where they couldn’t fully concentrate their forces, they had become mice trapped in a corner.

“Your Excellency. We have completed identifying all the angels’ advance routes.”

“There are only this many paths through the swamp that holy knights could advance through.”

“If we block them firmly, we can buy as much time as needed.”

From now on, it was a battle of patience and time.

The angels’ urgency in not finding the Demon Lord versus the demon realm’s struggle with the uncertain factor of the hero.

Whichever side crumbled first would face destruction.