Ch.62New Era (1)

“Regent. There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

Serpin, having escaped from the angel garrison, walked the night path with Durin.

Except for the guards who bore the duty of protection, no one disturbed the two.

“Will the celestial realm really believe what they say?”

They had lost the war, but not everything.

The garrison’s messenger would report as such before the archangel. Serpin wondered if the divine offspring would truly accept it at face value. Even with historical precedent, she couldn’t shake the feeling that it was too flimsy.

If even one angel were to cross through the gate right now, everything would be discovered.

“Even if they mobilize magical beasts, they won’t be able to quickly restore this garrison.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Hmm? What does that mean?”

“I’ve already dispatched Yoannina and the Spell Corps with instructions to close the gate. Regardless of what they do, the celestial realm will no longer be able to interfere with the demon realm.”

The Regent spoke indifferently. But to Serpin, it came as quite a shock.

Wasn’t the goal of this war to occupy the northwestern angel garrison?

She thought they were trying to neutralize the gate while simultaneously securing a way to threaten the celestial realm at any time. Having raised a large army while precariously harboring the sleeping hero in the Demon King’s Castle, she couldn’t understand what they had fought for.

Serpin fell into contemplation. She pressed her lips tightly together as she mulled over her questions.

“Your Majesty. Don’t always look at what’s near, but gaze toward the distant future.”

Durin answered as if admonishing the young Demon King. He looked up at the night sky.

“The celestial realm. Our homeland that we lost long ago. Until now, we’ve waged war with the will to reclaim that place.”

“We’ve been busy defending, but that was the justification. But now it seems the Regent is looking elsewhere.”

“Your Majesty. The demon realm has only just begun to normalize. Even when mobilized, we barely have a hundred thousand.”

“Is the celestial realm more formidable than that?”

“Beyond imagination. We must not overlook the faith they’ve harvested from the human realm over hundreds of years.”

He revealed the reality to the still naive Demon King.

Though she had achieved several victories and learned the duties of a great one, she was still lacking. The history she had learned only showed her a crumbling demon realm. Records of its golden age remained only as myths. It probably hadn’t truly resonated with her yet.

“Hundreds of thousands. Perhaps even more forces reside in the celestial realm. The forces we annihilated this time might be just one faction.”

“……”

“Your Majesty. The current demon realm is being disregarded by the celestial realm. We are still in a stage of growth.”

It might have been different when the demon realm had mighty power to confront the celestial realm. During that period, the demon realm could muster over a million troops by mobilizing forces from across the continent. But now, all that power had been lost.

The emergence of unqualified Demon Kings and the wastage from power struggles had worn it down.

They needed to use this victory as nourishment to create a true demon realm.

That’s why Durin was willing to give up the path to the celestial realm.

It was enough to prevent angels from crossing over.

“Since we cannot face them now, we must avoid them. Even if voices call us cowardly, we must not engage in direct confrontation. While the angels are not turning their attention to the demon realm, as they are now, steadily build up our strength.”

“Regent. From what you’re saying, we’re like fireflies before the moonlight—is it possible? I think they’ll grow faster than us.”

“That’s why we need to redirect the gate we’ve captured elsewhere.”

At that moment, Serpin’s eyes widened.

The place Durin was referring to, another dimension. If not the celestial realm, there was only one place the demon realm could turn to.

“The human realm…”

“It’s time to damage the celestial realm’s garden. Simultaneously, we must build our strength and wait for the right moment.”

“I understand your intention to weaken the celestial realm indirectly. But won’t they be able to open dimensional gates again? I think they could create enough to cross over.”

“Your Majesty. Crossing dimensions requires immense power. The walls are so solid that even Rudmilla of our Demon King’s Castle can barely hear voices from beyond dimensions.”

Durin answered firmly.

“Just as only the Demon King could activate the gate to go to the human realm, the same applies to the celestial realm. The ruler, the Archangel, would have to use their power directly to cross over to the demon realm.”

“Then…”

“As long as the Demon King is in the human realm, the Archangel absolutely cannot cross over here. And the probability that Rudmilla wouldn’t detect this in advance is even lower. As the supreme sorceress who can sense the celestial realm’s movements in subtle flows, she will certainly warn us.”

If fear was the demon’s food, faith was the foundation of the celestial realm.

If that woman, still in obscurity, remains a threat somewhere in the human realm as she is now, she will continue to be a thorn in the celestial realm’s side.

The moment the Archangel moves carelessly, if the Demon King begins full-scale activities in the human realm, can the celestial realm handle it?

Judging by their actions so far, the answer was absolutely not.

That’s why they were openly mobilizing crusaders in the human realm to hunt down the hidden Demon King like rats.

This had become a golden time given to the demon realm.

It was not the time to be fixated on the intentions of the Demon King hiding in the human realm.

Durin wanted to widen the gap as much as possible and accelerate the demon realm’s growth.

“Hmm. This is difficult.”

Serpin held her forehead. There was much that was difficult for the young girl to understand.

Though she had the qualities of a ruler, she lacked experience absolutely.

Despite her efforts, she couldn’t easily answer as this was still a realm beyond her reach.

“Then there’s only one thing I can do.”

Nevertheless, the young Demon King remained consistent.

She turned to look beside her and spoke.

“I’ll just trust you. I’ll bet on the future with you until the day I can show my true power as a Demon King.”

Trust and confidence.

Serpin willingly followed Durin.

“It might seem weak, but please bear with me a little longer.”

“Your Majesty.”

Durin paid his respects to the Demon King. Then, showing his red demonic energy, he declared.

“This power will be used only for you and the demon realm. Please do not waver and stay steadfast.”

There were no flowery words. Just strong sincerity.

That’s why Serpin could move forward righteously.

“Thank you.”

The Regent, by his very existence, served as a beacon.

A guide not overshadowed by moonlight.

That’s how Serpin wanted to describe Durin.

#

As day broke, the Demon King’s army showed uniform movement once more.

The forces of the military faction that had suffered heavy losses throughout the west and the southern army retreated, and the newly appeared central army filled the void.

The targets were the fortresses still resisting in the southern and northern rugged terrains.

“We will not surrender!”

They were spirited.

Those who fanatically served the God of Light resisted to the end.

They showed the warrior spirit that Durin admired.

“Then you’ll starve. Just maintain the siege and occasionally pound them with siege engines when you have time.”

War was cold.

There was no need to send troops to match their spirit.

After sending large boulders and plenty of demonic energy from the Spell Corps, the answer came back quickly.

[We surrender. Please spare our lives.]

They sent an envoy with a detailed letter, but the content was simple.

The angels from the expeditionary force were those who had lived comfortably in the celestial realm. Unlike the garrison angels, they lacked the determination to defend their homeland, so they could be conquered quickly.

“I thought those who followed the will of God would be stronger, but they weren’t.”

“That’s the current state of the celestial realm and how they view us. They thought this level of force would be sufficient.”

“Honestly, I think they wouldn’t mind even if they lost.”

“Indeed. But cutting off the gate itself will give them quite a shock.”

“Sir, what happens if the Archangel descends here? Would we march out ourselves to take his head?”

Verdia couldn’t hide her excitement.

Victory had inspired all demons. There were even opinions to invade the celestial realm and tear off all the white wings.

Of course, everything was settled at Durin’s level.

“He won’t come. Even if he does, I will stand and block him. However, be prepared to give up a continent or two.”

“T-that much?”

“Ask the old ones who experienced the Great War. You’ll understand.”

“A-actually, they all died during the southern rebellion…”

Verdia stammered as she added. Durin’s red eyes glared at her.

“Go to the sorcerers. They will tell you the answer.”

“I-I’m sorry, sir. I overstepped my bounds.”

Realizing what she had done, Verdia was startled and pressed her head to the floor.

Durin didn’t give her a glance. He had mountains of work to sort out.

“Instead of wasting time, properly hand over the angel prisoners to the central army. They will be valuable strategic assets for us.”

“Angels… as assets?”

Verdia slightly raised her head. It was a genuine question.

But it was brief. The moment she met Durin’s red eyes, she jumped up like a magical beast with its rear on fire.

“I’m sorry! I’ll fulfill my duty!”

“Go.”

“I’m truly sorry!”

The tent fluttered from the commotion.

Durin briefly stared at the spot where Verdia had disappeared, then returned his gaze to the table.

Even this time was precious.

“Sir. The legion is waiting.”

If the Chief Justice who assisted the Demon King hadn’t joined him, work might have been delayed.

“You need to lead some elite legions to the Demon King’s Castle, so please finish preparations quickly. Her Majesty is looking forward to the victory ceremony.”

Durin nodded to Matheus, who wore a benevolent smile.

Apart from the pile of work, he first needed to declare victory.

The priority was to spread this excitement, currently held only by the west and the legion, to all demons.

“I’ll move right away. Is the victory ceremony being held in the western capital?”

“Yes, sir.”

Of course, it was all joy.

If there were any who couldn’t control themselves like Verdia, he planned to be merciless.