Ch.68Flowing River (1)

Though there were many discussions, the appearance of the angel was the starting point. It was like a preview announcing change.

“First, I’ll establish the core.”

After establishing an army centered on undead into a demon-centered heavy infantry formation, Durin attempted to create a legion composed of various military branches, including cavalry and magical beast units.

First, the 600 officers who survived the death trial became the core of the honorable legion. Though they lacked the prestige of the Southern Army, which was steeped in holy power, they were still a group of the continent’s strongest warriors.

“I expect much from your abilities. Dedicate yourselves to the castle.”

Since the demons of the castle were gathered and Durin personally bestowed the command baton, the impression they received was extraordinary. Beyond simple honor, they began to show unlimited loyalty toward Durin. The officers worked day and night. They constantly discussed and trained to show superior performance compared to Berdia’s Southern Army, which had shown countless achievements.

Durin, finding the new officers admirable, immediately granted them rewards.

“I will assign the soldiers you desire. Find the soldiers you wish to lead.”

The Demon King’s Castle typically operated by giving medium-armored infantry red shields to block holy power, along with short spears or halberds. There had been many discussions about specialized military branches, but resources to feed and clothe them were scarce.

After the appearance of the new Demon King, there were several opportunities, but preparing for the celestial war made it difficult to introduce new tactics and military branches. They focused on creating soldiers who could resist the holy knights as simply as possible, filling in the gaps with bombardment from sorcerers and Durin’s own power.

The long wait ended with victory, and now it was time to pursue diversification in earnest.

They could finally implement their previous plan to create variables to crack the celestial realm, moving beyond the existing battlefield of strength versus strength with infantry at the center and cavalry as variations.

“Have you made your choice?”

“Well… I’ve only been thinking about infantry, so I haven’t quite figured it out yet.”

The demons showed signs of perplexity.

They had initially rushed to the proposal with joy, but when actually faced with it, they became overwhelmed with concerns. In a world where medium infantry and cavalry were everything, they suddenly felt like they were venturing into a vast ocean.

“If you’re concerned, I’ll simply show you. Spranches! Bring the army.”

“Are you referring to the Administrator’s private army, Your Excellency?”

“Not a private army, but my guard unit belonging to the legion. Address it properly.”

“I-I’m sorry, Your Excellency.”

Private armies that every warlord possessed.

Thanks to seizing all the central forces during the Senate purge, various troops were gathered at the Demon King’s Castle.

Notable among them were the light cavalry that the deceased Killahal had tried to mobilize to seize power, and Durin’s dual-wielding infantry mobilized during the southern rebellion. They could have been used extensively as independent units, but they were swords that had not yet been properly wielded against angels.

These were given to the officers.

“Spranches.”

“At your command.”

“It will take quite some time for the new officers to find military branches and legions that suit their aptitudes. You, along with the judge, record all the progress thoroughly so that it can be preserved in the scripture.”

“Your Excellency. Does that mean…”

“I mentioned before that I would create a demon realm led by legions, not individuals. I will first establish precedents, and these will remain as legacies for future generations.”

It’s still awkward.

In an era where the strong led the battles, systematic aspects were severely lacking.

But the beginning was important. The banner of the Demon King’s Castle to confront the celestial realm would spread widely starting from today.

“Spranches. Carry on my will and strengthen the foundation.”

“I will do as commanded.”

“This is a lifelong duty given to you. If you establish the basics by collaborating with other high demons, I will remember you. I promise that your fame will continue to future generations.”

Durin strengthened his resolve.

Moved by this, the lizard knelt down. Tears poured from his round eyes.

“I have no regrets. My master. Take everything.”

“I didn’t ask for that much. Go.”

Seeing signs that the atmosphere was becoming excessive, Durin turned away without hesitation.

The king would arrive soon. Time was very tight as he needed to teach the new officers the victory ceremony.

The Administrator wanted to show them as a legion, not just as warriors.

#

“The Administrator is making great efforts.”

It had been a full month spent commending the western warlords and celebrating the victory. Though they thought it would be a brief discussion, the king’s duties were heavy.

Visiting damaged areas to hear about necessary resources and further examining proposals for development directions took a week in no time. Add to that discussions with the Chief Justice about post-war recovery, the treatment of surrendered angels, and rewards for demons who had risen in rank, and it was so busy that having just one body seemed regrettable.

“I can finally feel how much he dedicated himself.”

During the time when Durin was regent, he would have handled all of this alone.

Though there was no celestial war, he suppressed two major rebellions in a situation worse than now. Not stopping there, he refined the army to a level capable of fighting angels, which was indescribably impressive.

In this process, one couldn’t even guess how much blood he shed and how many tears he shed.

“That’s why the Administrator is called the hope of the demon realm.”

“Ah, Chief Justice.”

When Serphin was deep in thought in the tent, the person who joined him smiled kindly.

Matheus approached the Demon King today as well, with the scripture tucked under his arm.

“He is erasing the old era. He’s trying to eliminate the notion that demons fight with momentum.”

“Yes. As you can see, he’s started the work of splitting a single legion into dozens.”

“Though it was said to be one, the previous era, when warlords’ authority was powerful, had to divide command authority. Even during the heyday of the Istria Demon King, the Caldrag Demon King era, a black army was needed to maintain power.”

“The problem was that while they were busy dealing with angels, they eventually lost everything.”

“Durin is trying to prevent the mistakes of that era. Having confiscated all the warlords’ armies, he will now place commanders loyal only to the castle, creating legions that won’t be swayed by power.”

Matheus said this and closed his eyes. He gently unfolded a certain day to come.

“Someday, beyond the human realm, when we step into the celestial realm. Your Majesty will lead all the legions of the demon realm. We will resolve the forgotten old grudges and reclaim our rights.”

“…Rights?”

The young Demon King tilted his head. He understood the part about invading the celestial realm to resolve old grudges, but what came next was puzzling. It was impossible for a demon who hadn’t lived even 100 years to know about matters over 1,000 years old. With even historical records lost, this was a difficult area for Serphin.

“It’s too early now. I’ll tell you when you’re qualified later.”

“I think I heard the same thing last time…”

Serphin pouted. As a Demon King, he wanted to do many things, but he didn’t understand why there were so many restrictions.

Even wanting to help Durin, the more he tried, the more he felt his own inadequacy.

“Your Majesty. Destiny will eventually reach you.”

“……”

“You should envision the day when you’ll seize the opportunity with certainty by developing your abilities.”

“I suppose so.”

Though still in a sulky voice, the Demon King accepted it.

From the beginning, he had taken the throne in an inadequate state. In a situation where Durin was doing everything, rashly stepping forward might only cause trouble. There was no greater sin than the diligence of an incompetent person.

“I’ll return as someone the Administrator can support. With my magic of domination, I’m sure I can do it.”

Confidence returned. The Demon King rose vigorously.

“First, I need to beguile the angels! Since Durin has brought in apostates, it’s even more necessary!”

Saying this, he burst out of the tent. The fluttering entrance of the tent revealed the vitality the Demon King had regained.

“Ho ho…”

Matheus stared at the space where the young demon had disappeared and opened the scripture.

Trembling fingers caressed the words etched with time.

“The time is coming soon.”

The Chief Justice took a deep breath.

In the quiet tent, a small wind blew from the still fluttering entrance.

“Has the message arrived?”

“Yes. It will arrive soon.”

A shadow whispered to him.

The old Chief Justice erased his smile.

The face of a cold demon appeared once the Demon King was gone.

“Guide them quickly. The Demon King should know now too.”

“I will do so.”

The hollow voice soon disappeared.

The wind subsided, and the Chief Justice regained his kind face.

#

“If we haven’t found it after coming all this way, isn’t it over?”

“That’s right. You said this was a space where we could find death!”

Spiteful voices erupted twice.

In a certain realm deep in the western continent, the sound of life seemed out of place.

This was a resting place for the dead, where neither demons nor angels could easily set foot.

It was a dreamlike space where the first thing that caught the eye was a tower of resentment created by the endless influx of victims from the past war.

“Please answer! This is urgent!”

“Look carefully. Surely resting somewhere.”

A leisurely voice soothed the others. The light steps moving forward were full of composure.

It didn’t match with death. It was as if transcending the world’s pain and anguish.

“I-I swear! If this isn’t real, I won’t let you off easy.”

“Hey, Eliya. Let’s calm down and look once more. We never know what might happen.”

“You were agreeing with me just now, and now you’re backing out?”

“There’s nothing I can do about it. I’m just moving according to what that witch said.”

The owners of the spiteful voices, the dwarf warrior Turan and the elf Eliya, were sighing deeply.

It seemed they had dragged this on for too long.

Having lost the mage Eili in their first and last battle with Durin, they had come here to find her soul. They absolutely needed to gain something.

“Ugh… what should we do?”

“All we can do is try. Come on, elf friend. Let’s work hard.”

The two former hero party members began searching the wilderness again.

They sifted through souls and waded through tears.

“……”

The witch who had been watching them stopped walking.

Something had come looking for her.

“—-“

It was like an indescribable small distortion. A sound like a crawling insect echoed endlessly around.

The content was incomprehensible. But the witch was smiling. She raised her head as if understanding everything.

“It’s time to return.”

She looked up at the night sky.

Durin’s starlight, shining more brilliantly than ever.

A power that had been buried in the vast Milky Way, unable to stand out, was now revealing itself to the world.

At the same time.

“I-I found it.”

“This looks like it.”

From the other side came the sounds of the dwarf and elf making a fuss.

Destiny was beginning to flow intensely. The witch could feel it. She was no ordinary being.

More than 1,000 years.

One of the few great demons of the demon realm who retained memories from before the beginning.

Basaria, the Witch of Prophecy.

Having left the south where she served the Rock Mother, she had been seeking her path in the west, the focal point of destiny, and now she murmured softly.

“Now it’s time to awaken the hero.”