Ch.97Expedition Force (1)

On the day of the King’s arrival, the Legion held a modest ceremony.

Through the act of reverently serving the Great Demon, they intended to firmly imprint upon the humans who their ruler was. As Durin had planned, the effect was quite good when the Legion marched through the ruined cathedral, singing praises to the Demon King.

The imprinting spread quickly, to the point where some humans began to join in the singing. They stabilized rapidly after accepting the superior being.

While establishing power in the human realm with Verdia at the center, the Demon Castle’s command gathered at the old sanctuary to discuss the future.

“A divine relic… I’ve studied it through records left by kings, but this is my first time seeing one in person.”

“It’s the same for everyone except the Witch of Prophecy guarding the demon realm. This is truly a glorious moment, Your Majesty.”

Serpin showed her curiosity. Although it was merely an empty shell of a wrist, having transferred all of death to Durin, its mere presence inspired pure reverence.

A thousand-year wait to break fate.

It was hard to hide the amazement.

“I’ve heard enough about the forgotten god from the sorcerers. Can we use this to stand against the celestial realm?”

“One is not enough. Unlike the demon realm where celestial light cannot enter, this human realm is a dimension where the celestial realm can fully exert its power.”

“How can we overcome divine power when even the previous Demon King couldn’t manage it?”

Serpin asked with furrowed brows. It was a question that a young demon who hadn’t experienced the Great War might naturally have.

Ludmila stepped forward to explain to the king on Durin’s behalf.

“It’s because no major crisis has occurred. Their power, faith, is currently dispersed among different factions. They covet each other’s share to feel even a little more of God’s love, so they naturally cannot unite.”

“Then wouldn’t my arrival in this continent instill a sense of crisis in them? They would soon unite, wouldn’t they?”

“Of course they will, and that’s what we’ve been intending.”

This time Durin answered. He pointed to the war map on the table and continued.

“If we hadn’t obtained the divine relic in this war, the celestial realm would have maintained the front line by dispatching warriors. They could have maintained their authority simply by stabilizing their effective territories, including the papal domain, even if they had to give up the southern continent.”

“But they failed, Durin. You obtained the relic, making not only the south but also their lands vulnerable.”

“The Archangel must now choose. The Regent of the demon realm will act to obtain another relic, and they must decide how many troops to dispatch to prevent that. As the High Sorcerer mentioned, this will be quite a headache in a situation where they’re already fighting over faith.”

“Hmm.”

Serpin nodded. She could immediately understand the situation.

To counter the divine relic, the celestial realm would need to descend with blessings, a higher level than faith. This would naturally cause major losses to their forces, creating favorable conditions for other angels.

Of course, they could mobilize various armies by emphasizing the danger of demons, but their command was dispersed. While the united demon realm targeted a single goal, the celestial forces were likely to be defeated one by one. Even though the celestial realm still had the upper hand in terms of raw power, they couldn’t be complacent.

Above all, the demon realm’s current strategy was to reverse the approach the celestial realm had intended to take. Based on the divine power already in their possession, they planned to endure persistently, dragging the enemy into a quagmire.

“The celestial realm will ultimately have to either push back our forces established in the southern human realm, or decide on a direct invasion of the demon realm using the power of archangels.”

“But the demon realm is a place where celestial light doesn’t reach. Moreover, with the total amount of faith decreasing due to chaos in the human realm, an expedition would be too risky. It’s a gamble that’s difficult for the Archangel to make, so the human realm will inevitably become the battlefield.”

“So it all leads to one path.”

Directly confronting the celestial realm. This would be the first battlefield where the unified demon realm would prove itself.

Unlike before, when they used undead and southern forces to drive the battle toward elite combat, they would now deploy all their forces. Since dimensional movement through gates was relatively easy, they could respond to whatever approach the angels took.

There was no need for an offensive. Victory would come naturally if they defended and disrupted until the opponent exhausted themselves.

“However, we don’t know how strong the force coming down that path will be.”

“That’s why we need to properly awaken and utilize this divine relic.”

“…Do you know how to handle it, Durin?”

Serpin tilted her head. Demons cannot use faith as power. She didn’t know how a race that feeds on fear could handle a divine relic. Of course, there must have been methods when gods existed a thousand years ago, but they didn’t know due to lost records. A race that barely survived through war could only be ignorant.

“We have those who served gods until recently.”

“Ah. The fallen angels.”

“It will take time to bring it to the desired level, but they certainly know the method.”

Yursael, obtained as a spoil from the last Demon-Angel War. The remnant of an angel who could squeeze out divine power in the demon realm where celestial light doesn’t reach.

“Your Majesty. Please grant me command over them.”

Gathering the traces erased a thousand years ago to rebuild the world.

Not in the wasteland of the demon realm, but in that era when they ruled humans equally with angels in the celestial realm.

“Of course.”

Serpin could envision that moment. The King took the hand of the Regent who had steadfastly stood by her side and requested:

“Please recreate that glory with all your might. I will always be waiting for you.”

“I will do as commanded.”

Thus began the first plan to be implemented in the human realm.

#

“Your Excellency!”

Not long after, the fallen angels crossed over through the warp gate.

Their faces were flushed with excitement. After months of only hearing war news in the demon realm settlement, being half-abandoned and anxious, they were now called by Durin and overflowing with enthusiasm.

“The Dark Holy Knight Order is fully prepared.”

“Shall we go crush those angel bastards’ skulls?”

“The young ones have been waiting for this day to prove themselves. Behold this sword!”

They were all belligerent. The legends they had created against the previous Demon King must have been quite impressive. They all approached with war horses, ready to charge out at any moment.

“Dismount.”

Unfortunately, their mission was not war.

“We’re going to the sanctuary. Remove all armor and wear ceremonial robes.”

“……”

Durin turned and left. The fallen angels were left standing there.

“Huh?”

Only Yursael, their leader, uttered a stupid sound as she began to comprehend the situation.

…

“This is the divine relic.”

“Can we really handle it?”

The initial enthusiasm had disappeared, but curiosity took its place.

Yursael kept exclaiming in admiration as she looked at the goddess’s wrist.

“Ancient. To see a relic from before that era like this.”

“No need for other words. Can you extract its power?”

“I’ll need to find specific records, but if traces of worship practices remain, it’s certainly possible.”

Yursael was confident.

“This cathedral that makes up the order. Looking at the building style, it’s not human.”

“Not human?”

“Yes. It would be better to call it ancient style. The celestial realm considers this style of sanctuary in a cathedral as idolatry.”

“Then should we consider it a temple built by followers from a previous era?”

“That’s right. It’s certainly a place where the forgotten Goddess of Night was worshipped.”

To Durin’s eyes, it was just a faded marble building, but it was clearly different from Yursael’s perspective, who had learned celestial etiquette.

She walked around the sanctuary and said:

“If the self-proclaimed Dark Order humans managed it well, there should be materials somewhere here for conducting rituals. The papal domain tried to confiscate and burn everything, so they must have protected it desperately.”

“Are there humans who know about the Goddess of Night?”

“No. But the Dark Order had a blind hostility toward the papal domain, so they would have acted in complete opposition.”

In short, it was a rebellious psychology of preserving everything the celestial realm tried to eliminate because they hated them.

Durin thought it was ridiculous, but seeing Yursael’s serious expression, he didn’t add any comments.

He only added internally that the actions of those without fighting spirit were truly difficult to understand.

“Your Excellency. I’ve added various details, but I want to conclude that I can fully achieve what the Regent desires.”

“How much time do you need?”

“A month, and if conditions aren’t favorable, add another week. Of course, we can complete it within the timeframe.”

“I entrust this to you, Yursael. This is my first order to you as Regent.”

“I-I will follow your command! Your Excellency!”

Her voice trembled because it was her first time, but fortunately, she managed to answer with proper respect.

The fallen angels, who had been excited about war, were now completely captivated by the divine relic. With the Regent’s trust added, their enthusiasm was ready to pierce not just the sky but the celestial realm itself.

“Let’s search the library right now.”

“Let’s interrogate the human prisoners too. They’ll prostrate themselves when fallen angels appear, so we can investigate smoothly.”

“We must not disappoint Your Excellency.”

Though they once served another god, they had perfectly assimilated into the demon realm. Time had changed their mindset, but the new power before their eyes provided tremendous motivation. Given the opportunity to receive divine grace differently than they had as angels, they moved without rest.

“Good.”

Durin was satisfied seeing the Legion developing in various ways.

#

After finishing the work related to the relic, they needed to immediately begin reorganizing the Legion.

Having decided with the Demon King that the battlefield would be the human realm, he now needed to lead an expeditionary force rather than a small detachment. Serpin was not stingy with support and provided generously.

“I’ve brought high-ranking demons for you. Use them preciously for the great task ahead.”

Their faces overlapped momentarily. Yursael’s confident expression was similar to Serpin’s.

Wondering what gift had been prepared, he quietly observed and saw an army approaching in the distance, raising dust.

Clop-clop-clop.

Snort!

The sound of hooves accompanied by rough neighing. It was a cavalry unit that would play a key role on the vast battlefield.

Durin showed his joy openly. He had tried to move beyond undead infantry to handle various troop types but hadn’t yet properly utilized them on the battlefield.

Being able to start here excited him immensely.

“Are you so excited, Regent?”

“Of course I’m excited. Durin loves great wars.”

Two voices were heard.

The resonance of a rough warrior and the seductive allure of a queen were added.

“It’s good to see you like this.”

Durin opened his arms to welcome the great demons.

The Northern Ruler and the Western Queen had joined his army.

In other words, the powerful beast cavalry with destructive power and monster infantry specialized in guerrilla warfare and melee had been added to the expeditionary force.

“Regent Durin.”

“Your Majesty.”

“I hereby appoint you as the Commander-in-Chief of the Human Realm Expeditionary Force, so please accomplish your goal with utmost dedication.”

Serpin, having bestowed a great gift, smiled brightly at the Regent.

“I give you full authority over the war.”

The King’s unadorned sword was passed to Durin. Though it had no decorations, it represented Durin perfectly.

The authority of the Demon Castle untainted by filth. The Demon Realm Regent received it respectfully with both hands.

“I will repay you with victory.”

“I don’t wish for a glorious death, so always repay me.”

“I shall do so.”

Under the fluttering flag of the Demon Castle.

Durin bowed his head and pledged to the King.