Into the Enemy’s Heart 2

“Which realm did Apostle Han Doyun hail from?”

Doyun smiled awkwardly before responding,

“I’m from Earth.”

“Pardon!?”

“You don’t mean that Earth I’m aware of, do you?”

The leisurely marching detachment suddenly stirred. As seasoned veterans capable of easily handling demonic threats, they had maintained a rather relaxed atmosphere.

“I imagine it is indeed the Earth you know of.”

“And you attained this standing within just 8 months as an Earthling…?”

The knights crowded around Rockfeller, eager to hear his account.

“But how did one from a civilized realm overcome the mana impediment that plagued Earthling students back at the Cradle!? Resolving that had been their foremost affliction!”

“Regarding mana cultivation techniques at the quarters…”

Doyun cheerfully continued the conversation. Engaging in such discourse en route to the battlefield, amidst this laid-back ambiance, carried a distinct appeal.

Moreover, these were all individuals he thoroughly appreciated – trusted and capable comrades he could entrust his back to.

An atmosphere he had occasionally experienced in his previous life, yet felt like an eternity since last savoring it.

“Hwah…! While I had expected some monstrous genius, it seems you were an ardent striver beyond even my imaginings!”

“Alas… Had the King not been preoccupied, he would have undoubtedly found a way to recruit you into our knightly order by any means necessary!”

“You possess the quintessential knightly spirit, good sir!”

“Apostle. I hold the authority for special admissions. Would you perhaps consider joining Pride…”

Upon revealing his Earthling origins, Rockfeller and his knights showered Doyun with impassioned overtures, deeply impressed by his tenacious rise from humble beginnings.

In truth, Enoch himself had been an unremarkable commoner before attaining continental supremacy, so their sentiment was understandable.

Having these 2-meter armored behemoths persistently courting him, Doyun felt as if surrounded by multiple Lion Kings.

‘The King was said to be quite ravenous for talent.’

Amusingly, despite never meeting the man, Doyun felt he was gradually gaining insight into the Lion King’s character.

A testament to the profound bond between the Lion King and his subordinates.

Even facing such a perilous mission, marching at a brisk pace through rugged terrain, they maintained an animated atmosphere filled with conversation.

However, after a while, Doyun muttered from the vanguard alongside Rockfeller,

“It should be coming into view soon.”

“Pardon?”

For a fleeting moment, the sky became visible between the trees.

Uncomprehending, Rockfeller’s gaze followed Doyun’s line of sight before freezing, his footsteps halting abruptly.

“Hold position.”

Chack.

80 iron boot steps ceased in perfect unison, not a single discrepancy.

+++

The main Alliance force led by Hero Rei had departed slightly later than the Pride detachment due to their longer journey, heading towards the Apophis Plains.

Mounted on an elegant warhorse, Rei addressed a general riding alongside,

“The scout team is running late.”

“It seems some variables have arisen.”

The Alliance consistently dispatched scout teams during marches to monitor the approaching enemy’s movements.

They would depart and return at set intervals, but this latest returning scout seemed delayed – likely indicative of complications.

“Advance the deployment of the next scout team.”

“Yes, sir!”

While typically displaying a childish demeanor before his mentors like Enoch and Doyun, Rei issued commands with a general’s presence.

Though his martial prowess and experience were relatively lacking, he was nonetheless a full-fledged Hero.

Yet contrary to his outward composure, Rei inwardly trembled with trepidation.

‘Can I truly handle this battle…?’

For decades of stagnant warfront activity, the Alliance had primarily engaged in defensive warfare.

However, this confrontation necessitated open battlefield tactics to defend the advanced positions.

A large-scale open field battle was unprecedented for the inexperienced Rei, weighing heavily upon him.

‘Was my decision to come here correct?’

The Dark Lord’s forces frequently employed human wave tactics.

During major offensives, they would simultaneously target their objectives with a main force while inundating all fronts with swarms of lesser demonic foot soldiers to disperse the Alliance’s forces.

With the Warlords restricted from manifesting within the Celestial Bulwark’s barrier, did they truly expect multiple Heroes concentrated in one location could withstand such notorious Dark Lord’s forces?

Hence they always sought to saturate the entire frontline, dividing the Alliance’s strength.

Unlike the Alliance relying on individually trained soldiers, the Dark Lord could mass-produce expendable lesser demonic fodder, enabling such tactics.

Therefore, for this Apophis campaign, only Rei had been assigned among the Heroes – his area-attack specialization being advantageous against numerous foes.

‘Haah…’

Theoretically a sound decision, yet Rei exhaled deeply, fraught with tension.

The Half-Dragon Rei Adrian Auclardelrm, history’s most concentrated inheritor of his clan’s draconic ancestry – a peerless genius.

Yet only 18 years old.

Thrust alone into this massive battleground without his mentor, brother figure, or senior Heroes – he was still too young for this.

‘If only Han Doyun could be here…’

A mere junior Apostle, not even a Hero, yet Doyun inexplicably inspired trust and confidence rivaling Rei’s master and brother.

Someone Rei could unquestioningly follow, an utterly dependable presence akin to an ‘elder brother’ figure.

Though their paths had diverged for this operation.

‘That detachment needs to arrive as planned…’

Lacking Doyun and the knightly support, Rei harbored grave doubts about this open field confrontation.

As Rei fretted with bated breaths, a soldier’s shout came from the vanguard,

“The scouts have returned!”

Soon, the reconnaissance report reached the generals and Rei.

“Reporting! Enemy forces number approximately 11,000! They are advancing southward at increased speed!”

The command staff reeled in shock upon receiving this information.

“…11,000, you say.”

An alarming development, yet generals could not falter during wartime. They suppressed their emotions as best they could.

Prior estimates had placed enemy numbers around 10,000, prompting the 8,000-strong Alliance main force composition to leverage qualitative superiority.

Yet the Dark Lord’s forces had somehow swelled by 1,000 in this unexpected maneuver.

8,000 against 11,000 – a non-trivial numerical disadvantage even accounting for qualitative edge.

“…For now, we shall increase our marching speed to match the enemy’s.”

“Yes, sir!”

The battle had to unfold on the Apophis Plains as planned – the Alliance’s strategy hinged upon it, as engaging amidst forests or mountains would heavily favor the Dark Lord’s demonic hordes.

Accelerating would fatigue the troops, but there was no alternative.

Rei agonized ceaselessly as the generals deliberated.

“Retreat is still premature. The disparity, while dire, is not hopelessly insurmountable.”

“But the enemy has already expanded once without warning. We cannot discount the possibility of further reinforcements…”

“If these were simply additional forces, now that we’ve closed in on the frontlines, further enemy deployments should be precluded…”

“Yet something seems amiss about mere reinforcements…”

“…”

After extensive consultation, Rei made his decision.

“We shall proceed as planned.”

“”Yes, sir!””

This would undoubtedly escalate into a massive confrontation. Yielding victory here would significantly set back the frontline positions Doyun had painstakingly advanced. A pivotal battle for both Alliance and Dark Lord.

He could not simply abandon their efforts over such unforeseen variables.

However, one lingering concern remained.

‘The detachment slated for infiltration numbers only around 80. While elite shock troopers… increased enemy numbers would severely impede their operation.’

Escalating enemy forces meant more than just numerical disadvantage.

One crucial stratagem for this battle was that detachment’s infiltration – their allotted 80 had been the optimal number calculated based on projected enemy deployment.

The situation had shifted against the detachment, yet they remained unaware of this development.

The tactical situation was unfavorable.

‘Apostle Han Doyun…’

Rei’s pulse quickened with apprehension.

+++

Mana swirled around Rockfeller’s entire being as his eyes blazed with a crimson mana hue, bulging veins protruding around them as he strained his enhanced vision towards the distance.

Rockfeller muttered gravely,

“This bodes ill.”

“Indeed.”

Doyun nodded in solemn agreement.

Being midway down the hillside afforded an advantageous vantage point.

Yet even so, their mana-enhanced sight beheld an immense form in the far distance.

A grotesquely massive stone golem – short-legged but possessing freakishly elongated arms, vaguely humanoid in shape.

No mere optical illusion – the sheer scale was incomprehensible even from afar.

“A ‘Goliath Siege’ unit has been sighted ahead.”

“It seems the forward positions have collapsed, the frontlines driven back to this region.”

In stark contrast to his earlier demeanor, Rockfeller grimaced gravely.

“Yes. Based on the rapid advancement without any prior notification reaching command, the Dark Lord’s forces must have committed fully to this offensive.”

The Dark Lord’s ‘Goliath Siege’ war machines.

Essentially long-range artillery towers capable of engaging targets over 10km, securing complete area dominance upon deployment within that extensive radius.

In other words, once these occupied a conquered enemy garrison, the Dark Lord instantly seized full supremacy over that entire region – a formidable obstacle for the Alliance.

Undoubtedly rapidly deployed in preparation for this Apophis offensive.

The distant Goliath Siege began slowly lurching into motion.

“It seems we’ve entered its engagement range as well.”

Only the intervening terrain had concealed their approach up to this point.

“What shall we do?”

“This is a dire predicament indeed.”

The knights muttered apprehensively.

In actuality, the Goliath’s firepower did not immediately threaten them. As elite Apostles, they could potentially disable it if necessary.

However, time was the critical issue.

“Vice-Captain. How long would neutralizing that Goliath Siege take?”

“Even under the swiftest scenario, it would require at least 12 hours.”

“Tch.”

They had to maintain a rapid, uninterrupted march to reach the Apophis Plains within the designated timeframe.

Twelve hours? The main Alliance force could be annihilated four times over in that span.

“What about circumventing it while suppressing its fire?”

“It would still take 9 hours.”

“Damn it all.”

In stark contrast to his previously refined demeanor and exuberant spirit, Rockfeller cursed vulgarly.

Yet they had no alternative.

In the distance, the Goliath Siege slowly lurched into motion, hefting an immense boulder from a stockpile.

Rockfeller drew his sword.

“All blades out. We’ll suppress its fire while bypassing its range.”

“Yes, sir!”

As he issued the order and the knights collectively unsheathed their weapons, Doyun stepped forward, speaking softly,

“We shall proceed as scheduled.”

“Pardon?”

Responding to Rockfeller’s confusion, the Goliath Siege hurled the massive boulder.

A projectile large enough to crush their entire 80-man contingent, it hurtled towards them with lethal force.

“Apostle Doyun, what do you intend to…”

“I shall engage that construct directly.”

Doyun leapt forward towards the incoming threat.