Chapter 199
It had been several hours since the division commander Kaien Roximir fell to Glenn Warsworth.
The 3rd Division, which had devastated the Barony of Delphius, had been defeated by only three people.
The undead, wandering the city and attacking the citizens, had already been destroyed into dust by the legion’s stones.
Hundreds of elite demons had been annihilated by Ridenhol’s efforts, losing thousands of expendable undead soldiers in the process.
Of course, the knights and city guards were almost completely destroyed, so Delphius had no capacity to prepare for further battles.
Thanks to their noble sacrifices, however, the civilian casualties were surprisingly low compared to the city’s ruined state.
“That alone is something to be thankful for… If the Saint had not come, even they would have lost their lives.”
Looking around at the surviving citizens in the half-ruined city square, Isabel Delphius expressed her gratitude to Glenn.
“I don’t know how… I should convey my thanks properly.”
“It’s fine. I am just sorry I could not arrive faster.”
Glenn’s humility made Isabel Delphius shake her head gently.
“No, really, thank you. I just feel sorrowful that I cannot offer you any proper reward.”
“Don’t worry about that. I didn’t do it expecting anything. More importantly, you should think about what comes next.”
“Yes….”
Isabel nodded slightly.
“Thanks to the Saint, my father survived, but in his current state, he cannot lead Delphius.”
Baron Delphius had been found in the central courtyard of his mansion after the battle with Kaien Roximir.
Until Glenn burst into the mansion, he had endured cruel torture from Kaien and his subordinates.
After being rescued by Glenn, he had only been able to offer a word of thanks before losing consciousness, and he had not opened his eyes since.
“…Then I must do it.”
Looking at the citizens calling Glenn’s name, Isabel hardened her gaze.
Seeing Isabel’s firm resolve, which often appeared even in the original story, Glenn quietly smiled.
“You cannot fight any longer here. Take them to the rear, to the Anais Barony.”
“Yes. Thank you for your advice….”
The gaze Isabel had steeled began to tremble slightly.
It must have been painful and sorrowful for her to leave the Delphius she loved.
“…I heard Delphius is said to be more beautiful than any other barony in Reigle.”
“…Yes?”
Isabel’s question prompted Glenn to continue quietly.
“The men build structures with the white rocks unique to this land, and the women plant grass and trees along the streets to decorate the white buildings beautifully.”
“The Grand Hall of Estirenne also referenced the scenery of Delphius to build its reception hall.”
“When I heard that story, I wanted to visit Delphius myself, even if only for a short time, to see it.”
Of course, Glenn had seen Delphius before as Sung Yohwan, but…
‘Still, I wanted to see it with my own eyes.’
Since coming to this world, Glenn had found joy in confirming the beautiful landscapes he had seen through the monitor.
Of course, Delphius had become a ruin, making the wish somewhat meaningless.
The white buildings, once full of green leaves and vines, were stained with blood and crumbling in places.
“So, no matter how long it takes, please rebuild this place. And then call me again.”
Glenn smiled faintly.
Isabel, looking at him, widened her eyes and shook violently.
“That is the repayment I ask of Delphius.”
“…Yes. I understand… I will… definitely do so. Absolutely….”
Isabel turned her head and repeated her response with a trembling voice.
She continued like that for a long while.
Following Glenn’s orders, Isabel Delphius led the surviving soldiers and citizens to the rear, to Anais Barony.
The Isabel Delphius remembered by Sung Yohwan would contribute to the war in any way she could there.
When the war ended, she would live the busiest and most diligent days to keep the promise she made to the Saint who saved her.
‘I really… care about scenery that much, huh.’
Though he said that, the landscapes he had seen across the Papal States had left a lasting impression.
He regretted that this world had no photographs.
‘There are various kinds of magic too, so maybe I could even create them.’
Laughing at the pleasant thought, Glenn drove the horse toward Reigle Barony.
Suddenly, Romina, who was sitting behind him, popped her head over his shoulder.
“But will Anais be okay?”
“What do you mean by okay?”
“I mean… seeing the demon forces, will it be safe there?”
Glenn looked up.
“Well… it will hold for now, but it won’t last long before it collapses, right?”
Even though they had destroyed the 3rd Division with the legion commander, a new unit would soon replace it.
In that case, Anais, which had similar strength to Delphius, would not hold for long.
Of course, that did not mean Glenn could go there himself.
“True. People are few, so I can’t concern myself with small places like that.”
“Right. My work in Reigle Barony is already decided.”
The 9th-rank magic swordswoman Rowen.
If they just defeated her, the remaining minor problems would be resolved naturally.
It wasn’t that the Reigle Barony’s defense was weak; it just lacked a 9th-rank powerhouse.
“So now we head straight to that barony without stopping anywhere else?”
“Yes. And originally, we were heading there anyway.”
Visiting Delphius was only along the way from Warsworth to Reigle.
“Hm… I see. But didn’t we spend too much time here for that?”
Romina pressed her chin on his shoulder and smiled teasingly.
Her red hair tickled his neck, making him frown.
“It’s only half a day.”
“And who crossed the Magernis Mountains to save that half-day?”
“That guy… uh? It was just me warning you. That’s all.”
“Why do you try to hide your kind nature, my lord?”
Romina, playful, slowly raised her hands toward his stomach.
“Why? Are you embarrassed to be kind? Even teasing me like usual is to hide that personality… Ugh!”
“Shut up, you.”
Glenn lightly shrugged his shoulders to push her away and urged the journey to continue.
“Tch… shy, huh.”
Romina, holding her jaw, laughed teasingly.
She seemed almost disappointed that he did not bite back.
“Cute at times like this. Anyway, teasing’s done. How long until Reigle?”
“About three days. If we hurry, maybe by the evening of the second day.”
“Hm. For that, the horse pace seems quite relaxed, my lord?”
Ridenhol, riding silently beside them, finally asked.
“Wasn’t it urgent?”
“Well, Reigle is, but we should maintain our condition, right?”
The enemy Glenn would face in Reigle is Rowen, a 9th-rank powerhouse.
Receiving the Lunatic difficulty boost, she might even become stronger, so full preparation is necessary.
“Three days from Delphius, and by the time we arrive at Reigle, we will have ridden for a full week without rest.”
Facing similar-strength enemies without proper rest or maintenance is not wise.
‘And although she’s 9th rank, she’s a bit above me…’
Glenn smiled bitterly.
He did not know much about Rowen, as she did not appear in the original story.
But according to Penelope, she reached the ninth magical rank about a year ago.
Glenn, on the other hand, had reached his ninth ring five days ago after defeating Kasim Brion, the 5th Legion Commander of the Demon King’s army.
‘I can use Saint magic, but it’s better to be cautious.’
“Even if there were no 9th-rank enemies, if they cannot hold for one more day, Reigle wouldn’t be able to use their forces anyway.”
“…That makes sense. For now, we must rely on Reigle’s forces.”
“Still, I’m not saying to go slowly like on a trip, so let’s hurry moderately. Okay?”
“Ha ha. Yes. Understood.”
The western half of the continent is the Demon King’s land, the Land of Magic.
In the center of the Land of Magic is the Halpheim Zone, the capital of the demons, home to the great black Demon King Castle.
However, the Demon King had long since vacated this symbolic place.
In the western Gaurn region of the continent, the Demon King Lupellos von Zaussreze left the Demon King Castle without any warning, claiming he would travel.
“During the middle of the war with humans… how can this be so irresponsible?! That person.”
In the Demon King Castle’s great conference hall, a demon woman shouted sharply, staring at the empty throne of the Demon King.
Opposite her, a young human leaned on his chin and smiled.
“What you just said is excessive, Deputy Commander Railina.”
He had no horns or wings, symbols of high demons, and emitted not even a trace of magic power. He was a human.
“The Demon King’s army already overwhelmingly surpasses the Papal State’s forces. Asking for the Demon King’s help in such a one-sided battle seems quite unreasonable.”
“…What? Unreasonable? Berdin. You, who betrayed your own kind, are speaking?”
“My kind? Ah… one cannot call such primitive beings one’s kind.”
The relaxed human’s response made the demon woman grit her teeth.
“In any case, for a supreme commander to abandon the frontlines is unacceptable. I think we should protest to the Demon King on behalf of the legion.”
“The Demon King is particularly free-spirited. Protesting to such a person… ha ha ha. Deputy Commander, don’t you know him at all?”
“Damn…! Keep teasing me like that and you’ll die, human.”
As the demon woman rose in anger, an old demon sitting silently beside the throne struck his staff down.
“That’s enough for both of you.”
“…S-sorry.”
“…Excuse us, Commander.”
Both the demon woman and the human bowed their heads toward the old demon.
“Thank you.”
The old demon radiated a classic and dignified aura.
His hair was dark gray rather than white, tied neatly at the back, and his clothes were tidy.
The pair of horns and wings, originally red, were now pale gray, like burned ashes.
Considering his long life, it was natural.
Kacerto Lienz.
He was the actual commanding officer of the Demon King’s 2nd Legion, the oldest member of the Demon King’s army who had lived for centuries beyond death.
He was also the creator of the Legion’s Stones, which summon all undead soldiers under the army’s command.
“The Demon King leaving Halpheim has nothing to do with the current war’s situation. That is my judgment.”
With a low, commanding voice, Berdin smiled faintly, while Railina crossed her arms and bit her lips to control her anger.
“The 1st Legion attacking the central front is advancing smoothly, and the 3rd and 6th Legions in the south are also doing well.”
In a war they already dominated, there was no position the Demon King needed to take.
“Of course, Railina, I know what you want to say, but one cannot oppose the Demon King’s will. That is what a Demon King is.”
“I understand… but…”
“If you truly wish to oppose his choice, there is one method everyone knows, right?”
A rule of the Demon King’s army: if the Demon King is displeased, anyone can formally challenge him and pull him into battle.
“…No, Commander. I think I was wrong.”
However, for a Demon King who had long surpassed 9th rank, a mere 7th-rank deputy commander could not challenge him.
Kacerto nodded at Railina, who lowered her head.
“Let’s talk about something more productive. For example, the northern front.”
The northern front.
The Demon King’s 5th Legion, led by Kasim Brion, clashed with Warsworth’s defenses at the Avenue Fortress.
It was also where Penelope Ogma had drawn Kacerto’s attention by attacking early with the 8th Legion.
“According to the latest report, the 5th Legion was defeated.”
“…Yes?”
“What did you say?”
The sudden news of the 5th Legion’s defeat widened the eyes of Railina and even the usually calm Berdin.
“The 5th Legion… that’s Kasim Brion’s, the madman’s, army, right? And you say they were defeated?”
“Yes.”
“This can’t be…”
‘What happened?’
‘Where did the operation go wrong?’
Railina and Berdin both bit their nails, deep in thought.
The two rivals coincidentally had the same habit when thinking deeply.
Both were senior advisors. Before the war, they had identified Warsworth as the weakest point along the long frontlines.
To avoid wasting forces, they had deployed Penelope Ogma and the 8th Legion moderately.
However, news arrived that Penelope had disobeyed orders and attacked Avenue, suffering a crushing defeat and returning.
They reassessed the northern front, deploying the stronger 5th Legion with Kasim Brion there.
‘But… they lost?’
‘What could be in Warsworth?’
The more they thought, the graver their expressions became.
“This is strange. Surely the informants did not misjudge the enemy’s strength.”
“…Commander, when will Kasim Brion return?”
Railina carefully asked to find out what variables existed, but…
“He was killed in action.”
Kacerto Lienz’s calm answer left Railina speechless, and Berdin was no exception.
“Then… did the informants report anything? What is in the northern front…?”
“They were intercepted perfectly.”
“…Huh…”
They looked as if they had seen a ghost.
‘What on earth…’
‘What did 8th and 5th Legions encounter to be defeated like this…’
As they exchanged worried and confused glances, Kacerto rose from his seat, leaning on his staff with deliberate movements.
“Commander… sir?”
For the first time in their experience, his rising meant one thing:
They could no longer trust their two advisors’ judgment. So…
“I will investigate personally.”
“…!”
Kacerto Lienz, usually absorbed in magical research, rarely involved himself in external matters.
‘The Commander… is… going to move himself.’
Both had only seen this happen once before, and his movement then caused a huge shift in the Demon King’s army.
In other words, him moving personally meant a great change was coming.
