Chapter 201

Chapter 201

The Capital of Reigle.

The center of the Reigle Fief, a city that was essentially a massive fortress itself, was shrouded in thick, sweltering heat.

"Waaaaaaa!" "Kieeeeeee!"

The shouts of humans echoed from the east, met by the grotesque shrieks of the undead from the west. Two massive tides of sound collided at a single point: the Rivet Plains, stretching out before the western walls of Reigle.

"Ready arrows! Draw! Fire!!" Pipi-ping—!

Elite archers, packed so tightly atop the walls there was no room to step, loosed arrows imbued with holy power. Supported by their cover, a military force numbering in the thousands clashed with the Demon King’s army, which surged forward like a black wave.

"Die, you foul creature!"

On one side, a shield raised by a couple of soldiers deflected an undead, while beside them, a knight’s mace crushed it into pulp.

"Kuaaaa!" "Haha! You filthy demon scum...?!" "Where are you looking!"

Further away, using the undead as meat shields, a demon swordsman drove his blade into the armor of a careless knight. In some sectors, the Reigle forces pushed back the Demon King’s army; in others, the demon army gained ground. Even after nearly an hour of clashing on the plains, the balance remained unbroken.

Cha-eng! Cheng—! Kwaaaaang—!

The sounds of rupturing metal and explosions, mingled with war cries and monstrous screams, filled the air.

"Sir Morgan! Report on the state of the war!" "Yes, Excellency!"

As Palador Reigle spoke while observing the fray, an adjutant immediately rushed to his side.

"Thanks to Sir Leorn’s leadership, we are gaining the upper hand as time passes, but we have yet to overwhelm them!" "What is the status of each knight order?" "The Red Marlin Knights have been annihilated along with the enemy’s elite swordsman unit! The Red Seal Knights have also suffered mutual destruction with another unit! The White Whale Knights, our direct subordinates, are currently engaged with the enemy’s most elite swordsman division!"

At the adjutant’s crisp report, Palador Reigle’s eyes sharpened as he gazed at the battlefield.

‘This isn't good...’

Of course, the tide was tilting toward Reigle as time went on, and victory would be near if the battle continued this way. However, that could change as easily as flipping a palm—specifically, if the commander of the Demon King’s army, who had yet to appear, showed their face.

‘I wanted to overwhelm them at least until that fellow appeared.’

Palador intended to retreat once his life was truly at risk. However, he needed to orchestrate a battle impressive enough that rumors wouldn't spread back home claiming the Reigles had turned tail and fled.

‘Only then can I maintain the family’s status after this holy war ends.’

Having finished his calculations, Palador quietly drew his cherished sword from his waist and stepped forward.

"Excellency?" "I shall join the White Whale Knights. Report their position." "But it is dangerous! We don't know when the 9-star Magic Swordsman will appear on the battlefield! It would be better to—" "The fact that the one who always appeared at the vanguard is absent must mean there are circumstances. And besides..."

Hiding his calculating inner thoughts, Palador wore his characteristic, boisterous smile.

"Who would follow a Lord who just stands idly in the rear?"

The adjutant’s eyes widened at that smile—the very paragon of knighthood. He nodded, his gaze filled with profound moved emotion.

"...If that is Your Excellency’s will, I shall dissuade you no further. However, please keep in mind that you are indispensable to this country."

With those words, the adjutant and about a dozen guardian knights donned their helmets, drew their swords, and fell in behind Palador. Seeing the look in their eyes—men prepared for death—Palador’s lips curled upward.

How convenient it was to gain loyal subjects willing to sacrifice themselves with just a few choice words.

"Hahaha. If you gentlemen go that far, I shall make sure to be careful."

Barely a few hundred meters west of the Rivet Plains, where the fierce battle was in full swing. A demon messenger came galloping on horseback toward Vice-Commander Victor, who was waiting right in front of the 1st Corps' camp.

"The Lord has moved." "Is that so. Understood. We move out."

As soon as Victor nodded, the elite demons behind him checked their gear and mounted their horses.

The Carden Magic Sword Squad. Led by the 8-star Magic Swordsman Victor Carden, they were the most elite unit of the 1st Corps. They were a troop hastily assembled specifically to deal with Marquis Palador Reigle, the strongest power in the current Reigle camp.

"Are you heading out now, Vice-Commander?"

The sound of clicking heels echoed from the camp as a slender demon woman sauntered toward Victor.

"It seems the Marquis of Reigle, whom we’ve only heard of in rumors, has finally appeared on the battlefield." "...Indeed." "I see. Though you are in the same realm, they say he is a veteran of decades of combat, so please be careful." "...My thanks. Is the Commander’s condition still poor?" "Yes. It’s quite a worry, isn't it? To fall gravely ill in the midst of such an important battle... But don't worry. She has taken the medicine I provided, so she will recover and join the battle soon."

Victor’s eyes narrowed slowly.

"...A medicine that instantly heals a Commander who is so ill she refuses even a meeting with her Vice-Commander... You must be using something remarkably precious."

He questioned her with an overtly cold gaze, but the demon woman merely gave a sly smile and bowed her head.

"...I wish you luck in battle."

Knowing she had no intention of answering, Victor looked away and turned his horse's head. Dozens of the Magic Sword Squad began to follow behind him.

‘...What a suspicious wench. What on earth did you do?’

Riding toward the battlefield with a look of displeasure, Victor thought of the woman he had just spoken with.

Dudu-du! Dudu-du!

The horse galloped wildly across the fields, as if reflecting Victor’s inner state.

The woman’s name was Sophie. She was a 7-star Witch dispatched from the 2nd Corps as a tactical advisor for this war, and the person responsible for changing the Commander. While there was no physical evidence, no one could deny that Rowen had changed ever since she arrived at the 1st Corps.

— We need no prisoners or slaves. Kill every single human.

Originally, Rowen was never a demon who would utter such words without hesitation. The Rowen he remembered was a righteous, humanitarian, and heroic figure who traveled the Demon Lands punishing the wicked and saving the weak. One could argue that her benevolence didn't extend to humans, but that was merely a forced speculation to fit the outcome.

Because Victor knew. He knew she hadn't joined this war to massacre innocent lives.

— The reason I joined the Demon King’s army? You're the first to ask that. — I was just curious about the thoughts of those on the other side. I want to know if they are truly evil enough to be hated for hundreds of years. — And if they aren't as evil as we thought, I want to find a way to end the war and reconcile.

She had laughed, saying it would be easier for her to speak up once her rank rose and she got closer to the Demon King. How was he supposed to accept that such a woman had changed the moment the war began, without having discovered anything?

While it was true he didn't like humans, as a warrior, he didn't want to kill innocent people who didn't know how to fight. Victor wanted to stay by her side to see what kind of end the "hypocrisy" Rowen spoke of would meet.

— Before killing them, destroy the city as much as possible. They are people who might plot something while hiding.

If he issued orders like that, the damage to the innocent who couldn't fight would be significantly reduced. Although this was all he could do for Rowen right now, Victor decided to do his best. At the very least, so that when Rowen regained her senses, her heart wouldn't break over the cruelties she had committed.

"Ha... honestly."

A stray chuckle escaped Victor’s lips as he rode toward the battle.

‘When you think about it, even this thing I’m trying to do is nothing more than the hypocrisy of an invader...’

Perhaps he had been tainted by hypocrisy during his years with Rowen; his skin seemed to have grown thick.

"I’ve become a complete fool too."

Yet, even while mocking himself, Victor firmly resolved to take down the enemy leader with all his might. If Palador Reigle fell, the battle would be decided. If that happened, the defeated enemy would flee further away, and there would be no need to shed more blood than necessary.

However, contrary to Victor’s wishes, the battle dragged on.

Cha-eng! Kwaaaaang—!

Even though the sun had fully set, humans and demons were still thrusting blades at one another. Victor had yet to reach Palador Reigle; instead, he was fighting a man named Leorn, the captain of the White Whale Knights.

"Urgh! Out of my way!" "Where do you think you're going!!"

A sword imbued with 8-star Demonic Energy and a sword imbued with 8-star Holy Power bit into each other, triggering a series of powerful explosions. Neither Victor nor Leorn retreated, glaring at one another.

"I must defeat Palador Reigle and end this fight as soon as possible! So move!!"

Even as he said it, it sounded ridiculous, but it wasn't wrong. As long as the existence known as Rowen was here, Reigle’s defeat was a certainty. His underlying meaning was that it would be better to retreat early and save even one more life.

But there was no way Victor’s intent would reach Leorn.

"You talk big!"

It was a natural reaction. Who would move aside for someone claiming they were going to kill their lord? It was simply frustrating that he couldn't make them understand that a far worse situation could unfold.

Cha-cha-cheng—! Cheng— Ka-ang!

A storm erupted between them due to the countless clashing strikes. During the exchange, Victor felt his belated hypocrisy, blooming amidst the Demon King’s army’s malice, to be cruel. Soon, that emotional disturbance allowed his opponent to find openings.

Chwa-at! "Ugh!"

Feeling the wounds on his body increase as he traded blows with Leorn, Victor let out a low groan.

The opponent was strong. No, the Reigle Fief was strong. Victor felt deeply that if it weren't for the 9-star Magic Swordsman Rowen, they wouldn't have been able to push the front line this far. However...

"Kruaaaa!"

Victor grit his teeth, for he too had things he could not yield.

Cha-eng—! "?!"

The momentum shifted from Leorn, and Victor became the one on the offensive. But that was short-lived.

"Purge the filthy demon!"

A massive sword fell into the duel that no one had dared to interfere with.

"Excellency?!" "Palador!"

The Great Lord, Palador Reigle. He had joined Leorn. This made it two against one. Victor had to face two 8-star level enemies at once.

"It seems she doesn't intend to step forward in today’s battle?"

Looking at Victor, Palador Reigle’s lips twitched upward. His eyes flickered with a boisterous, predatory light, as if he sensed an opportunity.

"If that's the case, today's victory shall be claimed by me, Palador Reigle." "...As expected, the move of a noble blinded by merit. Your greed will bring about countless sacrifices." "Khahahaha! I don't think that's something an invader who has already killed thousands should say!"

Victor’s eyes narrowed sharply at Palador’s valid point.

"...Before we fight, I will give you one last warning. If you have eyes and ears, you can see the end of this struggle. So, know when to stop and withdraw."

His voice turned ice-cold. He had no desire to speak kindly to a man who would increase the number of victims out of stubbornness in a losing war.

"We are different from you. We do not abandon our innocent people and retreat." "If that's the case, I promise not to kill the innocent. So..."

Paaaaang—!

In an instant, Leorn closed the distance. A blade lunged toward his eyes.

Ka-ang!

Barely blocking it, Victor created distance from the two Holy Knights.

"There is no need to listen further, Excellency. That man is merely mocking us and the people who have already died." "Hmm. I think so too." "..."

Looking at the two who had readjusted their stances with their swords, Victor finally lowered his head.

"This is the first time in my life that war has felt so heartless."

He had to admit that no matter how much he tried to say the right things, it wouldn't be heard while his hands were covered in blood. Casting aside his lingering regrets and pity, Victor readjusted his grip on his sword. And just as he was about to kick off the ground, prepared for death—

Kwaaaaang—!

A roar like thunder erupted. Simultaneously, a powerful presence surged from behind. Victor’s pupils shook violently as he slowly turned his head.

"...Gasp?!"

His gaze landed at the edge of the battlefield. Standing there was a presence akin to the inevitable death of this war.

"Ro... wen...?!"

The Magic Swordsman, Rowen. The Commander of the 1st Corps and the only 9-star existence on the battlefield had appeared.

"The Commander has come!" "It's the Commander!!"

The demons cheered in unison, while silence fell over the human camp.

"Hah, she finally showed up..." "Excellency! We cannot continue further! Sir Leorn! I will retreat with His Excellency, so please buy us time!" "Understood! Go! Excellency!" "Mmm... Sir Leorn. I shall remember your bravery until the day I die."

Watching Palador Reigle retreat and Leorn lower his stance, looking ready to pounce at any moment, Victor grit his teeth.

"Damn it...!"

What lay ahead was a massacre. Rowen would swing her sword against the weak, just as she did in the first battle, and countless casualties would follow. The very thing the woman he remembered would never do.

"Why... why now!" "Because the war situation looked unfavorable."

A large crow landed on Victor’s shoulder. It must have been a messenger crow sent by the witch’s subordinate... the advisor, Sophie.

"Well now, victory is practically guaranteed with this. It won't be difficult, but Vice-Commander, please do your best for the remainder of the fight."

A ticklish voice, as if stifling laughter. Rage boiled at that remarkably devious sound.

"...Just how many more have to die for you to be satisfied, you wench?" "Hee-hee? What are you saying? Isn't this war? If we don't kill the enemy, how are we supposed to win?" "That's not what I'm talking about! This isn't war—it's just a one-sided slaughter!" "A-ha... ahahaha... I see what it is. So the Vice-Commander has the same thoughts as the 'former' Commander? Incapacitating them, doing this and that to reduce innocent lives...?"

Sophie’s mocking tone continued through the crow. But Victor’s reason snapped the moment she said "former" Commander.

"What did you just say..." "Oh my. Why is our Vice-Commander so slow? Don't you know we can't fight this war without killing civilians? Do you think the undead taking arrows in the front just grow out of the ground?" "..."

Victor fell silent. Meanwhile, the expressionless Rowen was walking toward the battlefield.

"We need corpses to make the undead and fight with them. Don't we? Otherwise, we’d lose because the humans outnumber us. And using a few human corpses isn't really a problem, is it?" "Anyway, finish things up well over there. I’ll be here preparing the wine for our victory. Good luck~."

With those words, the crow on his shoulder took flight. Victor watched its retreating form with eyes full of shock.

He had been played. The swordsmen of the 1st Corps, more noble and humanitarian than anyone as warriors, were being toyed with by the murky hands of the 2nd Corps. Rage and bewilderment surged simultaneously, and he didn't know how to express it.

"Sophiiiie...!!"

But before he could even grind his teeth to dust, Rowen stood on the battlefield with a heavy sword the size of her own body. Soon, it wouldn't be Victor or the demons dying by that blade—it would be the humans. It was painful to watch Rowen about to do the very thing she hated most as a warrior. Yet, unable to do anything, Victor could only watch the battlefield.

Srrrng—

The sound of unsheathing metal echoed from afar. She raised her sword high.

"I-It’s coming! That’s the thing that cut part of Solio Fortress in half!" "R-Run!!"

The humans on the battlefield began to flee in total chaos.

"Knights! Stand your ground until the end!"

In the midst of it, the White Whale Knights, centered around Leorn, began to form a defensive square to brace for Rowen’s attack. Though they knew it was futile, they intended to offer their lives. It was galling as a warrior that their noble resolve had to be answered by Rowen’s hollow strike. Victor grit his teeth and turned his head, looking away from the battlefield.

And then, Rowen’s sword fell. A strike that would reach the walls of Reigle Fortress from the center of the Rivet Plains descended from high above.

Ka-aaaaaaaaang!

What followed was a rupturing sound. A clash. The sound of blade meeting blade that he had heard thousands, no, tens of thousands of times.

"......?!"

The moment he realized one of those blades was the one Rowen had swung, Victor looked back at the battlefield. His pupils dilated several times larger than before.

"Wow... this is seriously heavy."

A low, unfamiliar voice rang out.

"..."

Rowen remained expressionless. The heavy sword extended from her hand. And as he followed the gaze past the translucent blade that had intercepted her heavy sword, he saw a human man standing there with ash-gray hair and eyes.

The man was parrying the strike of a 9-star Magic Swordsman—a blow as inevitable as death itself—with a smile on his face.