Chapter 444: The Thunder of Dawn

「…Is the Heraldic Order showing signs of sending their troops? I think they’re not people who are willing to retreat, Rakiador. 」

Mastigius La Volgograd, one of Bolvat Dynasty’s most proud magic generals, opened his mouth in a firm tone while a fiery color showed behind his dark eyes. In his field of vision, Deenheim, the entertainment city at the eastern end of the city-states, was already appearing in the horizon.

The city gates were closed, and there was no trace of the usual cheerful atmosphere.

Apparently, there were no reinforcements from other city-states either. For those who knew Deenheim, which was always noisy and had a bustling atmosphere, was now strangely quiet.

However, that was unavoidable since they were up against the Bolvat army. The soldiers moved quickly and began to form a battle line.

One of Mastigius’ lieutenants, Eileen Ray Rakiador, looked at his superior and nodded.

「Yes, that’s true, Your Excellency. However, they aren’t a threat to us. There are less than 5,000 soldiers, and they aren’t magic armored soldiers, but rather casual soldiers. They are not soldiers meant for fighting. Maybe they’re soldiers trying to help his compatriots escape. 」

Eileen said in a voice as soft as a feather, and with a smile that didn’t suit the battlefield. Her slit eyes were bright, and they looked like obsidian.

Everyone in the Bolvat army hated the demonic beings…while she harbored hatred for Rabel in her heart, Eileen was the only one who showed a certain kind of naturalness.

Yes, as usual, in a natural way. She acted like she looked down on everything and everyone.

She descended from the Ray Rakiador family, a prestigious House, and was hailed as one of the rare sorcerers who made this far.

She had a wonderful way of looking down on people, especially if they weren’t magic-wielding people.

But that was not a unique trait. Sorcerers from the Bolvat Dynasty were more or less like that.

A dull voice echoed beside them, as if piercing Eileen’s soft yet sharp contours. It was a man’s voice.

「How absurd. That’s a truly a nonobjective insight. Eileen, you only have a biased perspective, which suits you well. 」

The man had a look of displeasure shown between his eyebrows. However, it was strange because he also had a cunning smile on his cheeks.

Hind Busse. Like Eileen, he held the position of adjutant general who followed Mastigius, but his nature was the complete opposite of Eileen’s.

He wasn’t from a prestigious family like Eileen. It was not like he wasn’t from a family of sorcerers, but he was from a commoner lineage.

The fact that he held the position of adjutant general of the Bolvat’s army was proof of his talent.

「Okay, Hind. Let’s listen to what you have to say. 」

「What the Heraldic Order sent were not just casual soldiers, my General. Lugis Vrilligant. He’s a great evil and a hero at the same time. He’s the one who recaptured the royal capital. I don’t know what to call him anymore. He’s leading an army. 」

Hind said without showing any reservations to Eileen. Immediately, Eileen’s sharp lips appeared at the corner of her mouth.

It wasn’t an insult. Yet, a quiet but bitter emotion made Eileen lose her smile.

For Mastigius, that scene was nothing more than a familiar sight. Well, he wasn’t happy that the relationship between the two adjutant generals was bad, but it wasn’t that uncommon in the Bolvat army.

After all, sorcerers were a group of people who eventually strove to master their own unique essence. Selfishness rather than altruism; exclusion rather than tolerance.

Although the Bolvat Dynasty had a magical culture that stood out across the entire continent, they were only the leaders of the East partly due to the nature of its sorcerers.

「It’s doubtful that the royal capital was recaptured. How could an uncivilized person who can’t use magic eliminate the demon who defeated the Gharast army? Or are you trying to sympathize with the supposed success of a commoner? 」

「I can’t reason with you. You should wash your eyes once and for all. It’s said that people from prestigious families are born with tinted glasses. 」

Eileen and Hind. The air became more dangerous, and the concentration of demons increased every time the so-called water and oil repelled each other. One could feel intoxicated if one couldn’t tolerate it.

Suddenly, the demonic impulses began to devour each other, and the two of them made noises as they struggled against each other. It was always one voice that broke that tension.

「Why don’t you stop? What are the benefits of fighting between ourselves? The only people who will be happy about this are the city-states and those hateful demons. 」

Mastigius’ voice seemed to be heavy and solemn. Eileen and Hind both held their tongues at their superior’s words, which seemed to be unusually oppressive.

It was true that both sides had been bumping heads on a regular basis. And the General was often lenient against them. However, it was different this time. Uncontrollable frustration was what made him speak so harshly.

His homeland was trampled by the great demon Vrilligant, and the people were treated like the tip of that demon’s thumb. It was a humiliation that burned in his heart, both as a sorcerer and as a human being. The calmer he became, the more he couldn’t hold back those feelings.

The person who felt these things more than anyone else did was Mastigius himself. He felt a great hostility towards devilish nature. Fury and irritation.

Mastigius strengthened his large frame and grasped his thick fingertips without realizing it.

He couldn’t help but ask himself the following question. He was the Magic General who was in charge of protecting the nation, but what was he doing now? He was being used for the good of demons. Even if they took the country itself as a pawn, Mastigius felt that he became a worthless man.

Lugis, the hero of the Heraldic Order, was risking his life to fight against adversity, without considering the danger he was in. Great evil, golden…or demon slayer. Mastigius had no way of knowing how true those titles were.

But now he had raised his sword to shatter the fangs of the Bolvat army led by Mastigius himself. He did it by his own will, for the sake of those he must protect.

On the other hand, what did Mastigius accomplish? Mastigius scolded himself while his cheeks got distorted. There was a feeling in his heart that destroyed him.

…With things like this, he couldn’t save his daughter, let alone his country.

Something boiled in Mastigius’ chest. He already understood the true nature of those feelings. A hot exhalation came from his mouth while he drew the cold breath into his lungs.

In the next moment, Mastigius suppressed all his emotions. He swallowed down his remorse, his regret, and even his anger. A thunderbolt resonated in his arms.

The soldiers had completed their formation.

An army of 25,000 casual soldiers, 8,000 magical armored soldiers and 2,000 magical beast soldiers. Moreover, there were other small units ready to devour the city-states.

It was a General’s duty to fulfill the task once he or she stood on the battlefield. At least, Mastigius La Volgograd had never forgotten his duty.

Mastigius roared to the wave of commanders and soldiers lined up. His eyes widened. The thunder that wrapped around his arms increased in power.

「…There are words that cannot describe our feelings. There are voices that cannot be shouted enough. But never forget! No matter what happens, we are not fighting for ourselves. Our blood and flesh are fighting for us. It’s for our parents, loved ones, children, and descendants yet to be born! 」

A loud voice ran across the battlefield. It rode on the wind and was so strong that it crossed the gate and reached the entertainment city of Deenheim.

The soldiers let out an inaudible cry as if responding to Mastigius’ words.

Mastigius raised his arms and the thunderbolts struck.

「Soldiers, look forward! For the sake of those who are yet to be born! I, Mastigius, will trample on all roads and paths! 」

At that moment, the battle cry of the soldiers was reminiscent of applause. Its roaring sound made even the immovable earth tremble in response.

At the same time, Mastigius’ raised arms were swung down. The magic mechanisms carved directly into Mastigius’ arms absorbed a huge amount of magical power and created thunder magic. It was just like the roar of the gods.

…Thunder roared as if to announce the beginning of the war. Lightning rays bared its violent fangs as if to destroy the city gates.

This war campaign that would be known later as the Demon War undoubtedly began with this thunder power.

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Nice phrase at the end, huh. It looks promising.

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