Chapter 546: The Beginning of the End

The era of demonic rule came to an end long ago.

The reigning Demon King and fellow demon beings were reduced to demonic beasts and ruled by Three Gods.

But eventually, even the seemingly eternal era of the Three Gods came to an end, and the era of the One God began.

…The name of this era was “Dominion”.

All demons were subjugated under the One God, Altius. Even though they appeared to be mindless creatures, demons had individual traits. Even so, they couldn’t surpass Altius’ will.

Under that single will, demons trampled upon humanity, mass-producing tragedy and instilling despair.

Demons were humanity’s greatest enemies. To put in bluntly, they were predators of humanity. All of them were superior to humanity.

…But humanity wasn’t powerless. After enduring unbearable times and unbearable eternity, three beings were born, as if to become a countermeasure against demons.

The Human King. The only one who fit that criteria was the first human king, Medic. One who united and led humanity and made humans individual beings.

The Great Saviors. Those who fit that criteria were Altia and Helot Stanley. One who transcended and overwhelmed humanity and was much superior to human beings.

And so, the last.

One who was loved and recognized by humanity and was humanity’s hope…The Hero.

Richard Parmilis was on the outer wall of Fort Medraut.

He drank a bottle of alcohol as the death snow hit his cheeks. He threw the bottle aside and looked at his left arm. His fingers and palm were worn out from countless campaigns and battles.

But more than that, the wrinkles were noticeable. Richard closed his eyes, cradling his missing right arm.

Then, he thought.

…He had grown old. So old.

He wondered the last time where he used an attack known as the lightning strike.

He wondered when the Black Sword lost its luster.

He wondered when the thought of entrusting it to someone else began to cross his mind.

Richard’s prime was over twenty years ago. And now, he could no longer hide his aging.

The fact that his right arm was taken by the demon was proof of that.

「Commander Richard, excuse me. 」

「What’s the matter? Are the arrangements for killing 60,000 enemy troops complete? 」

「Hahaha. Well, unless you deliver plenty of ale. If I could get a barrel of that ale of yours, then I would head to the front lines with no second thoughts. 」

「Haha. What a fool. 」

His new aide-de-camp, Vissia, a veteran soldier, was originally Richard’s subordinate. He knew him well and was well aware of his tricks and tactics.

Vissia simply said that the arrangements were going smoothly, then his eyebrows distorted, looking quite uncomfortable.

「…Ah, about your granddaughter. 」

「Granddaughter? Do you mean Neymar? I sent her back to the royal capital. 」

「She’s not going back, Your Excellency. 」

It wasn’t Vissia who answered, but Neymar herself. She took a bold step in Richard’s sight.

Vissia’s expression frowned. She was probably hiding, planning to come at the right time.

Neymar had been stripped of her military rank, so she wasn’t wearing her military uniform. Her simple formal attire made her stand out. Her long, braided hair tilted to one side.

「I apologize, Your Excellency. Please allow me to rejoin the battlefield. I’m no longer a woman fit to live as a royal capital noble. I’m a person who can only survive on the battlefield, and who can only be recognized there. 」

She spoke in a strong tone. Resoluteness was a good word to describe her right now.

But Richard didn’t even glance at her.

「Go home. That’s an order. If you’re joining the battlefield, then follow orders, Neymar. The idea that you can only survive on the battlefield is the most ridiculous misconception one could have. The longer you’ve been on the battlefield, the more that way of thinking becomes ingrained in you. 」

「Then, behead me for disobeying your orders. 」

「Neymar! 」

Neymar’s resolute stance ended there. She was probably at her limit to begin with. She spoke in a voice laced with tears with her head bowed.

No, it was almost a scream.

「…W…Why…Why!? Didn’t Your Excellency tell me to keep a close eye on him!? How is this the end! Is it because I…I…defied that man? Are you saying we can’t win with me here? 」

She had an emotional side, but the calm commanding presence of her lieutenant trait was nowhere to be seen.

Neymar spoke like a crying child, tears spilling freely. The flood of emotions inside her knew no bounds.

No, perhaps it was only in front of the one person who accepted her that she was able to be more honest than anyone else.

「Hey, listen…」

Richard sighed and finally looked at Neymar.

He stood in front of her and thrust his left arm at her. A dull sound hit her core.

In an instant, Neymar lost consciousness, still sobbing. Richard cradled her limp body in one arm.

「…We can’t win this battle with or without you. Neither you nor Lugis. That’s just how we are. 」

The enemy was numbered 60,000. While on the other hand there were 3,000. There was no room for strategy. This was completely different from what they had originally anticipated.

It was no use trying surprise attacks using the surrounding hills, nor night attacks, nor burning down their food supplies. They had done everything necessary and everything they could.

It was meaningless with Valerie Brightness in the picture.

It wasn’t that it was ineffective. It was because it was meaningless. No matter how much damage they suffered, Valerie would definitely take the fortress. That was a foregone conclusion.

That’s why most of the people who would become the main fighting force were sent to the Olyn Plains.

It had been two days since Lugis left the fortress. Valerie would be here soon, and she would bring with her an army of 60,000. Maybe tomorrow.

「What are you going to do, Vissia? Should you run away? 」

「…I’m getting old. And I’m getting quite hard of hearing. 」

「Ahah. That convenient ear is a relief. 」

Richard entrusted Neymar’s body to Vissia after letting out a deep sigh.

He couldn’t leave her at the fort. But he didn’t have time to return her to the royal capital… So he decided to leave her in a nearby village. She wasn’t a soldier now. She was just a lost country noblewoman now.

Richard snorted and narrowed his eyes. He knew this would be the last time he’d see Neymar’s face.

—

The Demon Eyed Beast Doha Surah yawned as he marched ahead of the main force as the advance guard in direction for the Olyn Plains.

The blue-haired, two-horned beast was unusually troubled.

He was wondering whether he should continue to follow Lugis.

The bearers of the ring he should obey were Lugis and the Elf Queen Eldith. As they were both on the same side, Doha Surah had no choice but to side with humanity.

But he couldn’t help but wonder if this was really what Altia wanted. With Lugis as a hero for humanity and the Heraldic Order continuing to expand its influence, something didn’t feel quite right.

「Don’t look away. We can’t afford to waste time idly. 」

The steel-clad mercenary spoke with a hard tone.

The mercenary was wearing full armor and a long battle axe that would be difficult for a human to wield. Vestaline Geluah wore it effortlessly as she walked ahead.

「No, no. But it’s such a pain. First of all, you’re being too nonchalant, My Lady. You’re acting like we’re fighting for our lives. 」

「That happens all the time. For a mercenary, yesterday’s enemy is today’s ally, and today’s ally is tomorrow’s enemy. Do monsters really care about that? 」

Doha Surah couldn’t believe it.

For Doha Surah, who was bound by contract, allies and enemies were always clear. Money alone could make people enemies and allies, and it was amazing that wars could be waged with that.

「That’s probably how it seems to you monsters. We mercenaries are only guided by money and integrity. It’s not a job for people who lead honest lives. But, precisely because we’re untrustworthy, we must be loyal to integrity. We follow the side that can offer more gold coins. That’s what a mercenary is. 」

「So, My Lady, if the Great Holy Church offers more gold coins, will you side with them? 」

「Of course not. I’ll side with the General. 」

This was the first time Doha Surag ever conversed with a human who was even more difficult to communicate with than a monster.

Perhaps, she noticed Doha Surah’s deep dismay. Vestaline laughed beneath the steel outfit, then said the following words.

「There are many types of integrity. In other words, it means siding with the winning side. 」

「So, if the Great Holy Church offers more gold coins and is likely to win, will you side with them? 」

「Of course not. I’ll side with the General. 」

Doha Surah secretly made up his mind.

Let’s not trust Vestaline’s so-called loyalty. A bankrupt person who doesn’t realize that they’re bankrupt is the last thing you should get close to.

Doha Surah kept his distance from Vestaline and looked ahead. It was a hassle, but this seemed a bit healthier.

Two days after leaving the fortress, it was there, just as he had calculated.

…A strange thing pierced the sky. Its mass was similar to that of catastrophe, like a demon castle that once ruled the heavens. The Bastion Beast, Zebrililith.

Doha Surah instinctively looked up to the sky. Could a human really kill that thing?

He had no time to ponder about such things.

A creeping fear began to crawl up from his spine. Doha Surah’s whole body went on disarray.

Zebrililith was still far away. The horde of magical beasts swarming at his feet looked like nothing more than fragments.

But Doha Surah sensed it. He saw it.

…The manifestation of death. The female most loved by death in this world. The one who personally destroyed the Demon Eye Clan.

Doha Surah’s breathing stopped.

He exhaled in one breath.

That abominable female appeared before his eyes. He saw the moment her eyes were opened and…

「…Get down, now! 」

The moment Doha Surah raised his voice like he had never raised his voice before…

…Death had come.

Previous | Next

😉

—————–

Support us on Patreon and get access to early chapters