280th Episode
A few days after the war began.
All the commander-level personnel currently stationed in the Osiris Countdom gathered in one place.
During this time, the Empire’s nobles, thanks to Ray, had to stay in small rooms and take care of their meals and rest there.
Though they couldn’t recall ever being treated this way, none dared to openly express dissatisfaction to Ray, so they all spent their time laughing and pretending everything was fine on the surface.
However, the expressions of the commander-level individuals now gathered were all serious.
Ray, sitting in a corner, adjusted his nose bridge and spoke.
“Let’s first organize the incoming information… There was combat in the South?”
“Yes, that’s correct. However, it’s not serious.”
When the Empire declared war on the Rubia Kingdom, the Demonic Realm also made provocations.
As a result, there were several small-scale skirmishes near the southern border adjacent to the Demonic Realm.
But it wasn’t something worth worrying about.
The south was heavily fortified with Imperial troops, and it was also guarded by the Empire’s second Swordmaster.
Unless they ventured deep into the Demonic Realm for battle, dealing with a few Devil Worshippers crawling out wouldn’t be an issue.
“Not only in the south, but there have been some suspicious movements detected elsewhere as well…”
However, these weren’t significant enough to affect the war against the Rubia Kingdom.
After hearing the explanation, Ray tapped his temples.
“Hmph… So, ultimately, the problem is the Rubia Kingdom.”
The top priority targets for elimination for the Imperial forces currently entering the Rubia Kingdom were three individuals.
The current king of the Rubia Kingdom who colluded with Devil Worshippers.
Dolores, from the Tarannis Family, the head mage of the Twin Magic Towers, and the wielder of a staff imbued with the power of the Dark God.
Benedict, the kingdom’s foremost swordsman and the current owner of the Command Blade, who was also a Devil Worshipper.
Eliminating these three and securing the artifacts of the Dark God were the primary objectives of the Imperial Army.
However, this was no easy task.
The blessing bestowed by the entity known as Greed or the Immortal Demon created an army of undead.
While the undead army couldn’t replace high-tier units, their relentless march toward the border shared with the Empire tied down the Imperial forces for several days.
And yet dividing the troops easily wasn’t an option either.
The presence of Benedict, assessed as a near-Lord level threat, was a considerable burden on the Imperial forces.
Because of him, the Devil Worshippers managed to buy “a bit of time,” and they used it quite effectively.
“They are tracking down and eliminating any influential figures with legitimate claims or power to succeed the throne.”
“So these guys don’t even plan to win the war, huh?”
“Yes, that seems to be the case.”
“Guess they just want to cause as much trouble as possible before losing?”
The Devil Worshippers were spreading demonic-related rituals indiscriminately among the populace.
At the same time, they were assassinating anyone who could potentially replace the king after the war.
This was clearly aimed at making the Empire suffer even though victory in the war was impossible.
If all the symbolic figures capable of unifying and controlling the Rubia Kingdom were killed, the kingdom would inevitably fall into chaos afterward.
With the artificial spread of Devil Worship among the populace, this chaos would likely lead to more Devil Worshippers being produced.
If this vicious cycle continued unchecked, the worst-case scenario might require purging the entire territory where the kingdom once stood with fire.
That was something the Empire couldn’t afford to do.
“Do we have any powerful allies left within the Rubia Kingdom secured by the Empire?”
“There are a few, but they’re insufficient to assume the role of king. Moreover, the Devil Worshippers are hunting them down relentlessly, making protection difficult.”
“Were there no defectors who moved to our side beforehand?”
“Since they needed to expand their influence immediately after the war, everyone refused to completely abandon the Rubia Kingdom and seek refuge in the Empire.”
“So the remaining ones… are these two, right?”
“Yes, the Crown Prince of Rubia Kingdom and Count Horum.”
It was safe to assume that all others had been eliminated.
“We must rescue and secure them as safely as possible.”
One of the nobles stood up and approached the map hanging on the wall with a pointer.
“According to reports, while the Devil Worshippers have been reckless with their assassination attempts, our forces have been swiftly advancing, liberating the kingdom’s territories.”
Now, less than a quarter of the Rubia Kingdom’s territory remained under the influence of the Devil Worshippers.
At first glance, it seemed like the Devil Worshippers were continuously retreating.
“Of course, they are indeed retreating, but…”
The Devil Worshippers were still trying to eliminate the Crown Prince and Count Horum before the war ended.
The noble pointed at the map.
Currently, the Imperial forces were pursuing the Devil Worshippers, who were surrounded by the Empire.
Meanwhile, the Devil Worshippers had gathered most of their remaining forces to surround the Crown Prince and Count Horum while evading pursuit.
Currently, the Crown Prince and Count Horum were fleeing towards the Sigini Mountain Range before the encirclement was fully established.
“The order has come down to cooperate with the kingdom’s rangers to rescue and secure these two people.”
The Empire needed supporting forces to join the kingdom’s rangers.
The Imperial support force would team up with the rangers, cross the Sigini Mountains, secure the escape route for the two, and rescue them.
Once the main Imperial force arrived, they could sandwich and completely annihilate the Devil Worshippers.
Of course, even without rescuing the two, the Devil Worshipper forces would eventually be wiped out, but securing them would be beneficial for the long-term future.
“The only place capable of providing reinforcements to the Sigini Mountains right now…”
“This is the only option.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“…”
Ray rubbed the back of his neck.
The command from the upper echelons of the Empire was reasonable.
If successful, the operation would crush the enemy’s interference and grant favors to the future power structure of the Rubia Kingdom, making it easier to control them later.
It was also true that if reinforcements were to be sent to the Sigini Mountains immediately, the troops stationed in the Osiris Countdom would need to move.
However, this wasn’t a pleasant situation for Ray.
“Can we guarantee that the enemy’s main force won’t circumvent and attack the Empire? Can we ensure that the Osiris Countdom won’t become a target?”
Even a small number of forces containing near-Lord level threats could pose extreme danger if they bypassed.
Upon hearing Ray’s point, the Osiris Count inwardly sighed in relief.
If the Osiris Count had loudly protested against withdrawing troops from his territory here, he would’ve received disapproving glares from all sides.
However, there was no one crazy enough to act disrespectfully toward Ray here.
For the first time, the Osiris Count felt reassured by Ray’s firm stance and suppressed his smile.
On the other hand, a noble officer serving as a strategist for the Imperial forces hesitated briefly before answering Ray.
“Before the war began, we closely monitored all ports of the Rubia Kingdom but found no unusual activity.”
Any large-scale movement of forces via sea routes would’ve been detected.
“Additionally, the enhanced undead are maintaining their numbers consistently. This proves that the enemy’s main force remains in the Rubia Kingdom.”
If the apostle-level object mediating the Dark God’s blessing had left the Rubia Kingdom, the reanimated corpses wouldn’t have been able to maintain their strength.
All valid points.
Moreover, this was a royal decree. Blocking troop movements simply because of slight unease wasn’t an option.
Understanding this, Ray nodded.
“Hmph, then we’ll have to split the forces and reorganize them.”
*
A horned giant whale parted the waves as it advanced.
Inside its sticky flesh, Arundel sneered.
“You’ve forced us to use a precious asset.”
There weren’t many creatures as powerful and strategically valuable as this demon.
An asset that shouldn’t be exposed recklessly was deployed for this mission.
Arundel glanced at Benedict, the master of the Command Blade, inside the dark mass.
“When did we last encounter someone who harbored such vivid hatred like Dolores?”
“…”
“She might have suited our side better.”
The hatred Dolores, from the Tarannis Family, held towards El-Lam was so deep and intense that it amazed even Arundel.
She inherited the history of discrimination caused by the divine power El-Lam bestowed upon the world through her family.
Thus, she willingly chose sacrifice, hoping to destroy El-Lam’s apostle.
She believed this would serve as her revenge against El-Lam.
Currently, the reason why the undead army persists in the Rubia Kingdom is entirely due to her self-sacrifice, which strengthened the power of the Dark God.
That’s why even if the master of the Command Blade leaves the Rubia Kingdom, the powerful undead army will continue to exist.
Of course, it won’t last forever.
“Let’s pray this gamble pays off since there’s no turning back.”
“…”
“Silence is good, but don’t make mistakes. Do you remember the faces of those Ray specifically mentioned?”
Among them were individuals Ray had gifted titles to, along with his foster mother and younger sister.
“Don’t kill them. We need to lure him into an unfavorable battlefield.”
Although how effective hostages would be in clouding judgment was uncertain, if luck was on their side, they might lure Ray alone to the coast and eliminate him.
If that fails…
“We’ll make sure he has no choice but to come directly to the Demonic Realm.”
*
The Osiris Countdom became busy again.
The nobles scrambled around, rearranging the troops and preparing contingency plans after splitting the forces.
However, the refugees and residents of the Osiris Countdom continued their daily lives as usual.
Whether the troops stationed in the Osiris Countdom moved to the Sigini Mountain Range or not didn’t significantly impact the majority of the commoners.
Lea, too, happily sucked on a candy as usual and went to find Karen.
Walking to Karen, Lea pouted slightly.
Lately, her father had been too busy to play with her.
Since her father was busy, her mother insisted that Lea stay indoors and didn’t allow her to go out far.
Lea felt both aggrieved and restless.
She wanted to see the enormous lake she had seen that day again. She also wanted to step on the soft, shining sand once more.
So Lea went to Karen and tapped her arm.
“Sis! Karen sis!”
“Yeah, Lea. Why did you come looking for me?”
Karen smiled gently and lifted Lea onto her lap.
Lea played with her big curls and pleaded with Karen.
“Lea wants to see the sea! The sea! Take me there, sis!”
“Hmm… The sea? How about going with Ray… your older brother?”
“Brother’s busy! Dad’s busy too!”
“…Yeah, your brother is busy.”
Karen looked at Lea with a slightly gloomy expression before smiling brightly again.
“Then shall we go see the sea together, sis and Lea?”
“Yay!”
Lea eagerly nodded, fearing Karen might change her mind.
(To Be Continued)
