327th Chapter
The expeditionary force continued its advance.
The retreating demons maintained a distance from the expeditionary force, using surviving lesser demons to harass them.
However, such shallow tactics were no match for the overwhelming power disparity between the two sides.
As the expeditionary force effortlessly swept away the lesser demons and closed in, the demons turned their backs and attempted to flee altogether.
But due to the underground traps prepared to buy time being rendered useless by the shockwaves of Meteors, they were unable to shake off the expeditionary force.
Not long after, the expeditionary force almost completely annihilated the remnants of the enemy with overwhelming power.
Having achieved a perfect victory in the first battle, the expeditionary force roared in triumph and swiftly advanced.
“…”
Alexander listened to the cheers of the expeditionary force, lost in deep thought.
This overwhelming victory was instead proving an ‘unfortunate prediction.’
‘Preches willingly acted as bait to deal a severe blow to the military strength the continent possesses…’
If this prediction was correct, Preches would surely attempt to lure the expeditionary force deep into the Demonic Realm.
After all, if the visitors who had come so far into the Demonic Realm were pushed back immediately at the entrance, it would be difficult to inflict meaningful damage.
‘Then, after pretending to retreat and instilling false hope while hiding the main forces, they will likely try to swallow us whole once we’ve ventured deep enough.’
By that point, even if the expeditionary force realized the disparity in strength and tried to retreat, it would inevitably suffer significant losses.
If control over the troops failed within the Demonic Realm, it wouldn’t be impossible for the expeditionary force to be utterly wiped out.
Then, at what exact moment would Preches reveal his hidden fangs?
The later the timing of revealing those fangs, the more fatal it would be for the expeditionary force.
However, the deeper Preches lured the expeditionary force, the greater the risk he himself would have to take.
Taking this into account, Preches was most likely to reveal his fangs when the vanguard of the expeditionary force had advanced about 70 to 80 percent toward the final target location.
“…If that happens, it’ll be hard to respond.”
If even half of what Alexander had seen in the forbidden texts was true, the expeditionary force was doomed to fail.
Should those terrifying beings attack all at once, they could easily pin down the vanguard while collapsing all temporary bases, cutting off any retreat routes.
Assuming the situation would unfold this way, Alexander had two options:
To retreat sensitively at the slightest sign of trouble and preserve the expeditionary force’s strength as much as possible, or…
To push deep into the heart of the Demonic Realm with only a few members, determined to eliminate Preches even if it meant the total annihilation of the expeditionary force.
The latter option was akin to a suicide mission. Even if successful in eliminating Preches, there would be no escape with the rest of the expeditionary force obliterated behind.
“…”
Originally, Alexander intended to choose the first option.
He had deeply considered the alternative—using the entire expeditionary force as leverage to eliminate Preches—but ultimately abandoned it.
However, Ray mentioned something to Alexander regarding Harshia’s final moments.
After hearing Ray’s story, Alexander found himself plunged into painful contemplation once again.
If Ray’s testimony was true, then it was entirely possible to win this war.
Though still unfavorable, it was definitely worth trying.
However, if Ray lied for some reason and Alexander misjudged the situation based on that lie…
Everything would be over.
“…”
Alexander was still conflicted.
Whether or not to believe Ray’s testimony… that single decision would determine the fate of the continent.
Standing at a point of no return, Alexander let out a quiet groan.
Meanwhile, the expeditionary force rapidly advanced and reached the first objective.
“Hurry up!!!”
Upon reaching a strategically advantageous high ground, the expeditionary force began moving swiftly according to their pre-trained drills.
First, they checked the surrounding area for traps, then the clerics quickly activated and embedded the precious holy relics cherished by the church into the ground, activating them without delay.
Hwa-a-a-ak!!!
A curtain of light spread out, covering and purifying the area.
Additionally, blue barriers made of divine energy rose here and there, and the mages reinforced them by layering additional magical barriers on top.
In no time, a sturdy defensive base suitable for soldiers to stay in began to take shape.
From now on, this place would serve both as the expeditionary force’s forward base and the final line of defense that must be held at all costs.
As the expeditionary force advanced further, additional temporary bases would be established.
If these temporary bases came under threat, support and supplies would be provided centered around the forward base.
If all temporary bases were lost, the remaining troops would have to regroup at the forward base and buy time.
And if the vanguard succeeded in eliminating Preches, they would need to rush deep into the Demonic Realm to open up a retreat route for them.
While it was uncertain what variables might strike the expeditionary force, one thing was clear:
This place must be defended until the retreat order comes.
“With this much… ten days is the limit.”
One of the clerics shook his head solemnly.
Despite using a large amount of valuable relics, the duration the divine barriers and walls could hold was short.
Had they been outside the Demonic Realm, they could have lasted for two months, but here, ten days was the limit.
Still, this war was expected to conclude within ten days anyway.
The soldiers swallowed hard as they fixed their gazes on the sinister depths of the Demonic Realm.
Everyone instinctively understood that a real bloodbath was about to begin.
Elsewhere,
Alexander was walking alone through the Demonic Realm, having distanced himself from the army and his guards.
His adjutant, noticing Alexander’s growing solitude, finally decided to close the gap.
Alexander walked along the rugged terrain of the highlands, observing the uneven landscape stretching beyond.
After walking for quite some time, Alexander suddenly stopped and burst into laughter.
“Haha… Can you see it?”
“Yes…?”
“It’s the mark of a single strike.”
“…?”
Even though the adjutant usually grasped Alexander’s intentions quickly, this time he was at a loss.
Alexander pointed cheerfully at the edge of the rugged terrain and moved his finger horizontally.
His finger traced nearly a semi-circle.
“From here… to here.”
It took longer than expected to reach this conclusion.
Even for someone like Alexander, identifying traces that had collapsed, sedimented, and eroded over six hundred years, losing their original form, was no easy task.
Still, Alexander managed to slowly reconstruct the scene of that day in his mind.
The reconstructed scene was so absurd that even from the perspective of a Swordmaster, it seemed unbelievable.
Thus, Alexander had to use his imagination to fill in the incomprehensible gaps.
“I see… I somewhat understand now… what they feared.”
“…”
The adjutant still couldn’t comprehend what Alexander was talking about.
Quietly waiting beside Alexander without unnecessary questioning, the adjutant suddenly sensed movement and turned sharply.
“…!”
There sat Ray, behind the adjutant, looking wistfully at the same scenery Alexander had been observing.
The adjutant hesitated briefly before tactfully stepping aside.
Left alone with Ray, Alexander smiled warmly for a while before gently reprimanding him.
“You lied to me.”
“…”
“You said you had no historical records or evidence to prove your claims.”
“…”
“And yet, such a magnificent view exists right here.”
“…Yeah.”
Both Ray and Alexander continued gazing at the same scenery.
At the horizon lay an unfathomable scar stretching endlessly, created by a single devastating slash.
Shaking his head slowly as if shaking off his torment, Alexander felt ready.
Now, he could free himself from the heavy conflict weighing on his chest and make a decision.
Turning to Ray, Alexander extended his hand with a faint smirk.
“May El-Lam bless us.”
“…”
Without a word, Ray grabbed Alexander’s hand and stood up.
An army prepared for death awaited them.
*
Ever since the expeditionary force entered the Demonic Realm,
Devil worshippers hidden across the continent continued sporadic attacks, sowing chaos.
Although they didn’t cause catastrophic damage, many people trembled in fear, dreading an attack from the devil worshippers.
Thanks to this, Lea ended up confined to an even more limited space.
Well, going outside was almost impossible anyway, but Lea didn’t feel particularly stifled.
The previous ambush during her time in the Osiris Countdom had left a deep trauma, making her feel safer staying close to her parents.
Of course! She could go to the bathroom inside the building by herself.
While Bella was momentarily absent, Lea quietly stepped out of her room and toddled towards the restroom.
However, she was startled when she saw someone unfamiliar standing in the hallway.
“Huhk…!”
No one besides those permitted by Jimmy could enter this building.
So, it was impossible for Lea not to know whoever was standing there.
Startled, Lea instinctively shrank back but soon relaxed.
The woman standing in the hallway with long, radiant blonde hair appeared incredibly beautiful, dignified, and noble to Lea.
Judging by her appearance alone, she didn’t seem like a bad person.
Being young, Lea easily let her guard down based on appearances and approached the woman, asking curiously,
“My name is Lea. Who are you, sister?”
“I am an ancient remnant of forgotten memories.”
Though Lea didn’t fully grasp complex terms like “forgotten memories,” she thought the woman’s introduction sounded elegant.
Lea then asked again, hoping to guide the stranger and perhaps earn praise.
“Why are you standing here, sister?”
“I am different from Harshia. I do not pity you creatures living on this loathsome land.”
“?!”
“I’m grabbing the last chance to fulfill my nonagram and will complete it. If I fail… I’d rather perish together with this detestable world cultivated by that hateful existence.”
“…”
As the woman kept muttering things Lea couldn’t understand, Lea grew uneasy and cautiously observed her.
The woman smiled beautifully at Lea’s unease.
“So child, please don’t fall. And rejoice.”
“Uh…?”
“Your existence will be both the period at the end of this long story and the starting point of a new one.”
The paradise he desired. Or the complete destruction of everything.
What the new story would be, even the woman couldn’t tell yet.
What was certain was that she would never stop.
Because… she was the remnant of the most mage-like mage the world had ever known.
While Lea stared at the woman’s smile, Jimmy’s voice called out from behind.
“Lea?”
“!”
Lea whipped her head toward the sound.
“Daddy!”
“Did you come out to go to the bathroom?”
“Yeah! But Daddy, there’s a sister here…”
When Lea turned back to where the woman had been, there was nothing there.
Frozen in shock, Lea remained rooted to the spot as Jimmy approached and asked,
“Sister? Are you looking for Aunt Karen?”
“A, A, A, Daddy…”
“What is it?”
“There’s a ghost hereaaaaaaa!!!”
Lea screamed and clung tightly to Jimmy.
Confused, Jimmy comforted the sobbing Lea while checking around, but he felt nothing.
In the end, Jimmy consoled the terrified Lea, babbling about ghosts, and accompanied her to the bathroom.
Advance (6)
