Chapter 255
Nahun, who had been entrusted with military power, first set about organizing Astharoth’s army under Debata’s command.
“General Krampus, General Mastess, the two of you will be the leaders of the new legions. This is the command of Her Highness Seere von Debata, so I expect your full loyalty in your duties.”
“I will obey.”
“I shall be loyal.”
Since the remaining troops from Astharoth were too numerous to incorporate into a single legion, Nahun decided to divide them into two legions led by the two generals.
The first legion, restructured as the 9th Legion, would be led by Krampus, with an officer named Olivia from Astharoth’s army appointed as vice commander to assist him. This choice wasn’t made by Nahun but was a recommendation from Krampus himself.
“General Olivia originally served as my aide, so she will be familiar to the soldiers and competent in her duties.”
“Very well.”
Just as Nahun had organized the 9th Legion, the remaining remnants of Astharoth’s army led by Mastess were formed into the 10th Legion. The vice commander here was also recommended by Krampus.
“General Swallow would be suitable.”
Mastess seemed to agree with Krampus’s choice, and Nahun accepted their opinions, finalizing the organization.
Although there were many survivors from Astharoth after Astharoth’s demise, a significant number of them had refused to pledge loyalty to Seere von Debata and had departed. Thus, not all of the remnants were absorbed, but their numbers were still considerable.
The troop strength of the 9th and 10th Legions was at least double that of the existing legions under Debata’s command. Their joining was undeniably good news for the Debata faction, which was in dire need of reinforcements.
“There will come a chance to verify whether your loyalty is genuine or not.”
In the war against the 23rd Floor, the existing Debata forces had suffered heavy damage and their strength was weakened. Therefore, even if they aimed to strike against Glashalavras, there was a sense of unease. Nahun planned to utilize the newly joined 9th and 10th Legions alongside the less injured 2nd and 8th Legions.
Only four legions in total. Moreover, the central forces consisted entirely of defeated soldiers. To be honest, it wasn’t a favorable situation for waging war…
“Prepare the declaration of war.”
“Yes.”
Nahun had no intention of letting this opportunity slip away. He planned to send the declaration as soon as the news arrived.
And shortly thereafter.
“Nahun!”
Cain visited Nahun’s office. His expression looked a bit hasty, and in his hand, he held a piece of paper.
“Have you seen this?”
“I haven’t, but I have a rough idea of what it might be.”
“Really?”
Nahun extended his hand, as if to take it. Cain handed over the paper, looking slightly puzzled, and Nahun checked the contents before grinning.
“It seems successful.”
“Really?…Did you orchestrate this, Nahun?”
“Yes.”
The paper Cain handed over was indeed a newspaper. The front page read in large letters:
‘Assassination of Demon King Naberus on the 20th Floor, suspected to be orchestrated by the 21st Floor…’
Upon Nahun’s acknowledgment, Cain spoke in shock.
“Don’t tell me you personally dealt with the Demon King?”
“That isn’t the case. When did I ever leave the Demon King Castle?”
“Then I’m confused…what on earth happened…?”
“There was someone who was a poison to a necromancer like Naberus. I was just fortunate.”
Nahun closed the newspaper and stood up. Cain pondered his words for a moment, then looked at him in astonishment, as if he understood.
“Did you have this in mind…so that is why you had the hero at your beck and call?”
“It wasn’t exactly like that. It just happened to turn out this way.”
“Ah.”
Cain chuckled in disbelief. Nahun spoke to him.
“Convey a message to Seere.”
“What message should I deliver?”
Nahun opened the door to his office.
“Tell her that I will be departing for battle.”
#
When Naberus on the 20th Floor was killed, the surviving forces on the 20th Floor were filled with extreme rage and began moving to find the culprit. Nearby Naberus’s office, there was an object indicating the identity of a soldier from the 21st Floor, but his direct aide and Chief of Staff, Arus, was skeptical about it.
“It is highly likely that someone orchestrated this deliberately.”
The device was far too obvious in revealing the identity of a soldier from the 21st Floor, as if it were advertising that the 21st Floor was behind this incident.
Seeing this, Arus suspected that it was a cunning ploy by someone using the current tension between the 21st Floor and them to their advantage.
However…as he rationally suspected, Arus also had another suspicion simultaneously.
“But what if they anticipated that I would think this way and purposely set up such an obvious trap…?”
That possibility was not negligible. Using what the opponent suspected against them was fundamental to scheming.
As Naberus’s direct aide and strategist, he was quick-witted and thoughtful. Thus, he was overthinking the situation, considering that it was possible he could create the circumstances he was doubting.
“…Then.”
“Arus, please give the command.”
“Indeed! We must take revenge for Naberus!”
Even without the necromancer legion, Naberus’s forces were not weak. While Naberus’s necromancy was the core, it didn’t mean he didn’t have subordinate forces. Naberus also had forces befitting the Demon King of the 20th Floor.
The generals under Naberus were furious and ready to wage war for revenge at a moment’s notice, simply waiting for the command from the acting authority, Arus.
“…Even if this incident is unrelated, the 21st Floor surely wouldn’t let the absence of our lord pass unnoticed.”
If that were the case, it might be more reasonable for them to move first. It was often advantageous to strike first rather than waiting to be struck, and this time, they had grounds for attacking the lower tiers.
Even if the true culprit behind Naberus’s murder was not the 21st Floor, the issue with the 21st Floor had to be resolved as a priority. Thus, Arus made a decision.
“Alright. I will follow the generals’ opinions. As the acting authority, I command you to prepare for war against the 21st Floor!”
“Yes!!”
“A wise decision!”
“I will take care of all those ruffians immediately!”
By conquering the 21st Floor to resolve the issue and finding the real culprit if they weren’t it, that was the plan.
“Fortunately, there’s a resistance that has come from the 21st Floor in our tier, so let’s make use of them as well.”
“You mean to lure them in.”
“If we entice them with talk of freedom, they will surely welcome it with open arms.”
“Very well. We can instruct them to engage in guerrilla tactics.”
Thus, the forces of the 20th Floor began preparing for war. The resistance that had crossed over to the 20th Floor also responded eagerly to the proposals from the 20th Floor. The response from the resistance was so favorable that the generals under Naberus thought it was far too easy.
However, there was another background to their apparent friendliness. A black-haired man who had received a small note murmured.
“They have indeed joined the 20th Floor’s forces.”
He, who had been supporting the resistance under the name ‘N,’ had advised them to join forces with the 20th Floor army. After burning the note to remove all traces with magic, he slowly closed his eyes and opened them again. His golden, glowing eyes were filled with a ghastly aura.
“You’ve worked hard. You can rest now.”
“Yes, yes…Nahun.”
The hero, Iris, who had assassinated the Demon King Naberus alone, responded in a quivering voice as if trembling before him, before quietly fading away.
“Preparations are complete.”
Soon the war between the 20th and 21st Floors would begin. And naturally, the 20th Floor, having lost their Demon King alongside their necromancer legion, would retreat.
“Veronica, send the declaration of war immediately.”
“Yes.”
However, 21st Floor, engaged in war with the 20th Floor, would not easily savor the sweetness of victory. The current situation, in which the 20th Floor had provoked the 21st Floor into war and the resistance was a nuisance to the 21st Floor, was all part of the plan.
“It is time to reap what has been sown.”
This was the man’s scheme.
#
Glashalavras looked at the heightened rebellious activities of the resistance that began with the 20th Floor’s declaration of war, wearing a slightly annoyed expression.
“The pigs are such a nuisance.”
“If you leave it to me, I will take care of everything.”
“Eregos, handle the remnants of the 21st Floor’s resistance as quickly as possible. Take care of all those crossing over from the 20th Floor as well. I’ll give you a deadline of three days.”
“As you command.”
Despite the tight deadline, Eregos accepted the order without complaint. He immediately left the audience chamber to carry out his task, and Glashalavras addressed the remaining generals.
“The 20th Floor has become like a dog without a master and is running amok. It seems they need to be leashed again to calm down.”
Glashalavras said.
“Is there anyone here who opposes this operation?”
“…….”
No one replied. Naturally. Those who dared to defy the will of their great lord, Glashalavras, had all been dealt with.
There were only those present who were skilled and followed Glashalavras’s orders without question.
“Just give the command.”
“We will place a collar on the neck of the savage dog.”
Satisfied with the reply from her subordinates, Glashalavras spoke.
“If they’ve lost their master, they should stay quiet, yet they’re stirring up trouble without understanding their place. It seems education is necessary.”
“Indeed, your words are entirely correct.”
“I shall also take part. Show them what fear is.”
“As you command!”
As Glashalavras stood and left the audience chamber, the generals moved in an orderly fashion, following her lead. All the generals were deployed for war against the 20th Floor.
Thus, the audience chamber, now empty, had a messenger arrive late.
“Your, Your Highness!!”
A voice echoed frantically in search of Glashalavras, but the one to respond was already absent. So a nearby attendant spoke.
“Your Highness has just left with the generals for battle. Do you have some business with her?”
“I must deliver this to Her Highness! It’s imperative!”
“What? What is it that is so urgent…?”
At the attendant’s question, the messenger urgently shouted.
“A declaration of war has arrived from the 25th Floor!!”
