Chapter 277

In fact, what people think is all the same. Everyone gathered here knows it too. Whether it’s past grudges or whatever, if you don’t want to die, you have to pool your strength now.

That’s the truth, and it’s also the hardest yet easiest way. The problem is, it’s not that these people are too stupid to think of it. Even now, in this situation, past grudges are truly worth nothing.

If there’s a way to survive, what’s the big deal about joining hands? In reality, the Empire, the Temple, and the Demon Race didn’t get along, but when the Death God appeared, didn’t they immediately unite and join hands? But this time, there’s no sign of that happening, and it’s not because of some grand reason or justification.

It’s just that there’s no chance of winning.

The problem isn’t worrying about betrayal; there’s simply no future.

The reason everyone is so disheartened isn’t because of something else.

It’s because the massive bodies approaching are clearly not something humans can handle.

“Actually, my daughter, we’ve already discussed this.”

The Emperor no longer referred to himself as “We.” If it were humans they were dealing with, they could at least resent them. But against these massive, living flesh monsters, the thought of cursing or venting anger didn’t even cross their minds. What would be the point?

“The Empire has secret soldiers that we’ve kept hidden until the very end. Each one is clad in full-body armor engraved with magic, trained in sacred grounds. There are only five thousand of them, but each is a warrior worth a hundred.”

This special force, prepared in secret in case of war with neighboring countries, especially Harmail’s Demon Empire, is the Empire’s sword to respond to crises. They are the sharpest blade, capable of striking the enemy’s vital points.

“Actually, I haven’t been idle either. I’ve been taking in disciples to cultivate powerful magical forces. Although there was an issue with Parnell, who joined the Hero Party, I still have twelve disciples. Each one has the skill of a grand mage.”

The Oldman Tower Master of the Magic Tower also revealed the secret forces he had been cultivating in secret. Normally, this would have shaken the continent, but now, there was no reaction.

“…Now, we will also reveal our hand. The Nemi Church has a similar force. Golems made of earth, infused with the divine power of the goddess. Each one is harder than steel and larger than a watchtower.”

Archbishop Halonen of the Nemi Church hesitated before speaking. Archbishop Arice of the Elysia Church, sitting beside him, pursed her lips and eventually bowed her head. She also revealed the secret forces her church had been hiding.

“In the deep sacred grounds of our church, there are martial monks who have been purely training in martial arts. In terms of seniority, they are even more senior than I am, so the church has only honored them and never given them tasks.”

“…Why are you looking at us? The Hilrae Church really has nothing to hide. Unlike you all, who are dark to the core.”

Saint Sestine of the Hilrae Church grumbled. In truth, the Hilrae Church also had a force that could be called a secret, and it wasn’t small compared to others.

The problem was that this force was now in the Arctic and completely out of control. So, in the current situation, Sestine’s words weren’t entirely wrong.

Already the weakest of the Three God Faiths, the Hilrae Church suffered a major blow when they failed to invade the Imperial Palace. With Yanid’s escape and the assassination of an archbishop, the Hilrae Church had become the most transparent force, with no secret forces left.

“Why are you all making me feel so awkward? We really have nothing.”

The problem was that no one believed her. Given the Hilrae Church’s past actions, everyone, without expressing it openly, wore expressions of disbelief. The unspoken consensus was that these guys could easily be hiding something.

Unable to withstand the pressure, the Saint fanned herself and covered her face.

“Ahem, our Aldehir Church also has no such forces. As you all know, we are not a church that exists for combat.”

The same words, but this time the reaction was different. People nodded at Pope Nergal’s words. If the Aldehir Church had been hiding something, it would have been a huge shock.

“Compared to everyone else, it’s really nothing, but I, Geher, also have something hidden. In my past as the so-called Mercenary King, I was lucky enough to obtain the legendary shield, Svalinn. It was too big to sell for drinks, and since I’m not skilled in shield techniques, I buried it.”

Svalinn, a shield famous for emitting cold air, is a treasure in its own right. While modest compared to others, considering it’s an individual’s secret, it’s quite significant.

The quiet Leyman remained silent. He was an honest and upright person, not one to scheme, so he had no hidden secrets. Emperor Harmail also didn’t speak, but everyone already knew. If the Demon Race had no hidden trump cards, even a passing dog would laugh.

As each person revealed their truths and laid bare all their secrets and preparations, the atmosphere grew even heavier. The current situation couldn’t be resolved by such means.

Even with Ardein’s return, Leon, and the Beastmen warriors, it was hopeless. Truly, there was no way.

“With all these forces, why is everyone so gloomy? If we pool our strength now…”

“Are you blind?”

Harmail yawned, then pointed a slender finger at a window. As the curtain covering the window was pulled away, people either tightly shut their eyes or turned their heads.

“Look over there.”

The clueless Princess blinked and looked out the window. Soon, she wore a puzzled expression. Was there a problem? Outside the window was the perfectly ordinary sight of the Capital. Scratching her head, Ardein slowly approached the window, leaned out, and looked outside.

‘Are they planning to push me out from behind?’

Preparing for the possibility of a demonic conspiracy, she focused her energy senses behind her before scanning the outside. The usually lively Capital was now silent. It seemed somewhat gloomy, but that was all.

‘What’s the problem?’

Except for the slightly awkward atmosphere, it was just the usual Capital. No matter how much she scanned the nearby area, she couldn’t find any issues.

Because the problem wasn’t hidden—it was standing tall and proud. So proud that it didn’t feel out of place. Suddenly, Ardein’s eyes narrowed as she looked into the distance.

Is that a mountain? But was there always a mountain there? She was born and raised here, but had she ever seen something like that on the horizon?

Thud!

Beside the mountain, another peak rose in the distance. As if responding, the newly appeared “mountain” began to squirm. It swayed and tilted, then slowly started crawling forward.

“Close it. There’s no point in looking anymore. Only one is in our sight, but there are hundreds more like that across the continent.”

It was still far away. Even if it was approaching, the speed wasn’t fast.

Yet, as if it had already arrived, the Princess unconsciously stepped back and fell. No one mocked her. They too had doubted their eyes when they first saw it.

“Now, Ardein von Illumina. I’ll ask you. You’ve commanded troops in war before, right? So, using that experience, answer me. If you command the trump cards these people have revealed, do you think you can win against that?”

No, even in war, there has to be some level of parity. With such a difference in scale, how is this any different from an ant army blocking a carriage?

“Of course, I have my own troops and secretly cultivated forces. In a situation like this, what’s the point of holding back? If you think you can win, I’ll hand them all over. If you have a plan to overcome this situation, that is. If we can survive, what does it matter?”

Even with all the continent’s strength, it’s not enough. There’s no need for grand calculations. Just open the window, look outside, and one thought naturally comes to mind.

‘We’re doomed.’

Fighting with your life on the line, preparing for life and death, or being ready to sacrifice yourself—those are thoughts you have when the opponent is somewhat manageable.

But even if you fight with the resolve to die, it feels like you’ll definitely die. This isn’t the kind of situation where you can gamble your life on a stroke of luck.

So, all that’s left is a suffocating feeling, resignation, and helplessness. The Princess couldn’t get up. She didn’t have the strength, nor the mood.

There’s no need to flip through military strategy books or rack your brains for a plan.

There’s truly no way.