326th Episode
The greatest weakness of the expeditionary force was its complete lack of combat experience within the Demonic Realm. In fact, not only had they never fought there, but none of the expedition members had ever set foot in the Demonic Realm before. There wasn’t even an official record of any individual or group from the thousand-year history of the Empire having entered it.
To those living on the continent, the Demonic Realm was more of a mythical place that existed yet didn’t—a distant concept. It was perceived as the hell where demons resided, and parents would often scare their children by saying, “If you do something bad, the demons will come and take you to the Demonic Realm.”
Thus, those who joined the expedition were already filled with fear even before advancing. Even the knights, who prioritized honor and courageously charged into enemy lines, felt dread.
The command tried hard to boost morale—supplying powerful and expensive equipment, delivering impassioned speeches, and even replicating mythic magic to inspire confidence. Thanks to these efforts, the expeditionary force temporarily gathered their courage and marched boldly into the Demonic Realm.
However, as soon as they entered, the suppressed fear spread like an epidemic. The crimson sky and alien landscape reminded many of the hellscape from their childhood nightmares. The malevolent aura seeping through the ground began to slowly but surely erode the unwelcome intruders.
The efficacy of the clerics’ divine power plummeted, and artefacts malfunctioned more frequently. Even those who had mentally prepared themselves hundreds of times trembled under the hostile conditions. Even the usually composed spirits cried out in alarm at the overwhelming demonic influence saturating the space.
“Expected as it was… this is serious.”
It wasn’t that the members of the expeditionary force were cowards; quite the contrary, the ranks were filled with individuals of unyielding will and courage. But the battlefield they had stepped onto was far too formidable.
The mid-level officers now understood why the leaders of the Continental Council had regarded short-term decisive battles as the only viable solution. A prolonged campaign in the Demonic Realm was impossible both physically and mentally.
“…”
The first battle had to be an absolute victory. Frontline commanders all shared similar thoughts, sensing the frozen atmosphere of the troops. Only an overwhelming victory could serve as the lubricant needed to turn the creaking wheels of the expeditionary force back into motion.
Kiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeek!!!!!
Just then, a bizarre wail echoed through the Demonic Realm. Anthonyus gripped his Sacred Sword and paused briefly. Soon after, a crimson wave surged over the horizon and approached.
“…Mostly demons.”
While it was difficult to determine how many demon lords might be hiding among the demons, it was likely that this was just a probing force sent to gauge their strength. Still, even the demons themselves couldn’t be underestimated. Those raised in the Demonic Realm were entirely different creatures compared to the ones found on the continent.
Alexander confirmed with Ramenta: “How much distance remains until our target location?”
“10 km.”
“Hmm… Let’s advance quickly to that area first.”
At Alexander’s signal, Anthonyus drew his Sacred Sword. The malevolent aura permeating the Demonic Realm detected the strong divine power emanating from the sword and immediately attempted to overwhelm Anthonyus. However, he remained unfazed.
The Sacred Sword acted as a conduit for El-Lam’s blessing, which had weakened upon entering the Demonic Realm, amplifying divine power once again.
Hwaaaahhhhh!!!
A warm radiance spread toward the frozen expeditionary force, driving away the hostile energy and bestowing blessings. The soldiers, feeling their trembling subside, gazed upon the sacred and radiant blade.
Yes, El-Lam’s Apostle is with us.
Realizing this, the expeditionary force tightened their grip on their weapons anew.
Alexander, sensing the rising morale of the troops, gave a brief order: “Charge.”
Though there was little need to directly confront the enemies, movement was necessary to maintain momentum. Alexander’s command swiftly reached the entire army.
Soon, an immense roar erupted as the army began its advance.
Kugugugugugu!
The ground shook beneath the weight of the marching force.
Then, the mages of the expeditionary force unleashed a barrage of spells against the charging demons.
Kwaang!!! Kwaawang!!! Kwaawang!!!
In an instant, flames engulfed the battlefield.
The magical prowess of the expeditionary force was formidable, and the firepower they unleashed could easily alter the terrain. However, the demons of the Demonic Realm were far stronger than those of the continent.
Surviving or dodging the magical bombardment, some demons charged toward the expeditionary force. The vanguard units, equipped with a phalanx formation, stood ready to meet them.
Kuung!!
“Kraaaagh…!!”
Elite soldiers wielding massive shields struggled together to hold the line against the demons, preventing them from pushing through.
In the standard large-demon formation, elite soldiers held the line while knights and mages eliminated the demons. Though the demons were tough opponents even for the elites, the well-equipped expeditionaries managed to fulfill their roles despite the difficulty.
Chaaaaaaak!!!
While the elites held their ground, the knights slashed through the demons with their sword auras. Beyond the dismembered bodies of the demons, more continued to approach.
Though the sight was intimidating, the elite soldiers facing the incoming demons smiled confidently. The Demonic Realm wasn’t a place where only untamable monsters lived.
Realizing this truth belatedly, the expeditionary force regained its composure and began to push back the enemy.
“Hold your ground!!!”
“Do not retreat!!! Push forward!!!”
Excited shouts covered the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Ulte stood slightly apart from the frontlines, observing the battlefield. Quietly watching, Ulte shot a beam of light toward a knight who was busy slaying demons.
Kwaang!!
The beam from Genesis struck beside the knight, sending debris flying and knocking him to the ground.
“…!”
Quickly getting up, the knight looked at the demon carcass destroyed by the beam. Before being struck, the demon had already been dead. Yet, as the knight focused on cutting down another demon, the supposedly dead one had risen, dragging its entrails along.
Had it not been for Ulte’s intervention, the knight might have failed to react in time to the surprise attack.
Confirming the knight’s safety, Ulte warned a nearby commander: “Dead demon carcasses are moving. Relay the message to beware of them. The same applies to allies’ corpses. If possible, burn the bodies; if not, at least crush their heads thoroughly.”
“Understood!”
As Ulte heard the commander’s reply, he fired another beam. Various demon carcasses attempting to rise around the battlefield were instantly obliterated.
The expeditionary force adjusted tactics in real-time and continued to advance. Despite the overwhelming number of demons, the expeditionary force’s power dominated the field. Demon lords occasionally tried to exploit gaps but were intercepted and killed or driven back by the high-ranking forces waiting in reserve.
At that moment, the ground began to rumble violently.
Kugugugugugu!!!!!
The shaking earth split open, and three massive fleshy masses emerged, raising their grotesque heads. Their skin, interwoven with unknown organs, bubbled with strange blisters. Two of the three flesh masses collapsed immediately after emerging.
Kuung!!!
Ray understood the situation and smirked.
“Ah… Hiding underground must have left them vulnerable to Meteor attacks.”
The remaining flesh mass inflated its enormous body further. The expeditionary force’s mages prepared to strike it immediately, but demon lords interfered, buying time.
Hwaaaaaahhhh!!!
From the flesh mass, a sticky vapor filled with foul energy erupted. The mages hastily countered by unleashing a barrage to intercept the attack aimed at the battlefield.
Kwaaaang!!!
A massive explosion illuminated the sky above the battlefield.
The expeditionary force slowed its advance, wary of the polluted energy released by the flesh mass. However, it wasn’t necessary.
“Even contaminated mana shouldn’t be so recklessly dispersed in my presence…”
Swishhh!
A blue current spiraled outward from Alexander, spreading like wildfire. An Absolute Domain formed, and the scattered mana in the air coalesced into new shapes according to Alexander’s will.
The concentrated mana took the form of sharp swords and bombarded the heads of the demon lords using lesser demons as shields.
Kwaaang!!!!
Simultaneously, Alexander lightly swung the sword in his hand. The massive flesh mass, along with the ground beneath it, split cleanly in one stroke.
Chaaaaaaak!!!
It was overwhelming. Seeing the massive flesh mass effortlessly bisected, the expeditionary force cheered and swung their weapons with renewed vigor. Even without the Sacred Sword’s radiance, the soldiers no longer trembled in fear.
Realizing they were utterly outmatched, the demon lords began retreating, leaving the lesser demons behind.
“Hmm…”
Ray scanned the battlefield with his deciphering ability active. By continuously observing the resurrected demon carcasses, he identified the position of the demon responsible for the trickery near the horizon.
The demon was watching the battlefield from the edge of the horizon, preparing to flee.
Ray turned to another Guardian of the World Tree present on the battlefield, Aquitas, pointing toward the fleeing demon.
“Can you snipe from this distance?”
“…”
Without a word, Aquitas lifted a green bow resembling Genesis.
Another world tree artifact comparable to Genesis, Cradixis.
Raising Cradixis, Aquitas fired a beam of light toward the horizon. The aftermath forced Ray to step back a pace due to the shockwave. The deafening sound followed shortly afterward.
Kwaaang!!!!
“…Wow.”
An entire section of the horizon was visibly shattered from afar. Any demon lord who hadn’t evaded the attack beforehand would have been pulverized.
Eventually, having almost cleared the battlefield, the expeditionary force let out a roar and continued their advance. The damage to the army was minimal, and the enemy’s vanguard was nearly wiped out. Soldiers clenched their fists and showed excitement. Commanders were satisfied with the rising morale.
But those leading the charge, including Alexander, maintained stern expressions.
“Not easy…”
Everyone silently agreed with Ray’s mutter. Just dealing with the scouting forces required several appearances from the expedition’s Lord-tier fighters. After forming the frontlines, the expeditionary force would need to withstand powerful offensives for days without the help of Near-Lord and Lord tiers.
It was uncertain whether they could maintain the frontline until the target time.
Advance (5)
