Chapter 264
Chapter 264
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 264
Chapter Title: Bullet Sponge
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Precisely speaking, he was a bullet sponge.
Seo Woo-jin felt sorry for Oien, but honestly, he couldn't care less what happened to the Iair army.
The people stationed at Massive Guardian were a hundred times more precious to him.
They were comrades who had staked their lives fighting together.
If he could use the Iair army to minimize their casualties, he was more than willing to do so.
If Kratos or Baek Si-woo actually came charging in, he would put these guys out front as a shield.
That way, Massive Guardian's forces could be preserved to the maximum extent.
It was a cold decision, but there was no helping it.
'Well, it doesn't seem like they're really going to come charging in anyway. It's just insurance, like I said. Just insurance.'
A contingency plan for the off chance.
"...I'm not sure we can hold them off."
Oien wore a grave expression.
"The fact that you're still alive after crossing paths with him means he's that powerful."
"You don't need to worry too much. You just need to buy a little time until I get there."
There was no way he wouldn't sense the massive surge of demonic energy if Kratos showed up at Massive Guardian and started a massacre.
"If it's just that much..."
Oien nodded after a moment's thought.
"Alright then. Let's head inside. You must be exhausted from crossing the badlands. You can rest up in there."
It wasn't exactly a comfortable bedroom.
No matter how massive Massive Guardian was, there was no lodging fit for 120,000 troops.
So Ban Slaine had pitched tents for them as temporary quarters.
They weren't great facilities, but they should be enough to keep out the cold.
"I appreciate the consideration."
When Oien expressed his thanks, Seo Woo-jin shook his head.
"Save that for the lord of this fortress, not me. He prepared everything."
"I shall."
Seo Woo-jin turned to Aeron, who was standing beside him.
He looked utterly baffled, unable to follow the conversation.
He didn't seem to grasp that Seo Woo-jin was the 'black existence' or why Oien was acting this way.
"The talk's over, so bring everyone in now?"
"...Ah!"
Aeron belatedly snapped to attention.
He glanced at Oien.
As if asking what to do.
"The entire army resumes marching toward the fortress."
"Understood."
At Oien's command, Aeron turned and gathered the holy knights.
And shortly after.
The massive force of 120,000 troops entered Massive Guardian.
* * *
An unexpected commotion broke out at Massive Guardian.
It was only natural, with foreign troops—120,000 strong—no less pouring in.
But while it was noisy, it didn't descend into chaos.
They had already known the troops were coming.
Ban Slaine halted sparring training and directed his soldiers to manage the Iair army.
There were a few pointless scuffles in between, but fortunately, nothing escalated.
Thanks to Ban Slaine and Oien's firm control.
The situation settled quickly.
"I thought it would take much longer with so many men, but it wrapped up faster than expected."
"It's thanks to you, my lord."
Oien bowed his head to Ban Slaine.
"Hoho—what have I done, this old man? It was all possible because of your outstanding leadership."
The two exchanged praises, creating a warm atmosphere.
"What about supplies?"
Seo Woo-jin cut in with a practical question.
"Hm, the royals promised to do their utmost. The Empire said they'd provide support too, so food, clothing, and shelter shouldn't be an issue."
"The Empire?"
Oien's eyes widened at Ban Slaine's words.
To the Empire, the Iair army was no different from enemies.
There hadn't been outright war, but that didn't make them allies worthy of aid.
The Empire providing support? No wonder Oien was shocked.
"They say the Emperor personally approved it."
"The Emperor, why...?"
"Well, he's probably just grateful they're not invading."
Seo Woo-jin brushed it off vaguely.
It was a sloppy answer, but the closest to the truth.
The Emperor had indeed promised support out of that very sentiment.
Of course, Seo Woo-jin's influence had played a part too.
"Instead of dwelling on that, we should think about how to spend our time here."
"This young one's right. The situation isn't bad either way, so let's plan how to adapt."
No matter how generous the support, they couldn't just eat and sleep all day.
They needed to assign some tasks.
"What about subjugation?"
Ban Slaine offered a suggestion.
The annual subjugation season was approaching anyway.
With the influx of troops multiplying their numbers several times over, they could conduct far easier and safer operations than before.
"Subjugation..."
Oien fell into thought.
The North was infamous across the continent as demon territory.
But it was also true that not much was known about it despite the reputation.
Zion had handled all Northern subjugations single-handedly, so information hadn't spread to other nations.
Hence his hesitation.
He feared needless losses in unfamiliar territory.
"No need to worry too much. We've done subjugations every year, and this time we have heroes too."
At Ban Slaine's words, Oien looked to Seo Woo-jin.
"Subjugating alongside the heroes?"
If he could fight with Seo Woo-jin here, safety wouldn't be a concern.
Oien asked with such expectations.
But regrettably, Seo Woo-jin shook his head.
"No, we'll move separately."
There were ten heroes, after all.
Nine even without Seo Woo-jin.
Having them tag along with the troops for monster hunts would be wildly inefficient and no good for anyone.
"We'll take the northeast. The subjugation force takes the northwest."
They planned to split and subjugate on either side of true north.
The Iair army could move with Massive Guardian's forces.
"Even without moving together, the burden will be much lighter."
The heroes would handle half of the vast North.
The biggest headache, the ice worms, were already eradicated, and their numbers were overwhelming.
And crucially...
"It might be presumptuous to call myself a substitute, but I'll lead them."
Ban Slaine would guide the troops.
"Ah, you'll lead us personally, my lord!"
Oien nodded.
Compared to the Empire's guardians or other transcendent experts, Ban Slaine was underrated.
Few had witnessed his prowess firsthand.
But even so, he was undeniably a transcendent monster.
Stronger—overwhelmingly so—than the other heroes excluding Seo Woo-jin.
With Ban Slaine leading the soldiers...
"Then we'll join the subjugation as well."
Oien decided to accept.
Not that he had much choice if he wanted to refuse.
"Splendid. We'll set the schedule right away then."
"Our Iair soldiers need time to adapt to the environment, so how about starting in two weeks?"
"That sounds good. Keep up the training in the meantime."
"It'll help my comrades too, so please take good care of them."
"Of course."
Ban Slaine looked oddly pleased as he spoke.
"...What sort of training is it?"
Oien asked cautiously.
Training with heroes?
As a knight who'd devoted his life to training and tempering, he couldn't help but be curious.
"Ah, will you join too? It'll greatly aid your growth."
Ban Slaine suggested slyly.
And unfortunately, Oien took the bait.
* * *
The mood in Iair was pure chaos.
How many conscriptions was this now?
Even the faithful believers were voicing complaints.
-Arrest all agitators and make examples of them.
Such was the Holy King's decree amid the unrest.
Thousands lost their lives as a result.
Sacrifices were piling up even before the war truly began.
The atmosphere across Iair had soured.
But that was just for the common folk.
Mardetain, on the other hand, was reveling in it.
'It feels like I can hear the sound of faith in the Lord shattering all the way here.'
Lost faith meant weakened holy power.
The less of that anti-demonic force, the better for the descent war.
Mardetain began actively oppressing the populace.
Of course, not everyone stayed silent.
Some provincial cardinals returned to the central church to plead with the Holy King.
But speaking truth earned them excommunication and death.
When six cardinals perished in an instant, no one else dared speak up.
From then on, it was unchecked tyranny.
He plundered the people in the name of war preparations, drafted everyone regardless of age, silenced all eyes and ears.
Terror politics had begun in earnest.
The central church, once filled with ceaseless hymns and prayers to the Lord, was gone.
Now it was a dead city, filled only with silence and fear.
"Miteon."
Mardetain called to Miteon of Light, one of the three bishops.
"Command me."
Drenched in cold sweat, he prostrated before Mardetain.
"What of the neighboring kingdoms' movements?"
"Th-that is..."
Miteon wiped his sweat and frantically recalled.
"We received reports that they have completed mobilization preparations. At this rate, they are expected to cross the border within three days at the latest."
"Is that so?"
Mardetain nodded with satisfaction.
Three days from now.
Once that passed, Iair would step onto the path of ruin.
"Our forces are properly prepared as well, I assume?"
"Y-yes, my lord. A total of 80,000 troops stand ready to rip out the enemies' hearts. Have no fear."
But 80,000 in name only—few knew how to wield weapons properly.
Most were farmers and merchants dragged into service.
Yet Miteon had no choice but to report thus.
'I can't follow Bishop Urea's footsteps...'
Just recently.
Bishop Urea, unable to endure the atrocities, had begged Mardetain.
To at least spare a thought for the people's lives.
Now Urea adorned the great cathedral's wall.
Still alive, even.
Miteon had no desire for such a fate.
"Good. Summon the holy knights immediately. I must bestow blessings upon them before war begins."
"They will consider it an honor."
Miteon bowed and hurried from the room.
He had to assemble the holy knights at once.
Any delay might earn him punishment.
Tap tap!
Hustling down the corridor on unsteady legs, he spotted a holy knight rushing toward him from ahead.
"Leninstang has crossed the border and begun their invasion!"