Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: A Stab in the Back (2)
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“To think the brilliant Ludwig Brandt would just stand by and watch the Demonic Realm turn into such a mess.”
Upon arriving in the Demonic Realm and assessing the situation firsthand, Ivan Pons openly mocked Ludwig.
“Or has he finally realized his place? Hehehe…”
In the current political climate, the military's influence was naturally bound to diminish. The entire continent was already in the Empire's grasp, and the only other nations to speak of were the Eastern Continent across the sea and the Holy Kingdom.
“Right. You can't run the world alone. In the end, it's the military that's responsible for the nation's strength. Of course, it is.”
That's why the military had been reduced to nothing more than hunting monster heads.
In this situation, the Central Intelligence Bureau was, of course, the one wielding the most influence.
The military was largely irrelevant outside of wartime or fighting monsters, but the Central Intelligence Bureau had expanded its influence by meddling in affairs all across the continent.
Weren't they the ones who, backed by His Majesty the Emperor's favor, had been committing all sorts of abuses of power?
Besides, the Bureau was the very department holding the key to this entire operation.
How could he not be furious in a situation like this?
And it was that same Ludwig Brandt, who knew better than anyone what it meant to ask the military for help, who had reached out his hand.
“How far has the front line been pushed back?”
In response to Ivan Pons's question, an agent from the Intelligence Bureau, sweating profusely, explained the map of the entire Demonic Realm.
He had expected them to send a direct subordinate unit at most; he never imagined that Ivan Pons, the head of the military, would come in person.
His hands trembled at the thought that he couldn't afford to make a mistake.
“So far, more than seven intermediate posts have been overrun. Including the containment facilities, breeding grounds, and waystations. They've gotten quite close to the center of the Demonic Realm.”
As he spoke, he removed several markers from the map.
“Hmm. Their pace is quite fast. It's only been a few days.”
“The biggest problem is that, somehow, they're purifying the demonic energy. These white areas are the zones they've purified.”
Ivan Pons's brow twitched at those words. He hadn't been provided with any related intelligence.
Parts of the map were painted white. A considerable portion of the Demonic Realm had been purified.
Purification of demonic energy should have been crucial information, yet it was omitted.
What could one expect from a treacherous bastard like Ludwig Brandt?
“Hmph. I never expected him to share important information. I was certain the Holy Kingdom couldn't purify demonic energy. Are you sure they aren't just temporarily cleansing it by pouring in holy power?”
“It's not a temporary purification; they are permanently cleansing the area. Demonic energy is having a hard time seeping back into the purified zones.”
“…That cunning son of a bitch… To withhold such crucial information.”
If the Demonic Realm was purified like this and all the Empire's facilities were destroyed, the blow would be worse than losing an arm.
If they had deployed troops to stop this earlier, it might not have come to this.
He'd come expecting to have some fun for the first time in a while, but this was different. If he handled this lightly, he'd be the one taking the blame. And here he thought they were just some Holy Kingdom rabble.
“The Director said he would provide support from the rear. He said they won't know what hit them.”
“I don't need it!”
Feeling as though he'd been played by Ludwig Brandt yet again, Ivan Pons grabbed the map and stormed outside.
“This is something that can be solved by crushing them all with overwhelming power and numbers.”
Right. This nonsense about purifying demonic energy—it's all irrelevant. I just have to kill them all.
It was true in the past, it is true now, and it will be true in the future.
As he stepped out of the building, the knights and soldiers who had accompanied him stood in perfect formation, motionless.
“We move out immediately.”
He then threw the map at an aide approaching him.
“The enemy is three days from here. Draw up a plan to wipe them out completely.”
“Understood.”
“They've taken seven bases while purifying demonic energy. Judging by their speed, they must be skilled.”
It was clear they were moving in an organized fashion.
But it didn't matter. He had elite soldiers he had trained himself. A few hundred soldiers? The battle wouldn't even last an hour.
“We march-!”
At his command, hundreds of knights turned toward the entrance in unison and stomped their feet.
Right behind them, over a thousand soldiers followed, stomping their feet as they marched out.
Roughly two thousand in total. Until the last soldier at the very end of the line had moved out.
Ivan Pons walked slowly through their ranks and mounted a black warhorse clad in iron armor at the very front.
“March-!”
***
“Ivan Pons himself?!”
Upon receiving the report that Ivan Pons had declared he would crush the intruders with force, Ludwig Brandt sighed and rubbed his temples.
“That foolish oaf.”
Given the current state of the continent, what was he thinking, going there himself?
“No. That's not right. His foolishness might actually be helpful.”
In fact, I might be able to pin the blame on him for what's happened to the Demonic Realm.
Since Ivan Pons himself has stepped up to handle it.
It's all a political power struggle anyway, isn't it?
And was I just sitting idly by during that time? No, which is why this is fine.
Because I'm not just uncovering another plot against the Empire and stopping it; I'm planning to utterly crush an enemy that has long been a thorn in my side.
“Have we heard from him?”
“He says the operation is set for two days from now.”
“Two days from now…”
The timing isn't bad. Of the three factions, the Holy Kingdom is the strongest.
While Ivan Pons deals with those powerful Holy Kingdom bastards, I can just swoop in and take the prize.
“We'll send reinforcements from our side. Dispatch three additional teams from the vicinity. That should be enough, right?”
“It will be more than enough.”
“Tell them to be thorough. Tell them to earn what they've been given. That's how they'll get ahead.”
“I'll deliver the message clearly.”
The time is ripe. If I miss this chance, who knows when another opportunity like this will arise.
“Finally, I can get rid of those cockroaches right before my eyes.”
And he intended to exterminate them for good this time.
***
“We've destroyed quite a lot, but there hasn't been much of a response.”
“I told you, didn't I? They can't move their forces easily right now.”
Even after destroying nine of their bases as of today, the Empire's resistance was weaker than expected, which made Gleb mutter in wonder.
“They've spread their front lines so thin, who can they blame but themselves?”
It's only natural for a larger organization to take longer to respond.
From the chain of command to meetings, decisions, and assigning responsibility—the procedures are bound to be complicated.
“Indeed. I never would have thought of this method.”
“A major response should be coming soon. They've only failed to react properly because we've been waging a war of speed. By now, enough time has passed for them to make a move.”
I created the system in the first place. I knew it all too well, which is why I deliberately kept moving without giving them a moment's rest, destroying nine of their bases.
This is what a preemptive strike is all about. Pushing forward like mad at the beginning, before the enemy has a chance to respond.
Especially in a chaotic situation like this, with the entire continent in turmoil. The infighting between departments is sure to be intense as well.
The Ludwig Brandt I know was a man filled to the brim with greed.
“We should probably rest up at the base camp for a day or two while preparing for battle.”
“Without advancing further? There are still many places left to purify.”
“There will be a big battle soon. The Empire will certainly send large-scale reinforcements. They might even outnumber us. In that case, isn't it better to face them after we've rested?”
It was astonishing to think how many steps ahead Kratos was planning his actions.
“I'll leave the Holy Kingdom's forces in your hands. You'll need to prepare thoroughly. The base camp must also be put on defensive alert.”
I don't know exactly how many enemies will come, but I predict it will be a considerable number.
In any case, the easiest way to fight against a larger force is a defensive siege.
We need to use defensive tactics to thin their numbers as much as possible before engaging in close-quarters combat. No matter how many of them there are.
“It seems there's a lot to take care of.”
In the meantime, they had moved their base camp several times while destroying bases, moving deeper from the entrance of the Demonic Realm.
Their current base camp was the very base they had destroyed just yesterday.
Still, unlike the previous bases that were completely razed, this one still had structures remaining, making it somewhat defensible. It was certainly better than an open field.
“Ah. And would it be possible to procure some materials?”
“Materials? What kind…?”
“Wood, and materials for arrows?”
He planned to turn this place into their graveyard.
.
.
.
.
.
He entrusted the preparations for the paladins and priests to Gleb. Even though Kratos was in overall command, they were still separate organizations.
He absorbed the demonic energy around the base camp. If the enemy was going to attack here, he needed to make the battlefield clean.
[Spiritual Power has increased by 1.]
With this, his Spiritual Power reached 95. He could feel it coursing through his body. Annihilate Evil was also approaching 30 percent.
All possible preparations were complete. Now, he needed to look after the members of Unit 3—the members who had followed him into this harsh land and continued to fight life-or-death battles.
“Well now, you're all starting to look like seasoned veterans.”
“What are you talking about? You're the one with the least experience here, Captain.”
Seamus retorted, playing along with Kratos's joke. The camaraderie and fellowship forged over a long time on dangerous missions was on another level.
“There's a battle coming. A very big one.”
“The Empire? No, how large a force are we talking about?”
“The only ones who'd crawl all the way out here are the Empire. I don't know the scale. Whether they'll have fewer men than us... no, that's not likely. The question is how many more they'll have.”
“Finally.”
At the mention of the Empire, Niceta's eyes gleamed fiercely. She hadn't forgotten the many horrific scenes she had witnessed while reclaiming the Demonic Realm. She had been bottling it all up.
Waiting to unleash it all on the Empire, which had committed acts no human should.
No, it wasn't just Niceta. Everyone participating in this expedition had seen it with their own two eyes. That horror.
“It's just a guess, but if we win tomorrow's battle, there won't be any major obstacles after that. We'll be able to sweep through the rest of the Demonic Realm.”
This isn't a game; there's no reason for them to send progressively larger waves of enemies. They'll try to wipe us out in one fell swoop.
After we win the battle, we'll probably be able to destroy most of the Empire's facilities in the Demonic Realm without any resistance.
Besides, their response will be even slower once they start arguing over who's to blame.
By the time the Empire's forces arrive here—though they probably won't be able to—everything will be over.
That would mean Rzhev's rear would be secure, and we could turn our swords toward the continent's interior.
Once things stabilized, it would be time for a counterattack. Little by little, we would join forces with the mercenaries and the Holy Kingdom to diminish the Empire's influence and seize their lands.
That will be a time for war, not just battles.