Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Demonic Realm Standoff (2)
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Strictly speaking, they hadn't completely conquered the Demonic Realm. Demonic beasts still lurked within it.
Naturally, they didn't treat living humans as guests. They simply saw them as prey to fill their bellies once a day.
As a result, Cain had ceded even more territory to the wyverns and beastkin on top of the areas they had previously ruled.
Cain's policy was especially welcomed by the wyverns and beastkin. It was only natural, since they had gained more land than before.
The wyverns and beastkin each received thirty percent of the occupied Demonic Realm territory, while Cain managed the rest.
In other words, Cain was only directly controlling about forty percent of the territory... and even that was proving quite overwhelming.
"I have no idea where these demonic beasts keep coming from."
"No matter how many we kill, more just keep crawling out. This... this isn't normal."
"What's the damage report like?"
"Fortunately, there haven't been any fatalities yet. But the soldiers are wearing themselves out."
Reclaiming land and building fortresses was work enough, but the real problem was the monsters pouring in every day.
Dozens, even hundreds of them, lunged at anything alive day after day...
Fights big and small raged on without end. Sure, it was good experience for the soldiers,
but the losses overshadowed even that small benefit. No deaths, but the injured were piling up.
At least now he understood how monsters like wyverns had survived in the Demonic Realm. That's how.
For the time being, the wyverns and beastkin had been hunting nonstop, which had reduced the damage significantly.
'But just because it's manageable now doesn't mean we can skip countermeasures. First, we need to uncover the root cause.'
He had initially chalked it up to the Demonic Realm's unique ecosystem. But now he knew it was more than that.
Hundreds of demonic beasts spawning daily like clockwork? No one could call that normal.
Yet it was hard to believe someone was artificially intervening. If a human had that kind of power?
No matter how much he racked his brain alone, Cain couldn't find answers, so he added the issue to the meeting agenda.
Cain summoned his closest noble retainers once a week... or on the same day if it was urgent, holding regular discussions.
It was a measure he'd chosen to boost efficiency, even if just a little, and minimize losses.
"Marquis Blackguard, commander of the 12th Army, has arrived. All present, please pay your respects."
Not a single noble missed Cain's summons. Not even the crown prince was an exception.
Once everyone had gathered in the meeting room, Cain made his entrance amid Princess Morgana's announcement. He couldn't help but click his tongue.
Princess Morgana herself making the proclamation? It was something Cain still hadn't gotten used to.
However, it wasn't an uncommon sight in the Empire. Rank aside, in wartime or at the front lines, authority belonged to the commanding officer—like Cain, the general.
This was possible only because Emperor Leonis had spent half his life on the battlefield. In any case, everyone rose from their seats.
Of course, he'd received formal respect before, but this level of ceremony was a first.
It felt awkward to Cain, who was experiencing it for the first time in his life, but he didn't let it show.
As Cain took his seat with dignified poise, the nobles gave a light nod and sat as well.
"Any absentees?"
"Red Hammer is here."
"The beastkin are all present."
"Everyone except the wyverns out hunting monsters has gathered."
"Good. Everyone's done excellent work."
Though their fields differed, most were giving their all in their assigned roles. That much, he acknowledged.
...Except for one person. No, one being. Cain's gaze soon turned to her.
A bewitching woman with crimson hair and wicked eyes waved at him with a smile playing on her lips.
"Scarlet Royal Blood."
"What's up, my lord?"
"If you know anything, spit it out now."
"Hm?"
Her tilted head wasn't denial—it was curiosity. That confirmed it for Cain. She definitely knew something.
When Scarlet had first said those words, Cain had gotten a rough read on her personality.
In summary... she obeyed orders, but nothing more. That was Scarlet Royal Blood's way.
And behind it lay a worldview centered on observation and pleasure. A tough type to use as a subordinate.
"Is that an order?"
"Yes. An order."
"Then I'll tell you everything I know."
"Hold on. Does that mean you knew and kept quiet this whole time?"
"Of course? No one asked me."
Even as Morgana pressed her sharply, Scarlet responded with brazen innocence, as if wondering what the problem was.
Morgana was left speechless. It was so absurd, anger bubbled up...
Cain stepped in for her. He'd expected as much anyway.
"Not surprising. Just answer the questions straight."
"Sure thing, my lord. To cut to the chase... the Demonic Realm isn't just a backdrop or an ecosystem. It's closer to a living organism."
"A living organism?"
"Hah, that's ridiculous."
Few bought Scarlet's words at face value. Unfortunately for them, Cain was one of the few,
and to their regret, Morgana wore an expression of rough acceptance too. They had no choice...
The Demonic Realm's ecosystem defied logical explanation. Wyverns, beastkin, even necromancers.
Considering all the predators besides them, sustaining it should have been impossible.
Yet the Demonic Realm maintained it flauntingly, spewing dozens or hundreds of beasts daily.
They'd suspected some cause behind the unnatural environment, and Scarlet had confirmed it.
"I figured there was a reason, but 'alive'? That's a surprise. Got proof for your claim?"
"Nope. But devouring other life and slowly growing its body? That's pretty much what living things do, right?"
"Get to the point."
"The Demonic Realm's core. Find it, destroy it, or dominate it—otherwise, it'll keep growing without rest."
"So that's why the Alliance has been scrambling! They're after the core?!"
The Alliance's strike team had moved as stealthily as possible to find the core, but unfortunately, it had all been exposed.
No matter how covert or how well they covered their tracks, they couldn't fool the beastkin with their superior senses.
Still, learning the Alliance was gunning for the core first threw the Empire's nobles into panic.
"We can't just sit here!"
"We need to secure the core before the Alliance, and fast!"
"Quiet, everyone."
Amid the chaos, one person kept their cool: Cain.
He raised a hand. That alone quelled the emotions in an instant, thanks to the authority he'd shown so far.
Having silenced the turmoil in a flash, Cain quietly glared at Scarlet. She smiled and spoke.
"Why the look? We need to find the core before the Alliance, don't we?"
"True, letting the Alliance get it would be trouble. But... is that the full explanation?"
"Hm?"
"Let me rephrase. What happens when we find the core? Or rather... is it even something we can secure?"
At least so far, Scarlet hadn't lied. But she wasn't telling the whole truth either.
She dangled tempting bait to divert attention elsewhere.
In this case, the Alliance was the bait. The anxiety of needing to beat them to the core...
It naturally steered emotions, making them miss what really mattered. That was Scarlet's way.
Locking eyes with Cain for a moment, Scarlet soon curved her lips into a smile. Alluring and beautiful...
"No."
But crueler than anything.