Chapter 102
Chapter 102
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Demonic Realm Standoff (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Scarlett likened the Demonic Realm to a living creature, and those of us infiltrating it to foreign invaders breaching its body.
Humans can't eat things that aren't food. For instance, could you really eat steel or mud?
Of course, if you forced it down, it might go in. But calling that true "ingestion" in any real sense would be a stretch.
The Demonic Realm is no different. To protect itself, it pulls out every means and method without restraint.
She even flatly stated that the only things it treats as foreign substances are humans—not wyverns or beastkin.
Not only the nobles gathered here, but even Cain nodded as if in understanding.
"What are some examples?"
"Well... I'm not sure about that. I've never once touched the Demonic Realm's core."
"Are you serious?"
"Of course I am."
Scarlett never lied. She simply didn't volunteer answers unless asked. Cain let out a sigh.
At any rate, their task was now clear. They had to stop the Alliance from finding the Demonic Realm's core, no matter what.
Fortunately, Cain had an army ready to move at a moment's notice. He'd placed them on combat alert ahead of time.
However, not everyone agreed with mobilizing the troops. Anna raised her hand to voice her concerns instead.
"Wouldn't rashly moving the army just provoke the Alliance?"
"It's the same if we send a warning letter. Whether they believe it or not, they'll assume we know about the core and push even harder."
"I-I see. I get what you mean."
Anna's point wasn't without merit, but the Alliance was far too arrogant to be reined in by a mere letter.
In situations like this, it was better to play it by reacting to the Alliance's moves rather than hunting for the core themselves.
Something along the lines of, "We don't know what you want, but we can't just stand by and watch your military maneuvers."
It was a smokescreen tactic of sorts. And tolerating the Alliance's military actions from the outset made no sense anyway.
"Fine, then let's mobilize right away. How many troops can deploy immediately?"
"20,000 troops are fully combat-ready, my lord. They can move out the moment you give the order."
"That'll do. Divide them into four groups of 5,000 and form a standoff."
The Alliance had expanded their operations not just into occupied territories, but even untouched regions.
Strictly speaking, it was tantamount to crossing borders at will—but they had no time to quibble over that now.
Those areas were practically demonic beast territory anyway. That's why they'd delayed as long as possible.
They'd planned to develop the solidly held zones slowly first... but with the Alliance acting like this, there was no choice.
Cain split the forces into four to form a front line. The commanders for each were, naturally, Morgana and Siegfried.
Finally, he named Anna. Completely caught off guard, she pointed at herself in shock.
"M-Me? I'm supposed to lead?!"
"Lord Blackguard, surely Princess Anna lacks the experience for this."
"I'm gravely worried she might cause heavy casualties."
The nobles' concerns about deploying Anna were understandable. She wasn't incompetent, of course.
But every field had its specialists, and Anna hadn't yet proven herself on the battlefield.
Thus, most nobles had little choice but to voice their worries. But an unexpected ally spoke up in her defense.
"She'll be fine."
"Her Highness the Princess?!"
"How can you be so sure?"
"Not only does she self-study by wandering everywhere every day, she chases after skilled mentors to learn from them."
Cain nodded at Morgana's words. Half of it was spot on.
He knew Anna was putting in grueling effort. By day, she faithfully handled her duties.
At night, she studied late into the hours, even volunteering for field patrols without hesitation. She gave everything she had.
She poured out every ounce of ability she possessed. For a full year, no less.
'Of course, the other half is because she's the scenario's protagonist—I figure she'll at least pull her weight...'
Still, without that level of effort, he wouldn't have handed her the chance. Lives hung in the balance.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Imperial army began moving in earnest. That news alone would send most nations fleeing with tails tucked.
Unfortunately, those in the Demonic Realm now weren't the sort to run at mere rumors.
Despite their internal conflicts and woes, they were the Alliance forces—true rivals to the Empire.
The Alliance had no plans to back down easily, and the Empire felt the same.
Thus, this clash was inevitable.
Armored soldiers gripped their weapons. But no armor could conceal their emotions.
Tension, anxiety, and a hint of fear etched their faces. Anyone would feel dread in their shoes.
Especially facing death. They wore armor of different styles, with utterly alien banners snapping in the wind.
Among them, the figure who seized the enemy soldiers' eyes was the black-haired man astride a black steed at the vanguard.
Cain Blackguard.
His renown had spread beyond the Alliance brass to the common troops. The soldiers buzzed with whispers.
"I-Is that Cain Blackguard...?!"
"His armor, that sword with its ominous red glow... He doesn't look human at all."
"I hear he's beheaded thousands with that blade..."
"How much hatred must it carry for even the scabbard to gleam blood-red... I don't want to imagine."
"..."
I can hear you all, you bastards.
Naturally, Cain—closest to the standoffing Alliance troops—couldn't miss their chatter.
But stepping forward to deny it would just erode his authority and make him a laughingstock.
'Better to inspire fear than look foolish. Though I'm genuinely wronged about the sword...'
Still, the Alliance had their own trump card. And right then, it stepped into view.
A hulking man over two meters tall, with a crisp short haircut.
He resembled an ogre on the surface, but carried a unique heft much like one.
"Arnold...!!"
"You know him?"
"He's... the Alliance's Master, known as 'The Rock.' They say he's a defensive tactician par excellence."
"I see. The Rock..."
Arnold's appearance sapped the momentum not just from the Imperial soldiers, but even the knights.
The Rock Arnold had guarded the Alliance for nearly as long as Master Grandel—a peer in tenure.
Purely by reputation, he outshone Cain. Cain felt no stir, though.
'Haven't seen the Water King at his peak, so I can't measure precisely... but he feels weaker than the full-strength version.'
Still, no room for complacency. A Master was a Master—his experience and skill would match anyone's.
But Cain wasn't the type to freeze up helplessly like before.
On the contrary, he boldly urged his dragon horse forward. Arnold inwardly tsked at the brazen display.
'No fear facing a Master. Hell, he's confident. That means...'
A Master.
The possibility he'd desperately denied slammed into Arnold's face. He eyed Cain intently.
No ordinary knight would slip past a Master's notice. But Cain was far from ordinary.
'Something's off. Depth like peering into the abyss, an eeriness that pricks the skin... Definitely no mere knight.'
Unlike standard knights, Cain wielded his personal power: death force. Yes, that was the crux.
Different from normal mana, even a Master facing it for the first time had no choice but to be fooled.
Thus, Arnold couldn't help overrating him. His dreaded scenario had unfolded.
'The fragile balance we held is shattered...!! To think our Masters would match in number.'
A bolder bearing than anyone, an unfathomable mysterious power, and a stack of absurd feats.
More than enough for Arnold to mistake him for a Master.