Chapter 105
Chapter 105
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Demonic Realm Standoff (6)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Undefeated General.
It sounded like a fine title. And it was undeniably true, at least in their eyes—he'd never suffered defeat.
But others might not know, yet Cain himself was intimately aware of just how many losses he'd endured.
He couldn't simply laugh it off like everyone else. Not when he knew it all too well.
Still, he didn't see it as a bad thing. Those very experiences had forged the man he was today.
But that didn't mean he wanted anyone else to suffer those same emotions. Even if they were destined to be erased.
Krraaaaaah!!
"Is that all you've got?"
That was why Cain swung his sword with every ounce of strength he possessed. His rage hadn't fully subsided.
Anna's death was seared into his vision like intricate embroidery stitched with thread and needle, refusing to fade.
Yet he'd already made one grave mistake. To avoid repeating it here, he had to learn the truth, no matter what.
"Skadi! That's an order. No matter what happens, do not intervene!"
"What? What kind of order is that?!"
"An order is an order. Disobey me, and you'll answer to military law."
Thanks to that, Cain found himself issuing the most absurd command of his life: stand back and watch without fighting.
But Cain's charisma was something even a Master couldn't ignore. She had no choice but to obey.
He was her superior, after all. And Cain himself felt a pang of guilt for giving such an order.
"You think that piddling effort can kill me? Come on, try harder. Kill me with everything you've got, you wretched bastard."
His words said one thing, but Cain's blade avoided the flesh mass's vitals. He inflicted only pain, nothing more.
His intent landed perfectly, at least. The flesh's instincts were primal—it hated pain and sought to eliminate threats.
And so, Cain—relentlessly dishing out agony without dying—became its top priority target.
"Shit."
A horrific roar echoed from afar, like the beasts' death screams. The flesh's cry had roused them.
That mass was their womb, their sustenance, their very heart... Of course they'd rush to protect it.
Cain let out a sigh as he watched the beasts charge at breakneck speed. So this was the end of the line.
"Looks like this is it."
"Blackguard! What the hell are you doing?! We need to retreat now!!"
"No. It's fine."
"What kind of nonsense is that...!!"
To Skadi, it was beyond comprehension. He looked like a man who'd abandoned everything to die right there.
She wasn't oblivious to the pain of losing someone dear, but throwing away your life over it? That was too far.
Cain Blackguard wasn't the type to die in a place like this. That's why she'd thrown everything into saving him.
"Don't worry. I'll take responsibility."
"What do you think you're...!!"
But Cain knew full well how she felt. Any ordinary Master might hesitate, but Skadi? She'd save him for sure.
He couldn't let that happen. It would snuff out any chance of reviving his fallen comrades and Anna.
He appreciated her concern, but right now, it was nothing but a hindrance.
So... before Skadi could reach him, Cain gripped Knox in reverse and drove it into his heart with all his might.
Cold metal pierced straight through. Knox, stained with blood, mercilessly devoured its master's flesh and blood.
As his consciousness faded, Cain murmured faintly toward Skadi, charging his way.
'Sorry.'
Next time, I'll do better.
Darkness dragged at his ankles. Death was still unfamiliar. That only stoked his fury higher.
His men and Anna had died enduring this very torment and terror. He could never forgive them for that.
This time, as always, Cain's eyes snapped open once more. Eyes he'd thought sealed forever.
But he wasn't entirely free of worry. What if Defeat Regression deemed victory impossible?
What then, if he couldn't save his men and Anna? The fear of that gnawed at him, unbearable.
"...Cain? Are you alright?"
A familiar voice chased away even the faintest trace of unease. Cain turned his head. There she was.
The precious soul who'd died in agony, bleeding from her eyes, mouth, ears, and nose... the one Cain had failed to protect.
Princess Anna. She was alive, moving about as bold as ever.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Imperial forces, locked in standoff with the Alliance, suddenly erupted in chaos. Cain had pulled Anna into a tight embrace out of nowhere.
Princess Morgana's untimely fury rained down, while the others buzzed with admiration.
Could the princess have followed Blackguard for a lovers' elopement? What a tantalizing scandal!
Stories about others were always the juiciest. Cain had to pour all his effort into clearing things up.
But it wasn't easy. He had to explain thoroughly while keeping Defeat Regression completely under wraps.
Not that he even knew why he had to explain in the first place... but the princess terrified him.
"So... you had a dream, mistook her for a comrade you'd lost in the past, and hugged her without realizing it?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"No lies in that?"
"Of course not. Who would dare deceive Your Highness?"
It was, naturally, a bald-faced lie. But he couldn't very well spill the truth, could he? They wouldn't believe it anyway.
Not that it was a total fabrication. Anna had been a lost 'comrade' before the regression, after all.
Morgana had no choice but to buy it. Cain seemed utterly sincere.
"Well, then. Can't be helped. I do understand losing a comrade... but on one condition."
"And that is?"
"Hug me the same way."
"......"
In the end, Cain had to give Princess Morgana the same embrace he'd given Anna before the commotion died down.
Of course, the fallout lingered. Rumors of elopement, or some illicit fling with Princess Anna...
But Cain had no bandwidth for such petty gossip. Survival was the priority now.
He'd had enough experiences rewinding time via Defeat Regression. First order of business: gauge the timeline.
'The princess is here, so it must be right after the standoff kicked off. Half a month left, at most...'
Should he pull the army back? Or was there another factor? No clue whatsoever.
The nucleus of this Demonic Realm? But then why had it stayed dormant until half a month in?
Only one person could clear up the mystery. Steel resolve in place, Cain set off without hesitation.
The one—no, the being—Cain sought without a shred of doubt was Scarlett, sovereign of the Lost Empire.
"Looking for me?"
"You sure have some nerve showing up."
"Hm?"
Truth be told, she'd come to him. Cain whipped his head around, eyes blazing.
Scarlett faced the sudden wrath without flinching. If anything, her intrigue deepened.
Why the anger all of a sudden? What could have set it off...? Even those questions thrilled her.
But curiosity burned hotter than amusement. She had zero guesses from her end.
Feeling curiosity itself was a rarity for her these days, making it all the more delightful by default.
Yet her nonchalance only fanned the flames. How could she be so brazen?
"You're hiding something from me."
"Talking about the Demonic Realm's nucleus?"
"Yeah."
"Not at all? I really told you everything I know this time."
"Then why didn't you mention this place is the nucleus?"
"This is the Demonic Realm's nucleus???"
He'd been furious at first, convinced she'd tricked him again.
But Scarlett's reaction defied expectations. Pure, genuine shock—like she'd never heard it before.
She hadn't known? That this was the nucleus? Wait... then that means...
Doubts piled up like a tidal wave. He felt adrift in an endless sea, direction lost in an instant. What now?
"...You really had no idea."
"It never showed itself once since the Demonic Realm appeared. I don't know the details either."
"Got it."
Scarlett didn't lie. If she'd known, she'd have mocked him outright with a laugh.
That left only one path forward.
Contact the Alliance and negotiate a settlement.