Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Nucleus of the Demonic Realm (2)
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Empire and Alliance.
Who could have imagined these two sides, who were anything but reluctant sworn enemies, sitting across from each other so civilly?
Yet Cain had somehow made this absurd scene a reality. Crown Prince Siegfried of the Empire and Rock Arnold of the Alliance.
They sat at the same table, facing one another. Naturally, the atmosphere wasn't exactly pleasant.
"You're still alive, I see. I figured you'd long since burst from frustration at the Alliance's sluggish handling of things... Well, they don't call you Rock for nothing."
"That sleazy mug of yours hasn't changed a bit, Your Highness. Seeing you makes me confident about the Alliance's bright future—I can finally sleep soundly."
"No wonder they slapped the nickname 'Rock' on you. You've got a stone where your head should be..."
They traded barbs that could kill on contact. Cain, hearing this for the first time, was genuinely shocked.
Surprisingly, Siegfried and Arnold brushed it off without a care. To them, this was apparently their way of saying hello.
Watching their insult battle to see who could curse better might have been entertaining, but there were more pressing matters.
"Your Highness, we have urgent business to discuss right now."
"My apologies... I couldn't help myself. Seeing the Alliance's thick skull just got to me."
"No need to state the obvious. And it's not an act—it's just your true colors showing."
"... "
After one final round of venom, the two shifted seamlessly to official business as if nothing had happened.
It was so bizarre and fascinating that Cain inwardly clicked his tongue. What on earth had happened between them?
It seemed like there was lingering bad blood between Siegfried and Arnold... but that wasn't the issue right now.
"The reason we're gathered here is to subjugate our common enemy. No one present still doubts that it's the Nucleus of the Demonic Realm, I trust."
Siegfried and Arnold nodded gravely. Siegfried, in particular, had been skeptical at first.
But after witnessing the massive tower of flesh that appeared in the Alliance's lands, he'd fully set aside his doubts and come to trust Cain instead.
He must have sent Scarlet Royal Blood to scout for information as a precaution... Truly a man who left no gaps.
Arnold, on the other hand, felt a heavy gloom beneath his bold exterior. This was a complete defeat for the Alliance.
Not only had the Empire already figured out that the Alliance was searching for the Nucleus of the Demonic Realm...
They'd even anticipated what it was and taken the initiative to propose a joint front.
'It's almost hard to believe this is the same Empire that used to rampage on brute strength alone. Their intelligence operations have advanced to a terrifying degree.'
Of course, the Empire hadn't ignored espionage before Emperor Leonis ascended the throne. They had the capability back then too.
But the previous emperor's arrogance had overshadowed it all. He believed raw power could conquer everything.
So he dismissed intelligence and tried to bulldoze through with force. That led to their defeat at the Alliance's counterattack...
The current Empire seemed to have learned from that mistake. And at its center was Cain Blackguard.
They were mortal enemies snarling at each other, yet he acknowledged Crown Prince Siegfried and Emperor Leonis's abilities.
Still, if the Alliance and Empire went to war, the most dangerous figure by far would be Cain Blackguard... that man.
"How about we sheath our fangs for now and focus on the common enemy first?"
"...My apologies. I got lost in thought. I'll own up to the rudeness."
"Know when to growl and when to shut it, Rock. Otherwise, you and I might settle things here once and for all."
"What did you say?! How dare you speak such nonsense to Lord General...!!"
"Enough."
The Alliance knights bristled at Scardi's sharp warning, but Arnold raised a hand to hold them back.
Had he let killing intent slip unintentionally? He, the man called Rock, making such a mistake...
Objectively speaking, his own error was far graver—leaking killing intent at a meeting to subjugate a common foe.
"That's enough. I can't deny my fault... But calling in the Alliance means you have some clever plan, right?"
"Indeed. Even if we retreat, it'll just keep coming after us... Better to take it down here."
"Finally, we can put an end to the Demonic Realm once and for all. So, what's this plan of yours?"
Cain nodded and spoke. The one sure way for the Empire and Alliance to join forces and subjugate the Nucleus of the Demonic Realm.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Defeat Regression.
In Cain's own view, it was a horrific curse and, at the same time, the only weapon granted to an ordinary man like him.
Thus, Cain had used Defeat Regression without hesitation this time as well. To win, he repeated defeat over and over.
'At least I've confirmed that the Empire and Alliance get along even worse than I imagined. They're practically on better terms with the Demonic Realm.'
The first attempt failed spectacularly. The Empire and Alliance armies never meshed.
They saw each other only as backstabbers, so trust was out of the question.
From the second try, he operated the armies separately. It wasn't a bad approach.
At least it drove home that the Empire and Alliance were like water and oil—utterly immiscible.
The problems boiled down to two: massive, inevitable troop losses and the Nucleus's escape.
No matter how well they prepared, the casualties were beyond imagination. And worst of all, those sacrifices meant nothing.
'The moment it senses death, it burrows underground and flees. Can't stop it with brute force.'
Forget regular soldiers—even knights, and masters too, couldn't contain the Nucleus of the Demonic Realm.
Once it escaped, all that remained were the meaningless corpses of soldiers strewn about...
Mobilizing troops didn't work, and even masters couldn't block it physically. What was the answer?
'Sorry, but I'm not that wise. My head's not exceptionally sharp either. So I have no choice but to brute-force it with my body.'
If Cain were a genius, or even if he had the cold blood to sacrifice others...
He could've resolved half his struggles so far. But Cain didn't.
One might call it pointless extra effort. But to Cain, it was crucial.
Thanks to that small effort—the only thing keeping his humanity intact amid endless deaths and wear...
He had overcome barriers he'd once deemed impossible. And it was the same now.
Repeating death and failure, reliving those agonizing memories endlessly until he reached the solution.
"Position soldiers and knights on the perimeter to hold off the incoming monsters. The nucleus itself will be handled solely by mages and masters."
"How do you expect to face the Nucleus without a single soldier?"
"It'll just lead to pointless sacrifices. Better to use that time blocking monsters—far more efficient."
Objections arose naturally, either from genuine ignorance or resentment at the Empire taking the lead.
But Cain dismissed them all with ease, thanks to the answers earned from endless experience.
Though Arnold's wariness spiked even higher because of it... not that Cain could know.
Sure, some grumbled at Cain's forceful demeanor... but even that discontent didn't last.
The ground began to rumble right on cue. Flesh emerged from the ensuing cracks.
The moment the grotesque tower of flesh revealed itself, all complaints evaporated.
Krraaah...
"Shut it."
Before the Nucleus could fully emerge and unleash its horrific scream, Cain was already moving.
As if he'd known exactly where and when it would appear from the start... His black aura sliced deep into the flesh.
Chunks of flesh fell away like scabs amid sprays of blood. At least this blocked the scream.
Sure enough, severing that part stops the scream. One valuable lesson from repeated regressions.
"Damn it, I told you not to charge in recklessly! If you die, how am I supposed to face His Highness the Crown Prince!!"
"Isn't that reckless courage one of House Blackguard's virtues?"
"You're truly hopeless. Is it bravery or just foolhardiness...?!!"
'Scardi, Chris, and even Arnold... They're arriving right on time.'
Cain's eyes gleamed as he watched the masters charging in from afar. This time, he would hunt it down for sure.