Chapter 118
Chapter 118
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Two Choices (7)
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All-out war.
In normal circumstances, it was never a good tactic for the defending side to abandon the advantages of defense and opt for an all-out battle.
Of course, there had been cases where they suddenly switched from defense to a siege and claimed a great victory...
But Cain knew that all too well. And yet, the reason he chose all-out war was simple. There was no other path.
'A dead end. It's just a matter of either holding out to the bitter end and slowly getting whittled down, or fighting to the death.'
Even though defense held the advantage, a prolonged war would lead to defeat. How could he be so certain?
The answer was surprisingly straightforward.
Cain had experienced it firsthand. At first, he'd used every bit of his experience and knowledge to defend by the book.
'The problem is our side's consumption is far greater. We end up getting counterattacked while trying to stop them from breaching the walls.'
Granted, an army that healed wounds and refused to die wasn't exactly normal to begin with.
He never could have imagined they'd hold out even without meeting basic supply conditions.
They pulled arrows from their flesh and bones to fire back, and even substituted meat and blood for food.
It was a grotesque sight, utterly unworthy of calling themselves God's army, and it shattered the soldiers' morale.
'They're not foes normal common sense applies to. So in the end, we have no choice but to go all-in... Damn it.'
Of course, Cain wasn't thrilled with the situation either. But there was no other way to victory.
Before personal grudges or feelings, he had to lead this war to victory in place of the comrades who'd fallen on the battlefield.
That was the sense of duty and responsibility Cain felt. And so, he drew his sword and mounted his massive black horse.
"Follow me. And we will surely triumph!!"
"Waaaaah!!!"
The firmly shut gates began to creak open. The soldiers watched the sight with tense expressions.
God's army. But a cruel one that belied the name. The soldiers already knew it all too well.
And yet, the reason they didn't flee... was trust. In their commander, the undefeated legend upholding the Empire!
No sooner had the Empire's forces moved than the Kingdom's matched them, as if they'd anticipated it.
"Die!! Empire!!"
"Avenge... our families... our comrades!!"
"Don't make me laugh, you Kingdom scum!"
"All we can give those who've forsaken their humanity is rest."
The war drums and trumpets signaling battle were drowned out by the battlefield roars. The clash of metal echoed everywhere.
In the first clash, the Empire's forces naturally held the advantage. No matter how miraculous their power.
From total training hours to experience, even equipment—nothing favored the Kingdom.
But one thing alone... an impossible, forbidden superiority sided with the Kingdom.
"Kuh! These bastards... they're not even defending anymore!!"
"Block them somehow! Don't get pushed back in strength! That's game over!!"
"Ugh... you goddamn monster freaks!!"
They didn't die. In that short time, wounds healed anew, strength and stamina unflagging, always ready.
But Cain knew that fact well. He'd experienced it countless times. No one but him could kill them.
The Empire's forces, who'd been gritfully holding with raw power, suddenly fell back. As if by prior agreement...
With the front line vanishing, the Kingdom's forces naturally toppled forward under their own weight.
It was a display utterly befitting ragtag rabble, but no one watching sneered.
Soon, virulent green clouds descended from the sky, engulfing the Kingdom's troops. The deadly poison began melting them.
"The poison is viciously potent. Even if they heal wounds, regenerating organs will take time."
"Don't approach the poison mist! Mages! Execute the next phase immediately!"
"If anyone's hit by the poison, use the antidotes we stockpiled beforehand to purge it!"
The Empire already had manuals for strategies using wide-area kill spells like poison mist, complete with countermeasures.
The reason they hadn't used it until now was simple. The toxin was too potent; cleanup was a nightmare.
What use was land or people you couldn't utilize afterward? It'd be worse than doing nothing.
But now wasn't the time to worry about aftermath. They had to beat these monsters first.
"Use crossbows to keep wounding them nonstop! Pin the enemy down!!"
"......"
Cain turned his head. Not because he couldn't bear the slaughter before him. He'd sensed an intense presence.
A man with white hair and twisted blue eyes. Andre. The one who'd branded Cain a traitor in the past stood there now.
He knew instinctively.
This fight wouldn't end until that man was dead. He really wouldn't die easily, right to the very end.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [Do you know what's most important to becoming a master?]
Scardi's sudden words during their sparring lingered in his mind. If he'd known, maybe he could've fixed it.
No one wanted to become a master more than Cain. Repeating death was too agonizing.
Even after so many deaths, it was still excruciating and terrifying. He'd avoid it if he could.
Paradoxically, that's why he kept repeating death. Without it, he had nothing special.
[What nonsense in the middle of sparring?]
[It's something other powerhouses have that you lack.]
[So what the hell is it?]
[Conviction.]
[Bullshit.]
He'd denied it then, but it was a double-layered answer. First, reflexive rejection to the sudden remark.
And second... honest affirmation. Without Defeat Regression, how could someone like me have conviction?
Cain turned his head. The Kingdom forces, pinned by magic and arrows, finally began to move.
Too fast. Even poison mist and ice storms couldn't fully bind them. Then he had to kill him quickly...
"Fuck."
His sword still couldn't reach King Andre's neck. Poison mist that corrupted even the earth...
Couldn't paralyze 50,000 troops at once. And above all, soldiers guarded Andre.
It seemed the answer after all. If King Andre died, the soldiers would lose that bizarre blessing.
The problem was, even Cain now—battle-hardened and grown—couldn't pierce tens of thousands alone.
His Empire allies helped from behind, but the Kingdom ignored them now.
"We must protect His Majesty. Hold at all costs."
"Drive off the evil aiming for His Majesty."
"If we just kill that devil... we'll win."
"......"
Dodge death with Foresight and charge? Vitality drain would empty out eventually.
Without it, the swarming attacks would skewer him like a pincushion.
Only master-level powerhouses could face armies alone. Which meant...
Even revived endlessly, he couldn't win now. An insurmountable final wall.
Master Chris, who'd come with him, stayed in the castle to guard the imperial family against contingencies.
Thus, facing this impassable barrier, Cain keenly felt his limits. He thought.
'What the hell am I supposed to do? A wall I can't cross even dying over and over... and this is all I know.'
[Can't even call your skills decent. Bad habits too... You look like a death-wish lunatic, frankly.]
[Thanks a bunch, really touching. Gives me tons of strength.]
[But... so what? You're the one standing victorious here, no one else.]
At those words, Cain rose again. Conviction, conviction. Could he become a master if he gained it?
Then he'd have to try. Failure meant death, but chance would come again. He swung his sword with all his might.
For some reason, his body felt lighter. He could see it bit by bit. Just a little more...
[Gain conviction in yourself. And create your own world. That's the first step to reaching master.]
Alone, he couldn't. But thanks to the tenacious bond he'd forged? Cain began to surmount it, inch by inch.
The massive wall called master.