Chapter 175: For Victory (2)
During the hunting competition, there had been a unique monster that Deon Hart had captured. It was surely that species. The demons must have released plant-type monsters into the forest.
Fortunately, at that time, the Emperor had gotten a countermeasure from Deon Hart.
"I could convey it in writing, but that would take too long...."
The countermeasure wasn't much anyway.
Just cutting the connection between the root and the part that looked like a mouth that ate people anywhere, or since it was fundamentally a plant, scorching or burning it with fire.
Since it was said to look distinctly different from ordinary plants, they would only need to look carefully without needing a separate method to tell them apart.
'Actually, I'd like to send even Hero candidates as support.'
In the ancient books that recorded the history of the war against the demons, it was said that the demons' restrictions disappeared when facing a Hero or their fragments. Of course, since 'restrictions' and 'suppression' were different, the 'magic suppression arrays' installed in each castle would function, but they wouldn't be able to suppress the demons' physical abilities.
A clash between demons who could use their full power and Hero candidates with Hero's fragments. Before even gauging the odds of victory or defeat, it was clear the surroundings would be devastated, so the Emperor boldly chose to send them somewhere other than Miler.
'So all I can do now is relay information.'
Since conveying it in writing was almost embarrassing, the Emperor picked up the communicator connected to Margrave Amiable without hesitation.
* * *
Seeds infused with demonic energy were scattered in the forest.
As expected of plants from the demon realm, they grew rapidly in just a single day, blended in among the forest's plants, and swallowed up or captured the humans lurking in the forest.
'Of course, their side seemed to have found a countermeasure too, so the effect diminished greatly not long after.'
Still, this was as good as a successful defense.
Above all, since they would arrive in front of the castle walls soon, Deon watched the advancing forces with a satisfied expression.
After advancing for a long while, dealing with and clearing away the occasional attackers that still came—though their frequency had drastically decreased—the walls of Miler territory finally came into view.
As they advanced a bit more, the trees that had been blocking part of their view cleared away, and their view opened wide. And at the sight that had been hidden by the trees, now spread out before his eyes, Deon let out a "Hah," a laugh of sheer disbelief.
"To think they'd come out to greet us so kindly in person."
Margrave Amiable's forces had come out in front of the castle and were taking up formation.
He had anticipated a siege, but now it would be a close-quarters battle. A close-quarters battle against demons—he wondered what they were thinking, but after a moment's thought, Deon understood.
'They were probably thinking of pushing us, exhausted from dealing with ambushes and making our way through the forest, without giving us time to rest.'
If it had been before burning the forest, no, if they hadn't thought of using the carnivorous plants, it would have certainly gone according to their plans, but....
He held a faint sneer. A cold, mocking voice was thrown toward the officer who was following behind.
"You can fight right now, can't you?"
"Of course we can."
"Good."
He hadn't called for the mad dogs, who were so effective in close-quarters combat, because he'd anticipated a siege, but it didn't matter. There was a strategy he'd read about in a book that he most wanted to try.
A famous strategy he'd even used in his game of Chess with Dan.
Deon willingly gave the order.
"Shieldbearers to the front."
* * *
The human forces, composed entirely of cavalry for rapid mobility, charged.
As if to counter them, demon shieldbearers stepped forward, and spearmen stood behind them. The cavalry, some of whom were riding horses from the human world—perhaps captured during the advance—moved off to one side.
It was a movement so swift as to be admirable, but the humans, especially Margrave Amiable who was watching all this from atop the castle walls, could only stiffen his expression.
"Get out toward the 3 o'clock direction, now!"
He urgently shouted into the communicator, which he kept on at all times for swift command delivery. The charging cavalry sharply turned and pulled their bodies into an empty space. But the demons' movements were faster than expected.
The rearguard was ultimately swallowed into the encirclement. The monster's mouth closed, and those isolated inside its maw died helplessly. The Margrave clenched his eyes shut.
Anyone interested in strategy would have known it.
'Hammer and Anvil.'
A strategy where infantry holds out in the front, and highly mobile cavalry encircles and annihilates the surrounded enemy.
Rage surged up.
He wasn't enraged at his own incompetence for falling for a famous, widely-known strategy. Who could have known the demons' movements could be that swift? It was just.
"That one... just what does he think war is?"
He was enraged at the opponent's actions, toying with his troops lightly as if playing a game.
That one couldn't not know that the commander was watching everything from atop the walls. Considering his not-stupid words and actions, he must have certainly expected that they would catch on to what strategy it was the moment his troops moved. Even so, the reason he moved his troops this way....
'He just... wanted to try it out.'
Yes, that was exactly the feeling he got. Tender Amiable ground his teeth.
Did he think this was some kind of chess game? When countless lives hinged on a commander's single decision. He'd thought his first impression during the hunting competition, unlike the rumors, was that he was normal, but it seemed that was a mask after all.
He gave a low command into the communicator.
"...Return to the castle. We are entering defensive siege warfare."
Contrary to expectations, the demons were not exhausted, and this method had failed.
It was time to begin a proper defensive siege.
* * *
He had expected it, but it had failed after all.
Before the enemy could be completely encircled, the watching commander above seemed to have caught on and given an order, and the human cavalry slipped out through the gap that hadn't closed yet. They had swallowed the rearguard, but that was all.
While the demons annihilated the humans who had entered the encirclement and reorganized their formation, the humans entered the castle and locked the gates tight. Sensing their firm will to begin a defensive siege, Deon gave a wry chuckle.
"I suppose pushing through with force would be best here."
He could take his time dealing with them, but there was no need to take a roundabout way when he could finish this without dragging it out. Deon picked up the communication stone.
.......
- Ah, I'm sorry, but I'd like you to refrain from using the legions, if possible. Is the 0th Legion not enough?
Contrary to his expectation, a refusal came back. At the troubled voice, Deon frowned.
"...May I ask the reason?"
If there was no valid reason, this was a breach of contract.
Deon Hart had asked to thoroughly destroy the Empire in exchange for helping the Demon King conquer the human world. Though no written contract and seal had been exchanged, this was a strict contract, so his request should not be refused at the very least.
Beyond the communication stone, the Demon King, reading this sentiment, scratched his cheek.
"The birth of demon-race has decreased, but demonic beasts have increased enormously, you see."
- ....
In fact, he knew the reason why this situation had come about.
After consuming nine-tenths of his demonic energy to save Deon Hart, the demon-race and demonic beasts born from the Demon King's power had decreased.
It was said that the demon-race and demonic beasts 'born from the Demon King's power' had decreased. Unfortunately, the demon-race could not reproduce, but demonic beasts could.
Because demonic beasts were 'errors,' unlike the 'normal' demon-race.
"Furthermore, the Emperor sent troops made up of Hero candidates to the Boundary Line. To block them from breaking through and prepare for any unforeseen situation, I think we should avoid wasteful use of the legions."
Those who possessed the Hero's fragments had appeared at the Boundary Line, of all people.
The moment he heard that news, the Demon King was certain that the Emperor knew about the 'restrictions.' It must have been written in the ancient book he had shown at that time. Otherwise, there was no reason to send that excellent force here instead of using it to protect the Empire.
A match-up between demons at full strength and Hero's fragments. It looked like they possessed magic suppression talismans, but a demon's strength wasn't determined solely by 'magic,' so it didn't matter. After all, Trover, who couldn't even use magic, was sitting in the position of 9th Legion Commander, so what did that matter.
'The Emperor must also know this, hence why he deliberately sent them over here.'
He changed the stage of a battle that would cause great damage to the surroundings from the Empire to the Boundary Line, and tied down the main forces of the demons.
Of course, if it was just dealing with small fry, i.e., ordinary demon soldiers, they could be handled without much collateral damage, but in the current situation, they couldn't waste high-grade combat power there, and Hero candidates were more effectively used against strong demons rather than small fry.
It seemed the Emperor had used his head quite a bit.
- In any case, you never intended to lean too much on us anyway, did you?
At the slick, amused voice that didn't bother hiding its laughter, Deon fell silent for a moment.
"...Understood."
If it had come to this, he had to quickly find another way. Not feeling the need to hold onto the communication stone any longer, he roughly kept up formalities and hung up.
He closed his eyes and fell into thought.
As the supreme commander, Deon had been steadily receiving information about the human world—especially the Empire—from Dvelania and Idelia. Among that, he recalled the most recent information.
'The Emperor is said to be using the private soldiers of the nobles.'
He had heard that even the minimum private soldiers to protect the territories were all taken away and being operated.
Of course, it was said they were using them to protect the nobles' territories to minimize backlash, but currently, almost all their forces were deployed here in Miler territory, so the nobles' dissatisfaction wasn't small, or so he had heard.
'In this situation, if demons were to appear in a completely different territory....'
In a situation where troops were placed mainly around territories near the Boundary Line and the majority of forces were concentrated in Miler territory, if demons were to appear in a completely different place, neither Miler territory nor near the Boundary Line?
'The nobles would kick up quite a fuss.'
The Emperor would have to pull some of the troops excessively concentrated here and send reinforcements there.
...Good, decided.
"Dan."
"You called?"
Dan, who had been waiting nearby, approached as if he had been waiting.
Deon tapped his thigh lightly and stared at him for a moment before slowly throwing out a question.
"Your standing must have grown considerably distributing the fairy race's herbs."
"Yes, it's become very famous. It's grown strong enough that we could thoroughly crush the Rowpel Trading Company that used to pester us and get our revenge."
To remember it all this time and then take revenge.
His gaze cooled at the surprisingly petty and excellent memory, but only for a moment before Deon spoke again.
"Contacts must have come pouring in from here and there, haven't they?"
"Of course, many have. Is there someone you need to contact?"
"The King of Reweche."
"Oh...."
Unlike the casually thrown-out words, the content was no joke.
Dan, who had opened and closed his mouth for a moment, searched through his memory as if asking when he had ever flinched. Had the Reweche royal family ever contacted him?
"...Unfortunately, no. But if we go to him, it seems he won't refuse."
He was probably out of his mind with grief over losing his younger sibling and hadn't even thought of our side.
If the owner of a trading company that distributed mysterious herbs visited, he would surely try to meet him. He would probably ask if there were any herbs that could revive his dead younger brother.
Deon nodded as if agreeing and gave the order.
"Go to the King of Reweche and...."
* * *
The alliance had been broken, and the Demon King's army did not touch Reweche.
The King of Reweche, who had nothing else to worry about, was simply living in a state of grief without any hindrance.
His close aides had admonished him to take care of state affairs, but how could he quickly escape the grief of losing a family member? He couldn't easily shake off his younger sibling's ghost and rise.
As he lived day by day losing his will, someone's request for an audience was delivered. The king, who had become extremely sharp, immediately reacted sensitively.
"I clearly said to refuse all requests for an audience."
"We asked because it is a request from the head of the Den Trading Company, not another noble. I apologize. We will refuse it."
"...Wait, the Den Trading Company?"