Chapter 46
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Assault on Aurelinople
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The defeat of the Kirall clan was merely the prelude to the assault on <Aurelinople>.
The most crucial target, a being whose danger was incomparable to Kirall, still remained.
Long ago, it is said that those who lived in the pre-historic era called this being ‘Asarakalt’ in fear.
“In modern language, that translates to ‘noble.’”
Because they were beings on a completely different level from the nobles of today, they were specially distinguished and called the ‘Old Nobles.’
“Detailed information about the Old Nobles is in this book.”
“Oh, Instructor. Isn't that book forbidden?”
“You have completed the body modification process. Whether you become Dunes or Alters is yet unknown, but you now have the authority to access all forbidden texts controlled by the public.”
Though I had a vague idea from the ominous rumors circulating on the battlefield, it was at the [Hall of the Sword’s Valor] that I learned about the Old Nobles in detail.
To be precise, it was from a book called *History of the Abyss*.
The book was alive.
It certainly gave that impression.
Every single thread of its worn binding seemed to be alive, as if sensuously caressing my fingers.
[The Forgotten Kings].
In a primeval age, five kings seized the authority to rule the world and ascended to the throne from which they commanded it.
Each had powerful retainers called ‘Old Nobles’ and possessed god-like status, leaving no way to stop them other than sealing.
Because their souls live for eternity.
The flesh their souls inhabit is an illusion; in other words, it continuously regenerates.
How absurd...
What is one to do with beings that must be cut by the sword, yet cannot be cut by the sword?
Even the high-speed regeneration that FakeWarriors manifest to a limited degree by injecting dragon's blood was nothing more than a basic skill for them.
The first time intelligent humanity confronted one of [The Forgotten Kings] was in the 15th century A.D.
The Spider Lord, Ashron.
His epithet: the World-Eater.
To speak his true name carelessly is taboo.
In the 15th century, Ashron, accompanied by his five chief retainers, the Obonwi, brought down the [Seolryeong Great Wall] and swept through the northern continent.
1. [Illustration]:
- The devastated [Seolryeong Great Wall].
This happened within ten-odd minutes of Ashron's appearance. In that short time, half of the imperial army was annihilated.
2. [Illustration]:
- Jayun, the Husingyeong, second in rank among the Spider Lord's Obonwi.
Temporarily incapacitated by a combined attack from FakeWarriors, but is shown rapidly regenerating his body amidst bubbles.
Before being sealed by the power of Yoshuhar, Husingyeong Jayun killed three FakeWarriors.
I was afraid to believe that the power of an Old Noble was truly this great.
Three FakeWarriors...
The book continued to record history with such irrational and absurd words.
ㆍYear 1434.
- The Dragon Sage, Rain Ludwig, subjugates the Spider Lord.
ㆍYear 1542.
- The Apostle of the Void, Argen, with the help of Akirea of Crimson Flame, subjugates the Lord of Time.
Since the two kings were subjugated (their old seals broken and new ones placed), they have been unable to exert their influence.
However, three kings still remain.
The Lord of the Deep Sea, the Lord of Insects, and the Lizard Lord, who exerted immense influence during the turbulent 12th century.
The Dragon Sage and the Apostle of the Void...
It is said that there was no precedent for a single human wielding such immense power.
ㆍYear 1671.
- The demonic forces are unified and gathered by an unidentified human swordsman (presumed to be the first pillar of the Black Church), beginning the ‘Black Summer’.
- Head FakeWarrior Raminea Alter Aradamanthel subjugates them, driving the demons beyond the sea.
ㆍYear 1692.
- The ‘Red Summer’ begins, initiated by the main demonic forces blessed by Old Nobles who escaped their seals.
- High-ranking demons undergo physical transformations, raging more fiercely than during the ‘Black Summer’.
- Thanks to the efforts of FakeWarriors, led by Head FakeWarrior Camilla Alter Aradamanthel, the front line is maintained for five years.
Back then, for some reason...
The history, which had been recording despair, ended so abruptly, as if it were saying this:
Now, it's your turn.
All-Out War,
The Conquest of Aurelinople (4)
[Iron Cross, report your current status.]
From the heart of the Iron Cross's banner, which swept mercilessly across the wasteland like a concentrated steel tide, the priestess replied.
“Kaisen has cut down Kirall Chief Kische and is currently engaged with the Kirall remnants.”
[The Piljung Corps has confirmed a dark magic barrier formation inside the castle. Two have been identified on each face of the wall. Deal with them immediately so the floating castle can enter the city's airspace.]
“As you command, Your Excellency.”
Alidona relayed this order to Roveris.
Roveris immediately ordered her squire to raise the general's banner.
As the knights gathered around the banner, forming a defensive square, Roveris shouted.
“Iron Cross, leave the rest to our allies and advance into the castle!”
“Will we be alright without siege weapons?”
“Tval and Merun, you two give it a try. If it doesn't work, I'll handle it. Thanks to someone, I was able to save my Time-Space Slash.”
Roveris gestured with her chin toward Kaisen, and the knights let out a cheer filled with respect.
“Kaisen, the order stands. Do not release your Dragon Spirit without permission.”
“Understood.”
“Immediately after breaching the gate, we split into three. Merun and Tval to the northwest, Kaisen and Alidona to the southwest. I will finish the central breakthrough to the inner castle.”
The operation proceeded swiftly.
Alidona's spell created a new drawbridge where the withered one had been.
Following that, Tval's Dragonbone Spear and Merun's Cheonaengsal shattered the west gate, clearing the way completely.
[Senior Roveris, this is Seira of the Cheolseong Corps. A barrier is blocking the north gate entrance. I think it's because of the barrier on the west gate.]
“A chain barrier, is it? We're on our way. Just wait a bit.”
[Lady Roveris, this is Bies, commander of the 1st Combat Air Wing. We are currently being intercepted by troll anti-air batteries! Air support will only be possible after you take care of them.]
Roveris, who was originally supposed to lead the central breakthrough, set out to attack the anti-air batteries on the ramparts.
It was an extremely dangerous mission.
After all, trolls were beings that could tear soldiers apart as easily as eating lunch.
“I'll handle the trolls. The rest of you, move to your designated operational areas.”
“Ha, those trolls have big heads. Cracking their skulls is a real treat, so I'd like to take them on.”
“There are quite a few ogres out there. Be careful, Commander.”
Still, the Iron Cross was a group where each individual possessed the strength to overcome such desperate racial differences. They showed not a shred of fear in the face of such a mission.
“Merun, instead of worrying about me, you all focus on your tasks. Let's each finish our jobs as quickly as possible and regroup.”
Kaisen moved to the barrier area with Alidona.
The barrier was guarded by Blood Clansmen who commanded Blood Thralls, but the method to overcome them had already been mastered through many battles.
When the power of Alidona's Myeongse Sipyeon cast a wide-area slow, creating a momentary opening.
“Hey, rookie. Time to show your stuff.”
Sheathing Aradamanthel.
Twisting his waist halfway, imbuing his body with the minimum necessary rotational force.
One strike.
Beyond the gaps between the Blood Thralls.
The necks of the Blood Demons, who moved with lofty grace, were severed by a crimson flash, their heads launching into the air.
With that as the signal, the Blood Thralls held by the Myeongse Sipyeon began to fall one by one, and silence descended upon the battlefield.
“That quick-draw technique, it's captivating every time I see it. I bet if you just showed it to a girl instead of talking, she'd fall for you instantly.”
“FakeWarriors are unmarried.”
“There you go with the boring talk again. Your big sis is about to play a few tricks, so watch closely.”
Alidona wasn't satisfied with just neutralizing the barrier.
She skillfully manipulated the barrier, transforming it into flames.
As the winged serpents, the Tuaki, who were fighting griffins in the sky, were engulfed in the flames and let out pained screams, Alidona cackled.
“Did you hear that? They're saying they like it too.”
“That's what that sounds like to you?”
“Well, sexual preferences differ from person to person. There are types who enjoy pain.”
*Then are you the type who enjoys inflicting pain...?*
He didn't say it out loud.
Around that time, a telepathic message came from Merun and Tval, reporting that they had also succeeded in neutralizing their barrier.
[Command, this is the great dragon Isla! North gate breached! We're about to enter the castle, but there's a lot of weird stuff! Wriggling plants! They look like those primordial plant things!]
[Your Excellency, this is Aven Warden of the Magic Artillery. Bombardment is ready, we can fire at any time.]
[Well done. While I alter the floating castle's glide path, provide carpet bombing support at the coordinates requested by the Yongchu Corps.]
[Isla, coordinates? I don't know how to read those!]
[?]
[But I'm strong enough that it doesn't matter!]
[Ah... this is Seira of the Cheolseong Corps. I will transmit them.]
The 2nd Sector Army, in charge of the north gate, was also sending victory reports to Command, thanks to the efforts of Isla and Seira.
Alidona laughed brightly at Isla's bold reply, completely unashamed of her own ignorance.
It wasn't just the 2nd Sector Army; such victory reports continued to stream in from other locations as well.
[Lady Roveris, this is the 1st Combat Air Wing. We've confirmed the anti-air batteries have been neutralized. We can provide support at any time!]
[We're fine. Support the 1st Sector Army's main force in the wasteland outside the castle.]
[Understood. Good luck, FakeWarrior!]
[You too. Over.]
It seemed Roveris, who had taken on the most dangerous mission of the three, had also completed her task perfectly.
[This is Roveris. Iron Cross, detachments that have completed the barrier-disabling mission are to assemble in the city center.]
[Tval here. These damn Paleolithic-era weeds are blocking the way, so it's gonna take some time. Pick your nose or something while you wait.]
[Commander, just as I confirmed during the reconnaissance mission, the primordial plants are spread throughout the entire city. Assembling now seems a bit risky. We should also request a carpet bombing order first...]
It was true. The city was suffocatingly dry and filled with those same primordial plants.
Bizarrely thick branches and vines.
Leaves shaped like awls, specialized for slaughter.
‘And…’
The most dangerous thing was the foam that stole all moisture from a target upon impact.
Those disgusting flower buds, shaped like the heads of ancient reptiles, would either spit out that foam or swallow a dozen humans whole.
Therefore, forcing a passage through this ominous garden to assemble seemed like a suicide mission.
[I've already requested a bombing run after the 2nd Sector Army's.]
[So we just have to wait.]
[No, it's not for us. It will take too long to wait for the bombing to finish and for the magic artillery to be reloaded.]
Kaisen, who had been listening silently to Roveris's orders, spoke up.
“Could you tell us why you're in such a hurry?”
[Kaisen, <Aurelinople>, befitting a large city, has an inner castle. Inside, a being classified as Abyss threat level ‘Disaster’ has been detected. All available corps are on the move.]
Disaster…?
If it's a Disaster, could it be...
Sounds of sharp intakes of breath could be heard from all around. Tval let out a cry mixed with interest and surprise.
[Disaster? Isn't that the high-risk target class right below [The Forgotten Kings]?]
[Yes, an Old Noble. In fact, the ongoing desertification was already a hint of its presence. The Iron Cross's primary operational objective has been changed to the subjugation of that Old Noble.]
[So that's why you're in a hurry. By the way, the fact that the Blue Star always entrusts these important matters to us, the Iron Cross, feels damn good.]
Alidona, tapping the ash from her pipe, let out a smirk.
“We've got the rookie who toyed with that Mauna Loa. What's the big deal? It'll be nothing.”
[Hah! Did he do that alone? We all did it together. Jeez, anyone listening would think he took it down by himself.]
“Oh my, Tval. Are you jealous of the rookie now?”
[It's not jealousy, it's a fact. Good grief!]
[Priestess, Tval's face is red right now. Looks like you hit the nail on the head.]
[Hah! I'm wearing a helmet with the visor down. How can you see anything? What nonsense.]
“The rookie's smirking, finding your jealousy so pathetic.”
[Hah! You're laughing? You punk?]
“I wasn't laughing.”
[It's nice to see you all getting along, but that's enough chatter. Now then, Alidona.]
Alidona, pleasantly puffing smoke from her pipe, nodded.
“I'll create a temporary bridge in the air. I'll line the underside with flames so the primordial plants can't mess with it. It'll be hot, but just step on it and come.”
[Hmm, that sounds hot just hearing about it.]
Thanks to Alidona, the Iron Cross was able to break through this ancient garden as if it were child's play.
Using the bridge Alidona created, the Iron Cross regrouped on a main road leading to an intersection in the city center.
But it wasn't just the outer districts; no, the further they advanced into the inner districts, the larger the plants grew, and their numbers multiplied several times over.
“These damn things have really found their master. Did they like <Aurelinople> that much?”
Of course, it wasn't just the Iron Cross that had run into this obstacle; the other corps that had been summoned would be facing the same.
“Your Excellency Blue Star, this is the Iron Cross. We cannot enter the inner castle. The primordial plants have completely occupied the urban area.”
Before the Blue Star's reply came, another communication came through.
[This is Ria of the Black Rose. Our corps' mage, Arte, has identified a colony of primordial plants surrounding the inner castle.]
“A colony?”
[There is a core inside the colony. If we deal with this core, we can neutralize a large number of the primordial plants. The Black Rose is a light cavalry unit whose strength is mobility. We will handle it.]
Alidona whistled in surprise.
“What a clever child. How did she know that?”
From Kaisen's perspective, it wasn't surprising at all.
After all, during the journey to <Aristapo>, even the great Johan Wolf Frost had marveled at Ria's intelligence on several occasions.
Roveris nodded.
“Acknowledged. However, leaving it to the Black Rose Corps alone will take too much time. Can you send the coordinates of the other colonies?”
[Of course.]
“Cheolseong, Yongchu. You will destroy the colonies whose coordinates the Black Rose transmits.”
[Kyakakakyak! It can't be done without Isla! Then leave it to Isla!]
“?”
[Yes, order confirmed.]
The fact that the Blue Star didn't countermand Roveris's field order meant he agreed with the operational command.
“So, is it just us now?”
No sooner had Tval asked that than a voice came through a newly connected communication line.
[You cute little juniors. Leave the rest to your god-like seniors. Well then, Roro, it's been a while since we've gotten to play together.]
Gorgotia Alter Jierda.
Wielder of the bow-sword type Holy Sword Jierda, and the current Second-ranked FakeWarrior.
And so, the subjugation of the Old Noble became the responsibility of Head FakeWarrior Roveris's Iron Cross and Second-ranked FakeWarrior Gorgotia's Piljung Corps.
“Your Excellency Blue Star, then we will stand by.”
[Thunderous Fragrance is now descending with the Changmyeonggeom. She will handle your transportation, so conserve your strength.]
“Yes, in that case, we will send our knights as reinforcements for the colony suppression operation and proceed with only the officers.”
[That was what I was about to order. The Piljung Corps will also send their soldiers as support forces and have only their officers stand by.]
Soon, a golden halo of light spread across the city's sky, like sunlight breaking dazzlingly through a gap in dark clouds.
Setsunen of Thunderous Fragrance...
Not in her usual dragonoid form, but as a noble wyvern, her wings spread wide.
[It will begin shortly. Stand by.]
The moment that light converged into a powerful thunderbolt and struck the city, the ground shook violently.
Then, suddenly, the shaking vanished as if it had never been.
The reason was...
“!”
Kaisen, along with the members of the two warrior parties, the Iron Cross and the Piljung, was floating in the sky above the city.
It was Setsunen's spatial teleportation ability.
Below his feet, beneath the swirling convection currents, he could see the inner castle, its semi-circular barrier crushed by the thunderbolt.
“The primordial plants were like a barrier...!”
The vines of the primordial plants had originally been tangled in countless layers around the inner castle, but the thunderbolt had bored a pitch-black hole through them.
‘They seem to be in pain.’
They're writhing like mad.
Still, even the way they squirm is incredibly disgusting...
“Take one each.”
Then, Setsunen held out something she was grasping in her foreclaws, one for each party.
It was divinity.
It looked as though divinity itself had been concentrated into the form of a blade, and for a moment, he was mesmerized.
“The Changmyeonggeom. The power of the Changmyeong Sipyeon, bound into the form of a sword.”
So this is the Changmyeonggeom...
As Kaisen stared in blank admiration, Roveris commanded Merun.
“Merun, you take ours. Quickly, before we start to fall.”
“Leave it to me, Commander.”
“I'll take ours. Alright, Roro! It's time to dance!”
Unlike the excited Gorgotia, Roveris's voice was even calmer than usual.
“Iron Cross and Piljung, we will now commence a drop insertion into the inner castle.”
A reply came back immediately from the floating castle.
[Acknowledged. The Iron Cross Knight Order and the Piljung Special Forces are hereby ordered to subjugate the Old Noble.]