Chapter 53
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Hyrcanus, the Bone Sovereign
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“This is Kaisen Alter Aradamanthel. I have just returned. Awaiting operational orders.”
He repeated the message several times, but there was no response.
His fingers trembled.
My transmission isn't going through?
Was it because he was outside the range when the Thunderous Fragrance Soul Resonance Formation was deployed? He hoped it was something as simple as that.
[This is Nelquin of the Iron Fortress. We have a report that the Bone Sovereign Hyrcanus has just broken through the mountain defense line.]
[What…?]
[All squads of the Iron Fortress Corps are to conclude refugee escort operations and assemble at the rally point. Over.]
The automated road ended midway up the central-western part of the mountain range.
It was supposed to connect all the way to the peak, but the road had been damaged by Reptilians, and the power was out, likely due to a generator failure.
Once again, he stepped into the stirrup and mounted Bloodwind's saddle.
[Magic Artillery! This is Hosen's Rapid Fire Squad! We are under attack by the Bone Sovereign! We desperately need an intercept from the magic artillery!]
[Understood. Transmit coordinates.]
[Transmitting coordinates!]
[Coordinates confirmed. We will fire the Annihilating Flame Cannon immediately.]
[The Annihilating Flame Cannon, huh? Something incredible is on its way!]
Majestically, like a dragon breathing fire.
A streak of fire shot up diagonally from Yeongseon Peak, where the magic artillery was located.
He watched as the fiery streak pierced through the sandstorm and struck deep into Seolhwa Peak, causing a massive explosion of flames.
[Rapid Fire Squad, report your status.]
[This is insane! It was a direct hit, but there's no damage at all! Magic isn't working on it! We can't stop it!]
[That can't be… Stand by. We're sending a second spell immediately. Prepare the Thunder Core Discharge!]
[Stand by? We can't stand by! Aaargh…!]
A horrific scream echoed in his mind.
Just as he bit his lip, Kaisen finally encountered the remnants of a human unit.
“Help, help me! Somebody, please!”
“They’re still coming after us!”
“Take cover!”
The soldiers were evacuating their casualties, but Reptilians had broken through their flimsy rear guard and were slaughtering them.
Single Strike Bursting Flash.
A raging torrent of light that destroyed the bodies of dozens of ancient reptiles in a single blow, scattering them into particles of light.
The soldiers, who had been shrouded in a shadow of despair, blankly raised their heads at the brilliant explosion of light.
Kaisen Alter Aradamanthel swung Gaumris to flick off the blood and gore, then asked.
“What unit are you?”
“A-A FakeWarrior…?”
“What? Where did he come from…?”
“It’s Kaisen! Kaisen Alter Aradamanthel! The one who slew the demon and Kirahl!”
An officer quickly saluted and reported.
“Company Commander, 3rd Company, 4th Regiment, 14th Infantry Brigade. Our assigned defensive line was breached, and we were in the process of retreating.”
He returned the salute with a nod.
“I’ve just arrived in the mountains. I’ll cover your rear for a while. Give me a situation report.”
“The eastern mountain front was simultaneously attacked by a High Noble. As soon as the Iron Cross moved to the eastern front, the Bone Sovereign appeared on the central front…”
“Who is the supreme commander right now?”
“Grand Marshal Melvin, Your Excellency.”
“Explain why your forces are so small.”
“His Excellency ordered a retreat. Eighty percent of our main forces are defending the mountain line, while the rest are protecting the refugee columns at the base of the mountains!”
Where are the Blue Star and Thunderous Fragrance…
Even as he received the report, urgent battlefield updates from various locations flashed through his mind.
[This is Julius of the Southern Allied Forces. I'm sending a new train now. Please confirm the railway is secure.]
[Thank you, Margrave Julius. 2nd Infantry Brigade, this is Grand Marshal Melvin. You must secure the railway leading to the city at all costs. Understood?]
It seemed he would need to meet the supreme commander in person to coordinate this operation effectively.
If not the supreme commander, then someone who had received orders from him.
The Iron Cross Knights, the Iron Fortress Heavy Infantry Corps, or even the FakeWarrior Corps—any of them would do.
“What about the counterattack? The evacuation can’t be the entire operation.”
“Lady Seira of the Iron Fortress Heavy Infantry Corps is currently engaged in an operation to subjugate the Bone Sovereign. If you were to assist, FakeWarrior, it would go much more smoothly.”
“It’s not a matter of it going more smoothly; it’s impossible for her alone. Where is the Iron Fortress Corps’ assembly point?”
“Midway up Sinhwa Peak.”
Sinhwa Peak…
So it's in the core of the Red Mountains' power.
“That’s too far.”
“If you can catch a railcar on the southeastern slope, you can get there quickly. I will guide you.”
A railcar was a small vehicle designed to run on tracks.
Since it could be operated with just a medium-sized steam engine, it was an economical way to connect the logistics of the entire mountain range.
Frontline soldiers jokingly called the railcars the lifeblood of the Red Mountains.
“Then I’ll be in your care.”
“Third platoon, guide the FakeWarrior to the railcar station. Follow me!”
“Isn’t that place occupied by those lizard bastards right now, sir?”
“We must help the FakeWarrior join up with the Iron Fortress Corps. Third Squad, Migratory Bird Formation!”
With the third platoon's help, they broke through the sand and Reptilians to find the railcar station.
“How do you like the taste of my bullets! Enjoying it, you sons of bitches?”
“Interior secured!”
“Alright, let’s search the place thoroughly and find him a railcar.”
The railway was protected by a barrier, so it still seemed to be intact.
However, only one railcar remained. Its side was damaged, and the steam engine looked extremely old.
But with no other choice, he boarded the railcar with Bloodwind. The officer pulled the engine lever.
“FakeWarrior, it was truly an honor to be of service.”
As the railcar began to clatter into motion, the officer and his platoon members saluted.
He watched their salute for a moment.
What feelings were contained in that salute? Respect? Hope? He couldn't be sure, but he returned it with solemnity.
“Your assistance was a great help. Now, get down safely. Dismissed.”
Simultaneous Fronts,
Halting the Bone Sovereign Hyrcanus (2)
As the railcar sped along the tracks, the altered landscape of the mountains began to appear on either side.
The sight of even Sinhwa Peak, the center of the Red Mountains' power, covered in the ravages of war and sandstorms was a fresh shock.
Most of the military facilities he saw had lost their former glory, reduced to brutally destroyed ruins.
“My, look who it is. The humble Demon Slayer has graced this precious place with his presence.”
The officer had been right.
The Iron Fortress Corps was assembled at the station on Sinhwa Peak's midway point.
Not long after he disembarked at the station, he was met by a familiar voice.
“I knew you were here. The Thunderous Fragrance resonance has been buzzing with talk of you.”
At that moment, Seira was cutting off her braided hair, which had exuded a noble air, with a dagger.
Her entire head of hair was matted with dried blood, a testament to the countless battles she had fought through.
At that moment, the FakeWarriors looked at each other's ragged appearances and understood the kind of battles the other had faced.
“But what about Isla?”
“Isla is…”
He couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.
The hole in his chest began to burn again, severing the connection between his heart and his vocal cords, preventing air from escaping.
There was only one thing he could do.
He silently presented Gaumris, which had been on his back.
For it was the proof of a FakeWarrior's life, and at the same time, the proof of their death.
“Ah…”
Seira gazed down at Gaumris in silence for a moment, then gave a sad smile.
“I see. So that’s what happened.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Why would that be your fault? To be honest, I was expecting it. The Blue Star said ‘you’ would come, not ‘you all.’”
She had prepared herself for this sorrow?
My heart still aches so much I can barely speak…
But an important piece of information had been mentioned, so he couldn't remain lost in grief.
“His Excellency the Blue Star? So this whole situation, this entire operation, is his plan?”
“Yes. As you know, he’s not in a condition to command directly like he used to… but now that you’re here, we can finally begin in earnest.”
The Iron Fortress Heavy Infantry Corps, as its name suggests, was a corps composed of three thousand heavy infantrymen.
A group of heavy infantry who formed ranks, clad head to toe in plate armor and armed with anachronistic spears, swords, and large rectangular shields.
The Iron Fortress Heavy Infantry Corps had earned the nickname 'The Breakwater of the Battlefield,' a reputation they had held since the 'Black Summer.'
“This is Seira of the Iron Fortress. Kaisen Alter Aradamanthel has joined us. Requesting approval for phase two of the operation.”
[This is Grand Marshal Melvin. It's truly welcome news that you're safe, Kaisen Alter Aradamanthel. We are in desperate need of the power of the FakeWarrior who subjugated Mauna Loa.]
“Kaisen is listening beside me. Please continue.”
[The Bone Sovereign has broken through the mountain defenses and is heading straight here. There are over seven million refugees here. There is no one else but you two who can defeat him and protect them. Will you do it?]
On the battlefield, the question was always 'Will you do it?' instead of 'Can you do it?'
In this land, no one could guarantee a possibility.
One could only confirm the will to act. Kaisen relayed his will through Seira.
“We will see it done. Over.”
[May the gods guide your path, FakeWarrior.]
If the Bone Sovereign crossed Seolhwa Peak and immediately entered the slope, then to effectively block his path and intercept him…
“Levanfille Gorge, Seira.”
“Levanfille?”
“There’s no other place. We have to stop him there.”
Levanfille Gorge.
The northern slope of Seolhwa Peak was famous for its treacherous terrain.
To descend to the foot of the mountain by passing through its midway point without taking a detour through other ridges, one had to pass through the long, narrow pass known as Levanfille Gorge.
“Yes, that place would be perfect. I can maximize the strength of my soldiers there, too…”
Seira’s eyes sparkled as she nodded, then she lowered her helmet's visor and shouted.
“Iron Fortress, advance! We must descend along the ridge and reach Levanfille Gorge first!”
As expected, Seira had reached the same conclusion.
There was something ideal about the sight of the heavy infantry advancing, their shields locked together to cover each other's weaknesses.
It allowed them to efficiently repel and then slaughter the primitive army.
After arriving at Sinhwa Peak, the central part of the mountain range, the enemy composition changed.
The number of Reptilians had decreased significantly, replaced by bizarre human-like figures covered in reptilian scales, crawling on all fours.
- These are the Primitives.
He had definitely learned about them during the theory lessons of the *Majestic Sword Manual*.
- The Bone Sovereign, having received the authority of a Sovereign, steals the souls from humans and turns them into the undead, just like the other kings. The Primitives are such undead.
They were on a completely different level from the Blood-kin.
The Blood-kin created Blood-thralls by infusing the dead with their profane blood, but Hyrcanus could do such a thing to the living.
- Is there no way to save them?
- None. The royal family of Solonde was said to be able to, but they all perished during the 'Black Summer.'
- …
- Don't make that face. Who else but you can cut down those pitiful bodies and release their trapped souls?
Releasing their souls…
He suppressed the thought that they were once human, pulled himself from his memories, and looked ahead.
“Enemy ahead!”
“Where do you think you’re going!”
“Push these lizard bastards back!”
The difference in combat prowess between the FakeWarrior Corps and regular infantry was substantial.
When dealing with stragglers, there was no need for both of them to act.
Thus, he was able to catch his breath and gather information while they were on the move.
“The mountain defense line was breached during the three days we were waiting for you. We thought we had wiped out most of the Reptilians, but then the Bone Sovereign appeared, and with him, the army of Primitives.”
“And the Iron Cross?”
“Lady Roveris went east to deal with the Shadow Countess.”
“The Bone Sovereign is supposed to be the strongest of Neigallas's Old Noble confidants. How did the operation end up like this?”
“Hmph. Doesn’t that just mean you and I are that much stronger?”
Seira let out a small laugh.
Kaisen couldn't laugh.
“What about Her Excellency, Thunderous Fragrance? The connection quality is poor.”
“Lady Thunderous Fragrance is currently maintaining the Thunderous Fragrance Soul Resonance Formation across the entire mountain range. They say a normal person’s body would explode just from facing an Old Noble. The only reason we can even resist is thanks to her.”
“I see. It makes sense that she can’t be on the front lines.”
So, that's how it was.
As long as she's safe, that's all that matters.
Finally feeling a bit of relief, the tension on his face eased.
“By the way, are you really thinking about other women with a beauty like me right in front of you? How rude.”
Even as Seira cracked a joke, urgent reports continued to flood in from across the mountains.
[Grand Marshal, we've confirmed the Iron Fortress Heavy Infantry Corps is descending into Levanfille Gorge. We will provide support.]
[Permission granted, 18th Infantry Brigade.]
[Red Mountains Platform Defense Force, this is refugee transport train F-882. We are approaching the platform. Request confirmation of safety.]
[This is the Platform Defense Force 2nd Armored Regiment. It's still safe here. Come on in.]
By the time the Iron Fortress Heavy Infantry Corps reached Levanfille Gorge, such reports were being exchanged.
Thank goodness…
It looks like we're not too late…
With that thought, he looked down into the gorge. Through the convection of dust, he could faintly see the mountain platform teeming with refugees.
‘This is the last stronghold. If we can't stop him here…’
There wasn't even a moment to catch his breath.
For a nightmare from an ancient era was approaching from the distance, kicking up a cloud of dust.
“The Bone Sovereign has appeared!”
At first, the dust cloud was so thick that his form couldn't be clearly seen.
But…
The creature first announced its presence with a surreal aura that made one's breath catch in their throat.
“Iron Fortress, form a defensive square! Don't let a single one get past!”
The first sensation of despair that washed over them was a sound.
A mournfully tearing scream…
And within that scream, an ancient life-form, newly hatched…
Faced with a terror etched deep within one's being, it was impossible to confront the creature without gasping for air.
“Please, please… Aaaaaargh!”
Someone was crawling out of the approaching dust cloud, trying to escape.
Before anyone could help, his body was torn apart from the inside, as if something were hatching.
And from within the shredded flesh, a skeleton—part lizard, part human—rose to all fours…
A Primitive.
The Bone Sovereign Hyrcanus was the only Old Noble to have received the status of a Sovereign.
*Clack…*
Hyrcanus, said to have originally been the king of a primitive kingdom, had sacrificed his entire nation and its people to Neigallas to obtain his status and power.
*Clack, clack…*
With the power received from the king, Hyrcanus transformed humans into Primitives, building his army.
*Clack, clack, clack…*
That was the army of Primitives.
An army of damned souls, crawling on all fours, escorting Hyrcanus.
Their numbers seemed to far exceed a million as they flooded the narrow pass.
*Clatter…*
At the head of this formation, walking down the center of the pass, was Hyrcanus himself.
Heat radiated from his entire body, clad in Rakuken, the Armor of the Abyss, said to have been forged in lava.
The greatsword on his shoulder was formed from countless wailing souls, faintly swirling and intertwining into the shape of a blade.
‘He's about nine feet tall. Not unrealistically large like Behe-rik, nor does he multiply and resurrect endlessly like Roten's Annihilation Swarm. This shouldn't be difficult at all.’
Just a simple.
An exceedingly simple humanoid form.
His appearance could be described so simply, and yet…
‘Why.’
What is this transcendent terror and killing intent that makes my heart pound without end?
「Du roho sei…….」
Hyrcanus stopped walking and stared in their direction.
It was a mass of obsessive delusion.
An ancient whisper, a cosmic temptation, the allure of something beyond providence… The Iron Fortress heavy infantry began to bleed from their mouths and noses.
The two holy swords trembled.
Without the power of Thunderous Fragrance, would their bodies have exploded at this very moment, turning them into part of the primitive army?
‘That's why we stop him here.’
If this bastard reaches the refugees, they'll all die in an instant, and his primitive army will only grow.
If we buy enough time, the Blue Star and Thunderous Fragrance will surely reveal the hand they've prepared. So…
The moment he placed his finger on the inhibitor's pin, Hyrcanus pointed his greatsword down the gorge.
「A ki b dum.」
No, this is impossible…
But, what he was seeing…
The Primitives were beginning to crawl down the steep slopes of the gorge on all fours.
The Bone Sovereign seemed to be clacking his skeletal jaw, letting out a great laugh, as if all this slaughter, butchery, and carnage were merely part of a game.
And so, at that moment, something inside his head went cold.
“You bastard…”