Chapter 670: An Introduction
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 670: An Introduction
"Come, come, Young Master Muen, this way."
Donnik was incredibly enthusiastic. As soon as they passed through the city gates, he pulled Muen toward a flight of stairs built into the side of the wall.
"If we go this way, we’ll quickly reach—"
"Wait."
Muen suddenly came to a halt.
He looked up at the stairs. They led to the top of the wall, where rows of soldiers stood tall and imposing by the battlements. Though their armor was stained with dark, dried blood, they stood with chests out and heads held high, their military bearing solemn as if they were eagerly awaiting Muen’s inspection.
Beyond these spirited soldiers, a wide suspension bridge stretched across, leading over the second and third walls into the heart of the fortress.
That path stayed at the very peak of the stronghold, offering a bird's-eye view of the entire towering structure. It was a vantage point that allowed one to fully appreciate the weight of history the years had bestowed upon the place.
If one were merely here for a tour or to admire the sights, that path was undoubtedly the best.
But...
"I’ll take the lower path," Muen said, pointing straight ahead.
From the gate, a lower suspension bridge also crossed the deep trench, leading into the second perimeter. However, there was no scenery to be found there—only the corpses in the trench that hadn't been buried in time and the mottled stone walls stained with blood that had yet to dry.
"That... might not be appropriate," Donnik said, looking conflicted. "Young Master, you are a guest from afar. How can I let you walk through a place like that?"
"A guest? Who told you I was a guest? I’m here to participate in this war, not to take a tour."
Ignoring the protest, Muen stepped directly onto the lower bridge.
The sturdy bridge swayed slightly, as if it had been trampled by countless running feet. As Muen crossed, his gaze instinctively swept over the bodies in the pit below.
There were demons, and there were humans.
In a fortress like this, there was certainly no room to bury every soldier individually. Consequently, most of the fallen were simply tossed down here.
If the day ever came when the demons truly breached the first wall, these bodies would be set ablaze, using their remaining flesh and bone to forge a new, final barrier.
"What a... terrifying sight," Muen whispered.
He could sense the traces of mana; there were likely spells in place to prevent the corpses from rotting and spreading plague. Even so, the scene was enough to leave one shaken.
"Sigh, Young Master, you..."
Beside him, Donnik let out a soft sigh. He wasn't lamenting the sight—he had long since grown used to it—but rather he was annoyed. Two years had passed, so why had Young Master Muen become so stubborn?
At least from the top of the wall, one could see the vast wilderness of the Abyss. What was there to see down here?
"Young Master Muen, I’ve heard about some of the changes you’ve gone through lately. But let your uncle give it to you straight: this lower path isn't a place for a pampered young noble who’s never even seen blood to—"
"That’s enough, Uncle Donnik."
Muen interrupted him, turning back with a slight smile. "Don't worry. I’m not a child anymore."
Though this was indeed his first time on a battlefield, he wouldn't be easily frightened by such a scene.
As cruel and terrifying as the battlefield was, Muen felt that when it came to shattering one's SAN, the Evil Gods still held the crown.
"Heh, listen to you. In your uncle's eyes, you'll always be a little—"
"Let's go."
Ignoring Donnik’s sentimental rambling once more, Muen continued forward. Donnik had no choice but to hurry after him.
...
After crossing the suspension bridge, they reached another arched gate.
As the entrance to the second wall, this gate remained open as long as the first wall hadn't been breached. Thus, Muen could see the deep gloom behind the gate and smell the pungent stench that almost overflowed from within.
Under Donnik’s astonished gaze, Muen walked inside without hesitation, his expression unchanging.
The light dimmed abruptly.
The space beneath the wall was vast, yet only two or three candles flickered in the dark. Those few dancing flames illuminated faces filled with pain, sorrow, or numbness.
They were wounded soldiers. There were so many that Muen couldn't tell at a glance if there were hundreds or thousands.
They were packed together. The severely wounded lay on simple bed frames, while those with "minor" injuries—if losing a hand or a foot could be called minor—huddled in the corners.
Volunteer nuns from the Church, army medics, and military mages who knew a bit of healing magic hurried through the narrow aisles. The sound of their busy footsteps was drowned out by the groans of agony.
What should have been a spacious area now felt incredibly cramped.
The stench emanated from these wounded men—a nauseating cocktail of blood, rot, and medicinal herbs.
"Are all the wounded here?" Muen asked softly, his eyes flickering.
"Heh, not a chance."
Donnik scratched his head, but since he was wearing a helmet, he only ended up scratching the metal.
"There are only about a thousand wounded here. the rest are scattered in different areas. Even a place like Dolonslei Fortress doesn't have a single spot that can hold them all."
"How many wounded are there in total?" Muen asked.
"That..."
"Be honest. Even if you don't tell me, I have ways of finding out."
"...Currently, there are about thirty thousand."
"Thirty thousand? Out of a hundred thousand men, there are already thirty thousand wounded?"
"No," Donnik corrected. "It’s thirty thousand out of seventy thousand. Of course, we generally don't count small injuries that don't affect a man's ability to move."
"...I see."
Muen lowered his gaze and fell silent.
Thirty percent dead, nearly half wounded—this was a casualty rate high enough to make any army collapse.
The numbers were even worse than he had anticipated. This was likely why even Celicia couldn't maintain her composure. Under the sudden, concentrated assault of the demons, the Empire's border was indeed on the brink of collapse.
"Hey, don't worry."
Donnik clapped Muen on the shoulder with a boisterous laugh.
"Most of our losses came from that previous anomaly. There isn't much difference between a hundred thousand elite troops and seventy thousand. With this fortress, there's nothing to fear. Besides, we have logistics personnel and militia in the city. In a pinch, they can pick up blades and head to the front. Those demon bastards won't knock us down that easily!"
"Is that so... Honestly, seeing this, I almost wish I really were still the child you think I am, Uncle Donnik," Muen said suddenly.
"What do you mean?" Donnik was bewildered.
"Nothing."
Muen shook his head.
Because only a child could comfortably believe such a lie.
"Take this." Muen handed Donnik a ring.
"What’s this?"
"My spatial magic device. Inside are various healing magic scrolls and medicinal herbs I collected in Belland before I left. It will take some time for Celicia to coordinate the supplies; use this to get by for now... though I know it’s just a drop in the bucket."
"Aiya, don't talk about drops in buckets! Anything is better than nothing!"
At the mention of healing scrolls and herbs, Donnik’s eyes lit up.
"Compared to weapons, these are what we’re truly short on! You have no idea, to save herbs for the wounded, even your father..."
Realizing he had misspoken, Donnik quickly covered his mouth.
"It’s fine. I have a general idea of what Father would do."
Muen let out a calm sigh. "That’s why I’d rather destroy those precious magic materials than refuse to make space for these."
"Magic materials?"
"Nothing, just talking to myself." Muen added, "By the way, there are also Holy Light artifacts from the Church in there. Use them sparingly."
"Holy Light artifacts!"
Now Donnik’s eyes weren't just glowing; they were practically beaming. He reached into the storage space and soon pulled out a small goddess statue.
"Tsk tsk, to think you have something this good. I’ve been fighting for years and I’ve never..."
Looking at the exquisite goddess statue shimmering with Holy Light, Donnik clicked his tongue in awe. He reached out a rough palm to stroke it...
But his hand was suddenly gripped by a powerful force.
Muen had closed the distance at some point. He stared into Donnik’s eyes with a "kind" smile.
"However, Uncle Donnik, everything else is a gift. This item is only a loan. Remember to return it to me in perfect condition later, understood?"
"...U-Understood."
"Good."
Muen released his hand. "Let's keep moving."
He didn't interact much with the patients. Muen knew he didn't yet have the right to "offer condolences," so he simply walked through the cramped "ward."
The soldiers leaning against the walls mostly struggled to stand and salute Donnik. Those in the beds had long since become numb, staring blankly at the pitch-black ceiling.
Here, no one knew or cared that he was the son of a Duke.
...
After leaving the infirmary, the view opened up.
There were no more suspension bridges, only a passage flanked by high walls that wound upward along the silver cliffside. The third wall had essentially been carved out of the original abyss cliff.
Along the sides of the passage, many soldiers were sitting and resting. They didn't have the solemn bearing Muen had seen earlier; instead, they looked sluggish, leaning against the walls or using a comrade's leg as a pillow, sleeping in heaps.
Muen looked up. The passage was uncovered, allowing the cold wind and yellow sand to blow through unimpeded. They likely rested here because of the repeated demon assaults; staying in a place like this allowed them to react faster.
After all, they had to plug gaps in the defense at a moment's notice. There was no time to take off their armor and rest properly.
"Up! Everyone get up! Sleeping in a place like this, what do you think you're doing? Do you know who’s here?"
Donnik glared and stepped forward to wake the soldiers.
Within seconds of waking, the soldiers were fully alert. They gripped their spears and stood with straight backs, instantly regaining the invincible posture Muen had seen before.
These were the Empire's most elite soldiers, the ones who had once made even the demons tremble.
But only upon close inspection could one see the same numbness and deathly stillness hidden deep within their eyes.
"Young Master Campbell!"
The soldiers gave Muen a standard military salute, but their mechanical movements made one wonder... did they even care who this so-called son of a Duke was?
Muen walked past them, continuing forward. Once he passed through the gate ahead, he would reach the core area of the fortress. He knew many people were waiting for him there, including his father.
But Muen suddenly stopped.
"Abel."
"Here."
"Help me move those crates over there."
"Yes, sir!"
Though Abel was confused by Muen’s request, the trust built during their short time together made him instinctively obey, even with his superior, Donnik, standing right there.
Soon, Abel, Vik, and a few others used the empty wooden crates to build a temporary platform.
Muen stood atop the platform.
By now, many soldiers were looking up, curious about what this new noble intended to do. But even more of them remained still, staring into the void as if nothing could pique their interest.
Looking at this, Muen wondered: what should he say first?
What could he say to bring a spark of life back to these numb eyes?
No, that was wrong. Words were at their most hollow and powerless in times like these.
He shouldn't tell them anything; he had to show them.
Show them the thing called hope.
This was exactly why he had crossed half the Empire at top speed to get here.
He was still weak. It was impossible for him to change the entire demonic offensive on his own. Therefore, he had to start with what was right in front of him.
But even so, even that black sun from earlier—the one powerful enough to drive back the demons—was too high and too far away for these soldiers.
A black sun could not bring hope.
In that case...
"Indra King," Muen called out in a low voice.
"Understood."
The Indra King nodded and suddenly took flight.
The Brilliant Crown descended, and the Ninefold Ring expanded.
The Indra King reached out with one hand and made a sudden, crushing motion!
In an instant, thunder roared and shook the earth. Infinite heavenly lightning fell, its majestic radiance piercing the sky above the fortress!
Every soldier was stunned by this terrifying display of power. Finally, every single one of them raised their heads to look at Muen, framed against a backdrop of countless lightning bolts.
"Good morning, everyone."
Muen stood there, greeting them with the elegant composure etched into his very bones. His voice was gentle, yet the booming thunder carried it to every corner of the fortress.
"I know some of you already know me, or are at least familiar with my name. But please, allow me to introduce myself properly."
"I am Muen Campbell."
"Not the high-ranking son of a Duke, Muen Campbell. Nor the son of the legendary Lion King, Muen Campbell."
Under their shocked and confused gazes, Muen spoke each word with deliberate clarity:
"But rather... Muen Campbell, the soldier who is about to fight by your side."