Published at 5th of August 2023 4:44 pm

Volume 12, Chapter 5 – War Maiden, Part 6

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Dead bodies were spread across the land as far as the eye could see.

It even seemed that there are more dead than living anymore.

The plains were reddened by the light of the setting sun falling from the sky.

December 7th, 1026th year of the imperial calendar.

In the center of the Great Grantz Empire, two cells (six kilometers) away from Fort Caputo.

The forces of the ‘monsters’ and the forces of the ‘humans’ were clashing. The ‘monsters,’ outnumbering the allied forces, charged without hesitation at the front line, which had been walled off by shields, and did not stop even when skewered by spears. Just like that, people were lightly blown away. Before the Allied soldiers could repair the hole in the wall, the ‘monsters’ broke up the enemy line. Such scenes could be seen everywhere, and it was clear which side had the upper hand. There was one man who was quietly watching the disadvantage of the ‘humans.’

He was called the Faceless King, one of the “Five Great Heavenly Kings,” and was considered one of the gods in this world.

He was the king of the ‘demon race,’ the father of the ‘monsters,’ and the ‘god’ of the barbarians.

The main camp of the ‘monster’ where he resided was mostly made of ‘humans’ materials.

Surrounding the camp were skewered stakes made of ‘humans,’ and the eyes of the corpses were gouged out, and the skin was peeled off, with blood dripping down their legs. The skin was stacked on top of each other and used as a tent, and the bones were assembled into chairs and desks. Meat and organs, of course, were offered as food for the ‘monsters.’ In their opinion, there was no part of humans that could not be used. For the ‘monsters,’ the land of the ‘humans’ was a treasure trove of resources.

“How is the war going?”

The Faceless King rested his arm on the armrest, placed his chin on the back of his hand, and turned his gaze to Keryneia, who was standing next to him. In response, Keryneia reported excitedly, her voice bubbling with excitement.

“Everything is going well. We spent a lot of time trying to reduce the strength of the allied forces, so I think we will be able to settle the matter by the end of the day.”

“It will be another hour or so before the sun sets…”

“That’s enough time. The enemy’s front lines have already collapsed. After that, how else to kill him, my King? Please watch; I will surely offer up the head of the God of War to you!”

“I see…”

Instead of being pleased, the Faceless King looked somewhat disappointed.

“I guess we only had fun on the first day…”

The “Black Dragon King” overcame many crises by taking various measures. He had never been so thrilled. But as soon as they switched their strategy to endurance warfare, they stopped attacking as aggressively as they had done before. Even so, the ‘monsters’ were worse off than the others in terms of troop reduction. The total number of ‘monsters’ now stood at 120,000, but this number included the newly joined ‘monsters.’ Until now, they had lost more than 100,000 in the battles with the Allied forces. Most of the losses were incurred in the first phase of the war, but it was a heavy loss. In contrast, the Allied forces lost 40,000 and had about 20,000 remaining.

“A thousand years ago… he would have always been up to something, but now he’s out of moves.”

“Seeing as he’s on the front lines, I think he’s exhausted all of his options.”

Keryneia said so, but the Faceless King was not convinced. It’s because he sensed a strange atmosphere. Having more numbers than your opponent was the usual way of warfare. If you were outnumbered by your opponent, you have to take a few tricks in order to win the battle.

“By taking our time, we can wait for something―maybe reinforcements will come.”

“If Celia and Estrella are held back by the Vanir Three Kingdoms, it is unlikely that reinforcements will be able to come this way. The Scharm family in the north seems to have made peace with the Bromell family, but they are still reorganizing their forces.”

“What about the Levering Kingdom?”

“According to our informants, Claudia, having taken possession of the black soil, has occupied a nearby fortress and shows no sign of moving.”

A thousand years ago, the demon race worshipped the Faceless King. With him at the top, Twelve Demon Lords became rulers and set out to gain supremacy over the central continent. Because of this, there were still many people in the Levering Kingdom who were enamored with the Faceless King, and there was no shortage of information about the inner workings of the kingdom.

“Then, what is the Black Dragon King waiting for?”

“If he is buying time, wouldn’t he be holed up in a castle?”

There was no way that the “God of War” would buy time in such a straightforward manner. Certainly, he could buy more time if confined in a castle. However, if even one part of the “Spirit Wall” collapsed against a large army, it would be a rat’s nest, and considering that the “Spirit Wall” had fallen, a siege at the vulnerable Fort Caputo was out of the question. It would be like inviting death by oneself. If they were going to hole up, they should have retreated to the Imperial Capital, and the fact that they were attacking was highly likely to indicate that they were playing some kind of trick. The most effective way to take a surprise attack was to wait for a long time and wait for the opponent to let their guard down. And today was the most effective time to make a surprise move.

“When it comes to gaining an advantage by attracting the eye before the time――”

The Faceless King put his hand on his forehead and sighed. Then a small smile appeared on his mouth.

“When was the last time you had contact with your informant in the Levering Kingdom, Keryneia?”

“…..It must have been about two weeks ago, though I don’t remember exactly.”

“They’re coming.”

“Huh?”

The roar of horses’ hooves in the rear, the ringing of bells from the watchmen, the buzzing of the main camp, and the Faceless King sitting back deep in his chair.

“The descendants of the ‘demon race’ who betrayed us.”

“…..No way.”

Just as Keryneia’s face turned pale, a cry was heard from behind her.

The sounds of destruction emanated from the rear, the air was filled with the atmosphere of mayhem, and as the fury of sword fights roared, the ‘demon race’ that had once shaken the central continent appeared. From among the cavalcade of horsemen who skillfully maneuvered their mounts and tossed the ‘monsters’ about, a rider with a spear in one hand came running up to the Faceless King.

“Claudia, huh…?”

The Faceless King bent his head, and the spear thrust vigorously into the place where his face had been just a moment before.

The backrest, made of human ribs, cracked open, sending white powder flying all around.

“King!”

Keryneia tried to block the front of the spear as if it were a shield, but the Faceless King kicked her in the back, and she fell to the ground. Ignoring her, who only turned her head back with a startled look on her face, the Faceless King raised one hand and flexed his fingertips as if to challenge Claudia.

“Claudia, come and take my head!

“…Fine.”

Claudia, with a look of anger on her face, swung from a distance the ‘Asura,’ the national treasure of the Levering Kingdom left behind by the founder King Rox, which is actually one of the Five Demon Emperor Swords, the Cannibal.

The ground froze with great force, the temperature began to drop rapidly, and it came straight down to the Faceless King, but just before it collided―it split in two to avoid the Faceless King.

“Is this all you got?”

The Faceless King got up from his chair after summoning the ‘Death Immortal,’ but Claudia stopped her horse, turned her head, and rode off in the opposite direction. The demon race cavalry followed in her wake. At the sound of the horse’s hooves moving away, the Faceless King sighed with disappointment and sat down on his chair again.

Then, Keryneia approached him with a panicked look on her face.

“A-are you hurt…?”

“No. Look at the battlefield instead. It’s going to be a big mess.”

The ‘demon army’ had broken into the battlefield and was slaughtering the ‘monsters.’

“You’ve been lured.”

The crumbling front line of the allied forces had been reconstructed, and they were on the offensive in reverse, just as the demon army was attacking the back of the ‘monsters.’ As if to say that the allied forces’ inferiority earlier had been a lie, they had regained their momentum. Keryneia was in a state of shock, but the Faceless King was gazing happily at the place where Hiro was probably.

“As expected of my enemy, my nemesis, and my favorite foe!”

The Faceless King clapped his hands as if he was enjoying himself and gave generous praise.

With the sound of his laughter at her back, Keryneia let out an inaudible cry of rage and kicked the dead ‘monster’ in the head.

＊＊＊＊＊

The “Black Dragon King” was not as terrifying as people said.

Come and kill me anytime―Hiro took these words to heart and went to his lair many times.

Of course, he brought a bottle of liquor as a souvenir, and after that, he continued to aim for the “Black Dragon King’s” life.

“I’ll buy your spirit… but give it up already.”

The “Black Dragon King” stirred the bottle of liquor and looked at Hiro, who fell to the ground and coughed.

No matter how many times he tried, no matter how many times he caught him by surprise, no matter how many times he attacked him in his sleep, he could not deliver even a single blow.

The difference in strength was between heaven and earth, an overwhelming gap that would never be filled, and that was why he cannot give up.

Once he got it――,

“…I don’t have much time.”

“Huh?”

“If I don’t get stronger… she will die.”

Seeing Hiro looking so sad, the “Black Dragon King” scratched his cheek with a troubled expression on his face.

The boy was too serious to make a joke. He was prepared to die, but he had come to this place because he realized that he cared about this girl that much.

“Hmm, are you sick or something? I mean, even if you kill me, there’s nothing you can do about it――”

“It’s a vessel.”

The “Black Dragon King” seemed to have guessed at those short words and turned his gaze away from Hiro, scratching the back of his head in annoyance.

“…..Oh, I’m sorry about that one.”

As if to cheer him up, he immediately came up next to Hiro and put his arm around his shoulder, holding a bottle of liquor in front of him as if to show it off.

“I don’t know who the “Five Great Heavenly Kings” are, but you just have to give up on them. If the ‘King’ is attracted to you, you’re finished. Well, women are everywhere. Just give up and have a drink――”

“How can I give up? Someone important is going to die! How can I give up when I can save them?”

When Hiro brushed off the arm of the Black Dragon King, the liquor bottle flew into the air, crashed to the ground, and broke with a loud bang.

Shrugging his shoulders, the “Black Dragon King” stood up and began to walk away.

“So you became a Majin? Did you take in the “curse” to save the woman?”

The “Black Dragon King” sighed in disgust and picked up a new bottle of liquor that he had left by the rock.

Hiro shook his head as he felt an accusing gaze on him.

“No… this is――!?”

An explosion roared through the cave. The sun was streaming in through a hole in the ceiling, and white smoke was swirling above ground.

“It’s been a long time. Black Dragon King.”

When the white smoke cleared, a woman appeared. However, her voice sounded eerily like that of an old man.

“Faceless King, huh…? You’ve got some nerve destroying someone’s nest, don’t you?”

The “Black Dragon King,” with the corners of his eyes twisted up in a grim smile, gulped down the bottle of liquor and glared at the Faceless King.

“Why are you still holed up in here? This somber place doesn’t suit you, does it?”

The Faceless King, his arms outstretched in glee, turned his gaze to Hiro.

“I’ve prepared a new vessel for you, so why are you still in that form?”

“Ah?”

The “Black Dragon King” grabbed Hiro by the head and asked the Faceless King.

“You turned him into a Majin; why did you do that?”

“I can’t stand to watch. I can’t stand to see my brothers and sisters’ strength waning. So I have prepared him for you directly.”

The Faceless King smiled deeply as he pointed at Hiro.

“The “demonized” one should be a perfect ‘vessel’ for the Black Dragon King.”

“I’m not interested.”

He answered immediately. The Faceless King was astonished by the answer, and the Black Dragon King laughed and looked around the cave.

“I like it here. I’m not interested in the outside world, so I’m fine as I am.”

“You’ll rot here.”

“I’m the King. I will not die. I’ll live quietly.”

The “Black Dragon King” shrugged his shoulders and said with an optimistic expression, then gulped down his drink and let out a happy sigh.

In contrast, a dark shadow appeared on the face of the Faceless King, who slumped his shoulders as if discouraged.

“I see…”

When he looked up next, the Faceless King’s demeanor changed drastically.

Tears streamed from his bloodshot eyes, and blood poured from his clenched lips in frustration.

“If so――”

The Faceless King thrust his arm out to the side, and a crack appeared in the space to reveal a spear.

“You don’t need that one.”

The spear flew with tremendous force, emitting a deafening sound, cutting through space and piercing the air.

Hiro was at the end of it. But he could not see it. Nor did he have the skill to prevent it.

He could only feel the approaching wind, and his eyes turned red.

All he remembered was the smell of blood, the feeling of warm liquid wetting his cheeks, and his smile, which burned into his mind.

The memories of the Black Dragon that he could never forget, even if he wanted to.

When Hiro realized that this was a dream, his consciousness was awakened at once. When he opened his eyes, he was in darkness. As he became accustomed to it, he remembered where he was. This is the Military Council Room at Fort Caputo. Despite the grand name, there was only a long desk and chairs that looked like they were about to fall into disrepair.

“…..It’s a nostalgic dream.”

Hiro muttered, dropped his gaze, and put his hand on the Black Princess Camellia.

“Why am I dreaming about him now…? Maybe I am rushing it.”

No one answered Hiro’s question. As he tried to get up from his chair, he caught sight of Luca out of the corner of his eye. In her arms, Hugin was sleeping as if in pain.

She was probably tired from the repeated battles and seems to be in a deep sleep, which ess unusual for Luca.

Usually, when Hiro woke up, he saw her glaring at him.

Hiro quietly walked out and opened the door to his room, and stepped out into the hallway.

Then he felt a presence and looked to the side.

“You seem to have slept well. Have you recovered from your fatigue?”

It was Claudia von Levering, the queen of the Levering Kingdom.

She had managed to get behind the army of the ‘monsters’ in today’s battle. It was thanks to her that they were able to drive the enemy army back, and for that, he would never be able to thank her enough.

“Thanks to you, I slept well.”

As soon as Hiro started walking, Claudia followed close behind.

“I’m very grateful for your help today. I really appreciate it.”

Claudia’s reinforcements brought the battle back to five minutes. The morale, which had begun to decline, was probably somewhat restored by today’s battle.

“No need to thank me. I can get a lot of things if I join your side.”

She was probably saying in a roundabout way that she wanted him to give her something in kind rather than in words. However, if Grantz won this battle, there was no doubt that the reward she would receive would be enormous.

“I would be grateful if you could negotiate with Liz there.”

“Is that Her Highness Celia Estrella…? Negotiating with that person is going to be tiring.”

One would think that with that kind smile in front of her, she would be able to get whatever she asked for, but Liz, who was at the negotiating table, was not to be underestimated. Still, as long as she didn’t say anything reckless, she would be generous to those who have made a difference.

“Even so, the upcoming battles will be very tough. I assume that Her Highness Celia Estrella is still in the west.”

“No, she must be fighting with the Vanir Three Kingdoms right now. Even so, it is difficult considering the distance.”

Accompanied by Claudia, Hiro came to the balcony.

With the moonlight as a guide, he looked down to the ground and saw a few soldiers here and there.

It was quiet, however, and all that could be heard were the moans of the wounded.

The soldiers have lost their energy due to accumulated fatigue. The battle against the inexhaustible increase in ‘monsters’ had no end in sight. This led to mental fatigue, which in turn led to silence at Fort Caputo. The overwhelming difference in strength was causing a sense of hopelessness in the air.

“The battle will continue tomorrow… Can we win under these circumstances?”

Claudia questioned, but Hiro avoided making a clear statement and reached for the moon.

“We just have to do our best and wait for our fate.”

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