277. Result of only losses (3)
In a battle in which the three kingdoms joined forces, or in a battle that can be seen as more than one kingdom joining forces, as the empire mobilized Esperanes mercenaries and the mountain kingdom borrowed heroes from vassal states. The monarchs of each country did not simply focus on the battles taking place in the ‘Castle of the Mountain Kingdom’, but also paid attention to other areas as well.
There is no way that demon lord will not retaliate. Any country will probably seek revenge. The possibility of targeting other countries that have emptied their troops by sending support is also abundant.
Sure enough, Rweche was attacked.
“It’s okay here.”
This would not have happened if we had not contributed to the battle. In addition to using his power to cause such damage to Rweche, he even failed to kill Deon Hart.
Even if there are ten mouths, there is nothing to say. The king of the Shan State and the emperor of the empire were rarely silent. Even though they were communicating without even seeing their faces, there was a heavy atmosphere between them.
“Even if it’s okay.”
The King of Rweche calmly spoke to the two disingenuous monarchs who were unable to speak easily, as if feeling sorry for having taken up communication so quickly upon hearing the news.
“It was something I was determined to do from the moment I decided to help.”
– ….
“So don’t worry about it.”
Now this is a natural result. The reason why the Demon King’s army has not touched Leweche so far is because this side did not interfere with them. It was natural for them to target Rweche, which was the most scandalous of all the countries that participated in the plan. but.
There’s something they haven’t figured out.
‘Did you think Leweche was just quietly holding his breath?’
The King’s eyes shined coldly.
– Let me know if you need support. I will add it.
“There is no need for that. Our strength is sufficient.”
It is one of the few countries that is alone and peaceful while the world is in turmoil. As foolish as he may have been, there was no way the king, who had the duty to put his country first and protect his people, would just let this golden opportunity slip away.
‘One day, the day will come when the Demon King’s army will turn its weapons against us.’
As a result, their military power increased like crazy.
The Demon Lord’s army, too busy concentrating on the numerous forces that were interfering with other countries in the human world, did not pay attention to Rweche. In a blind spot beyond the reach of each power, Rweche was able to easily grow its power by harvesting more than a certain amount of grain despite a long drought based on the blessed area.
‘I showed some of my cards to the Demon King’s army, but…’ I
didn’t show all my cards, and thanks to that, I was able to hold out until the troops I sent returned, so this is okay. The King smiled leisurely.
“So, try to focus on the other side rather than this side. Even if you don’t, aren’t there a lot of things to worry about?”
– …That’s right.
Yeonhwa, who had gathered the remaining troops and moved to another castle, gently clenched her fists.
The existing castle was ruined by battle, the few remaining troops, and the public was in anxiety. The contracts with the vassals that were recruited have virtually been canceled, and some of the vassals are even demanding compensation for the loss of the heroes they lent them.
As almost everything was risked, the reaction to failure was huge.
‘In fact, it’s close to ruin…’
It’s a difficult situation to even protect this person, let alone protect my people.
It’s miserable. A bitter smile came out.
– Since killing Deon Hardt failed… all that’s left is to hold out as long as possible until the troops gather again.
The longer the war goes on, the more troops will inevitably decrease, but will they ever be able to gather? Isn’t this almost like pouring water into a bottomless pot?
Although not as much as the King of Shan State, the emperor and emperor of the empire were also indescribably frustrated.
“I can’t believe I had a lover like that…”
Alethea muttered lowly after hearing the story of the monster plant, as if she had lost her mind at the fact that her chance to take the hero’s head had disappeared. Even so, Elpidius’ bewildered gaze turned to her, but he didn’t seem to notice.
In the end, Elpidius glanced at the communicator and lowered his voice to a low whisper.
“Alethea… I think that went too
far…” “But you risked your life to save him, right? That would be impossible without love.”
“…of course it is love, but….”
The meaning of love is not limited to the love between lovers…
Should we call this narrow-mindedness or tolerance? Elpidius, who just smiled with an ambiguous expression, looked at the communicator again with a much better expression. Alethea, who was looking at him in a relaxed mood, smiled.
At that moment, good news was coming from the communicator.
– There’s still one more chance.
It was the voice of King Rweche.
– How could Rweche, with its empty troops, hold out against the devil’s army, which even included a corps commander?
“…!”
Elpidius jumped up from his seat.
“That means…”
– Yes, Rweche still has a hero.
Whatever you might expect, it’s more than that.
***
Surprisingly, the Demon King’s army could not even get close to the walls of Rweche. Because Rweche’s troops came just in the nick of time to Jin’s range and intercepted them.
Anyway, this is a military unit that includes the corps commander. Of course, it will be pushed back and gradually bring enemies inside. Then, if it doesn’t work out, we’ll go into the castle, lock the door, and enter the fortress.
…Idelia thought so.
However, the variable is that the troops blocking the Demon King’s army were not regular troops.
“You bastards…!”
The black wind blown by Ed approaches. Idelia, who splits the gust of wind that tore up everything and sent it to her enemies as a fan, easily found those destroying it and was forced to do so. The hand movement of hitting the enemy’s head that came close with the back of a folded fan was quite fierce.
The neat clothes suddenly became a mess. I expected that Rweche would increase its power while I was letting go of this, but I never thought it would go this far!
Angry shouts followed.
“I was hiding a hero!!”
And not just one or two, but a lot of them!
***
There was a hidden card in Rweche. Since the King himself revealed it, there is no room for doubt.
No monarch asked why they had not sent assistance to them earlier. I know that Rweche, who originally did not want to help, sent almost all of his power except for the hidden hero. Rather, considering their extraordinary military power even though they were not heroes, it was natural for this side to feel sorry for blowing away the troops they had put so much effort into raising.
Therefore, the king of the Shan State and the emperor of the empire chose to focus and rejoice that another opportunity had arisen.
The strange thing happened then.
Clink!
Elpidius, who had cut off communication, looked up at the unusual noise. Empress Alethea was holding the handle of a teacup.
Yes, just the handle.
“…?”
“….”
After exchanging puzzled looks, Elpidius lowered his eyes for a moment. A teacup that had lost its handle was scattered on the floor in pieces, losing its original shape.
“…is the glass old?”
Then what if Alethea gets hurt?
Thinking that I should pay more attention to the maids, I clicked my tongue low and stretched out my hand.
“Alethea, put down the handle. You got hurt when you did it wrong…”
Bassss.
When Alethea obediently opens her hand as intended, the powdered handle falls like sand. Elpidius was speechless.
As if he wasn’t the only one who was embarrassed, Alethea also placed her hand on the armrest of her chair as if trying to get up. And suddenly.
“….”
“….”
The armrest was broken.
…At this point, it’s impossible not to know.
“no way.”
Elpidius’ hair turned white. He shakes the bell urgently. An attendant came in and orders were given to bring tools for identifying heroes.
There was nothing special about the hero identification tool.
A straight-cut stone the size of two human heads combined is held in the hands of the two. Elpidius, who had ordered it to be placed on the desk, saw Alethea only after the servants had left.
His eyes were shaking anxiously.
“Alethea.”
“…I know, brother.”
There are things heroes can do and ordinary people cannot, no matter how hard they try. Break the stone by slowly applying force without lifting your finger for even a moment.
Your fingers should not separate in the middle, and your palms should not touch. You should break it by gradually increasing the pressure, rather than concentrating your force all at once.
She places her hand on the stone. I raised my palm and pressed it so that only the tips of my five fingers touched. Despair filled Elpidius’s eyes when he saw the stone digging into the shape of a finger as if it had stabbed the head and finally breaking into pieces.
“No…”
It seems like the world is finally trying to take my last remaining family away from me.
“Why at this time…”
Alethea became a ‘hero’.
***
Deon Hart returned home after being picked up by Ririnel and Ben without even taking care of himself properly. Then, the Lofty Knights and Dan returned, and the demons who survived the battle returned with difficulty.
It was a crushing defeat.
From the mountainous empire of Rweche… to the mercenaries of Esperanes. They’re all coming together to attack, so is there any way to withstand it? Before asking for responsibility, the Demon King knew and understood the reason for this result.
The person responsible has not woken up yet.
Fortunately, that side also suffered considerable damage, so there is time to spare. The Demon King, who delayed his disposition until Deonhardt woke up, soon had to face those who came to see him.
“Why aren’t you filling the vacant position of corps commander?”
The 2nd and 3rd Corps commanders asked.
I wondered why he came here, but was it to ask this question? The Demon King, who had lost interest, leaned his upper body forward on the chair.
“Because there is no talent.”
A sour voice came out.
“If you don’t have talent, you have Ed.”
“Forcing someone who doesn’t like to take a seat is just as bad as leaving it vacant. Ed has decided to remain as the 0 Corps commander’s adjutant.”
“Then the other candidates…”
“The other guys… honestly, I feel like they are not good enough compared to the current corps commanders. Don’t you think so too?”
“….”
The unspoken affirmation returned.
2nd Corps Commander Develania, who had been observing the Demon King’s expression with his mouth shut the entire time, glanced at the 3rd Corps Commander, who had kept his mouth shut, and began speaking. Before I could even organize my thoughts, something insightful came out.
“But it is true that we need to replenish our troops now that Deon is down.”
“That’s true. But you can’t just put some idiot in the position of corps commander, right?”
“That’s… right.”
This will only bring about the opposite effect, such as the prestige of the position of corps commander itself falling to the ground.
The Demon King, who had nothing to say but was looking at Develania licking her lips as if something was bothering her, stood up and waved his hand. It would be difficult if you give yourself time to think and then find loopholes and point them out.
“If you have nothing to say, just leave.”
I also have places to go.
