305. Commit a greater sin than anyone else (3)
Despite the sudden meeting call, the corps commanders quickly gathered.
Knowing that this is an opponent who would not order a summons without a reason, I follow Deon’s movements with questioning eyes rather than dissatisfaction. Deon walked around the room calmly, stopped in place, and suddenly opened his mouth.
“Now is the time to end this damn war.”
─The short break is over!
There was anticipation in the eyes of the corps commanders.
“We plan to mobilize all corps and finish it in a short time. Therefore, at this time, there is no need to protect the border or hunt monsters. “The war will end before the gap becomes a real gap.”
A confident voice continues.
With everyone’s attention, Deonhardt said that he would use the snowflake stick, once again citing the reason that came up in the conversation with the Demon King earlier. It was also added that as a selection concept, a corps, including a corps commander, would be sent to each province.
“The advance team can use snow sticks as soon as they arrive and fight moderately until the second team arrives, building up the enemy’s fatigue. The full-scale battle begins after all late troops arrive.”
“….”
“Oh, of course, if you can put pressure on the enemy and build up fatigue without having to fight, then it’s okay not to fight. “The important thing is ‘mental pressure’ and ‘fatigue.’”
Someone who was listening quietly asked a question.
“Who do you plan on sending?”
“First of all, the 1st Corps should go to the Empire, which has weakened but still retains its symbolism as a representative of the human world.”
“Are you talking about sending the 1st Corps to the Empire?”
“okay. Wouldn’t that make it the right grade?”
When the 1st Legion was mentioned, Jaykar looked up. Deon, who made eye contact with me and received no rebuttal for a moment, took it as an affirmation, turned his head and continued speaking.
“And Rweche, which currently has the strongest military power among these three countries, has the 3rd Legion…”
“I’m sorry, Deon.”
However, the words that came out had to be cut off before they could even be finished.
Between silent astonishment and sharp gaze, 3rd Corps Commander Ashild spoke calmly.
“The 3rd Corps is the SS. “My main duty is to protect the Demon King and the Demon King’s castle, so I cannot just leave my position.”
“…Even if I end the war before that brief gap becomes an opening?”
“We cannot overlook the unexpected.”
“I’m fine.”
The Demon King, who was watching the situation with his chin resting, suddenly blurted out a word.
Ashild flinched for a moment, as if this wasn’t what he expected. He soon put on a stern expression as if he had never done that before.
“Of course, I know that it is impossible to protect the Demon King with insignificant skills. But, isn’t it nonsense to leave the Demon King and the Demon King Castle defenseless? At least if I were there, I would filter out the little brats and the devil would be less bothered—.”
“okay?”
This time, Ashild’s speech was interrupted.
Red eyes shine with an ominous energy. While Ashild hesitated without realizing it, Deon grinned.
“So, you’re saying it’s okay for you to remain in the Demon King’s Castle and operate ‘only the 3rd Corps’?”
“…yes?”
“You said, ‘At least I have you.’ Of course, this doesn’t mean you should really be left alone. I’ll leave behind a reasonable number of 3rd Corps members. “How about using the remaining personnel in the war, excluding them?”
A smile that somehow feels strangely pressured.
…There is no force worthy of sending troops to the Demon King Castle in the first place. Even if there are intruders, there will be only a small number of them, so that is enough to suppress them.
So this is definitely not due to pressure from momentum. Ashild hesitated and nodded slowly.
Deon tapped the desk with his index finger as if he was satisfied.
“Then, in addition to half of the 3rd corps… we need a corps commander to command it.”
Since the opponent is Rweche, only half of the army is not enough. There is no corps commander, is there? It would be better to send one more corps, including the corps commander.
As I was contemplating which corps to send, excluding those without a corps commander, someone raised their hand.
“Can I go?”
“…Idelia?”
“Yes, even though it looks like this, I have a good grasp of the 3rd Corps’ strength. “I am confident that I can utilize the 3rd Corps better than anyone else in this position.”
The 3rd and 4th Corps…
Deon’s expression hardened a little as he remembered a recent incident.
“I understand that the 4th Corps…is not on good terms with the 3rd Corps.”
“That’s why we know their power better. “Knowing the enemy’s strength is the most basic of basics.”
“But wasn’t the 4th Corps in charge of information processing?”
“If you’re a demon, especially if you’re a corps commander or a corps member, combat is basic, so you don’t have to worry.”
“…Well, okay. “If Ashild allows it.”
The conversation that was going on suddenly jumped out at me. Ashild blinked for a moment and nodded.
“I’m fine.”
“Then let’s leave half of the 3rd Corps to Idelia. “Take them and the 4th Corps and go to Rweche.”
“Please leave it to me.”
Idelia flapped her fan and rolled her eyes.
… His reaction may be a little uneasy, but he’s not the kind of guy who would make unnecessary jokes even in important situations, so it’ll be okay. Ashild looked at her with a subtle expression, and Deon, who was not interested in the matter being handled, immediately looked away.
“And I’m thinking about sending the 9th Corps to the Mountain Country…”
Red eyes look Trover up and down.
He appears to have incontinence all over his body, as if he still has the aftereffects of his fight with O.L. After trailing off for a moment, I asked quietly.
“Are you going to be okay?”
It wasn’t a big deal, but Trover’s jaw tightened at the words that subtly touched his nerves.
“Isn’t it natural to be okay! No problem!”
“The momentum is good. Okay then, let the 9th Corps go to Shanguo.”
“yes!”
Trover is shaking his body with enthusiasm, as if he is ready to leave at any moment.
I like how simple it is. Deon chuckled and stood up.
“Then shall we end the meeting here? I’ll leave the rest to you via order. “The corps commanders heading to the advance guard will depart as soon as they are ready.”
***
And then there was the sparring between Deon Hart and Jaykar.
I tried to visit or call him before he left, but it worked out. As if he were not the commander of the 1st Corps for no reason, he is astute. Deonhard willingly raised his sword for the man who followed me in the name of sparring.
Deon thought idly amid the countless sword strikes.
‘I’m now familiar with this guy’s swordsmanship.’
Even though we haven’t sparred a few times.
It was difficult because it was an unconventional, free and unique style, such as not only handling the sword with fierce force, but also holding it in reverse even though it was a long sword, and sometimes boldly throwing it, but now I have become quite familiar with it to the point that I can even imitate it.
Deon, who struck back a few times with his sword, put aside his useless sentiments and slowly opened his mouth.
“I have something additional to ask you.”
“I will listen.”
“If we win the battle there and capture the castle…”
He hesitated for a moment, but it was only for a moment.
It makes no sense to turn back now, and the only way left for me is to go straight. After a short silence, Deon gently pulled up the corners of his mouth.
“Make sure to kill all the other demons.”
“….”
The tip of Jaykar’s sword, which was stabbing in, shook for a moment.
He quickly retrieved his sword as if trying to hide his agitation, leaned back, and quietly looked at Deon. The overly straight gaze looked into unwavering red eyes.
Against the background of silence, their gazes exchanged for a moment before Jaykar put his sword into its scabbard as if announcing the end of the sparring and asked a short question.
“Even the commander of the corps?”
“…haha.”
It’s a simpler response than I expected. Deon laughed.
“The commander is the priority.”
***
After Jaykar returned, the Demon King appeared in front of Deon, who was organizing his weapons.
He suddenly approached in an uncertain manner, as usual, as if he had heard the conversation between the two or not, and spoke lightly as if he were offering a meal to the warrior who was giving him a wary look.
“Finally, I will teach you shield techniques.”
“….”
He said ‘last’. It means that he also knows that the end is coming.
Deon looked at him blankly.
‘… Such a conversation took place right before the meeting, and you have such a shameless attitude.’
But there are no unpleasant feelings. I looked away from him and nodded roughly.
“Of course.”
Like I said back then, it doesn’t really matter now.
…The voice that came out to answer seemed drier than expected.
***
It is said that demons departed from the border.
Hearing the news that was tantamount to announcing the start of the second war, the three countries immediately moved the heroes they had prepared in advance to the vicinity of the decisive battle site. The same was true for the Primiro Knights, but they were placed in a position where they were relatively easily exposed to the eyes of their enemies.
The reason was obvious.
‘Because the Primiro Knights must be visible to the enemies until Deonhardt departs.’
Because they are a kind of bait.
Their news must reach the ears of the Murderous Knights before Deonhardt departs. We had to stimulate those who felt helpless among the demons and induce them to follow Deonhardt.
‘After Deonhardt departs, the heroes will have to be exposed.’
There is no way a warrior would pass by a place where so many heroes are gathered.
If we pretend not to know and then they go to another castle to apply, it will be a bad situation, so we can’t just leave it there. Even if we send someone else, it would be a disaster, so who else would go there?
In order to save power, Deonhardt has no choice but to enter the trap on his own.
“The question is whether it will follow you to where you intend to go…”
– It will follow.
There is a place where a camp has been set up to suppress those who enter the range. Of course, all of the forces to deal with him had a talisman that allowed them to be free from Jin’s range.
The question is, even if Deonhardt moves to deal with the heroes, will he really be willing to risk losses and follow them to that position?
The Emperor of the Empire responded firmly to the worried mutterings of the King of Shan State.
“You don’t have to worry. “He will step in knowingly.”
“How can you be sure of that?”
Lindell Reiner, who was watching the conversation from the side, asked curiously. Alethea smiled broadly.
“persimmon.”
“….”
– ….
Somehow, it became quiet even beyond the communicator.
The only person who remained calm in the dumbfounded silence was Emperor Elpidius. He nodded as if it was obvious.
“Then I’m relieved. “Alethea’s intuition is quite good.”
“That… has no basis…”
“It was her intuition that predicted Deonhardt’s betrayal. “You can trust me.”
“….”
Silence came again.
Alethea lightly lifted her shoulders and opened her mouth calmly.
“Then I guess I should leave now. “If we don’t join quickly, there is a chance that the heroes’ existence and location may be exposed sooner than planned.”
– …I’m sure I heard the news that the Emperor became a hero…
Elpidius’ expression hardened and the king of Rweche let out a shaky voice.
– I wonder if there is a need to stand at the forefront like that. Aren’t you the only heir to the empire? You have to think about your life too.
“We need at least one more hero. “It would be difficult to get away with it just because he is the emperor.”
No, since he is the emperor, he should not be left out.
Soldiers who are citizens of the empire are fighting outside even though they are ordinary people, but the Emperor, the hero, is hiding in a safe place? This is ridiculous.
‘So when my brother first found out that I had become a hero, he probably tried to hide this fact.’
Because this is a matter of my beliefs.
Alethea, who revealed to everyone without hesitation that she had become a hero, smiled lightheartedly.
