Chapter 165: Weary Times

It’s almost unheard of for a legion commander to be captured by a mere group of humans unless they planned a trap from the start. If it were Sillua, who was battle-ready from the front lines, she would have annihilated them, not been captured.

In fact, in the battle against the Killer Knights, she had overwhelmingly pushed them back. Had she not been toying with them, their lives would have ended there.

Fortunately, the legion commander’s composure became an opportunity to extend the members’ lifespans.

[…Huh?]

[…]

[What is this?]

A combat style strikingly similar to Deon Hart, the Commander of the 0th Legion of the Demon King’s Army.

It’s because they are fighting against one overwhelmingly strong enemy, but if it were a large group, not a small number, it would have been a style that could exert great power. If they were on the battlefield, it would have swayed the morale of both enemy and ally.

Coincidentally, Sillua was a fanatic who was enthusiastic about Deon Hart’s combat style. Her eyes sparkled as she spoke to the human at her feet, who was grinding his teeth.

[Your combat style resembles someone I respect…]

[…]

[Do you perhaps know Deon Hart?]

[…Why is our captain’s name coming up here?]

[Captain? Lord Deon?]

[Lord Deon? What’s your relationship with our captain?]

Building rapport afterward was instantaneous.

[Wow, he was that famous in the Human Realm? As expected of Lord Deon!]

[To have that much influence even in the Demon Realm…! As expected of our captain!]

How long had they been talking about Deon Hart’s status and anecdotes in each camp? Sillua opened her mouth, a thought suddenly occurring to her.

[More importantly, you said you wanted to meet Lord Deon, right? Well… you’re his subordinates, so I guess it’s okay. Although, I still can’t fully trust you…]

If it becomes a problem, I can just kill them then, so it doesn’t matter.

Shrugging lightly, she added as if something came to mind.

[But I don’t want to get scolded by the Demon King, so you guys should take on the bad role.]

[…?]

[As Lord Deon’s subordinates, you guys are very skilled, so you captured me. I couldn’t help it.]

…That was the start of the commotion, and it was the scene Deon Hart saw when he came outside.

‘Those crazy bastards.’

How did they capture the Commander of the 7th Corps? No, looking at the atmosphere, it seems the Commander of the 7th Corps let herself be captured.

At this bizarre sight, he unknowingly placed his hand on the hilt of the dagger at his waist. He had worn the dagger sheath as if fully armed whenever he left his room, but not for this reason.

Suppressing his impulses by clenching his fist, he took a step towards the bizarre group. Demons who recognized Deon Hart stepped aside, clearing a path.

Deon paused.

‘…I don’t want to talk to them.’

If I talk to them, it feels like it will become very troublesome in the future. Can’t I just pretend not to know?

The path is clear, and they are clearly visible, but they haven’t noticed this side yet. He was contemplating whether to just turn around when a voice filled with delight boomed loudly.

“Ah, Captain!”

“Captain? Where!”

“…Hah.”

“Wow, it’s really the Captain!”

Now there’s no turning back.

Deon straightened his back and approached the audacious hostage-takers, maintaining a measured pace. As all eyes focused on him, a restrained voice flowed out elegantly.

“What are you doing here?”

“What do you mean? We came to see the Captain!”

“To abandon us, Captain, that’s too much!”

“More importantly, Captain! You’ve become so gaunt? Don’t tell me they’ve been starving you here?!”

“You evil demons! How dare you starve our Captain!”

This is the lair of those evil demons… you know….

Speechless, Deon watched them fuss around him, raising a hand to touch his lips. A faint sigh escaped.

It was a very faint sigh, but those who were constantly watching Deon’s expression couldn’t miss it.

A sigh is usually negative! Seizing the opportunity, a demon soldier’s eyes lit up as he spoke.

“Lord Deon, may this ‘evil demon’ kill these loose-lipped humans?”

“They are my subordinates. Don’t do that.”

“Subordinates… I couldn’t believe it, but they really are subordinates….”

The demon soldier retreated, seemingly shocked. Deon turned his gaze back to the mad dogs who were not intimidated even in the Demon Realm.

How did they get here? Lien wouldn’t have just let them go.

…Ah, right. Lien.

“Where is Sir Lien?”

“That’s…”

“…”

“Well…”

They ditched him and ran. He’s probably clutching the back of his neck right now.

I’m feeling the same way right now. He changed the direction of his hand going to the back of his neck and pressed his forehead instead.

The train of thought quickly changed.

‘…Now is not the time to be arguing with these guys.’

He raised his gaze. He caught sight of the Commander of the 7th Corps, Sillua, smiling brightly as if she had nothing to do with it.

“Sillua. Commander of the 7th Corps, who should be at the border… why are you here?”

“Ah, I came here for a brief delivery, milord!”

“Delivery?”

“Yes, I received a request from the Commander of the 2nd Corps. He said he’s busy gathering information. He also asked for forgiveness for not being able to visit you in person.”

The mad dogs must have run into her on the way.

He accepted the box presented to him. A considerable weight settled in his hand. Faintly, the pungent smell of blood wafted up.

—Is the blood scent from somewhere else, or from here?

Not knowing which it was, and unsure of what it was, Deon frowned slightly as he looked at it, and then opened the lid without hesitation.

“…Huh.”

The thick smell of blood spread everywhere.

Demons stirred, and Dan, standing behind him, let out an exclamation that sounded like a dry laugh. The Killer Knights, who had stiffened their expressions for a moment, made a fuss, disguised as curiosity, asking what it was, but Deon calmly looked down at it without showing any reaction.

In the box, a man’s head was contained.

‘The younger brother of the King of Rweche.’

A face he had seen before. Develania had shown him a portrait before.

[Do you really have to see it? It’s just a face that’s going to die anyway.]

[I should at least see who I’m killing.]

Indeed, even his impression is righteous.

He stared at it for a long time before closing the lid. He was about to hand it over to Dan… but handed it to Ed when he saw his horrified expression, and called Dan.

“You must be busy with the work I ordered. You don’t have to stand guard here. Go and do your job.”

“Yes.”

Dan, who glanced at the subtly smug Ed, lightly bowed his head and retreated. The Killer Knights members, who belatedly discovered him, raised their voices, ‘Huh?’

“Wow, you ditched us and followed the Captain alone? You traitor!”

“If you knew, you shouldn’t have followed him alone, you should have told us too!”

“We taught you so diligently!”

“Bad guy!”

“…Stop it and let’s go inside for now. Follow me.”

“Ah, Captain. What’s with that tone? I can’t get used to it… Eek!”

A dagger was embedded in the floor in front of the chattering guy’s feet.

The members, startled, raised their heads, their gazes meeting Deon’s in mid-air. He maintained the posture of throwing the dagger, a gentle smile on his face.

“I think we need to have a detailed conversation, don’t you?”

“I… I think it’s okay….”

“Shut up and follow me.”

“Yes, sir.”

Oh no. I smell the aura of Marquis Preeminence from our captain.

The fear engraved in their minds reacted reflexively. Their bodies stiffened for a moment, and then the members trembled and obediently followed Deon.

***

“Aaaaaaargh! No… No…!!”

His brother was dead. The King of Rweche screamed, a sound beyond weeping, as he lay prostrate over the corpse covered in white cloth. As it was a headless corpse, he might have tried to deny the truth, but he had already accepted reality.

He had already tried to deny it several times.

[Please… please tell me this child is not my brother.]

[Your Majesty….]

[The head… is missing. So we could be mistaken. Right?]

He was a steadfast child. He had lived righteously his whole life without a single deviation, but his end shouldn’t be like this. At least his corpse should be whole.

“Baby… I’m sorry… I’m so sorry….”

Tears dripped, as if squeezing out all the moisture in his body.

Rweche had clearly requested support from the alliance as soon as demons appeared at the city gates. However, Sanguo sent insufficient troops, and the Empire, after a delayed response, finally sent support, which was initially a relief, but the quality of the troops was so poor that it brought despair. It was obvious to anyone that they had conscripted commoners or the poor.

In the end, his brother couldn’t stand it and stepped forward.

[I will go.]

[No. It’s dangerous.]

[I am a general of this kingdom. I must fulfill my duty.]

[There are other generals in the kingdom besides you. We can send them….]

[Your Majesty also knows that they are not enough.]

[But.]

[I am sorry, Your Majesty.]

[…]

He should have stopped him. No, in the first place, he shouldn’t have formed an alliance itself. Rweche had done so much for the Empire, yet this was the reward?

Sorrow and frustration soon turned into anger.

The king raised his head. In his eyes, bloodshot and streaming with tears, a fierce, eerie light settled.

Just as he opened his mouth to say something,

Knock knock.

“Your Majesty. The commander of the Empire’s support force has requested an audience. What shall we do?”

“…Let them in.”

In this situation, an audience request so brazenly? He didn’t know what they were going to say.

The king, intending to vent his anger if necessary, accepted the request, but had to shut his mouth at the sight of the other party kneeling down and paying respects as soon as they entered.

“I have no excuse. I am sorry.”

“…”

In fact, regardless of the quality of the troops, he knew that the knight before him had done her best. Therefore, even if he was angry at the Empire, he shouldn’t be angry at her.

But the anger of losing his brother did not subside.

“What is your name?”

“Lien Riner, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, Sir Riner. Why are you alive?”

A voice as sharp as a blade flowed out.

“My brother is dead. A general of this country, the king’s brother, is dead, but why are you alive and standing before me?”

“…I have no excuse.”

“I don’t want to hear such words! I asked you why are you alive!”

“I am sorry.”

Lien answered, bowing her head silently.

In fact, she was a little exhausted. Her lord, whom she served, had sided with the Demon King, and even the knight order under her command had fled. Naturally, everyone’s hostility was focused on her.

The suspicious gazes clinging to her every move were so blatant.

Neither the Emperor nor her family could offset this. All of Rweche’s resentment was pouring down on her, and the command of the disposable pawn to come to this place, where she might die, had become her responsibility.

‘But as a commander, I have a duty to return the troops I brought as safely as possible to the Empire.’

Apart from being exhausted, she, who could not abandon her duty, had to meet the king to save the remaining people.

With her head bowed, she politely extended her left hand as if offering it.

“I offer my wrist.”

“…”

“I know that such a thing cannot quell Your Majesty’s anger. I also want to offer my life, but I know that the aftermath could be detrimental to Your Majesty….”

In fact, the Emperor had told her not to.

Although he had never said it directly, in a short conversation before Lien went to support as commander, he made a remark implying that she should cherish herself.

It was Emperor’s own way of preparing for Lien Riner’s exhausted mental state.

[Resent me.]

[…What do you mean? How dare I.]

[You are too upright. You will surely try to take responsibility for even those soldiers who are ashamed of the name of soldier, as your subordinates.]

Even though she was only a temporary commander.

No, rather, since she was closer to a civilian, she would try to send them back alive somehow. And if they ended up dying, she would feel guilty.

[In that sense, I will personally tell you.]

[…]