Chapter 175: For Victory

It had to be the same kind of monster Deon Hart caught during the hunting competition. Demons must have released these plant-type monsters into the forest.

Luckily, the Emperor had gotten countermeasures from Deon Hart back then.

“I could send a written report, but that would take too long…”

Besides, the countermeasure is quite simple.

It’s simple enough: just sever the connection between the root and the mouth-like part that eats people, or burn or incinerate it since it’s essentially a plant.

Since they look distinctly different from ordinary plants, there’s no need to learn a separate identification method. Just need to keep a sharp eye out.

‘Actually, I’d like to send even the Hero candidates to help, but…’

Ancient texts on the history of wars against demons mentioned that their limitations vanish when facing a Hero or fragments of their power. Of course, ‘restriction’ and ‘suppression’ are different, so the ‘magic suppression formations’ in each city should still work, but they won’t suppress the demons’ physical abilities.

A clash between demons unleashing their full power and Hero candidates wielding fragments of a Hero’s power? Before even considering who might win, it was clear the area would be devastated. So, the Emperor boldly decided to send them somewhere other than Miller territory.

‘So, all I can do now is pass on the information.’

Feeling that a written report was too inadequate, the Emperor unhesitatingly picked up the communicator linked to Margrave Amiable.

***

Seeds infused with magic were scattered in the forest.

True to their Demon Realm origins, these seeds rapidly matured within a day, blending into the forest foliage. They began swallowing or capturing humans hiding in the forest, turning them into prisoners.

‘Of course, it seems they found a countermeasure quickly, and the effectiveness dropped sharply soon after.’

Still, it was a decent start.

More importantly, they would soon reach the city walls. Deon watched his advancing troops with satisfaction.

Though the attacks were less frequent now, they still occasionally faced ambushes. After dealing with them and pushing onward, the city walls of Miller territory finally came into view.

Pushing forward a bit more, the trees that had partially obscured their vision cleared, opening up the view. Deon saw the scene hidden by the trees and couldn’t help but chuckle in disbelief.

“Fancy seeing you here to greet us in person.”

Margrave Amiable’s troops were arrayed before the city, setting up camp.

He’d expected a siege, but this looked like it would be a direct confrontation. Melee combat against demons? What were they thinking? The question flashed through his mind, but a moment’s thought brought the answer.

‘They’re planning to relentlessly attack us without giving us a break, knowing we’re exhausted from fighting ambushes and hacking through the forest.’

If they’d done this before we burned the forest, or if we hadn’t thought of using the man-eating plants, their plan might have worked…

A smirk touched his lips. A cold, mocking tone colored his voice as he addressed the general behind him.

“Ready for combat now, aren’t you?”

“Of course, we are.”

“Excellent.”

He hadn’t brought the mad dogs—units highly effective in melee—thinking it would be a siege. But no matter, he had a strategy in mind he’d been itching to try out, something he’d read about in a book.

A well-known strategy he’d even used in chess against Dan before.

Deon readily issued the command.

“Shieldbearers, advance.”

***

The human forces, composed solely of cavalry for rapid mobility, charged.

In response, demon shieldbearers stepped forward, with spearmen behind them. Cavalry—mounted on human horses, likely captured during their advance—moved to one flank.

The speed of their maneuvers was impressive, but Margrave Amiable, watching from the city walls, couldn’t help but frown.

“Break off to the three o’clock direction, now!”

He barked into his ever-ready communicator, issuing the rapid command. The charging cavalry veered sharply, attempting to pull back into open ground. But the demons’ movements were faster than anticipated.

Their rearguard was inevitably swallowed by the encirclement. The jaws of the trap snapped shut. Those caught inside were doomed. The Margrave grimaced, shutting his eyes.

Anyone with even a passing interest in strategy would recognize it instantly.

‘Hammer and anvil.’

Infantry holds the line, while highly mobile cavalry flanks and encircles, crushing the enemy trapped within.

Fury surged.

It wasn’t frustration at being caught out by a well-known strategy, nor at his own incompetence. Who could have guessed the demons would be this fast? But still…

“What does he think war is, anyway?”

He seethed at his opponent’s casual handling of troops, as if war were some game.

His opponent couldn’t possibly be unaware that he, the commander, was watching from the walls. Considering his previous actions and words, which were anything but foolish, he must have anticipated they’d recognize the strategy the moment his troops moved. Yet, he still deployed his forces in such a way…

‘Just… because he wanted to try it out.’

Yes, that’s exactly the vibe he was getting. Tender Amiable gritted his teeth.

Did he think this was some kind of chess game? Lives hung in the balance with every command he issued. His first impression of Deon at the hunting competition had been that he was normal, despite the rumors. But it seemed that had been nothing but a facade.

He spoke into the communicator, his voice low.

“…Retreat to the city. We’re going on the defensive.”

Contrary to expectations, the demons weren’t tired, and this tactic had failed.

It was time for a proper siege defense.

***

He’d expected it, but it had failed.

Before they could fully encircle the enemy, the human cavalry had slipped through a gap—likely on orders from their commander watching from above. They’d managed to swallow the rearguard, but that was it.

While the demons mopped up the humans caught in the encirclement and reformed their lines, the remaining human forces retreated into the city and slammed the gates shut. Deon smirked, sensing their resolve to dig in for a siege.

“Here, brute force is probably the best approach.”

He could take a more elaborate approach, but there was no need to drag things out when he could end it quickly. Deon reached for his communication stone.

…….

– Oh dear, I’m sorry to ask this, but could you hold off on using the legions? Is the 0th Legion not enough?

Contrary to his expectations, a refusal came back. Deon frowned at the troubled tone.

“…May I ask why?”

Without a valid reason, this was a breach of their agreement.

Deon Hart had agreed to help the Demon King conquer the Human Realm in exchange for the Demon King utterly destroying the Empire. While there was no formal contract, it was still a clear agreement. Refusing his request now was simply not right.

Sensing Deon’s displeasure through the communicator, the Demon King scratched his cheek.

“Demon births are down, but monster numbers have exploded.”

– …….

He actually knew the reason for this situation.

Ever since the Demon King had used up 90% of his magic power to save Deon Hart, the number of demons and monsters born from his power had decreased.

Demons and monsters ‘born from the Demon King’s power’ had decreased, he said. Unfortunately, demons couldn’t reproduce, but monsters could.

Unlike ‘normal’ demons, monsters were ‘errors’.

“Plus, the Emperor has sent troops composed of Hero candidates to the border. We need to conserve legions, both to stop them breaking through and to prepare for any eventuality.”

‘Those wielding fragments of the Hero’s power’ had appeared at the border, of all places.

The moment he heard that, the Demon King was certain the Emperor knew about the ‘restrictions.’ It must have been in those ancient texts he’d shown them. Otherwise, there was no reason to send such valuable troops here instead of using them to defend the Empire.

Demons at full strength against fragments of a Hero’s power. They likely had magic suppression charms, but that didn’t matter. Demon strength wasn’t solely about ‘magic.’ Trober, who couldn’t use magic at all, was still Commander of the 9th Corps. So what did it matter?

‘The Emperor probably knows this and deliberately sent them here.’

He’d shifted the battlefield—a battle that would cause massive collateral damage—from the Empire to the border, effectively tying down the demons’ main forces.

Of course, against lesser demons—the rank-and-file demon soldiers—they could minimize collateral damage. But they couldn’t afford to waste elite troops on such tasks right now. Hero candidates were far more effective against stronger demons than against cannon fodder.

It seemed the Emperor had used his head for once.

– You weren’t planning on relying on us too much anyway, were you?

Deon paused, listening to the Demon King’s sly voice, amusement still coloring his tone.

“…Understood.”

If that was the case, he’d need to quickly find another way. Seeing no further need to continue the conversation, he cut off the communication with a curt, formal acknowledgment.

He closed his eyes, lost in thought.

As commander-in-chief, Deon was constantly receiving intelligence about the Human Realm, especially the Empire, from Develania and Idelia. He recalled the most recent piece of information he’d received.

‘The Emperor is mobilizing the nobles’ private armies, isn’t he?’

He’d heard the Emperor was even stripping territories of the bare minimum private soldiers needed for defense.

Supposedly, to minimize backlash, these forces were being used to ‘protect’ the nobles’ territories. But he recalled hearing that the nobles were far from pleased, especially since most of these troops were currently deployed here, supporting Miller territory.

‘If demons were to appear in a completely different territory right now…’

With most of the troops concentrated in Miller territory and border regions heavily fortified, what if demons appeared somewhere completely unexpected—neither Miller territory nor a border territory?

‘The nobles would raise quite a fuss.’

The Emperor would have to pull troops from here—troops he’d overly concentrated—to send reinforcements there.

…Good, decision made.

“Dan.”

“You called?”

Dan, who had been waiting nearby, approached as if on cue.

Deon tapped his thigh, studying Dan for a moment before slowly posing a question.

“Your business distributing fairy herbs has really taken off, hasn’t it?”

“Yes, it’s become quite famous. We’re powerful enough now to crush the Lowfell Trading Company that used to give us trouble, and get our revenge.”

To remember that all this time and then get revenge…

Deon’s eyes momentarily cooled at Dan’s surprisingly petty nature and excellent memory. Then, he spoke again.

“Haven’t you been getting inquiries from all sorts of places?”

“Tons. Is there someone specific you want me to reach out to?”

“The King of Rweche.”

“Oh….”

Despite the casual tone, the request was anything but trivial.

Dan opened his mouth, then closed it. He racked his brain as if startled. Had there been any contact from the Rweche royal family?

“…Unfortunately, no. But I don’t think they’d refuse a meeting if we approached them.”

He was probably too distraught over his brother’s death to even think of it.

If the owner of a trading company dealing in mystical herbs came calling, he’d surely agree to a meeting. He might even ask if there were any herbs that could revive his dead brother.

Deon nodded in agreement and gave his orders.

“Go and see the King of Rweche…”

***

The alliance was broken, and the Demon King’s army wasn’t targeting Rweche.

With no other pressing matters, the King of Rweche was free to wallow in his grief.

His aides urged him to attend to state affairs, but how could he simply shake off the grief of losing family? He couldn’t easily cast aside the memory of his brother and move on.

As he drifted through his days, devoid of motivation, a request for an audience arrived. The King, on edge, reacted sharply.

“I thought I ordered all audience requests to be turned down.”

“It was a request from the head of the Den Merchant Guild, not another noble, so I thought I should check. My apologies, I’ll refuse it.”

“…Wait, did you say the Den Merchant Guild?”