Chapter 176: For Victory

The king looked up at his opponent.

Due to his position, news still trickled in even as he was consumed by grief. So, he couldn’t possibly be unaware.

Wasn’t this the trading company that had solidified its position by distributing unprecedentedly miraculous herbs?

‘They say the effects are incredible, like instantly healing wounds.’

He’d vaguely heard that they could even reattach severed arms.

‘If that’s true… then… then…’

Could they possibly save my brother?

Reason, numbed by sorrow, chased after a futile hope. Even knowing this himself, the king ultimately uttered permission instead of refusal.

“I will meet with them. Bring them in.”

….

The so-called head of the trading company was concealing his face. Under normal circumstances, disrespecting the king by covering one’s face would not be tolerated, and the offender would be immediately expelled. However, as the one in need was the king himself, he initiated the conversation without pointing it out.

“Considering the Den Merchant Guild’s circumstances, this must be your busiest time. What brings the Guild Leader all the way here?”

The man replied politely.

“I am here to seek permission to establish a branch in Rweche.”

“Shouldn’t such requests be submitted through the proper channels?”

“The procedure takes too long through the usual channels, so I had no choice but to risk this discourtesy and appeal directly.”

The man chuckled affably, explaining that the urgency of the situation, with its uncertain future, left him no choice but to expedite matters.

The king observed him for a moment before nodding.

“I grant permission. Rweche welcomes a branch of the Den Merchant Guild.”

“Thank you.”

The man bowed deeply. The king gave a cursory nod in acknowledgment and then brought up the real purpose for granting the audience.

“More importantly, there is something I’m curious about.”

“Please, ask. If it is within my knowledge, I will answer truthfully.”

“…Among your mysterious herbs… is there any… herb that can revive the dead?”

His voice, unbefitting a king, was filled with hesitation and palpable tension.

Dan looked at him, a slight upturn to his veiled lips. Unlike his subtly raised lip, the voice that escaped his mouth was filled with genuine regret.

“Sadly, no, there isn’t.”

“Ah… I see… as expected…”

A deep resignation was evident in his downcast eyes.

A brief silence followed. After a moment of silence, Dan rolled his eyes, gauging the atmosphere, and cautiously spoke again.

“I have heard about the General’s passing. My condolences.”

!

His surprise was fleeting.

“Yes…”

A listless voice returned.

Fortunately, he isn’t angry. Directly mentioning the death of a loved one, even as a form of condolence, could reopen wounds. Therefore, he had braced himself for a sensitive reaction, but whether it was exhaustion or resignation, the reaction was unexpectedly mild. Dan carefully observed the king, then cautiously continued.

“You must be very angry at the Empire.”

….

“Well, they remained silent even knowing about the border with the Taehon Kingdom. It would be stranger if you weren’t angry.”

“…What?”

The king raised his head.

He stared directly at Dan, who tilted his head as if he knew nothing, his eyes blazing with intensity.

“What… did you just say?”

“I said they remained silent even knowing about the border with the Taehon Kingdom… Did you truly not know?”

….

“Oh dear, I apologize. Please disregard what I just said. You must already have a lot on your mind…”

“You.”

A slow voice, laden with pressure, followed.

“What do you want from me?”

“What are you talking about…?”

“Do not belittle a king. Even if I appear this way, I am responsible for a nation. Do you truly think I would be so oblivious?”

A king is a position that demands constant learning, responsibility, and struggle.

How could someone sitting on the throne, protecting royal authority and the people while contending with nobles internally and foreign nations externally, be oblivious?

Occasionally, there were those who were inept, but such individuals were always dragged down by others and vanished miserably into the annals of history.

“You wouldn’t have come here personally just for a branch, would you? So, speak plainly. What do you want from me?”

….

Dan rolled his eyes.

It would be best if the King of Rweche, swayed by his words, were to become enraged and attack the Empire, causing chaos in the Human Realm…

“I’ve heard information that you have ties with Deon Hart. If you wish for me to side with the demons, I must apologize. Regardless of my ill feelings towards the Empire, I have already promised not to take that side.”

Judging by his attitude, it seems unlikely.

Well, he hadn’t expected much in the first place. Dan nonchalantly brushed it off, asking what kind of frightening thing he was talking about.

“I simply ask that you turn a blind eye for a moment.”

Just for the time it takes for the demons to pass through Rweche and move into an area of the Empire.

It wouldn’t be a large-scale movement, so if the king simply cooperated, it would be possible to avoid detection by other humans.

“Turn a blind eye, you say.”

“Yes, it is not about siding with the Demon Realm, but merely turning a blind eye. Rweche will suffer no harm.”

….

He stroked his chin, lost in thought for a moment.

“…Let’s return to our earlier conversation. Did the Emperor really know about the border with the Taehon Kingdom?”

At the implied affirmation, Dan smirked.

Of course, why would he risk lying? In truth, before blaming the Empire, Taehon Kingdom was more at fault for not informing the Empire about the border’s existence, but silence was more advantageous to him, so he remained silent.

“Yes, I will even stake my trading company on it if necessary.”

“…That’s enough.”

Some time after their meeting, in a region of the Empire’s south near Rweche, close to the Lowfell territory, demons began to appear.

Demons had appeared in a territory where even the Emperor had been careless in defense because it was unrelated to the border.

***

News had spread that the Den Merchant Guild was growing its influence by distributing charms and unprecedentedly miraculous herbs in the Human Realm. With their increased size, they were now conversely suppressing trading companies that had once kept them in check.

And as if misfortunes were compounding, news followed that demons had appeared in the Lowfell territory, located in the relatively safe south.

Stigma, who was suppressing the Barbai in the south, only learned of this fact after hearing that they had finally contacted him, and he scoffed.

It was truly laughable.

“They called me the family’s shame, and now look at them. Now that the shame has disappeared, things should be going well, shouldn’t they?”

The Empire’s second Hero, Stigma Primiero.

His former name was Stigma Lowfell.

The Lowfell family’s shame, blemish, and obstacle, a filthy bastard.

When they threw him onto the battlefield, wishing for his quick death, and now that they were in danger, they mentioned blood relations and sought him out. It was truly preposterous. He kept the sneer on his lips and held his head high as he spoke.

“I told you to ignore their calls, didn’t I? News about the Lowfell family is only welcome if it’s news of their annihilation.”

“Understood. Apologies.”

***

The Emperor deployed nobles’ private soldiers mainly to territories near the border, and after minimal distribution elsewhere, he poured almost all remaining troops into Miller territory.

In other words, territories far from the border, in relatively safe locations, received almost no troop deployments.

In such a situation, demons appeared. What would be the reaction?

“Your Majesty, this proves that no territory is safe. Not only territories near the border but also our territories need defenses to respond whenever demons may appear. However, Your Majesty has withdrawn our private soldiers, making that impossible. We humbly request that you return our troops so we can prepare defenses.”

Clearly, there was no border there, and demons had appeared without any warning. They had reason to be anxious.

‘What trick did they use?’

The Emperor pondered.

Did they use magic? Indeed, magic suppression arrays were installed mainly around each castle. Unless they covered the entire Empire, magic use was certainly possible.

A pungent, metallic smell of blood stung his nose. Seeing that the nobles showed no reaction, this must also be a kind of hallucination, visible and felt only to him. The Emperor clenched and unclenched his fist, struggling to maintain his wavering sanity.

‘What are the chances of them moving like this again in the future?’

Whether it was magic or some other method, judging by the small number of demons that appeared, large-scale movements would be impossible.

‘…Right, only a small number appeared.’

Small number, appearance, movements that do not involve attack.

Key phrases floated in his mind. Before long, the Emperor could combine the given information and arrive at a single answer.

He slowly opened his mouth.

“This is…”

“A feint.”

….

A soft but clear voice drew attention.

Even the Emperor, who had started to speak, fell silent and looked at the Duke. Amidst the gazes of many, the Duke curved his eyes into a smile. His relaxed voice refreshed the atmosphere.

“Let us calmly reassess the situation. Only a small number of demons have been discovered. It is premature to conclude that a large force has moved and a portion was merely discovered, especially since they have not launched any attacks.”

“…Ah.”

“This is a feint to unsettle and shake the Empire. Perhaps the demons were hoping for this situation.”

If the Emperor, unable to withstand the nobles’ clamor, were to redistribute troops to all territories or return their private soldiers, it would indeed be the best-case scenario for the demons.

Purple eyes, unable to hide their disdain, scanned those who had been at the forefront of the commotion.

Some flinched and quieted down, and the hall, which had become noisy with anxiety, calmly subsided.

“Though I do not know what method they used, it is likely a method that cannot be used for large-scale movement. If large-scale movement were possible, they would have already swept through each territory, not just Lowfell territory.”

Baron Lowfell’s complexion turned ashen.

The Duke did not even glance at him and smiled faintly.

“So, let us remain composed. We cannot dance to the demons’ tune, can we?”

“But…”

Baron Lowfell stammered as if wanting to object. There, the Emperor, who had been watching the situation, stepped forward.

Thanks to the Duke’s full explanation, he only needed to state the conclusion without laborious explanation. Casting a sidelong glance at the Duke, he casually turned his gaze to Baron Lowfell and said,

“It is true that demons have been confirmed, so we will send support to Lowfell territory. The territories nearby as well. However, returning private soldiers is going too far.”

That would be exactly what the Demon Realm side would want.

Surveying the assembly, which had become silent as if they had nothing more to say, the Emperor pondered how to manage Miller territory, which would become more insecure with some troops being withdrawn.

He could not withdraw troops from elsewhere to send support. He had already deployed almost all troops there, leaving only the minimum necessary forces in other locations.

‘…I should send the knight order Stigma Primiero left behind before heading south as support.’

There was no time, he needed to dismiss this assembly and move immediately.

***

Build earth mounds.

Although some troops stationed in Miller territory were reduced to support Lowfell, it was ultimately just that. At best, they could only hold up within the castle walls, so Deon needed to devise a way to break through beyond those walls.

Hence, the conclusion reached.

“It’s quite an opportune environment for hauling dirt.”

There’s even a forest behind us.

Deon, who extinguished his lit cigarette by pressing it against the belt on his thigh, slowly took out a black handkerchief and turned around.

“I’m going inside to rest for a bit, so you guys keep building earth mounds.”

Oh, and it’s obvious, but don’t forget to post guards around.

At the commander-in-chief’s casually uttered words, a mountain began to move.

Demons carried dirt. Margrave Amiable immediately grasped Deon Hart’s intention upon seeing the dirt begin to pile up in front of the castle walls.

“He intends to build earth mounds to get over the castle walls.”

Of course, he had no intention of just watching.

The Margrave, watching the earth rapidly piling up, quietly commanded.

“Archers, prepare. And summon the Primiero Knight Order that arrived earlier.”

Building earth mounds, even without interference, is a task that takes considerable time.

With interference added on top, how much time would it take?

‘From the perspective of having to stall for time and endure as much as possible, this is very good.’

If luck was on their side, they might even succeed in a siege defense.

Tender Amiable gazed down with resolute eyes.