Chapter 277: Unexpected Strength

In a battle where three nations joined forces—or perhaps even more, considering the Empire mobilized Esperance mercenaries and Sanguo practically begged heroes from its vassal states—the rulers of each country focused not only on the battle unfolding in ‘Sanguo Castle’ but also kept a close watch on other fronts.

Because there was no way the Demon King’s army would not retaliate. They would surely seek revenge against some nation. And the possibility of them targeting another nation weakened by sending support was more than likely.

As expected, Rweche was attacked.

“We’re alright here.”

This wouldn’t have happened if they hadn’t joined the battle. They lent their strength, causing this damage to Rweche, and yet they even failed to kill Deon Hart.

They had nothing to say, even with ten mouths. The King of Sanguo and the Emperor of the Empire were unusually silent. Even through the communicator where faces were unseen, a heavy atmosphere hung between them.

“I said we’re alright.”

The King of Rweche spoke calmly to the two rulers who, despite initiating the communication as soon as they heard the news, seemed sorry and hesitant to speak their minds.

“We were prepared for this from the moment we decided to help.”

– …….

“So, don’t worry about it.”

This was an inevitable consequence. The Demon King’s army hadn’t touched Rweche until now because Rweche hadn’t interfered with them. From their perspective, targeting Rweche, the most meddlesome among all the nations involved, was a reasonable move. However…

There was something they hadn’t accounted for.

‘Did they think Rweche would just quietly cower all this time?’

The King’s eyes gleamed coldly.

– If you need support, please let us know. We will contribute.

“There’s no need. We are sufficient on our own.”

Rweche was one of the few nations that had been at peace while the world was in turmoil. No sane ruler, tasked with prioritizing their country and protecting their people, would let this golden opportunity slip away.

‘The day the Demon King’s army turns its weapons this way will surely come.’

Thus, they had been frantically building up their military power.

Other nations in the Human Realm, and even the Demon King’s army, preoccupied with numerous interfering forces, hadn’t paid attention to Rweche. In this blind spot, Rweche, blessed with fertile lands, had steadily increased its power, harvesting more than enough grain even during long droughts.

‘We did reveal some of our cards to the Demon King’s army, but…’

It wasn’t all of them, and thanks to that, they could hold out until the dispatched troops returned. This much was acceptable. The King wore a relaxed smile.

“So, focus on other matters. Don’t you have enough to worry about already?”

– …That’s true.

Yeonhwa, who had gathered the remaining troops and relocated to another city, clenched her fist tightly.

The original city, devastated by battle, the dwindling troops, and the anxious populace. The contracts with vassal states, painstakingly gathered, were practically void, and some vassal states were even demanding compensation for the heroes they had lent.

The backlash from failure was immense, proportional to what had been risked.

‘Isn’t this practically a fallen nation…?’

Far from protecting her people, she was struggling to even take care of herself.

Pathetic. A bitter laugh escaped her lips.

– Since killing Deon Hart failed… all that’s left is to endure until we can gather our forces again.

War inevitably dwindled troops, and whether they could even be gathered again was doubtful. Wasn’t this like pouring water into a bottomless pit?

Though not as much as the King of Sanguo, the Emperor and the Crown Prince of the Empire were also in deep despair.

“To think he had such a lover…”

Perhaps out of touch with reality after hearing that the chance to take down the Hero had vanished, Aletea murmured softly about the carnivorous plant. Elpidius cast a bewildered glance at her, signaling that it was inappropriate, but she seemed oblivious.

Eventually, Elpidius, unable to watch any longer, glanced at the communicator and lowered his voice to a whisper.

“Aletea… that’s going too far…”

“But she risked her life to save him, didn’t she? That’s only possible with love.”

“…Of course, it’s love, but…”

Love isn’t just between lovers…

Elpidius, unsure whether to call her narrow-minded or remarkably broad-minded, simply chuckled and looked back at the communicator with a slightly improved expression. Aletea, noticing the lighter mood, smiled brightly as she watched him.

Just then, good news came through the communicator.

– There’s still one more chance.

It was the King of Rweche’s voice.

– How else do you think Rweche, with its depleted forces, could have held out against the Demon King’s army, including a legion commander?

“…!”

Elpidius shot up from his seat.

“You mean…”

– Yes, Rweche still possesses Heroes.

Whatever you expect, it’s more than that.

***

Surprisingly, the Demon King’s army couldn’t even get close to Rweche’s city walls. Rweche’s troops, appearing just at the edge of the array’s range, blocked their path.

Even so, their side included a legion commander. Naturally, they would be pushed back, gradually letting the enemies inside. And if it became truly impossible, they would retreat into the city, lock the gates, and initiate siege defense.

…Idelia thought so.

However, the variable was that the troops blocking the Demon King’s army were not ordinary soldiers.

“These bastards…!”

Ed’s black wind blades came hurtling. Idelia, using her fan to deflect the gusts that tore through everything and redirect them towards the enemies, frowned as she saw them easily disrupt the attacks. Her hand movements were swift and sharp as she struck the head of an approaching enemy with the folded edge of her fan.

Her once-pristine clothes were now disheveled. She had expected Rweche to grow stronger while they were preoccupied, but never to this extent!

Furious shouts echoed.

“They were hiding Heroes!!”

And not just one or two, but a considerable number!

***

Rweche had hidden cards. The King had revealed it himself, leaving no room for doubt.

No ruler questioned why they hadn’t sent support earlier. They knew that Rweche, who initially hadn’t intended to help, had sent almost all of its forces except for these hidden Heroes. Rather, considering their unusual martial prowess even without Heroes, they felt indebted for causing Rweche to waste troops they had painstakingly trained.

Therefore, the King of Sanguo and the Emperor of the Empire chose to focus on the renewed opportunity and rejoice.

An anomaly occurred then.

Clang!

Elpidius, having ended the communication, turned his gaze towards the unsettling sound. Crown Princess Aletea was holding the handle of a teacup.

Yes, only the handle.

“…?”

“…”

After a moment of exchanging puzzled glances, Elpidius lowered his eyes. The teacup, now handle-less, lay shattered into pieces on the floor.

“…Was the cup old?”

What if Aletea had gotten hurt?

He clicked his tongue quietly, thinking he needed to warn the maids to be more careful, and reached out his hand.

“Aletea, put down the handle. You might get…”

Crumble.

As Aletea obediently opened her hand as his touch intended, the handle, now turned to powder, fell like sand. Elpidius was speechless.

It seemed he wasn’t the only one taken aback; Aletea also tried to rise from her seat, placing her hands on the armrests of the chair. And snap.

“…”

“…”

The armrest broke.

…At this point, it was impossible not to realize.

“Could it be…”

Elpidius’s face paled. He urgently rang the bell. A servant entered, and an order was given to bring the Hero identification tool.

The Hero identification tool was nothing special.

A neatly cut stone block, about the size of two human heads put together, was carried in by two servants. Elpidius instructed them to place it on the desk and only then looked at Aletea after the servants had left.

His eyes trembled with unease.

“Aletea.”

“…I know, Brother.”

There was something that Heroes could do, and ordinary people, no matter how hard they tried, could not. To crush a stone by slowly increasing pressure without ever lifting a finger.

Fingers must not be lifted in between, nor should the palm touch it. It’s not about breaking it with a single burst of force, but crushing it by gradually increasing pressure.

She placed her hand on the stone. Lifting her palm so only the fingertips touched, she pressed gently. As the stone, as if piercing tofu, caved in along her fingers and finally crumbled into pieces, despair clouded Elpidius’s eyes.

“No way…”

It seemed the world was determined to take away even the last of his remaining family.

“Why at this time…”

Aletea had become a ‘Hero’.

***

Deon Hart, barely able to support himself, was carried back by Lirinel and Ben. Following them, the Lofty Knights and Dan’s trading company returned, and the demons who survived the battle limped back.

It was a crushing defeat.

Sanguo, the Empire, Rweche… even Esperance mercenaries. Attacking all together, there was no way to withstand them. Before assigning blame, the Demon King understood the reasons for this outcome.

The person in charge was still unconscious.

Fortunately, the enemy also suffered considerable damage, allowing for some time. The Demon King, postponing any decisions until Deon Hart woke up, soon had to face those who came seeking him.

“Why aren’t you filling the vacant legion commander position?”

The Commanders of the 2nd and 3rd Corps asked.

He wondered why they had come, only to realize it was for this question. Losing interest, the Demon King leaned back in his chair, having been leaning forward.

“Because there’s no one suitable.”

A listless voice replied.

“To say there’s no one suitable… isn’t there Ed?”

“Forcing someone who doesn’t want the position is worse than leaving it vacant. Ed decided to remain as the adjutant of the 0th Legion Commander.”

“Then what about other candidates…”

“The others… honestly, they seem quite lacking compared to the current legion commanders. Don’t you think so too?”

“…”

Tacit agreement returned.

Commander of the 2nd Corps, Develania, who had been silently observing the Demon King’s expression, glared briefly at the 3rd Corps Commander who had fallen silent, and then opened her mouth. Her words, spoken before fully collecting her thoughts, sounded somewhat short-sighted.

“But Sir Deon is currently incapacitated, so it’s true that we need to replenish our forces.”

“That’s right. But we can’t just put any Tom, Dick, or Harry in the legion commander position, can we?”

“That’s… true.”

It would only backfire, such as degrading the prestige of the legion commander position itself.

Seeing Develania, who seemed to have something to say but hesitated, the Demon King stood up and waved his hand. Giving them time to think might lead them to find a loophole and exploit it, which would be troublesome.

“If you have nothing more to say, you can leave now.”

I have somewhere to be, you see.”