Chapter 256: A New Commander and Lingering Emotions

Of course, I know it’s not my place to say this, especially since I foresaw this situation and still couldn’t stop her in the end. Derniban had no right to reproach her.

But things don’t always go as planned, do they?

If I were to make excuses, I tried to dissuade her countless times before the plan was set in motion. Yet, every time, I found myself backing down at her sigh, kneeling before her tears. What could I do?

‘…If I were to put a name to this, it would be love.’

Derniban was insensitive to emotions, but not so foolish as to be completely ignorant of the theory.

‘To think a living corpse could feel emotions….’

Just what is Lady Oel…?

Derniban is a demon from a wolf origin. To be precise, from a wolf ‘corpse’.

He, like Ed, is a demon born from the corpse of a creature, but their origins are completely different.

If Ed was born by completely reconstituting a corpse as ‘material’ mixed with other things, Derniban is closer to breathing life and power into a corpse, changing only the outward appearance slightly, and allowing it to think and move around without decaying. It’s like the difference between a tree reborn as paper and one that’s simply shaped into a pillar.

“I still can’t understand you.”

Despite being influenced by Oel’s vibrant demeanor, his emotions were limited to her. He loved Oel, but he couldn’t empathize with her emotions, and he felt nothing for anyone else.

‘…….’

He pulled out the arrow stuck in the ground. Picking up the familiar bow lying on the floor, he shot down the magical beasts above his head and once again fixed his gaze on Oel.

Look at this disgraceful death, preventing even a legion commander from officially retrieving her remains. Who would think of her as a legion commander?

“But… she seemed satisfied, so I suppose that’s enough.”

She laughed at the words that she had accomplished her mission. She said well done. And to top it off, she even accepted death willingly.

So, even though it was an incomprehensible and irrational action to me, I will simply accept it.

Besides.

“…Though the report is late, the human baby was safely delivered to the former court physician you mentioned before.”

What I understand even less than that is myself.

“I confirmed they took the baby inside the house, so you don’t have to worry too much afterward.”

Have I been infected by her without even realizing it, or is love originally such an irrational emotion? I don’t know how many times I’ve done things that are out of character lately.

He reached out and began to gather the remains.

His endlessly sunken pupils, devoid of any emotion, simply reflected the miserable remains. Even as he gathered the remains of his former lover and superior, his eyes remained still and indifferent.

“As you said, I will become the 5th Corps Commander.”

A voice as indifferent as his gaze emerged.

“I will not discard the strange objects I have collected.”

As he often said as a habit, there might be a use for them someday.

In the Human Realm, they cremate and send them off, but you wouldn’t want that. You would prefer for them to be used if there is a real need later.

“I can’t understand the emotions you had….”

I only know the name ‘maternal love,’ but I still don’t know what it is.

But I know that she shone brightly while feeling that emotion.

“I respect your emotion.”

So how could I criticize and belittle her choice? It’s the result of that emotion.

The reason I readily accept it, even while repeatedly saying it’s incomprehensible and a foolish choice, also includes this.

‘…And above all….’

Derniban stood up, holding the collected remains in his arms.

As he moved to return, he quietly moved his lips. A passing breeze stole his words and scattered them into the air.

A faint voice, like a whisper or crumbling dust, lingered in the empty vacant lot.

“I love you.”

Because I love you.

The truth, realized too late in a situation where the object was already gone, quietly emerged.

It was a truth that would never be mentioned again.

***

Oel died. It was a somewhat expected situation, so I wasn’t taken aback.

Deon will be pleased. The Demon King chuckled to himself, casually dealing with documents related to him.

…More importantly.

“He suddenly said he wanted to meet, so I let him in for now….”

He put down his pen. The Demon King, lifting his head from the documents, wore a chilling atmosphere, as if he had never smiled.

Even without the death of another legion commander, which had already become bothersome, mental fatigue was piling up from handling paperwork and dealing with magical beasts concurrently. Who would welcome the request to meet from someone closely related to the deceased, in this situation? It seemed like troublesome matters would only increase.

A sharp voice involuntarily escaped.

“What is it?”

“I would like to ask if the vacant position of the 5th Corps Commander is already decided.”

An dry and composed voice returned, seemingly unconcerned with the other party’s mood.

Ah, I see what his purpose is. The Demon King wore a nonchalant expression.

“If not?”

“I would like to take that position.”

“Bold, aren’t you?”

“……”

Under the Demon King’s intention, the air tightened as if pressing down. Chilling reverse eyes stared as if to pierce through the opponent.

Usually, they would have backed down at this point, but Derniban stood firm, meeting the Demon King’s gaze.

In the silence, gazes crossed for a long time. As time passed, the Demon King, gradually withdrawing his sharp energy and looking at him blankly, spoke first.

“The 5th Corps mainly uses bows.”

“……”

“It’s not a problem if the legion and the legion commander’s main weapon don’t overlap, but it would be better for someone who understands and can utilize the legion well to become the legion commander.”

If the main weapons used are the same, it would be even better as a basic understanding is already in place.

“Ed is versatile, but compared to you, he’s closer to martial arts….”

Derniban’s eyes flashed with a different light, reading affirmation in the atmosphere.

“If I were to choose a 5th Corps Commander, yes. You would be a good choice.”

Originally, I had no intention of choosing one.

But since you came all the way here to ask, I have to appoint you to avoid suspicion. Isn’t that right, Deon?

The vacant position is about to be filled again. The Demon King grinned.

Regardless of the Demon King’s change in expression, Derniban, having achieved his purpose, bowed his head without concern.

“Thank you.”

***

Sanguo entered siege defense.

Whether there was some kind of signal, everyone was briefly taken aback by the sight of them retreating like a tide receding in an instant. Commander of the 10th Corps Gaisitel quickly ordered them to pursue, but by the time they thought they had caught up, they had already reached near the city walls, and a rain of arrows poured down, preventing further approach.

“What should we do, Sir Deon?”

“……”

The man with a carnivorous plant hanging from his waist narrowed his eyes and looked at the city walls, as if gauging something.

‘I could probably cross the city walls and open the city gates alone….’

The Hero’s body gives him confidence. If he sets his mind to it, conquering the Human Realm, let alone this war, wouldn’t be difficult.

……However.

Red eyes glanced at Gaisitel.

‘…My current goal isn’t simply to destroy Sanguo and conquer the Human Realm.’

He subtly hid the pawn named Deon Hart behind him and opened his mouth.

“First… build siege towers and battering rams. I heard they were all destroyed in the battle before I arrived.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Well, I suppose they’ll crawl out on their own if they run out of food….”

He rummaged through his memories from a while ago and pulled out information he had received from the 2nd Corps Commander Develania.

“…They said they’re drawing up groundwater to farm on a small scale inside.”

Indeed, it’s understandable why the king is staying put even with the enemy right in front of them. They couldn’t find a better environment than this.

From our perspective, it means that breaking through this place is the end. A last stand, huh, King.

He casually fiddled with the carnivorous plant at his waist and then spoke.

“Gaisitel. Since it will take time to build siege weapons anyway, how about I assign you another mission?”

“Please assign it to me! I will do my best!”

“…Alright. It’s good to see you so motivated.”

Blood flickered in the corner of his vision. He pretended not to notice and continued speaking.

“Using groundwater is one thing, but Dan checked and said the surrounding land is moist. That means there’s a high possibility of a waterway nearby. Take your troops and find it.”

“Once we find it, what should we do?”

“Build a dam and divert the waterway’s direction towards the city.”

So that as soon as the dam bursts, the pouring water will wash away the city.

He lifted his head. Bright summer sunlight pierced his eyes painfully against the backdrop of the high blue sky.

“Soon it will be autumn and harvest season will come.”

“If water rushes into the city, the harvested crops will spoil.”

Quick-witted Dan chimed in. Deon nodded.

“It doesn’t have to be strong enough to wash away houses or people.”

Harvested crops will spoil just by being damp. Even if it only rises to knee level, it will be a success.

Gaisitel let out an exaggerated exclamation.

“I see! As expected of Sir Deon!”

“…Then depart as soon as you’re ready.”

“Yes! Understood!”

Showing a highly motivated demeanor, he turned around and shouted at his subordinates.

“Did you hear that? Sir Deon wants us to dig in the dirt! Let’s go quickly, slaves… no, subordinates!”

“……”

“……”

A group with rotten expressions followed Gaisitel and disappeared in a rush.

Dan, who had been silently watching their retreating figures, turned his head and looked at Deon as if he hadn’t seen anything. Catching up with Deon’s steps towards the barracks, he casually spoke.

“I know they look like that, but I believe they are highly skilled personnel. You might be the only one who uses them for digging in the dirt, Master.”

“They’re guys with too much energy to spare, so they’ll finish quickly.”

“What’s your real intention?”

“……”

Deon, who had already arrived at the entrance of the barracks, pulled aside the cloth and entered inside, turning back to look at Dan.

“Prepare Ches-s. We’re going to meet the king soon.”

“……!”

Dan’s eyes widened.

If he wasn’t mistaken, the ‘king’ he mentioned was definitely….

‘…He’s crazy.’

What is he thinking, is he really crazy? All sorts of questions surged up to his throat. However, Dan, who had opened his mouth as if about to speak at any moment, paused as he met the red eyes. The words that were coming out went back in.

‘Ah, this human was a Hero.’

His confident gaze, as if nothing could stop him, is truly impressive.

Well, if the Hero wants to, who can stop him? Maybe not crossing the city walls right now is also because he has other plans. He would be able to cross them easily if he wanted to.

The mouse was worrying about the cat.

With a detached heart, he nodded.

“Understood. Is there anything else you need me to do?”

“Not really…? Let me know if you have any useful information.”

“Useful information…….”

…I don’t know if it’s useful information, but since you asked for ‘information,’ something comes to mind.

Recalling the fresh news that just came in, Dan, rolling his eyes as if calculating, cautiously broached the subject.

“I just heard from Ed, but I heard that the 5th Corps Commander has died.”

“5th Corps Commander, you mean… Oel?”

“Yes.”

“Was she killed by the 9th Corps Commander?”

“Yes. It seems things proceeded as Master expected.”

So it finally burst. Deon smirked.

As he stared blankly at the blood pooling above his shin, near his knee, another piece of information was thrown out as if this wasn’t the end.

“And I heard that Derniban, who was the adjutant, has become the next 5th Corps Commander.”

“…The next, 5th Corps Commander?”

“Yes, I heard he went directly to the Demon King and said he would do it.”

“Oh, really?”

At the voice that sounded as if his interest had suddenly waned, Dan, who was tidying up the bedding, glanced back at him.

He was fiddling with his nails with indifferent eyes, clearly showing that he had no interest. Since there was nothing more to say anyway, he roughly finished his words and fixed his eyes on the carnivorous plant still wrapped around Deon’s waist.

“More than that, are you going to keep carrying that thing on your side… ?”

“…Huh?”

Deon looked down at his waist in surprise, as if he had forgotten about it himself.

“…Kkyiiek?”