Chapter 18. Here to End the War

 

The front line was hell.

 

Centered around a massive wall, endless monsters surged.

 

Argeamiac surveyed the battlefield, frowning.

 

“This isn’t easy….”

 

There were too many enemies.

 

Moreover, the western side was known for having the lowest and weakest walls.

 

It wasn’t suitable for blocking such a large number of monsters. The enemy’s numbers were so overwhelming that the forest was filled with insect-like monsters trampling each other to create paths.

 

“Did they deliberately target the forest…

 

?”

 

In his unit was a hero skilled in observation.

 

Although not perfect, he was exceptional at identifying the enemy’s numbers and positions, and Argeamiac always trusted him.

 

However, his vision was relatively high, making dense forests a challenge.

 

But he didn’t worry too much.

 

Usually, monsters charged in a straight line, and even if they had to circle around the forest from the portal, they would reach the walls.

 

It was very unusual to gather such a large force and target the forest.

 

It felt like someone was controlling them from behind.

 

Argeamiac activated his hero ability.

 

His ability was to link and communicate with everyone simultaneously.

 

Brilliant individuals from each unit received the link, creating a vast network of connections.

 

– 300 meters ahead! They’re building a huge wall!

 

– Cast spells to bring down the wall!

 

– On the right, the wall is about to collapse! Retreat the front lines a bit!

 

Loud cries and shouts.

 

Their desperate screams echoed through the linked network.

 

Argeamiac supported with his magic, biting his lip.

 

‘…We don’t have enough troops.’

 

The enemy was too numerous.

 

The western wall was too low to block such a massive force.

 

Although they were desperately holding the line through connections, it was only a matter of time.

 

If the battle continued for hours or days,

 

even a small mistake could isolate and massacre countless soldiers from behind.

 

He had to make a decision.

 

– Everyone, retreat! Fall back to the rear wall, Jistra! Set up timed explosive spells on the connecting paths!

 

The order was swift.

 

Abandon the front gate.

 

The absolute command was to hold the line and abandon the foremost wall, Kartel.

 

They drank potions they had saved, temporarily pushing back the front lines to allow time for retreat.

 

Though the potions caused terrible strain on their bodies, survival was the priority. They displayed overwhelming firepower, temporarily pushing back the front lines, and began to retreat simultaneously.

 

– Maintain formation!!

 

As they withdrew from the front lines,

 

the insects noticed and surged over the walls even faster.

 

The foremost wall was quickly covered by a wave of black. The insects also flew through the air, spraying acidic bodily fluids at the retreating soldiers.

 

Occasionally, the mages’ spells hit them, but in the face of such overwhelming numbers, the front lines were quickly pushed back.

 

[Kreeee——!!]

 

The insects screeched, stabbing the retreating soldiers with their stingers. Injected with something, the soldiers’ bodies crumbled instantly.

 

Argeamiac grimaced at the brutal scene, timing his next move.

 

‘Just a bit more…’

 

The weakest part of the western wall.

 

In anticipation of the wall falling and the enemy breaking through, the paths from Kartel to Jistra were lined with numerous magic stones.

 

Inscribed with special runes,

 

those with the mark could trigger an immense explosion by focusing their minds.

 

This was why the western wall was particularly weak.

 

The complex and winding paths from Kartel to Jistra were to ensure enemies would get lost and be concentrated in a narrow space.

 

Once the enemies were concentrated, they would be swept away by overwhelming firepower.

 

And now, the enemies

 

stood atop those magic stones.

 

‘Just a bit more…’

 

It was still early.

 

The insects sprayed their green fluids and screeched, the compound eyes moving erratically as they searched for enemies.

 

And when the fur-covered leg of the foremost insect touched the ground,

 

“Now!”

 

As he activated the runes,

 

———!!—!!!

 

A massive flash swept across the battlefield.

 

For a moment, no sound could be heard.

 

In the blinding light, followed by a colossal explosion,

 

Kwaaaaang——!!

 

A tremendous blast overturned the battlefield.

 

At the same time, a gap appeared in the endless wave of insects.

 

Although insufficient to handle the endless swarm, it bought enough time for all forces to retreat to the wall, Jistra.

 

After retreating to the wall, Jistra,

 

Argeamiac stood on the wall, looking over the battlefield.

 

The once dense forest had turned into a rugged plain. And behind that, the enemy forces were slowly but surely advancing.

 

Erasing the remnants of mana from the explosion with their bodies, the endless waves of enemies kept coming.

 

How long could they hold out?

 

One hour? Two? A day? Three days?

 

He didn’t know.

 

But one thing was certain.

 

They couldn’t stop all those forces.

 

They were human, after all.

 

They inevitably needed rest, sleep, and moments to catch their breath.

 

As humans,

 

it was impossible to stop the overwhelming forces.

 

Even if they maintained the front lines with firepower, it would only be temporary.

 

The endless waves of enemies would eventually break their spirits and eat away at all the walls.

 

Argeamiac’s face darkened.

 

He couldn’t request support from elsewhere.

 

Over the past millennia, the portals connecting the Demonic Realm were not just one.

 

Erecting walls around the endless portals was difficult, and other front lines were not in good shape.

 

Moreover, with conflicts between nations recently, it was even harder to expect support.

 

The massive enemy forces covering the walls would likely cut off the reinforcements’ path.

 

In an instant, the waves of forces surged.

 

Staring at the endless black waves filling the horizon, Argeamiac let out a deep sigh.

 

‘Is this the end….’

 

He didn’t say it out loud.

 

But everyone on the battlefield thought so.

 

The enemy forces weren’t just concentrated on the western side. Though fewer in number compared to the west, they had cut off all supply routes to starve and kill everyone on the walls.

 

Could they handle such massive forces?

 

He was skeptical.

 

Where did it all go wrong?

 

Was it when he failed to take seriously the retreating monsters?

 

When the number of monsters dwindled, and they started dealing with occasional monsters in the forest?

 

Or maybe,

 

it was all his fault.

 

He should have been more cautious, more vigilant, and more fearful.

 

Anyone else might make mistakes, but he should never have made mistakes.

 

“Who would have thought monsters, who only charged mindlessly, could use their heads.”

 

He thought they only knew how to bite and scream horribly.

 

“Let’s do this.”

 

It was too early to give up.

 

Even if everyone on this battlefield gave up, he couldn’t afford to.

 

That was his duty as the leader and the promise he made to those who entrusted him with their lives.

 

As Argeamiac encouraged the soldiers and prepared to defend the wall,

 

“Hmm…?”

 

Suddenly,

 

a shadow fell over the bright battlefield.

 

At first, he thought a cloud had covered the sun.

 

Otherwise, it wouldn’t be so dark over the entire battlefield he could see.

 

But it was strange.

 

It was too dark.

 

As if the sun were covered by something massive.

 

Argeamiac looked up instinctively.

 

And he saw it.

 

The sky splitting left and right, enveloping the entire world,

 

a colossal, serene, and apocalyptic presence.

 

With an endlessly long body floating gracefully, the entity watched the battlefield with calm eyes.

 

More precisely, it watched the endless waves of monsters.

 

[Pathetic.]

 

As it spoke,

 

every insect filling the battlefield vanished in an instant.

 

Without leaving a trace.

 

When he came to his senses,

 

the battlefield was peacefully quiet.

 

The endless waves of insects were gone, and the massive presence filling the horizon had disappeared.

 

Argeamiac wondered if he was dreaming.

 

“Hey… slap me.”

 

“Uh… yes.”

 

Slap!

 

“…It hurts.”

 

Argeamiac stared blankly at the sky.

 

It felt like he was entranced by a god.