Chapter: 285

The ground literally shakes. Massive artillery fire erupts from various points across the immense defensive line that spans the plains, systematically erasing the entire area where the enemies approach.

Piiiin…

Kwaaaang!!

A red trajectory cuts through the night sky. After a deafening explosion, the commanders, who have nearly lost their hearing, scream out.

“Gun alignment!! Gun alignment!! Check the primer! Load the rounds!!”

The soldiers, half entranced, mechanically set their artillery, adjust their firing angles, load the projectiles, and ignite the fuses. Clack, the breech slides back. Eventually, bang.

The artillery squats down on the ground, and once again, the trajectory rises. Such sights are happening simultaneously across various points of the line.

Beyond the horizon stands the army of demons, their banners crudely assembled from human bodies, tilting in the moonlight. As the forces composed of goblins and orcs surge forth, the sound of cannon fire follows suit.

“Is there no contact from the naval command?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. The enemy has yet to reveal themselves.”

“Hm.”

Elizaveta frowned as she surveyed the front lines with the commanders. Amidst the ongoing cannon fire in the distance, she drummed her fingers on the podium as she pondered.

Reinforcement deployment. But why…?

The enemy’s command structure is barbaric but not foolish. In fact, they have cunningly unsettled the allied forces and conducted surprisingly sophisticated psychological warfare.

Moreover, it is already clear that their ultimate target is her and the rulers present here. They, too, prioritize a deep strike as their top strategy.

The rotation taking place across the plains cannot simply be called a true ‘total war.’

Even if all the troops here were to perish and the leaders of each nation were slaughtered, humanity would not be neatly annihilated. The world is not a chess game. Capturing the king does not end the game.

Humanity will attempt to defend in their respective territories, trying to gather forces that cannot converge here. It would be a desperate situation, but nonetheless, it is important that the world does not end immediately.

In such circumstances, the worst strategy that the Seven Dragon Lords could implement is this current reinforcement deployment. It is a situation where they can endlessly exhaust their own troops through meticulously coordinated artillery fire.

“Aiming to deplete our military supplies, perhaps?”

“Does that make sense?”

Leonor’s Ramiro I’s suggestion was immediately dismissed.

It is as if they have no restrictions on their projectiles and gunpowder. They are not besieged and still receive various material support from the rear.

In essence, they are engaged in one of the most extravagant battles possible, where humanity’s collective will can unite in one place.

In contrast, the demon army must replenish forces from the far north of the Demon Realm. That lengthy supply line is precisely their weakness, and it is evident that half of the demons will suffer from hunger as they pass through the ravaged northern territories.

To choose a war of attrition in such a situation?

‘The Seven Dragon Lords are not fools.’

Elizaveta cast a glance at the rulers who seemed to be already celebrating their victory, lost in thought. The Seven Dragon Lords, lurking in this front, were cunning beings. When they had dug traps using the underground tunnels, she had been outmatched in tactical judgment.

In other words, it means they do not lack qualities as field commanders.

Thus, this situation can be explained by a very simple logic. The enemy has some sort of ‘intention.’

It is uncertain what that intention is, though.

*

Two days have passed since the first skirmish. The enemy’s numbers still appeared endless. As dawn broke, black smoke rising beyond the horizon spread like a mist.

The smell of roasted flesh filled the plains, emanating from the demons.

On the front lines, soldiers felt nauseating hunger, despite knowing that most of it was human flesh.

“The enemy’s troop depletion doesn’t seem as significant as expected.”

“What does Kalion think?”

“There are limitations to aerial command. At night, we must rely on visual inspection, but it is difficult to observe from beyond the firing range. However… yes, troop depletion is not substantial.”

Oswald squinted and continued speaking.

“The forces they deploy to the front line are predominantly goblins. This….”

“Is certainly not the main force.”

“Yes, it is undoubtedly not the main force. Nonetheless… if they are hoping to deplete our strategic resources, it is a foolish choice.”

“We can throw our resources without holding back, and they surely know this. So provide another opinion.”

“Aren’t they trying to induce complacency? The moment we hesitate to waste costly artillery on goblins, they will try to push their main force through the gap.”

“They wouldn’t devise such a trivial plan.”

Elizaveta shook her head sharply. In response, Domenico, the king of Albina, rubbed his chin and spoke.

“Are we not overestimating them? How much do demons know about strategy?”

“Do you think those who have fought us for thirty years would be ignorant of tactics?”

“Their strengths are the Seven Dragon Lords and sheer numbers. In the previous war, their strategy consisted only of charge, charge, and then slaughter and plunder. Do you really believe they would wage war with tactical judgment?”

Strategy and tactics tend to favor the weaker side in the end. Before the overwhelming power that can sweep everything away, localized tactics inevitably become meaningless. Just as it had been for the Seven Dragon Lords in the last war.

It is a situation of extreme asymmetric power. In front of the Seven Dragon Lords, numbers become irrelevant. When those embodiments of concept descend upon the front lines, humans can only know defeat.

“Here, we have the firepower of Krasilov, Kalion’s battleships, and the knights of Tylesse. In this situation, does it really matter if it’s the Seven Dragon Lords? The enemy is clearly scared. Hence, they are thinking shallowly.”

“I hope so.”

Elizaveta spoke briefly as she rose from her seat.

“The enemy’s forces are evidently greater than ours, and their commander is the Seven Dragon Lords. All we can do is hope that our defenses can sufficiently hold them back. All of this… I can only pray it is a tactical miscalculation on their part.”

Tonight is a time when the moonlight is weak. The only sources of light are the makeshift mana lamps and the illuminating spells from the aerial battleships.

It is necessary to patrol the front lines. Just as during the great wars of the past.

Mechanically moving towards the front line, Elizaveta looked up at the darkening sky.

*

[I have kept my promise.]

Maximilian quietly gazed upon the evening glow, hearing the hissing sound. When he did not respond, Nekinon’s voice sharpened.

[Now I will trample upon your kin that you cherish and fill the bellies of my followers with their flesh. Your ‘operation’ was insignificant and foolish, but I kept my promise, so you must do the same.]

“I would do that.”

The king laughed as he drew a dagger from his robes. The gold, which emitted a faint yellow light, wriggled in his grasp.

His reflection was seen on the smooth blade. On its constantly moving surface, his face alternately smiled and wept.

Greed. Nekinon’s leash.

Without looking back, the king threw the dagger away. The dagger that spun in the air appeared to possess its own gravity, and soon flew towards Nekinon’s nape.

Crack, a faint sound of metal scraping was heard.

[Ha, haha.]

Crack, crack. Woosh, woosh.

The sound of a dragon shedding its skin followed. Molten metal formed legs that touched the earth, and a powerful mana surged upwards like a waterfall, rushing toward the heavens.

Boom, boom, boom. Mana spread like a heartbeat and then gathered, increasing in size. The god, who had regained its torn sanctity, was silently screaming.

It was ecstasy. Endless greed, a desire for concepts.

The crimson eyes whispered at the Demon King.

[What of Tanashimor’s?]

“If you win this battle, then we will consider it then.”

[Are you going to just watch from the back?]

“Do you want me to step in?”

“No, as you have done until now, just observe. Blind king. Wait with entire payment for my victory in your grasp. After today, all of yours will become mine.]

The terrible desire tousled the king’s hair. Finally, the god, having regained its entirety, takes its first step.

From its infinitely raised gaze, the humans igniting torches to dispel the darkness could be seen far away.

Beyond that lay the sight of humanity’s city, embedded like pearls. Yes, like pearls. It sparkled like the grains of a jeweled box.

All mine. Every single one of those things belongs to me.

The god of greed rises and begins to walk.

*

“Has it finally begun…!”

All the commanders rose from their seats in unison. As the evening sun set, a thick dark fog devoid of moonlight covered the plains, yet the giant rising beyond the horizon was clear enough to be seen from afar.

The kings anxiously began to carry out their roles. Managing troops, calculating the enemy’s distance, moving according to pre-established formations.

A god approaches. The god who has never faced defeat in decades. In an era without a hero, the Seven Dragon Lords were synonymous with despair.

And there are no heroes here now.

“Not yet, wait!!”

Elizaveta tightened the reins on the troops with all her strength to prevent the nervous commanders from recklessly advancing before the god.

Not yet. They have not entered the firing range. They must seize the terrain with the simultaneous bombardment from the Reaper’s artillery, and precisely deploy the troops from Tylesse and Kalion when the enemy forces are incinerated.

The knights, led directly by Adelpheat and Oscar, must block the monster’s path, while the mages on the five battleships simultaneously bind the creature’s arms and legs. So what if there is no hero? There are dozens and hundreds of heroes who can share the hero’s role.

Just a little closer, just a little more.

Elizaveta, nervously calculating the distance through her telescope, spotted the golden giant halting just shy of the firing range.

“It… stopped…?”

Elizaveta whispered in astonishment. The giant and its forces were exactly outside the calculated firing range as if measured.

‘How did they know that distance?’

A chilling premonition stirred in her mind.

The reason for the successive deployments of goblins during the past two days.

If it was not merely to deplete strategic resources, but rather to use those least useful forces for ‘scouting’ to calculate the artillery range?

‘Did they fear our bombardment?’

That would mean they were wary of the Reaper’s artillery. Such an act indicates an attempt to fully understand the enemy’s capabilities.

But the Seven Dragon Lords? Could it be that the immortals, untouched by artillery, were ‘calculating’ the firepower of humanity’s artillery units? Those arrogant beings?

Then…

“Kalion!! Relay this to Kalion!! Now!!”

Elizaveta tossed aside her telescope and shouted. A staff officer standing beside her approached in shock.

“Tell the mages!! To stop the creature!! Right now!!”

“B-but Your Majesty! All the battleships are….”

“Damn the plan!! Right now that isn’t the important—”

Elizaveta’s words faltered. A powerful mana surged, detectable only to superhumans.

As she turned her gaze, she felt the giant at the horizon staring directly at her. The giant raised its glowing hand.

“If the past skirmishes were intended to gauge our artillery capabilities….”

If they were indeed wary of the 2nd Legion’s artillery capabilities, what would be the enemy’s best tactical move?

Assuming that both commanders are rational, that is, if Elizaveta were to think from the enemy’s perspective.

“Their first target will be the artillery!!”

Elizaveta shouted through gritted teeth. As the giant clenched its hand, waves of mana swept across the battlefield.

Whoosh, a stink-laden wind brushed her hair back.

There was no physical blow. But Elizaveta turned her gaze with eyes filled with fear, towards the soldiers stationed around the artillery position beneath the podium.

Kiiiiiik… clunk!

The artillery barrels were melting. Artillerymen screamed in horror as they fled from the boiling lava, or those who could not escape were being burnt beneath it.

As Elizaveta strained her neck to gaze at the horizon, observing the artillery pieces transforming into molten metal and the barrels twisting and falling apart, she saw the God of Greed laughing.

[Everything is mine.]

From the molten artillery’s metallic liquid, serpents woven of steel rise. Due to being in the rear, the damage on this side was not immediately communicated to the front lines. The screams of the artillerymen did not reach the infantry deployed at the front.

Even if they had heard it, the front-line infantry could not have turned to support the artillerymen. They were welcoming the tidal wave of demons rushing towards them, shaking the ground.

*

“I said slowly!! Move slowly! Charging in like this is suicide!!”

Ivan, being a reasonable man, did not respond to the whimpering of the elderly man over seventy. That was a role for a kind-hearted caretaker, not for a member of the Cleanup Unit.

This primitive era often forces people to hold multiple roles simultaneously. Hand a farmer a weapon and shove him into the front lines, and he becomes a soldier; give him a shovel, and he becomes a construction laborer.

But the Cleanup Unit does not operate in such a manner. They are trained for only one role and faithfully implement what they have been trained for.

So Ivan grasped his axe and pistol without responding to the old man’s desperate cries behind him.

He turned towards the demons. Towards the densely packed enemy forces, lined up like a wall, that could be counted in the tens of thousands with the naked eye.