I Was Abandoned by the Demon King I Served for 10 Years

Chapter 27

There was a land the Regent sought to gain as he relinquished the throne.

The homeland of Demon Beasts, who grew up gazing at the hazy Heavenly Palace under skies where frost winds blew daily. The harsh environment granted strong creatures the right to live as masters of the land. Survival itself was akin to a badge of honor.

Thus, it was a resource coveted by the Castle. The grueling trials forged resilient bodies capable of resisting Holy Power, making them invaluable on battlefields against Angels.

The Demon Beast Farm was where Northern trainers were employed by the Castle to prepare for war.

However, due to the Northern tendency to divide into tribes rather than unite under a single leader, they were not particularly favorable toward the Central forces. Throwing Demon Beasts, who had lived as companions, into war as mere meat shields naturally inclined them toward isolationism.

A hundred years ago, when the era of a strong Demon King ended and a period of decline began, the Northerners, exhausted from countless wars, made an inevitable decision. The moment the king they outwardly served disappeared, they immediately declared a severance from the Central forces. They also gathered their armies to deter any reckless border crossings.

"But by now, they must have realized. That it's futile."

If they had pushed southward toward the Central forces back then, history might have been different. However, the divided North could not choose the path of advance. Divergent opinions obstructed them.

While Durin was consolidating the South, they could only watch the end of chaos unfold as a consequence of their hesitation.

The Demon King's Castle had grown to the point where it could face the Heavenly Legion on the battlefield alone. It was not an opponent to be taken lightly. If it had stopped there, the North might have also expanded its forces to resist, but Durin's actions were far swifter.

"Our East has also prepared its forces as the Regent desired. Excluding the five thousand who arrived as an envoy to the Central forces, ten thousand are ready for deployment."

Acting as the Grand Duke's proxy with the authority of an Elector, the secretary Alberto reported to the Regent. In exchange for making Serphin the king, they had received a legion-level force. Combined with the Central forces, it would form a massive army nearing thirty thousand.

Such a number made the days when they had to embark on expeditions with only eight hundred seem laughable, but it was not the end.

"Your Excellency. The South has also scraped together troops and sent them. The number is said to be three thousand."

"Three thousand? Considering Ractelrun's circumstances, isn't that excessive?"

"The Governor's Defense Force numbers around five hundred, but the recently conquered Barbarians have voluntarily gathered warriors and sent them. They said they wanted to prove their loyalty."

Every time Spranches spoke, the number of troops increased. With the Southern Army, now fully under the Castle's control, joining in, the forces grew even stronger. Moreover, these were warriors armed with loyalty.

Alberto chuckled as he listened to the report.

"You claim to be selecting an Elector, but in truth, you're preparing for war. To amass such an army so quickly—it's terrifying."

"The Demon Realm must be unified swiftly to seize the opportunity to confront the Angels. When they turn their gaze to the Human Realm in search of the Demon King, we must act quickly."

"However, our East also has eyes and ears. I've heard that the Heavenly forces have already sent down a legion. Do we have the means to stop them?"

"When the Grand Duke's army, tasked with ravaging the Northeast Region, takes the lead, we will advance to the border. That will provide sufficient deterrence."

At Durin's gesture, Verdia scurried over and spread a map on the table. A red line marked the advance route, cutting through the Central forces and heading toward the North. Alberto scrutinized the operation map closely.

"Deploying toward the Western Continent to check the Warlords, then advancing to the Northern Frontier to station troops..."

"The Angels and the two continents are already in a standoff. Even the mere pressure of the Castle's forces will prevent them from acting rashly."

"It's just a pity that despite mobilizing so many troops, the gains are minimal. However, any major movement could provoke the Heavenly forces, so caution is necessary."

"But it won't be long. Once we eliminate the Northern threat, we can focus entirely on the Angels. There will be no need to worry about what comes after."

"I'm not sure if dealing with the North alone will suffice. Based on this old Demon's experience, another threat is bound to emerge eventually."

Alberto shifted his gaze from the map to Durin. His eyes held a lingering doubt, unable to scratch the itch of unease.

"Your Excellency, the Regent. Our East and the Central forces have yet to resolve their grudges. You may not know, but for the lower-ranking Demons, and even more so for the High Demons of the Senate, the resentment runs deep."

"They were already fighting before I arrived."

"Our East is trying to endure, reading Your Excellency's grand vision, but the Central's Red Horns seem unlikely to cooperate. Even the Royal Guard is openly hostile toward us, which is concerning."

"That is only natural. In the Demon King Selection, each faction will support different Demons. Minor conflicts are to be expected."

"...Your Excellency, do you believe such division is appropriate in the face of impending war?"

"Secretary of the East. Do you think the deep-seated grudges can be reconciled?"

"It's impossible. Until one side collapses, the hatred will persist endlessly. However, Your Excellency possesses the power to suppress even that hatred."

Alberto leaned in closer, lowering his voice as he spoke to Durin.

"Please grant the East a bit more strength. If we can advance further into the Central forces, it will aid your future endeavors."

"Are you saying that helping the Grand Duke's daughter ascend the throne is insufficient?"

"We are looking beyond that, Your Excellency. During the centuries Serphin will reign, the Demon Realm must regain the strength to confront the Heavenly forces once more."

The groundwork was lengthy. Durin observed how far Alberto would go. As the Regent showed interest, Alberto eagerly revealed his prepared proposal.

"The Black Army. The Grand Duke has a strong desire to rebuild the army that vanished alongside him."

"......"

"We must reclaim the glory of old, Your Excellency."

"Secretary."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

"Whose glory do you wish to reclaim?"

Durin's question lingered. Alberto took a moment to compose himself before answering.

"Naturally, the glory of the Demon Realm. Remembering the time when Angels dared not invade..."

"You're reminiscing about Istria's past. You wish to reclaim the power your ancestors wielded when they ruled as Demon Kings."

"......."

Alberto tried to respond but found his lips uncooperative. The blood-stained memories threatened to ignite his anger. Yet he had to restrain himself. This was the King's Hall, after all.

"Collaboration with the East will extend only to subjugating the North and bringing it under the Castle's control. Afterward, a legitimate Elector vote will determine the king, and the system will be established."

"Your Excellency, for the sake of the grand endeavor, more troops are necessary..."

"Was it revenge you sought so desperately?"

Before his efforts bore fruit, the thread of reason frayed dangerously. The old Demon's expression hardened. The once-relaxed corners of his mouth stiffened.

Durin, noticing this, delved deeper.

"When the Istria Demon King disappeared and no legitimate successor could be found, the Red Horns saw it as an opportunity."

"They abolished all policies aimed at strengthening royal authority and cut off all support for the military."

"Every Green Horn who could have been named a successor was assassinated within three days. A week. It took only a week for the once-progressive Demon Realm to regress five hundred years."

"Your Excellency, you witnessed that era as well, did you not?"

Memories of Durin's time as a vanguard in the Black Army surfaced. As a gladiator, he had shed the stigma of a lower-ranking Demon and embarked on the path of a High Demon.

"Without punishment for the Red Horns, the East will not easily open its heart. The pain etched in our blood will never be forgotten."

"I intend to tie up loose ends decisively."

"I won't ask how you plan to act. That is solely the Regent's decision, and we will observe."

The East would decide its future stance based on the direction he took.

That was what Alberto was conveying.

"I hope there will be no power struggles afterward. Ruler of the Red Horns."

The anger was brief. Leaving those words behind, Alberto turned and departed. The room where they had met became a space for contemplation.

Even without such expressions, Durin had already decided how to handle the Red Horns. However, it would not be as extreme as the East desired. In case of resistance, he had stationed the Royal Guard nearby.

"Everything will be resolved through war. Demons have always communicated through blood and steel."

The best way to divert attention from the grudges entangling various continents.

It was also an opportunity to secure the allegiance of the border warlords by creating a common enemy.

Angels and the arrogant other continents.

They were the sacrifices.

"Spranches. Is the atmosphere for war preparation complete?"

"Yes. The Southern Army has already stated that they are ready for immediate deployment."

"Good. Once they arrive at the castle, they will depart immediately. Prepare."

It was time to draw the sword that had been set aside while fortifying the interior.