chapter 145
‘It’s a temple.’
Cardinal Bahamul trembled when he received the Pope’s letter.
The Paladins were additionally reinforced, and the number exceeded three times the first.
They had defeated the elite soldiers of the Empire with only a thousand numbers, but now it seemed that they would not lose.
As long as the holy war has been declared, there can be no defeat.
Not to mention, support from kingdoms following the Holy Church, including the Kingdom of Rigel, was also arriving.
Meanwhile, the empire was becoming isolated.
One clash is the difference between winning and losing.
“······ The emperor said he would personally command the soldiers?”
However, upon hearing the news of the Imperial Army, Cardinal Bahamul couldn’t help but frown.
It was a battlefield where the imperial army was in the middle of a confrontation after retreating.
With Croft’s betrayal, the enemy’s morale plummeted.
It’s a fight that will end if you push forward as it is. If the princes had stepped forward, they would have easily won.
However, the story is different if the emperor directly steps forward.
Called the Holy King, he was still influencing the entire continent. Numerous people followed Deus, and the trust of the Imperial Army was absolutely absolute.
That’s why he goes to the battlefield?
The Imperial Army has no choice but to change desperately.
‘It’s completely unexpected that the emperor himself came forward.’
It was the first time the cowardly Emperor had appeared on the battlefield.
He, who always controlled only from behind, commands the front?
I thought it wouldn’t happen until I died, but an emperor is an emperor?
Don’t give it time to reorganize.
However, it cannot be pushed recklessly.
‘If the playback is overheated, even a music box can’t save it.’
The crow saintess was confined behind bars and playing the celestial music box.
As a result, the soldiers of the Holy Church gained infinite regenerative ability, but the end of regeneration was death. Due to overuse of regeneration, it turns into a lump and dies.
The thousand soldiers regenerated by the music box are all dead.
Since the follow-up units have been reinforced, the Sacred Church must also have time to reorganize.
‘We are at a disadvantage if we procrastinate.’
But this was an empire.
Dissemination and response are all fast. A surprise attack only caused chaos, but a long-term battle is inevitable.
“Croft. Lead by example. I will kill the emperor.”
“…”
Croft. No, what had been Croft turned and looked at Cardinal Bahamuul.
Instantly, a chill went down his spine.
It was because he remembered the image of him killing the dragon.
‘They say he’s the strongest swordsman in the empire, but his name wasn’t false.’
I never thought a human would kill a dragon.
It was filmed from start to finish as well.
After going through a mana shower, it seemed that he became stronger than when he was in his prime.
However, due to the curse, Croft became a puppet. If they attack with Croft at the forefront, they too will have no choice but to collapse.
Killing the emperor is the icing on the cake.
If he dies there is no need to shed any more blood.
The Empire will also come under the feet of the Holy Church.
“good.”
Shook!
Croft’s new form has disappeared.
*
Croft was the strongest swordsman.
It was the face and pride of the empire.
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Just in case, the story that he defected wasn’t a lie.
“Aagh!”
“Sah, save me!”
only one person.
Croft alone was stirring the battlefield.
I hoped it was a lie, an act, but there was no emotion in Croft’s hands.
On the other hand, everyone in the Imperial Army knows Croft. They couldn’t believe that his sword was pointing at them until they died.
“your majesty. Lord Croft’s movements are different than usual. I feel like I am being manipulated by someone.”
After hearing Eugene’s words, Deus felt relieved.
It’s not a real betrayal, it’s just being manipulated.
But that was more of a problem.
Should I kill Croft, who is only being manipulated?
Since he came in alone, no matter how strong he was, there was no business in front of numbers.
In the end, you will be surrounded and meet your end.
As the damage of the allies is increasing, I can’t afford to let it go.
But… the opponent was Croft. A hero who devoted his life to himself and gave up everything. A man who volunteered to become a shadow for the Empire and Emperor Deus.
“Put the wire… back.”
I couldn’t order him to die.
*
A series of situations occurred in which they were forced to retreat before the front lines were fully formed.
In the end, until the maintenance of the Holy Church was completed, the imperial army was helpless.
Thanks to this, I had no choice but to give up all fights at the advantageous heights.
It was the worst handshake for the emperor to go directly to the front.
However, there was no one to correct it.
There was neither Croft nor Reinhardt.
Eugene is a court wizard, but he is ignorant of combat. He was a genius who could use windowless magic, but specialized in barriers.
Archduke Carlos, who was called a genius of war, had already been executed.
All of the grand duke’s children either died or were divided.
‘Was the empire this weak?’
One, two The soldiers began to think.
the weakness of the empire.
Maybe it’s because the peace has been too long.
On the other hand, the Holy Church properly knew war.
They were also those who knew how to fight in mud.
Who would have imagined that the Sacred Church under heaven would launch such a dogfight against the empire.
“Prince Reinhardt…”
“Where did you disappear to in this situation?”
One or two complaints were coming out.
Even though the emperor himself came forward, where was the crown prince of the empire and what was he doing?
It’s the hope of the empire, so it’s always when you sing and not when you really need it.
‘Aren’t you hiding because you’re scared?’
‘If it’s not hidden, there’s no way it won’t appear yet.’
No one knows the prince’s whereabouts.
doesn’t even appear
In this situation, I wouldn’t be able to know where I was.
Unless he was hiding because he was afraid of war.
“Your crown prince is the forerunner of the Devil Church, a mortal sin! Proof that the Empire has joined hands with the Demon Church!”
As soon as the front line was established, Cardinal Bahamuul was chattering freely.
To say that the crown prince is a mortal sin of the Devil Church.
what the heck is this
“Everyone in the world knows the depravity of the Devil Church! The Emperor is covering the deadly sins, the false gods of that place, and the crown prince who was eaten by demons! The proof is that the crown prince still hasn’t revealed himself!”
It is said that the crown prince is the owner of the Demon Church.
“It is nonsensical nonsense. It’s just creating a cause that doesn’t exist.”
“The surprise attackers talk a lot!”
Of course, there were many articles that refuted that statement.
However, it was true that the seeds of doubt had sprouted in the hearts of ordinary soldiers.
That was also true, because it was certain that the person involved, the crown prince, would not show up.
Morale, which had already fallen, hit bottom.
When it became clear that the Imperial forces were faltering, Cardinal Bahamuul smiled.
“right. can’t appear The prince is here.”
So did Hannibal.
Then Hannibal looked at the Balrog.
Hannibal firmly believed that the Balrog was the Crown Prince of the Empire, Reinhardt.
Of course, even if the Balrog imitates Reinhardt in human form, it cannot be exactly the same. To be honest, I’m surprised I haven’t caught it yet.
‘This guy lived because he couldn’t distinguish human appearance.’
However, Hannibal did not know how to distinguish human appearance.
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Just as humans cannot distinguish the appearance of an ant.
It was similar to other dragons.
At least, it is all about distinguishing each other by the wavelength of dragons.
“hehehe. I can hear the sound of fraud hitting the floor from here.”
The prince who does not appear.
It would be the worst if he, who had a stigma, did not show up until the end.
The results of the war seemed already visible.
Seeing Hannibal like that, the Balrog salivated inwardly.
*
Worst choice, worst time, worst enemy.
The day when it rained and the floor became muddy.
Cries broke out in the fog that made it impossible to distinguish an inch ahead.
“Lungs, Your Majesty!”
“Ahh······!”
Emperor Deus was murdered.
Imperial sword, to Croft.
“··· father?”
Launel couldn’t accept reality either.
I had no choice but to look at the emperor who gushed blood like a fountain with a trembling voice.
*
The emperor is dead!
News of this spread like wildfire across the empire.
People couldn’t believe it.
Is it possible for the emperor to die under the attack of the Holy Church within the Empire?
However, the news from the battlefield could not be a lie.
Who would fake the emperor’s death?
Because of the war, there was no normal succession ceremony, but rumors that Launel had succeeded also spread widely.
Reinhardt.
The Sacred Church’s instigation that he who sold his soul to the Devil Church would not appear is working as it is.
“The crown prince is a mortal sin? A passing dog will laugh!”
“But didn’t the Pope himself declare it, and not elsewhere?”
“yes. If it’s enough for the Holy Church to announce directly…”
“Have you forgotten about His Highness’ bad rumors? There is a reason why people suddenly change.”
Negative rumors about the crown prince grew out of control.
Once public opinion started to spread, it seldom subsided.
Rumors gave birth to rumors, and soon they reached a stage where they distrusted each other.
believers and non-believers.
Those who create another rumor.
Even the people did not unite and began to divide.
“It’s over when you find Crown Prince Reinhardt and offer it to him.”
“Isn’t this all a horror created by the devil prince!”
It was also the moment when the nickname of the devil prince was revived.
He was shifting all responsibility onto the crown prince.
Not the defeat of the war, not the death of the emperor, not even the invasion of the Holy Church.
*
the emperor is dead
No, strictly speaking… I’m not dead yet.
Because it was hidden.
“Hand over Crown Prince Reinhardt, the mortal sin! If you do, I will save the emperor with the celestial music box and end the war.”
Cardinal Bahamuul shouted confidently.
He said he would end everything if he handed over Crown Prince Reinhardt.
But Launel doesn’t even know where Reinhardt is.
It wasn’t just him, everyone didn’t know.
Maybe he was saying that because he was sure that the prince was not there at all. If the goal was just the crown prince, it would have started with a conversation rather than a sudden attack.
fast.
Launel gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.
The emperor was on the verge of dying. It was impossible to save without the heavenly music box.
But even so, he couldn’t offer Reinhardt, who didn’t have one.
Even if Reinhardt was there, it was the same.
“Lowering.”
“… I can’t bite the wire like this. Behind this is the capital.”
It was only 3 weeks.
The front line was pushed to the vicinity of the capital in three weeks.
The number of remaining soldiers is around 20,000.
Even with the hastily conscripted soldiers, it is less than thirty thousand.
When the capital fell, everything was over.
‘Should I just give up everything?’
Launel looked at the fallen emperor.
I’m still breathing…
‘Reinhardt…’
It was Reinhardt who always showed up whenever there was danger.
But why
Even if the empire is in danger, does it not show up?
It was at that moment when Launel sighed in the darkness.
Kurleung!
Qurrr!
The ground began to shake with a roar.
Far away, a great change was taking place.
crustal shift.
The demon world’s curtain is collapsing.
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