Chapter 199
Chapter 199. Aftermath of the Fall
――The Defteros Kingdom falls.
News that the capital, Evaroti, fell in less than three days spread across the entire continent, causing considerable shock among both human and demon factions.
“Evaroti has… fallen in just three days…!?”
In a small country bordering the Defteros Kingdom, a round-faced old man showed signs of panic as his crown nearly slipped off.
He was the lord of the Tritus Principality.
Tsugiwaiya IV.
“Your Majesty, this is…,”
A government official, sweating profusely, handed over a letter. It wasn’t in the elegant handwriting of Osshimaier XIII but rather in a rough yet powerful script.
The formal greeting was brief, and the account of the capital’s fall unfolded urgently, with requests for troops to escape and for assistance with accepting refugees.
At the end was the signature of ‘Osshimaier XIV’—
“…I see. He has passed the throne to his son and perished along with the kingdom…”
Tsugiwaiya IV’s grip tightened, crumpling the letter in his hands.
“…I thought it was another request for reinforcements… and now it’s news of annihilation…!”
Just days before, he had worried that the Defteros Kingdom might be doomed; now he realized he had been overly optimistic.
Despite the large-scale support from the Holy Great Tree Alliance and the Holy Church, the Demon Lord’s army had overwhelmed them in just three days—
“Refugees are flooding the borders…”
The plump government official wiped the sweat from his forehead as he spoke.
“Your Majesty… what shall we do?”
The official’s face displayed writing that said, ‘We’re at our limit.’
The Tritus Principality hadn’t ignored the plight of its neighbor until now. Although due to its mountainous terrain, it was difficult to send reinforcements, they had continued to accept refugees, provide financial aid, and offer food assistance as much as they could.
But now, it was reaching its limit. They had curtailed expenditures to the point where the palace candles were at just one-third of their former supply, yet further acceptance of refugees risked overwhelming their own citizens…!
On the other hand, they couldn’t turn them away either. Even if the border was closed, refugees would still pour in, and in the worst-case scenario, they might turn into bandits and raid border villages, further provoking already accepted Defteros refugees.
It was a hellish dilemma. Pressed into a bitter choice, Tsugiwaiya IV—
“Treat them kindly.”
—made a snap decision.
“It might lead to food shortages…”
The government official pressed, pointing out that it could lead to starvation among their own citizens later.
“Call in the eastern merchants. Worst comes to worst, I don’t mind mortgaging all our national treasures and the palace land. We must somehow gather funds to buy food!”
Though his tone was bitter, there was no hesitation in Tsugiwaiya IV’s expression.
“We are fully occupied with accepting refugees. We have no strength left to fight, and we’ll pretend that’s our stance in the upcoming ‘meeting’!”
Tsugiwaiya IV grumbled.
The ‘meeting’—an unofficial gathering of countries neighboring the Demon Lord Kingdom to discuss who would take on the burden of the declaration of war thrust upon them by the Demon Lord—
The Demon Lord Kingdom had opened three battlefronts in the north, east, and south, but they would only attack one country at a time. However, if none of the neighboring countries took up the challenge by the deadline set by the Demon Lord Kingdom, the Demon Lord’s army would rush in from all adjacent countries.
Though that would usually overwhelm the Demon Lord’s troops, the allied forces had repeatedly tried to launch simultaneous counterattacks across all fronts—we’re talking countless failures. And while the allied forces were worn down, the Demon Lord’s army showed no sign of losing momentum.
Thus, it became apparent that it was better to face one country at a time and buy time—indeed, due to the dwindling resources of the alliance, they had no choice but to do so. This way, the defensive strength could be concentrated on one country, giving other nations a chance to regroup.
Whether fortunate or unfortunate, the Demon Lord’s army had never attacked other countries when they were spread thin.
The Demon Lord’s army was enjoying the war as if it were a game.
Now that the Defteros Kingdom had fallen, it was only natural that a meeting would be held to decide the next “battlefield” without a moment to grieve over the demise of that kingdom.
“Osshimaier’s son has chosen our country as a safe haven for his escape,”
Tsugiwaiya IV thought back to his earlier decision.
Osshimaier XIV chose to flee to the small Tritus Principality not just because of the past friendship between his father and Tsugiwaiya IV but because he likely viewed it as the safest option compared to more powerful neighboring countries.
Because here, the likelihood of being passed over for the responsibility of the ‘battlefield’ was high.
With no strength left to fight and a risk-prone position, if the Demon Lord’s forces attacked, the Tritus Principality would be doomed—and they were determined to maintain that portrayal. In reality, if attacked, they would indeed be doomed. It was questionable if they could last even a few days, even with aid from other nations.
However, in order to buy those few days, they could be pushed aside and sacrificed—but that wouldn’t be allowed by the Holy Great Tree Alliance or the Forest Elves.
Beyond the mountains behind the Tritus Principality lay forests connected to the territory of the Holy Great Tree Alliance. If the Tritus Principality fell, they would be left with nothing more than tribal nations of mountain peoples and Beastmen, allowing the Demon Lord’s army to invade without resistance.
The Night Elves and the infamous arsonist—er, the Second Demon Lord’s Prince, ‘Volcanic Flow’ Rubyphia’s invasion would be nothing less than a nightmare for the Forest Elves.
“That is why my Tritus Principality must remain the final bulwark, and the Forest Elves are doing their utmost to support other nations—because they have no other choice.”
More accurately, that was how Tsugiwaiya IV was directing them.
Weakness has its own way of maneuvering… It was pitiful indeed. How exhilarating it would be if they could repel the Demon Lord’s army with their own nation’s strength.
Yet, that wouldn’t happen.
So, they must do everything possible to delay their nation’s downfall.
Just as his late friend, Osshimaier XIII, seemed to have done—
“…It’s going to get busy.”
Looking at the carpet on the floor, Tsugiwaiya IV muttered quietly, appearing ten or twenty years older.
“However, it seems Osshimaier’s son has brought a gift with him—a number of national treasures from Defteros, requesting them as funds. How endearing.”
Regaining his composure, Tsugiwaiya IV handed the letter to the official with a grin.
“That is… quite helpful.”
The official responded awkwardly with a smile. He too was one fighting against extinction…
“Break into the storage of the fortresses and begin distributing food for now. I’ll entrust you with the key to the treasure vault. Manage everything well.”
“Yes. I will coordinate with various locations.”
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, the official hurriedly exited.
As he watched the man leave, Tsugiwaiya IV sank deep into the throne. He began preparing strategies for the coming meeting while gazing at the map of the continent hanging on the wall――
†††
Meanwhile, in the Demon Lord’s castle, in a certain room.
—An altar crafted from bones and decorated with furs and fangs, exuding a sense of savage, dark divinity.
Before it knelt a demon woman, fervently praying.
Grand Duchess Platiphia.
With her hands clasped and eyes closed, she continued praying intently. Since Zilbagias had set out, she had been like this whenever she had a free moment.
The air in her private chamber, filled with incense for the gods, swirled with the powerful magic of the Grand Duchess, creating an atmosphere both ominous and solemn—like a cult shrine.
“—Lady! Lady!”
However, the sudden silence was shattered. After knocking, the door swung open without waiting for a response.
Among Platiphia’s subordinates, only one would dare such rudeness—
“—Evaroti has fallen!”
Peeking in was the [Demon of Knowledge] Sophia.
“Sophia?! Why?!”
Platiphia’s eyes widened in surprise. Why was the demon who had followed her son here?
“I managed to join a sky dragon delivery and returned ahead of time.”
“And Zilbagias?!”
“He is safe. And he achieved significant results—”
Sophia hesitated slightly but then pulled an envelope from her butler’s uniform.
“I have a letter for you. Please see the details here.”
—Rushing to her feet, Platiphia snatched the envelope, her facade of composure blown away since it was Sophia.
In her excitement, she tore the seal with the magic blade of the [Void Spear], pulling out the letter.
“Oh…!”
The demonic letters lined up in the manuscript—first, she was relieved to see that it was Zilbagias’s familiar handwriting.
Smiling at the witty narrative detailing the campaign against Evaroti, Platiphia’s expression soon stiffened.
“Total annihilation…”
Staring blankly at Sophia, the Demon of Knowledge nodded in affirmation.
“Kuvirtar and the others…”
—It was hard to believe. Unlike the younger ones like Albar Aoril, they had been seasoned warriors.
As she continued reading, she discovered that the elite unit of the enemy launched a preemptive strike, leading to their destruction, and during the battle, Zilbagias himself had sustained injuries.
“That kid… got hurt?”
“Yes. He had a holy attribute scar on his neck.”
Sophia traced her finger across her throat, and blood drained from Platiphia’s face. If Sophia’s gesture was accurate, it was a wound that could be fatal, and it was undoubtedly accurate.
“He was okay, right?”
“Yes. He said, ‘The experience from my duel with Lumiafia in Reiju Territory came in handy,’ smiling as he said so.”
“……..”
Even the renowned warrior lady Platiphia was left speechless.
“…What a big shot, that kid.”
Unlike myself, she smiled somewhat self-deprecatingly.
“The impression I received personally was that he deliberately maintained an upbeat demeanor,”
Sophia said hesitantly. Platiphia whispered, “Is that so?” and closed her eyes, then let out a deep breath.
“You too have worked hard. When is that kid supposed to return?”
“He should join up with Liliana and Leila in the rear. I think they will take a day to rest there, so he will probably return in four days…”
“I understand. While my family has certainly incurred significant damage, the fall of the capital was unprecedentedly swift. When that kid returns, we must celebrate grandly.”
She regained her regal composure and smiled at Sophia.
“—It’s going to get busy. Sophia, please assist me.”
“Yes.”
Sophia nodded, as if to say she understood.
“Then, I’ll start preparing various documents.”
“Thank you.”
And with that, she hurriedly left the room. It was truly commendable that she dove straight into work without a proper break right after returning. The diligence of a demon, without physical fatigue—something even tough demons couldn’t contend with.
Suddenly recalling, Platiphia looked back to the altar.
“…Thank you, gods of darkness…”
With a knee to the ground, she offered a heartfelt prayer of gratitude. According to what she heard, there had been quite dangerous situations, but her child had returned safely—!!
Her prayers had been answered…!
After a round of prayer, Platiphia turned to her desk and picked up a pen.
While it was a joy that her son had greatly excelled, the complete annihilation of his comrades was painful.
There were countless arrangements to be made. Depending on their contributions and performances, she would have to apply for posthumous promotions, and considerations for rewards and condolence money for the families—
—The families.
Platiphia’s hand, poised to write, abruptly halted.
Faces of those young ones, including Kuvirtar, Albar Aoril, Seire Knight, and Oke Knight resurfaced in her mind.
They too had mothers.
It struck her as if for the first time.
Her son returned alive and safe—but—
“……..”
With the pen still in hand, Platiphia could not move for a while.
