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The advance of Satan’s army was truly magnificent.

Each race was different, so the sounds varied, but they all moved forward at a steady pace, stomping the ground.

At the same time, the desert sands scattered, blocking their path, but they seemed unfazed.

They simply marched forward toward Asmodeus’s massive army.

Since the place where the demon realm tycoons Heukrang and Heukgu had stayed was under Satan’s territory, the economy naturally flourished.

Satan’s army, the most economically successful among the lords, was fully armored.

There might be differences in quality based on rank, but not a single soldier was without armor.

Seeing the lower-ranking demons on Asmodeus’s side wearing their casual clothes or hastily prepared leather armor, it was clear how wealthy Satan’s army was.

“…I don’t think we can win this.”

Jeong Gyeoul muttered in a gloomy voice as she watched Satan’s army advance.

‘Just looking at the soldiers’ equipment, we look like rebels fighting a regular army.’

Although Asmodeus’s army was still on standby, it was hard to imagine them matching the discipline of Satan’s forces.

It was baffling how anyone could underestimate Satan’s army.

As Satan’s army marched with their flags raised, the ground shook.

Thud— Thud—

The rhythmic sound of the ground trembling was akin to a heartbeat, enough to heighten the tension before battle.

Asmodeus’s army also began preparing for a grand rotation under their general’s command.

Though our army had discipline and momentum beyond imagination… compared to Satan’s army, we seemed hopelessly outmatched.

As Satan’s army advanced, their grandeur only grew, and Jeong Gyeoul felt it deeply.

‘We’re definitely going to lose.’

That army had the power to crush anything in its path and keep moving forward.

Their march was unstoppable, and their victory inevitable.

“I was planning to step in after a few battles, but it looks like we’re going to be crushed before that. I’ll move first.”

“Huh? Where are you suddenly…?”

Before Asmodeus’s subordinate could finish speaking, Jeong Gyeoul leaped toward Satan’s army.

Everyone expected her to be torn apart by magic, arrows, or flying spears, but surprisingly, Satan’s army didn’t react.

“Satan! Let’s talk!”

“I thought it might be you, but it really is you?”

“Yes, it’s me. It’s been 40 years, but you remember me.”

They smiled at each other like old friends reuniting after 40 years.

“Of course I remember the strongest human I know. But first, explain why you’re on that side?”

“Same as 40 years ago. Trying to get back to the middle realm, you know, with tears and sweat.”

“Hahaha, another unwanted trip to the demon realm, huh?”

Even Satan’s army seemed taken aback by Satan’s laughter.

Satan, who hadn’t smiled once since preparing to conquer the demon realm, was now laughing heartily.

Of course, Jeong Gyeoul, unaware of this, felt like Satan hadn’t changed at all.

It gave her confidence.

After all, the Satan she knew was the best personality in the demon realm.

Facing Satan directly, she couldn’t help but feel there had been some misunderstanding with Heukrang and Heukgu.

“So that’s how it is… Hoo. Could you help me one more time?”

“Didn’t I help you enough 40 years ago?”

“Ah, of course, I was really grateful back then… but the situation is different now.”

“Why don’t you find another way instead of interfering? Like asking Belphegor? If all else fails, I can send you back after everything’s done.”

It sounded like Satan wouldn’t touch Jeong Gyeoul as long as she didn’t interfere.

He even hinted that he’d help if she assisted him.

Asmodeus’s army couldn’t help but grow uneasy.

If Jeong Gyeoul left now, it would be a huge blow to Asmodeus’s forces. What if she joined Satan’s army?

A war they thought would last three or four days might end in just one.

They could only watch the conversation nervously.

“…Does that lazy guy even know about magic circles? No, that’s not the point. There are hostages.”

“Ah, so Asmodeus got you good. But… are you sure there are hostages? With all the war preparations, the only troops left in the city should be low-ranking soldiers.”

Thinking about it, they had only heard about the hostage-takers but never actually seen them.

Looking at the subordinate Asmodeus had assigned, his pupils were shaking.

‘Damn, did I get tricked again?’

Jeong Gyeoul’s brow furrowed, and just as her expression was about to twist, Asmodeus’s subordinate suddenly shouted.

“Think about it! I’m one of Asmodeus’s Four Heavenly Kings. Where do you think the other three are?”

“Hoh, that makes sense. Even though the barren desert is about to fall into my hands, they haven’t shown up, which means they have something more important to do. If that something is holding your hostages, then it makes sense.”

It was a bold move, but if it was Jeong Gyeoul, it was worth it.

Asmodeus, having faced Jeong Gyeoul directly, also thought it was a plausible scenario.

Of course, the hostage situation was a bluff, and the other three Heavenly Kings were off requesting support from other lords, but Satan and Jeong Gyeoul didn’t know the details.

“I almost fell for it and was about to join Satan’s army.”

“That would have cut the time to conquer the demon realm in half. Too bad. How about abandoning the hostages? I can give you money, power, honor—whatever you want.”

“Sorry, I already have all that in the middle realm.”

“Right, with your skills, you must be well-treated.”

Though she wasn’t exactly being treated well based on her skills… it was close enough.

“Anyway, could you help me just this once? Until I get back to the middle realm?”

“That might be difficult. I have plans too, and if my schedule gets disrupted, it’ll be troublesome.”

In the end, the negotiation seemed to be falling apart, and it was time for threats.

“Then I’ll really join in and fight with Satan’s army.”

“I wasn’t planning to move here, but… if it’s you, I have no choice.”

Satan’s relaxed response suggested that as long as he stopped Jeong Gyeoul, his army could handle the rest.

‘If only Asmodeus’s army were stronger, this threat might have worked… but these weaklings.’

Jeong Gyeoul glanced back, suppressing her anger, and made another threat.

“Then I’ll desperately dodge Satan and take out all the high-ranking demons.”

“Do you think that’s possible? I don’t know how much time has passed in the middle realm, but looking at you, it seems like not much… but here, 40 years have passed.”

40 years ago, Jeong Gyeoul and Satan were evenly matched.

Even now, after 40 years, Jeong Gyeoul wasn’t intimidated by Satan’s question.

“If I run around like a madwoman, I should be able to take out a few hundred, right? And… if we fight, the barren desert might lose the word ‘desert.’ Are you really going to do it?”

Literally, it would be devastation.

The area might disappear from the map.

When Satan fought Asmodeus in the Demon King’s Castle, all the other lords stepped in to defend, so nothing happened.

But if two transcendent beings fought, it would be like the creation of heaven and earth.

Fighting Asmodeus was one thing, but if it was Jeong Gyeoul, it would definitely disrupt Satan’s plans.

“Hmm… if I expend that much power here, it would be tough. My plans might be delayed by a few years. But once a demon draws their sword, they must cut off the opponent’s horns.”

“A gentleman’s treasure takes ten years to forge. A sage from the middle realm once said that even if it takes ten years, it’s not too late to use a treasure drawn by a gentleman.”

“Hoh… a sage you acknowledge. I’d like to meet them.”

Jeong Gyeoul, having just quoted Sima Qian, stared at Satan without blinking.

She used the fact that Chinese characters have too many meanings to make the translation unclear.

Satan’s thoughts seemed to waver slightly.

The first step in Satan’s plan was to quickly conquer Asmodeus’s territory before the other lords could unite.

But Jeong Gyeoul’s sudden appearance threatened to derail that first step.

Satan couldn’t help but be troubled.

‘Should I send Jeong Gyeoul back and raise the army again… or push forward as planned? That’s the question.’

He compared the benefits of facing Asmodeus’s army with Jeong Gyeoul involved versus withdrawing and launching another campaign in a few weeks or months.

‘If I withdraw now, those prideful lords won’t form an alliance. The barren desert has always been a point of contention. They’ll just see this as an extension of that.’

Asmodeus would prepare for Satan’s army, but that could be overcome with force.

The cost of mobilizing, withdrawing, and mobilizing again would be enormous, but for Satan, the wealthiest lord, it was meaningless.

He chose to spend time and money rather than suffer meaningless losses fighting Jeong Gyeoul.

“Fine. We’ll withdraw for now.”

“Can’t be helped, war… huh? Really?… Why?”

Jeong Gyeoul, who had been on the receiving end of all sorts of unfairness, thought this war would be no different and was desperately trying to find a way out when Satan decided to withdraw.

‘…Why do I feel more uneasy?’

Jeong Gyeoul, the center of all the unfairness, couldn’t quite accept this stroke of luck.

 

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