Chapter 277

Chapter 277

The Grand Gate was destroyed to the point that no shape remained. Ivan was gazing at the ruins of the gate.

Numerous soldiers were demolishing the remains of the gate.

While it might be possible to physically cross over, it is impossible for the Legion to move through it. Even if individuals can climb over it like scaling a cliff, a large-scale military force cannot perform the same feat.

Now, there exists a physical barrier at the northern boundary between the Demon Realm and the United Kingdom. Neither nation can invade the territory of the other.

“Are you disappointed?”

Duke Volonovin approached and asked. Ivan looked at his face for a moment, then turned his head away.

He probably didn’t expect an answer. Indeed, the Duke continued speaking alone.

“I am disappointed. Damn it.”

“About your territory?”

“Of course.”

Ivan couldn’t help but chuckle. Duke Volonovin was an aristocrat who owned the largest domain in this land.

He was granted all the territory beyond that Grand Gate according to the royal decree.

Though barren, there were places where humans could live. In fact, rare resources, which couldn’t even be found within the borders of the United Kingdom, were abundantly buried everywhere.

Any kind of plant or animal grew remarkably easily in that land beyond. The Demon Realm was fundamentally a land rich in mana, and one could obtain crops that were unimaginably abundant in Krasilov just by farming the land.

All the land he developed was immediately his territory. If he had just a bit more ambition, he could have declared himself king of the north. The 1st Legion, technically under Krasilov, might as well be his personal soldiers.

His only duty was to protect the northern part of Krasilov from the clutches of demons. In other words, as long as he could defend his territory, he could claim all rights in the north.

Now, that was no longer possible. The colonial military governance of the Northern Demon Realm had completely collapsed, and no legion could march toward the Demon Realm anymore.

The Duke sighed as if about to speak.

“My son is out there beyond.”

“How old was he?”

“He was older than you. I even had a grandson. He was adorable. At two years old, he wielded a kitchen knife like a warrior. He might have become a great knight. I taught him how to wield a sword and gifted him a dagger. Would you like to see it?”

The Duke rummaged in his coat and pulled out a dagger. It seemed he had tied it around his neck with a leather strap. The dagger’s blue blade reflected the Duke’s face. He was smiling, appearing as if he didn’t know any expression other than laughter.

“Now I can’t even pull weeds from the grave.”

“Duke.”

“Most of those guys over there are my children. Most of them led lives and built families in the colonies. Do you understand what that means?”

“Hmm.”

The colonies lost most of their population in the first offensive.... Ivan nodded as he watched soldiers who had finished their tasks sitting in groups around a campfire, gnawing on the meat of demons.

“Colonel.”

“Hmm.”

“Lead us to revenge. To fulfill our final duty....”

“I intend to do that.”

There was no need for a request. It would be nearly the only ‘winning condition’ to save Krasilov in the current situation. Ivan nodded at the Duke, who wore a dry smile at the corner of his mouth. The Duke clapped his hands to lighten the mood and said.

“Now, I’ve had enough of the sentimental parts. Cleanup Unit officer. Let’s hear the mission briefing.”

“It may differ based on the Duke’s operational objectives.”

“Hmm?”

“If you are trying to save the people of Krasilov, then the forces present here could save most of the lost northern territories.”

Ivan calmly arranged his thoughts.

Seven thousand. Those were seven thousand of Krasilov’s elite legion who had overcome numerous life-and-death situations.

With this number, they could likely save most of the northern territories that were currently under constant invasion. The demons inevitably had limited supply capabilities, and in order to mobilize them, they would need human ‘military supplies.’

However, pinpointing the battlefield before the two sides clash and predicting the timing of that battlefield is clearly an ‘impossible’ task. There is an extreme lack of information to support this.

But right now, their only ‘winning condition’ hinges on arriving at the exact location and timing of that decisive battle.

“Yuri’s ability is not omnipotent.”

If there is even a 1% possibility, her ability was to maximize that. Throwing her into a situation where she doesn’t know both time and place is like forcing her to solve a puzzle without the pieces.

To utilize her ability in a directional manner, at least minimal materials must be provided.

So, at the very least, one of the lacking materials, one of the two keys necessary for the winning condition must be secured. What Ivan could secure with his own capabilities was....

“Here.”

The location.

There’s a saying that the first thing to be sacrificed in war is the operational plan. War is chaos intertwined with countless variables, incompetence, and paralyzed commands and actions.

Once combat begins, any form of control becomes virtually meaningless, and the meticulously planned operations often turn out to be futile. Even the most well-trained legions are no exception; a commander’s ability does not lie in combat execution.

Rather, the more outstanding the commander, the more they tend to focus most of their abilities on marches and supplies. War fundamentally boils down to feeding and armoring superior soldiers, then sending more men into combat at the right moment than the enemy.

Thus, if the commanders of both sides that are clashing are sufficiently competent, they can deduce the starting point of engagement by unmistakably understanding the expected movement trajectories and capabilities of the opponent, as well as the maximum efficiency and tactical goals of their own forces.

If it is in Krasilov territory, this becomes even clearer. This is because the intelligence capabilities within Krasilov are superior to that of any other country in the United Kingdom.

Thus, once Elizaveta decided to walk into battle as a bait, she thrust her dagger into a point on the map.

“Right here.”

“Milord, they’ve stopped, stopped!!”

When the scout returned and kneeled, Nekinon hissed with laughter.

Humans are indeed easy to understand and manipulate.

With a single intimidation, they had to stop their legion. They willingly abandoned the optimal battlefield where they could exert their fullest efficiency, starting to besiege from a hopeless region.

They were truly like mice caught in a trap. Nekinon spoke with a grin.

“[Issue a gathering order to all legions. State that if even a single one dares to waste time on plunder, I shall devour their entire clan.]”

“Yes, yes, my lord!!”

The goblin hurried off. Nekinon rose with a satisfied smile.

The Demon King was attempting to use complicated maneuvers to disperse human forces. This was a foolish tactic because he was human.

Humans hadn’t managed to fend off the march of the demons even decades ago. Their only tactic on the front line where the Seven Dragon Lords appeared was to throw away prey while retreating.

Pitiful moths. What the humans were doing now was little different from that. Throwing away their lives as bait, attempting to form a “defensive line” by sending minimal forces back.

They failed at that, too. Unlike demons, humans have many flaws; if their tribe is plundered, they easily fall into disarray. Their forces were likely on the verge of being torn apart.

Demons, on the other hand, are not like that. They have a real god, and the will of that god encompasses the entire army. The solidity of the race itself is on an entirely different level from humans.

His army is infinite. Human soldiers are hardly more than a handful, and even without him personally intervening, the difference in numbers is absolute.

Without the childlike artillery of humans, what means do they have to contend with his army, and how can they possibly stand against the advance of the Seven Dragon Lords?

With just his own forces, it wouldn’t be difficult to trample over them, yet Nekinon decided to lead his army directly.

“If you desire my neck, come and take it yourself.”

[Arrogant woman.]

Nekinon hissed as he stood up.

[Your neck will be displayed as the highest banner in my royal court.]

The Demon King who has annihilated humanity... No, that’s not right.

As a symbol of becoming the only god in this world.

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