Chapter 258. A War with the Demon Gods (1)
Hansung, the Dragon Lord and Merlin!
Their presence was highly symbolic.
Hansung, a transcendental being and a representative of the humanity, and Merlin, the sorcerer and protector of the humanity, were gathering the people.
On top of that, with the formal proclamation of Mulalan’s ‘Great Alliance’, it spread like wildfire, a feverish desire to ‘overthrow the Demon Gods’.
And…even Kim Taehwan, who has risen to the position of the vice guild master of the Radiant Guild, was amongst the great Host.
“This is truly a mighty force.”
“Even many from Gunja Province have joined.”
“Seo Eunsae, the head of the Commanders, is the real power… They are saying that even the ruling family of Mulalan takes a step back from the Commanders’ quiet orders.”
“Wow, really pretty.”
“No matter, still an old lady inside!”
“Shh! Shhshh! You might be overheard!”
Everyone who was following Kim Taehwan was scolding the impertinent speaker at the same time.
Walking at the front of them, Kim Taehwan surveyed the Host for a while.
‘I’ll say roughly 3 million.’
million!
And that number was based only on those who were able to fight.
This great number of people were marching over the hills. There has never been this many humans at one place in history.
‘It was too simple. As if someone was manipulating it.’
However, the alliance formed very, very quickly this time around. As if everyone was under a spell, they all wanted to join the ‘war with the Demon Gods’.
Was it Merlin’s power?
Or perhaps, because the dragon lord Hansung and Mulalan have joined.
“But, leader. I’ve heard that it wasn’t just us humans who were going to fight in this war?”
Breaking away from his thoughts, Kim Taehwan looked at the man who has approached him.
He spoke quietly to the man with pronounced buckteeth.
“The Grand Sorcerer has said that this war wasn’t just our war.”
“So, does that means that everyone is gathering at a specific location within the Demon Gods’ territory? Could this be a trap? I also have a hard time believing that there will be good cooperation among the races that will meet each other for the first time.”
It was a reasonable doubt.
The progress was going smoothly, but the problem was what happens later.
Merlin, who has started the war with the Demon Gods, vowed to help wiping them out.
‘I can’t believe that the objective of the Demon Gods is to end every other life form.’
On top of that, Merlin also spoke several truths about this world.
The proof of the Demon Gods’ mobilization, and their unpreparedness to resist was one of them as he pushed for quick response from humanity.
It wasn’t possible for the humanity to not mobilize.
They have already been threatened several times by the sky demon.
Rather than self-interest, a great cause and survival have become the highest priorities. As a result, cooperation came quickly.
Furthermore, if the Demon Gods were truly mobilizing, they all knew that extinction was inevitable without humanity coming together.
“If what was said by the Grand Sorcerer was true then there isn’t much time. It cannot be untrue since the Pope and Mulalan have come to lead.”
More than anything, Mulalan’s leadership provided the major effort.
The Pope, who abides by god’s words, have declared a holy war, and sought support from the Great City and Gunja Province.
He has also sent official notices to countless number of small cities in order to gather the people.
An atmosphere, which caused one to be treated as a ‘pariah’ should they not mobilize, or come join quickly, has been created.
As if it was someone’s script… Everyone was coming together like flowing rivers that merged at the sea.
All this in less than a month.
Tuck!
“Stop!”
There came a signal from the front of the line.
“We’ll be entering the Demon Gods’ territory. Everyone stay within the formation, and do not drop your guard!”
The Demon Gods’ territory!
The place where the Demon Gods and the demon tribes were running rampant.
It was still a mysterious place to humans, where every kind of monsters lived.
It has become a forbidden place, where no one would enter, after many expeditions experienced total annihilation dozens of times in the past.
Unless the expedition team was led by strong people, no one had dared to enter, until now.
“Damn, can’t believe we’re at the Demon Gods’ territory.”
“If I should die first, make sure to bury me at a sunny place.”
They moved forward in a somber atmosphere.
They were wary of the surroundings. No one dared to let down their guard.
Although there wasn’t any intel about the existence of threatening monsters around here, there was so litle information about what could happen here.
Especially… Like now.
Kwoong! Kwoong! Kwoooong!
The earth shook.
Behind a great dust storm, something was rushing towards the Expeditionary Force!
It wasn’t just one or two bodies.
They were easily over ten thousand!
“Ready for battle!”
“Ready for battle!”
Chang! Chunng!
Everyone took out their weapons. Even Kim Taehwan held his great sword as he swallowed his own dry mouth.
“It looks like an elaborate welcoming party.”
“That looks like a Bultar, way at the front?”
“A Bultar? A fire giant? Great.”
Bultar were at the top of the food chain.
It was a known story that the areas, near where the fire giant Bultar resided, other species usually got decimated.
Bultars had high intelligence, and as a result, they were known to be difficult adversaries.
There, coming at them, were Bultars numbered close to ten thousand.
“Leader, leader. Are we going to get slaughtered as soon as we got here?”
“Humanity becomes stronger when we come together.”
Kim Taehwan let out a big breath.
That was right. Humans become stronger the more they came together.
It was also true that there would be more tactics available when people with specialized skills were assembled.
That was certainly a difference from the other races or monsters.
Humans would not be bound by the formula of 1+1=2. Therefore, they built cities after coming together.
Certainly, if 3 million elite troops came together, they would certainly be able to face ten thousand Bultars. Although suffering casualties was inevitable, it wouldn’t be too difficult to push on forward.
It was then…
The Bultars that were rushing came to a halt right before us.
As the dust settled… There was blood all over their bodies. As if they have just come from a battle.
“Merlin! It’s good to see you again.”
The Bultar that was at the front called out Merlin’s name.
Then levitating up to meet the Bultar’s eyes, Merlin replied with smiles.
“Ogar, sorry to have you come a long way.”
“Haha! It’s nothing. I’ve cleaned up the path that you are you are on, so it won’t be too much trouble for you to keep going. By the way, there are so many humans!”
Ogar looked at the humans.
The average size of a Bultar was about 10m. The scene in which ten thousand of them have gathered has never before been seen by anyone who was here.
“Who represents the humans?”
Ogar, laughing loudly, stepped forward.
Flock!
The Dragon Lord Hansung came down, riding Shandalton, the light dragon.
He was wearing a golden helmet and armor for high visibility, and at his side were Shandalton and the demon dragon Akrisha, creating a sight to behold.
“I’m Hansung.”
“A human has trained two dragons? Huh! And one is a dragon of light, that is known to be of high level and proud, and a demon dragon as well.”
The magic powers and levels of dragons were classified based on the age.
Ancient dragons were at the peak. That was, it was known that they were very rare, and one of them was stronger than five ordinary dragons.
It was nearly impossible to train dragons, yet Hansung has trained two of them.
“I was lucky.”
“I don’t believe it was just a simple luck… At any rate.”
As Hansung replied humbly, Ogar formally introduced himself, despite being impressed.
“Glad to meet you. I’m Ogar, the leader of the Bultars.”
It was a great big castle.
As if the dwarfs have built it, the exterior of the castle was large and magnificent, and elves, holding their bows, were guarding the castle.
The elves. The protectors of the forest, it was said that they were able to predict the trajectories of their arrows. So, if they were guarding the castle, it would be acceptable to assume that no one could enter it easily.
‘The dwarfs and the elves are together.’
Kim Taehwan couldn’t help but be amazed.
The elves and the dwarfs exemplified bad blood between races. However, no sign of any bad feelings could be felt here.
Most notably, the castle was enourmous enough to house 3 million. It would have been impossible humans to replicate, even with a massive workforce. At this level, there would be no shortcomings in calling it a city.
Also notable was the Orcs who were guarding the outside of the castle.
‘Goblins and War Orcs…!’
Not just any ordinary Orcs, but ‘War Orcs’ that were thought to have approximately the intelligence of 15 year old humans.
Having scarlet skin, it could be said that they were a race born for war.
With the War Orcs guarding the east of the castle while the goblins guarding the west of the castle, their presence was intimidating.
Among the goblins, the ‘Shudderwocks’ were predominantly visible.
“Leader, they wouldn’t suddenly feed on us, would they?”
“I feel like I might have leaked a little.”
“Even my manhood may shrivel.”
Kim Taehwan’s subordinates were well known for their light heartedness, yet it felt like anxiety has taken over them. That was how imposing the castle was to them.
‘Can a castle like this be built inside the Demon Gods’ territory? Just who exactly could have done it?’
Who was the owner, in the first place?
Who was here that such a castle had been built inside the Demon Gods’ territory.
Kim Taehwan entered the castle through the entrance.
And he opened his mouth slowly.
“Truly, all kinds of races have gathered here.”
“This is a dream.”
“Huh…”
Everyone was out of their minds for a while.
That was only expected.
Elves and goblins, dwarfs, Bultars, orcs and ogres were here. Even the special monsters like snowmen or lizard men, too, were here, though few in number.
They, too, were looking at the humans with fascination.
However, it wasn’t in a hostile or belligerent way.
If it was an ordinary time, they would set perimeters and fight one another for survival, but as they came together with the same purpose, there was no look of hostility, or aggression.
There were some who welcomed the humans who had just entered.
“Welcome, humans! I’m Grizzannelle.”
“A smaller number than I thought. I’m Bartas.”
It was dignified and beautiful elf, and a dwarf wearing a crown.
Grizzannelle, the queen of the elves, and Bartas, the king of the dwarfs!
They were so famous even many of the humans knew of them.
That was because stories about them were never omitted, always finding places in the diaries of the explorers.
“Good to meet you.”
Each city’s master has come forth along with Hansung.
Seo Eunhae of the Gunja Province, Hyacinth, who was a Mulalan’s saint, came on behalf of the ailing Pope, and master Bahamud of the Radiant Guild, representing the Great city!
They were all the famous ones who were truly known for their power.
As each representative finished short greeting, Grizzannelle spoke with an affectionate smile.
“Please, put down your weapons and rest. Our elves will lead you.”
Soon, following behind the queen Grizzannelle, there appeared rows of beautiful elves.
As the members of the race that set the standards of beauty among the races approached with smiles, no one was unhappy.
Well, resting was resting, but the leaders had things to do. As they were running short of time, they immediately held a leadership meeting.
Baltan was there.
“I’m Baltan, the proxy of my master.”
“Proxy? Then the territory’s master is not here?”
Bahamud, the guild master of the Radiant Guild asked.
He wanted to see the territory’s master, not the proxy, who had built this type of a castle, and gathered all different races.
Naturally, he frowned.
‘The master has vacated his place momentarily on another matter.”
“Another matter? I’m amazed. Was there other matter that was more important than the war against the Demon Gods.”
It was a sarcastic remark, but Baltan did not react.
“The master is already on the move. He is in the midst of creating confusion among the Demon Gods.”
Then Ogar interjected.
He, too, was also at this meeting as the representative of the Bultars.
“Sir Ogar, the master’s work is…”
As Baltan spoke hurriedly, Ogar nodded his head.
“I know. I just want everyone to know that your master is working harder than anyone in this war with the Demon Gods, that’s all.”
“Then the master… when will he be back?”
Hyacinth opened her small mouth.
She came in the place of the Pope, but she knew it as soon as she arrived.
This place. That the scent of ‘him’ was especially strong in this castle.
However, ‘he’ was not here. Hyacinth wet her dry lips. It was because she was used to waiting, but she could not endure it.
“I do not know. The quicker we move the sooner the master will show up.”
“Then we’ll go faster. This is a right time to discuss a healthier topic than to talk about a person who is not here.”
As Hyacinth smiled lightly, the atmosphere changed quickly.
The power of charm that she wielded was beyond one’s imagination. Both the Pope and all of Mulalan had fallen under her spell before.
Furthermore, to begin with… Excluding Seo Eunsae the quiet commander, Hyacinth and others instinctively knew as to who the ‘master’ of this place was.
As Hansung knew it too, the work just progressed only quicker.
Baltan stood up from his seat, holding several marbles.
“First, I’ll tell you about the first adversary which is our target.”
Zzzziiing.
As he injected magic into the marble, a shape appeared.
It was a huge monster in the form of a rhinoceros.
He stood on two feet, wore armor, and crushed a mountain.
“Our first target is the 40th Demon God Raum. The condition of his annihilation is to ‘destroy his city’. With our unified power, Raum’s city must be destroyed.”
“Do you think that we can confront the Demon God?”
Seo Eunsae asked this time.
Baltan nodded his head.
“We just need to destroy the city. Then his strength will quickly dwindle.”
“Where did that intel come from?”
“It was discovered by Merlin and my master.”
Oscar, who was wearing the mask of Merlin, smiled in dry sweat.
The master of this territory was Muyoung.
And Muyoung had the knowledge of Dantalian.
Muyoung wanted to progress the plan by separating the Demon Gods who were easy to confront for them, although those Demon Gods were difficult for him to face.
At any rate, as Merlin has notarized it, some level of faith was there.
Seo Eunsae spoke in a serious tone.
“He will certainly try to protect the city.”
“There were 8 demon kings under Raum. About 5 million demons reside in the city. Even though we are superior as far as the numbers go, we couldn’t face them head on.”
Wiping out the Demon Gods was the objective.
It wasn’t feasible to drain all their strengths in eliminating just Raum.
“Then? Do you have another way to destroy the city?”
“Everyone has to do the thing that everyone does best.”
The elves are quick in their attacks, the dwarfs are strong in launching attacks from the mid distance, and the orcs are known for their bravery. The goblins are excellent in black arts or elemental attacks, and Bultars were the giants known to be wizards of hunting.
That wasn’t all.
Humans were best suited for instantaneous maneuvers and secret plans.
Furthermore, with many skills, they can provide good supporting functions.
That was, it meant that they would be incredibly effective in the guerilla warfare which would be conducted by maximizing the other races’ specialties, and by utilizing special capabilities.
It was only because they have never mobilized in such a size that if they would come together once, they would form a combination such that they would be able to confront anything.
The demon races only trusted their strengths, but they most likely would not have faced so many ‘variables’ like this.
These variables were certainly their strongest weapon, held by everyone that has gathered in this castle.
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