I Was Abandoned by the Demon King I Served for 10 Years

Chapter 29

Following the Southern Expedition, Durin's second planned conquest of the North was significant enough to elicit a reaction from the Angel Outpost.

The detachment that had persistently provoked the borders had vanished without a trace. In case of an emergency, they gathered as much power as possible. If the invading forces in the Northwest Marshland crouched like this, the North and West would also have no choice but to align their troop movements accordingly.

The moment when massive forces remained entrenched in their territories without any intention of advancing was the opportunity. For the border warlords who had been biding their time between the two continents, a path forward had opened wide.

Durin immediately divided an army of thirty thousand and dispatched them to various parts of the Central region.

The infantry composed of Dullahans, being a unit with extremely low mobility, had to stay with the Regent to protect the command center. In other words, the main forces to swear loyalty were not the core troops of the castle but the armies mobilized by the Electors to showcase their strength.

"As the next Throne Successor, I will take this opportunity to make myself known. The Central Red Horn may not think much of us, but I am ready to embrace everyone. Didn't the Regent say so? To prove myself. I will dominate them."

The Eastern Army, led by Serphin, was the first to charge forward.

Though there was a pain etched in blood from losing the throne centuries ago, now was the time to momentarily forget. United strength creates absolute power. Knowing this well, she consolidated her forces with the help of Alberto, the Elector's representative.

If the Red Horn and Green Horn could form an alliance, there would be no need to build justification as she could stand as the perfect ruler in the Central region.

"Absolutely not. Such a thing must never be allowed to happen. While absorbing the Central warlords might be possible, our Senate will surely not remain unscathed. We must act swiftly and not stand idly by."

The Central Red Horn Senate, accompanied by several Royal Guards with a hardline stance, also hurried into action. They approached nearby factions close to the castle, appealing for support. In fact, territories tied to the Senate by blood relations even barred the Eastern Army from entering.

Unable to tolerate such interference, Serphin naturally charged at the Senate without looking back.

"Isn't this too much? We're on the brink of war. There's nothing to gain from mutual hostility!"

"Hahaha. As the Northern Expedition Army, we are bound to one place. Hostility, you say? Surely no one would be plotting such schemes."

"How shameless. It's enough to make me lose any desire to show mercy."

"It seems as though you've already taken the throne with the Regent still present. Is the East already disregarding his authority?"

"Do not speak of the Regent so carelessly. Isn't it rather your side that is disrespecting and exploiting him for your own gain?"

One peculiar point was that Durin, who remained silent, was being dragged into disputes everywhere. It was an attempt to undermine the opposition by leveraging the authority of the strongest figure in the current Demon Realm.

"If you continue to act this way, I will formally protest to the Regent to prevent you from running rampant."

"Feel free to try anytime. Just remember that Her Excellency is one of us Red Horns and shares a bond with the Previous Demon King."

As conflicts escalated, his presence in conversations grew increasingly prominent.

While devising strategies for the war against the North, the Regent's authority steadily accumulated in an unusual turn of events. From Durin's perspective, this was not a bad outcome. Even after the Demon King appeared, it was a good opportunity to reserve strength for what he needed to do.

"I will grant priority over the entire Northern region to whoever gathers the most loyalty pledges."

Instead, he incited the two sides. Using the Noble's Private Army to organize the remaining forces, there was no reason to hesitate.

"I will impose no restrictions on means or methods. Expand your influence using the power you possess as demons. If you wish, you may even take the Royal Guard with you. After all, those seeking a new king might as well gain firsthand experience under their command."

At that moment, all forces except Durin's warriors plunged into the chaos.

The last remaining Red Horn warlords found themselves before the voracious Central forces.

#

From the castle's perspective, Serphin extended her influence to the East, while the Senate reached out to the West.

What remained were the South and the North. With Governor Aurela leading her forces northward, the Southern Continent's loyalty pledges were swiftly resolved to the point of no longer being a concern.

"Your Excellency. It's been a long time."

"You look radiant. The authority you've gained as the Southern Ruler is impressive."

"With the Regent's power backing me, who would dare oppose? I merely directed a fraction of their fervent loyalty, which they will forever hold in their hearts, toward myself."

"The result is three thousand warriors. Remarkable."

At the rare praise from Durin, Aurela beamed with pride.

This was the Ractelrun she had painstakingly revived for this day. Her efforts to earn favor had united everyone and instilled the will to rebuild a city from the ashes.

"Your Excellency. Will they also be incorporated into the Central Legion?"

"That will not happen. The South must continue sharpening its edge for the future."

"...That's disappointing."

Nearby, Verdia clicked her tongue in disappointment but stepped back. At the same time, Aurela shot her a sharp glare. She found it distasteful that Verdia seemed eager to snatch away the soldiers she had painstakingly nurtured.

Before unnecessary disputes could arise, Durin spoke first.

"Instead, we will test the new legion we have raised. We must assess their combat capabilities."

"Is there a battlefield prepared?"

"The Northern Frontier. A land where those who oppose the castle lurk."

At Durin's words, the two women from the South knelt. Their solemn posture signified their readiness to accept orders at any time.

"While the Senate and the Eastern Army are embroiled in conflict, we will lead the castle's Defense Force and the Southern Warriors to eliminate the traitors."

"How dare they betray! Who would commit such an act in front of Your Excellency?"

"The Frontier has always been a land where the two continents coexist. Just as Ractelrun in the South accepted Central authority, some cities in the North have chosen to align with the Barbarians."

"I don't understand. How could those responsible for defending the castle make such a choice?"

"Verdia. Maintaining amicable relations with a nearby sword is an instinctive act."

The South was an unusual case. Having lived too closely with the Barbarians, they had instead created a divide between the two continents by yearning for civilization.

"The castles that have sent loyalty pledges have been identified. We will use them as footholds to burn down all territories that refused to pledge loyalty."

"Are you planning to execute a scorched-earth strategy?"

"Impossible. Attempting to destroy all the fortresses built to counter the Northern Demon Beast Cavalry would take too much time. The Angels would be the happiest ones in such a scenario."

"But how do you plan to subdue them without laying siege?"

Aurela's question was valid. Since she was observing the map Durin was studying, she couldn't help but tilt her head in confusion.

The areas relatively close to the Central region and under the Grand Duke's influence in the Northeast were marked as allies, but the entire Northern border region extending to the Northwest Marshland was painted red. Its sheer size made it clear they were not an easy opponent.

Moreover, while the Southern region, dominated by tribes and nomads, lacked fortifications to conquer, the North was fortified with walls that blocked the Demon King's Castle. The fortresses, built with the Northern Civil War and the war against the Angels in mind, were imposing structures.

"Considering the reinforcements from the Northern Great Warrior... Honestly, it seems almost impossible."

Despite her cautious tone, Aurela spoke with conviction. She wanted to understand the intent behind her master's plan, as she wished to be part of the vision he was crafting. Responding to her sincerity, Durin answered immediately.

"Governor Aurela. We will not clash with them. There's no need to waste strength in a siege."

"Then..."

Aurela stepped closer, ready to listen intently to his words. Verdia followed suit.

"We will bring a force capable of breaking down walls in place of the army."

Flap—

At that moment, the closed tent suddenly swung open. The abrupt entrance startled them.

"What? Did you see something you shouldn't have?"

A playful voice greeted them. The two Southern demons froze on the spot, their faces a mix of shock and surprise. Amused by their reactions, the newcomer chuckled.

"Durin. Is this why you told me to come later?"

"It was to minimize rumors."

"Yeah. If only preparing for war could always be this fun."

She casually dismissed Durin's words and took a seat next to the commander's table.

In the castle, there was only one person who could speak informally with the Regent.

The one who sees the future of the castle. Chief Shaman Rudmila.

"Ah, it's been so long since I went out. My heart's racing with excitement."

Could those who wield shamanism have risen to such high positions in the castle merely by glimpsing into the future?

Once again, demons were beings who lived for the struggle.

"So, who do I need to kill this time?"

#

"Miss, the main forces of the castle have finally begun their march. As expected, their direction is toward the Northern Frontier."

"Leaving the subjugation of the Central region to two units and heading to decapitate the enemy commander?"

"That's how the Southern campaign was conducted as well. The Regent has always beheaded the leader before the war even began."

He favored asymmetric warfare. Using superhuman power that defied the usual rules of the battlefield, he delivered unexpected blows. Who could have predicted that the Southern Great Chieftain's head would be so easily severed, as Serphin well knew?

It seemed the Northern conquest was also heading in that direction.

"Alberto. We can't fall behind, can we?"

"If we want to surpass that damned Red Horn, we can't be tied down by something as trivial as warlords."

"What greater loss could there be than missing the Regent's grand plan just to gain a handful of supporters? We must always stay ahead and observe."

"That's why we're here, isn't it?"

Whiiing—

At just the right moment, a sharp wind blew. It was the harsh climate of a foreign continent, not the mild Central region. The Northern winter, where frost settled daily, greeted them.

Serphin exhaled a white breath that spread into the air and spoke.

"Anyway, the Eastern warlords are already in our grasp. If we want to expand our influence, we need to pioneer new territories."

"Some of the border nobles who were loyal to the Central region are showing interest."

"Is there a particular reason?"

"It seems they've been captivated by the Grand Duke's forces that conquered the Northeast Region. What other power could rival the Central region?"

Alberto spoke with confidence. As he said, the army before them numbered only about ten thousand.

The images sent by the Scout Demon Beast showed two forces facing off across a fortress wall. The Regent was personally sharing these battle visuals with high-ranking officials to demonstrate his authority, but Alberto predicted that this battlefield would inevitably stagnate.

As far as he knew, the Central region lacked even a decent siege weapon.

Demon Beasts were resources to be conserved for the Heavenly War, and bringing shamans along could provoke the angels, a dangerous gamble. Ultimately, they would have to resort to surrounding the rebellious castle and starving it out, but someone like him, who desired swift victories, would never choose such a method.

"All we need to do is watch. Then, we make him an offer."

"The Eastern Army will handle the siege, so the Regent's forces should advance north... Is that correct?"

"If that happens, we can stabilize the Northern forces and bring them securely under our influence."

"I hope it turns out that way."

"It will, Miss."

At the secretary's confidence, Serphin let out a faint chuckle. Pride as the Grand Duke's demon was good. But Durin was the most aggressive and violent demon Serphin had ever encountered.

For victory, he spared no means or methods. He was always extreme.

Having quickly transitioned between being a Rebel and a Throne Successor, she was certain of one thing.

Durin was undoubtedly hiding a trump card.

As she was thinking that, at that very moment—

Kwaaaang—

As if on cue, a loud explosion echoed from the visuals sent by the Scout Demon Beast. The sturdy fortress wall shattered into pieces. The scattering debris seemed as though it might fly out of the screen at any moment.

"......."

That was when Alberto fell silent.

Watching him out of the corner of her eye, Serphin shrugged and responded.

"So, it turned out that way."

Whoever Durin had brought along would be revealed once they arrived.

As if she had never expected the Northern forces to put up much of a fight, Serphin naturally spurred her warhorse forward.

Her destination was the Northern Expedition Army's camp of the Demon Army.