𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟕𝟏.2: 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐄𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 (4)
At that moment, Oswald turned his gaze to the southwest. His developed senses detected Phaast’s energy approaching.
In response, Oswald summoned his summoned Demon Kings and ordered them to intercept Phaast, who was flying towards them. After all, they too had come to this world in a manner similar to the Chaos Demons.
The Demon Kings, using their dark magic, had constructed physical bodies compatible with this world, while their souls remained in their original forms. Thus, even if they were killed by Phaast, their souls would return to their own world, making their deaths inconsequential.
Furthermore, unlike the Chaos Demons, their interdimensional travel was recognized by the gods, minimizing the negative consequences of their banishment. That was why they readily accepted Oswald’s request.
“Retreat to Qin Dynasty immediately!”
He swiftly ordered the dispatched forces to withdraw, and after confirming their retreat, Oswald himself retreated along with the Lich Dragons.
As time passed. . . Phaast, having disposed of the Demon Kings, arrived at the Han Pass to find it deserted.
【Tsk. 】
Sensing the energy moving towards the northwest, Phaast considered pursuing it. . . but doing so would mean engaging with the Lich Dragons, who were making their presence known nearby.
Unlike before, Oswald alone, weakened as he was. . . would be manageable. . . but adding the Lich Dragons to the mix, no matter how weak they were individually, could prove troublesome.
Moreover, hadn’t his forces been decimated? The vanguard of his first army had been completely wiped out, and the remaining main force of his first army, summoned just moments ago, had also been destroyed. It would take time to gather sacrifices and summon his second army. . . . . .
【Wasn’t it Guo Fucheng? 】
All the noble-class demons had been annihilated. Among the surviving elite demons, he had identified a few powerful individuals, including the one who had summoned Phaast to this place.
【Yes, Your Grace. 】
Phaast concentrated his demonic power in his right hand, creating an essence.
【I will appoint you as a Baron. You will be tasked with rebuilding the Plague Army. 】
【I will faithfully serve Your Grace! 】
Guo Fucheng, a former governor of Henan Province, received the demon’s essence from Phaast, granting him the power of a noble-class demon. Furthermore, with his official appointment as a Baron by Phaast, he began preparations to command numerous demons and rebuild the Plague Army.
【First, I need to find some beings to use as sacrifices. . . 】
There were two suitable locations. One was Sichuan, right next door. The Han Pass, the entrance to Sichuan, had been heavily damaged during a major battle, and the garrison defending it had retreated northwest along with the Imperial Empire forces.
Originally, they were supposed to retreat to Sichuan Province and join the Great Zhou Empire’s Ministry of National Defense, but they had already witnessed the power of the Imperial Empire’s dispatched troops and realized that if they joined the Ministry of National Defense as it was, they would only be waiting to die.
Thus, they chose to seek refuge with the Imperial Empire and were able to retreat to the northwest region aboard Imperial Empire airships.
【Since there were 200,000 troops defending the Han Pass and more than half of them retreated, there shouldn’t be many troops left in Sichuan Province. 】
About 50,000 to 70,000 troops were stationed in Wuguan, on the border with Qin Dynasty, while around 100,000 troops from the Ministry of National Defense were stationed in Zhongyangfu.
Zhongyangfu was a major city located east of Shengdufu, once the fief of a prince. . . but now it was unoccupied. Thanks to that, the Ministry of National Defense was able to occupy and establish themselves there.
【Okay, let’s start with Zhongyangfu. 】
Despite the emperor’s weakness, the Imperial Guards protecting him were formidable, and the warriors of the Imperial College and the Imperial Guards were not to be underestimated either.
In contrast, most of the rogue warriors had deserted, and most of the regular warriors had either died in the battle at the Han Pass or had escaped to the northwest with the Han Pass garrison. In short. . . . . .
【GRRRR, the Great Zhou Empire’s Ministry of National Defense in Zhongyangfu is nothing more than a ragtag bunch of weaklings.】
Exposing them to the plague and turning them into ghouls would provide 100,000 souls and life force as sacrifices. That would allow him to summon more demons to this world.
【Okay, let’s head to Zhongyangfu in Sichuan Province through the Han Pass! 】
The Plague Demon Army, led by the Baron-class demon Guo Fucheng, marched towards Zhongyangfu in Sichuan Province.
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
Huan Kingdom, Beihai Prefecture.
The spear thrown by the Lancer of Radiance, Joo Yeon-hoo, pierced through Belphegor’s abdomen, pinning him to the ground.
【Kuaaagh! 】
“It’s over. . . . . . ”
Simultaneously, Swordsman Yukimura and the swordmistress Eom An-young appeared on Belphegor’s left and right, their swords slashing up and down, aiming for his neck.
SWISH! CLANG!
Swordsman Yukimura’s sword, descending from above, cleanly severed Belphegor’s neck, then clashed with the sword wielded by Swordmistress Eom An-young, creating a clear sound. As a result, Belphegor’s head was separated from his body.
Finally, the Berserk Sword Emperor Namgung Shi-ah and the Dark Moon Sword Emperor Bukkung Hyun-ah hacked at Belphegor’s body, ultimately destroying his heart and causing his physical form to collapse.
【Fools. . . my purpose has already been fulfilled.】
Belphegor vanished, mocking the Dark Brotherhood, who had wasted their time focusing on him.