Chapter 155 : Chapter 155

Chapter 155 : The North (8)

From the day after the floating castle collapsed, I continued the work of injecting mana into the demons.

The work proceeded slowly.

Even if not as much as Bitelleanus, injecting mana into high-rank demons certainly consumed a lot of time and mana.

Besides, the number of demons who needed the procedure was truly large.

While I was injecting mana, Derix came to my side and brought me a meal.

“Don’t skip your meals.”

“Leave it there. I’ll eat after I finish with this person.”

“No. I will watch you eat and take the empty bowl with me.”

Derix said dependably and stood next to me.

I nodded and focused on the work of driving out the demonic energy.

The members of Bitelleanus's legion, like her, wished for the source of demonic energy given by the Demon King to remain untouched.

Therefore, a more delicate process was required than simply injecting mana to drive out the demonic energy.

“Keuk, thank you.”

“Yes, please take care of yourself. If you feel any discomfort, please let me know.”

“Yes, then… please enjoy your meal as well. I’ll tell the next one to wait a bit longer before coming.”

The demon staggered away.

A white handprint was clearly stamped on his back.

Watching the demon's back, Derix spoke as if puzzled.

“For my part, I cannot understand why they don't receive it on their foreheads. It is a glorious thing to receive the master’s palm.”

“……No. The other way is better.”

I stopped Derix, who was speaking while scratching his forehead as if he truly didn't understand.

And I looked at Derix with concern.

Because on the forehead his fingertips were scratching, in the very center, my white handprint remained like a brand.

Derix noticed my gaze and quickly added.

“I am truly proud, so you don’t have to look at me with such eyes.”

“……I’m glad you’re okay with it.”

“I’m serious. The demons of the Remnant also chose this of their own will.”

The demons of the Remnant, one and all, had a white handprint left on their foreheads like Derix.

On the other hand, Bitelleanus and her legion received the mana injection on their backs.

The difference in power between the two groups was clear.

The Remnant was composed of mid and low-rank demons, whereas Bitelleanus’s legion included many high-rank demons, and their total number was much larger.

But as they were heading towards the same goal, they did not antagonize each other.

‘It’s probably because Bitelleanus told them to do so.’

Bitelleanus's contribution was significant.

She was controlling this many legionnaires well.

It was a fact I had only just learned, but apparently, not all the legionnaires currently gathered in the North were demons who had followed her from Myeolji.

Many demons had joined the legion in the North as well.

Even the demons who had initially attacked her, dreaming of becoming the ruler of half the North, eventually became loyal members of the legion.

I said to Derix.

“You always go through a lot of trouble.”

“Not at all. I am happy to be able to assist my lord.”

Pfft, a laugh escaped me unknowingly.

I patted the back of Derix, who looked as if he had no idea why I was laughing.

It was Bitelleanus's achievement that she could draw in this many demons, but it was Derix who had first shown me that it was possible to be on the same side as demons.

“Gather some people for me. No need to gather everyone.”

“Should I just call Bitelleanus, Everchen, Bea, and Keldric?”

“Yes, please.”

“I’ll be right back.”

Derix took the dishes I had eaten from and went to our comrades.

I found myself hoping that he knew I was always nothing but grateful to him.

***

Bitelleanus, Everchen, Bea, Keldric, and I were gathered in one place.

“Then, please have your talk.”

“No, Sir Derix, you should stay here too.”

I stopped Derix who was about to leave after gathering everyone and I used formal speech with him for the first time in a very long time.

Derix seemed not to know why I was doing so, but I had already made my decision.

Just as Derix had changed his way of speaking to sound more like a human after meeting me, I too had to change my way of speaking towards demons.

‘If anything, it’s a bit late.’

But there were many other things to say, so I didn't explain it to Derix in detail.

I looked around at the gathered people and said.

“It seems it will take a little more time to infuse mana into all the demons.”

“So, are you saying you can’t do it for all of our legion? There are many who are waiting……”

Bitelleanus frowned with concern.

It must be because of aspects like that that the legion dedicates their full loyalty to Bitelleanus.

But she didn't have to worry about that point.

“No. Of course, I have to do it for all of them. No matter how much time it takes, I will do it all, but there’s something I’d like to ask of you in the meantime.”

“A favor? Just say the word!”

“Yes, if you tell us, we’ll help too.”

Keldric and Everchen answered immediately.

Bea also nodded.

It was always reassuring to have people who would believe in whatever I said.

“First, I would like to make a request to the demons. I would like for the two groups, the Remnant and Lady Bitelleanus's legion, to merge into one. What are your opinions?”

“I will follow my lord’s command.”

Unlike Derix who answered immediately, Bitelleanus was lost in thought.

“Umm……”

Everyone's eyes were on her.

Her deliberation was getting long.

It wouldn't matter if the two demon groups were kept separate.

I had only suggested it thinking that they would be more united when bound by a single name, but perhaps the suggestion felt unfair to Bitelleanus.

As I too was getting lost in thought, she opened her mouth.

“Let’s do that. The name will be unified as the Remnant. We never had a name to begin with.”

“……Is that really okay?”

“It is. Calling us a legion was just what outsiders called us. Derix, you will continue to serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the Remnant. Instead, we will divide into the 1st and 2nd Corps of the Remnant, and I will take charge of the 2nd Corps. Is that acceptable?”

Derix had a dumbfounded expression.

He had probably never imagined that he, who was merely a mid-rank demon, would become the Commander-in-Chief of a group that included a legion led by the 3rd in rank of the Demon King’s army.

It was unexpected for me as well, so I could only stare at Bitelleanus with wide eyes.

“Why the long faces? Don’t tell me you’re about to say I can’t even lead the 2nd Corps?”

“Ah, that’s absolutely not it. Thank you for your understanding.”

I quickly added, lest Bitelleanus change her mind. And it was my true feeling as well.

“Derix, consider it an honor. Until now, the only being above me was the Demon King.”

“Yes, Lady Bitelleanus. I will consider it an honor.”

“You may call me 2nd Corps Commander.”

“……Thank you. 2nd Corps Commander.”

Bitelleanus and Derix even shared a firm handshake.

Seeing that, Bea clapped. I, and our other comrades, added to the sound of applause.

“Now the Remnant is no longer a guerrilla unit of a few demons, but a legion that no one on the continent can ignore.”

“With the power to rule half the North, no one will be able to ignore us. And Polarin.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“It is also a legion that will add strength to your plan. Always keep that in mind.”

“Thank you, 2nd Corps Commander of the Remnant.”

Bitelleanus smiled faintly.

“After you injected your mana, I no longer feel pain from the scar above my eye. You can consider this my way of repaying you.”

“……That’s a relief. Then, on to the next agenda. There is something I would like to ask while I am injecting mana into the demons of the ‘Remnant’.”

“What is it?”

“Please purify the Erosion Zone of the North.”

Everyone was surprised by my words.

This place was the former territory of Bitelleanus's legion, and the largest Erosion Zone on the continent.

Even if the legion was the force that ruled this place, there would be many demons hiding here and there, and the number of beasts would surely exceed several thousand.

In order to purify it, all the beasts and demons here had to be subjugated.

I had purified the Erosion Zone near Manoa with Eidon before, but that was an area that had not been around for very long.

Even to completely purify that Erosion Zone, a lot of manpower was invested from two groups, the Frost Magic Tower and the Mana Research Department.

The North was an Erosion Zone that was notorious even in Adjak's era.

Purifying it would consume an enormous amount of time and manpower.

Thinking it might be too difficult a mission, I continued my explanation.

“I know it can’t be purified all at once. Just as much as possible, diligently……”

“Let’s do it.”

Bitelleanus answered readily.

The other comrades also let out cries, each stealing their resolve.

“Haha, I’m counting on you all.”

***

One month later, at the Northern Archduke's Castle.

The Adjutant was reporting to the Archduke about the strange events that had been occurring recently.

“The number of beasts invading up to the wall has decreased noticeably. This is the first time this has happened even without us going on subjugations.”

“That Apostle of the Holy Order brat, it seems he has caused some trouble after all.”

“It is still too early to judge, but it is believed that he has caused some kind of trouble.”

“But didn't the beasts continue to invade for several weeks even after he departed.”

“Yes, that is correct. However, starting about a month ago, their numbers gradually decreased, and now it is difficult to find any beasts coming to the wall.”

Umm.

The Northern Archduke, Evernite, let out a groan.

“Do you really think Polarin Adjak persuaded the leader of the demons?”

“……”

“Why can't you answer? Just say what you think.”

“My apologies. It has been a long time since I have conveyed an opinion that is not a fact to the Archduke.”

The Archduke gazed at his flustered Adjutant.

Come to think of it, the Archduke had only ever asked for factual information about the situation.

It was certainly rare for him to ask his subordinate for an opinion.

No, it has almost never happened recently.

For the Archduke, the past two months had been unusual days.

He continued his training, but he stopped the periodic subjugation of the North and he found himself constantly thinking about a certain ‘possibility.’

If Polarin Adjak were to persuade the leader of the demons, could the North also regain its peace?

If I no longer have to protect the North, what should I do?

What is it that I must protect?

While the Archduke was lost in thought, the Adjutant, after much deliberation, conveyed his opinion.

“My apologies. Realistically, I believe it would be difficult to persuade the leader of the demons. However, I do think that perhaps the Apostle of the Holy Order has greatly reduced the number of beasts.”

The symbol of the Holy Order was also hanging on the neck of the Adjutant as he said this.

Right, you were also a believer of the Order.

As a believer, I could understand his desire to believe in the newly born Apostle after a long time.

The Archduke had always been one to make decisions and give orders autocratically.

Once a ripple was created in his heart, it grew uncontrollably.

‘If Polarin Adjak persuades the leader of the demons, and ultimately persuades me as well……. Will he truly become the ‘true ruler of the North’?’

The Archduke did not answer his Adjutant and continued to ponder.

What to protect, and what to decide.

Where should the sharply honed blade be aimed?

Beasts? Humans?

The question Polarin Adjak had thrown at him filled his mind.

Ppuuuuuu──!

Just then, the sound of a great horn, as if to split the sky, was heard.

Ppuu! Ppuuuu─! Ppuuu───!

“The horn has sounded four times in succession.”

“It seems the demon bastards have come to the wall.”

The Archduke stopped thinking and picked up his spear.

What he was good at was not thinking, but gripping a spear and piercing through demons.

“Let’s go.”

The Adjutant felt a certain resolve in the Archduke’s expressionless face.

An emotion that even the Archduke himself had not felt was visible in the eyes of those who had seen him for a long time.

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