Chapter 551
Chapter 551
Chapter 551: The Counteroffensive forces
The location switches.
Below, an army was advancing.
However, this army was odd.
Their equipment and attire were mismatched, and their races were diverse.
Both humans and demi-humans were present.
"We were lucky."
"Because the hero appeared?"
"That too. However, we could not have won the war against the demons with just the hero. Five hundred years ago, the continent was blessed with the right era."
The scene changes again.
A massive sword of light splits the sky, eradicating the demons.
The First Hero was said to be the only one who could fully master the Holy Sword.
Seeing Elna's Holy Sword, which is said to be its second coming, I had to agree.
The boy with the hair color of cherry blossoms, holding a shining star sword, was undoubtedly stronger than Elna.
However, what's astonishing wasn't just that.
There were extraordinary warriors standing shoulder to shoulder with such a hero on the battlefield.
"There has probably never been a time in the continent's history when we were blessed with such extraordinary individuals. The continent at that time was truly blessed with talent. While many countries were unable to resist the demons, only the Empire put up a bold resistance. As a result, the Empire was recognized as a symbol of resistance by countries across the continent. Thanks to this, mankind was able to unite under the banner of the Empire. Disputes between nations, conflicts between races, all disappeared in the face of the formidable enemy known as the demons. The Empire gathered the forces of the entire continent, formed a counteroffensive army, and created a system where they could fight to the fullest."
The scene changes to a forward base.
There, a large quantity of armaments were being brought to the front line, and food supplies were being replenished incessantly.
New warriors eager to make a name for themselves joined the front line from the rear, resisting with a weapon the demons didn't possess - a great number of soldiers.
However, sheer numbers alone couldn't defeat the demons.
The key was a handful of extraordinary individuals.
The soldiers gathered from across the continent paved the way for them, preventing unnecessary losses.
Even if it meant sacrificing their own lives.
"The invasion of the demons was the worst thing that could have happened. However, the timing of their invasion was perfect. Miraculously, the continent had the power to push them back."
"Were you also part of that?"
"Of course. I fought diligently alongside that boy. Of course, the Dragonfolk and other demi-humans too. It wasn't an easy battle."
The scene changes again.
Many bodies lay scattered around.
Among them were the extraordinary individuals we saw earlier.
Even those strong enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with the hero were falling.
Indeed, it wouldn't have been easy.
"I prepared myself for death many times. That's why it's written in history that we were lucky. Winning was a miracle. Of course, it was the result of everyone's desperate efforts back then."
The scene changes once more.
There was a place where something was being excavated.
A considerable number of people were mobilized.
"The Empire knew how to fight against the demons. Most of humanity would be powerless against the demons. Therefore, they left the front lines to the strong ones, while everyone else supported them as much as they could. Part of this support was the excavation of relics from the ancient magic era."
"I see. That's why there are so many relics from the ancient magic era in the castle's treasury."
"Some relics were used, others weren't. The Knight Emperor probably wanted to find a second Holy Sword. In the end, no artifacts could match the Holy Sword, but the various powerful equipment that was found was of great help in the battle against the demons."
"The scene shifts once again.
We are in the sky above.
The flames that engulfed the continent were slowly being pushed back to the north.
The side that was just taking hits from the demons had begun to turn the tide on the battlefield.
'So this is how humanity started to turn things around?'
'Don't be foolish. The enemy isn't sweet enough to be turned around by something like this.'
The elder's words coincided with a new spectacle.
The entire continent was engulfed in flames.
Even the central part of the continent, where the Empire should be, was covered in fire.
'What happened...?'
'There were two wars against the demons. The first time, a counteroffensive army was formed, and the demons were temporarily driven out from the continent. However, the first counteroffensive army was instantly forced to retreat.'
'The Demon King...'
'Correct. Even the Hero, who was thought to be humanity's hope, was no match for the Demon King. With the emergence of the Demon King on the front lines, the counteroffensive army was nearly annihilated. They challenged the Demon King in order to allow the mortally wounded Hero to escape.'
The scene changes.
A lone swordsman is desperately fleeing, carrying the bloodied First Hero on his back.
Warriors challenge the demons that chase them from behind.
Deep in the battlefield, a little away from there.
The Demon King, with a bored expression, was sweeping away the swarming warriors like dust.
'How did they...'
'Hmm?'
'How did they beat this guy?'
'Humanity did not give up. They held out until the Hero healed his wounds and returned even stronger. Moreover, the demons showed their bad habits.'
'Bad habits?'
'They're arrogant, those guys. Despite the fierce resistance, even seeing the anomaly known as the Hero, they didn't think they, as demons, could lose. While the Demon King's direct appearance somewhat stabilized the war situation, the damage on the demons' side was also enormous. Therefore, Dantalion, the chief strategist of the Demon King's army, suggested a retreat. Leaving defensive forces on the island and returning to the Demon World to regroup. But he was purged by the Demon King. To the Demon King, who had absolute confidence in his own power, retreat was an unthinkable proposal. Indeed, he had that much power.'
'I can see why. If they're that strong, they'd become arrogant. I can't even begin to imagine winning.'
'Everyone felt the same. However, the Demon King did not engage in the mop-up of the remnants. The other demons launched a counteroffensive, and the continent was engulfed in the flames of war, but without their strategist, they were just a forceful push. Thanks to that, we were able to buy some time.'
The bored expression of the Demon King from earlier came to mind.
If the Demon King was serious, humanity would have been extinct a long time ago.
However, it might have been just a way to kill time for the Demon King.
Having sent the Hero into retreat, the Demon King must have gotten bored.
That's why he left it to others and purged the strategist who suggested a temporary retreat.
'It took two years for the Hero to rise again. Humanity endured until then. They endured, making enormous sacrifices. And thus, the second counteroffensive army was formed.'"
TL's Notes:
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