Chapter 636
Chapter 636
The warp gates had reached a level incomparable to their initial state, and could no longer be compared to the early stages of the allied forces' advance.
Each warp gate had become a fountain spewing monsters, endlessly vomiting them into the world, and their number had become incomparable to the past.
However, many things had changed from the direction the world was originally supposed to follow.
In the original story, the gate crisis eventually came to an end.
Compared to the original timeline, humanity's power was overwhelmingly superior.
For starters, there was Titan, a massive weapon that didn't exist in the original story.
That alone was overwhelming, and there were also the Immortals, the army of the undead.
The gate crisis itself had not changed.
Strictly speaking, even without Titan and the Immortals, the gate crisis was supposed to end eventually. It would take a little longer than it did now, but a weaker humanity could not have failed to overcome this disaster.
6th month.
The allied forces began their assault on Wallen, a large city on their way to the capital city of Riselen, Diane.
It was the first large-scale battle since the battle of Serandia, which had taken place at the end of the previous winter.
There was Titan, which had grown much stronger since Serandia.
And there were the Immortals, who hadn't even existed during Serandia.
And then there were the original allied forces.
"Unbelievable…"
The overwhelming power that made Shanafel and the Royal Mage Corps pale in comparison.
The allied forces wouldn't know what the mysterious army, suddenly appearing and slaughtering monsters with their Aura Blades while clad in full-body armor, was.
However, they were at the forefront of cutting down and killing the monsters.
The mages who didn't actually participate in the battle: Adelia, Christina, Louis Ancton, and Anna de Gerna.
They were effectively in control of the battlefield.
Humanity had become stronger than in the original story.
The gate crisis would no longer be a problem.
I couldn't help but be certain the moment I saw the allied forces' battle.
I didn't need to watch until the end.
Wallen would fall.
Now there were only two cities left.
Not much time remained until the fate of everyone, including me, would be determined.
As Titan disappeared into a flash of light and retreated, the battle was already over.
The rain of fire and ice that had dyed the sky red ceased, and the thunderous roar of war machines and artillery fire also stopped.
The strange army's help had indeed expedited the battle's conclusion, but that didn't mean the others hadn't played their part.
In a place where the corpses of gigantic monsters formed a mountain.
After destroying the massive warp gate with a single strike, Ellen drove her final blow into the mountain of remaining monsters, then slowly stood up from atop the mountain.
"Hero…"
Those who could follow Ellen this far into the heart of the battlefield were naturally not ordinary people.
However, even they could not help but look up at Ellen with eyes as if they were gazing upon a god.
It was Ellen's first appearance since Serandia.
But those who had fought alongside Ellen all this time couldn't help but feel that the hero was very different now.
Even when entering battle,
Even during the battle,
And even now, when the battle had ended,
There was something about the emptiness in her eyes and expression.
"Hero... Are you all right?"
The knight who had accompanied her cautiously asked Elen, who had leaped down the mountain of corpses with a few swift jumps.
Elen slowly nodded her head, saying nothing more.
Her emotionless fighting style had become more refined and sharper.
As if she had paid the price by sacrificing everything unrelated to battle.
Elen had grown stronger since Serandia. 𝘣𝑒𝑑𝘯𝘰𝘷𝑒𝘭．𝑜𝘳𝘨
However, those who saw her couldn't help but feel a tremendous sense of incongruity.
Somehow, it seemed like her every move and action lacked a soul.
Everyone couldn't help but feel that way.
Despite the cities becoming more dangerous, the Alliance's casualties were fewer than during Serandia when they had conquered Wallen.
Everyone knew that the enhanced power of the Titans played a crucial role in this.
And another thing.
A force too powerful to be overlooked had appeared.
All of them wore iron helmets with face-covering masks as the vanguard.
And in the rear, an immense number of archmages, all clad in black robes.
Everyone knew that it was because of them that Wallen had fallen faster and easier than during Serandia.
Who were they?
They appeared suddenly to help in the battle, and then vanished as if evaporating, along with their massive teleportation.
After the conquest of Wallen and the establishment of an outpost on the outskirts, the Alliance could only stay there for a while to deal with the aftermath of the battle.
In the Alliance Command headquarters,
"…I have finished reporting the casualties."
The combined casualties of each army and the measures taken had all been discussed.
"Once the wounded are treated, we will march immediately to the next target. Since the casualties are fewer than expected, we can prepare to move out quickly."
The Emperor did not mention what should have been discussed.
Everyone knew that the hidden vanguard of the Empire had been the army that had appeared today.
They were numerous master-class fighters and archmages.
There had never been a nation in history with such a level of power. It was no wonder that archmages and master-class fighters were called the strongest of humanity.
Even combining all of humanity, there were only around one to two hundred archmages and master-class fighters in one era. There were some unknown hermits, but they were not numerous.
That number surpassed the standard of the era by more than ten times.
The Emperor insisted on maintaining his attitude of not explaining anything.
However, those sitting in the command headquarters could not help but feel uneasy about the Emperor's silence.
The Holy Knight Commander said that since the Emperor wanted to bear all the responsibility alone, they should not demand an explanation and just follow along obediently.
The responsibility lay entirely with the Emperor.
But after witnessing the might of the army that had finally revealed itself, everyone couldn't help but be terrified.
Was this a matter that could be taken responsibility for?
Was such a powerful army really without any problems?
Could it be that they had really joined hands with the Demon King?
If what they had just faced was the Demon King's army,
How did the Emperor plan to take responsibility for that?
"Your Majesty... Have you truly joined hands with the Demon King?"
In the end, someone who couldn't overcome their anxiety mustered the courage to speak up.
The Emperor quietly looked at the person who had spoken those words.
"Of course not."
The emperor calmly denied the conjecture.
"It seems I can no longer hide it."
Emperor Bertus slowly shook his head, and finally, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"I have acquired the dark magic that revives the dead, making them even stronger than when they were alive."
Everyone's eyes widened as if they were about to burst at this explosive declaration.
Only two people had different expressions.
Holy Knight Commander Rowan showed a faint smile.
Louise von Schwarz bit her lip, as if she had been expecting this.
"It's an army of immortals, stronger than when they were alive, and capable of being redeployed on the battlefield through a slight regeneration process after dying once."
"A lot of material was needed for this."
"Once-great heroes of humanity, warriors, knights, and mages. All of them, who had slumbered amid our praise and admiration, have been resurrected to fight for humanity."
"Moreover, after the Gate incident, we have revived numerous casualties and once again enlisted them."
"Until now, you believed that those who died as heroes were properly laid to rest after the funeral proceedings. No, that's not the case at all."
"I secretly took their corpses, resurrected them as undead, and redeployed them in this war."
"I call this army the Immortals."
"This is the truth you all have been curious about."
"Joining hands with the Demon King."
"How could I join hands with the Demon King, an enemy of humanity?"
The emperor laughed.
"Such a despicable act would be impossible."
Indeed, it was a terrible laugh.
"So, don't die carelessly."
The emperor spoke with a cold tone.
"Unless you want to become an Immortal."
Everyone had no choice but to freeze before the emperor's smile.
"And..."
Once again, the emperor showed a meaningful smile.
"Isn't it one of you who joined hands with the Demon King, not me?"
The emperor dropped a bombshell.
Not just one, but two.
Is it worse to join hands with the Demon King or to revive dead comrades and send them back to the battlefield?
Undoubtedly, both were terrible, and no one could deny that.
As the emperor suddenly revealed secrets, the commanders of each army had no choice but to panic.
Moreover, the emperor did not reveal just one secret.
There were those among the allied forces who were in collusion with the Demon King.
As if to ask when he had kept such a secret, the emperor revealed two shocking truths that would make everyone gasp.
An army of undead called Immortals.
The existence of those who betrayed humanity.
Everyone now had to consider this.
Who exactly betrayed humanity? Who sided with the Demon King?
If the truth had been revealed one by one, accidents that would not have occurred would happen.
The empire and the emperor resorted to dark magic to end the war.
While there are levels of dark magic that are tolerated in the world, dark magic involving the undead is, of course, forbidden.
And the details go beyond just commanding the undead.
It is an insult to the physical bodies and souls of those who died honorably.
For now, the justification of ending the Gate incident would protect the emperor.
However, there is no guarantee that what can be justified now can also be justified later.
The empire laid hands on a power that should never have been touched.
Firstly, they insulted the deaths of the greatest heroes in human history.
Once allies to someone and family to another, these people were revived as undead and used – this was the second offense.
Although they couldn't be held accountable right away, eventually the empire would have to pay the price for dabbling in forbidden powers.
Under the assumption that there was a force capable of doing so. Those among humanity who learned of this now possessed a justification to topple the empire at any time after humanity's reconstruction.
After everything had improved, after humanity's reconstruction.
With a justification to topple the continent's highest power, there would undoubtedly be those who would use it.
Thus, from the moment the empire reached for that power, it was as if it had already been handed a death sentence.
In a normal situation, if there were those who had betrayed humanity and sided with the Demon King, vengeful individuals would have fervently sought them out.
But the situation was different now.
The emperor had gone mad.
The empire might be able to maintain its existence through force for now, but it would soon be shunned by everyone.
Already, word had spread within the allied forces about the mass slaughter of civilians committed by the imperial royal family.
The presence of those on the Demon King's side meant there were those colluding with the Demon King.
Soon.
The collusion between the Demon King and humans suggested the possibility that the Demon King intended to use humans and spare their lives.
The Demon King could also be an alternative.
The fall of the empire was certain.
Amidst this, someone had bet on the Demon King's victory, and the Demon King intended to use them.
Choosing the Demon King could also be one of the ways to survive.
The identity of the Immortals.
And the human traitors.
By throwing both truths together, Bertus caused a massive confusion in people's minds.
To what extent had the Demon King reached out?
What were their choices?
Would it be the empire, which had wielded a powerful force but committed unforgivable deeds?
Or the Demon King, the origin of all this chaos and who might devour humanity?
Both were horribly unpleasant.
However, if they didn't choose a victor, they might face another annihilation after barely surviving this one.
The time to choose was approaching.
And then.
"Oh my…"
Holy Knight Commander Rowan faintly smiled as she received an internal report on the current situation of the Imperial Capital.
"It seems quite an interesting event is unfolding…"
In front of Rowan's eyes was a half-torn piece of paper.
A roughly scribbled wall poster.
"So, this is what's posted on the streets of the Imperial Capital?"
"Yes, Commander."
Rumors were circulating in the Imperial Capital.
[The Emperor caused the Gate incident.]
The absurd rumor that the Gate incident occurred because of the Emperor.
Such a rumor was slowly.
But surely.
Spreading.
******Donation Status 20/30******