0% A month into the war.
Kaurelia was facing an unavoidable danger.
They had lost most of the northwestern cities, and around 800 000 elves were dead. Kill count of Elite Elentals were in the triple as well.
This was possible for one reason.
The atomic bomb.
The weapon made by Winter Heaven was truly powerful; no other weapon could compare.
“Are we going to lose?”
Now the people of elf country began thinking that way.
That can’t be. The Elentals are protecting us so what do you an we’ll lose? Don’t even say things like that..
There were so in denial, but many of them ca to see the reality.
[Q. What do you think about forr Winter Heaven Aether?]
[1. She is not a Beast and is a decent person : 32%]
[2. Although she is a Beast, I think she is decent : 33%]
[3. Although she is an evil Beast, we need to cooperate with her for the sake of the current war situation : 33%]
[4. She is evil and must be executed or banished imdiately : 1%]
After five tactical nukes had been dropped by the Demon Army, the number of people who believed in Aether over the governnt increased exponentially.
“Guess they’ve co to understand their place.”
“Although it’s too late.”
“Right, exactly.”
Rosemary nibbled on refreshnts while chatting with Akasha.
This was the peaceful harbor town, ‘Ivy’.
A place that was basically a remote island geopolitically-speaking.
All they had was a few yachts for ships, and the population was only in the triple digits. Dropping a bomb here would be pointless.
It was the best place for Rosemary and Akasha to relax.
“I miss sis.”
“I’m here.”
“It’s nice that you’re here, too, but I an big sis. I miss big sis.......”
Rosemary whined and pretended to cry.
Although she was acting playful, she was just as anxious.
If Aether stayed put forever like this, they were also dood. Perhaps she’d beco blueberry juice and be consud by the Demon King.
The Demon King dealt harshly with traitors, so it very well could happen. Rosemary began praying for the elves to surrender and lower their heads to Aether.
Rosemary turned on Scope and scanned within the radius of hundreds of kiloters.
“What’s the current situation?”
“It looks like they’re getting to a stalemate. I feel like sothing’s going to happen again at this point.”
It was as Rosemary predicted.
[News from the eastern front. A 20kT-magnitude photosphere has been spotted in the iay region.]
[Casualties are expected to be more than 180 000.]
The Demon Army used that weapon once again.
With this, nearly a million elves had been killed, and this was just a month into the war.
“It’s a phenonal number the more I look at it.”
“And those numbers are only because it’s the Demon King.”
Aether, the creator of this Innate Magic, was capable of instantaneous firing. If she wanted to, she could have killed in the hundred millions, not millions.
And the reason why she wasn’t doing so was because she knew situation. In other words, she was no longer Corrupt. Instead, she was becoming like the elves in a way.
aning, she was no longer a rigid academic and ca to learn how to play politics.
“Judging from the frequency of the drops, they’re still gauging. Or they can’t produce more than ten units.”
“In the latter case, it would an that Jǫrmungandr is in front.”
“Yes, and because of that, it would be taking longer to process pitchblende, right?”
“You’re so smart, Blueberry.”
“Hehumm.”
“...But if it is the latter, why is Autumn out here?”
In Akasha’s opinion, the quickest way for the Demon Army to end this was to produce an unlimited supply of atomic bombs.
But if Jǫrmungandr, the primary supplier, was in the battlefield, then the bomb processing ti would increase inevitably.
This was a sche uncharacteristic of the Demon King.
“...He’s saving them.”
“Hmm? Why?”
It was obvious.
“Because you need to salt the clams in order to catch them.”
“......Ah.”
Akasha’s complexion darkened rapidly. Realizing the hidden aning, Rosemary also put down the beryllium cookie she was eating, her face hardening.
A little while later, the energetic voice of the host ca from the radio.
[Good news! Lord Ifrit, the Fire Elental King, will be joining in the retaking of Hyleros!]
**He couldn’t take it any longer.
With his fiery temperant, Ifrit went against Secuel’s pleas and headed to the front.
- It’s Lord Ifrit!
We’re saved!
As expected, the troops’ morale rose.
Normally, Elental Kings didn’t intervene in ordinary events because it ensured each nation’s autonomy and sovereignty.
The fact that it got to the point of them intervening in human affairs ant that world destruction was imminent.
“I can no longer stand that damned Demon King’s tyranny.”
A million had died within a month.
Even during the Great War, there hadn’t been this many deaths in such a short period of ti.
But then that monstrosity called the atomic bomb or sothing appeared and took that many innocent lives in the blink of an eye.
At this rate, it wouldn’t just be the Ahrens continent in danger but also the Elental Realm and the realm of the Goddess beyond.
Thinking that, Ifrit was the first to take action among the Elental Kings.
“I pour out blessings upon you.”
Ifrit cast a massive buff on the Fire Mages on the front lines.
The protection of fla and passion.
It was an incredible blessing that virtually granted all Fire Mages in the area unlimited mana.
“Ohhh...!”
The mages who were boosted in morale from the overflowing power.
“The Goddess is watching over us!”
The low-level mages devout in Elental faith believed that this was the Goddess’ blessing.
A miracle.
But actually, it was simply a phenonon that couldn’t be understood thaumaturgically.
This world’s version of Noether’s theorem.
An important theorem that Elentals conserved the symtry of magic elents. And ironically, the fundantal principle of Elental Magic that was founded by Aether, a Beast.
Of course. We have the Elental Kings so what magic developnt?
That was what most of the mages who were empowered by Ifrit were thinking.
If they thought about it, the plan that the governnt was trying to carry out was absurd.
They were asking them to be atshields until that Dark Day magic or sothing was developed, but not only were they unsure if it was possible, the one they were assigning as the lead was a forr Demon Army executive.
This was better than that kind of uncertain future.
Before long, the mages ca out of the trenches and prepared to launch an attack.
Doom, doom, doom, doom!
“The Fire Elental King, Lord Ifrit, and the Goddess Le’Cuiness are with us! Do not be afraid and fight with all you have!”
“Victory is ours!”
Officers who were encouraging the soldiers in unison.
They gripped their staff with morale that pierced the skies. The soldiers of this world who were the main firepower got into formation and readied the first shot.
“Fire─!!”
[Ultimate Fire Elental Magic ─ ‘Fla is my light’]
[Ultimate Fire Elental Magic ─ ‘Let us return’]
At the commander’s order, a baptism of fla began.
The flood of magic, dozens of tis stronger than usual, burned the Beasts. Thousands of high-levels that were rushing this way fell helplessly.
As more Beasts fell, the army beca even more disciplined.
We can win.
They already seized the victory. The corners of the frontline commander’s mouth slowly lifted.
It seed that this was going to be the first news of victory. They had to win big in order to ease the worries of the people.
“Prepare for strike two!!”
They changed formations then fired the sa spells. Although several Cataclysms ca charging, they were no match.
March, march, march.
Step by step, the mages advanced.
In the six hours since the opening of the battle, Ifrit’s division had marched twelve kiloters.
It beca a new day and both sides went into a lull.
“Our King!”
“Thank you so much!”
It was their first victory since the war had started. The elves bowed their heads and praised the Elental King over and over again.
“We are overwheld with gratitude for your infinite grace, Fire Lord. You’ve protected our country, how can we repay you except with offerings!”
“The war is not over yet. Keep your guard up until the end.”
Ifrit shrugged.
The Demon King wouldn’t even be worth a single punch if not for the atomic bomb.
It’d be the sa even with the atomic bomb. They couldn’t destroy an Elental King with just one or two shots.
That was why.
Even if a nuclear bomb was dropped here, there wouldn’t be a problem; Ifrit just needed to stop it himself, after all.
“What a clear night sky.”
Looking at the stars sparse in the sky, Ifrit laughed fiercely.
“When will General Pecton’s troops arrive at the front?”
“He’s currently training the new recruits. He says he’ll turn 30,000 rookies into an elite force within a month and a half.”
“Elite? How interesting.”
“He’s usually the bane of the army, but in situations like these, he’s a hero. If you wait a little longer, then the best of the best will be distributed throughout the region.”
“That’s how long it’ll take?”
“We’ve been inford that two weeks should be enough.”
Two weeks.
That should give him about ten days.
“Look here, Commander. Do you really want to hand over your first war rit to a kid like that?“
”To be honest, no!“
”Good for you for being honest. Very well, then, let’s get moving at first light.”
Ifrit and the frontline commander looked at each other and nodded.
The commander wanted to make a significant contribution and move up the ranks, while Ifrit wanted to punch his fist of fire into the Demon King’s face as soon as possible.
So to do that, they had to push up the frontline. The interests of the Elental King and the Commander ca together.
“Do not be afraid, but go forth!”
“Crush the enemy in sight!”
For the next four days.
The army under Ifrit’s protection marched forward while repelling tens of thousands of Beasts, covering a distance of about 160 kiloters.
Then when another four days had passed, they had traveled another 180 kiloters.
This was a remarkable speed, even in the modern age of transportation.
“Wait, sothing’s wrong.”
“Why?”
“The enemy’s resistance is subtly weakening. Didn’t we only advance 10 kiloters on the first day of the offensive?”
One of the field grade officers continued worriedly.
“In my opinion, this looks like the formation of an encirclent.”
“Don’t worry. There are already other divisions following us north; we have strong flanks, so we don’t have to worry about being surrounded.“
“But.......”
“Do you want another troop to take the credit? If it goes well, you’ll also get a special promotion. Now’s your chance to get a star.”
Despite the commander’s reassurances, the officer’s worries didn’t go away.
The commander then smirked and pointed to the sky.
“I’ve studied astrology. The ominous star is hiding behind the fortune star, so good things will happen.“
”I know that. When the ominous star is behind, the energy of the sky is weakened and the energy of the earth is strengthened, which ans that tragedy will fall from the earth, not the sky.”
“What kind of interpretation is that? No, no. Even if you’re right, the tragedy is bound to fall on the Beasts.”
The commander continued.
“Think of the day the atomic bomb fell on the capital of the Empire. The position of the main star was opposite then to now. If it was inauspicious then, it is auspicious now. This is the Goddess’s way of telling us. If we are to strike, now is the ti.”
Ifrit, who had been listening nearby, nodded.
The commander was right. Right now, Ifrit was eager to catch and kill the Demon King.
- Please stop being so impatient. Things could go very badly if we aren’t careful!
Water Lord is right this ti. You shouldn't underestimate the Demon King.
Secuel and Gno tried to talk him down, but he ignored them all. That was how much his patience was at its limit.
Doom, doom, doom, doom!
“Oh, we’re under attack.”
Ifrit ran up to the watchtower with the commander.
The commander shouted.
“The enemy is sneaking up on us! How foolish they are! As long as Lord Ifrit protects us, their attacks will be a lantern before the wind!”
As if not one to be outdone, Ifrit also leaped up, gripping his fla spear.
“I will lead the charge myself! Follow !”
- Uwoooooooh!
The soldiers rushed out of their newly created base.
The Beasts’ attacks were fierce and threatening, but the army, blessed by the Fire Elental King, was undeterred.
Forward, forward, forward.
They marched forward under the protection of the Goddess. The banner of Kaurelia fluttered in the sky.
“The Beasts are fleeing!”
“Chase them! Do not leave a single one alive!”
The monsters that had been fighting for so ti turned their backs and retreated. A few officers found this odd, but most didn’t care.
A little bit. Just a little further.
Just a little more, and they’d be able to retake the province of Hyleros once and for all.
At that thought, the generals’ heads beca heated with excitent.
“The Bruglium River is just around the corner. If we survive tonight, we will be able to recover the land!”
Ifrit encouraged the soldiers, firing his fla spear. With each thrust, the Demon Army fell back a hundred paces.
And when they had marched another dozens of kiloters in two days–
“It’s the Demon King─!!”
A man in purple robes appeared.
The appearance of the Demon King as told through oral tradition.
“Is he really the Demon King...?”
“But he’s not doing anything.”
The soldiers doubted his existence, and Ifrit drove a wedge into their doubts.
“It is the Demon King. Follow ! I will take his head!”
The mont Ifrit set forth, the Demon King flinched and fled, and the soldiers followed in excitent.
The sight of the Demon King fleeing was almost comical. They were even thinking ‘That’s the Demon King?’
He’s nothing.
Barring the fact that they had a weapon called the atomic bomb, it was just another army, which must be why it had been so badly beaten in the Great War.
If things go well, we can end the war today.
It was just a matter of taking down the Demon King.
The soldiers’ eyes filled with determination at the thought of the month-long battle coming to an end.
And so the armies of the elf country marched on, faster than ever before.
They marched through a large basin and out onto the plain.
“Where is this?”
“It is a grassland called ‘Iring’.”
The officer who had spoken earlier reappeared and expressed his suspicions.
“This is strange. They might be trying to draw us in and then surround us.......“
”If they were going to surround us, they would have done it in the basin earlier. This is a plain. It’s easy to retreat if surrounded.“
”But, Commander!“
”Did you learn military tactics with your feet? Why do you keep arguing?”
Haha–Ifrit burst out laughing at the sight of the officer being kicked by the commander.
“No need to be so angry, a little caution never hurt anyone.”
Despite his words, Ifrit wasn’t exactly thrilled with the officer, either.
The Demon Army was losing, yet it was an officer on their side who was worrying. He was being much too cautious.
If one acted so cowardly, they wouldn’t gain anything.
“Damn it, we lost them.”
The commander sighed as he surveyed the wilderness.
It was around that ti that Ifrit, who was scanning the Demon King’s escape route, felt the heat.
“...Hmm?”
It was a heat he had felt many tis before.
He looked up at the sky without realizing.
The celestial sphere was still peaceful. The main star was moving in order, and the fortune star was in front of the ominous star. It ant that the energy of the land was very large and high.
The Demon King’s retreat should have been granted by the Goddess herself....
“W-wait......!!”
Whoooosh!
The air flow reversed.
West winds beca east winds, north winds beca south winds. All the winds started blowing from the bottom up.
Sensing sothing was amiss, so of the officers stirred. From there, the agitation spread throughout the troops.
The soldiers began to sweat profusely; whether it was from cold sweat or from heat, they didn’t know.
“Sir, the soldiers are complaining of a stinging sensation!”
“What the hell is going on....”
They had no idea what was going on.
[Strike them.]
“──!!!!”
Pillars of fire rose from every direction they looked.
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