228─Heap of Ashes
Thinking that the bite was neither slow nor fast, Empress Gremory gently trampled on quite a bit of snow.
The momentum of the Ernes Empire, which has already passed half of the El Alta Gorge and is advancing, is truly frightening.
But she blocked their path and Gremory, who drew out her own sword, showed off her quite relaxed appearance and gave her signal.
Whether her own hypothesis is right or wrong.
In essence, the amount of goods held by Ferzen is limited.
Furthermore, the price paid on this side for consuming those goods could not be said to be at an equal level, so the unfolding war of attrition only brought victory little by little.
I said……
‘Gremory, do you think so?’
I don’t know the exact intention, but it was quite different from the battles that had been fought so far, and Ferzen noticed what the Elmark Empire was blatantly aiming for.
The Elmark Empire uses warlocks to open the gates to the underworld and summons many strange creatures.
This is no doubt intended to accelerate the consumption of magical power by placing a much larger burden on the head of the previous generations of Brutein, and to forcibly advance the time of opening the gate to the Underworld.
Except for the battle on the first day, he has never opened the gate to the Underworld more than twice in a single battle.
Because there is a way out, the intention is to make the already unreasonable equivalent exchange even more unreasonable.
“Ah, ah…… “
Despite having fought numerous battles due to encountering heterogeneous creatures rather than humans, ordinary soldiers began to openly express their inner fear.
Fighting at the risk of death against an enemy who has a chance of winning.
Fighting at the risk of death against an enemy you have no chance of winning.
There is a clear difference, so it would not be strange to see such a reaction.
“…… “
It would not be a bad idea to leave the response to the elemental wizards and warlocks of the Ernes Empire.
Because they were not idiots.
Sureuk.
However, Ferzen raised his hand to signal a stop to his allies who were trying to fight back, and then gently stroked his altar and opened the gate to the underworld.
The plan that Gremory was inferring and the tactics presented based on that analogy were reasonable.
It would be the least damaging for you to respond honestly.
However, if he did that, he would only give the enemy strong confidence, and he would not be able to get rid of the appearance of being dragged around by this side.
Even if the wolf gets hurt.
In order not to look weak, you must not show it.
Kikigeek.
Soon, the goods contained within Fersen’s altar decreased exponentially, and the gate to the Underworld was fixed to the third floor.
Confirming this, Fersen, as if imitating Gremory showing off his composure, took out one of his cigars, put it in his mouth, and lit a fire.
And not long after that……
A shadow was cast in the center of the white, snow-covered El Alta Canyon.
It didn’t take long to realize that no, it wasn’t a shadow.
When we think of a shadow, it is when light meets an object and does not pass through it, so an image is formed afterward.
In that case, shouldn’t the same shadow appear under the feet of the Ernes Imperial Army as well as the Elmark Imperial Army?
In the first place, the clouds in the sky did not block the sun.
“Spreading…… !”
As soon as they realized the difference, the leaders of the Elmark Empire tried to order the soldiers in front of the front line to spread out……
Quwadeuk──!
Faster than that, something that was sitting in a circle on the pure white snow field without any sense of discomfort opened its mouth and swallowed them.
The first floor of the Underworld.
2Nd floor of the underworld.
Not even the monsters that lived there could escape the violence.
The huge, tightly closed snout swallowed up a single soldier standing on the front line and the Gremory Empress at once and began to float into the air.
Soon, the single eye that opened in the center of the large sphere poured out so many bloody tears that it seemed cruel, staining the pure white snow field red.
Ernes Empire.
Either Elmark Empire.
It was not difficult to realize that the monster on the third floor that Fersen had brought down was not just shedding tears.
That’s right, the thing that looks like mucus between the single eye is clearly a human body broken into pieces and crushed organs.
“…… “
Should we cheer when we see that scene?
The extreme fear brought about a silence that could only swallow saliva, even though it was a situation where the allies had the advantage.
However, Prince Raymond was the only one who looked at Ferzen next to him with a faint sigh.
From his perspective, he knew that this act of opening the door to the underworld was a way to avoid being defeated in psychological warfare.
Oh oh…… !
In the midst of the silence of the battlefield, the cheers that came out were not from the Ernes Empire, but from the Elmark Empire.
Boo!
The Gremory Empress, covered in blood, splits the bottom of the monster and leaps out from within.
Jureuk.
Too-duk-duk.
Then, as she settles on the ground, her human flesh and countless blood flow down like wine poured into her glass and begin to pool on her pure white snow field.
And looking at that, Fersen quietly exchanged glances with Prince Raymond.
Immediately after that, the order to attack was given.
In the midst of the crowded battle lines, Ferzen, who was facing Gremory’s eyes staring at him from afar, threw his tobacco on the floor and moved Isabel closer to his side.
‘What should we do? Empress.’
It must have been desired to open the gate to the underworld at an early stage and consume the goods.
Are you going to retreat like you always do, only giving up a few thousand soldiers?
If I think about it, it was like this when we first engaged in combat.
She deliberately moved to the opposite front line that did not overlap with her own and fought her childish fight.
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But this time, as if to show that she has won the battle, Gremory pulls out her sword and instantly clings to the monster that is trying to change its form again.
Indeed, in the eyes of the Elmark Imperial Army, will that look like a hero rushing towards the Demon King?
That’s why they let out such loud shouts.
However, in Fersen’s own eyes, he looked like a puppy chasing a toy that had been thrown away, so he left their cheering cheers behind and a faint sneer appeared on his lips.
* * * * *
After a long time, the snow accumulated on the battlefield completely melted, neatly revealing the cliffs and bottom of the bleak canyon.
You could say that the heat on the battlefield was that hot, but as if to indicate that even the heat was slowly cooling down, the rising sun set to the west and painted a red sunset.
Cow!
And Empress Gremory struck down the single eye of the monster that had been reigning like two suns in the sky until now, sending it crashing down to the ground. Then, she used her left foot to crush its body in one fell swoop.
Boo!
Then, a large amount of blood burst out from the monster’s bursting body, and for a short time, a bright red river flowed inside the El Alta Canyon.
“…… “
And when that blood-red wave completely seeped into the bottom of the dried-up canyon……
The lowered left foot is bent at an odd angle, with the broken femur sticking out through the flesh—the appearance of the completely devastated Empress Grimore is clearly revealed.
Of course, Fersen had used up all of her magic, so she gently lifted Isabelle’s body, which fell down next to her like a doll whose strings were loose, into her arms.
At the same time, Prince Raymond, numerous knights, and numerous wizards surrounded Fersen, who was defenseless, and began to form a strong wall.
“Hot.”
…… Since ancient times, wolves have always been lonely and do not form packs.
Gremory instantly burst out laughing at the sight of Fersen looking at her in the midst of them so crowded that it almost hurt her eyes and turned her head behind her.
Then what you see is a group of leaders and soldiers gathered together like a ragtag group who are quick to sigh in relief as they see themselves still standing without falling.
‘Okay…… ‘
I wonder how much it would be like if such things could become a will.
Rather, Gremory sneered that the current Ferzen was no different from a wolf sticking out her head, hiding in a flock of sheep. He placed his sword on her shattered left foot and tied it with twine to make a temporary splint. Did.
In this very natural lull, Fersen stroked his bangs as he looked at Empress Gremory, who was standing steadfastly even though she was completely injured.
‘How…? … ‘
Even if the magic power is worn out.
As an Auror Knight whose body is a weapon, should he throw away his body and urge the underworld to be opened again?
No matter how extreme she is, her left foot will be no different from being amputated if action is not taken quickly.
If you are sure that there are not many items left that can open the gate to the underworld and summon the monster from the third floor.
Yes, here she is going to rush at her front and back.
“Ha…… “
But right after, when Gremory, who ordered her to retreat, turned her back, Fersen sighed and supported the stumbling Prince Raymond’s back.
“…… Thank you. Count.”
“No. Majesty.”
At the very least, this result would be evidence that Gremory was uncertain about the exchange of equals that took place in the process of competing with her for strength.
If additional skirmishes occur, you may realize that it was just a bluff.
Fersen was satisfied with just the brief moment when her enemies cowered.
If only for a moment……
The last evil relationship entangled in this body will come to a complete end.