novelA War with the Demon Gods (3)
| ← Ch.259 | Ch.261 → |
At this time, there were 300, 000 troops under Muyoung's command.
With the King of the Dead joining, he has gathered strong reinforcements and a great army.
That number was close to 5 million, but they were following the orders of the King of the Dead, not Muyoung. Even if the dead were in Muyoung's army, there was a slight, yet a significant difference.
Speed was critical in any war, especially when it came to a war with the Demon Gods.
Therefore, there was a small difference in the utilization of this army that required another layer of command, from those who could be immediately mobilized with a single, direct order.
The King of the Dead was surprised.
A tent was pitched in grand scale. Muyoung was using his magic to block off anyone who might be listening. That was how dangerous what Muyoung was about to do was.
"Those demon gods that are after Gremory. You have to stop some of them. In the mean time, I'll attempt to reconcile with one of them."
"You say it as if that was so easy."
The King of the Dead scoffed.
A strategy to reconcile with one of the invading demon gods?
Although it was a difficult task, it would be incredibly beneficial should it succeed.
Even if the King of the Dead was strong enough to take on one demon god, it was just obvious that there would be at least seven demon gods that would be attacking.
Both Muyoung and the King of the Dead would be in danger.
"It's not impossible to do."
Muyoung shrugged his shoulders. He was at a disadvantage, but it wasn't that there was not a way.
"Do you have a plan?"
"I've identified the spy that was leaking information to the coalition."
Muyoung has been watching and investigating from both inside and outside of the anti-coalition camp. In another words, Muyoung had been investigating everyone, not just the ones watching him.
The only objective of Muyoung was... to track down the 'spy'.
That was, those who were playing both sides against each other, by providing intel to both the coalition and the anti-coalition Demon Gods in order to preserve themselves.
"Are you going to detain the bastard?"
"If he realizes that we know the identity, he will immediately go and defect to the coalition."
What was important was that the identity of the spy has been uncovered.
However, he wasn't about to let them know that. The effect would be maximized by playing dumb, leaking false information to set a trap for the coalition.
"Hmm, so who is that spy?"
"All four demon gods, except Gremory."
"...What."
The king of the dead heaved out a sigh.
That was right. Gremory. With the exception of her, everyone was a traitor. Although Muyoung had his suspicions, he didn't think that it would turn out to be all four of them.
However, after having watched over them, he found that all four of them had contacted coalition agents. Even they would not be able to deny it, other than argue how severe was their betrayal of the anti-coalition faction.
It was as if Gremory was engaged in a lonely battle by herself.
"Gremory was expendable."
Even the King of the Dead understood the reality of the situation.
He also got it from what he has been hearing.
This was also true.
Without the appearances of Muyoung and Solomon, Gremory would have become prey for Haures and Lerajie.
Immediately after that, those remnant anti-coalition members would defect to the coalition.
The fact that they still remained here proved they were still weighing their options and calculating their possible benefits and penalties based on the current situation.
As a result, they weren't All-In on the invasion.
They also did not show much opposition when Muyoung said that he was 'using Gremory as bait'.
"So, do we need our own spy in return?"
"If that was the case, I would hope for an influential demon god."
"How are you going to leak information that would put them in disarray?"
"We will have to use Solomon."
Solomon would make an entrance.
Of course, he would not be making a true appearance, but by simply leaking that information, the enemy's mobilization would be severely hampered.
There would be less and less of them that would take the lead.
This scenario would would be perfect for this situation.
"I have no fear of the likes of the demon gods. However, it is a risky gamble."
He knew what the risks were.
He wanted to learn what he didn't understand about the Art of Death through Muyoung.
But Muyoung was standing on a very treacherous slope. With the slightest misstep, he would fall off the cliff.
However, Muyoung was confidant.
Even if he wasn't confidant, he had to appear confidant.
That was the position that Muyoung was in.
'You have no answers. '
The King of the Dead shook his head as he realized that Muyoung did not have an answer. Certainly, without such audacity, he would not have been able to train the Crimson Balrog.
"But then, why are you still hiding your powers?"
"Hiding my powers?"
Muyoung asked as if he didn't understand what the King of the Dead was talking about.
"I know the secret as I have learned the same powers. Do you not have four wings?"
It was a pointed question.
Muyoung had three pairs of wings to start with.
Although he had six wings, the Demon Gods only knew of four wings.
Muyoung did not trust anyone from the get go.
Even when he met Gremory, and when he went to rescue her.
He had even hidden the last 2 percent of his powers even at the very dangerous time when he was fighting Lerajie.
It was because that was the only way that he could survive.
It was because that was the only way that he could change the future.
He must not show all his cards.
Muyoung only had a subtle smile.
The King of the Dead clicked his tongue.
"You are the first one that I've ever seen to be more sly than I."
Having received the order to annihilate Gremory, 11 demon gods were mobilizing rapidly.
The one that led them from the front was Amon, the 7th ranked demon god!
He was the Demon God called the creator of magic and the original master of Enroth.
Born with the mystic eyes that could analyze anything, and being a cruel tyrant, even the other Demon Gods were uncomfortable around him.
He was even in a worse temper these days.
'He even controls Enroth's mind, who is that bastard?'
According to the intel from the spy, it was said that Enroth was under Muyoung's control. It must have been true as no one would be mistaken about Enroth who was the Demon God of Iron.
In fact, the 'linkage' that was felt from Enroth had at some point disappeared.
'He broke the geas spell that I had placed. '
Enroth was one of the strongest Demon Gods.
Certainly, from Amon's perspective, he had no choice but to place a strong geas spell or someone like that.
However, Muyoung had destroyed that geas spell and taken control of Enroth's mind.
Could this really have happened?
He was curious. Even if he had learned all the schools of magic, mind control was a very different and separate field. Even Amon could not control the mind of other demon gods that were under his command.
Hence, he has joined in this expedition.
Only for the purpose of seeing the one called Muyoung.
The intention was to, if possible, verify the mind control skill and take it from him.
Sheeeeek.
At that moment, one of the small tattoos on his left hand turned blue-green.
'An intel has arrived from Murumuru. '
Amon's spy was Murumuru. He was the double agent that Amon had planted. He even heard the stories of Muyoung from him.
As he allowed the call by using his magic, the information that Murumuru has sent naturally entered Amon's mind.
'Gremory and Solomon will meet?'
Aamon shook.
Should Solomon appear, Diablo would be with him.
Of course, Amon was not scared of Diablo. Furthermore, Baal has said that Solomon would not be able to use his powers.
'That's strange. '
However, for Solomon to be meeting Gremory was strange, especially in such a time.
It was strange to beg for 'mercy' from Solomon to begin with. Eliminate Baal by being on the side of the anti-coalition?
Solomon was an absolute, faultless executioner.
He had the heart of steel that showed no blood or tear.
Amon knew him well.
'No matter on which side it is, it was rather an opportune time. '
But if it was the truth, Amon has decided that it would be the best chance to overcome 'the Terror of Solomon'.
If Diablo could be eliminated, Solomon's influence would decrease tremendously.
Even if it was not true, Gremory's destruction has been predicted.
However, it must not be the same case for others.
"Amon, it seems as if it would be necessary to re-organize the ranks. We will rest here for a while before moving forward."
"Botis."
Botis, the 17th ranked demon god came forth first.
It seemed as if he wanted to stay at the back and assess the situation.
"Certainly, it seemed like we might have moved too fast. We also need some time if we wanted to capture Gremory for sure."
"Naberius..."
Click!
Aamon clicked his tongue.
'You foolish ones. '
It was obvious that spies were planted on the anti-coalition side.
They probably heard about the 'appearance of Solomon' at the same time, so it just meant that they didn't want to be at the front.
They were the definition of what cowardice was.
Although 11 demon gods have been dispatched with Amon, there were, in the end, only five demon gods, along with Amon, that would take the lead in capturing Gremory.
The remaining seven of them went to the back by making up all sorts of excuses.
They only wanted to preserve themselves, yet it seemed quite pathetic.
'Just exactly how long will they fear Solomon. '
Perhaps, they might be deifying Solomon way too much.
The one who had thrown them out into this world and destroyed their birthplace.
Amon continued as he stood at the front of the pack.
"We will destroy Gremory as we have planned. There will be no mercy."
Toong. Toong. Toowoong-
The King of the Dead was stomping the ground with his staff at the top of a tall mountain.
A strange sound resonated each time his staff hit the ground.
'Five."
He felt the five demon gods approaching from a far. He also felt the millions of demons that were approaching with them.
Even if for the King of the Dead, he couldn't battle against five Demon Gods, at the same time. The troops that he had under his command could not overcome the sheer numbers.
However...
'Buying time and disrupting the enemy was a possibility. '
Toowoooong!
As he hit the ground with his staff again, the surrounding scenery changed.
Shwwwwwwing!
There came a snowstorm.
A countless number of snow-capped mountains were bending and bending again.
Limited force projection!
The King of the Dead was the King of the North. He has ruled as a king for a long time.
There was no one who could withstand his powers in the Snows of the North.
That was in the past, is at present, and will be in the future.
"Come. I will show you the true king that brings forth the power of death."
The king moved with the powerful storm.
Beyond sight, the King of the Dead was fighting.
By placing a shield, he was preventing the demons from going beyond the area.
"Truly impressive."
Gremory let out a silent admiration.
The transcendental beings.
It was certainly the Power that fit that name. He was holding up against the five demon gods by himself.
"He would not be able to win."
However, Muyoung was pessimistic.
The King of the Dead. He was strong, but there were too many enemies.
It would be buying time at best.
"We'll be focusing our attacks to those that may escape the shield. Do not let down your guards... Focus."
There were about 3 million troops around Gremory. Most of them were under the command of Gremory.
The other anti-coalition Demon Gods took a step back by saying that they would support 'remotely' from the back.
Perhaps, if they were to sense victory, they would quickly appear for the benefits.
On the other hand, if they were to sense defeat, they would, likewise, disappear quickly, like ghosts.
Only Muyoung joined in.
Even Gremory must have sensed that everyone else, other than her, was acting as a spy.
Or she might have known it for a long time.
Perhaps, that was why Gremory's eyes softened further as she looked on Muyoung.
"Have you ever justified yourself in face of certain defeat?"
She asked Muyoung.
Come to think of it, Gremory's defeat has always been certain.
She had lost in the past, and also because the coalition had annihilated humanity.
However, Muyoung shook his head.
"No."
"You are strong."
"You are strong too."
Muyoung briefly replied.
If Muyoung was strong then so was Gremory. She did not give up until the end. Muyoung knew that too well.
Gremory put on a small smile.
"Thank you."
"It is too early to be thanking me."
Sheeek!
Chijeeeeek!
Right then.
Someone has forcefully torn up the shield.
A shield with such power and scale was being shattered at will.
There were only a limited number of Demon Gods that could wield such power.
And Gremory opened her mouth as she stared at the very first one that came through the shield.
"Amon."
| ← Ch. 259 | Ch. 261 → |