Book 18 Chapter 28
<Orwardan> Fierce Battle,
A Foreshadowing of That Farewell Story (1)
This place is a desert!
Originally, this place was not a desert, but a place where wild grasses grew luxuriantly up to one's waist.
No, the description might be slightly wrong.
In the Age of Genesis, that is, before the <Ones Who Came> arrived in light and overthrew the <Forgotten Kings>, this place was a burning desert!
“Madam Witch of the Criminal Code, we have completely surrounded <Orwardan>. Not even a single rat will be able to escape.”
Behold the majesty of the army forming a military encampment in that desert!
The number of their troops alone was a staggering seven thousand!
The Republic operates on a militia system called Haltenel, and the Republic during this period, when it was ruled by the Dragon Race, had a very high civic consciousness, so the quality of its troops was superior to that of the Divine Human Empire.
“Well done. Deploy the Red Witches at 100-pace intervals to maximize the observation range.”
Yursa, the Witch of the Criminal Code, commanded.
Having risen to the rank of Grand Witch at the age of 46, she was the current Senior Grand Witch. This implied that she was a candidate for the Oracle.
The Republic's Witch Association, with its territory divided north and south by the sea, was in an undeniable state of competition.
“The Blood Clan might have already entered <Orwardan>, or perhaps they are on their way. Now all that's left is to form an advance party and rush in.”
Of course, at this time it was a healthy competitive relationship, so the distinction between public and private matters was clear, and there was no contempt or disdain for Fride, the Oracle of the Northern Republic.
“But Grand Witch, didn't Lady Fride only issue a standby order?”
“Oracle Rubriana's corruption has caused our Southern Republic Witch Association's prestige to hit rock bottom. We cannot yield even this military achievement to Lady Fride. We will uncover the demonic presence that has spread to <Orwardan> with our own strength.”
Of course, the same was true for the organization of ronin, the Martial God Alliance (武神聯).
“Indeed, we can't let that scoundrel, Murcheon Ryuminique, be the only one to be active.”
Sehehrn, the sect leader of the Cheonhwapa (天火派), the hegemon of the Six Great Sects rooted in the Red Mountains, clenched his fist, and sparks flew.
“Flame is the natural enemy of the abyss; if there is any sect that can incinerate all demon races, it can only be our Cheonhwapa! Is that not so!”
The thirty elite disciples Sehehrn had personally selected from the main branch bowed respectfully with clenched fists.
“That is correct, Elder Sect Leader!”
Furthermore, the number of medium-sized sects located on the Adrion Continent was considerable.
Is that all?
Many mercenary groups, who had been hesitant in the rear due due to the demon race's explosive advance, also joined, hoping to make a big score from a major mission upon hearing the news that the Hero Party had entered the war, so their military strength was just under ten thousand.
“Report from the Northern observation team! No life signs whatsoever!”
“Report from the Southern observation team! No life signs!”
“Report received from the Western observation team! No life signs from livestock such as chickens or pigs!”
“Final report from the Eastern observation team! The content is similar to the above!”
Grand Witch Yursa narrowed her eyes.
‘Have they not entered <Orwardan> yet? Did they abandon it to advance… That's good.’
The military achievement of reclaiming <Orwardan> will go to the Southern Republic Witch Association.
If they construct defensive lines in that city and hold back the Blood Clan's forces, Sehehrn's military achievement will certainly not be underestimated.
Even if the Hero Party plays a decisive role in the battle against the Blood Clan.
‘It's like achieving considerable success in the great war against the Blood Clan, so aiming for the next Oracle position would be more than justified.’
Sehehrn, the sect leader of the Cheonhwapa, had also finished similar calculations to Yursa. He could aim for the leader position of the Martial God Alliance.
It was at that moment!
Witches on brooms began to fly in frantically from all directions! They descended onto the sand, almost collapsing!
“G-Grand Witch! Report from the Northern observation team! A massive force is approaching from the north! Their number alone is approximately 50,000!”
“Report from the Southern observation team! A tremendous force is approaching from the south! Their numbers easily exceed 70,000!”
“This is the Western observation team! An immeasurable army is approaching from the west! They are Blood Serfs! We stopped measuring at 100,000, but it seems like twice that number!”
Cold sweat trickled down Yursa's and Sehehrn's brows.
Blood Serf army?
The Blood Clan, they were coming to besiege this place? Was it us who were surrounded, not them? How did they know, on earth?
“Do not act rashly! Witches must not act rashly! No matter how large that force is, they are Blood Serfs after all; the individual danger level isn't that high! But what about this! There are several times as many masters, who dominate the continent, positioned here right now!”
“!”
“Deliver this to all witches! Deploy the barrier and then enter the city! The goal is to gradually shrink the barrier and fix it to the holy stronghold!”
That could not have been a more optimistic prospect! They should have fled! Through the eastern path that had become vacant after the Hero Party subdued Lepatra!
And for good reason!
Now, behold the extremely lavishly constructed and adorned palanquins appearing on that desolate horizon! And the beings riding upon them!
“Oh, how did these humans know and wait for us here in <Orwardan>… ‘His’ foresight is truly astonishing.”
North!
Bloodworm Noble (血蟲貴), Kashan!
His title of "Noble" identifies him as a Pale Baronet!
“I thought there was a foul stench in this sacred desert, hah, there are indeed so many trashy humans.”
South!
Bloodprison Noble (血獄貴), Dikado!
“I don't feel Lepatra's blood aura, which should have come from the east. Something really must have happened.”
West!
Bloodbattle Noble (血鬪貴), Zhigen!
“Still don't believe it, Dikado? There is no future that ‘His Third Eye,’ bestowed by Him, cannot see.”
Zhigen stood directly on the ground with his own two feet, which was due to the Blood Clan's pathological etiquette culture!
There was a superior present!
Bloodpeak Lord (血尖君), Berom!
Daringly and impertinently using the title of Lord (君) even though he is not a noble, is this rebellion against the <Forgotten Kings>?
No, it is not!
With this title, originally given to crown princes, the Blood Clan expressed their submissive will to serve the Lord of Time as their mother.
The absolute ruler of the Blood Clan, therefore, reigns as a king, a royalty among the Blood Clan!
Royalty is not inherited by bloodline but is elected only from among the most powerful baronets of the Five Great Houses.
It could be seen as similar to the Empire's Electorate system. However, it is slightly different. Electors need political power, but the Blood Clan's king ascends to the throne purely by strength!
“Your Highness Berom, shall I command the Blood Serf army to advance?”
However, this Bloodpeak Lord Berom was somehow strange.
He had completely concealed his identity with a mask shaped like a red nebula and silk robes, but the fingers gripping the palanquin's handle were thin as twigs.
Could the absolute ruler of the Blood Clan truly be this frail? But one must not judge by appearance alone! It is dangerous!
Consider why those unbelievably arrogant Pale Baronets respectfully addressed him as ‘Your Highness’!
“No, I cannot hand over quality living sacrifices to mere Blood Serfs. I myself will conduct the symphony of blood.”
Bloodpeak Lord Berom raised the middle and index fingers of his right hand, which was gripping the palanquin's handle, towards the sky.
“So that ‘He’ may dye all the stars in the sky red, I shall today dye this earth red as well!”
At that moment! That single moment! Horrific, cruel, and desperate screams began to erupt, piercing even the roar of the sandstorm!
Blood!
It was the Blood Spike (血尖)!
Blood tendrils, endlessly gushing forth from beneath the ground, began to pierce the feet and lower bodies of the human army!
“Ugh, Aaaaargh…!”
“It hurts, it hurts, my feet…!”
All the humans were fixed on the blood spikes, their legs and feet pierced, and they could only let out cries of pain!
Witches too! Ronin too!
Those whose skill had not reached the realm of masters met the same fate!
“What is this…!”
The only ones who were safe from that hellish onslaught, the only ones who could defend themselves… were Grand Witch Yursa and Cheonhwapa Sect Leader Sehehrn, these two people alone!
“Oh ho… there are two supreme sacrifices remaining. Then how about this?”
The next moment, what was it that assailed them?
Insects!
But not just ordinary insects!
Countless blood droplets, materialized into swarms of flying insects, surged and instantly engulfed the two of them!
“Bloodworm Noble, that scoundrel… Your Highness gave no orders. I will go and punish him. Please grant permission.”
Bloodbattle Noble Zhigen was enraged by Bloodworm Noble’s independent action, taken without consulting his superior.
Extreme loyalty was only natural!
Zhigen was from the same family as Berom. As Berom became king, he too was promoted to Pale Baronet.
“No, it is fine.”
But Bloodpeak Lord Berom waved his finger, putting a stop to that loyalty.
“We are of the same kin; we should not criticize or oppress each other, but coexist. Today is a joyous day. What need is there for fighting? When we can offer so many sacrifices to ‘Him’!”
The fresh blood scattered and flowing from all directions looked as if a kingdom of blood had been established.
Blood soaked the earth.
It completely dyed the sand red and did not cease, creating an oasis of blood. How can one describe the tragedy of that day?
“Chant the Blood Chant (血讚歌)!”
As Bloodbattle Noble Zhigen, moved, offered a tearful applause, his subordinate Blood Clan members knelt in worship with precise and disciplined movements, measured to the rhythm, and the Blood Serfs also mimicked their actions.
What a perfectly upright bow! The number of times they stood up and bowed was exactly 55!
If one failed to perform these 55 bows perfectly, made a mistake in one of the movements, stumbled due to lack of strength, or confused the count, they would be branded as trash ignorant of etiquette, subjected to all sorts of sinister humiliation, and ultimately expelled from Blood Clan society.
“Excellent. A truly excellent 55 bows.”
“““It is our glory, Your Highness!”””
“Now, let us go. It is time to cast the first shadow upon the Eternal Ritual.”