Chapter 19 – Invasion (2)
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The Demon Lord’s army has reached the city of Eschtlath.
All of the city’s inhabitants were horrified by the news.
With the Demon Lord’s army outside the city, it wouldn’t be surprising if the demons attacked at any moment.
The Demon Lord’s army reached the city just before dusk, but as night fell, perhaps due to the direction of the wind, a putrid stench began to permeate the city.
Not only that.
As the sun set, the lights of what appeared to be torches appeared in the forest. It wasn’t just one or two, but they surrounded the city, and occasionally, the sound of many people stomping their feet on the ground in unison could be heard.
The sound could be heard not only by the soldiers guarding the walls, but also by those living near the outer walls.
The irregularity of the sound stirred uneasiness.
The torches surrounded the city in three layers, suggesting that there were a considerable number of demons in the area.
A sleepless night began for soldiers and residents alike.
Meanwhile, when the moon had begun to tilt significantly in the west, Wilhelm’s dragon troops took off from the ground, each carrying a huge box.
Inside the box were a large number of zombies, skeletons, as well as the demons who had volunteered for this battle.
“No matter how comfortable this box is, the smell of the zombies is the worst. Makes my nose curl.”
Rodolphe grumbled as he rode on the box Wilhelm was carrying.
For the record, the box Rodolphe and the other demons are riding in has fewer zombies than the other boxes, but that doesn’t lessen the strong smell of the rotting corpses.
The stench was even worse because the rotting zombies had been deliberately chosen to confuse the inhabitants by eliciting their fear.
“At times like this, being a werewolf is inconvenient.”
The one who said this was a lycanthrope who had also volunteered and was on the transport box, and for some reason was disguised as a human.
“Doesn’t this stink get to you?”
“It does stink. But I’m mimicking a human and have the same sense of smell as a human, so it’s not that bad.”
“I envy you that you can mimic humans just for now.”
Demons can tell each other apart even if they are disguised as humans, so they can tell the difference between lycanthropes and vampires even if they are disguised as humans.
“Besides, it’s easier to hunt by pretending to be a human and blending in. You see, humans judge their kind by appearance, so you can easily fool them by stealing their armor and wearing it.”
“So you’re going to attack from behind?”
“It might seem cowardly to a werewolf though.”
The swaying transport box comes flying over the city.
“I might have said that in the past, but I don’t think so anymore. Even if we defeat the humans, if the demons suffer heavy damage, then in the end the demons will be weakened. It’s just like the Demon Queen’s strategy, isn’t it?”
The lycanthrope turned around with a shocked look on his face.
Then he grinned.
“Master Rodolphe, you have changed.”
Rodolphe snorted softly.
“The Demon Queen explains it in a way that is easy for an idiot like me to understand. We werewolves aren’t in an era where we can just keep charging at them. If humans have to use their heads, then we have to use ours too, or we’ll be done for.”
“Well, it’s the Demon Queen who does the thinking for us. But she’s truly incredible, isn’t she? Even now she is stationing her Undead Legion outside the city, diverting the eyes of the guards away from the sky.”
Rodolphe couldn’t help but look at the werewolf.
“You’ve got quite a tongue on you.”
Rodolphe is strong, as one would expect of an executive in the Demon Lord’s army.
Everyone acknowledges this, and because of his naturally short temper, not many dare speak their minds to Rodolphe.
In spite of this, there were a few werewolves who treated Rodolphe that way.
“Sorry, I’ve always loved talking. Was I too noisy?”
“No, what’s your name?”
“It’s Keith.”
Rodolphe laughed.
“Then Keith, come to me when this is over. I’ll add you to my squad.”
The lycanthrope’s eyes widened at Rodolphe’s words.
Although the lycanthropes were under Rodolphe’s command, they were merely soldiers at the bottom of a larger army with Rodolphe at the top.
“Eh, me? Master Rodolphe, as I recall, your troops are all werewolves, right?”
“Yeah, but I will be adding lycanthropes in the future. It would be helpful to have lycanthropes who can mimic humans.”
The lycanthrope laughed happily.
“We lycanthropes can also be of use to the demons.”
The box shook violently.
“We are descending”, came Wilhelm’s voice from above. Rodolphe and Keith exchanged glances and clung to the railing of the crate, preparing for the impact.
The box tilted slightly and they were enveloped in a floating sensation.
A few seconds later, the transport box landed with a thud.
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A loud thud reached the ears of those living around the square.
Some were frightened by the noise, but most went outside to see what it was.
They tilted their heads, not knowing what the sound was, but those who lived in houses facing the square were puzzled by the box that had suddenly appeared in the square.
Then, part of the box opened and a shadow of something could be seen emerging in the moonlight.
The residents looked closely, and the moment they realized what the shadow was, they screamed.
“Th, they’re demons!!”
In the quiet night, that voice carried easily.
At the same time, those who heard the voice became agitated and confused.
If it was along the outer wall, it would be understandable, but why would demons suddenly appear in the middle of this city?
Could it be a lie? Was there some kind of mistake?
There was that sense of hope.
But that was only wishful thinking.
Out of nowhere, a deep bass roar sounded.
For the faint of heart, that alone was enough to instill fear.
However, such roars could be heard from all over the city.
“Wh, what’s going on……?!”
Some barred the doors and windows of their homes and stayed inside, while others abandoned their belongings and fled in panic to the guards’ quarters.
The demons emerged from several boxes and filled the square.
“Let’s go, you guys! Kill all the humans!!”
A howl-like cry echoed, and howls were returned from all over the city in response.
This once again threw the inhabitants into chaos.
Needless to say, the screams of the panicked, fleeing residents soon turned into death throes.
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The report came at noon the next day.
“Lord Wilhelm and Lord Rodolph have reported! We have successfully occupied the city of Eschtlath!”
The person who came to give the report was one of Wilhelm’s subordinates.
Because dragons can fly, they can communicate with each other in a much shorter time than it would take a galloping horse on the ground.
Therefore, the Demon Lord’s army’s primary means of communication is through dragons.
Even if attacked by a wyvern, being a dragon, it wouldn’t be defeated so easily.
When I heard the report, I smiled.
“Thank you very much. As expected of you all.”
It was actually pretty quick considering they had already occupied an entire city.
The dragon troops were probably involved as well, although they were mainly tasked with transportation.
The dragons continued to make numerous trips back and forth carrying the boxes loaded with volunteers, skeletons, and zombies.
After landing and the brethren disembarked, the box is retrieved, and the next dragon brings another box.
By doing it one after another, we kept increasing our personnel.
It must have been difficult at first with so few people, but the volunteers, including Rodolphe, fought well.
Lord Ewaldt, who was beside me, said.
“Well done”
Although it was only a single phrase, the dragon who came to report let his head droop with joy.
For the Demonfolk, the words from the Demon Lord must be special.
“I’m off to check on things.”
As I stood up, Lord Ewaldt stopped me.
“Are you going alone?”
His crimson eyes looked at me accusingly.
“…… Will you accompany me, Lord Ewaldt?”
“Yes, I’ll go with you.”
Lord Ewaldt stood up and held out his hand to me, and I placed my hand on it.
“Then I will go ahead and inform Lord Wilhelm and Lord Rodolphe.”
The dragon bowed deeply once and then took off.
“We’ve been sitting all this time. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a stroll together every once in a while, would it?”
“Yes, I agree.”
In an instant, darkness enveloped me, but I wasn’t afraid.
The darkness had a hint of the same mana as mine.
And the next moment, I was in front of a gate in the outer wall of the city of Eschtlath.
Lord Ewaldt pressed the hand that was not holding mine against the gate.
The next moment, the thick gate dented, and when Lord Ewaldt gave it a light push, the gate door collapsed towards the inside of the city.
With a thud, the door fell to the ground with a sound like an earth tremor.
As soon as the gate disappeared, the strong smell of blood began to waft from the city.
Lord Ewaldt and I walked slowly into the city.
Eschtlath must have been a beautiful city.
But now, there was blood everywhere.
And there were dead humans lying around.
When I saw them, I felt nothing.
Somewhere in the distance, I could still hear what sounded like human screams, but I didn’t care.
“What a nice view.”
I nodded at Lord Ewaldt’s words.
“I’m glad we were able to sack it safely.”
“It seems that there are still humans left, but it is only a matter of time. Where do you want to go?”
“To the center of the city. If I use necromancy to resurrect the dead, we’ll increase our army even further. With this city’s worth, it will be much easier to take the next village and town.”
Lord Ewaldt laughed softly in amusement.
“The Undead Legion is useful.”
Those words made me so happy that I couldn’t help but smile.
“Isn’t it?”
“Indeed, Rachel welcoming you into our family might be my greatest achievement.”
“Well, that’s an exaggeration.”
But it felt good to know that I was being useful enough to hear such things.
Besides, I was making steady progress toward the Royal Capital.
By crushing villages and towns in this way, the Undead Legion will grow, and the Demon Lord’s army will be further strengthened.
In other words, we are getting closer to the future I desire.
Nothing could be more pleasant.
“Demon Lord, Demon Queen.”
A voice came from above, and Wilhelm landed in front of us.
“Wilhelm, you have done well.”
“Haha, such words are wasted on me…… There is an open path to the lord’s mansion in the center of the city. No one will interfere with the Demon Lord and the Demon Queen. Rodolphe occupies the lord’s mansion.”
“Well, thank you.”
Wilhelm bowed and took off.
Lord Ewaldt looked at me.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes.”
We walked through the city.
Come to think of it, this was the first time I’d ever walked around a city like this.
As the daughter of a Duke, I was already engaged to the Crown Prince at an early age, so I was not allowed to casually go out into the city.
All I do is go back and forth between the Duke’s residence and the Royal Castle.
If there is a soiree or tea party, we travel to the destination by horse-drawn carriage.
There was no time to walk around the city and look at it.
“This is the first time I’ve walked the streets with someone like this.”
Merchants came to the mansion for all my shopping.
I wasn’t allowed to move freely.
Lord Ewaldt only said, “I see,” but his expression softened.
“After we reach the Royal Capital and destroy the Royal Family, you can turn it into the land of the dead. Then you can roam the city as you please.”
And I looked up at Lord Ewaldt.
“Land of the Dead?”
“You are the Queen.”
Lord Ewaldt kissed our joined hands.
“Anyway, let’s make it a demon country. A place where demons reside. The surrounding countries will surely be in a panic.”
“Hahaha, that sounds fun too.”
“Then, as the Demon Kingdom, Lord Ewaldt will be the King and I will be the Queen, and we can invade further from there.”
Perhaps he found it very amusing, Lord Ewaldt laughed happily, and then nodded.
“Do as you please, Rachel.”
However, Lord Ewaldt doesn’t seem to be very interested in the country.
However, if we return after destroying the Kingdom of Inglith, the Royal Capital will become the territory of another country.
Perhaps they will distribute the land among neighboring countries.
It would be no fun to give away land that we had worked so hard to conquer without compensation, and if that happens, it will increase the power of the neighboring countries.
To prevent this from happening, it is better to make the Kingdom of Inglith, which was the key, into demon territory.
While discussing the Demon Kingdom with Lord Ewaldt, we arrived at our destination.
Rodolphe was waiting in front of the lord’s mansion.
“Demon Lord, Demon Queen, we have been waiting for you!”
I tilt my head at Rodolphe, who seems to be in a particularly good mood.
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
“After causing this much havoc, anyone would be in a good mood!”
Werewolves must really enjoy fighting.
“Right, Demon Queen, I’ve gathered the decapitated bodies in the courtyard. You said you were going to turn them into Dullahans.”
“Ah, thank you, I was afraid I would have to walk around if they were scattered all over the city, so this is a big help.”
Lord Ewaldt says to Rodolphe.
“Lead us to the courtyard.”
“Got it. This way.”
And then he enters the lord’s mansion.
The corridors and rooms were bloody and in disarray, but the bodies appeared to have been moved somewhere because they were in the way.
We passed through the building and went out into the courtyard.
There was a pile of headless corpses.
The heads were set aside in a small heap.
“With this, we might be able to create a Dullahan unit.”
While the Dullahan possesses the consciousness and knowledge of the time of its life, it remains loyal to the mage who resurrected it.
I’ve read about it in books, but this will be the first time I create it.
“It looks just right for a subordinate of the Demon Queen.”
Nodding at Rodolphe’s words, I wave my hand to the pile of corpses.
The Undead Legion has also grown considerably and it’s beginning to be difficult to organize, so the Dullahans can be trusted to take command to a certain extent.
The Dullahan troops under the direct control of The Demon Queen.
I’m sure it will be useful in the future.
Sads Translates 