Chapter 188: Chapter 188

Choi Hyun-seok doubted his own ears.

The Demon King’s Army was deliberately opening a path.

“It means exactly what it sounds like. For some reason, the Demon King’s Army is avoiding engagement and just keeps retreating.”

Following Sullivan, Park Hyun-a continued.

“Come to think of it, something was off from the start. Even with the Gatren’s movements, the front line shouldn’t have been pushed back this quickly.”

This was a war that lasted 500 years.

Although it was a war deliberately prolonged by a secret agreement, that was only for about 100 years.

For the previous 400 years, humans and demons fought fiercely.

It didn’t make sense.

“The front line has been pushed back almost a thousand kilometers. At this point, it’s no exaggeration to say we’ve just been marching without any real combat.”

It’s only been two months since the holy war was declared.

During that time, the holy war army not only reclaimed all the land taken by the Demon King’s Army but pushed into the center of demon territory.

The distance alone was a thousand kilometers.

Considering that most troops moved on foot, it meant they truly marched every day without rest.

“So basically, the Demon King’s Army is intentionally retreating.”

“I understand that, but what does the Demon King’s Army gain from this?”

He understood the situation.

But what benefit could the Demon King’s Army get from repeated retreats?

Their territory had already been invaded and countless demons had died.

Choi Hyun-seok couldn’t understand what this retreat was for.

“There’s one hypothesis that comes to mind.”

Sullivan said, standing next to the map.

“A strategy to surround and annihilate.”

Currently, the holy war army has dug into the Demon King’s territory in a U shape.

“It could be a trap to draw the holy war army deep inside and wipe them out at once.”

If done well, they could reverse the situation and surround the enemy that had come inside.

“But I don’t think this is it.”

Though it seemed quite possible, Sullivan denied her own hypothesis.

“The other units are too quiet. Neither troops nor key officers are moving at all.”

“If they wanted to surround us, they should be moving even now, but they’re all just defending their own territories while ignoring the threat to the Demon King’s castle…”

In other words, it wasn’t a strategy to trap and surround them either.

“Anyway, the conclusion is this, right?”

Park Hyun-a, who had been listening, cut in.

“There’s absolutely nothing we can do.”

She said with a cynical expression.

Though her tone was sharp, no one could disagree, so they all nodded.

From the start, Ultimoon Fes’s purpose was to support the Demon King’s Army.

Though their strength was on par with that of a single nation, the holy war army was a human alliance.

If the Demon King’s Army had no will to fight, there was nothing they could do on their own.

“Anyone have any good ideas?”

“Hmm, maybe I’m getting too old, my mind’s gone stiff…”

Leader Kerbe Cowell scratched his head and avoided eye contact.

“Without knowing the Demon King’s Army’s purpose, even if we try to make a plan…”

Even the reliable Sullivan shook her head as if there was no solution.

While listening, Choi Hyun-seok suddenly thought of Reidrun.

‘It would have been nice if I could contact Lord Reidrun at a time …’

Unfortunately, the communication crystal Reidrun gave him was broken during battle.

At that time, he didn’t have an inventory, so he couldn’t pay attention to the communication crystal during the fierce battle.

‘Even if I want to go find him directly, I don’t even know where he is now…’

Lost in thought, Choi Hyun-seok suddenly snapped his fingers.

“If we just knew the Demon King’s Army’s purpose now, we’d have a solution, right!?”

“Then let’s ask directly.”

Everyone’s attention turned to Choi Hyun-seok’s words.

Just who could they ask about the Demon King’s Army’s plans?

Park Hyun-a spoke up as their representative.

“Ask about the Demon King’s Army’s plans. Who?”

Choi Hyun-seok replied with an expression that suggested it was obvious.

“Who else? The Demon King.”

His eyelids were heavy.

An overwhelming drowsiness came over him.

Demon King Tegrad quietly closed his eyes as if surrendering to the flow.

4th Corps Commander Onyx called to the Demon King.

The Demon King shook his head and lifted his body that had been leaning on the backrest.

“I’m sorry. What were we discussing?”

“We were talking about the betrayal of 1st Corps Commander Dorithugs and 5th Corps Commander Ozges.”

“So it has come to that…”

Tegrad showed no particular reaction.

To some extent, he had even encouraged it.

‘Dorithugs was always overflowing with ambition.’

Though he never openly showed his intentions, Tegrad knew.

That First Corps Commander Dorithugs secretly desired the next Demon King position.

‘Sorry, but things won’t go as you wish, Dorithugs.’

As Tegrad raised the corner of his mouth, he suddenly clutched his head.

An inexplicable headache swept over him.

Tegrad waved his hand once and continued speaking.

“By the way, this is unexpected. I could understand Dorithugs, but even Ozges betraying…”

Ozges had more loyalty than anyone.

Along with that, he was a demon who knew honor – rare in this age.

“He probably had no choice but to follow for the future of demonkind.”

It must mean that he looked so pathetic that even Ozges had no choice but to betray him.

Tegrad was actually pleased.

If Dorithugs and Ozges had been at odds now, the survival of demonkind would have been even more precarious.

“My Lord, you seem to be in a good mood somehow.”

“Maybe I’ve gone mad as death approaches.”

“Is it now difficult even to maintain your physical form?”

Tegrad’s body repeatedly broke down and recovered.

The movements were so subtle they couldn’t be noticed without careful observation, but they couldn’t fool the eyes of a corps commander.

“Yes. I think my time has come.”

“Onyx. What do you plan to do?”

Onyx remained silent.

He seemed to need time to think before answering.

“…You already know, don’t you.”

After staying quiet for a while, he finally spoke.

“A demon’s loyalty follows the strong.”

“It’s been fun, Tegrad.”

“It has indeed been fun, Onyx.”

Onyx left the Demon King’s castle.

Tegrad sat on his throne, looking at the empty hall.

The Demon King’s castle is infinitely quiet.

All demons had already been sent outside.

In this castle as massive as a decent-sized city, only Demon King Tegrad remained.

Tegrad rose from his seat.

At the same time, his body began to rapidly weaken.

The horns on his head withered and twisted, his muscles disappeared as his skin shriveled.

Tegrad, now with the heavily wrinkled face of an old man, walked through the dark hall.

‘The end approaches.’

Park Hyun-a kept her head down, continuously muttering something.

“Shit… Is this right? Is this really right? No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t seem right…”

She looked both anxious and angry.

Park Hyun-a kept muttering to herself like that.

“Both the bastard who came up with this plan and the idiots who accepted it…”

Choi Hyun-seok, listening beside her, shook his head.

“Older sister. If you’re scared, just stay out of it. I’ll go alone.”

Park Hyun-a suddenly turned around, bristling.

“S-shit! Who’s scared!?”

“You bastard! Did you get shot in the head!? How do I look scared!”

Park Hyun-a shouted with wide eyes.

‘She’s clearly terrified.’

She’s been ever since they decided to visit the Demon King’s castle.

Is the Demon King that scary?

Choi Hyun-seok clicked his tongue.

“Oh yeah? Look at this bastard. What’s with that tongue motion just now? I give up. It seems to have some impure meaning, doesn’t it? Is this a signal asking to have it pulled out right now?”

Choi Hyun-seok smiled slyly.

Having been on the receiving end of this kind of treatment from Rachel many times, this level of acting was a piece of cake for him.

Park Hyun-a let out a deep sigh and continued.

“Fine. Let’s talk honestly.”

“Going to ask the Demon King about the Demon King Army’s plans. Does this make sense to you?”

“Who else would we ask but the Demon King?”

“Shit! That’s not what I mean!”

Choi Hyun-seok held out his hand as if telling her to calm down.

“Older sister. Think about it. Right now, even if temporarily, aren’t we helping the Demon King’s Army?”

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend! Since we have a common enemy in the Holy Empire of Gatren, wouldn’t the Demon King be cooperative if he has any brains?”

Choi Hyun-seok’s words seemed reasonable at first glance.

However, there was a big flaw in his logic.

“Did the Demon King’s Army ever seem like a group that had brains to you?”

The Demon King’s Army has no head.

No, more precisely, they have no brain.

Choi Hyun-seok had to keep his mouth shut.

“Those bastards’ heads just stand for mounting eyes, nose, and mouth. They’re decorative!”

“Hmm, but wouldn’t the Demon King be somewhat smart? You’ve met him in person, Older sister…”

“Yeah, the Demon King does use his head a bit. The problem is his underlings. When we sneak into the Demon King’s castle, do you think his underlings will be like ‘Welcome~’ and guide us to the Demon King?”

Suddenly Park Hyun-a grabbed Choi Hyun-seok’s wrist.

“I bet your right wrist we’ll be surrounded and beaten to death before we even see the Demon King’s face.”

“Why are you betting my wrist!?”

“Should I bet mine then? It’s your plan!”

At this point, Choi Hyun-seok was starting to get anxious too.

‘I forgot since it’s been a while since I left the Demon King’s Army.’

What kind of place it was, running on madness and instinct.

He had forgotten that it was a group where reason and intellect were nowhere to be found.

When Choi Hyun-seok’s expression hardened, Park Hyun-a grinned.

“What? Starting to get scared too?”

“Well, what can we do? We’ve already committed. Let’s go.”

Choi Hyun-seok shrugged as if there was no choice.

Park Hyun-a wiped her face with her hand.

“Haha, what a crazy bastard.”

“So like I said, if you’re scared, you can back ou-“

Choi Hyun-seok and Park Hyun-a bickered until they arrived at the Demon King’s castle.

“Ah… We finally arrived…”

Park Hyun-a blankly stared at the massive castle visible in the distance.

A castle as enormous as the Black Giant Star where Choi Hyun-seok used to stay.

With the sky growing dark, it gave off a gloomy atmosphere truly befitting a Demon King’s residence.

“Hmm, but older sister.”

Choi Hyun-seok spoke while staring at the castle.

“What? Finally realizing how screwed we are?”

“Not that. I was just curious about something.”

“Is the Demon King really that strong?”

Park Hyun-a turned to look at Choi Hyun-seok with an incredulous expression.

She couldn’t believe this guy.

“Is that even a question? Of course, he’s strong.”

“But if you and I work together, couldn’t we at least manage to escape if necessary?”

“Not likely. Think you can escape from the big mouth?”

Choi Hyun-seok fell into thought for a moment.

Could he escape from Hemis?

After thinking it through, he nodded.

“Absolutely not possible.”

No matter how much stronger Choi Hyun-seok had become, Hemis was on another level. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⟡𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚⟡𝘯𝘦𝘵

Even if he tried to escape, he’d have to be prepared to lose at least an arm or leg.

“The Demon King is beyond the big mouth. Once we meet him, we won’t be able to escape cleanly.”

Choi Hyun-seok suddenly dropped to his knees.

Park Hyun-a watched him with her brows tightly furrowed.

“What are you doing?”

“Should we pray for a moment before going?”

Park Hyun-a grabbed Choi Hyun-seok’s collar and lifted him up.

“Wait! I’ll go even without doing this!”

“If you’re going to go, why are you sticking to the ground!?”

“Just a moment! Just one prayer…!”

The historic moment of two heroes arriving at the Demon King’s castle.

Reality wasn’t as grand as in fairy tales.

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