Translator: FenrirTL
Editor: Doodle
=================
< Chapter 184: Temporary Fifth Squad Leader (4) >
–Approximately 20 minutes before the assault.
As the Troyban encampment came into view in the distance, Julius sent a telepathic message to his team members.
「A few days ago, Black Snow happened to obtain an important piece of intelligence. The Sacred Demon Church’s demon god has, for some unknown reason, ceased activity, and they are hastily preparing a ritual to resolve this issue.」
Theo had already reported everything he had experienced in the Mausoleum to the higher-ups, including the temporary seal of the Nameless Sovereign.
However, the leadership decided not to disclose this achievement to outsiders.
This was to protect Theo, who was already under the sharp watch of the Sacred Demon Church, from facing even greater danger.
「The location of the Sacred Demon Church’s revival ceremony is a forested hill several kilometers away from the encampment. There, they are secretly building an altar and preparing human sacrifices. Compared to anything you’ve witnessed so far, this scene will undoubtedly be horrific.」
Julius’s voice was unusually calm, but Theo felt an inexplicable chill in his chest.
There was a thick murderous intent underlying Julius’s tone.
‘Does the commander have some deep grudge against the Sacred Demon Church?’
As Theo’s eyes widened slightly, the telepathic message continued.
「But under no circumstances should you be drawn in impulsively. Squad leaders, in particular, must ensure they manage their members properly. The operation is as follows:」
Julius’s explanation was succinct:
1. The White Armored Dragon Cavalry would launch an assault to directly disrupt the revival ceremony.
2. While engaging the forces of the Sacred Demon Church, the Black Iron Cavalry, stationed on standby, would infiltrate from the front and completely crush the enemy.
3. To counter any potential reinforcements, Troyban’s main forces would be held in check by Ragnar’s primary forces.
「Additionally, there will be an attempt to assassinate Granada, the house leader, during this operation. Thus, Black Dragon, Ice Dragon, Sword Dragon, and Illusion Dragon will all participate.」
A mission involving five of the Nine Dragons.
This underscored how seriously Ragnar regarded the need to stop the revival ceremony.
‘Or it could mean that Torkel and his backers are perceived as just as much of a threat to Ragnar.’
As a successor candidate and the captain of the Black Iron Cavalry, Torkel held a position of significant influence.
If it became known that he was a double agent, it would be disastrous both internally and externally.
Thus, they aimed to bury the truth by ensuring it appeared as though he died amidst the chaos.
Such a large-scale operation involving the Nine Dragons would only add credibility to the cover story.
‘And they’ll likely frame it as the death of a hero to rally morale.’
The Black Dragon had carefully orchestrated the plan, foreseeing several moves ahead.
「For that reason, there must be absolutely no mistakes this time. Understood?」
Julius’s solemn command rang out, and...
「Understood.」
Second Squad Leader, It, nodded silently in acknowledgment.
「Oh-hoho! It’s been such a long time since we’ve all gathered like this, so of course, we can’t afford any mistakes. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything,」
chuckled Third Squad Leader, Gorito, patting his chest confidently.
「I’ll ensure everything is handled flawlessly,」
promised Fourth Squad Leader, Hanata, with a warm smile.
「Our captain sure worries a lot, huh? What’s with all these unnecessary concerns? You know, these guys are almost forty already- forty!」
teased First Squad Leader, Amore, laughing playfully, her voice lilting with a “hohoho!”
Other squad members chimed in with comments of their own, each assuring there would be no problems.
The diverse responses highlighted the free-spirited atmosphere of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry.
「Wow… look at how the average age is skyrocketing here. Whose fault is that, anyway?」
「What? If you’ve got a problem, come at me.」
「Could you stop that weird lisping? You’re pushing seventy now, for heaven’s sake…」
「Hey, shut up, will you?」
Snickering and banter spread through the group.
Theo, scratching his cheek awkwardly, felt the need to say something as a squad leader, but he was at a loss for words.
- They’re certainly as noisy as we were, aren’t they?
- They’re called the White Armored Dragon Cavalry, after all. They were formed as successors after we were wiped out. That tradition isn’t going anywhere. Hmph-hmph-hmph!
- Back in our day, though, we had absolute respect for our superiors’ words, didn’t we, huh?
- Shut it. You were the one caught embezzling funds to drink in secret and got the crap beaten out of you...
- Hey, you were there too, weren’t you?
Even Theo’s Spirit Mausoleum Blade buzzed noisily, adding to the chaos.
「Hey, Fifth Squad Leader! You don’t agree, do you? You take care of your squad members, look out for the other leaders—where else in the world are you going to find a senior like me, huh?」
「That’s what you call meddling aunt behavior.」
「Ugh, why don’t you lot just shut up for a second? I’m asking the Fifth Squad Leader something right now!」
Theo chuckled bitterly. What on earth was he supposed to say in a situation like this?
At that moment, Lodbrok intervened.
『Hahaha! My poor, clueless partner. You always run your mouth so easily, but in moments like this, you’re utterly useless. Tsk.』
‘...But I don’t have any good ideas.’
『I’ll teach you a secret tactic. Just follow my lead.』
Theo repeated Lodbrok’s words verbatim.
「Does age really matter? It’s how you present yourself that counts. Honestly, when I first met Squad Leader No. 1, I almost mistook her for one of my friends and nearly offended her.」
The other squad leaders stared wide-eyed for a moment before Amore burst into laughter.
「Did you all hear that? Hohohoho! Exactly! It’s how you live that matters! You old fogeys!」
「...Look at that. The kid’s already lining up behind her.」
「The way he dribbles his tongue—it’s a masterpiece.」
Julius couldn’t help but smirk as he watched the squad leaders.
He had worried whether Theo might struggle to fit in after snagging a squad leader position within his first year of enlistment. Thankfully, Theo seemed to be settling into his role quite well.
Still, it wasn’t wise to maintain this lighthearted atmosphere just before the operation. Julius cleared his throat lightly.
Ahem!
Thankfully, the squad members quickly turned their attention back to him.
「But more important to me than the operation is your safety. If things get dangerous, don’t hesitate—retreat immediately. I’ll take responsibility for the aftermath. Understood?」
「Yes, sir!」
「Understood!」
「Understood!」
The resounding responses from the squad leaders and members blended into a sharp and united fighting spirit.
「Then let’s move out.」
With Julius’s command,
Keaaah!
the descent began.
* * *
The White Armored Dragon Cavalry’s assault plan was straightforward.
First, the wyverns released the bomb crates strapped to their legs.
Then, while chaos erupted, the squad members would launch their attack.
Boom! Crash!
Rumble!
Kaboom!
Dozens, even hundreds of magical bombs rained down upon the altar. Explosions erupted across the area.
The altar collapsed, flames shot into the sky, and the black flower bud created from the sacrifice of ten thousand lives suffered significant damage.
“An attack!”
“They’re trying to ruin the ceremony!”
“Water! Bring water immediately! The flower is burning!”
The sight of Sacred Demon Church Blood Priests running around in panic was refreshingly novel to the White Armored Dragon Cavalry members.
“Oh, this is fun.”
“Nothing beats smacking around these fanatics. Hahaha!”
The priests, who typically moved like machines under the orders of bishops or district leaders, were now visibly flustered.
It showed just how crucial this ceremony was to them.
Thanks to the disorder, the squad members succeeded in their descent with ease and swiftly dealt with the Blood Priests.
Notably, the efforts of the Second and Third Squads stood out.
Their mission was to create chaos, cutting through the enemy’s middle ranks to prevent them from forming organized lines.
Thwack!
Gurgle—!
“What are you all doing? Protect the flower! Protect the flower before anything else! This si—Argh!”
“Priests of the Ukraan District, protect the altar! Priests of the Bacon District, stop the hereti—urk!”
The task of ‘hunting’ mid- to lower-ranked leaders, such as district leaders and bishops trying to restore order, fell to the Fourth Squad.
Squad Leader Hanata, apart from Julius and Amore, was the most skilled swordsman in the White Armored Dragon Cavalry. Naturally, her squad members were also specialized in swordsmanship and highly proficient in coordinated techniques.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
‘As expected, there’s no trace of <Bloodlight Convergence>.’
Hanata’s eyes sparkled as she pulled her sword from the neck of a bishop who collapsed foaming blood.
Julius’s casual remark before the descent had been correct.
- Their god being sealed means their <Grace> is also sealed. Without Bloodlight Convergence, a Blood Priest isn’t much of a Blood Priest. I’ll take care of the cardinal, so take down as many as you can in there.
What made the Sacred Demon Church’s Blood Priests terrifying was the infinite magic they prided themselves on. Without it, there was no reason to fear them at all.
As the situation unfolded, the one most infuriated was none other than Cardinal Vector.
“These scoundrels… How dare they disrupt this sacred ceremony…?”
Vector’s face turned red with veins bulging as his anger peaked.
He snapped his head toward Ed.
“Troyban! What on earth was Troyban doing? How could you let it come to this?!”
It was a scolding, questioning how Troyban had failed to uncover Ragnar’s plan.
But Ed only smiled—a cryptic and inscrutable smile.
“Well.”
“That’s your answer…?!”
“Shouldn’t stopping this be the priority right now?”
Vector was about to demand what he meant when a sudden attack came crashing toward him, forcing him to dodge in haste.
Boom!
Rumble!
A blast of black sword energy swept through the spot where he had been standing, kicking up a storm of dust.
“Pity. I could’ve ended it in one strike.”
Vector’s gaze snapped toward the source of the voice, his expression hardening.
Julius stood there, his sword resting on one shoulder, a cold smile on his face.
“The Demon Dragon…!”
The name of the commander who, alongside House Leader Kyle, had repeatedly tormented the Sacred Demon Church.
Vector himself had clashed with him multiple times in the past.
“Have you been well? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the Soaring Dragon next to you.”
“It has indeed. A long time, Demon Dragon.”
Ed brushed back his wind-tossed hair, mirroring the smile.
Then—
Fwoosh!
Ed’s figure seemed to sink into the ground momentarily before reappearing mid-distance, colliding with Julius, who had also moved.
Boom!
Rumble!
As the swords of the two clashed, a burst of Aura scattered in all directions.
The ground sank across a range of dozens of meters, and the two dragons tangled together, turning the surroundings into chaos.
“Finally caught you, rat.”
“Rat? That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?”
“If you sneak into someone’s home and gnaw on the food stored in the pantry, what else would you call it but a rat?”
“Hmm, I suppose that’s true. But there’s one thing you’ve got wrong.”
Ed nodded as he stroked his chin, but his sly smile didn’t waver.
He no longer bothered with formal speech.
“I wasn’t trying to gnaw on Winterer. I was trying to take it back. Because—”
Fwoooosh!
The sword in Ed’s hand surged with Sword Energy, warping the space around him.
A grayish aura rippled outward.
His Glass Realm, <The Great Catastrophe>, was activating.
“- Winterer’s original owners were us.”
“Lies—!”
Julius unleashed his own Glass Realm, <The Land of the Apocalypse>.
A clash between the realms of two transcendents began.
Rumble…!
* * *
At that moment—
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
The Black Iron Cavalry arrived near the altar, executing the plan to crush the Sacred Demon Church head-on.
‘Now!’
And then—
Theo moved.