novelburst-info
Chapter 243
Chapter 243
1.
The fortress, where even the sunset had fallen asleep.
Only the occasional creaking sounds of armor-clad Demon Beasts could be heard, like the resting place of fallen warriors.
Everywhere, there were Battle Demons impaled by spears, their lifeless bodies scattered.
A worker, harvesting the magic stones from the bodies, shuddered as he stood before an unusually large corpse.
[Battle Demon Commander Obus]
A sly demon who had built up strength by secretly stealing the tributes meant for the capital.
Stronger than any mere field boss, he was impaled in the middle of the fortress wall with his abdomen gaping wide.
Having lost all his former glory, there was no magic stone to recover from him.
When the Silent Swordsman passed by the body earlier, he must have lamented the absence of any power left to reclaim.
"To think the enemy knight's true identity was that man..."
"A special man?"
"Ah, Tou Da, you were probably unaware, stuck on the mountain? The Red General Yohei. During the Second Demon War, no demon did not know his name."
"Hoee!"
"He was a great commander who killed several boss-level demons and stopped the advance of three legions."
"I can’t believe it! A man that amazing should be in the southern strongholds!"
Before the conquest of the fortress, the Red General and the Red Legion had been almost pathetic compared to his former fame.
Even the workers didn’t recognize their true identity—they had fallen so low.
"Among the successful ones, there are always internal enemies. Jealousy, envy. It must have been something like that."
"That’s too cruel… If the enemy knight had been properly supported, even our tribe wouldn’t have to gnaw on rocks, eating food from the ground…"
Seeing Tou Da in his gloomy state made the worker feel guilty for no reason.
Such harsh realities.
Such cruel truths.
Should a child like this even know about them?
Shouldn’t it be an adult’s duty to shield such burdens from the young?
The blood of a half-demon laughed at him for worrying about such things, but the other half of his human blood gently scolded him.
Maybe it wasn’t too late.
Sometimes, it’s okay to imitate humanity.
"Well, don’t worry too much. As you can see, we’ve regained our former glory and are strong enough to take down the fortress commander in a single strike."
The Red General, isolated from the frontlines under the guise of guarding the fortress, had become stronger, while the demons feared him.
Abandoned and cut off from supplies, the Red General and his troops chose to turn into demons.
Having weakened from human to demon, the Red General’s revival was feared by those who remembered his past victories, and they had completely ignored the ruined fortress.
As a result, the Red General had fallen into the role of a leader of pathetic, broken Demon Beasts.
The worker didn’t speak of the tragic truth.
Tasting bitterness was something only adults should do.
‘After overcoming such hardships and reclaiming his former glory, even reaching the heart of the Great Demon’s capital, the enemy knight must have had quite a bit of luck.’
A half-demon steeped in demon blood.
In a paradise forged by blood, it’s a rare miracle.
When witnessing such a heartwarming story unfold before her eyes, a strange feeling bubbled within her.
Perhaps there’s still a chance left for her.
Maybe there’s a chance to regain her human form.
Though she knew it was a foolish thought, she couldn’t help but hold on to that fleeting hope.
‘Perhaps, I’ll delay my escape a little longer.’
The worker adjusted his bag.
Even if he did escape, he couldn’t just leave.
After all, he was pretending to be a worker.
Could he really leave such visible treasure behind?
That gaze turned toward the endless pouch carried by the wandering merchant.
He was pretending to be a worker to survive, but…
They say the place makes the man.
Before he knew it, he had started to develop a greed fitting of a worker.
2.
[As a bonus for quick action, you are granted one free strategy action within the fortress.]
?Faction Strategy?
- Meeting (Gain advice, expand map)
- Investigation (Gather information, acquire items, find talents)
- Attack (Invade field, expand power)
- Station (Defend field, recover from injuries, expand forces)
- Scheme (Trigger events)
- Diplomacy (Trigger events)
- Special (Event trigger: Enemy Knight’s Station)
- Special (Event trigger: Guest Spirit Legion and Mole Scout Corps Station)
[? Special]
[The Guest Spirit Legion and Mole Scout Corps work together to repair the fortress, set traps, and defend the stronghold.]
Tou Da made the most of the remaining time.
[In this stronghold, thanks to the rough terrain and the fortress walls, even 5,000 troops can hold off 30,000 enemy troops.]
[The Molemen, under Tou Da’s command, dig tunnel traps.]
[The Molemen, under Tou Da’s command, set falling stone traps.]
[The Molemen, under Tou Da’s command, narrow the paths leading to the fortress.]
[The defense efficiency of the stronghold increases, allowing it to withstand a 50,000-strong enemy attack for an extended period.]
The rapid completion of construction and trap placement.
Even the enemy knight, who had once single-handedly breached the fortress gates, lost his composure in the face of such meticulous defenses.
“We won’t even be able to secure a proper gap for an assault. With this setup, we can hold out for a week even if enemies from nearby cities arrive.”
"Heh, Tou Da personally handled this! This should be more than enough!"
"Can I leave my kind behind here? If you, the advisor, take charge of the defense, the efficiency will rise, and we’ll all be more at ease."
The Molemen left behind for the maintenance and replenishment of the traps, and Tou Da, who was leaving them, both felt a little reluctant.
Tou Da, looking back at his kin, suddenly turned his head and shouted enthusiastically.
“Tou Da’s not a child anymore! As an advisor serving the human lord, I can live separately from my tribe!”
“That’s admirable. I will personally inform my lord, and even if it's later, I will make sure you receive a modest stipend.”
“Tou Da loves gravel!”
“…I’ll mix the rocks with grains to increase the yield.”
“Yippee! I’m so happy!”
Tou Da’s cheerful shout was followed by sighs from the viewers.
- Tou Da…
- So sad…
- The kid’s happy eating rock rice…
- The greedy officials will love it, mixing lots of rocks for more yield lol.
- Exploitation optimization, lol.
- In the harsh environment and with relentless exploitation, the future of mankind evolved into the Dute Shrimp species.
- So cute though, it's a win!
- So are you eating rock rice?
- I’d rather live as an ugly orc than this.
- Rock rice is too much, lol.
The hearts of the Demon Beasts were not much different from the viewers.
Some shed tears, lamenting the pitiful sight, while others turned their heads, trying to hide their sobs.
Though their ways of mourning differed, their feelings were the same.
The Red Legion’s troops, spurred on, were now more determined than ever.
“Poor Molemen.”
“We were too weak to protect the civilians, and now they’ve been destroyed like this.”
“Those demons… We’ll never forgive them.”
Thanks to Tou Da’s innocent outburst, the morale of the Red Legion unexpectedly reached its peak.
Even the merciless demon slaughterers were probably taken aback by the rock rice.
Quietly, the largest of the giant demons reached out and took Tou Da’s hand.
3.
The giant demon, with its immense size, held Tou Da's hand and spoke quietly.
“Human, you must have found this battle too easy to satisfy your cruel instincts, didn’t you?”
“?”
“Don’t eat the advisor. Her intellect is valuable while she’s alive.”
“............”
“Hiiek!!! Tou Da is disgusting! Growing up on hard rocks must make the meat tough too!”
Tou Da, squirming and struggling to escape, desperately tried to get away from the giant demon's grip. Despite the giant holding her back to prevent her from falling, Ha Eung Eung’s shock remained, lingering.
How did she end up in this situation with this Boogeyman giving her advice?
What exactly had happened to her image among these demons?
Ha Eung Eung reflected on her gameplay.
Massacre.
Genocide.
Annihilation.
The journey that brought screams and wails.
Strength built upon the deaths of formidable foes.
‘…I hate myself for not being able to deny that this is all my own doing.’
As soon as she was set down, Tou Da rushed behind the worker, running away.
She looked back at her own actions with a touch of self-reflection, preparing to leave for the next field.
[The free action count has been used up.]
[The remaining strategy action count is 1.]
Turn 4.
As the time for her final action approaches.
[After a long period of rest, your right arm’s injury has naturally healed.]
Her physical condition is optimal.
Her desire for vengeance is strong.
She felt like this was the perfect mood to continue her annihilation spree.