I Was Abandoned by the Demon King I Served for 10 Years

Chapter 9

The Southern Expedition Force was composed of three main armies.

At the center was the Royal Guard of the Demon King's Castle, forming the main front with the heavily armored Dullahans.

On the left flank were the Ghost Knights, known for their agility rivaling that of cavalry and their overwhelming strength in skirmishes.

On the right flank was the Defense Force of Ractelrun, gathered under Aurela's command.

Although the right flank was weaker compared to the other forces, it was not a concern. The rugged valley ahead was dotted with numerous tribes and nomadic settlements. These would be used to replenish their numbers along the route of advance.

As the vanguard of the Rebel Army, they had already declared hostility against the Demon King's Castle. Left unchecked, they posed a constant threat of raiding cities. The plan was to draw out the barbarians, who had retreated into hiding upon the arrival of reinforcements from the Demon King's Castle, and deal with them according to the laws of the Demon Realm.

"Leave not a single rat alive. Burn and kill them all."

"Kill them all! The Regent has commanded total annihilation."

With a deep, resonant sound, the soldiers marched forward. A barbarian settlement, located about three days' march from Ractelrun, was set ablaze. The stronghold of the Rebel Party, which had recently attacked the gate to block reinforcements from the castle, now faced an inevitable and miserable end.

"Aaargh!"

"Mercy! Please, mercy!"

The people of the Blue Horn tribe, terrified at the sight of the advancing castle forces, fled in panic. The red horns gleaming under the sun were the most fearsome presence in the Demon Realm.

Step. Step. Step. Step.

In perfect alignment with the military cadence, the Dullahans advanced. With each swing of their massive axes, a demon's life was extinguished. The hastily built hovels were torn apart and soaked in blood. The desperate cries for mercy fell on deaf ears as the castle's forces remained unshaken.

"P-please! Please, O Lord of the Castle!"

Unable to bear the sight, an elderly man, presumably a village elder, prostrated himself before the army. He struck his forehead against the ground as he pleaded.

"At least spare the children. We will accept our punishment willingly. I beg you!"

Durin's forces, having razed the settlement to the ground, left only one half-collapsed building standing. It served as a shelter for trembling children hidden among the ruins buried in ash, just like the rest of the city.

Durin cast an indifferent gaze. There was not a trace of emotion in his eyes. Verdia, who stood by his side, cautiously inquired.

"Your Excellency, what shall we do?"

"We follow the law."

There was no room for compassion. On lands where rebellion had arisen, only corpses were to remain.

"Bring the supply wagons. Infants smaller than a wagon wheel will be fed to the beasts, and the rest will be turned into slave soldiers."

"As you command."

"And kill that old man. He's noisy."

"Your Excellency! Your Excellency!"

A feeble scream echoed plaintively. Then, with a swift slash of a merciless blade, his head dropped to the ground. The soldiers discarded the corpse and pulled the children out of the wreckage.

"Sort them properly and select those fit to serve as the vanguard."

With those words, Durin turned away.

He found the burning village more interesting than such a meaningless scene.

......

In the village, burning even redder than the sunset, the soldiers scattered salt across the farmlands. They were turning it into a barren wasteland where not even the beasts dared tread. The nomads, who had barely managed to establish a settlement, saw their village erased from the map.

Black smoke rose, and the land was stained white.

The price of treachery was always harsh.

.......

Endless slaughter and pillaging. The legion was a monster that thrived on blood.

It destroyed everything in sight to grow stronger. The enslaved soldiers, a result of such pillaging, were all positioned in the front lines to counter the shock power of the Rebel Army's assault units. They would act as a shield against the powerful warriors of the South.

The commander appointed to lead them was Verdia, but Aurela, the Governor of Ractelrun, suddenly intervened.

"The castle's Defense Force has always been under my command. If I join the expedition, I can maximize their combat efficiency."

From Durin's perspective, it wasn't a bad move. Although Verdia had been integrated into the Royal Guard, her bloodline was that of a traitor. Having Aurela, a pure-blood member of the Demon King's Castle, alongside her would prevent any potential backlash from the soldiers over the chain of command.

"Your Excellency......."

"I leave it to you, Verdia."

Verdia handled the enslaved soldiers and Southern warriors who had surrendered.

Aurela took charge of Ractelrun's Defense Force.

From this point on, the two began to establish a rivalry.

Their fierce competition, rooted in pride as strong warriors, occasionally escalated into outright conflict.

"Verdia! I heard your unit harassed our warriors. Please ensure they don't cross the line."

"Oh? Then why not just settle it in a fight? If they're Southern warriors, they should challenge us directly instead of whining to their commander."

"That's such a barbaric idea. How uncivilized."

"What did you just say?"

Despite both being from the South, their diametrically opposed personalities often clashed. Verdia, who bowed to no one but Durin, and Aurela, who fiercely guarded her own interests as Governor, were complete opposites.

Watching this from afar, the nobles of Ractelrun murmured about potential discord within the army, but none of the Expedition Force showed any signs of concern or doubt.

They dismissed it as minor discord arising from managing the barbarians. What truly mattered to them was not such petty theatrics but the next move of the Rebel Army's leader, the Great Chieftain.

"Your Excellency, the Great Chieftain has entrenched himself within the valley. He shows no sign of leaving Rock Mountain."

"Have they made any other moves?"

"Nothing has happened in the past week. It seems they have concluded they cannot win in open battle. The rugged terrain of Rock Mountain beyond the valley is ideal for an ambush, so they are likely planning to make their stand there."

"They must be aware that the Royal Guard is here. To compensate for the disparity in strength, they intend to draw us into terrain advantageous to them."

Wars between demons were battles of dominance. The side that could annihilate the enemy with greater brutality held the upper hand. Without breaking the warriors' spirit, there was a high risk of being drawn into an endless war of attrition.

From this perspective, the current strategy of crushing the Great Chieftain's forces early and confining the Rebel Army within the valley was the best move for victory. The momentum had already shifted in their favor since the enemy had failed to engage head-on.

"The Southern Rebellion can be brought to a smooth conclusion at this rate. Golden Guardians, I entrust you with the vanguard. Break the Great Chieftain's forces and ensure their annihilation."

"As you command."

"Next is......."

The pursuit of the escaped Demon King and Hero.

Durin raised his head. The first person his gaze met was Verdia. She flinched and offered a formal salute.

Next was Aurela, the commander of the Expedition Force's right flank and Governor of the city. For a moment, a sharp glare passed between her and Verdia, but any further conflict was avoided in Durin's presence.

"I have already laid the groundwork, Your Excellency."

Like Verdia, Aurela also saluted respectfully. Then, as if she had been waiting, she stepped forward and stood before Durin.

"I will personally lead the way."

......

The Rock Shrine was located beneath the depths of Ractelrun.

A space dark and damp like a catacomb stretched out like a maze. Patterns and inscriptions carved into the walls heightened the eerie atmosphere.

Everything was written in an ancient language, incomprehensible to anyone present, yet a chilling ecstasy could be felt amidst the cheers of the demons depicted in the murals, as if cutting into the heart. It contained the primal emotions of those who had clashed with the Demon King's Castle for the longest time, their autonomy hanging by a thread.

"Here we are, Your Excellency."

Aurela, holding a torch and leading the way, turned back and spoke. The location was not far from the entrance where a single beam of light penetrated. Before Durin's eyes, a shrine resembling a communal grave appeared. The flickering flames revealed the figure of Mother's Rock, carved in stone, as shadows danced around.

"I hope you obtain what you desire."

With those words, Aurela stepped back. She left with Verdia, who had been standing idly, and exited the shrine.

Thud—

The sound of the heavy stone door closing stirred up dust. Nothing illuminated the shrine anymore.

In pitch-black darkness, where not even an inch ahead could be seen, a faint presence emerged alone. It began to converge, like dough being kneaded together, and soon took on a single form.

"At last, time begins to move."

It was a demon.

A woman with white hair like Rudmila, who must be in her true nature, stood there. The faded red horns, the symbol of the central Demon Tribe, revealed the passage of time. Even as she stood still, her aura did not falter before Durin. It carried the same authority as the mother of the shamans Rudmila had mentioned.

"I have been waiting for you, mighty warrior. This encounter was ordained by the gods."

When her form was fully realized, the Rock Shrine lit up. It was a miraculous phenomenon created solely by magic energy.

There, the Prophetess of Oracle revealed herself.

"I have often heard the whispers of the shamans. Perhaps that is why, even though this is my first time seeing you today, I feel a strange comfort as if meeting an old friend in this moment."

The prophetess lightly set her feet on the ground. The altar prepared in front of the Rock Shrine became the place for their meeting. She gestured to the opposite seat, inviting him to sit.

"I wish to speak with you further. Would that be all right?"

"There is no time for that."

Durin replied courteously. She was undoubtedly a formidable figure, one deserving of his respect.

Perhaps sensing his politeness, the prophetess smiled brightly.

"I understand. I can respond to your wish without delving into trivial matters. Is that acceptable to you?"

"If it concerns the Hero, I will face it as necessary."

"Very well. You have accepted more decisively than I expected."

As Durin took his seat, the prophetess spoke with a pleased expression.

"Within Rudmila's anguish lies an ancient gate. It is the same for you, is it not?"

"The Hero seems to be attempting an escape by using the legacy of the Previous Demon King. As a great warrior of the Demon Realm and the castle's protector, I cannot stand idly by."

"With even the Demon King accompanying them, it must weigh heavily on your mind, does it not?"

Though Durin had not brought it up, the prophetess spoke as if she already knew everything. It was as if she had glimpsed the entire truth of the matter through the whispers of the shamans she mentioned.

Standing at the pinnacle of wisdom among the shamans, she needed no deception. Durin nodded obediently, not intending to hide anything.

"So please tell me the location of the ancient relic and how to use it. I wish to do everything in my power to thwart the Hero's plans."

"If the Demon King truly leaves the Demon Realm, the shock will be immense. You must want to prevent that above all else."

"That is correct."

"However…"

The prophetess, who had been speaking with a kind smile, suddenly changed her expression.

The eerie joy Durin had seen earlier outside now materialized on her face. A dreadful wave of magic energy began to fill the surroundings.

"You will not be able to stop it. The Demon King's escape is inevitable. It is the grand flow of the world."

"……."

"Even if you reach the gate with my help, there will be nothing you can do. All you can do is watch."

The atmosphere shifted. A heavy, oppressive energy flowed from the prophetess.

She was speaking—or rather, delivering a verdict. The Demon King and the Hero would leave the Demon Realm.

Durin. There is nothing you can do.

He had always faced unexpected situations with indifference, but this time, he had heard a truth he could not ignore. His crimson eyes burned brighter than ever before.

"Even so, would you still like to know where the gate is? My advice would be to focus on quelling the rebellion before your eyes rather than investing in the flow of the world."

"I wish to hear it."

Durin responded immediately. He did not hesitate.

"Even if it is something I cannot stop, I must confront it. That is the duty entrusted to me as a protector."

"I would like you to elaborate a bit more."

"Even if it is an unchangeable fate, I will fulfill my obligation. That is the life bestowed upon me by the King."

"Even if that King abandoned you?"

"That individual is not my King. The one who gave me life is the only King I serve."

Their conversation carried a sense of vagueness. Durin and the prophetess exchanged strong intentions, neither yielding an inch. Among them, the prophetess proved to be the slightly gentler side. Seeing Durin's resolute stance, she nodded.

"Then let me ask you just one thing. Can you answer?"

"Of course."

"If you were to face a fate you could not resist, how would you act? Just answer that."

"A fate I cannot resist…"

He trailed off, seemingly lost in thought. The intensity of his glowing eyes dimmed.

Thoughts about the Demon King likely swirled in his mind. As a demon at the center of a chaotic world, it was only natural.

"When faced with an irresistible force, there is only one thing for me to do."

Even then, compared to the burden Durin bore, the time he spent deliberating was not long. The regent of the Demon King's Castle calmly stated the conclusion he had reached.

"I will make it as painful a time as possible."

The demon's smile, unobscured by his helmet, was drawn across his face.

"The world should not think it can get away so easily."

"Today was truly a fruitful time. I hope we meet again."

With those words, the regent left the underground chamber. The moment he received the information about the ancient gate, the meeting had come to an end.

Darkness returned to the world once illuminated by magic energy.

Nothing could be seen. And for that reason, it was peaceful.

"He will recreate the world in this way once more."

She looked back. In the pitch-black darkness, Mother's Rock lay dormant.

The Prophetess of Oracle raised her hands in reverence. Intense euphoria enveloped her.

"Finally, finally, the time has come."

Her trembling hands betrayed the emotions buried in her voice.

"He will bring you forth once again. As I await that day, I shall continue to wait."

The magic energy that composed the Prophetess of Oracle dispersed.

The Shaman, too, was embraced by the slumbering Mother's Rock.