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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: selkie
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Before his eyes, there was no hesitation as the hero mercilessly slaughtered his own kind. Watching this scene, the executive who had come here to monitor the hero couldn’t help but feel a genuine sense of dread.
‘Could it be… that he could so nonchalantly slay his fellow humans?’
Although the hero had boasted confidently with his words, the executive honestly could not believe it.
No… he couldn’t believe it.
Even though the Demon King had assured him, he knew far too well about the hero’s past actions.
Having faced death numerous times and overcoming situations deemed impossible, the hero had wielded his sword solely for the sake of humanity.
In that way, having fought wholeheartedly for the alliance of humanity and races, he had observed the hero every moment, thinking he might show signs of wavering or, indeed, strike them in the back.
However, after witnessing the brief battle just now, he had no choice but to acknowledge it.
This hero before them was… no longer the being they once knew.
‘It seems that the Demon King’s words are true… Without a doubt, the current hero appears to be entirely different from before. In that sense, I don’t think he will betray us right away…’
Thus, feeling a complex emotion toward the hero, who had twisted so greatly yet had become a trustworthy being, the executive began to feel conflicted.
However, the next moment…
The hero proposed to the executive that they proceed with one more matter rather than ending things here… Hearing this, he felt that chilling emotion again but accepted it for the time being.
Separating his feelings from the proposal made by the hero, he couldn’t help but be intrigued.
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“Yawn…”
“I’m tired…”
A watch post guarding the entrance to the village of Rob.
There, a group of soldiers was expressing their fatigue while keeping watch.
Having just completed the annoying task of dispatching a supply convoy, they felt a bit of tension ease.
However, despite the commotion having subsided, the sun had risen, and there was still a long time
before their work hours ended, so the soldiers tried to shake off their fatigue by stretching and regaining their focus.
Then…
“Hmm?”
“What… what is that?”
Suddenly, two figures began to appear from the darkness.
Dressed in the same armor as the soldiers who had just departed to transport supplies, they staggered toward them, covered in blood.
“Hey… Are you alright over there?”
“What on earth happened? Where did you get injured like this?”
“Ugh…”
As the soldiers approached, the injured soldiers collapsed right in front of them.
In a hurry, they rushed to help their comrades.
Among the fallen soldiers, one spoke in a pained voice.
“T-the… enemy… D-demon race… attacked… t-the supplies were all stolen… and… they will soon come here… cough! cough!”
The injured soldier struggled to speak as blood spilled from his lips.
Seeing him, the soldiers began to act urgently.
“Damn it!”
“First, let’s move this guy inside, and you all hurry and report to the higher-ups.”
“It’s an invasion by the demon race! Everyone, get into combat formation!”
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“This way! Please hurry!”
“Ah… understood.”
A soldier, having just awakened from sleep, dashed urgently toward the area where the patients were, accompanied by a priest.
Having just experienced a surprise attack by the demon race, the soldier was moving as quickly as possible with the priest to treat those who were covered in blood and in terrible condition.
The location of the injured soldiers was the medical unit near the harbor.
Upon arriving hastily, the soldier guided the priest directly into the barracks.
But then…
“Here! Hurry with the patients… huh?”
“…?”
The next moment, confusion began to spread across the faces of the soldier and the priest, who had just experienced urgency.
Until a moment ago, two soldiers had been dying in this place.
They had been suffering so much that it seemed like they were about to stop breathing and had requested the priest be summoned as quickly as possible.
However…
At this moment, the two could no longer see any patients in their sight.
All they saw were empty makeshift beds and the armors of soldiers rolling on the floor, and that was it.
“What… what is going on? Where are the patients? Where are the patients that were here?”
“That… they were definitely here just a moment ago…”
The two expressed their bewilderment at the incomprehensible situation.
At that moment… -Boom!!
“!”
“What… what is this…”
Suddenly, a sound reached their ears.
The priest and the soldier rushed out of the barracks in a panic.
Immediately after, a shocking scene began to unfold before their eyes, like a painting.
It was…
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As the words of the injured soldier spread, chaos erupted in Rob like a beehive.
Soldiers resting inside the village or guarding the rations quickly began to gather at the barricades set up on the outskirts,
And at the same time, General Cassandra, who was overseeing the situation here, immediately sprang into action upon witnessing what was happening.
“Is it true that the supply convoy was attacked?”
“Yes, General. Just to be sure, we sent scouts, and it was confirmed that the carts were destroyed and all the supplies were looted. Additionally, we confirmed the bodies of the soldiers.”
“I see… Have you assessed the scale of the enemy?”
“Based on the circumstances, it seems the enemy is hiding in the forest, but we have not yet clearly confirmed anything. However, given that an attack of that scale occurred in such a short time, we estimate that there must be at least hundreds of them.”
“Hmm…”
The troop stationed in Rob was just under 1,000 strong.
Though the number of defense troops was not very high compared to its importance, this was something unavoidable due to the characteristics of this rear area.
In any case, from that perspective, it was likely that the number of enemies was equal to or slightly fewer than their own forces.
“Were the surviving injured soldiers sent to the medical unit?”
“Yes, they seem to be severely injured, so I immediately dispatched priests.”
“When they recover, have them report to me. I need to find out the detailed situation myself later.”
“Understood, General.”
“Oh, and…”
The next moment, after suddenly thinking of something, Cassandra began issuing orders to the soldiers.
Upon hearing her words, the soldiers nodded and prepared to execute the orders immediately.
“Since they have the chains of domination, there shouldn’t be any significant issues, but still, let’s be cautious. Even though they may look like that, they are part of the strongest hero party in history, so if that guy starts rampaging, it could become quite troublesome.”
“Yes, we will be careful. General Cassandra.”
After giving her orders to the soldiers, Cassandra began preparing to head to the front lines herself.
Although she held the important position of being the overall commander here, her own combat ability was at a level that could be considered the strongest, barring the newly arrived beastwoman warrior whose combat strength was uncertain.
Thus, as a commander, and simultaneously as the strongest force, Cassandra began to check her weapons to participate directly in the battle.
At that moment… -Boom!!!
“Eh?”
The next moment, a loud explosion echoed unexpectedly.
Given that combat was anticipated, it was natural for sounds like that to resonate whether magic was used or catapults were launched.
However, even so…
At this moment, a deep sense of confusion began to settle on General Cassandra’s face.
“General! Over there!”
Along with her subordinate’s panicked voice, she heard the flames of the explosion.
But… at this moment, the location where that was visible was not the barricade where the battle was expected.
A place where the flames were clearly visible even in the darkness, rising consecutively.
That place was the warehouse area located quite a distance from the barricade, near the harbor, Where supplies and food were stacked high.
