I Became the Heavenly Demon of the Academy

Holy War (6)

“What kind of outrageous things are you saying!”

The King of the Kalmar Kingdom, Donato II, jumped up from his seat and shouted.

“It’s reckless…?”

Marquis Albrecht asked in response with an obvious sneer.

“At the gathering of heads of state, no matter how high-ranking nobles of the empire, we cannot be ignored like this. Who do you think these people are?”

“Have a seat. Donato II.”

“what?”

“I told you to take a seat.”

“How dare you do something like a Marquis…!”

Donato II spat out the words as if chewing.

bang!

“Shut up! I am here as the representative of the Great Sun of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor. Acting like that in front of me can only be taken as disrespect for His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire!”

Marquis Albrecht also didn’t back down an inch and slammed the desk, shouting.

“Come on, don’t do that. Everyone, please calm down a little.”

The Doge of Lorenzo, who is called the ‘great apprentice’ of the Republic of Almeria, gestured with a bitter smile. The Republic of Almeria was basically a merchant republic. The head there, Lorenzo, was not only the head of a country, but also a merchant leading a huge guild.

At least, among them, there were some who were victorious in such absurd and terrible negotiations.

“I’ll see my Lord Lorenzo and move on for now.”

“What if I don’t pass? What about the kingdom of Kalmar? Don’t be mistaken. In the first place, I could have destroyed the nations here without leaving a single cornerstone behind. It is you who regret it, not me or the empire.”

“…”

Donato II gritted his teeth and sat down again.

“Lord Albrecht. Can I ask you just one question?”

Archduke Alvise of the Grand Duchy of Toledo, who had been sitting and listening to all of this, asked calmly.

“Tell me, Archduke.”

“Prince Albrecht doesn’t seem to be very pleased with this meeting, but I would like to hear the reason for this meeting.”

“…It was a request from Prince Carol.”

“If it’s Prince Carol…?”

“There is a young man in black sitting there.”

“A black saint?”

“…Is Prince Carol called that?”

A strange light flashed in the eyes of Marquis Albrecht. I knew that Carol was active in the border area of the Kingdom of Gotland, but I wasn’t very interested.

I had too many things to do right now to care about all of that.

“Most people don’t know that the Black Saint is Prince Carol. If it wasn’t for him, there’s a good chance the meeting wouldn’t have even taken place. I wouldn’t have been able to afford to come this far.”

“Is that enough?”

“Yes, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Duke Carol.”

Archduke Alvise looked at Carol and slightly lowered his head.

“Karl-sama is popular here too.”

Chloe lightly touched Carol’s elbow with a mischievous smile.

“It was necessary.”

“We usually call those who do what is necessary for the world, not for personal gain, as heroes.”

“…”

Although building a reputation was intentional to some extent.

In Moorim, except for those who knew the truth or Protestantism, he was a heavenly demon who was described as a demon wearing a sword.

I couldn’t help but feel a little awkward.

“Anyway, the atmosphere at the meeting is tough…”

Chloe looked back at the conference table with a worried expression. The talks hardly progressed because of fighting each other.

“I want to know the Empire’s request.”

Lorenzo Roger of the Republic of Almeria spoke first.

“First of all, unconditional surrender is fundamental.”

“Of course I understand.”

“I’ll give you the details in a document.”

The staff next to Marquis Albrecht distributed the papers he was holding.

“This….”

“Isn’t that too much!”

“The vassal state is not enough, even the indemnity and the territory. Besides, how are we supposed to defend when the strategic point adjacent to the empire is handed over like this!”

Donato II became angry and gripped the papers tightly.

“It’s not about not being defensive.”

“What?”

“Don’t even think of going against the Empire.”

“…”

“Heh heh heh…”

At the tyrannical demands of the empire, the heads of the northwestern states could not hide their bewilderment.

“Can I say a word?”

At that time, Carol, who had been watching quietly, opened her mouth.

“Oh, Prince Carol! Of course.”

Marquis Albrecht responded to Carol’s words with delight.

“It is the Demon Duke Asmodeus who descended to the Kingdom of Gotland.”

“If it’s a demon, no way…”

As if realizing something, apprentice Lorenzo let out a heavy silence.

“Unfortunately, you don’t have a choice. Do you perish, or do you submit to the empire after making huge reparations? There is only one of them. Your Excellency, Apprentice Lorenzo, since you are an excellent merchant, if you do the math, the answer will come out right away.”

“…of course. That is why we are sitting like this.”

The doge of Lorenzo clearly revealed his misery. The Republic of Almeria suffered more damage than other countries because it was attacked first.

If it wasn’t for Carol, he would have had to consider exile.

“I will kill Asmodeus. This is not an imperial order. It is a decision made by my will and my judgment.”

Everyone in the meeting room was crushed by the heavy momentum that Carol radiated while speaking.

“You mean the Demon Ball…?”

With difficulty, the Doge Lorenzo opened his mouth.

“yes. For that reason, I blocked the monsters until now.”

“Huh…”

I could never have imagined that Carol’s suspicious behavior was simply such an intention. Looking at Carol’s calm eyes, the apprentice of Lorenzo sincerely admired.

“You should know that you have already received numerous refugees. The Kingdom of Gotland is over. If you deal with the monsters and Asmodeus, the place will become a land without an owner. It may take a bit of purification, though.”

“You mean…?”

At Carol’s words, Apprentice Lorenzo’s eyes lit up and he fell into thought.

“Accept the Empire’s request immediately, defeat the monsters, and divide the kingdom of Gotland. The Empire will not gain any benefit from the Kingdom of Gotland. This I guarantee on the name of Karl von Bernstein.”

“Dong Carol?”

For a moment, Marquis Albrecht was taken aback.

“Are you okay? Sir Albrecht.”

Seeing Carol’s calm gaze as she looked at herself and asked, Marquis Albrecht involuntarily swallowed her breath.

“No, of course.”

Feeling the pressure as if facing the Emperor of the Empire, Marquis Albrecht could only nod.

“We, the Crusade, will follow Carol. I have already spoken with His Excellency, Archbishop Urbano.”

Chloe added words as if driving a wedge. While doing the calculations in each head.

“We, the Republic of Almeria, will accept the Empire’s request.”

First, Apprentice Lorenzo clenched his fists and placed his hand on his chest.

“…We will accept the kingdom of Kalmar as well.”

“The same goes for the Grand Duchy of Toledo.”

Although it was not known how long it would take for them to fall into the Empire’s vassal states and pay a huge amount of reparation.

It wasn’t a huge loss if he could share the Kingdom of Gotland.

Furthermore, being a vassal of an empire meant that the responsibility to protect each country was also given to the empire.

Unlike peacetime, there were not only bad things in this crisis situation.

Of course, the biggest thing was that it was better than just perishing.

It was also important that Carol induced each country to make a comfortable choice by giving each country a certain amount of ‘justice’.

“Don’t you get anything from Carol?”

Stella, who had been sitting quietly until now, asked.

“I’ll get some fame.”

And that will help prevent destruction.

“The saint is right.”

Stella smiled and said. Carol looked straight ahead without answering. The talks were now nearing their final stage.

A little more discussion on the details will be needed, but an agreement has been reached in the big picture.

“Then, please take good care of me from now on as a ‘emperor of the empire’.”

Finally, the meeting ended with the words of Marquis Albrecht.

As the heads of state left the conference room, they slightly bowed to Carol.

“What will Prince Carol do from now on?”

After everyone had left, Marshal Albrecht, who remained until the end, asked.

“Asmodeus will come out differently than before. You would have realized that there would be no end if you simply sent it to a battle of attrition.”

“Well, to be called the Black Saint… it seems that you did a great job, right?”

“We just found a weak spot and plugged it. No big deal. More than that, I have a request.”

“Hmm, what do you mean?”

Like the meeting, it wouldn’t be normal if Carol asked for it. Marquess Albrecht tensed and straightened his posture.

“I will move near the Crusade.”

“I heard you.”

“When fighting monsters, it is important to maintain the front line and pressurize. Many of the tactics and strategies when fighting humans should be ruled out. Imperial forces, please focus on maintaining the front line.”

“Then you and the Crusaders…”

Marquis Albrecht thoughtfully stroked his chin. As long as the negotiations were concluded anyway, it was inevitable that the imperial army would advance into the territory of the northwestern countries and fight Asmodeus.

It was the right choice for the empire too.

If Carol were with the Imperial Army, the damage would be overwhelmingly reduced.

However, judging by Carol’s expression, it seemed that her thoughts were a little different.

“As a detached unit, I will advance to the royal capital of the Kingdom of Gotland with the Crusade Army.”

“…are you okay?”

No matter how strong Carol was, the opponent was a demon. An opponent so strong that you don’t know if you can defeat it even if you bring a lot of golden dragon weapons from the Imperial Mage Tower special storage.

Because that was the existence of a demon.

“That is the best way to end the war. The more time we give, the stronger the opponent and the weaker we become. If that happens, even if we eradicate it, the damage will be enormous.”

“I feel like I am putting too much burden on you.”

“it’s okay.”

Because it was Carol’s choice.

There were no regrets.

“All of our temple soldiers were also prepared to be imprisoned. We will advance into hostile territory, so ask the people of the West, Your Excellency Margrave Albrecht.”

Chloe bowed her head to Marquis Albrecht. This is the time to unleash the power of fanaticism. Not for bullying an innocent kid like Stella. Looking sideways at Stella, Chloe once again made a promise.

“…don’t worry. They are no longer enemies of the empire, but subjects. There is no mercy for the enemy, but it is the Empire’s ideology to reward obedience.”

“Then good luck.”

Carol greeted Marquis Albrecht and stood up.

“You too… Good luck. It’s a pity that I can’t help but pray because my ability isn’t enough.”

“That is enough.”

It was enough that the wires were not pierced in the first place. It was because, if it had to happen, Carol was going to assassinate Asmodeus by herself.

After exchanging greetings one last time, Carol left the conference room.

If you deal with the kingdom of Gotland, the work in the west will be over.

The time to return was approaching.

* * *

“Carl, are you laughing?”

Seeing Carol smiling as she flipped through a few cutely decorated papers, Soo-ryun tilted her head curiously.

“Is it so?”

“Yeah, I laughed.”

Su-ryun slightly stuck her head in and asked for something.

“It’s a letter from people you’ll meet soon.”

“who?”

Carol lightly stroked Su-ryun’s hair. Satisfied, Su-ryun slightly closed her eyes.

“They are disciples.”

“student?”

“okay. Their names are Riena and Yulia.”

“Riana… Yulia…”

“Treat me like you treat me. They’re good kids, so you’ll be fine.”

“…I’ll try.”

Soo-ryun nodded slightly.

“Karl-sama, this is Stella.”

Stella greeted me from outside and went inside the tent. Stella, slightly taken aback by the water lily, soon removed her lips again with a resolute expression.

“The preparations are complete.”

“okay.”

Carol stood up and put the letter back in her arms.

Outside, the Crusaders were lined up in glittering armor.

Passing between numerous flags of knights, religious orders, and bishoprics, Carol stood at the forefront.

“As of now, all members of the Crusade will follow Carol.”

As Carol took the lead, Archbishop Urbano lowered his head with a firm voice. Even from the point of view of Archbishop Urbano, who was in command, this was by no means an easy decision. The Archbishop of the Holy Kingdom was obviously close to the highest position.

“Say something.”

Chloe smiled mischievously and touched Carol’s arm.

“Yes, me too, please.”

Even Archbishop Urbano made a sincere request. It was clear that Carol’s speech, which went beyond being a hero of the North and the West and was already being called a hero of the Empire, would certainly help morale.

Especially when fighting demons that feed on human fear, it was most important not to lose courage.

“…All right.”

Carol took a deep breath and looked at the gathered Crusaders.

“I will not give you orders. I won’t promise to protect you either. Not even one of you may be able to come back alive. There is only one thing I can promise you. Asmodeus, the Demon Duke, will face immortality, and will never set foot on this land again. I will act for what I believe in. You act according to your own beliefs. That is enough.”

thud! thud! thud!

When Carol turned around after her speech, the knights stomped their feet and slammed the spear.

Shouts of ‘God wills it’ erupted from everywhere.

“then Let’s go.”

Along with Carol’s words, trumpets and drums rang out.

“March!”

So, about 50,000 of the Crusaders began their advance toward the land of death.