The Anti-Imperial Alliance began marching as soon as dawn broke.
Due to the contamination caused by black magic, the demonic territory became denser as night fell, and when the sun rose, the environment became relatively easier to traverse. This was because of the nature of black magic, which reacted to darkness.
That was why the Anti-Imperial Alliance moved according to the cycle of day and night.
“Seriously, this is disgusting.”
That was Jared’s comment after passing through one of the Imperial cities.
“It’s like everyone’s lost their sanity.”
Ever since they had crossed the border, the Empire had taken no measures against the Anti-Imperial Alliance.
Because of that, Yuri had been able to pass through cities and resupply freely.
The people he saw in the Empire seemed bewitched, their eyes vacant.
Despite the chaos, they continued absorbed in their daily tasks, accepting without complaint taxes so outrageously high they were insulting.
When Yuri threatened the local lord with his knights to hand over supplies, the man only nodded silently, as if in agreement, moving his head up and down.
It was as if they had lost their will, mere soulless puppets.
“It must be the black magic.”
“Even so, it was way too strange. It’s like they were possessed.”
“They are possessed.”
At that moment, Hernando stepped forward to speak.
“Black magic is controlling the entire Empire. Every inhabitant stands on a magic circle, being consumed as a transmutation material. We have to put an end to this as soon as possible.”
“Bastards…”
Jared let out a dry laugh.
“Calling them trash is too human for them—it doesn’t even fit.”
Hernando gave a bitter smile.
“Exactly. The Empire is inhuman. It’s literally demonic.”
The same scene repeated itself again and again.
Whether it was a city or a small village, none had defensive troops to meet the Anti-Imperial Alliance.
Yuri had no intention of dragging Imperial civilians into the war. So, after taking what he needed, he would leave the place immediately.
Even so, no one lowered their guard.
Seeing the state of the Empire only deepened the unease among the Anti-Imperial Alliance’s troops.
The scene was far too sinister.
“Bring me that farmer.”
“Yes.”
As they advanced, Yuri spotted a farmer in the distance and sent Jared.
Jared brought back the man, who was absorbed in his work.
The farmer looked at Yuri with a neutral expression.
“Are you a farmer?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“We’re at war. Don’t you think of running?”
“A farmer like me only does his work, my lord.”
“Don’t you think we could harm you?”
“I only do my work, my lord.”
The knights who heard this shook their heads. All the Imperial inhabitants were the same.
“I want to see the Emperor. Where should I go?”
“How could I know about someone so noble? Perhaps in the capital, my lord.”
No matter what they asked, the answer was similar.
In the end, Yuri changed the question.
“I want to see Cedric.”
At that moment, the farmer’s demeanor changed drastically. The man, who until then had been responding slowly with his head lowered, suddenly looked up, smiled unsettlingly, and spoke in a louder, quicker voice.
“Go to Zveta, my lord.”
“Go to Zveta. He’ll be waiting for you. Go to Zveta. He’ll be waiting for you. Go to Zveta. He is waiting. Go to Zveta. He will receive you. Go to Zveta, Zveta, Zveta…”
The farmer’s tongue moved like a hissing snake.
Yuri held back the knights who had drawn their swords and nodded.
“Zveta… Zveta… Understood, I will.”
As soon as he replied, the farmer’s pupils returned to normal.
He returned to his passive demeanor and bowed to Yuri.
“Yes, my lord…”
Those who witnessed the scene felt a chill. Black magic was controlling even the mind of a simple farmer on the road. Those words about going to Zveta seemed like a preprogrammed message from Cedric for when Yuri asked the question.
“You may go back.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
The farmer slowly returned to the field and resumed his labor as if nothing had happened.
Watching him, Yuri murmured,
“It seems fate is decided.”
“Your Highness.”
Ainzer, who was beside him, gave his opinion.
“If everyone is like this, wouldn’t it be better to take the Imperial capital first?”
It could be that the capital was also empty. But not only Yuri, the other knights also shook their heads.
As Jared had said, this war was not a human one.
Occupying the capital or using the palace as a threat would have no effect on this enemy.
“You just saw it. That won’t work.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
Ainzer nodded.
“It was only a suggestion.”
He too seemed to be deep in thought before the battle.
Yuri said,
“I understand you want to improve our chances, but we’ll head straight for Zveta.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
They had been to Zveta before.
But Cedric had driven them back.
This time would be different. No matter who died, there would be an end.
“Tirbo.”
“Yes.”
“Raise the flag high.”
“Understood!”
As always, Yuri marched at the front, leading his army.
***
Calcio was stunned by the fierce battle that had suddenly erupted before the walls.
It was already surprising enough that two armies had appeared out of nowhere, but for them to begin spilling blood between each other was even more shocking.
The scale and ferocity of the battle were also impressive.
Eastern warriors, wielding sword energy, clashed in midair, causing explosions.
The atmosphere vibrated, and the ground trembled.
Calcio said,
“What the hell is going on here?”
“Are they both our enemies? Or should we be helping someone?”
“That…”
It wasn’t a situation where one could easily say who would win. Even if the battle ended, the victor would be left in shreds.
Most of them would probably die.
Calcio hesitated.
Then—
“Well now, they certainly fight well.”
Suddenly, a woman’s voice rang through the air.
It was a tone he had never heard before, but it carried a strange force that compelled anyone who heard it to pay attention.
Everyone, as if hypnotized, turned to look behind them.
A woman with a seductive appearance, wearing an elegant dress, was standing there.
“You are…”
Calcio instinctively knew she was no ordinary human. A strange light shone in her irises.
The woman ignored all the soldiers around her and walked until she stood by the battlement’s railing.
Then, watching the death match below, she said,
“One side fights for black magic, the other fights against it.”
“Who are you?”
“Good question. If you hadn’t asked it, perhaps I might have left after knocking down the wall…”
“Huh?”
“I am the great dragon Cruar. Surely you’ve heard of me.”
In the continent, almost no one was unaware of the name Cruar—one of the Ten Greats, and the last dragon remaining on the continent.
Unconsciously, Calcio took a step back. The soldiers on the wall also stepped away, keeping their eyes on Cruar.
She shook her head.
“I haven’t come here to harm you.”
“W-what is someone as grand as you doing in Sidor…?”
Calcio’s voice trembled.
On the outside, she was a beautiful woman, but in truth she was an entirely different kind of being.
If she had been human, perhaps he might have made a joke, but with Cruar—whose mind was unfathomable—he couldn’t help but feel tense.
“You’re nervous. Good.”
“Huh?”
“If you had acted too calm in front of the great dragon Cruar, I would’ve had to char half your body so you’d feel some tension…”
“Huh?”
“I’ve come to give a little help to Yuri Briol.”
“What…?”
Cruar placed one foot on the railing and said,
“Consider yourself honored to see me.”
And then she leapt down.
Calcio, who instinctively stepped back, tried to lean over the railing to look.
In that instant, an indescribable light began to radiate from beyond the wall.
Beams of colors impossible to define burst forth everywhere, and soon something began to rise.
Calcio’s eyes lifted to the sky. Enormous wings spread wide.
Cruar had revealed her true form.
“Ah…”
Calcio understood that a dragon, even by presence alone, could inspire a sense of divinity.
The wings seemed to command the very flow of air, and the scales reflected light in every color imaginable.
Soon, the dragon’s mouth opened.
“Power of the Voice of Authority—Kill.”
Her words spread through the air.
Calcio felt a shiver upon realizing that this was the legendary dragon tongue.
It was said that some died simply from hearing it. Yet, in the immediate surroundings, there were no fatal reactions.
The effect manifested on the distant battlefield.
Those in black clothing began to fall one by one.
Collapsing like dominoes, the front lines fell into sudden chaos.
Not all died; those with high cultivation resisted, though trembling and rigid as if fighting against the command. But around half of the army fell instantly.
It was overwhelming power.
The battle line, which had frozen, began moving again. The opposing side seized the advantage and charged fiercely, driving back those in black.
Soon, Cruar returned to the wall, once again in the form of a woman in a dress.
“Haa…”
Everyone on the wall, including Calcio, gazed at her with reverence. She had completely changed the course of the battle with a single word.
“Using that much power has tired me.”
Leaning against the railing, Cruar prompted Calcio to shout,
“Quick, bring a chair!”
“Y-yes!”
“You’ve worked hard, Lady Cruar. Please rest now.”
“No, it’s too soon to rest.”
Cruar shook her head.
“I still have things to do.”
“What do you mean…?”
“First, let that battle end.”
At her words, Calcio turned his head.
Despite losing half their forces, the army of black-clad beings was not collapsing easily, holding out with fierce resistance.
“Those in black, they’re with the Empire?”
“Yes. In the East they call them the Heavenly Demon Sect.”
“And the other side?”
“They’re from the Murim Alliance. Not that I particularly like them, but in this fight they can help Yuri Briol.”
Confirming she was an ally, Calcio’s face brightened.
When he was about to ask another question, Cruar cut him off.
“Be quiet for a moment.”
“Ah, forgive me.”
Cruar seemed to need a brief rest.
By Calcio’s order, they soon brought her a chair, a towel, and a light refreshment. She wiped her sweat and drank a little water, but ate nothing.
Meanwhile, the battle beyond was reaching its climax.
Suddenly, the crowd parted and two warriors began a one-on-one fight.
No one dared intervene.
“Looks like the leaders are fighting.”
Cruar spoke with a slight smile.
“Both are strong enough to be counted among the Ten Greats in the West.”
“Really?”
Immediately, everyone looked for telescopes; ordinary soldiers didn’t have the ability to follow the fight with the naked eye.
At that moment, a sphere floated above the wall and projected a clear image of the two combatants.
As everyone watched in surprise, Cruar’s voice rang out.
“If you don’t thank the merciful dragon Cruar, who even broadcasts such a fight, I could turn this wall into a sea of fire…”
The soldiers of Sidor, now familiar with her peculiar way of speaking, hurried to thank her.
Pleased, Cruar sharpened the image until it was clearer and larger.
Thus, the duel between the leader of the Murim Alliance, Jang Yeonghak, and the leader of the Black Assassins Unit, Ma Gunak, unfolded before the eyes of the soldiers of Sidor.
____
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