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Chapter 284 part 2

In response to the mobilization order from the kingdom sent from the governor-general’s office, the nobles in the northern part of the kingdom with territories bordering the Romal Empire provided material and financial support while minimizing the redelegation of troops. 

As for Fort Jogan, it was built hastily using construction materials gathered by magic users of lords and a large number of workers hired primarily by Galois. Important figures from each territory, from the leaders of knights to lords, were present at the fort. Naturally, Christina and Dran who were likely to face the war first should be among these individuals. However, they were not to be found in the fort. 

Christina and her companions used to meet with the lords often before any event, but they had been offering reasons to stay back in their territory as the war approached. As a result, opportunities for them to meet with these lords reduced, rather intentionally. 

Young nobles who gained territories often became too absorbed in governance as they struggled to build up their army or lacked faith in their predecessors and were eager to do things their own way. Christina and her party were viewed and evaluated with rather mixed sentiments, but those harboring such thoughts did their best to refrain from speaking out openly or even talking behind their backs.

After all, Christina’s father was Marquis Dram Almadia, one of the most powerful nobles in the northern part of the kingdom. The general sent by the Marquis to Galois was also one of the top five military commanders in Almadia. This move was adequate to dispel all rumors that Christina and Dram were on bad terms with each other. If anyone were to speak poorly, it would be hard to predict what would happen to them if such news reached Dram. 

The news of the attack of the demon lord’s army arrived when the commanders had just finished unifying the chain of command and reorganizing their forces, with the governor-general of Galois as their commander-in-chief. A chill ran down their spines upon hearing about this matter.

Fort Jogan suddenly spun into a flurry of activity. One of the officers of Kajoka, a Fox-tribe female general dispatched by Marquis Almadia, rushed over to her to deliver the information from Bern. Kajoka, a black fox with black fur that glimmered silver in the right light, spoke briefly to the junior officer. There was a grim look in her slitted yellow eyes as she addressed the officer who was still catching his breath. 

Under the gaze of the capable and intelligent Kajoka, the officer with his disheveled uniform straightened his back. Despite doing so, his face revealed his extreme youth and his nervousness 

「You have urgent news.」　

The words left Kajoka’s lips not as a question, but a confirmation. Her voice managed to calm the junior officer’s frazzled state as it entered his ears straight to his heart. The junior officer, who had regained his composure, was reminded of the weight of the information he had to convey. 

「Pardon my intrusion, General. I have top clearance news from the Barony of Bern. Earlier today, the presence of an army of over 50,000 troops has been confirmed in Sector 17 of the Dark Wilderness. Approaching air combatants of 400 to 500 grown faux dragons have also been detected in the rear. Presently, the Barony of Bern is moving to intercept these forces with the troops deployed around Fort Nerodim. In addition, the dragons of Mores Mountains have also moved out. A clash with the air combatants of the demon lord’s army is imminent!」　

The Dark Wilderness had been broadly referred to as such this far, but such a term would be too vague in the event of a battle with the demon lord’s army. Hence, the geography of the Dark Wilderness had been divided into several sectors and assigned numbers for easier comprehension by the Barony of Bern. 

The nearest defensive base for Sector 17 was Fort Nerodim, which—coincidentally or not—included the route taken by the delegation of Mundus Carnus.

「They’re here sooner than expected, but our allies in Mores Mountains are also acting fast… We will be mobilized soon, so hurry with the preparations. What is the situation with the land battleships?」　

Kajoka got out of her chair in a flurry, She walked off with the junior officer who had informed her of his aspirations to become a commander of the fortress and the adjutant waiting in the room. 

「Eight ships have been detected in the rear of the army, but they are keeping their distance from the troops. Also, the soldiers of the demon lord’s army…」　

Kajoka had served in the army for a long time, but the information from the adjutant was too unbelievable to keep her from asking.

「About that, no, it isn’t a lie. It’s an enemy we failed to predict.」　

Arkrest Kingdom had based their predictions on the wars with neighboring nations like the Romal Empire and Todorokuni. The demon lord’s army was an entirely unpredictable opponent for them. Hence, they had to prepare themselves for all kinds of possibilities beyond their imagination and unforeseen circumstances. The consequence of such preparations and procurement of equipment was the blow it left on the national treasury and coffers of lords.

Kajoka’s pace quickened even more as she tried to imagine the effective equipment and tactics to deploy against the soldiers of the demon lord’s army marching toward the Barony of Bern. In addition, there was the concern that the Marquis of Almadia—who had concealed how much of a mindlessly loving parent he was from Kajoka—was fretting over his beloved daughter’s first battle. This, too, was another likely reason for Kajoka’s quickening footsteps.

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Among the air combatants deployed by the demon lord’s army to tackle Arkrest Kingdom, the first unit to be entrusted with the prestigious first battle was the supreme faux dragons comparable to the ancient dragons—the poison dragon, Envio, the scorching dragon, Shoha, and the steel dragon, Almarach. 

Under the command of these three were 30 faux dragons equivalent to ordinary dragons possessing intelligence. Joining this force were another 400 aerial knights mounted on Nyverns, a type of faux dragon similar to Wyverns. The total number of airborne invaders amounted to 433.

Even though Envio, Shoha, and Almarach could go faster than the speed of sound, Nyverns could not achieve such speeds. Hence, they matched their speed of approach to that of the Nyverns.

Like Wyverns, Nyverns were not intelligent enough to manipulate magic or comprehend the languages of other races. However, they had the ability to release wind or fire breaths using their existing magical powers as a catalyst. It was certainly no exaggeration to say that they were the best air weapons on earth right now when it came to mass-produced weapons. 

The Nyverns were clad in armors that protected their soft abdomens, foreheads, and limbs. The airborne knights straddled them with special cockpits and were in special equipment as well. These cockpits were equipped with amplifiers that synchronized the wavelengths of the airborne knights with the Nyverns’ minds and magic powers to facilitate communication. Protective devices were also attached to generate magical barriers around the cockpits to protect against the wind and cold. Two rotating machine guns that fired magic-infused bullets were also attached to each cockpit. 

Most nations that used Wyverns for military purposes utilized the creatures’ breath. The knights that mounted such creatures were often equipped with bows and arrows or throwing spears as their primary weapons. In comparison to such methods, this was a remarkable difference in technology. 

These individuals were the most advanced airborne warriors of their time, equipped in a manner that reduced the burden of Nyverns and the aerial knights as much as possible, while still allowing them to maximize their abilities. 

Envio, Shoha, and Almarach—designated commanders of the first unit—were flying at an altitude higher than the Nyverns. With them were the faux dragons serving as their second in command and a few Nyvern knights. They were keeping their eyes fixed on the invasion without a slightest drop in their vigilance. 

Envio was from the race termed as the terrifying poison dragons. That being said, he had the four limbs of a dragon that anyone would imagine. He was covered in purple scales reminiscent of amethyst from the ends of his four majestically spread wings to the tip of his snout and tail, giving him a truly majestic and commanding appearance. 

Deeply intelligent and powerful with experience and age under his belt, Envio made a name for himself by participating in many battles among the demons. He was an individual known as one of the oldest and most mighty faux dragons in the demon lord’s army. This formidable poison dragon with abundant experience in battles with real ancient dragons had his entire body and senses on high alert as a grim expression remained on his face. 

「Sir Envio, your expression has been solemn for quite some time. Are you considering that this battle will not be an easy one?」

Shoha, a scorching dragon with scales the color of burnt iron, voiced this concern out loud. Although Shoha was not as strong as Envio, she was still a powerful individual who had achieved remarkable results in the wars leading up to Yahiem’s inauguration as the demon lord. 

Unlike the faux dragons positioned at Caravis Tower by Dran, Envio, Shoha, and Almalach looked similar to real dragons. Not many who were not dragons would identify them as faux dragons.

「The blunder with the recent attack on his Lord is on my mind, but I am also concerned about the one who managed to depose even Lord Mazfelo.」　

「It is typical of you to have such thorough considerations. It is rather unbelievable, but let us focus on what is right before us. The individuals of Bern are one thing, but we are evil dragons created by the evil god. The dragons are the nemesis of the evil god. At present, we have already entered their range of detection.」