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Chapter 314 part 1

Merle’s indiscriminate strike interrupted the battle between the Arkrest Kingdom and the Demon King’s Army. Simultaneously, the true and faux dragonkin, who had been engaged in a fierce battle above, ceased their combat. They gathered at the dragonkin’s camp near the Arkrest Kingdom’s position to rest.

In the Mores Mountains, just like in the Agraria Campaign, dragonkin were equipped with amulets that teleported them to a safe rear hospital when they sustained life-threatening injuries or were about to receive a fatal blow. Only those who could continue fighting remained near the frontline. Among them was Vaje, one of the Demon Generals and the strongest dragon in the Demon King’s Army, who had been stalling Mazfelow.

「Zei, zei, hi, haa, ji, jio, Elder Giorda, your assistance, I am deeply grateful.」

On a wide ground inscribed with a therapeutic dragon language magic circle, Vaje, barely able to lift his body, expressed his gratitude to the old dragon who saved his life. His breath was ragged, parts of his wing membranes torn, and many of his crimson scales either chipped or corroded by poison.

This wretched state was the cost of Vaje, a dragon of lesser rank, challenging Mazfelow.

Vaje’s assessment of Mazfelow, after engaging in battle, was that he was on par with the top-tier Dragon Kings.

The reason Vaje, an underdog, could hold his ground against Mazfelow was that Mazfelow fought conservatively, saving energy for subsequent battles, whereas Vaje fought solely with the intent to defeat Mazfelow. Vaje managed to halt Mazfelow, mustering all his strength from the depths of his body and soul.

Such a manner of fighting left Vaje severely depleted both physically and mentally, narrowly escaping death on several occasions. The savior in these desperate times was Elder Earth Dragon Giorda, believed to be the mightiest among the Mores Mountain dragonkin. Rumored to be at the level of a Dragon Duke or King, Giorda demonstrated strength true to her reputation, collaborating with Vaje to fully subdue Mazfelow.

Giorda, though not as heavily damaged as Vaje, had visible injuries to her scales, which were clad in a directed gravity field armor during the battle, with some places where disease poison had penetrated the flesh beneath.

「You’re the most promising among the younger dragons; I can’t let you die so easily. Besides, facing the queen of the faux dragons made me rally my old bones. The most important thing now is to rest. The battle is far from over.」

The medics and priests at the dragonkin camp hurried to the exhausted duo, bringing large bandages and glass bottles of medicine, starting the healing magic. The magic circle at their feet synergized with their efforts, rapidly healing Vaje and the others.

「Phew, what a battle. It’s frightening to think what would have happened had Bern not offered cooperation, and we had to fight alone. Your decision to connect with the humans in Bern and Galois has paid off.」

Giorda expressed admiration, but for Vaje, his actions were more driven by his feud with Dran, who had transformed into a white dragon, than the lofty considerations Giorda suggested. Overwhelmed by his injuries and fatigue, Vaje fell asleep before he could properly respond to Giorda. Giorda smiled gently at Vaje, who looked young enough to be her grandchild or great-grandchild, and focused on resting.

「It’s fortunate to have joined hands with Bern, even without the Demon King’s Army issue.」

Not just Giorda, but all dragonkin of the Mores Mountains echoed this sentiment. Giorda closed her eyes and, like Vaje, dedicated herself to rest.

Meanwhile, what was happening on the Romal Empire’s side, which had adopted a cooperative stance with the Arkrest Kingdom? The Demon King’s Army had allocated most of its aerial forces against the Arkrest Kingdom, and in the air battle, the Dragon Conquering Division led by Kyles, one of the Generals of the Twelve Wings, fought in tandem with aerial battleships, maintaining superiority throughout the battle.

A significant reason for the Romal Empire’s boosted morale was the presence of Asteria, serving as a nominal supreme commander. She was seated in the rear of Kyles and others, aboard her dedicated flying battleship, Laslomar.

On the bridge of Laslomar, Asteria was accompanied by several individuals, including Gwandan and Amuria disguised as her guards and attendants, and Yachiyo and Fuka, among others.

Although Asteria was seen as merely ornamental by both Arkrest Kingdom and Romal Empire, once on the battlefield, she issued instructions as if foreseeing the future. She achieved maximum war results with minimal losses, a fact acknowledged by both the captain of Laslomar and the staff officers present.

Seated in a chair, specially installed at the back of the captain’s seat for her use, Asteria continuously speculated on the course of the battle, gazing at the war situation map and the pieces placed upon it without a moment’s rest.

「General Kyles reports the downing of six enemy faux dragons and two hundred seventy Neighbans. The third wave is heading to intercept. The third and fifth squadrons of the Dragon Conquering Division are retreating due to expanded damage!」

「From the northeast, at a distance of 1200, 13,000 puppet soldiers are approaching the Fourth Division. The Fourth Division is requesting air support.」

In the Laslomar bridge, reminiscent of a lecture hall filled with speaking tubes and instruments, signals and instructions were constantly relayed back and forth by the communications officers and controllers, and orders from Asteria and her staff were sequentially transmitted.

Some flying battleships, including Laslomar, functioned as mother ships for the dragon knights. Additionally, the Romal Empire recently began constructing specialized “Aerial Dragon Carriers,” known colloquially as “Sky Dragons.” The first ship Medisal and the second ship Rosenzol were also deployed in the Megzes Battle.

「Have the third and fifth squadrons of the Dragon Conquering Division retreat to Rosenzol for recovery. Captain, initiate bombardment with Laslomar’s auxiliary cannons one to four when the puppet soldiers approaching the Fourth Division are within 700. Cease fire at 300.」

Asteria continued to issue instructions dispassionately. The bridge crew seemed to regard her with a mix of awe and trust. Her command, accurately predicting the Demon King’s Army’s moves and relentlessly exploiting the enemy’s weaknesses, seemed almost beyond human cognition.

Amuria, Asteria’s sister, was not surprised by such actions, contemplating how she would have commanded in a similar situation, her mind racing with hundreds, thousands, millions of thoughts.

Gwandan had hardly been involved in the Romal Empire’s combat but constantly shared information with his original, Dran. Additionally, due to Amuria’s presence, Linette, Gandeu, and Kirrinne, wearing the same equipment as during the Galius raid, were discreetly defending the surroundings of Laslomar.

The problematic Thanatos, or rather Berilatu, wore a smug expression by Gwandan’s side.

「What’s the status in the battles against the Demon King’s Army leaders?」

At Asteria’s inquiry, a communications officer immediately responded. Fighting against the Demon King’s Army leaders, namely the Demon Hexarchs, was of keen interest to any Romal Empire soldier, regardless of their direct involvement.

「According to information provided by the Arkrest Kingdom, Demon Hexarch Quinse is engaged in battle with Lord Elatiri and his summoning magic unit, along with Lord Dantemon. Demon Hexarch Vengitta is fighting Lords Galiol, Geios, and Shamshunal. Special operatives are currently restraining Demon Hexarch Galilius.」

「They are restrained, then. That counts as a good result.」

Currently, of the Romal Empire’s Twelve Wing Generals, five remained in the homeland, including Kyles, with seven deployed in the Megzes Battle. The special operatives battling Galilius were tricky. They were the contractors inherited by Asteria.

According to Howlzen, battles against external invaders were not included in the original contract with the first emperor. Nevertheless, Aslam and Zanad, who had previously fought Gandoga piloted by Linette, and two others unknown to Gwandan, were fiercely engaged with Galilius.

Linette, interested in Aslam’s battle with Gandoga, showed concern until the moment she left the ship.

Asteria, after moving a few pieces on the war situation map, glanced at her twin sister disguised as a maid and spoke in a subdued voice.

「Does it surprise you that Aslam and the others are there?」

Responding in a similarly muted tone, Amuria acknowledged the question. Considering the highly confidential nature of the “contract” within the Romal Empire, it was natural to be wary of eavesdroppers.

「Doesn’t the contract impose penalties for actions that go against it?」

「Actions contrary to the contract are essentially impossible. However, the special operatives, while being contractors, are also citizens of the Romal Empire. The contract does not fault citizens for voluntarily enlisting as soldiers out of their own free will.」

「So, volunteering out of free will, not coerced by the contract, poses no issue? How should I put it? The first emperor’s contract seems to have many loopholes or oversights.」

Realizing that their ancestors were, in a way, disappointingly naïve and lax, Amuria couldn’t help but feel a bit exasperated.

Asteria seemed to have come to terms with such ancestors, her ambiguous expression amusing as she subtly smiled behind her hand.

「Well, well, it’s working to our advantage now, so let’s not mention it. However, this enemy general, Galilius, is an incredible opponent.

I’m a complete amateur in warfare, but the fact that the special operatives had to come together to barely restrain him speaks volumes about Gwandan’s abilities, who faced him alone.」

Gwandan, with his tail, wings, and horns hidden, his face covered with a lowered visor, and fully armored without any skin exposure, simply nodded in acknowledgment to Asteria’s remark, offering no explicit response.

The encounter with Galilius, still troubling him due to Thanatos’s interference, depressed him every time it was brought up. Gwandan could almost visualize the reaper maid by his side, internally bleeding while maintaining her composure.

Not intending to change the subject, Gwandan looked through the thick reinforced glass windows of the bridge, observing the sky.