Chapter 99: Since we’ve started, let’s go all the way to the boss

“Installing the mana stone cannon is already crazy. I thought there was a clumsy unit moving around in the back, but I guess they were transporting the parts. With strength enhanced by mana, there’s nothing you can’t do. The problem is, no matter how effective it is, complaints are inevitable.”

“They said they crossed the mountain range without issues, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t hard. Carrying a mana stone cannon over the mountain range? Ugh, that’s horrifying.”

“Ah, so that’s why they used more clerics?”

“Exactly. They needed clerics to assist with strength enhancement. Many were required.”

Climbing the mountain range couldn’t be helped.

“But wouldn’t overexertion hinder combat?”

It does sound difficult.

“Ashtar’s forces aren’t that weak. You need to have more faith in his soldiers.”

“Sure, if this is just a battle of willpower, there’s nothing they can’t do.”

“Still, we have overwhelming weapons. Plus, it’s a surprise attack. We outnumber the enemy.”

“The commander, the Duke himself, is leading, and most of the commanding officers are soldiers who survived the Eldakrad campaign.”

“And with me here, morale is high.”

“Hmm. It would be strange to lose.”

“Am I worrying too much?”

“Considering the distance, they should be able to hit their mark precisely.”

“Are they transporting the parts to the mountain range and assembling them here?”

“Assembling them isn’t hard anyway.”

“With this level of capability, they’ll do just fine even without me.”

“If we lose to the Third Legion with this force, it would mean the Duke is simply handing over his troops.”

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

“Father.”

“I cautiously called the Duke.”

“Yes, speak.”

“I believe I should move separately, leading the sisters.”

He’s likely to allow it.

“Why is that?”

“I’ll go scout near Crad.”

‘If I say I’m going to crush Crad, he’ll probably try to stop me.’

‘This is the perfect opportunity to slip away.’

‘I need to get out of here and drop a meteor on Crad’s leadership.’

“It’ll be dangerous.”

“Someone has to take on the task. Besides, I’ve faced Berna before, so I’m better suited for the scouting.”

“If we don’t scout the Crad forces, which could intervene in the battle at any time, it’s risky.”

‘It’s a valid excuse.’

‘This is my chance to crush Crad on my own.’

“Hmm. Very well. I hate to put you through such hardship.”

“Then I’ll—”

“No, Kise, you lead the magic division to assist the Third Legion.”

‘If Kise gets involved, she’ll start drooling over my magic and won’t let go.’

‘That’s what happened with Syria. Kise will likely be just as curious.’

I hate dealing with such nuisances.

It can’t be helped.

However, Kise seemed displeased and glared at Syria, who stuck her tongue out at her.

‘How long are these two going to keep fighting?’

For now, I led Syria and the sisters out of the mountain range.

With a small group, we could easily bypass the area and reach Crad unnoticed.

“We’re heading straight for Crad.”

“What are you planning to do?”

Syria still doesn’t know me well.

“We’re going to wreck Crad’s fortress.”

Wreck it completely.

“Huh? Weren’t we just targeting the Third Legion?”

“That’s Ashtar’s army’s concern, not mine.”

I can move on my own terms.

I hadn’t initially planned to destroy Crad, but since we moved openly in the mountains, it feels necessary to go all out.

I have my spellbook, so it’s worth trying.

“Come to think of it, if we attack Crad, they won’t have time to focus on the Third Legion.”

“Exactly.”

Ashtar’s forces have been gathering strength for this.

With that power, they’ll launch a counterattack, dealing a significant blow to the Demon King’s army.

The harpies and gargoyles in the mountains are already wiped out, so without Seto, they can’t rely on aerial forces.

***

Crad Fortress.

The fortress was a bastion built long ago by Eldakrad as a forward base for conquering the Demon King’s territory.

But a few months ago, it was completely destroyed by a single mage.

Corrupted Saint Berna managed to painstakingly rebuild it, but the fortress, constructed with eerie stones from the blackened earth, was nothing more than a structure erected by demons.

Berna stomped her foot and bit her nails in frustration.

She had already received reports that Ashtar’s forces had reached the fortress where the Third Legion was stationed.

“To think they’d consider retaliation. As expected of his child. No, that’s a fake.”

She hadn’t expected them to launch a counterattack after remaining passive during the war with the kingdom.

Ashtar’s army, which had fired a devastating magic bullet at her, and the Duke of Ashtar, were not to be underestimated.

Even so, this Demon King’s territory was her backyard.

Ambushing the Third Legion was a decent strategy, but thanks to Noah, who destroyed the mountain range, it had been discovered early.

“Fine, I’ll make sure the fake lord knows how he died. Maybe I should bury Ashtar and his daughter together in the royal tomb.”

Berna let out a sinister laugh.

She began gathering the remaining demon troops in Crad.

Replenishing her forces was easy; she could always corrupt the nearby villages.

She planned to send all the remaining troops to the Third Legion’s fortress to capture Ashtar.

“Seto isn’t needed.”

Ashtar was pushing forward emotionally, so there was no need for Seto.

Clanis was out of the question.

This was a fight between her and Ashtar.

She had to win to prove that only the Demon King was the rightful ruler, that she wasn’t wrong.

However, Berna overlooked one thing.

Even Crad was already a target.

Rumble…

“What’s that sound?”

Berna looked out the window.

A massive—absolutely massive—rock, large enough to cast a shadow over the entire fortress, was falling.

“No… no!”

This fortress, the one I painstakingly rebuilt, is about to be destroyed again.

After Noah, that wretched fool, obliterated it the first time, I won’t let it happen again.

Berna hastily activated the fortress’s barrier.

***

“Lady Olivia, it’s Crad Fortress.”

“Yes, I see it too.”

Finally, we’ve reached Crad Fortress.

From here, it’s only a short distance to the Third Legion’s fortress, which can even be seen from far away.

Outside Crad Fortress, there are quite a lot of demon soldiers.

Judging by the numbers, there are at least a few thousand.

It’s certain that they’ve already been alerted, which is why they’ve gathered like this.

Berna must be inside that fortress.

Now is the time to strike.

Since this isn’t the Empire, I don’t need to be cautious about using magic here.

“What should we do?” Kise asked.

“The task for the sisters is simple.”

“If I drop the meteor, monsters will pour out of Crad.”

“You’ll lead the sisters to deal with the monsters that emerge from Crad. Syria, use the Bear Corps to handle them too.”

“If we do that, the Bear Corps alone can handle hundreds of enemies.”

“Even though there are many demons, those directly under the command of the Four Heavenly Kings only move on their orders.”

“Without a field commander to manage the scene, they’ll be paralyzed until the Four Heavenly Kings intervene, and the chaos will be hard to contain.”

“So, if we reduce their numbers, the situation will change.”

“What if we hit them hard enough to cause confusion?”

Then, when the sisters and the Bear Corps start their offensive, the demon forces will be in serious trouble.

“Understood.”

“So, when do we begin?”

“When?”

“Now, of course.”

I opened my spellbook.

This won’t be as massive as when I used it against Pector, but it’ll be a strong enough blow to irritate Berna.

Berna, you wretched woman.

Your fortress will be destroyed again.

I once again summoned disaster from the sky.

[Meteor Drop]

A gigantic meteor descended from the heavens.

The sight of the meteor falling was overwhelming.

It was large enough to destroy an entire fortress.

Although smaller than the one I summoned against Pector, it’s more than sufficient to obliterate a single fortress.

“It’s always incredible to see. I wonder how painful it would be to take a direct hit from that?”

“If you can think about how painful it would be, you’re quite the odd one.”

“There’s no way Berna won’t sense this.”

“Unless my magic bullet hurt her so much that she’s still reeling from it?”

“The meteor finally tore through the sky and plummeted toward Crad Fortress.”

“By the way, is that physical or magical?”

“Summoning and guiding the meteor is magic.”

But that’s where the magic ends.

“The impact is physical?”

“Exactly. But…”

“Would you really call that physical?”

“That’s true. It’s hard to define it as purely physical.”

The massive meteor smashed into the fortress.

***

Boom! Crash!

For a moment, a flash of red light burst forth.

That must be Berna’s magic.

She likely deployed a barrier to protect the fortress.

“It’s still amazing no matter how many times I see it.”

“Of course. It’s astounding.”

And then, I coughed up blood.

“It seems they managed to withstand this strike somehow.”

“It seems so.”

They didn’t withstand it entirely.

The fortress was half-destroyed, and the surrounding area was cratered.

Naturally, all the demons nearby were crushed and killed by the meteor.

Those who survived reacted immediately, seemingly following Berna’s orders.

Still, I won’t let her go unscathed.

Crad’s Berna won’t survive until the Third Legion is wiped out.

“Do you think they can withstand a second strike?”

“Another one? Isn’t that pushing it a bit too far?”

“It’s fine. Twice should be manageable.”

Looking at the fortress, I can’t tell if Berna is still inside, but the fact that my meteor could partially destroy it shows their defenses are weakening.

So, pushing a little harder should be worth it.

“Die. All of you. Humans, demons—it doesn’t matter.”

I summoned another meteor.

It sliced through the clouds and slammed directly into Crad Fortress.

Rumble… Crash!

The damage from the second strike was less severe than the first.

Berna must have used everything she had to block it.

Still, countless demons perished, and it was incredibly satisfying to watch.

Maybe it’s just the thrill of a large-scale battle after so long, but it feels good.

“If I’d known it would feel this good, I would’ve come alone.”

“Come on, no matter what, that would’ve been too much for you.”

“You’re right. If all the Four Heavenly Kings had gathered, it would’ve been hard.”

To be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure.

The timing was just right.

The Four Heavenly Kings are nothing but incompetent fools.

They never expected me to attack them individually like this.

***

Eldakrad was involved.

Whenever Eldakrad’s name is mentioned, Berna goes mad.

‘If I use anything related to Eldakrad, dealing with that lunatic becomes much easier.’

‘Even if it means destroying the fortress again.’

‘Though it feels like I’m exhausting my strength, Berna is burning through her power just as much.’

Look at her now.

She’s sparing no mana to protect the fortress.

It’s almost pitiful to watch.