Chapter 217 – Chapter 20 – My King
The expectations of those who thought that Yulia would advance only after reorganizing their battle lines were ultimately wrong.
The remaining people had to grit their teeth as they looked at the Demon King’s army that had invaded in an instant.
The reason why I followed Aufen’s insistence on going to my own castle rather than a more solid and easy-to-defend castle was because I thought Julia wouldn’t attack right away.
The demon king, who came right in front of Aufen’s castle, seemed to be thinking of putting an end to it this time.
“Isn’t this really a big deal… !”
“This place is so huge that it’s not an easy place to defend.”
Those who have followed all this far with loyalty to Aufen, or hope.
However, Aupen, who could be called their master, was increasingly restless, unable to hide his nervousness.
No matter how strong and unshakable the servants are, if the lord is shaken, the crack will naturally affect those who have stood firm.
The number of enemies is not large, let alone siege weapons, and even siege is impossible.
He tried to reassure Aufen with various words, but all he got back was suspicious eyes.
Apparently, the two deadly betrayals in the previous battle in the canyon, and the warrior of Lirio, whom he trusted and relied on the most, seemed to be having too much influence on Aufen.
In his eyes, ‘Are you guys trying to betray me too? What are you going to do to reassure me?’ I felt strongly.
Thanks to that, the demons who came into the castle to assist him, leaving their own family behind, were increasingly in an awkward position.
“The intelligence just came in. The number is not very large, but it is said that not only the demon king, but also Lady Cecily of the LeBlanc family and Klaus, the demon of the south, came along.”
Hearing those words, I could understand the demon king who had pushed this far with only a few thousand troops.
After hearing the words of the soldiers who barely survived, they said that the magic that made them unbelievable spread and subdued all the wizards.
Cecily, who was naturally involved in the Demon King’s army, could not help but be counted as the influential person who made it possible.
It’s probably because he was active in something, so even though he was a demon from the Leblanc family, the demon king took him there.
In addition, Klaus, who killed Lirio while commanding the army in the battle in the canyon, came.
No matter how small the enemy’s troops are, if the person who commands them is that human, I can’t be relieved.
Without even going to the Continental War, he was horribly defeated in the canyon battle right away!
They were even guessing at things that Julian and Klaus hadn’t even thought about.
“Surely, troops will arrive one after another. Since the battle was intense, we will move the casualties to a safe place and then continue to push the rest of the troops back here.”
“Isn’t it a big deal? As the news of the defeat spreads, the public sentiment is gradually changing…”
“By any chance, when the enemy starts a siege, if even a traitor emerges from the inside like before, that’s when it’s all over. I’m sure you won’t even get a chance and everything will collapse as it is.”
The bond that was very tight at first has now loosened a lot.
A series of defeats and betrayals in decisive battles, and the death of the one everyone trusted.
In addition, Au Pen’s limits are revealed as she is increasingly cornered, and Yulia, who breaks expectations and pushes right in front of her.
Since work is driven to this point, no matter how hardened one is, when it is driven to this extent, there is no choice but to think about living naturally.
Of course, LeBlanc family and some others still couldn’t give up their expectations and loyalty to Aufen.
In any case, he is the lord they chose, and isn’t he their ‘king’ whom they should assist?
Because the image he showed so far matched the image of the king they dreamed of.
So they offered their allegiance and tried to serve him with all their heart and soul.
But just as Klaus said, as Yulia predicted.
It was only a fragmentary part, but when it hit the limit, Aupen’s bare face was revealed.
Normally, he used his servants appropriately, but he did not show overconfidence and did not waver.
He completely broke down and lost his focus when things went the opposite of what he thought.
The previous Demon King had no spiritual talent, and his successor Yulia was too young.
Everything was perfect because I had time to prepare slowly, for a long time, step by step, taking advantage of that gap.
In all his perfection, he never once revealed my weakness, and he didn’t even know about it himself.
It had become the worst poison in the current situation and was spreading everywhere.
“His Highness.”
“He’s still locked in his room and only calls out Lirio’s name.”
“If that’s the case, who’s in command of Mercury now?”
“I will go to Leblanc.”
The Leblanc family is a well-known family in the East.
And the head of that place was a loyalist of Aupen, but somehow, his daughter, Cecily, followed the demon king and was now right in front of the castle.
It is not that the castle has collapsed, it is not that there are no troops, and it is not that there is not enough food.
There is no part that is still being pushed, but the hope that I had before is no longer at all.
Even if they block the attack now, that will be enough, and if the demon army, which has recovered its strength, rushes in again, there will be no more chances for them.
I wondered if I should have turned around as quickly as the Palatinat or other families, but I also wondered if it was true that they were the chosen lords, so they abandoned them so easily.
“Everyone. It is said that the demon king tied a letter to an arrow and sent it into the castle.”
“What letter was it?”
“That… He said that when offering a drink to those who fell on the battlefield first, he would raise the head of the traitor together. I will definitely slaughter the lord…”
Had Yulia ever said something so full of violent feelings?
Of course, from the point of view of the nobles who only thought of the quiet demon king, Yulia’s anger had to come very loudly.
It would have been great if it had ended here.
Trouble is, another letter came in, and that just started a spark.
“And… There was another letter.”
“What is it that you spend so much time on?”
“If you stop being stubborn and repent of your sins even now, the way to live will open…”
The moment they heard those words, those gathered at the table realized what Yulia was aiming for.
A ploy to completely divide this side before even fighting.
It was a ploy to shake things up by sending such a letter as if he knew for sure that Aufen had always had a lot of doubts, but now his suspicions had gone too far.
If he had received this kind of message from the beginning, his brother Pendo and his subordinate demons would have just laughed it off.
However, in the previous battle, Lirio was killed by the traitors.
The trap that was able to work at least was twisted by Otto, who could not tell whether he was a traitor or not.
Even that Otto Hedler led his soldiers into this castle.
Considering the situation at the time, it was not incomprehensible to see him as a traitor, and the soldiers under his command were decent people, so it was too bad to knock him out.
At a time like this, Yulia sent a letter with this content, so no one could believe it anymore.
It is not known whether the letter is really encouraging a final betrayal or a rift, but one thing is certain: it will definitely affect Aufen.
“Because of your personality, if you read the letter, you will be even more suspicious.”
“Otto Hedler, he’s under surveillance, so he won’t be able to make contact…”
“If there is another traitor, the gates will open soon.”
“Even out there are demons from the South. That monstrous human who destroyed countless allies in the Continental War.”
The more you talk, the more negative thoughts fill you up.
Not those who were loyal from the beginning, but those who rushed in as Aupen’s power grew.
The forces that Aupen had intentionally raised to prevent the power of the existing loyalists from growing too large were now in the process of reconciling with Aupen.
The demon king’s wrath had already risen to the limit of the sky, and Aufen had fallen to the ground.
Now no one will support him or try to help him anymore.
I came all the way here with a glimmer of hope, but I can’t see anything anymore.
The man named Jeju is suspicious of everyone around him, and on the contrary, the demon king who came to catch him is angry as if he would catch and kill everyone who participated in the rebellion at any moment.
If even one person changes their mind and opens the castle gate at this timing, everything is over.
‘If only the gates would be opened…’
‘… Shouldn’t I be the one who opens the gates?’
The thought was bound to enter their heads.
Those who did not gather with sincerity, but thoroughly gathered for profit.
That is why the sinking of Aupen teaches them when to escape.
It couldn’t be more or less.
Meanwhile, Aufen was receiving reports of this and that from the few remaining loyalists.
He hadn’t completely given up, but now the glare from before had disappeared from his eyes.
And the only thing filled inside was that ugly feeling of looking for the object of doubt and resentment.
“Your Highness, first of all, the Demon King’s side will not be able to attack recklessly. As long as we deploy enough troops on the side of the walls and gates, this fight will be in our favor.”
“Then how many troops are you planning to attach by my side? That’s important.”
“Introspection is already another fortress in itself. We don’t need that many.”
“Can you say that?”
“…”
Even the loyalists were perplexed by the blatant suspicion.
This kind of appearance of Aupen is the first time they have experienced it, and they did not even think that there was such an appearance.
He would also have come this far without a single failure so far.
While the war broke out and various resources in the East were exhausted, the forces were gradually called up.
The previous demon king hadn’t figured out his younger brother’s behavior, and it was too late when he noticed it.
Julia, who was the only countermeasure, was weak because she was still young and had no supporters.
Naturally, all power was concentrated on Aufen, and he was able to enjoy sweet success.
If it hadn’t been for a false defeat due to God’s trick.
Perhaps the loyalists, and even Aufen himself, would have never known that such an appearance existed.
If you want to get to the bottom of him, he said look at his worst moments.
Unfortunately, the worst moment came too late when he could see the bottom.
“You don’t know what that wicked thing will do. Would you have seen it too? There is another traitor.”
“Lord. It’s most likely just a trick. These are the people who have come this far. You must not shake. If you wait a little bit, the Western Union will move, and if that happens, the enemies outside will have no choice but to retreat eventually.”
“What if that’s not the case?”
At Aupen’s questioning, the demons became dumb after eating honey.
As he said, if the West really doesn’t move, then if the Demon King doesn’t retreat.
How long can they survive in this isolated state?
The few remaining loyalist members, including the Leblanc Family, only looked at Aupen.
The situation is getting worse, but at that time, even their master is getting worse and worse.
I wasn’t this kind of person, I wasn’t such a frustrating person, just because I thought.
It was absolutely impossible to change the essence that even the person himself was unaware of.
And that night.
The castle gate, which seemed to be firmly closed forever, opened.
