Chapter 55: Army of the Dead (3)

“Daddy is not dead.”

Adele muttered as she glared at Moritz, then turned her gaze beyond the castle walls.

The demonic energy surged, threatening to engulf Riot Castle.

If the Alliance is continuously exposed to this level of demonic energy, even among us, some may become Corrupted.

“If that happens…”

The worst-case scenario would unfold.

Adele’s delicate brow furrowed.

Thump—!

Suddenly, she stomped her foot atop the wall.

At once, the ground around the castle trembled as if struck by an earthquake.

Crack—!

Several thick, gnarly roots wrapped around the castle walls.

“Wh-what’s going on?”

The Alliance shuddered at the sudden appearance of the tree roots.

Was it an enemy attack?

Tension filled the air as wary eyes darted in all directions.

But soon, that anxiety began to fade.

“Though it’s not as powerful as Faith, it should block some of the demonic energy.”

The roots of the World Tree.

After countless years, those roots—once dry and withered—had regained some of their original form.

Ssshhh—

A jade-like light welled up from the dark brown roots.

It was the light of life contained within the World Tree.

The vicious demonic energy that raged at the castle faltered, then retreated.

“….. Did druids always have such power?”

Leon’s eyes widened as he stared at her.

The tiny girl, barely reaching his waist, suddenly seemed much larger.

“Commander, it seems the enemy has no intention of charging in right away.”

At Adele’s words, he nodded.

The corpses forming ranks ahead simply stood there, glaring at them, but made no move to draw their swords just yet.

“They must be waiting for reinforcements.”

Those foul-smelling soldiers.

Leon swept the front lines with a sharp gaze, then raised his voice once more.

“Except for the minimum number needed for vigilance, prepare everyone else for battle!”

Shouting so, he called the leaders together to rouse the morale of the Alliance.

Then, he faced the murderous intent pouring from the enemy alone.

The Alliance’s anxious expressions eased somewhat as they busily moved about.

“I thought he was just an idiot who only knew how to fight, but he actually knows how to lead people.”

Adele muttered as she watched him.

As the World Tree, she had witnessed countless wars, and to her, the Martial Union had seemed nothing more than a disorderly rabble.

She had even doubted the Commander’s qualifications.

“Only after Richard von Bartenberg arrived did they finally come to their senses.”

“Oh, you heard that? I was just muttering to myself.”

“You’re a lot cheekier than you look, kid.”

Leon spoke without taking his eyes off the enemy.

He felt like giving her a flick on the forehead, but Adele’s aura was so intimidating that he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

“Come to think of it, you called the young master ‘Daddy’ earlier… Don’t tell me you’re his hidden daughter?”

“Make up your mind whether you’re going to speak casually or formally.”

Adele chuckled and continued.

“I am his child, yes, but I can’t say I inherited the flesh and blood of Richard von Bartenberg. If I had to put it… I suppose you could say he is my spiritual father.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Just go pray.”

With that, Adele descended from the wall.

Her staggering steps showed her physical condition was not good.

Leon glanced at her retreating figure, then turned his gaze back to the enemy.

He steeled his eyes.

‘Prayer.’

Why is it so hard?

A life spent sharpening only the sword, and now my heart hesitates at this.

Prayer is just a feeble strand of hope, something the weak cling to.

That deep-rooted prejudice would not stop whispering to him.

Ssshhh—

Leon sighed and clenched his right hand.

More precisely, the ring on it.

“Please, let the young master return safely.”

O Lord.

Hear the prayer of this weak and frail Knight.

“No, wait, I’m not weak at all—”

As Leon grumbled, a sudden surge of vitality welled up in his body.

***

The Alliance endured the night with wide, watchful eyes, maintaining a suffocating standoff.

And so, another day faded into night.

“Those damned bastards! They’ve been glaring at us with killing intent all day!”

Thanks to the efforts of the Commander and the leaders, the Alliance did not lose its fighting spirit.

If anything, they deliberately showed anger to drive away their fear.

“We are the proud Knights of the Martial Union!”

“What oath did we swear beneath the Banner of the House?”

“To live as Knights! To die as Knights!”

Thud, thud!

At the commander’s shout, the Knights lined up below the walls pounded their chests.

Tension peaked, and the heat in their eyes burned ever hotter.

Now, everyone could feel it.

The disgusting monsters were drawing closer.

Bwooo—!

A horn’s mournful sound echoed long.

It did not come from Riot Castle.

Ironically, it was the dead Knights who blew the horn.

“Tch.”

The commander’s brow furrowed.

What he saw was a Death Knight.

As an Undead with intelligence, its ability to command a group was no less than that of a human.

“Prepare for battle!”

Far off, thousands of Undead surged forward like a black wave.

They swept past the Knights of Poiro, charging headlong toward Riot Castle.

“Open the gates!”

“Uwohh!”

The gates opened.

All the Knights of the Alliance marched out, forming a Formation.

At the same time, dark demonic energy seeped into their breaths.

They had only taken a single step outside, but beyond the reach of the World Tree’s life force, the world was hell itself.

“Ugh…”

Even the air was oppressive on this battlefield.

Thousands of corpses charged at them,

And behind, the Army of the Dead radiated murderous intent.

The Alliance turned and looked at the Banner of the Allied Army hanging from the castle walls.

Gulp—

They forced down their dry throats.

“First rank, shields up!”

“Hold your formation! Block the enemy!”

Leon shouted like thunder.

At the same time, the leaders and commanders drew their swords and raised their voices.

Before they knew it, the battle had begun.

Rotting flesh slammed endlessly against the iron shields.

The crazed vanguard of the enemy finally halted.

Kraaaagh—!

From behind the shields, the second rank thrust their spears and swords, smashing the heads of the corpses.

The first rank held the line; the second struck at vital points.

Behind them, countless Knights waited for their turn.

Crack—! Crunch—!

In the center of the battlefield, especially loud noises continued to ring out.

Leon and the First Knight Order had plunged deep into the enemy lines.

“Grandmaster! Shouldn’t you be commanding the Alliance?”

“Seems swinging my sword suits my temperament better.”

The Knight Order member chuckled at Leon’s grumbling.

He moved even more busily and shouted,

“If I become an Undead, kill me yourself, Grandmaster!”

Perhaps spurred by that shout, other members, buried among the enemy, each raised their voices.

“Stop with the nonsense and focus!”

Leon rebuked once and then cut down the charging Undead.

There were far more Undead than usual.

Dividing into squads to block them as before was no longer enough.

You can’t stop a wave by sticking just a few fingers in.

Even throwing your whole body might not be enough.

That’s why the Alliance emptied the castle and came out for an all-out battle.

“Uaaagh!”

The fighting grew ever fiercer.

Screams and shouts echoed, and the ground was soaked in black blood.

“D-damn it! I’ve been bitten!”

A Knight in the first rank, his shield bent and battered, stabbed his own neck with his sword.

A Knight from the third rank immediately filled his place.

“Hold the Formation!”

The commanders and leaders, in charge of coordination, shouted themselves hoarse.

Aaron, Huger, and Richard’s party also fought fiercely.

They battled for a long time.

The Undead seemed endless, and the true enemy had yet to move a single step.

The Alliance, once a firm shield, began to grow weary.

“Hold your shields up!”

“Get it together!”

As defeat loomed, the shouts crossing the battlefield faded.

They say, “If you wish to die, you’ll live.”

Did that mean living on as an Undead?

The stench of the monsters, the way they gnawed at fresh flesh, made courage and duty waver, little by little.

“Now is the time.”

Mary, who had been quietly standing atop the wall, spoke.

Behind her, Believers gathered.

Each wore a pure white cloak pulled deep over their heads.

“Let us guide the Lost Souls to the right path.”

A light flared from the Banner of the Allied Army.

A strange heat shimmered in the eyes of Mary and the Believers.

O God.

Grant Your Divine Blessing to the warriors facing the darkness.

“Ah—ah—.”

The Believers lined up on the wall began to sing in gentle voices.

“Are there any Torchbearers among you?”

Mary called from the center.

Yet, her voice could not reach the frenzied battlefield.

Woom—

A bright radiance shone behind her.

Her whispered words resonated with a mysterious echo.

[He brings forth the Light to illuminate the darkness]

The light surrounding Mary grew brighter.

The Believers raised ten banners high.

[He brings forth the lamb to reveal His will]

The Sacred Song they had prepared.

‘The Lamb Will Sing.’

Light poured from the banners.

A gentle melody began to mingle with the soft rhythm.

[In the darkest of nights]

[He will deliver glad tidings through the Light]

[Soon, the Dawn Will Break]

Song echoed across the battlefield.

The reverent tones brought comfort to the weary Alliance Army.

“W-what…?”

“Those people…”

The pitch-black demonic energy recoiled as if burned.

In its place, the light radiating from the Believers advanced.

[The darkness is filled with fear]

[The lamb is filled with faith]

[How could we not endure this brief night?]

During their time at Snowfall,

They had feared the demonic energy seeping through the shattered sky.

So they had desperately sought the care of God.

They prayed, and prayed again.

In doing so, they overcame their fear.

[Special Skill—Sacred Song.]

Back then, their prayers gradually became song.

Now, Mary, as an Evangelist, manifested it as her unique skill.

The resonant tones of the Sacred Song echoed from the lips of the Believers as if in harmony.

“Defend Riot Castle!”

“Uwohh!”

A new vigor filled the tired eyes of the Alliance Army.

Soon, the Dawn Will Break.

A strange faith, not knowing for whom it was meant, pounded in their chests.

It truly felt as if this grueling battle was about to end.

“Kraaaagh—”

In contrast, the Undead howled in agony.

Some clutched their heads,

Others, even more crazed, charged forward.

Even the Army of the Dead, which had only watched until now, began to move.

They rode Spectral Steeds, charging forward with swords drawn.

[Just believe]

[Now is the time for the dawn to break]

“Disgusting…”

Count Poiro spat in disgust.

The words of the hymn, filled with Faith, tormented the ears of the Army of the Dead.

He swore to himself that he would cut down these discordant monsters.

As Count Poiro resolved himself,

Kwooo—!

A roar of victory burst from behind the Army of the Dead.

At the same time, an even brighter light rose into the sky.

[Lone Swordsman’s Sword Star—Activate]