Chapter 145. Multilingual

Amidst the chaos that had already unfolded, my mind calmly began to assess the situation.

The advancing demons and barbarians.

Leading them was a one-armed demon, sweeping through the soldiers unilaterally.

Though it seemed that the creature was launching indiscriminate attacks, the one-armed demon's leadership was truly effective.

By utilizing its 'Propagation' trait, it scattered demonic energy to deftly control the mindless demons.

In addition, it strategically placed demons in the right places whenever openings arose.

'At this rate, it's impossible to cut down the one-armed demon.'

The sheer number of demons was overwhelming.

Cutting through them to kill the one-armed demon was nearly impossible.

'I need someone who can hold off the rest of the weaker demons.'

I had to resolve this situation, so there was no other choice.

'Whatever happens in the future, I'll deal with it somehow. For now, let's focus on the present.'

Resolving to do so, I slashed down a rushing demon in one strike, throwing back my hood, and scattered my aura in all directions.

As my hair and face were revealed, the eyes of the soldiers who had been trembling in fear began to focus on me.

The demons were no different.

― Grrr......"

The one-armed demon.

It seemed the memory of fighting me surfaced, and it began to radiate the 'Color of Fear.'

The demonic energy that carried this was scattered around, and other demons began to resonate with it.

"Rise and grab your weapons!"

Had I ever shouted with such a loud voice?

Fortunately, my voice, projected with all my might, was loud enough for all the soldiers struggling inside the first gate to hear.

"From now on, this place will be under the command of Yulian Cryphart Frason, a direct agent of the imperial family, Blind Eyes!"

I knew.

Even though 'Yulian' might be familiar, for someone like me, who had lived in reality, stepping forward to lead in such a situation felt awkward.

I knew it was difficult to inspire courage in those who were utterly intimidated.

'But fear is also an emotion.'

Since every emotion has a direction, as long as I could determine the direction it was headed...

'I might be able to control it somehow.'

〈Color of Negativity〉

"Those who have dropped their weapons in fear and those who want to flee, listen up!"

Not governance through justice, but coercive oppression through fear and strength.

I was well aware that such a method was necessary to manage an unruly and chaotic field.

I had frequently used this approach while playing 'Yulian'.

"From now on, anyone who does not join the battle with me will face immediate judgment in the name of the imperial family."

***

It was easy to predict the consequences of Yulian revealing his face here.

Perhaps the secretariat would question this matter.

They might ask why he went north without reporting it to them or if Blind Eyes, which should remain neutral, had adopted a political stance.

The Council of Nobles might also use this issue to concoct some scheme.

The fact that those who desired the downfall of Yulian would be pleased was evident.

'Troublesome.'

Especially now, with their mentor, the Sword Saint, Hayden Reich, having turned traitor.

Rinne was well aware that the evaluation of the 'Sword Saint's disciples' was at its lowest.

And yet, 'Yulian' arbitrarily appearing on the Northern Front?

The evaluation would drop further.

Nevertheless.

"It's Yulian."

"The Master of Demon Hunting......"

"How did the Empire's Smiling Executioner come to be here...?"

Contrary to my worries, the fear of 'demons' transformed into anticipation for the 'Smiling Executioner' with Yulian's appearance.

This was possible due to the significant achievements he had once established on the 'Northern Front'.

"Prince Kaldrach and his Wedge Knights have abandoned you. But surely you don't intend to die here, do you? For those who do, I'll gladly kill you myself."

As Yulian raised his sword, the fearsome Moonstone Sword shone once, asserting its presence.

It appeared that by simply showing himself here, social sanctions could no longer bind him.

Confidently, he shouted.

"If you're afraid to face the demons, at least stand still. Allow yourselves to be bait so I can kill that demon leader."

Though it was a statement against common human decency, a strong trust began to sprout in Yulian's words instead.

"If we hold out......, are you saying you'll kill that tri-horned demon for us?"

"Hold your ground! Everyone, stay in your positions!"

Rinne was dumbfounded.

How could they find hope in a statement like, "Die for yourselves," which wasn't even a call for sacrifice or an emotional appeal?

Yet, to some extent, she understood.

His actions until now had been those of an 'overbearing' demon in human skin.

For such a devil to stand on their side must have provided enormous psychological comfort to ordinary soldiers.

"Very well. Seeing your enthusiasm, my mood isn't entirely unpleasant."

As Yulian surveyed them with a smile, the soldiers began to believe they could overcome this situation.

Such a belief was only natural.

From the moment Yulian appeared, the one-armed demon, along with the other demons and barbarians, began to hesitate.

Was it the pungent smell of blood emanating from him that held them back?

"Draw swords."

With Yulian's words, the soldiers adjusted their postures.

Rinne thought that surely the stench of fear from the demons would become even thicker after today.

***

'His leadership is astounding.'

Zahard felt the change in the atmosphere of the battlefield in his gut and inwardly admired Yulian for creating such a situation.

He, too, was someone who had served as a commander on the Northern Front.

Thanks to this, he understood that rallying soldiers in a losing battle was an almost impossible task.

'By showing himself and capturing everyone's gaze, he has firmly impressed his presence upon them.'

Through this, he had made the soldiers fully realize that they were fighting alongside 'Yulian'.

Thanks to this, the state of the gate, which was on the verge of collapse, began to stabilize.

"Uwaaahhh!!"

― Grrrr......"

The soldiers of the Northern Front, veterans with their own experiences of fighting demons, once they had a focal point to hold their shaking spirits, began to endure well, as if they had never been unsettled.

'But....... We are still at a disadvantage.'

Because the start was so poor, Zahard believed that such a situation wouldn't last long.

This was merely a temporary display caused by a rise in morale, and their primal fear would eventually resurface.

However, since Yulian had helped stabilize this collapsed situation to such an extent.

'The rest falls on us.'

― Kraaaargh!"

Zahard, who had sliced down an approaching demon with a single stroke, focused his mind and began to scatter his aura all around.

His goal was obvious, the demon that had brought him to this place.

'Where are you, Razid?'

Defeating the commander first in a battle is a basic principle.

Though there was a selfish motivation layered on, Zahard began to track the one-armed demon.

'Found you.'

As his target was caught in his personal 'Aura Radar,' Zahard rapidly kicked off from the ground.

Several demons rushed to block his path, but cutting them down was not a difficult task.

― Grr?

The one-armed demon, who had been distracted by Yulian, realized someone was approaching and turned its gaze in that direction.

― Fa... father?

The same voice as before.

Though it was muttering and stuttering while looking at him, the 'one-armed demon'...

Zahard, clenching his jaw tight...

With a furious thrust, he drove his sword into the creature's shoulder.

― K-Kaaaah!

With a great scream, the one-armed demon flailed in an attempt to shake Zahard off, but it could not reach him.

Having long sensed the demon's intentions, Zahard twisted through the air while keeping the sword stabbed into its shoulder, placing his body weight directly on the hilt.

Crunch──!

Having successfully attacked, Zahard kicked the dangling arm of the one-armed demon to create a gap.

― Grrrr......"

With its flesh oozing like slime, the one-armed demon glared at Zahard.

If it hadn't been distracted by Yulian, it would have realized Zahard's approach far earlier.

The leadership of the demons and barbarians, the soldiers' desperation, and the arrival of Yulian, who pushed it close to death, had led to the one-armed demon's complacency.

"Razid, you......"

Zahard resolved to finally say the words he should have spoken back then.

"You lacked the ability as a knight."

Because of not saying them sooner, they'd become a sore point.

"If I had only told you earlier, you wouldn't have fallen to the parasitic demon. I'm sorry.

Ultimately, berating himself for his apathy that landed his son in such a situation.

"So, here and now......"

― Did you think I wouldn't know?

The clear human-like speech left Zahard flustered.

― Did you think I wouldn't notice that gaze?

Feeling that the one speaking was Razid, rather than the demon, Zahard felt a chill run down his spine.

***

'Yulian's' appearance had firmly captured the soldiers.

Instead of 'Wedge Knights' joining in, as they began to fill the empty spots, the soldiers quickly took a defensive stance and even started to push back against the demons.

"Pierce here!"

"At least block the gate! If that's breached, all hope is lost!"

Even so, it didn't mean the situation was completely improving.

Had Kaldrach and his subordinates participated, not only holding them back but also completely exterminating them would have appeared possible, but they remained only as onlookers.

'And besides that.'

It wasn't just demons present here; Northern barbarians were as well.

Naturally, there was a separate commander leading the 'barbarians'.

Barbarians infused with demonic energy through 'eating demons' were subject to the 'Propagation' trait used by the one-armed demon.

'They seem more influenced by the commands of their commander than by that.'

― Karack, kuna! Martani!

Amazingly, amidst such chaos, Yulian's body could accurately understand the language spoken by the barbarian commander.

Conversing in a language only they understood, instead of the common language of the continent.

Having overheard their conversation, I immediately issued commands to the soldiers.

"You don't need to block the gate, set the western watchtower on fire."

"B-Burn the watchtower?"

"Yes."

A soldier, who seemed to have a relatively high rank, looked at my face and nodded.

Though he wore an expression of not understanding, he quickly shouted.

"Set the western watchtower on fire! Hurry!"

With his voice, the other soldiers, though puzzled, began setting the watchtower alight.

Seeing the tower go up in flames, the face of the barbarian commander twisted.

― Ilanya, kuna! Hetana!

With a discontented expression, he continued to communicate in their native tongue. It seemed he still had plans up his sleeve.

"Now, it looks like they plan to climb over the barricades. Do you have any means to set the western barricades on fire?"

"Huh? Ah... We do have some explosives, but they were placed for when demons might try to scale over..."

"Now appears to be that exact moment."

With a smile, as I directed him to trigger the mechanism, the soldier nodded with a slightly embarrassed look.

After that...

Boom──!

With a fierce explosion, the barricades were pulled free, leaving the barbarians, who had intended to use them as a foothold, thrown into the air.

Thanks to this, the soldiers could focus solely on fighting the demons, and their formations began to solidify.

"Huff, huff... It seems a bit easier now."

"The barbarians are gone; have they run away?"

"No, they're still there!"

Sensing the battle conditions improving, the soldiers took a breath of relief and glanced around.

During that moment, their eyes met the barbarian commander's.

He looked at me with disbelief.

― Bboon ponnymya chem ma gamborim......?"

A remark to himself wondering if I could understand his language.

There are so many different people in this world.

Some even wanted to understand the language contained in such a game, plunging themselves headfirst into learning.

I began silently mouthing words in a way the barbarian commander could see.

From this distance, lip-reading was possible, right?

"Durak."

"... What?"

One of the surrounding soldiers expressed doubt at the barbarian's words, but I paid no mind.

Fortunately, the barbarian commander seemed to understand.

With bloodshot eyes, he looked at me as if he would tear me apart.

'Durak.'

In the barbarian's language, it meant 'fool'.

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