Chapter 70

12,000 Haiselk soldiers, 3,000 former Myard soldiers, 7,000 volunteers, and 81,000 refugees were all the humans who had taken refuge in Dandueg Castle. Now, the number of soldiers and civilians combined had dwindled to less than 10,000. Men, women, young, and old, all who could move had participated in the battle in some form. This was the result of their involvement.

Around the castle, inside and out, countless monsters, numbering around 100,000, lay defeated, with some stragglers still wandering about. In a corner of the keep that had avoided collapse, those who had become representatives were exchanging opinions.

"We should continue to hold out. We have already defeated all the monsters."

A Haiselk soldier with a bandaged arm said.

"Indeed, we have defeated them. But there are still will-o'-the-wisps."

Deborah, who had been made a temporary squad leader, brought the conversation back to reality.

The successful defense against the great rampage, in words alone, certainly sounded sweet. Moritz, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke.

"Indeed, we... have lost Lord Worm, our pillar."

Moritz steeled himself, knowing it was time to face the harsh reality.

The command center had been completely lost, and the castle, in a state of extreme confusion, had been held together by those who had fought on the front lines all along. This was Moritz's military evaluation of Worm, a true hero.

Having spent most of his military career as a servant in the command center, Moritz found Worm to be a person worth supporting, and he had been grateful for the opportunity to assist him.

He had thought he had found a master to serve. Losing him had plunged Moritz into the depths of despair. Still, 10,000 soldiers and civilians had survived. They could not afford to stagnate.

"Without Captain Worm, defense would be impossible."

"We fought together in the rear, but the number of monsters we defeated individually is countless. Even if we deployed a battalion, would we achieve the same results...?"

"Moreover, we defeated the Crawler, Tyrant Worm, and Ogre Lord. Who can do the same?"

Nepoluk and Fliug, survivors of Worm's unit, said, their voices trembling. Moritz understood their emotions well.

The two had led the search of the castle to the very end.

They had fought under a hero whose legacy would be remembered for generations, and had won a siege that should have been doomed to failure. The main character of this victory was now missing. Who could loudly proclaim victory?

Moritz turned his gaze to Ayane, who was participating in the military council. The physical and mental toll of the brutal battlefield, combined with the impact of Worm's non-return after diving into the thick of battle, was immense.

Her distant and pained appearance was truly heart-wrenching. To leave a young girl behind and cause her such sorrow was cruel. For the first time, Moritz cursed his late master.

Moritz was aware that his actions were foolish. After all, he had healed Worm's grievously injured body, which was more than enough to incapacitate him, and sent him back to the battlefield to avoid total annihilation.

Worm's return to the front lines was desperately desired in Dandueg Castle. It was only natural for those who had seen his back as a soldier. Even Moritz had hoped for Worm, the hero.

The loss of the hero was devastating, but those who knew Worm personally mourned the loss of him as a private individual. Moritz, despite his short acquaintance, was included in this group, but the one who suffered the most was undoubtedly Ayane, who had last spoken to and seen off Worm.

Even though they were in a relationship of prisoner and guard, there was a connection and empathy between them that Moritz could not understand. He believed that it was Ayane's dedication and connection that had brought Worm back from the brink of death. Therefore, the sense of loss the girl was experiencing was beyond Moritz's comprehension.

Worm had always returned to the treatment center, no matter how severely injured. This time, he did not return. Ayane's shock was irreparable.

Despite the emotional nature of the meeting, it had to proceed. Moritz listened to the words of the brigade commander.

"The capital has been invaded by 200,000 monsters along with the Flame Emperor Dragon, and we cannot contact the other two armies or the capital through the communication magic device."

Yustus, the highest-ranking brigade commander who had narrowly escaped the Flame Emperor Dragon's breath, confirmed the situation.

His thinning hair was slicked back, and his eye bags were deeply etched. Moritz knew well that Yustus was the backbone of Dandueg Castle's defense.

While commanding one aspect of the defense, Yustus had delayed the collapse by converting forces, distributing supplies, and guiding civilians. Without him, the number of survivors would have been less than half.

Moritz suspected that the Flame Emperor Dragon, which had destroyed the homeland, would likely return to its lair in the Demon Realm. If so, it would follow the same path back, and when it did, there would be no one left in Dandueg Castle.

"We have no choice but to beg for mercy and clemency from Myard in the Selta territory."

"Impossible!! To rely on Myard... even if they are one of the culprits of our self-destruction!"

"Brigadier General Yustus, are you serious!?"

"I am a soldier of the Haiselk Empire, even if only a low-ranking one!! I am prepared to offer my life for my country. I have family and friends in the capital. But they no longer exist."

Yustus scattered the documents he was holding on the table.

"These are records of communications made through the communication magic device. I have withheld their public release due to the uncertain situation."

The reactions of the Haiselk soldiers as they read the scattered documents were varied.

"The First and Second Armies have been annihilated. Lord Gerald died in the castle. The Emperor... has also evacuated..."

"The Flame Emperor Dragon invaded the homeland in just one day after passing through Dandueg."

"Communication with major cities has been completely cut off. There is no response from the empire's territory through the communication magic device. The only place within communication range is the Selta territory of Myard."

Yustus waited until everyone had read the documents before speaking, his voice strained. The loss of communication meant the disappearance of humans from the surrounding area. Moritz was once again confronted with the reality. At the same time, he was amazed at Yustus's boldness in continuing to command while hiding this information.

"I do not want to admit it, but... the Haiselk Empire is not just on the verge of destruction, it has already fallen."

"Wh-what? The Haiselk...?"

"We lost? What were we fighting for here...?"

"It's impossible. Impossible, my family was in the homeland. When the expedition ended, I was going to bring souvenirs to the capital with my reward money..."

Even the officers and battalion commanders who had survived hell could not hide their panic and sobbed.

"Is it really... impossible to communicate? Is it a malfunction of the communication magic device?"

"Even the backup devices are completely out of communication."

"Hah, hah, hah, hah, hah..."

An officer who had been suppressing his emotions let out a meaningless moan, clutching his head. Not a single participant remained composed. Moritz could not hold back his tears and could only manage to keep from crying out.

"Do you mean we have no country, no military god, no hero?"

Confronted with the stark reality of a fallen nation, Moritz quietly leaned back in his chair. How desolate and cold it felt.

"A high-ranking Myard officer who had been taken prisoner and fought alongside us on the battlefield has survived. We have already communicated with them through the communication magic device. We will head to Selta and seek asylum in Myard. There is no other choice. Those who wish to die for their country and return to their homeland will not be stopped. But as a soldier, or former soldier, of the Haiselk Empire, I want to save you all. Endure the unbearable, bear the unbearable, even if it means a path of seven difficulties and eight hardships. You are the only ones who can carry on the remnants of Haiselk."

If blood could flow from the eyes, it would be now. Yustus clenched his teeth so hard they might break, his eyes bloodshot and wide open.

No one criticized Yustus. Some rested their heads on the table and sobbed, others stared blankly at the ceiling, and still others remained silent, lost in thought.

On that day, people disappeared from Dandueg Castle all at once, and the ancient castle, which had withstood the great rampage without falling, fell under the control of the monsters.

Thank you for taking the time to write a review, even if it was a bit late.

While I may not be able to respond to all the comments, I do read them.

I am grateful for the promotion and introduction of my novel on your blog and Twitter.

With only a few chapters left, I will continue to write with all my might.