Chapter 9: Demons of the Golden Age(4)

The demons’ battles were brutal but simple.

They massacred warriors, adventurers, magicians, priests, knights, and civilians without distinction. It was less a battle, more a slaughter.

Yet the Demon King’s army, dreaded by humans, was a fractured illusion. Demons fought, but their individuality kept them from uniting.

Each demon’s will to kill and the body driving it stood apart. Their true enemy wasn’t humanity—it was their own disunity.

Schlacht sighed.

“They should’ve gathered all Seven Demons and Great Demons. But not even half are here.”

Schlacht and I left the shipyard, arriving at a mountain valley village in chaos. Flames and smoke rose, blood pooling from bodies. Silence hung heavy among charred ruins.

I nearly vomited but steadied myself.

I remembered my first day in this body, sobbing at a corpse’s sight. Now, my demon instincts surged like a teenager at a barbecue. Was human hell truly demon heaven? The war between humans and demons raged not just on the northern continent but within me.

I closed my eyes and answered Schlacht.

“It’s hard for humans, but harder to control demons. Human villages are scattered, so demons scatter too.”

Among the ruins, one house’s embers glowed warm. I stacked broken bricks neatly and sat.

Schlacht shook his head.

“Strategy must override instinct. United, we’d kill more than acting alone. A shame.”

Schlacht’s grand strategy was elusive. His mind reached beyond his skull, seeing the unseen. Countless futures he glimpsed shifted with each new moment, unable to resolve what lay ahead.

The world seemed his enemy. Each time, he’d close his eyes in pain.

I inhaled deeply. Blood and ash stung my throat, making me cough.

Wiping tears, I saw a demon before me. Elaborate robes, a red cloak over half his body, sunlight glinting off shoulder-length hair. His face was statuesque, with large horns jutting from his forehead.

He spoke calmly.

“Are you the child Soliter spoke of?”

I nearly bit my tongue but replied.

“Yes… Do you know Soliter?”

“I’ve asked her about humans. Few demons know them like she does.”

Before he could continue, Schlacht cut in, weary.

“You’ve come, Macht of the Golden Scent. Thank you. Miraculous Grauzam, Blood-Stained Warlord Rivale. With Aura, we’re only five.”

Two demons appeared behind Schlacht. Grauzam, massive with black hair and a wise aura. Rivale, exuding battlelust.

Macht frowned, greeting them.

“Schlacht, I just followed the edict. Rivale, Grauzam, you’re here too?”

Rivale grinned, baring teeth. Grauzam bowed respectfully.

“I came to fight to my heart’s content,” Rivale said, voice brimming with love for battle. “For an old man like me, fighting is life. Standing alone in a field of corpses—that’s when I feel alive.”

Grauzam’s deep eyes spoke softly.

“It’s Schlacht’s summons. I had to come.”

Schlacht surveyed them, his tired face now energized by resolve.

“The battlefield tilts toward humans. Demons weaken while they grow stronger. We must break this cycle.”

Rivale chuckled, amused. Grauzam frowned, displeased. Macht nodded.

“We must raze villages, cities, and kill more humans until fear of demons scars the continent.”

I swallowed a sigh. This plan’s karma felt towering, like Babel itself.

Schlacht issued orders.

“Macht, destroy human villages alone. Turn them to gold—eternal trophies of demon fear.”

Macht’s face didn’t change.

“Understood.”

“Grauzam, attack cities. Trap humans in inescapable illusions and kill them.”

Grauzam complied eagerly.

“Yes.”

“Rivale, hunt their finest warriors and magicians. Let no fool ignorant of true strength live.”

Rivale thumped his chest.

“How luxurious, good!”

Finally, Schlacht turned to me.

“Aura, assist Rivale. Seasoned warriors have their role, but so do skilled magicians. You’ll aid him greatly.”

Likely due to my youth and relative weakness among the Chilbunghyeon, I wasn’t given a solo task.

“…Understood,” I said quickly.

Schlacht stepped forward, voice heavy with menace.

“I’ll support from the rear and assist Grauzam. May demons know endless prosperity, and humanity only destruction.”

A thick, murderous haze rose from Schlacht, Macht, Rivale, and Grauzam, tinting the air red as it boiled.

Schlacht roared, “All for the Demons!”

The demons’ shouts shook the heavens. I clutched my scales tightly.

My war had begun. My body trembled. My war had begun…