Building A Human Empire By Creating A Clan [EN]: Chapter 129

“We failed.”

Gehardt’s adjutant, Titus, said.

“No, it’s a success.”

Gehardt replied from beside him.

Several subordinates gathered inside the makeshift barracks.

They were among the highest-ranking combatants in the expeditionary force.

Each checked their weapons while listening to the two men’s conversation.

“A success, you say? Wasn’t the best option to avoid fighting?”

“Fighting was the best option.”

Titus narrowed his eyes.

His reaction of not understanding was natural.

He had repeatedly said that this expedition should avoid combat as much as possible, but now, saying that fighting is the best option is hard to understand.

Receiving gazes that demanded an explanation, Gehardt nodded.

“The purpose of this expedition is not singular. Saving humans is the most important goal, but there are several other objectives as well. That’s why His Majesty proposed a duel to Kuirau.”

“To kill Kuirau?”

The subordinates focused their attention on Gehardt.

“That’s right.”

I put down the cigarette I was holding and answered in place of Gehardt.

“To be precise, the expedition has three objectives.”

First, to save the humans in the Lizardmen Kingdom.

Second, to extend the lifelines of Vlad and the Mycenaean Empire.

Third, to throw the three Lizardmen kingdoms into chaos.

“Among these, saving the humans in the human farms is still in progress, and extending Mosquito’s [Vlad’s nickname] lifeline is almost achieved. Do you know why I’m helping Mosquito?”

“Isn’t it because there’s a benefit to saving him?”

I nodded.

The Human Empire was profiting from Vlad’s war.

Thanks to the Daije [Vlad’s enemy] and Vlad fighting, the checks on the Human Empire weakened, and in the meantime, they were steadily growing.

However, the war couldn’t last forever.

It wouldn’t go on for much longer.

How many years has the war been going on already?

“The Mountain Hermit Nuadil’s security forces report that Vlad’s war situation is rapidly deteriorating. Judging by the trend, there’s a high possibility of a full surrender within this year.”

“Hmm…”

The subordinates’ expressions hardened.

Because it was obvious what would happen when the war ended.

The Daije would pressure the Empire as soon as the war ended.

It was a pretty bad trend. Even though the Empire had grown rapidly, it wasn’t enough to wage an all-out war with the other races. Was there a reason to avoid conflict while organizing the expeditionary force?

“It’s natural for us to fight other races. But now is not the time. Only a few years since establishing the Empire. We need more time to develop our capabilities.”

Therefore, it was necessary to extend Vlad’s lifeline.

The Daije needed to be tied down by Vlad for longer.

“To extend Vlad’s lifeline, we must weaken the forces attacking the Mycenaean Empire. The reason I had the Orcs and Goblins attack the Elves, or gave Koamic and Kuirau time to turn the expeditionary force around, is for that reason.”

From Vlad’s perspective, half of his enemies suddenly disappeared.

If he’s not incompetent, he’ll never miss this opportunity.

“And killing Kuirau is to create chaos.”

The Lizardmen had a balance between the three kingdoms. They maintained balance because their power was equal, so if one of the three collapsed, the balance would be broken.

If Kuirau is killed, the three become two, and one kingdom without an Incarnation is left alone?

Wouldn’t the remaining two Incarnations run wild to devour Kuirau’s remnants?

“Then, what is the reason for the duel?”

I chuckled.

In fact, the duel didn’t mean much.

It would be good if it worked out, and if not, oh well, but it succeeded.

“Pruning.”

“Pruning?”

“If we’re going to fight anyway, wouldn’t it be good to cut down their strength beforehand?”

Kuirau will never back down.

He’s not passive like Sumontema, nor is he the type to play tricks like Koamic. He had a simple and passionate personality.

There was no reason for him to negotiate with mere human livestock.

“I told him that if we fought a pitched battle, the other two Incarnations would benefit, since he hates the other two Incarnations as much as he hates me. So I suggested a different fight than a pitched battle.”

“There doesn’t seem to be much difference between a pitched battle and a duel, but it worked.”

“Because he’s simple.”

If we fought a pitched battle, the other two Incarnations would benefit.

But he doesn’t want to send humans away without a fight.

If he fights a duel, he can defeat the humans without losses.

…It was just a simple train of thought like that.

‘The title of God has nothing to do with wisdom. They are only revered because they possess excessive power.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly and looked at my subordinates.

“After the duel, Kuirau will try to start a pitched battle.”

Kuirau can never win the duel.

Nor will he accept the results of the duel.

Unable to contain his anger, he’ll try to kill me.

“Therefore, your job in the duel is simple. Attract as many as possible and kill as many as possible. The more you kill, the fewer brothers and sisters will die in the next battle. That’s why I call the duel pruning.”

“The duel is one-on-one, but you’re saying to kill a lot—”

“Waaaaaaaah—!”

Before he could finish his question, cheers erupted from outside the barracks.

Kuirau must have sent out a Great Warrior first.

“He’s still impatient.”

I chuckled and answered the question with telepathy.

The subordinates read the telepathy, nodded, and came out.

“Kuirau-sire!”

A vacant lot between the two armies.

A Great Warrior stood where the armies faced each other.

The Great Warrior was a lizardman of Kuirau’s size.

“I dedicate this fight to you! I will offer the livestock gained from this fight to you!”

The Great Warrior thumped his chest and swore an oath.

Kuirau smiled and waved his hand, and his army cheered again.

【Lv. 86】

“Not a War Chief.”

I tilted my head.

The best card Kuirau could play was the War Chief.

But the Great Warrior he put out now was not the War Chief.

Why put out a warrior weaker than the War Chief?

“Is he underestimating me?”

I laughed in disbelief.

He couldn’t not know about me.

Does he just think it’s just a rumor?

I shook my head in disbelief.

“Calli… no, Gehardt.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Can you win?”

Gehardt narrowed his eyes as he looked at the enemy’s Great Warrior.

Just looking at the levels, they were both the same at 86.

“I can win.”

“Then go.”

If I send Calliope, victory is certain, but if other subordinates can win, there’s no reason to send her. Opportunities to hunt high-level opponents are rare.

“I dedicate this fight to Your Majesty.”

Gehardt imitated the Great Warrior’s oath and went out into the vacant lot. Unlike usual, he was armed with a sword and shield and took the initiative to attack the Great Warrior.

Clang!

A heavy noise erupted as the two Great Warriors’ swords collided.

Gehardt immediately took a defensive stance and retreated as his attack was blocked.

“Kuh…!”

The Great Warrior judged that Gehardt was being pushed back and chased after him.

There was no time to counterattack because he wielded his sword non-stop.

“You’re good at running away like a monkey!”

The blade lightly grazed Gehardt’s cheek.

The Great Warrior’s movements became even more intense as he saw the blood flowing down his cheek.

‘He’s doing well.’

I read composure in Gehardt’s thoughts.

He wasn’t being pushed back because he was at a disadvantage, but he was looking for an opportunity.

Gehardt knew the characteristics of the subordinates well. That is, stamina. He was using his stamina, which doesn’t easily deplete, to wage a war of attrition.

‘Since the opponent is on par with him, he’s refraining from reckless attacks and steadily dealing with him. Yes, excellent.’

Greed invites disaster. If he was greedy for a quick victory and counterattacked recklessly, it could cause great damage.

Since the enemy would tire out before Gehardt anyway, all he had to do was maintain a defensive stance and wait for them to self-destruct.

“Haa… haa…!”

Eventually, it went as Gehardt intended.

The Great Warrior quickly ran out of stamina and gasped for breath.

On the other hand, Gehardt was standing in front of the Great Warrior without a drop of sweat, and he finally realized that something was wrong. But it was too late.

“Were you happy with your momentary victory?”

Gehardt smirked and struck the Great Warrior’s neck.

Thud…

Silence flowed.

It was because Kuirau’s army closed their mouths when the Great Warrior died.

The Imperial Army hadn’t cheered from the beginning. They had just been watching quietly, so when Kuirau fell silent, the field where nearly a hundred thousand people had gathered was eerily quiet.

Gehardt took a deep breath and lifted the Great Warrior’s head.

“Is this all you can put out as a Great Warrior!”

Kuirau trembled as he met Gehardt’s gaze.

“Even a goblin would be better! It’s too boring, one is not enough! Is there no one here who can face me! I’ll take on however many of you lizards come! Come! Come before me and prove your courage and martial prowess! Lizards!”

“Kamapichi!”

Kuirau, who had fallen for the provocation, shouted.

Immediately, the lizardman next to him rushed out.

【Lv. 89】

It was Kuirau’s War Chief, whom I had been watching.

“Calliope!”

I shouted urgently and sent out Calliope.

She arrived at Gehardt before the War Chief.

And immediately blocked the curved blade that the War Chief slashed diagonally.

Clang!

“A mere human!”

Calliope bent her knees slightly.

“······Kuh, ugh.”

For the first time, a groan came from her mouth.

She trembled her legs as if barely blocking the attack while making a very awkward groan. Then, the War Chief gritted his teeth and put strength into the hand holding the curved blade.

“Not so fast!”

Gehardt stretched out his sword to help her.

The War Chief retreated to avoid Gehardt’s blade while dropping the curved blade’s edge to just in front of her forehead.

“You coward!”

“······.”

Calliope readjusted her stance and attacked the War Chief in conjunction with Gehardt. Her movements were only slightly faster than Gehardt’s, and the War Chief parried each attack by a hair’s breadth.

“Save Kamapichi! Quickly!”

In that precarious situation, Kuirau got angry and waved his arms, sending three warriors.

“You guys go too.”

In response, I also sent four of my bodyguards.

“How dare that bastard!”

Then Kuirau sent six, and I added a few more and sent them.

It was like the stakes kept rising in a gambling den, and the fight that started as a one-on-one duel escalated in just a few minutes, becoming a melee involving dozens of people.

“This is…”

Titus gave an awkward smile.

He couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculous acting.

Because the duel unfolding before his eyes was nothing more than a play to those who knew the truth.

Pretending to be pushed back by an opponent who could be killed with a single blow while maintaining tension, and a ridiculous act or trap that made Kuirau, unable to withstand the tension, pour out the warriors of the upper ranks.

“I wondered if it would really work… but it does.”

“Because he’s simple.”

I repeated what I said earlier.

“It wouldn’t have worked on Sumontema or Koamic. They would have laughed and ignored me just by mentioning the word Great Warrior. At least those two aren’t wise, but they’re not stupid enough to say that.”

Kuirau was different.

A fool for whom the words simple and passionate were the most fitting.

If his power hadn’t been excessively outstanding, if the balance of power hadn’t been maintained because the other two Incarnations were watching each other, he would have been the first to be eliminated.

“There are several reasons why Sumontema and Koamic didn’t directly confront me, but the biggest reason is that they believed that other Incarnations would fight even if they didn’t.”

“That belief must be because of Kuirau.”

“Hmm.”

Kuirau’s personality is simple, passionate itself.

No matter what tricks I play, the guy who doesn’t see humans as livestock will think simply. The livestock is rebelling? Why talk to livestock?

At least I hesitated for a moment because I annihilated the cavalry in the first battle and showed the dignity of my soul.

He’s the type of person who wouldn’t be strange if he turned his back and forgot about it and aimed for me again. The two Incarnations placed their trust in his personality.

“But would only they have placed their trust?”

I know Kuirau as well as the two Incarnations.

So I also placed my trust in him.

That he would respond so foolishly.

“The acting is enough. Kill them.”

I raised my right hand.

At that moment, Gehardt grabbed the eyes of the opposing warrior.

Because the lizardman’s head was large, the only thing he could grab in one hand was his eyes. His hand, wearing a gauntlet, crushed the lizardman’s eyes.

Crack!

“Hwaaaaaaack!”

The lizardman, whose eyes had burst, screamed and fell backward.

The warriors who had been unilaterally taking the offensive stopped at the scream.

“His Majesty has declared!”

Gehardt shook off the gauntlet with the residue stuck to it and shouted.

“The acting is over!”

Clang!

At the same time, there was a sound of something being cut off at once.

“······.”

Calliope beheaded the War Chief.

She shed the appearance of acting as if she was barely blocking and cut down the War Chief and even the warrior behind him. The two lizardmen’s bodies were cut in two, with wounds from the left shoulder to the right flank.

“——!”

The War Chief could only widen his eyes in surprise and open his mouth.

He couldn’t even make a sound as he died.

“Kill them all.”

She scanned the enemy with her cold blue eyes and declared.