He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 286

War isn’t a game, but it endlessly resembles one.

Each soldier fighting is a precious life, yet generals often see them as mere numbers when deploying them to the battlefield. They must be, for strategic purposes. That’s the harsh reality.

Troops, resources, strategy, tactics… In war, victory or defeat hinges on effectively managing these numerical elements. It’s a truth I wish I could deny, but it’s undeniably game-like.

“This is no different from the Creator God’s perspective.”

And I, the emperor, am the final authority, the one who approves this deadly numbers game.

“Your Majesty, that’s a rather presumptuous statement.”

“It’s the truth, Prime Minister. The Creator God treats the world like a game, pushing it towards destruction. But I, who oppose him, also view people as numbers, sending them to war.”

It sounds callous, but it’s an undeniable fact. I’m about to head to the battlefield myself, but does that change anything? Not really.

Moreover, if this were a world like Earth, without magic, I wouldn’t even be capable of going to the battlefield. I’m not sure if I should be grateful for the circumstances.

“Anyway, fortunately, the war is progressing smoothly, at least numerically.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Stabilizing the Elven Territory, thanks to your insight, has been particularly significant. Arming the Greenskins [Orc-like humanoids] has also improved the situation on the western front.”

“That’s true… but the northern front remains a problem. Hundreds, even thousands, die there every day. And we consider this ‘not bad’.”

“…My apologies, Your Majesty.”

“There’s no need to apologize; it’s not an inaccurate assessment.”

It’s not just lip service; it genuinely is a relatively small amount of damage, considering the daily death toll. It’s recorded as a high kill-to-death ratio.

The Demon race is a diverse coalition, much like the Beastmen. The Ainz, known as Demons, dominate the upper echelons, while Ratmen, Succubi, Doppelgangers, and other demon races form the lower ranks.

Essentially, it’s a multi-racial nation characterized by a profound disregard for human life.

“Compared to those who throw ten thousand lives into the meat grinder daily, our losses are fewer. It’s all thanks to your hard work.”

“Your Majesty, you honor us.”

“But, you know, it’s time to end this tiresome business.”

I suddenly recalled my arrival in this world.

It was an empire with nothing compared to what it is now. I’ve been building it up ever since.

But that also means the empire has been in a state of war almost constantly.

Of course, there were periods of truce, but whenever we defeated one enemy, another would emerge.

“But that’s over now. We’ve reached the end. All that’s left is to commit everything and finish it.”

If you’ve played games, you’ll understand. You start with nothing, build up gradually, and then face the final boss. You pour everything in and reach the ending.

It’s the same here. This is endlessly similar to a game.

“Therefore, as emperor, I order you: mobilize all the empire’s capabilities to defeat the enemy and achieve victory.”

“We shall obey your command.”

It was time to move towards the end.

* * *

The northern front is currently stalemated, but we’ve never been pushed back.

Initially, the border fortresses held out for a long time but eventually had to retreat.

However, thanks to extensive war preparations, the defense of the north didn’t collapse there.

KWA-AAAANG! Krrrrr!

“Their field artillery attack has begun.”

“The barrier will hold for a while. Is the airship squadron ready?”

“Yes, we’re ready to strike the enemy upon your order.”

“Neutralize the enemy’s artillery first……”

The empire has been at war for a long time, leading to advancements in military technology.

The general no longer devised strategies alone. He planned operations with his staff, considering various perspectives.

Military branches became increasingly diverse. Artillery had long been added to traditional branches like infantry and cavalry.

And it didn’t stop there. Airships were created, and fighters launched from those airships.

Knights had to carry guns or wear heavy armor enhanced with magical technology to survive firearms.

Now, they were even deploying machines made of steel.

Krrrrrrrr-

“Clear the way for the tanks to pass!”

“There are Rattrolls [Rat-like humanoid trolls] in front!”

“Tank main gun, fire!”

KWA-AAAANG!

The tanks were the same ones used to support the Greenskins on the Elven Territory front, now deployed in the north.

Krrrrrrrrr-

“Kee-eck! Dodge! It’s the humans’ tanks!”

“Where are our tanks?”

The large, heavy tanks were powerful weapons. The demon infantry, which had been pushing with numbers, could be crushed without even using cannons.

Kwang! Pow!

“Damn it! Enemy tanks!”

“Smoke! Put up a smokescreen first!”

But the demons had tanks too, and in enormous numbers.

“Squeak! Let’s show those arrogant humans what we’re made of!”

“Full speed ahead!”

However, the Ratmen’s tanks were small, focused on speed, and had terrible defense. One imperial tank could take on five of these.

But that didn’t matter. The Ratmen had so many that it was acceptable, and it didn’t matter if many died.

It was beneficial just to harass the enemy with specs focused solely on attack.

So the Ratmen’s tanks had all sorts of bizarre weapons attached.

Wiiiiiiing-

“Those guys are grinding up our infantry!”

For example, the front of the tank had a bladed wheel that could rush into the infantry at high speed and effectively grind them up.

“Block them quickly! Reload! Reload!”

“Reload complete! Fire!”

KWA-AAAANG!

In addition, there were devices that emitted electricity in all directions, or self-destruct devices that automatically caused a large explosion if unacceptable damage occurred.

They were typically weapons specialized in killing the enemy by grinding up human lives. Not only tanks, but most of the demons’ weapons were like that.

“I can’t hold out any longer! Is the support still far away?”

“It’s over! We have to retreat!”

In the back-and-forth battle, it looked like the demons would win. But soon a reversal occurred.

Shoooooooo- Kwang!

“Huh?”

“S, support. Look over there!”

As they were about to be overwhelmed, the soldiers saw the fighter squadron filling the sky.

Enemy tanks began to fall silent one by one through rockets and dive bombing. The tanks had low durability, so they could be suppressed even with machine gun fire.

“This is the 1st Armed Floating Island Regiment. We will suppress the enemy’s main forces first. All armaments open as of this moment. Over.”

In the sky beyond, countless warp gates were unfolding.

It was the empire’s forces gathering from all over. It took enormous power to warp all those forces, but now the empire was not saving energy.

They were even summoning allied forces such as the Greenskins and naturalized Elven resistance fighters.

Shushung! Kwakwakwang! Jiiiiiiii-!

Missiles, laser cannons, and railguns poured out from the armed floating islands, engaging the enemy floating islands.

At the same time, they were sending assault troops to the ground. The Legions began to fight medium-sized demons without backing down.

Shelling and bombing went back and forth, and each other’s fire rained down. A close-quarters combat squad engaged the enemy in melee combat.

Blood flowed endlessly. But all of this was like one huge game.

“Is this really what you wanted, Creator God? Did you not have the ability to understand the human heart?”

[Silvatein Mechanic Mode Deployed]

“Then I will stop you by force.”

I will no longer let this world suffer from your evil.

“The Emperor is here!”

“His Majesty is with us!”

Silvatein scattered light and flew through the sky. I could feel the imperial spirit from all those chanting my name on the ground.

As if to repay their cheers, I began to attack the demons, releasing all my armaments.

The flying chimeras that flew to intercept me were shot down by small cluster guided missiles or torn apart by my sword, even if they succeeded in approaching.

When I was free, I immediately began shelling from the ground. Every time the plasma cannon swept through the area, the Ratmen turned to dust.

The enemies sensed they could not withstand it and fired anti-aircraft guns, strengthened flying chimeras, and even sent demon fighter planes after me, but I didn’t have to deal with them all individually.

Soon, fighters flying in formation around me approached.

-Your Majesty, we will now provide escort.

“Thank you, soldiers.”

Tudududududu-

The fighter squadron swept through, erasing the enemy’s threat in the air. The ground forces, fueled by fanaticism for the empire, charged into the enemy lines, accepting the damage. Soon, even the anti-aircraft guns fell silent.

Then, the enemies, completely sensing defeat, no longer burned with fighting spirit. Losing their will to fight, they began to retreat disorderly from the front lines.

-Your Majesty, the Ratmen are retreating using the tunnel network.

“I can’t just let them go.”

I will get the blood price. Where do you think you’re going?

[Silvan Cannon Ready]

“Fire.”

Kwaaaaaaaa-!

A silver ray of light from the Silvan Cannon exploded in the rat holes where they were crowded to escape.

Puh-uh-uh-uh-ung-!

A huge explosion occurred. Five Ratmen legions, which could be said to be the vanguard of the enemies, evaporated.

It’s horrifying that five legions are just the vanguard, but this broke the enemy’s spirit.

“Your Majesty, thank you for your hard work.”

After annihilating the enemy, I leisurely returned to the armed floating island. The number of armed floating islands is now 74. The number of legions attached to it was enough to easily push back the enemy even if I wasn’t here.

Nevertheless, I stepped in because I wanted to reduce the damage. Of course, it was something I did because I calculated that the enemy had not yet used all of its forces.

“Yes. But this is just the beginning.”

Until now, the empire had been close to enduring, defending and defending again… In fact, there had never been a true all-out attack.

But this time, in the first and last attack, we will defeat the worst enemy.

There can be no defeat. I will not allow it.