The Failure Marquis Is A Genius [EN]: Chapter 192

Chapter 22: The Conclusion: The Rascal’s Speech

The road to Black Castle.

Knight Commander Hans was furious.

“They’ve all gone completely insane.”

The number of soldiers following Hans was currently 10,000.

It was by no means a small number, but it was woefully inadequate to face the Demon King.

Hans, who barely survived the abandoned ruins, heard rumors of the Demon King’s resurrection before he could even rest.

Normally, he would have dismissed it as nonsense, but it was Henon who had defeated the Twilight Cult leader who said it.

Knowing Henon’s character as he did, it was hard to believe that he was lying.

If so, it meant that the Demon King was really resurrecting.

The resurrection of the Demon King would lead to the destruction of the continent.

Although he did not participate in the final battle twenty years ago, he knew how terrifying the Demon King was.

Hans received the Emperor’s approval and issued a general mobilization order.

He drafted all knights of the 2nd rank or higher in the Empire and conscripted soldiers in proportion to the area of each territory.

He even made the same request not only to the Empire but also to other countries that had close relations with the Empire.

However, the result was shocking. No lord willingly offered soldiers.

“Our territory is currently short of manpower. Please convey our apologies to His Majesty.”

“We seem to be having a bit of a hard time because of the territory war with the neighboring territory. It’s unfortunate.”

“I would rather support you with money, but I cannot send my territory’s people to a distant foreign land.”

If it were just one or two people, he would have coerced them into providing soldiers, but Hans was helpless as several lords and monarchs united to refuse.

Even the lords who refused politely were the better ones.

Some lords even brought up Pahel, who had become the Crown Prince, and hinted at revolt.

“No matter how much I think about it, I don’t understand. Who is Pahel anyway?”

“I heard he’s from the desert. Could it be that we succumbed to external pressure? If so, it’s a disgrace to the Great Empire!”

“Is the Demon King the problem now? We must immediately restore the Empire’s legitimacy and re-establish its prestige!”

Pahel could not participate in the Demon King subjugation because he had to quell the seeds of rebellion.

In the end, only Hans and the 10,000 soldiers he had hastily recruited came to Black Castle.

“Human stupidity and selfishness know no bounds,” Hans muttered as he rode his horse.

What was even more infuriating was that the lords who had refused conscription readily sent troops when the Desert Kingdom invaded.

They send troops when the enemy army comes near their territory, but they feign ignorance of the Demon King’s advent in a foreign country because it is far away.

If they lose to the Demon King, everyone will be finished anyway.

Hans was fed up with the lords who only cared about their own territory in this situation.

“At least the Desert King brought all 100,000 troops with him. Their country has a strong influence from the monarch, so we should consider it fortunate.”

Hans, who entered Black Castle, was shocked once again.

King Gazel of the Desert brought only 30,000 troops.

The number was a whopping 70,000 less than at the battle in the Empire.

“Soldiers collapsed one after another due to the extreme cold in the north. An epidemic even broke out, so we had to pull back more than half of them,” the Desert King said with a dark expression.

Hans felt dizzy.

The Imperial Army and the Desert Army were supposed to bolster the actual numbers, but both countries brought less than half of the expected numbers.

Moreover, since all other countries had refused conscription, they had to stop the Demon King with only this force, without additional reinforcements.

On the walls of Black Castle, Hans reunited with Henon after half a year.

Even though it was a fairly short period, Henon was clearly different from when he had seen him last time.

Hans, who was once called the best swordsman on the continent, was horrified when he could not gauge Henon’s level at all.

“You seem to have become stronger than I thought.”

“I have gained some enlightenment.”

“Now I’m even afraid of your growth.”

“Don’t you have to be this strong to face the Demon King?”

“…That’s true.”

It was good news that the hero’s personal power had increased, but the problem of numbers had not been resolved.

“I’m sorry. At this rate, it will be difficult to even defend against the offensive, let alone defeat the Demon King.”

Unlike the dejected Hans, Henon’s expression was rather relaxed.

“It’s okay. There are still plenty of reinforcements left.”

Hans doubted his ears at Henon’s words.

“A rebellion broke out in the Empire, and all the other countries are watching. They don’t even care about the Demon King. Who would send support in this situation?”

Hennon, who was staring blankly at the agitated Hans, raised his finger and pointed to one side.

“There’s the first guest coming.”

A considerable number of armed figures came treading on the white snow. They concealed their identities by covering themselves with black hoods from head to toe.

The army entered the open gate with dignity. A woman who appeared to be the commander at the front took off her hat and revealed her identity.

“Night Spider. I didn’t expect you to come.”

“!!!”

Hans was shocked.

As a knight from the Empire, there was no way he wouldn’t know who Night Spider was.

She was a big shot who controlled the back alleys of Osdin City and held all the information on the continent in her hands.

The master of the Black Night Guild, whose gender was even shrouded in mystery, was joining the hero’s side with her guild members.

“What calculation did you make to come all the way here?”

“Does calculation matter? The moment we lose, all results lead to death.”

“…I guess so. Welcome to Black Castle.”

Night Spider disappeared with her guild members.

Hans hurriedly asked Henon.

“What is your relationship with Night Spider?”

“Before I answer that, we should greet the next guest.”

A white army appeared in the distance.

A large army marching proudly from head to toe in white robes or white armor, holding white flags.

A pretty girl and an imposing paladin were coming side by side at the head.

“Bellanus Theocracy!”

Hans had also requested support from the Bellanus Theocracy, but he had assumed it was an implicit refusal because he had not received a reply.

That Theocracy had arrived at Black Castle.

The army lined up behind them was clearly the core elite troops.

“Henon!”

Marian, who got off her horse, ran to Henon’s arms.

It was only natural that Hans’ eyes widened as he watched this.

‘Who is the Saintess [the Theocracy’s spiritual leader]?’

She is the face of the Theocracy.

Even more so now that there is no Pope, she is the leader.

The leader, who sways a country, hugs Henon without regard for her dignity.

What is the relationship between the two?

“Bellanus told me. She said that the Demon King will be resurrected, so help the hero. I will protect Henon.”

“Don’t worry about me and take care of yourself. Yohan, please take good care of Mary.”

“Don’t worry. I will take responsibility for the safety of the Saintess.”

The Theocracy’s forces entered the castle.

“No, what kind of relationship do you have with the Theocracy?”

“There’s another one coming.”

Whistle! Whistle!!

The sound of whistles was heard and a green wave spread out in front.

Soldiers wearing green robes and carrying longbows on their sides were marching in neat rows.

Their ears were pointed, unlike humans.

“…Elves?”

The forest race, who regard humans as enemies and reject them, came with an army.

Hans was confused because he didn’t know how the situation was going.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

This was not the end.

Adam, the giant he had seen before, was following at the end of the Elves.

A petite girl was sitting on Adam’s shoulder, and she jumped off and ran to Henon when she found him.

“Uncle!”

She hugs Henon again this time.

A cold-faced female elf next to her stopped the young elf.

“Chief Sasha, this is enemy territory and humans are watching. Keep your dignity.”

“But it’s been so long since I’ve seen you? You said you’d come often, but I haven’t seen your face. I’m sulking!”

“Haha, I’m sorry. I’ll visit you often next time.”

Hennon and the Elven chief treat each other warmly.

Hans, who watched this in front of his eyes, was stunned.

“Adam came too.”

“Adam is nice! He doesn’t do bad things anymore! Adam is a friend of the Elves!”

“I know.”

The primordial giant, who had completely integrated into the Elves, breathed out and burned with fighting spirit against the Demon King.

Hans didn’t even have the energy to be more surprised.

The Black Night Guild Master.

The Theocracy’s Saintess.

The Elven Chief.

Each one was an undeniable connection.

“Don’t tell me there’s more.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a blue wave arrived this time.

Sage Orneo, who was at the head, waved his staff happily, and behind him was a race he had never seen before.

A race that was two heads taller than humans, with their entire bodies packed with muscles, gills on their sides, and fins on their ears.

“Who are they?”

“They are the Fishmen who live in the underwater city.”

A woman who appeared to be the chief of the Fishmen bowed politely to Henon.

“It’s nice to see you again.”

“Thank you for coming such a long way.”

“It is too trivial compared to the grace bestowed upon us by our benefactor. I will finally be of some help to you.”

Everyone’s eyes, including Hans’, were on the Fishmen who politely greeted and entered.

“Humans, Giants, Elves, and even Fishmen. Is there a race on the continent that you don’t know?”

“Hahaha.”

Hennon just laughed at Hans’ question.

In addition, tens of thousands of Liang Guards, who were famous for their strong army, arrived, and the Blue Hawk Mercenary Corps, which had recently emerged as the best mercenary corps on the continent, also sent troops.

The leader of the Guards called Henon the Commander-in-Chief, and the leader of the Blue Hawk Mercenary Corps called Henon the Lord, so you could guess how they thought of the hero just by their titles.

Finally, the brave Rangers who had been working in the north since ancient times and the Elden Kingdom soldiers dispatched by Queen Rebecca joined forces.

Hennon is a protege of Karina, the commander of the Northern Army, and the husband of Queen Rebecca, so there is no need to discuss the relationship between them further.

“How is it? Isn’t it worth a try with this much?”

Certainly, the number of people has increased several times.

The most important point is that all of them came voluntarily to help Henon alone.

Not a single person was forced to come.

“!!”

Hans suddenly had a hypothesis.

What if this Demon King situation ends well without great sacrifice?

So many people united by looking at only one hero, and even achieved a miraculous victory?

What if their swords were aimed at other forces, not the Demon King?

‘The power structure of the continent will be changed.’

Hans felt goosebumps on his spine.

Monarch? Great Lord? Knight?

It’s all useless.

Even the Emperor.

‘Henon Lloyd. He will be the ruler of the Arnia continent.’

Hans swallowed hard.

For some reason, Henon’s shoulders looked broader.

He had no choice but to admit it.

The Calon Empire is already a setting sun.

The new sun to replace the Empire was right in front of him.

Demon King’s resurrection [D-15]

* * *

On the day of the Demon King’s resurrection.

A tense feeling, as if a rubber band had been stretched to its limit, covered the northern mountain range.

Some strategists suggested barricading themselves behind the solid walls of Black Castle, but the idea was rejected.

Troops crowded in a narrow space were likely to be destroyed by a single powerful area attack.

Numerous people all left Black Castle and scattered widely on the white snowfield.

Weather with no wind. It was mild weather for the north, but perhaps that’s why the quiet silence was reminiscent of the eve of a storm.

The current time is 7:30 AM.

Around the time when the dawn’s light dispels the darkness.

Sion and Campbell were on standby next to me, and Coco was hiding in the subspace pocket.

Sion, who is always expressionless, and Campbell, who is lively, were staring at the front with stiff faces only today.

The two of them had been running non-stop for the past six months.

Campbell, who received help from the Grand Sword Master, the Heavenly Demon, reached the end of the Expert level and was able to glimpse the Sword Master level.

The one who made the biggest progress was Sion.

With the single thought of being helpful to me, she stubbornly broke through the wall and achieved the realm of Sword Master.

The ninth star of the continent.

I have one more reliable ally.

“Vice-Captain, the sword suits you quite well, doesn’t it?”

Campbell spoke to ease the heavy atmosphere.

The topic was my new sword that arrived a week ago.

“I’ve swung it a few times and it’s quite useful.”

The sword I had asked Tom for arrived just in time.

The first thought I had when I saw the sword was this.

‘This is my sword.’

The design itself was simple with a plain single-edged sword.

However, if you look closely, you can see the exquisite craftsmanship and tenacious effort of the artisan inside.

The sharp blade was smoothly drawn and boasted a graceful curve, and the white sword body sparkled every time it was exposed to light, exuding its presence.

When I did a durability test, it cut ordinary iron swords like slicing radishes, and even when I put it on a stone and struck it hard with a mana sword, it didn’t even have a scratch.

Above all, the Heavenly Demon old man drooled all over it after swinging it once, so the quality inspection was verified just by the old man’s reaction.

“I’m worried that there wasn’t enough time to tame the sword.”

Sion’s concern.

“It’s okay. A week is enough to adapt.”

From the time I reached the Grand Sword Master level, I didn’t have to wield the sword directly very often.

Hardness and durability are important, but whether I’m familiar with it when I hold it in my hand wasn’t a big problem.

“More than that… it’s unusual.”

My senses, which are in top form today, captured abnormal signs beyond the mountain range.

Beyond that, a very powerful and ominous energy was surging.

Even though it was quite a distance away, it was an unpleasant and damp energy that made my palms sweat.

And…

Kwaaaang!!!!

A pillar of black light soared into the sky with a roar.

The seal that Dragon Kyle had painstakingly created was broken.

Kieeeeeeeek!!!!

“Euhik!!”

“Aaaaaah…”

“Ugh!”

As the cursed cry tormented their eardrums, the soldiers in panic covered their ears and sat down.

Even the commanding officers turned pale and trembled slightly.

At this rate, they will lose the initiative.

I took a deep breath to make my chest pop out and shouted.

“Kaaah!!!”

Samwon Mana raised to the extreme.

The mana that had reached MAX with Awakening took on an iridescent color and spread across the snowfield.

The atmosphere full of despair, fear, and confusion was pushed back by my energy and replaced with passion, fighting spirit, and courage.

One step further from here.

I slammed the sword in both hands into the ground.

Thump!

“Everyone listen!!!”

My mana-mixed voice echoed loudly across the vast snowfield.

“Today, we have gathered to protect the peace of the continent.”

Hundreds of thousands of eyes are watching.

I had a duty to give them hope.

“You must be scared and afraid. I understand enough, because we are going to fight the final battle that we have only heard about, or that was like a nightmare, once again.”

I stopped talking and looked around.

People are still looking at me.

I made eye contact with the soldiers one by one.

I discovered the sparks that were gradually flying in their eyes and put more strength into my voice.

“I won’t say much. Believe in yourself. If you can’t believe it, believe in me. I am the hero. This time, I will defeat the Demon King and bring peace to the continent. I will lead you to a new world.”

It’s kind of like a cult leader’s tone, but I’m sure everyone understood.

As expected, the effect of the speech was tremendous.

The soldiers, who had rotten dead fish eyes when the Demon King was resurrected, were now sharpening their knives as if they were about to jump out right away.

“Waaaaaaa!!!!!”

“Hero! Hero! Hero!”

The shouts that shook the snowfield.

The morale is at its peak.

It can’t get any hotter than this.

And just in time…

A man was walking from the opposite side.

A man walking barefoot on the snow as if it wasn’t cold.

The dirty black long hair swayed from side to side every time he moved.

A cruel smile was on his lips, like the expression of a child who had found an interesting toy.

I could feel it without having to ask who it was.

The appearance of the final boss, Demon King Baal.

Demon King’s resurrection [D-DAY]