Lin Jun had eight thousand Puchis he personally controlled join Inanna’s support force under the banner of Pink Puchi.
This was possible because the far north had mostly stabilized. Though hit by the strange disaster of sudden freezing, it still ran smoothly on subordinates alone; few places needed Lin Jun’s personal Puchis.
Thus he could spare eight thousand for Inanna while keeping sufficient reserves.
These eight thousand weren’t all cannon fodder. Besides obvious specials like heavy-armor and plump recluse Puchis, many normal-looking ones were elite or scout tier. Even two more knight Puchis came.
With Inanna’s original, they now had three knights.
Not only that; any losses would be quietly replenished by Lin Jun.
After shock, doubt, worry, and reflection, Eric ultimately decided to support Inanna.
Because frankly, if the kingdom fell, an Empire-dominated future was almost certain. Nowhere would be truly safe.
Eric also had his own little calculations.
Inanna going to the front and joining the duke might make the duke value his life more.
If things truly became hopeless, the duke escaping with Inanna would be an acceptable outcome among the bad ones.
As for the increasingly suspicious Puchis, until clear harm appeared, Eric could only turn a blind eye, but he still prepared countermeasures for the young lady just in case.
Of course, going to the front didn’t mean letting the young lady charge in stupidly. Eight thousand Puchis seemed many, but on the front line weren’t enough.
Conveniently, the newly recruited Puchi masters were also heading to the front. Let Inanna be the nominal leader.
Considering her limited command talent, pair her with capable deputies.
Empty the treasury of gear; Eric wished he could put twenty rings on her ten fingers.
Also find a few experts to protect her; not necessarily super strong, but with lifesaving specialties…
Eric thought of that guy Aidin. Several meetings proved him a seasoned illusionist.
But contacting Farr revealed Aidin had long gone to the front alone and not returned. Plan abandoned; others chosen.
Such preparations naturally took days. Fortunately the demons weren’t rushing.
The battle for High Fort had cost the three demon dukes dearly. Duke Elinore especially was half-dead. The Sun Stone’s weakening effect had seeped deep; even with precious potions, recovery took time.
Also, to prevent humans easily retaking High Fort after the army left, repairs were necessary.
With High Fort secured, the western prince’s demons were no longer eager to crack Threehill City. They waited to combine forces and crush the human remnants with overwhelming power and minimal loss.
In short, before the decisive battle, the front unexpectedly welcomed rare calm.
While no one paid attention to the Empire’s north, unknown events unfolded…
…
In a northern imperial border city.
Tall walls stood imposingly, originally built to repel northern tribal raids.
But now few demon guards patrolled the walls. Defensive arrays that should have glowed with magic were mostly dim from disrepair.
After all, in the three hundred years since the Empire’s founding, aside from the chaotic first decade or so, no tribe had dared invade imperial land.
“Ha!”
White breath puffing, foxkin Kiro rubbed his somewhat frozen hands.
He walked openly down the street, naturally drawing varied demon gazes; everyone knew foxkin belonged to the United Kingdom.
Yet whether passersby, patrolling guards, or dangerous-eyed lurkers in alleys, none troubled him.
Reason: a prominent green crest ring on his right hand, signifying friendship with at least an imperial count or higher.
Strong enough that bothering him without clear evidence would be seen as provoking that noble.
Kiro ignored the stares, rubbed his hands again as if cold, and ducked into a tavern.
Though not yet night, the tavern was already crowded with demons.
The sudden cold snap made those who could afford leisure prefer warm taverns to freezing outdoors.
Kiro’s entrance briefly drew attention, but glances slid away after spotting his ring.
“One warm fruit juice, thanks.” He ordered in flawless, accentless demon tongue, ignoring the stifled frustrated expressions of a few demons who wanted to mock but held back. He calmly chose one of the few empty seats.
One warm fruit juice down, Kiro felt his whole stomach warm up.
His [Cold Resistance] wasn’t high; he really disliked northern activity. But no choice; the person he sought was here!
“Hello, Tanaka.” He greeted the plain-looking half-demon across from him.
The half-demon’s motion froze imperceptibly, then casually continued drinking.
Kiro continued as if to himself. “Two-Tone Stone Steps, Seventh Spiral Arm, Emberstone Road No. 13, Basement Level 3.”
The disguised Tanaka couldn’t pretend anymore. Kiro had just named his main body’s location!
He leaned forward, staring fixedly at the foxkin, voice low. “Who exactly are you?”
“You can see, can’t you?” Kiro smiled slightly, piercing his disguise. “Hero.”
Tanaka’s pupils contracted. He nervously scanned around; no one noticed them.
Only then did he realize something seemed to confine their voices to this space.
And the guy before him…
【Name: Kiro】
【Race: Foxkin】
【Level: LV55】
【Skills: Wind Magic LV8, Fire Magic LV7, Mental Magic LV7, Mana Storage LV6… Cold Resistance LV4, Physical Resistance LV3…】
Aside from three magic systems, a mediocre even weak panel for his level. If not for the last entry…
【Title: Virtue of Temperance (Simulated Future Prediction)】
Tanaka suddenly reached out, but Kiro had already moved, grabbing his finger. “I really mean no harm.”
Tanaka felt targeted. “Temperance… something this broken? Is this world’s balance broken…? What do you want from me?”
“To save the world.”
Tanaka rolled his eyes. “As expected… fighting the Empire or something, can’t you—”
“Not fighting the Empire,” Kiro interrupted, violet eyes unprecedentedly serious. “Saving the world. If the entire world is destroyed in a few years, you’d be troubled too, right?”
“In a few years… world destruction? Impossible. Even the mist—”
Tanaka trailed off, looking at Kiro’s panel [Temperance]. His voice grew quieter.
He irritably scratched his hair, almost growling. “Listen, I’m not even gold-tier; a complete weakling! What exactly do you want me to do?”
“This is something only you would be willing to do, and only you can do,” Kiro leaned slightly forward. “Release the Demon King’s seal.”
“Say that again. What did you say we’re doing???”
(End of Chapter)Lin Jun had eight thousand Puchis he personally controlled join Inanna’s support force under the banner of Pink Puchi.
This was possible because the far north had mostly stabilized. Though hit by the strange disaster of sudden freezing, it still ran smoothly on subordinates alone; few places needed Lin Jun’s personal Puchis.
Thus he could spare eight thousand for Inanna while keeping sufficient reserves.
These eight thousand weren’t all cannon fodder. Besides obvious specials like heavy-armor and plump recluse Puchis, many normal-looking ones were elite or scout tier. Even two more knight Puchis came.
With Inanna’s original, they now had three knights.
Not only that; any losses would be quietly replenished by Lin Jun.
After shock, doubt, worry, and reflection, Eric ultimately decided to support Inanna.
Because frankly, if the kingdom fell, an Empire-dominated future was almost certain. Nowhere would be truly safe.
Eric also had his own little calculations.
Inanna going to the front and joining the duke might make the duke value his life more.
If things truly became hopeless, the duke escaping with Inanna would be an acceptable outcome among the bad ones.
As for the increasingly suspicious Puchis, until clear harm appeared, Eric could only turn a blind eye, but he still prepared countermeasures for the young lady just in case.
Of course, going to the front didn’t mean letting the young lady charge in stupidly. Eight thousand Puchis seemed many, but on the front line weren’t enough.
Conveniently, the newly recruited Puchi masters were also heading to the front. Let Inanna be the nominal leader.
Considering her limited command talent, pair her with capable deputies.
Empty the treasury of gear; Eric wished he could put twenty rings on her ten fingers.
Also find a few experts to protect her; not necessarily super strong, but with lifesaving specialties…
Eric thought of that guy Aidin. Several meetings proved him a seasoned illusionist.
But contacting Farr revealed Aidin had long gone to the front alone and not returned. Plan abandoned; others chosen.
Such preparations naturally took days. Fortunately the demons weren’t rushing.
The battle for High Fort had cost the three demon dukes dearly. Duke Elinore especially was half-dead. The Sun Stone’s weakening effect had seeped deep; even with precious potions, recovery took time.
Also, to prevent humans easily retaking High Fort after the army left, repairs were necessary.
With High Fort secured, the western prince’s demons were no longer eager to crack Threehill City. They waited to combine forces and crush the human remnants with overwhelming power and minimal loss.
In short, before the decisive battle, the front unexpectedly welcomed rare calm.
While no one paid attention to the Empire’s north, unknown events unfolded…
…
In a northern imperial border city.
Tall walls stood imposingly, originally built to repel northern tribal raids.
But now few demon guards patrolled the walls. Defensive arrays that should have glowed with magic were mostly dim from disrepair.
After all, in the three hundred years since the Empire’s founding, aside from the chaotic first decade or so, no tribe had dared invade imperial land.
“Ha!”
White breath puffing, foxkin Kiro rubbed his somewhat frozen hands.
He walked openly down the street, naturally drawing varied demon gazes; everyone knew foxkin belonged to the United Kingdom.
Yet whether passersby, patrolling guards, or dangerous-eyed lurkers in alleys, none troubled him.
Reason: a prominent green crest ring on his right hand, signifying friendship with at least an imperial count or higher.
Strong enough that bothering him without clear evidence would be seen as provoking that noble.
Kiro ignored the stares, rubbed his hands again as if cold, and ducked into a tavern.
Though not yet night, the tavern was already crowded with demons.
The sudden cold snap made those who could afford leisure prefer warm taverns to freezing outdoors.
Kiro’s entrance briefly drew attention, but glances slid away after spotting his ring.
“One warm fruit juice, thanks.” He ordered in flawless, accentless demon tongue, ignoring the stifled frustrated expressions of a few demons who wanted to mock but held back. He calmly chose one of the few empty seats.
One warm fruit juice down, Kiro felt his whole stomach warm up.
His [Cold Resistance] wasn’t high; he really disliked northern activity. But no choice; the person he sought was here!
“Hello, Tanaka.” He greeted the plain-looking half-demon across from him.
The half-demon’s motion froze imperceptibly, then casually continued drinking.
Kiro continued as if to himself. “Two-Tone Stone Steps, Seventh Spiral Arm, Emberstone Road No. 13, Basement Level 3.”
The disguised Tanaka couldn’t pretend anymore. Kiro had just named his main body’s location!
He leaned forward, staring fixedly at the foxkin, voice low. “Who exactly are you?”
“You can see, can’t you?” Kiro smiled slightly, piercing his disguise. “Hero.”
Tanaka’s pupils contracted. He nervously scanned around; no one noticed them.
Only then did he realize something seemed to confine their voices to this space.
And the guy before him…
【Name: Kiro】
【Race: Foxkin】
【Level: LV55】
【Skills: Wind Magic LV8, Fire Magic LV7, Mental Magic LV7, Mana Storage LV6… Cold Resistance LV4, Physical Resistance LV3…】
Aside from three magic systems, a mediocre even weak panel for his level. If not for the last entry…
【Title: Virtue of Temperance (Simulated Future Prediction)】
Tanaka suddenly reached out, but Kiro had already moved, grabbing his finger. “I really mean no harm.”
Tanaka felt targeted. “Temperance… something this broken? Is this world’s balance broken…? What do you want from me?”
“To save the world.”
Tanaka rolled his eyes. “As expected… fighting the Empire or something, can’t you—”
“Not fighting the Empire,” Kiro interrupted, violet eyes unprecedentedly serious. “Saving the world. If the entire world is destroyed in a few years, you’d be troubled too, right?”
“In a few years… world destruction? Impossible. Even the mist—”
Tanaka trailed off, looking at Kiro’s panel [Temperance]. His voice grew quieter.
He irritably scratched his hair, almost growling. “Listen, I’m not even gold-tier; a complete weakling! What exactly do you want me to do?”
“This is something only you would be willing to do, and only you can do,” Kiro leaned slightly forward. “Release the Demon King’s seal.”
“Say that again. What did you say we’re doing???”
(End of Chapter)
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