I decided to disperse the military strength of the Demon King's Army, deploying them across the domain to intercept the encroaching Republic forces. I appointed my executives and sub-executives as commanders and sent them to the front.
Events were unfolding simultaneously across multiple regions. If I waited to move my forces as a single, consolidated unit, we would never arrive in time. While I harbored some slight anxiety, splitting our numbers was the most tactical choice.
I had faith in them. While the sanity of certain individuals was... questionable, I could only pray they would perform their duties effectively. At present, those capable of contending with magical beasts or demons on their own were precious assets. I needed them to succeed.
Meanwhile, I teleported to the Republic’s capital alone. Given the manpower required to defend our borders, this was the only logical allocation of resources. I alone would be sufficient for this task. In fact, when I fought at full strength, subordinates often became a hindrance.
This was a war against the Republic. Therefore, it was only logical to investigate their central hub. I doubted Barulk himself was hiding here, but I hoped to find some sort of lead. The hardliners’ civil war had originated in this very city. If Barulk intended to fashion the Republic into a new Demon King’s Army, he would have likely conducted his secret preparations here.
If I found no leads, it made little difference. I would simply lay waste to every major city, starting with the capital. Using the same methods I had employed in the former demon territory, I would rain down Forbidden Magic until the Republic was reduced to a barren wasteland. Faced with slaughter on such a scale, even Barulk would be forced to act.
Until now, I had been perpetually reactive, but I had to seize the offensive. To remain on the defensive was to play right into his hands. The Republic no longer deserved to exist. Just as Barulk intended, it was transforming into a nation of demons. It posed a threat identical to that of the Demon King’s Domain and had become a blight upon world peace. If left unchecked, it would only spread terror among the people.
I will dismantle it entirely. It is time for the Demon King to demonstrate his true nature.
I manifested in the sky above the capital, just as I had once before. I looked down at the city, where magical beasts were so rampant they almost completely blanketed the streets. They wandered aimlessly, letting out low groans. For magical beasts, they were strangely docile, showing no signs of attacking one another.
The sight was reminiscent of the undead under my command. Barulk was likely holding them in check through some hidden means. When I scrutinized the swarm, I detected the distinct interference of a technique. As I suspected, they were being manipulated.
Are the specimens remaining here meant for the capital's defense?
I speculated as I surveyed the layout. He might intend to wear down the Demon King’s Domain with his first wave, then send these in later to deliver the final blow. Regardless, it was best to eliminate them now.
As I observed them, the beasts noticed my presence. Creatures with wings and those with powerful legs lunged toward me all at once. I warded off the incoming breaths of fire and ice with defense magic. The power was considerable, but manageable.
Without a moment's pause, the beasts pounced. They lashed out with claws and fangs, their sheer numbers leaving no room for me to evade.
But it was no matter.
I dashed through the air, my keepsake sword a blur. The beasts I intercepted were dismantled, falling to the earth in pieces. Those that dared to attack me were scattered as mere chunks of meat. They were little more than animals, possessing only the base intelligence required to attack in a pack. Though their bodies were resilient, they lacked the skill to utilize that strength.
As I continued to swing my blade, I invoked my magic. Tiny sparks of flame cascaded from my hands, diving into the thick of the swarm before detonating. The magical beasts caught in the direct blast were incinerated and blown apart.
The ruptured fireballs then absorbed the mana of the fallen, using it to fuel their own reconstruction. With every cycle, they swelled in size. These restored fireballs sought out other nearby beasts and exploded again, growing larger with every life they claimed.
Those fireballs would detonate semi-permanently as long as a target remained. By absorbing the magic power of the slain, their potency only increased. Due to the limited mana in humans, the spell could not be sustained against them, but against magical beasts, it was devastating. I could simply leave them to their own devices, and they would automatically track and slaughter the swarm.
This spell was an original modification of existing magic, developed specifically for the mass-extermination of magical beasts. Because it was an indiscriminate attack that could not distinguish between friend and foe, I could never use it near my own allies. However, in a situation like this, it was the optimal solution.
Next, I focused my will on the mangled carcasses littering the streets. The remains writhed of their own accord, knitting themselves together into a massive Flesh Centipede. This singular entity began spawning human-sized monstrosities at an infinite rate. Since materials were scattered everywhere, I combined them without hesitation.
I set the resulting swarm of centipedes upon the remaining magical beasts. To ensure they didn't interfere with my fireballs, I directed them to move in the opposite direction.
The magical beasts fought back with all their might, roaring as they tore the centipedes apart or crushed their heads underfoot. They opened their massive maws and crunched through the undead flesh. The countless centipedes were seemingly defeated in an instant.
However, the centipedes were undead. Being a mere collection of grafted flesh, they possessed no vital organs. Even if pulverized, the separate chunks of meat would simply reconnect and rise again. The centipedes utilized that unnatural tenacity to begin their counterattack. The magical beasts they killed were likewise raised as undead, turning into new soldiers to claim even more victims.
The tide of battle shifted rapidly.
This should suffice.
I reached this judgment as I watched the magical beasts being devoured by my undead. The foundation had been laid. Even if left alone, the beasts would eventually be eradicated. Once the time was right, I would deactivate the fireballs and allow the undead to propagate.
Against living creatures, my power held an absolute advantage. No matter what technique controlled them, it was meaningless before the Authority of the Valley of the Dead. I could exert my influence while sealing away all other magical interference.
Having unleashed my means of annihilation, I began my investigation of the capital. While cutting down any beast that dared approach, I toured the major facilities. In the process, I discovered various orders and stockpiles of the magical beast drug. In locations my spies had been unable to reach, I found new information regarding the drug’s production and the details of the civil war.
However, most of it was already outdated. It would be of no use at this stage.
Not much progress, but I suppose it can't be helped.
I deactivated the fireballs raging outside, leaving the remaining beasts to the undead. The harvest of information had been meager, but I had succeeded in stripping the Republic of a significant portion of its military strength.
If they intended to invade my domain, I would retaliate against the Republic alone. In terms of sheer destructive speed, I was far superior. I would continue to level their cities as many times as it took until Barulk appeared. Given his immense pride and obsession, he would not be able to overlook such an outrage for long.
Just as I prepared to teleport to another city, I perceived a suspicious magic power reaction nearby. A moment later, a window was shattered, and something tumbled into the room.
It was a low-ranking demon. Its eyes were rolled back, and it was convulsing, frothing at the mouth. The magic power within its body was being chaotically disturbed by external interference. The demon propped itself up and turned its vacant, white eyes toward me.
“...Dwight Harvelt. It has been a long time. Tell me, have you retired from your life as a Sage?”
The demon spoke in a mocking tone. Its froth-covered mouth was twisted into a look of pure, sadistic pleasure.