Side Story Chapter 157

Side Story Chapter 157

-Terbion was killed by a human?

The humans weren’t the only ones who were surprised by Terbion’s death. Even the demons obsessing over Longin turned to look.

-He’s an embarrassment to us all.

-Would someone go and take care of those humans already? They might cause a bigger problem.

-Aere, drop the act. I can see what you’re doing.

-Hehe. Was I that obvious?

-You’ve been unable to take your eyes off the spear, so it’s impossible not to see...

Even though the ten demons had become nine now, they were only mildly curious. Despite the loss of their comrade, the demons remained nonchalant. nove(l)bi(n.)com

“Your Highness...?” Valmont cautiously approached Kireua but flinched in surprise. There was nothing but darkness in Kireua’s eyes. His dark eyes—no, it was safe to say that they were demonic eyes—triggered humans’ primordial fears.

‘Am I looking at Prince Kireua...?’

Valmont blinked and Kireua’s eyes were back to their original state.

“Sir Valmont,” Kireua said.

“Huh? Uh, yes, Your Highness.”

“Our soldiers’ morale is very high right now, so let’s use this opportunity to open the gates.”

“Ah, of course, thanks to you... Excuse me? Open the gates?”

Valmont couldn’t believe his ears. Everyone knew that their fortifications were giving them an advantage. In addition, the entirety of Arcadia would turn into a battlefield if they opened the gates, putting ordinary citizens at risk.

“Your Highness, I’m sorry to tell you this, but no matter how good things are going right now, I don’t believe there’s any need to take that risk.” Valmont shook his head.

He was always honest and didn’t hesitate to give his forthright opinion to whomever he was talking to. When it was wrong, Valmont had to say no. Besides, most of the people on the street were children and people who didn’t know how to fight.

“This is the only way to make other kings take action,” Kireua said.

“Other... kings?”

Every person on the continent should know about this battle since it’s between such a large group of undead and humans, but whoever steps in first is going to shed the most blood. If other countries continue to remain spectators, Avalon will be the one who receives the most damage.”

“A-Although I understand what you’re talking about, I think that we won’t even need to consider that choice if we take care of all the undead right now. It’ll increase our nation’s prestige to new heights,” Valmont refuted, trying to calm Kireua down.

“The undead here aren’t the end.”

“...Pardon?”

“Since Evil Sins' powers have appeared in our lands, all of the undead on the continent will come swarming to Avalon, and we won’t be enough to deal with all of them.”

Valmont understood what Kireua meant but was still hesitant to carry out Kireua’s order. The possibility of a massacre taking place in the center of Arcadia was too much for him.

“Right back at you.”

Kireua slowly turned, his sword already drawn, and he released a tempest of his aura.

“This is for the better, really. We can use this opportunity to finish our fight. The winner is going to be the next emperor, yes?”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

The two princes’ energies ferociously clashed in the center of the battlefield.

“W-We should stop this!” Valmont urged Tremblin.

“Mmm....” Tremblin grunted.

Slap! Slap!

Kireua and Selim’s heads snapped to the side. They froze, their eyes wide.

“What are you two doing?”

“Yo-Your Majesty Iceline...!” Valmont heaved a sigh of relief. He felt a thick trace of mana nearby that must have been created by Iceline’s teleportation.

“What a disgrace. If anyone saw you two right now, they would think the war is over,” Iceline scolded the two Princes, her eyes cold.

Selim lowered his head guiltily, but Kireua was still expressionless.

“Both of you shall follow Duke Tremblin’s orders during this war since experience is something that can always be relied upon,” Iceline firmly stated. “Duke Tremblin, can I ask you to take care of them?”

“All you need to do is order me, Your Majesty.” Tremblin smiled gently.

Although Iceline nodded confidently, her lips were trembling faintly. What she’d caught of the princes’ conversation left her in shock.

‘I can’t believe Kireua had such a side...’ Iceline thought. This kind of news should be shared with the other Queen Consorts. Since Icarus was proficient in politics and management, she could assess the situation more objectively than the others. Of course, Iceline could never tolerate risking Avalon’s citizens in order to involve other countries in the war, so the whole plan sounded preposterous to her.

‘I’m sure that His Majesty wouldn’t make such a decision either.’

Iceline let out a sigh and looked back and forth between the two Princes. “Why are you two not answering me? Does a Queen Consort’s order mean nothing to you?”

“N-No, Your Majesty.” Selim took his spear and quickly went over to Tremblin.

“Why haven’t I heard your answer, Prince Kireua?”

“...Yes, Your Majesty,” Kireua quietly responded, and then turned away from the gates and toward the demons. “Thanks to His Majesty’s undead legion, the tide of the battle has turned in our favor again, so I’m trying to use this opportunity to exterminate the rest of the demons. Can I ask for your permission on this?”

“Well...” Iceline trailed off. She had witnessed Kiruea’s skill from the sky, but she was still concerned. She had witnessed the entire fight, she now knew how terrifying these demons were, but she didn’t want Kireua to lose face by instantly turning him down.

“Kireua, I hope you won’t worry too much about...” Iceline suddenly stopped talking, her lips quivering with new anxiety.

“Your Majesty...?” Tremblin noticed her behavior first and tilted his head in confusion.

Iceline blankly opened her mouth.

“...Open.”

“...What?” The group looked at her, shocked.

“Tell the soldiers to open the gates right now, Sir Valmont. This is an order.”