Not all of the Knight Orders could travel through a single portal. They divided their forces into the four directions and moved towards the Demon Realm, planning to join forces after arriving.

To the east were the Blue Blood Knight Order and the Dark Iron Knight Order. To the west were the Shadow Knight Order and the Hose Knight Order. To the south were the Twilight Knight Order and the Wilderness Knight Order. To the north were the Empire’s Knight Orders: the Guardian Knight Order, the Heaven Time Knight Order, and the Scarlet Scales Knight Order. Aside from the 7 major Knight Orders that formed the core, the rest of the forces were split according to their numbers and utility.

“Did everyone have a good dream last night?”

At the head of the northern forces was the Guardian Knight Order. Their commander, Ector Enti, looked over the knights standing on the plains with a dignified yet cheerful expression. At his question, the knights only stood still with grim faces, like statues.

It was the day of the operation to reclaim the Stone of Peace. It was fortunate if they hadn’t had nightmares, though it was likely that most had slept poorly, caught in the tension. It seemed that Ector, aware of their hearts, shouted again with greater force.

“It doesn’t matter what dreams we had, or how peacefully we slept last night. What is important is the citizens of the Empire who live under our protection! It is their sound sleep, trusting in our victory!”

Cadel silently watched Ector’s figure as he skillfully raised the morale of their troops. He was a truly reliable commander. Unlike the ideal commander he was, Cadel himself hadn’t spoken a word during this early morning gathering. He was afraid that if he spoke, unnecessary emotions would spill out.

“Fight! What we must seize is peace! The lives of the Empire’s people, and the entire human realm! Is your shoulder heavy? Then swing your sword and shake it off! Through relentless struggle, we will finally! Put an end to this damn war and earn infinite glory!”

As Ector raised his greatsword, a roar like thunder erupted from the knights. Not only the Guardian Knight Order, but even the Heaven Time Knight Order, seemingly infected by the fervor, quickly fired up with fighting spirit. Only the Scarlet Scales Knight Order remained silent.

“Magicians, open the Gate of Retribution!”

The waiting magicians began casting the spell that covered the area where the Guardian Knight Order stood. Following their gestures, thin strands of mana fluttered in the air, and a magic circle was drawn on the ground.

The Guardian Knight Order would be the first to move through the portal to the Demon Realm. After them would follow the Heaven Time Knight Order. The Scarlet Scales Knight Order would be the last to enter, tasked with observing the flow of the battlefield and looking for openings in a supporting role — this was the northern portal’s strategy.

It seemed simple at first glance, but it was a tactic that could only be carried out with the cooperation of the Empire’s sturdy Knight Orders, such as the Guardian Knight Order.

‘It’s nearly impossible to start a search right after entering the portal. I’ll have to secure a certain degree of success before we move forward.’

Cadel had to handle two tasks at once, which made his mind more tangled than usual. Numerous plans were gradually being lined up in the whirlwind inside his head.

“It’s ready! We’re activating the magic circle!”

At the cry of one of the magicians, a dark mana began to rise from the ground where the Guardian Knight Order stood. The dark mana grew larger and began to envelop their bodies in shadows, and the weight on Cadel’s shoulders seemed to grow heavier.

“All units! Steel yourselves!”

Though Ector, positioned at the very front of the countless units, was barely visible, the intensity of his will was clearly conveyed.

‘With Sir Ector here, the burden will be lighter.’

Cadel trusted that even if he was not present, Ector would be able to lead the men well. Cadel watched as the Guardian Knight Order disappeared into the consuming dark mana.

The thought that the final war was about to begin was enough to stir up excitement, so he tried his best to clear his head. He wanted to face the battle as calmly as possible. However……

“Cadel.”

Amidst the silence of his subordinates, Yozen called out to him. He glanced toward Yozen and heard a serious, deep voice.

“Get off the magic circle.”

“……What? Why?”

“I sense demonic energy inside it. It’s as if it’s trying to tear through the magic circle……”

The Gate of Retribution would emit dark mana once activated, but since it was a human-made magic circle, it could not generate demonic energy like the Demon Realm’s portals. To feel demonic energy inside it — something was definitely wrong.

Cadel instinctively sensed that something was wrong. He opened his mouth to call for Ector, but the next moment……

“Wha…… What……!”

“Aaaargh!”

A massive surge of demonic energy suddenly erupted, swallowing the entire magic circle. The flood of demonic energy quickly engulfed the Guardian Knight Order. From beyond, the knights’ screams could be heard, their voices tearing through the air.

“Demonic energy……?”

“Sir Moritol!”

Cadel found Moritol among the confused allies. Moritol seemed flustered by the unexpected situation but quickly tried to understand the cause of the problem.

“Is there a problem with the magic circle?”

“No, there was no mistake in the spell. It’s impossible for demonic energy to come from a magic circle created with human mana in the first place.”

“Then what am I seeing right now?”

“It’s a trap. The goal wasn’t just to draw humans into the Demon Realm. The magic circle itself was the trap.”

When the Demon Realm magic circle was completed and a path between the Demon Realm and the Human Realm opened, the enemy had planned to strike, aiming for that very moment.

‘There was a demon watching human activities. Once they knew the Gate of Retribution was complete, they must have been waiting and signaled as soon as it was activated. I never thought there would be such a trap.’

Emilia had never intended to allow humans into the Demon Realm from the start.

“We need to save the Guardian Knight Order! We must set up a barrier and send reinforcements inside immediately……”

“Wait.”

If they left the Guardian Knight Order trapped inside, they would suffer a huge loss before the war even began. Cadel spoke urgently, but Moritol stopped him.

He furrowed his brow and stared at the pillar of demonic energy that had trapped the Guardian Knight Order. Following his gaze, Cadel saw the pillar gradually losing its power.

The demonic energy slowly dissipated from its frenzied surge, revealing the shapes of their vanished allies. And.

“Kahahak, die, die!”

“To the great Demon Realm, to the great Demon King!”

“Come on, let’s fight, I’ll kill you all!”

Their vital points were pierced by the sharp claws of the demons, they were hung on long spear poles, they were brutally crushed and twisted, and they staggered around covered in blood. A feast of High Demons, demons, and monsters spread out their wings beside the broken ones.

In the blink of an eye, more than half of the curious allies were dead, and the surviving ones were breathlessly dealing with the foe that loomed before them. Cadel was left speechless by this unreal turn of events.

‘I don’t remember this development…….

in his memory. The same was true outside of the story. In Cadel’s blurry vision, every High Demon that appeared was a newcomer, no matter how many times he scanned them.

His mouth went dry. He wondered if these unfamiliar foes were new additions to Hell Mode, and a shiver ran down his spine at the way his plan had gone awry from the start.

“Sir Ector, if you are alive, answer me!”

Moritol shouted Ector’s name at the top of his lungs as he witnessed the carnage. Soon, a booming voice broke through the overflowing mass of enemies.

“The Gate of Retribution is being devoured! We can’t move unless we kill them all! Sir Moritol, Sir Cadel, fight!”

The Gate of Retribution was being devoured. Cadel’s expression turned to horror as he reflexively glanced down at the magic circle at Ector’s words.

The magic circle beneath him was covered in pale demonic energy. As if there was a thin mirror between the underground and the surface, the enemies of the Demon Realm could be clearly seen.

‘Damn it, this is why…….’

He had lost half of the Guardian Knight Order’s power in such a futile manner. It was a ridiculous loss. Clenching his fists, Cadel immediately released mana. The sharp wind mana created individual shields that enveloped the Scarlet Scales Knight Order, as well as allies on the battlefield.

“Garuel, spread your area healing within the magic circle! Save all allies you can!”

“Understood!”

“Lumen and Yozen, cover Garuel, Lydon and Van, protect the Guardian Knight Order, and clear out the enemies!”

Quickly giving the orders, Cadel poured mana into his pendant.

‘We can’t afford to prolong our travel time to the Demon Realm. We need to make it quick.’

He couldn’t afford to lose his power before the game even began. His pupils dilated like snakes as he drew on Kunla’s power without hesitation.

‘High Demons first. The rest will be left to the knights.’

With sharp, rolling eyes, a High Demon appeared. From the highest point in the sky, the demon watched the chaotic battlefield with his arms crossed behind his back. His dark red, short hair and skin as pale as snow, with wings of uneven length, made him stand out.

Even as Cadel observed all of his features carefully, no familiar enemy came to mind.

‘Not sure what this one is about, but generally speaking, it’s the ones who carry themselves with that kind of weight that are the most troublesome.’

Before that demon could make a move, Cadel resolved to act swiftly. He began to summon his magic, but then —

“……Huh?”

The demon, who had been looking down dispassionately at the battlefield, vanished in an instant.