Chapter 227

What does it mean to control the high ground in combat?

Advantage in numbers? Combat Power? Terrain and Climate? Initiative? Weapon Advantages? Strategy and Tactics?

If we focus solely on the content of controlling high ground, it would be correct to say that it means taking advantage of the terrain.

However, that’s context-based meaning.

The true meaning is about setting up a favorable position over your opponent.

“To do that, you have to occupy space.”

Then what is occupation?

Years ago.

In a dream, the Demon King preached that everything encompassing points, lines, surfaces, voids, and colors… must be occupied.

“It includes both tangible and intangible things.”

Let me give an example.

“When the Demon Army invaded the Middle Realm, they couldn’t fully utilize their power. Do you know why?”

It wasn’t unfamiliar knowledge.

After pondering how to respond, I answered.

“Is it not the difference between magic and mana?”

“You got the core right. But skipping the essence is problematic. Like how a knight wielding a sword doesn’t mean they understand its manufacturing process or structure.”

Having set the stage, the Demon King briefly explained.

“The easiest analogy would be air.”

“Air… you mean?”

“Have you ever been to high altitudes? I’m talking about high elevations.”

“…”

“Unlike humans and beasts from lower altitudes, organisms at high elevations have exceptional lung capacity and cardiovascular endurance.”

Skipping oxygen density and altitude sickness as it might be hard to grasp.

“For an intuitive analogy, aquatic creatures breathe easily underwater, unlike you guys.”

“…So, for beings from the Demon Realm, the Middle Realm is like being underwater for us?”

“Broadly speaking. Some creatures can function well underwater, but even they have limits since they aren’t truly aquatic.”

Therefore.

“By eroding and transforming the space itself into Demon Realmification, beings from the Demon Realm establish a proper foothold and activity area in the Middle Realm. You wouldn’t expect a knight on horseback to perform a mounted charge underwater, would you?”

Moreover, within the Demon Realmified space, creatures of the Middle Realm find themselves unable to use their full strength.

“So, by flooding the land with water, making it advantageous for aquatic creatures, it conversely becomes difficult for terrestrial beings to operate. That’s the idea.”

To you creatures and races of the Middle Realm, this might not be much of an issue.

“But this is also why long-term invasions by demons into the Middle Realm are disadvantageous.”

“…”

“This is a problem before battle even begins. So then, what comes next? Once the battle starts, warriors fight at the front while commanders and leaders fight from the rear using not weapons, but eyes, ears, minds, and mouths. Assess the battlefield, oversee the field, and deploy friendly forces effectively. Even if you face thousands alone, a single swing from each of them combined wouldn’t match your strength.”

The girl-shaped Demon King asserted without hesitation.

“Unless your presence directly matches that effect.”

Or.

“If your existence isn’t decisive in victory, then proper command is the key to maximizing battlefield efficiency.”

“…Was that why you refrained from directly entering the thick of battle even when you were at the forefront?”

“That’s precisely why my presence was feared even more.”

Even if the Demon King displayed terrifying divine authority repeatedly…

Once it becomes predictable, adaptation begins, regardless of ally or foe.

Thus, allies may grow complacent, while enemies will desperately analyze and attempt to counteract it.

Rather, maintaining mystery and inspiring fear through secrecy proves far more effective.

“I also knew how to use my tongue well and laid groundwork accordingly.”

The golden girl pointed sequentially at her own tongue and head.

“Furthermore, my composure served as a kind of guarantee, proving the strongest faith and superiority to my allies.”

When commanders and leaders show anxiety and instability, those emotions and psychological states inevitably spread downward.

“So whether it’s a battlefield or a fight, knowing your role before engaging is crucial.”

That’s why.

Whether you’re a leader, a lone warrior, a vanguard commander, or just a soldier…

“The first step is always occupying space. Never forget that losing sight of yourself leads nowhere. Knowing yourself and standing firm is where battles and wars truly begin.”

Only then can you think, plan, strategize…

“And avoid mistakes. Every minute and second there determines life and death, victory and defeat for friend and foe alike.”

Clear judgment.

Appropriate intervention.

Understanding the enemy’s intentions.

Recognizing when allies are in trouble.

Hold all these in one hand, perceive them with one glance, and seize control.

“That’s the least you should strive for. And if it still fails? Blame your own limits or curse the heavens.”

—

Decisive judgment, swift decisions.

Identify what can be done and select the most appropriate course of action.

Where should you intervene for maximum efficiency?

What’s the estimated damage scale?

Depending on your judgment, the gap between victory and defeat can rapidly narrow or widen.

I’ve experienced this obsessively.

“…”

But unlike before, when acting alone, if you need to consider other fronts…

This must already be considered group warfare or even a war.

Including Odin’s reinforcements, the scale has reached the necessary conditions for conducting a war.

And the Golden Girl.

She once told me this.

Facing hundreds or thousands, their combined single strike wouldn’t match mine.

But what if that strike lands on something meaningless?

That too counts as loss and damage.

To minimize losses, every movement, response, attack, and defense must remain meaningful at all times.

Neglecting it might still allow for fighting…

But is that enough?

‘Great Raven Banner (Hrafnsmerki).’

Thus, to gain the divine blessing for the warriors arriving here, I newly claimed this space.

This alone could amplify current forces by hundreds.

‘Raven Boner.’

Originally smaller and closer to triangular, but I’ve implemented it arbitrarily for now.

Though it primarily symbolizes prayers and wishes for Odin’s blessing…

With the symbols and holy marks drawn on the flag, their meaning and effects will stand out even more.

I entrusted it to the Valkyries.

Sending Valkyries along indicates Odin’s clear intention.

More accurately, his exceptional insight.

They likely serve dual purposes: assisting on the battlefield while simultaneously keeping an eye on that other me, the War Deity over there.

Still, that’s not the main battlefield.

Here, where I am, is the real place determining victory or defeat.

Thus, additional measures are necessary here.

“Azenia. Do you have any idea what I need?”

So I sought Athena’s help.

Given my current ability to manifest divine and sacred artifacts through the application of Dark Arts technology…

However, since I’m not the rightful owner, obtaining permission from the actual overseer remains nearly impossible.

[Then what fits this situation perfectly is probably this, right?]

There, Athena recommended her symbolic wooden statue.

—Ksoanon (Ξόανον), right?

The Golden Girl added briefly.

Normally, I shouldn’t know this, yet the knowledge flowed effortlessly.

A worship statue supposedly erected in the major city-state of Azena during the Creek era.

Interestingly, it’s also tied to a myth where stealing this statue during a great war turned an almost certain victory into defeat.

The Golden Girl indicated it was suitable, though not ideal.

—An item fitting for a fortress, but not bad for temporarily establishing a domain.

If it’s not some amateurish domain but one constructed by a deity…

—You, who directly receive such blessings, couldn’t ask for better fortune.

Thus.

I established the Palladium.

…Indeed.

It felt unbelievable how light my body became.

Despite my usual inefficiency with mana or divine power compared to others, I could feel explosive strength surging throughout my body.

But even this falls far short.

“…”

Still, preparations and responses pile up endlessly.

From Hibaitein, infinite power seems to flow.

Yet my limits as the vessel remain clear.

Mismanaging this power could incinerate my entire body before I accomplish anything.

Which brings us to Regnir, preordained as its rightful owner.

That this situation, where Heba’s authority resides with me, transcends mere luck or fortune and borders on absurdity.

‘Do everything possible…’

Attempt. Utilize. Introduce.

Even if this entity’s origins lie in falsehoods, it undeniably embodies divine sanctity and rank capable of deceiving the world.

—Didn’t someone mention excelling at tormenting overachievers?

The Golden Girl, the former Demon King, snickered.

—Experience firsthand the meaning behind that mocking praise.

“…”

Certainly not an insult, yet why does it sound like one?

Chuckling lightly, I headed toward their direction.

Minette stood beside me, and the giant detached a tree-formed monster from the World Tree.

Soon, the current Demon King, Lucesia, watched me with crimson, dazzling eyes blending gold and blood.

Her entire body had turned bright red, wings shifting to fiery hues, resembling not an angel but an ancient fallen angel transformed into a demon.

Part holy demon, part terrifying and fearsome figure.

Beauty and futility, vanity and emptiness coexisted, creating boundless mystery and abstract unknowns.

Even the radiant crown above her head darkened, turning deep crimson.

<…>

“Minette.”

No skirmishes or reconnaissance battles.

From the start, full power.

A freezing cold swept out from Minette’s entire body.

Beyond mere sensory deception, it manifested as substantial matter and phenomena.

Frost erupted like steam, disturbing the surrounding air until finally unleashing a frost storm.

“…”

Its scale was far from small.

It completely enveloped the area around the World Tree.

The sheer force allowing a single individual to summon natural disasters and calamities must be the exclusive privilege of those inheriting the Great Demon King’s legacy.

And me.

I unleashed uncontrollable, overwhelming firepower from my palm.

Gripping my staff in my left hand, I embedded it shallowly into the ground.

All my focus concentrated in my right palm.

‘Not one, but two.’

Dark Arts harnesses immense power, using it as a driving force.

Then either neutralizes, releases, radiates, or emits it, utilizing all strength and output at will.

Most of what I’ve demonstrated so far focused on neutralization.

But beyond neutralization, if I can intentionally control and utilize this power…

…It opens endless possibilities.

‘Beyond this point, there’s no retreat.’

Judgment came swiftly, yet doubts lingered.

Through Ennea, I quickly regulated my breathing, concentrated my consciousness, and controlled my mind.

Unified consciousness focuses solely on purpose and execution.

Proper immersion brings calm even amidst chaos and storms.

‘…’

Observing vaguely as Minette’s frost storm engulfs them.

It doesn’t penetrate.

The chilling cold has no effect on Lucesia’s surrounding area.

Physical force and phenomena alone seem insufficient to harm them.

This understanding became clear.

Yet, bound to this world, no being escapes its principles.

Because the world never tolerates irrationality or disadvantage beyond its standards.

Had I not known this, perhaps it’d be different, but knowing makes exceptions impossible.

This world has thresholds that cannot be surpassed merely through ignorance.

But for me now…

…That doesn’t apply.

“Come forward.”

Everyone refers to this as Darkness Arts, Black Light Arts.

Grandeous called it this.

The only unique sword.

This very thing was once considered the sole weapon capable of defeating the Great Demon King.

“Pavīs sarte.”

Repel and return.

Thus, inadequate Darkness Arts.

“Sōris lētā.”

Savior, grant rest.

And therefore, clumsy Black Light Arts.

Behold, Eludo Dia Ara

Destroy! The false king’s paradise!

Fanis Diva Pavīs

Sanctuary and deity! Repel them!

“Behold. This [sword] you taught me.”

I shall crush you.

Tenth.

Decca

“Parā ēnsis.”

Prepare the sword.

First.

“Micāte.”

Ice storms and the intense flames blazing from my right palm.

Everything gets sucked into a tiny point appearing before my eyes.

Phenomena separate into points and lines from surfaces and get absorbed.

Thus, it.

Within the void and emptiness.

Became one, became two, merged and separated.

Coexisting, annihilating together.

“Necāta.”

Without any warning.

At the moment I whispered it.

Light, immense light engulfed the surroundings, sky and earth entirely.

Before the intense heatstorm could shake the area,

A deafening roar and massive tremor shook the entire space.

――━━━━――

All sounds ceased, and the entire world was covered in light and whiteness.

…Though I couldn’t destroy the entire world,

It came close enough.

Otherwise, I couldn’t possibly defeat him,

My beloved Great Demon King.

This is, therefore, a controlled disaster within a limited area.

Thus signifying calamity and disaster.

It is, henceforth, the Sword of Chaos shattering order.

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