Chapter 77 – Recognition (7)
‘The heavily damaged forces of Agor have effectively lost their main strength. If I wanted, I could wipe them all out right now…’
While pretending to ponder over the map laid out before me, in truth, my consciousness is focused on the swarm.
With the ability to simultaneously command hundreds of thousands of entities, including workers and facilities, as if they were my own limbs…
No one understands the situation on the battlefield as accurately as I do. Agor’s soldiers, now reduced to scattered remnants, are no longer a hindrance.
However, the reason I’m not eliminating them right now is part of a larger strategy.
The beginning of this strategy started with the arrival of the vampire army sent by the Superior Lord Irwan. It’s about time we faced stronger foes. Just as in the game, weaker enemies provide fewer nutrients and experience points; similarly, I require stronger adversaries for my development.
“The vampire population isn’t particularly large. Specifically, the number of pure-blood vampires is quite limited. Therefore, vampires often create vassals from half-breeds and various other races to serve them. Although there are differences in power among these vassals, they can combine the strength given by their masters with their own, meaning even the weakest vassal won’t be outmatched by Agor’s elite Orc troops.”
“Huh? Sounds like a tasty target.”
Syla, who was once a pure-blood vampire, gave me detailed information on the ecology of vampires—information that goes beyond simply analyzing the genetic material embedded in their bodies, such as societal habits and systems.
Of course, having played as a vampire in the game before, I already understood the basics, but I didn’t reveal that fact.
Anyway, there are many elements in the game’s set-up that remain unexplained.
“A tens-of-thousands-strong expeditionary force? Most of them are likely those vassals. The core power lies in the noble-class vampires who know blood magic. Once they’re eliminated, the army will undoubtedly collapse.”
“I should have Agor’s soldiers fall back and form a defensive line before the vampire reinforcements arrive. Then, we’ll send out raiding parties to skirmish and then retreat from the defensive line.”
Although Agor is ultimately expendable, for now, they need to continue serving as capable mercenaries under my command for a little while longer.
The required thing at this moment is performance. And creating that performance is ultimately under my control.
“Get them out of the way appropriately.”
I immediately moved the soldiers, causing the struggling forces of Agor to retreat.
If they successfully counter the critical situation as I planned, it will be an unparalleled achievement.
“All remaining forces, fall back to the designated position and form a defensive line.”
“Tch, are you sure about this?”
“Lord Zumun’s condition has suddenly worsened…”
I informed Agor’s retainers of this fact.
Though they clearly weren’t satisfied with the strategy I proposed, they couldn’t reject it with Zumun’s sudden decline in condition. Besides, Agor trusts me more than his own subordinates.
“Hurry and retreat! The order has been issued!”
The deployed soldiers moved quickly upon my command.
The reconnaissance unit, flying gracefully across the sky, observed their retreat from the barely held base to the designated position I had appointed.
‘This is a novel experience.’
Infiltrating the ranks of the demons, commanding their forces while observing their movements from the sky in real-time—it’s a fresh feeling.
Much like when I used to enjoy this world as a game. I wonder how those who ‘voluntarily’ joined this game with me feel about this moment.
Of course, even in this situation, my essence does not change.
I am a victim forcibly dragged into this world, struggling pitifully to survive.
And as a collective consciousness of the swarm, survival is our duty. We will never die.
If we perish, it will be with this world—not alone.
“Push forward.”
I sent my soldiers to the position vacated by Agor’s forces. We established nests in the newly occupied territories, absorbing nutrients while the numerous and swift units like the Fallen Ones and Blade Ones chased the retreating enemies.
“The enemy is approaching! Hold them back!”
“The defensive line must be held at all costs. Shamans, make the walls immediately. The rest, place stakes!”
Defensive lines were formed, and intense battles erupted there.
They followed my instructions to urgently construct walls, plant stakes, and use magic to freeze surfaces—all to prevent my soldiers from climbing.
My soldiers did not hold back. Though this was essentially staged, any given opportunity would result in mercilessly killing the enemies.
Aware of this fact, Agor’s soldiers fought desperately with everything they had, while the few tips I shared disrupted my soldiers, balancing the fight.
‘Anyway, once the main force is deployed, everything will fall apart.’
Now that I am capable of producing stronger and more advanced soldiers, the strategy of using low-cost forces like the Fallen Ones and Blade Ones as the main force is outdated, but they proved effective in this instance.
They successfully executed an intense defensive operation.
“The enemies can’t climb! Shoot quickly!”
The sight of Agor’s soldiers rejoicing upon witnessing the weakening of our troops was visible across all defensive lines.
Having given enough, I withdrew my soldiers and put them on standby.
The reconnaissance unit observed their celebration of victory.
Though it may seem amusing, it’s best to let them revel for now.
When the urgent message reaches the castle where my clone resides in just a day, everything will be turned upside down again.
“From now on, you are the chief of staff. Think of any means to stop them.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
As expected, upon hearing the successful establishment of the defensive line and the victory, Agor joyfully elevated my status in front of his bewildered subordinates.
‘In the first place, there’s no comparison.’
Turning back, I smiled at the speechless Gruck.
His expression interpreted this as a provocation and naturally worsened, but I never thought of someone like him as a competitor from the beginning.
The stage is now set. All that’s left is the arrival of the new prey.
[Vampire forces entering territory]
It didn’t take long.
…
“To think that the entire territory is on the brink of collapse due to a group of monsters, but it seems more manageable than expected.”
“They are no ordinary beast horde, Lord Lazar.”
While Agor’s territory suffered from the war to the point of collapsing, a large military force marched into the area.
“The survivors’ testimonies were all true. Those beasts that the borderlands call Dark Fiends are at least as powerful as a Count-class Lord.”
The youngest-looking man of the highest rank among them snickered at the relatively peaceful frontier compared to the frontlines, while the elderly man beside him shook his head seriously.
The only one who truly understood the monsters they were about to confront was the group of knights under Marcela, who had fled here.
The evidence being that the army was not a mere beast horde but turned conquered lands into countless nests and spewed out several times the original number of forces, capable of simultaneously taking on five Count-class Lords.
“The last report I heard was that they were on the verge of collapse.”
“Seeing how it’s still peaceful here, it seems they managed to successfully hold them off.”
They rushed here because they received intelligence that Agor’s territory was about to fall completely to the enemy.
Fortunately, Agor’s forces successfully withdrew the soldiers and reorganized the defense lines just in time.
“Our lord wishes to capture this place before other Dukes. Since other Dukes are already sending reinforcements to other Count-class Lords, we must eliminate these fiends as quickly as possible and take over other territories.”
Lazar muttered the top-secret order given by the Lord.
Of course, none of this help is free. Even among Superior Lords, it’s all about relationships.
With higher-rank Lords existing, they wanted to increase their influence to elevate their own ranks.
Balancing each other and maintaining harmony, they enjoyed a long period of peace—but now the balance was broken by the monster invasion from outside.
A crisis is also an opportunity—a fact not lost on some people.
The group following the vampire Duke Irwan is no exception.
