Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

Chapter 1006- Seraphim of Honor— [Barachiel] (3)

"No matter how many times we look at the map, it won't help" One of the commanders seated around the table strained his neck and looked at his subordinate.

"Any sign of movement from the enemy?"

 "None, sir," the scout replied, but his eyes betrayed his apprehension "But they're coming. The reports… they're consistent. There are millions of them. Maybe even tens of millions. We won't…"

 He stopped himself, biting his lips.

"Enough. Just keep watch."

The commander dismissed the scout before he could say anything. They all knew how hopeless the situation looked, there was no need for a mere scout to tell them that.

But despite his attempts to keep the scout's words in check, the aura of dread was impossible to shake. Everyone in the room could feel it— the inevitability of the approaching army. It was as if the air itself carried the stench of death.

"How long until reinforcements arrive?" someone asked.

"Reinforcements? " A younger officer scoffed bitterly "Reinforcements that won't arrive in time, you mean?"

His words attracted sharp glares from the others, but no one argued the point.

 "Enough with all of that" the officer with the highest authority here, decided to finally open his mouth. His name was Vaylen and he was the knight commander of the kingdom of Orlandos.

That is until the king fled and most of the high ranking officers from the order packed their belongings and gave in their resignation. He on the other hand did not leave and gathered whatever little soldiers and officers he could gather to mount a final resistance.

 It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was the very will of the kingdom of Orlandos' resistance.

"We should not beat ourselves down and instead look for ways that can give us hope. What happened of the Angels? The Demon Lord of Envy's army managed to invade this deep inside the Central continent. Shouldn't the Three Star Scripture start making their move by now?".

One of the subordinates responded "As per Commander Vaylen's order, I have sent multiple missives. Just this morning, I finally received a response."

 His voice faltered slightly under the weight of the room's expectant gazes "The Seraphim of Honor's subordinates has assured us that they are on their way."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the chamber, but it was quickly stifled by a sharp voice.

"On their way? What in the stars does that even mean? Do they expect us to hold out against an endless demon horde while they take their time descending from their holy palaces?".

 "W-Well, they can't just move and spread their force everywhere. The demon Lord of Envy isn't the only force currently attacking the continent" The subordinate tried to reply.

 "Well, I'll be damned. Why the hell are they even fighting on the Eastern Region when the Three Star Scripture is supposed to protect kingdoms like us on the Western corner of the continent?"

"Isn't that why we pay those heavenly tributes to them every year? What's the point of it if they won't even protect us? Hold on? Hold on with what? These walls? These soldiers? Do you think this pitiful excuse of a force can stop the Demon Lord's army?"

 Every word that the officer said was undeniable and irrefutable and what was on everyone's mind but no one wanted to say it out loud.

"Do you have any alternative?" Vaylen shot back "You want to abandon the capital? Turn tail like the king did and let the demons burn our houses and enslave our families and loved ones?"

"Is that what you are suggesting? Or do you wan to lick the shoes of those demons and turn against humanity? Decide, the choice is yours. We may not have a chance, but if we don't fight, we guarantee defeat."

The maps on the table painted a grim picture: the demon army was less than a day away. With their overwhelming numbers and monstrous strength, the resistance of the kingdom of Orlandos was little more than a dam made of straws trying to hold back a tsunami.

"No one's denying the odds. But we have a duty. To the people who remain, to the soldiers who look to us for guidance. We will hold, even if we have to kill the enemies with our teeth or crawl on the ground. Let the world witness our last stand".

 For better or worse, this was it.

Fortunately for them, the ray of hope that they have desperately been waiting for, arrived. Space shook as of it was water and two figures stood at the hall where no one other than them should be allowed to enter.

 One fo the even, the silver haired one had the audacity to sit on the King's throne.

"That was some impressive speech. Well said commander, I really like people like you who believe in the strength of the humans and resist until their very end"…

His voice woke the crowd. Alarmed, they got up from their seats and raised their weapons. @@novelbin@@

"Who are you and how did you reach this place? You dare to sit on the king's throne?"

Although the throne was just an empty decoration now that nobody cared about, it was still a symbolic sign. To see someone sit there, naturally, they were all unpleased.

"Relax, I'm not the one you should point those weapons at. Aren't there other suitable targets for that?" Vincent unbothered by their reactions continued to run his mouth.

 "You!!"…

"Haha, everyone please calm down, my friend here means no harm. In fact, we are on the same side" Rothgard intervened to diffuse the situation.

"Vincent you too, stop inciting them and get up from that throne".

At this friend's adamant request, Vincent got up from the throne. The people of the Orlandos were less wary of him now; however, their initial impression of him still made them unable to like him.

"So who are you guys?"

As the man with the highest authority here Vaylen questioned the intruders.