Tale of the Fake Hero

Chapter 46 – All-out War, Capturing Aurelinople (4)

Defeating the Kiral Clan was only the first battle in the campaign to recapture Aurelinople.

The most important goal, and an entity more dangerous than the Kiral Clan, still remained.

It was said that, in the distant past, it was an existence so feared it was called ‘Asarakalt’.

“In the modern tongue, it would mean ‘Noble’.”

They were on a different level compared to modern Nobles, which was why they were instead called ‘Old Nobles’.

“Detailed information on the Old Nobles is in this book.”

“Huh? Instructor, isn’t that book banned?”

“You completed the body modification process. I don’t know yet if you will become a Dune or an Alter, but you now have access to every banned book in the world.”

Although Kaisen was vaguely aware of the ominous rumors spreading on the battlefield, it was through the Temple of the Sword of Bravery that he truly learned about the Old Nobles.

To be exact, he learned of them in the book titled 『The History of the Abyss』

The book itself clearly gave the feeling of being a living thing. Each and every one of its worn-out pages seemed to be writhe, as if caressing the reader’s fingers in an uncomfortable manner.

In ancient times, five kings ascended and commanded the world through their authority.

They had officials called ‘Old Nobles’ under their command, and because they had divine status, there was no way to defeat them. They could only be sealed away.

Because souls live forever, the body worn by such a soul is a mere illusion that can be continuously regenerated.

It didn’t make sense…

How could he fight beings that had to be cut down but couldn’t be cut?

Quick regeneration, which Fake Warriors achieved on a limited basis by injecting themselves with dragon blood serum, was a basic skill his enemies possessed.

The first time humans met one of the Forgotten Kings was in the 15th century AD.

King of Spiders, Ashron, ‘One who Devours the World’.

It was taboo to use that title carelessly. In the 15th century, Ashron, accompanied by his five aides, overthrew the Northern Great Wall.

[Illustration]:

一 collapsed northern great wall.

This happened about 10 minutes after Ashron appeared. In that short period of time, half of the imperial army was devastated.

[Illustration]:

一 Ranked 2nd among the Five Pillars, Second Mocking Marquess Zayun.

Temporarily incapacitated by the combined attacks of Fake Warriors, but appeared to be rapidly regenerate with the help of bubbles.

Second Mocking Marquess Zayun killed three Fake Warriors before being sealed by Yoshhar’s power.

Kaisen didn’t want to believe that the Old Nobles were really that powerful.

Three Fake Warriors…

The book recorded such unbelievable and absurd history.

1434 AD.

一 Dragon Sage Rain Ludwig subduing the King of Spiders.

1542 AD.

一 Apostle of the Void, Arjen, subduing the King of Time with the help of Acarea of the Crimson Flames.

The two kings have been unable to exert their authority since they were subjugated(being sealed again after they broke the old one).

There are still three kings left.

The King of Oceans, the King of Insects, and the King of Lizards, who had a great influence during the turmoil of the 12th century.

The Dragon Sage and the Apostle of the Void…

It was said that nobody had been born after them with the ability to wield such power.

1671 AD

一 The ‘Black Summer’ begins as an army of demons join forces and gather due to an unidentified human swordsman (presumed to be the First Pillar of the Black Church).

一 Head Fake Warrior, Raminea Alter Aradamantel, dispels the atrocities and banishes them beyond the sea.

1692 AD

一 The ‘Red Summer’ begins with the main demon forces receiving the blessings of the Old Nobles, who escaped from their seals.

一 Physical transformation occurs in each of the high-ranking demon races, and they become more powerful than during the ‘Black Summer.’

一 The front line was maintained for five years thanks to the efforts of the Fake Warriors, including the head Fake Warrior, Kamila Alter Aradamantel.

Why was it that the suddenly ended history seemed to be telling him it was his turn?

* * *

Reaper Scans

Translator – Rainypup

Proofreader – ilafy

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* * *

[Iron Cross, report.]

The priestess answered from the center of a unit bearing the Iron Cross flag as they swept mercilessly across the wasteland like a tidal wave of concentrated steel. “Kaisen defeated Kiral Chief Kishe and is engaging the remnants of the Kiral Clan.”

[The Piljung Corps confirmed the presence of shamans inside the castle. There are two on each side of the castle walls. Deal with them immediately so that the floating castle can enter the city’s sky.]

“I will follow your orders, Your Excellency.”

Alidona conveyed the order to Loveris, who immediately ordered her men to raise their banners.

As the knights gathered around the captain’s flag, Loveris shouted, “Iron Cross, leave the rest to our allies, and enter the castle!”

“Will we be okay without siege engines?”

“Teval and Mern, you try, and if it doesn’t work, I’ll take care of it. Thanks to a certain someone, I was able to refrain from using Time-Space Void.”

Loveris made her way toward Kaisen, and the knights cheered with respect.

“Kaisen, your order remains the same… Do not release your dragon spirit seal without permission.”

“Understood.”

“Immediately after entering the castle gate, we will divide into three groups. Mern and Teval are to head northwest, and Kaisen and Alidona are to head southwest. I will finish the central breakthrough to the inner city.”

The operation proceeded smoothly.

Alidona’s magic rebuilt the withered drawbridge; then, Teval’s Dragon Bone Spear and Mern’s Thousand Deadly Whistles completely opened the way.

[Senior Loveris, this is Seira of the Iron Castle Corps. A barrier is blocking the entrance to the northern gate. I think it’s connected to the barrier at the west gate.]

“A chain barrier, huh? We’re on our way now. Just wait a moment.”

[Dame Loveris, this is Vies, the Commander of the 1st Fighter Wing. We are being intercepted by a troll anti-aircraft battery! I think air support will be possible only after you deal with them.]

Loveris, who was originally in charge of breaking through the center, began focusing on the defense unit targeting the air forces.

It was a fairly dangerous mission because trolls were beings that could tear soldiers apart for lunch.

“I’ll take care of the trolls. You guys should move to the area we mentioned.”

“Ha, those trolls have big heads, so it feels great to break open their skulls. I’d like to take charge of fighting them.”

“I see quite a few ogres. Be careful, Captain.”

Still, the Iron Cross was a group where each individual had the power to overcome the hopeless racial differences. They didn’t even show any fear in the face of such a mission.

“Mern, if you have time to worry about me, you should take care of yourselves. Finish your tasks as quickly as possible and join us.”

Kaisen moved to the border area with Alidona.

The barrier was guarded by bloodkin who acted in concert with each other, and they had already learned how to best deal with them through several battles. When Alidona’s Psalm of Bright Life cast a wide-area slowdown, opening up a momentary loophole一

“Rookie, it’s time to show off your skills.”

Kaisen sheathed Aradamantel and applied the minimum necessary torque to his body by half-turning to the side.

One shot…

As the bloodkin moved in their noble postures, their necks were cut by a flash of pure red, and their heads flew. Starting from that, they burst into flames as the Psalm of Bright Life wiped them out one by one, and silence spread over the battlefield.

“The Quick Draw Sword Technique gets more amazing every time I see it. If he meets a girl, I think she’ll fall for him the moment he shows her that technique.”

“Fake Warriors can’t get married.”

“You’re just being boring again. I’m going to have some fun, so watch carefully.” Alidona was not content with neutralizing the barrier. By cleverly manipulating the barrier, she set it aflame.

When the Tuaki, winged snakes, battling against the griffins in the sky were caught in the flames and screamed in pain, Alidona giggled. “Did you hear that? They also like it.”

“Is that what it sounds like to you?”

“Everyone’s preferences are different, and some people enjoy pain.”

Was she the type of person who enjoyed causing pain…?

Kaisen didn’t say that out loud.

They received a telepathic communication from Mern and Teval, confirming they had succeeded in neutralizing their barrier.

[Command, this is the great dragon, Isla! I successfully broke through the north gate. Now trying to enter the castle, but there are so many strange things! It’s a wriggling plant! It looks like a primordial plant!]

[Your Excellency, this is Aben Warden of the Magic Battery. Ready to bomb at any time.]

[Well done. I’ll change the floating castle’s trajectory, please support with carpet bombing at the coordinates requested by the Dragon Hammer Corps.]

[Coordinates? I don’t know how to see something like that!!]

[?]

[It’s okay because I’m that strong!!]

[Oh… This is Seira of the Iron Castle Corps. I will send it.]

The 2nd Field Army, which was in charge of the north gate, was also sending news of victory to the headquarters thanks to Isla and Seira.

Alidona smiled brightly at Isla’s bold answer, who was not at all ashamed of her ignorance.

In addition to the 2nd Field Army, reports of similar victories continued to come in from other places.

[Dame Loveris, this is the 1st Fighter Wing. We have confirmed that the air defense battery has been neutralized. We can support you at anytime!]

[We’re alright, so please support the main unit of the 1st Field Army in the wasteland outside the castle.]

[Understood. I wish you luck, Fake Warrior!]

[You, too. Over.]

Loveris, in charge of the most dangerous mission among the three, also seemed to have completed her mission perfectly. [This is Loveris. Iron Cross, all who have completed their missions to lift the barrier must gather in the center of the city.]

[This is Teval. It’s going to take some time because these damn paleolithic grasses are blocking the road. Please wait.]

[Captain, as I confirmed during my reconnaissance mission, primordial plants are spread throughout the city. It seems like gathering now might be a bit dangerous. We should first order a carpet bombing…]

The city was suffocatingly dry and filled with primordial plants, with their strangely thick branches and vines and leaves that looked like awls made for killing.

The most dangerous type was the big type, which immediately took away the target’s moisture upon impact. Those disgusting buds that looked like the heads of ancient reptiles spewed out foam and swallowed dozens of humans whole.

Gathering together recklessly in that ominous garden seemed like an act of suicide.

[I already requested a bombing order after the 2nd Field Army.]

[I guess we just have to wait.]

[No, not for us. It’ll take too long to wait for the bombing to end and a new round to be ready.]

Kaisen spoke. “Can you tell me why you’re in such a hurry?”

[Kaisen, as expected of a large city, Aurelinople has an internal castle. Inside that castle, an entity with an abyss hazard level of ‘Disaster’ has been detected. All available units are being moved.]

Disaster…? If it was a disaster, then there was no way…

He heard the scoffs of disbelief being swallowed here and there. Teval let out a loud exclamation of surprise.

[Disaster? Isn’t that a high rank just below the Forgotten Kings?]

[Yes, it’s an Old Noble. In fact, the desertification in progress already hinted at its existence. The Iron Cross’s main goal has been changed to the subjugation of the Old Noble.]

[That’s why you were in a hurry. By the way, it feels like the Heavenly Castle always entrusts such important tasks to the Iron Cross.]

Alidona laughed as she shook off the ashes from her pipe. “Now we have our rookie who played with that Mauna Roa, so what of it? It’s not a big deal.”

[Ha! Did that brat do it alone? We all helped. Really, if anyone heard you talk, they’d think he did everything by himself.]

“Oh. my, Teval. Are you jealous of our rookie?”

[It’s not jealousy, it’s the truth. Heh!!]

[Priestess, Teval’s face is red right now. It seems you saw right through him.]

[Ha! I’m wearing a helmet and even have my faceplate down, so what are you looking at and talking nonsense?]

“The rookie is laughing in disbelief at your jealousy.”

[Ha! He’s laughing? You brat?]

“I didn’t laugh,” Kaisen mumbled.

[It’s nice to see you getting along well, but stop. Alidona…]

Alidona, who was cheerfully puffing at her pipe, nodded. “I’m going to build a temporary bridge in the sky. I’ll put flames under the bridge so the primordial plants won’t attack. Even if it’s hot, just cross the bridge.”.

[Hmm. Just hearing that makes me feel hot.]

Thanks to Alidona, the Iron Cross was able to break through the primordial garden.

Crossing the bridge she created, the Iron Cross gathered at the main street leading to the intersection in the city center. However, as they progressed, the plants grew larger, and their numbers multiplied.

“These damn things really met the right people. Was Aurelinople that good?”

Of course, it was not only the Iron Cross that faced such difficulties but also other corps.

“Your Excellency, this is the Iron Cross. It is impossible to enter the inner castle. The primordial plants have completely taken over the city.”

Before the Heavenly Castle’s reply reached them, another communication came in.

[This Black Rose’s Ria. Corps Mage Arte confirmed a colony of primordial plants surrounding the castle.]

“Colony?”

[There is a core inside the colony, and destroying the core can neutralize a large number of primordial plants at once. The Black Rose is a light cavalry with great mobility, so we will handle it.]

Alidona whistled in surprise. “She’s a smart kid, how did she know that?”

For Kaisen, it wasn’t surprising. In the past, on his journey to Aristapo, Yohan Wolf Frost had admired Ria’s brilliance several times.

Loveris nodded. “I’ve confirmed it. It seems it’ll take too long to leave it to just the Black Rose Corps. Can you send me the coordinates of the other colonies?”

[Of course.]

“Iron Castle, Dragon Hammer. You need to destroy the colonies they indicate.”

[Kyakyakyakyak! Could it be that it won’t be possible without me, Isla?! In that case, leave it to me!]

“?”

[Yes, orders have been received.]

The fact that Heavenly Castle did not stop Loveris’s field orders meant that he agreed with the operational order.

“So now we’re on our own?” Teval asked.

A voice came from a new communication line. [These cute juniors, leave the rest to us great seniors. Loro, it’s been a while since we played together.]

Gorgothia Alter Zierd… she was the proxy wielder of Zierda, a bow-sword-type holy sword and the 2nd Seat Fake Warrior.

The subjugation of the Old Noble became the responsibility of the Iron Cross led by the Head Fake Warrior, Loveris, and the Piljung Corps led by the Deputy Seat Fake Warrior, Gorgothia.

“Your Excellency, we will be at the ready.”

[The Lightning and Bright Sword are heading down now. The Lightning will solve your mobility issue, so preserve your strength.]

“Yes, if that is the case, the knights will reinforce the operation to suppress the colony of primordial plants and only remain as executive reinforcements.”

[I was about to give that command. The military corps should also send out its soldiers as reinforcements and only have officers on standby.]

Soon, golden light spread across the city’s sky, like sunlight shining through a gap in the dark clouds.

Setsunen of Lightning—she was not like the dragonkin Kaisen had always seen but was spreading her wings behind her noble wyvern form.

[Starting soon. At the ready.]

The moment the light converged into one powerful lightning strike and struck the city, the earth shook violently.

Suddenly, the shaking disappeared.

The reason …

“!”

Kaisen was floating in the city sky with the Iron Cross and Piljung party members—it was Setsunen’s spatial transmission ability.

Below the swirling convection current, he saw the inner city, where the semicircular barrier had been shattered by lightning.

“The primordial plants are like a barrier…!”

The primordial plants were originally all tangled up, but the lightning struck a hole through them.

‘Those things look like they’re in pain.’

They were writhing madly; even the sight of them squirming was disgusting…

「Take one each.」

Setsunen handed out something in her front paws to each party member.

It looked like divinity had been concentrated into the shape of a blade, so they were momentarily entranced.

「Bright Sword, the power of the Psalm of Bright Life is bound in the form of a sword.」

Was it the Bright Sword…?

As Kaisen admired it, Loveris ordered, “Mern, take ours for yourself. Quickly, before we go down.”

“Please leave it to me, Captain.”

“I’ll use ours. Come on, Loro! It’s time to dance!”

Unlike the excited Gorgothia, Loveris’ voice was calmer than usual. “Iron Cross and Piljung, we will drop into the inner part of the castle soon.”

A reply immediately came from the floating castle. [Confirmed. Ordering the Knights of the Iron Cross and the Piljung Corps special forces to subdue the Old Noble.]