Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre - Chapter 235

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 235

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Led by the House of Baluashten, the northern lords of Jenos Kingdom had protected the borders for generations.

Thanks to them, for over 700 years, the demons beyond the Barrier Forest had never cast their shadow upon human lands, but that didn’t always mean they had been victorious.

Many sacrifices and sufferings unrecorded in history were scattered throughout the northern lands.

Nevertheless, the North had never retreated even a single step.

But this time, even the battle-hardened veterans could not hide their unease.

Countless hordes of demons moving in orderly fashion like an army, and the Barrier Forest expanding its domain of corruption.

The royal court’s cold indifference, not sending even a single messenger bird, let alone reinforcements.

Finally, the Ascetic’s negotiation terms that kept drawing their attention despite knowing it was a trap.

The lords gathered in the great conference room could only cast suspicious glances at each other.

The moment someone stepped forward to withdraw their forces to preserve their lives, the soldiers’ morale would plummet beyond recovery.

‘In the worst case, I’ll have to consider the possibility of deserters.’

Just as such distrust was spreading and about to explode.

“Have you arrived, Your Grace.”

Cesar entered the great conference room, and a map large enough to cover the conference table was spread out.

The place where the forest’s corruption began.

Their strategy was to defend that location like guarding a city gate while steadily reducing the number of demons.

Either exterminate all demons before the forest completely withered, or have the northern defense line collapse first.

It was a war that could only end when one side was completely annihilated.

As the final meeting before the war was coming to an end.

Cesar’s gaze swept over each of the lords one by one.

Though they were all warriors who had experienced countless battles, when faced with eyes cursed by demons, they felt instinctive fear like new recruits.

Soon, Cesar, having looked around the assembly, opened his mouth.

“You all know the negotiation terms the Ascetic has proposed.”

Heavy silence as quiet as death answered in their place.

“Those who wish to return to their estates may leave. I will not hold you accountable.”

“Your Grace!”

Penandel tried to dissuade Cesar. At a time when even a single knight was precious.

However, the Duke did not retract his words.

“I know that the North has shouldered the duty of protection without complaint all this time not because we were brave and reckless enough to disregard our lives, but because we desired others’ peace as much as our own safety.”

Penandel’s gaze, which had been observing the lords’ reactions, turned to the head seat.

His lord was not one to impose his will or opinions on the lords.

Therefore, while the lords acknowledged that the Duke was the strongest in the North, they always remained silent when asked if he was a lord they trusted and followed.

To them, Cesare Baluashten was a cruel demon slayer and a war god who always returned alive even when venturing beyond the forest alone.

They would pray for his victory, but they never wished for him to lead the battlefield.

Such a man was now conveying his opinion to the lords for the first time.

“The North’s retreat would mean humanity’s decline, and our advance would mean the continent’s prosperity. Therefore, I intend to stand on the battlefield with you lords.”

One by one, the lords’ gazes turned to Cesar.

Cesar’s gaze was upright and unwavering, like an ancient tree that had survived 700 years.

“I have no need for those who have abandoned the pride we’ve maintained for 700 years in the army I lead. Only those who maintain their self-respect and desire victory are qualified to achieve the North’s long-cherished wish with me.”

The North’s long-cherished wish that they had been reluctant to even speak of.

To exterminate all demons and make the land beyond the Barrier Forest into human territory.

That wish came out of Cesar’s mouth as if it were natural.

The lords, who had been staring at the Duke as if entranced, slowly nodded with eyes filled with newfound resolve.

“I, the Marquess of Avalon, will stand with Your Grace!”

“Alenca will also follow Your Grace!”

“Please allow us to share in Your Grace’s cherished wish.”

It was the day their war god was demoted to human, and the moment when the King of the North, whom the lords would willingly trust and follow, was born.

* * *

“So the negotiations have broken down after all.”

At the Dark Mage’s report that northern forces had assembled, Ophelia spoke in a regretful tone.

However, her expression remained indifferent. She had expected this outcome.

Throughout her past lives, the North had fought at the very front lines without a single person fleeing, and had been the first to be annihilated.

‘Though I thought I could at least shake a few of the lords.’

While she couldn’t help feeling disappointed, she wasn’t discouraged.

Ophelia knew that her plan would never fail. This wasn’t wishful thinking but certainty.

Hadn’t she planned everything based on information accumulated from thirty-seven lifetimes?

She had received the White-Robed Saint’s divine power and naturally went to the northern forest, then raised the Demon King by feeding it humans.

To weaken the Duke’s military power, who would be the Demon King’s greatest adversary, she deliberately caused a landslide and rescued his brother trapped in the mine.

She had gathered Dark Mages to participate in her plan and easily killed even the Red Mage Tower Master, an uncontrollable variable.

Everything had gone according to her plan.

So this war too would end in her victory.

Ophelia asked a colleague well-versed in warfare.

“How many forces do we need on our side to neutralize the northern powers?”

“About two-thirds should be sufficient. It would be better to save the rest…”

“We need all of them.”

It was Giuseppe who cut off the Dark Mage who had worked as a mercenary.

He stated his opinion firmly.

“The North is not a force to be taken lightly. The reason the North collapsed so easily in the past you experienced or the future I saw was because the invasion occurred as a surprise attack and the North lacked a focal point. But isn’t the situation different now?”

The common ground between Ophelia and Giuseppe.

As information was exchanged between those who could see the future, the Dark Mages had no choice but to remain silent.

“Therefore, we must gather all the demons beyond the forest and strike at once.”

“I’ll follow Giuseppe’s advice.”

When Ophelia nodded in agreement, Giuseppe turned away as if he had finished his task.

Ophelia asked his retreating back.

“Giuseppe, do you regret your current choice?”

Those words stopped Giuseppe’s steps.

When he turned around, his face bore not even the faintest smile.

Just like two years ago, when he had aimed his Meteor Spear at Ophelia’s throat.

“Answer me. Have you ever had contact with dark magic?”

Somehow having caught her trail, he suspected Ophelia of being an Ascetic.

Though six spears of light were threatening her, Ophelia calmly asked back.

“High Priest, you cannot see your own death with your power of divine insight, can you?”

“It would be wise to answer my question.”

The spear tip came even closer. However, Ophelia did not lose her smile.

“I know the end that you don’t. In the year before destruction, you will disobey the Pope’s command to return and leave the Holy Empire surrounded by sacred barriers.”

The spear tip came a little closer, wounding her neck. But Ophelia did not stop speaking.

“After that, you will wander the entire continent, protecting children and good people from demons until you die. If Duke of Baluashten is the one who killed the most demons, then you are the one who saved the most people.”

Even after hearing about his own demise, not a trace of fear appeared in his eyes—how very like him, Ophelia thought.

She had wanted to eliminate him precisely because she knew he was this kind of person. If she hadn’t seen the way he looked at Belinda, she would have made sure to kill Giuseppe no matter what.

“This is probably your first time being afraid because you cannot see the future.”

One who cannot see the future. It was clear whom she was referring to.

The spear that had stopped moving represented Giuseppe’s agitation.

Ophelia took a step toward him.

“Giuseppe, you don’t want Belinda to die, do you?”

“…”

“Have you taken her into your heart?”

“I have not.”

Giuseppe’s face showed not the slightest waver as he answered, but Ophelia alone knew.

That those words were a lie.

Giuseppe probably didn’t realize it himself.

That he often looked at Belinda the same way he had looked at the people he had risked his life to save in his previous life.

Even though she was neither a weak person nor a good person he needed to protect.

Finally freed from the spear’s point and standing before Giuseppe, Ophelia smiled gently and extended her hand.

“If you help me, I’ll save not only the Holy Empire but Belinda’s life as well. You’ve already noticed, haven’t you? That I too am one who is not bound by divine fate.”

Giuseppe did not take Ophelia’s outstretched hand, but she was certain that he would eventually take her hand.

And so her prediction became reality.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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