Chapter 302
I Regressed To My Ruined Family Chapter 302
# After returning, the family was ruined (303)
The ministers, including Prime Minister Cruatz, bowed their heads.
Originally, he wouldn’t have come out in such a low manner.
But now things are very different from the past. Immediately, public opinion forced him to go to war.
The sword was right in front of my nose.
The ability to cut off the head of even a top-class dragon in one go. They could not guarantee safety.
Considering the duke’s fighting style so far, there was a high possibility that their heads would fall first.
At this point, the only person who had a chance of dealing with the Duke was the Demon Dragon Lucreon.
‘…I don’t know how long I can endure…’
I heard that four rulers met death at the hands of the duke.
In the end, the demon dragon was just one of the rulers. He might be stronger than them, but I didn’t think he could beat the duke.
Even so, it was clear that the demon dragon in front of him was the only hope for now. I don’t know if the duke invades the capital, but it was even more so in the current situation where he was stuck in the north.
Aside from not being able to receive help from the monarch, he was now in a situation where he had to leave for conquest.
Moreover, decisively.
Lucreon had been appointed as the commander-in-chief of the northern retrieval force.
It was natural as he was the ruler with the second strongest power in the capital city next to the monarch.
If something offends him and he is deployed to the front line, he will be the first to have his head blown off. So I have no choice but to bow my head politely.
[How many soldiers can be utilized?]
The faces of the ministers stiffened at the strange voice that seemed to echo in their hearts.
One of the rulers who gave the most uncomfortable feeling in the past was the Demon Dragon.
‘Damn, that voice is the same as before.’
I frowned for a moment.
The prime minister answered.
-One hundred thousand.
[100,000… I guess we should prepare for that much.]
Lucreon nodded.
It was worth putting in strong pressure to bring in at least one more force. This army of 100,000 will later transform into believers who praise its greatness.
[Let’s talk about troop deployment.]
The dragons swallowed their saliva. Because this was the most important main topic.
[Oh. Before that, there is something I need to tell you. As everyone knows, the Duke’s power is beyond imagination.]
―…That’s right.
[The head with red eyes and a blue tail was blown off by a single sword. To be honest, even if it were me, it would be impossible to deal with the duke one-on-one.]
―….
For some reason, a shiver ran down my spine. Although he spoke in an obviously normal tone, a dark ominous feeling like an abyss was creeping up. However, I couldn’t refute that statement.
Wasn’t it a fact that even the ministers present were aware of the shocking power the duke possessed?
Moreover, it was quite understandable for the demon dragon to let out a groan like that. A situation where the other four rulers all died. Even if it were me, I would take my foot off the ground first.
No matter what anyone says, you have to protect your own life.
[There is no need to look at it with those eyes. I didn’t mean to say that I was going to use you as a scapegoat.]
-…Haha.
This was what the ministers were most worried about. In fact, there was no justification for rejecting it if it was put forward as a meat shield.
As he held the command of the military, there were many means that the Demon Dragon could utilize. Of course, having commander-in-chief did not mean that all personnel present could be placed on the front line. If that happens, there will be an uproar.
The ministers were not fools either.
However, it was entirely possible to send some to the front line and some to the rear.
If that happens, even the tightly united forces will be torn apart.
A method of using the given authority to increase one’s own taxes and reduce the taxes of nobles belonging to Dragonia. This was what the ministers were most worried about.
‘Because you can’t help but be greedy.’
So far, the rulers have only exercised their power in the Western Continent, and in their home countries, they have had no choice but to sit on the sidelines and just suck their fingers. It was under such circumstances that I returned to my home country.
I wouldn’t know if it was a tyrant-like ruler who was extremely loyal to the monarch, but if it was a demonic dragon with a cunning side, I didn’t know what it would do.
Wouldn’t it be tempting to also covet Dragonia’s power? The demon dragon’s words continued amidst the subtle tension.
[I will stand at the forefront myself.]
―…Yes?
-…Is that true?
The ministers tilted their heads. It was a fact that everyone gathered here knew that the duke was dangerous. Naturally, the front line closest to the front was no different from a minefield with bombs buried everywhere.
Because the duke was always in the forefront of the front line.
How can you volunteer to be on the front line in such a situation? It was a situation no one expected.
That too for a while.
The demon dragon said while looking around at the ministers with a grin.
[But as I said before, it’s impossible for even me to deal with the duke one-on-one. So… I hope everyone here joins forces.] ―Are you
saying we should all go to the front lines?
[We have no choice but to move to recapture the north. Everyone knows that, right?]
That’s right.
Because we couldn’t hand over the North to humans like this.
If that happens, the number of people who doubt the leadership’s incompetence will increase uncontrollably. That was the reason why the demon dragon was summoned.
It was obvious that if they moved by themselves, they would be killed.
[Even though we are political opponents, we have no intention of putting you alone in danger. Isn’t saving Dragonia, which is in danger, the top priority right now?]
―…That’s right.
[So, let’s take risks together. If this were to happen, no one would be dissatisfied with being a scapegoat because of me, and wouldn’t everyone be able to take risks equally?]
Whoops!
Each of the various ministers revealed their complex faces. Up to half of the top-tier dragons present here were prepared to be deployed to the front lines. In other words, at least half of them were prepared to be used as scapegoats.
However, Demon Dragon’s proposal went far beyond the expected range.
[Is there anyone who is dissatisfied with this proposal?]
No one could answer the demon dragon’s question. It was a national crisis. If I said something wrong here, I could easily be accused of being a traitor.
‘Damn, I got stabbed properly.’
Cruatz clicked his tongue inwardly. Moreover, even putting patriotism aside, problems still abounded. The power of all ministers was not equal.
When a scapegoat appears by the designation of the devil dragon. There was an implicit thought that more victims would come from the weak side than from the strong side.
To put it simply, it was expected that time-slamming activities would become prevalent.
However, according to the Demon Dragon’s suggestion, everyone is willing to sacrifice equally.
It was a proposal that the weak side could not help but welcome.
If we oppose this, public opinion will be divided in two. Even if everyone joins forces, it’s doubtful whether they can stop the Demon Dragon’s proposal, much less if it splits in half. Power is strong when united, not when divided.
Not only Cruatz but also other high-ranking ministers felt that the atmosphere had changed.
-I will accept it.
―I feel the same way.
In the end, I had no choice but to accept the demon dragon’s offer. The good news was that they did not force sacrifices by saying that they would take the duke’s power away.
‘…Furthermore, if you follow that suggestion…’
‘The battle may end easier than you think.’
The number of top-class dragons accompanying the northern retrieval army was close to twenty. Almost all high-ranking dragons in the capital were moving together.
Is that it?
A large army of nearly 100,000 people was scheduled to move. What if even the ruler participates in the battle?
No matter how long the peacock flies,
‘Even if sacrifices occur.’
‘This will never be reversed.’
There was no choice but to win this battle. Of course, the heads of some unlucky high-ranking dragons would be blown off, but there was nothing they could do about it. Because everyone agreed that there would be sacrifices.
Just win.
In the end, the world only remembers the winners.
As the most important front-line deployment work was completed, the rest of the work proceeded as quickly as if the mast was hit by a favorable wind.
Just one day after the Demon Dragon appeared, 100,000 troops marched in the capital Apraxia.
All high-ranking dragons will be deployed to the front lines. When this matter became known, cheers continued regardless of whether it was the people or the soldiers.
If not only the ruler but also the high-ranking ministers take the lead in the war, then no matter how Ardan is, it is no use.
chuck! chuck!
An army of nearly 100,000 people lined up with Wu and began to advance towards Plonem, a large city in the north.
* * *
The troops stationed in Plonem began to retreat.
Nevertheless, the number of 30,000 did not decrease one bit.
The reason was simple.
This was because other soldiers filled the empty seats. And that too, wearing the same weapons as the original army.
‘It’s the Imperial Army.’
It was definitely the army of the Zeno Empire.
What the Demon Dragon wants is to block the invading army with overwhelming force.
In that case, the opposing army was bound to suffer great damage.
However, the demon dragon had already made an oath not to touch the army heading to Dragonia.
So I guess they sent out a scapegoat instead. This was something Ethan had guessed as well. Now there was only one person left by his side.
Sera Lee.
As she looked around at the imperial army, she looked at Ethan.
“…Would it be okay?”
“This has already been agreed upon. “There won’t be any major safety issues, so you don’t have to worry too much.”
A call from the demon dragon that came a few days ago.
There, Ethan and the demon dragon were talking to each other.
The plan was simple.
To wipe out all the high-ranking dragons who participated in this war.
It was something that both the Demon Dragon and Ethan wanted. The demon dragon cuts off the hands and feet that follow the monarch.
And Ethan’s goal is to reduce Dragonia’s power as much as possible.
In a few days, nearly 100,000 dragons will attack.
What Ethan had to do was simple.
To be as wild as possible on stage.
If you’re going to go on a rampage, it would be best to kill as many dragons as possible.
Time passed quickly.
The scout’s report came in.
The news was that 100,000 dragons had arrived within reach within a day.
“Open the gate.”
The water battle was meaningless.
The stage agreed upon with the demon dragon was a plain where everyone could see. The army began to advance towards the plains.