How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 289 - Romanek Plains (3)

We entered the Romanek Plains before noon. The plains dyed in darkness were exactly as described. It was evident from afar.

Even though snow had fallen, the green tinge that should have been visible here and there couldn’t be seen no matter how hard we looked.

The falling snow and freshly accumulated snow hadn’t lost their color yet, but even the sky was ashen, so the only colors entering our direct line of sight were black and white.

Whether due to the snow acting as a sound absorber, or because people were too overwhelmed by the sight to make noise, it felt as if we had entered a black and white silent film.

If I had been dropped here without my clothes, equipment, or the people around me, I really would have believed that.

“Your Majesty, maintain your composure.”

Because the surroundings were quiet, even though I spoke softly, my words seemed to echo loudly.

Well, even I was momentarily dazed, so the others must be even worse off. The overwhelming nature of a black and white world is incomparable.

I’ve seen black and white films and videos on Earth, but for people who have lived in this world, such a landscape would be extremely alien.

That’s why the reactions of the commanders were important. If even we were overwhelmed, that atmosphere would spread to the soldiers. Erendil nodded at my advice.

As it was meant for those around us to hear as well, the knights and nobles also composed their expressions.

As we entered the plains, we looked around in a state of high tension, but no enemies were visible. We had originally expected to arrive a day early.

Given that we had increased our speed even further, we must have arrived a day and a half early.

‘I was a bit worried, but…’

Even though the Great Devil had arrived first and dyed the plains in darkness, there wasn’t much change in their movements.

No, perhaps they were even more at ease because of it. After all, this battlefield was already theirs.

Of course, we hadn’t gone deep into the plains yet. We had only searched the outskirts. I was also moving the winds, just in case.

I was worried about a surprise attack by the Great Devil or a devil timed with our arrival. However, I didn’t sense any presence.

‘Rather than hiding… they probably withdrew after making the plains like this. They must have used quite a bit of power.’

After checking the surroundings of the plains, it was time to examine the inside. It was unpleasant, but necessary. This plains would become the battlefield.

“Go and investigate.”

Erendil gave the order to search the plains. It was more of a reconnaissance than a search for enemies. Things like the effects of the darkness engulfing the plains, or the terrain.

Emmet had selected elites from among the knights and soldiers. Even so, their faces were reluctant. I understood their feelings.

Even for elites, how could they have seen such a landscape before? They probably couldn’t even have imagined a black and white world.

I stepped in front of them. Originally, this was something a superior should do together.

“Don’t worry, I’ll go with you.”

With my joining, the faces of the knights and soldiers brightened somewhat. I made eye contact with Erendil before slowly heading towards the plains.

As if a line had been drawn, a black and white world spread out just one step away.

I took a step onto the ashen world. The reaction was immediate. A feeling of blood being drained. Of course, blood wasn’t actually being drained.

It was more like all strength leaving the body and becoming limp. The others must have felt it too, as their expressions worsened. They looked to me.

“Move forward.”

Suddenly, I became curious. The darkness that dyed the plains was clearly the power of a devil. And now I could manifest Devil’s Blood at will.

So I wondered if I, with Devil’s Blood activated, would gain power here rather than lose it.

I couldn’t be sure. The person the former emperor speculated to be my ancestor had faced devils with Devil’s Blood. But he had never faced a Great Devil.

There was one danger I was worried about. If it was a Great Devil, couldn’t it use Devil’s Blood to harm me?

It was something to worry about. So I decided not to use it for now. If it became absolutely necessary, I’d have no choice but to use it.

In that situation, there would be no answer without manifesting the blood, so it would be unavoidable.

“Sir, the feeling is getting worse. Is this alright?”

“For now.”

The knight was right. The longer we spent on the darkness, the heavier our bodies felt. Of course, the difference wasn’t enormous.

We hadn’t been in this black and white world for long yet. However, we couldn’t know how it would affect us during battle.

No one could predict whether a battle that started would end in a few hours or last more than a day.

In fact, that’s why we were out here. Count Campbell said he would do separate research.

‘We have prisoners captured from the siege.’

The darkness engulfing the plains didn’t immediately harm us walking on it. It just undulated beneath our feet like fog.

I knelt down and brushed away the accumulated snow with my gloved hand. Digging a little, I saw that even the old snow beneath had been contaminated and turned black.

The grass of the plains that should have been green underneath was also black, and even the ground was pitch black as if rotted and crumbling.

And because of the darkness undulating above the ground, if you stared blankly, it felt as if you were floating on a dark sea.

“Spread out and search the terrain. Remember and report the exact location of any unusual spots.”

I gave orders to the surrounding knights and soldiers. The exact strategy would have to be decided by Count Campbell and the other advisors after seeing it with their own eyes.

But since those with weak combat ability couldn’t search directly, we were doing the preliminary work.

I, too, marked checkpoints on the map I had been given while feeling the ground with winds. When I suddenly looked up, the northeastern sky caught my eye.

Ash-colored, an even deeper ash color. I couldn’t tell if it meant the snow would get heavier or if it meant the Great Devil was coming.

***

We stayed on the darkness-covered plains for 6 more hours. The effect of feeling drained and limp didn’t exceed a certain level.

This was true not just for me, but for the knights and soldiers as well. It was good news for now.

The problem was that we didn’t know how it would change when the Great Devil arrived. Those who had fought devils before were still worried.

I was the same. They wielded darkness like limbs. Dark bullets were a given. Moreover, the entire plains had been dyed.

‘If the darkness suddenly rises up and sweeps away the soldiers…’

I wondered how we should deal with that. For now, all we could do was attack with full force to make the devil focus its attacks on us.

Some kings and nobles suggested sacrificing soldiers to drain the power of the devil or Great Devil.

I understood their thinking, but it was rejected. It’s not about considering humanity. There’s no need for humanity in war. Especially in a war against devils.

If we could, we would have done it. But to quote Count Campbell, the cost-effectiveness wasn’t good.

This was a fact proven in the distant past. No matter how many in number, unless they were at least Sword Masters, it was impossible to face a devil.

Of course, that doesn’t mean soldiers are unnecessary. Whether knights or soldiers, they can buy time.

‘That includes stopping the eastern forces.’

However, the next morning, we lost even the slightest positive thoughts about the darkness-covered plains.

This was because the prisoners captured during the siege, who had spent the night on the plains, had gone half-mad.

The news came around 4 AM. At the camp facing the plains. It was a time when even Sword Masters were taking turns standing guard.

Aside from going mad, the sight of prisoners unable to even raise their arms was definitely not a good sign.

This news couldn’t be shared with the soldiers. The enemy would arrive this afternoon.

Creating a sense of unknown fear right before battle was absolutely not a good choice.

“How about dividing the forces in half and rotating them?”

“Do we have the luxury to distribute our strength?”

Because of this, a meeting started in the morning, and although other opinions were raised, they were rejected.

As Count Campbell said, we don’t have the strength to divide our forces in half when we’re lacking even at full strength. I added my support to Count Campbell’s words.

“We must go all out. We should hope that the battle doesn’t last more than a day.”

Everyone nodded in the heavy atmosphere. There were no objections. Everyone was reluctant to speak.

Perhaps it was because they wanted to avoid being responsible for any mistakes in the face of this grave threat.

I looked around at those present. Just when we first entered the east, this tent was full of positive energy. Whether kings and nobles from other countries, or nobles of the empire.

Under bright faces, the atmosphere was busy with networking. At that time, it was thought that things wouldn’t become difficult.

“Everyone, please brighten your faces a bit.”

At my words, the gazes of those present turned to me. I shrugged with a faint smile.

“At worst, we’ll just die. There shouldn’t be anyone here who hasn’t overcome or passed through death.”

This world that has become reality for me now was a game set in a medieval fantasy background. Core nobles and Sword Masters were present here.

It meant that it was fair to say there was no one who hadn’t experienced large and small battles.

“The same goes for me. And although it’s awkward to say this myself, I’m someone who has never experienced failure. You all know this, right?”

“Indeed. Wasn’t it you who put me on the emperor’s throne? Just a few years ago, there wasn’t a single person on the continent who expected me to be sitting in this position.”

Erendil spoke up, seeming to have caught my intention. Erendil looked around at those present, seeking agreement.

“Isn’t that right?”

“It’s not.”

“What do you mean it’s not? I thought so too.”

With a cough, the stiff atmosphere loosened a bit. I continued speaking with a smile.

“It will be the same this time.”

***

We formed ranks in front of the plains past noon. The faces of the soldiers standing right before the boundary of the ashen world were solemn or hardened.

It was after we confirmed through scouts that the Great Devil and its forces would soon arrive. Erendil rode a white horse and stood at the front of the ranks.

“Did you eat well?”

And with a relaxed face, she asked the knight standing in front of her. The surprised knight stammered as he shouted.

“Y-Yes!”

“That’s good.”

With Erendil’s eye signal, the Archmage nodded. The emperor’s voice was amplified.

“Warriors of the continent, the destruction of the world is before our eyes.”

The low voice echoed over the great army. Not even the sound of someone swallowing could be heard.

“Do not fear destruction. We have already driven back the world’s destruction before. Advance without fear! Advance with your weapons held high, warriors of the continent!”

Erendil summoned Teme’s Spear. The white light standing before the ashen world looked holy at a glance. The soldiers’ gazes were drawn to it.

“Even if your sword tips waver and fall before the dark forces, there will be light, just as the bright sun rises after the night passes. Rise again. I will be with you.”

And in the distance, the enemy began to appear. Under the ashen sky, even their attire was black, so it looked as if living darkness was approaching.

The approaching enemies stepped onto the darkness-dyed plains without any hesitation. And they didn’t stop coming.

“The enemy has arrived. Now is the time for battle.”

Erendil turned his horse. The light emitted by the spear was brilliant against the background of the black army. The enemies began to run. There was no dialogue.

“Death to the enemy…!”

To the eyes of the enemies running from afar, Erendil standing at the front of the endlessly stretched great army might look like a dot, but…

The emperor before our eyes definitely didn’t look like that. The voices of the soldiers followed in a chorus.

“Death!”