280 Post-Battle Processing
The fortress conquest entrusted to Wald was concluded immediately upon the Vampire Child's arrival.
The Vampire Child breached the human stronghold alone, overcoming the defensive wall and entering the interior.
A depiction of the tormented hell was created and brought to ruin.
You know, this is getting a bit excessive, isn't it?
I suppose I’m the last one to say such a thing.
Seemed to be feeling irritable.
Thus, the fortress, having achieved a blood-soaked surrender instead of a bloodless one, was currently occupied by remnants of the Tenth and Seventh Armies.
Proceed with entrusting the task to the surviving officer-grade commander of the Seventh Army; the Tenth Army is scheduled to return shortly.
Occupying it, though, means few survivors among captives or the like.
The possibility of humans reclaiming it is not nonexistent, but they are likely in disarray themselves—unlikely to move soon.
Thus, there's no need to leave many personnel behind.
More importantly, we wish to keep the Tenth Army free to move, in preparation for the assault on the elven settlement.
Other divisions are withdrawing or occupying captured strongholds.
The Second Army is monitoring the fortress it was supposed to capture—now overrun by apes—lest the apes flood into the demon territory.
Perhaps, in this case, the act of monitoring serves as a pretext, allowing the breast aliens to keep their forces at hand?
Returning would mean no casualties, but personnel may be pulled for reinforcement of other divisions, forcing reorganization.
Hence, reluctance to return.
Possibly, they hope to retain their forces indefinitely, planning to oppose the Demon King directly.
The Third Army is currently occupying the captured fortress.
The idiotic giant is overly lenient. Even in war, he treats captured enemy soldiers as prisoners of war and grants them humane treatment.
This results in unnecessary complications. He will likely remain immobilized for some time.
The Fourth Army is currently in retreat.
Having disengaged from the front lines earliest, it will probably return to demon territory the soonest.
Still, since Mel is in command, there is no need to worry.
The Fifth Army is also retreating.
Its losses are greater than those of the Fourth Army, requiring medical treatment for wounded soldiers and resupply at a town along the way.
Given the large number of wounded, they may end up staying in the town.
Either way, movement will not be possible for some time.
The Sixth Army is also retreating.
Its situation is even worse than that of the Fifth Army.
The commander, a youth, died in battle, and a significant number of soldiers have been lost.
Other than the First Army, completely annihilated, this one probably suffered the greatest losses.
Reorganization as a unit is nearly impossible. Most likely, it will be dissolved and its personnel redistributed to other armies.
Still, like the Fifth Army, it will take time to return to full strength.
The Eighth Army is on triumphal march.
They won, after all.
Calling it a retreat feels inaccurate.
Yet the atmosphere is just as heavy as if they had suffered defeat.
Oni-kun unleashed his cruelty—turned the battlefield into hell.
Worse than hell already, now cast further into the abyss.
Terrifying. Terrifying.
All fortresses meant to be occupied have been destroyed. No reason to remain at the site. Thus, the triumphal march.
Prisoners? I doubt any exist.
The Ninth Army never even advanced, so this is omitted.
It is the Demon Army—yet not truly the Demon Army.
Thus, the only force currently capable of independent movement is the Demon Lord’s personal guard.
The Demon Lord’s personal guard serves as a defensive force for the Demon Realm territory. Therefore, it cannot be deployed lightly.
In truth, defense is nearly redundant—simply having the Demon Lord present suffices.
Should necessity arise, constructs such as mannequin spiders or the remaining Queen Talatekt can be summoned.
No deployable military units exist.
Does this mean there is nothing to do? Not entirely.
A significant amount of post-battle logistics remains.
Deployment of medicinal supplies, personnel capable of administering healing magic, to affected areas.
Reinforcement of supply lines.
Assessment of damage, identification of surviving personnel.
From this data, a reorganization plan must be initiated to proceed with the next phase of the elven village assault.
The workload is endless if one keeps counting.
I’ll leave all of it to Fermina-chan.
“No, please help me.”
Go ahead!
I have my own duties to fulfill.
No, seriously.
Seize this opportunity to eliminate as many elves and their collaborators as possible—those currently outside.
Elves and their collaborators are scattered across the world, discreetly.
Their range of movement is evident from the fact that transfer points have been established in the demon territories.
They can also use teleportation, so complete eradication is unlikely.
Probably impossible.
But doing so now will serve as a deterrent.
After all, we’ve already destroyed the cyborg body that Potimas deployed in full force.
Demonstrating that we possess personnel capable of such a feat will force them to reconsider their numbers.
They’ll become cautious.
Whether retreating to the elven settlement or launching a counteroffensive, some action is expected.
If retreating to the elven settlement, the discovery of the elven relocation array they’ve been desperately hiding.
If launching a counteroffensive, further analysis of elven combat capabilities becomes possible.
Either way, the outcome will be positive. No negative effect.
Hmm.
Since the opportunity presents itself, might as well level up the Vampire Child simultaneously.
The fortress has fallen. The Vampire Child’s level should have risen moderately. Still, room for further growth remains.
"Then, let's go."
"Wait—what do you mean, 'then'!?"
Secure the Vampire Child, who was resting with Wald at the fortress.
From now on, we’ll teleport across the world, assaulting elven strongholds and their allied bases.
A little world tour, so to speak.