30 Years After Reincarnating, It Turns Out This World Was A Rofan?! novel Chapter 292

Clank!

Boom!

Rrrrrumble.

The wooden palisades of Mordred stood firm.

Though they had only "patched up the urgent sections," the truth was that the defenses of Mordred were taller and sturdier than most fortress walls. Surrounding them were countless traps—painstakingly crafted, leaving no gaps.

Artificial swamps and sinkholes, poison-laced pits, and mines lay scattered in abundance.

The palisades, seemingly wooden, were reinforced with layers of hardened mud and embedded with monster bones, increasing their durability to withstand even the weight of dozens of large beasts.

It was almost awe-inspiring that humans had created such a fortress. But in a way, it was only natural.

For decades—far beyond five mere years—this stronghold had withstood the relentless onslaught of monstrosities.

Having evolved solely for the purpose of killing them, it was inevitable that both the warriors and their fortress would continue to grow stronger.

The Fortress of Lamentation.

A fortress built with Mordred’s blood and history—one that had always instilled absolute faith in its defenders.

No matter the /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ circumstances, they believed this fortress would never fall.

—

"If we last even an hour, it'll be a miracle."

—

And so, it was certain.

Tonight, this fortress would fall.

Because—

[Ruuuumble!]

—there was no way they could hold for even an hour against that army.

[Keeeeeck!!!]

Goblins.

[Grrrr...!]

Kobolds and gnolls.

[Haaaugh!!]

Hellhounds.

This was the first time anyone had seen so many monsters gathered in one place.

The sheer mass of writhing, wriggling creatures was sickening. Just looking at them drained one’s will to fight.

And yet, the most horrifying fact was that this... was only the beginning.

"There’s still plenty more behind them."

The true monsters—the mid-sized and large-class beasts—hadn’t even begun to move.

Strangely, they remained still, watching.

Which meant—

"Hah. The damned beasts dare to look down on Mordred?"

—They believed this was enough.

Or worse, they intended to watch the smaller ones be slaughtered before making their move.

It was said that the bigger the monster, the more intelligent—or the more arrogant—it became.

And these mid-to-large-class beasts proved the point perfectly, choosing to be spectators while the smaller ones were sent forward like disposable pawns.

The arrogance of these wretched creatures almost resembled that of pompous nobles.

Infuriating as it was, he had to admit—

Even with only the small ones, this battle was already hopeless.

Over 100,000 small-class monsters, packed so tightly they looked like a sea of flesh.

And beyond those 100,000?

Another 100,000 waited.

“......”

Some of the soldiers remained silent, but their lips and hands trembled.

For years—perhaps decades—they had forgotten what fear was.

But standing before an army of such incomprehensible scale, even maintaining composure was a struggle.

The sheer killing intent and malice exuding from hundreds of thousands of monsters was suffocating.

It was only natural for humans to feel fear.

And yet—

"Everyone, take aim!"

"Prepare your rifles! Burn through the barrels if you have to! Keep firing until the last shot!"

"The [Flame Cannons] as well! Don't think about conserving them! Fire until they’re destroyed—!!"

Even as they felt fear, they did not lose their fighting spirit.

They readied their weapons, aiming their barrels and cannons forward.

The moment was stretched, the tension so thick it could be cut with a blade—

And then.

[KAAAAAA—!]

[HAAAAAAAH—!!]

[—!!]

Whooooom!

The monsters screamed in unison.

“!?”

“Urk...!”

“H-hold the line...!”

The suffocating sensation that gripped their entire bodies—

Monster Fear.

It was a phenomenon unique to monsters, their natural ability to instill dread in lesser beings.

These soldiers had endured such fear before—up to about 10,000 monsters at once.

But this?

100,000 monsters roaring at the same time?

Even hearing it felt like a physical blow.

Even if 100,000 humans screamed together, the noise would be overwhelming.

But this?

This was a weapon.

Soldiers staggered, some clutching their chests, others collapsing to their knees.

Some even bled from their noses, their bodies unable to handle the pressure.

It was...

[SHUT UP—!!]

BOOOOOM!!

“......?”

For a moment, reality itself twisted.

No—

No, this wasn’t real.

Or rather, it shouldn’t have been possible.

A voice—a roar—so powerful it shattered the Monster Fear itself.

Something that should have been impossible for a human throat.

Rmmmmmm...

Even the monsters fell silent.

Some of them even twitched, as if experiencing their own primal terror.

And the one who had unleashed that monstrous roar...

Stepped forward.

"—Margrave Cain, pardon me for the intrusion, but may I declare war first?"

“...What’s with the sudden formal tone?”

"Take it while it lasts. You’re still the supreme commander, after all. Gotta treat you with the respect you deserve in wartime."

"......."

It was a perfectly normal response.

Which made it all the more surreal.

What the hell was this guy?

Cain had always found him an enigma, but this?

A human with the presence of 100,000 monsters?

"...Have people like him become common outside in the past five years?"

The absurdity of the thought made Cain momentarily lose focus.

But one thing was undeniable—

That ridiculous man was on their side.

"...Reassuring."

Despite the sheer overwhelming presence of the monster horde—

It almost felt like they had a warrior of equal weight on their side.

And so—

"Do as you please."

"I'll take that as permission."

Whoosh!