Demi-Human War

The Demi-Human War (亜人戦争) was a protracted civil war fought in the Kingdom of Lugunica, taking place for nine years from 48 to 40 years before the arrival of Natsuki Subaru. It was a major conflict that took place during the events of Sword Demon Love Song, and the effects of the war have had a lasting impact on the world today, with one of its remnants going on to ignite another devastating conflict that flipped the world on its head.

Initially a minor regional uprising on the Lugunican frontier, the war escalated into a bloody struggle that lasted for nearly the course of a decade. The two belligerents at the start of the war, the government of Lugunica, and the Demi-Human Alliance, would themselves be relegated to minor players as the war spiraled out of control, turning into a nationwide ethnic conflict with skirmishes breaking out all over the country.

The war was brought to an end two years after that generation’s Sword Saint, Theresia van Astrea, joined the war, with the final battle of the war being the Second Battle of Castour Field.^[1] With that, an armistice was signed between the Kingdom and the Demi-Human Alliance's third leader and remaining representative, Cragrell Dawson.

Background

Though there have always been racial issues in Lugunica, hatred between humans and demi-humans intensified after the Great Calamity, in which the Witch of Envy, a half-elf, consumed half of the world. Half races and elves in particular were classified as heretical, but that same prejudice spread towards other races that were not human. For 350 years, the tension simmered and stewed.

Forty-eight years before Subaru arrived in the world, a village of demi-humans became involved in a small conflict with a human village, and the two sides met up to discuss it. However, during negotiations, the human representatives were assassinated, leading both sides to blame each other for the murders, contributing to more confusion and violence. This event would be the spark that would ignite the war.

Battles

Battle of Redonas Plateau

This was a minor battle in 46 BA that marked one of the first battles that Wilhelm Trias and Grimm Fauzen took part in. Originally, a young noble sought to make a name for himself during an attack on the enemy forces. However, said noble was handled with ease, and the Royal Army’s forces were left in disarray. If not for Wilhelm, the battle may have been lost.

Battle of Castour Field

This battle, which took place in 46 BA, was a battle in which one of the Demi-Human Alliance’s leaders, Valga Cromwell, successfully ambushed and slaughtered the Royal Army with a magic trap set in place by another of their leaders, Sphinx. If not for Wilhelm moving forward to fight for a time, the army would have lost many more soldiers than they already did. The Zergev Squadron completely survived, fortunately, and Wilhelm garnered the name of Sword Demon as a result of his actions as well. Following this great defeat, Wilhelm and Grimm were taken as members of the Zergev Squadron.

Post-Battle Investigation

Following the crushing defeat at Castour Field, the magic specialist Roswaal J. Mathers, alongside her bodyguard Carol Remendis, were brought to Castour Field in order to analyze the magic circles that were used in the previous ambush. Taking Wilhelm, Grimm, and a few other knights of the Zergev Squadron, they made their way deep into the field, where they found a large circle. With Roswaal mentioning that this could threaten the whole Kingdom, Grimm started to have a bad feeling, asking if Wilhelm felt the same thing. Though initially claiming that to be in his head since he couldn't feel anything alive nearby, he quickly moved into action when an arrow fired by the undead Tholter Weasily, who died in the previous battle, was aimed at Roswaal. Soon after, the contingent was faced with an army of undead from both enemies and allies alike. Elsewhere, the rest of the squadron also faced similar enemies.

Leaving Carol and Grimm to protect Roswaal, Wilhelm went to slay the undead, taking many of them down. However, he was met with a magic counterattack by Sphinx, who was exhibiting a tremendous aura. Recognizing Sphinx, Roswaal was furious and moved forward to join the fight herself. However, Sphinx flew away, having collected what she needed, and set the rest of the corpse soldiers on everyone. With knowledge provided by Roswaal, Wilhelm began searching for the "core" corpse soldier to bring down the horde, and eventually, he set his sights on Tholter, who was still firing arrows at his group. Realizing he would be unable to reach him, he tasked Grimm with killing him while he protected Roswaal. After a push from him, Grimm ran off, accompanied by Carol, and successfully slew the undead Tholter. Following this, Roswaal informed everyone of Sphinx's identity and her level of threat.

Battle of Aihiya Swamp

This battle, fought in 43 BA, was the largest and deadliest battle in the entire war. Using the stored magic within the destroyed structures at the Aihiya Swamp, Valga was able to bait and ambush the Royal Army into another employed magic circle trap. A massive portion of the army was completely lost, and the Zergev Squadron was nearly completely lost, with the vice commander of the squad, Pivot Arnancy, losing his life as well. Because of the losses, the rebellions exploded across the nation, and the Royal Capital was left open as well. Leip Barielle was demoted for the devastating loss, and on the other side, Libre Fermi was killed and made an undead by Sphinx, who continued to use his reputation for her own good during the war.

Invasion of the Royal Castle

Taking place in 43 BA, this battle marked a serious change for the entire war, as the three major demi-human leaders, including the undead Libre Fermi, attempted to take the Royal Castle for themselves. However, despite their efforts, they were unable to do so. Libre was completely destroyed, Valga Cromwell was defeated and was imprisoned in the mansion of Miklotov McMahon, and Sphinx lost her limbs and escaped, only to be secretly captured by Leip Barielle, who claimed to have finished her off. Despite this battle being so major, the war did not end, and the Demi-Human Alliance continued fighting under the banner of Cragrell Dawson.

Battle of the Trias Domain

As revenge for his part in the war, the Demi-Human Alliance attacked the Trias Domain to spite Wilhelm in 42 BA. The man left his place in the Royal Capital and eventually arrived in his domain. Though he fought hard, he was brought down and nearly lost his life. If not for Theresia van Astrea, who had come to save his life and finally decided to join the war, he would have died. With her arrival, she successfully defeated the demi-human soldiers there, though the Trias family and many others were still lost.

Second Battle of Castour Field

This was the final battle of the war, taking place two years after the Sword Saint entered the war, in 40 BA. This battle resulted in the final Royal Army victory, and afterward, the country was able to sign an armistice with Cragrell, officially ending the war.

Aftermath

The end of the war did not end prejudice between humans and demi-humans, and in the following decades, much ill will would continue to be felt, especially in the countryside and especially concerning elves. However, compared to before the war, demi-humans faced much less discrimination, and their standing in Lugunica did improve a certain degree.

With the war's end and Theresia's part in bringing it to its end, she was awarded with the auxiliary Astrea Manor in the capital, and before long, she would also be given the title of the Kingdom's official Sword Saint. However, with some assistance from King Gionis, Wilhelm was able to sneak into the ceremony, challenge Theresia, and defeat her, leading to their subsequent engagement. Because of this and his intention to take Theresia's place, Wilhelm was given a chance to prove the might powerful enough to replace the Sword Saint, and after his victory against all of the strongest members of the Royal Army, he became the captain of the Royal Guard, taking Conwood Melahau as his vice-captain. Likewise, after meeting Orphe and recommending him to Bordeaux, the organization Six Tongues was formed, Orphe its director.

As part of a way to maintain peace after the signing of the armistice, Cragrell was granted a noble title and given a mansion along with it. Leip kept the limbless Sphinx hidden beneath his own manor in the Barielle Domain, intending to use her for his own machinations, which would later result in the Coffleton Undead Incident, and later, the Great Disaster. Valga was kept beneath the McMahon Manor for years, and eventually he managed to obtain his own freedom, taking on a young girl as his granddaughter, and taking ownership of the Loot House.

References