Episode 408: After the emperor’s declaration of his own government, the appearance of the central army in earnest to the outside world created countless topics.
The size of the three legions already stationed in front of Kyle Castle can be fully guessed just by looking at the Aserian and nearby security forces.
However, the main body of the imperial central army, which gathered little by little from all the cities within the imperial territory, was a large army of nearly 450,000 soldiers in 9 corps, which was three times the size.
Everyone in the world was shocked by the true appearance of the imperial family, which seemed to have dispersed its power between the 8th Eastern Legion and the 7th Western Legion.
Elites of the central army were hiding in every city and village in the imperial territory, their identities hidden.
Naturally, this rumor spread quickly. That’s why the size of the troops was shocking.
What was even more surprising was that it took only two weeks for such a large army to reorganize its battle lines and set off. Considering the troops gathered from all over the empire, this means that the logistics capable of operating 500,000 troops within Aserian alone were always prepared.
The imperial army had a huge impact on the world just by its apparent size.
However, in the midst of all this, there was one part of the world that gave a curious look.
-What is superhuman power?
Even though the western countries were giving off an unusual atmosphere, it was somewhat strange that no western corps commanders were selected.
As the amount of superhuman strength sacrificed in McLane was already significant, and the defeat in the first battle was not due to a lack of troops, there were questions about the absence of elite strength.
As expected, there were now only two superhumans officially remaining in the Imperial Guard.
Of the original 10 superhumans in the SS, 6 superhumans, including Ivan Rodriguez, who was dispatched on behalf of Max Ileia, commander of the Western 7th Corps, Jamie Gilan, who filled the vacancy of the magic spear Grit Einzhein, and Sword Soul, were dispatched to the war against McLane.
However, on the battlefield where as many as 21 superhumans were dispatched, 10 people had already fallen and died in the first battle alone. And among them was a sword spirit.
Even in the southern conquest army, a terrible situation occurred in which as many as 6 out of 7 warriors died. Even so, if the remaining troops had not been nearly twice that of McLane’s army, they would have been wiped out in a counterattack.
But the additional power is only 2 people?
Anyone could judge that the superhuman power was too weak compared to the enormous military force.
As a result, the majority of people predicted the outcome of the war this way.
– The Empire will win, but will suffer massive losses.
That’s why McLane’s performance in the first match was impressive.
In addition, the people of McLane, who were extremely excited by their victory in the first battle, actually predicted the odds of victory.
“Now our Majesty is the greatest sword on the continent.”
“Well then. Even if the Empire’s superhumans attack in droves, it won’t work, so what’s the use of having a lot of troops?”
“Has there ever been a case in history where a person who is not even 30 years old is the strongest on the continent?”
“Of course not.”
“Then our Majesty is a god-given hero!”
Praise for Logan spread not only to the capital, Grand, but also to every corner of the countryside.
Thanks to the special vigilante system found only in McLane, one person from each house is participating in the war. They can’t help but be filled with hope after seeing the results of the first battle.
In addition, the new faces of superhumans revealed through this war were enough to raise their hopes.
First of all, the most famous superhuman, ‘the iron-blooded female warrior who stopped the magician of the cold wind,’ was the queen.
Before that, she was known as the founder of the McLane female army and the first female knight, but that was only due to her uniqueness. The kingdom’s conservative culture tended to dismiss Eilen’s strength, which had already been proven several times, as overrated simply because she was a woman.
“Who are these people who said that because they were women, they would be weak?”
“I heard there are very few female Auror users in the Empire, but what about our queen…”
“That’s right. As expected, your Majesty is clearly a hero given by God. Even your companion is a superhuman.”
Whenever the people, especially the women, gathered together, they would talk about Eilen. The name of Eileen Floyd, who was famous only among nobles and knights, began to spread widely in the world.
And the person who became famous together with Eileen in a similar direction was Victoria, an 18-year-old mage who had not yet reached adulthood. Because they fought together with Clayton, the visual impact was not great, but there were more than one person who saw those two people pushing the three imperial mages.
Because the name of ‘Golem Master’ Clayton was relatively famous, there were a few people who disparaged Victoria’s performance, but the enormous adjective ‘minor superhuman’ was enough to surprise not only Macline but the entire continent.
Furthermore, the title of the youngest mage since history was recorded had the power to instantly bury the opinions of a minority, and even caused exaggerated rumors to spread.
“Actually, I didn’t come forward out of consideration for my teacher.”
“really?”
“Yes. In fact, they say that he has been handling golems much better than his teacher since long ago. Everyone involved in the Golem Tower knew!”
“Wow, then shouldn’t the owner of the nickname Golem Master also change?”
“Oh, anyway…”
“Since my teacher is the Golem Master, should I call him the Golem Empress?”
“Oh, but I just got a name. It’s more like a princess.”
Princess of Golem.
This is how the nickname that Victoria would later grit her teeth and loathe was born.
In addition, the first Auror user archer in history, ‘Red Reaper’ Bourdelle.
Ronian McLane, the royal ‘knight of the setting sun’ who radiates orange aura.
Even Victor, the ‘immortal knight’ who never dies, who was known only as the king’s bodyguard.
The fact that five young talents, too young to be considered superhumans, appeared at the same time served as an opportunity to solidify the rumor that King Logan McLane was a hero who received revelation from God.
Moreover, in the meantime.
“I heard His Majesty the King also raises divine beasts?”
“Oh, that went too far.”
“It’s true! Many people say they saw it in the southern fortress!”
Rumors about Tyr, who had gone to great lengths to crack down on the Magi, spread knowingly or unknowingly, inflating the rumors.
Logan McLane is a hero given by the 9th Minister.
The Kingdom of McLane is a country cared for by God.
In the end, unfounded rumors continued to spread among the people of McLane.
While the entire kingdom was filled with hope, those on the front lines were having serious doubts.
* * *
“The number of superhumans is not the problem. What is more problematic is that our number has already been revealed.”
Most people nodded in agreement with Damian’s assertion.
“Liberatio and the Great Magic Formation have already been exposed. The Imperial Army must have thought of countermeasures.”
“How do you think it will come out?”
In response to Logan’s question, Damian glanced at the command posts in the barracks.
“I gathered general opinions, but everyone had similar thoughts. Liberatio will probably deploy wizards to stop it like last time. It has already proven to be effective.”
“…I guess so. Once we climb up the castle wall, those wizards will also attack.”
“That’s right. During the first battle, the damage to the imperial army at Kyle Castle was the least, so I think we’ll use the same strategy this time as well.”
“Huh… What about that anti-magic barrier, Anti-Mana?”
“Anyway, it wasn’t an operation worth using more than once. The effect of the anti-magic circle would be weakened. If the enemy had taken countermeasures, it would be a self-defeating strategy that would only hit our magic circle.”
“Huh… Then what about the Great Magic Circle?”
“…I don’t think there will be a special answer for this. We have no choice but to destroy the magic circle by mobilizing ghosts or special forces, and that’s what we are preparing for.”
There seemed to be no significant disagreement as most of the commanders nodded to Damian’s words.
But even as he watched this, Logan chewed his lips and was lost in thought. The question Hamar asked never left my mind.
Eventually, Logan’s gaze drifted to one side.
“Leah.”
“Yes? Yes, Your Majesty.”
When Victoria, who had been standing still next to her teacher, took a step forward in surprise, Logan suddenly asked.
“Can we change the target of the weakening magic circle now?”
“…yes!?”
“your majesty!”
“What did you suddenly say…”
“The imperial army will arrive in at least three days!”
Even though everyone around him was confused, Logan’s eyes did not waver.
Victoria’s eyes quickly returned to their original positions.
“…Do you think the Empire has already noticed?”
“Assuming the worst, I think it could happen.”
“Even so, time is too tight. Not only does an alternative come to mind at first glance, but even if an alternative does come up, it will take a considerable amount of time to modify the magic circle. Also, even if Kyle Castle manages to get the time right, there is no room for modifying the magic circle in the two fortresses, Shield and Armor. “There are no people.”
“…is it.”
I nodded my head in understanding, but it felt like an unpleasant feeling was stuck in my chest.
‘okay. Even if you notice, it won’t be right now.’
It is also not good to judge too negatively before a big day.
It’s too much to worry about.
Too much.
I told myself that and washed my face dry, but the discomfort did not go away.
“…If the weakening magic circle is neutralized, what is the expected damage?”
“Under the premise that Liberatio is blocked, defeat is certain even if the size of the imperial army that is coming now is half.”
At Victoria’s words, silence flowed throughout the barracks.
Suppressing the enemy’s energy by 30% does not simply mean reducing the enemy’s power to 70%.
The person who was the expert becomes the equal player, and the opponent who was the equal player becomes the inferior player.
An absolute number that changes the victory or defeat of each individual and continues to change the outcome of the war.
So what Victoria said was definitely not an exaggeration.
“Of course, even if that happens, I believe he will do it anyway because His Majesty Logan McLane is a God-given hero.”
To break the stiff atmosphere, Victoria tried her own way with humor, but Logan only laughed in vain.
“Yes. It would be easier if the Golem Princess lightly tramples at least three Imperial Mages.”
“Your Majesty! That strange nickname is…!”
“It would be better if the Queen of Iron Blood lightly cuts off the head of the Mage of the Cold Wind.”
“Your Majesty. The joke was a bit out of context…”
Looking at Victoria, who was fuming, and his wife, whose eyes were cold, Logan let out a long sigh.
And finally I made a decision.
“That won’t work, so we’ll have to prepare for the worst anyway.”
Even if it seems like a very unrealistic story, it is human to consider it at least once if the cost is one’s life.
What’s more, if something that seems likely to happen at some point might happen sooner.
And if the price is the defeat of the country.
How can you not prepare?
“I need to change it.”
“yes?”
“Lia. You said it was difficult to change the target of the weakening magic circle.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Then is it difficult to completely eliminate the target?”
“…yes?”
What are you talking about?
Victoria’s puzzled gaze fell on Logan, and her expression subtly changed as Logan continued speaking.
