Episode 368 – I will hold you accountable for the death of the commander of the Western 7th Army and the disappearance of the 2nd Prince.
The justification for the imperial army camped in front of the eastern gate of Novienne was clear.
but.
“The Holy Kingdom is a holy land that follows God’s will, so it refuses interference from any country with a royal family. If it is necessary to investigate the case, only a representative will be allowed to enter!!”
There was no hesitation in Seongguk’s representative’s words that resounded through the field.
Of course, those who heard that were just dumbfounded.
“This means going to war? Has Seongguk finally gone crazy?”
Tris Hornsby’s words clearly revealed that absurd feeling.
“…The saint is young, so it seems like she can’t even read the near future.”
It’s absurd, but the same thing happened to Galen Decade. If you reject what everyone sees as a perfect justification, you will have nothing to say even if the empire invades the Holy Kingdom with all its might.
In their opinion, the wisest measure that the Holy Kingdom could take now was to accept this army and then conduct a fact-finding investigation to clearly prove that it had nothing to do with the incident.
‘Of course we won’t make it that way.’
However, if they refused like this in the first place, it would be no different from confessing that it was their own doing. This is a single-minded path that leads straight to war, leaving even the slightest possibility.
But there was a problem.
“…It is impossible to completely occupy Noviense with this number of people right now.”
The 10,000-strong army was intended to solidify the empire’s influence within Noviense after entering the castle, and was not intended to be an occupation war.
Moreover, the number of troops residing within Noviens alone reached 50,000. The elites of the Imperial Central Army and the Hornsby Dickade family that accompanied them were among the most elite in the imperial army, but the elites of the Holy Kingdom were no less. This means that there is no force that can handle a number five times greater.
“You don’t have to do it now, right? The justification is perfect, so we just need less time to drag it out internally. I don’t think His Majesty would like it more.”
Despite Galen’s words, Tris’s face did not straighten. This may be true in general, but the problem was that there were variables that other people did not know about.
‘Is the 2nd prince alive? If the Black Snakes really took him….’
Proper preparation for war was no joke, and it was obvious that it could not be completed in a few days.
But what if the 2nd prince, who disappeared in the meantime, reappears?
And what if you talk nonsense?
‘For example, the emperor tried to kill him…’
That was the worst situation imaginable.
In addition, the vagueness of the information previously delivered became a problem in making decisions.
‘We need to find out for sure whether they were kidnapped when the operation was carried out or whether it was before that.’
If it’s the latter, it doesn’t matter even if the 2nd prince is alive.
To do so, it was clear what needed to be done first.
“…I need to contact Jerome.”
“Well… like I said, we’re not receiving communications. It’s a serious injury and we need stability…”
“I guess that’s what the Seongguk side is saying, right?”
“…yes.”
“It may not be my will. I will go in and then come back.”
“dismissal!?”
“You will lead the troops and await my instructions.”
Galen looked surprised, but Triss didn’t change her mind. Because the secret between the emperor and himself could not be discussed with anyone.
Triss advanced to the gate accompanied by only a few guards.
“Imperial Duke Tris Hornsby and six other bodyguards. I request you to enter the capital to investigate an unpleasant incident!”
A voice that resonates loudly.
A representative of an empire with an army of 10,000. The name of the greatest sword of the continent, famous in the world, was so famous that there was bound to be an uproar even within the walls of the castle.
“That continent’s best sword?”
“What continent is it? It must be an empire.”
“That’s it.”
“No! The best on the continent is Captain Harman!”
“Everyone, shut up! Anyway, is that old man, is he really a sword spirit?”
When an unexpected person stepped forward, an uproar arose even among the Holy Knights, who could be considered the commanding force of the Holy Kingdom.
“Not a lion, but a sword spirit himself?”
“What are you crazy about?”
“How can I do this…”
And there was only one person who could calm the commotion.
“Open the gate.”
“Captain!”
“It was something I expected anyway. It’s just that the people are different.”
The Paladins immediately began to react to the sword’s calm answer.
That’s it.
When the eastern gate of Noviense opened, revealing its massive weight, knights dressed in pure white armor were seen lined up inside. At first glance, the nearly a thousand knights were all radiating an intimidating force.
Looking at that, the sword spirit was inwardly impressed.
‘This is indeed the Knights of the Temple, the pride of the Holy Kingdom.’
If all the Paladins scattered around the world were gathered together, it would be expected to number well over 10,000, making it the world’s ‘largest’ order of knights.
And as I actually encountered the pinnacle of the Holy Kingdom’s military power, which was revered as the world’s ‘highest’ knight order, I naturally felt that it was worth it.
‘The level of the reviewer is quite high. Since he will use not only the Force but also divine power, he will definitely be a difficult opponent for ordinary knights.’
I was convinced that it was a powerful group that could literally crush an equal number of knights.
However, it was funny to only admire those who were supposed to be enemies, so Tris soon changed her expression and walked into the castle. Then he smiled at the warm gazes that welcomed him.
“Does Seongdo welcome guests this harshly?”
Cold sweat ran down the faces of the Paladins nearby as the momentum spread along with the light words.
A feeling like a giant is pressing down on your shoulders. As I forced my knee, which was almost bent for a moment, straight, I glanced around and saw that all of my colleagues were in a similar situation.
The hundred or so Paladins in the front line who were directly faced with that force were horrified and had the same thought.
– Is there such a monster in the world?
At this point, when it seemed like the battle line would soon collapse and show disgrace, someone intervened to stop the momentum.
“Isn’t it up to the customer as well?”
An ordinary-looking man who appeared among the ranks of Holy Knights.
The moment she spotted him, Tris’s eyes lit up.
He was a little over 180cm tall, which was on the shorter side among knights, and his face looked ordinary, but he was a man who could easily control his momentum.
There was no way there would be another man like this in Seongguk.
“Are you Lord Harman, the so-called Divine Sword?”
The voice was filled with faint admiration and confidence.
And Harmon also slightly bowed his head at that unexpectedly friendly voice.
“That’s right. It’s an honor to meet a swordsman with a reputation on the continent.”
“I am also honored. It is the sword of God, so I thought I would be a frog in a well leaning on the prestige of the Holy Kingdom…”
Tris was once again greeted with admiration.
Even a vague prayer seemed like it could rival his own.
Moreover, since he is a paladin who wields even the power of a god, how strong would he be if he counted his immeasurable power?
Maybe this man in front of you could surpass you?
Tris, who was thinking of such thoughts, quickly shook her head.
‘No, that can’t be possible.’
The moment an Auror user reaches the limit of their power, their youth disappears and they age rapidly. However, despite his old age, he maintains the skills of his prime.
It was literally proof of another level that surpassed the limits of Auror, and it was possible because he had deeper insight than anyone else into the force, the power of life, which is the basis of it.
So he was proud of the level he had achieved.
‘Did you say you’re in your late 40s now?’
I had heard about the special qualities of divine aurors, but it never occurred to me that I was inferior to them.
However, just being able to match his level at that age was an incredible feat, so words full of that admiration came out of my mouth.
“…Your skills are amazing, Sir Harman.”
Harmon couldn’t maintain his sharp attitude as Tris’s mouth kept coming out with good sounds.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Lord Tris. I’m just sorry that things aren’t going well for both of you.”
“That’s true. But I don’t think there’s any point in just confronting me like this, so would you please make arrangements for me to meet my student?”
“…of course.”
The moment those words fell, the Holy Knights neatly moved out of the way and made a path.
Although he has no political authority, the leader of the Knights Templar clearly has authority over military force within the Holy Kingdom. And the influence of Harmon, who boasts the greatest skill and reputation among all the Knights Templar commanders of the past, stood out.
Tris’s eyes hardened a little again when she saw that section.
* * *
“…What happened?”
He was embarrassed when he first saw his disciple’s body covered in bandages, but the voice that came out after looking at him in silence for a moment was extremely cold.
“You said you were seriously injured, what is that?!”
Instead of comforting his injured student, he looks angry.
And Jerome’s single eye closed tightly, as if he had expected such a reaction.
“…After all, we can’t fool Master’s eyes.”
“Ik, you idiot! What on earth have you done!?”
thud.
When Jerome got up and knelt down with a resigned expression, Tris shouted irritably and stamped her feet. At the same time, a red aura spread out from Triss’ body.
“Oh!”
visor!
The surprised paladins drew their swords, but Harman, who was watching, raised his hand to stop his men. The red aura that rose up merely formed a film surrounding the sword spirit and his disciple.
‘It’s a conversation that shouldn’t be heard by those around you… Even so, it’s not the Force, so you’ve pulled out this much Aura and are only using it as a soundproofing shield.’
Either the consumption rate for converting force into aura is ridiculously low or there is excess force.
‘…or both.’
Such magical feats would only be possible if the perfect control ability to freely move one’s energy was included.
I felt it from the first time I saw it, but it was truly a monstrous inspiration.
‘How does it compare to me?’
The spirit of winning was boiling over.
After receiving the grandiose nickname “God Sword,” there was no one around him who could compete with him. However, when he faced someone like that who would accept his sword with such ease, his heart began to boil uncontrollably.
But…
‘It would be difficult to act recklessly.’
The situation that Seongguk was in now was such that it was difficult for him to take out his sword without permission. He once again sighed at this complicated situation and had no choice but to quietly stare at the front.
And inside the red curtain that blocked his hearing, a conversation that was not allowed to leak out was going on.
“Prince Baros knew? How?”
“I think the saint gave me a tip.”
“Hehe, she’s a saint… I ignored her because she said she was a young priest…”
Tris closed her eyes tightly at her disciple’s words.
In fact, the emperor’s plan was not difficult to deduce if only the empire’s benefits were considered. However, it was natural for anyone with an ordinary moral sense to think that a father would cut his son down.
It seemed especially difficult for someone who was not a fallen priest but rather a saint to think in that direction.
“Is there really something special about being chosen by God?”
Tris sighed as she came to such a wrong conclusion. But what was more heartbreaking than that was the disciple’s choice.
Tris’s eyes turned to her student again.
One of the three cases is that an Auror user who has reached the peak of the Force of Life suffers a serious injury that renders him unable to move his body. Either it was truly a fatal injury, or it was an injury caused by an auror.
Otherwise…
it’s self-harm.
“Did you think you could fool my eyes?”
Jerome also did not know this. The monster who could infer what it looked like when the injury occurred, whether it was self-harm or intentional serious injury, was his teacher.
“I had no intention of deceiving Master from the beginning. I was just planning to avoid outside eyes.”
Tris bit her lip at those words.
“Yes, I guess so. So please explain. Even if the prince had noticed, this is a mission you would have been able to accomplish. Could it be that you chose the prince instead of His Majesty the Emperor?”
“…I added my conscience and the duty of a knight to that.”
“What a knight should prioritize most is the will of the monarch!”
“My monarch is Prince Baros.”
The disciple’s answer without delay was even more heartbreaking.
“What on earth are we going to do…! What are we going to do, you bastard! You ruined the empire’s great plan! Do you know!?”
“I’m sorry, Master.”
Tris couldn’t help but beat her chest in frustration. Then, he took a deep sigh and looked into his student’s eyes.
“I have no choice but to report the truth to Your Majesty.”
“…I am prepared.”
“Ugh, you foolish brat! If you want to live, at least ask for a favor!”
“Your Majesty cherishes talented people. I believe that even if you order me to serve in the white robe, you will not take my life.”
“You’re really out of your mind. That’s easier said than done…!”
Although all she could say was a lament, Tris was deep down acknowledging that there was a high possibility that things would turn out as her student said.
This was a story about one premise.
“The empire’s long-cherished wish could have easily been resolved. There is only one way for you, the bastard who ruined it, to survive. You understand that, right?”
“…yes.”
“Then tell me. How can we take over the Holy Kingdom even assuming that the second prince is alive?”
“One more assumption is necessary.”
“what?”
“For now…”
– Be sure to look again. And the only way for you to survive is…
Your master’s last words.
Jerome, recalling those words, stared at his teacher with his only remaining eye and calmly continued speaking.
