Episode 372
“Materials from within the empire are gathering around the capital. It really looks like war is about to break out.”
“What are the expected results?”
“The Holy Kingdom will not fall easily, but I think it will be difficult to compare it to the Empire.”
“Is it because of the difference in military history?”
“Yes. But it is not a difference in numbers. There may be more regular troops in the Holy Kingdom.”
“That’s right. The number of paladins must be enormous.”
“That’s right. However, it is not possible to gather all the power of the temples spread across the continent into Novience. Additionally, the qualitative difference is also at a level that cannot be ignored.”
As Damian’s voice rang quietly, all eyes in the room focused on him.
“Even if the level of training of the soldiers is replaced by the madness typical of fanatics, there are only three superhumans known in the Holy Kingdom, excluding Shingeom. Of course, that is not the biggest reason for predicting the Holy Kingdom’s defeat.”
“Is there a bigger reason?”
“The biggest problem is that the Holy Kingdom’s base is only Noviens.”
“hmm?”
“Even if we were to gather all the temple troops scattered across the continent, if we were surrounded by the imperial army and subjected to wave after wave of attacks, we would eventually have no choice but to collapse from the supply point.”
Damian’s words were persuasive.
The swordsman and corps commander Luther Wicken all nodded.
Padric McLane, who had attended the castle meeting for the first time in a long time, and Clayton, leader of the magic corps and royal magic tower, also looked into each other’s eyes and expressed agreement.
Outside, the hidden superhumans Ronian and Viktor, as well as Clayton’s disciple Victoria, took a step back and listened to the meeting.
In fact, Damian expressed his opinion without wavering at a gathering of all the powerful figures of the royal castle.
“Either way, looking at the current situation, it is the best outcome for us.”
“Even if the empire conquers the Holy Kingdom?”
“…Even if the Empire pushes ahead with its current cause and annexes the Holy Kingdom, the pain will last at least 10 years.”
“After that?”
“…The power of the empire, which has come to represent the spirit of the people of the continent, will continue for another thousand years. Of course, before then, the entire continent will be crushed under the feet of the empire.”
At those words, the atmosphere in the room became even heavier.
Logan’s expression also became serious, but he spoke calmly as if he was trying to lighten the mood.
“Well, anyway, the situation is good right now. So what should we do at this point?”
“How to preemptively attack the Empire…” ”
…The Empire’s Eastern Legion and the mysterious Central Legion are not moving. It would be good to distract the Empire with a preemptive strike, but the strategy we have prepared so far is “The majority are focused on defense. I don’t think there’s any need to go out and get hit by the Empire’s arrows.”
“…Yes. Of course not. It was careless.”
Luther Kyle, the commander of the 4th Giant Corps, who attended the royal meeting for the first time in a while, crumpled under the glare of people.
“I also want to do that, but the situation is not that easy. Commander Luther. I know you are itching, but please hold on to your desire to win for a while.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. You have no shame.”
“Then what should we do, Damien?”
“The most ideal situation for us would be for the Empire to engage in a war of attrition with the Holy Kingdom and then simply retreat. Of course, the Emperor would have no intention of doing that.”
“What are the chances of that happening?”
“It depends on the missing second prince.”
“Prince Baros?”
“Yes. The Empire has already announced the existence of the Black Snake Cassel Tower, creating a situation where the public cannot believe anything the 2nd Prince says. But…”
Damian made eye contact with Logan and smiled.
It was Logan who provided the fundamental information that allowed Baros to avoid death.
Considering the information passed down through the saint at the time, the words that would come out were obvious.
“There is no way that he who knew in advance and avoided this situation could not have anticipated it.”
“Yes. Of course, it is a vague expectation, but it is highly likely that he has prepared a way to ruin the imperial family that abandoned him.”
“Yes, that would be great. But that is just your literal expectation. I asked what we could do.”
“As you might guess, we cannot help the Holy Kingdom at the national level. That would ultimately be no different from declaring war on the empire.”
“…yes.”
“In that case, we have no choice but to send a few strong people to help the Holy Kingdom. If possible, unknown superhumans…”
As if he was forcing something difficult to say, Damian smiled vaguely as he looked at the head of the table, especially the seat next to the king.
The target, Queen Eilen, was looking to the side with a stern expression, but Logan, who made eye contact with his wife, just smiled bitterly and shook his head.
‘The Kassel Magic Tower has a magic that reads the past by examining the memories of the land. And there was also a signal from Tyr not long ago…’
The Kassel Tower must have already figured out that Guile and himself are the same person.
‘They’re probably looking for the holy sword. Even if I disguise myself under a different guise, it’s a gamble for me to come forward now.’
Since he has the Empire as his biggest enemy, he can be considered a comrade now, but he had to keep his position for the time being because he didn’t know how he might be used.
Perhaps the tracking will begin as soon as you leave the Grand.
Logan guessed that and said.
“I can’t go now.”
Eilen was visibly relieved at those words.
‘Are you that worried about me?’
I was smiling proudly with a warm heart, but Eilen hit me in the back with something unexpected.
“Then it’s Armored’s turn to take Gail’s place.”
“what?!”
Logan almost jumped up from his sitting position.
A superhuman who gained fame as the ‘Protector of Terronan’ in the Armored Small Kingdom Alliance and the disguised face of Eilen.
I never imagined that name would appear here.
But Eilen looked at her husband with confident eyes.
“Why? I can’t change Force colors like you can, but I don’t need to.”
“Oh no, that’s not the problem…”
Logan unconsciously turned to his brother and Viktor.
The personnel I had in mind from the beginning were those two and Bourdel.
Even if it was a selfish choice, I had nothing to say, but honestly, I didn’t even think about my wife competing.
However, the thoughts of the parties seemed to be very different.
“Isn’t it a perfect fit? Moreover, my characteristics give me a much better chance of survival. I’ve already done enough with cross-dressing in the Kingdom Alliance.”
“…no.”
“I keep looking at Lord Viktor and Count Ronian, but those two have the potential to leave a lasting impression because of the color of the Force. I’m the best fit.”
“…Okay.”
It was perfect logic.
However, the selfish and ugly husband who did not want to accept it looked at the adults in the house with earnest eyes.
The swordsman cleared his throat and took a step forward.
“Queen. It is truly unreasonable for the queen of one country to participate as a mercenary in another country’s war…”
“Oh my goodness. It is not the queen of the Kingdom of Macraine, but Ahmaud Hasen, the protector of Teronan. Oh, there could be a problem. So it would be okay to have a completely different identity.”
As the swordsman, who was speechless, sank silently, his father-in-law came to the rescue this time.
“The center of the kingdom is the royal family, and the center of the royal family is the safety of the royal family. The kingdom is strong only if the king and queen stay in place…” ”
The king has already been away several times. Thanks to that, I have reliable substitutes. Also, your father doesn’t have to worry.”
“…yes?”
Padric, with a bewildered expression, was at a loss for words and glared at Logan.
– What on earth have you been doing?
This was because they were only in McLane’s territory, so they had no idea about Logan’s stealth.
Frustrated at seeing his father’s expression like that, Logan looked around as if grasping at straws, but everyone in his entourage was just looking for something on the ground or the ceiling.
Just as Logan was feeling a slight sense of betrayal, Eilen glared at him with a sullen expression.
“What is that look? You can do it and I can’t? It couldn’t be like it was a while ago…!”
“Ah. Hahaha. That can’t be possible.”
Although I was smiling, cold sweat broke out.
What man in the world would want his wife to go to war and wield a sword?
But to Eilen, who wanted to be a knight before being a queen, those words were nothing short of an insult. And if you love her, of course you should respect her.
‘okay. ‘That’s how it should be.’
Even though we know this, we make this mistake again.
Logan sighed and blamed himself for being so pathetic. Then he nodded vigorously, as if he had never been so embarrassed.
“Okay, but let’s all go together, including Ronian and Victor Bourdel.”
“…yes?”
Not only Aile but everyone watching was surprised by those words.
“Your Majesty! It’s too much…”
The swordsman added hurriedly, but Logan shook his head with a calm expression.
“No. The enemy is the Empire. We must do everything we can. It is right to mobilize all unknown superhumans. So, if the Holy Kingdom wins the war, it would be best.”
These were very hopeful words, but they were words that could not be rejected. The fact that the Holy Kingdom lacks superhuman power compared to the Empire was a drawback that was mentioned earlier.
However, there was one more superhuman in McLane that Logan had not thought of.
“Your Majesty, I will go with you.”
“Lia!?”
“what!?”
While her brother and teacher were shocked, the world’s youngest mage confidently took a step forward and smiled.
“Lia. The characteristics of your magic are so…”
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I have the confidence to deal with superhumans even without using the golem. Above all… I’m too anxious to just send that idiot brother. I too. Please send.”
Logan looked next to Victoria with bewildered eyes, and unlike his older brother who was desperately shaking his head, Clayton looked worried but was nodding.
“When it comes to earth magic, I’m already beyond my level.”
“Gun…”
Victor, who was about to say that assertion, sank with a groan-like sound.
Of course, that didn’t mean there weren’t people who were worried.
“Wouldn’t it be too much to leave the room all at once?”
“Queen, there is no problem because I have a clear assistant, and other than that, to the outside world, I am just a disciple and mercenary of the king’s younger brother and his friend, the best mage in the kingdom.”
“Still, if even one person goes wrong, it would be a huge loss for the kingdom.”
“That’s why we need to come together even more. I have asked that we take care of each other’s safety first even in times of war.”
“Uhm… if that’s the case.”
Everything was decided when the most conservative swordsman among the kingdom’s leaders stepped down.
* * * [Are there five unknown superhumans? Sir Victor knew, but… it’s truly incredible, Your Majesty.]
“I’m just sorry for not being able to provide you with greater help. Officially, we are in a situation where we have to take precautions as well.”
At Logan’s words, Ilya in the communication zone waved her hands and lowered her head.
[no. That alone is already a lot of help. McLane was really preparing to fight the Empire. How did you predict such a thing?]
“Yes?”
[As I received help one after another, I began to wonder if His Majesty really had the power of foresight.]
“Ah… Haha, that can’t be possible. However, after seeing the emperor and experiencing the empire, I was convinced that something like this would happen someday.”
Although it was only a half-truth, Logan answered sincerely.
However, the answer of the returning saint was a little strange.
[Then, I could have predicted this situation while looking at the same thing . Other people who couldn’t do it seem so inferior.]
Feeling a strange thorn in the words, Logan tilted his head and looked at the communication port
.
