Episode 400 The world was in an uproar.
The imperial army, which had marched forward with confidence, suffered an unexpected crushing defeat.
A war that started simultaneously on three fronts.
Before it started, the world was focused on only one thing.
– How long will McLine last?
In a way, it was a natural expectation, as it was a conquest army that was more than double in quantity and incomparable in quality.
But when I opened the lid, the results were completely different. The imperial army was completely defeated in all three routes.
It took only one day for the imperial army to be defeated, losing more than 20% of its total strength. Moreover, among the results of that defeat were rumors that could not be trusted.
The sword spirit faced McLane’s sun in a pincer attack and was defeated.
Just a few months ago, Sword Soul was defeated by Shingeom in Noviens, and his reputation was tarnished, but there was no guarantee that he would lose again even when he fought again.
At least that’s what the Empire thought.
But if it dies completely, it’s a different story. It is a fall from which there is no room to turn back.
Continent First Sword lost.
McLane’s sun is the strongest on the continent.
As a result of the crushing defeat, the rumors that spread further lowered the empire’s status.
The retreating imperial army was still encamped in front of the enemy’s fortresses and castles, but no one anymore predicted a complete victory for the empire.
* * *
“There are three main causes of defeat.”
The heavy silence that had been encroaching on Daejeon was broken by an old voice.
“First of all, McLane’s superhuman strength far exceeded our expectations and common sense.”
Even though the statement sounded like an excuse at first glance, there were many people in Daejeon shaking their heads without realizing it.
That’s how shocking McLane’s superhuman power was revealed this time.
So much so that I can’t understand it at all.
“In response to reports that there might be a hidden force, we dispatched 19 superhumans, including Sword Soul and Sakpung, which were multiples of the original estimate. Despite this, they were defeated.”
Chancellor Lotus Gusfeld secretly waited for the Emperor’s reaction, but no voice came from the head of the table.
He calmly spoke again.
“It is beyond common sense that Logan McLane has already become a strongman capable of defeating the Sword Spirit, but what is even more surprising is that he is a monster that defeated three superhumans, including Commander Maxwell, in the Southern Fortress.”
There was no need to mention the swordsman who killed two superhumans in the northern fortress. His power was not surprising compared to these two.
“The General Staff determined that its identity was a type of divine beast that disappeared over a thousand years ago.”
Those words were the first voices heard from the head of the table.
“…Shinsu?”
Roctus swallowed his saliva at the calm but intimidating voice that instantly took over the atmosphere of the battle.
“…Yes. I concluded that there was no other possibility.”
“Details.”
“Yes. After researching ancient data, it is said that a demonic beast or monster that can fight three superhumans would require dozens of human sacrifices a day just to maintain it.”
An atmosphere where an invisible chain is constricting one’s neck.
Feeling that his lips were drying out and wrinkles increasing in real time, Rotorus moistened his dry lips and spoke quickly.
“Even if there was a legendary magician or monster tamer in McLane who bred the monster, there is no way rumors wouldn’t have spread. If that’s the case, even if it’s a very low probability, that’s the only possibility left.”
“Shinsu…. Ha Shinsura….”
Talk. Talk.
In an atmosphere that had become quiet enough to hear the sound of tapping on the armrests of the throne, Roctor and the ministers quietly bowed their heads and waited for the emperor’s words.
After a while.
“When I visited the empire about four years ago, this guy who was just a kid full of potential killed the sword spirit, and a rare divine beast even in ancient times followed his orders and killed the empire’s generals. Huh… I wonder if this guy is some kind of god-given hero. Does that mean it will work?”
No one responded to the voice mixed with laughter.
The results that have already been revealed are too great to refute, and to accept it would be like saying that the emperor is the enemy of God-given heroes.
The emperor’s voice rang out again in Daejeon, which was filled with breathtaking silence.
“The second reason is?”
“Yes!? Ah… Yes. The second is a consumable artifact they call Liberatio. The bombs raining down at such a rate that it is unbelievable how cheap they are to produce turned the game on the front line.”
“…Liberatio? Liberation… Does it mean liberating even the enemy’s soul? That’s nasty.”
Could it be that I am telling you to smile now?
“…Hmm. Hmm. There was initially a related report, but it was judged to be too absurd and was not raised. Accordingly, the person involved was punished….”
Rotorus, who was momentarily embarrassed, cleared his throat and continued speaking, but his calm voice was heard. suddenly intervened.
“execution.”
“…yes?”
“Make a list of those who omitted the report and execute them all. Regardless of rank.”
At those words, Roctor’s face darkened. Despite his calm tone, it was clear that the emperor was also extremely angry.
‘No, it’s natural. Your Majesty will be the most angry. But…’
If you let off that anger, the military’s morale, which is already at its lowest, may fall even further.
Roctors forced himself to swallow the sound of his heart rising to his throat.
Throwing away one’s life with advice like that would be a meaningless death for the empire and the emperor.
“…Yes. I will.”
“What about the third?”
“The third cause is the great magic circle spread out in each castle and fortress. There was a great magic circle set up in each fortress that reduced the combat power of almost 30% of all knights and soldiers of the empire, regardless of their level.”
“What did Sakpung say?”
“It is said that a genius mage of the century exists in McLane. Sir Galen reported that he personally identified a mage who was not even an adult. It is said that the Great Magic Circle is also highly likely to be the work of that mage.”
“He’s an underage mage in this era, huh…”
After finishing the report, Roctors just lowered his head.
At the same time, I experienced a serious inner conflict. Actually, I had one more thing to report.
but.
‘Is it right to say this to His Majesty now?’
Roctus, who was worried that he might accidentally light a fuse, soon bit his lip.
The empire belongs to the emperor. The belief that one should not make judgments about the direction has emerged.
“And there is a fourth reason why it is unclear.”
“uncertain?”
“Yes. Since there is no evidence, it is only speculation, and that is why it was not included in the previous three reasons.”
“Speak.”
“…I hope you pass it on to the others before then.”
At those words, a look appeared in the emperor’s dark eyes. In this bloody atmosphere, requesting a private meeting could be interpreted as meaning that the Prime Minister would risk his life.
The emperor immediately waved his hand.
“Further instructions will be delivered through the Prime Minister. Everyone, please go out and wait.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The ministers, who recited at the same time as if they were speaking, soon left Daejeon like the ebbing tide, careful of their footsteps.
Okay.
After confirming that the door to the great hall was closed, the emperor nodded again and Rotus quickly spoke.
“It seems that the three reasons mentioned above account for 90% of the disastrous results of the first battle. In addition, the army made up of civilians gathered in the center also played a role…” “
Only the main points.”
Roctor, who had been talking for a long time to ease the psychological shock of the emperor and himself, stopped breathing for a moment.
But then he swallowed his saliva once and slowly opened his mouth.
“First of all, let me tell you, this reasoning feels like it was forced in after the results were known. Please keep that fact in mind…”
“I make the judgment.”
“…yes.”
Even before he got to the point, cold sweat was rolling down his face, but Roctus didn’t even think about wiping it away.
“The enemy’s superhuman strength deployed along the three advance routes was well-organized to snipe our superhumans. I don’t know the corps deployment, but the deployment of superhumans, especially those belonging to the SS, was a top secret even in the empire… .”
“…There is a spy among our high-ranking officials?”
“I’m just guessing that might be the case.”
As the inference changed to the word guess, Roctor’s voice became quieter, but the emperor’s eyes had already turned bloody.
“Spy, spy….”
Talk. Talk. Talk.
The sound of the emperor’s fingers tapping the armrests of the throne rang out for a long time.
‘What should I do if they want to overthrow the leadership of the empire at this time?’
In front of him, Roctors seemed frozen and couldn’t even make a sound.
After a while, a grave voice came out,
“I was only focusing on Seongguk. In the end, it was all my fault.”
Roctus, who was momentarily dazed by the completely unexpected words, quickly lowered his head and fell down.
“These words are extremely unfair! How could it be Your Majesty’s fault? It is the fault of your poor servants. Please take back what you said!”
thud. thud.
Roctus repeatedly hits his head.
His forehead turned red in an instant, but the emperor continued speaking calmly.
“Who is suspected of being a rat?”
“I am sorry, but this is the Eastern King. It is said that Princess Luisa is still in McLane’s royal castle. She even secretly helped build McLane’s fortress under the pretext of an engagement.”
“Gerard? His daughter is still in McLane… It’s definitely strange. But if he really is, there’s no way he would handle things like that. He’s not that shabby.”
“I’m just telling you the odds. He has a criminal record before.”
It seemed reasonable at first glance, but the emperor was not easily convinced.
“More than anything, he doesn’t have the guts to betray the imperial family. He even executed my own wife to protect his position.”
“Like I said, it’s just probability…”
“No, that’s enough. Okay, it’s just a matter of investigating.”
The Imperial Household’s special inspection department does not specialize in assassinating prominent figures.
With those words, the emperor dismissed the controversy over the spy and suddenly said something strange.
“Does the Prime Minister know how to treat divine beasts in the temple?”
It was an embarrassing question, but the chancellor position of the empire was not won through gambling. He was soon able to recall related knowledge.
“Ah… there is a record that the ancient church did not recognize the divine beast. There is even a record that they hunted the Nine Great Gods for violating their divinity. However, the church that was re-established after the previous Resolutium “Shinsu wasn’t even mentioned at all.”
“Yes. At that time, the Divine Beast no longer existed.”
“That’s right.”
Why the temple all of a sudden?
Oh, really…?
“Report to the Holy Kingdom the news about the divine beast that appeared in McLane. There is someone who wields a divine beast that is violating the divinity of the Nine Great Gods. It has been confirmed in the name of the empire.”
“ah!”
“Before, there was an issue with ‘abandoned people’ in McLane. If you tie it in with that and accuse McLane of being a heretic, even the Holy Kingdom will never turn away.”
Unless he is a fool, the Holy Kingdom will know that the Empire is trying to use the temple for invasion.
But even so, it will move, and Roctors is confident that he will do so. He could even put his neck on the line.
Fanatics are called fanatics because their faith takes precedence over reason.
‘They could do this with just one ancient record…’
Loctus was inwardly amazed, but that was not the end of the emperor’s words.
“After that, I will personally go out to conquer McLane.”
“Your Majesty!?”
“Mobilize the entire Imperial Central Army and the Royal Guard. I will personally correct the momentary lapse in the beginning of the great plan.”
Roctor’s eyes doubled in size.
