Episode 432
“Ban Johnny?!”
“Yes. A superhuman with that name killed Balton Krassen and broke the balance of the Western Front. He has already been nicknamed the Dwarf Who Sows Disaster and the Evil Sword.”
“Huh, that guy…?”
Damian tilted his head as Logan seemed to know something about the newly appeared superhuman.
“Do you know who it is?”
“No, no. I’ve heard rumors.”
Did you hear a rumor?
Even the empire was shocked by the sudden appearance of a superhuman.
However, Damian had been surprised by his monarch’s intelligence more than once, so he no longer questioned it.
Soon he continued what he wanted to say.
“Thanks to this, the imperial army is marching westward unreasonably. The Aserian supply problem has not been resolved.”
“The damage to the empire will be great.”
“Yes. This is good news for us.”
“…yes.”
Despite Damian’s words, Logan had a complicated expression and could not easily continue speaking.
‘Evil Sword Van Johnny. An independent superhuman who served as an imperial soldier during the Grandia War in his previous life. But this time, they’re the ones attacking the empire?’
In his past life, it was known that he came from an underworld long after he became famous. Therefore, it could be assumed that those living in the back alleys who wanted to succeed in life used this method to show their loyalty to the empire.
But why now…?
‘Is it because you think the empire will lose?’
The thought that came to mind at that moment seemed reasonable at first glance, but Logan couldn’t help but shake his head.
No matter what the 10 Western countries think, the Empire still has the upper hand in terms of objective power.
Although the imperial central army that was defeated at McLane lost more than half of its troops, if they and the western corps were combined, they easily exceeded the total military strength of the 10 western countries. In addition, when considering various conditions such as the number of superhumans, the quality of equipment, soldier training, and supply, the difference becomes even wider.
But a former criminal thought he would stick to the disadvantaged side and become a hero?
“That can’t be…”
“Yes?”
“No, no.”
He still remembered the evil deeds he had committed in his past life.
A typical small person who is harsh in front of the strong and infinitely cruel in front of the weak.
He was a man who did not hesitate to do shameless things, even destroying corpses in the middle of the battlefield.
Because of his worst walls and criminal record, he did not receive an official title even though he contributed to the empire’s victory, and had to be content with taking control of the kingdom’s underworld.
If such a notorious criminal were to run amok here, I would catch him and kill him on the spot, but if he were an enemy of the empire…
‘Keep him alive until he catches my eye, Duma and Van Johnny.’
It seemed better not to worry about him for the time being.
“…When would be a good time to schedule our competition?”
“That would be the best moment when the imperial army clashes with the ten Western countries.”
Damian’s eyes sparkled even more as he said those words.
The western border of the empire’s eastern kingdom, where the central army disappeared.
The existing 8th corps in the eastern part of the empire had lost less than half of its strength, and most of them had lost their superhuman commanders.
In other words, it was a situation that could be said to be a great opportunity for McLane.
There was one more thing Damian was aiming for.
“The Empire would never imagine that we would attack them first.”
“I guess so.”
As expected, it was not just the empire that suffered damage.
As the Empire’s defeat became certain, the reinforcements of the Small Kingdom Alliance were preparing to return, and McLane’s 5th Corps was also damaged to the extent that it had to be reorganized into three corps.
The damage caused by the vigilante group was almost the same in Kyle Castle alone, so the people who lost their families would still be shedding tears.
‘It’s just buried in an atmosphere of cheering.’
Moreover, it was widely known that the victory was also due to the effects of the equipment and the Great Magic Circle.
In such a situation, even the people of McLane would not have expected that they would come out of the castle and attack the empire.
“Even if we mobilize vigilantes, the sacrifices will only increase.”
“That’s right. So, we must quickly occupy the key points and capture Ruspelheim and Penna with only the legion’s elite troops. In the process, we will also destroy the eastern legions.”
At first glance, Damian’s words seemed like an unreasonable order. The idea was to wage a war of territorial expansion by subduing a larger force with a smaller force.
But neither Damian, who spoke, nor Logan, who listened, thought it was impossible.
“It will be possible once Master and I have completely recovered.”
“Yes. We will use another excuse to prevent the withdrawal of the Kingdom Alliance. However, what I am worried about is that under the current situation, it will take less than a month at the latest for the Imperial Central Army to participate in the western battlefield…”
Damian Concerned eyes turned to Logan’s graying hair and pale face. There is concern that this side’s argument may not fully recover by then.
“…There is nothing to worry about. You will recover by then. No, you will definitely recover.”
Logan’s eyes lit up as he stroked his hair, which was slowly regaining its red color.
It wasn’t an exaggeration.
I don’t know why, but many of the cracks that appeared in the Force Core were healed during the process of treating the teacher, so the recovery speed was faster than expected. Perhaps, in the process of taking risks to treat his teacher, he had unknowingly caught a glimpse of the realm beyond.
‘If only I could feel the sensations of that time again…’
I felt like I could obtain a force that even the emperor would no longer be afraid of. It seemed like Clayton, who seemed like he would never be able to open his eyes, could be cured.
Of course, it was still a story that felt vague, but it did not mean that there was no possibility. The only problem is that I can’t take that risk right now.
‘Someday…’
Logan sighed softly, thinking of the vassal who did not wake up.
“So now the only variables are the Kassel Tower and the Holy Kingdom?”
“Yes. Judging by the rumors, it seems that Sir Harman and Sir Victor have done the right thing.”
To what extent was it handled properly?
As if the disappearance of a saint was not enough, rumors spread that the person behind it was the Black Snake. It was truly an unexpected harvest.
“Thanks to this, the two variables are intertwined and unlikely to have any effect on the war.”
Seongguk chasing a black snake. And the Kassel Magic Tower, which is wanted on the continent and must be avoided even by the Holy Kingdom’s pursuit force.
It was something McLane had no choice but to be willing to do.
“Yes. If I had known that things would turn out like that, I would have asked the Empire to cover it up.”
“…That’s an unreasonable number. No one would have believed it.”
“I’m just kidding. I’m just saying this because I think things would have been easier if I had done that.”
Damian also laughed at Logan’s joke.
Just carrying out the mission safely in the first place was something close to a miracle. However, there was even a rumor that a black snake was entangled there.
Hoping for any more miracles could be said to be without conscience.
“There hasn’t been much contact yet, but I don’t know about Sir Harman, but Sir Viktor is probably on his way back. Just wait a moment. Isn’t he the ‘immortal knight’?”
“They say he’s a slayer. Well, there’s nothing wrong with being a knight who kills well and never dies. I really want that nickname, Victor.”
Logan also laughed and responded to Damian’s joke.
A few days after that.
The immortal knight appeared at Kyle Castle carrying a woman on his back, almost out of breath.
* * *
– Sir Victor! If you do this, you’ll be in trouble…!
– Stop it!
– How do I stop it!
Logan tilted his head at the commotion outside the office. It had been a long time since such a commotion had been heard, as this was where he had gone beyond being the country’s monarch and war hero, and was now almost deified.
However, the excessive worship was so burdensome that it was almost overwhelming, so on the other hand, I was glad to see the commotion.
Moreover, the name heard in it is clearly…
‘Victor?’
He should have returned to the Southern Fortress after completing his mission, but why is he here?
While Logan was wondering, the door opened roughly with a bang.
And soon, a monster as thin as a skeleton staggered inside, carrying someone on his back.
“Your Majesty. Please save this person! Please!”
A monster who collapses and doesn’t let go of the woman he’s carrying.
It was only after hearing that earnest voice that Logan realized the identity of the monster.
“Hah!? Viktor!? What the hell is going on!?”
The knights who hurriedly followed him hesitated, unable to do one thing or the other, but Victor, with his skeletal face, seemed to be out of his wits and kept muttering the same thing.
“Please save me, Your Majesty. Please save this person…”
Naturally, Logan’s eyes turned to the brown-haired woman who was being carried by Viktor, and his frown soon frowned.
‘…dead body? No, no. There’s still a little bit of soul left. But this…’
A woman dressed in farm clothes.
The off-white color was quite outstanding, but perhaps because of the brown hair, it did not stand out that much.
And Logan was sure that the woman’s closed eyes were also brown. This was because I felt a strong, familiar scent of magic.
A woman that Victor could bring with him at this time.
And what if you are a woman who needs a disguise?
‘No way…’
Logan gestured toward Viktor’s back, frowning at his suddenly throbbing head.
“…That’s it. Let’s leave it like this and let everyone go out.”
“Yes old!?”
“Oh, I understand.”
The moment when the drivers, despite being watched, politely bow and leave, the large door closes again with the sound of scraping on the floor.
Ugh.
Following Logan’s hand gesture, an artifact in the shape of an identity card came out from the woman’s arms. At the same time, the woman’s features changed, and her brown hair also transformed into a brilliant silver color.
Looking at the scene, Logan gritted his teeth without realizing it.
“As expected… damn it.”
Regardless of his friendship with the woman, Ilya, the current situation was quite serious.
– The missing Pope is in McLane. Even in a half-corpse state.
If such a rumor were to spread, the conquest of the empire would have all been in vain, and at the same time, attacks from the Holy Kingdom would have been launched.
‘No, it would be good if we only attack Seongguk. Not only the Empire, but also the Small Kingdom Alliance could turn their backs and attack…’
My headache seemed to be getting worse due to my dizzying imagination.
“Man, what on earth are you going to do…”
“Your Majesty, please save me.”
Despite Logan’s scolding, Viktor just repeated the same words with a half-fazed expression.
What on earth happened in Seongguk?
Why would a sufficiently smart and realistic guy take such unreasonable measures?
All sorts of questions came to mind, but I couldn’t just leave this guy spewing out the same words with a face that looked like he was about to cry, or even tears that had already dried up.
“Your Majesty, please…”
“Ha… I understand, Viktor. Just take a break.”
“Yes. Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you…”
Only then did Victor collapse with a relieved expression.
However, even in his fainted state, the young look of worry remained on his thin face.
“Until my energy is gone… Why, you guy…”
Logan let out a sigh without realizing it, but in fact, he already knew why Viktor’s physical condition was in this state.
‘The Force was continuously flowing into Ilia’s body. And considering the distance from Noviens to here…’
He probably ran non-stop without even sleeping.
It’s truly a miracle. No, it would be impossible for any superhuman other than Victor.
Of course, even if that were the case, he didn’t know why he brought this saintly woman to him.
“…I believe there is a reason, Viktor.”
If not, wake up and know that you are half dead.
Logan muttered that and raised his force.
Ugh.
No matter how you look at Ilia’s condition, her vitality is declining due to the loss of her soul. If the supply of life force from outside was delayed even a little longer, he would have stopped breathing.
However, it is difficult for him to continue handing over his power since he has not fully recovered yet…
[Go to the office immediately.]
I conveyed my wishes to my wife and Victoria, who can provide appropriate help by controlling the vibrations of the soul.
It now feels quite easy to convey my thoughts to those within a 500m radius of my office. I also seemed to understand a little bit why the legendary Auror Masters were all rumored to be geniuses in tactics.
If you can spread this kind of spirit wave to your allies in all directions without wasting power…
‘You will be able to move a large army instantly as if you were your own hands and feet, without any processes such as flag signals or magic communication commands.’
And that was also one of the sources of confidence that even with a small number of troops, the imperial army could be defeated.
Logan tried to imagine something hopeful and put the camouflage artifact back into Illya’s arms.
Ugh.
Soon her appearance changed to the normal appearance she had when she first appeared here.
It is a secret that must never be known that the saint and Pope Ilia Gavon is here. Reapplying the transformation magic was basic.
And after some time.
Eilen and Victoria, who ran like the wind, were shocked to see Victor fallen.
“brother!!”
“…Sir Victor!?”
“Victor is fine. He’s just exhausted. This is the problem.”
Only at those words did the two people’s eyes return to the unfamiliar woman next to Victor.
But he still had a puzzled expression.
It was something that should never be leaked, but these two people needed to know the situation for Ilya’s recovery.
Logan sighed, took out his identity card again, and dispelled the magic.
“Saint Ilia!!?”
Looking at them in surprise, Logan explained Viktor’s mission and the situation leading up to it.
Fortunately, the two were not surprised when the gods said that Apostle was against them.
Is it because we told the secret story of Zibrik Cassel and the Nine Great Gods in advance? Or is it because I believe in myself that much?
‘…Probably both.’
The two people’s reaction to the saint was immediate, with Logan feeling slightly proud despite the situation.
“why…?”
Perhaps because the couple was of the same mind, Eileen was confused as she thought of the same questions as Logan, but Victoria was a little different.
“…I’m sure my brother had his own thoughts too. If only he could save him…”
Logan couldn’t help but sigh again at her continued explanation.
