Episode 462
“I’m finally leaving now.”
“Are you really going?”
“Look over there. They’re all moving toward the eastern gate.”
Hearing a small voice coming from next to him, Ron also looked at the imperial army.
But it was still a sight I couldn’t get used to.
“You’re finally leaving.”
“Long live, long live.”
“Shh! Listen.”
“Oh, no way…”
People are so scared that they lower their voices and whisper.
All of them were merchants who had been conscripted for supplies while the imperial army was stationed in the city.
As their property was forcibly taken away, it was natural that even citizens of the same empire would have a hard time looking at it positively, but this time the outcome was a bit different.
“There is no sound other than walking.”
“If it’s that big, shouldn’t you be able to hear some speech?”
“I know.”
“I’m scared…”
Until they entered Regal, the atmosphere of the imperial army was extremely chaotic.
However, they gradually became quiet, and after three days, almost no noise could be heard even within the garrison.
From then on, the residents of Regal began to tremble in fear. It was strange to anyone to see that there was a large army of over 300,000 people gathered together, but it was so quiet.
It was natural that absurd rumors began to circulate among the residents, such as that imperial soldiers had their souls stolen by the devil.
By the time the rearguard of the imperial army had passed through the eastern gate.
A pigeon escaped from the depths of Ron’s store and headed east.
* * *
“This is an urgent report from the Flame Eye Regal branch. It is said that the imperial army in Regal has begun its advance.”
A voice full of urgency.
However, the voice he answered was full of composure.
“Yes, it’s time to come. In fact, it’s later than I thought.”
“And… there is a report attached that the atmosphere is very strange. Along with rumors from within Regal.”
“atmosphere?”
Damian frowned slightly at his subordinate’s words.
“300,000 troops are marching, but no sound is heard.”
“…What are you talking about?”
It was a story that made no sense.
No matter how strictly disciplined an army is, there are bound to be a few people who become anxious when battle is just around the corner.
This is even more so if it is an army full of bad news both internally and externally, like the current imperial army.
It hasn’t even been long since I heard a rumor that deserters are on the rise…
“All internal news has been cut off. None of the outsiders who joined the military, including military merchants, have come back, making it difficult to gather information.”
Damian’s eyes trembled at that absurd report. I remembered something I had missed.
“Why are you saying that now?!”
“Nothing is certain, so I was cautious…”
Expensive magic communication tools cannot be located in all branches.
The subordinate, who was about to add something, did not bother to mention the fact that his superior also knew.
And Damian didn’t want a proper answer either.
“Holy shit!”
The schemer got up from his desk and started running toward civil war.
“…Hundreds of thousands of armies moving like one person? Without making any noise?”
Logan’s expression hardened slightly.
“Yes. You said the other day that the Kassel Magic Tower specializes in brainwashing…”
I could immediately understand what Damian wanted to say. However, it was still difficult to understand the situation.
“No matter how bad they are, that large army in such a short period of time? That must be difficult… What do you think, Lia?”
The two people’s gaze shifted to Victoria who was next to them.
Victoria, who had gone out of her way for the second time to inquire about the possibility of her teacher’s revival, let out a small sigh at the gaze. My mind was full of worries about my teacher, but now was the time to answer my master’s questions.
Fortunately, she already knew the answer. To be exact, it was a problem related to something that was being analyzed under Logan’s recent orders.
“It would be possible if there were hundreds more copies of ‘things’, although the budget for making them would be an astronomical amount.”
“Astronomical? How much?”
“No matter how much the empire is, it will require at least half a year’s worth of budget. Even so, it will only cost about the same amount as making 10 black knights, but the effect will definitely be better this way.”
“I thought the Empire no longer had the power to do that?”
“…If we lose again this time, we’ll think there’s no way back, so there’s nothing we can’t do.”
“hmm.”
Logan was lost in thought as Damian added his words.
Easier said than done, it was the empire’s half-year budget, and it must have been a truly enormous amount.
If a huge amount of money, whose use had already been determined, evaporated in an instant, it was safe to say that the entire country would immediately be paralyzed.
in other words.
“…It is possible if the empire prepares to go bankrupt, pours money into it, and sympathizes with the Kassel Tower.”
The empire had already suffered losses that far exceeded the gains it could have gained by conquering McLane. Moreover, war is inherently a wasteful disaster with no immediate rewards even if it is won.
‘Even if you win at best, you could still fail due to the aftereffects.’
Is the emperor really crazy?
No, it must have been that much of a corner.
“…Yes, that’s right. And to prepare in such a short period of time, there is a high probability that most of the magicians in the Kassel Mage Tower would have been exhausted.”
Despite those words, Logan’s expression did not soften at all.
It’s magical exhaustion. A mage level or higher will recover in a few days, and mental magic below that level will not be effective anyway as long as you have it right now.
“…Damn it.”
Although there may be differences in degree, the belief in the Nine Great Gods is held by all people on the continent.
A homeland declared religiously by the center of its faith.
In such a situation, no matter how well-trained the army was, morale would inevitably hit rock bottom, so they were satisfied.
“I thought they had turned the imperial army into a ragtag bunch…”
I couldn’t help but lament when I heard that the entire force might have been brainwashed. The absolute advantage that had been created was gone.
No, it went beyond that.
If a large army of over 300,000 attacks without retreat or fear, it is as if the enemy’s power has been greatly strengthened. It was a threat that could not be compared to the addition of a few superhumans.
If the advance had even begun in Regal, the war would only be a few days away.
Not only could I not think of a solution, but even if I did come up with a plan, it was too short a time to put it into practice.
And the empire was probably targeting that and clearly controlling the information.
Even if it is a bit unreasonable, definitely for a short period of time.
The moment my thoughts reached that point, there was only one thought.
‘…I was hit.’
Logan was biting his lip, but Damian opened his mouth with a pale complexion.
“It’s okay. The morale of our troops is sky-high. If they were brainwashed, they wouldn’t be able to think straight, but since McLane has His Majesty’s power, it will be easy to defeat him.”
At that moment, Logan’s eyes sparkled.
“…wait?”
Damian’s words seemed to spark some inspiration.
“What did you just say?”
“That’s enough for us because we have His Majesty…”
“No, that’s not it… Wait a minute, I think it’s possible if we do this well, right?”
Damian’s eyes lit up at that muttering that sounded like he was talking to himself.
However, before he could open his mouth, Logan struck.
“Lia, when you analyzed them, were the patterns almost the same? No, no. Is it true that one school’s magic itself follows a certain pattern?”
“…Yes, that’s right. Usually.”
“Then you can tell me the magic pattern, right?”
“It is possible, but why would your Majesty, who is not even a wizard, do that…?”
“No, I think I can use it. I’ll have to try it first, but I think it’s quite possible.”
Maybe I can use it from here.
The moment a smile of conversion passes across Logan’s face.
Damian and Victoria felt the anxiety in their hearts disappear without a trace. It was unclear whether it was due to the experience of seeing their monarch by his side or if it was just a change brought about by the power of the Auror Master.
“Ria, first, let’s talk more about that pattern with me. Damian, you go back now and prepare for war. Leave this matter to me and Lia.”
“…Yes. I believe it, Your Majesty.”
If it were like before, he would have questioned it right away, but Damian nodded obediently.
‘A bookmaker shouldn’t be like this.’
I was embarrassed by my own appearance, but the words did not come out of my mouth. All I could think about was the thought that since that was what he said, it must be right.
‘…Are these the words of a lord who commits crimes without any countermeasures?’
Why does it sound obvious?
It was a strange thing, but Damian soon forgot even the slightest reluctance and just quietly turned around with a smile on his face.
‘hmm. ‘Why are you so obedient?’
When Damian, who had expected him to ask for a reason, just walked away, Logan tilted his head without realizing it.
But I didn’t pay much attention to it. Because the problem at hand was more urgent now.
I was about to start a conversation on that topic when Victoria said something embarrassing.
“I can tell you the pattern, Your Majesty. But you didn’t give me an answer about Master before…”
Pause.
“Oh, yes. That’s right. I was talking about that…”
Logan bit his lip and blamed himself.
Even though I knew people would be curious, I unconsciously avoided the topic. Although he is said to be a mage, he did not want to say bad things to the child who had not yet reached adulthood and had no choice but to rely on his family and teacher.
But when the story got this far, I couldn’t avoid it any longer.
“…I’m sorry. I haven’t found a way to restore Lord Clayton yet. The saint’s recovery is related to the power of God…”
At those words, Victoria’s face immediately clouded.
“…as expected.”
“I’m sorry, Lia. But I can definitely revive you someday. So just trust me for now.”
Victoria, who looked like she was about to shed tears at any moment, forced a smile at those words.
If Logan, the monarch of this country, was the person who saved her and her brother’s fate, her teacher Clayton was the person who developed her talents and made her capable of playing her part in a rapidly changing world.
Even the reason his teacher fell was to protect himself, so these days I always feel guilty when I think of him.
However, the lord in front of me has always proven his words with his actions. No matter how reckless it may seem, even if everyone around you shouts that it is absolutely impossible.
Maybe that’s why my lord’s words, which had no basis whatsoever, gave me hope again.
“Yes, I believe it.”
“…Okay. Then let’s talk about the pattern again.”
The office of the old castle lord in Ruspelheim Castle.
From that day on, Logan and Victoria stayed up all night for three full days, studying the Kassel Mage Tower and the scroll that the Emperor had left behind.
Four days after that.
“It’s the Imperial Army!”
Starting with the shouts of the guards on guard, the entire castle began to become noisy.
“To the power location.”
“Liberatio and magazine! Check!”
“Wizards, go to your seats!”
McLane’s fast-moving troops.
A message from the Absolute came into their heads.
[We will definitely win! Believe it.]
“Wow!”
That firm voice instilled tremendous courage in everyone’s hearts.
That wasn’t all.
Soon, the layout of our troops and rough information about the approaching enemy force were conveyed to their minds. The soldiers were once again reminded of their respective roles, which soon led to strong confidence.
“There’s no way you can lose.”
“We have His Majesty!”
“Glory to McLane!”
“Homage to the unquenchable flame!”
The Bokmyeong Bokchang bursts out even though I didn’t order it.
Feeling their morale soaring as if it would literally reach the sky, the McLane army looked at the approaching imperial army.
But then.
– The ruthless invaders. We will punish the abominable McLane, who even deceived the temple, in the name of the empire!
A loud voice from the Empire silenced the commotion in Ruspelheim for an instant.
“this…?”
“Ugh, why are you like this?”
“what?”
A chilling feeling of fear filled with just one voice.
The soldiers instantly got goosebumps and stroked their arms and looked towards where their ruler was to gain courage again.
And those among them who were near the central wall could see the lord’s horribly distorted expression.
– Something is wrong.
The moment you think:
Above their heads, a large fireball appeared that seemed to fill the sky.
