Episode 256
EPISODE.128
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A few days before Russell and Gillian meet.
A meaningful conversation was taking place between the two in the depths of the Britannia Imperial Palace.
Thanatos, a man clad in black robes with his eyes shining brightly, and the former crown prince with the appearance of a pale young man… … no. It was a conversation between Edgar Conrad IV, now the new emperor of the empire.
Click, tap, deguru… … .
I rolled the chess pieces in my hand several times, and the pieces I threw away after losing interest ended up rolling around on the board.
It was Conrad IV who spoke first.
“I knew it would take time, but it’s a lot more boring than I thought.”
Thousands of their country’s troops were dying on the battlefield every day.
In addition, nearly 20% of the empire’s territory fell to Endymion.
It is an incredibly insensitive voice to be uttered by the emperor of an empire in such a situation.
And, Thanatos responded to that voice.
“I understand that the first stage is now almost complete.”
As he spoke, he lightly stretched out his finger.
I lightly glanced at the map of the empire placed next to the chessboard and tapped a few places.
These are all areas where skirmishes between the imperial army and Endymion’s army took place.
Then, a red energy spread like ink along the spot where his fingertips touched.
A few times, a sight that looked as if blood had dripped was created, and then he spoke again.
“Endymion’s thunder bastards entered deep into the empire’s territory without knowing anything, and enough blood was shed throughout the land.”
Originally, the plan was to elect the Grand Duke of Endymion as the new king and then provoke him into starting a war, but whatever.
Even if the middle process went wrong, the result itself was going in the direction they wanted.
“If you add in the places where civil wars were fought under the guise of imperial power struggles, blood was shed and sacrifices were piled up… … .”
Several more blood stains appear, and a long line connecting those areas appears.
The picture thus completed is an inverted pentagram with five vertices.
He spoke as he stared at the center of the blood-red pentagram that covered about half of the empire.
“Now that the coordinates are set… … All that remains now are the sacrifices and death needed for the Advent.”
That too would require a great deal of death and sacrifice.
“Soon, the time you wish will come.”
Their goal was to use the sacrifice and coordinates to bring ‘some being’ down to this land.
After Thanatos finished speaking.
“When that time comes, I will be reborn as a new apostle of God.”
The Emperor, Conrad IV, twitched the corner of his mouth and muttered.
“After the Age of Myth, I will bring the ‘end’ to this land on behalf of the fallen Demon World… … “A new apostle of God.”
As he finished speaking, a blur of colorless despair emanated from his body.
Its essence is different from the dark magic used by ordinary cults.
It was ‘despair’ that flowed in from the outside of the world.
* * *
【─Beware of those who are crouching at the heart of the empire.】
The words Jillian left me lingered in my mind for no reason.
At the same time, the will left behind by the cultist who called himself Hypnos as he died also raises its head.
‘The darkness is not over yet… … .’
The relationship between the cultists and the Empire was later revealed. So, does the ‘crouching ones’ that Gillian speaks of refer to the cultists?
‘It may be very likely right now, but… … .’
In addition, you must assume various possibilities so that you can respond resolutely without panicking even in unexpected situations.
While he was thinking about this and that, Russell had already reached the entrance to the military camp.
The entrance to a military camp not far away.
But for some reason, the inside looked a little noisy. Busy movement, as if looking for someone, can be seen everywhere… … .
“Your Majesty the Archduke is leaving and you haven’t attached any guards!”
“Well, that’s what Your Highness…” … !”
In response to Baron Donovan’s shout, the voice of a struggling soldier was heard.
“No matter what, that’s true!”
An archmage who passed the 7th circle and reached the 8th circle at the age of mid-to-late twenties.
There may not be many enemies that could threaten its genius and strength, but the reason for attaching a guard was not necessarily to protect the target.
“You didn’t even take your entourage with you…” … .”
Russell laughed a little as he caught a glimpse of him pacing here and there in a nervous manner.
Then he kissed his lips.
“I said it was okay, so don’t criticize me too much.”
A small voice flies with magical power into Baron Donovan’s ears on the wind.
The Baron came to his senses and turned his head with a surprised expression.
When he spotted Russell approaching the military camp from afar, he hurriedly ran over.
“Your Majesty the Archduke!”
I asked while looking at the inside of the military camp, to which I replied with a moderate nod.
“It’s a commotion. “Did something happen?”
“that is… … .”
Count Donovan paused for a moment and then answered.
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“Actually, I was looking for His Highness the Archduke.”
“… … “Do you have anything to report?”
In response to Russell’s question, Baron Donovan gently tapped the tip of his chin. She lowered her voice.
“—This is a message from the main unit. “It seems that the empire’s movements are unusual.”
“Bondae.”
This refers to the unit led by Daria, the commander-in-chief of this war and his teacher.
A message from the main army, and even suspicious movements from the empire.
All of them were important, but there were too many listening ears to talk about them here.
A horse without feet can travel a thousand miles in a day, and morale on the battlefield can be influenced by even the slightest rumor.
That was probably why Baron Donovan lowered his voice.
“for now… … .”
Russell answered, catching a glimpse of the surrounding soldiers looking at him and Baron Donovan.
“I think I need to move my seat.”
.
.
Let’s go back to the barracks.
As if they had been waiting, the staff began to come one by one. It seems that everyone was out looking for Russell.
‘When I go out for a while from now on, I’ll have to report before moving on.’
If that were the case, so many people wouldn’t have had to rush through the military camp to find themselves.
No matter how preoccupied he was with being aware of Jillian’s gaze, it was clearly his fault for not paying attention to that.
‘Tsk.’
Russell secretly apologized to the gathered staff, blaming himself for his carelessness.
“I apologize to the staff members present for unintentionally causing concern. From now on, I will do as much as I can, even if it is for personal matters.”
“haha… … .”
The staff, including Baron Donovan, looked embarrassed at Russell’s apology.
‘If possible, I would like you to accompany me with an escort… … .’
‘Judging by the expression on his face, that would be impossible.’
Moreover, no matter how young he was, Russell was the Grand Duke of Endymion.
It was also unusual for someone in that position to bow his head.
‘Should this also be considered an advantage unique to His Majesty the Archduke?’
Thinking about that, Baron Donovan cleared his throat lightly.
“All right. majesty.”
He nodded as if he understood. That’s the end of the story about going out without saying anything.
What was truly important to deal with was the message from the main unit and the movements of the imperial army.
“Then I will report to you.”
Baron Donovan, half-breathing, opened the letter from the main unit.
“According to reports from owls deployed to the front lines, the movements of the imperial army are unusual.”
The owls meant Endymion’s scouts who had infiltrated close to the enemy lines.
These people risk their lives to check the movements of the imperial army and report them.
“It is said that most of the troops have been captured in the existing areas, and they are in the process of concentrating them in one place. It is also said that the troops moving to gather also include the troops confronting us.”
“If it’s a gathering… … .”
“I guess I’m thinking of giving it a proper fight.”
As its name suggests, Britannia’s land mass is extremely vast.
Even if they were the same power, Endymion’s size was only about 60% to 70% of the empire.
As the land mass was so large, the population was also not small.
Just looking at the wars fought so far, the average number of imperial troops is about 1.5 times that of Endymion’s army.
‘If the undead added by joining hands with the cultists are added… … .’
You will have a truly overwhelming military force. The good news is that Endymion is ahead in terms of the power of being called a superhuman.
‘If you include the Tower Lord who is guarding the capital, the number of Circle 8 wizards alone is as many as three.’
The only 8th circle wizard in the empire and the so-called Master of the Dark Tower rebelled against the prince who joined hands with a cultist and was killed?
He clearly has the upper hand in terms of the number of high-circle mages who can bomb a legion unit alone.
‘As well as… … .’
McRae Hughes.
Ziabol Niggle.
Even Count Hazen.
A number of superhumans from the Empire had already been killed by Russell or had become involved with him.
‘Are the undead the ones that can be called variables?’
Doom Knight.
A type of top-class undead that goes beyond Death Knight and possesses skills comparable to that of a superhuman.
Russell had personally witnessed what was happening within the empire in order to create him.
‘If Doom Knight was completed… … .’
How many Doom Knights have been completed is also a question that needs to be considered. As Russell thought that, the bridge of his nose twitched slightly.
‘No, it’s not just the Doom Knight that’s the problem.’
Unlike the Doom Knight, which can only be created through slim odds and many sacrifices, they had one corpse that could definitely create a top-class undead.
‘The head of the former rock tower who is said to have met his death.’
If he, an 8th Circle wizard, were to be resurrected as an Arch Lich, it would be like a nightmare.
Tuk, Tuk, Tuk-.
With his worries deepening, Russell lightly tapped the armrest of the chair with his fingertips.
It was then.
“and… … .”
Baron Donovan opened his mouth in a cautious voice.
“It is said that Lord Areks has retreated to the rear, and Lord Spear Tower is coming to the battlefield.”
“Lord Arekhs?”
“yes. According to what is written, he was left alone to bide his time in order to retreat his allies from the Bow Master’s attack… … .”
There was only one bow master in the empire.
The original owner of Boreas, the Heavenly Palace, and the father of Philip Mason, who died by his own hand.
‘—Marquis Mason.’
The empire’s superhumans who had not been seen until now are finally beginning their activities one by one.
What does this really mean?
“What do you think of the university’s decision?”
“Commander in Chief… … “He left a message saying that if you want an all-out war, the only way is to cooperate.”
A bold and bold decision.
Russell grinned because it felt like he was hearing his teacher’s voice right in his ears.
No matter what, this is a battlefield.
Isn’t this the place where the winner-takes-all rule, where the survivors take everything, was the strongest?
Also, judging from the empire’s actions to come out with all its might from now on, the cultists will also make an appearance.
‘Just as I can’t be free from the grudge I have with Marquis Mason, they can’t be free from the grudge they have with me either.’
It was clear that the people entangled in the empire now were in league with Hypnos.
“We also need to prepare to move the military.”
Russell said, calming down the revenge that was spreading deep within his heart.
“Start moving as quickly as possible and join the main force.”
wizard who swallowed a dragon
