Chapter 152
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: Raviter Empire's Second Invasion
"Everyone, form up!"
Clatter clatter.
On the eastern plains of the Kobiran Mountains, the closest point to Neruman's central city of Denfos.
In less than a week—just five days—the Sky Knights from the 2nd Legion and Southern Corps stationed near the capital had assembled.
And at the command of Count Lukens, who had been appointed supreme commander, they swiftly lined up in formation.
No one knew where this man had come from, but he had been named supreme commander by the emperor's decree.
True to the knights of the Raviter Empire, who obeyed the emperor's will without question, they fell into line in an instant without a single complaint.
Among those assembled were several counts responsible for commanding the Sky Knights.
"Men, today we march to attack Neruman, which has brought dishonor upon His Majesty the Emperor and the Raviter Empire. As I made clear in the tactical briefing just moments ago, you will follow the strategy I have devised as supreme commander. Should any disobey orders, they will be severely punished in the name of the supreme commander, to whom His Majesty has delegated full authority!"
"Loyalty!"
Count Lukens knew it well.
He lacked the seniority, experience, and prestige to command these men.
That was why he invoked the emperor's name once more to reassert military discipline.
The invasion of Neruman was a battle they must win without fail.
Failure would mean his life was forfeit.
'We'll fly from here, taking two breaks. Then, at night, we launch a surprise assault on Denfos.'
Count Lukens had a thorough grasp of all regions of Neruman, including Denfos.
The attack route was crystal clear in his mind.
Even though Neruman had added new defensive weapons, they would surely panic against a surprise strike.
Moreover, nighttime battles were battles of momentum.
In massive nighttime aerial combat, where friend and foe were indistinguishable, the side with higher morale was destined to win.
And the Sky Knights of the Raviter Empire possessed morale and loyalty in abundance.
"All hands, mount your wyverns with haste!"
"Loyalty!"
The Sky Knights moved with perfect precision at his command.
'Heh heh... Kayer, I'm coming to raid your empty house! Kuhahaha!'
Just the thought of conquering Neruman filled him with satisfaction.
Count Lukens mounted his wyvern as well.
He couldn't wait another moment to set foot on the hated soil of Neruman...
"Lalala lululu~"
Having done it once, flying over the sea felt manageable now.
The dark blue waves churning far below no longer terrified him.
'Heh heh heh. How much would this even cost?'
He hadn't expected Empress Hildrian to be so generous.
When he announced his departure, she had earnestly promised he'd return, showering him with gifts.
'Five Grade 2 magic stones, over a hundred Grade 3s, hundreds of Grade 4s! And even a Grade 1!'
A jackpot among jackpots.
A Grade 1 magic stone, which he'd only heard about in tales.
Just thinking about the fist-sized gem, clearer and bluer than diamond, made his heart race.
'Embed it right in the mansion, and mana worries are over!'
Like installing a furnace boiler at his parents' place to banish winter forever, slotting a Grade 1 magic stone into his mansion would end all mana concerns.
A magical mansion rivaling any palace on the continent.
With a Grade 1 magic stone, the continent's finest magical knowledge, and his modern architectural know-how, it would become a state-of-the-art estate that even the 21st century couldn't match.
'Oh! There it is, I see it!'
Unlike the trip to Hildrian, the sea had been utterly calm.
Thanks to shattering the continental crossing speed record, far in the distance, the silhouette of his homeland Neruman began to emerge faintly.
"I've returned, Neruman! Your master Kayer has come home! Hahaha!"
With no one around to hear, he bellowed a self-welcome at the top of his lungs.
'First thing: pork belly with white rice, tear into some kimchi... and beer!'
Pork belly, kimchi, and beer—those were what he'd craved the entire flight.
Tiabel had loaded him up with Hildrian specialties, but how could anything compare to kimchi?
Swoosh swoosh.
Kuooooo!
Spotting Neruman, Bebeto flapped his wings with renewed vigor.
It must have missed home as much as he had.
At night, Bebeto dominated female wyverns like an emperor.
Summoning the strength of his nursing days, he surged forward in a final sprint.
"Th-this is the Kobiran Mountains wyvern nest. Mother nest, respond!"
'Huh?'
As they drew near Neruman, with the harbor now in clear view, a call rang through his helmet from the advance unit dispatched to the Kobiran Mountains.
It was the urgent transmission from the special forces unit sent covertly to detect and prepare for a Raviter Empire surprise attack.
"Raviter Empire Sky Knights inbound! Estimated numbers over 500! Prepare! Brace for attack!"
'W-what?! What did you just say?!'
The desperate comms from the special unit snapped him alert.
A Raviter Empire invasion.
A lightning assault by over 500 wyverns.
They had clearly struck knowing he was away.
"They're attacking u-us! Aaaah! They know our position! Graaaah!"
The transmission cut off amid agonized screams.
It had been so brief that Denfos might not even pick it up.
'Those bastards!'
A roar of fury bubbled up from his relaxed mind.
There was definitely a spy.
A high-level one, aware enough of his absence.
"Bebeto! Push harder! Harder!"
Urging Bebeto on, he raced toward Denfos.
The vile Raviter Empire Sky Knights invading his territory.
As always, he wouldn't let them leave unscathed.
In the name of Neruman's master, Kayer, he would make them taste the full fury of his wrath.
So thoroughly they'd never forget, even in death.
TO BE CONTINUED