Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Outbreak of War
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40. Outbreak of War
Just as the Kingdom of Remius had entered a turbulent era in recent years, major changes had also occurred between the Luminir Empire and the Kingdom of Sistia. After repeated conflicts, they had finally begun a war.
It started with an epidemic that broke out in the Kingdom of Sistia. An unidentified disease emerged, and people began dying in droves. From then on, strange rumors began to circulate. The people of the Luminir Empire had spread the plague.
In fact, since the outbreak's origin was near a trading company led by the empire, the rumor carried credibility.
The rumors ignited public fury. What had they done wrong for those wicked bastards to inflict such a painful plague upon them?
Moreover, while their own people kept dying, the empire's citizens seemed utterly unaffected, which made the rumors feel even more real. The brazen faces of those people only fanned the flames of anger.
In truth, the empire's people were simply immune and fortunate not to catch it, but such facts meant nothing to them now. They had to make those bastards pay somehow.
The rumors spread unnaturally fast, quickly igniting hatred and disgust toward the Luminir Empire's people. Negative emotions toward them began boiling over in the villages, ready to explode at any moment.
Sensing this, the empire's dispatched envoys tried to flee the Kingdom of Sistia but were caught by villagers and killed miserably. Such crimes soon began occurring all over the kingdom.
Regardless, the epidemic that had reached the capital claimed countless victims. Groans filled the streets like wailing dirges, and hospitals overflowed, forcing makeshift wards outside to treat patients.
Seizing the opportunity, hardliners pressed the king strongly.
“Those vermin must be exterminated!”
“Let’s conquer the Luminir Empire!”
On one side, patients groaned in agony; on the other, voices clamored for war. The royals accepted the hardliners' demands.
“Prepare for war.”
Soldiers were recruited in an instant. People enlisted en masse, vowing to show those damned Luminir Empire bastards what for. A huge force gathered swiftly, and the king shouted that it was time for them to become a power on the continent.
“We declare war on those barbaric Luminir Empire scum!”
“Waaah!”
And so, the Kingdom of Sistia began its march toward the Luminir Empire.
* * *
“Count, urgent news!”
Count Remiachi scowled at the servant who burst in late at night. What could possibly warrant disturbing his sleep? Irritated, he rose from bed and threw a robe over his nightclothes.
“What is it?”
“Th-this... you need to see this.”
The servant roughly wiped the sweat dripping from his face with his sleeve. The count put on his glasses from the bedside drawer and began reading the document line by line.
“……!”
The paper crumpled in his fist. Impossible, he muttered. Why would they suddenly do this? But no matter how many times he read it, the content remained the same. The Kingdom of Sistia was advancing on the Luminir Empire.
“Is this real?”
“Yes, confirmed by our spies.”
The Remiachi family could operate anywhere. Except for one place: the Kingdom of Sistia. As generational enemies, they would never allow the Remiachis entry—they couldn’t risk leaking state secrets to foes.
Thus, spies were sent to the Kingdom of Sistia for periodic reports. But this time was different. The delay in news was because extraction had proven impossible.
‘War…….’
But there was no time to think. The count immediately sent a summary of the document and a man to the palace, urging an emergency summons for the emperor. He himself donned the Remiachi family uniform and boarded a carriage.
“I’ll be off.”
He soon arrived at the imperial palace. The emperor had called an emergency council, filling the chamber with nobles. They chatted with those seated nearby.
“I have no idea what this is about.”
“Something must have happened to the empire.”
“Don’t talk like that—it’s unsettling.”
“His Majesty said it was urgent. That makes it plenty possible.”
He sat at his seat amid the murmurs. The emperor’s nobles eyed his silence uneasily.
“Thank you all for responding to this emergency summons.”
With those words, the emperor entered. All nobles rose and bowed. The emperor took the head seat and spoke.
“The reason for this emergency council is the Kingdom of Sistia.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your Majesty, what’s going on?”
“No need for long explanations. Count Remiachi, rise.”
At the emperor’s command, he stood and explained the situation. An epidemic had begun spreading in the Kingdom of Sistia some days ago, its blame pinned on the empire’s people, who were then murdered. And now, they were even invading the empire.
“…….”
The chamber fell silent. Why had the plague suddenly struck the kingdom, and why blame imperial citizens?
The empire and kingdom were bitter foes, but they hadn’t barred personal travel. Some Sistians even resided in the empire (with proper identification, of course).
Yet they had an unspoken pact not to harm each other’s civilians. Now, the kingdom had shattered it.
For the most absurd and baffling reason.
“So they’re marching on us right now?”
“Yes.”
“Why on earth……?”
It was utterly ridiculous. The empire hadn’t spread any plague, nor had time to plot against Sistia. Why assume such treachery?
“Any way to avoid war?”
“None.”
No one could respond to the curt declaration. It was gravely serious. Of course, they were confident of victory—superior in military might, tactics, and experience. But war was unwelcome.
War meant losing private troops. He, his sons—all would fight. Territories would be ravaged, taxes hiked under wartime pretexts. He worried about losing everything.
Many nobles loved their soldiers and subjects. They sighed, thinking of families who might lose loved ones to Sistia. Knowing their hearts, the emperor asked Count Remiachi,
“What’s their current position?”
Pointing to a spot on the unfurled map, the count replied. It was three days from the border.
“In three days, they’ll cross our border.”
“……Good grief.”
Everyone sighed. But the count declared firmly,
“War is unavoidable.”
Nobles who wished to avoid war desperately wanted to. The emperor felt the same. Charismatic yet more loving of his people than anyone, he couldn’t bear sending them to fight.
And he didn’t want to witness it.
“…….”
The emperor pondered. In his prime, his magic could crush the enemy effortlessly, preventing escalation.
But now was different. He was weak. Aged, vitality faded. Maintaining the barrier alone taxed him.
The emperor sighed. He yearned to lead but knew he must watch from behind.
Yet he was the guardian of this nation. Infusing his voice with mana, he commanded the nobles.
“I order you now. Send the Imperial Knights to the northern border. Nobles, conscript your private troops and eligible men and head north.”
“Yes, understood!”
Nobles raced home. Fearing some might flee, the emperor issued imperial edicts to all houses.
Unable to defy the edicts, nobles mobilized troops. Leaving heirs behind as precaution, they all marched to war.
* * *
The emperor stood before Lainen’s door. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d seen his son. Since the crown princess’s death, the prince hadn’t appeared publicly. He handled everything from his room, seeing no one but Kashan.
Only now did the emperor grasp the crown princess’s significance to his son. After consulting the empress, they’d decided to give him time.
‘But now, there’s no time. I must force it.’
Yet in this crisis, such indulgence was impossible. He understood the desire to wallow in grief, but they couldn’t linger forever.
“May I enter?”
No sound came from within. Expecting no reply, the emperor entered.
“Have you been well?”
Drawing the curtains, he brightened the dim room. Through the window loomed the skeletal silhouette of the punishment palace, branches stark against the night. The emperor sighed.
“What is it?”
Lainen’s voice was utterly dry, devoid of emotion. The emperor skipped pleasantries and thrust forth the document.
Thud!
“War with the Kingdom of Sistia…….”
“I appoint you to command.”
“Me?”
He knew what the emperor wanted: no more seclusion, seize this chance to rebuild merits and return. But having lost life’s purpose twice, motivation eluded him.
“Fulfill your duty to your position.”
“……!”
Responsibility had always moved him. The emperor knew this, exploiting it despite awareness of his reluctance.
And he knew that too.
“……Understood.”
“Thank you.”
“…….”
Even the emperor’s sincerity met silence. He merely rose, loosening his stiffened body.
“I’ll take my leave.”
“Go.”
Thus began the war between empire and kingdom.