Chapter 214
Chapter 214
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 214
Chapter Title: The Iair Army's Retreat
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Seo Woo-jin soared into the sky above the city.
He then observed the movements of the Iair army bustling outside.
‘How will this play out?’
Would they retreat, or regroup and launch another attack?
Seo Woo-jin hoped they would choose the former.
That was why he had deliberately not left a polite warning through Oian.
If they refused to abandon the war, not a single one would return to Iair’s embrace, he had said.
Oian, who had some inkling of his power, would know that was entirely possible.
Moreover, he did not even like this war in the first place.
‘Considering that, they might retreat.’
The real issue was something else.
Oian was indeed the strongest knight in the current Iair army, but he was not the supreme commander.
Deciding on a full retreat required a certain position and authority.
Oian had the power, but not the rank.
So Seo Woo-jin could not be certain.
He could not be certain they would abandon the war.
“Well, nothing to be done about it.”
Even if it was a bit annoying and time-consuming...
“Guess I’ll just kill them all until they turn back.”
That might actually be better.
If his suspicions were correct and a Demon King’s follower lurked in Iair’s leadership, they could turn against him at any moment.
Better to thin their numbers now than get stabbed in the back unexpectedly...
“Tch.”
Seo Woo-jin clicked his tongue and shook his head as his thoughts reached that point.
“This isn’t good.”
It was fortunate that he could maintain his reason during ‘Demon King Transformation.’
But moments like this...
He felt no aversion whatsoever to killing people.
Even with justification, it was still 50,000 lives.
The casual thought of massacring that many soldiers sent chills down his own spine.
“I’m not some psychopath.”
Seo Woo-jin rubbed his face to steady himself, then resumed observing the Iair army.
“They’ve arrived.”
The soldiers’ commotion suggested Oian had returned from the city.
Seo Woo-jin stood still, watching the situation unfold.
Their choice from here would determine how much blood stained his hands.
His impassive gaze sharpened as he watched.
“Whoa.”
The supreme commander—a burly figure—had been captured.
And the one who ordered it was none other than Oian.
He was arresting the commander and all the other officers who opposed him.
“I knew he had guts, but this is impressive.”
Oian, clad in the same pristine white armor as his comrades, seized control of the army.
His speed was like a bolt of lightning; no one even thought to resist.
Seo Woo-jin was so impressed he felt like applauding.
He had worried things might go awry, but this was a relief.
Still, he did not leave immediately.
He hovered in the air, waiting until they began a full withdrawal.
How much time passed like that?
Once the chaos settled and preparations were complete, the Iair army finally started pulling back.
A grin spread across Seo Woo-jin’s face.
“Things wrapped up easier than expected.”
His original plan had been different.
He had intended to trail the Iair army every night, whittling them down bit by bit.
If it continued nightly, fear would consume them.
Eventually, they would abandon the war and retreat—that had been the plan.
‘A tactic from some novel I read before...’
Fortunately or unfortunately...
Their swift march had brought them to the city, forcing him to revise the plan drastically.
“Instead of chipping away, one big blow?”
Of course, it also helped that he had planted suspicions about the Holy King in Oian’s mind.
Without that, they might not have retreated so easily.
That was why Seo Woo-jin had sown distrust in Oian’s heart, already harboring doubts about the war.
The results remained to be seen, but it did not matter.
Right now, repelling the Iair army was all that counted.
‘My job ends here.’
Anything more would be excessive kindness.
Seo Woo-jin shrugged and descended to the city walls.
He sat on the rampart railing, watching until the Iair army vanished completely.
* * *
“Urgent report!”
Someone shouted outside the emperor’s office.
He observed protocol, but urgency laced his voice.
The emperor, in the midst of paperwork, sighed and set down his pen.
“Enter.”
With permission granted, the door opened, and Agna hurried in.
“What is it this time?”
For Agna to seek him so urgently, it had to involve Iair.
Yet the emperor waited calmly, unlike her.
“Reports have come in from our agents dispatched to Derhan.”
“Speak.”
Seo Woo-jin and the heroes had left for Derhan less than a week ago.
Even for him, no major results yet.
The emperor suspected some other development.
But he was wrong.
“The Iair army—50,000 strong—is retreating.”
“...Say that again.”
“The entire Iair army is withdrawing!”
“Huh.”
The emperor’s eyes widened slightly.
He had learned of their encampment at a Derhan city just last night.
And now, in less than half a day, they were retreating?
“What happened?”
The emperor asked with a hint of suspicion.
Agna continued rapidly, her expression incredulous.
“A ‘Black Being’ has appeared in Derhan. It inflicted casualties on the Iair army, leading to their decision to withdraw.”
“‘Black Being.’”
The emperor let out a hollow laugh.
“Seo Woo-jin vanished from the Jarvan Plains at the same time the ‘Black Being’ appeared. More than enough reason for suspicion. It seems the ‘Black Being’ is...”
“Enough.”
As Agna reported excitedly, the emperor raised a hand to silence her.
“No further investigations into the ‘Black Being’ are permitted.”
Agna trembled slightly at his words.
In her judgment, that entity was a dangerous variable for the future.
With its connection to Seo Woo-jin all but confirmed...
A thorough probe could yield massive gains for the empire.
Yet he ordered it halted?
Her immense loyalty barely stopped her from blurting out a why.
“Curious?”
The emperor smiled, as if reading her mind.
“...Yes, Your Majesty.”
Agna bowed her head in admission, and he stroked his white-streaked beard.
“I made a promise, so I cannot say more. But rest assured: the ‘Black Being’ poses no further threat to the empire.”
Agna’s mind was sharp.
Brilliant enough for genius to fit.
Though the emperor spoke in circles, she grasped the implication instantly.
‘A deal was struck.’
And the emperor’s counterpart was likely...
‘Seo Woo-jin.’
Now it made sense why he had suddenly vanished from the subjugation site.
‘He told His Majesty everything!’
Why?
To prove he was no threat?
It sounded plausible, but Agna shook her head inwardly.
‘He’s confident.’
Seo Woo-jin had defeated the Dark Duke.
Overwhelmingly, according to the agents.
The Dark Duke Strain—strongest among the Five Guardians when it came to killing.
He had faced him head-on and won with ease. Confidence was warranted.
Among the guardians, only the Sword Sage could handle him.
That explained his boldness.
Having pieced it together, Agna looked up.
“I accept Your Majesty’s command.”
No more investigating the ‘Black Being.’
Some unease lingered, but it was the emperor’s direct deal.
She could not defy it.
“You understand my intent fully.”
“...I will also withdraw surveillance on Seo Woo-jin.”
Only then did the emperor smile in satisfaction.
“Now, look into Iair’s situation. That sanctimonious madman won’t just sit idly by.”
“I will devote all efforts.”
Agna bowed and exited the office.
“Hah—”
Left alone, the emperor chuckled again.
“To think he’d resolve it this quickly...”
Possible, sure, but he had expected it to take time.
50,000 troops were too vast for one person.
Even for Seo Woo-jin, at least a month, he had thought.
Yet under a week.
No—half a day, really.
“What method did he use?”
Curiosity piqued.
No detailed report yet; Agna had only the outcome.
A proper one would come soon, but...
“Hard to wait.”
The emperor pondered briefly, then rose.
His aged body still held vigorous strength.
“Attendant.”
The door opened at his call, and the chamberlain entered.
“You summoned me?”
“I must make a trip. Prepare accordingly.”
“To where, Your Majesty?”
The chamberlain bowed inquiringly.
The emperor replied with a genial smile.
“To Derhan.”
The chamberlain froze.
Not the palace, not the capital, not even within the empire.
“...Derhan, Your Majesty?”
When he double-checked, the emperor nodded.
“To commend the heroes growing strong there. Make preparations as grand as possible.”
“But, Your Majesty.”
The chamberlain hesitated, cautiously objecting.
“Iair’s ruffians are still in Derhan. What if you encounter them?”
The emperor burst into laughter.
Then he said,
“Proclaim to all: there will be no war with Iair.”