Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: I Won't Abandon Even a Single Citizen (1)
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Garon Empire.
Once, that name was a symbol of invasion and conquest. The terror it inspired was etched so deeply into the continent's long history.
Yet even the dragon's advance, stained with blood, ultimately failed to cross the threshold of its grand ambition.
The empire's proclamation of continental unification loomed as a massive threat to the other nations,
forcing them to create an unprecedented alliance the likes of which history had never seen.
The empire's onslaught was such an unimaginable threat that it buried even the deep-seated distrust proven by ages of history.
When a colossal beast forged from blood and steel was bearing down on them,
did they have the luxury to point weapons at neighbors they hated enough to kill?
Especially when they knew they'd be the next pitiful prey to be devoured if those neighbors fell.
The immense power of the alliance was no force even the empire could take lightly.
Yet unfortunately, the late emperor underestimated that power and waged a reckless war.
Sporadic reports of victories rang out, but the gains were so meager they were hardly worth celebrating.
Repeated failures in invasion drained the national treasury dry and greatly weakened the empire's might.
Even the lofty authority of the imperial family came crashing down to earth in that moment.
Who could have imagined it? That the fallen empire would rise to the heavens once more.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The towering ceiling and ornate decorations were overshadowed by the jade throne rising at the center.
Oddly enough, compared to the other furnishings, the throne was a crude stone affair.
This reflected the current emperor's unyielding will, too strong for anyone to dare challenge.
"How can one who doesn't know the weight of sitting upon this throne lead the nation rightly?"
"But Your Majesty, I'm afraid that crude thing might tarnish the imperial dignity."
"Then make it so no one dares mock this throne."
It was the response befitting an emperor who had ushered in an unprecedented golden age for the empire.
The hero who had quelled a massive rebellion and repelled the alliance's invasion.
Leonis von Dragonica Ragna. His name meant "the one bearing the dragon's wisdom."
The deep wrinkles carved into his face evoked the image of a majestic ancient tree that had weathered the storms of time.
Even his white hair, now in twilight, hung heavily upon his shoulders like steel,
and his eyes, holding a clear blue hue without a trace of cloudiness, exuded a quiet dignity.
"So... you're saying the princess was defeated in battle and captured by the enemy commander."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I know that child's brilliance well. The kingdom's forces surely couldn't have stopped her... Was there some unexpected variable?"
His voice was dry as a drought. Yet within it lingered an unmistakable concern he couldn't hide.
As emperor, he prioritized duty above all, suppressing his personal feelings as much as possible,
but as a parent, worry for his blood was an instinct he couldn't escape.
News of Princess Morgana's defeat and capture had already reached the emperor's ears.
He longed to lead his troops and march personally, but he held back.
He knew complacency and arrogance were treacherous advisors to keep close.
'Even that brilliant child was captured by the enemy. I must stay calm, assess the situation, and decide.'
This invasion of the kingdom wasn't driven by some fanciful dream like continental unification.
It was a deep betrayal that even the ministers who generally opposed war had endorsed.
This was a war to punish humiliation and proclaim the empire's dignity to the world.
Yet the princess, sent to exact that retribution, had been captured herself.
Far from proclaiming dignity, it only deepened the humiliation.
But humiliation was secondary. The princess's safety was paramount.
"...In the end, what the kingdom wants is an armistice."
"Yes. But we cannot simply grant it, Your Majesty."
"I know. But if we err, the princess's safety could be at risk."
"I have a stratagem."
Pale jade skin peeked through platinum blond hair shimmering with faint silver light.
They say eyes are the windows to the soul. If true, this man's eyes were shields, not windows.
For they were long and narrow like thin slits, admitting no light.
Oren von Kracsis Ragna. The second imperial prince finally spoke.
"Your Majesty, grant me your personal letter. I shall go as envoy myself."
"Isn't that obvious? For negotiations, we must first send an envoy..."
"But the one to receive it won't be the king. The first person I visit will be the knight who captured the princess alive. Send an ordinary envoy to the king of Arpen Kingdom instead."
"...I see your intent, but such an obvious wedge tactic won't work."
The emperor shook his head with a troubled expression. Even rotten, a gentleman remains one.
The opponent was the king ruling the kingdom. Such a blatant ploy wouldn't succeed.
Yet Oren boldly declared before the emperor with unwavering confidence.
"Have no fear, Your Majesty. It will work."
A chilling smile slowly spread across his pale skin.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The embers of war had not fully died. Though we'd captured their commander, the power gap remained stark.
We'd merely muzzled the beast for a brief moment, preventing it from rampaging.
If the empire decided to abandon the princess, the war would reignite.
'I must always suspect and prepare. First, I need to grow stronger.'
At this rate, my limits would come soon. That was the cold, hard reality.
The reason I'd won the final duel was the opponent's clear weakness.
Without it, no amount of death loops could have overcome it.
'Seems like Expert mid-tier is the limit without mana.'
Even after so many deaths, I'd never landed a solid hit.
And if the opponent were a true master, the gap would be even wider.
I had to grow stronger. For my own safety, and to protect those around me.
"This is the mana cultivation method Lord Border Earl used."
"Are you sure I can take it?"
"Even if he were alive, he'd have given it willingly."
Sir Belguard, who had learned it directly from the earl, recognized it easily.
Thanks to him, I'd finally obtained Earl Sandwy's mana cultivation method.
However... even after a week, there was no change whatsoever.
"It's been a week, yet I feel no change."
"You mustn't be impatient. You need to cultivate diligently with persistence."
"That would be ideal, but..."
If it were just my lack of talent preventing mana accumulation, fine.
But this felt different. Like pouring water into a dam with a broken bottom.
Instead, there lingered an ominous, pitch-black power of unknown nature.
'Come to think of it... in the last duel, I unwittingly used this sinister power. It doesn't seem like mana at all.'
Was this unknown sinister force rejecting mana?
If so, I'd have to rely on this black power.
But I shook my head. Nothing was confirmed yet. I needed to practice steadily for a month.
"How is Princess Morgana faring?"
"She's unflinching as ever. Impressively so."
"She has to be, to lead an army of fifty thousand."
Princess Morgana. Her tactics truly lived up to her reputation.
Having died dozens, hundreds of times experiencing them, they were ever-changing.
She didn't cling to a few tactics but adapted fluidly to the situation, like a living serpent coiling.
And her strategy? If tactics were details, strategy was the big picture.
Splitting into detachments and main force to seize the east first, securing supplies,
then besieging the capital for a prolonged siege. A strategy doomed to succeed.
Even abandoning near-victory to withdraw decisively...
If she were released and we fought again, I had no confidence in winning.
Of course, if negotiations went well, we wouldn't clash with her for a while.
'It's unsettling. Even this brief peace feels like the calm before the storm.'
Bad premonitions never miss, they say.
An utterly unexpected guest arrived in the earl's territory.
Oren von Kracsis Ragna. The empire's second prince and the emperor's advisor.
He came here first, not the capital where the king resided.
'He came to see me personally? Did he even bring a master guarding royalty?'
Cracks began forming in the fleeting peace.