Chapter 323: You’re in the Way (2)
Chapter 323: You’re in the Way (2)
A single battle.
With this one engagement, the 20,000 troops of the Schneider Duchy crushed the 70,000-strong Yuzef Kingdom army and captured Marquis Dustin Lobsky, the enemy’s vanguard commander.
For the Magellan Kingdom, it felt as though they had been brought back from the very brink of death.
“Thank you. Truly… I cannot thank you enough.”
Prince Gadius Gerard Magellan, who was commanding the war on behalf of the ailing King, grasped Sanson’s hand, his eyes welling with tears of gratitude.
Sanson held his hand firmly and replied, “We have only done what was necessary. For the duration of this war, the Schneider Duchy will stand by the Magellan Kingdom to repel the Yuzef Kingdom’s aggression.”
“Oh… I do not know how we shall ever repay this debt…”
Prince Gadius was at a loss for words.
And understandably so—how difficult must it have been?
The Yuzef Kingdom’s invasion had caused the frail King to collapse, forcing the Prince to the front lines to manage a war he wasn't prepared for. As they faced overwhelming odds and were ignored by both the Empire and the Holy Kingdom, the high-ranking officials of the state had packed their fortunes and fled into exile.
To him, the future had looked pitch black. The fall of his nation was imminent.
In the midst of such despair, the Schneider Duchy—from whom he had expected little—had intervened and given them room to breathe. His gratitude was immeasurable.
“If there is any way to repay this favor, I will do anything. I promise this on the name of the Royal Family.”
If Patrick had been there, he would have taken this opportunity to squeeze a hefty sum out of them. However…
“How could we demand a price for participating in a war fought for the sake of justice?”
“Oh… Ooh…”
“We are merely following the Grand Duke’s orders to fight for those who are suffering.”
“Truly… you have my deepest thanks.”
It was a truly beautiful and heartwarming scene…
* * *
“Gah!”
“Master? Why are you suddenly coughing up blood?”
“This… this is bad.”
“What is it? Has an Outer God been resurrected already?”
Seeing Persona’s grave expression, Patrick wiped the blood from his lips and spoke with an even more serious look.
“Somewhere… somewhere, I feel a massive explosion of pushover energy.”
“What does that even mean?”
“It’s proof that my father is doing something incredibly foolishly generous. My instincts are never wrong.”
“…Then what about the Outer God?”
“Is some measly Heavenly Demon the problem right now?! My father is about to bankrupt me!”
“……”
I see.
So that’s a more pressing issue than an Outer God.
Persona seriously contemplated whether she had chosen the wrong master.
Patrick continued, “We can’t stay here. we have to go back as fast as possible!”
“…How?”
“I’m going to increase the pace of our training!”
“Even more than now?”
“Of course. That’s the only way to return sooner.”
“……”
“Lord. Grit your teeth and take it.”
The poor Dragon Lord looked like he was about to cry.
* * *
April 15, 1531.
Two months after the Schneider Duchy joined the war, the tide of battle had shifted dramatically.
They had reclaimed nearly half of the Magellan Kingdom’s territory seized by the Yuzef Kingdom, and the Schneider forces had emerged victorious in over twenty engagements, both large and small.
It was a display of staggering power.
Other nations across the continent, who had been watching the conflict closely, could only marvel in shock.
“To think the Schneider Duchy’s military strength was at this level.”
“Indeed. And I heard their ally, the Tower of Truth, hasn't provided any assistance other than communication magic.”
“You mean the Schneider Duchy’s knights are achieving this on their own?”
“That is correct. And this is even without the Double Dragon participating.”
“It’s incredible. We knew the Double Dragon Knights were strong, but who would have guessed they possessed three 7-Star Knights?”
Through this war, a portion of the Schneider Duchy’s true power was revealed to the world.
Sanson Kainel, Oliver A, and April Schneider.
The Schneider Duchy had never particularly hidden information about these three. However, they rarely engaged in external activities and had been overshadowed by the massive presence of Patrick Schneider, leaving them with little recognition.
But through this war, their names began to spread far and wide.
The ‘Justice Knight,’ Sanson Kainel, who displayed a sense of justice and morality that served as a paragon for all knights.
The ‘Storm Knight,’ Oliver A, who defeated the Yuzef Kingdom’s 7-Star Knight, Marquis Marius Shuleiman, with a relentless, storm-like flurry of attacks.
And the ‘Flash Queen,’ April Schneider, who captured Marquis Dustin Lobsky in the opening battle and later held her own—and even triumphed—against three 7-Star Knights simultaneously.
Now, there was no one on the continent who didn't know their names.
Furthermore, the epithet given to April was quite interesting, as the title of ‘Queen’ among female knights had previously belonged to only one person.
The ‘Sword Queen,’ Riona Mayvers.
Bestowing the title previously held by the continent’s strongest female knight upon April signaled that it might be time for a change at the top.
In truth, the trend started because the Magellan Kingdom refused to acknowledge their enemy, Riona Mayvers, and began calling April the ‘Queen’ instead.
Regardless, the military might of the Schneider Duchy, now fully revealed, was far greater than any other nation had anticipated.
And this wasn't even the Duchy’s full strength.
Their ally, the Tower of Truth, had not joined the fray, nor had their demi-human allies, the Orcs and Elves.
Moreover, strictly speaking, the Schneider Duchy served the Atronia Kingdom as a suzerain state. This meant they had the justification to call upon Atronia’s forces if necessary.
However, the Grand Duke of Schneider did not involve his allies in a war against another nation, deploying only his own sovereign military. He had drawn his own line regarding this conflict.
Of course, if Patrick had seen this, he would have clutched his neck and fainted.
In any case, the Schneider Duchy’s intervention had completely changed the one-sided nature of the war. That much was certain. However…
“It won’t end this easily, will it?”
“Indeed. The Yuzef Kingdom must have strength in reserve as well, don't they?”
“The Overlord hasn't even joined the fight yet; he’s just watching from the sidelines…”
Until now, the myth of the Yuzef Kingdom’s invincibility had been forged by the Overlord himself, leading from the front and swinging his blade. With the Overlord at the vanguard and the Black Knights and Ryan Knights supporting him, they had always been victorious.
Yet, in this war, the Overlord hadn't even appeared on the battlefield.
“Come to think of it, it is strange. Why would the Overlord, who was always at the forefront of every war, be merely watching from the rear this time?”
“Perhaps he judged it to be a war they could easily win?”
“That doesn't sound like the Overlord at all.”
“Hmm…”
“Besides, that might have been the case at first, but isn't the Yuzef Kingdom currently being pushed back? It wouldn't be strange for the Overlord to stand up now, would it?”
“Perhaps.”
“And if the Overlord moves, the Double Dragon will move as well.”
“Ho ho… It will be a clash to determine the strongest knight on the continent.”
“Who do you think will win?”
“Well, in my opinion…”
Some analyzed the situation sharply, while others watched the fire from across the river with leisure. But one thing was certain: the eyes of the entire continent were now fixed on this war.
* * *
“Jonsa, the situation in the Magellan Kingdom is deviating from our expectations.”
The one reporting to Jonsa with a respectful attitude was Pride, one of his direct disciples.
Jonsa, listening to the report, was positioned in the center of a complex magic circle, his lower half submerged as if he were one with the array.
In that state, Jonsa narrowed his eyes and spoke.
“The sacrifices are still insufficient. To fully awaken the Outer God, more blood must soak the earth.”
“Yes. But realistically, with the Yuzef Kingdom’s current strength, it seems difficult to defeat the Schneider Duchy and proceed with the plan.”
“……”
Jonsa fell into deep thought.
Originally, the Yuzef Kingdom’s power was by no means weak. Even without their assistance, if Noah Gregory had remained as the advisor and the military force centered on the Overlord and the Black Knights had been intact, they would have easily overcome the forces the Schneider Duchy had deployed. However…
The Black Knight fled, Noah Gregory is dead, and the Overlord cannot be used properly right now… This has become troublesome.
The current situation was indeed unfavorable.
After a moment of thought, Jonsa continued.
“It cannot be helped. The war must not end like this.”
Jonsa then extended his Crystal Skull Staff toward Pride.
“There is an imprint on it. Use the Overlord to make the war continue even more atrociously.”
“Will that be alright? I understood that he wasn't ready yet.”
“He has an unnecessarily strong will; it might take years to completely break him. It’s better to use him as a disposable tool instead.”
“Yes. I understand.”
Having received Jonsa’s instructions, Pride took the Crystal Skull Staff and respectfully exited.
Left alone, Jonsa looked down at his lower half submerged in the magic circle and let out a sigh.
“I must hurry. For some reason… I have a feeling that I must.”
May 10, 1531.
The Overlord of the Yuzef Kingdom finally moved.
Upon receiving reports that the tide of war was turning against them, the Overlord immediately formed his royal guard and set out, summoning all the 7-Star Knights currently active on the battlefield.
“It has been a long time, Sir Mayvers.”
“Indeed, it has been a while, Count Raines.”
The Sword Queen, Riona Mayvers, and Count Adolf Raines, once called the guardian deity of the Decatur Kingdom.
Though the two shared the same origins, they had rarely met since being deployed to different regions of the war.
“Have they summoned not just you and me, but all the other 7-Star Knights as well?”
“It appears so.”
“Hmm… I don't understand the reasoning. To gather all the core strength in one place when the war is going poorly…”
Riona Mayvers was displeased with the situation. Or rather, to be precise, she was displeased with this entire war.
Why on earth are we even fighting this war?
She owed the Overlord a debt. He had saved the people of her homeland, the Decatur Kingdom, and had even magnanimously overlooked the betrayal of King Arren.
Because of that debt, she followed the Overlord’s orders without complaint, but she could find no justification for this war.
“If we’re going to do this, we should at least be winning decisively.”
“Marquis Mayvers, that…”
“What? Am I not even allowed to speak my mind?”
“……”
Count Raines fell silent. Indeed, even back in the Decatur Kingdom, no one could handle the Sword Queen’s temperament.
“Anyway, this is for the best. I’ll meet His Majesty and demand some straight answers.”
Her obedience out of gratitude had reached its limit. She no longer wanted to grind her subordinates away in a war with neither justification nor a clear path to victory. And…
“I feel the same way.”
“Count Kaikara?”
Count Davis Kaikara. A knight from the former Caesar Kingdom who used a tower shield and gladius as his primary weapons. His face was set in a grim expression. And behind him…
“I am the one with the most questions for the Overlord.”
“I agree.”
“Depending on the answer…”
Count Klavin Taerion. Count Vector Bridges. Marquis Marius Shuleiman.
These three were 7-Star Knights from the former Flame Kingdom, and they were likely the ones harboring the most resentment.
“Today, we must have an answer. We must know why the Princess had to go through such a thing.”
Their grievances dated back to before the war.
The incident where Queen Catherina—the Overlord’s wife and the princess they once served—had fled with her child and the Black Knight. That event had been a significant shock to those from the former Flame Kingdom.
In particular, Klavin Taerion, who had been the Princess’s mentor, had requested an audience with the Overlord, claiming there must be a misunderstanding, but the Overlord had refused to see him. Because of that, they still harbored deep suspicions regarding the truth of that incident.
“He has rejected every request for an audience until now… but this is fine. We shall see him today.”
Taerion’s body surged with an aura that went beyond fighting spirit—it was pure killing intent. If he did not receive a proper answer to his questions, he would not hesitate to draw his sword against the Overlord.
And then…
“His Majesty summons you. Everyone, please enter.”
A royal attendant called for them.
The six 7-Star Knights entered the temporary barracks where the Overlord awaited.
“We greet the just and sole ruler of the Yuzef Kingdom.”
“We greet the just and sole ruler of the Yuzef Kingdom.”
“We greet the just and sole ruler of the Yuzef Kingdom.”
They offered their greetings respectfully according to royal etiquette. Once the Overlord gave them permission to raise their heads, they intended to begin their questioning in earnest. However…
“……”
What is this? Why isn't he calling us?
Is he trying to play some petty power game?
Tsk, how annoying.
When they didn't hear the Overlord’s voice responding to their greeting, irritation began to flare. All six people in this room were superhumans who had reached the Supreme Realm. No matter if he was the sovereign of a nation, was such treatment appropriate?
The moment Riona Mayvers slightly raised her head to look at the Overlord…
“Overlord?”
She was startled.
The Overlord before her eyes looked haggard, like a man on the verge of starvation.
Emaciated limbs. Sunken cheeks and hollow, empty eyes.
Who would look at that figure and be reminded of the Overlord of the past? He didn't even look like a normal human being anymore.
She hurriedly cried out and tried to stand up. But before she could, a hidden magic circle beneath her feet activated first.
“Ugh…!”
“This is…!”
All six 7-Star Knights were restrained simultaneously.
Their bodies were paralyzed, and even as they tried to circulate their aura, their Aura Halls refused to budge.
And then…
“Quite a catch.”
“Indeed.”
From a corner of the barracks, space distorted and opened, revealing Dark Mages shrouded in black robes.
They were Jonsa’s direct disciples: Sloth, Envy, and Pride.
“The operation is a success, Sloth.”
“……”
At Pride’s call, Sloth stepped forward wordlessly and reached out toward the knights. Dark magic surged from his hands, enveloping them.
This is bad.
Damn it… what are they trying to do…!
They sensed the direness of the situation, but there was nothing they could do.