Chapter 151
Chapter 151
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: 63. Though the Great Mountain is Tall (1)
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Unexpected events erupted one after another, plunging the war—expected by all to proceed in one direction—into a labyrinth.
The Empire's main force failed to advance as swiftly as planned, and the 5th Knight Division crumbled against the Aloi Brigade.
In the meantime, new heroes emerged in Joachim.
A man named Hopper had blocked Yalta, one of the Ten Strong, while Yubi and his two sworn brothers rallied the righteous and rose in rebellion.
Excluding the Empire, the other nations engaged in urgent diplomacy.
Each country expressed grave concerns over the Empire's attack on Joachim, unanimously agreeing that the Empire's madness could soon target them next.
Brioll, Bursen, Liberia, and the Holy Kingdom began forming secret alliances based on their shared interests.
Time passed.
Though it took far longer than anticipated, the Empire's main army finally reached the forest encircling Joachim's royal castle.
Joachim knew well that a breach in this defensive line meant defeat.
The Aloi Brigade had perfected an impregnable defense centered on the forest. To it joined the army of Count Seckner, who had taken Hopper under his wing like a divine gift, and the rebel forces of the Yubi brothers.
The battle that would decide Joachim's fate was drawing near.
"It's an honor to meet you. I'm Yubi. I was once just a mat seller, but I rose up fiercely to save Joachim."
"I'm Hopper. Just a martial artist who trained in the mountains."
"I heard you fought Yalta to a draw."
"Haha, it was nothing."
"Truly a hero born of the times."
"You're too kind. I've heard that you, Yubi, command such immense prestige that people follow you like clouds. That's the true bearing of a hero."
"Hahaha, you're too kind."
The two lavished praise on each other as if meeting for the first time.
Watching from the side, Gonte Merchen muttered to himself.
"Joachim's two great talents meet here—a collision of stars. Joachim's national fortune is soaring."
He had no clue who they really were.
Their faces could pass, but their distinctive gestures and habits stood out. Their voices were altered, yet their original tones seeped through, but Gonte noticed nothing.
He was truly obtuse.
Yuri cleared his throat and approached Gonte.
"I had no idea Joachim had such a special forces unit. I thought your young knights had grown weak, but I was wrong. It must all be thanks to your excellent training, Sir Gonte."
"Of course! Hahaha! It's all my doing!"
"So you trained them from start to finish yourself?"
"I took full responsibility for creating them. Have you heard of guerrilla training?"
"Did you devise it yourself, Sir Gonte?"
"Naturally! I racked my brains for Joachim's future!"
Yuri clenched his fist. He needed some training himself someday.
"I see. Haha..."
"You, a mere mat seller? Your prowess is impressive. Have you studied the Mana Circulation Method by any chance?"
"I just practiced on my own, hoping it might help Joachim."
"That's quite advanced for self-study. If you'd aimed to be a knight, you'd have become a top expert. Such a shame."
"I'm just a humble mat seller."
"When this war ends, won't you serve the kingdom? Become Joachim's shield and help us defend the Aloi Mountains ourselves."
"If I survive, I'll consider it."
Those around them nodded in agreement.
The mood was good, but survival was paramount. They were in a position to risk their lives against the Empire.
Yuri glanced up. Knights of the Aloi Brigade were rotating shifts with their comrades.
Their faces were familiar—once called "owls," they now stood as proud guerrilla fighters.
They'd been like fledglings back then.
"We need to decide the victor as quickly as possible."
When Yuri spoke to Gonte, the man tilted his head.
"Why?"
Though Yubi led the rebels and had been a mere mat seller, Gonte listened attentively.
He was open-minded in that regard.
"The Aloi Brigade is holding the forest. No need to rush. The longer it drags, the worse it gets for the invaders."
"Yalta's the problem."
"Yalta?"
"Yes."
Yuri knew him well from his past life.
A brutish man with no self-control.
His superiors had reined him in somewhat, but there were limits.
Soon, his patience would run out.
"We need to end it while we can still fight honorably. Otherwise, who knows what he'll do."
"Fight honorably...?"
"Sir Gonte, Joachim's cities have survived unscathed so far thanks to Sir Graham's restraint."
"I know, but..."
"If I were with the Imperial army, I'd burn this forest."
Gonte blinked.
"That would endanger the capital..."
"No need to consider the enemy's circumstances. That's what I'd do."
"Hmm..."
"If the battle stalls, Yalta will act out. Burn the forest or smash other cities to draw out the king."
This had happened countless times in his previous life.
Graham leading the Imperial army was a godsend for Joachim.
Gonte pondered.
"Since it's proven Hopper can handle Yalta, we should settle it quickly. Time favors us less and less—Joachim, not the Empire. Otherwise, they'll unleash atrocities."
"You have a point."
He nodded.
"But leaving the forest to fight is tough. I believe the Empire will attack first once. We'll wait till then."
"Understood."
Yuri nodded, satisfied that Gonte now recognized Yalta's danger.
As Gonte said, the enemy would attempt a breakthrough eventually.
"Let's hit them hard when they come."
"Agreed."
As their conversation ended, a faint flute-like sound echoed from afar.
The signaling whistle of an enemy raid.
Gonte issued rapid orders.
Count Seckner's troops, led by Hopper, would block Yalta, while the rest spread into the forest to support the Aloi Brigade.
Gonte pointed to the map.
"If the Aloi Brigade falls back, hold here, here, and here. Never let them breach the forest. Understood?"
"Yes!"
Joachim's major knight orders, assembled against the Empire, followed Gonte's command. Though not trained as guerrillas like the Aloi Brigade, they were far stronger than regular soldiers.
Gonte drew his sword.
"For Joachim!"
"For Joachim!"
The troops scattered to their tasks in an instant.
Yuri returned to his rebels.
His role was rear support for other units. They'd trained, but still had many shortcomings.
But Yuri wanted real results this time.
"Hmm..."
With little intel on the three brothers reaching the Empire, now was the moment. Exploit the gap between enemy perception and actual strength to inflict fatal damage—for an easier path ahead.
Yuri gathered Rolang and Jared.
"We'll secretly join Hose."
"Take down Yalta?"
"Yes. Kill him best, wound him at least."
"Got it. Who commands the rebels?"
"Leave it to Jeruga. He's got spirit and leadership."
"Yes."
Silent battles already raged in the forest.
Unlike the 5th Knight Division's solo incursion, the Empire had numerical superiority now, blunting the Aloi Brigade's blocking power.
Each silent arrow that struck a comrade was met with a hail of arrows as the Imperials advanced. They used scouts as bait for traps.
Traps revealed and neutralized after one use became useless.
The Empire sacrificed allies to breach the forest.
But that wasn't the only issue.
Elsewhere, Yalta led the vanguard with savage momentum.
"Think these petty tricks can stop me?!"
Silent arrows meant nothing to him. He smashed traps effortlessly.
Swinging his massive sword, he cleaved trees and brush alike—like a tank bulldozing obstacles.
The Aloi Brigade wasn't foolish enough to challenge him rashly.
But as his pace quickened, they panicked. At this rate, he might break through.
"What do we do?"
"Block him for now?"
"Suicide."
The Aloi Brigade hesitated, unable to decide.
Then, someone appeared abruptly, cutting through their dilemma.
"Hey, you came, barbarian!"
"Continental scum!"
A handsome yet bearishly burly man—Hopper.
He blocked Yalta's path, beckoning with a finger.
"Where's your babysitter?"
"You bastard!"
Yalta roared.
Without Graham, no one could restrain him.
Yalta hacked through the underbrush like an enraged gorilla and charged.
"I'll rip out that tongue!"
Yalta swung wildly. Hose parried, laughing.
"Getting worked up? Did I really beat you then?"
"Shut up!"
Yalta pressed close, denying distance.
Haunted by Hose's technique from before.
"Hey, barbarian."
Clashing swords, Hose grinned.
"You couldn't respond at all back then, right?"
"Shut up!"
"That's why you don't belong among the Ten Strong."
"You shit!"
Yalta unleashed immense power, batting aside Hose's sword, then kicked his gut.
Exploiting the opening, Yalta's blade plunged toward Hose's crown.
"Keep talking!"
"You lack foundation!"
Hose surged in, slamming his shoulder into Yalta's chest, then slashed his rebounding abdomen.
Blood sprayed.
But the wound was shallow.
"All you know is thrashing like a beast."
"You..."
"You see."
Hose smirked, aiming his sword. Mana coalesced into a sharp mass, hurtling at Yalta.
Yalta reacted a beat late, barely blocking.
Hose leered.
"Too dull to even sense the danger."
"I'll kill you!"
Yalta's eyes reddened. Steam rose from his body. Muscles burned like coals.
Fuming, he bellowed.
"Plenty have died yapping like you!"
"Bragging about killing weaklings?"
Hose pierced Yalta's gaze.
He was strong, undeniably—no guaranteed win for Hose.
But Yalta couldn't grow further. He lacked depth, capping his potential.
For one aiming at the heavens, even the great mountain is merely a hill.
Yalta stood at that mountain's peak.
He'd leaped higher than most on two legs, but could never soar beyond.
"You don't even know what this is."
"Don't need to. I'll take your head. Stuff and mount it."
"That's why you'll stop there."
Swords clashed relentlessly.
Each block sent vibrations through Hose's bones. Yalta's raw power was peak.
Pressing Hose, Yalta laughed.
"Training? Meditation? Unnecessary. Just keep killing—you get stronger."
He thrust from an odd angle. Hose failed to guard; blood flowed from his shoulder.
But Hose countered, stabbing Yalta too.
Blood dotted both.
Hose grinned.
"Right, a guy like you would know."
"Know what?"
"That real heights demand deep training. But you quit. Chose brute speed instead."
"Bullshit!"
"Because it's hard."
Yalta's sword sheared Hose's hair.
"Thinking and pondering's a hassle—you hated it!"
"Enough bullshit—die!"
Swords tangled again. Hose was pushed back.
Yalta laughed, hounding him.
"All talk!"
Hose waited for an opening. But Yalta's ferocity left none.
His physics-reliant style still outmatched Hose's sword.
"What? Climb higher? Hilarious. Winners are strong! Winning and killing—that's right! Got it, continental scum?!"
As Hose opened his mouth to retort—
"Then if we outnumber you and win, no problem, right?"
Three men appeared, weapons in hand.
Yuri grinned.
"Right?"