Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Imperial Sword
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“What’s going on?”
“What the hell happened?”
The Hattori Count Family’s flag came down, and in its place rose a crimson banner emblazoned with a golden dragon.
Everyone looked baffled and confused.
“This is bad!”
The man who had gone to the count’s estate to check rushed back, gasping for breath.
“Huff! Huff! Huff!”
“What happened?”
The man forced down the breath choking his throat and answered.
“They say Count Hattori is dead!”
“What?”
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.
“A week ago, his head was cut off by a knight sent from the Julius Count Family, and until now, Knight Commander Mentu has been acting on behalf of the count.”
“What happens now?”
“What do you mean? We’ve been swallowed up by the Julius Count Family.”
“No way we’re becoming devil worshippers or war slaves too, right?”
“Damn it! Shouldn’t we run while we can?”
“You idiot, you think the other territories are fine? If you check, they’ve probably already been taken.”
“This is insane!”
“Let’s just stay quiet like mice and watch how things play out.”
The people stared at the Julius Count Family banner over the Hattori estate, their faces a mix of fear and resentment.
Aslan Castle.
Mentu and the Tasl Knight Order, along with the retainers, gathered in the castle plaza, eyes fixed on Skevin atop the platform.
Skevin slowly scanned the surroundings.
Everyone was tense, gripped by fear of what was to come.
“I will convey Count Arthur’s decree!”
A firm, cold voice echoed out.
Gulp.
Swallowing sounds came from all around.
Skevin fixed them with a piercing gaze and continued.
“If you do not follow the Julius Count Family, the Hattori Count Family will cease to exist today.”
“……!”
Everyone was stunned.
Mentu asked with a rigidly stiffened face.
“What is the meaning of this? It’s different from what you first told us.”
Skevin narrowed his eyes and glared at Mentu.
“The count changed his mind because of you lot.”
“What do you mean? We haven’t done anything!”
“Ask Count Antar about it.”
“Why suddenly mention the Nova Family……!”
In that instant, Mentu’s eyes went wide as he gulped.
“If you’ve figured out the situation, do as you’re told. Right now, that’s the wisest choice.”
“……What will become of us from now on?”
Skevin stepped down from the platform and stood before Mentu. He answered in a voice low enough for only him to hear.
“You’ll either become comrades and share in the glory, or you’ll end up as war slaves.”
“……!”
Mentu’s eyes shook violently.
“Make a wise decision.”
Skevin turned away and nodded to the Phoenix Knight Order. They swiftly formed ranks and departed with him.
Mentu’s face hardened at their disciplined, overwhelming presence.
These were not the same men he had seen before.
They were on a completely different level.
Not just one or two, but the entire knight order consisted of Sword Expert-level powerhouses.
It was unbelievable that warriors on par with the knight commander or vice-commander of an average territory were mere members of this order.
Empire’s Spear!
They must have awakened from a long slumber in the darkness.
But their opponent was the emperor!
He had Jangjarban, the empire’s strongest knight, along with powerful forces like Grand Archmage Altros, dukes, and marquises.
Could they stand against them?
The Julius Count Family wouldn’t make a reckless choice.
From the looks of things, they were absorbing the surrounding territories.
In this situation, he had only one path.
He had no choice but to follow the Julius Count Family.
Mentu turned to face the Tasl Knight Order and retainers, declaring firmly.
“We will stand with the Julius Count Family.”
***
“Young Master has returned!”
“Where is he now?”
“He’s gone to the office.”
“Understood.”
Medlin headed straight to the office upon hearing from Lersanna.
Arthur had summoned the executives the moment he arrived at the castle.
To report on the situation in Blyzan, strengthen defenses against the Namshar Empire, and prepare in earnest for war with the emperor.
Entering the office, he set his helmet on the desk and walked to the window.
Atop the castle fluttered the Julius Count Family banner.
They had to grow stronger than they had been during the Tehran era.
To not only overthrow the Oscar Empire’s rule but to unify the five continents as the first true emperor.
With that power, he would confront the Demon King and protect what was his.
As he steeled his resolve, his hair whipped in the wind, covering his eyes.
‘Annoying.’
Arthur grabbed a fistful of hair that fell to his shoulders.
Just as he drew his dagger from his waist to cut it—
Thud.
“Dear, let’s talk.”
Medlin entered the office.
She widened her eyes at the sight of Arthur about to cut his hair with the dagger.
“What are you doing right now?”
She rushed over and gripped his arm holding the dagger tightly.
Arthur asked, slightly flustered by her intense reaction.
“What’s wrong?”
“Why would you cut your hair? Don’t you know long black hair is the symbol of the Julius Count Family?”
“I’m not attached to such things.”
“Absolutely not!”
Arthur looked into her eyes.
Behind the resolute gaze, he could sense a deep earnestness.
It must have been a great shock to her.
Normally, he would have ignored her and cut it anyway.
But since coming here, something had changed in him.
Especially regarding his mother—he no longer viewed her only negatively.
He had begun to feel a warmth toward her that he had never known.
Because of that, he couldn’t dismiss her request.
“Understood.”
Arthur sheathed the dagger at his waist.
Medlin took his hand and led him to the table, where they sat facing each other.
“I heard you sent knight orders to the neighboring territories.”
“Yes.”
“Can you tell me what you’re thinking?”
“I’ll unite their forces to stand against the emperor.”
“Hmm…….”
It was just as she had expected.
Medlin asked with a hardened expression.
“What happened to the other territories’ counts? Nothing happened, right?”
“Mother.”
Arthur met Medlin’s eyes and continued.
“If you’ve entrusted this to me, please watch silently. Even if the process disappoints you, know that every decision is for the good of all.”
“I understand what you mean. But I don’t want our relations with the neighboring territories to sour. Though not bound by blood, they are like family to us.”
“I can’t agree with that.”
Arthur shook his head firmly and pressed on.
“If they saw us as family, when we were branded devil worshippers, they would have at least come to ask what happened.”
“Maybe they couldn’t come because they feared the emperor’s eyes.”
“Don’t say that. The moment we were branded devil worshippers, they treated us as enemies.”
“That can’t be…… At the very least, Count Hattori of Aslan Territory isn’t the type to do that. How much support did we give when Aslan was struggling?”
“You’re mistaken, Mother. No territory welcomed the Julius Count Family with open arms.”
“Ah…….”
Medlin’s eyes wavered in confusion.
Arthur pitied her but added one more thing, hoping this would make her grasp reality.
“There is nowhere that will fight alongside us. To survive, we must absorb the neighboring territories, build our forces, and bolster our strength. So don’t let old sentiments sway you—steel yourself.”
“……I understand.”
Medlin stood, swaying slightly.
She seemed quite shocked.
As Arthur rose to support her, she waved him off.
“Just stay seated.”
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, my mind is a mess right now, so let’s talk again later.”
Medlin left the room immediately after.
Arthur stared at the door she exited through, his face full of regret.
‘I’m sorry.’
He had no choice to deal with the many situations ahead.
He had to clearly separate public from private, right from wrong.
If internal strife arose during war, their forces would collapse in an instant, leading straight to defeat.
That must never happen.
Thus, his will was crucial, and he had to set an example for all.
As Arthur turned from the window with a heavy heart—
Drakan burst in without knocking.
“Young Master!”
Arthur’s face hardened slightly at his urgent appearance.
“What’s wrong?”
“We just got word from the informant in the capital. The Central Guard Knight Order is on the move.”
“……!”
Arthur shot to his feet.
***
At that moment.
Word spread through the Oscar Empire that Jangjarban had led the Central Guard Knight Order out of the imperial palace.
Everyone assumed they were heading for the Julius Count Family.
Altros rode side by side with Jangjarban, crossing Stone Mountain.
“I have a question.”
“Speak.”
“Have you reached the Grand Sword Master realm?”
“Not yet. But I feel that day is not far off.”
“I see.”
The aura emanating from him now was far more intense than what he remembered.
He must have been suppressing it in the emperor’s presence to avoid burdening him.
Altros smiled meaningfully and asked.
“What is your goal?”
“To protect the emperor.”
“Not as a knight—what I’m asking is Jangjarban’s personal goal.”
Jangjarban halted his horse and looked at Altros.
“It seems Sir Altros has another goal.”
“Me?”
Altros chuckled at the unexpected question.
“How am I any different? Protecting the emperor and the Oscar Empire—that’s it. I only asked just in case, so don’t take it seriously.”
“Very well.”
As Jangjarban returned a meaningful smile, the scout knight came galloping back urgently.
“Captain! A horde of golems is approaching from ahead!”
Beyond the ridge, a massive group of golems appeared.
Boom! Boom!
The ground shook as if an earthquake had struck.
“The Magic Tower’s first defensive line has activated.”
Altros continued with a relaxed expression.
“I’ll handle it.”
“Leave this to me.”
Jangjarban spurred his horse forward powerfully.
His back, charging fearlessly at the golem horde, was the epitome of bravery.
Upright and uncompromising character!
Overwhelming martial prowess!
Fanatical devotion solely to the emperor’s safety!
He was perfect as the emperor’s guard knight.
‘But…….’
Altros’s smile faded, his eyes turning icy.
‘He’s a double-edged sword.’