Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: The Emperor's Judgment
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“What did you say?”
Valtre shot to his feet upon hearing Kami’s report.
Kami continued cautiously.
“Judging by the Central Guardian Knights’ current route…… it seems they’re heading this way.”
“……!”
Valtre’s face twisted in an instant.
Destroying the Magic Tower meant they had concrete evidence proving his connection.
It was a situation as grave as when his secret as the emperor’s illegitimate son had been exposed to the world.
“No helping it now. Summon Laura, and have the knights switch to wartime readiness.”
“Your Excellency!”
Kami shook his head and pressed on.
“This isn’t the time.”
“Are you saying we should just take it lying down?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to watch and wait? According to Sudran’s report, Larsen acted entirely on his own without consulting anyone.”
“So?”
“There’s no way Larsen would have spilled Your Excellency’s connection to Altros.”
“Are you saying Altros might have wiped out the Magic Tower without any evidence?”
“He went there already suspicious from the start, and Larsen attacked first, giving Altros every justification to eliminate him.”
“Hmm…….”
Originally, Tarun—whom Altros had appointed—should have been in charge of the Magic Tower, but one day he suddenly announced a journey and handed all authority to Larsen before vanishing.
With someone he trusted so deeply disappearing like that, and Larsen’s faction launching attacks, it would have been enough for the Magic Tower to sense the betrayal.
But they might have only suspected his own connection without finding solid proof.
If there had been evidence, they would have come straight for him instead of the Magic Tower.
“It’ll be a waiting game with our lives on the line.”
Valtre’s gaze deepened.
At that moment.
Ingenium also received word of the Magic Tower through Ram.
“So it’s come to this after all.”
He accepted it quite calmly, as if he had anticipated it.
“Will Marquis Valtre be alright?”
“Hmm…….”
Ingenium’s eyes seemed to deepen, then flashed with keen intelligence.
“Go to the Julius Count Family immediately, relay this news, and tell them to prepare for an imperial attack.”
“Understood.”
“I need to find out what Father is thinking.”
Ingenium rose from his seat and continued.
“Tell Arthur not to act rashly and to wait for my orders.”
Leaving the room, Ingenium headed straight for Ruan’s office.
A short while later.
Entering the office, he greeted Ruan with an innocent smile.
“I’m here.”
Ruan stared out the window without so much as a glance.
Ingenium’s face stiffened slightly before he beamed and approached his side.
“What are you looking at?”
Ruan remained silent.
Undeterred, Ingenium continued gently as if nothing were amiss.
“Did you send Sir Jangjarban away? He’s been out of the palace for a whole week.”
Only then did Ruan turn to look at Ingenium.
The warmth from before was gone; his gaze was ice-cold.
Facing it hurt his chest.
‘What on earth changed Father like this?’
Hiding his inner thoughts, he smiled innocently.
“Must be an important mission?”
“Is that why you came to see me?”
“Of course not. I need to advance to the next stage of swordsmanship, but training’s on hold without him.”
“Hm.”
Ruan pondered briefly before tossing out a curt word.
“Follow me.”
“Huh?”
Bewildered, Ingenium trailed after him.
They arrived at Ruan’s private training ground within the castle.
Countless swords were embedded in the floor or scattered about, many of them shattered.
Ruan picked up one with a half-broken blade.
“Pick one you like.”
“A sword?”
Ingenium’s eyes widened.
He had never done this before, sparking a whirlwind of thoughts.
Ruan frowned at Ingenium’s hesitant glances.
“What are you doing?”
“Ah, yes.”
Ingenium drew a sword from those before him.
Ruan aimed the broken blade at him with an impassive expression.
“Pretend I’m the enemy and come at me.”
“F-Father…….”
“I need to check if you’re worthy of learning from Sir Jangjarban.”
“……!”
Ingenium’s face hardened.
He should have realized it the moment Ruan picked up the broken blade.
He felt pathetic for having hoped, even briefly.
‘Of course Father wouldn’t change.’
Ingenium gripped his sword with a resolute expression, then aimed it at Ruan.
“I’ll give it my all.”
With those words, he charged like a bolt of lightning, thrusting fiercely.
Clang!
Ruan parried effortlessly and extended his arm.
“……!”
The blade halted right before Ingenium’s throat as Ruan spoke.
“What have you learned from him?”
“See for yourself!”
Ingenium spun quickly, swinging his sword.
His speed had surged beyond the previous strike.
But Ruan didn’t blink. He parried just as easily.
Clang!
As the sword rebounded, Ingenium used the momentum to spin and unleash a kick.
Ruan twisted aside, reversing his grip on the sword.
Then he struck Ingenium’s chest with the hilt’s end.
Thud!
“Urk.”
Ingenium groaned and staggered back.
“The Barotas family never retreats.”
Ruan closed the gap in a flash, driving a fist into Ingenium’s chest.
Boom!
Ingenium flew backward.
“Ugh…….”
Ruan shook his head with cold eyes.
“Jangjarban’s wasted his time on nonsense.”
“N-Not yet…….”
Ingenium clutched his chest and struggled to his feet. His eyes blazed as his aura surged.
Gritting his teeth, he snatched up his dropped sword.
“He didn’t waste his time…… on anything pointless.”
He charged, pouring all his strength into a desperate thrust.
“Insolent fool.”
Ruan’s face chilled as he thrust back.
Whoosh!
The air whistled sharply.
It was too powerful for a Sword Actor-level Ingenium to dodge. Yet Ingenium glared fiercely and didn’t evade.
“I won’t back down!”
“Recklessness only brings death.”
Ingenium’s sword shattered upon contact with Ruan’s.
Shards pelted his face.
“Damn it!”
Instinctively shielding his head with both arms, he curled up.
Ruan mercilessly kicked his chest.
Boom!
“Argh!”
Ingenium crashed to the ground.
“Gah!”
He spat blood, writhing in agony.
Ruan approached with an indifferent gaze.
“Pathetic. What did Jangjarban teach you?”
“Not…… yet…….”
Ingenium grabbed Ruan’s leg with bloodied hands.
“It’s not over!”
He yanked hard.
Ruan stumbled from the sudden counter, and Ingenium spun swiftly into a kick.
“You brat!”
Ruan retreated nimbly, dodging.
Ingenium seized the opening, roaring as he lunged.
“Desperate flailing?”
Ruan’s eyes glinted coldly as he extended his arm.
“Guh!”
He seized Ingenium’s throat and added,
“Pathetic.”
Then slammed him mercilessly to the ground.
Boom!
Ingenium passed out cold.
Ruan brushed the dust from his clothes and strode toward the exit without a backward glance.
‘Sword Actor level?’
His face showed no admiration or concern for Ingenium—only disgust.
“Arrogant whelp.”
***
“Ugh…….”
Arthur’s face hardened upon hearing Ingenium’s message via Ram.
Millerph and Skevin, who had rushed back upon hearing of the Central Guardian Knights’ mobilization, looked equally grave.
Arthur asked Ram.
“Nothing else?”
“He said not to act rashly.”
Arthur turned to Millerph and Skevin.
“What do you two think?”
Skevin spoke first, his face solemn.
“The emperor must know about the nobles allied with Marquis Valtre. This could be a warning.”
“The empire’s strongest warrior, his closest aide, and the Central Guardian Knights mobilized. That force could engage Valtre in full war.”
“Even so, with us already at war, I doubt they’ll escalate recklessly.”
Millerph nodded in agreement and added,
“I think much like Sir Skevin. But knowing Altros…….”
“……!”
Arthur’s eyes flashed.
“He won’t just pass over obstacles. Since Valtre effectively hijacked the Magic Tower, there’ll be retribution.”
“The emperor sending his two closest together means there’s a reason.”
“What do you think he ordered?”
As Skevin asked, Arthur’s gaze sharpened and deepened.
Ram stared intently at Arthur, awaiting his words.
Arthur asked,
“Does Marquis Valtre have an heir?”
“He has a 15-year-old son. Pardon, but why……!”
Ram’s eyes widened as realization dawned.
Millerph narrowed his eyes at Arthur.
“You don’t mean making the heir pay, do you?”
“The emperor knows Valtre’s plotting rebellion but can’t strike without cause, or he’ll earn the nobles’ resentment. What method allows a warning, pressure, and provocation all at once?”
“Hmm…….”
Low groans escaped them all.
Millerph thought of Altros, Ram of the emperor, and Skevin of Arthur’s ruthless scheme, their faces twisting.
But it was plausible enough that none could refute.
If Arthur’s guess proved true, Valtre wouldn’t sit idle.
If war broke out, they could exploit the chaos, secure gains, and strike the emperor’s weaknesses!
Even if Valtre won, his forces would be weakened, while the Julius Count Family—profiting from the clash—would grow stronger, making them untouchable.
The empire’s misfortune was the Julius Count Family’s golden opportunity to rise.
A faint smile touched Arthur’s lips.
“We should prepare too.”
“……!”
Their eyes lit up.
Arthur met Skevin’s gaze and continued.
“You’ll go to Marquis Valtre.”
Then added to Ram,
“Tell him blood winds are coming—stay sharp.”
“The Crown Prince said not to act rashly…….”
Arthur raised a hand to silence him and stood.
“I take no one’s orders.”
A moment later.
Atop the ramparts, Arthur gazed toward the western mountains.
Millerph, following behind, looked the same way and asked carefully.
“What will you tell Marquis Valtre?”
“Nothing special—just make it clear we’re allies, so he can focus on the emperor.”
Staring piercingly into the distance, Arthur added,
“There’s somewhere we need to go together.”