Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Whispers of the Wind
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***
“Long time no see.”
“Brother!”
Ingenium welcomed Brady warmly as he entered the room.
The two sat facing each other across the table, gazing at one another with bright smiles.
Then Brady spoke first.
“How have you been?”
“Have you already forgotten? We agreed to be comfortable with each other when we’re alone.”
“That’s true, but you’re the crown prince of the Oscar Empire...”
“You’re doing it again! If you keep this up, I’ll start treating you casually even outside.”
“Mm...”
Brady let out a low hum and nodded reluctantly.
“Got it.”
“Hehehe.”
Ingenium grinned innocently and asked,
“But what brings you here so suddenly? I didn’t hear anything about your uncle arriving.”
“I came alone last night.”
“Last night?”
“Yeah, it seems Sir Jangjarban told Father that His Majesty wanted to see me.”
“I see. Have you met Father yet?”
“Not yet. Sir Jangjarban said I’d see him around afternoon. I got bored waiting alone in my room, so I came to you.”
“Good call.”
Ingenium smiled brightly while glancing toward the door behind Brady’s shoulder.
In that instant, Ram, who had been hiding, revealed himself, bowed, and vanished again.
Then the door cracked open and closed so subtly that Brady noticed nothing.
Ingenium met Brady’s eyes again and asked,
“So, how have things been for you? I’ve been cooped up in the palace, dying to hear about the outside world.”
“The empire’s been a bit chaotic lately, unlike before.”
“Why’s that?”
“Well...”
Brady hesitated for a moment, then smiled as Ingenium pouted and looked glum.
“Alright, don’t make that face.”
“Hehehe.”
Ingenium flashed a sly smile and scooted closer to Brady.
Brady’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked,
“You know the Julius Count Family, right?”
“Of course.”
“Brace yourself from here on. You might faint from shock.”
Ingenium nodded eagerly, curiosity brimming on his face.
Brady began his tale as cautiously as if opening a secret chest.
“A while ago, Sir Altros...”
At that moment.
In the Julius family’s office, Arthur, Millerph, and Skevin were holding a strategy meeting.
“It’d be best to concentrate our forces in the south and north, excluding the west and east.”
Millerph cautiously asked Skevin,
“What if they invade from the eastern coast?”
“We can station the Phoenix Knight Order’s Assault Squad in the castle or set up field camps near the defenses for immediate response.”
“Then only you and the Defen Knight Order would remain in the castle.”
Millerph’s face hardened.
It probably wouldn’t happen, but if even one defense line broke, they’d charge straight for the castle.
They’d have to hold out until reinforcements arrived—but could they manage with just that force?
They’d set traps everywhere as a precaution, but he worried how long they could withstand a relentless assault.
Millerph looked at Arthur with a darkened expression.
Arthur, arms crossed and deep in thought, finally spoke gravely.
“There’s a saying: the best defense is a good offense.”
“What do you mean...?”
Skevin glanced puzzled at Millerph, then back at Arthur.
Arthur swept away all the Julius count flags marking troop positions on the map.
Then he picked up one and placed it somewhere entirely different.
“...!”
Skevin and Millerph’s eyes widened in an instant.
Arthur had placed the count flag right on the Oscar Empire’s Christen capital.
Staring at the flag atop the capital, Arthur spoke heavily.
“We strike first.”
“You mean a preemptive attack?”
After Millerph asked, Skevin followed up.
“To reach the Christen capital, we have to pass through three territories. Aslan’s been absorbed, but what about the other two?”
“We crush them.”
“Young Master...”
Skevin’s face darkened rapidly.
Passing through Aslan Territory to Tuherm Territory wouldn’t be a big issue, but next came the Mandora Marquis House.
Even if they repelled the marquis house and reached the capital, their forces would suffer massive losses.
Facing the Oscar Empire’s strongest, the Central Guardian Knight Order in that state would be folly.
Above all, behind them stood the empire’s top knight.
The absolute powerhouse!
Jangjarban, the emperor’s guardian deity, along with Grand Archmage Altros and his mage corps.
“This won’t do.”
Skevin shook his head firmly and continued.
“The count family’s strength has grown incomparable to before, but this is suicide.”
“That’s too much.”
Though Millerph frowned slightly to intervene, Skevin pressed on undeterred.
“I’ve trusted and followed Young Master’s decisions until now. But I can’t agree with this plan. Please reconsider more carefully.”
Skevin placed a hand on his chest and bowed deeply.
Seeing his genuine sincerity, Millerph looked at Arthur with a mix of regret and worry.
Arthur nodded and spoke.
“You’re not wrong.”
“Thank you.”
Skevin looked up at Arthur with a relieved expression.
Arthur picked up two more count flags and placed them separately on the map.
One at the border between Aslan and Tuherm Territories, the other at Norshey Territory.
Skevin tilted his head in confusion.
“What does this mean?”
“I’m not planning a brute-force push.”
Arthur shifted his gaze to Millerph, who nodded as if grasping the plan.
“A diversionary operation?”
“Similar, but not quite.”
“You mean bypassing to Norshey Territory to attack the Mandora Marquis while crushing Tuherm from Aslan and advancing?”
“Could dispersed forces take on the Mandora Marquis? I need to reach the capital with minimal losses to stand a chance against the emperor.”
“That’s...”
“Impossible.”
Arthur shook his head firmly and pointed to Aslan Territory’s border.
“Only the Basil and Defen Knight Orders garrison here.”
“...?”
“The rest of the forces assemble at Norshey Territory and strike straight at the Mandora Marquis.”
“Then the Mandora Marquis will request aid from Count Bordan of Tuherm...!”
“Now the strategy’s clicking in your head. The Basil and Defen Knight Orders will tie down Count Bordan. Meanwhile, we crush the Mandora Marquis with full force.”
“But the lords of nearby territories won’t just stand by.”
At Millerph’s words, Arthur placed another count flag on the map.
Right on Marquis Valtre’s Peninsula Territory.
He gazed at it meaningfully and said,
“The moment neighboring territories learn Emperor Ruan took his son hostage, no one bordering Valtre’s territory will dare move.”
“Ah...”
It wasn’t wrong.
If any territory aided Mandora, Valtre wouldn’t sit idle.
He wouldn’t miss this chance to weaken the emperor’s faction.
But would Valtre spread the word?
“I worry whether Marquis Valtre will move as Young Master hopes.”
“If he grasps our plan, he’ll follow. And the moment the emperor took his son hostage, the war has already begun.”
“Ah...”
Millerph and Skevin exclaimed in admiration.
Seeing Arthur, who had foreseen all this and devised the plan, they realized his mental growth matched his martial prowess.
At the same time, they felt the dawn of hope for the Julius Count Family drawing near.
“We’ll follow Young Master’s plan.”
Millerph bowed politely, and Skevin bowed alongside, saying,
“My thinking was shortsighted. Forgive me.”
“Don’t think that way. There are no right answers in sharing opinions. Your stance, considering the knight orders’ welfare, was valid. I just offered a better one.”
“Understood.”
Skevin bowed respectfully.
“Now that the framework is set, inform each commander, and we’ll gather tomorrow evening to finalize details.”
As Arthur smiled faintly to end the meeting,
Knock knock.
An intelligence knight rushed in at the knock and stood before Arthur.
“Apologies for interrupting the meeting. I had urgent news and took the liberty.”
Arthur asked with a stern expression.
“What is it?”
“Breaking news from the capital. Sir Altros left the castle yesterday.”
“Destination?”
“Appears headed to Peninsula Territory—likely Marquis Valtre.”
“Escort forces?”
“Minimal forces only.”
“What could it be?”
Arthur glanced at Millerph.
Millerph’s face filled with questions at the unexpected development.
‘Why now?’
A heavy silence fell briefly before Skevin cautiously spoke.
“Delivering the emperor’s decree, perhaps?”
“No. With the son as hostage, the emperor’s will was already conveyed. Traveling that far with minimal escort means... something we don’t know has happened.”
Arthur’s speculation deepened Millerph’s furrowed brow.
‘Why show up again?’
As sworn brothers of execution, he knew little of Altros from his master beyond name, age, and seniority.
His origins.
Why his master took him as disciple—too little known.
Thus, they hadn’t found the traitor who betrayed and fled.
“I’m sorry. I know nothing to comment.”
“I see.”
Arthur gazed out the window, lost in thought.
Altros wouldn’t visit Valtre for anything good.
Nor could they recklessly interfere.
Weighing the situation, meeting Valtre again brought no benefit.
Yet he went?
Something major was unfolding in utmost secrecy.
“Mm...”
As Arthur’s eyes deepened,
A familiar breeze brushed his ear.
-Help Marquis Valtre.
“...!”
Arthur’s eyes flashed.
It was unmistakably Parsia’s voice.
As the wind spirit, he knew all world events.
Something had befallen Valtre.
“Damn it!”
Arthur suddenly scowled, leaving Millerph and Skevin staring puzzled.
Arthur asked the air,
“Are you telling me to help him now?”
-Hurry. If he falls, the Demon King’s power grows stronger.
Her urgent voice made Arthur frown.
“What’s wrong?”
Millerph asked worriedly.
Arthur pondered briefly, then resolved and told Skevin,
“Prepare the Devil Squad.”
“I’ll come too.”
“You stay here. Millerph comes with me.”
As Arthur grabbed his helmet to leave, Millerph asked,
“Did Lady Parsia visit?”
“Yeah, she appeared suddenly and said to help him.”
“Who?”
“Marquis Valtre.”
“...!”
Millerph’s eyes widened.
Donning his helmet, Arthur continued,
“We check the situation first. Decide on aiding after.”
In that instant, his eyes gleamed sharply gold.