Chapter 130
Chapter 130
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: Advance
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Vulcan paced restlessly around his office.
Boika was the only person in the Anscent Kingdom whom he truly trusted and relied upon.
The news that even he had fallen to the enemy filled him with worry.
"Ha, this is driving me insane."
He was grimacing when—
Knock knock.
The door opened with a knock.
A knight entered swiftly and bowed his head.
"A guest has arrived."
"What?"
Who would come to see him at this late hour?
It was someone with no basic manners.
As Vulcan scowled, a man stepped into the office.
He wore black light armor and exuded a阴郁, chilling aura.
Vulcan asked warily,
"Who are you?"
"Lord Joshua sent me."
"Ah!"
He recalled her guardian knights.
Vulcan quickly dropped his guard and flashed a bright smile.
"Come in. I've been waiting anxiously for you."
Vulcan guided him to the table and sat across from him.
"Whew, now I can finally stretch out and sleep."
"I'll relay Lord Joshua's orders, so listen carefully and don't make any mistakes. No matter what happens, you must not leave this place. Stay put."
"Have they come for me?"
Vulcan's face hardened.
"They'll appear before you soon."
"No! They'll try to kill me!"
"That's why you mustn't go outside. Wait quietly here until we handle everything."
"Ah...."
Finally understanding, Vulcan let out a sigh of relief and replied.
"Well, I can sleep here just fine, so no big problem."
Vulcan leaned back in his chair, got comfortable, and soon began snoring. It seemed the tension had released, and all the sleep he'd postponed came rushing in.
The man looked at him pitifully, then stood and walked to the window.
He clasped his hands behind his back and gazed at the pitch-black sky.
'I wonder what kind of guys they are.'
According to Lord Joshua, they were the ones who had crushed Asan's pursuit squad chasing Keda Alpha.
The knight order that came with him this time could unleash 70% of Patrium's power.
They were a step above Asan's pursuit squad.
He was eager to see the outcome.
If they subdued the enemies without issue, the plan would proceed smoothly. But if they failed...
The man shook his head vigorously.
"It mustn't happen."
***
Arthur entered the capital of the Anscent Kingdom with the Devil Squad.
The streets were deserted late at night.
But as the accompanying priests disguised themselves as passersby and entered the streets, they soon bustled with activity.
"It's too quiet."
Millerph replied to Arthur's question with a stiff face.
"As you predicted, my lord, it seems they've been informed about the Scollas Sanctuary incident."
"We need to scout the situation."
Arthur called Parsia and asked her to check inside Anscent Castle.
Soon, her voice whispered in his ear.
—As expected, they're fully prepared. And I sense dark power from inside the buildings.
"That must be them."
—My children say it's too strong for them to approach closely.
"Any idea on numbers?"
—Confirmed at thirty, so probably more in reality.
"This won't be an easy fight."
Arthur's eyes deepened.
If he were in their position, he'd send stronger foes than those who raided Keda Alpha.
The Devil Squad or Helot's Assault Squad might struggle against them.
He needed a way to minimize friendly casualties.
Lost in thought, Arthur soon looked at Millerph.
"We'll split up from here."
"You have a plan?"
"Draw their attention so the Devil Squad and I can infiltrate the castle."
"Understood."
"Don't push too hard. Wait until the Devil Squad opens the gates."
"Actually...."
Millerph smiled softly and offered his opinion.
"Leave it to me."
"You just recovered. No need to overdo it."
"I have something in mind you'll like, my lord. And...."
Mana orbs pulsing with fierce energy floated around Millerph.
"I want to test this new power while I'm at it."
A mischievous grin appeared on Millerph's face, one Arthur had never seen before.
Yet his voice brimmed with confidence, no empty words.
In all their time together, this was a first.
Having surpassed his limits, how curious must he be?
Arthur was curious too.
He noticed himself grinning similarly to Millerph.
"That's... intriguing."
"You'll feel secure."
Millerph's expression was full of certainty.
Arthur shook his head helplessly.
"Fine. But absolutely no overexertion."
"Thank you."
Millerph's smile deepened.
As Arthur and the Devil Squad slipped to the outskirts, Millerph approached where Aria and the Seven Priests gathered.
Aria asked,
"Is the count moving separately?"
"We'll draw their eyes, and he'll slip into the castle during the chaos."
"What should we do?"
Millerph nodded and explained his plan.
"Can you manage?"
Roth nodded at his question.
"Of course."
"Then I'll stay with uncle, so don't worry and proceed."
"Please look after the Saintess!"
Roth bowed politely to Millerph and vanished with the Seven Priests.
Moments later.
As the priests wandering the streets disappeared, an eerie silence fell.
It felt like the eye of a storm, thick with tension.
***
"We've emptied an entire warehouse as you instructed."
Valtre turned from the window at Paron's report and asked,
"No complaints about shortages?"
"It's more than enough to settle the grudge you've harbored."
"It had better be. That's why we're sending it."
Valtre sat on the throne with a stern face.
The shock from recent days still lingered in his mind.
The fact that Skazana's Spear had vanished, and no family head before him had ever been chosen by it.
As Altros said, it was the family's disgrace.
He had also scoured the study and found hidden family records.
The contents revealed shocking truths.
Altros was right.
He and Altros were half-brothers.
His mother, Arjan, had married into the Tomoya bloodline before meeting Emperor Timor.
Incestuous marriages were common among nobles to preserve noble blood, and his mother had wed her cousin, bearing a son.
That son was Altros.
That's why Altros claimed to be the true heir of the Tomoya family.
Moreover, Notiang's death had triggered his mana rampage, nearly shattering his sanity.
Without Arthur's help...
His lifelong ambition would have crumbled, and the marquisate drowned in blood.
By the time reason returned, only corpses might have remained.
These facts tore at his chest agonizingly.
'I'll make them pay back every bit.'
He clenched his fist, eyes flashing with venom, when—
Knock knock.
Information chief Kami entered with a knock.
He bowed deeply and approached.
"Julius Count Family forces passed Aslan Territory toward Tuherm Territory."
"What?"
Unexpected news.
With the emperor's assault imminent, advancing?
Attacking territories supporting the emperor preemptively was foolish.
It wouldn't hurt the emperor much and wasted troops pointlessly.
In their numerical disadvantage, it was madness.
"Fool. So that's why he demanded war supplies."
"We overestimated him."
"Watch for now. It might not be all it seems."
"True, but his only war experience is the skirmish with Yarve Count. Short wars can be won by luck, but prolonged ones need meticulous plans and knight order strength."
"You said the same during Yarve Count."
"But this is the emperor."
"Objectively, it doesn't add up."
Valtre nodded in agreement with Paron.
Paron expected him to revise plans regarding Arthur.
But Valtre said coolly,
"That kid inherited Teheran's front. And he faced Altros unscathed before appearing before me?"
"I always keep in mind that he inherited Teheran's front. As for Altros, I believe he retreated considering your pursuit, not fearing the kid."
"Far from it. Altros is at least 8th Class, and he has Skazana's Spear. Fleeing because of me? Does that make sense?"
"Even so, Altros wouldn't have fled from a sense of crisis from the kid."
"I agree. But we're missing something. The one who invaded for Skazana's Spear left the kid alive? It doesn't add up."
"Hmm...."
In their discussion, Paron realized an overlooked point.
How did Arthur counter Altros's monstrous power?
His unusual weapons alone couldn't threaten Altros.
Even assuming sword masters among the accompanying knights outside the castle?
Still insufficient to resolve doubts.
'What exactly happened?'
As Paron's eyes deepened, a knight burst into the office.
He approached Valtre gravely.
"Julius Count Family knights have appeared in Norshey Territory!"
"......!"
Valtre's eyes widened.
Paron and Kami's eyes bulged too.
"He sure knows how to surprise."
Valtre smiled at Paron.
"Still think we shouldn't trust him?"
"I... was short-sighted. Forgive me."
"I understand your feelings. But we need to reassess him."
"I'll remember."
Paron bowed without hesitation.
Valtre pictured the situation curiously.
Pressuring Bordan Count from Tuherm, attacking Mandora Marquis in Norshey?
Clever flanking, but merely checking Tuherm wasn't enough.
He must have countermeasures for other families following Mandora.
Splitting forces already, no further division possible.
'If I were him....'
Valtre simulated Arthur's position, pondering solutions.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
A method the kid could use dawned on him.
"The more I think, the scarier he gets."
Kami, grasping the situation best, wondered what he'd say.
Valtre pondered carefully.
All waited silently, and Valtre spoke sternly.
"I hate dancing to his tune, but with Mandora as the target, we have no choice."
Kami asked cautiously,
"Figured out his plan?"
"A very cunning bastard."
Valtre eyed Kami.
"Announce to the world that Emperor Ruan took Brady, Tomoya heir, hostage. Declare war on the emperor."
"......!"
Everyone's eyes widened.
Valtre continued coldly.
"Send envoys to all families: those aiding Ruan are my enemies. Choose wisely."
"Ah!"
Kami exclaimed involuntarily.
This was the kid's hidden stratagem.
A divine move.
Who could conceive using Marquis Valtre?
Chillingly terrifying.
Allied now, but someday enemies.
A foreboding that he'd be tougher than the emperor.
'Can't leave him be. Before he becomes a monster....'
As his mind whirled, Valtre's hard voice rang.
"Go to Grada Territory with the mage corps."
"......!"
Kami and Paron's eyes widened.
Valtre glared murderously at Paron.
"Smash his base, bring back the countess. He'll pay dearly for using me."