Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: The Breached Tuherm Territory
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***
“Tuherm Territory has been breached.”
“What!”
Mandora’s face twisted in fury.
It had been two days since the Julius Count Family’s forces appeared at the border of Norshey Territory.
They had seemed ready to charge in at any moment, yet for some reason, they were only staging a standoff.
But after hearing Trevic’s report, Mandora could guess the reason.
They had clearly been waiting for reinforcements from Tuherm Territory.
Yet Bordan Count’s forces weren’t so weak as to be overrun in just two days.
An ominous foreboding surged endlessly within him.
“Something’s off. Tuherm shouldn’t have fallen this easily.”
“The Julius Count Family’s strength might be greater than we anticipated.”
Trevic furrowed his brow, lost in deep thought.
A moment passed.
An informant burst into the office with fresh news.
“Your Excellency, urgent report from Tuherm Territory!”
“What now?”
“They infiltrated the count’s residence and took out Bordan Count.”
“He was assassinated?”
“They clashed openly with his elite knights, so it doesn’t seem like an assassination.”
“What the hell happened!”
Mandora’s face contorted again.
Bordan Count always had his knight order captain by his side.
A top-tier Sword Expert on the verge of Sword Master, a true powerhouse.
Moreover, he commanded seven upper-tier Sword Expert knights.
For Bordan to fall despite that...
“There must be a Sword Master among them.”
“I agree with Your Excellency.”
“Who the hell joined forces with that brat? Valtre Marquis wouldn’t send his own troops while declaring war on the emperor.”
“Perhaps a new powerhouse has emerged.”
“No way. You don’t just become a Sword Master on a whim.”
“True, but given the current situation, it could be one of the Julius Count Family’s vassal forces.”
“Vassal forces...!”
In that instant, ‘Empire’s Spear’ flashed in Mandora’s mind.
The Lanister Barony!
They had vanished without reason alongside the Julius Count Family’s downfall, only reappearing during the territory war with Yarve Count.
It was entirely possible for a ‘Sword Master’ to emerge from the Lanister bloodline.
“The Lanister Barony... I forgot about those bastards.”
“Ah!”
“They were called ‘Empire’s Spear’ for their overwhelming strength. Even Bordan would’ve struggled against them.”
“They may be strong, but they’re no match for us.”
“Of course.”
As Mandora smirked triumphantly, Huan Count entered the office.
“The mage corps is ready to deploy.”
Mandora nodded and glanced at Trevic.
“Crush those thorns before the Tuherm reinforcements join them.”
“Yes.”
Trevic bowed crisply.
“And Huan Count, station some of the mage corps inside the castle to bolster defenses, in case they pull the same trick they did on Bordan.”
“Understood.”
Huan replied politely.
Shortly after.
Trevic set out with the mage corps toward the standoff with the Julius Count Family’s forces.
***
Upon receiving Valtre Marquis’s declaration of war, Emperor Ruan erupted in rage.
“They’ve finally revealed their filthy true colors.”
“Wouldn’t it be best to observe for now?”
Altros’s words made Ruan’s gaze turn icy.
“You want me to sit idle after a declaration of war?”
“The central guardian knight order can’t move due to the monster outbreaks.”
“And?”
“Soon Mandora Marquis and the Julius Count Family will clash. It’d be wise to plan based on the outcome.”
“Act according to the results...”
In truth, Altros was right.
Everything was turning in his favor.
He could gauge the families’ intentions from their responses to Valtre’s declaration, and if the brat lost to Mandora Marquis, it would be a major blow to Valtre.
Above all, preparations against the unpredictable monster threats were insufficient.
He decided to handle the urgent matters first while watching the situation.
“Even if we observe, we should at least respond to the declaration.”
“What do you plan to do?”
“No need to keep useless trash around, right?”
“Will you kill him?”
“That’d make me look too ruthless. I don’t fancy history remembering me as the emperor who slew his nephew.”
“You seem to have something in mind.”
Ruan smiled enigmatically.
“They must pay the price for rebellion.”
***
“Next time, I’ll come visit you.”
“Sure, I’ll have even more stories for you then.”
Brady bid farewell to Ingenium and boarded the carriage.
Ingenium watched the departing carriage from the palace with narrowed eyes.
“It’s weird. There’s no way they’d just let a hostage go like that, especially after the war declaration.”
Ram appeared beside him and nodded.
“I don’t understand it either.”
“There’s definitely something fishy. Follow him and ensure he reaches Valtre Marquis’s territory safely.”
“No.”
Ram refused flatly.
He was Ingenium’s shadow. A shadow’s duty was to protect its master.
If this was part of the emperor’s scheme, his forces might already be moving.
That would expose Ram’s presence, and if reported to the emperor, Ingenium could face dire consequences.
He couldn’t take the mission.
Ingenium grabbed Ram’s arm with a desperate look.
“I’m begging you.”
“Still no.”
“My gut feeling is bad. What if something happens to him? What then?”
“Why not assign someone else this time?”
“Who else...!”
Suddenly, they came to mind.
Moments later.
Ingenium arrived at a market alley and strode inside confidently.
The men leaning against the walls, smoking, glanced over.
A child in fine silk appearing in a dingy alley would normally draw suspicion, but they just watched calmly.
As if they knew who he was.
When Ingenium reached the door at the alley’s end, the man beside it bowed politely.
“It’s been a while.”
“Is the old man inside?”
“He’s waiting.”
The man opened the door, and Ingenium entered boldly.
The small, musty room held a table and two chairs.
Beside one chair sat a white-haired elder with a kindly smile.
It was Hamunt, who ran the mercenary guild.
“It’s been too long.”
“How’ve you been?”
Ingenium grinned and sat in the chair opposite.
Hamunt smiled like a grandfather seeing his grandchild and took the seat across.
“What can I do for you today?”
“Straight to the point since it’s urgent. Escort Brady safely home.”
“You mean the young master of Valtre Marquis’s house?”
“Yeah. He just left, so you can catch up easily.”
“Hmm.”
Hamunt stroked his chin and shook his head.
“Though it’s rare for you to visit, I’m afraid I can’t take this request.”
“Name your price. I’ll do whatever I can.”
“Have I ever refused your requests? As you know, with Valtre Marquis declaring war, we can’t act rashly. If it leaks to the emperor that we guarded his son...”
“I’ll handle that somehow.”
“Dodging the emperor’s eyes is...”
As Hamunt looked troubled, Ingenium clasped his hand tightly.
“Please. I’m begging you.”
“You always put me in tough spots.”
Hamunt shook his head helplessly and glanced at the door.
“Booker.”
“Yes.”
The door guard entered.
“Escort Valtre Marquis’s young master safely to Ban Island Territory and return.”
“Yes.”
As Booker turned to leave, Ingenium added,
“Be careful. My gut feeling is bad.”
“Until next time.”
Booker smiled faintly and exited.
***
It was when Brady’s carriage left the capital and entered the mountain path.
Someone blocked the road ahead.
A man in black robes on a black horse—Sadi, whom Altros had ordered to monitor Valtre Marquis.
He had placed spells on his room and slipped out of the marquisate the moment the Magic Tower incident erupted.
He knew what was coming.
Roaming the territory from the castle, he searched for Valtre’s hidden forces.
But on the fifteenth day of fruitless searching, a raven from Altros arrived.
An order to return—and a new mission.
Sadi eyed the carriage.
“Why so late? I’ve been waiting forever.”
“Who the hell are you!”
The escort knights drew their swords swiftly.
One glared murderously.
“Out of the way! This is your only warning.”
“Oh, how polite. But what can I do? I don’t heed warnings.”
Black aura rose from Sadi’s hand.
“A mage!”
“And darkness magic...”
Alarms rang in the knights’ minds as they unleashed sharp, blade-like momentum.
Before anyone could speak, they charged Sadi, thrusting their swords.
The strikes shot out fast and fierce.
But Sadi didn’t flinch, only looking disappointed.
“Tsk tsk, pathetic fools who can’t even recognize their opponent.”
He hurled a black orb-shaped aura mass from his palm at the knights.
It flew like an arrow, then spread like a net above their heads.
“What is this!”
“Damn it!”
Trapped in the net, they panicked visibly.
“Time for useless trash to scram.”
Sadi clenched his fist, and the net shrank instantly, crushing them.
Crack, thud... clang!
The mesh pierced their armor, severing limbs along with it.
“Aaagh!”
“Argh!”
Screams of agony echoed.
Then the carriage door opened quietly, and Brady bolted into the woods.
“Running like a rat?”
Sadi reached toward Brady.
Just as Brady entered the trees, his body froze like a statue.
He couldn’t even twitch a finger.
“W-what...”
“No need to panic. You’ll be dead soon.”
Sadi approached with a sinister grin.
A black orb formed in his palm.
Terrified, Brady stammered,
“Why... why are you doing this?”
“All because of your father. If he’d just stayed in his lane, no one would be bothered.”
“D-don’t tell me... His Majesty...?”
“Oh, sharp one. Figured it out without me saying much.”
Tears streamed down Brady’s face.
“Killing me won’t solve anything.”
“But it’ll convey His Majesty’s will to Valtre.”
“P-please... spare me.”
“Blame your father.”
Sadi hurled the black orb at Brady.
As it spread like a net to envelop him!
Someone burst from the woods, batting the net aside.
At once, masked men appeared from all sides, slashing at Sadi.
“...!”
Sadi swiftly erected a shield against the surprise attack.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
He blocked all strikes and retreated.
Glaring at the group shielding Brady layer by layer, he snarled,
“Who the hell are you?”
Booker, guarding Brady’s back, stepped forward and ordered his men,
“Take him and go first.”
The men whisked Brady into the woods.
“You bastards!”
As Sadi prepared to attack, Booker closed the distance in a flash and thrust his sword.
“Pay attention!”
“...!”
Sadi halted and raised his shield.
Boom!
The aura’s impact reared his black horse on its forelegs.
“Damn!”
As Sadi fell from the horse, Booker charged like lightning, slashing downward diagonally with full force.
Just before the blade reached his face!
Sadi’s eyes turned pitch black, and he intoned,
“Bulk Up.”
In that instant, darkness power exploded, and his hand moved like thunder.
Grab!
He caught the aura-wrapped sword barehanded.
“How...?”
Booker’s eyes widened.
Sadi’s blackened eyes oozed eerie energy.
His pallid, bloodless face evoked the undead, chilling to behold.
“You dared interfere?”
Thread-like aura from his fingers crawled along the blade.
It swiftly coiled around Booker’s arm.
“I’ll rip you apart.”