Chapter 143
Chapter 143
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: Something You Shouldn't Touch
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“What?!”
Mandora shot up from his chair upon hearing the knight’s report.
It was their full mobilized force.
On top of that, Juan’s mage corps had marched out as well, yet they were retreating?
It was only a temporary withdrawal, but it was hard to accept.
“What in the world is the reason?”
“The Julius Count Family’s forces far exceeded our expectations.”
“How impressive were they that Trevic had to pull back?”
“There were three Sword Masters, spear cavalry with Giant Wolves, and above all, a spirit sorcerer.”
“A spirit sorcerer?”
Mandora’s eyes widened in surprise.
If the Nanshar Empire had gotten involved with that young upstart’s forces, it was no ordinary matter.
Those bastards would have made it hard for Juan and his mages to bring their full power to bear.
Now the mysteries were starting to unravel.
No matter how strong Trevic was, handling three Sword Masters wouldn’t have been easy.
Especially since one of them was Helm Del, the Bow Master.
At any rate, this situation must have already been reported to Emperor Ruan.
It was no small concern.
It was unlikely, but if they were pushed back in this battle or lives were put at risk, he might be completely abandoned by Emperor Ruan.
That was why they had to win, no matter what.
And not just any win—a decisive victory.
If they managed that, he’d be summoned back by Emperor Ruan and might even receive “that,” which was bestowed only upon his most loyal vassals.
With that in hand, he’d gain power rivaling Marquis Tano.
He’d join the ranks of Sword Masters, a dream he’d long harbored, and stand shoulder to shoulder with Marquis Tano.
Revealing his hidden ambitions, Mandora said,
“Tell Trevic this: cut off that upstart’s head and bring it to me. Kill the rest and burn their corpses.”
“Yes, sir!”
The knight bowed deeply and swiftly exited.
Mandora sat back in his chair, fondling his sagging belly fat as he dreamed of a rosy future.
Pushing aside all of Emperor Ruan’s closest aides to become the empire’s true number two, ruling the empire itself.
How grand and glorious that would be?
He believed without a doubt that the day would come.
“Tomorrow, victory horns will sound.”
***
“Are you all right?”
Juan entered the command tent where Trevic was staying.
Trevic, who had been studying the strategy map, asked in a cold tone as soon as he appeared.
“Why did you do it?”
“Are you truly asking because you don’t know?”
“I was in the middle of clashing with him.”
“You know it wasn’t to tarnish your pride. I was simply responding appropriately to the situation, so don’t misunderstand.”
“Hmm…….”
He wasn’t wrong, in truth.
Trevic hadn’t escaped the constraints of his ultimate technique yet, and while the Espagna cavalry had pushed forward at first, they began getting pushed back by the Giant Wolves.
On top of that, the spirit sorcerer’s appearance had blocked the mage corps’ attacks entirely.
And above all, that Sword Master who appeared at the end!
It was likely Skevin Maximus, known as the guardian deity of the Julius Count Family.
The Aura Blade he unleashed had shattered the mana barrier.
If he had targeted Trevic instead of the mana barrier……
Daenekt would have stepped forward in Trevic’s place, since Trevic couldn’t move properly, and they might have lost him.
Stepping back one pace for victory wasn’t a bad choice.
But letting the upstart escape had wounded his diamond-hard pride.
For his own sake.
For the sake of all the knights who looked up to him.
He had to make up for it.
With a resolute expression, Trevic asked Juan,
“How’s the mage corps? They must have been rattled by the failure of their large-scale area attack.”
“It was more the spirit sorcerer’s abilities that threw them off. He blocked attacks comparable to 6th Class level.”
“I was surprised too, facing him while he wielded the spirit’s power. That’s why I used my ultimate technique from the start.”
“I see.”
Juan had been puzzled inwardly by Trevic rushing into his ultimate from the outset.
But since it was him, of all people, he’d followed silently, and sure enough, there was a reason.
“Did you figure out which spirit he’s contracted with?”
“Not for certain, but it seemed like a wind spirit, and since it blocked my ultimate, it’s probably at least a high spirit.”
“A high spirit…….”
Juan stroked his chin in thought, then his eyes lit up as if struck by an idea.
“The one that blocked the mage corps’ attacks was a wind spirit too, so it’s likely ‘Parsia.’”
“Parsia?”
“The highest spirit right below the Spirit King. If he’s contracted with it, we need to proceed with caution.”
“If they put the Del Knight Order up front with the spirit sorcerers supporting, it’ll be a real headache.”
Juan nodded in agreement and asked,
“What if the mage corps focuses on defense early on, then switches to offense once the knights break their defensive wall?”
“No plans to drag this out. We’ll go all-out from the start and sweep them away in one go.”
“Understood. Leave the opening to me then. I’ll crush their momentum for sure.”
“We resume the attack at sunset, so time it accordingly.”
“At sunset…… I’ll make the sun crash down on their heads.”
Juan flashed a meaningful smile and exited.
Trevic stared back at the strategy map, thinking of Arthur.
His skill and strategy were exceptional—it felt like facing a veteran of a hundred battles.
He hadn’t expected them to counter the archers’ preemptive strike instead of retreating.
Even less had he imagined Arthur would step to the front lines to command and fight personally.
He’d thought he was just a young punk relying on hot blood, younger than Daenekt, but he’d been wrong.
“This time, I’ll face you properly.”
Trevic’s eyes burned fiercely.
Teheran Julius, the absolute symbol of strength in the Oscar Empire!
Seeing him not as an upstart but as a true heir to the absolute one made his blood boil.
“You’ll be the sacrifice that announces my strength.”
***
At that moment.
The situation at Marquis Mandora’s territory was reported to Emperor Ruan.
“He keeps surprising me endlessly. So, what’s the forecast going forward?”
“They’ll likely resume the attack sometime today.”
“Planning to wipe them out in a single day? Their pride must be badly bruised. Keep watching and report immediately if any variables arise.”
“Yes, sir!”
After the knight left, a robed man entered.
He was one of the imperial guards Altros had sent to investigate the ‘Sadi’ matter.
He approached Ruan and bowed at the waist.
Seeing the man’s darkened expression, Ruan guessed things hadn’t gone smoothly.
“How did it go?”
“We lost him.”
“That guy’s done us a favor, then.”
“I’m sorry.”
The man hung his head, at a loss.
“Enough. No matter what he says, the nobles won’t side with him.”
Ruan waved him out, but as the man bowed to leave, he spoke.
“There’s something to report. Count Pharon has led a group toward Grada Territory.”
“Count Pharon—the guardian mage of Valtre?”
“Yes. And those following him gave off the vibe of mages.”
“Mages…… How many?”
“Including Count Pharon, about thirty.”
“So, the fruits of seizing the Magic Tower.”
Ruan’s sly smile faded, his eyes turning icy cold.
Why send a mage corps to Grada Territory?
It couldn’t be to support the upstart warring with Marquis Mandora.
He’d know Ruan would intervene the moment he did.
It felt like Ruan had overlooked something.
‘What for?’
Ruan pondered, then his eyes flashed.
“You impudent bastard.”
With a meaningful smile, he told the man,
“Go to Grada Territory right now and find out what’s happening with the Julius Count Family.”
“Yes, sir!”
The man hurried out.
Ruan stared at the door, a highly intrigued look on his face.
“Punishing them in this situation? If those two fall out, it’s all the better for me. But he can’t not know that. What’s his game?”
***
“Hmm…….”
Medlin stood where Arthur usually did, surveying the territory.
The weather was clear, warm sunlight pouring down, but it was eerily quiet.
After the knight order marched out to Marquis Mandora’s territory, the territory’s residents had all evacuated to safety.
Thus, Grada Castle was manned by only the bare minimum.
“It’s so quiet, it feels like I’m somewhere else.”
Medlin muttered to herself.
“I wonder what Arthur’s doing right now. He has to come back safe. I’m just worrying needlessly, right?”
Someone appeared beside her, where no one had been.
It was Jackal.
He had originally planned to shadow Arthur, but with the war expanding to involve the emperor, he’d been appointed Medlin’s guardian knight.
Since then, he’d stayed by her side.
He usually hid with stealth skills, appearing like this when she called or needed company.
“The Young Master will return safely.”
“He’d better. So many people are waiting for him.”
Medlin’s eyes moistened as she gazed at the sky.
Then, thinking of Count Malcolm, she clasped her hands over her heart.
‘Please protect him.’
Jackal watched her silently.
Having guarded her all this time, he knew her heart was truly gentle. She treated him like her own son.
She was no longer just a protectee, a mission.
She was someone he absolutely had to protect!
If his birth mother were alive, she’d have cherished him just like this.
Once he empathized that way, he vowed to protect her even at the cost of his life.
Having opened his heart to her, Jackal cherished every moment with her.
He felt a happiness he’d never known before, every day.
Had the world ever seemed this beautiful?
It was like being reborn.
As a faint smile touched Jackal’s lips,
Something flashed in the distance.
‘What’s that?’
Before he could tilt his head, something unidentified flew toward Medlin.
“Damn it!”
Jackal swiftly scooped her up and tumbled to the side.
Boom!
An ice arrow laced with chill embedded itself in the railing where Medlin had stood.
Ice Arrow!
Enemies.
“Hold on tight.”
Jackal held Medlin close and bolted down the stairs like a shot.
Far away, watching the scene, Pharon smirked meaningfully.
The subordinate who’d attacked bowed deeply to him.
“As ordered, we just gave them a scare.”
“Well done. We’ve come this far; it’d be a shame if it ended too easily. We should give them time to prepare a welcome, right? And unexpectedly, that guy’s here too. I’ve always been curious about his skills whenever I saw him.”
Seeing the rumored Medlin in person, he understood why Count Yarve coveted her so.
Pharon glanced at Mongra, who awaited orders, and continued.
“Kill everyone except the countess. Bring her to me without a single scratch—especially her face, don’t touch it.”
“Yes, sir!”
Mongra led his team charging toward Grada Castle.
Pharon leered, thinking of Medlin’s beautiful face and ample bosom.
“This’ll keep my blood pumping for a while.”