Chapter 150
Chapter 150
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: Birth of the Julius Kingdom
-----------------------------------------------------------------
***
Grada Castle fell silent in profound sorrow after the storm of blood had passed.
The survivors, following Alteon's orders, gathered the dead, while Aild tended tirelessly to the wounded.
Medlin ascended the ramparts alongside Arthur to watch the scene unfold.
After a long while,
she finally parted her heavy lips.
"What do you plan to do now?"
"There's something I need to tell you first."
Arthur continued once their eyes met.
"The Anscent Kingdom has declared the Julius Count Family's independence."
"Independence? You don't mean..."
A dark shadow fell over Medlin's face.
Arthur pressed on with unwavering resolve.
"It's the Julius Kingdom from now on. And we've accepted the Anscent Kingdom as an allied nation. This wasn't coercion—it was their own wish."
"In the end..."
She had anticipated a day like this, but not so soon.
Once this reached Emperor Ruan's ears, he wouldn't stand idly by.
He would pull every string at his disposal to erase the count family from existence.
"Now one side must fall for the war to end."
"It was a war from the start where one side had to die. And as you know, Mother, our ultimate enemy is the Demon King."
"True. But part of me hoped we'd join forces with the emperor against him. Even with everyone united for a century, he was too strong to fell."
Arthur shook his head firmly.
"The emperor branded us 'devil worshippers' and tried to exterminate us. We'll never ally with someone like that. Don't worry. We'll only grow stronger."
"Arthur..."
In that moment, he felt like an immovable mountain.
"Before coming here, in the battle with Marquis Mandora... we lost Helot."
"...!"
"I couldn't do a thing."
Rage and grief filled Arthur's face.
As his eyes reddened, he looked to the sky and continued.
"If I'd been stronger... I wouldn't have let him die."
The sight of him gritting his teeth, barely containing an anger on the verge of explosion, was heartbreakingly pitiful.
His fury ran so deep because his sorrow was immeasurable.
Knowing that, she hated herself as a parent for offering no help.
All she could do was encourage him with words.
"The losses in war aren't your burden alone—they're everyone's shared responsibility and consequence. Don't blame yourself too much."
"The death of a subordinate stems entirely from the family head's incompetence."
"Arthur..."
"I may not oversee or take responsibility for every single detail, but I'll do everything in my power. I'll protect what's dear to me from those who covet it."
Medlin's heart ached at Arthur's unyielding stance, showing no hint of compromise.
What had changed him so profoundly?
Even inheriting Tehyran's legacy wouldn't alter one's core values.
This stemmed not from the mana cultivation method, but from Arthur's own mindset.
He shouldered every misfortune as his own fault.
She worried if this was right for a family head—or king of the Julius Kingdom.
Yet gazing at him eased her unease.
Yes, if it's Arthur!
His past actions and achievements bred faith that he could succeed.
Medlin stared at Arthur, lost in thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright, I trust you. No matter what the world throws at you—curses or condemnation—your mother will always be on your side."
"You always have been, Mother. Even when everyone called me a wastrel and spat venom, you believed in me and shielded me. For you, I'll grow stronger—no disappointments."
"Thank you... and I'm sorry."
Medlin's eyes moistened, her face a tapestry of complex emotions.
Regret, worry—and fear that his pursuit of strength might let Tehyran's mana method consume him.
She clasped her hands over her heart and prayed silently.
'Lady Karen, I offer everything I have—please watch over this child.'
Arthur, watching Medlin gaze at the sky, vowed firmly in his heart.
'I'll give all I have to protect you, and I won't let those who follow me down.'
***
Marquis Mandora's eyes widened at the scout report from Grada Territory.
"What? That bastard Valtre attacked the Julius Count Family? Weren't they allied?"
"From confirmed reports, it seems Count Falon led a mage corps in the assault."
"Did Count Falon have a mage corps?"
Mandora turned to Count Huan in astonishment.
Huan, equally unaware, wore a shocked expression.
Then he recalled the recent incident where Altros had destroyed the Magic Tower.
And how Jangjarban had soon after visited the Valtre Marquis household with the Central Guardian Knight Order.
What could it mean?
Had Valtre committed treason?
Rumors swirled wildly, leaving people anxious for a massive war.
Yet it ended quietly, contrary to expectations.
But the question of why the Magic Tower was razed lingered.
The mages, though silent outwardly, harbored deep resentment over their holy site being destroyed without explanation.
Now it all made sense.
Valtre Marquis had secretly allied with the Magic Tower, using its personnel to form his own mage corps.
Altros had uncovered this, and Jangjarban's visit with the Central Guardian Knight Order was the emperor's warning.
They took his son as leverage to keep him in check.
But Valtre couldn't abandon his ambitions and ultimately declared war on the emperor.
What a foolish, ungrateful wretch.
Still, Mandora couldn't fathom why he'd attacked the Julius Count Family.
They needed to weaken the emperor's forces using that brat, after all.
"I can't read his game. Sir Trevik, what would you do in this situation?"
"Watching and waiting, perhaps?"
"Caution isn't a bad idea. But if we strike now, we could push from Norshey Territory through Shangrni Territory and sever his lifeline in one go."
Mandora shifted his gaze to Huan for his thoughts.
Huan replied gravely.
"They're likely retreating to Grada Territory now. Norshey is essentially empty, so we could seize it anytime. The issue is afterward. Valtre Marquis's lands are closest—he won't sit idle."
Trevik nodded and added,
"The Julius Count Family won't take losing territory lying down either. We'd end up juggling two fronts: Valtre Marquis and the Julius Count Family."
"No need to invite headaches."
Mandora nodded in agreement.
Stroking his chin, he pondered Emperor Ruan's reaction upon hearing this.
He'd be baffled like him, no doubt, and scheming how to handle the two traitors.
The best move: crush them personally to flaunt imperial might and bolster his rule.
But that seemed unlikely.
Scouts in the capital reported the Central Guardian Knight Order tied up with monsters, too busy elsewhere.
He'd have to use close allies.
Those capable against Valtre or Julius: Duke Sahaza, Marquis Tano, and himself...
Sahaza wouldn't budge.
Tano was stuck on the border.
That left him.
Plus, he'd already bloodied the brat once, earning trust—and a chance to score points with the emperor.
Mandora rubbed his sagging jowls with a sly grin.
"A breather isn't bad. Count Huan."
"Yes."
"Order your vassal families to prepare for deployment at any moment."
Huan bowed politely in response.
"And Sir Trevik."
Trevik placed his right fist over his chest and bowed deeply.
"Surveil the illegitimate son and the brat. Uncover any new allies. When we strike again, we'll sever their limbs first—plan accordingly."
"Understood."
"When will His Majesty summon me..."
Mandora, swelling with anticipation, smiled as he gazed out the window.
***
"You bastard..."
Ruan's face twisted in rage.
The Julius upstart had founded a kingdom and declared Anscent an ally.
Setting aside his thunderous rampage, the emergence of supporters fueled his fury.
Anscent Kingdom, of all places—staunchly neutral in politics.
Not some backwater fief, but a holy kingdom backing rebels.
News of Julius independence would spread empire-wide.
Rather than outrage, people would question why holy Anscent sided with them.
Doubts would creep toward him, the empire's master.
Naturally, Tehyran Julius—Oscar Empire's hero—would resurface in minds.
Layer upon layer of suspicion.
With monsters appearing across regions and the Demon King's revival known!
All eyes would turn not to Christen capital, but Julius Count Family.
Worse, if people learned Arthur had inherited Tehyran's legacy...
'Not this Ruan Barotas!'
They'd flock to him, begging protection from the Demon King.
Unacceptable.
He couldn't allow it.
As Ruan sank into murderous contemplation,
Altros, beside him, eyes flashing, extended a hand toward the window.
The closed door swung open; a raven entered and perched on his hand.
Recognizing the note on its leg from his Grada scout,
he murmured runes while touching it.
Letters materialized in air, forming words.
Soon, simple sentences emerged.
[Count Falon's mage corps]
[Attack on Grada Territory]
[Arthur Julius returns]
[Someone sent back as a corpse to Half Island Territory. Presumed Count Falon.]
"Hmm..."
Altros's brow furrowed.
Ruan's face contorted further.
Anxiety over Arthur peaked; he made his decision.
"In one week, convene the noble council."
"Yes."
As Altros bowed,
Ruan added,
"Send word to the Grand Duke too."