Chapter 151
Chapter 151
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: Unyielding Territory
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“……!”
Valtre stared at Paron, who had been brought back in a carriage, his face frozen in shock.
One arm was severed, his once-thick hair completely gone, and his face and body reduced to mere bones—he was on the brink of death.
Having served by his side for thirty years, Valtre recognized him. Anyone else would have been unable to identify the wretched figure.
“H-how…….”
He was too stunned to speak.
The mages stationed at the castle rushed over to Paron.
They specialized in support magic, aiding the knight order from the rear during battles by restoring stamina or healing wounds.
They should have moved with the mage corps originally, but Paron had dismissed the need since it was essentially an empty house raid, taking only combat-oriented mages.
His carelessness had led to this horrific outcome.
They unleashed their most powerful healing spells in succession.
Despite their best efforts, Paron's condition showed no improvement.
Their faces filled with despair as Valtre approached and grasped Paron's hand.
His eyes reddened, and he forced open his mouth.
“Pa-Paron…….”
“Y-Your Excellency…….”
Paron's parched lips trembled slightly.
“What in the world happened there?”
“I'm s-sorry, cough—.”
Paron spat up a mouthful of blood, prompting the nearby mages to cast heals.
His body glowed intensely under the barrage of healing magic, like sunlight pouring down.
But the effect lasted only moments, offering him no real aid.
Sensing his imminent death, Paron mustered his remaining strength.
His hazy eyes flashed with life.
Valtre grimaced at the sight. He knew it was a fleeting phenomenon before death.
It rarely happened, appearing only in those with an unyielding will to convey something.
Paron gripped Valtre's hand.
“Your Excellency.”
His voice was utterly calm.
Valtre nodded silently, and Paron met his gaze before continuing.
“We ambushed the Julius Count family…….”
He reported everything that had transpired there without omission.
He also described the bizarre weapons they had used.
“Attacks rivaling a Sword Expert's power…….”
“The Arthur Julius, inheritor of Tehren's legacy, far exceeded my expectations. Especially his barrage of aura blades—even an Absolute Shield struggled to defend perfectly.”
“……!”
“Moreover, despite the mage corps forming a joint spell, not only could we not pressure him, we suffered counterattacks. He was as strong and seasoned as a veteran of countless battles.”
“Is the bastard a reincarnated god or something?”
Valtre shook his head in disbelief.
“I beg you to prepare thoroughly before facing him. Or wait until his forces weaken from the war with the Emperor, cough-cough—.”
Paron vomited blood repeatedly, his condition deteriorating rapidly.
Valtre felt the strength drain from the hand clutching his own and squeezed it tightly.
“I will avenge you, without fail.”
“I couldn't be of any help…… I'm sorry, Your Excellency…….”
Tears streamed from Paron's eyes.
His gaze conveyed regret, sorrow, worry—all manner of emotions.
Valtre could no longer hold back his own tears.
“I will…… never forget you.”
“It was my greatest honor…… to serve by your side…….”
Thud.
Paron's head lolled limply downward.
Valtre's face twisted in agony as he looked to the sky and let out a howl.
“Paron—!”
The mages bowed their heads at Paron's death or collapsed in stunned silence.
After a long wail, Valtre's eyes blazed with fury as he ground his teeth.
“Arthur Julius…….”
He exuded a terrifying killing intent.
Just then, a knight came rushing up, halting abruptly in fear of the aura before bowing deeply on the spot.
“Your Excellency, Young Master Bredy has returned!”
“What!”
Valtre's eyes widened.
How could the hostage have come back?
Doubt mingled with a foreboding premonition.
‘No way! Like Paron…….’
Valtre bolted toward the castle gate.
Moments later.
Reaching the gate, Valtre spotted Bredy.
Bredy saw him too and bowed in greeting.
Valtre pulled him into a fierce embrace.
“Are you all right?”
“I'm sorry for being late.”
“No. I'm just grateful you returned safely.”
Valtre scanned Bredy from head to toe for injuries.
His clothes were dirty, but his limbs were intact, no wounds visible.
The lingering anxiety vanished.
Questions flooded his mind—how he escaped the Emperor, how he made it back alone.
But seeing his exhaustion, rest came first.
“Rest well today. I'll send a healer shortly to check you over.”
“Understood.”
As Bredy turned to follow the knight's guidance, he paused and met Valtre's eyes.
“Father.”
“Yes.”
“Why did you do it?”
“Do what?”
“I heard you declared war. I was dying to know why you'd make that decision while I was a hostage.”
“…….”
“Did you abandon me?”
“I'll explain later.”
As Valtre turned away, Bredy raised his voice.
“Tell me now!”
Valtre frowned slightly at the uncharacteristic tone.
“This isn't like you. You look exhausted—get some rest.”
Before leaving, he added one more thing.
“I missed you.”
‘Can I believe that?’
Bredy watched Valtre's retreating back with distrustful eyes.
Meanwhile, Valtre's face, joyful moments ago, contorted.
‘That bastard Ruan…… He's made me the villain of the realm.’
***
“My lord.”
Millerph and the Devil Squad sought out Arthur immediately upon arriving at Grada Castle.
They had sensed the emergency and hurried back as fast as possible.
But with no immediate ship available, they were delayed and took four days to arrive.
As expected, a heavy silence hung in the air, the castle folk's faces etched with grief.
Arthur glanced over the Devil Squad before asking Dark,
“How are their conditions?”
“They've recovered enough to resume duties soon.”
“Focus on recovery for now.”
“Yes.”
As Dark bowed, Millerph ventured cautiously,
“How did you know? It doesn't seem like you heard through our prepared contacts.”
“The necklace reacted.”
“Ah…….”
It seemed Rumakas or Kanmurasas's arrangements activated upon an attack on the castle.
“Are Madam and Young Master Aild all right?”
Arthur nodded.
“Who dared to attack?”
“Valtre Tomoya.”
“……!”
Millerph's eyes bulged.
The Devil Squad stared blankly, stunned by the unexpected name.
Millerph double-checked,
“Did you say Marquis Valtre?”
Arthur nodded, killing intent leaking out.
“While I faced Marquis Mandora, he planned to destroy Grada Castle with his mage corps and kidnap my mother. Then use her to pressure me.”
“How could he…….”
Attacking an ally during war was unthinkable.
He couldn't fathom why someone who'd sent war supplies would do this.
With dozens dead, Arthur would surely seek revenge.
Facing Valtre amid the war with the Emperor was reckless.
Millerph decided to hear Arthur's thoughts first.
Arthur spoke gravely.
“Jackal's badly hurt. He's past the worst, but still in critical condition.”
“I'll go to him now.”
As Millerph rose, Arthur added,
“Helot is dead.”
“……!”
Millerph's eyes widened as he asked,
“Who killed him?”
“He died saving me in the battle with Marquis Mandora…….”
“Damn it!”
Millerph's face twisted.
Helot had been by Skevin's and his side since childhood.
He'd treated him like a nephew, so the loss tore at his heart.
But he couldn't show sorrow before Arthur.
Since Arthur blamed himself, his inner torment was obvious even if hidden.
Suppressing grief and rising fury, Millerph asked,
“How did he fall?”
“Vanished without a trace under their magic attack.”
No body recovered.
Killing intent filled Millerph's eyes. His clenched fists trembled with rage.
“My lord.”
Meeting Arthur's gaze, he continued.
“Let me avenge Helot.”
“They're not foes you can face alone. And everyone mourns his loss.”
Arthur's face filled with anguish as he recalled Helot's final moments.
Everyone was lost in memories of Helot when—
Bwoooooooong—
A prolonged emergency trumpet blared, longer than usual.
The Julius Count family's knight order had arrived.
All forces except Tassel and Defen Knight Order stationed at the Aslan border had returned.
Before leaving his office, Arthur told Millerph,
“Take care of Jackal.”
“I'll do my utmost.”
Arthur nodded and stepped forward, the Devil Squad following swiftly.
***
Before Grada Castle's gate, the Death Knight Order stood in formation.
Skevin gazed at the rows of corpses below the walls, his expression grim.
Guard Captain Barson met his eyes and bowed his head like a criminal, unable to lift it.
Soldiers and militia followed suit, heads lowered.
Only the wind whispered; silence reigned like death.
It was chillingly desolate.
Moments later.
Arthur appeared with the Devil Squad.
Blizan and the Horcamun Tribe emerged next, joining the Death Knight Order in ranks.
Guard and militia merged into the formation.
Arthur slowly surveyed the roughly three thousand troops.
Battle scars marked them all, grief for lost comrades heavy.
Standing before Skevin, Arthur received a crisp salute.
Crack!
The entire force saluted in unison, each in their way, like a single body.
They took the stance but uttered no battle cry.
It was the Julius Count family's ancient tradition: silent tribute to the fallen.
Arthur, aware of this, nodded once.
Skevin lowered his sword sharply, and knights and soldiers stood at attention.
Skevin then reported troop status.
After hearing it all, Arthur looked skyward in silence.
All eyes fixed on him.
After several seconds.
Arthur spoke with resolute determination.
“The Emperor won't strike first unless we do. Thus, I declare a temporary ceasefire.”
Shock, disappointment, and anger flickered across faces.
Arthur watched their reactions and pressed on.
“Now is the time to step back to perfect our vengeance. Sheathe your rage for the moment.”
Skevin retorted with fury blazing in his eyes.
“This fury won't subside that easily.”
His words ignited fierce agreement in everyone's gazes.
Arthur extended his right hand.
Sunlight gleamed, the Family Head's Ring on his finger shining brilliantly for all to see.
“I command: While Ban and the territory folk fortify the border, subjugate all nobles within our lands. Families that do not follow me…….”
Killing intent in his eyes, Arthur declared firmly.
“I will strip of title, and any that rebel will be exterminated.”
His words hung heavily.
“Erect a monument in the finest place, engraving the names of our fallen brothers to honor them. And make clear to the enemy what this place they died protecting truly is.”
The entire force bowed as one.
Fierce resolve surged, vowing to obey.
Arthur lowered his hand, concluding.
“This is a place you dare not covet.”