Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: Vulcan Territory Strategy
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Arthur burst into laughter for a good while before bringing up the topic he wanted to discuss with Rasety.
“Do you know who supplies Vulcan Territory with its iron ore?”
“I’ve heard they secure raw materials through trade. Why do you ask all of a sudden?”
Arthur glanced back and forth between Rasety and Ban.
“What if we bring Vulcan Territory under the kingdom’s control?”
“……!”
The two of them widened their eyes in shock.
That place was one of the core territories of the Oscar Empire.
Especially in the midst of a full-scale war.
If they seized the territory that virtually monopolized the production and distribution of the empire’s steel products, they’d gain an edge in war material supplies—and the longer the war dragged on, the more advantageous it would become.
But would the emperor just sit back and watch?
As Rasety’s gaze deepened, Ban swelled with anticipation.
If Vulcan Territory’s engineers were put to work, it wouldn’t just shorten timelines—they could pursue the endless ideas that had only existed in his head until now.
It was for the kingdom!
Naturally, that meant for Arthur Julius as well!
Ban’s eyes sparkled as he spoke up.
“I’ll go as the envoy.”
“What?”
When Arthur looked at him puzzled, Ban replied confidently.
“Count Daemor is a noble, sure, but he’s someone who lives in the forge and has a huge passion for crafting. Rumors even say he trusts blacksmiths more than knights. Going there myself would get a better reaction from him than sending a knight.”
“I get the point, but he lost his knight order captain and knights to us. He’s probably sharpening his blade for revenge right now, and the worst-case scenario could unfold.”
“I know. But things are completely different now compared to back then. Everyone dismissed the Julius Count family before, but now we’ve boldly declared independence and founded a kingdom. He’ll realize it’s no longer time for revenge—it’s time to make a choice.”
“A choice…….”
Arthur’s expression grew serious.
“If things go well, we can secure Vulcan Territory without spilling a single drop of blood.”
He realized he needed to look beyond the extreme “if not ally, then enemy” approach.
As Ban said, there were options like persuasion and absorption, or forming a tacit commercial trade relationship to gradually draw them into the kingdom—various paths existed.
Pushing aggressively with force would be a last resort; for now, they’d offer mutual benefit and join hands.
“Alright! You handle the Vulcan Territory matter, Ban.”
“Thank you.”
As Ban started to bow his head, Arthur added one more thing.
“Until the Julius Kingdom’s flag flies over Vulcan Castle, don’t forget—we’re still their targets for revenge.”
“I won’t let my guard down.”
Ban bowed his head solemnly.
He’d been entrusted with a major task, so he had to do his utmost to bring back good results.
To that end, he decided to research ways to win Count Daemor’s heart in one go.
Arthur turned to Rasety.
“I’d like you to go with Ban.”
“I was about to suggest the same. Our merchant group can join and share my thoughts on raw material supplies with Count Daemor. If I explain the benefits of working together, it might help persuade him, even if just a little.”
“That’ll be a huge help. I have somewhere else to go, so you two discuss it.”
After leaving the forge, Arthur returned to his office, grabbed his helmet and armor, suited up, and headed to the training grounds.
Kyah-!
As he entered the training grounds entrance, booming shouts echoed through the air.
Hundreds of knights stood in formation, radiating intense energy.
But it was different from before.
Instead of knights from each family grouped together, they were all mixed.
At first glance, swordsmen, spearmen, and archers seemed jumbled in chaos, but upon closer inspection, a clear order emerged within.
The knights’ faces were deadly serious.
‘I see.’
They were breaking down the old structures of each knight order to devise strategies for when they united.
After Skevin fought Marquis Mandora and returned, he’d asked Helm to take over the knights temporarily—and this must be what he’d wanted.
“Defensive formation!”
At Helm’s command, the knight order moved in perfect unison to form up.
The Defen Knight Order stepped forward with tower shields, building a defensive wall, spears protruding between them.
Behind them, the Del Knight Order nocked arrows and drew their bowstrings forward.
Sword-wielding knights crouched low, glaring ahead as if ready to charge at any moment.
It was starkly different from a standard defensive stance.
Just looking at it, it felt optimized for defense.
Helm repeatedly formed and dissolved the formation.
Arthur watched silently, noting how the setup time shortened with each iteration, the rough edges and gaps smoothing out one by one.
Even though they only showed defense, he could picture their offensive capabilities.
With a perfect balance of attack and defense, they seemed highly threatening and mobile.
“Fantastic.”
Anticipation lit up Arthur’s face.
That was when Skevin approached and bowed deeply.
“When does training end?”
“Soon.”
“Then gather all the commanders.”
A short while later.
Training ended, and the knight order dispersed.
Commanders gathered from across the training grounds in front of the platform.
Arthur stood on the platform, looking ready to head straight to the battlefield.
‘What’s this about?’
Jonathan, vice captain of the Assault Squad; Golrba of the Sten Knight Order; and Mentu of the Tasl Knight Order stood beside Skevin and Helm, puzzled.
Since reaching five stars, Arthur’s ability to gauge others’ skills had sharpened.
He could accurately assess anyone below his level.
He first examined Helm closely.
He sensed the fierce fighting spirit unique to a Sword Master.
Unable to pinpoint his exact strength meant Helm was still above him.
His weapons allowed him to stand on equal footing.
That aside, there was one thing he most wanted to ask him.
“How long until you can unleash your ultimate?”
“It’ll still be tough for now.”
“If everyone here helps, won’t that shorten the time?”
“It would. The Sword Master realm is a battle with oneself, after all.”
“Got it. I’ve granted kingdom titles to each family’s heirs today. Once the knight orders are reorganized, swiftly reform yours.”
Thud-.
They all slammed right fists to chests and bowed in unison.
“Helm Del.”
Helm stepped forward at the call, drew the Death Bow from his back, and knelt on one knee.
“I appoint you captain of the Death Knight Order. Fear no enemy, fight bravely without equal, and drive them back.”
“Your servant Helm vows to serve Your Majesty’s command with my life.”
“Receive this. I bestow it upon you.”
From the sub-space in his helmet, Arthur drew out exactly what he needed.
An arrow.
Its black sheen was iridescent, clearly extraordinary.
Sure enough?
The arrowhead was shaped like a snake’s head, its body extending along the shaft to the tail.
“This is!”
Helm’s eyes shook violently.
The legendary “Infinite Arrows.”
It drew in ambient mana for use, adjustable in length and number by the user’s will.
Above all, its mana amplification was exceptional—minimal user mana yielded massive explosive power.
A dragon had crafted it during a worldly incarnation, for a loved one.
Nocked on a bowstring, it merged with the bow, providing infinite arrows.
The ultimate gift for any archer.
“With this arrow from Your Majesty, I shall subdue our foes.”
“So be it.”
Next, Arthur appointed Mentu and Golrba as the Death Knight Order’s “First and Second Vice Captains.”
Finally, he called Jonathan.
Jonathan strode confidently to Arthur and knelt on one knee before him.
“Recite your oath of knighthood.”
Jonathan’s eyes widened at Arthur’s words.
Skevin was inwardly startled too, but he somewhat understood Arthur’s intent.
It was to help Jonathan fulfill Helot’s dying wish.
‘Me, taking the oath of knighthood…….’
Jonathan’s heart pounded so hard he could barely speak.
He didn’t even know how to do it properly, adding to his panic.
The shock would fade with time, but the embarrassment would only grow.
‘Damn! If I’d known this day would come, I would’ve looked it up beforehand…….’
Arthur, watching Jonathan, asked.
“Tell me your idea of knighthood.”
“I, uh…… more than goodness…….”
Jonathan stammered at first, then calmly recited what he’d always pondered in his mind.
“It means not prioritizing power, upholding only justice, and serving my liege with utmost loyalty.”
“Perfect.”
“Thank you.”
Jonathan bowed deeply.
Arthur drew a sword from his sub-space and lightly tapped both shoulders.
“I, Arthur Julius, bestow this sword upon Jonathan.”
Jonathan raised both hands above his head, and Arthur placed the sword in them, saying.
“May this sword be a light of justice, illuminating the path for knights.”
“Your servant Jonathan vows to serve Your Majesty’s command with my life.”
Arthur nodded in satisfaction.
One man remained.
All eyes turned to Skevin.
Skevin met Arthur’s gaze, approached, and knelt on one knee with utmost courtesy and precision.
“Your servant Skevin Maximus stands ready to receive any command.”
“Rise.”
Skevin locked eyes with Arthur, gaze fierce.
“I, Arthur Julius, declare: Skevin Maximus shall be the guardian knight of the Julius Kingdom. Protect this place like an iron fortress, and on the battlefield, become my sword—a harbinger of death to our enemies.”
“I shall obey Your Majesty’s command! No enemy shall covet the Julius Kingdom!”
“I trust you.”
Arthur surveyed the six men bowing before him.
Just looking at them filled his chest with emotion and reassurance.
With them, no enemy seemed fearsome.
But thinking of the millions-strong monster legion beyond the western mountains’ end, on the Karuda Continent……
It was still far from enough.
To face them, he needed to grow even stronger.
Finally, Arthur addressed them.
“Never forget—our enemy is the ‘Demon King.’”
They bowed deeply.
Arthur gazed calmly at the sky.
Now, only those guys remained.
He’d pondered for days.
Incorporating them into the knight orders didn’t fit—their nature was too different.
He’d come up with a role that suited them best, but……
It felt like sending them to their deaths.
Guilt washed over him.
But with countless battles ahead, someone had to do it.
Even looking at the entire Death Knight Order, no one else fit.
What would he say…….
Arthur stepped down from the platform and said to Skevin.
“Let’s go to Blijan.”