Chapter 155
Chapter 155
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 155
Chapter Title: Healing and Declarations
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***
“Anyway, I was just about to call for you.”
As soon as Arthur entered the laboratory, Aild beckoned him closer.
Arthur approached and looked at Jackal, who lay on the sickbed.
“How is he?”
“Take a look at this first.”
Aild pointed to Jackal’s side, where the flesh had turned pitch black like a bruise.
“If it’s just a bruise, a potion should heal it easily, right?”
“When there’s a problem with the mana hole, this kind of symptom appears.”
“Ugh…….”
Arthur’s face twisted.
If the mana hole was damaged, normal recovery was impossible.
It was fortunate that no limbs had been severed, but for a knight, it was as good as the end of their career.
Aild sprinkled emerald potion on Jackal’s bruised area and spoke.
“The silver lining is that Sir Millerph said it seems like the impact bypassed the mana hole, so it’s probably not destroyed.”
Arthur’s eyes flashed as he asked.
“Then he can recover?”
“Sir Millerph said he might be able to do something about it and asked us to keep him in this state for now.”
“We have to save him.”
Desperation filled Arthur’s face as he gazed at Jackal.
Medlin was currently sunk in self-blame, convinced she had sent him to his death.
If they couldn’t heal him or if he died, she would never recover from the shock.
He couldn’t allow that to happen to her.
Arthur gripped Jackal’s hand tightly.
“Live, no matter what. Return to the place where you belong.”
Jackal showed no response.
Arthur scanned the surroundings with a heavy expression.
The laboratory was filled with injured people besides Jackal, all in critical condition.
“Potions don’t work on them either?”
Aild nodded with a dark expression.
“They were all hit by magic, so we need to combine it with magical treatment. We only have Sir Millerph as a mage, and he can’t focus solely here…….”
“I’ll tell him to stay here for the time being.”
As Arthur turned to leave, Aild spoke cautiously.
“Arthur…….”
“……?”
“Could you recruit some mages? We’re grateful the Saintess came, but there are too many wounded. Two people can’t handle it all.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s outside treating the injured. Their wounds aren’t severe, but she’s handling dozens alone, so she must be exhausted. I can’t leave here, so go encourage her at least.”
“Got it. And I’ll think about the mages.”
“Even someone who can just cast heals would be fine, so talk to Sir Millerph about it.”
Arthur nodded silently and headed outside.
He soon exited the building and walked toward the western wall.
Beneath the wall, men with bandages wrapped tightly around their heads or limbs sat or lay in rows.
When Arthur appeared, they struggled to stand.
Arthur raised his arm to stop them and approached Aria, who was treating the wounded.
“Close your eyes and relax your mind.”
Aria placed her hand on the wounded man’s injury and prayed to Lady Karen. A bright light poured from her hand, enveloping the wound.
After about a minute, the injury healed cleanly, and the man fell into a peaceful sleep.
“Next…….”
Aria turned her head, spotted Arthur, and stood.
“Your Majesty.”
She rose and bowed politely.
Arthur glanced at the soldiers sleeping peacefully behind her, then back to her.
Fatigue was evident on her face.
“Care to talk for a moment?”
“I still have…….”
Aria hesitated, glancing at the wounded.
“Ten minutes.”
“……Understood.”
Aria followed Arthur up to the wall.
Arthur stood at the railing, and she stopped a step behind him.
As evening fell, golden sunset hues spread across the sky.
It was as beautiful as the sunsets over the horizon visible from Anscent Kingdom’s docks, a sight that perfectly suited the Julius Kingdom, which moved for golden glory.
“Isn’t it tough?”
At Arthur’s question, Aria gave a faint smile.
“I’m fine. And it’s my duty.”
“It’s good to fulfill your role as a saintess, but I don’t want you harming yourself by overdoing it.”
“I’m pacing myself as much as possible.”
“I trust you will. I just established the kingdom’s basic framework. I came to say one last thing to you.”
“Please speak.”
Aria bowed politely to Arthur and awaited his words.
Arthur turned to face her.
“Establish churches in every territory of the kingdom and spread Lady Karen’s will. Give the people of the territories, trembling in fear and anxiety from the war, spiritual peace and a light of hope.”
“Understood.”
“And as you can see, the kingdom sorely lacks healers. We desperately need priests.”
“I’ll make contact.”
“Thank you.”
As Arthur moved toward the stairs, Aria started to follow.
“Five minutes left.”
He stopped at the stairs and looked at her.
“Even saintesses are human. Take your time, then come down.”
***
“Hmm.”
Valtre sat on the throne, deep in thought.
Arthur Julius.
His grave mistake had been underestimating the brat.
He never imagined the novice would foresee moves and prepare countermeasures.
Above all, Phaeron’s defeat at his hands delivered a massive shock.
Even setting aside the failed plan to use him to pressure the emperor, losing Phaeron—who had been a pillar of his forces—and the entire mage corps was devastating.
In a moment of unchecked rage, he had to alter all plans.
The more he thought, the more he despised himself.
“Damn it!”
Blood dripped from his clenched fist.
Knock knock.
The office door opened, and Hoan entered.
Hoan approached Valtre and bowed deeply.
“Confirmed?”
Hoan’s heart shrank at Valtre’s icy voice.
Suppressing endless anxiety that he might lose reason in rage again, Hoan carefully spoke.
“Your Excellency, the Julius family…… declared independence and established a kingdom.”
“What? They…… established a kingdom……?”
Valtre’s face went blank from the sheer shock.
For a while, he sat motionless like a dazed man, saying nothing.
Hoan stayed deathly quiet, watching his reaction.
If rage boiled over, he needed a plan to stop him.
Fortunately, Valtre’s aura didn’t erupt.
In a sunken voice, he asked.
“What about the surrounding territories?”
“Most have been absorbed into the Julius Kingdom.”
“Even knowing they’re at war with the emperor…… unexpected. They still trust the Julius count family.”
“Families with long ties to the Julius house seem unable to escape Teheran Julius’s shadow, as confirmed by this event.”
Hoan’s face darkened.
In preparing the grand scheme, the Julius count family hadn’t even been on the watchlist.
The same for nearby territories.
They’d been left alone, but now those he’d dismissed as laughable became a huge burden.
Insignificant as individual territories, but united around the Julius family, they’d transform into a massive force.
Everything now hinged on Valtre’s decision, so Hoan waited silently.
A heavy silence fell.
Crack-.
The armrest Valtre gripped shattered.
Crunch, crack-.
The steel broke like splintered wood and fell to the floor.
“Hoan.”
His voice, heavy as if the earth were caving in, crushed Hoan’s heart.
“Ugh.”
Hoan clutched his chest and bowed his head.
“Speak.”
“Contact all families and order them to assemble this week.”
“I’ll issue the summons for an emergency council.”
“No more hiding.”
“You mean……?”
“We planned to dethrone the emperor and found a kingdom, but with this situation, I’ll found one too. No need to rush territorial expansion now.”
“Ah!”
Lightning flashed through Hoan’s mind.
Impossible under normal circumstances, but the Julius Kingdom variable changed that.
The emperor wanted to crush it but couldn’t act rashly with Valtre to check.
Moreover, Tano Marquis—a key imperial force—was tied up with the Namshar Empire.
This crisis might be the perfect opportunity.
Hoan pondered carefully, then spoke as if resolved.
“What do you think about revealing all our forces now?”
“All of them?”
“It might deliver a huge shock to Emperor Ruan. Seeing your forces, some quick thinkers on the emperor’s side might waver.”
“Hmm…….”
Valtre’s eyes deepened.
Revealing hidden cards would certainly cause ripples.
But Ruan likely had his own hidden aces for imperial palace threats.
Unwilling to show first without knowing, he said.
“No. But excluding that one, revealing the rest should get reactions from those who’ll move.”
“Understood. I’ll proceed immediately.”
Hoan hurried out.
Valtre imagined Ruan’s twisted face and smirked.
“You’ll learn nothing lasts forever in this world.”
***
“It’s been a while.”
A white-haired middle-aged man bowed politely to Ruan.
Ruan received him with a stern expression.
“I trust you’ve been well, Grand Duke Natarsian.”
“Of course.”
The white-haired man was Grand Duke Natarsian, Oscar Empire’s de facto number two.
With the imperial war in ceasefire, he had withdrawn from the frontlines and stayed within his family lands.
Rumors spread of health issues from prolonged war or discord with the emperor.
But no one knew the truth.
After nearly ten years, he appeared unchanged.
Ruan smiled faintly but was inwardly flustered.
‘What is this? This aura…….’
An enigmatic, unreadable aura emanated from him.
Not threatening, but persistently irritating.
‘I’ll ask Altros when he arrives.’
Ruan shifted his gaze to Duke Burman beside Natarsian.
Burman met his eyes, knelt on one knee, and bowed deeply.
“Your servant Burman Kudum greets Your Majesty.”
“Long time, Duke Burman. I hear you’ve devoted yourself to swordsmanship. Seeing you, it seems you’ve made great progress.”
“……!”
Burman’s eyes flashed briefly.
He bowed his head.
“Thank you for the kind words.”
“Keep advancing. Your growth is the path to Oscar Empire’s strength.”
Ruan smiled warmly and surveyed the grand hall.
From grand dukes to dukes, and Marquis Tano facing Namshar Empire at the border—all top imperial forces assembled.
Gazing at them, he burned to sweep away both Julius and Tomoya families.
Suppressing the urge, Ruan awaited Altros.
He had been here but left for urgent intelligence.
Expected back soon, but unease grew with time.
“He’s quite late.”
As Ruan’s face hardened slightly.
Altros entered the hall.
“Your Majesty!”
Altros approached with a grave expression.
Ruan frowned, while Natarsian watched calmly.
Altros bowed and spoke.
“Marquis Valtre has declared the Tomoya Kingdom.”
“As expected…….”
He had anticipated it somewhat.
With the brat shaking the board, he figured he’d seize the chance.
Altros had expected it too.
But his reaction meant another issue.
“All count families beyond the Gopra Mountains have assembled in Peninsula Territory.”
“……!”
Everyone’s eyes widened.
Ruan stared blankly, then burst into laughter.
“Uhahaha!”
They watched him silently.
His face flushed red with rage despite the laughter.
Laughing as if mad, filling the hall, Ruan stopped.
Recalling Valtre, he smirked meaningfully.
“Go ahead, rampage as you like.”