Chapter 156
Chapter 156
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: The Secret of the Imperial Sword
-----------------------------------------------------------------
News of the Oscar Empire's division reached Artisan of the Namschar Empire.
"What is this?"
Artisan wore an intrigued expression.
Ruan the Emperor, who had boasted absolute power, had failed to quell the internal strife, and the empire had split apart.
It was unimaginable.
"So what are they all doing about it?"
"Tomoya Kingdom and Julius Kingdom are in the midst of reorganization, while Ruan the Emperor remains unable to move due to the ongoing monster invasions."
"That must be eating him up inside."
Artisan continued with a rare smile tugging at his lips.
"Any movement from Marquis Tano?"
"He's not budging from the border."
"Is he that confident without his forces? Or is he showing his resolve to hold the line even to the death? Hard to say."
Either way, the current situation was immensely satisfying.
Once Ghost grasped the lay of the land, he would move, and every place connected to the extermination squad would plunge into chaos.
That would shatter the balance among the three powers in an instant, and Ruan would surely seize the opening.
If he was still fending off monster invasions at that point, he'd have no choice but to shift Marquis Tano's troops.
All they needed to do was prepare for that moment.
"Summon the legion commander."
"Yes, sir!"
The knight hurried out.
Soon after he left, Figaro, the knight order commander, entered.
He approached with a heavy presence, placed his fist over his left chest, and bowed deeply.
Artisan asked with a smile.
"Did you hear the news from Oscar on your way here?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Figaro's face was flushed with excitement.
He too sensed that the long wait was finally over.
"Duke Terry will march."
"Finally heading out?"
"When Ghost moves, the Oscar Empire will descend into great chaos, and Ruan will act. That's when we move too. Have the Tornado Knight Order stand by at Magic Corps Formation Two."
"You mean..."
Figaro's eyes widened.
The Tornado Knight Order was Artisan the Emperor's personal guard.
Their movement meant Artisan himself was on the move.
It seemed he intended to go all-in this time and settle things once and for all.
Sure enough.
Artisan wiped the smile from his face and spoke gravely.
"Grek told me recently that he's reached his limit. It could collapse at any moment."
"Ah..."
Being confined to the castle, he had no grasp of the situation outside.
But from those coming and going, he knew it had grown dire, and just recently, a plague had spread, killing hundreds a day.
As always, he thought they would endure somehow...
"Strike Ruan the Emperor and bring down the Oscar Empire."
"......!"
Figaro's eyes flashed.
He dropped to one knee with a thud against the floor and bowed his head low.
"I shall stake my life to protect Your Majesty!"
"I'll protect myself. You just bring me Ruan's head."
"Loyalty!"
***
One by one, men in black robes emerged from the dense thicket.
They were the Dark Squad, composed of Namschar Empire's elite.
Soon after they gathered.
A man with his face wrapped tightly in a black cloth appeared before them like a ghost.
His piercing gaze shone through the cloth—he was Artisan's shadow and the Dark Squad commander, Ghost.
"Report the situation."
"First, Asan's movements. On their way to Shangrni Territory, they clashed with a group, and a large-scale battle occurred at Norshey Territory."
"Estimated enemy forces?"
"Over a hundred appeared there, but fewer than ten actually fought. The traces suggest no mages."
"Hmm..."
Ghost's face twisted slightly.
Asan's subordinates had about 50% Patrium utilization, ranging from mid to upper Sword Expert.
Especially Asan—he had grown nearly as strong as a Sword Master.
Only a Sword Master or a 6th Class mage or higher could face them alone.
And it wasn't a mage...
He recalled the Oscar Empire's Sword Master rankings.
Ranks 1 through 4 wouldn't show up there.
"So one of 5th through 9th..."
Who could it be?
Norshey Territory and Shangrni Territory had been annexed by Julius Kingdom, so Julius Kingdom was the prime suspect.
But they had no Sword Masters.
'A new powerhouse has emerged?'
He decided to hear about the Anscent Kingdom incident first.
"Report on Joshua and Boika."
"When we arrived at Anscent Castle, all the bodies had been cremated."
"Someone erased the traces."
"No useful clues from the bodies, but we found something unusual at the battle site. Here's a sample."
The man pulled a folded cloth from his bosom and unfurled it.
It bore a mysterious shape the size of two palms pressed together.
"This was found around Scollas Sanctuary, and in Anscent Castle's office and corridors."
"Brittannica footprints."
Ghost smiled meaningfully.
Monster tamers who rode them!
It had to be Julius Kingdom.
Then Asan had likely fallen to the Julius Count Family.
The enemy's strength far exceeded expectations—hardly something to take lightly.
"My predictions were off."
He had thought it was Valtre Marquis or Ruan the Emperor who had uncovered and struck them down.
But it was a place he hadn't even considered.
The original plan was to weaken either Ruan the Emperor or Valtre Marquis, collapsing the balance.
That would ignite the war on its own, plunging the Oscar Empire into chaos...
But an unexpected variable had arisen.
"Hmm..."
After a moment's thought, he addressed one of his subordinates.
"Report to His Majesty that we'll proceed with the mission as planned, along with this information."
The man bowed silently and vanished into the shadows.
Ghost turned toward Julius Kingdom.
The Dark Squad awaited only his command.
Ghost's eyes gleamed with feral intensity.
"Let's go."
***
The atmosphere within Julius Kingdom's territories buzzed with energy.
At war with Ruan the Emperor, with Valtre Marquis establishing Tomoya Kingdom nearby and unrest all around—it all felt like events in another country to them.
And there was good reason for that.
Long-isolated territories had reconnected, and the Julius Family, their longstanding pillar, had fully revived.
During the Julius Family's heyday, neighboring territories had prospered alongside them.
Knowing that well, they looked forward to a bright future, and some even dreamed of the Julius Family ruling the Oscar Empire.
Thus, anticipation swelled, and they offered unwavering support and goodwill to the Julius Family.
Arthur's office.
From morning till sunset, he met delegations from nearby families.
They provided local specialties, war rations, and troops.
Arthur entrusted rations to Rasety and troop management to Helm.
As the last delegation left the office, Arthur rose from his throne.
Dealing with people all week was no small task.
Having spent his life in action, sitting still in a chair made him itch like mad.
"How long until this is over?"
Skevin, standing beside the throne like a folding screen, smiled and replied.
"Probably just until tomorrow, Your Highness."
"You look thrilled, unlike me."
Arthur left the office with a slight frown.
Once official duties ended, he always headed to Aild's lab.
To see Jackal.
Entering the lab, as expected, Medlin sat beside Jackal, gazing at him.
He signaled to Rusanna standing nearby, and she bowed with a faint smile.
Arthur approached Medlin and asked.
"Any special changes today?"
"You're here?"
Medlin beamed and welcomed him. Then, stroking Jackal's hair, she continued.
"His eyes focused earlier."
"Really?"
Arthur brightened and looked at Aild.
Aild nodded with a smile.
"Consciousness should return gradually now."
"Good."
"But according to Sir Millerph, we don't know if the mana hall has recovered. Only he can confirm that."
"Since it wasn't completely destroyed, treatment will bring him back fully."
"Yes, you're right."
Aild smiled warmly.
Being with Arthur always lifted her spirits and filled her with confidence.
A few words with him made her feel capable of anything.
Watching him, Julius Kingdom's future seemed boundless.
Though at war with the emperor and bound to clash with Tomoya Kingdom someday, she was certain they would never fall.
As Arthur said, the Julius Family's true enemy was the 'Demon King.'
The saintess had called Arthur the 'Great Hero' from the scriptures.
It was as good as prophecy—Arthur couldn't fall to anyone but the Demon King.
He would become the 'hero' to shine across the continent.
Aild gazed at Arthur with pride as he alternated looks between Jackal and Medlin, conversing.
About ten minutes later.
Millerph entered the lab.
Seeing Arthur, he bowed politely.
Arthur smiled faintly and asked.
"I heard from brother. When will consciousness fully return?"
"Should be possible by the end of this week."
"Mother, hear that? He's waking soon—no more worries."
"Yes, Sir Millerph, you've worked so hard."
"It's nothing compared to Madam's anguish. Let me check him briefly."
As Millerph approached, Medlin stepped aside.
He examined Jackal closely, then cast Restore.
Bright light descended, enveloping him softly.
It resembled the saintess bestowing a blessing.
Medlin and Aild watched silently.
Arthur glanced briefly, then signaled Millerph and quietly exited.
Atop the western wall, Arthur looked to the sky and said.
"My mind's much at ease now."
"I'm glad Madam won't have to worry anymore."
"He'll be fine on his own, but keep an eye on Jackal."
"No need for concern. I'll make sure the mana hall heals too. Actually, I need to head somewhere."
"......?"
When Arthur tilted his head, Millerph explained he needed certain herbs for Jackal's treatment.
"How long?"
"Pretty far—about a fortnight."
"Hm."
Arthur pondered, then nodded decisively.
"Then scout some mages to join us while you're out."
Millerph smiled meaningfully.
"I was already planning to look while gathering the herbs."
"Any candidates?"
"Not top-tier, but they'll greatly aid the kingdom. They're those hurt and discarded by people, though—they may not want to join."
Arthur eyed him curiously.
"Why's that?"
"Because they bear curses, they say."
Millerph gazed afar and continued.
"Will Your Highness embrace such people?"