Chapter 167
Chapter 167
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 167
Chapter Title: Qualities of a King
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“This is…….”
Count Daemor gaped at the endlessly stretching wall along the border between Tuherm Territory and Aslan Territory.
Ban replied proudly, watching the walls rise day by day.
“It’s the kingdom’s border line.”
He continued, gazing at the long expanse of walls.
“It will connect from Norshey Territory all the way to Shangrni Territory.”
“Gasp!”
It was a wall spanning an enormous distance.
Daemor thought to himself.
He understood the intent to solidify the kingdom’s framework with these walls, but was it necessary to undertake such a massive project in the midst of a full-scale war with the emperor?
He shook his head with a skeptical expression.
“I can’t understand it.”
Ban gave a meaningful smile, as if he knew exactly what Daemor was thinking.
“You’ll come to understand it in time. Let’s move on.”
Ban led the way through the walls.
People paused their work momentarily to stare as the Death Knight Order of the Julius Kingdom appeared.
“They must be coming back from somewhere.”
“Look, Squad Leader Ban is there too……!”
One man pointed at Ban, then his eyes widened at the sight of Daemor and his knights following behind.
“Not Death Knights? Who are they?”
Murmurs of curiosity spread across the workers’ faces.
As the Death Knight Order passed, the carriage they were escorting came into view.
The carriage bore the flag signifying a delegation from the Julius Kingdom.
“It’s a delegation.”
“Looks like they’re returning after carrying out His Majesty’s orders.”
“Then we should give them a warm welcome to show our appreciation for their hard work.”
“Of course.”
The territory folk erupted into loud applause and cheers toward the Death Knight Order.
“Good work!”
“You knights are amazing!”
“We only trust in you knights!”
Jonathan and his subordinates grinned silently at the cheers.
Ban seemed to grin along, but quickly wiped the smile from his face and shouted at them.
“Get back to work! Don’t you know we have to finish on schedule?”
“Look at him. He can’t stand seeing us take a break.”
His fellow workers from the western cliff defense wall frowned, and those nearby chimed in.
“Yeah. Complaining even when we’re welcoming them.”
“Total tyrant.”
Ban whipped his head toward the familiar voices.
“Hey! Do it with some sense of duty!”
“We get it, so hurry up and go! Don’t interrupt our work!”
“We’re working hard, and now who’s this showing up out of nowhere!”
“Ugh! I oughta smack them!”
Ban glared as if he’d devour them, then chuckled.
They grinned back and waved.
Daemor, who had been watching from the side, tilted his head and asked Ban.
“Aren’t those your subordinates?”
“You’re right. Total scoundrels.”
“I can’t understand it. How can they show such rudeness to the kingdom’s chief blacksmith and get away with it?”
“I hate that kind of authoritarian behavior. That’s why I treat them as equals.”
“You’re quite the unique fellow.”
Daemor looked around in bewilderment.
The people resumed their work.
Seeing so many toiling shoulder-to-shoulder along the endless walls raised a flood of questions.
“How did you mobilize so many people?”
“They’re Aslan Territory folk.”
“Hmm…….”
They must be following the king’s orders.
Having been annexed by the Julius Kingdom, defying his commands would spell disaster, so they had no choice.
Yet their faces showed no sorrow at losing their territory—in fact, they were smiling.
They should resent being exploited for labor, but instead they seemed joyful.
‘How on earth should I interpret this?’
Daemor’s mind grew more tangled, his face piling up with doubts.
But that was just the beginning.
Every village they passed brimmed with vitality, children’s laughter echoing nonstop.
It was so peaceful, it was hard to believe they were at war with the emperor.
Even more astonishing, children ran up to the Death Knight Order, touching the Britannicas and chattering away.
“Knight sir, where’d you go this time?”
“Knight sir, can I ride the Britannica just once?”
“Knight sir, can I touch your sword?”
It was utterly absurd.
He had never witnessed such a scene in his life.
Yet the knights showed no irritation, responding kindly to the children’s antics.
Mothers rushed over to pull the kids away from the Britannicas, and the commotion quickly settled.
It could be dismissed as quirky kids in one village, but every village had the same atmosphere.
It reminded him of visiting the Christen capital years ago, where children cheered for the Central Guardian Knights.
But the situations were different.
This was wartime.
People should be trembling in fear.
Children should be hiding at home, praying anxiously for the knights to pass safely—not beaming innocently at them……
As Daemor sank into thought, they entered Grada Territory.
A massive wall loomed before them.
“No way…….”
An exclamation escaped Daemor’s lips.
Diver and the guard knights’ eyes also bulged.
The walls resembled enormous shields fallen from the sky to form a defensive bulwark.
They felt utterly impregnable to any assault.
Daemor dismounted and approached to touch the wall.
The realization that it was forged from steel sent shockwaves through him.
He also noticed devices installed at intervals along the walls.
“Wh-what are all these……?”
Confronted with technology far ahead of his time, shivers ran through Daemor’s body.
Ban approached with a grin.
“These are devices prepared for sieges—think of them as barriers. Details on how they work are classified, so I can’t say more.”
“Does this connect to Shangrni Territory too?”
“No. This was built for the territory war with Count Yarve, so it only encircles Grada Territory’s borders.”
“Unbelievable things keep piling up.”
If it was for the Yarve territory war, that was just a few months ago.
Could they really erect such colossal walls in mere months?
Doubts upon doubts sparked wild speculations.
Amid it all, his curiosity and anticipation for Arthur Julius swelled endlessly.
He had set out from Vulkan Territory with great expectations, but now they dwarfed those.
It felt akin to his first audience with Emperor Ruan.
Daemor remounted and asked Ban.
“How much farther to Grada Castle?”
“We’ll arrive before sunset.”
“Let’s hurry.”
Daemor spurred ahead.
Diver and the knights followed.
Ban grinned at how noticeably their demeanor had shifted since entering Aslan Territory.
Jonathan rode up beside him.
“They seem in a rush.”
“Yeah. They shouldn’t be this surprised.”
“Once they meet His Majesty and talk…….”
Jonathan trailed off, and Ban tilted his head.
“What’s wrong?”
Jonathan replied with an expression of awe.
“They won’t want to leave.”
***
“Your Majesty, the Dark Squad has returned.”
“What?”
Artisan’s face hardened.
It had been only two days since the report that they were tracking the Chek squad’s traces toward Grada Castle.
He hadn’t heard any updates regarding Grada Castle since.
They knew full well what preparations he was making, so their return meant something unexpected had arisen.
Artisan said to Pigeaaro and Duke Terry.
“Looks like there’s a problem.”
“So it seems.”
As Pigeaaro’s face began to stiffen, he sensed a faint aura.
“……!”
Pigeaaro’s eyes sharpened.
As his hand darted toward his sword hilt, Duke Terry, standing opposite, silently shook his head.
Soon, a dark, chilling presence emerged, and Ghost appeared before Artisan.
He knelt on one knee and bowed deeply, prompting Artisan’s calm, sunken voice.
“What happened?”
“An unexpected variable forced our retreat from Grada Castle.”
‘As I thought.’
Artisan furrowed his brow and asked.
“You knew my plans. For you to retreat anyway, it must be something major.”
“Indeed.”
Artisan, who had been leaning back on the throne, sat up straight and eyed Ghost expectantly.
Ghost reported everything that had transpired in Grada Territory without omission.
As he spoke, Pigeaaro and Terry’s faces darkened progressively, while Artisan wore an intrigued smile throughout.
Once Ghost finished, Artisan lounged sideways again, propping his chin.
“I didn’t realize Arthur Julius was that formidable.”
“Ten of them fell in an instant.”
“Not just anyone—the Dark Squad’s ten, taken down single-handedly…… Impressive.”
Artisan turned to Pigeaaro.
“Could you handle ten of the Dark Squad alone?”
Pigeaaro pondered carefully before replying cautiously.
“I could manage, but not dispatch them in an instant.”
“Honest. And you, Duke?”
Duke Terry answered flatly, as if expecting the question.
“You’re asking the obvious.”
“True, since you held your own against Jangjarban, the Dark Squad should be no issue.”
Artisan nodded and shifted his gaze back to Ghost.
“But it’s disappointing that the Dark Squad retreated over one Arthur Julius. Especially knowing I was preparing to march.”
Ghost replied with his head bowed.
“The remnants of the Alpha Family were hiding there.”
“……!”
Artisan, Terry, and Pigeaaro’s eyes flashed.
“We captured one and confirmed they had regained their elemental powers.”
“Annoying pests.”
Artisan grimaced and looked at Duke Terry.
“I’ll hold off on the march for now.”
“Then I’ll return and stand by.”
“It won’t be long this time.”
“With things at a breaking point, you should hurry.”
“I know.”
“Shall we maintain wartime readiness?”
“Do so.”
“Understood.”
Duke Terry bowed respectfully and departed.
A heavy silence fell.
Artisan pondered silently.
Pigeaaro and Ghost knew he wouldn’t just sit idle.
They waited mutely for orders.
After a long pause, Artisan spoke.
“Pigeaaro, pull the Tornado Knight Order and Mage Corps back to the third line. Ghost, take the Dark Squad across to the Oscar Empire and strike Isratan Territory.”
“……!”
Ghost’s eyes flickered momentarily.
Pigeaaro swallowed hard and asked cautiously.
“Isn’t Isratan Marquis Tano’s territory?”
“Normally, it’d be unthinkable. But the ones protecting Tano have been annexed by Tomoya Kingdom, removing the reason we couldn’t strike.”
“Ah…….”
Indeed, all southern Gopra Mountains families had sided with Marquis Valtre.
Tano’s house was the sole holdout.
Now, even if attacked, no neighbors could aid them.
The Oscar Empire’s fracturing had dismantled Tano’s sturdy defenses.
Northern Gopra families couldn’t cross the mountains easily.
Above all, if Isratan was hit, Tano would suspect Marquis Valtre or the Julius Kingdom.
Learning then that Nanshar Empire forces had withdrawn, he’d likely send troops home or move himself.
Artisan was clearly biding for that moment.
Ghost shared Pigeaaro’s thoughts and bowed.
“I shall obey.”
Artisan radiated icy killing intent and declared firmly.
“I won’t wait any longer.”