Chapter 171
Chapter 171
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 171
Chapter Title: The Fall of Israturn Castle
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***
News of the Tano Marquis family spread like wildfire.
The report reached Emperor Ruan as well.
"This is disastrous! Israturn Castle has fallen!"
"What?"
Ruan's face twisted in shock.
The knight bowed his head deeply and continued his report.
"The movements of the Tano Marquis family troops stationed at the border are highly unusual."
Boom!
Ruan slammed his armrest in fury.
"Who the hell is behind this?!"
"It appears to be the work of Marquis Valtre."
"What, that bastard?"
Ruan looked slightly puzzled.
The man he knew would never act so recklessly.
If the report was true, then by now...
Troops to strike the Christen capital would be crossing the Gopra Mountains.
"Dispatch scout units to the Gopra Mountains immediately and summon Marquis Mandora."
"Yes, sir!"
The knight hurried out.
Altros entered next and approached with quick steps.
"Have you heard the report?"
"I just received it. What in the world is going on?"
"I was shocked when I heard it too. For Marquis Valtre to act like this means he's openly turning his sword on Your Majesty."
"Hmm..."
Ruan furrowed his brow in thought for a moment before shaking his head.
"Something doesn't add up."
"What do you mean?"
"Does it make sense for a man who's hidden his ambitions for decades to suddenly come out like this?"
"I agree. But they've found confirmed evidence of Marquis Valtre's involvement."
"Evidence?"
"The attackers who struck Israturn Castle released prisoners from the underground dungeon and asked if anyone from the Bando Territory was there. The prisoners testified to that."
"Isn't that a bit thin to jump to conclusions?"
"Even so, Marquis Tano will likely seize Marquis Valtre first and verify the truth."
"I understand his rage, but there's an order to these things. He needs my permission to withdraw troops from the border."
"But Marquis Tano might... act without Your Majesty's approval."
"What do you mean?"
Altros met his gaze with a grave expression and replied.
"His family was reportedly hanged from the flagpole... and burned alive."
"......!"
Ruan shot to his feet and addressed Altros.
"Summon Duke Sahaza! Have your mage corps prepare to deploy to the border as well."
"Why? Marquis Tano hasn't withdrawn his troops yet."
"It's not Valtre's doing."
"......!"
Ruan's face contorted with venomous eyes.
"It's Artisan. That bastard's work."
***
"Israturn Castle has fallen."
Skevin's report darkened Arthur's expression.
How long had it been since Marquis Valtre founded the Tomoya Kingdom? And now he was attacking the emperor directly?
Geographically, though, Israturn Territory lay within Tomoya Kingdom borders, so he might have wanted to deal with it quickly.
With most of the Tano Marquis family's troops stationed at the border, it was the perfect opportunity to strike.
It was a place that needed dealing with eventually, so they might have rushed it.
In any case, this incident would deepen Emperor Ruan's fury toward Marquis Valtre.
The real problem was Marquis Tano.
Depending on whether he chose imperial duty or personal vengeance, the Oscar Empire's situation would shift dramatically.
If Marquis Tano moved, Artisan wouldn't just sit idly by.
'Artisan makes his move...'
It was bad for both Emperor Ruan and Arthur.
Time was already short, and now the situation had grown so tense that anything could erupt at any moment.
Above all, the Dark Squad's recent surveillance of Grada Castle showed Artisan was targeting him.
He was truly surrounded by enemies on all sides.
He needed to stabilize the kingdom as quickly as possible.
Today, he was set to meet Count Daemor and finalize the territory relocation.
Arthur summoned Count Daemor and intently studied the map spread on the table.
'A way I can help...'
He was deep in thought when Count Daemor entered.
"You called for me?"
He approached with a polite bow.
Arthur greeted him with a smile and pointed to the map.
"I wanted to discuss the plans we've consulted on with the staff regarding the relocation to Vulcan Territory."
"I've given it some thought myself. Which option would best serve the family and the territory's people."
"And what conclusion did you reach? If you have a good idea, don't hesitate to share."
Daemor calmly eyed the map and replied.
"First, we'll relocate the technicians. Once the territory is somewhat sorted, we can proceed with moving the people via ships."
"I was thinking the same. I'm planning to pour everything into building Shangrni Territory's walls, and with your support, Count, the timeline should shorten dramatically."
"I'll provide it."
"Good. Then push forward with the wall construction while coordinating details with Sir Millerph and Ban—the three of you."
"Why would Sir Millerph go to Shangrni Territory...?"
As Daemor tilted his head, Arthur gave a meaningful smile.
"He'll be joining the wall construction too."
A short while later.
Daemor departed for Vulcan Territory with a first-phase relocation plan in place.
The relocation would proceed under Rasety's lead.
As a result, Ventarr Merchant Group members busied themselves, and Ban assembled an advance team for Shangrni Territory's wall construction and set off in haste.
Arthur climbed to the western wall as the knights' training neared its end.
Here, he trained in swordsmanship under Skevin for about an hour a day.
It had been a week since he started, and the more he swung the sword, the more captivated he became.
On Earth, fighting with swords was unthinkable.
But here, swords and bows held power rivaling guns.
Above all, the Emperor Sword was the weapon capable of slaying the Demon King.
Until Skevin arrived, Arthur recalled what he'd learned and slowly thrust and swung the blade.
So far, Skevin had taught him the basics of swordsmanship.
After running through them all, he linked the techniques into fluid motions.
As the movements flowed naturally, he gradually increased his speed.
Swish, swish-swish-.
The sound of cutting wind filled the air continuously.
Sweat droplets flew everywhere, and golden light gleamed in Arthur's eyes as his aura blossomed.
'The basics are done, so today I can teach proper swordsmanship.'
Skevin ascended the stairs, pondering Arthur's lesson for the day.
When he reached the wall, he witnessed an astonishing sight.
"Th-this is..."
Arthur was demonstrating swordsmanship.
Overwhelmed by the immense presence, Skevin couldn't move.
He simply watched the movements.
They seemed familiar yet entirely novel, leaving him entranced until a sudden realization struck.
Arthur was applying the basics in every motion.
Yet each swing made it feel as if a dragon's form manifested at the blade's tip.
'What is this?'
With a complex expression, Skevin watched until the training ended.
"Hoo-."
Lost in the sword, Arthur only noticed Skevin after stopping.
"Ah, sorry. I got absorbed in swinging..."
"Your Majesty..."
As Skevin stared in shock, Arthur tilted his head.
"What's wrong?"
"What was that you just performed?"
"I combined what I've learned into various motions. Point out anything awkward or wrong."
"No, it's not that..."
Skevin recalled the scene he'd witnessed.
Arthur had sliced through the sweat droplets scattering around him.
Even knights who had trained for years struggled with that, yet he'd achieved it in a week. The shock was immense.
And what he'd thought was an illusion was real.
A dragon's form appeared at the blade's tip.
He'd never seen or heard of such a phenomenon while swinging a sword.
'How is this possible...'
Skevin couldn't shake his bewilderment.
Arthur sensed Skevin had discovered something remarkable about him.
He decided to wait for Skevin to speak.
In the meantime, he calmed his mind and organized his insights from training.
Quite some time passed.
Arthur gazed at the darkening sky and planned ahead.
With Israturn Castle attacked, Tomoya Kingdom would inevitably face Emperor Ruan's assault.
The issue was Marquis Tano.
If he moved the troops stationed at the border, Artisan would surely respond.
Emperor Ruan would have received the news too and was undoubtedly devising countermeasures with the same thoughts.
Arthur considered what scenario would benefit Julius Kingdom most.
"Hmm..."
The three sides tangling in mutual combat would be ideal.
Meanwhile, Julius Kingdom could strengthen its foundations and target either Tomoya Kingdom or Emperor Ruan to seize control of the Oscar Empire.
Riding that momentum to conquer the Namshar Empire would be the best outcome.
If his arrival in this world was the gods' doing to eliminate the Demon King—who had destroyed seven worlds—wouldn't they at least make the minimal conditions favorable?
He allowed himself a sliver of hope that they'd provide that much help against such an atrocious foe.
It suddenly felt like expecting too much from them.
"Heh."
As Arthur gave a wry smile, Skevin approached.
"Your Majesty."
"Alright, explain. What did you see in me?"
"Yes."
Skevin politely described what he'd observed.
"I see."
Arthur pondered Skevin's words carefully.
The dragon form appearing at the blade's tip seemed tied to Teheran's mana techniques.
Cassandra probably knew the reason.
But he had no reason to seek her out soon, nor was he urgently curious.
More pressing matters demanded attention now.
"A typhoon will soon ravage the Oscar Empire. It could be our opportunity—or sweep us away and worsen everything."
"Please give your orders."
"Deploy all troops to the border. Send scout units to monitor every hostile force."
"Understood!"
Skevin bowed deeply.
Arthur stared at the western mountains, thinking of the Karuda Continent beyond.
He needed to check how much their numbers had grown.
And what they were preparing.
"I need to visit Kanura Continent."
"I'll prepare."
As Skevin turned, Arthur's voice stopped him.
"I'm going alone."
"Your Majesty!"
Skevin's face twisted.
Arthur climbed the railing, whistled, and added,
"I'll be back by tomorrow, so don't worry."
Then he leaped down.
"Your Majesty!"
Skevin rushed to the railing and looked below.
Arthur was riding Khan toward the western mountains.
Watching his receding figure, Skevin felt he wouldn't crumble even against grave danger.
His growth was unmistakable.
Moreover, Millerph had shared his recent conversation with Arthur.
Even Skevin couldn't fathom Arthur's thoughts.
But one thing was clear.
He dreamed of a world no one else could imagine.
With an expression brimming with anticipation, Skevin asked,
"What is Your Majesty's golden glory?"