Chapter 200
Chapter 200
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 200
Chapter Title: Fierce Battle
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"Dark Unit's formations are complete."
Ghost reported politely to Artisan.
Duke Terry, Figearo, and Spirit Corps Captain Hubei silently watched Artisan.
He had scouted Kristen Capital and reported that Emperor Ruan had abandoned the castle and fled to Tomoya Kingdom.
Of course, it was a lie fabricated to justify the attack on Tomoya Kingdom.
They had already witnessed Grand Duke Natarshian's massive army crossing the Gopra Mountains into Tomoya Kingdom, so they headed there immediately.
The Dark Unit, tasked with the vanguard mission, had now finished all preparations.
Artisan, standing atop the mountain, gazed at the brightly lit Tomoya Kingdom with a sinister smile.
"It will be their last night."
Duke Terry approached and spoke.
"If you're moving tonight, we should hurry."
"There's nothing special to prepare."
"......?"
Artisan looked at Ghost and continued.
"You enter the castle with the Dark Unit before the Tornado Knight Order advances and sow chaos."
"Yes."
"And Figearo."
Figearo quickly stepped beside Ghost and bowed his head.
Artisan looked up at the sky and said.
"You wait for your moment, then charge without retreat the instant the moon is fully covered by clouds."
Figearo's eyes flashed with murderous intent as he asked cautiously.
"Is it extermination?"
"Yes, kill everything that breathes without exception."
"Understood."
A sinister smile crept across Figearo's lips.
Ghost and Figearo descended, leaving Duke Terry and Captain Hubei behind.
Captain Hubei stood beside Artisan on the left, gazing at Tomoya Kingdom alongside him.
"What do you plan to do with Emperor Ruan, Your Majesty?"
"I have no intention of letting him live."
Duke Terry, standing on the right, spoke at Artisan's firm reply.
"I know it's Your Majesty's long-cherished wish, but doing so will draw heavy scrutiny from the surrounding continental empires."
"It doesn't matter."
"That's not true."
Captain Hubei shook his head firmly and continued.
"If exchanges with them are cut off, the Oscar Empire will follow in the footsteps of the Namshar Empire. That must not happen."
Artisan stared at Hubei with a hardened expression, and Hubei hurriedly bowed.
"I'm sorry. I got too heated and was rude to Your Majesty."
"Good that you know. If you want to live longer, keep your wits about you."
"I will keep that in mind."
Hubei swallowed hard and bowed deeply.
The moment their eyes met, an unprecedented terror washed over him.
He felt like he would be sucked into those pitch-black eyes.
Though it lasted only an instant, the shock made his entire body tremble violently.
'What is this......'
Everyone acknowledged Artisan's martial prowess.
And now, he had reached the realm of Grand Sword Master for the first time in imperial history.
With bare fists, no less, not a sword.
Just his gaze had subdued him, so if he entered the battlefield......
Was there anyone who could stand against him?
The Namshar Empire, with him at its side, would bow to no one.
Artisan turned from Hubei to Duke Terry.
"You listen well too."
Duke Terry's face stiffened.
Artisan continued, unperturbed by his reaction.
"I will unify the five continents."
"......!"
Duke Terry's face hardened in shock.
Anscent Kingdom aside, Sharkrez and Druxia Continents were no pushovers.
Sharkrez Continent, plagued by endless monster wars, had territories where every inhabitant could be called a knight.
Druxia Continent was so advanced in civilization it was dubbed the throne of the five continents.
They had their own distinct culture, and outsiders needed their permission to enter.
Unauthorized entry meant immediate execution for illegal trespassing.
Moreover, Namshar Empire had no exchanges with Druxia Continent, so information on it was scarce.
"Waging war without intelligence is......"
"Shh-."
Artisan pressed a finger to his lips.
Duke Terry realized it was a warning, recalling what happened to Captain Hubei.
'This......'
He had always been direct and rude before, but never to this extent.
The war might have amplified his dictatorial nature, but his near-arrogant attitude stirred anger.
Yet the aura emanating from him prevented any rash moves.
'What is this overwhelming power?'
Duke Terry appeared calm outwardly, but his mind was in turmoil.
Artisan was far stronger and more intense than expected, his presence dark and ominous, barely distinguishable from dark power.
"As expected, you're quick on the uptake."
Artisan smiled in satisfaction and turned toward Tomoya Kingdom.
Then, looking at the sky, he said.
"When Figearo moves, you secure the territories subjugated by Tomoya Kingdom."
"Understood."
"If they surrender, spare them. Recruit them as our shields; they'll be very useful in continental wars."
"I'll ensure as many surrenders as possible."
"Wrap it up before dawn."
Duke Terry bowed politely and descended.
Artisan watched his retreating figure with a meaningful smile.
'He'll suspect, but now that he's gauged my power to some extent, he won't act recklessly, heh heh.'
Kollepton, awakened as Artisan, returned to his tent and kept a close eye on Duke Terry, his top surveillance target.
Captain Hubei the spirit sorcerer was also a concern, but unless he revealed his dark power, detection was impossible.
Duke Terry, however, was a Sword Master advanced realm knight, one of Namshar Empire's twin pillars alongside Figearo.
He commanded a massive force prepared solely for war: five Sword Masters, five hundred knights, and fifty thousand elite troops at Sword Actor level or higher.
Even the strongest knight order had limits against numerical inferiority through force alone.
If Duke Terry sensed something amiss and rebelled, it would be a headache.
Artisan's forces would be crucial to Lord Ruan's plans.
Losing them would cause massive losses and put him in dire straits.
It would also weaken his standing among the Guardians.
Thanks to the monster that was Artisan, he was recognized as Guardian leader, earning Lord Ruan's favor—and potentially Nightmare's power.
Thus, no mistakes could be tolerated.
He had laid the groundwork to subdue Duke Terry, and it worked; now he could move freely.
"Captain Hubei."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Hubei responded politely.
"What do you think you should do now?"
"Support the knight order?"
"If that were it, I'd have sent you with Figearo."
Artisan met his eyes with a subtle smile.
"Take charge of Tomoya Kingdom's mage corps. Ensure they can't intervene in the battle."
"Understood."
Hubei summoned spirits and descended the mountain.
Kollepton gazed at Tomoya Kingdom with eager anticipation.
Mangblo hadn't awakened yet, so he needed to flawlessly complete this mission to impress Lord Ruan.
Even if Mangblo awakened later, Lord Ruan's favor would remain with him.
"I'll prove what kind of being I am."
***
"Hmm."
Valtre couldn't sleep.
-An intriguing fellow.
Natarshian had shown considerable interest in Arthur.
He hadn't shown it openly, but he was likely weighing options against him.
Valtre couldn't believe the kid had come all this way just to say that.
Something had clearly happened between them, and Natarshian seemed to have taken note.
'What could it be?'
He couldn't shake the ominous feeling.
"Damn it!"
Valtre swung his arm.
An invisible aura shot from his hand, slamming into the wall.
Boom!
Mana surged violently.
It seemed about to run rampant again.
Valtre grimaced and suppressed it.
"Try acting out if you dare. Betray me, and you'll pay worse than death."
He glared, clenching his fist tightly.
Blood dripped from his trembling knuckles.
As vicious killing intent filled Valtre's eyes.
Woooooong-!
An emergency trumpet blared.
"No way!"
Valtre's eyes widened; he grabbed his Explosive Sword and dashed outside.
The guard captain rushed to him atop the ramparts.
"Your Majesty!"
"Julius Kingdom bastards?"
"Border scouts spotted Namshar Empire forces."
"What?"
Why were the ones advancing on Kristen Capital here now?
They couldn't have defeated Emperor Ruan in that short time.
He couldn't grasp the situation.
Hearing the trumpet, Natarshian, Damian, and Hoan climbed the ramparts.
"Your Majesty, what's happening?"
"Namshar forces have appeared."
"......!"
Everyone was stunned by the unexpected reply.
Natarshian heightened his senses, scanning the surroundings.
The thick darkness posed no obstacle to him.
He pierced toward the faint but deadly auras.
Beyond the border, he spotted the Namshar Empire's Tornado Knight Order banners.
They looked fully prepared to sortie soon.
But oddly, no other forces were visible, which felt off.
"Strange."
"Why only them?"
Valtre also frowned upon spotting the Tornado Knight Order.
He considered if they had split their forces.
But even weakened, Emperor Ruan had Jangjarban and Altros.
They weren't foes to face with divided strength......
Two possibilities.
Either they crushed Emperor Ruan, or they redirected forces targeting Valtre.
If redirected, others lurked nearby.
No time to dawdle.
Valtre looked at Natarshian.
"We strike first before they attack."
"Understood."
Natarshian turned to Damian and issued orders.
"Prepare to sortie."
"Yes, sir!"
Damian descended swiftly.
Next, Valtre ordered Hoan.
"Sortie with the mage corps, assess surrounding situations, report, and support the Kingdom Knight Order."
"Yes!"
Hoan cast a spell and descended.
"Grand Duke."
Valtre met Natarshian's eyes cautiously.
"If Artisan is here, what do you plan?"
"What does Your Majesty wish me to do?"
Natarshian smiled meaningfully, and Valtre smiled back.
"As Namshar's strongest knight, shouldn't our strongest knight face him?"
"Indeed. I'll take him."
"With you here, I feel secure."
"It's my duty."
Natarshian smiled faintly, gazing at the sky.
The moon was about to be fully obscured by clouds.
That's when they'd move.
"Kingdom Knight Order! Sortie!"
As Damian's shout echoed.
"Aaagh!"
A scream rang from within the castle.
'Enemy!'
Natarshian and Valtre's eyes flashed; they leaped toward the scream.