Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Imperial Council
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***
"Hmm......"
A low sigh escaped Emperor Ruan in the council chamber of the Oscar Empire.
The forces led by Count Yarve were far beyond what a mere count's family could muster.
Among them were the Steel Knight Order of Count Daemor and a 5th Class mage from Densha Territory.
Above all, the Steel Knight Order included a Sword Master named 'Capo Mars,' ranked tenth among the empire's knights.
Count Yarve could not possibly lose.
Yet, defying everyone's expectations, the Julius Count Family had achieved a great victory.
'What in the world happened......?'
As questions piled up on Ruan's face.
The worried voice of Duke Sahzana rang out.
"Is that information truly accurate......?"
"What do you mean?"
Ruan glanced at the white-haired Duke Sahzana standing diagonally across from him.
Sahzana bowed his head to Ruan and replied.
"Before the final war with the Demon King a century ago, there were words Teheran left to the nobles: 'As long as the Gold Dragon stands with the Julius Family, their golden glory shall be eternal.'"
"Hmm."
"Everyone thought it was just something said to prepare for the aftermath of the battle with the Demon King......"
"So, are you saying we should just leave the devil's followers alone?"
"That's not it. As Sir Altros said, they will lead the empire down the path to ruin."
"What do the rest of you think?"
Ruan turned a stern gaze to the three marquises standing opposite Sahzana.
As his eyes met those of the blond Marquis Tano, the man spoke in a hard voice.
"If you permit it, I will handle it myself."
"That won't do. If the Nanshar Empire notices our border forces are depleted, you know what could happen."
Ruan firmly refused and shifted his gaze to Marquis Mandora beside him.
"Sir Mandora, step forward and resolve this."
Unlike the sturdy-built Marquis Tano, the plump Marquis Mandora bowed his head.
"Understood."
"How long will preparations take?"
"One month."
"Report as soon as you're ready. I'll provide support from the Central Guard Order."
"I am grateful."
As Mandora's lips curled up.
"May I say something?"
All eyes turned to the middle-aged man with brown hair.
He was Marquis Valtre, the youngest of the Oscar Empire's three marquises and Emperor Ruan's half-brother.
Valtre bowed politely to Ruan before cautiously speaking.
"In my opinion, we should proceed with caution."
"What is this sudden talk?"
Marquis Mandora frowned in displeasure.
He was angry that Valtre was blocking this golden opportunity to earn merit so easily.
In contrast, Valtre gave a faint smile and said to him.
"Why get so angry?"
"Angry? Don't misunderstand. I merely stated my opinion."
"I apologize for any misunderstanding."
Marquis Valtre grinned and continued.
"I'm just offering my view, so please don't take it too seriously."
"Tell us your reasoning."
Unlike with the other two marquises, Ruan addressed him informally.
Valtre met his eyes without flinching and replied.
"The forces mobilized by Count Yarve were no small matter. Among us, only Marquis Tano could annihilate them outright, in my view."
"I know. That's why I offered Central Guard Order support."
"But there was one more peculiar detail in the intelligence I gathered."
"What is it?"
"The Julius Family suffered almost no losses in this war."
"......!"
Ruan furrowed his brow slightly.
Meanwhile, Sahzana, Tano, and Mandora looked shocked.
"How is that possible?"
Sahzana shook his head in disbelief, while Tano's expression grew grave.
"If that's true, they must have hidden forces."
"So what are you getting at?"
Ruan fixed Valtre with a cold stare.
Valtre answered confidently without averting his gaze.
"We should gather precise information on them before attacking. Even if Marquis Mandora and the Central Guard Order go this time, victory is assured, but without intel, our losses won't be light. That's what concerns me."
"Hmph."
Mandora snorted and said to Ruan.
"Entrust it to me. I'll sweep them away in one go."
"Hmm."
Ruan pondered briefly before asking Sahzana.
"What do you think, Duke?"
"I feel we need some caution. It must not end as a pyrrhic victory."
"A victory marred by wounds......"
Ruan's face hardened.
It was unthinkable to leave a humiliating stain on the empire's glorious history during his reign.
The Julius Family wasn't going anywhere, so he decided to follow the advice.
"Very well. You investigate their information. You have one month."
"Yes."
Valtre bowed his head.
"Marquis Mandora, prepare to march the moment intel arrives."
"Understood."
"Then we'll proceed with the Julius Family matter this way. Duke Sahzana, monitor the movements of each territory. There might be those harboring other thoughts."
"The Julius Family are devil worshippers. Nothing like what Your Majesty fears will happen."
"Don't be so certain. Send envoys to each territory to clearly convey my will. Those who join hands with the devil face only death."
"I shall do so."
Ruan stood, glanced at Valtre once more, and left the council chamber.
Once he was gone, the others tilted their heads.
"His Majesty seems quite sensitive."
Tano nodded in agreement with Mandora's words.
"It must be a shock, betrayal from the family he trusted more than any other. But......"
Tano shifted his gaze to Valtre and continued.
"Your intelligence network surpasses even the palace's, Marquis."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Valtre gave a faint smile.
Tano added coldly as he stared at him.
"I trust you won't misuse that superior intelligence elsewhere."
"I'm grateful for your trust. Then I'll take my leave."
Valtre bowed to Sahzana and departed gracefully.
Mandora scowled at the door Valtre exited through.
"Arrogant bastard, for a bastard son."
"I think his judgment is right this time."
Sahzana approached him and continued.
"Honestly, even you two would struggle to defeat a force with a Sword Master and 5th Class mage without heavy losses, wouldn't you?"
"I can't believe it. A 5th Class mage might have been stalled by some old wizard there, but how did they stop a Sword Master? That's what I want to know."
"That part baffles me too. Without their own Sword Master, it should have been impossible."
Tano looked at Sahzana with a serious expression.
Sahzana approached the two.
"What if they gained the devil's power?"
"Ah......"
"Didn't you call them followers?"
Sahzana nodded at Mandora's question.
"The Haxsa and Kandara Families were mere followers. But the Julius Family that crushed Count Yarve likely obtained the devil's power."
"How......"
Mandora's face stiffened.
"They once wielded power greater than even the emperor. Their thirst for strength must have been the most desperate. The devil would have exploited that."
As the situation of the Julius Family took shape in their minds, Mandora and Tano's doubts began to clear.
Watching their reactions, Sahzana continued softly.
"The devil's power far exceeds my expectations."
***
'One month......'
Marquis Valtre walked the corridor with a hardened expression.
His contract with Ingenium was for at least three months.
He had made the promise thinking it was feasible, but the emperor, uncharacteristically impatient, had rushed it.
Seeing that, Valtre understood Ingenium's feelings.
'It really is different.'
As Valtre's eyes deepened.
Someone suddenly appeared before him.
A man in a black robe, with a golden belt at his waist.
One of the mages under Sir Altros.
"The Master seeks you."
"Me?"
"Please follow me."
The man said his piece and walked ahead.
Valtre looked puzzled.
Aside from seeing him with the emperor, he had never met him personally.
He had no business with him, and even if he did, it reaching the emperor's ears would do no good.
Altros surely knew that.
Yet sending someone like this meant there was something to discuss.
'What could it be?'
A short while later.
Guided by the man underground, Valtre inwardly panicked at the sight before him.
Over ten robed men had drawn a magic circle on the floor and were softly chanting runes.
It reminded him of raiding the hideout of those who once worshipped the devil.
'What is this?'
As Valtre frowned, a white-robed white-haired elder approached with a kindly smile.
"Welcome."
"Sir Altros, it's been a while."
Valtre bowed politely.
Though a marquis, Altros was the empire's representative grand archmage, warranting basic courtesy.
"Indeed it has."
Altros stroked his white beard and glanced at the gray pillar rising nearby.
"For some time now, we've been maintaining a barrier to prevent the devil's power from growing further."
"I see."
"I just received a report. They say the expedition has been slightly delayed."
"......!"
Valtre's eyes flashed.
Only those at the meeting knew that.
He had been with them and left first among them!
Suddenly, Ruan, who had exited the council chamber first, came to mind.
'No way he......'
As Valtre's face stiffened, Altros smiled faintly.
"I asked His Majesty. As it concerns the devil, I wished to know all developments. So, all information comes to me through his guard knights."
"I understand."
Valtre nodded.
But the emperor sending a guard knight to relay meeting contents? Normally, Altros would inquire directly.
Above all, his earlier words lingered in Valtre's mind.
'I received a report......'
Too natural to be a slip of the tongue.
Seeing the emperor's behavior at the council and this man's reaction, something was definitely between them.
Suddenly, Ingenium's words surfaced.
-The emperor seems under his control.
Valtre recalled them inwardly and spoke.
"As it concerns the devil, I hoped for careful handling."
"I wish for that too. But thanks to it, we've delayed by a month, and in that time, they might gain even greater power."
"Greater power?"
"We're holding the barrier now, but the resisting force grows stronger by the day. That's why I urged His Majesty to hurry......"
"Ah......"
'So that's why Ruan rushed?'
But setting aside the promise with Ingenium, they lacked intel to face the Julius Family.
"Isn't it better than rushing in blindly and suffering? Even if they gained immense power through the devil, His Majesty's might can crush them anytime. Moreover, aren't you here, Sir Altros?"
"You're right. I was too hasty."
"No, I fully understand."
"May I ask one favor? I'd like to share information with you, Marquis."
"Of course. But since I'm not here, it won't be as swift as this—still okay?"
"No need to worry. I'll assign a mage when you leave. Just tell him."
"Understood."
"Thank you for cooperating. When do you plan to depart?"
"As soon as our talk ends. Anything else?"
"No, does Marquis Valtre have anything to say?"
"Not particularly."
"I see."
Altros smiled kindly and glanced at the man by the entrance.
The man approached Valtre and bowed.
"I'll guide you."
As Valtre nodded and rose, he casually asked Altros.
"Does His Majesty have any worries? He seemed different today."
"Probably on edge because of those fellows."
"True, but with you at his side, Sir Altros, I trust you'll serve him well."
"Of course. You're busy, so go on. The mage for your journey will follow shortly."
"Until next time."
Valtre exchanged farewells and left with the man.
Altros stared at the door he exited through and said.
"Sadi."
A black-robed man emerged from the wall behind him.
"Follow him and monitor closely. Report immediately if he schemes anything."
The man bowed deeply and vanished.
Killing intent flashed in Altros's eyes as he turned.
"When it interferes with the great cause......"