Chapter 268
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 268
Chapter Title: Part 2 Chapter 26: Balisada (1)
Around 1 a.m.
The war began as the nation of Terizia on the eastern side launched a sudden assault on the Chesan Kingdom on the northern <olbia> side.
The two countries had long been bitter enemies, but even amid the recent unstable situation, they had kept skirmishes to a minimum, warily watching each other.
Terizia was the first to break that fragile peace.
Having secretly received troops and weaponry from the Zenith Church and the eastern nations, Terizia turned the border city of Gerin in the Chesan Kingdom into a sea of flames in an instant.
The Chesan Kingdom was always on high alert, so their response was swift, but it was impossible to fully counter Terizia's well-prepared forces.
Even the troops dispatched by northern allied nations were nearly wiped out before they could react.
The northern alliance leader, the Selldam Kingdom, activated warp gates to immediately send reinforcements to the Chesan Kingdom.
They clashed with Terizia's forces, who had burned Gerin and were advancing on the next city, Egene.
This managed to halt Terizia's advance, at least temporarily.
However, Terizia's army included Master-class superhumans, and after regrouping, they were preparing to resume their march at dawn.
Still, this bought a few hours' reprieve.
Chesan King Apteisha IV urgently called for an alliance summit and held a meeting via magical communication with the rulers of the allied nations to discuss the immediate crisis.
"What should we do? Thanks to King Friedmore's support, we've caught our breath for now, but they haven't suffered much loss."
"Word is their casualties are being rapidly replenished—who knows how much aid they've received."
"At this rate, Egene will burn in their hands too."
"After Egene come Shire, Appho, and Kartel."
"If we lose those three cities, Chesan will effectively be halved—you all know that. But it won't just be Chesan's problem."
"From that point on, even without conquering Chesan outright, two key passes into the north will open up, putting the Absylon Kingdom and Rendri Kingdom in their sights as well."
"The Ivbrie Maritime Nation, positioned on the border like Chesan, will also face invasions from the side. That would burden the Selldam Kingdom heavily too."
"It's difficult to redirect support from the Ivbrie Maritime Nation right now. We're in a situation where Quatacha could attack us at any moment. Please understand."
The Ivbrie Maritime Nation, like Chesan, sat on the continental border.
Opposite them lay the eastern kingdoms of Quatacha and Ainstel, but their situation was even worse by comparison.
At least Ainstel was an eastern nation where most of the populace worshipped Arvela, the God of Wisdom and Folly, making Zenith Church influence minimal.
But their main threat, Quatacha, had 1.5 times Ivbrie's national power, so war with them looked hopeless.
Thus, the northern allies had sent more reinforcements to Ivbrie than to Chesan.
In that precarious balance, Terizia's sudden attack on Chesan threw everything into chaos.
"I understand the Sea King's position. But consider this a warning: if Chesan falls, the surrounding nations will be next."
"Th-then what about Absylon? You've already sent ample troops... Do we need to send more?"
"Pathetic. Can't King Rey make even a simple decision? How do you run Absylon with such a temperament? And what do you mean 'sent'? Aren't you the decision-maker? Is there a real king elsewhere?"
King Vito of Galteon snapped at King Rey of Absylon's timid tone.
Queen Anna XI of neighboring Piangr came to Rey's defense.
"Enough, King Vito. King Rey has been on the throne less than a year. He ascended suddenly, so he's still relying heavily on his key officials."
"Hmph. Sitting on the throne without knowing his place."
"This isn't the time for that, King Vito."
"Everyone, enough."
As the mood soured, the hitherto silent King Friedmore of Selldam intervened.
"The enemy invasion has just begun—should we bicker over petty matters? Let's focus on the situation at hand."
"Thank you for mediating, King Friedmore."
"Ahem."
True to his role as leader of the northern alliance, King Friedmore quelled the tension in an instant and continued.
"Selldam currently has Grand Mage Richter Simon and Marquis Mar Linmel dispatched. Additionally, Earl Welton is leading 10,000 troops there. But it'll take time for them to arrive. How about Absylon and Rendri send more forces, with half of Rendri's going to Ivbrie?"
"Upon hearing of the invasion, we've already sent General Karga with 3,000 to Ivbrie and General Eento with 7,000 to Absylon. Just hold out until they arrive."
"Oh! General Karga—the Knight of Flames! With him here, Quatacha won't dare attack carelessly."
"Indeed! Such bold dispatch of key forces! We are truly grateful. We will repay this favor."
"Ivbrie will repay you as well."
As King Dikaroi of Rendri announced the immediate dispatch of reinforcements to both nations, their kings responded with thanks.
"Uh... W-we've also requested—no, dispatched—General Shadikan with 5,000 troops!"
"Thank you, King Rey! We will repay this favor!"
Over 20,000 troops began converging on Chesan in short order.
But reinforcements needed time to arrive, so until then, they had to hold the defenses somehow.
King Apteisha IV spoke with grim resolve.
"We will hold. We cannot lose to those vile bastards."
"Mere eastern rabble... Even Ainstel on the border isn't aligned with the Zenith Church, is it? Hmph. They're no match for us."
"Exactly. I've always thought them arrogant— this works in our favor. This is our chance to eradicate the Zenith Church that summons demons and show who is truly stronger."
"Let's show them the might of the Northern Alliance."
"Don't get complacent, everyone. Our forces are superior, but the Zenith Church has a history of colluding with vile forces. They could summon demons again at any moment. If that happens, any outcome is possible, so stay vigilant and..."
King Friedmore's golden eyes gleamed as he declared,
"...focus on annihilating the Zenith Church."
The northern kings replied in unison.
"Of course."
"The war has begun."
"You don't seem surprised."
Isis was a bit taken aback by Jamie's nonchalant reaction.
Jamie replied,
"There have been steady minor clashes, and this war was supposed to erupt five years ago anyway. If anything, it's more surprising it's only starting now. So, what's the situation?"
"Gerin in Chesan has already fallen to Terizia. Your nation's two grand mages halted their continued advance."
"Don't know their names?"
"Earl Simon and Marquis Linmel."
Bayril answered for her.
"I've received orders to return immediately as well."
"Contact from my side should come soon too."
No sooner had he spoken than the communication orb in his subspace reacted.
Jamie pulled out the orb, and a line of text appeared above it.
Selldam itself wasn't in immediate danger, but as an allied nation and the north's gateway, Chesan needed Master-class assets secured as quickly as possible.
"What'll you do?"
Isis looked to Bayril and Jamie.
As Selldam affiliates, they were obligated to participate in this war.
They could probably delay responding this once, but ignoring repeated summons could lead to severe punishment.
Even before that, their patriotism would be questioned.
"Guess we have to head back for now."
"Same here."
Isis nodded.
Jamie wasn't even part of Frontier, she had no authority to command him, and she knew Bayril's circumstances, so she had no intention of stopping them.
But she drew a clear line.
"We can't help you."
"I know. Sorry we can't assist."
"Frontier has big plans too, so don't feel burdened."
"Thanks for saying that."
Isis gave a wry smile.
Her goal was to kill the Dragon God Brahman.
To that end, she had recently visited the Dragon Mountains and contracted with the Blue Clan's leader.
"It won't be easy, but we have to do everything we can. Same for you."
"I wish you success in slaying the Dragon God. I'll make sure to kill Jenis."
"Thanks. So, when do you leave?"
"What about you?"
Bayril asked Jamie.
Jamie glanced at the still-sleeping Behemoth.
He needed to stay here and help Frontier.
That would raise the odds of killing Dragon God Brahman even by 1%.
"Let's eat first. Gotta fill up properly."
"Good idea. Then I need to ask Rosemary to lend a hand. Alright, dismissed for now!"
Before eating, Jamie headed to Ironril's forge.
He had commissioned a sword using a dragon heart as material.
It would be ideal if it was finished before departure today, but quality swords don't appear overnight, so he'd likely have to return later.
So why go now?
He currently had no usable sword and was heading to pick one up.
"Mr. Ril~ You in?"
He heard hammering from inside, but no reply from Ironril.
Deep in work, perhaps?
Jamie quietly stepped inside.
Thud- thud- thud- thud-
The steady rhythm of hammer strikes echoed.
A blast of heat from the workshop corridor hit him.
He peeked around the corner.
"...!"
Jamie's face filled with shock at the sight.
Enormous flames engulfed Ironril.
Within them, Ironril swung his hammer in intense focus, shaping the blade.
How could anyone hammer in such conditions?
Dwarves were fire-resistant, and master dwarf smiths could withstand flames to a degree, but this fire exceeded thousands of degrees at a glance.
Even a dwarf from the Five Hands shouldn't survive unscathed.
Thus, Ironril's form seemed almost...
"Like cloaked in fire."
Not engulfed—surrounded by it.
In that state, he forged a sword for himself.
Jamie hadn't expected to witness such a scene.
Better not disturb him.
Jamie swallowed dryly and backed out.
That instant—
Kwaaaaa—!!
Flames swept through the entire forge and burst outward.
"What the—!"
Startled by the sudden event, Jamie saw the flames threatening nearby vegetation.
He manipulated wind currents skyward to prevent spread.
The inferno shot up like ascending flames.
The intense heat and energy swept the area, but Jamie couldn't close his gaping mouth in astonishment.
"What happened?"
"A sudden pillar of fire?"
"Did Ril cause an accident?"
"Fire. Cool."
The inexplicable flame pillar rising from the forge drew the recently parted group back.
Isis sensed the aura and said,
"This... isn't it a red dragon's flame?"
"Right. I gave him a red dragon heart. Asked him to make a sword."
"What?!"
"A sword from a dragon heart? The one Ril was making was from a dragon heart?!"
"Unbelievable..."
They were all shocked, but Jamie had no time for their reactions.
"It's coming soon."
The massive pillar intensified its heat.
And then.
The raging flames were sucked back into the forge at tremendous speed.
Everyone gawked at the impossible sight.
Thud—!!
A clear hammer strike rang out, and gray smoke bearing immense heat billowed from the forge.
Jamie again directed wind to vent it skyward.
No damage to the surroundings.
Moments later.
"Whew. Nearly roasted alive."
Ironril emerged drenched in sweat, something wrapped in pink cloth tucked under his arm.
He tilted his head at the gathered crowd.
"What's with the morning crowd at my place?"
Everyone looked dazed.
Jamie stepped forward.
"Mr. Ril. Is my sword ready?"
"Ah. Was just about to bring it to you."
Spotting Jamie, Ironril grinned and offered the pink-wrapped item.
"It's done. Your sword."
Jamie hadn't expected completion in such a short time.
He silently accepted the cloth-wrapped bundle.
Could a dragon heart be forged into a sword so quickly?
Without witnessing the work, he might suspect it was slapped together.
But Jamie had seen it with his own eyes.
"I'll unwrap it."
"Go ahead."
Ironril nodded tensely.
The onlookers held their breath, watching intently.
Jamie unwrapped the cloth.
First came the scabbard: stitched white leather, gold-adorned, exuding luxury.
The hilt fit his hand perfectly, feeling custom-made.
Especially the dragon head carved below it, proclaiming it a dragon slayer.
Lightweight too, as Ironril had promised.
Jamie slowly drew the blade from the scabbard.
Fwoosh!
True to its red dragon heart origin, flames leaked even from a slight draw.
But this sword was no mere fire-spewer.
"Drawing it."
"In one go!"
Ironril shouted.
Jamie gritted his teeth and yanked it free.
And at the dazzling radiance from the blade, Jamie unwittingly smiled.