Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: Checkmate
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The king of Ballast had vanished from the royal palace.
This created cracks in Juras's scenario.
The Crossing faction within Ballast was thrown into disarray, floundering without direction.
I had indirectly joined the coup by withdrawing my troops, so it wasn't someone else's problem.
Given the risk of attack, I handed command of the remaining army to General Mainz Ramstrong and decided to return via Bekavia.
I sent my retainers back to Rainpole on leave, then took only Anton and Olaf with me to Carten, the region governed by Juras.
Juras himself was absent, apparently too busy to stay put.
I remained there, compiling the steady stream of intelligence reports.
‘So that’s how it happened.’
There was something about this incident that had always struck me as odd.
Albad had played the role of breakwater, blocking Crossing and Caliper forces from reaching Ballast. In return, their eastern territories suffered massive blows from Crossing and Caliper armies.
Thanks to pre-built defensive fortresses, they minimized casualties, but the damage was still enormous.
The question was, what did Albad gain from Ballast to justify such losses?
According to plan, Cassius was supposed to ascend Ballast’s throne and ally with Svenner and the West.
Albad had no place in that plan. From Svenner and the West’s perspective, Albad was ultimately an obstacle.
They might join hands temporarily, but it wasn’t a formal alliance.
‘Albad couldn’t have been ignorant of that.’
That’s why they had worked behind the scenes.
They smuggled Ballast’s king out in advance and covertly involved Burlang.
“Burlang’s involvement... you mean?”
Anton tilted his head. Burlang was already involved, after all—Prince Eldric was proof.
“Then some other Burlang faction? Like the First Prince’s side or Second Prince’s.”
“No, any flashy moves like that would definitely show up in intelligence. Svenner or Crossing couldn’t miss it.”
“But then, a Burlang faction allied with Albad...”
“There’s only one. That’s right—Prince Eldric.”
“...!?”
That’s exactly what it meant.
Prince Eldric had betrayed the West and joined hands with Albad.
I didn’t know the reason, but there must have been trouble with the West.
I could guess what it was.
‘The civilian massacre in Burlang last time. That’s when Prince Eldric turned!’
And seeing the civilian massacre in Ballast this time must have solidified his resolve. He couldn’t go on with the West.
So he turned his back on the West and Svenner, grabbing Albad’s hand instead.
“The situation’s gotten strangely twisted.”
Olaf swallowed dryly as he spoke.
“This puts the king squarely in the southern coup faction’s hands.”
“Exactly. Albad will threaten the king into abdicating the throne to them. Or grant Cassius equivalent authority.”
“Formally, the latter’s better. Sudden abdication would look suspicious.”
“...”
“Checkmate. Albad’s one step ahead this time.”
I’d thought this was a clash between the West & Svenner and Crossing, but there was a hidden player.
Albad played the fisherman, swallowing Ballast whole.
My prediction proved spot on.
Albad linked up with the coup forces and pushed toward the capital.
Cassius Lloyd stepped to the forefront, claiming imperial blood and legitimate right.
At the same time, he brandished his status as the king’s regent, granted full authority.
Ballast’s regular army couldn’t resist.
With their king on the enemy side, resistance would make them traitors.
Thus, Cassius’s forces recaptured the capital from Crossing occupation and executed coup leader Marquis Federlin and a slew of nobles.
Once the situation stabilized, full-scale diplomatic warfare began.
Svenner, caught off guard, raged and condemned Albad. Crossing fiercely denounced Burlang’s intervention as a treaty violation.
Other nations demanded resolution.
In response, Cassius convened a continental conference for position statements.
I decided to attend as Caliper’s representative, not Crossing’s. My official affiliation was Caliper anyway.
With full diplomatic authority from King Gares, I headed to Platon with Duke Helian.
En route, Duke Helian spoke.
“The situation’s turning strangely. If Ballast becomes Albad’s subordinate... the balance of power will shake again.”
“Probably.”
Albad, allied with Europe and Tunkai, was now poised to realize the long-feared Central Alliance. Burlang, the biggest threat to it, was out, but it was still dangerous.
“Strategist Kaien... It has to be his design.”
Albad’s Grand General Kaien had swallowed Ballast, realizing the Tripartite Division of Heaven.
Svenner & West.
Europe & Tunkai & Albad.
Crossing & Caliper & Bekavia.
Three blocs—West, Central, East—divvying up continental hegemony.
‘Does this scrap Juras’s Great Bifurcation?’
Well, Burlang still held potential for conquest.
If I started in the south and conquered Burlang, the balance would break, potentially realizing Juras’s grand vision.
But regardless, an obstacle to that plan had appeared.
For instance, if I moved on Burlang and Albad covertly sent reinforcements. That sort of thing could happen.
“Complicated. That’s why this diplomatic battle is crucial.”
Duke Helian was right.
The key was Europe and Tunkai’s intentions—and Cassius’s true aims.
‘Cassius just ditches the West this easily?’
That would make Cassius merely Prince Eldric’s subordinate. Ties to the West were just through the prince.
But was that really all? Was the protagonist simply Eldric’s man with no real West connection?
My instincts told me.
This diplomatic war would reveal everything.
*
*
*
Arriving in Platon, I shared a simple meal with Sophia Veron, who was also preparing for the diplomacy.
Our views aligned, so we quickly shifted topics.
It was about the academy.
“No matter the outcome, the academy can’t be maintained.”
Sophia wore a bitter expression, having grown fond of the place.
As she said, Pensilon Academy was done for. Students would return home to their nations’ higher academies.
“What a shame. I was just starting to enjoy teaching.”
“Well, you attended as a student too, so the attachment might be stronger.”
I hadn’t grown particularly attached.
My only regret was failing to recruit as much talent as hoped.
Only Meisen was confirmed.
Few candidates: Ash, Gunther, Sophia.
I decided to pitch to Sophia once more.
“Excuse me, Professor Sophia.”
“You... I’ve always thought it, but that ‘professor’ title. You use it to tease me, right?”
“Huh? You just figured that out?”
“Anyway. What is it?”
“Nothing much. Just... want to work under me?”
“That again...”
“It’s not a bad offer for you. Back home, succession struggles mean no real post anyway. Working for me till then isn’t bad, right?”
“Ilrain, consider my position too.”
“I did. That’s why I think it benefits you.”
Sophia fell silent briefly. She saw the upside too.
But she shook her head.
“I’ll pass. Working with you would be appealing, but... I have something more important.”
“Sigh, got it. No point pushing.”
I’d revisit after Bekavia fell.
The kings didn’t attend this diplomatic war. Only each nation’s heavyweights sat with grim faces.
Entering the conference hall with Duke Helian, I met meaningful gazes.
Some looked at me with admiration, others fear or anger.
“Plague via terrain manipulation... Astonishing stratagem...”
“Mercenary Wade... Ten Heroes-level skill isn’t hype.”
Truthfully, without Dorothy, Meisen, and General Ramstrong, this operation wouldn’t have been possible.
Dorothy, skilled in terrain and architecture, greatly aided the southern earthen walls and encirclement palisades.
Meisen, expert in pathology and public health, gave deep advice on Marolin Plague. General Ramstrong advised on the plague and maintained troop morale during construction.
Missing any one, and it might have failed.
Now it seemed like I’d hogged all the credit, which sat uneasy.
“Now that all are seated, let’s begin in earnest.”
Ballast’s Prime Minister Dialu opened gravely. No wonder—he’d become a puppet under the coup.
He could be eliminated anytime.
But his symbolism made him moderator.
Once started, barbs flew like they’d waited.
Crossing drew the brunt of blame and mockery.
“Hmph, Crossing’s rat shows its face.”
It was Gillas Melburn, Albad’s general, openly mocking Juras.
“Pretending to help Ballast while plotting dirty behind the scenes. If you have any shame, renounce your Ten Heroes status now. The others are ashamed of you.”
“You...! How dare you...!”
Juras bared unfiltered rage.
Caught off guard, he’d lost composure.
Prince Eldric, seated with Burlang, looked like ten-year heartburn cured, mocking Juras too.
“Juras, that’s always been you. Results are everything. Look—here’s your result! You’re just a petty villain!”
“Urk! Shut up! Mock me more, and I won’t let it slide!”
“Hahaha! Try it if you can!”
Furious Juras, laughing Eldric.
Everyone in the hall mocked Juras. He’d failed after petty villainy.
If results were everything, he deserved it.
“You bastards—! You’ll pay for insulting me! Remember that!”
Juras growled, met with laughter like a barking dog. Such mocking gazes were new to him.
Truthfully, I was a mockery target too.
I’d withdrawn troops, aiding the petty plot.
But no one dared. My absurd achievements overshadowed it.
Some even said Crossing’s true power wasn’t Juras, but me.