Chapter 104
Chapter 104
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Record of the Spirit King (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 35
Record of the Spirit King (4)
The day after the magical communication with Marquis Kreayer ended, the hunting party left their encampment and headed toward the capital.
On the way to the capital, the Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered a declaration of war—written in the name of Emperor Raymond—to the Three Kingdoms Alliance.
By that point, nobles across the entire Philius Empire had already raised their armies, and the Three Kingdoms Alliance was well aware of these movements.
"The Philius Empire has declared war! Heirs of freedom! Assemble at the Black Mountains!"
The Free Isiriya Kingdom's forces were the first to march toward the Black Mountains. King Sellion of the Free Isiriya Kingdom was no fool.
Just as Emperor Raymond of the Philius Empire had prepared for war, Sellion had secretly assembled troops along the border adjacent to the Black Mountains.
Though it didn't include the royal army or heavy assault cavalry that the Free Isiriya Kingdom prided itself on, the vanguard mercenaries alone numbered over five thousand, with another ten thousand gathering from nearby regions.
The Edriger Kingdom followed suit. The Hashashin began their operations, nobles mobilized their private forces, and their prized main army, the Jet-Black Legion, was called up. They weren't deploying immediately, but the capital was even considering committing the Royal Iron Knight Order, the Sword Saint, and Livingsman.
"The Three Kingdoms Alliance's movements are far from ordinary, Your Majesty. We must mobilize the army at once."
Count Reinits, who had returned after stabilizing the Belfiang Imperial Direct Territory, offered his counsel in a steady voice.
Reports on the Three Kingdoms Alliance's activities poured in several times a day. Raymond would nod each time, but he refrained from immediate action.
It was all because of Silvia's awakening.
They had secured the bare minimum requirement—the 'Record of the Spirit King'—but leaving the Southern Central Forest had altered the environment, causing slight fluctuations in her spirit power. It would take a few days to build up enough for the awakening.
"Time is short, Your Majesty. We must send troops to the Black Mountains."
Count Reinits pressed again. Though imperial authority had strengthened immensely after victory in the civil war against the Mountain Duke and the purge of opposing knight orders, few nobles were eager to throw themselves into open war.
"What central forces can we move right now?"
"Two legions from the Northern Central Army and one border legion."
Three legions in total—eighteen thousand strong. Far from insignificant, but moving them would strain logistics.
Supplies weren't critically short yet, but a prolonged campaign was unpredictable. For stable provisioning, they needed to seize the Black Mountains and its vast gold fields swiftly.
With gold in hand, they could bolster supplies from empire war merchants or nations across the sea in the western isles.
"Even including private forces from the northeast, our numbers aren't meager—but the alliance has over twenty thousand assembled, and their troops' proficiency is nothing to scoff at."
Count Reinits said, his face grim.
"To be frank, Your Majesty, I can't guarantee we can fully conquer the Black Mountains."
Count Reinits was one of the few Raymond truly trusted. He was among the handful who knew—straight from Raymond himself—about the massive gold mine hidden in the Black Mountains.
"Even driving the Three Kingdoms Alliance from the Black Mountains poses problems. There are too many monsters."
"That issue can be resolved."
"Truly?"
Count Reinits's eyes widened as he asked. Raymond nodded slowly before speaking.
"Don't worry—exterminating every monster in the Black Mountains isn't an option anyway."
It had been impossible from the start. Raymond's secret method, however, involved Elpis—a forbidden magician affiliated with the Doomsday Society who commanded monsters.
Elpis was part of an unfinished setting Raymond knew little about, much like the Doomsday Society itself. But her forbidden magic was firmly established in the world's lore, so Raymond was well aware of it.
"I see. You're preparing some surprise, it seems, so I won't pry further."
"Is that all for today's report?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I'll report any developments immediately."
Count Reinits bowed and departed the tent. Raymond leaned back against the plush chair's headrest and turned his head aside. Desia Heli stood there.
"Tomorrow at last?"
He muttered as if to himself, but it was directed at her. Desia, who had been standing silently, nodded and replied.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Imperial Army Commander Sir Cassius reports he'll arrive in the capital tomorrow."
The journey that began in the Southern Central Forest was nearing its end. They were close enough to spot the capital's walls with the naked eye. Raymond wanted nothing more than to charge straight in, but the troops' fatigue demanded they camp tonight on this plain.
"Right. Not long now."
The moment of Silvia's awakening drew near.
That night passed without incident, save for additional reports from Counts Reinits and Potas on the Three Kingdoms Alliance's military maneuvers. The next day, they reached the capital on schedule.
The moment Raymond stepped into the imperial office, he saw his desk buried under reports from Foreign Affairs, the War Department, the Palace Interior, and the Treasury.
But Raymond placed Silvia firmly at the top of his priorities.
"Alex. I'll review the reports later—sort them properly."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After instructing Alex, Raymond left the office and headed to the workshop within the palace, managed by the Crimson Tower Lord and Azure Tower Lord.
"Your Majesty."
Those waiting in the workshop rose and bowed. The Crimson Tower Lord, the Azure Tower Lord, and Silvia. Raymond entered with his usual escorts, Desia Heli and Gestain.
"All preparations to guide Lady Silvia through her awakening are complete."
Crimson Tower Lord Berenus Kyle reported. Azure Tower Lord Risefield Dior nodded gravely, his face more serious than usual.
Two pinnacle high mages—tower lords in their own right—had personally mended the damaged 'Record of the Spirit King.' What could be more reliable?
A smile tugged at Raymond's lips.
"All preparations complete means the 'Spirit King's Diary' has been restored as well?"
"Not perfectly intact, but the risks during awakening have been substantially reduced."
In other words, not flawless. Far from ideal, but Raymond showed no sign of disappointment. He knew perfectly restoring a damaged unique magic artifact was next to impossible.
"Silvia."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Raymond called her softly. The platinum-haired high elf in black attire stepped forward cautiously and bowed.
"You've been told the Record of the Spirit King isn't fully mended?"
"Yes, the Crimson Tower Lord explained it thoroughly."
"Proceeding with the awakening carries risks."
"I'm prepared for that."
Silvia's voice rang with steely resolve.
She knew from Raymond that the Doomsday Society lurked behind the Second Prince's assault on her Platinum Clan's village. She had honed her blade for revenge right up to this moment.
"If it means awakening, I'll face the danger."
Her determination shone through. Raymond nodded solemnly and extended a hand toward Risefield.
The elderly Azure Tower Lord lifted the 'Record of the Spirit King' from the magic-circle-laden table and passed it to Raymond, who then offered it to Silvia.
"This belongs to you now, Silvia. Use it to avenge your clan."
"Your Majesty..."
Dew gathered in Silvia's clear eyes.
"I will give it everything I have."
With her vow exchanged, she channeled her mana and unfurled the 'Record of the Spirit King.'
"Mana fluctuations detected. Proceeding smoothly so far."
Berenus announced in his signature calm tone. Per the author's design, the inscribed magic circle would activate, opening a dimensional gate to the Spirit Realm. Safely traversing it required ample spirit power, barring the others present from joining her.
"Dimensional gate to the Spirit Realm has opened."
Space tore open before them, mystical energies spilling forth. The narrow fissure—barely wide enough for one—framed a dreamlike vista.
A bizarre realm where fire and wind mingled in harmony with earth and water.
"My word, even glimpsing the Spirit Realm like this is a first for me."
Risefield let out a mild exclamation. Even spiritists forged contracts in the material world, leaving knowledge of the Spirit Realm to a precious few.
"Your Majesty..."
"Return safely."
Raymond's words sounded detached, but his concern for Silvia was genuine.
Did that sincerity reach her? As she advanced toward the gate, Silvia paused, turned back to Raymond, and offered a faint smile.
"I'll come back stronger."
With that, she stepped through carefully yet without hesitation. And that was that.
She didn't return by the next day. Amid the mounting tension, everyone pulled an anxious all-nighter. Raymond kept vigil, his face etched with worry. War Department and Foreign Affairs reports arrived via messenger even in the magic workshop.
"Has something gone wrong?"
The words slipped out, born of inner turmoil. In the original novel [Empire of the Dead], Silvia returned in three hours—but circumstances had changed.
The damaged 'Record of the Spirit King' hadn't been fully restored, so anomalies were to be expected.
"The gate remaining open means Lady Silvia—at least, the one supplying it mana—is safe."
Berenus offered reassurance, but it rang hollow. Anxiety gnawed at Raymond; he bit his lips until blood trickled down his chin.
Desia approached gingerly and dabbed his lips with a handkerchief.
"Your Majesty. I think I know what you're planning."
Reflecting on it, he'd spent considerable time with Desia. Her expression suggested she truly divined his intentions, no mere bravado.
A faint smile played on Raymond's lips as he spoke.
"Then you know you can't stop me."
"Naturally. But I'm coming with you."
Desia replied with her own faint smile.
She meant it. He'd not only revealed the path to the grand mage realm she'd long dreamed of but saved her from mana rampage.
Having pledged lifelong loyalty time and again, she was ready to brave any peril for him.
"We're going now."
"And Sir Gestain?"
Desia glanced cautiously at Gestain as she asked. But Raymond shook his head calmly.
Gestain was a rigid man. Absent extraordinary circumstances or a direct imperial decree, he stuck to the emperor's side like glue. Suggesting they cross to the Spirit Realm together would prompt staunch opposition.
He might have relented before learning the details, but now—having heard from Berenus that spiritless intruders faced unknown perils—he'd block the way desperately.
"Just the two of us, then."
"I'll heed Your Majesty's will. No need to worry."
"Now."
Raymond positioned himself naturally beside the gate. The mood hung heavy; no one suspected his true aim.
But as Desia pressed close to his side, Gestain caught the odd vibe.
"Your Majesty! You mustn't!"
The stoic Guard Captain raised his voice and lunged forward. Yet Raymond was too near the gate to intercept.
Besides, as a high-ranking magic swordsman, Raymond slipped through the gate in a heartbeat—beyond Gestain's reach.
"N-No...!"
"Follow His Majesty!"
Desia cried out as Gestain hurled himself at the gate—but his body slammed into the workshop wall.
The Spirit Realm, repelled by swallowing the spiritless Raymond, had forcibly sealed the gate.
"Oh heavens! Your Majesty!"
In the ensuing silence, only Risefield's lament echoed.
Chapter 36
The Corrupted Spirit Realm (1)