Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Chapter 37: The Birth of the High Elf (2)
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“Aigoo! Your Majesty the Emperor!”
“If you have time to wail like that, prepare to reopen the dimensional gateway, Azure Tower Lord!”
“Aigooo!”
At Crimson Tower Lord Berenus Kyle’s sharp rebuke, Azure Tower Lord Risefield Dior didn’t stop his lamenting but attempted to reconstruct the magic circle to reconnect the gateway to the Spirit Realm.
However, linking a dimensional gateway to the Spirit Realm without the ‘Records of the Spirit King’ or the awakening High Elf bloodline was no easy task even for high-ranking mages.
The attempts kept failing.
How much time had passed?
It was around the time that Berenus, Risefield, and Desia’s mana reserves were running dry. Among the exhausted trio, Desia suddenly sensed a fluctuation in mana and sprang to her feet, her eyes gleaming.
The fatigued Berenus and Risefield also felt the flow of mana a beat later and rose.
“The dimensional gateway is opening!”
Desia’s expression and voice, which had been as lifeless as a corpse moments before, brightened noticeably. It might just be Raymond’s return, the one they had so desperately hoped for.
Though it hadn’t been a long time, the absence of the being who had always been by their side left a profound emptiness.
It was a time that had reawakened their appreciation for Raymond’s importance.
While it didn’t take long for the dimensional mana to form and the gateway to open, to those who had been waiting endlessly in the workshop, it felt like an eternity.
Kuung!
In an instant, the mana inside the magic workshop shook violently, and a space that had held nothing split open with a creeeak!.
As all eyes focused there, the Emperor in his red uniform stepped out of the dimensional gateway alongside Silvia.
“Aigoo! Your Majesty the Emperor!”
“Are you alright?”
Geshtain moved faster than anyone, checking Raymond’s condition while leaving the greatly relieved Risefield behind. The Emperor’s symbolic uniform was tattered, but there were no visible external injuries.
Raymond grinned at his loyal retainer and steadfast Imperial Guard Captain, who had rushed over first to worry about him. That smile wasn’t just from joy at seeing them.
The moment he crossed into the present realm, he felt the overwhelming presence of his Dominion surging back to fill him.
It seemed he had recovered his Dominion while purifying the Spirit Realm.
“I’m fine, Geshtain.”
“That’s a relief.”
Over the shoulder of the Imperial Guard Captain, who bowed his head and stepped back, Desia came into view.
Dew had gathered in her clear eyes. The realization that her misguided judgment had nearly cost her the Emperor had shaken her to tears.
“Your Majesty the Emperor! Are you alright?”
While Desia hesitated, the Azure Tower Lord rushed over and asked. Raymond slowly nodded and opened his mouth.
“I’m unharmed. So, all of you, put your minds at ease.”
As he comforted his startled subordinates, the door to the magic workshop opened, and Count Denitz burst in with a pale face.
“Y-Your Majesty the Emperor?”
He was startled to see the Emperor sitting in the workshop’s chair, steadying his breath.
Raymond shot a glance at the Azure Tower Lord and Crimson Tower Lord, demanding an explanation. The first to speak was Crimson Tower Lord Berenus.
“We had to consider the possibility that Your Majesty might not return for a long time. Thus, we informed Count Denitz.”
After Berenus’s explanation ended, Raymond’s gaze turned to Count Denitz. He nodded, confirming Berenus’s words.
“You did well.”
If they had informed the Royal Guard or others, the worst-case scenario would have unfolded where news of the Emperor’s disappearance leaked all the way to the Three Kingdoms Alliance. Fortunately, the gathered individuals weren’t fools; they had only told Count Denitz, a key figure among the Emperor’s close aides wielding real power in various areas.
Seeing Raymond’s satisfied smile, Count Denitz let out a sigh of relief.
“It’s truly fortunate that you’re safe, Your Majesty the Emperor.”
“Thank you for worrying, Count.”
But Count Denitz’s expression softened with relief only briefly before hardening like stone again. Noticing this, Raymond realized something had happened to the Philius Empire while he was saving the Spirit Realm.
“I’m fine, so if it’s urgent, report it now.”
Though Raymond was exhausted, Count Denitz’s expression made it clear to anyone that he bore serious news.
At Raymond’s permission, the young tactical count nodded slightly and slowly spoke.
“The Three Kingdoms Alliance—specifically, 10,000 troops from the Free Isiria Kingdom—have crossed the border into the Black Mountains.”
Raymond bit his lip slightly at Count Denitz’s report. He had just heard that 5,000 mercenaries from the Free Isiria Kingdom were advancing toward the Black Mountains border and another 10,000 were assembling. Already crossing the border?
“Weren’t the additional 10,000 still assembling?”
“It seems the Central Intelligence Agency missed another 5,000 troops. They joined the initial 5,000 and have entered the Black Mountains.”
“So another 10,000 are still assembling?”
If so, the border forces stationed in the Black Mountains would soon face over 20,000 enemy troops.
“Yes, Your Majesty. They’re assembling. Reports say over half have already crossed into the Eraser Marquisate.”
The Eraser Marquisate was a territory in the Free Isiria Kingdom directly bordering the Black Mountains. Crossing its border meant the additional 10,000 were right on the doorstep of the Black Mountains.
“How has the Empire’s border army responded?”
“Unable to reach Your Majesty, I used my temporary authority to order the border forces to advance north.”
Only the army commander, Grand Marshal, or Emperor could order the border forces north. Count Denitz hadn’t been formally appointed Grand Marshal, but he had been granted partial authority to exercise it.
Raymond wanted to appoint him Grand Marshal immediately, but opposition due to his past under Duke Belpiang had delayed it.
“Well done.”
Raymond sincerely praised Count Denitz’s quick judgment. If he had been slow, the Free Isiria Kingdom’s mercenary army would have advanced south first, seizing advantageous high ground before war broke out.
There were Philius Empire forces stationed in the Black Mountains, but due to the disarmament treaty, their numbers were limited. If the Free Isiria forces pushed south with determination, nothing could stop them immediately. Ordering the border forces north in advance was Count Denitz’s wise decision.
“Count, it seems we must expedite your appointment as Grand Marshal.”
Raymond spoke in a firm voice. With the Grand Marshal title, he could have ordered the northeastern nobles to mobilize their private troops.
“It’s a position beyond my worth, but if you appoint me, I’ll wield that authority to the fullest and become the shield that halts the enemy.”
Count Denitz was straightforward. He believed it better to accept outright and steel his resolve than waste time with polite refusals.
“Won’t there still be many opposed?”
Crimson Tower Lord Berenus Kyle voiced his cautious concern. He then calmly listed the factions likely to oppose, his points valid. Raymond nodded.
“But if something like this happens again and I’m absent, Count Denitz must command the front lines. Without the Grand Marshal title, it’ll be problematic.”
“Are you planning another sudden absence, Your Majesty?”
“Not at all, Crimson Tower Lord. It’s just that no one knows what tomorrow brings. I believe appointing Count Denitz as Grand Marshal is right.”
Raymond countered in a low voice. Berenus slowly nodded and quietly spoke.
“Then the Crimson Tower will support Your Majesty’s decision.”
“The Azure Tower as well.”
Risefield also declared his support. A faint smile played on Raymond’s lips as he looked at them.
“Thank you.”
Short, but sincere. Without the Azure Tower’s initial support and the Crimson Tower’s joining, Emperor Raymond Philius wouldn’t be here now.
With the northeastern nobles—his greatest backers—rushing war preparations, having influential voices in the capital was a great strength.
“When will it proceed, Your Majesty?”
He meant appointing Count Denitz as Grand Marshal.
“No time to waste, so right now.”
He had originally worried about noble opposition, but circumstances had changed. Even if forceful, he’d use the Emperor’s name to silence dissent.
“Showing strength is a good approach as well.”
Berenus said. Raymond nodded, and upon returning to the Imperial Capital, he appointed Count Denitz as Grand Marshal.
The Philius Empire’s name no longer carried the weight of its heyday.
He expected noble backlash, but surprisingly, it was quiet. Raymond didn’t know yet, but the Knight Orders—the military’s elite—had declared strong support, bolstering imperial authority and suppressing opposition.
“I’ll do my utmost.”
The Empire was already in wartime mode, so the appointment ceremony was simple. Count Denitz’s statement was brief but resolute.
“Once the northeastern private troops assemble, lead them to the Black Mountains.”
That very day Count Denitz was appointed Grand Marshal, Raymond gave him a special mission. With the Grand Marshal title and the northeastern nobles now firmly pro-Emperor, there’d be no resistance to his overall command.
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
“Is the Imperial Army ready?”
“The entire 1st Legion of the Imperial Army is mobilizing, but it’ll take a bit more time.”
The Imperial Army consisted of one legion and one brigade—8,000 troops total. Raymond planned to lead the 1st Legion’s 6,000 directly to the Black Mountains.
“Then it’s time to visit the Belpiang Imperial Direct Territory.”
“Part of the Empire Reconstruction Plan?”
Count Denitz asked. He knew of the plan’s existence.
“Yes. The Iron Hammer Unit slumbers in the Belpiang Imperial Direct Territory.”
“I’ve heard of them. The finest engineer unit from ancient times, all dwarves, right? If they awaken, they’ll be invaluable for sieges and defenses.”
True to his tactical count moniker, he was already considering their impact upon awakening.
Master artisans excelling in sieges and defenses, yet formidable warriors too. Though few due to the Great Magic-induced hibernation, their awakening would help greatly.
“We’re heading to the Belpiang Imperial Direct Territory.”
His decisions were always prudent yet swift. The first assembled 1,000 Imperial troops handled escort to the Belpiang Imperial Direct Territory.
The Belpiang Duke family had loyally guarded against the vast northern empire Haipel for generations.
But the traitor known as the Mountain Duke had tarnished their honorable name and toppled the house. Revisiting the Belpiang Imperial Direct Territory, Raymond couldn’t hide his bitterness.
“Your Majesty, we’ve arrived.”
Cashias, promoted to high Imperial Army command alongside Count Denitz’s appointment, announced their arrival.
The destination was the ruins of a massive city. Abandoned after the Philius Empire’s decline post-ancient era, the Iron Hammer Unit slumbered here.
“Let’s go.”
No time to hesitate. Even now, Philius Empire and Free Isiria Kingdom forces marched toward each other in the Black Mountains. Perhaps battle had already begun, unreported.
Raymond entered the ruins with the Royal Guard and a few Imperial knights. The Royal Guard vigilantly scanned the surroundings.
Though the Emperor’s movements were secret, the Hashashin of Edriger Kingdom outmatched the Central Intelligence Agency in espionage and assassination, forcing constant tension outside the capital.
“May I ask our direction?”
Marquis Blizzard asked cautiously. Knowing the destination aided secure escort. Raymond nodded slowly and spoke.
“The city center, where the ‘Absolute Lord’s Front Gate’ lies—untouched by any.”