Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: In the Name of Victory (1)
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"Smooth sailing so far. It looks like the Philius Empire's forces aren't prepared to welcome our kingdom's airship fleet."
Standing proudly in the center of the airship's bridge was a man with purple hair—the commander of the Jaist Magitech Kingdom's 9th Fleet, General Rodeo.
To his left stood the command officers of the 9th Fleet's flagship in a neat line, while to his right was the Marine General of the Lisbon Maritime Kingdom, Count Tralro.
"The Marines are ready. We can launch the landing operation the moment the fleet descends."
"Don't rush me. We'll accelerate the descent as soon as the Free Isiria Kingdom's forces on the ground secure a minimum safety zone."
General Rodeo shrugged at Count Tralro's urging and stepped forward to the front of the bridge. Beyond the large, transparent window, the battlefield sprawled out below at a glance.
"Can you see? The Philius Empire's mages are firing off spells in desperation, but they can't pierce the airships' magic resistance. This is our kingdom's magitech prowess."
General Rodeo spread his arms wide, his voice dripping with intoxication.
"Just as you say, General—the Philius Empire's forces have no anti-air defenses ready. We need to accelerate the descent right now, before the Free Isiria Kingdom's forces take more casualties."
"...Understood."
At Count Tralro's insistent prodding, General Rodeo moved to the control station. He adjusted the monocle over his left eye and gave the order.
"Accelerate descent!"
"Broadcast to the entire fleet immediately! Accelerate descent!"
The 9th Fleet's airships began descending faster. General Rodeo watched from the control station as the lead airships rapidly closed in on the ground, but his expression suddenly hardened.
"Incoming projectiles!"
Dozens of projectiles shot up from the ground, targeting the 9th Fleet's airships. The bridge officers and crew didn't worry. The airships' magic resistance was formidable, after all.
However...
Boom!Kaboom!
The barrage from the repeating ballistae—infused with powerful magic and dwarven engineering—pierced the defensive spells and struck the airships true.
The disaster didn't stop there. With deafening crashes, the spears detonated, engulfing the airships in roaring flames. Four airships, pummeled by dozens of spears, belched out thick, black-red smoke.
"The Magitech Kingdom's vaunted airship defenses have been breached?"
General Rodeo was stunned.
"Identify the source of the attack!"
"It looks like ballistae!"
At the spotter's report, General Rodeo nodded unconsciously. Specially crafted magic-etched spears on ballistae could indeed punch through airship barriers, he realized.
"Hurry! We need to land the Marines before those ballistae reload!"
"Max descent speed!"
Normal ballistae reloaded slowly. With the volley just fired, if they hurried, they could land before a second barrage. But that was General Rodeo's mistake.
Raymond's ballistae were repeating models capable of five shots in rapid succession. Before the descent could pick up, another rain of spears poured down.
Boom!Kabooom!
The flagship rocked violently.
"Report damage!"
One of the bridge officers bellowed hoarsely. Spotters scrambled to assess the situation.
"Fleet damage report! We've lost three more airships!"
General Rodeo bit his lip hard at the report. Now, only five airships remained, including the flagship.
"Counterattack! Magic bombardment!"
"Transmitting now!"
The mages aboard the airships began firing back, but it was impossible to intercept every ballista hidden in the dense forest canopy.
The dwarves manning the repeating ballistae were rotating shifts as Raymond had instructed, unleashing a near-relentless hail of spears. One by one, the 9th Fleet's airships spewed black-red smoke, plummeting to the ground or exploding in midair with thunderous blasts.
"We've lost all fleet airships!"
"Only the flagship remains!"
Desperate reports came in rapid succession. With only the flagship left, over ninety percent of the Lisbon Maritime Kingdom's Marines aboard had been lost.
Count Tralro, standing silently on the flagship's bridge, had a face frozen stiff.
"More spears incoming!"
"Shields down!"
All airships except the flagship were gone. The repeating ballistae on the ground now trained their sights on the 9th Fleet flagship. And the firing resumed.
Over twenty spears launched skyward.
From the ground, Raymond watched the 9th Fleet crumble helplessly. The repeating ballistae—devised by the novel's true protagonist—lived up to their billing as decisive weapons, unleashing devastating power.
Crafted with dwarven expertise and etched with spells from the Crimson and Azure Towers, the spears shredded the 9th Fleet's airships indiscriminately.
"There will be survivors. What should we do?"
At Count Denitz's question, Raymond replied with a cold smile.
"They dared challenge the sacred imperial authority of the Philius Empire. No need to leave any loose ends."
"I'll send the cavalry to finish them all."
Count Denitz dispatched a messenger. Philius Empire cavalry units moved toward each crash site.
Most airships had chain-exploded before impact, leaving few survivors—and those gravely wounded. They didn't get far from the wreckage before the empire's cavalry cut them down.
"I'll issue the order for the main army to advance again."
Raymond nodded, and Count Denitz signaled the waiting rider. The rider swapped flags, and the entire army pressed forward once more against the Free Isiria Kingdom's forces.
"A little more pressure, and they'll start breaking ranks and fleeing."
Though bound by long-term contracts, the core of the Free Isiria Kingdom's army was mercenaries.
They lacked the national loyalty of Philius Empire soldiers.
The Free Isiria forces were strong and battle-hardened—but only from advantageous positions. In a crumbling formation and overall disadvantage like now, their lack of loyalty led swiftly to fragmentation and rout.
"Shift formations and intensify the assault."
The mage unit stepped forward. Brilliant magical lights blanketed the sky. Explosions erupted in the Free Isiria Kingdom's rear guard.
With one airship crashed in their rear, their mages hadn't even finished regrouping.
Under the relentless barrage, the Free Isiria formation splintered, and mercenaries began fleeing.
In the end, 5th Marshal Marquis Lanins had no choice but to order a retreat, his face rigid.
The rider waved the retreat flag. Soon, horns blared, signaling a full withdrawal.
Raymond, receiving reports via messengers at command, wore a vivid smile.
"Your Majesty the Emperor. It's a bit premature to declare, but it seems we've won the day."
Count Denitz said. The knights and officers gathered at command fixed their eyes on Raymond. Their faces alight, ready to cheer the moment he declared victory.
As the mood swelled, Raymond spoke calmly.
"We have won."
"Waaaaah!"
A thunderous roar erupted.
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"
"Long live the Philius Empire!"
A euphoric high, like a drug, swept through them all. Unlike the civil war victory against the Mountain Duke, this was the empire's first glorious triumph over foreign foes in nearly three centuries—its significance unmatched.
The cheers and cries from officers and knights showed no sign of stopping, until Raymond raised his left hand to calm them.
"I promise you."
He paused. Those assembled held their breath.
The electric atmosphere hushed to stillness—but the fervor remained undimmed.
The knights' and officers' eyes burned with passion.
"Today's victory for the empire is just the beginning!"
He raised his right hand.
"The empire will keep winning! We will reclaim the radiant glory of our lost ancient era!"
"Waaaaah!"
Cheers exploded anew.
5th Marshal Marquis Lanins received one order from the Free Isiria Kingdom's Marshal Headquarters.
Gather the scattered troops and withdraw to the border.
With their ruling mage Elpis lost, Marshal HQ judged it wiser to retreat and regroup rather than wage a war of attrition in the monster-filled Black Mountains.
Marquis Lanins immediately ordered a rally at the border, but it was no easy task. Most troops, routed by the Philius Empire, ignored the call and deserted outright.
By the deadline, only 10,000 had gathered at the border. Marshal HQ expected the victorious Philius Empire to press their momentum and march straight to the border—but contrary to expectations, the empire didn't immediately exit the Black Mountains.
"I can't fathom what the Philius Empire's command is thinking."
"After a first-battle victory seizing the initiative, the norm is to advance and mop up remnants. But they're hunkered down in the Black Mountains without pushing further—it's baffling."
The 5th Marshal HQ of the Free Isiria Kingdom, monitoring the Philius Empire's movements, heard various theories from officers, but none rang true.
While waiting at the border for reinforcements, the Philius Empire forces under Raymond and Count Denitz showed some activity.
It was fortress construction.
"House Kreya Marquis' banner!"
In the heart of the Black Mountains, Kreya territory forces marched into the half-built central fortress, their marquis house flag flying high.
Leading the column, Marquis Kreya spotted the emperor ahead, dismounted, and bowed his head in salute.
"Your Majesty the Emperor. Congratulations on the victory. With this, the empire's great journey to reclaim its past glory truly begins."
Marquis Kreya spoke steadily. Raymond, now before him, nodded with a faint smile.
"The promised victories will lead the empire's path, and at its end awaits radiant glory. Raise your head, Marquis Kreya. You've had a long march."
Marquis Kreya looked up and turned to his steadfast eldest son beside him, Kron Kreya.
"Kron. Confirm our garrison with empire command and let the troops rest."
"Yes, my lord."
Kron replied politely to his father the marquis—even calling him 'my lord.'
He rejoined the troops with a strong voice. A mid-level Philius Empire officer rode up to guide him on garrison assignments.
"To command."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The two hurried off. Upon arriving at command, the waiting officers rose as one to salute the emperor.
Raymond nodded and took the head seat.
"Frankly, this spot where the central fortress is rising isn't ideal strategically for long-term defense against monster assaults. So I figured most of you are wondering why."
The officers nodded at Raymond's words. Many had questioned the site choice, but with Raymond and Count Denitz pushing ahead, now was the time for answers.
"Follow me. There's something I want to show you."
Raymond led the command officers somewhere. After about thirty minutes' walk, he stopped at a cave entrance inside the fortress site—one the officers had glimpsed in passing.
For unknown reasons, it was heavily guarded, barring close inspection.
"Follow."
"Into the cave?"
A middle-aged senior officer asked cautiously. Raymond nodded.
"Yes. I guarantee you'll be amazed."
Raymond entered first with his guards. The initially hesitant officers, seeing the emperor lead, shook off doubt and followed briskly.
How far had they gone? Raymond halted and spread his arms wide.
"Well? Isn't this reason enough?"
The officers fell speechless before the golden wave filling the space ahead.