Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: Chapter 43: Revival of the Imperial Church (2)
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At the defensive line of the Philius Empire on the border of Eraser territory, the forces led by Count Dantihi were locked in a standoff with the army of Marquis Diref, the Third Field Marshal of the Free Isirian Kingdom.
The Shades had been relentlessly assassinating mid-level commanders and lesser nobles under Marquis Diref's command, but it wasn't enough to halt their advance completely. In the end, the Third Field Marshal Diref unleashed his full forces toward the Eraser defensive line.
While the assassinations continued, Marquis Diref hadn't been sitting idle either. He steadily reinforced his troops from the surrounding areas until their numbers swelled to 30,000.
In contrast, Count Dantihi's forces were few in number. As a result, Marquis Crayer, who had been resting in Eraser territory, hurriedly led his army to join them, bringing the total to 25,000.
"For His Majesty the Emperor, we will hold this defensive line."
Marquis Crayer declared with a stern expression, drawing his sword. Beyond the hill in front of him fluttered countless banners of the Free Isirian Kingdom's army.
Third Field Marshal Diref launched a fierce all-out assault with his entire force. He judged that, with most of his mid-level commanders assassinated, a prolonged war would put him at a disadvantage.
Marquis Crayer refrained from advancing recklessly and instead dug in to hold the defensive line.
The Philius Empire soldiers on the line, including Crayer himself, firmly believed that their emperor, Raymond, would send reinforcements.
"Your Majesty. This is a report from the Eraser front. A major battle has taken place, and both sides have suffered heavy casualties, making it difficult to declare a victor."
Count Denitz reported in a grave tone. The nobles and commanders gathered in the Lord's Hall for the command meeting stirred uneasily.
"It seems Marquis Diref quelled the internal chaos in his army faster than expected."
William Acon, commander of the Northern Central Army, remarked. But Count Denitz thought differently.
"He hasn't fully quelled the internal chaos, Count Acon. Reports indicate that additional mid-level commanders dispatched from the Free Isirian Kingdom's central command haven't arrived yet."
"But the Third Field Marshal's army is already on the move, Grand Marshal. They've clashed with our forces at the defensive line."
"It looks like a plan to strike the defensive line as hard as possible—either to hide their internal disorder or to push before it worsens."
At Count Denitz's explanation, not only Acon but the other commanders slowly nodded in agreement.
"Your Majesty. We must send troops to the Eraser front immediately."
One noble commander raised his voice. Others from the same faction nodded or chimed in to show support.
"Not possible for now."
Raymond shook his head. In truth, he desperately wanted to dispatch troops to the Eraser front, but pulling large forces from the occupied territories now would only ignite fiercer resistance—it was a certainty.
'Was there a problem with the Imperial Church's suspended animation magic?'
The Imperial Church members who had awakened were suffering far more severe aftereffects than the earlier group.
Even as ancient grand magic, it had preserved 'humans' intact without death for thousands of years. It wasn't strange if minor issues during that time prolonged the aftereffects.
"Since we have no countermeasures right now, let's end today's meeting here."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The commanders responded in unison to Raymond's declaration. Continuing a meeting with no clear solutions would just be a waste of time.
Better to focus on their respective duties.
With the command meeting adjourned, Count Denitz bowed his head and returned to his post to fulfill his role.
Raymond let out a short sigh with a weary expression in the Lord's Hall, now left only with his escorts, and rose to his feet.
"Gestain."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Where is Bishop Gustav now?"
He needed to meet Bishop Gustav of the Imperial Church's Inquisition Diocese to check on the priests' conditions. Only by assessing their physical states could he plan ahead.
"In Sector 3 of the inner castle."
"Escort me."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I shall guide you."
Sector 3 of the inner castle wasn't far. With brisk steps, they arrived quickly.
"What in the world is this...?"
Upon arriving in Sector 3, Raymond was stunned. The walls were adorned with murals of the Philius Empire's emperors and imperial crests, some even featuring Raymond's portrait. The Imperial Church had already completed its preparations.
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"
The Imperial Church inquisitors guarding Sector 3 spotted Raymond late and shouted cheers.
Raymond gave them a slight nod and headed toward the building where Bishop Gustav was staying.
Bishop Gustav had been informed of the emperor's approach to Sector 3 and was waiting for Raymond.
He considered facing the emperor—whom he revered like the heavens—in an unprepared state as profound disloyalty, so he had positioned himself in advance.
"Your Majesty! Though temporary, it is an honor that you visit this great stronghold proclaiming the revival of the Imperial Church!"
Bishop Gustav fawned effusively. Truly, the servants of the Philius Empire seemed to have a racial trait of going into a frenzy at the sight of their emperor.
"Is the Inquisition Diocese prepared?"
"Of course. They can be deployed into combat immediately."
"Good. Excellent."
It was a relief. If the Imperial Church wasn't ready, he'd have no choice but to leave a large contingent in Eraser territory to suppress resistance forces.
"From today, I entrust you with a mission."
"Your Majesty. Command me as you will."
"You've likely heard the broad outlines of our kingdom's current situation."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
The Imperial Church's education had been handled by the Grand Marshal's office. With Count Denitz as the overseer, the handling would have been meticulous.
"I hear that vile resistors lurk even in the territories conquered by Your Majesty himself."
He understood the situation perfectly. Raymond nodded with a satisfied smile at Bishop Gustav's immediate response.
"No need for concern. Any who dare raise rebellion in Your Majesty's domain will be purged by the Imperial Church."
Bishop Gustav declared with confident vigor.
Raymond felt a twinge of unease at the sight. He knew how ruthless the Imperial Church of ancient times had been.
But he quickly shook his head and corrected his thinking.
This was no time to be choosy about methods.
"I entrust everything to you. Spare no effort in exterminating the rebels."
"Yes. I shall present the traitors' heads to Your Majesty."
Bishop Gustav's eyes gleamed sharply.
Late at night.
Individuals concealing sharp auras gathered in a slum on one side of a small town in Eraser territory. They slipped into an old religious building at the center of the slums.
Those assembled inside the building simultaneously removed their hoods as if by prior agreement. Clear smiles spread across their faces upon recognizing each other.
"Everyone's alive."
"Thank goodness."
They clapped each other on the shoulders in encouragement.
"But where's Sir Kay?"
"He's coming with Thomas. He said they'd be a bit late."
"That's fortunate, then."
Knock knock.
No sooner had the conversation ended than someone knocked. One of the gathered members approached the door, hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist.
"Who is it?"
"It's Thomas. Sir Kay is with me."
The voice was familiar, but the resistance swordsman didn't drop his guard. He cracked the door to confirm their faces before stepping back to let them in.
"Come in. Everyone's here."
Unlike the swordsman greeting them brightly, Sir Kay and Thomas wore dark expressions. As they entered the chapel's center, the others belatedly read their faces.
"What happened?"
The mage asked in a quiet voice. Her skill was only mid-level, but mages were rare in the resistance, earning her a position as an executive.
"Outposts 4 and 6 have fallen. Supplies will be cut off for a while."
Kay said in a somber tone. The resistance executives in the chapel were shocked. Outposts 4 and 6 handled their logistics.
Just that afternoon, they had been stocked full of weapons, armor, and food supplied by some mysterious force.
"Damn it! Who the hell?!"
A burly executive vented his frustration. But nothing changed.
"Weren't security at Outposts 4 and 6 airtight? How...?"
Even amid the shock, the mage calmly tried to analyze the cause.
Thomas stepped forward on behalf of Kay, who slumped into a wooden chair with a sigh.
"We don't know either. We can't even tell where the leak came from."
"You saying there's a traitor among us?"
The burly executive shot to his feet, shouting.
"I never said there was a traitor! Don't overreact!"
Thomas raised his voice, apparently annoyed. But the burly executive, thoroughly riled, unleashed a sharp aura.
"My brother was at Outpost 6!"
The aura exploded. It was beyond what Thomas could handle, but Kay stepped in front, neutralizing it.
"This isn't the time. Looks like we've got tails."
"Tails?"
The mage echoed. Kay bit his lip and nodded. He was an advanced knight, nearing elite status even in House Eraser.
His instincts, honed by countless battles with monsters, warned of suspicious presences circling outside.
"To the windows!"
At Kay's command, the swordsmen rushed to the windows. They peered into the darkness, but saw no movement.
"Nothing here."
"Same on this side."
Kay bit his lip at the reports and looked out himself. Only thick darkness met his eyes.
"I definitely felt a presence..."
The moment he muttered pointlessly, something flew from the shadows.
Crash!
The window shattered, and a hand axe embedded itself in the neck of the swordsman beside Kay.
"Counterattack!"
Kay thrust forward the shield on his back and shouted. The swordsmen drew crossbows and fired back. While they kept shooting, Kay checked the wounded swordsman.
"Instant death..."
A neck hit by a hand axe—death in one blow. The axe bore the Philius imperial crest.
"The imperial crest...? Did the Royal Guard move?"
Kay was aghast. As far as he knew, few groups emblazoned weapons with the imperial crest, and the Royal Guard was one.
"The Royal Guard?"
"If they are, we're all dead men."
As the executives panicked, the swordsmen firing crossbows nonstop began collapsing one by one with screams.
Hand axes with the imperial crest were lodged in their bodies.
"Damn it!"
The executives drew their swords. Kay and Thomas did the same. With the window guards down, holy knights in silver armor and gleaming mantles emerged from the darkness.
"Did the Philius Empire have holy knight orders?"
Someone muttered, but Kay didn't hear. The sealed door exploded inward, and holy knights strode in with clanking armor.
"Those who dare wield swords in rebellion on His Majesty's territory shall face the judgment of imperial authority!"
"For His Majesty the Emperor!"
The holy knights shouted in unison, and lightning poured through the roof.
"Gaaahhh!"
"Kyaaahhh!"
The executives were incinerated in a single strike. Only Kay and Thomas on the edge, plus the mage, barely survived.
"That just now... wasn't magic. What are you?"
The mage asked in a trembling voice. A high-ranking holy knight stepped forward with a smirk.
"Divine magic."
"I thought the Philius Empire had no religion..."
"Blasphemy! With His Majesty the Emperor as the absolute existence! You still deny the faith in Him manifested as divine magic?!"
"No way..."
Divine magic required divine power granted by an existing god. Did that mean the Philius Empire's emperor was a god?
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor. We follow His imperial command."
The holy knights raised their weapons as one. Kay closed his eyes and gave up resistance.