Chapter 141
Chapter 141
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: To the Edriger Kingdom! (3)
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The Philius Empire was no longer a nation declining while clinging to past glories. The morale of its elite troops, forged through repeated victories and ample combat experience, soared to the heavens.
The military's loyalty to the Emperor, who was leading this great war to reclaim their former glory, deepened with each passing day.
When the Edriger Kingdom's capital was besieged by the Philius Imperial Army, the Lisbon Maritime Kingdom attempted to check the Empire by sending a large force southward.
However, with Marquis Balgets firmly entrenched like a mountain to the north of the occupied Isiriya territories, even that proved difficult.
In the end, King Calbern of Edriger had no choice but to reach out to the Jeist Magic Kingdom, which had newly joined the tripartite alliance in place of the Free Isiriya Kingdom. "Hold on just a little longer. The 7th Fleet is en route to your territory." Marquis Side, the Supreme Commander of the Jeist Magic Kingdom's Aerial Forces, showed a friendly attitude during his magical communication with Livingsman, the Captain of Edriger's Royal Iron Knights.
Marquis Side was one of the puppets moving at the behest of Veris, a high-ranking executive of the Apocalypse Society.
Even as they conducted large-scale purges, resistance from the war opposition was fierce. Veris's faction had suffered considerable losses as well, forcing them to delay deployment while rebuilding their forces.
During that delay, the Philius Empire had encircled Edriger's capital city—a development that far exceeded the expectations of not only Veris and Richard but the entire Apocalypse Society.
"We must increase the 7th Fleet's speed, Aerial Forces Commander. If our capital falls, the Philius Empire's next target will be the Jeist Magic Kingdom."
Livingsman said, his face tense and hardened. "The 7th Fleet is already moving at maximum speed." "With our assassin forces neutralized, I can't guarantee how long we can hold." "The 5th and 6th Fleets are arming as well... just hold on a bit longer." Livingsman bit his lip so hard it nearly drew blood at Marquis Side's words.
In a situation where even three fleets might not be enough, the 5th and 6th were still arming? His frustration only grew.
"As I said once more, I can't guarantee how long we can hold." "Hah, no helping it. I'll send the 'Ashen Mage'." "You mean that 'Ashen Mage'?"
Livingsman asked, his eyes wide. Marquis Side nodded silently.
While the two nobles from different kingdoms exchanged magical communications, the Philius Imperial Army prepared for a total assault on Edriger's capital city.
The Dark Nobles, along with the few remaining Hashashin, had sabotaged siege weapons under cover of night, but it wasn't enough to stop them. Preparations for the all-out attack proceeded swiftly.
And finally, the day of the total assault arrived.
"Your Majesty. All units have completed their preparations."
Early dawn. Marquis Crayer reported upon arriving at the command tent.
"Send messengers to each unit to conduct a final combat readiness check."
"Understood."
The attack was scheduled for noon, so there was plenty of time. At Raymond's command, Marquis Crayer signaled the waiting messengers. They mounted their horses and galloped off to their assigned units.
"Final checks for all units complete!"
A top Imperial Army officer rushed in with the report, two hours before noon.
"The time has come."
Raymond muttered, checking his watch. Despite facing a massive battle with over 100,000 troops, his voice was chillingly calm.
As he stepped forward, his attendants followed in unison. Raymond headed to where the Imperial Army awaited.
"His Majesty the Emperor is with us!"
Upon joining the Imperial Army, Cassias waved the Emperor's banner to boost morale. With all preparations complete, only the assault on the capital city remained.
Raymond made his way to the siege command post at the center of the Imperial Army's formation. Messengers were already lined up there, waiting to report the current situation.
As Raymond sat in his chair, they reported each unit's status in turn. Time passed, and noon—the scheduled attack time—arrived.
"Send in the vanguard."
The mercenaries took the vanguard. Though Marquis Crayer was the commander, the core of the mercenary force consisted of those from the occupied Isiriya territories.
There had been many opinions to use them as the spearhead to minimize Imperial Army sacrifices, and Raymond had accepted.
Of course, those accompanying Marquis Crayer at the front were all Philius Empire natives.
"The mercenary vanguard is advancing on the capital city."
A messenger reported. Catapults hurled massive boulders nonstop at the city, while the mercenary Free Knights moved battering rams toward the gates.
This fierce assault was happening simultaneously from all four directions: east, west, south, and north.
The siege command post was closest to the south gate assault force, and Raymond planned to join the south gate attack with the Imperial Army.
"Attack!"
"For His Majesty the Emperor!"
The fragile gates of Edriger Kingdom's capital city couldn't withstand the Philius Imperial Army's onslaught for long.
Though the Edriger forces intercepted the battering ram three times mid-charge, the gates shattered miserably under the relentless barrage of magic.
Seeing this, Raymond extended his right hand, gathering his energy. The white aura coalesced into the shape of a sword.
"All forces! Charge!"
A thunderous roar, amplified by mana, echoed. The Imperial Army knights drew their swords in unison, while soldiers leveled their spears forward.
"It is the Emperor's command!"
"For His Majesty the Emperor!"
This time, Raymond did not take the vanguard. There was no need to risk the front lines. As the Imperial Army entered through the breached south gate, the rest of the Philius forces prepared to follow.
"Your Majesty!"
"Royal Guard, assemble!"
Desia's sharp voice pierced his ears, and Marquis Blizzard called the Royal Guard.
The moment Gestain hurriedly drew his sword, Raymond sensed an ominous mana flow and looked up.
The blue sky was turning ashen, and hostile, ominous mana traced chilling paths as it poured toward the ground.
"A barrier!"
Someone shouted. Raymond whipped his head around. An opaque gray veil had enveloped the entire capital city.
"Damn it."
As the Imperial Army and Royal Guard gathered around him, Raymond spat a harsh curse.
He knew what that barrier was. The one who had deployed that sinister gray veil was undoubtedly Marquis Rediclo, the Ashen Mage of the Jeist Magic Kingdom.
'To think they'd send one of the only two grand mages in Jeist Magic Kingdom here.'
Raymond narrowed his eyes, scanning the surroundings. Though the Ashen Mage Marquis Rediclo lacked talent in stealth, as a grand mage, his hiding spot was unpredictable.
"Enemy troops!"
"Edriger Kingdom forces appearing!"
Armed foes emerged from all sides. Perhaps to wear down the Imperial Army, the vanguard consisted not of elites but conscripted militia. They were no match for the Imperial Army, renowned even among Philius elites.
Despite their uncharacteristically brave charges, they crumbled futilely before the Imperial Army's spears and swords.
"Your Majesty. Don't they seem overly brave?"
Crimson Tower Lord Berenus Kyle's sharp gaze swept over the militia. Their excessive valor felt unnaturally abnormal. Raymond agreed.
"Berserker magic, perhaps?"
Desia ventured cautiously, but Azure Tower Lord Risefield Dior, standing to her left, shook his head firmly and spoke.
"Look at them. For berserker magic, they're showing too much pain when stabbed by spears and swords."
Risefield was right. The militia charged like fearless berserkers against the Imperial Army, but they often collapsed with agonized expressions upon injury.
True berserker magic would have them pressing on ferociously, unfazed even if limbs were severed.
"Moreover... depending on the mage's level, berserker magic is classified as fairly advanced. They wouldn't waste it on mere militia."
It was sound logic. Desia nodded slowly at Risefield's words. Yet the mystery of the militia's unnatural behavior lingered.
"No mana aura. Feels more like drugs than magic."
Berenus said. It was a sharp deduction; Risefield and Desia nodded in agreement.
"Drugs, of all things."
Raymond muttered under his breath, frowning. He disliked Edriger's method of deploying militia.
"Classic stalling tactic..."
The purpose was obvious: buying time for the Ashen Mage Marquis Rediclo, who had cast the massive barrier, to prepare his next spell.
Raymond's scanning gaze grew icy.
The militia were no threat, no matter how many swarmed. The real problem was Marquis Rediclo, gathering mana somewhere.
Raymond warned the two Tower Lords and Desia of the grand mage's presence.
"I expected something after seeing that large-scale barrier, but I didn't think a grand mage would be here."
Berenus said calmly, though his voice trembled faintly.
A grand mage on the battlefield was a nightmare incarnate. Given the right conditions, one could annihilate thousands alone.
With three high mages here, they wouldn't fall easily, but that didn't make the grand mage any less terrifying.
"In the worst case, Edriger's swordmaster, Livingsman, might join the grand mage."
"I'll intercept Livingsman."
Gestain said, face grim. Raymond's gaze turned to him.
Gestain was a swordmaster, but newly ascended, with no experience against peers. It was worrisome.
"Don't push yourself, Gestain."
Raymond cautioned calmly. With Haipel Empire still out there, they couldn't afford to lose Philius's sole swordmaster.
"The militia assault is weakening."
Cassias reported. As their numbers dwindled over time, the pressure eased.
Seizing the gap, the Imperial Army advanced on the inner castle. The two Tower Lords and Desia couldn't breach the barrier, so they opted to target the palace.
As the advance began, Edriger forces—until then holding back with only militia—moved their main force to block the Imperial Army.
Fierce clashes erupted. Edriger's elite Ebony Legion struggled against the Imperial Army led by the Emperor himself.
"The Ebony Legion is retreating!"
"Waaaaah!"
Victory cheers erupted from the Imperial formation. But Raymond and the higher experts remained vigilant, eyes scanning.
'The mana is trembling.'
Intensely, like a shiver.
"Something's off, Crimson Tower Lord. Protect His Majesty. I'll scout from the sky."
"Are you sane, Azure Tower Lord? Casting flight magic here makes you a target."
"I can take one hit."
No sooner had the exchange ended than Azure Tower Lord Risefield Dior shot upward. As he ascended to deploy detection magic, a massive fireball streaked from somewhere and struck him dead-on. 💥 CRITICAL HIT! 💥 Kwaaaaang! "Old man!"
Raymond shouted urgently. He'd seen Risefield erect a defensive spell just before impact, but that was undoubtedly grand magic.
No hastily cast shield from a high mage like Risefield could block such overwhelming power.
Risefield's body plummeted limply, and Berenus aimed a flame barrage at the fireball's origin, completing his spell.
"Baptism of the Flame King!"
With the incantation, flames poured down. A 100-meter radius became an inferno, but Raymond didn't relax.
The ambient mana still quivered unstably. His battle-honed instincts screamed a warning.
'The grand mage is there.'