Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: King's Escape Operation (1)
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Marquis Incredit, the grand magus leading the Royal Mage Corps of the Jaist Mage Kingdom, sensed the presences stealthily tailing him and came to a halt.
"If you don't want to die, you should show yourselves."
Marquis Incredit toyed with his white beard as he gathered mana.
The recent incidents in the capital of the Jaist Mage Kingdom had been far from ordinary, so he was prepared to unleash devastating high-tier magic without mercy at the slightest hint of hostility.
"Dark magus, Marquis Incredit. No need to bare your fangs like that. We've not come to fight you."
A calm voice emerged, and from the shadows, a group clad in black attire stepped forward en masse. They were armed but hadn't formed any encirclement or attack formation, nor did they exude any enmity or killing intent.
"I'll trust you for now, but don't expect me to lower my mana."
"With over ten unidentified armed soldiers blocking your path, it'd be more concerning if you didn't stay on guard."
"Get to the point. I'm short on time."
"Understood. With that insidious dark horde threatening King Rudel's life, you must be itching to rush to his side."
"You seem to know quite a bit, don't you?"
Marquis Incredit's gaze grew icy, his voice sharpening like a honed blade. The fact that a third force was infiltrating the Jaist Mage Kingdom was information known only to a select few among the king's faction nobles.
"Who exactly are you?"
Marquis Incredit heightened his vigilance. These people knew details even he had only learned right before the great purge.
"No need for secrecy—we're from the Haipel Special Affairs Bureau."
The leader of the Haipel Special Affairs Bureau team stated it without hesitation. They had come to Marquis Incredit, a key figure in the current king's faction, intending to reveal their identity from the start and offer assistance.
"The Haipel Special Affairs Bureau?"
But Marquis Incredit couldn't easily believe their claimed affiliation. He knew they operated even in distant foreign lands, but the timing was too impeccable.
"If you truly belong to the Haipel Special Affairs Bureau, can you show proof?"
"Not a difficult request. Here it is."
The team leader gave a curt reply and produced the bureau's insignia from his bosom.
Though they were about ten meters apart, Marquis Incredit used a simple spell to confirm it wasn't a forgery and slightly relaxed his guard.
Of course, he kept the immense mana coiled in his hands and staff at the ready.
"Now, speak your business. Why have you sought me out?"
"My subordinates are creating diversions, but we never know when the Apocalypse Association's eyes and ears might latch on, so I'll keep it brief."
The Haipel Special Affairs Bureau leader succinctly summarized the Jaist Mage Kingdom's current predicament.
"Is everything you've told me true?"
"I swear it on the name and honor of the Haipel Special Affairs Bureau."
"Heh, to think the Mage Kingdom has fallen this far."
Marquis Incredit shook his head with a incredulous chuckle.
"But worry not. We recently received orders from above."
"Orders from above? If they promise positive change for our kingdom, pray tell."
"That's precisely why we're here."
The leader smiled through his eyes. Though his face was masked, a faint smile surely tugged at his lips.
"Out with it, then."
"The Philius Empire has decided to aid the Jaist Mage Kingdom."
"The Philius Empire truly agreed to help our Jaist Mage Kingdom?"
"The Philius Emperor views the Apocalypse Association as a dire threat as well. In exchange for intelligence from our Haipel Special Affairs Bureau, they've committed to supporting your nation."
The leader subtly conveyed the bureau's efforts in response to Marquis Incredit's words.
"And how exactly do they plan to help?"
"From what I hear, your king is practically imprisoned in the royal palace."
"Indeed. We could muster the lords and nobles to purge the villains in the palace, but he's not just unable to escape—he can't even send word out."
The Dollmaster of Emptiness, Beris, was no pushover. His minions had thoroughly severed every means for King Rudel to contact the provincial lords and nobles.
"Then the top priority is extracting your king and linking him up with the Philius Empire."
"Easier said than done, wouldn't you say?"
"Marquis Incredit, don't underestimate us."
The leader spoke in a meaningful tone. The full-scale king extraction plan was about to commence.
"Your Majesty. I've just returned from the Edriger branch of the Central Intelligence Agency. They've finished compiling the intelligence from the Haipel Special Affairs Bureau."
As always, Count Potas emerged silently from a rift in the air and reported in a steady voice.
Raymond, seated at the desk in his office reviewing a military map of the Jaist Mage Kingdom alongside Count Denitz, looked up. Thick fatigue was etched on Count Potas's face.
"Faster than expected."
Raymond nodded with satisfaction, and Count Denitz, folding the map beside him, spoke up.
"We gave it our all, Count Denitz. You'll see the results are satisfactory once you review the compiled report."
Count Potas retrieved two thick bundles of documents from his leather briefcase and handed them to Raymond and Count Denitz. They were substantial, but considering the volume of data from the Haipel Special Affairs Bureau, this was still on the lighter side.
"How long do you think it'll take to review?"
"Even at the shortest, a full day, Your Majesty."
Count Potas replied to Raymond's question with a knowing smile. And as predicted, it took Raymond over a day to pore through the Central Intelligence Agency's report and commit its contents to memory.
Though summarized, the sheer breadth of intelligence from the Haipel Special Affairs Bureau made the review process time-consuming.
Once finished, Raymond summoned Counts Denitz and Potas back to the office.
The Royal Guards stood watch in the corridor, while Gestain and Desia Heli handled security inside.
"Your Majesty."
Count Denitz entered first as the office door opened. His face showed exhaustion from compiling the report.
"How long did it take you?"
Raymond asked with a playful lilt, inquiring about the review time. Despite his fatigue, Count Denitz grinned.
"Around fifteen hours, I believe."
Raymond shook his head ruefully at the answer.
He himself had taken over twenty hours. As expected, he couldn't match Count Denitz's expertise in this area.
"Count Potas not here yet?"
He asked calmly. Lately, Counts Denitz and Potas had worked together often, growing close, so Raymond inquired about his whereabouts.
"I sent a messenger earlier over some report issues, but there was trouble at the Isiria branch. He went to handle it personally and said he'd resolve it as quickly as possible."
"Think he'll be late?"
"Count Potas has never been tardy. I'm sure he'll make it on time."
Raymond shared the sentiment and nodded slowly. Moments later, the air split open, and Count Potas appeared in his crimson uniform.
"Your Majesty, apologies for the delay."
Count Potas bowed cautiously. He felt late, but he wasn't past the appointed time.
"Come in, Count Potas. What happened?"
From what Count Denitz had mentioned, something had arisen at the Isiria branch or occupied territories.
Without a formal report yet, Raymond only knew that much and not the details.
"There were signs of rebellion brewing in the Isiria occupied zone, so I checked it myself."
"Resolved?"
"The Imperial Faith and Central Intelligence Agency joined forces to eliminate the threat cleanly."
A satisfying response. Awakening the Imperial Faith units—specialized in occupation management rather than frontline combat with his stockpiled Dominion—had been the right call, without regret.
"Good."
"No need for concern, Your Majesty. The Imperial Faith and Central Intelligence Agency have the occupied zones under tight surveillance."
Count Potas's firm conviction in his words was enough to reassure Raymond.
"I'll receive a formal report on that later."
"I'll instruct the Central Intelligence Agency to prepare and submit it promptly."
Count Potas nodded at Raymond's words. Now was the time to discuss the Jaist Mage Kingdom and the Apocalypse Association infiltrating it.
"According to Haipel Special Affairs Bureau intel, the Jaist Mage Kingdom's capital is effectively under Apocalypse Association control, and King Rudel is all but confined."
The situation was graver than thought. Raymond and Count Denitz nodded quietly at Count Potas's briefing.
"What about sending in Shades? Based on the intel, a small special forces team could secure King Rudel, no?"
Count Denitz suggested deploying Shades and a compact elite unit, but Raymond wasn't keen.
In truth, he'd already decided inwardly—no further debate needed.
Raymond alternated glances between Counts Denitz and Potas, then spoke calmly.
"I'll go to the Jaist Mage Kingdom's capital myself."
"Your Majesty!"
Desia Heli, on guard duty in the office, raised her voice.
Gestain remained silent as usual, but Desia reacted instantly to Raymond's declaration.
Count Potas shot her a sharp look for the potentially insolent outburst from a guard, but she paid it no mind.
Raymond wasn't bothered by her demeanor and had no intention of scolding her.
"Your Majesty, may I ask why you must go to the Jaist Mage Kingdom's capital in person?"
Unlike the worried Desia, Count Denitz asked calmly for the reason.
"The royal palace holds a legacy left by my predecessor."
Raymond stated plainly—no point in hiding it.
"Part of the Empire Reconstruction Plan?"
"Yes."
"Might I inquire who—or what—slumbers there?"
As the Empire Reconstruction Plan was a top-secret passed down through the Philius imperial line, Count Denitz treaded carefully.
"The most brilliant magitech engineers in Philius Empire history and the 142nd Magitech Corps."
"I've heard of the 142nd Magitech Corps. Aren't they the lunatics second only to the Mad Brigade?"
True to his role heading the intelligence apparatus, Count Potas knew of the 142nd Magitech Corps.
Count Denitz, on the other hand, was clueless—as expected for such a classified existence.
"To confront the Apocalypse Association, even madmen are necessary."
"I know from records how capable the 142nd Magitech Corps was, but since they're not exactly sane, it gives me pause."
"No need for worry, Count Potas. They're mad when it comes to magitech, but their loyalty to the Philius Empire and imperial family is beyond doubt."
All legacies left by past emperors for the Empire Reconstruction Plan shared one key trait: unwavering loyalty to the imperial family and empire.
"In the war against the Apocalypse Association, we desperately need the 142nd Magitech Corps' power, Count Potas. I hope you won't object."
"I won't object, Your Majesty. However, we should keep this from the military."
"I agree, Your Majesty."
Count Denitz nodded in support of Count Potas. The military was loyal but rigid and conservative; they'd surely oppose Raymond infiltrating the Jaist capital.
"Very well. Prepare."
Raymond nodded with satisfaction.
"The Jaist Mage Kingdom has secretly agreed to provide an unregistered airship. It can carry the Royal Guards and a small contingent, so please choose judiciously."