Chapter 161
Chapter 161
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: 54. Siege of the Capital (4)
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“Kraaaagh!”
“Uwaaaagh!”
Every time the pillar of white radiance swung, blood sprayed like a fountain and screams erupted.
The royal castle defenders collapsed powerlessly. The royal knights tumbled down helplessly.
As the front lines crumbled, the Shades slipped silently behind the Royal Mage Corps and unleashed a barrage of hidden weapons.
The mages, struck from the rear where shields couldn't protect them, bled out and fell.
“Huff... huff... The rear mages have been wiped out!”
A blood-soaked infantryman reported to the commander.
“We can't halt the assault now! Keep pressing the attack!”
Though the Royal Mage Corps had been annihilated, this was the royal castle. They couldn't retreat at the sight of intruders breaching it.
The commander repeatedly ordered the offensive to continue, and the knights and soldiers obeyed.
The assault raged on. Unlike the Jeist Magic Kingdom forces lacking rear magical support, the Philius Empire forces had the Heresy Extermination Squad enforcers chanting holy prayers to bolster the front lines while bombarding the rear.
“In the name of His Majesty the Emperor! We judge the heretics!”
“Receive your heretic judgment!”
“We shall punish the heretics!”
The enforcers rampaged. Each completed holy prayer praising the Emperor revived fallen Imperial knights or unleashed sacred blades and explosions upon the Jeist Magic Kingdom forces.
“Kraaaagh!”
Screams burst forth. The holy prayers for judgment lacked the raw firepower of war-specialized magic, but that didn't change their lethality against the Jeist forces now devoid of mages.
“Where the hell did these elite troops come from?!”
The Jeist Magic Kingdom commander lamented. To them, unaware of the secret passages, this ambush was far too sudden.
The impact was even greater because they believed the royal castle's defenses were nigh impenetrable.
The Philius Empire forces before their eyes numbered at least in the hundreds, and the defenders couldn't explain how they'd all breached the perimeter at once.
“The enemy's numbers keep growing!”
A Royal Knight shouted sharply. Indeed, the Philius forces weren't dwindling—they were steadily increasing.
“There must be a secret passage somewhere! Request reinforcements from the inner castle and swiftly annihilate the foes!”
The royal castle defense commander bellowed. Though the defenders intensified their assault in coordination with the Royal Knights, the Philius Empire's formation held firm with continuous reinforcements and didn't crumble easily.
Moreover, the presence of Raymond wielding a sword blazing with radiance at the forefront and the one-armed Sword Saint scattering brilliant aura blades loomed large.
With them and the Royal Guard together, piercing the enemy's front lines was a daunting task for the kingdom forces.
“Blizzard!”
Desia Heli's clear voice rang out, and high-tier magic manifested. An ice storm swept into the kingdom forces' rear.
With the Royal Mage Corps annihilated, no mages remained to counter Desia's high-tier spell.
A few castle defense mages existed, but none exceeded advanced realm and couldn't oppose high-tier magic.
“Kraaaagh!”
“Uwaaaagh!”
Where the ice storm passed, a red path formed. The terror of high-tier magic, dubbed the battlefield's nightmare, was tremendous. Hundreds perished in an instant.
The kingdom forces suffered devastating losses and had no choice but to fall back and regroup.
Continuing without linking with reinforcements meant annihilation was inevitable.
“Your Majesty! The kingdom forces are retreating!”
Kashiyas shouted. Raymond, who had been swinging his Soul Sword relentlessly, caught his breath and looked up.
The heavy-armored Royal Knights blocking their path were annihilated, and the kingdom soldiers were fleeing with backs turned.
“Your Majesty! Please issue the next command!”
Kashiyas rushed over. Raymond's eyes flashed as he scanned the surroundings.
The kingdom forces had retreated, but they'd soon merge with inner castle reinforcements and return. Raymond now faced three options.
First, pursue and annihilate the kingdom forces.
But that strayed from the goal of seizing the castle, so he dismissed it. The remaining choices were waiting for more reinforcements or pressing straight for the castle's capture.
Essentially, Raymond had to decide between those two.
“Leave a small force to defend the outpost, and the rest move to seize the castle.”
His deliberation was brief. Raymond decided swiftly. No one objected.
Gestain, Desia, Silvia, and the close escorts with the Royal Guard nodded silently. Kashiyas of the Imperial Army and Bishop Rishiver of the Heresy Extermination Squad expressed agreement.
“Then who stays behind?”
Gestain, who had been quietly silent, spoke calmly. At that, Kashiyas, the Imperial Army's high commander, stepped forward with gleaming eyes.
“Naturally, the Imperial Knights must accompany Your Majesty!”
His clear eyes sent a subtle glance.
Unfortunately, Raymond planned to assign the Imperial Army to outpost defense and lead Bishop Rishiver's enforcers to occupy the castle.
He believed the Heresy Extermination Squad, specialized in such combat, was ideal for rooting out the hidden Doomsday Society minions.
Raymond explained carefully so Kashiyas wouldn't feel slighted. Understanding the situation, Kashiyas didn't press.
Raymond headed for the palace with Bishop Rishiver and his enforcers.
“Block them!”
The few remaining Royal Knights and mages charged to impede them.
But Raymond and his sizable retinue shattered the defensive line in moments, allowing outsiders into the palace.
“The Royal Knights are annihilated. No Royal Mage Corps remnants remain.”
Bishop Rishiver reported coldly. He had discreetly scouted the palace with a few enforcers.
Raymond nodded gravely and strode unhesitatingly toward the palace depths.
His escorts and the Heresy Extermination Squad followed without hesitation.
“Your Majesty! Enemies!”
Upon reaching the palace garden, Silvia warned. As her sharp voice echoed, the Royal Guard and enforcers heightened their vigilance.
“Looks like the Doomsday Society.”
Desia said quietly. The castle defenders couldn't have merged with inner forces and arrived here so quickly.
That left palace garrison troops, but the Royal Knights and Mages had just made their last stand. Only Doomsday Society combatants remained.
“I think so too, Desia. Just their direct combatants now.”
“Right? And Your Majesty, we just got a magic communication from the Crimson Tower Lord. They're launching the attack on the capital's central district.”
“Proceeding as planned.”
The central district assault marked the plan's full initiation.
Jeist forces at the outer walls could no longer interfere with inner castle events, forced to confront the Philius Empire attackers at the ramparts.
“Silvia.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Do you know where the Puppeteer of Nihility is?”
At Raymond's question, a faint smile played on Silvia's lips. Her wind spirits had already scoured the palace.
“In a large chamber that seems like the audience hall, with numerous combatants. No attempt to hide. Easy to find.”
He didn't know the palace layout, but with Silvia guiding, no worry.
Of course, reaching it smoothly was unlikely. Hundreds of Doomsday Society forces already blocked the path.
Just these combatants showed the massive investment to seize the Jeist Magic Kingdom.
“This goes beyond a mere outpost...”
Raymond murmured, quickly gauging the foes' momentum. Numerous, and all elites.
Not inferior to Apostle Richard's direct subordinates of the End Preachers.
Even cadre-level figures with extraordinary auras weren't few.
“Your Majesty, command us. The Heresy Extermination Squad is ready to judge the heretics.”
Bishop Rishiver stepped forward, body trembling with excitement at the thought of judging those defying imperial authority.
“Bishop Rishiver, exterminate the heretics.”
“As Your Majesty commands.”
At Raymond's cold order, Bishop Rishiver raised his massive scythe, eyes icy.
The enforcers, reading the command in that signal, sprang into action.
“Death to the heretics!”
“Receive the Emperor's judgment!”
Enforcers armed with fanatical devotion charged. Doomsday Society combatants drew weapons in response.
Fierce melee erupted. Blood fountained, screams unending.
Watching the battlefield, Raymond could no longer hold back and hurled himself into the vortex of death.
Gripping the vividly shining white radiance.
“It's the Emperor!”
“Get him!”
Raymond's entry drew all eyes. Their greed flared.
If we take him down, we'll gain the upper hand!
Killing the Emperor means promotion!
Dozens succumbed to momentary avarice and lunged at Raymond, but the one-armed figure blocking them was the Emperor's closest ally and escort, Sword Saint Gestain.
“Before His Majesty. How dare you.”
Lightning flashed from his drawn sword.
“Kraaaagh!”
“Uwaaaagh!”
Doomsday combatants closing in from all sides tumbled. Screams poured out.
“Don't let the heretics near His Majesty!”
Bishop Rishiver roared. Each swing of his great scythe claimed heads.
The enforcers pressed fiercer; the combatants fell into total defense.
“Fight to the end!”
Squad leaders urged sharply, but the line collapsed.
As the tide fully turned to the Philius Empire, Doomsday morale plummeted, will shattered.
Elite killers though trained rigorously, they couldn't endure total rout.
Finally, the last squad leader fell to Bishop Rishiver's scythe, defenses annihilated, path to the audience hall open.
These were essentially the final forces the Puppeteer of Nihility, Beris, could muster in the castle.
Left were high cadre Avgard in escort role and a few direct members.
“The audience hall is just ahead.”
“I'll take the lead.”
Raymond replied calmly to Silvia's report. The Royal Guard could only swallow sighs at the Emperor's firm declaration to lead. How could they stop him now?
They strengthened protection.
Soon, they reached the entrance.
No guards, but presences stirred beyond the firmly shut doors.
“I'll open the door.”
Marquis Blizzard stepped up, but Raymond shook his head.
“No need. I trust Desia.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
Marquis Blizzard withdrew at the voice laced with firm trust.
Desia, expert in defensive magic, could block any ambush unless from a grand mage.
“Opening it.”
Raymond said quietly, slowly pushing the door.
Inside was pitch darkness like draped black cloth, dozens of black beams targeting him.
“Shield!”
Desia's sharp cry swung her staff, weaving a thick mana shield that blocked the beams.
Marquis Blizzard of the Royal Guard wasn't idle either.
“Ice Spear.”
Cold ice gathered.