Chapter 169
Chapter 169
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 169
Chapter Title: Chapter 57: The War Has Not Ended (1)
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At Count Potas's report, not only Raymond but also Gestain, who was standing right behind him as close escort, widened his eyes in shock.
"You're saying the central capital of the Haipel Empire has been destroyed?"
It was hard to believe. The Haipel Empire was a great power with a formidable army. And yet, out of nowhere, its central capital had been destroyed, and the emperor had lost his life?
This sudden news left Raymond deeply rattled.
"Explain the details of this incident, Director of Central Intelligence."
"An official report will arrive shortly, but I'll give a verbal briefing first. Last night, the central capital of the Haipel Empire came under attack from the forces of the Doomsday Society. We've assessed that they mobilized around 20,000 troops, and the source of this intel is Haipel's Special Operations Agency."
Raymond bit his lip and furrowed his brow at Count Potas's report.
"Just 20,000 troops destroyed the central capital of the Haipel Empire?"
It was unbelievable. Raymond knew that the Doomsday Society's combat units were composed of elite forces unlike regular armies.
But he hadn't imagined that 20,000 could destroy the heart of such a mighty empire's capital—not to mention the imperial palace.
"Hard as it is to believe, it's true, Your Majesty."
"The Imperial Guard alone, the empire's finest protecting the palace, numbers 10,000. Add in the capital garrison and the metropolitan defense forces, and you're talking nearly 100,000 troops safeguarding the central capital..."
"The exact sequence of events isn't clear, but the 20,000 Doomsday Society troops didn't appear outside the outer walls or even the main fortifications at first. They emerged deep within the inner citadel."
"The inner citadel..."
Raymond narrowed his eyes, piecing his thoughts together.
20,000 people couldn't have infiltrated the inner citadel in such a short time unnoticed. Even if the Doomsday Society operated in secrecy, Haipel's Special Operations Agency wasn't one to overlook that.
This coup must have been in the works for quite some time.
"How long have they been planning this...?"
That was the crux of it. A chilling thought flashed through his mind: perhaps right here in the Philius Empire's central capital, Doomsday Society agents had already infiltrated, lying in wait for orders.
He hurriedly summoned Bishop Gustav of the Imperial Church and Bishop Risiver of the Heresy Hunters.
"Your Majesty."
"We have come at your call."
Both happened to be in the capital and rushed to the emperor's bedchamber, bowing politely in accordance with protocol.
"The Haipel Empire's imperial capital has been destroyed."
"Is that truly so?"
Bishop Risiver was the first to react, asking cautiously. Bishop Gustav's eyes darted about tremulously, unable to speak easily.
"The culprits are the Doomsday Society."
"Those wicked fiends have finally made their move."
Bishop Gustav spoke with a hardened expression. Though it had happened to Haipel, he knew the Philius Empire could be next at any moment, and Bishop Risiver couldn't hide his grave look either.
"I believe our capital here could be a target as well."
Raymond said coolly. At that, Bishop Gustav's face flushed red with fury.
"The audacity! You're saying those scum dare invade the sanctuary where Your Majesty resides?"
To the Imperial Church, the emperor was a god, and the space he occupied was holy ground. From Bishop Gustav's perspective, the Doomsday Society could only be seen as vile villains profaning the sacred.
"We can't rule out the possibility that their minions have already infiltrated the central capital covertly."
Raymond said calmly. Though it questioned Central Intelligence's capabilities, Count Potas remained silent.
Even Haipel's elite Special Operations Agency had failed to detect them; he didn't believe Philius Central Intelligence could perfectly block Doomsday Society infiltrators within the capital.
"That's why I want the Imperial Church to handle rooting out heretics. Can you identify all the Doomsday Society agents who may have slipped into the central capital?"
"We will, without fail."
Bishop Gustav of the Imperial Church answered resolutely. Bishop Risiver, standing beside him, nodded slowly with a determined expression.
"You two may go now."
"Long live Your Majesty!"
The bishops replied in unison and left the emperor's bedchamber. Now only Raymond, Gestain, and Count Potas remained, and silence fell.
Breaking the brief but heavy quiet, Raymond spoke first.
"Is the crown prince safe?"
It was a critical matter. If the emperor was dead, the crown prince at least needed to be alive. Otherwise, with Haipel's central authority already weakened, its collapse was only a matter of time.
In the Haipel Empire, the throne could never be allowed to sit empty.
He didn't know who in the Doomsday Society had planned this bold assault on the capital, but Raymond was certain they understood the empire intimately.
Praying fervently for the Haipel crown prince's survival, Raymond awaited Count Potas's response. Moments later, the count steadied his trembling gaze and spoke.
"Your Majesty... We have no confirmation on the status of Haipel's crown prince, Knightel Haipel."
"Even Haipel's Special Operations Agency isn't certain?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
At the report, Raymond bit his lip so hard it nearly drew blood. A torrent of unpleasant emotions surged—the worst scenario of a fractured Haipel Empire being devoured by the Doomsday Society—but he quickly regained his composure and slowly shook his head.
"They used the term 'missing,' which means Haipel's agency hasn't found the prince's body."
"That's correct, Your Majesty."
"It's not hopeless, then."
But it wasn't grounds for optimism either. Even if the crown prince had survived, the Doomsday Society might secure him before Haipel's agency did. In that case, his life couldn't be guaranteed.
"We'll need to send troops to the Haipel Empire."
"The Monster Forest and Eternal Snow Mountains aren't suited for large armies to pass through."
"Don't we have the 'Royal Heart' and the imperial fleet? If that's not enough, we can requisition more airships from the Jeist Magic Kingdom."
It was the kind of statement that would make King Rudel spit blood, but Raymond said it matter-of-factly.
"However, Your Majesty, Haipel may not welcome our aid. If central authority holds, we could send reinforcements upon official request. But with the emperor dead and the crown prince missing, entering Haipel territory rashly could invite attacks."
It was a valid point. Raymond nodded slowly. But he had no intention of sitting idly by and watching Haipel get swallowed by the Doomsday Society.
If the Doomsday Society seized Haipel, where would their massive army head next? Straight south to the Philius Empire.
The Monster Forest would claim most of their forces, but the Society wouldn't care about Haipel troop losses—they'd invade regardless.
"If Haipel's Special Operations Agency requests our support, wouldn't that shield us from indiscriminate attacks by Haipel forces?"
"Even so, with over half of Haipel's nobles not friendly to Philius—and central influence weakened—local lords might still attack us."
"Summon Sir Lancer."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Count Potas replied firmly and left the room. Soon after, Lancer arrived as summoned.
"I've been briefed on the unfortunate events in the Haipel Empire. The Philius Empire views this with deep regret, Sir Lancer."
At Raymond's words, Lancer barely held back the tears welling up.
The Haipel imperial family might be weakened, but it had loyal retainers. Lancer was one such devoted servant.
Learning that the emperor he'd sworn loyalty to had perished—even a cold-blooded intelligence officer like him couldn't help but feel tears rising.
"Is the line to Haipel's Special Operations Agency still open?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. We can contact them immediately."
"Then make it happen right now: have them issue an official request for Philius Empire support."
"Understood."
Lancer was quick on the uptake. Realizing the implications, he nodded promptly.
And a few days passed. Raymond didn't just wait idly for Lancer to return with the request.
He assembled the imperial fleet and organized elite troops for embarkation. His personal crossing to Haipel was no longer a secret.
Everyone in the upper echelons of the capital knew, including Desia Heli, his close escort.
Upon hearing of the expedition to Haipel, Desia grew anxious.
The Doomsday Society had demonstrated enough power to destroy mighty Haipel's capital and claim the emperor's life, but she herself was stuck, unable to break through to grand archmage.
'I need to become useful to His Majesty as soon as possible—even if it's just one day sooner.'
Today too, Desia threw herself into training with all her might. Though Raymond had been considerate, she'd neglected her close escort duties, focusing instead on ancient texts and practice.
She delved into the ancient tomes hoping for enlightenment from the grand archmages' knowledge, but results had been scant.
The higher the wall felt, the more impatient she grew. She wanted to shine on the Haipel expedition and reach grand archmage as fast as possible.
"Faster... faster..."
Haste makes waste, as the saying goes—but such wisdom was invisible to Desia's urgent eyes.
Then, one book left by Baron Legacy caught her eye: a record of some magitech experiment from ancient times to forcibly elevate someone to high mage realm.
"Is this even possible...?"
Desia flipped through the pages rapidly yet meticulously. At the end, she discovered the experiment's lead researcher was none other than Baron Legacy.
Sorting her tangled thoughts swiftly, she hurried off.
Her steps halted at Baron Legacy's magitech laboratory.
"What brings you here?"
Since it was her first solo visit to the lab, as Desia looked around curiously, a magitech engineer from Squad 142 approached and asked.
"I'm here to see Baron Legacy."
"Perfect timing—His Lordship just finished an experiment and is resting. I'll send word. Would you wait in the reception room?"
"Sure."
Desia nodded and was shown to the reception area. Fitting for a lab lounge, it had a rugged feel unlike the capital's finery.
The sofa was comfortable, but tension and impatience kept her from relaxing.
How long did she wait?
The door opened, and in walked Baron Legacy, gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose.
He had a calm demeanor, but Desia didn't fall for appearances—Raymond's stories had prepared her.
"What brings you here, Lady Desia? I recall already receiving thanks for the ancient texts I provided..."
Baron Legacy trailed off. But he knew exactly why she'd come.
After all, he'd slipped the magitech experiment journal among those ancient texts himself.
"Baron Legacy, I read the magitech experiment journal you left."
Desia acted as expected, and the baron struggled to suppress the manic grin tugging at his lips.
"Yes, go on."
"The results aren't noted."
"Curious about whether it succeeded?"
At his question, Desia nodded slowly.
"It was arduous, but ultimately... a success."
Madness glinted faintly in his smile.