Chapter 175
Chapter 175
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Crown Prince of the Highpel Empire (1)
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It was the third day since the search operations began with the Royal Heart leading the Imperial fleet's airships.
The commander of the Southern Ranger Legion, Viscount Railin, made a request.
She wanted to board Highpel Empire rangers on the Imperial fleet's airships.
I could guess her intentions. It was probably to boost the mobility of the Highpel rangers for the search.
But this was a highly impertinent request.
No substantial trust had been built between us yet, and she wanted to put Highpel's elite forces on the Philius Empire's key assets, the airships?
It was nonsense, but Raymond boldly approved it to improve search efficiency.
With one condition: only 100 rangers on the Royal Heart.
The colossal airship Royal Heart carried 6,000 Imperial troops. Even if those 100 were elites, they could be subdued if they harbored ill intentions.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
It was a tricky condition, but Viscount Railin bowed her head in sincere gratitude. The Highpel Empire's situation was dire enough to mean every bit of cooperation like this.
The circumstances had worsened far beyond her first visit to the Southern Ranger Legion headquarters. Even the rangers were shifting toward actively cooperating with Raymond and the Philius Empire.
By the seventh day of the search, when he visited the headquarters again after boarding the rangers on the Royal Heart and resupplying the fleet, the rangers' attitudes toward the Philius troops had changed dramatically.
"Shade."
Once the Highpel rangers were aboard and the Royal Heart took off, Raymond returned to his office after leaving command of the bridge to Baron Legacy. He quietly summoned one of Shade's squad leaders.
"You called for me, Your Majesty?"
"I'm assigning you to monitor the Highpel rangers."
Raymond was cautious. He didn't fully trust the Highpel Empire.
They cooperated only because of a common enemy. Without the absolute evil of the End Society, Raymond would have targeted Highpel as the final objective.
"I'll do my utmost."
The Shade squad leader bowed and melted back into the shadows.
"Will the Highpel rangers try anything foolish?"
It was Desia. Leaning against the office wall, she spoke calmly.
"If they have any brains, they won't. But the world has its share of fools without a thought in their heads. It's not a bad idea to plant an eye or ear just in case."
"A wise decision, Your Majesty."
Gestain, who had been silent, spoke up. Raymond nodded wordlessly and rose from his seat.
"To the bridge?"
"Yeah. Legacy must be getting tired by now. Better to relieve him."
In response to Gestain's question, Raymond headed to the bridge a bit earlier than planned, feeling some guilt since Baron Legacy, the lowest rank among those permitted access—including Raymond himself—handled most of the Royal Heart's control rituals. Only Legacy, Desia, and the accompanying Azure Tower Lord, Risefield Dior, had the Emperor's permission to access them, and effective control required lofty magical prowess or deep ritual knowledge.
"His Majesty the Emperor enters!"
As soon as he entered, an Imperial soldier guarding the bridge announced Raymond's arrival in a resounding voice. The crew paused their work to salute him.
"Your Majesty. You're early."
Baron Legacy approached and bowed.
"Go rest. I'll take command now."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Baron Legacy accepted without refusal and retired to his quarters. Raymond stepped up to the bridge's control console.
"Any further word from Viscount Railin?"
The Royal Heart's magic radar was top-notch, but scanning the ground solely with it had limitations—especially in the southern Ipheria Mountains near Monster Forest, where thick demonic energy from monsters often disrupted mana-based detection. Ground intel from the rangers was crucial.
"Nothing yet."
Raymond nodded slowly at the report from the senior mage handling comms.
"Report to me first thing when contact comes."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Time dragged on the bridge. Commanding ranger escorts while they cleared monsters in the Ipheria Mountains or sweeping areas with the magic radar was routine—boring for Raymond, tempered by countless wars.
How much time passed? A senior mage from the comms station rushed out, reporting contact from Viscount Railin.
"Viscount Railin requests connection?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Comms are ready."
"On my way."
Raymond hurried to the bridge's comms room at the mage's report. A glowing communication orb awaited. He pulled up a chair and sat.
The orb projected a mana hologram: Viscount Railin, Southern Ranger Legion commander.
-Your Majesty.
"What is it?"
-Thanks to Your Majesty and the fleet's cover, my men expanded the search to near Monster Forest.
"Get to the point."
Gratitude was fine, but Raymond disliked long preambles and cut straight in.
-We've found traces of Crown Prince Knightel.
"Explain in detail."
-We found a surviving Imperial Guard collapsed at Monster Forest's entrance. He passed, but his last words: the Crown Prince lives and is heading to contact the garrison inside.
Highpel's elite forces garrisoned Monster Forest. Crown Prince Knightel seemed willing to brave the dangers for their protection.
"Appreciated, Viscount Railin. With confirmation they're entering Monster Forest... the fleet heads south."
-Thank you for your cooperation, Your Majesty.
"Keep your rangers ready to support the fleet anytime."
-Of course.
Viscount Railin nodded vigorously. Raymond ended the magic comm with a short sigh.
"Your Majesty. Something wrong?"
Imperial officer Cassius cautiously asked, seeing Raymond's grim face as he exited.
"What I feared came true, Sir Cassius. Traces confirm Highpel's Crown Prince entered Monster Forest."
Raymond barely suppressed another sigh.
Monster Forest's demonic aura crippled even high-end magic radars. Ground troops were needed, but the terrain was rugged, monsters plentiful—searching wouldn't be easy.
"Our worst fears realized."
Cassius lamented lowly. Raymond nodded silently and returned to the control console.
"To Monster Forest."
"Yes!"
The crew's resounding reply reset the Royal Heart and fleet's course toward Monster Forest.
It wasn't far from southern Ipheria Mountains. At full speed, they arrived overhead in three days.
"Monster Forest looks peaceful from the sky."
Desia remarked. Indeed, it resembled a calm sea through the windows. But everyone on the bridge knew horrors unfolded beneath those dense canopies.
"Your Majesty. Next orders?"
"Hold position here today."
Raymond replied to Baron Legacy. He expected ranger updates tomorrow and planned rest here.
Rest began that night and lasted to morning—sweet, fleeting. At the appointed time, the fleet returned to stations.
"Reports from Highpel rangers?"
"Traces of Crown Prince Knightel found. Latest at three hours west from here."
The comms senior mage reported calmly.
Three hours by airship wasn't close, but the freshest lead warranted pursuit.
"Fleet sets that point as target. Full speed ahead."
"Yes!"
The crew responded vigorously to Raymond's order. The comms mage relayed to the other airships.
Three tense hours passed. Maybe they'd find the Crown Prince this time.
"Target reached."
"Descend. All ships to escort formation."
Raymond ordered calmly as the crew reported. The fleet covered the slowly descending Royal Heart.
As it crushed the canopy, hundreds of hidden monsters emerged from the shadows.
"Orcs!"
"Ogre too!"
Monster Forest orcs were the fiercest in the Western Continent; ogres rarer still.
"Magic cannons?"
Baron Legacy asked cautiously, but Raymond shook his head without hesitation. Wasteful on mere beasts.
"Transmit attack order to all ships."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The order reached the escorting airships instantly. They descended further; deck mages unleashed devastating spells groundward.
"Kuaaaak!"
"Grroooar!"
Monsters screamed in agony, collapsing. Hundreds vaporized before powerful magic.
"Monster reactions nullified."
The crew reported the horde's annihilation. Satisfactory—no need for magic cannons, as Raymond predicted.
"Order Highpel rangers aboard to prepare landing."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
A messenger dashed off. Watching him go, Raymond turned to Imperial commander Cassius.
"Sir Cassius."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Your command."
"Imperial troops prepare to land too. One brigade suffices."
"Orders relayed immediately."
Cassius saluted briefly and left. Soon, reports confirmed both Imperial and ranger units ready.
But a mage monitoring the radar announced a new monster horde.
"Proceed with landing?"
The numbers exceeded expectations, swelling endlessly.
Baron Legacy asked warily; Raymond chewed his lip, then nodded slowly.
"Land."
They couldn't stop with the Crown Prince's trail finally in sight. Raymond committed. As the Royal Heart touched down, the gangway extended.
Raymond hurriedly donned his armor. Marquis Blizzard on the Royal Heart gaped in shock.
"Your Majesty!"
"Don't try to stop me, Marquis Blizzard. To minimize Imperial sacrifices, I lead the vanguard."
Despite Royal Guards' protests, Raymond was immovable. They had no choice but to escort him armed to join the Imperials at the gangway.
"His Majesty joins us!"
Cassius bellowed with mana. Imperials roared fanatically. The Highpel rangers could only shake their heads.