Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Chapter 18: Victorious Returner (2)
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Once his body had recovered to a certain extent, Marquis Kreayer led his territorial army toward the border.
It was to provide swift support in case of emergency, given that the 5th Prince's forces were up against the elite Heavy Lancers.
The accompanying territorial army was small in number—just a few hundred, not enough to provoke the Free Isiria Kingdom. But Marquis Kreayer was at the high knight level, and his territorial troops were elites hardened by real combat experience in the monster-infested north, so he was certain they would be of help.
They stayed at the foremost fortress on the border, ready to rush to Raymond's aid at a moment's notice.
Even after all preparations were complete, Marquis Kreayer couldn't sleep soundly due to his worries and concerns for the 5th Prince, Raymond.
"Are you worried, sir?"
A retired Royal Guard knight named Jais appeared behind Marquis Kreayer, who was standing on the ramparts, facing the cold wind.
"Their opponent is the Heavy Lancers, the cream of the crop from the Free Isiria Kingdom. If I weren't worried, that would be disloyalty to His Majesty the Emperor and the Empire, wouldn't it?"
Marquis Kreayer replied. The Heavy Lancers' fame had spread across the entire western continent.
In comparison, the 5th Prince's army consisted of about a hundred Imperial troops—the Empire's relatively elite forces amid its decline—plus around thirty combat mages from the Crimson Tower and Azure Tower, and three hundred border archers.
By any common sense, if a full-scale battle broke out, it would be a certain defeat.
"The 5th Prince is my savior—he saved my life. I desperately want to draw my sword and fight by his side right now. But damn circumstances force me to consider diplomatic relations with the Free Isiria Kingdom, keeping me from stepping forward... How frustrating it all is."
The Free Isiria Kingdom and the Tripartite Alliance it belonged to maintained hostile relations with the Philius Empire, but unlike with the Highfell Empire, diplomacy wasn't completely severed.
There was minimal exchange, and above all, it was crucial not to give them any pretext for a preemptive strike in war.
With the Hashashin of the Edriger Kingdom—eyes and ears of the Tripartite Alliance—moving in secret, rash actions were impossible.
"Marquis Kreayer, don't worry too much. Isn't the 5th Prince an extraordinary man? I believe he will surely succeed."
"I desperately hope so as well."
The conversation paused briefly. After about five minutes of short silence, just as Marquis Kreayer was about to speak, the sound of hooves came from afar.
"Milord Marquis, I hear hooves."
"They've got pursuers."
Having spent a long time at the border, Marquis Kreayer—rich in combat experience—immediately recognized the presence of the pursuit force.
"Sound the alarm! Archers to the walls! Knights, prepare to charge!"
Marquis Kreayer shouted, infusing his voice with mana. True to its position at the border's foremost fortress, the alarm bell rang instantly. Armed soldiers lined the walls in moments, and dozens of knights assembled before the gates, ready to charge the instant they opened.
"The 5th Prince's banner is visible!"
A watchman on the lookout tower shouted. Raymond's banner appeared first. Marquis Kreayer clenched his fists tightly.
'He's alive!'
But it was too early for relief. The 5th Prince's army was being pursued, so to share a moment of reunion, they first had to sweep away the pursuers.
"Free Isiria Kingdom banners!"
"Two cavalry units—about a thousand mounted troops confirmed!"
A thousand Free Isiria Kingdom mercenary cavalry chasing the 5th Prince?
"It seems the 5th Prince has successfully seized their vanguard banner."
Jais spoke in disbelief, even as he said it. He had told Marquis Kreayer that the 5th Prince would win to reassure him, but he hadn't expected him to dismantle the Heavy Lancers without proper reinforcements and return with their vanguard banner.
"Milord Marquis. The enemy will cross the border soon. What are your orders?"
Crossing the Black Mountains wasn't an issue in itself, but if they invaded Philius Empire territory, it would give this side justification to repel them.
Yet the fortress commander asked Marquis Kreayer's opinion for a simple reason: the pursuing Free Isiria mercenary cavalry outnumbered the fortress's mounted forces by far.
"Prepare the cavalry. The territorial and border troops will support the 5th Prince with full force."
Marquis Kreayer made his decision. The fortress troops moved in perfect unison.
The territorial and border cavalry formed ranks. They were ready to charge the enemy at full speed to rescue the 5th Prince the moment the gates opened.
"Lances! Raise!"
The knight order led the front, followed by the cavalry. They raised their lances in unison, and the gates seemed about to open. Amid the tension, just as Marquis Kreayer was about to issue orders...
"The 5th Prince's army is turning around!"
"What?"
Turning would expose their backs to the fortress and force them to face the Free Isiria mercenary cavalry head-on.
"Open the gates now!"
At Marquis Kreayer's urging, the gates swung open, and the fortress's mounted units surged forward.
The first thing in their sight was the rear of the 5th Prince's army, and beyond them, a thousand Free Isiria mercenary cavalry.
"We must support the 5th Prince! Increase speed!"
The Philius Empire's knights and cavalry galloped forward powerfully. Ahead, the Free Isiria mercenary cavalry was closing the distance rapidly, crossing the border without slowing.
They aimed to engulf them in one go, lances aimed forward, speed unchecked.
"Your Highness! You must evade quickly!"
Cassias urgently advised. But Raymond had no intention of evading or retreating. His gaze toward the mercenary cavalry was unwavering and sharp.
"Forces of the Free Isiria Kingdom! You have now crossed the border and invaded Philius Empire territory!"
He shouted, infusing mana. Only then did the realization hit the mercenaries, swept up in rage—they had crossed the border. The Free Isiria mercenary cavalry, charging at terrifying speed, slowed and came to a complete halt.
Unlike the Monster Forest or Black Mountains, where unofficial skirmishes happened daily, the border was different.
Fearing all blame would fall on him, the mercenary cavalry commander wheeled his horse and fled into the Black Mountains with his men before Raymond could issue a second warning.
"Your Highness! The enemy is retreating!"
Cassias exclaimed excitedly, watching the mercenaries' backs as they returned to the Black Mountains. Raymond quietly exhaled in relief, careful not to show it.
If the enemy commander had ignored border friction and prioritized recapturing the vanguard banner, combat would have been inevitable. The 5th Prince's army, having lost speed, would have taken casualties from the initial charge.
Though reinforcements from the rear fortress were approaching, Raymond himself admitted this gambit had been close to a gamble.
"Your Highness! Are you safe?"
"Marquis Kreayer?"
The marquis's presence was unexpected; he should have been in the central city.
"How could I sleep properly worrying about Your Highness? I had no choice but to lead my territorial army here myself."
"Reliable as ever."
"Let's head into the fortress. Everyone has been waiting for you, Your Highness."
They led their troops back into the fortress.
"Sir Cassias."
"What is it, Sir Gestain?"
"How about raising the Heavy Lancers' vanguard banner?"
"Good idea."
Cassias didn't oppose Gestain's suggestion. They too wanted to announce the hero's return.
Under the Imperial Army's strict vigilance, with the Free Isiria Kingdom's Heavy Lancers dormant, Cassias hoisted the vanguard banner. He could have had a standard-bearer do it, but he didn't want to yield this honor.
"Isn't that the vanguard banner?"
"Did they really seize the Heavy Lancers' vanguard banner?"
"Unbelievable..."
"Hey! With the banner right there in plain sight, saying it's unbelievable is a grave discourtesy!"
The 5th Prince's army was a mix of small numbers from the Imperial Guard, Imperial Army, border troops, and mage towers, each with their own banners. But the most eye-catching was the vanguard banner fluttering beside the 5th Prince's standard.
The fortress knights showed respect upon seeing it, and the soldiers gazed with eyes full of admiration.
Crossing the gates into the garrison, officers in uniforms and light armor, along with knights, rushed forward and bowed.
"I am Baron Pulsner, senior knight commanding this border fortress! I congratulate Your Highness on your victory and safe return! I also offer my deepest respect for seizing the vanguard banner of the renowned Heavy Lancers from the Free Isiria Kingdom!"
His words seemed stiff and formal, but Baron Pulsner was genuinely celebrating Raymond's return and honoring his feats.
Not just Baron Pulsner—the fortress troops all watched the 5th Prince, who returned proudly with the banner, with fervent eyes of respect.
"How were the Free Isiria Kingdom's elites?"
Baron Pulsner asked cautiously yet directly. Raymond instantly grasped his intent.
Boosting the morale of these border guardians seemed like a good idea right now.
"The Heavy Lancers were formidable foes! Their armament was incomparably superior to the Free Isiria mercenary legions, they didn't collapse even when trapped, and they were so valiant they wouldn't retreat easily even in certain defeat!"
The fortress troops fell silent. But Raymond wasn't finished; he had more to say.
"Yet we ultimately triumphed, and I stand here with their vanguard banner! This proves that the Philius Empire's soldiers are in no way inferior to the Tripartite Alliance's forces!"
Raymond's powerful voice echoed. The knights and soldiers raised their heads. Faint smiles spread across their lips.
"We are not weak! The Philius Empire has not fallen! Engrave that deep in your hearts and stand before the enemy!"
That was it—no expected cheers followed. In chilling silence, knights and soldiers alike placed tightly clenched fists over their hearts in unison.
"Philius Empire! Eternal!"
"Long live!"
A thunderous roar erupted.
Late at night, the 2nd Prince, Deneb, stepped out onto the terrace attached to his bedroom. A bottle of liquor was in his left hand, an empty glass in his right.
He sat in the terrace's armchair and filled his glass.
"The moon is especially bright tonight."
Was it to himself?
"Isn't it, Baron Sidington?"
"Indeed, Your Highness. I didn't expect you to sense my 'Perfect Stealth' presence."
"Just luck."
"I do love the saying that luck is skill."
Baron Sidington, with vampire-pale skin and pale lips, bowed as he replied.
He was a noble of the Edriger Kingdom, not the Philius Empire—and delving deeper, a member of the "Dark Nobility Society," famed for fewer elites than even the Hashashin, all nobles.
"My foolish little brother is doing well, I hear?"
"Yes. It seems the 3rd Prince succeeded. Internal intel says the Emperor is fully poisoned."
Baron Sidington grinned.
"Even if it gets exposed..."
"It won't harm Your Highness. It was all the 3rd Prince's solo act—colluding with Edriger Kingdom for the poison and using it. Of course, Your Highness ordered us to deliver it, but that fact won't leak."
"Can I trust you?"
"We walk the true path of darkness. No need to worry about leaks."
Baron Sidington bared white teeth in a smile. 2nd Prince Deneb frowned but soon nodded and spoke.
"Understood. You're dismissed."
"Good night. The deep night always watches over you."
Leaving words that could be a warning or nonsense, Baron Sidington vanished. He reappeared behind the 2nd Prince's Palace. 2nd Prince's guard captain, Aaron, stood before him.
"Baron Sidington..."
"All is proceeding smoothly, so worry not."
"Then..."
"Yes, everything flows as the Society wills. With this, the end draws near."