Chapter 64
Chapter 64
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Mountain Duke, Steel Marquis, and Tactics Earl (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Mountain Duke. He was a cunning man.
Denitz knew that fact all too well, but after serving at his side for no small amount of time, he had perhaps wanted to place just a sliver of faith in him.
But those hopes had been shattered cruelly, and the price of that misplaced trust now came in the form of a threat to his life.
"I'll ask once more, Sir Denitz. You don't still believe the Mountain Duke will honor his word, do you?"
At the low, steady tone of Raymond's voice, Denitz let out a bitter smile. The moment the Mountain Duke had sent assassins after him, the promise was broken. It was a meaningless question.
"The Mountain Duke has broken his promise."
Denitz declared. Thick anger and disappointment laced his voice. He no longer prefixed the man's title with "Your Grace."
"Thus, I have no need to uphold mine either."
"I'll guarantee the safety of the children you had with you. I'll allow them to remain in the Imperial Capital."
It was an extravagant offer, but Raymond figured it was necessary if he wanted to bring Denitz under his command.
Erwin Denitz was the primary architect behind the Mountain Duke's elite reformation of the Bellphang Domain Army. The foundational strategies and tactics of the current Bellphang forces all bore his touch.
"My thanks for your consideration, Your Majesty."
"I'll grant you a title as well. A countship should suffice to ensure you face no interference when mobilizing troops."
"If Your Majesty bestows the title of count upon me personally, that should be more than enough."
"Time is pressing, so we'll proceed as swiftly as possible."
Raymond was a man who kept his promises. The next day, Erwin Denitz was formally granted his countship.
"It's not hereditary, but a countship seems excessive, doesn't it?"
"It's His Majesty's decision. Best not to question it."
There was some grumbling among the noble factions, but since it was the Emperor's direct decree and his stance was firm, no major discord arose.
Having received his count's title, Denitz met privately with Raymond in the Emperor's office that very day to relay precise details on the Mountain Duke's movements and devise countermeasures.
"In short, it's confirmed that the Mountain Duke is preparing for civil war."
Raymond nodded at Count Denitz's words before speaking.
"At first, it seemed like covert preparations. But not anymore."
Agents from the Central Intelligence Agency, dispatched to the Bellphang Duchy for intelligence gathering, were flooding in with reports like madmen. Just days ago, the Bellphang Domain Army had been quietly gearing up beneath the surface, but now they were mobilizing in earnest.
After the failed assassination on Count Denitz, word came via Shade that the Mountain Duke had personally issued a full mobilization order.
"Can't we just send in those Shades to wipe them out like they did the Valencia Duke's house?"
"Shade isn't omnipotent. They could handle the Valencia Ducal family because the duke and key figures died in the sanctuary. What could a mere second son in his early twenties do? They fell without a fight."
Unlike Valencia, the Bellphang Ducal house still had the Mountain Duke alive and well. And unlike the Valencia Duke, who relied solely on wealth, he commanded the North's premier military force—hardly an opponent to take lightly.
"I've received a brief from the Central Intelligence Agency on the current situation. The Bellphang Domain Army is assembling at the borders. By any chance, are some Northern Central Army troops still stationed in the Bellphang Duchy?"
Count Denitz inquired. Raymond nodded slowly before replying.
"Of course. If war breaks out, they'll form the front line and hold it."
"Withdraw all of them from the Bellphang Duchy immediately. It's the top priority."
"Care to explain why?"
Raymond's eyes gleamed. Denitz was a master of strategy and tactics. If he insisted this strongly, there had to be good reason.
"Assuming the reports are accurate, the Northern Central Army hasn't completed rearmament yet. Correct?"
It was a sharp observation. Raymond nodded calmly.
"An unrearmed Northern Central Army can't hold out long against the Bellphang Domain forces. Moreover, not the entire army is garrisoned there, right? Better to fall back and establish a solid front line than risk defeat in detail."
Count Denitz's assessment was spot-on and logical. Fully convinced, Raymond summoned Desia at once.
"You called for me, Your Majesty?"
"Prepare a communication orb. I have urgent orders for the Northern Central Army commander."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Desia pulled a communication orb from her bosom and set it on the office desk. No need for a secure chamber; the Emperor's office was one of the safest spots in the palace.
"Connect to Northern Central Army HQ."
Raymond ordered. Desia calmly channeled mana to locate the line. Soon, the face of the Northern Central Army's top mage appeared in the orb. Without a word, Raymond rolled up his sleeve, revealing the "Silent Absolute."
Even if they didn't recognize the blade's form, the imperial seal etched upon it was unmistakable. The top mage shot to his feet, raising both hands vigorously.
-Long live His Majesty the Emperor!
The orb trembled faintly from the thunderous roar. Had he not walked the path of mana, he could have been a knight.
"Bring the Northern Central Army commander here now."
Best to speak directly.
-We shall obey the imperial command!
The top mage responded vigorously and stepped away briefly. Moments later, the Northern Central Army commander appeared in the orb, clad in his crimson uniform.
-Victory to His Majesty the Emperor! Glory to the Empire!
True to a central army commander, his voice brimmed with loyalty. Raymond nodded in satisfaction before speaking.
"I've called you for urgent instructions."
Raymond said calmly.
-The Northern Central Army awaits your command! Speak, sire!
"Some Northern Central Army troops are stationed in the Bellphang Duchy, correct?"
-Yes, Your Majesty. As it's under Northern Central Army jurisdiction, about 3,000 troops are dispersed across two locations there.
"Withdraw them from the Bellphang Duchy."
-Thy will be done!
The commander showed no hesitation whatsoever, nodding vigorously without a hint of doubt.
"I place my trust in you, Commander."
The magical communication ended. Not long after, Raymond received word that the Northern Central Army troops in the Bellphang Duchy had begun their withdrawal.
"It'll take about a week for the Northern Central Army to fully pull out of the Bellphang Duchy."
Raymond muttered as the Central Intelligence Agency messenger departed. Though soft-spoken, Count Denitz heard it clearly and nodded thoughtfully, piecing his thoughts together.
Raymond downed the chilled water Desia had brought, his throat parched.
"The Mountain Duke won't sit idle. He'll see the Northern Central Army's withdrawal as the signal for war and redouble his mobilization efforts. For all intents, we've effectively launched a preemptive strike."
But there was no choice. They couldn't afford to lose those 3,000 troops garrisoned in the Bellphang Duchy. As Count Denitz said, better a retreated but unified defensive line than piecemeal annihilation.
"What of the Northern Central Army's rearmament?"
He asked quietly. As his gaze turned, Count Potas slowly emerged from the shadows and spoke.
"About a week."
"Do you think we have a week?"
This time, the question was directed at Count Denitz.
"The Mountain Duke isn't a fool. If the Bellphang Domain Army finishes preparations before the Northern Central Army rearms, he'll strike first."
The central army, stationed in monster-infested lands, was battle-hardened. Once rearmed, they'd likely boast superior combat prowess—a fact the Mountain Duke surely knew.
Thus, to halt that rearmament, he'd march the moment his forces were ready.
"Count Potas."
"The Central Intelligence Agency awaits your command."
"Contact the Northern Central Army again. Urge them to hasten rearmament. And I hear Count Dantihi is still in the capital—summon him."
"Understood."
Count Potas bowed and vanished into the darkness. Raymond's gaze then shifted to Count Denitz.
"Can you head north first?"
By the novel's lore, the north lacked reliable staff officers. That's why he'd recruited Denitz—now was the time to deploy him.
"To reorganize the Northern Central Army?"
Count Denitz's eyes sharpened. The thought of vengeance against the promise-breaking Mountain Duke, who had targeted his loved ones, ignited his resolve.
"The Northern Central Army has ample combat experience, but no staff officer who knows the Bellphang Domain Army like you do, Count Denitz."
As the Mountain Duke's former confidant and architect of most of their strategies and tactics, he'd be invaluable for the impending war.
"Shade will provide escort, and you'll receive imperial proxy authority."
In the Philius Empire, wielding imperial proxy held great weight. Loyalists wouldn't obstruct him, and Shade ensured his safety.
"No concerns then. I'll head north."
The journey was long. Count Denitz withdrew to prepare hastily. Soon after, the summoned Count Dantihi arrived at the office.
"Your Majesty, I heard you sought me."
Count Dantihi, a true noble loyal to the Empire and the imperial family.
He had been among the first to answer the call during the Bloody Funeral at the sanctuary, aiding Raymond in crushing the foes. Now came the moment to issue him another grueling order, and Raymond found the words sticking in his throat.
"Your Majesty, worry not. The Dantihi Domain Army stands ready to heed your command at any moment."
He spoke calmly. Mentioning his domain army meant he already guessed the order.
Raymond took a deep breath before slowly speaking.
"The Mountain Duke seems poised to raise his banners any moment, but the Northern Central Army isn't ready for an immediate response."
"Shall my forces and I buy time?"
Count Dantihi asked. A polite way of saying "be a meat shield." Raymond hesitated to reply.
"Your Majesty, have no fears. I'll hold the line until the Northern Central Army rearms."
"It failed."
"I see."
The woman in the assassins' signature black attire reported calmly. The Mountain Duke nodded nonchalantly, though he ground his teeth, swallowing his rage at the failure to eliminate Count Denitz.
"That's not all."
"Report."
"Northern Central Army troops stationed in the domain have begun withdrawing en masse."
At the continued reports, the Mountain Duke furrowed his brow. The troops' movement meant the Emperor had fully grasped their intentions.
"I thought we were watching the Emperor, but we were the ones under surveillance?"
A hollow laugh escaped him. The absurdity struck him funny.
"How did this happen? Baron Sidinton."
From the lips of Philius Empire's highest noble—a duke—emerged the name of an Edriger Kingdom noble.
Baron Sidinton of the Dark Nobles' Assembly slowly stepped from the shadows. It was an assassin-like entrance; the reporting killer bowed and withdrew.
"To think it would come to this..."
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly as I said, Your Grace. The Emperor's assassins are far more skilled than we anticipated."
Assassins superior to the Dark Nobles' Assembly and the Hashashin? The Mountain Duke scowled.
"This is no trifling matter. We may need more support from the homeland."