Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Chapter 25: The Mad Emperor (2)
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I had anticipated to some extent that the Central Intelligence Agency agents would uncover something.
I never believed from the start that Viscount Kasso's direct special forces unit—subordinates of the Mountain Duke who handled his most secretive affairs—were simply moving to sow chaos in the rear lines of the front.
They were undoubtedly acting to advance some clandestine plan. The problem was figuring out what that plan entailed.
But I would learn soon enough. Cassius's Imperial Army troops and the Central Intelligence Agency agents had discovered something during their search.
"Sir Cassius. Have the search findings compiled into a report immediately."
Raymond instructed in a calm voice.
"I've urged the Central Intelligence Agency agents to hurry as much as possible. They will submit the organized report within five minutes."
Cassius reported with confident demeanor. Soon after, a neatly uniformed agent from the Central Intelligence Agency approached and bowed politely.
"Your Majesty the Emperor, may the Central Intelligence Agency submit an urgent report?"
"Submit it."
"Here it is."
The agent handed over a single sheet of report.
"May I also convey some details verbally?"
Raymond slowly nodded at the courteous question. Though it was just one page, it was filled edge to edge with text, so a verbal summary would help grasp the contents quickly.
"During our search of the area, our Central Intelligence Agency agents discovered a certain corpse."
The agent added that it was a bit away from the center of the battlefield, likely someone who had been hiding and got caught in a high-grade spell, losing their life.
"Suspicious elements led us to search the body, where we found this secret letter."
"Is that it?"
Raymond pointed to the small envelope attached to the back of the report.
The reporting agent nodded solemnly. He detached the envelope, secured with a clip, and brought it forward.
It was sealed with wax, bearing traces of a magical seal.
"We handled the magical seal removal on our end."
The agent confirmed calmly, sensing Raymond's gaze. With the magical seal undone, only the physical wax seal needed breaking.
"Seeing the wax seal intact, you haven't opened it yet?"
"That's correct, Your Majesty."
The agent replied. Raymond broke the red wax seal with his finger and opened the envelope. Inside was, as expected, a single secret letter.
A clear smile spread across Raymond's lips as he pulled out and read the letter. The agent looked curious but dared not ask first.
"Fortune favors us."
Raymond spoke.
"It's a secret letter from the Mountain Duke to the Kingdom of Edriger in the Tripartite Alliance."
"That can serve as concrete evidence of collusion."
Gestain remarked. Raymond nodded slowly, a smile lingering.
"With this irrefutable proof in hand, delivering it to the Imperial Capital will secure active support from the east and south."
Civil war had broken out, but the east and south were still offering only passive aid. Even with the First Prince's dying words, many in the military were still watching and waiting. Publicizing this letter would change that.
"The Philius Empire's territories will rally once more under Your Majesty's strong imperial authority."
Cassius said.
"This letter must reach the Imperial Capital safely."
"It should be entrusted to someone reliable."
It was Marquis Blizzard. Raymond nodded and cast a calm gaze toward the Royal Guards.
"You know we can't send an ordinary courier, right?"
"Of course, Your Majesty."
Marquis Blizzard nodded at Raymond's words. This was pivotal enough to reverse the civil war; an ordinary courier wouldn't do.
Even with escorts, it felt risky. News of the messenger's death would have reached the Mountain Duke via Viscount Kasso, and he would surely dispatch assassins.
Thus, it made sense to use a small number of highly trusted individuals with exceptional combat prowess as carriers.
"Count Alphonse."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Command me."
A waiting Royal Guard, Count Alphonse, stepped forward at Raymond's call. His gaze brimmed with faith. For a reliable carrier with proven trust and strength, he was the obvious choice.
"I'll assign you five Royal Guards. Deliver this letter to Count Potas in the Imperial Capital."
Count Potas, the Central Intelligence Agency Director, was currently aiding Raymond from the capital. Handing it to a palace or interior minister was an option, but none were as trustworthy.
"I shall obey your imperial command."
There was no complaint or resistance. Count Alphonse nodded readily, accepting the letter from Raymond.
Soon, Marquis Blizzard named five additional Royal Guards: one viscount and four barons. Including Alphonse, a rare earl-grade, there was no worry of the Mountain Duke reclaiming the letter.
As Count Alphonse and the five Royal Guards withdrew, Raymond's gaze shifted back to Cassius.
"Sir Cassius, is this your full welcome party?"
"My apologies, Your Majesty. The defensive line's situation is dire."
Cassius replied gravely. It was true. The final defensive line, exposed to Belfiang territory army's fierce assault, shook on the verge of collapse several times a day.
Without Count Denitz—expert in Mountain Duke and Belfiang tactics—it might have already fallen.
The gravity prevented a large welcome despite the Emperor's personal front-line visit.
Cassius had rushed with a small cavalry unit upon learning of the Emperor's involvement in battle.
"We'll escort you to the final defensive line command post."
Cassius's Imperial Army cavalry led the way. The command post wasn't far.
They were passing through central Count Ratiell's territory; no forces like Viscount Kasso's detachment should breach the final line. Yet tension remained high as Cassius and the cavalry sharply escorted the revered Emperor and his Imperial Army.
"The final defensive line is near."
Cassius said in a stiff voice.
The front drew closer. The north's chill wind carried a thick stench of blood.
Soon, the command camp—rear-positioned at the final line—came into view.
A sturdy temporary wooden stockade, evidently touched by Count Denitz's hand; even to Raymond, shallow in strategy and tactics, it looked solid.
Sniper towers were attached at intervals along the timber walls. The path to the gate bristled with cavalry obstacles and traps, tactically placed.
"His Majesty the Emperor has arrived! The commanding officer, emerge at once!"
Cassius spurred forward. His mana-infused shout echoed through the command camp. He'd sent a messenger two hours prior with the ETA.
"His Majesty graces us personally, yet not even a welcome party, let alone the commanding officer?"
An Imperial Army knight rode up beside Cassius. His voice cut like a blade. Cassius nodded, face full of displeasure.
"Don't reprimand too harshly."
"Y-Your Majesty!"
"Forgive us...!"
The one appearing suddenly behind them was the young Emperor they revered: Raymond.
"Can't you smell the blood? A battle just ended. No need for anger."
At Raymond's gentle tone, Cassius and the knights bowed their heads.
Their blind loyalty melted their rage like snow in spring sun under the Emperor's soothing words.
Fortunately, before tempers refroze, the command camp's main gate opened, and an armed cavalry unit poured out.
The lead rider bore the command banner. The commanding officer, Count Denitz himself, had come. His flag fluttered as escort knights maintained formation.
"Your Majesty! Terribly sorry for the delay!"
Count Denitz and the knights dismounted, bowing under the imperial banner.
"A forward camp attack just now left us remiss in welcoming Your Majesty. We deeply apologize!"
One commander bowed at a right angle. Raymond wasn't so inflexible as to punish battle-weary soldiers for a late welcome.
He encouraged Count Denitz and the commanders with a benevolent expression.
Many eyes watched. This portrayal of a merciful Emperor was ideal. Sure enough, the soldiers gazed at Raymond's mercy with moved faces.
"Please enter quickly. It's dangerous here."
Count Denitz urged them inside. Even at the rear, cavalry obstacles and defenses seemed overly tight—evidently due to past guerrilla raids.
"The Mountain Duke isn't foolish. Right after I left Belfiang command, they shifted strategies and tactics."
Upon reaching the command center past the stockade gate, Raymond learned from Count Denitz why the final line fared poorly.
"Not a perfect overhaul, of course. Belfiang forces still rely heavily on prior doctrines—most touched by my hand."
Count Denitz said. His voice brimmed with confidence, tempered—not arrogant, but fittingly assured with humility.
'He has the qualifications.'
Raymond deemed Count Denitz fully qualified for such confidence. Without him, Count Ratiell's final line couldn't have held this successfully.
Belfiang's forces vastly outnumbered combined Ratiell and Northern Central Army strength. Even with Danchi territory reinforcements, effective defense of the long line was impossible sans Denitz.
"Offense impossible?"
Raymond calmly asked, sipping tea from a cup brought by his attendant, Alex.
He lacked deep strategic insight, but pure defense wouldn't boost army morale. With the Tripartite Alliance provoking and uncertainty on how long Marquis Kreier could hold, time wasn't on Philius Empire or Raymond's side.
"We've tried attacks. But Belfiang's formation is too solid."
"Didn't you design their defense? No way through?"
"Might sound arrogant, but as its creator, our current forces can't breach it."
Count Denitz said honestly. The basic formation he'd drilled into Belfiang was near-perfect.
"No weaknesses at all?"
"Philius forces here can't pierce it. Minimal flaws mean no gaps without overwhelming force."
"Explain in detail?"
Raymond asked. He needed more info. The setting collection didn't cover all of Denitz's tactics.
"They're holding with my basic formation Variant 2."
"Traits?"
"Front ranks, including first line, concentrate all defense. Simply: breach the front, and it crumbles."
"Hence the need for overwhelming power."
Count Denitz nodded at Raymond's words.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Shattering the front requires superior breakthrough. Our knights here can't destroy Belfiang's forward formation."
He sighed briefly.
"Not entirely without options."
"Even Imperial Knights wouldn't suffice, Your Majesty."
"I know a force surpassing Imperial Knights."
"Here?"
Count Denitz asked cautiously. Raymond grinned and nodded.
"Royal Guard."