Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Chapter 26: Tiger Hunt (2)
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"An army of five thousand has marched out from the east."
Viscount Kasso emerged behind the Mountain Duke, who was resting in an armchair, and reported with a hardened expression.
"Five thousand from the east... Marquis Balgets, I presume?"
"Yes."
Viscount Kasso nodded in response to the Mountain Duke's question. It wasn't hard to guess that Marquis Balgets had mobilized his five thousand troops.
The Mountain Duke's influence extended to most of the nobles in the east, west, and south to varying degrees.
That was why, even after evidence of collusion with the Tripartite Alliance was made public, no large-scale armies had risen easily.
It wasn't enough to make them openly rebel against the emperor, but his influence was sufficient to make them stand by and watch. Thanks to that, the emperor was now fighting a lonely civil war.
However, there were nobles beyond the reach of the Mountain Duke's influence, and the most prominent among them was Marquis Balgets.
Many nobles had received bribes from the Mountain Duke or were simply wary due to the crumbling imperial authority.
Because of them, Marquis Balgets hadn't moved easily until now, but in the end, he couldn't tolerate the imperial authority being forsaken and raised his army.
"Once Marquis Balgets's army arrives in the north, the goddess of victory will smile upon the young emperor."
Right after the civil war broke out, the Belpiang territory forces had the upper hand against the Philius Imperial Army. But with Count Denitz and Emperor Raymond joining, everything started to go awry.
The Belpiang forces outnumbered the Philius Imperial Army and were superior in elite quality as well. Yet, because of Count Denitz and the young Emperor Raymond Philius, they couldn't seize the momentum.
In this situation, if the renowned elite troops from Marquis Balgets's Balgets territory joined them, it would become irreversible.
"We must settle this before then."
The Mountain Duke spoke with a voice full of resolve. Until now, the Philius Imperial Army had been pressed for time dealing with the Tripartite Alliance's southward advance from the Black Mountains, but now the Belpiang territory forces had equal reason to end the civil war quickly.
"As long as Count Denitz is there, annihilating the Philius Imperial Army before the Balgets territory forces arrive is nearly impossible, my lord."
"Then why not just eliminate the emperor?"
"It's not just the Royal Guard at the emperor's side. Didn't you recently confirm that there are several assassins equal to or slightly superior to the shadow special forces you've been secretly raising?"
When they sent the shadow special forces to rescue Ricardo Ensle, they had spotted the deep shadows guarding the emperor—the Shades.
Moreover, the emperor was currently at a camp with ten thousand Philius Imperial troops stationed. Assassination might be possible, but it wouldn't be easy.
"My lord, this is the Philius Imperial Army commanded by Count Denitz. It'll be full of bizarre formations we don't know about yet. An assassination attempt would be pointless. We'd only lose our shadow special force members."
Viscount Kasso advised coldly.
"Is the location the problem?"
"The biggest problem, yes. We can't take on the Royal Guard amid Count Denitz's formations."
"Then invite the emperor here."
Viscount Kasso doubted his own ears at the shocking words uttered by the Mountain Duke with a calm face.
"My lord?"
"The current emperor is a man of strong pride. With Marquis Craier barely holding off the Tripartite Alliance's southward push in the northeast, if we bait him with a truce and lightly provoke him, he'll surely come to the central city."
"You mean to lure the emperor to the duchy’s central city with a truce as bait and take his head? My word, if the emperor's head falls like that, the nobles of the Philius Empire won't stand idly by."
Viscount Kasso was aghast. Many nobles were staying silent because imperial authority had crumbled and the civil war’s outcome was uncertain, but he couldn’t guarantee they would remain passive if the Mountain Duke used such a despicable trick to behead the emperor.
"Kill the emperor, and the Philius Imperial Army loses its focal point. I can handle the other nobles somehow."
Viscount Kasso felt an inexplicable unease at the Mountain Duke's eyes gleaming coldly.
The Mountain Duke he knew was cautious even among high-ranking knights-turned-nobles. He wasn't the type to rampage without considering the aftermath.
'Something's off. Related to the Tripartite Alliance?'
Viscount Kasso's gaze grew icy. He composed his sinking emotions and took a step back.
"May I return to the front lines now?"
"Go."
"Yes, my lord."
Bowing his head, Viscount Kasso left the lord's office and began walking down the corridor. After the Valencia ducal family's incident, the Mountain Duke had stationed numerous knights inside the lord's residence right after the civil war began. Yet today, not a single one was in sight.
"Show yourself, intruder."
Viscount Kasso quietly warned, his hand moving to the sword at his waist.
"Viscount Kasso, the right-hand man of Mountain Duke Rivers Belpiang. You've learned too much."
"Baron Sidington, I thought we were allies..."
"That was your delusion. 'We' were never allies with you, not for a single moment."
With a sharp retort, two gleaming daggers emerged from the darkness.
"So it was you after all."
By now, Viscount Kasso had also drawn his sword. As he infused it with energy, a mana blade formed and danced.
"I will punish you and restore order to the territory."
"Isn't it a bit late for that?"
Baron Sidington moved first, vanishing into the darkness. Viscount Kasso rapidly scanned with his eyes to read his presence.
'This is a dark noble... I can't read his presence...'
He had sworn not to fear enemies upon receiving his knighthood, but now that resolve wavered.
"To think it was this bad..."
He could sense killing intent, but not the presence. How much time passed? Suddenly sensing a chilling aura behind him, Viscount Kasso hurriedly turned.
"Guh... ack..."
"Your reaction speed isn't bad. Of course, for an advanced knight, it's just 'not bad.'"
A dagger was embedded in Viscount Kasso's heart. He spat red blood and staggered weakly.
"M-my lord..."
He tried to hold on thinking of the Mountain Duke, but it was futile. Blood kept pouring, strength draining from his body. When he came to, he was collapsed on the cold corridor floor.
"That wriggling looks just like a worm."
Baron Sidington sneered and thrust a sharp dagger into Viscount Kasso's throat. Thus ended the life of the Mountain Duke's closest confidant and right-hand man, Viscount Kasso. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Raymond was sparring with Gestain in swordsmanship. Suddenly, Gestain sensed something first and stepped back. Raymond wiped his sweat-drenched face with a towel and turned.
"Cassias?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. An envoy from the Belpiang territory forces has arrived."
Cassias, clad in full plate armor from the Imperial Army, approached with large strides.
"An envoy from the Belpiang territory forces?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I expected it, but they're quick. What's your take?"
After wiping away the last of his sweat, Raymond downed a cup of cold water and turned. There stood Count Denitz, impeccably dressed in his uniform.
"Marquis Balgets's reinforcements have departed from the east. If the Belpiang forces had complete superiority in the battles so far, maybe not, but the current situation is ambiguous for them. They'll feel the pressure as the reinforcements draw near."
"They'll propose a truce, I bet... Your thoughts?"
"My opinion isn't much different, Your Majesty. An envoy arriving now means a high probability they're here to discuss a truce. Though it seems Your Majesty doesn't want that."
Count Denitz was as sharp as ever. As he finished with a sly smile, Raymond slowly nodded in agreement.
"A truce is impossible."
"The Tripartite Alliance is advancing south. A storm of blood is raging in the Black Mountains."
"That's all the more reason why. With war against the Tripartite Alliance looming, we can't leave a latent threat in the northwest. Besides, to strengthen imperial authority, the Mountain Duke must be punished."
Imperial authority, which had barely shown signs of recovery through the Royal Guard reinforcements and his domineering display at the court council, had crumbled again due to the Mountain Duke's rebellion. To restore it, they had to suppress the revolt and punish him.
"But how about meeting them once? The Mountain Duke might have other proposals, or there could be an unexpected development. And we can't just dismiss an envoy who's come all this way without seeing them, right?"
Count Denitz advised. Raymond slowly nodded. There was value in meeting the envoy who'd come this far.
"I'll see the envoy."
"What will you wear, Your Majesty?"
The cautious question came from squire Alex. After brief thought, Raymond decided.
"Like this. No need to dress up for a traitor's envoy..."
Raymond used simple magic to clean himself and took the first step.
This time, even Count Denitz followed without objection, nodding in agreement with Raymond's view.
The envoy was from the traitorous Mountain Duke who'd rebelled. Excessive courtesy would undermine the emperor's dignity. Count Denitz quietly admired Raymond's consideration of even such details.
The envoy waited in a large tent near the command post. Soon, Raymond opened the tent flap and entered, prompting the envoy to bow with a cold gaze.
"I see you, Your Majesty."
It was appropriately polite, but not overly so. Raymond nodded and took the seat of honor.
"State your business."
He spoke sharply in a calm voice. He despised wasting time.
The envoy seemed briefly flustered by the directness but soon opened his mouth with a faint smile.
"His Excellency the Mountain Duke has sent an invitation to Your Majesty."
Finishing, the envoy pulled a luxurious envelope from his bosom. It was inspected by the Royal Guard for safety before being handed to Raymond.
"An invitation..."
A civil war raging, and an invitation?
He could guess from the envoy's words, but reading it confirmed it. This was indeed an invitation.
The moment Raymond finished the letter, one thought crossed his mind.
'Has the Mountain Duke finally lost his mind?'
His judgment must be clouded that badly. Otherwise, he wouldn't send such an absurd invitation.
Inviting the enemy commander to their stronghold amid a civil war? It made no sense.
But it could be an opportunity.
In that brief moment, Raymond sorted his thoughts. Regaining his composure, he spoke.
"I'll give my answer by tomorrow."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
The envoy, seemingly aware he wouldn't get a reply today, withdrew smoothly. Once he left, Count Denitz approached.
"May I ask the contents of the letter?"
"Better you read it yourself than hear me explain."
Raymond handed the Mountain Duke's invitation to Count Denitz. His expression soured rapidly as he read.
"Your Majesty, it's clearly a trap."
Inviting him to the Belpiang duchy’s central city to discuss a truce now? Anyone could see it was a trap.
Even without being called the Tactical Count Erwin Denitz, it was obvious.
"The Mountain Duke thinks he's luring me into a trap. But I'm going into the tiger's den to hunt the tiger."
"Your Majesty, that's madness."
"But taking the Mountain Duke's head ends the civil war. No more soldiers lost."
"The emperor I know isn't sentimental."
It could be seen as rude. Gestain sent a quiet cold glare, and Marquis Blizzard of the Royal Guard stepped forward, but Raymond raised his left hand to stop him.
"It's not sentiment; it's pursuing practicality, Count Denitz. To prepare for war with the Tripartite Alliance, we need to minimize Imperial Army losses in this civil war."
"The Mountain Duke has been raising assassins even I didn't know about. There might be more hidden forces."
Shadow special forces? They existed in the setting. He knew of them. The Mountain Duke's secret aces ended with the shadow special forces.
"I'm not afraid."
"It's dangerous."
"The emperors of Philius have always fought at the vanguard."
Count Denitz tried persuading repeatedly, but couldn't break Raymond's stubbornness. In the end, he raised the white flag.
"Your Majesty, at least take the Royal Guard with you."
"Don't worry, Count. I never planned to go alone."