Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Chapter 28: Dangerous Invitation (1)
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Raymond announced to a select group of nobles and high-ranking commanders that the Mountain Duke had invited him to a banquet in the Belphang Duchy, using the truce agreement as a pretext.
"Your Majesty, this is far too dangerous."
A middle-aged high-ranking commander spoke up gravely, his face stern. The other senior officers gathered in the command tent nodded in agreement.
Raymond let out a short sigh. He had anticipated opposition, but it was more widespread than expected.
He could ignore their opinions and push forward, but that wouldn't be wise. Even during his discussion with Count Reinitz last night, the count had advised attempting persuasion rather than forcing the issue.
Raymond cast a glance as if requesting support, and Count Reinitz, who had been standing at the back, finally stepped forward.
"The situation on the front lines is not good."
"Isn't the Mountain Duke's army gradually losing ground? Given enough time, our Imperial forces are sure to win."
One noble, bearing the title of count, spoke up. His arrogant expression suggested they had seized the advantage through their own superiority. Count Dunichi, who had been silent until then, furrowed his brow.
Count Reinitz suppressed a sigh that threatened to escape and forced a smile.
"But we don't have time. The Black Mountains are in peril."
"Isn't Marquis Creyer holding the line there? That man can surely hold back the allied forces of the three kingdoms!"
Though frustrated by their casual dismissal of other fronts, Count Reinitz maintained his composure.
This had happened often even under the Mountain Duke's command. Convincing such foolish nobles was his specialty.
"Up until yesterday, two thousand troops from Marquis Creyer's territorial army lost their lives. The border guards also suffered fifteen hundred casualties."
In the Black Mountains alone, the Philius Empire's forces had lost a total of four thousand five hundred men.
"On top of that, the 8th Heavy Assault Brigade has appeared."
Few on the continent were unaware of the fearsome reputation of the Free Isirian Kingdom's Heavy Assault Brigades, so naturally, the commanders and Imperial nobles gathered here knew their terror well.
"Marquis Creyer will surely hold out."
But the count who had started the nonsense didn't stop, finally irking Count Reinitz.
"Marquis Creyer is indeed a knight of high attainment and an excellent commander. But how long can he hold without central support against the main allied forces of the three kingdoms? I don't think he can last much longer."
"Then just send reinforcements, no?"
'To think there are nobles this obtuse.'
Count Reinitz barely held back another sigh.
He had explained the Philius Empire's inability to send reinforcements to the Black Mountains just recently, but it seemed they hadn't listened properly.
"The Philius Empire currently cannot dispatch sufficient reinforcements to the Black Mountains. However, we could send you and your territorial army there."
He didn't want to give a long explanation again. Count Reinitz summarized briefly and added a veiled threat.
The threat of being sent to the Black Mountains if they persisted worked; the count's mouth clamped shut.
"Good, now it's quiet."
As the noisy command tent fell silent, Count Reinitz smiled satisfactorily.
"I assume everyone now recognizes the dire situation in the Black Mountains. Am I correct?"
The nobles and high commanders nodded solemnly. Perhaps fearing dispatch to the fierce battles there, their attitudes turned cooperative.
They wanted to stay on the Belphang front, where the Philius Empire held the advantage. No one desired heading to the Black Mountains, facing the Free Isirian Kingdom's forces by day, Edriger Kingdom assassins by night, and constant monster ambushes.
"Your Majesty..."
Count Reinitz bowed and stepped back. Having properly softened the mood, it was now time for Emperor Raymond to speak.
"Count Reinitz explained it well."
Raymond opened calmly.
Thanks to Count Reinitz subtly instilling fear about the Black Mountains, the incompetent nobles shut up, and even capable commanders focused solely on Belphang had a chance to consider the broader situation.
"Do you now understand how much worse things are in the Black Mountains than expected?"
"Forgive us, Your Majesty."
"We didn't realize it was this serious. Our apologies."
At his reprimanding words, the nobles and commanders bowed their heads. Raymond sighed briefly at the sight.
Marquis Creyer knew the Philius Empire's circumstances.
Though supplies came from the Valencia Imperial domain, western military support was nearly nonexistent due to recent events, and the south was the same.
The pro-1st Prince military factions were playing games with nobles under the Mountain Duke's influence, so it wasn't an exaggeration to say the northern forces alone sustained the fronts.
Aware of this, Marquis Creyer hadn't requested reinforcements or used magic communications, facing the enemy alone.
With no such requests reaching the center or Belphang front, the nobles and commanders there remained ignorant of the Black Mountains' plight.
"Then, shall we get to the main point?"
Raymond grinned. With the atmosphere ripe, it was time to discuss the banquet in Belphang Castle.
A man in a black robe and hooded cowl slowly raised his head at the stealthy presence approaching from the thick darkness.
"Baron Sidinton?"
"Sir Richard, you sensed my presence?"
"It wasn't difficult."
"No, it was. Even I am a member of the 'Dark Nobles' Assembly'."
Baron Sidinton shook his head and sat before Richard.
Members of the 'Dark Nobles' Assembly' all boasted noble bloodlines and were renowned for being more elite than even the Hashashin. Though not high-ranking within it, Baron Sidinton was shocked that his stealth had been detected.
'To this extent...'
The Doomsday Society operated like a cell structure. Connected, but loosely. Thus, Baron Sidinton knew the name and moniker of the Herald of Doom, Richard, but little else.
"I have a report."
Baron Sidinton smiled, though inwardly he marked Richard as someone to watch. Despite being in the same Doomsday Society, an inexplicable unease emanated from this herald. Perhaps instinctual due to Richard's sudden involvement in the Mountain Duke affair, but Baron Sidinton trusted his gut.
His instincts warned: The Herald of Doom is dangerous.
"A report... Go ahead."
"The Emperor is coming here."
"How many escorts?"
"Around fifty, all expected to be Royal Guards."
The Philius Empire's Emperor bolstering the Royal Guard was no secret. Even Edriger Kingdom's 'Dark Nobles' Assembly and Hashashin couldn't pinpoint where these elite recruits came from.
"This won't be easy."
Richard frowned at Baron Sidinton's report of fifty Royal Guard escorts.
He had anticipated it, but they were formidable.
Fifty wasn't overwhelming in enemy territory, but their status as the Philius Empire's top elites was the issue.
"The Royal Guard may be elite, but the Mountain Duke acquired the 'Dangerous Invitation' this time. Use that relic properly, and the Emperor dies. Of course, the Belphang Duchy won't handle the aftermath, but that's no concern for us or Sir Richard—or the Society."
Richard nodded at Baron Sidinton's words. The current Philius Emperor was one of countless Doomsday Society targets. The Mountain Duke was merely a pawn.
If they could claim the target's life, sacrificing the Mountain Duke and Belphang Duchy was fine.
"Can Belphang Duchy's forces handle the Emperor and Royal Guard?"
"The Mountain Duke is also a high-tier knight. The Emperor's a magic swordsman, but only upper-mid level. Use the 'Dangerous Invitation', and he's dead."
"The Emperor's end is near."
Richard grinned.
Belphang front.
Philius Empire's Emperor Raymond left the front lines with a thousand Imperial troops. As they entered the duchy, a Belphang territorial cavalry unit blocked their path.
"15th Cavalry of the Belphang Territorial Army! Per the agreement, the Imperial Army must withdraw here! Our 15th Cavalry will escort His Majesty safely to the central city!"
The 15th Cavalry's lead commander shouted.
The Royal Guards and Cassias fumed at the lack of respect for the Emperor. The masked Royal Guards hid their expressions, but Cassias's fury was plain on his face.
Seeing Cassias's scowl, the lead commander smirked.
"Does the Imperial commander have some grievance?"
Unable to tolerate mocking an Emperor's subject before the Emperor himself, Raymond unleashed a surge of killing intent.
"Guh, guhk!"
The high magic swordsman's aura overwhelmed the mere commander. For a moment, it felt like his heart stopped; startled, his horse reared, throwing him off.
Now Cassias smirked.
"Seems the 15th Cavalry's lead commander has an issue."
"Damn it!"
The commander remounted cursing. Raymond called Cassias closer.
"Sir Cassias."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You know why I'm heading to Belphang Castle?"
Cassias nodded.
"Yes, Your Majesty. To minimize soldier sacrifices by personally taking the Mountain Duke's head."
"Correct. Expect combat, so hide the army nearby and wait."
Raymond tucked away Count Reinitz's secret map of the central city. The count promised swift reinforcements if needed, but with Belphang forces ahead, it was unlikely.
However, Cassias's thousand Imperial troops had already entered the duchy; hiding nearby would help.
"Your Majesty, we'll do our utmost."
"You must arrive first."
"Yes!"
Leaving the resolute Cassias, Raymond joined the Belphang 15th Cavalry.
Five hundred seemed insufficient for escorting the Emperor, so two more cavalry units joined en route to the central city.
"Royal Guards, stay vigilant."
Marquis Blizzard said coldly, his voice chill. Though called escorts, they couldn't be trusted.
In civil war with Belphang Duchy, these were its troops. Likely ordered to monitor, not protect, by the Mountain Duke.
The Royal Guards' vigilance was ironclad even at camp. After days of travel, they reached the central city—as grand as the capital, befitting one of the Empire's two duchies.
"The central city is huge, as expected of a duchy."
Desia said, eyes sparkling with curiosity rather than enmity. But Gestain, betrayed by the Mountain Duke's subordinates, glared with hatred.
Raymond calmly placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Gestain, I'll avenge your hatred, so don't worry too much."
Then, to Silvia:
"Silvia."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Count Reinitz gave a secret map, but you're leading the retreat. Memorize the terrain."
"Don't worry."
Silvia replied in her soft, elven voice. Raymond smiled; he hadn't worried from the start.