Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Chapter 29: The Taker and the Taken (3)
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Richard Palair.
The protagonist of the novel Empire of the Dead was a bright, protagonist-like character even in its dark world. But the man who now introduced himself as Richard Palair exuded only thick darkness.
'Damn it, I never thought I'd run into him here...'
Raymond bit his lip, cursing inwardly. He bit down so hard that blood seeped out. He had expected to meet the protagonist someday, but not so suddenly.
He hadn't ignored the possibility of meeting as enemies, but not like this.
Moreover, the Richard before him seemed to have some awareness that Raymond had stolen the 'opportunity' that should have rightfully been his.
'Who told him?'
It was a question without an immediate answer. One thing was certain: Richard wasn't omniscient, so it was nearly impossible for him to have figured it out on his own.
'Is it connected to the Apocalypse Society?'
The protagonist, who should have been righteous, had sided with the true villains of the Apocalypse Society. He must have heard something from them.
Raymond nodded calmly and infused energy into the Soul Sword. Though poisoned, it wasn't enough to prevent him from fighting, and the Soul Sword still shone with its clear white light.
Seeing the emperor quietly assume a combat stance, Gestain stepped forward wordlessly. Marquis Blizzard also sharpened his gaze visible through his mask and drew up his mana.
"How does it feel to have taken everything from me?"
Richard spoke in a calm voice dripping with hatred. Cold rage flickered in the hollow eyes peeking through the slits of his remask.
Raymond did not answer.
It wasn't guilt he felt.
In the mad world of Empire of the Dead, where even lead characters were brutally murdered, it was an unavoidable choice to survive.
"You don't even feel guilt, do you?"
"Is there any need to?"
Raymond replied coldly to Richard's sharp question.
"I see. So that's how it is."
It was an unsatisfactory response. Richard shook his head and raised his left hand. Armed Apocalypse Society fighters emerged from behind him. Over thirty in number, their aura was no joke—they wouldn't let them pass easily.
"To bring an end to you..."
"Evangelist. Just a moment..."
As Richard was about to issue the attack order, one of the society fighters approached and whispered something to him.
"Is even vengeance denied to me by the heavens...?"
Richard sighed in lament.
He had thought the day of revenge for what was taken had finally arrived.
He had used Baron Sedington as a sacrificial lamb to gauge the emperor and his escorts' combat prowess, and now only their heads remained to be claimed... yet even that heaven denied.
"Emperor, you're lucky. We'll retreat for today."
Spouting a clichéd villain line, the true protagonist of the novel vanished into the shadows with his subordinates.
"Why did they retreat?"
A voice murmured, unable to contain curiosity. Sylvia responded calmly.
"Because the Imperial Army is coming."
She, walking ahead, had sensed their approach first. Sure enough, soon a faint horn sounded from afar.
The weary group from the prolonged battles recognized it as the Imperial Army's horn and cheered. As Sylvia said, Cassius's Imperial Army had arrived right on time.
"Sir Richard. Is it really alright to retreat like this? Wasn't this the moment when your long-cherished grand plan was within reach?"
They were retreating to avoid the Imperial Army heading to rendezvous with the emperor. One of the accompanying low-ranking Apocalypse Society executives cautiously asked.
He didn't know the full details, but he knew Richard harbored ill feelings toward Emperor Raymond Philius of the Philius Empire.
Besides, Raymond was a target of the Apocalypse Society, so eliminating him as quickly as possible was best. Thus, he harbored slight dissatisfaction with Richard's order to retreat.
"Fool."
But what returned was rebuke.
"Sir Richard...?"
"You didn't even detect a thousand Imperial troops approaching? And you're supposed to be a society executive?"
"My apologies, Sir Richard."
It was true he hadn't noticed the thousand-strong Imperial Army. He admitted his fault and bowed his head. But Richard, displeased by the sight, withdrew his sharp gaze and shook his head.
"Don't be so impatient. There will be plenty more opportunities."
Cassius arrived leading a thousand Imperial troops. Driven solely by the resolve to escort the emperor safely, he had pushed deeper than the initial rendezvous point, risking danger to lead his army.
There was resistance since news of the Mountain Duke's death hadn't fully spread through the entire Belfiang territory army, but nothing could stop his near-fanatical loyalty.
"Your Majesty the Emperor! We shall escort you safely to the borders of Belfiang Dukedom!"
Cassius bellowed in a thunderous voice. Though the Belfiang territory army, unaware of the Mountain Duke's death, might pursue, he was confident he could safely deliver the injured emperor and his fatigued group to where the Philius Empire army was stationed.
"I leave it to you, Sir Cassius."
"Rest assured, any who block Your Majesty's path shall be annihilated by the Imperial Army!"
Raymond approached Cassius with calm words and patted his shoulder in encouragement. Bolstered by the emperor's support, Cassius replied vigorously and rushed forward to command the army.
The Imperial Army cleared the path. None dared block their way. Midway, they encountered two thousand Belfiang territory troops, but those seemed to have heard of the Mountain Duke's death and were hastily moving toward the central city.
"Word has already spread, it seems."
Raymond muttered to himself, watching the Belfiang territory troops fluttering flags as they headed toward the central city.
This world had limited magical communication. Units possessing high-grade mages capable of handling communication orbs would receive news first, then dispatch messengers to nearby units to spread word of the Mountain Duke's death.
"Sir Cassius."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Increase the pace. We must rendezvous with command as quickly as possible."
Thanks to Raymond's efforts, Desia's condition had improved greatly. They could afford to speed up the army's march.
As the Imperial Army quickened and Raymond tended to Desia, Marquis Blizzard, the high mage of the Royal Guard, used his portable communication orb to connect a magical call to Count Denitz.
Count Denitz didn't elaborate, but the front lines were in a similar state.
The Belfiang territory army deployed to the front naturally had a top-grade mage, who received magical communication from the central city's lord's castle about the events.
Chaos had begun upon news that the Mountain Duke—practically the linchpin of the Belfiang ducal family and territory—had perished.
Initially shared only with nobles and knight commanders, Count Denitz's information network soon spread it to junior officers and even regular soldiers. Chaos grew uncontrollably, and discipline began to crumble.
"Understood."
"The Royal Guard and Imperial Army will escort His Majesty safely."
Marquis Blizzard's voice sharpened slightly. He had detected faint distrust toward the Royal Guard and Imperial Army in Count Denitz's tone.
With the banquet hall raid and Bloody Funeral, many nobles now doubted the Royal Guard's escort capabilities—it was understandable.
Count Denitz's characteristic calm voice flowed from the communication orb. His tact was sound.
Marquis Blizzard quickly composed himself. He knew arguments were unnecessary in such a dire situation.
"No need for concern. The Royal Guard will escort His Majesty safely to command."
Marquis Blizzard affirmed.
With the ancient relic and ultimate weapon Colossal Divine Soldiers controllable only by Philius imperial blood, all but Raymond had been massacred in the Bloody Funeral. If the current emperor died, the empire's nascent revival would vanish in an instant.
Count Denitz had originally served the Mountain Duke but was still a Philius subject. He desired no such end.
"Rest assured, the Belfiang territory army will not pierce the imperial shield."
With those words, the communication ended, and the orb lost its glow.
Marquis Blizzard pocketed it, reaffirmed his resolve, and gathered the count-level Royal Guards—including recent hibernators like Count Alphonse.
"Though the Mountain Duke is dead, the news hasn't spread to the entire Belfiang territory army. We must move anticipating combat before reaching command."
Marquis Blizzard spoke resolutely, but contrary to expectations, they reached the Philius Empire army command near the Belfiang front without engaging the duke's territory forces.
"His Majesty's banner is in sight!"
A knight on outpost duty shouted infused with mana. High-ranking personnel waiting at the command camp rushed out en masse.
They had anxiously awaited via magical communication. Though Count Denitz had secured the perimeter with empire troops upon their approach, the nobles remained uneasy.
"His Majesty personally beheaded the high knight Mountain Duke?"
"High mage Ricardo Ensl fell in battle too."
"That's not all. Word is His August self has already reached the high swordmaster realm."
The nobles who came out with knights to greet chattered to ease tension.
Most of the 'information' they had was deliberately leaked by Count Denitz with Raymond's permission.
Hard to believe, but strictly true.
"His Majesty defeated the high knight Mountain Duke?"
Viscount Dirk, who had recently joined from Count Ratiel's territory, asked wide-eyed to another noble of similar rank.
He was a senior knight from a knight order under Count Ratiel—a major supporter of the 1st Prince in military circles.
"Ah, Viscount Dirk! You just joined, so you wouldn't know. Let me tell you how great His Majesty is."
The elderly viscount grabbed Viscount Dirk and began recounting the emperor's exploits in the north.
The wait was long, the explanation heavily abbreviated, yet strangely captivating.
When the tales of the emperor's valor ended, Viscount Dirk's eyes shone brighter than ever.
"Thank you. Your explanation was most enlightening."
"It was rewarding for me to speak of His Majesty's greatness again."
The old viscount laughed heartily. Viscount Dirk smiled amiably, stepped back a few paces, and called for his adjutant.
"Adjutant."
"Yes, Viscount. Your orders."
A cold-faced knight in red uniform approached. Viscount Dirk's eyes sparkled as he spoke calmly.
"Find a mage who can use communication magic. I have urgent news for the regiment commander."
"As you command."
The knight bowed and slowly withdrew toward the camp. At last, the knight order was poised to move in earnest.