Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Chapter 30: The Complete Empire (2)
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"They say the Mountain Duke is dead."
"It won't be long before the Belfiang Dukedom becomes a direct territory of the imperial family."
"The army led by Marquis Balgatz from the eastern Philius Empire has entered the north. The Belfiang Dukedom, already half-collapsed after the Mountain Duke's death, won't hold out much longer."
In a grand hall boasting a towering ceiling, those dressed in opulent attire raised their voices. They were nobles from the Edriger Kingdom, the darkest and most shadowy member of the Three Kingdoms Alliance.
Since ancient times, the Three Kingdoms Alliance had shown keen interest in the Philius Empire's territories. Blocked on all sides by the Black Mountains, towering ranges, the Northern Sea, and the Eternal Snowfields, countless kingdoms had fought for survival, and these three nations had united their wills to form the alliance.
With no more room to expand their own lands, it was only natural that their gaze turned to the Philius Empire.
The towering mountains were utterly impassable by any army, and even if one crossed the Eternal Snowfields, they lacked the confidence to face the Haifel Empire. Thus, the easiest target was the Philius Empire—a once-dominant force over the Black Mountains and ancient lands, now in decline.
"It seems the Philius Empire's emperor is more capable than we thought."
"Indeed. None of us imagined the eastern army would mobilize."
The nobles murmured.
With the Free Isiria Kingdom's army pressuring Marquis Kreier through the Black Mountains, the northeastern forces were effectively immobilized.
Yet Emperor Raymond of the Philius Empire had gathered the few remaining nobles and the Northern Central Army to confront the Mountain Duke while Marquis Kreier held the line.
The Belfiang forces were formidable, and the emperor commanded no solid base—many in the military hadn't fully committed.
The west was in chaos, the south held back, and the east watched cautiously. Naturally, the Three Kingdoms Alliance had expected victory for the Mountain Duke.
But what was this? The tide had turned against their predictions.
"Who would have thought he'd accuse the Valencia Ducal House of treason, seize their lands as imperial territory, pool the western funds to rearm the Northern Central Army..."
One noble remarked.
This was merely the beginning of the path the current Philius emperor tread.
He had fought on the Belfiang frontlines alongside his men, boldly stepping into the trap laid for the Mountain Duke and returning with his head.
An emperor venturing into the enemy's heart to claim their leader's head?
No one had foreseen such an outcome.
"Not the entire east, but Marquis Balgatz's forces have joined the emperor's army. The Belfiang Dukedom won't last long."
The nobles nodded in agreement. Some monitored the Belfiang nobles through their own intelligence networks, so signs of surrender were no longer a secret.
"If Raymond seizes even the Belfiang Dukedom, the Philius Empire will become whole once more. We must send reinforcements through the Black Mountains before they stabilize."
"Agreed! The Free Isiria Kingdom's army alone won't suffice—we need to mobilize our own forces!"
"Assassins are no longer enough. I propose dispatching the central army, including the Royal Iron Knights."
The nobles raised their voices.
Most wouldn't lead the vanguard even if war broke out.
Ignorant of frontline realities and war's brutality, they boldly demanded deployments.
Livingstone, supreme commander of the Royal Iron Knights and Edriger's sole swordmaster, swept back his white hair and frowned at their folly. But the boisterous nobles remained oblivious to his piercing gaze.
"Enough."
The heated atmosphere peaked. King Calbern intervened, raising his left hand and speaking softly. The nobles fell silent and bowed.
"Quiet at last."
Calbern smiled in satisfaction, his eyes sharpening. He spoke again.
"Deploying our elite forces, including the Royal Iron Knights, is premature."
Edriger Kingdom, famed for ruling the night, relied on the elite assassins known as Hashashin but boasted a central army no less formidable. Otherwise, they wouldn't have survived the Great War.
"The Free Isiria's mercenaries fight desperately. Will Your Majesty ignore our ally's struggle?"
A count stepped forward.
Even in centralized states, factions opposing the king emerge. This count led Edriger's noble faction.
"By the time our expeditionary force reaches the Black Mountains, the Philius Empire will have completed its war preparations."
"Stabilizing the empire will take more time."
The noble count directly contradicted the king. Calbern frowned at his audacity.
"Would you stake your life on that certainty?"
"Your Majesty...?"
A chilling threat befitting the lord of assassins.
"The Philius emperor surpasses your expectations."
The count swallowed dryly. Calbern smirked.
"No certainty, then. We'll end the court council here. If you're concerned for our ally, I'll advise Selion to withdraw."
Selion was the Free Isiria king.
After the council, Calbern headed to a secure communication room. The waiting archmage rose and bowed.
"Connect directly to the Free Isiria royal castle."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The archmage channeled mana, and the communication orb glowed, revealing an archmage from Free Isiria's castle.
Calbern silently displayed Edriger's royal ring.
-I'll notify His Majesty.
Soon, King Selion appeared—a man in his thirties with long black hair.
-Calbern. What is it?
"Long time, Selion."
-Get to the point. My head aches from the Black Mountains issue.
His tone was irritable. Free Isiria had committed significant forces—not full-scale war, but far more than prior skirmishes.
Yet Marquis Kreier's defenses proved sturdier than expected, yielding little progress.
"Things aren't going well, I take it."
Calbern asked calmly, unruffled.
-Don't remind me. Can't breach the Steel Marquis's line.
A defense like ironclad steel. Even Isiria's heavy shock troops failed to crack it.
"Best to withdraw."
-A decision from Edriger's court council?
Calbern nodded slowly.
"Reports indicate the Philius chaos is stabilizing swiftly. Central army reinforcements to the Black Mountains are likely imminent."
The Northern Central Army, rearmed with Valencia imperial funds, would turn its blade there once Belfiang stabilized.
"Reinforce the Black Mountains or withdraw and regroup. Choose one."
-Edriger wants no further support.
"Lisbon Maritime Kingdom likely feels the same."
-...Understood.
Selion frowned. Promised aid from Edriger and Lisbon had spurred his advance, but their reversal soured his mood.
The exchange revealed the Three Kingdoms Alliance's fragile bonds.
-I'll order the withdrawal.
He decided quickly. Isiria's army was strongest, but facing Philius without allies was burdensome.
"Wise choice."
Calbern said. Selion cut the connection without reply.
Marquis Balgatz's eastern army arrived. Contrary to prior reports, their numbers had swelled en route, merging into a full legion of 6,000.
Local lords had joined during the march across the east.
"The east has its own issues, yet you rushed here. My thanks."
In the reception tent, Raymond met the marquis. The former high mage wore a simple green robe, his hair snow-white.
"Nonsense, Your Majesty! I apologize for not mobilizing sooner! Forgive this unworthy vassal's disloyalty!"
"Rise."
The elderly marquis prostrated himself.
En route to Belfiang, tales of the emperor's valor abounded.
Hearing the empire's sole imperial heir had slain the Mountain Duke deep in enemy territory with minimal escorts had nearly broken his heart.
He'd delayed watching other eastern nobles, but his loyalty ran deep.
News of the emperor's grueling northern fight had tormented him.
"Yet you brought a full legion north. A bit late, but that's proof enough of your loyalty."
A ragtag force of 6,000 lacked the polish of regulars but was no small number.
"Your Majesty! I pledge my utmost loyalty!"
"The imperial family won't forget your fealty."
Raymond said. He avoided "eastern loyalty"—most eastern nobles had ignored the north, eyeing the Mountain Duke, save Balgatz and a few.
"I'll give my all!"
After sending the near-sobbing marquis away, Count Denitz arrived shortly after.
"Your Majesty."
"What news?"
"Nobles from the east, south, and west send magical communications offering to join the Belfiang front."
With the Mountain Duke dead and the emperor's army gaining momentum, opportunistic nobles stirred. Raymond chuckled and shook his head.
"Astounding."
"Indeed, utterly shameless."
They'd never back the Mountain Duke now—likely hedging bets earlier, planning to join the victor.
Some loyalists hesitated due to pro-Mountain Duke peers, but few.
"How goes the army's reorganization?"
With 6,000 added, restructuring command was essential—tedious but vital to avoid battlefield mishaps.
Denitz grinned.
"Reorganization and command restructuring are nearly complete."
"Truly?"
Raymond asked, astonished. Balgatz had just arrived; even Denitz's skill couldn't overhaul 20,000-plus so swiftly.
"Would I lie to Your Majesty?"
No falsehood in his tone.
"Impressive. Truly impressive."
Raymond praised sincerely.
If nearly done, they could advance in two days—smashing Belfiang's ragged remnants.
But the good news continued...
"Your Majesty! The Azure Tower Lord..."
"Lady Desia has awakened!"
The Azure Tower Lord burst in mid-report, panting.
Impertinent, but Raymond overlooked it—welcome tidings.
"How is she?"
"She has reached the high mage realm!"
Not quite the question, but excellent news nonetheless.