Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Complete Empire (3)
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Raymond hurried his steps toward the medical tent upon receiving word from the Azure Tower Lord that Desia had awakened. By the time he reached the tent where she lay, he took a moment to steady his breath before throwing open the door with vigor.
“His Majesty the Emperor?”
“Lie down.”
Desia lifted her head at the sound of his approach. He could feel her gaze upon him. She had noticed the Emperor's visit a beat too late and was struggling to rise when Raymond gently pressed her back down.
“I cannot defy a solemn imperial command.”
Desia said it playfully. Though she had regained consciousness, her voice still lacked strength—whether from lingering weakness or not, Raymond didn't know.
In truth, she was exaggerating her frailty a bit in his presence, but Raymond was oblivious.
Silvia, who had followed behind him, picked up on it and furrowed her brow. She shot Desia a blatant look of displeasure, but Desia only met her gaze provocatively, flashing a sly grin.
“You've reached the high mage realm.”
He read her aura with a mana-infused gaze. Desia made no effort to hide her high mage mana. If anything, her eyes sparkled as if eager for praise, proudly displaying her newfound power.
“Well done, Desia.”
“Hehe.”
At Raymond's quiet, casual praise, a blooming smile lit up Desia's face.
Silvia clearly didn't like the sight, but with Raymond right there, she couldn't show it.
Unlike Silvia, who had no standout feats during the escape from Belfiang Duchy’s central city, Desia had become Raymond's shield—risking her own life and even triggering a mana rampage. Their positions couldn't have been more different.
'I need to get stronger too.'
Biting her lip hard enough to draw a faint trace of blood, Silvia seethed inwardly. She was an exceptional guide, but her skills were far more limited in battle compared to combat specialists.
'I can't stay like this.'
She had to prove her worth to the Emperor of the Philius Empire, Raymond. It was necessary not just for her, but for her entire clan.
“My shield is even sturdier now. I can be of greater help to Your Majesty, right?”
Desia whispered softly, emphasizing her usefulness.
Even as an advanced mage, she had possessed the talent to deploy Absolute Shield, an ultimate defensive spell. Now elevated to the lofty high mage realm, her guardianship was firmer than ever.
“Reliable indeed.”
Raymond smiled warmly at her bold stride toward the grand mage realm.
“I promise. My shield will never be pierced again while protecting Your Majesty.”
Her gaze toward Raymond seemed to vow: I will definitely protect His Majesty the Emperor.
“Reorganization is complete. Everything is ready, so Your Majesty may lead the army at once to subjugate the vile remnants of the Mountain Duke.”
Early in the morning, Count Denitz arrived at the command tent to report. Dressed in a crisp uniform, his face was etched with tension as he delivered the news.
Though the Mountain Duke was dead and defection had begun among the vassal nobles of Belfiang Ducal House, purging the remnants wouldn't be easy—he knew that all too well.
Even with Belfiang's territorial army weakened, countless lives would vanish like morning dew on the battlefield, leaving his expression stern and unyielding.
“Sir Cassius.”
“Yes! Your Majesty! This humble Cassius and three thousand Imperial Army troops stand ready!”
At the quiet summons, the Imperial Army commander—clad in gleaming armor—stepped forward.
Reinforced to three thousand just before Marquis Balgatz's eastern forces joined, his stride brimmed with confidence.
“Prepare the Imperial Army. We march to punish.”
“Hail the Emperor!”
Cassius shouted his salute and left the tent.
“Count Denitz.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. What is your command?”
“We advance on Belfiang Duchy’s central city. Order the Northern Central Army to stand by and tell the nobles to ready their private troops.”
“I shall obey your imperial decree.”
This time, Count Denitz moved. He swiftly left the command tent, summoning heralds to prepare the army. As the heralds dispersed with the Emperor's orders, Raymond stepped outside with the remaining nobles and commanders.
The heralds bustled about. At the end of each path lay the commanders of their respective forces.
“His Majesty the Emperor has raised the banner of advance!”
“Prepare the troops!”
The heralds spread the word. Over twenty thousand strong, the army marched out of camp at the Emperor's command, heading straight for Belfiang’s central city.
Though desertions had begun among the soldiers and nobles eyed opportunities to surrender, Belfiang's territorial army's defensive line had not fully crumbled.
To reach the central city, they would inevitably have to breach that line.
“The army is ready.”
Count Denitz reported to Raymond, who stood before the command tent atop a high hill, surveying the enemy lines.
Raymond withdrew his gaze from the enemy and nodded slowly. With twenty thousand troops prepared, all that remained was to sweep them away.
Their numbers neared twenty thousand as well, but with the Mountain Duke's death, their morale was in the pits—no fear of defeat lingered.
Only the ironclad certainty of victory.
“Will Your Majesty lead the charge personally?”
“Of course.”
Seeing Raymond's grinning reply, the count shook his head with a short sigh.
He had intended to dissuade him, but the Emperor's resolve was unshakable. Their time together hadn't been long, but he knew Raymond rarely reversed a decision once made.
“Your Majesty is the Empire's future and hope. Please, prioritize your safety...”
Worrying over one who had ascended to such heights might seem pointless, but this was no ordinary high sword-mage—it was the Emperor.
If he, the sole surviving imperial scion, fell on the battlefield, the Philius Empire would crumble entirely. How could he not worry?
“The Royal Guard will protect me, so rest easy.”
With the imperial shield at his side, it would normally be reassuring—but the Emperor was now at the vanguard. Count Denitz couldn't shake his concerns.
“Don't worry too much.”
Raymond patted the count's shoulder with a smile, then set off toward the front with Gestain and the Royal Guard.
“Your Majesty! We've been waiting!”
Cassius greeted him warmly upon joining the vanguard Imperial Army. Raymond nodded in response and shifted his gaze forward. Belfiang's territorial army was assembling.
At a glance, nearly twenty thousand strong. Flags of Belfiang Ducal House and its vassal knightly clans fluttered fiercely in the wind.
Despite the Mountain Duke's death and unrest among the vassals, banners from many noble houses still flew.
“The Mountain Duke is dead, yet Belfiang's army remains formidable.”
“They boast a massive force, but rot and decay fester within, Your Majesty.”
Count Danchi replied. He had been a loyal servant of the imperial house, following Raymond's orders even before the sanctuary came under attack.
“The vanguard falls to the Imperial Army?”
Count Danchi asked. Raymond nodded slowly before speaking.
“If not the Imperial Army, then who?”
“Danchi territory forces will support Your Majesty and the Imperial Army.”
For a noble Emperor in such a pivotal position to take the most dangerous vanguard? It defied tactics. Even Count Denitz had objected vehemently at first. But realizing he couldn't sway Raymond's stubbornness, he had retreated to the rear after pleading only that the Royal Guard stay close and he take care.
“Your Majesty! Where to?”
“Mustn't I boost the Imperial Army's morale before battle?”
“We shall escort you.”
Gestain and the Royal Guard swiftly followed. Many Royal Guard had perished in Belfiang’s central city, but around thirty remained.
With perilous combat looming and twenty thousand foes ahead, the Royal Guard tightly escorted the Emperor as he stepped before the Imperial Army ranks.
Dozens in golden uniforms and cloaks encircling and shielding one noble figure—it was a magnificent sight.
Under Royal Guard protection, Raymond reached the vanguard of the three thousand Imperial Army and raised his right hand high. Pure white energy coalesced into a mana sword.
It was the mark of a swordmaster at exalted heights. The white mana sword in Raymond's hand gleamed even more brilliantly, drawing every eye from the assembled Imperial troops before him.
“A mana sword?”
“No ordinary one! Only those at lofty realms can shape mana into such vivid, sword-like light.”
“Has he reached high rank!?”
The Imperial knights' eyes sparkled with anticipation. Raymond's status as a sword-mage was well-known, but few knew he had attained the exalted high rank—naturally, their eager gazes were to be expected.
“Imperial Army!”
Raymond raised his voice. At his call, the troops drew weapons and thrust them skyward in unison.
“The Mountain Duke is dead! Do you think Belfiang's army remains mighty?”
Contrary to expectations of steadfastness, infighting over ducal succession had sparked slow internal fractures. Even the vassal knightly nobles thought to hold the rear were wavering.
From afar, he could sense unrest among the defensive line troops.
“Belfiang's army teeters on collapse!”
They hid it well, but their morale was rock-bottom. In contrast, the Imperial Army's soared to the heavens, fueled by successive victories and the Emperor's dazzling feats.
“Mere beasts stripped of fangs and claws! This time, I permit no defeat for the Imperial Army!”
With those words, he wheeled his mount toward the enemy. The tip of his gleaming white mana sword pointed at them.
“Imperial Army! Advance! Defeat is not permitted before you—only the promised victory awaits!”
He shouted, infusing mana. Then spurred his horse. Raymond's warhorse charged toward the enemy lines.
Gestain followed immediately, and the Royal Guard sprang into action.
“The imperial shield protects His Majesty the Emperor!”
Golden cloaks billowed in the wind.
“Imperial Army, follow His Majesty the Emperor!”
Cassius drew his sword and bellowed amid the radiant golden charge. The three thousand Imperial troops surged toward Belfiang's army in unison.
“Hail the Emperor!”
“Hail the Philius Empire!”
The Imperial Army's momentum overwhelmed Belfiang's vanguard knights.
“U-Uwaaa...”
Screams leaked unwittingly from Belfiang knights spurring their horses at the front.
“Fire Rain!”
Raymond thrust out his left hand and cried. A magic circle formed in the sky, spewing crimson flames.
Completed at close range, the spell struck before Belfiang's rear mages could chant defenses. A rain of red fire engulfed their knight order.
“Kuaaaak!”
“Uwaaaak!”
Screams erupted. Dozens of knights in the advanced area spell's radius were instantly wreathed in flames, collapsing and writhing.
High magic was called the terror of battle for good reason. Dozens of knights slain in a blink—fear fell far short of the mark.
Belfiang mages attempted magical counterattacks, but Imperial mages blocked the first wave up front, while the Empire's rear mage unit sealed the second.
“What in the world!”
Belfiang knights slowed amid the wall of flames engulfing their view. But it was a fatal mistake. The crimson barrier parted, and Imperial knights charged with ferocious momentum—disaster for the slowed foes.
“Victory's glory to His Majesty the Emperor!”
“Hail the Philius Empire!”
The Imperial troops chanting Emperor and Empire resembled nothing less than zealots.
If the Emperor Cult existed, this is where it would thrive.
The wave of fanaticism swallowed Belfiang's knights whole.