Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Chapter 31: Knight Legion (2)
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Including the Northern Central Army, the lords' forces advanced toward the northeast, where the Black Mountains lay, while the Emperor and the Imperial Army headed for the capital.
To stamp out the lingering embers of rebellion in the Belfiang Dukedom, Count Denitz remained behind with a portion of the Northern Central Army's troops.
"Your Majesty. We will soon enter the central empire."
Even though the rebellion had been quelled, the provocations at the Black Mountains border remained unresolved, so they moved with haste. Thanks to that, they were able to leave the northwest two days ahead of schedule.
"Sir Cassius."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"It's late, and the troops are exhausted. How about we make camp here for the night?"
Quite some time had passed since the sky had darkened. Even on a forced march, they couldn't travel all day without rest. They needed to set up camp and recuperate before it got any later.
"There's a suitable plain nearby for camping. Let's spend the night there."
Cassius said. It was surely the wide plain reported by the scouts. He narrowed his eyes and scanned the surroundings. With the troops weary, there was no time to waste.
"Move out."
At Raymond's calm order, the three thousand Imperial Army troops sprang into action as one.
"The campsite is just ahead! Keep pushing!"
The knights and officers urged on the fatigued soldiers. Once they reached the site, they could finally rest.
The Imperial Army soldiers quickened their pace. Though exhausted, the thought of imminent rest made their steps light and brisk.
Soon, they arrived at the plain designated for the campsite. Tents and makeshift barricades went up. It didn't take long to set everything in order. The soldiers' haste played a part, but the mages' assistance made it possible.
Mundane tasks like construction aid fell mainly to low-rank mages. Though their skill levels were modest, they were still mages, providing significant help with building.
Watching them erect multiple tents in an instant using mana, it was hard not to think how convenient magic truly was.
"Your Majesty."
The Emperor's tent was erected first. Raymond strolled around it, organizing his thoughts. The Royal Guard followed at a respectful distance, with Gestain right by his side. As he walked, Desia appeared suddenly with her clear voice.
"You look deep in thought. What's wrong?"
Desia asked, her eyes sparkling.
"I'm considering ways to crush the Knight Legion's morale."
"Isn't it simpler than you think?"
"Do you have a clever idea?"
"Of course."
Raymond halted. He turned his head toward Desia. Feeling the Emperor's steady gaze, she blushed shyly.
"Speak."
"Why not show them off?"
"Show off what?"
"The military might gathered under Your Majesty's banner."
Not only the Sword Saint and the two towers, but outstanding talents had assembled beneath the Emperor's flag. Displaying their power directly before Billiang would be show enough.
The issue was the method. Raymond resumed walking, sorting his tangled thoughts and devising a plan.
The plan soon took shape. He needed two people: the Crimson Tower Lord and Silvia. Upon returning to his tent, Raymond immediately dispatched the Royal Guard to summon them.
"Your Majesty. What did you need us for?"
Crimson Tower Lord Berenus Kyle and Silvia hurried to the Emperor's tent at the summons. The higher-ranking Berenus cautiously inquired, while Silvia simply bowed her head lightly in quiet courtesy.
"I have an intriguing plan. Will you cooperate?"
Raymond explained the plan without delay.
"Not a bad plan at all. I'll cooperate."
"Me too."
Berenus and Silvia voiced their agreement.
Early in the morning, the march resumed. No sooner had they entered the central region than the forest appeared. Normally, they would detour around this monster-infested area, but given the dire situation at the Black Mountains, the imperial decree to take the shortcut led the Imperial Army to traverse the forest.
They entered the woods. While monsters rarely attacked large formations unless in packs, the Imperial Army heightened its vigilance just in case.
"Scouts reporting!"
A scout in light armor rushed up, dropping to one knee and bowing his head. Cassius, commanding the vanguard, raised his hand to halt the army.
"Hundreds of orcs ahead!"
It was a report of a sizable monster pack, but Cassius showed no agitation. He had received something from Raymond in advance.
Orcs were ferocious, powerful beasts. Normally, they would form ranks to counter, but instead, the vanguard split to the flanks, exposing the center.
"What is this...?"
"Exposing the central command?"
Billian and his Knight Legion retinue were stunned by the incomprehensible formation shift. Yet the central command remained calm.
In the serene atmosphere, the one-armed Sword Saint stepped forward. Gestain, ever at the Emperor's side unless otherwise needed, drew his sword as if awaiting this moment and advanced.
"Go, Gestain."
"I shall obey Your Majesty's command."
The moment Gestain's eyes gleamed coldly, his body shot toward the orc horde like a bullet.
Boom!
With a deafening crash, orc bodies flew into the air. The Sword Saint's charge shattered their meager formation in an instant.
"Kieeeek!"
The orcs bellowed grotesquely and charged Gestain. As the green mass engulfed him completely, a vivid aurablade pierced upward through them.
The deep blue aura, edged like a blade, cleaved the green wave. Crimson blood sprayed, and a red storm raged.
"Kueeeek!"
Screams erupted. The green tide parted, and Gestain emerged, drenched in orc blood.
He whirled, unleashing another aurablade at the monster pack.
The orcs split in two, weapons and all.
"Impossible!"
"Is this the power of a Sword Saint...?"
Over five hundred strong—a force worthy of an army. For the Sword Saint to charge alone into such numbers left Billiang and his retinue, watching from afar, in awe.
It had been centuries since Sword Saints and Archmages faded from the Philius Empire. No one alive remembered their might.
Only mythic tales persisted, so it was no surprise they underestimated the Sword Saint.
'Just as planned.'
Raymond smiled faintly, satisfied, as Billiang and the Knight Legion retinue marveled at Gestain's prowess.
To emphasize the Sword Saint further, he had sent the Crimson Tower Lord and Silvia to herd more monsters here.
Not masters of monster-domination forbidden magic, but the high mage and skilled spiritist together could drive packs to a designated spot.
"This is... a Sword Saint..."
Even Billiang, a senior knight, trembled at the sight. He had thought Sword Saint a realm one might reach someday—but today, that notion shattered.
"Indeed, a Sword Saint... A realm our empire lost centuries ago."
Billian turned at the calm voice approaching quietly. There stood Azure Tower Lord Risefield Dior, smiling at him.
"And His Majesty has restored the Sword Saint we lost for centuries. But that's not all. At Miss Desia's growth rate, she'll reach Archmage soon enough."
Billian swallowed dryly at Risefield's words. Sword Saint and Archmage—realms lost to the Philius Empire for centuries. They had reclaimed the Sword Saint already, and Desia, Azure Tower's prodigy, was advancing rapidly.
"What say you, Sir Billiang? With His Majesty as he is, couldn't he restore the ancient glory?"
The ancient glory—those words stirred the heart. Every Philius citizen grew up hearing of the empire's dominance in antiquity.
It was everyone's dream, the hope sustaining life in a declining empire.
"I had no choice, Sir Risefield."
"But you had a voice, didn't you? Why not raise it?"
Billian fell silent at the sharp rebuke. Risefield was right. He had no choice, but he had a say. If he truly wished to stand with the Emperor, he would have spoken up in the council of elders.
Risefield asked no more. He vanished quietly, and Billiang gazed ahead with a conflicted look, lost in thought.
Over five hundred orcs were being slaughtered by a single Sword Saint.
Hundreds of green monsters lay fallen, only dozens left, yet Gestain's aurablade remained vivid.
"That is... a Sword Saint..."
Raymond had reclaimed one thing the Philius Empire lost. In less than a year on the throne, this young Emperor achieved what generations before could not.
Perhaps there was hope. Perhaps the ancient glory could return. Billiang raised his left hand, summoning his Knight Legion adjutant.
"Sir Billiang. You called?"
"I have a message for the legion. Head to the capital first."
And so, before noon that day, the adjutant slipped from formation and galloped toward the capital on Billiang's orders.
"We will arrive at the capital soon."
A herald from the vanguard relayed the message.
"I'll go ahead."
Raymond said calmly. Soon, he moved to the vanguard with his retinue, where Cassius commanded.
"Your Majesty."
Cassius bowed in greeting. The herald before him dismounted as well. The banner on his saddle was the Central Defense Force's. His chest badge marked him as a mid-rank officer, not a mere soldier, and beside it hung the Central Defense Force staff insignia.
"Looks like the Central Defense Force came to escort us."
Crimson Tower Lord Berenus remarked. The herald nodded vigorously and spoke.
"Yes! Fifty knights and a thousand cavalry from the Central Defense Force Knight Order have departed the garrison to safely escort Your Majesty to the capital!"
The capital region was deemed relatively safe, and with three thousand Imperial Army troops, extra escort wasn't needed—but this was a matter of protocol.
With the Emperor returning, the Central Defense Force naturally handled the honor guard.
"Sir Cassius."
"Yes, Your Majesty! Your command?"
"Rest until the Central Defense Force arrives."
They had saved ample time on the forced march, leaving room for this break.
"I'll relay to the troops!"
Cassius gathered heralds and passed the imperial order. They dispersed to the units, spreading the rest command.
Exhausted soldiers slumped down. Knights checked gear or rested.
About an hour later, Central Defense Force banners appeared in the distance, followed soon by the growing thunder of hooves.
"Central Defense Force banners confirmed!"
At the scout's report, the Imperial Army went on alert. The charging Central Defense Force slowed as they neared. Finally closing the gap, they dismounted en masse and paid homage to the Emperor. It was almost excessive, but Raymond showed no surprise.
The Central Defense Force was heavily influenced by the Knight Legion. And after witnessing Gestain's power anew, Billiang had sent his adjutant somewhere days ago—likely the capital, stirring some movement within the legion.
"Your courtesies are sufficient."
"Your Majesty! We will escort you safely to the capital!"
The Central Defense Force commander declared confidently. With their joining, the Emperor's force swelled past four thousand, resuming the march to the capital. Their merge point wasn't far from the city.
Soon, the capital loomed in view, and the weary Imperial soldiers cheered, striding with renewed vigor.
"Knights visible before the capital."
"I see them too. Gestain."
Before the gates, plate-armored knights stood beneath the blazing sun. Their number exceeded three hundred.
"Any reports?"
The question went to an agent from the Central Intelligence Bureau left by Count Potas.
"Knights from the Knight Legion, sir. They've been holding position there since two days ago."
"Two days ago..."
The herald had accidentally relayed the arrival two days early. Had they been standing there since then?
Spurring forward with questions lingering, they approached. The knights dropped to one knee in unison.
"Your Majesty! The Knight Legion pledges its loyalty!"
"We will stand at the vanguard in all forthcoming wars!"
"Please forgive our past disloyalty!"
What on earth had happened?