Chapter 397: Alexander (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 397: Alexander (2)
The situation was disastrous.
The Cairo Kingdom had abandoned its frontline defense positions, fleeing in a desperate scramble like defeated remnants. There was no other choice. Watching their carefully prepared defenses crumble in an instant, Cairo's leadership, including Daniel Cairo, unanimously agreed that a full retreat was their only option.
The next day.
Once they had put a decent amount of distance between themselves and the Kronos Imperial Army, they ordered the soldiers to rest and immediately convened an emergency meeting.
"Report the situation," Daniel Cairo said, his face grim.
Norbert, the Information Chief, replied with an incredibly stiff expression.
"...First, I will report on our casualties. While fending off the Kronos Empire's attacks thus far, we have lost over 100,000 troops. It was only because we were heavily fortified that we prevented even greater losses, but yesterday, in a single day, half that number—50,000 soldiers—perished. Your Majesty King Daniel, waging a total war is practically impossible now. If we face a similar situation even once more, we will completely lose our ability to resist Kronos."
It was hopeless.
The real problem, however, was that Norbert was not finished speaking.
"Furthermore, according to our mages' investigations, the magic used by the Kronos mage is estimated to be in the realm of the 9th Circle. The magic that destroyed Odelia's capital was indeed of the 9th Circle. This means that from now on, no magical defense can block Kronos's attacks. While it is still just a hypothesis, there is one concerning detail. The Kronos mage referred to himself as 'Alexander.' As you all know, in Kronos, 'Alexander' is a name permitted to only one person."
"...Emperor Alexander."
"That is correct."
A heavy sigh filled the room.
Low groans escaped their lips.
It felt as if their brains had short-circuited.
Emperor Alexander!
Why on earth was that name being mentioned?
Having achieved great deeds as the founder of Aura, he had issued a direct decree forbidding anyone but himself from using the name Alexander. In the past, some nobles had named their children Alexander in the hope that they would become great heroes like the Emperor. However, once news spread that those families had been brutally executed by the Shadows sent from Kronos, anyone making such a foolish mistake completely vanished.
Therefore, the probability was high that this mage was either the Emperor himself or someone highly recognized enough to be permitted to use his name.
Either way, anxiety ran rampant.
Daniel Cairo spoke.
"The name Alexander is special. If he is a successor who inherited the name, he must have been specially raised to realize the Kronos Empire's ambitions. The real issue is the possibility of him being the exact same person. Judging by his claim to be Alexander himself, we cannot ignore the possibility that he has lived for eons. Kronos is closely associated with Black Magic, and if Emperor Alexander mastered 'magic,' breaking into the realm of immortality would be entirely possible."
He swallowed hard.
Even as he spoke, his mouth felt bone-dry.
"If he truly is Emperor Alexander, our chances of winning this war are extremely slim. For an Alexander who has lived for eons to have entered the realm of the 9th Circle means he is fully prepared for continental conquest. It is just as Norbert said. A total war is impossible from now on. With Cairo's current strength, there is no way to stop the Kronos Empire."
Therefore, there was only one way.
"Preserve our forces as much as possible and wait for Roman Dmitry to join us. That is the only command I, an incompetent king, can give you."
They thought they had grown stronger over the years.
But their opponent was a monster that defied all common sense.
* * *
While Cairo was fleeing, Alexander, who had entered the space of darkness, observed what was happening across the dimension on the Kronos Southern Front.
Castro and Roman Dmitry.
They clashed fiercely.
Castro displayed immense martial prowess by awakening the power of darkness, but it was completely useless against Roman Dmitry. It was a one-sided match. A 7-Star Aura Swordsman, Castro—who was once called the continent's greatest swordsman—struggled just to block a single attack, and was consistently pushed back thereafter.
In the end, he died miserably.
Watching Castro collapse, Alexander felt a shiver run down his spine.
"...Roman Dmitry. Just what kind of existence were you in your past life?"
He was in awe.
At first, he had thought Roman was simply someone from the Murim like himself, who had mastered a reasonably outstanding martial art.
It was only natural.
A title like the Heavenly Demon was far too lofty, and Alexander, who did not know much about it, could not deduce Roman's true identity even after witnessing his martial arts. However, as time passed, his evaluation of Roman Dmitry changed. He was no ordinary figure. His overwhelming martial prowess coupled with his bold actions made Alexander realize that Roman Dmitry was not just some minor name in the Murim, but a true giant.
After all, was there not a rumor?
That in the Murim, there were existences who surpassed human limits, like the Ten Great Masters of the World.
He could not remember their exact names, but unless Roman was someone of that caliber, there was no explaining his current strength.
"How truly unfair."
Jealousy flared within him.
He felt angry.
If he had possessed conditions similar to Roman Dmitry's past life, he never would have thought of borrowing the power of darkness to grow stronger. He would have achieved continental conquest through his own strength alone, and future generations would have remembered Alexander not as a great emperor or the founder of Aura, but as the greatest swordsman in history.
It was miserable.
Because his origins were wretched.
In a situation that laid bare his own reality, Alexander could not suppress his boiling inferiority complex.
I wanted to be a martial artist.
It was his dream.
An intense desire comparable only to his ambition for continental conquest.
Alexander was truly envious of Roman Dmitry, which was why he had sent Castro to test his martial prowess. It was the final test. If he became certain that the Aura he created could never defeat Roman, he would accept defeat and fully embrace Roman Dmitry's way.
The time had come.
The moment that being had spoken of was fast approaching.
Before completely dyeing the world in darkness, Alexander intended to realize his own desire.
"Roman Dmitry. If I lay waste to the Cairo Kingdom, you will surely appear before me. That will be the starting point of conquering the Salamander Continent, and at the same time, the moment I peer into your truth."
Rumble!
Darkness surged.
Alexander was enveloped in the black abyss, his eyes shining with boiling desire.
* * *
This series of events left Count Bruce, the commander of the Kronos Imperial Army, feeling bewildered.
As Alexander ordered them to march forward just like that, Bruce looked at him with an uncomfortable expression.
"...Please give us a proper explanation. What is your true identity? You claim to be His Majesty Emperor Alexander, but we cannot simply accept that."
The true power behind the Empire.
That Alexander was pulling the strings was a fact unknown even to high-ranking nobles of Count Bruce's standing.
Thus, he could not help but be bewildered.
Not only had an unreported 9th Circle mage appeared out of nowhere, but he also claimed to be Emperor Alexander. It defied common sense. That Emperor Alexander, who should have died long ago, was still alive, and that the man known as the founder of Aura had reached the 9th Circle of magic—none of it made any sense.
It was a natural question.
Faced with this common-sense inquiry, Alexander looked down coldly at Count Bruce.
"What explanation?"
"Why, of course..."
"I am Emperor Alexander. The mere fact that I use a name unique in this world is reason enough for you to accept my existence. Do not judge me by the passage of time. From the days I was called the founder of Aura until now, behind the scenes you know nothing of, the Kronos Empire has existed under my absolute rule."
Bruce was speechless.
Alexander.
To think he was the true power behind Kronos.
It was unbelievable.
Seeing that Bruce did not readily show the respect due to an emperor, Alexander furrowed his brow.
"Tsk, tsk."
Splat!
Blood splattered.
With a mere click of his tongue, Count Bruce's head exploded.
The eyes of the surrounding soldiers widened in shock. Even with their commander dead, they dared not express a hint of anger.
"You worthless insect. How dare you fail to accept me even when facing me directly?" Alexander sneered. "Haven't you all been satisfied all this time? Satisfied with my rule, and the immense power bestowed by the name of Kronos? Then, even if it defies common sense, you should have fallen to your knees and bowed your heads under the name of Alexander."
He shifted his gaze.
Everyone froze.
Alexander pointed at one of the men.
"From now on, you are the commander."
"...U-Understood."
"And."
Rumble!
Mana surged. Looking around at the crowd, Alexander cast a cold gaze.
"Anyone who opposes my opinion, step forward. If everyone accepts my existence..."
His lips twitched.
He smirked.
"Take up your weapons right now and go lay waste to the Cairo Kingdom."
* * *
They advanced with irresistible force.
After destroying the frontline defense positions, Kronos continued to push forward. Cairo was pushed back helplessly, unable to put up any significant resistance.
They had entirely abandoned the fight.
Cairo's fortresses, which should have been heavily guarded by soldiers, were completely empty. Only occasional magic bombs were installed to trap the Kronos Imperial Army. But it was entirely meaningless. Before the magic bombs could even react, Alexander simply raised a finger, and they lost their power, crumbling to dust.
Fizzle.
To mages, the difference in Circles was absolute.
The realm of the 9th Circle was an untouchable world. With Alexander alone, the tide of war had completely turned.
Several days passed.
When they reached a certain fortress, the Kronos Imperial Army discovered a sight entirely different from before.
"Lord Alexander. It seems Cairo intends to stage a siege defense. We have confirmed the presence of troops inside the fortress, and we have also spotted Daniel Cairo atop the castle walls. Please give us your orders."
The new commander, Gordon—who had been Count Bruce's deputy—seemed to have completely accepted Alexander's existence.
If this man truly was the Emperor, he had to be obeyed.
Alexander had controlled the imperial court from the shadows for a long time. The moment one caught his eye, a path to success was practically guaranteed. Above all, Alexander's power was needed to bring down the fortress. While Kronos's forces alone were more than enough to win, things would be much easier with his help.
However, Alexander simply smiled as he looked at the castle walls.
"He has appeared."
"...What do you mean?"
"Foolish fellow. Can't you see it even when it's right in front of you? There is only one reason why Cairo—who had completely abandoned the fight and fled after their defeat on the Western Front—has suddenly chosen to hold a siege. It means they are finally ready to fight."
In that instant, Gordon reacted with surprise.
He realized exactly what Alexander was implying.
"Yes. Roman Dmitry must have joined them."
* * *
It was just as expected.
Roman Dmitry had joined Cairo.
His original plan had been to lay waste to Kronos's main camp, but with Alexander appearing in the Cairo Kingdom, the situation had changed. Alexander was the mastermind behind everything. Since defeating him would bring down Kronos entirely, Roman Dmitry chose to alter his original plan.
He also knew that Cairo could not stop this monster alone.
Alexander's show of force, using the Cairo Kingdom as a stage to invite a battle, had rubbed Roman Dmitry the wrong way.
It was then.
Creak.
As the two armies faced off, the fortress gates opened.
At the sight of Roman Dmitry walking out alone, the soldiers of the Kronos Empire began to murmur.
He walked forward slowly.
Without stopping his steps, he raised his voice.
"Alexander. The reason you appeared here must be to put a definitive end to this."
All this time, Roman Dmitry had been aware of Alexander's existence.
Though they had never met in person, Alexander had been involved in everything that transpired across the continent. Thus, Roman had anticipated that they would meet someday. If Alexander's goal was continental conquest, then a clash was inevitable with Roman, who was destined to reign supreme.
That day was today.
Upon receiving the report of Alexander's appearance, Roman Dmitry knew exactly what he had to do.
He drew his sword.
Looking at the wary enemies, he gradually quickened his pace.
"Therefore, today, I will end it here."
Whoosh!
Rumble!
He charged toward the enemy.
And at that exact moment—
"Attack!"
"Follow Lord Roman Dmitry!"
Soldiers poured out from all directions.
Fluttering the flags of Cairo and Umberto, they let out fierce, rage-filled battle cries as they followed Roman Dmitry, as if they had been waiting for this very moment.
Finally, the moment of the decisive battle had arrived.