Chapter 463: Epilogue, New Days (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 463: Epilogue, New Days (7)
Immediately after ending the magical communication, Butler, the Knight Commander of Hector's Royal Guard, spoke up, his expression clouded with worry.
"Do you truly intend to cross the border? If Valhalla refuses to back down, a matter that could have been resolved peacefully will escalate into an all-out war. Regardless of the outcome, Hector must be prepared to suffer significant casualties."
"I agree with Knight Commander Butler. This matter will not end with a half-hearted compromise."
They had already discussed this beforehand. However, with war looming right before their eyes, Hector's leadership needed to confirm their king's resolve one last time.
Edwin Hector spoke.
"I, too, wish for this matter to be resolved peacefully. Some might dismiss this incident as trivial, but that very thought proves Hector's current standing. If we possessed the same power and authority as Dmitry, would Count Kazri have dared to seek revenge through violence? This is an act of blatant contempt. He believed that touching a citizen of Hector would bear no consequences, so he acted without a second thought."
The world had changed.
In the past, they had no choice but to endure in silence, but the Hector of today possessed the strength to make its voice heard.
"Hector's history is stained with defeat. Even during our peak, we knelt before Valhalla. When we were ridiculed as a weak nation, we couldn't even raise an objection after falling victim to the Kronos Empire's conspiracies. But things are different now. Reborn as a magic kingdom, Hector will not repeat the mistakes of the past. The incident with Baron Stuart is a stark reminder of our current reality. If even a noble like him suffers such injustice, how much more must the common people of Hector endure? That is why we need to set a clear precedent. A precedent that shows exactly what happens when someone touches Hector, ensuring they never dare to take us lightly again!"
The Continental War.
Having fought alongside Dmitry, Edwin Hector had learned the absolute importance of setting a precedent from Roman Dmitry himself.
Hector had entered a turbulent era.
At this critical juncture, where their future would be decided by the choices they made today, Edwin judged that Hector needed an event to prove its might. Valhalla was the perfect opponent. Still clinging to its identity as an empire, Valhalla remained as arrogant as ever. If Hector could bring them to their knees, they could absorb all of the empire's remaining prestige.
Naturally, there would be sacrifices.
However, Edwin Hector knew all too well that peace was not simply handed out just because the era itself was peaceful.
"If war breaks out, many will die. But let me ask you this: do you think we will lose?"
"...No, we do not."
"Indeed. We know that Hector has grown strong. To claim our rightful place, we must reveal to the world just how powerful we have become. The way to guarantee peace is not through peaceful compromises, but through the overwhelming power to protect ourselves. Just as peace only came when the Dmitry Empire ruled the world, if we prove our strength, the people of Hector will never have to suffer again. In this turbulent world, this is a crucible we must face at least once."
He unleashed his intense resolve.
Edwin Hector's presence swelled, overwhelming the leaders of Hector who looked up to him in awe.
The Star of Hector.
He was not a man destined to remain merely the king of a small nation. He desired that by the time he stepped down from the throne, Hector would be recognized globally as one of the great powers.
Just as he had once attacked Cairo for the sake of his people, Edwin Hector always prioritized his nation's interests above all else.
"If Valhalla takes a step back, we will establish a precedent that will serve as our stepping stone to becoming a great power. But if they refuse to back down, we will steel ourselves for war and fight Valhalla for our future."
Their wills aligned.
Captivated by Edwin Hector's ambition, the leaders in the room raised their voices in unison, as if by prearranged agreement.
"We obey the King's command!"
"We obey the King's command!"
"We obey the King's command!"
At that moment, Hector became one.
And so, with the order handed down from the royal palace, the army of Hector marched across Valhalla's border.
* * *
Hector's decision instantly threw Valhalla into a state of emergency.
Upon receiving the reports of Hector's relentless march, Valhalla's leadership spoke in trembling voices.
"...If a war truly breaks out, it will be disastrous. Hector is no longer the nation it used to be. Ever since King Edwin Hector was recognized as an Archmage, numerous mages—including the Sky Mage—have flocked to their banner. They are now hailed as a magic kingdom. The moment we go to war with them, given their immense magical military power, Valhalla cannot guarantee a victory."
"Indeed. Furthermore, Edwin Hector is a master of warfare. If he, who made such distinguished contributions during the Continental War, personally leads the campaign, there is no telling what might happen."
Everyone trembled with anxiety.
Valhalla was still called an empire, but their reality was a far cry from their former glory. Though they still possessed formidable national power, they could no longer overwhelm Hector as easily as they had during the days when they were known as one of the continent's two great pillars.
All eyes converged on one person.
It was up to the Emperor. They believed that he—the man who had always made wise choices even in the most chaotic of situations—would guide them on the right path.
The Emperor of Valhalla spoke.
"We are cornered. Even if victory cannot be guaranteed, the option of backing down is simply not permitted to us."
"Your Imperial Majesty!"
"The past dictates the future. How do you think Valhalla was able to found an empire? Once, Valhalla was nothing more than a minor kingdom confined to the Southern Jungle. Yet, by crushing Hector—which was a great power at the time—we secured the stepping stone to leap forward into an empire. It is the same now. If the Valhalla Empire shows even the slightest hint of weakness against Hector, the exact same situation will occur in reverse, just as we once absorbed Hector's prestige. That is exactly why I refused to accept their demand for an apology regarding Baron Stuart."
Their positions were fundamentally opposed.
Hector acted for Hector, and Valhalla for Valhalla. Each side made the decisions they deemed necessary for their own survival.
Just as Edwin Hector had ultimately chosen to cross the border, the Emperor of Valhalla had to prioritize Valhalla's future.
"We all know that war is not the best solution. But because they know we do not wish for war, Hector is using those actions to drive Valhalla into a corner. If we were truly a weak nation incapable of handling the fallout, Hector would never have dared to test our borders. Therefore, we will not back down. As of this moment, we will prepare for war with Hector and prove to the world that Valhalla still stands strong."
Their mutual desires burned hot.
Since the enemy's intentions were obvious, they would meet them head-on. The Emperor of Valhalla was, after all, a man who had ascended to his throne only after weathering countless trials and tribulations.
"Have faith. Valhalla is not finished yet."
War.
It was the moment the era's peace finally shattered.
* * *
The Valhalla border.
The frontline defense post.
Count Anelka, the commander of the border guard, stared ahead. As he watched the flags of Hector fluttering in the distance, his expression turned solemn.
"Now, war has become unavoidable."
Just moments ago, orders had come down from high command. Though he had hoped to avoid war if at all possible, Valhalla had already made its decision.
[The moment Hector enters range, launch a preemptive strike immediately. Hector has already crossed an irreversible line, and Valhalla will prove the empire's might with a devastating response.]
He raised his hand.
At Count Anelka's signal, the mages prepared their spells in unison.
It was a volatile, touch-and-go situation. As ordered by high command, they would attack the exact moment the enemy entered range, and from that point on, no compromise would be permitted. It would be a fight that could only end when one side admitted defeat. Though the continent had spent the last three years in true peace, Valhalla and Hector were about to shatter it all to secure their own interests.
The soldiers were rigid with tension.
Then, it happened.
Just as Hector finally entered range and Count Anelka opened his mouth to give the order, a frantic voice interrupted him.
"All forces, att—!"
"Commander! We must halt the battle!"
It was a jarring interruption. As Count Anelka, cut off mid-sentence, glared at the soldier, the man panted heavily and delivered his report.
"O-Orders have come down from the Dmitry Empire! It is Dmitry's strict command that Valhalla and Hector immediately halt all hostilities and attend an international conference!"
Dmitry.
At the weight of that single name, Count Anelka had no choice but to lower his hand and halt the attack.
* * *
Dmitry.
A grand negotiation table had been set up.
With the Emperor of Valhalla and King Edwin Hector seated across from one another, Chris, who was presiding over the meeting, spoke.
"I understand the situation. So, what are the true objectives that each of your nations desires?"
Chris.
He had been entrusted with the Emperor's full authority regarding all such international matters. Since Chris was the direct representative of Roman Dmitry, Edwin Hector spoke to him in a polite tone.
"It is a simple matter. Count Kazri committed a grave wrongdoing. If Valhalla acknowledges that fact and shows a sincere attitude in their apology, the Kingdom of Hector will not escalate the matter any further."
The Emperor of Valhalla scoffed. "King of Hector. That very attitude is the problem. Valhalla is not simply trying to claim we bear no responsibility in this matter. But Hector has dragged an individual's issue into the national domain. When your intentions are so clearly impure, how can we possibly accept Hector's demands?"
"We feel the exact same way," Edwin countered. "When the perpetrator refuses to act like a perpetrator, what reason do we have to resolve this peacefully?"
The emotional rift between them ran deep.
Observing the exchange, Chris read the board perfectly. He grasped exactly why things had escalated to this point.
Neither side wants to take a single step back. From the moment the issue was raised, both nations couldn't back down—if only for their pride. To do so would be tantamount to proving their own weakness.
He understood their situation. The problem, however, lay in their chosen method of resolving it.
Chris spoke up. "His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Roman Dmitry, does not intervene in any matter as long as the laws are not violated. This incident is no different. If a war had broken out through proper procedures, Dmitry would have stood by and watched the conflict between your two nations unfold. But why do you think I have arranged this meeting?"
Chris's eyes turned sharp.
Edwin Hector met his gaze. The King of Hector had already known that things would turn out this way.
If they had followed proper procedures, this incident certainly would not have led directly to war. The conflict between Count Kazri and Baron Stuart was actually quite trivial in the grand scheme of things, so it likely would have ended with a reasonable ruling. Edwin Hector had known this, which was why he had moved so quickly. If he hadn't acted this way, he wouldn't have been able to demonstrate Hector's resolve to the world. Had Dmitry not intervened, Hector would have seen this war through to the bitter end.
"If a matter is serious enough to warrant war, you must first receive Dmitry's judgment," Chris continued. "If the issue remains unresolved even through that process, only then may you wage war. That is the law of this world. While we do not interfere in the internal affairs of individual nations, we established these laws because we believe that, at the very least, guidelines must exist for international matters to progress in the right direction. Of course, this is not a mandatory clause, but not once has any country acted in blatant violation of it. That is how the peace of the last three years has been maintained."
Chris looked directly at Edwin Hector.
He was a remarkable man. Without a doubt, he was a future hero who would lead the next generation—but he, too, was a being encompassed within Dmitry's absolute domain.
Therefore, Chris had no intention of playing along with his schemes.
"Answer me, both of you. Are you attempting to violate Dmitry's laws right now?"
As the second-in-command of Dmitry, Chris unleashed a fierce, suffocating aura.
His opponents were the heads of state of two great nations. Yet, Chris stood in a completely different position compared to three years ago. He now wielded an authority powerful enough to pressure even kings and emperors.