Chapter 147
Chapter 147
Iron Emperor — Chapter 147
The lavish banquet ended only at dawn. It was also the day the usually brusque Go Jin-cheon had spoken at length for the first time. The conversation that followed consisted of Prince Alsein's questions and Jin-cheon's brief answers.
Prince Alsein's demeanor was brighter than it had ever been. Princess Yunias watched him with a smile.
"We will depart the day after tomorrow. Supplies will be handed over tomorrow."
The words came from Jin-cheon's lips during the ride back.
"The situation in South Roselin cannot be said to have improved. Please help us."
"......"
It was Prince Alsein's request. A direct appeal, not a political marriage using Princess Yunias.
"We will return."
Darkness seemed to settle once more over Prince Alsein's face, which had only just found some confidence. But it lasted only a moment.
"The friendship your nation has shown by aiding us in this battle—I shall repay it once this war concludes."
"Mm."
At Prince Alsein's words, Jin-cheon gave a small nod.
Instead of gaining the power of the Gauri army, they had gained a king.
Chapter 43: The Turtle Dragon, Ruler of the Sea
On the day the Gauri army departed, Prince Alsein personally rode out and walked beside Go Jin-cheon. He also held a grand farewell ceremony.
It had been Marquis Rui Terikan's idea. He spread widespread rumors about the Gauri army, welcomed them, and organized a massive send-off as they began their journey home.
"Waaaah!"
"Waaaah!"
The cheers of the common people shook the entire city.
Marquis Terican's scheme was to use this event to indirectly make the populace feel as if the war was nearing its end, or at least turning in their favor.
His scheme proved effective, and bright light shone on the faces of the people.
Furthermore, publicizing the existence of allies was meant to create the expectation that a helping hand existed, even if South Roselin plunged back into war.
Finally, Prince Alsein's ascension to the throne was widely announced to support this scheme. The truth might be different, but war was a contest of momentum. Doing this would also make recruiting soldiers somewhat easier.
"May the grace of God be upon your journey home."
As Prince Alsein slightly bowed his head and offered farewell, Jin-cheon accepted the greeting with a small nod and spoke.
"I shall pray for victory in this war."
"Thank you."
With those final words, the Gauri column increased its pace and grew distant.
Prince Alsein and Princess Yunias, watching them depart, remained standing in place for a long while.
"So, now it begins again..."
Prince Alsein spoke, his voice laden with regret.
"Yes... Alsein, I'm certain you will do well."
Princess Yunias smiled slightly as she spoke.
"It's a relief I didn't have to sacrifice you, Sister, for a political marriage."
"Uh... yeah."
Princess Yunias answered Prince Alsein's relieved remark, her voice trailing off. Prince Alsein then glanced sideways at her and asked.
"Your answer, somehow..."
"Alsein, we should go back."
"Ha, hahaha!"
The sound of Prince Alsein's bright laughter reached Princess Yunias's ears as she hastily changed the subject.
"Once this war ends, I shall send you off proudly!"
"Hyah!"
At Prince Alsein's continued words, Princess Yunias hastily spurred her horse forward. A smile played on the lips of Marquis Helios Baikal as he watched the two royals. But it lasted only a moment; he turned his gaze to the desolate plain.
"Let us go."
The calm voice of Marquis Rui Terikan reached Marquis Baikal's ears.
"Indeed we must. We must busy ourselves once more."
"For the moment, it is fortunate that supplies are secured; arming new recruits and the like will not be difficult."
Marquis Terican spoke to Marquis Baikal as if it were a stroke of luck. They had paid a price, but even with money, no country would sell them military supplies. That was why the matériel the Gauri army had brought them was worth a thousand gold.
"Were we not able to obtain at least one promise?"
"Heh heh..."
As Marquis Baikal spoke bleakly, Marquis Terican could only smile bitterly.
'Should this war go badly, please receive our prince and princess.'
The two old nobles had cast aside even their pride, prostrating themselves before Jin-cheon to beg. And they had obtained his consent.
'I promise.'
It had been only one line, but they believed him. Though selfish, the safety of the royal house took precedence over the common people for them.
The shoulders of the two old nobles who bore South Roselin upon them were heavy indeed.
* * *
As they were traveling, Yeon Hwi-garam approached Go Jin-cheon's side and spoke to him.
"Are you regretful?"
"......"
There was no answer.
"Was it truly necessary to go that far?"
At Hwi-garam's question, Jin-cheon, still riding, began to reply slowly.
"This war will be difficult regardless. However, it's a war that must not end too quickly either. Once the war ends, it is highly likely our traces will be known, one way or another. For that reason, South Roselin must hold out. That's the kind of war it is."
"Hmph."
"But the little one had frozen stiff. When that happens, war is bound to be hard."
Hwi-garam nodded beside him.
"For now, a bond is a bond."
At Jin-cheon's uncharacteristic words, Hwi-garam let out a snicker. In response, Jin-cheon deliberately furrowed his brow and asked.
"Why do you laugh?"
"What is that handkerchief?"
"......"
At the end of the ring on Jin-cheon's Hwandudaedo, a handkerchief with elaborate embroidery was tied. Princess Yunias had tied it there before he left.
Seemingly not wishing to clarify it, Jin-cheon merely kept riding in silence. It wasn't Hwi-garam who demanded an answer from the taciturn Jin-cheon.
"Is that a rag for wipin' off blood? Might be handy to untie it and wipe with after a fight, I reckon!"
"That's right! But what's with the flower pattern? Don't suit ya."
Eulji Buru and Uru kept at it until Hwi-garam's face took on a worried expression, and shortly thereafter the soldiers were treated to the sight of two generals fleeing on horseback.
* * *
Swoooosh.
A boundless expanse of blue sea.
Sprawled on a hammock and gulping liquor from a leather pouch—the very image of utter carefree ease.
"Commander-in-Chief Gerard!"
"Hmm?"
Phillian Gerard.
As Gerard replied leisurely, Fleet Commander Jang Bogo came into view.
"What's the matter?"
"His Majesty the Yeolje is returning from campaign!"
At those words, Gerard lifted himself from the hammock.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Word has come that he has passed through South Roselin and crossed the border of the Holy Empire."
Communication using the hobgoblin relay network was a crucial asset for them, given their absolute shortage of wizards.
The distance from the Reganza Mountains to here was of course too far to be easy, but through Gauri's steady activities, they had managed to install a relay station(?) inside the trading company established in the Haian Kingdom.
And three months ago, they had perfected the communication network by stationing one hobgoblin permanently on a patrol ship.
"Was there anything else?"
"Would you like to be connected?"
"Mm, that would be best. Bring the signalman."
Gerard's once-white skin had long since turned a bronzed hue, clearly proving him a man of the sea.
A moment later, a soldier arrived with a hobgoblin.
"My respects, Commander-in-Chief."
"Connect me to His Majesty the Yeolje."
"Understood."
When Gerard issued the order while sitting perched on the net, the signalman rendered a salute and approached the hobgoblin. Pulling out a piece of paper, he appeared to think for a moment before beginning to issue his command.
"Let's see... Nine, seven, one; connect to four, five, six, three."
"Kii."
Perhaps because it was cumbersome to append 'Ildori,' 'Samdori,' and so on after each number, they had resorted to calling out just the numbers.
The hobgoblin that had received the order closed its eyes and began transmitting the communication along its assigned path.
A moment later, the hobgoblin opened its eyes and nodded its head, and the soldier addressed Gerard.
"Connected."
"Phillian Gerard renders his respects to Your Majesty, Supreme One of All Heavens, who embraces all people and all things."
The hobgoblin that heard Gerard's words relayed them to another connected comrade, which then flew to Jin-cheon.
"Kii!"
The hobgoblin vocalized, indicating a reply had come, and conveyed the message to Gerard, who had received a translation item. Gerard's face gradually crumpled as he received the content.
"Ugh."
"Commander-in-Chief, what's the matter?"
Jang Bogo, watching Gerard groan, rolled his eyes and posed the question. With a sigh, Gerard slowly spoke.
"Hoo. Dammit, just kill me."
At Gerard's reaction, Bogo cocked his head, looking even more curious.
"Kket!"
"Huh?"
The hobgoblin's sound reached the sighing Gerard's ears. It signaled that another reply had arrived.
And as he listened to this reply, his face turned pale, then finally began to tremble.
"What on earth is the matter...?"
Flustered by his change, Bogo asked again, but what erupted from Gerard was a fist.
Bam-bam-bam-bam!
"Kkik! Kkiiikk! Kkik-kkik! Kkeukk!"
Gerard's fists, raining down all over the hobgoblin's body, filled the peaceful island with screams.
The bewildered translator soldier and Bogo barely managed to pull him off, shouting.
"What was the message that made you take it out on this creature!"
"Let go! This stupid bastard!"
The enraged Gerard's fury showed no sign of subsiding, and the hobgoblin, suddenly pounded by a Sword Master's flashy fists, was hovering between life and death.
"Use your words."
"That, that son of a bitch!"
Gerard, seemingly too agitated to finish his sentence, contorted his face. Instantly turning crestfallen, Gerard grabbed Jang Bogo and said.
"That damned bastard went and relayed even my very last line."
Jang Bogo, who had been tilting his head at Gerard's words, recalled Gerard's final statement and cast him a sympathetic glance.
* * *
"Gerard, I shall grant your wish and kill you. Relay it."
"Kkik!"
Crack!
Go Jin-cheon's fist clenched tight, a sound like grinding bone leaking out.
"What's happened?"
Before the enraged Go Jin-cheon's eyes, the hobgoblin Samdori was convulsing and trembling under the torrent of killing intent.
"He told me, 'Dammit, just kill me.'"
"......"
Instantly, Eulji Buru and Uru took one step back.
"Gerard, life has become so comfortable you're staking yours."
Jin-cheon's fury was directed toward the sea.
* * *
"Ugh."
"Whatever the case, I believe the best course is to soothe His Majesty the Yeolje's mood with results."
As Gerard clutched his head in agony, one hand on his forehead, Jang Bogo quietly offered a solution.
"Fleet Commander Jang is right. For now, as His Majesty commanded, we strip this area bare by the end of this month and then vanish."
"Understood."
Go Jin-cheon's order was to seize every last grain of supplies for one more month, then maintain indefinite silence. It meant nothing linked to the Gauri army was to appear on the surface any longer.
"And after that, once things quiet down somewhat, I've been ordered to disguise us as merchant vessels to gather intelligence, so we'll be a bit busier."
"Understood."
This was possible because the refugees whom the Federal Empire had once driven to their deaths had settled on the island and achieved a degree of self-sufficiency. Furthermore, time was needed anyway for the fleet, which had only recently begun mass construction, to reach a certain size. Training naval troops to man the increasing number of ships was also crucial.
"What about the movements of the Federal Empire and the Holy Empire?"
"Still quiet for now, but the Maritime Empire's movements are a bit peculiar."
"Mm."
The Central Seas.
Gerard had once expressed to his subordinates his will to dominate these waters. To do so, he had no choice but to consider the balance of power among the three empires.
The time was not yet ripe. If, by any chance, their base were exposed before their power was amassed, the empires would endure the damage and slaughter the Sirens in droves to enter these waters.