A Miscalculation in the Shadows
Rather than a setback, this was an opportunity. The black flames that had flickered out so futilely right before the World Tree. From that moment, when the World Tree began to collapse, the imperial forces preparing for battle fell into utter chaos.
Though the Canna Forest that had blocked their path was now suffering catastrophic damage from the black flames, and a massive hole had clearly been punched through the wall of trees that once surrounded the World Tree, the Falcon Empire’s army still could not easily decide whether to press forward any further.
“What exactly are you hesitating for? Even if the black flames have gone out, as you can see, the path to the World Tree now lies wide open. Shouldn’t we simply charge in and plant the Empire’s flag?”
“If the Canna Forest were still intact, that would be one thing. But at this level of damage, we can break through while accepting only moderate losses.”
“Give the order, Your Excellency! This junior officer will lead the vanguard!”
The young generals spoke with clear frustration as they watched their superiors refuse to move. In response, the veteran commanders replied in calm, measured voices.
“Settle down and take a seat first. This is not a matter to be decided so hastily.”
“I will not tolerate any further commotion during this meeting. Calm yourself and listen carefully.”
“Tsk…”
“Haa…”
The veteran generals asserted their authority as superiors. The young officers reluctantly sat back down. Watching them, the veterans continued in grave tones.
“It is true that while we have not struck directly at the enemy’s heart, we have at least carved open a path that leads there. However, launching a reckless advance from here would be far too dangerous.”
“Never underestimate the power of the World Tree. If you carelessly touch that colossal tree, which is practically a mass of holy power, it is we who attacked who may end up suffering instead.”
“Moreover, the elves have likely already established an overwhelming defensive posture in preparation for our assault. Even in their weakened state, their full military strength is not something to be taken lightly.”
“To thoughtlessly march into a mouth that is already wide open and waiting for us in this situation would be pure recklessness. I understand your enthusiasm, but for now, stand by.”
“Tsk…”
The command staff had originally planned to move only after securing the conditions for certain victory. Yet with their trump card having dissolved into nothing and the enemy now seething with venom, they began to adopt a passive stance, unwilling to act rashly.
In the end, the meeting concluded that they would observe the situation a little longer. The young generals left the command tent still harboring dissatisfaction, though they no longer dared show it openly.
“Damn it. These so-called generals are all so damn timid…”
“No matter how much caution is required in every matter, isn’t this going too far? How scary could those pathetic elves possibly be?”
“Everyone knows that with the forest gone, the elves are nothing more than scarecrows now. So why are they acting like this…”
The young generals grumbled among themselves about the situation. Then—
“It seems there are quite a few things that don’t sit well with you.”
“!”
“G-General Achilles, sir!”
Achilles’ voice came from behind them. The young generals turned in surprise and quickly bowed their heads.
Achilles was the man with the greatest influence among all the officers present, yet he had not offered a single opinion during the previous meeting. His sudden appearance left the officers both curious and cautiously hopeful as they asked carefully.
“General… what are your thoughts on the meeting we just had?”
“You didn’t say a word throughout the entire discussion. Do you also believe that advancing now would be reckless?”
“Well, to be honest, I do think there are quite a few variables at play. That said, I don’t believe we would lose.”
“Is that so?”
“Then why…? With your level of authority, couldn’t you have overturned the decision back there?”
The officers asked with clear doubt in their voices. Achilles looked at them and spoke calmly.
“If our only enemies were the elves, victory would not be difficult. But if others have joined their ranks, then the story changes completely.”
“Others…?”
The unexpected remark left the officers visibly confused. Achilles continued in a serious tone.
“The witches of the Magic Kingdom. Looking at the current circumstances, it appears they have intervened in this matter.”
“What?”
“The… the Magic Kingdom, sir?”
The officers’ faces filled with deep bewilderment and concern at Achilles’ unexpected words. The Magic Kingdom had long been considered a fellow human allied nation and had maintained close exchanges with the Empire. However, the series of terrorist incidents not long ago had driven a massive wedge between the two countries.
Although the Magic Kingdom had vehemently denied any involvement, almost no one among the Empire’s upper echelons believed them anymore. And in this climate, after witnessing the black flames—magic that should have been impossible for elves to dispel—simply vanish, Achilles had become certain.
Behind this incident was yet another scheme by the Magic Kingdom to obstruct the Empire.
‘Of course, there is a possibility that the demon race intervened, but the probability is not high. After all, the racial war ended not long ago. There is no way the demons would willingly help the elves now.’
Using the overall situation and the process of elimination, Achilles concluded that the Magic Kingdom was behind this and used the truth to persuade the young generals. Although they were ultimately nothing more than pawns for his own goals, they were not forces that could be wasted so pointlessly. Therefore, he needed to calm their anger with the truth and turn them into even more reliable limbs for himself.
However, there was one fact Achilles did not know.
At that very moment, the elves had neither the leisure nor the strength to cross the naval blockade and the ever-reverse-flowing ocean currents all the way to the distant Magic Kingdom. As a result, the only option left to them was to join hands with the demon race. And despite their long-standing grudge, the elves had ultimately bowed their heads and succeeded in doing exactly that.
In the end, because of the misjudgment Achilles had voiced as fact, the theory that the Magic Kingdom was responsible for interfering with them became almost established truth within the imperial army. Naturally, this only poured more fuel onto the Empire’s growing hostility toward the Magic Kingdom.
Yet even though it had arisen from a misunderstanding, for Achilles this was another opportunity. Once matters in the Elf Theocracy were settled in one way or another, it would naturally guide the Empire’s blade toward the Magic Kingdom next.
‘We may not have struck the World Tree directly… but simply exposing it can still be considered a decent achievement. Next, I must begin preparations to target that thing in the Magic Kingdom.’
The floating aerial capital of the Angrimer Magic Kingdom—Luier.
In the deepest part of that city, upon the throne, sat a single figure.
Clad in a violet robe that concealed their form. Even though the robe hid their identity, the figure’s body was so small compared to the enormous throne that it could not be disguised. It gave off a strange impression, as if a young boy or girl were sitting in their father’s chair.
Yet at this moment, not a single one of the four people prostrating before the throne—directly facing its overwhelming presence—dared entertain such a thought.
“So in the end, the plan we took such care to prepare has completely fallen apart. Is that what you’re telling me?”
The cold voice addressed the people before her—or more precisely, the witch kneeling directly in front of her. In response, the woman who normally held her head high with arrogance toward everyone… Shude, one of the Four Arch-witches and former warrior of the Hero Party, slammed her forehead against the floor hard enough to draw blood as she begged for forgiveness.
“I… I have no excuse! This is all my fault. Please, kill me for my failure!”
Whether sincere or not, Shude poured all her strength into her apology. The figure watching her simply gave a faint smile and spoke in a calm voice.
“There’s no need to go that far. Just keep a low profile for a while. I have no intention of punishing you over this matter.”
“Th-thank you! Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Shude kept bowing her head repeatedly. As soon as she was given permission to withdraw, she practically fled the room. The remaining three people watched her leave with puzzled expressions before turning to the figure on the throne.
“Are you truly fine with this? To forgive that wench so easily after such a massive failure…”
“It’s fine. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t really a failure anyway.”
“Pardon?”
The three expressed confusion at the unexpected statement. The figure—rather, she, the ruler of the Magic Kingdom, the Magic King Overseer Aztas—revealed a cold smile that did not suit her youthful face, which appeared to belong to a girl in her early teens.