Thunder God's Fist Devastates the Knights, But Spares Their Lives
Auron had swept away the knights with his Thunder God's Fist, but he hadn't killed them. He hadn't turned them into cripples like that Count Avonne, either. The knights, bleeding profusely, chugged potions and sprang back to their feet. A rough beating for a quick recovery, huh?
Division Commander Aseton bellowed in fury.
"Viscount Aron! Have you lost your mind? We are the First Knight Order of Marquis Resid, the Overlord of the North! If you act like this, it will create serious problems in the relationship between the two of you…."
BOOM!
"Gahhh!"
Aseton, electrocuted by the Thunder God's Fist, flew far off and crashed into the ground. He convulsed, his body shuddering violently. The knights didn't dare charge. They'd all been sent flying and smashed into the dirt with a single blow. They already knew he could slaughter them all if he wanted.
Kainus came rushing over in a panic.
"My lord! There's no gain in making an enemy of the marquis. Right now, his forces are down to just 100,000 elite troops after heavy losses, but given time, the Overlord of the North can muster 200,000."
"So?"
"Is there a reason for this?"
Kainus couldn't comprehend. The reason for my behavior? As someone receiving divine oracles, he must have some inkling. I quietly pointed a finger at the sky.
"Hah… hahaha."
Kainus unfolded his fan and waved it, chuckling. He seemed to know a bit about the gods' perverse tendencies too. To satisfy them, I'd have to do far worse than this.
"Since you're already picking a fight, you might as well go all out, my lord. Just dealing with the knight order doesn't seem enough."
"Have you both gone mad?!"
Laila, who had some political savvy, shrieked in horror. She probably thought the advisor and lord had lost their minds. But to me, this was normal. Hell, if I didn't act like a thug, the gods would get bored. The lack of reaction so far meant this level of stimulus wasn't even scratching the surface.
I seriously considered blasting Laila away too, but she explained why we couldn't touch Marquis Resid.
"Messing with the marquis means clashing with all northern powers and even influencing the central court. We'll end up politically isolated for no reason. He's an imperial faction figure too—acting like this will create serious rifts…."
"If he's imperial faction, that's even better."
"Pardon?"
"It'll be more fun."
"Ah… insane."
"What was that?"
"N-nothing! You're the one and only ruler under heaven, my lord, so do as you please… but I wonder if my head will still be attached after this war."
"Heh heh heh, one and only ruler under heaven. Exactly what I wanted."
"Ughhh."
The knights groaned on the ground. Aseton, who'd been twitching like an epileptic for ages, finally rasped in a hoarse voice.
"Viscount Aron! No, Conquest Army Commander! Why are you doing this to us?"
"Why? His Majesty the Emperor may have appointed me temporarily, but I hold full authority. This axe symbolizes that power. Yet your noble marquis dared to defy His Majesty's appointment and didn't even show for a welcome. Excluding me is excluding His Majesty! Thus, punishment is in order."
"W-what kind of nonsense is that? Besides, he commands 100,000 elite troops. If you keep this up, the marquis will have no choice but to mobilize his army."
"Oh? Mobilize the army?"
A picture was forming in my mind.
"W-what insane idea are you cooking up now?"
"That's it! Just beating them down was getting stale anyway."
"W-what?! You think beating the marquis is stale?!"
"Yeah! That's exactly it! That bastard marquis dared challenge His Majesty's authority, and his vassal nobles are no different. So I'll discipline their entire army!"
The gods were going wild. Perfect. This was the reaction I wanted.
"Heh heh heh! Charge! We'll drag this army straight to educate the marquis who dared challenge His Majesty's authority!"
Laila, realizing what "education" meant, muttered despondently.
"Ah… we're doomed."
The final fortress defending against the northern Geoshin Tribe: Resid Marquisate. With no warning, 150,000 Geoshin poured south, steamrolling the empire's northern territories. If the enemy had at least declared war, there might have been some preparation, but these point-by-point infiltrators suddenly massed and advanced, overwhelming lords with garrisons of barely 10,000 or even a few thousand.
At the very least, the border bought time when war broke out. Marquis Resid boldly issued mobilization orders to each territory, gathering forces here in his marquisate. Northern refugees and soldiers flooded in, nearly paralyzing the city's functions.
The Geoshin had to be stopped at Resid Plains. In this chaos, 100,000 troops couldn't maneuver effectively inside the castle. Plus, with central support, the marquis planned to crush the Geoshin outright.
Meetings raged daily in the command tent at the plains' center.
"My lord, Viscount Aron is hailed as the empire's top knight. Based on his divine feats in the prior conquest war, a breakthrough seems feasible."
"But is it realistic? Viscount Aron isn't sane. Strategy requires reasoning with rational people—not exploiting a madman. And can we even operate under his command?"
"Hmm."
Everyone frowned. No one knew what horrors awaited under Viscount Aron's command. Keeping him subordinate was risky. His infamous assault on a superior during the conquest war, leaving the man half-crippled, was legendary. Better to operate separately. The marquis had already conveyed this via knights.
Northern army strategist Count Raoul said, half-praying to the gods.
"If by some miracle Viscount Aron listens and strikes the enemy's flank, we could annihilate the Geoshin."
"Think he'll play ball?"
"Formally, he's the conquest army commander, so serving under him is proper. Though I'm worried he'll rampage as an excuse."
"His forces can't be that big. He won't rampage much."
Flutter!
Mid-meeting, a bloodied Dark Moon Knight burst in. His armor was wrecked, helmet gone. Nose smashed, teeth missing—speech lisped.
"Pwe-pwe-pare for battle!"
"The Geoshin moving?!"
That state after meeting Aron? Understandable. But prepare for battle now?
"N-no! Viscount Aron is advancing!"
"Advancing where? And why prepare?"
"T-toward us! Emergency! No time!"
"Hah… what? He's joining us. Why advance like that?"
"To punish the disloyal to His Majesty—declared he'll sweep our army!"
"…."
Faces blanked in confusion. An allied army attacking the northern forces? Forces barely surviving or fleeing the Geoshin? Unless hell-bent on dooming the empire, impossible.
As everyone doubted the knight, the strategist snapped alert.
"My lord! Prepare for battle now!"
"Aron would have to be insane…."
"He is insane! Beyond common sense—not human!"
Count Raoul screamed. His frenzy forced Marquis Resid to act.
"Just in case—prepare for battle!"
Rumble rumble!
Faint vibrations. Aron was supposed to bring minimal central troops. Yet hoofbeats caused quakes.
"Sir Macken! Scale of Aron's army?!"
"A-at least 60,000!"
"60,000?!"
"Waaah! Punish the traitors!"
"Just the brass!"
Enemy roars thundered. Aron's voice boomed like thunder.
Lightning war! Any delay meant heavy losses. Even if I handled the Geoshin alone, I needed backup. Losing the army to friendly fire could doom the defense.
I'd whipped my horse madly with that in mind, but the gods thought I was just berserking like a lunatic.
Rebellion right now? I'd need 150,000 independent troops to eye the empire. Realistically, they could muster a million to kill me from everywhere—thanks to my mad antics. Practically, 300,000 would make the job easier.
Unprecedented: Allies attacking shaky comrades amid invasion. Normally, even rebels unite against foreigners first. What I was doing deserved "first on the continent."
Shing!
I drew my sword sky-high.
"This is my service to you bastards!"