400 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 400: The World in Turmoil The world was in an uproar. The empire's army, which had advanced with supreme confidence, faced an unexpected crushing defeat. War had erupted simultaneously on three fronts. Before the battles had even begun, the world’s attention was fixated on one question: “How long will the MacLaine hold out?” Given that the invading army was more than double in size and of incomparable quality, this was a naturally anticipated outcome. However, once the lid was opened, the results were entirely different. The empire's forces were defeated across all three fronts. It took merely a single day for the imperial army to lose over 20% of its total strength and retreat. Included in the aftermath of this defeat was an unbelievable rumor. Sword Mage (Geomhon) met his end in a joint attack against the MacLaine’s Sun. Just months ago, the Sword Mage had suffered a blemish on his reputation after being defeated by the Divine Sword at Nobevins, but there was no guarantee he would lose once more in another bout. At least, that was the belief within the empire. However, with his death, the situation was irrevocably changed. This was a downfall from which there was no recovery. The continent's greatest swordsman had lost. The Sun of MacLaine was now the continent's strongest. Alongside the news of a devastating defeat, the ensuing rumors further tarnished the empire’s prestige. The retreating imperial forces remained stationed before enemy fortresses and castles, yet none could predict a complete victory for the empire anymore. * * * "The causes of our defeat can be attributed to three major reasons." The heavy silence pervading the great hall was broken by an elder’s voice. "First, the exceptional combat prowess of MacLaine’s superseded our expectations, indeed surpassing common sense altogether." Though it might have sounded like an excuse, many in the great hall found themselves nodding in agreement. The revelation of MacLaine’s extraordinary power was shocking—unfathomable to many. "Even with reports suggesting the possibility of hidden forces, we dispatched nineteen superhumans, including the Sword Mage and Northeastern Wind—a force nearly double our initial estimate. Still, they were defeated." Chancellor Locus Gospel glanced swiftly towards the emperor, waiting for a reaction, but heard nothing from the throne. Calmly, he continued. "That Logan MacLaine has already become a force capable of defeating the Sword Mage defies understanding, yet even more astounding is the beast that bested three superhumans including Commander Maxwell at the southern fortress." He did not bother mentioning the sword master who killed two superhumans at the northern fortress. Compared to the first matter, it was not nearly as astonishing. "The Strategy Department has identified it as a type of divine beast, long thought extinct for over a thousand years." At that, a voice finally came from the throne. "……A divine beast?" The calm yet overwhelming voice seized the atmosphere of the great hall, and Locus swallowed hard. "……Yes. Nothing else seemed possible." "Explain in detail." "Yes. According to ancient records, a beast or monster capable of countering three superhumans would require dozens of lives daily just to sustain it." The atmosphere felt like an invisible chain constricting his throat. His lips drying and feeling his wrinkles deepening by the moment, Locus moistened them and hurriedly continued. "Even assuming MacLaine had an adept beast master from legend capable of taming such a creature, it would be impossible for a whisper of such notoriety not to spread. Thus, even with minimal probability, it seems this is the only explanation." "A divine beast… Ha, a divine beast…." In the silence that had grown so profound you could hear the tapping on the armrest of the throne, Locus and the ministers bowed their heads, awaiting the emperor's words. After a pause— “Four years ago, when I visited the empire, he was just a promising upstart, and now he has killed the Sword Mage. A divine beast from ancient times now follows his command, slaying the empire’s generals. Ha... Is this man a hero bestowed by the gods?” No one dared to respond to the amused yet incredulous voice. To refute the claim was impossible, given the overwhelming evidence of the results, while agreeing would mean acknowledging the emperor as the enemy of a god-sent hero. The suffocating silence descended once more in the great hall until the emperor’s voice pierced it again. “What was the second reason?” "Yes?! Ah... Yes. The second reason was their consumable artifacts called 'Liberatio.' They bombarded our forces with explosive devices, altering the battlefield beyond comprehension.” “...Liberatio? Freedom... Are they attempting to liberate our souls? How distasteful.” Was this meant as a joke? "Ah, well. There were reports related to it, but they were deemed too implausible to escalate up the chain. Thus, the punishment for those responsible...” As Locus tried to recover from his momentary shock with a forced cough, a calm voice abruptly intervened. "Execution." "…Pardon?" "Prepare a list of those who omitted the report, and execute them, regardless of their rank." Locus's face fell. Though the voice remained calm, it was clear that the emperor was seething with fury. ‘Naturally, His Majesty is most enraged. But...’ If he resolves his anger like this, it would further diminish the already fragile morale of the army. Locus forcibly swallowed the words burgeoning up his throat. Speaking such a futile protest now, resulting in his execution, would serve neither the empire nor the emperor. "...Understood. It shall be done." “What is the third reason?” "The third cause was the grand magical formations deployed at each castle and fortress. These formations diminished the combat capability of all imperial knights and soldiers by nearly 30%." "What did the Northeastern Wind report?" "They mentioned that MacLaine is home to a genius magician of the age. Sir Galen confirmed a magician not even of age personally. It is assumed that the magical formations are likely their work." “A minor magician in this era, huh...” Having completed his report, Locus could do nothing but keep his head bowed. Caught in a serious inner conflict, Locus realized there was one more matter he ought to report. However, he hesitated. 'Is it right to bring this up to His Majesty now?' Locus feared that doing so might ignite the fuse on a powder keg. Lost in anxious deliberation, he bit his lip hard. The empire belonged to the emperor. Making judgments about its direction wasn't for him to decide, he believed. "And there is an uncertain fourth reason." "Uncertain?" "Yes. It's purely speculative without evidence, which is why I did not include it among the three primary causes." "Speak." "...Before that, I would ask for others to be dismissed." The emperor's dark eyes shifted, caught by surprise. Requesting a private audience in this tense atmosphere could be seen as an indication that Locus was ready to lay his life on the line. The emperor immediately gestured with his hand. "Instructions will be relayed through the chancellor. Everyone else, wait outside." "Yes, Your Majesty!" The ministers obediently exited the throne room, their footsteps carefully muted like a retreating tide. Once the heavy doors closed, sealing them from prying ears, the emperor nodded, and Locus quickly spoke. "The devastating results of the initial battle are largely due to the three reasons I previously stated. Moreover, a role was played by a makeshift army of civilians who gathered centrally…." "To the point." Cutting short his lengthy explanation meant to soften the psychological impact on both the emperor and himself, Locus faltered but then collected his thoughts with a deep breath. "I must first clarify that this conjecture bears a feeling of being forcibly pieced together post-factum. Keeping this in mind…." "I shall be the judge of that." "…Yes." Cold sweat was running down his face, yet Locus dared not wipe it away. "The deployment of enemy superhuman troops along our three offensive routes seemed almost deliberately arranged to counter our superhumans. The deployment of superhumans, especially those within our imperial guard, is kept utterly confidential within the empire…." "…Are you suggesting there’s a spy in our high command?" "I'm merely proposing a possibility." Though his voice weakened as ‘conjecture’ devolved to ‘guess’, the emperor’s gaze turned steadily more lethal. "A spy, a spy indeed…." Tap. Tap. Tap. The sound of the emperor’s fingers drumming on the armrest of the throne echoed for a long time. ‘What if His Majesty decides to purge the imperial leadership at this critical moment?’ Faced with this terrifying thought, Locus barely dared to breathe. After a pause, a calm voice emerged. "I was too focused on the Holy Kingdom. Ultimately, it’s all my fault." Locus was bewildered by the unexpected confession, but quickly bowed his head and prostrated himself on the floor. "Absolutely not, Your Majesty! How could this be your fault? It is the fault of your inept subjects. Please retract your words!" Thump. Thump. Locus repeatedly struck his head on the floor, his brow quickly turning crimson as the emperor spoke serenely. "Who do you suspect might be this rat?" "My apologies, but it's the Eastern Duke's faction. Princess Louisa is still in MacLaine. She clandestinely assisted in the construction of MacLaine’s fortresses under the guise of an engagement." "Gerard? That man’s daughter remains in MacLaine... Certainly suspicious. Yet if it were truly him, the execution would not have been so sloppy. He's not that careless." "I'm merely reporting the possibility due to past incidents." Although plausible, the emperor wasn't easily convinced. "Above all, that man lacks the audacity to betray the imperial family. He personally executed his own wife to secure his position." "As mentioned, I'm only offering a possible probability…." "No, that will suffice. We'll conduct an investigation." The imperial special inspectorate wasn't solely focused on assassinations. With that one comment, the emperor dismissed the spy matter and abruptly changed the subject. "Do you happen to know how the temples regard divine beasts?" Although the question was unexpected, Locus, who hadn’t obtained his position through mere chance, quickly recalled pertinent information. "Ah… Records from ancient religious texts mention that divine beasts were not acknowledged by the old temple. There were even records of them being hunted for infringing upon the divinity of the Nine Gods. However, following the Resolitium and the reorganization of the temples, there was no further mention of them." "Right. By then, divine beasts no longer existed." "Indeed." Why mention the temples suddenly? Could it be...? "Inform the Holy Kingdom about the divine beast that appeared in MacLaine. State that there is someone infringing upon the divinity of the Nine Gods by wielding a divine beast, as verified by the empire." "Ah!" "Previously, MacLaine has had issues regarding the 'forsaken ones.' If we label MacLaine heretical, the Holy Kingdom will not ignore it." Even if the Holy Kingdom realized that the empire intended to use the temples for military purposes, Locus was confident they would still act upon it. After all, fanatics are called as such because faith precedes reason. ‘Using ancient records for such a tactic…’ While Locus admired the move inwardly, the emperor continued speaking. "Following that, I shall personally lead the conquest of MacLaine." "Your Majesty!?" "Mobilize the entire central imperial army and the imperial guard. I will personally realign the course that has slightly veered off." Locus’s eyes widened in shock.