404 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 404: The Emperor Declares a Campaign Against MacLine "Deploy all forces excluding the dragon's fangs—horns, wings, and claws fully engaged." "Mobilization order for the forces of the North Corner King, East Wing King, and South Claw King, with the exception of the West Tooth King." The announcement was made that forces from three of the four kings, excluding the West Tooth King managing the western part of the Empire, alongside the Imperial Central Army, would swiftly undertake operations. To observers, it appeared as though a spark originating from the tensions between the Holy Kingdom and the Empire had unexpectedly ignited in the east. “The Empire has finally revealed its imperial ambition.” “No, it's merely the Empire's rightful retaliation enraged by an unforeseen defeat.” Opinions were divided, but there was consensus on one prediction. That this war would not end easily. * * * Three days northwest from the grand city of Russfelheim, situated at the Empire's eastern edge, lay the bustling metropolis of Penna, where the East Wing King's court was located. There had been a flurry of activity in the city for several days as troops from the East King's court, entrusted with governing the eastern region of the Empire, gathered in preparation for deployment. With the front line stretching towards the east's MacLine, it was inevitable that the East King's forces would be the first among the four royal divisions to be thrown into the fray. The ensuing uproar throughout the city was expected, yet the atmosphere deep within the royal palace was decidedly different. [……I fear we can no longer continue. My apologies, Your Highness.] “……Is that so.” [Yes. One by one, our clandestine operatives are being siloed. It seems the Imperial family has caught wind of our activities.] “What do you intend to do?” The normally stoic East Wing King displayed an atypical stern visage as the voice over the communication sphere chuckled softly. [I suspect I will also be discovered soon. This might be our final transmission. I am grateful for everything, Your Highness.] “……I am ashamed.” [Not at all. It’s fortunate that I can repay the kindness Your Highness has shown me, even in this way. I will delay them as best as I can. You must escape in time, Your Highness.] “Thank you. Truly.” [Please take care, Your Highness.] And you as well. He hesitated, feeling it might be too hypocritical to utter such words, but the light from the communication sphere disappeared before he could respond. “Hmm……” Gerard von Aserian, the East Wing King, closed his eyes tightly and sighed. Witnessing this, a handsome blond knight standing nearby stepped forward. “If even Rain says this, you must flee at once.” “It might already be too late.” “Your Highness!” “……We cannot rule out that they have already identified and are closing in on me.” “Then……” “We have to prepare for the worst. First, an excuse to leave the palace……” The Imperial touch was swifter than predicted. “Your Highness, the East Wing King, we have come from the Imperial family to escort you.” As soon as he exited the communication room, knights blocked his path. Six knights, with the insignia of the Golden Dragon etched across their full armor, stood before him, visor down, obstructing his way. With such distinguished attire and arrogant demeanor, Gerard's face darkened. ‘Imperial Inspection Bureau.' While the Special Inspection Bureau lurked in the shadows, representing ethereal entities, these knights were the visible force expressing the Emperor’s authority. If spirits snuck in at night to claim lives, these knights arrived openly during the day to destroy everything. In some ways, they were more feared than the rumored ghosts. Gerard’s displeasure was undeniable. “The Imperial family? For what reason?” Even a pointed inquiry from one of the Four Kings, considered nobler than most royals, was met with unyielding silence. “Follow us, and you will understand.” One knight, seemingly the squad leader, stepped forward to reply in an even tone. Their domineering disposition towards one of the Empire’s rulers was already indicative of the predetermined outcome. ‘It seems inevitable.’ Instead of resisting, Gerard let out a quiet sigh. “Jay.” “Yes.” “Cut them down.” His command was no sooner uttered than the sword flashed. A sacred red light gushed forth, momentarily flooding the corridor. Swish. The Imperials, with swords at the ready, didn’t have a chance to react as their bodies were cleaved in half. Thud. They all collapsed simultaneously, without even a scream. The squad leader still clung to life, even after losing his lower half. “Ughh, Urgh.” Though he, too, didn’t last long. “O-ora…?” Crunch. With the leader’s head crushed underfoot, leaving no final words, Jay turned around and dropped to one knee. “I have fulfilled your order.” Watching his loyal knight, Gerard merely sighed once more. “It’s too fast… Everything is happening faster than I anticipated.” “I will carve out a path. Please, let us leave the palace.” Jay prepared to draw his sword again, but Gerard hesitated, gazing at his knight silently. And then the question burst forth. “…If you are indeed transcendents, you know you could enjoy wealth and fame throughout the Empire. Are you sure you will not regret this?” The knight’s eyes wavered for a moment. Yet the response, quick in coming, carried no such uncertainty. “The beggar child saved by Her Majesty the Queen will never forget that kindness. Her suffering as well.” A heavy gaze exchanged. Advertisements Only after a long pause did Gerard pat Jay on the shoulder and finally move forward. “Where do you intend to go?” “For now… we must head to MacLine.” “To the Magic Tower…?” “Merely contacting the Tower Lord will suffice. At least, for the time being.” “Understood.” Acknowledging his final words, the East Wing King and his knight vanished from the palace, causing another upheaval in the Empire. * * * “East Wing King has betrayed the Empire, allying with MacLine.” A shocking piece of news struck the world, leaving most listeners questioning its credibility. “Why would one of the Four Kings?” “Why betray the Empire?” “Isn't this just a baseless rumor?” The entire continent was abuzz with disbelief at the news, yet the Imperial family acted swiftly, declaring Gerard von Aserian, the East Wing King, and his kin as traitors. Anyone associated with him was summarily executed, confirming the rumors as truth. One of the Empire's most prestigious royal families, who had built their legacy on the city of Aselian, bearing its name as a gift from the throne, was officially ousted. This event cast a significant shadow on the morale of the Imperial army. However, the subsequent proclamation by the Emperor was enough to reignite the spirits of the Empire’s forces, soaring them to new heights. “I will bestow the title of East Wing King upon the one who achieves the greatest merit in the conquest of MacLine. This is a promise from the Emperor of the Empire.” This pronouncement lit a fire in the eyes of the legates and generals, burying the news of the East Wing King’s betrayal entirely. Reports even surfaced of a remarkable increase in the speed of the Imperial army’s march towards MacLine's border. Around this time, Logan, still embattled with the Imperial Central Army at Kyle Castle, received an unexpected visitor. “As if my mind wasn't already cluttered,” he sighed deeply. The size of the advancing Imperial forces was being relayed to them in real time, adding to their current dilemma. Despite the failed Imperial army camped right before them, they couldn’t risk an offensive with reinforcements visibly on the way. “To know reinforcements are coming, yet having no choice but to watch.” Having killed two transcendent beings, Sword Soul and Greg Marvin, and wearing down over a tenth of their forces, they still couldn't be certain of victory if they left the fort. Their initial victory owed much to the grand magic array and the crossbows deploying Liberatio from atop the walls. Problem was, both they and their enemy were aware of this. In the midst of such dire circumstances, an unwelcome visitor had arrived. “Sigh…” Logan examined the luxurious letter in his hand and sighed again. The flight of nobles into exile is a known recourse throughout history. Though starting anew is daunting, it was preferable to losing one's life, often chosen by royalty and displaced officials seeking at least to salvage their lives. Yet even such strategies have their limits. “The East Wing King seeking asylum?” Advertisements “…His Majesty’s snare is tightening around him, ostensibly for aiding MacLine.” “So you say I must bear that burden?” Logan's voice was sharp with tension. After all, the envoy standing before him was none other than Princess Luisa, who should currently be within the MacLine royal palace. 'A tentative foe, and a magician, within my frontlines…' Despite mutual animosity with the Empire, trust was absent. To Logan, Luisa was akin to a bomb that could explode at any moment. Her presence at this critical time unnerved him thoroughly. Furthermore, the reason for her presence was the East Wing King’s asylum request. Unless he brought troops equivalent to the legion from the East King’s court, his crossing into MacLine offered little benefit. Logan refrained from eliminating the bomb that was Luisa only because he didn’t wish to add to the chaos of the impending Imperial war by inciting Black Serpent terror. Whether aware of his internal conflict or not, Luisa maintained her poise. “I’m not asking you to bear the burden; I’m asking you to consider the future. I don’t demand unconditional acceptance. I’m suggesting it due to the tangible benefits it promises.” “Benefits?” “Jay Person, the guard who will accompany my father, the East Wing King, is an auror user.” “...Interesting.” Logan was naturally intrigued by that statement. A hidden transcendent? Yet, doubts lingered. “Why would a transcendent follow an Imperial traitor?” Having personally experienced how much the Emperor cherished transcendent individuals, including those with potential, Logan found the tale suspect. Luisa dismissed his suspicion with a scoff. “Not every Imperial soldier is loyal to the Emperor. As our father and daughter could attest.” “Hmm... Well, if an auror user is joining, there’s no reason to refuse the asylum request. However, it would be problematic if this person belongs to 'that faction.'” “Don’t worry. He’s loyal solely to my mother—I mean—my father.” “Isn’t it because the East Wing King is also of that faction?” “…You can trust him. He’s not from the Tower’s swordsmages; he’s a pure auror user. When Your Majesty meets him, you’ll know immediately.” It wasn't a wrong assumption. Yet there remained an issue. “Given his loyalty to the East Wing King, why would he aid us on the battlefield? There’s little use if we accommodate him only for him to guard his master in the rear. We cannot entirely rule out our side’s suspicion that he may be a spy.” “…That's impossible.” “Hmm?” “My father wishes to fight on the front lines himself.” “Interesting?” What could this possibly mean? “I believe by now Your Majesty understands our father-daughter enmity towards the Emperor well. Moreover, my father is known for eschewing the Tower’s magic; he is purely a mage, so there is little need for concern.” “Yet why would the East Wing King personally...?” Advertisements “Because this battlefield might see the Emperor himself.” “What does that have to do with anything?” “Although the odds are slim, any chance to personally end the Emperor’s life means an unequivocal intervention. For him, and for me.” “Ha…” Startled by the proposal, Logan found himself temporarily at a loss for words. No reason could oppose a 5th Circle mage like the East Wing King joining the battlefield. Especially if he came alongside an auror user. Yet what grievance drove a royal to destroy his own lineage to join a battlefield personally? Striving to untangle his muddled thoughts, Logan slowly nodded. “Very well. We will accept the East Wing King and his guard into asylum and integrate them into our forces. Bear in mind, it will likely place them on the forefront.” "Your father would wish for this as well." Logan was taken aback by the unexpected response to his offhand remark. However, he quickly recovered and set a firm boundary. "But regardless of what happens with them, Princess Luisa, you cannot stay. Surely, you understand the reason better than anyone." Luisa bit her lip at his words. Currently, the Empire was using the pretext of rooting out the Black Serpent as a rationale for its campaign against MacLine. If magic from the Kassel Tower were to truly manifest, it would turn the Empire’s false justification into a veritable truth. However. "The war is already underway, and you still cling to justifications!?" Luisa’s argument wasn’t without merit. Even if a war begins with a cause, what usually remains shortly after its outbreak is mutual animosity. In the heat of conflict, searching for justification might seem frivolous, unless one has a greater aim. "Of course. The western nations must unite against the Empire." "Wha...!?" "If the Kassel Tower shows its hand too soon, it would ruin everything." Not every nation is like MacLine. Even if the Empire’s schemes are transparent, if we provide them with any legitimate grounds, pro-Empire factions are certain to seize the opportunity. With Damian exerting all efforts to alert the western states of the Empire’s ambitions, it would be counterproductive to pour cold water on those efforts from our side. "I'll leave no trace. From behind the scenes..." "No, Princess, it's not happening." "I am confident!" "When your life is in danger, or if your father is at risk, can you guarantee you won't use magic?" The harsh truth in his words left Luisa momentarily speechless. "That’s..." "For me, it would be a better decision to cut you down here rather than risk you on the battlefield. We will accept your asylum request on the condition of your involvement in the war effort, but you must return." Logan decisively dismissed Luisa's plea. Yet, not long after, with Imperial reinforcements pressing up against MacLine's borders, an unforeseen bomb detonated. – Large-scale assassination and assassination attempts across the heads of western nations. – Suspected to be the work of phantoms. A catastrophic event that instantly galvanized the sluggish unification of the western states. Requesting asylum.