< Chapter 117 - Variable #4 >
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“Long live the Kingdom of Seilun!”
“Viva!”
“I won! I won!”
“Whaaaaaaaaaa!”
The entire plain of Silates seemed to be shaking with the cheers of the soldiers.
The excitement of the battle, the relief of having survived, and the fact that they had defeated the Imperial Army, their longtime enemy, whether it was the Chancellor’s Army or whatever, made them jump for joy more than usual.
“Justice was with us after all.”
As one young knight clenched his fist and spoke, the knights around him also nodded excitedly.
If it were normal, I would have scolded him for talking childishly, but today was different.
Devil followers.
An evil group that mobilizes monsters into battle.
If fighting against these enemies is not justice, then what is?
‘Things are going well.’
The justification was always an important law.
The mere fact that they were fighting for a just cause could boost the morale of the soldiers.
On the other hand, it was clear that the morale of the ordinary soldiers of the Imperial Army – no, the Prime Minister’s Army – would be broken.
No matter how much they tried to embellish it with all kinds of excuses, the fact that they were fighting alongside the devil would shake their hearts.
Ian McLain, the Golden Swordsman, hung his sword with a satisfied expression. The golden armor of the Golden Lion Knights was covered in red bloodstains.
Commander in Chief.
It was a position that did not allow direct participation in the battlefield.
However, it was not something that could be done lightly with the power of the Sword Saint. Furthermore, the opposing side had the Grand Sword Master, Lucius Grande.
Since the only thing that could stop the Black Sword was another Black Sword, it was inevitable that he would go to the battlefield.
‘I wish Count Bayer would join us soon.’
The Sword of the Wind.
With the wandering sword Musu, known as the Sword Saint of the Stars, missing, the only swordsmen the Kingdom of Seilun could trust were the Golden Sword Saint himself and Count Bayer.
‘But… what on earth is going on?’
The reason why the flow of the battle changed.
Information transmitted through communication wizards was extremely limited.
After capturing the Karadum fortress, the army of monsters moving towards the battlefield was destroyed and scattered.
What happened?
Who did this?
And the red light coming towards us.
‘Anyway, I hope we’re allies.’
Judging from the fact that they had attacked the demon army, they didn’t seem to be enemies at least, but I still couldn’t let my guard down easily.
“Move.”
First, we return to the main base, reorganize our situation, and collect the wounded.
At the command of the Golden Sword Saint, the knights of the Golden Lion Knights began to move busily.
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“what?”
Stories from Uther’s mouth.
Uder first explained the events that had occurred in the Empire in as concise a manner as possible.
After falling to the Empire, he met the Royal Knights, rescued the Emperor with them and passed through the Shadow Forest, defeated Sword Master Elio Lombardi in the process and became friends with Grand Sword Master Elune, plotted and crushed the demon followers on the outskirts of the Empire, and finally, visited the Solari Tomb where the last secret treasure of the Solari Cult was hidden.
In fact, it was a summary explanation of everything except for the ‘memories of Uderus and Cordelia’, which may or may not be a regression or a parallel world.
“Really… how should I put it, nothing changes even if you go to the empire.”
It was the same in the kingdom too.
It felt like things would get incredibly big if Uther and Cordelia got involved.
‘No, it feels like I’m interfering with something that’s going to get bigger.’
In any case, these two people went to the empire and continued to perform incredibly well.
I knew that the Emperor had escaped the system controlled by the Chancellor and led loyalists from the North to start a civil war, but I never imagined that such secret stories would be hidden in the meantime.
“Is our story completely unknown?”
Adelia frowned and answered Cordelia’s question.
“Because you are foreigners. From the Empire’s perspective, it would be a bit hesitant to announce that we received help from you.”
It was something that was bound to become known someday, but there was no reason to go around talking about it so early on.
“I don’t like it, but… I understand.”
Adelia clicked her tongue and placed her hand on top of Cordelia’s again.
“Sister?”
“You worked hard. You did a great job. I’m proud of you.”
When Adelia smiled brightly, Cordelia opened her eyes wide in surprise for a moment, but it only lasted a moment. Before she knew it, she was crying tears of joy.
“Sister······.”
It wasn’t a situation where I was particularly thirsty for praise, but I was still happy to be recognized.
Maybe it was because of the miserable memories the other Cordelias had seen.
In no memory did Adelia survive.
“Ugh, you’re still a baby, baby.”
Adelia hugged Cordelia tightly as she shed tears and patted her back several times.
“Sister.”
“Yeah, yeah. Sister is here.”
Because the two people had quite a big age difference.
When I was young, Adelia was practically my mother.
“But Cordelia.”
“Yeah, sis.”
“You punk… No, after listening to Yuder, one question comes to mind… When on earth did you do that?”
“uh?”
“No, there was no gap. There was a gap.”
That’s right.
Since I came over to the empire, I’ve been really busy running around.
“Uh··· That······.”
Cordelia laughed awkwardly, trailing off, while Adelia glared at Uther with eyes filled with discontent. She had asked, but in fact, she had already given some sort of answer.
Horny beast! Bastard! Swindler!
A grand wedding! In a bedroom decorated with great care! Huh? Even if it sets the mood, it’s still a shame!
Each and every one of those words pierced his heart, but Yuder had no way to refute them.
From the beginning, I was doubtful whether I had properly understood the meaning since it was just a look in the eyes, and even if those words were true, I had nothing to say.
“Ahem, that’s embarrassing… No, let’s put off the sensitive topic for now….”
As Gale spoke with a red face, Adelia also blushed brightly.
Since it was Cordelia’s work, I got excited and started talking, but as Gale said, it was an embarrassing story.
No matter how close you are, there is a line that must be maintained.
“Hmm, anyway, Yuder. You really have gotten stronger.”
“Yes, brother.”
Gale smiled again at Uther’s answer.
I haven’t seen them fight yet, but I can tell just by looking at them now.
Prayer has changed.
Father – I could feel the unique sensation that I felt when facing the Wind Sword Saint when facing Yuder.
‘Good.’
Even though I was overtaken by my much older brother, I didn’t feel any feelings of jealousy.
Rather, I was just happy that my sickly younger brother had become so strong.
‘I guess I need to work harder too.’
Just a positive thought that I should try harder.
It was also because of this kind and bright side that Adelia was drawn to Gail.
He was truly a man of rare character.
“Then let me try to tell the story as concisely as possible.”
One way or another, it was still a battlefield.
Gale himself, one of the Ten Swordsmen, was treated as an independent unit fighting on the front lines rather than a commander, but even so, he could not stand on the street and talk for a long time at a time when he had to withdraw his troops.
“The war began 50 days ago. The loyalists led by the Emperor and the Chancellor’s army led by the Chancellor began a civil war.”
There had not yet been a major battle in the center of the empire. Instead of advancing north, the prime minister’s army had solidified its defensive line, and the imperial army was also unable to move rashly.
“It is because the death of the absolute knight Galahad has been announced.”
The leader of the Royal Knights, who was trusted and relied on not only by the young emperor but also by many who belonged to the emperor’s faction.
At his death, the Royal Knights cried out for revenge, but the Emperor’s followers, who were far more numerous, were shocked to the point where they could not move rashly, if not out of fear.
“Of course, that’s not the only reason the front lines are so fixed. Rather, the influence from the East is likely to be greater.”
The demon followers who came from the Eastern Continent joined the Chancellor’s army and completely took control of the eastern part of the empire.
The Holy Cross Defenders put up a desperate fight, but were no match for their overwhelming numbers.
“There are stories that not only top-tier demons but also many demons with titles appeared. It was only because your masters, Landius and Kamael, were present that we were able to preserve our power. Many say that if it weren’t for the Paragon heroes, the Eastern Holy Cross Guardians would have been annihilated.”
Uther gritted his teeth at Gale’s explanation.
It was frustrating, but it was something that could have happened.
‘The highest grade mine Javawalk of the devil’s horn.’
Originally, it was a being that became one with Jabberwock, the demon of the Eternal Forest, and was reborn as one of the Seven Great Disasters – the monster Jabberwock.
Although he could not become one with the Demon Javawalk, it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was an avatar of the overlord of violence, Behemoth.
If we look at just the fighting power in the original work, it was a monster that could easily stand up to Landius.
‘Of course, I don’t think the teacher will lose.’
A heart of steel, an unyielding will, and a peerless physique.
Yuder nodded as he thought of three words that described Landius.
It wasn’t just Landius, there was Kamael, Lena, and even Belkian.
With four of the Paragon heroes together, they were sure to create another miracle.
“Our kingdom’s army, allied with the Emperor’s faction, has entered a state of war with the imperial army. The basic tactic is to send troops to the eastern part of the empire to help the Holy Cross Defenders while pressuring the Chancellor’s army on the Silates Plains.”
“I see. Then, this may be the first time we’ve had a battle like this.”
“Yes, as you said, this is my first time fighting on this scale. I was able to win thanks to you.”
The two of them defeated an army of monsters numbering nearly seven thousand.
To be honest, it was a story that was hard to believe even though the results already existed.
“Grandfather, what about your father and father-in-law?”
Count Chase and Count Bayer.
“The two of you are… finishing up the work that Yuder gave you. You will probably join us soon.”
“Is this the job that Yuder gave you?”
Cordelia immediately turned to Uther and sent him a message.
[Hey, what is it? What are you decorating again?]
[Good thing.]
[What a good thing.]
[I’ll keep it a secret for now.]
So that you’ll be more surprised later.
Cordelia was dumbfounded by Uther’s answer, but decided to ignore it for now.
If it was something dangerous, no matter how much effort was put into it, he wouldn’t have responded in that way.
“Anyway, let’s stop talking and head back. I’ll also pay my respects to the Commander-in-Chief, the Golden Sword Saint.”
Uther nodded at Gale’s suggestion.
Perhaps it was because I thought that helping the Golden Sword Saint and advancing north together might be the best option for the time being.
But an hour later.
Uder’s thoughts changed completely.
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The Golden Swordsman welcomed Uther and Cordelia with open arms, just as Gale had expected.
The knights under his command were also enthusiastic about the young heroes’ exploits.
The battle was won and a new force of immense power was added.
What could be more welcome news in the midst of war?
Of course, there were some who looked at Uther and Cordelia with some suspicion because of their age and appearance, but they were a very small minority, and even then, their suspicions were very minor.
The contributions that Uther and Cordelia have made so far are too great to be dismissed based on mere appearance.
“Everyone worked hard. Let’s forget everything tonight and enjoy the victory!”
“Ohhh!”
“Long live the Golden Sword Saint!”
“Long live the Kingdom Army!”
“Long live the Knights of the Golden Lion!”
As the young knights got excited and started talking, even the normally reserved staff members started raising their voices.
“Now, raise your glasses! Glory to the Kingdom of Seilun!”
“Glory be to him!”
The knights who had shouted loudly began to drink, pouring and drinking, and Uther and Cordelia also filled each other’s glasses.
But it was just as we were clinking our glasses.
“Hey, it’s urgent news!”
Everyone’s gaze inside the barracks immediately moved to the entrance.
The communications wizard, panting and with a flushed face, transmitted the urgent message in a strained voice.
“The Prime Minister is moving.”
As the reports continued, the faces of the knights became more and more stern. Some even openly expressed their anger.
A large force is advancing to attack the western part of the Empire – the Shadow Forest, the elven stronghold to be exact.
Considering that news was slow because it was enemy territory, a battle may have already been imminent.
But it was not because of what was happening on the front lines of the Empire – and far away – that the knights of the kingdom were angry.
What was important to them was who would lead the army.
“The First Sword… no, the traitor Rune Proud.”
One who abandoned the kingdom along with the Guardian King.
Completely corrupted, he became a mine and led an army of demon followers.
[Hey, Yuder.]
Uther nodded at Cordelia’s call. They didn’t exchange much words, but he could tell what Cordelia was trying to say.
The royal army led by the Golden Sword Saint was unable to help the Shadow Forest right now.
All they could do was pressure the Chancellor’s forces on the plains of Silates.
But Uther himself and Cordelia were different.
While it was impossible for an army to infiltrate the Empire, it was quite possible for a Grand Sword Master and an Archmage to pair up and infiltrate the Empire.
Go help the Shadow Forest.
Help Elune stop the Chancellor’s army.
‘No, something more important than that.’
More problematic than the army were those who led them.
The Sword of Light.
The first sword rune, Proud.
According to the proclamation of the Prime Minister, it was he who defeated the absolute knight Galahad.
Since he was the first swordsman who had the title of Sword Master, which was equivalent to the Grand Sword Master, since his time in the kingdom, it was not strange for him to defeat Galahad now that he had obtained the power of Mine.
The first sword heads to the shadow forest.
‘Elune.’
The one who inherits the sword spirit of the Fairy Sword, Velencia.
The strongest Grand Sword Master among the elves of the Empire.
Can she stop the First Sword?
Can you fight him and win?
My heart was pounding. Even though I didn’t fully understand the power of both the First Sword and Elune, an ominous feeling crossed my mind.
‘The best sword.’
The time we met on the royal road was not very long.
But his existence was so deeply and firmly engraved in Yuder’s own mind.
‘Is it now?’
It’s time to put an end to the bad relationship with Jeilgeom.
“Cordelia.”
“Yeah, Yuder.”
Cordelia knew too.
Now was the time to make a decision.
“Well, let’s have a drink of this first. Okay?”
Uder nodded at the playful words that seemed to ease the tension. He clinked his glasses once more with the lovely Cordelia.
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The sun was setting.
The crimson sunset blended the sky and the earth, and then purple spread between them, bringing in a dark blue darkness.
The moment when day and night are mixed.
When the deep blue darkness engulfs the crimson sunset and welcomes the white moonlight and pouring starlight.
Elune stood on the Red Gate and looked east.
Lucas, who was sparring with Scarlett, also looked east absentmindedly.
The wind was blowing.
Swallowing the cold night air, the Prime Minister advanced toward the west.
And the one who stands at the forefront.
“I have a good feeling about this.”
The first sword, the devil’s hand’s highest-grade mine duke, smiled slightly and stroked the handle of the sword. He naturally turned his gaze towards the south where Uther and Cordelia were.
“I have a really good feeling about this.”
I feel like I’m about to experience the ultimate pleasure of a lifetime.
The first sword turned its head again.
west.
A place with horizons.
The blackest step was taken.
Moved towards the horizon.
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< Chapter 117 - Variable #4 > End
