&
Imperial Civil War.
Or, half a year after the end of the war known as the Calamity War, the relationship between the Argon Empire and the Kingdom of Cailun was not good.
The two great powers of the continent dramatically joined hands before the great war that would determine the fate of the world.
In fact, the two countries maintained a close cooperative relationship during the war.
They joined forces to fight against the demon followers and did not spare material support for each other.
Because it was an extreme situation where if one side collapsed, the entire world would be in danger.
As history has proven, external enemies tend to create internal unity.
The attacks by beings outside the Pleiades, the Archangels of Heaven and the Overlords of Hell, even caused the Argon Empire and the Kingdom of Cailun, which had been at war and in a truce for three hundred years, to join hands.
And as has always been the case, as history has shown, the moment the external enemy disappears, the internal unity also breaks down.
“The devil followers are still active. There are still two disasters that escaped the disaster war, and the attacks from the east are continuing. This means that the disaster war is not over yet.”
Count Mino.
So, she, the envoy of the Argon Empire, threw away even diplomatic rhetoric and spoke in an earnest, pleading tone.
But the expression on the face of King Henry II of Cailun when he heard those words was utterly indifferent.
And he answered actually nonchalantly.
“I know.”
“Your Majesty!”
Count Mino, who had reflexively raised his voice, flinched and stepped back. This was because the hands of the knights guarding the audience room moved simultaneously to the hilts of their swords.
Although he had not yet drawn it, Count Mino could tell that he was quite skilled in swordsmanship.
Even though they did not actually draw their swords, the eyes of the knights of the kingdom were filled with hostility.
Count Mino closed his eyes.
Even though I knew from the beginning that persuasion was impossible, my heart ached when I actually faced the stifling reality.
Henry II said:
“Count Mino. We simply acted according to the natural order. We defeated the imperial army that attacked the Silates Plain, and took advantage of that momentum to advance and capture Fort Byron. And as the victor has the right, we will continue to own Fort Byron. Where is the problem with this process?”
“The ones who attacked the kingdom were a group of traitors and devil followers called the Chancellor.”
“Yes, our kingdom of Seilun shed a lot of blood fighting them. Because of the war started by the prime minister of the empire.”
“He is a weightlifter.”
“He is the traitor of the Empire. He was originally the Prime Minister of the Empire.”
Count Mino gritted his teeth.
Fort Byron.
One of the many fortresses that exist between the empire and the kingdom.
But this is only a preliminary meaning, and the Byron Fortress held great value that neither country could easily give up.
‘It’s a crossroads.’
On the outskirts of the Silates Plain, large mountain ranges stood like fortress walls.
Therefore, in order for the imperial army to attack the Silates Plains, they had no choice but to cross the rugged mountain range or advance through a relatively narrow, isolated route.
So each country had a fortress.
The Saradium Fortress is the garrison of the Knights of the Golden Lion and is called the shield of the kingdom.
The Byron Fortress is both a gateway to the Silates Plains and a checkpoint to prevent the Kingdom from advancing into the Empire.
After defeating the Chancellor’s army led by Marshal Bartolain in the Calamity War, the royal army advanced north and occupied Fortress Byron.
And this created a grave security crisis for the empire.
The mountain ranges surrounding the Silates Plain were the kingdom’s shield against imperial attacks, but they were also the empire’s shield against the kingdom’s attacks.
However, with the Byron Fortress in their possession, the Cailun Kingdom’s forces were now free to advance into the Empire.
It was a huge security threat to the empire.
Of course, war was not something that could be started easily.
Rather than using the Byron fortress as a springboard for an attack, the royal forces were more likely to use it as a defensive wall to better protect the plains of Silates.
‘It’s just a possibility.’
Although both countries suffered great damage due to the war of attrition, the actual damage was much more severe on the Empire’s side.
Not only was the civil war dividing the imperial army into two, but the battlefield itself was almost entirely within imperial territory, so the damage caused by the war was bound to be completely reversed.
The system was completely destroyed, and many other major cities and highways in the empire suffered enormous damage.
But the problem didn’t end there.
‘We’ve lost so many talented people.’
In the Pleiades, where superhumans exist, the value of asymmetrical forces represented by swordsmen and archmages was truly enormous.
However, the empire ended up wasting too many human resources due to the war of calamity.
The absolute knight Galahad was killed by the demon followers, and the grand sword master Lucius, who had turned to the demon followers, was killed by the golden sword master.
Even before the Calamity War, the swordsman who was considered the strongest on the continent retired due to severe injuries, so Elune was the only Grand Sword Master left.
‘But Elune doesn’t leave the Shadow Forest, right?’
That is, in the event of a war with the kingdom, there was no Grand Sword Master of the empire who could stop the kingdom’s swordsmen.
‘The problem isn’t just the Grand Sword Master.’
There were also quite a few Sword Masters who turned to the devil followers.
There were many people who killed each other during the war.
Damage from wizards added here.
Absence of frontline commanders, etc.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Imperial Army’s strength had been reduced to less than half compared to before the Calamity War.
On the other hand, the royal army was not like that.
Rather, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the military power had become stronger than before the war.
The Star Sword Master Musou has retired due to injury.
However, as a replacement, a new power was born in the Kingdom of Seilun.
Sky Sword Master Lucas Hresvelg.
At the age of seventeen, he became a swordsman – a monster among monsters, the strongest swordsman in both countries.
His presence was nothing short of a disaster for the empire.
That wasn’t all.
In the Calamity War, the royal army lost almost no swordsmen.
Rather, the power was strengthened further due to the growth of new players such as Gale Bayer, known as the Wolf of the Wind, and Chilsalgeom Seryu.
In particular, the activities and majesty of Count Alex Bayer, the Sword Saint of the Wind, chilled the hearts of the Imperial Army.
Here comes the Red Angel, Count Arthur Chase······.
Comparing the cards each side had, it was a situation where defeat was expected even before the fight.
“We have only received what we deserved. No, we have been more lenient. In fact, the war reparations we demanded from the Empire were insignificant.”
The Count of Mino felt his heart sink at Henry II’s calm remark, but he managed to maintain his expression with difficulty.
Henry II changed.
The indecisive and weak-hearted king no longer existed.
There were only a few rascals who could be as shameless and decisive as they wanted for the sake of the kingdom.
So, we can replace that huge amount of money with the word ‘tiny amount’.
“There is nothing more to talk about. So let’s take our leave now. You too have had a hard time coming this far, so get some rest before you go back. And make sure to try the Parthenon wine, which is only available in the winter.”
Henry II, who had been smiling kindly, stood up from the throne as if he would not give anyone a chance.
As the Count of Mino, who had been pushed into the kingdom without a single card in his possession, there was no way to capture Henry II. All he could do was pay his respects with bitterness.
“Whew, that’s tough.”
As soon as he left the audience room, Henry II slumped his shoulders.
Although I pretended to be confident in front of Count Mino, I still felt that this kind of work was not something that suited me.
“Oh my, what are you talking about? You showed me such a wonderful sight that my heart raced as I watched you.”
When Queen Justia, who had been watching the situation inside from outside the audience room, spoke with a bright smile, Henry II let out a clumsy laugh.
“Justia.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“There really won’t be a war with the Empire, right?”
“That’s right. The Empire doesn’t have the resources to do that. In fact, I’m thinking that maybe we should try advancing further north while we’re at it… but that would be a bit too much. It’s not right.”
In fact, practical reasons were greater than moral ones.
The Argon Empire was currently acting as a breakwater to block the demon followers advancing from the East.
There was no reason to step forward when the empire was protecting the kingdom by shedding their blood.
It would have been enough to aim for the time after the fight with the East ended.
“And… we also need to divert our forces to other areas rather than invading the Empire.”
1 Henry II nodded slowly at Queen Justia’s words.
As she said, there were far more important things to do than advance into the empire.
“Daphne has requested an audience. She seems to have heard a message from a celestial voice.”
“Heaven again.”
Those beings from the distant heavens.
Of course, Henry II knew it too.
Raguel and Auriel were different.
Raguel, the Archangel of Justice, was a truly angelic being, kind and compassionate, like Solari, Eros, and Gabriel, who sacrificed themselves for the Pleiades in the past.
But still, I felt uneasy about the fact that he was a celestial being.
Because Raguel wasn’t the only archangel in heaven.
There were two more archangels, and they were both sisters.
There was no telling when Auriel would cry out for vengeance and plot an invasion of the Pleiades.
“That won’t happen.”
“Common sense would suggest that. But aren’t there already examples that defy common sense······.”
Archangel Auriel.
She loved Solari so much that she went crazy.
He tried to destroy with his own hands those whom Solari had sacrificed his life to protect.
“This is Raguel’s story, but… the other two are different from Auriel. They’re not crazy. They’re the ones who even temporarily refused to join hands with demons, right?”
1Queen Justia smiled reassuringly as she spoke, but Henry II could not nod right away.
Wasn’t it impossible to know the feelings of someone you’ve been with for a long time?
He was too hurt to trust the stories he heard from other people.
“Of course, there are practical reasons. This war resulted in the annihilation of Archangel Auriel… As a result, there are now only three Archangels left in Heaven. On the other hand, there are still five Overlords left in Hell. In other words-.”
“Is this what you want Count August Bayer and Count August Chase to do to take down the Overlord?”
“Yes, as we have said several times.”
From the heavens’ perspective, it would not have been strange for them to have been cheering them on.
“Haa… I don’t like it.”
“Me too. But… how about trusting Raguel just a little bit? Regardless of the circumstances, she lost her beloved sister. But she acknowledged her sister’s mistake and asked for our forgiveness. I think she is… someone we can trust. After all, calling a ‘god’ a human is like that.”
“Is this a personal God······.”
Henry II took another breath and nodded slowly.
If Count Mino had seen it, he would have lamented and asked if it was that kind of person, but he knew very well that when he was unsure, troubled, or unable to make a choice, it was right to follow Justia’s words.
“What is Daphne trying to say?”
“I guess you’ve decided to get help from Raguel for this ‘expedition’. Since it’s going to involve going into hell in the first place… it’s only natural to get help from angels.”
“Something has gone wrong in the world.”
Because it was a world where supernatural beings like hell, angels, and devils were common sense.
“Your Majesty, are you really okay?”
“What?”
“I’m talking about this expedition.”
1Queen Justia looked at Henry II with calm eyes and asked.
What she’s asking.
This expedition was extremely risky.
It was an invasion of another world, not a neighboring country – it was hell.
Most of the asymmetrical forces that the Kingdom had an advantage over the Empire were scheduled to participate in this expedition.
And in some cases, there was a good chance that not all of them would return.
It was such a risky choice.
As the king of a country, it might have been the right decision to oppose this expedition itself.
But Henry II shook his head.
Despite it being Justia’s question, he spoke firmly and without a moment’s hesitation.
“I have to do it.”
I had to save Uther and Cordelia.
It was absurd to leave two people alone.
“Why?”
Why do you have to go that far?
There was no smile on Justia’s face. She looked at Henry II with eyes as cold as ice and asked,
Henry II did not avert his eyes.
Although she was indecisive and weak-hearted, she showed once again why she agreed to marry Henry II.
“Because it’s the right thing to do.”
Even if he was a king, there were certain things he could not abandon.
There were things I had to protect as a human being.
Uther and Cordelia saved Henry II himself.
He saved the royal family, he saved the kingdom, he saved the entire world.
It was impossible to abandon those two people.
It was something that could never be permitted.
“Because it’s the right thing to do······.”
1Queen Justia tried to recite Henry II’s words softly, and soon smiled softly. She looked up at her king with a chuckle. She whispered with a girlish face.
“That’s why I like you.”
Because it’s the right thing to do.
Because you can say such things.
“Ahem.”
Henry II blushed and coughed, and Justia laughed again. She squeezed Henry II’s hand lightly and said,
“Okay, shall we go? Daphne will be waiting.”
“Yes, Justia.”
Henry II smiled shyly again and grabbed Justia’s hand, and this time Justia blushed as well.
The knights and maids around them turned their gazes away, hiding their pleased smiles.
&
Fran raised her head.
“inspiration.”
“Yes, Fran.”
“Ugh… You’re not an inspiration anymore. You only seem like someone my age.”
“Hmm… Objectively speaking, wouldn’t I look younger now?”
No Life King – Fran’s face crumpled at Belkian’s words as he was reborn as a vampire lord.
Because that’s actually what happened.
“I’m going to find the fountain of youth.”
“If you find it, let me know. I want to use it for research purposes.”
“Why, Gram? You’ve gotten younger and your personality has changed.”
“Isn’t that obvious? Just as the mind influences the body, the body also influences the mind.”
If Fran was a handsome man reminiscent of a beautiful woman, Belkian was a handsome man with a cold impression – a manly impression as if he were carved out of ice.
“This is a scam. Why did I grow taller after getting rejuvenated?”
“As you get older, you get shorter. You will be the same soon.”
“No? It’s still far away?”
Fran, who had been grumbling childishly, sighed deeply and looked around.
The two men were now on the battlefield.
The eastern part of the empire.
A land where war continues with demon followers advancing from the East.
It wasn’t a fierce battle.
Rather, it felt like the standoff was continuing.
In fact, it had been at least a month since Fran and Belkian had last gone into battle.
“Fran, where is Kamael now?”
Like a vampire, Belkian slept during the day and was active at night.
That’s why, whenever he wakes up, he would ask about what happened during the day.
‘But I think it was like that even when I was human.’
A nocturnal person who sleeps during the day and is active at night.
Anyway, Fran scratched her chin and answered.
“I’m finally looking back at the front line.”
“finally?”
“Oh, the letter finally arrived.”
Plan an expedition to hell.
First of all, the invasion itself was not an easy task.
It was also a task to resolve the various restrictions that would arise after the invasion.
Because of this, even though Lena and the young god Atalia were working hard, the work had been delayed for several months already.
“Is it finally over?”
“maybe.”
Fran answered with a smile, leaning back against the wall and looking up at the sky.
It was night, but I thought of the sun.
&
Letters were sent all over the continent.
Many responded to the call to assemble for the expedition.
Princess Laika led her army out of the Eternal Forest once again.
After leaving a letter of apology to Vincenzo Lombardi, Elun attempted to run away from home for the first time in her life.
The Seven-Slaughter Sword Seryu stopped wandering and headed to the royal capital.
The red wind, which had been equally blessed by all the wild gods, left the wild land proudly.
And one person.
The man who would become the main character of this expedition put down the letter.
Even after that day, he still held onto the Solar Blade that was shining by his side.
“May your muscles always be with you.”
The sun that will drive away the darkness called hell.
A person who leads everyone with a consistent back.
He also met the goddess of the nine heavens and nine gates.
Meeting her helped me make a lot of progress.
“Is this hell?”
There was no fear on Landius’ face.
Rather, a solar-like energy surged from his entire body.
“Let’s go, disciple.”
This time I’ll surprise you for real.
Landius smiled coolly and took a step forward.
Headed to the royal capital to invade hell.
&
