BXBX NOVEL Chapter 98
Things were moving faster than expected, and Damian’s expression was grim.
“Is something the matter?” asked Dianal.
“The Empire is moving faster than I anticipated.”
“There were already signs of this, weren’t there?”
Damian shook his head at Dianal’s words.
“There were signs, but they haven’t yet completely subdued the surrounding kingdoms. And besides…”
He hadn’t expected the Kingdom of Spanian to so openly defy the Empire like this.
There must have been some other factor at play.
‘Could that factor be the influence of the Caion unit?’
Originally, the Empire was supposed to use the Kingdom of Spanian to subjugate the Kingdom of Iren.
But that plan had already stumbled due to the intervention of the Caion unit…
‘Perhaps they’ve seen a glimmer of hope.’
Baroque Kingdom’s direct intervention in thwarting the Empire’s plans had given the Kingdom of Spanian a lifeline of hope.
That’s why they had immediately reached out to the Baroque Kingdom for an alliance and requested reinforcements without a second thought.
‘So… how will our kingdom respond?’
The Kingdom of Spanian was already on the verge of collapse.
The moment they joined hands with them, they would be completely turning their back on the Empire, establishing a hostile relationship.
“Should we mobilize the troops?” Dianal asked Damian.
But even Damian couldn’t easily answer that question.
“The risks are too high for what we would gain. Even if we reclaim the Kingdom of Spanian, the most we would get is a part of their territory. However…”
On the other hand, if the Baroque Kingdom managed to rally the nearby kingdoms and make a push against the Empire…
“Then the situation changes.”
“…What?”
“Let’s wait for now. It’s not something we can decide anyway.”
But one thing was clear.
Whether they deployed troops now or not.
‘We will inevitably clash with the Empire soon.’
And the higher-ups must be aware of this as well.
—
“This is far too dangerous.”
“But nothing will change if we just stand by and watch.”
Kiaran addressed the gathered ministers with conviction.
“Please authorize the deployment of our troops, Your Majesty. If we miss this opportunity and the Empire swallows up the Kingdom of Spanian, the Kingdom of Tirkan, and the Kingdom of Seilonian, it will be too late to stop them.”
Even though the massive Kingdom of Artian stood behind them, it was the Kingdom of Baroque that would bear the brunt of the initial attack.
The Kingdom of Artian would remain unscathed and be able to defend itself without suffering any initial damage.
Kiaran pointed to the map and said,
“We must think rationally. This could be the beginning of a war between our kingdom and the Empire.”
Fortunately, the Kingdom of Iren had formed an alliance with the Baroque Kingdom thanks to the Caion unit’s previous intervention.
“But now the Kingdom of Spanian has extended its hand to us instead of the Empire. For the Kingdom of Spanian, this is a huge gamble.”
If they fail, their nation could be annihilated.
They had no choice but to fight the Empire with all their might.
“This would naturally lead to a triple alliance between Baroque, Spanian, and Iren. If we can either bring in the Kingdom of Tirkan and the Kingdom of Seilonian, or keep them from interfering and engage the Empire in war, we could then push north…”
He pointed to a specific area on the map with his stick.
“We could swallow the southern region of the Empire, grant it to the Kingdom of Spanian, and absorb part of their territory into our own kingdom.”
That way, the Kingdom of Spanian would naturally become the first line of defense against the Empire.
For the Baroque Kingdom, if the plan went well, it would be a huge gain.
“Hmm… what do the other ministers think?”
“Your Majesty, the Empire wouldn’t make such a move unless they were confident.”
“That’s right. According to the spies we’ve planted in the Empire… a new Aura Master has emerged.”
“…What?”
“An Aura Master? Are you saying their numbers have increased?”
“That’s a strong possibility.”
The presence of an Aura Master alone could significantly boost a nation’s power.
If the Empire had indeed produced another Aura Master, it would explain their sudden movements.
However…
“War isn’t waged by a single individual.”
Kiaran spoke up, trying to calm the confused ministers.
“Of course, we cannot ignore the power of an Aura Master, but they alone do not decide the outcome of a war.”
“Hmm…”
“But still…”
Despite Kiaran’s words, many ministers remained hesitant. Then…
“I don’t know what everyone else is thinking, but it seems we are overlooking something very important.”
All eyes turned to Baroque’s chancellor, Mateurus, as he spoke.
He continued,
“Commander Kiaran’s main point is that if we don’t mobilize our forces now, we will have to face an Empire that has absorbed the Kingdom of Spanian and the surrounding kingdoms.”
“That’s correct.”
Kiaran affirmed.
War with the Empire was inevitable.
Since the Empire had revealed its fangs, they too had to fight in the most favorable conditions possible.
“This could be an opportunity for us. If we don’t take the Kingdom of Spanian’s hand now, they will fall completely into the Empire’s grasp.”
“Commander of the 6th Corps.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The King of Baroque, Benzerden Baroque III, who had been silently observing the discussion, called on Kiaran.
Kiaran quickly knelt down on one knee and bowed his head before Benzerden.
The king spoke.
“How many troops are ready to move right now?”
“I have stationed 10,000 soldiers at the border, ready to cross into the Kingdom of Spanian at any moment. Additionally, three knight orders and one independent unit are prepared for deployment.”
With the order to mobilize the troops, Kiaran had already completed all preparations to immediately depart.
Benzerden turned his head to address the ministers.
“Hear my words.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
As if he had made up his mind, Benzerden’s words prompted the ministers to bow their heads and respond.
Then, Benzerden spoke.
“I believe this situation is a part of history’s course. Those with power desire to use it, and it is only natural that they reveal their ambitions.”
However, that didn’t mean they could just sit back and let themselves be trampled.
Benzerden made his decision clear.
“From this moment, our kingdom will raise its army and fight against the Empire that threatens the peace of the continent. Immediately send envoys along with the army to the Kingdom of Spanian. And, Mateurus.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Coordinate with the Foreign Ministry to inform the Kingdom of Iren, as well as the Kingdom of Seilonian and the Kingdom of Tirkan, of this development and solidify our alliance.”
“I will see to it.”
“Commander of the 6th Corps.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
When Kiaran responded, Benzerden continued.
“Move the troops stationed at the border to the Kingdom of Spanian immediately. Also, other commanders should prepare their forces to swiftly respond to any battles that may arise elsewhere.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
It was now official.
War with the Empire.
The ministers, now dismissed, hurriedly headed to their respective posts.
—
“Deployment.”
No sooner had the order been given than the members of the Caion unit quickly packed their equipment and assembled in formation.
Leonhark looked at Damian and spoke.
“It seems the situation is dire. Be careful.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it well and return safely.”
The Caion unit would support the 6th Corps’ forces by disrupting the enemy and attacking from the flanks.
‘I’m not sure how many troops the Kingdom of Spanian has…’
Upon their return, they would likely be facing an overwhelming force.
“This battle may be of an entirely different scale than anything we’ve fought before.”
The previous battles had been large, but when the Empire’s commander died, they had retreated.
Given that, it hadn’t been as dangerous as it could have been.
But this time…
“A lot is riding on this battle for both sides. I’ll make it clear now—don’t show mercy to the enemy in front of you. Don’t hesitate. If you allow yourself to falter, that place will become your grave.”
And…
“Make sure you all come back alive.”
It was the command Damian always emphasized.
Don’t die.
The members of the Caion unit shouted in unison.
“Yes, sir!”
“Caion Unit, move out!”
Their destination was the Kingdom of Spanian.
The Caion unit began their march.
—
“So this is the choice you’ve made.”
“Hahaha, knight of the Empire, no matter how sharp your sword may be, it cannot cut through the will of the people.”
The king of the Kingdom of Spanian, Itelior Spanian, had made his final decision.
Even if they all perished.
“We refuse to be your dogs.”
Itelior had broken through the Empire’s ironclad blockade and sent messages requesting alliances from the Kingdom of Baroque and other nearby nations.
Though he and most of the royal family would likely perish, the Kingdom of Spanian would not fall.
Besides, in the chaos, he had managed to secretly smuggle the child out of the palace.
‘That alone is enough.’
As long as the royal bloodline continued, the Kingdom of Spanian would not be extinguished.
Itelior looked at the Imperial knight, Fiarentale.
“You’re said to be the Empire’s third Aura Master? Yet seeing you here suggests that you aren’t treated very well, are you?”
Itelior had already resigned himself to death.
There was nothing he couldn’t say.
But Fiarentale merely smiled at Itelior’s words.
“You seem to have the luxury to babble on, even with your life on the line.”
“Hahaha, what is there to fear from a mere dog of the Empire? Especially one who isn’t even acknowledged by its master… ugh!”
Before Itelior could finish his words, Fiarentale stabbed his sword into his shoulder.
As the sword twisted in his shoulder, Itelior let out a scream that echoed through the hall.
“Aaaargh!”
With a sickening sound, something snapped, and Itelior’s scream filled the hall.
Fiarentale spoke, his tone nonchalant.
“See? Your senseless prattle has rendered your arm useless.”
He had severed all the tendons connecting the shoulder to the arm, making it completely unusable.
But beneath his calm demeanor, a strange bloodlust gleamed in his eyes.
“A discarded dog, huh… Considering my situation, I suppose that isn’t entirely inaccurate.”
But if one looked deeper, who would dare call Fiarentale a discarded dog?
“O fallen king, listen well. I am not a discarded dog… I am a wolf yet to find its master.”
Shluk!
“Urgh!”
As he pulled out the sword, crimson blood gushed from the wound.
Fiarentale wiped the blood off his sword on the king’s clothes and said,
“Ah, now that I think of it, it seemed like some rats were scurrying out of the palace.”
“…!”
Itelior’s eyes widened in shock.
He could guess well enough what Fiarentale meant by ‘rats.’
Itelior’s body trembled as he shouted,
“You bastard!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be back here soon enough. Of course…”
Fiarentale’s eyes gleamed as he paused, and then his lips curled into a sinister smile.
“When I return, everyone will already be dead. Including that last remaining… royal brat.”
“You bastard!”
Itelior roared in rage, but Fiarentale merely chuckled, his laughter echoing through the hall.