Emperor of Steel [EN]: Chapter 134

2. The Appearance of a New Apostle

1

Saxony, one of the many provinces of the Holy Artenia Empire.

The capital of Saxony was Bremen.

Archbishop Antero, the leader of this region, received a report that zombies, undead monsters, had appeared in his diocese.

He contacted the nearby temple and dispatched priests and paladins to investigate whether this was an intentional act by a dark magician or a natural occurrence.

However, the report that came in a few days later was shocking.

People infected with a strange disease were dying and turning into zombies, and the rate of infection was incredibly fast.

The disease, which first broke out in rural villages, had spread through the lord’s castle within half a month and was now reaching small and medium-sized cities in the province.

In response, Archbishop Antero mobilized the lords within Saxony, as well as his priests and paladins, to try to contain the situation.

However, as time passed, the number of zombies increased exponentially, and even among the priests and paladins who had set out to eradicate them, some were infected and lost their lives.

‘How can such an absurd thing happen! Those who serve God becoming undead!’

‘Your Excellency, Archbishop, they have not become undead. They have only died showing the same symptoms as the zombified patients.’

‘That’s right. Unlike ordinary people, the symptoms of the priests and paladins became so severe that they spontaneously combusted and burned to death.’

Despite the reports from the high-ranking priests, Archbishop Antero did not easily relax his expression.

Even though they had not become undead, he was displeased by the fact that the clergy had failed to overcome the disease.

‘Regardless, is there no way to stop the zombie disease?’

‘We are eliminating the zombies as we find them, but the problem is the infected or suspected patients. If we try to treat them with divine power, their bodies ignite and they die, and if we leave them alone, they eventually die and become zombies…’

‘Ugh, this is a mess!’

Archbishop Antero sighed deeply, feeling frustrated.

Eventually, feeling his limitations, he had no choice but to report to the Holy Palace of Bless and request assistance.

– Those who are sick are turning into zombies?

Magic communication with the Pope of the Holy Palace.

Veronica III, Reina, nodded with a grim expression at the question.

‘Yes, Your Holiness. The zombie disease is also highly contagious and is spreading rapidly in all directions.’

– Not long ago, didn’t the symptoms seem similar to the strange disease that was prevalent in the capital of the Baroque Empire?

Luke, who had visited last time, said that the strange disease was called Bers, which had led the ancient magic civilization to ruin.

Having heard that it had an enormous rate of infection and mortality, Reina naturally thought of Bers.

‘It was completely different. This zombie disease does not cause high fever symptoms, but rather the flesh rots and the internal organs become necrotic, and once infected, everyone becomes a zombie. Moreover, if you try to treat the infected with divine power, they all turn to ashes and die.’

Because of this, the infected or suspected patients were afraid and refused treatment or ran away.

These people soon became zombies and attacked others, repeating the vicious cycle.

‘The public sentiment in Saxony is not good because there is no way to stop the disease, and the reputation of the clergy is getting worse by the day. I think we need to take action somehow.’

In fact, there was a way, though not ideal.

Just like Emperor Rudolf of the Baroque Empire had done, there was a way to gather all the infected or suspected patients and eliminate them.

However, if such oppressive and cruel acts were committed, public sentiment would plummet to its lowest point.

Moreover, since the initial outbreak and infection of the zombie disease had not been clearly identified, such an act would only be a temporary measure.

That is why Antero did not propose this method.

‘First, please dispatch the Undying Legion and the ‘Guardians of the Holy Grail’. I will have them block the spread and find out the cause of the disease.’

– My goodness… Is it to the point where their power is needed?

Unlike the Undying Legion, a military group composed of the best paladins of the Holy Empire, the Guardians of the Holy Grail were an organization of priests strategically fostered by the clergy to defeat monsters and demons.

They had deeper faith and higher divine power than ordinary priests, but they were hardly known to the outside world.

Usually, they quietly stayed in temples or monasteries in various places, and only appeared when a major crisis arose on the continent or in the Holy Empire.

But to request their dispatch!

‘This is a situation that cannot be handled by ordinary means. It is highly likely that it is the work of someone with a power that is more sinister than we know or think.’

If it was an intentional act by a specific force, it was certain that they had a very sinister intention.

The fact that they had spread a disease that the priests could not handle meant that they were trying to undermine the Holy Empire, which was maintained by the authority of the Elkasel Order [the religious order of the Holy Artenia Empire].

‘Anyway, we must take action quickly. The current estimated number of zombies is in the tens of thousands, and the number of patients is increasing by ten thousand every day. If we leave it for another month, not only Saxony but the entire Holy Empire will suffer a major blow.’

Saxony was just a single province of the Holy Empire, but it was a key point with well-developed transportation.

If the epidemic was not contained quickly, it would truly spread throughout the empire.

– I see. I will send support as soon as possible.

Reina, with a stern face, ended the magic communication with Archbishop Antero and immediately convened a meeting.

Not only Marquis Gregory, the commander of the Undying Legion, but also high-ranking officials of the Papal Court, such as Priest Luther, gathered at her emergency summons.

‘Some of you may have already received reports, but it is said that an unidentified epidemic called the zombie disease is currently spreading in Saxony.’

‘Zombie disease?’

Priest Luther asked, tilting his head.

‘Yes. It is not an ordinary epidemic, and it is said that if you get sick and die, you become a zombie.’

‘Huh! Such an outrageous thing!’

At the high-ranking priests’ sighs, Reina began to explain in detail the story she had heard from Archbishop Antero.

At first, they thought it was just a dark magician’s rampage or an epidemic with slightly unusual symptoms, but as her story progressed, they realized that the situation was serious.

‘Your Holiness, we must dispatch an investigation team immediately!’

‘Not only that, but we must immediately seal off Saxony and block people’s passage. If the zombie disease spreads to another province, it will be a disaster.’

‘That’s true, but I think we should send priests and paladins to save the people. Of course, we may not be able to save the patients who are already sick, but we can prevent the disease from spreading faster due to zombie attacks.’

Reina nodded at Priest Luther’s words.

‘Archbishop of Saxony has already asked for the Undying Legion and the Guardians of the Holy Grail.’

‘Wouldn’t it take some time to summon the Guardians of the Holy Grail? Let’s send the Undying Legion first.’

Everyone agreed with Grand Duke Gregory’s opinion.

After that, everything went smoothly.

About an hour later, it was decided to dispatch one squadron of the Undying Legion, 200 priests with excellent divine power and medical skills, and about 30,000 soldiers to support and assist them to Saxony.

With that much power, they could easily subdue even a mid-level demon.

Thus, the Holy Empire seemed to be regaining its peace.

2

Ten days later, shocking news was delivered to the imperial capital, Bless.

The support army that had left for Saxony had been annihilated, and Bremen, the capital of Saxony, had been captured by zombies.

This news turned the imperial capital upside down. It was the first defeat of the Undying Legion, which was thought to be invincible.

‘Oh my god! How could this happen…’

‘Th-then what about my brother? What happened to the soldiers who left to support the Undying Legion?’

‘Haven’t you heard? They were annihilated. Unfortunately, they are probably wandering somewhere in Saxony as zombies by now.’

‘N-no way! There are branches of three of the seven major sects of the clergy in Bremen! Did they not even stop them?’

The shock and anxiety of the people of Bless were enormous.

Rumors about the zombie disease had already spread, and they thought that the disease would not be easily eradicated.

However, they had expected that the zombies would be completely eliminated to prevent them from spreading further, but instead, they had been annihilated!

‘It’s okay. His Holiness the Pope will step in and solve it.’

‘Hmph, what can the Pope do? They say there are hundreds of thousands of zombies. Moreover, they say that whether it’s a zombie or a patient, they turn to ashes when they touch divine power? Isn’t it the same as dying?’

‘I certainly want to refuse such salvation.’

‘Me too. It would be one thing to live and die according to fate…’

An event that further confused the anxious people of the imperial capital occurred.

Forces that had been opposing the Pope’s reform policies had claimed that this incident was a divine punishment caused by the fake angel Pope and the corrupt priests who supported him.

A representative figure among those who made such claims was Archbishop Constantine.

He, who had once been the Pope’s regent and controlled state affairs, openly came out to the central square of the imperial capital and criticized the Pope and his faction.

‘The zombie disease is a divine punishment! God is punishing the witch and her faction, who are deceiving the world, and those who follow them!’

At his words, the people who supported the Pope shouted and protested.

‘What nonsense are you talking about? You must have seen how many miracles His Holiness the Pope has performed!’

‘Moreover, you were the one who established the Pope as an apostle of God! You are shameless. Don’t spread false rumors when you were kicked out for being greedy and tyrannical!’

‘That’s right! More than that, are you sure you are Archbishop Constantine? Aren’t you Constantine’s illegitimate child?’

Some people even doubted Constantine’s identity.

There were rumors that Archbishop Constantine had become a wreck after being purged by the Pope.

There were even people who had witnessed his wrecked state.

However, he had appeared as young as if he had gone back in time, so it was not unreasonable to be suspicious.

At these people’s reactions, Constantine snorted.

‘The reason I regained my youth is because the Lord Elkasel forgave my sins for being deceived by the witch and made me a true apostle.’

The people, who were speechless for a moment at Constantine’s words, soon began to jeer.

‘That’s ridiculous. You’re an apostle?’

‘If you’re a real apostle, show us proof! Proof!’

‘Yeah, show us a miracle like His Holiness the Pope!’

At the fierce jeers, Constantine did not panic, but rather smiled meaningfully.

‘Proof? Miracles? Good! I will show you clearly. Who is the true apostle of Lord Elkasel!’

Constantine winked at Count Marquez, who was next to him.

Then, Marquez pulled a cart that was set up on one side of the square and removed the black cloth covering the cart.

Kieeeeeee!

Kikkikkikki!

What was writhing and screaming in the cart surrounded by iron bars were surprisingly zombies.

As soon as they saw people, they bared their teeth as if they were about to pounce, and stretched their hands out of the iron bars, waving them around.

‘Kyaaaaaaak! Zombies!’

‘You crazy bastards! Why are there zombies in the imperial capital…!’

“Call the Holy Knights! We need to get rid of those zombies right now!”

The people were horrified. They never imagined that zombies would appear in the middle of the imperial capital.

As chaos erupted, Constantine emitted a dazzling light from his entire body and shouted, “Everyone, be quiet! These zombies were captured in the Saxon region to prove that this incident is a divine punishment from the Lord, and that I have become a true apostle. So, there is no need to be afraid.”

His voice, filled with dignity and confidence, carried a subtle divine power that calmed people’s hearts. Not only that, but it also made the fiercely rampaging zombies as docile as lambs.

As the commotion subsided, Constantine looked around at the people and said, “Now, everyone, watch closely. I, a true apostle of God, will use the power given to me by the Lord to return them to human form.”

“Don’t talk such nonsense!” A middle-aged priest stepped forward from the crowd. This priest, named Keaton, was a member of the Holy Order and was well-known among the people for his efforts in relieving poverty in the imperial capital.

His personality was even more fastidious than Luther’s, and despite being summoned by Veronica III, he had repeatedly refused to participate in politics, saying that priests should be devoted to service and relief.

“Zombies are undead. Though they were once human, they are beings that have deviated from the providence of God! It makes no sense for God to turn living people into zombies as a divine punishment, and it is impossible to turn zombies back into humans!”

Constantine sneered at Keaton’s claim. “Priest Keaton, you are the one who does not know the greatness of God. Don’t you know that making the impossible possible is the power of God, that is, a miracle?”

“I know. But I don’t think you, who are stained with desire, can do what His Holiness the Pope can.”

Keaton, having stated that, glared at Constantine and continued, “I have been watching your actions for a long time. So, I know very well what purpose you are putting on this show for. Those are definitely not real zombies, but actors in disguise to help with your show.”

“Do you really think so? If you don’t believe it, why don’t you check it yourself?” As Constantine stepped aside as if to say, ‘Go ahead,’ Keaton approached the cart, reached out his hand towards the zombies, and began to pray.

“Father in heaven, here is your child who follows your word…” As his prayer continued, a faint milky white divine power emanated from his body.

Kieeeeeeeek!

Pshhhhhh—!

And with a scream, the zombie closest to Keaton turned to ash and disappeared. Keaton was flustered at the sight.

“N-no!”

“Oh, what a great talent for an actor. To turn to ash in an instant!” Count Marquez clapped sarcastically.

Constantine, waving his hand as if to stop him, looked at the people and spoke again. “As you can see, they are real. I will show the power of a true apostle to those who boast about their divine power, which is nothing more than a speck of dust borrowed through a pretentious monastic life, so watch closely.”

Constantine, pushing aside the dumbfounded Keaton, approached the cart and extended his right hand towards the zombies. Then, a hazy light emanating from his hand enveloped the zombies. But instead of crumbling into ash, the zombies slowly began to transform back into their human forms!

The rotten skin regenerated, and the hair that had fallen out began to grow back. Not only that, the damaged vocal cords were restored, and instead of a bizarre cry, they began to speak human words, albeit hesitantly.

“Wh-where am I?”

“Wh-why am I in an iron cage…?” Unlike them, who were bewildered, the crowd was greatly agitated. It was truly an unbelievable event.

“Zombies are turning back into humans!”

“Good heavens! Am I dreaming?” While the people were loudly buzzing with surprise, Constantine spoke to Keaton, who had a confused expression.

“I know very well what you are thinking. You must be thinking that I have tricked people’s eyes with some trickery.”

“…”

“If you are suspicious, why don’t you check it yourself?” At Constantine’s suggestion, Keaton approached the people who had been zombies until just now and stroked them with his hand imbued with divine power.

Twitch. Startled by the sudden contact, they stepped back. However, contrary to Keaton’s expectation that the area touched would turn to ash and disappear, it seemed more vibrant than before. It looked as if he had healed a person with divine power.

“It’s real. The undead have become human again!” With Keaton’s words, the last bit of doubt that people had harbored disappeared. Then, people in the crowd began to kneel and offer prayers of repentance.

“An apostle! A true apostle of God has appeared!”

“Oh, Lord Elkasel! Please forgive my sins for being deceived by the witch!” Many of those who offered repentance were shills that Count Marquez had prepared in advance. However, there were also many people who were swayed by the miracle that Constantine had shown.

“Apostle! Please save us from divine punishment!”

“We will do whatever you command!” At their cries, the crowd, who had been half-believing at first, were swept up in the atmosphere and began to kneel one by one. Constantine looked at the thousands of people prostrating before him and smiled triumphantly. And he ostentatiously scattered a hazy light.

“Those who desire salvation, follow me! I will make you the masters of the true kingdom of God!” At Constantine’s declaration, his subordinates, including Count Marquez, shouted in unison.

“Follow the true apostle!”

“Purify the corrupt clergy!”

“We must overthrow the witch and restore the Holy Empire!” The shouts of dozens of people soon spread to thousands. This incident, which made the square noisy, began to spread to the imperial capital, Bless, and its surrounding areas within a day.

Another storm of discord began to blow in the Holy Empire of Artenia, which had been stabilizing due to Reina’s reform policies.

3

“What? Constantine, that man? I can’t believe it!”

“But it’s true!” The incident that occurred in the central square was soon reported to the Holy Palace. It wasn’t that they heard rumors from mouth to mouth, but that they found out when the crowd, excited by Count Marquez’s instigation, tried to break into the Holy Palace.

The riot was immediately suppressed by the Holy Palace’s guards and the Undying Legion. However, the expressions of the officials and priests were not bright. This was the first time that those who opposed Veronica III had gathered so quickly and on such a large scale to stage a protest since her ascension to the throne.

The bigger problem was that they were not priests or nobles seeking power, but ordinary people. “It seems that there are more people who are anxious about the zombie disease than I expected.” At Reina’s words, Grand Duke Gregory nodded.

“It’s no wonder they feel fear, as the disease is spreading rapidly without any countermeasures. However, I didn’t expect public sentiment to change so easily.” Priest Luther spoke as if to comfort him at his lament.

“It’s not completely turned yet. Only a few have seen Constantine’s miracle.” “What if that few continues to grow? If I were Constantine, I would go around showing miracles of turning zombies back into people everywhere.” In fact, Archbishop Constantine was doing ‘performances’ in Bless and nearby cities, gathering followers as Gregory had predicted.

However, public sentiment did not change as quickly as Constantine himself had thought. This was because there were many people who remembered his past misdeeds, or those who had been given a breather by Reina’s reform policies.

“But where did Archbishop Constantine get such power?” Through Priest Keaton, they heard that Constantine’s transformation of zombies into humans was not a scam or a trick.

“Well, maybe he secretly joined hands with the guys who spread the zombie disease.” At Reina’s question, Grand Duke Gregory answered with a slight sarcasm. However, he did not know that his guess was almost accurate.

In any case, Gregory, Luther, and other close aides of the Pope did not believe that the zombie disease was a divine punishment or that Constantine was a true apostle, even if they acknowledged the miracle. This was because they knew his past tyranny better than anyone else.

“Your Holiness, we must immediately arrest Constantine, who is spreading false rumors.” “That’s right. We must arrest him, find out what his relationship is with the zombie disease, and find a cure. So, please give the order right away!” Despite the requests of her subordinates, Reina shook her head.

“We must not do that.” “Your Holiness!” To everyone who had an incomprehensible expression, Reina revealed her thoughts. “I also want to find out the cure for the disease as soon as possible, but I don’t think we can find it by arresting Archbishop Constantine.”

Reina also did not believe that this incident was the will of God. She thought it was the work of those who were trying to shake the Holy Artenia Empire for some purpose. ‘Who spread the zombie disease? Is it the Baroque Empire? According to him, the Empire had an ancient plague germ called Bers, so it might be related to this incident.’

Moreover, the Baroque Empire had enough reason to put the Holy Empire in trouble. The Holy Artenia Empire had been competing with the Baroque Empire for dominance of the continent for the past 500 years, and was currently militarily pressuring the Baroque Empire in the east.

In addition, the Baroque Empire was in a honeymoon relationship with the rebel force, the Symphonia Kingdom. Considering that they secretly supported Duke Perriad in the past to cause a civil war in the Holy Empire, it was highly likely that they had instigated the disgraced Constantine. She didn’t know how, though.

“If there is a specific force behind the zombie disease, they will cut off their tail the moment we arrest Constantine.” “That’s right. There’s no reason to make him a martyr.” At Reina’s words, Grand Duke Gregory nodded as if in agreement. Even if it wasn’t Constantine, there were forces who were dissatisfied with the Pope.

In other words, there are plenty of others who could replace Constantine.

‘Your Holiness, what will you do then?’

There’s no immediate way to stop the zombie disease.

And if arresting Constantine won’t reveal a way to turn those infected back into humans, what on earth should they do?

After a moment of thought, Reina answered Priest Luther’s question.

‘I plan to try and appease Constantine. If what he wants is power, I’m willing to give it to him.’

‘Th-that is…’

‘Right now, it’s important to save the people and ease their anxiety as quickly as possible.’

Reina was willing to give up her position as Pope if it meant saving the people.

The next day, after making her decision, Reina sent a messenger to Constantine’s mansion.

However, the Pope’s messenger was turned away at the door.

‘Your Holiness, Archbishop Constantine said he has no intention of speaking with you.’

‘What’s the reason? Is it because I’m a false angel, a witch?’

At Reina’s words, the messenger couldn’t bring himself to answer and simply nodded.

In fact, Constantine had spewed even harsher insults.

‘I see. I’ll have to meet him myself.’

Everyone tried to dissuade her, but Reina wouldn’t change her mind.

However, she couldn’t meet Constantine.

Fearing arrest, he had vanished without a trace.

In fact, after he disappeared, rumors spread that ‘the silver-haired witch of the Holy Palace is trying to kill the Apostle of God.’

‘What will you do now?’

Reina, who had been looking troubled at Priest Luther’s question, answered.

‘I will go to the Saxon region with the Holy Grail Guardians.’

‘Huh? Wh-why there…?’

‘Why? Of course, it’s to go save people.’

At Reina’s words, her retainers strongly opposed her plan.

Firstly, it was dangerous because it was a place swarming with zombies, and secondly, her divine power could have the opposite effect.

‘Your Holiness’s divine power, which is nothing short of a miracle, might be able to save those infected with the zombie disease. But if it doesn’t, you could earn the stigma of being a slaughter saint, a massacre angel.’

‘That might be true. But I have no intention of staying here doing nothing.’

Having said that, Reina revealed another reason for going to Saxon.

‘And if I go there, I might be able to meet Archbishop Constantine. If he has the power to save people, he’ll be able to gain that many more followers.’

‘Certainly, if it’s Constantine…’

The retainers agreed with Reina’s words, but they couldn’t readily send her to the Saxon region, so they tried to persuade her several times.

However, her will was so firm that they eventually gave in.

Instead, in addition to Grand Duke Gregory and the Immortal Knights, who were to accompany her for her safety, they also had the Holy Grail Guardians, who had been urgently summoned, join them.

Of course, her movements were kept top secret.

4

Around the time the Holy Empire was in turmoil due to the zombie disease, the atmosphere in the Baroque Empire was at its worst.

Earl Macmillan, the head of the intelligence department, even left a will for his family before heading to the war room.

That’s how bad the news he had to deliver to the Emperor was.

‘Your Majesty, I am sorry to report, but Marquis Vanden was defeated in a Gigantic Duel [a duel between warriors piloting giant war machines] and taken prisoner, causing the support troops to scatter.’

Emperor Rudolf, who had been discussing the redeployment of troops with Voltaire, jumped up at Macmillan’s report.

‘What? You’re saying they collapsed without even lasting a day?’

‘Th-that is… it seems he took a reckless gamble to turn the tide.’

‘That idiot!’

Macmillan trembled like an aspen, bowing his head at the Emperor’s fierce anger.

It seemed as if the enraged Emperor’s sword would fly at any moment, but fortunately for him, the Emperor didn’t reach for his sword hilt.

‘I had a bad feeling about it when he snitched on the Imperial Guard through magic communication!’

So he had worried that Vanden might surrender to the rebels in the south.

But to think he would collapse in just one day!

‘What an idiot! If I had known this would happen, I would have sent someone else as commander…’

But regret is always too late, no matter how fast it comes.

Rudolf shook his head and spoke to Macmillan, who was still flustered.

‘Putting Vanden aside, what about the Imperial Guard? Has Curian contacted you?’

‘Th-the Imperial Guard is under Your Majesty’s direct command, so how would I know?’

‘Tch!’

Rudolf frowned, but he didn’t yell. Earl Macmillan’s words weren’t wrong.

The Imperial Guard always reported directly to the Emperor.

Of course, they sometimes reported through the military or intelligence department, but that was only when they had been given separate instructions in advance. And this time, he hadn’t given any such instructions.

‘It’s about time they contacted me, but the fact that there’s no news at all means something must have happened.’

While Rudolf was lost in thought, Earl Voltaire cautiously asked a question.

‘Your Majesty, now that the situation in the south is like this, what will you do with the troops deployed in the west? Will you move them?’

Originally, Rudolf had intended to entrust Vanden with the task of repelling the Symphonia Kingdom army.

However, Sherwood Castle was captured too quickly, so he had no choice but to change his plans.

So, he decided to secretly and quickly move the 60,000 troops and 400 Gigants that had been deployed in the west to conquer the Kingdom of Livia to the south, in order to reclaim the lost territory.

The plan was to have Vanden, who was leading the support troops, attack Sherwood Castle while they moved along a detour to strike the enemy’s rear, but Vanden had collapsed too miserably.

They had to revise the operation.

‘Move them for now. The support troops are gone, but we will enter the south through the detour as originally planned and wipe out the rebels.’

‘Not drive them out, but wipe them out?’

‘That’s right. We will kill every last one of the rebels. Not just north of the Bariand Mountains, but beyond them, all the way to the southern sea!’

Rudolf intended to recover the lost territory and punish the rebels who called themselves the Symphonia Kingdom.

Luke de Rakan’s actions this time were more daring and dangerous than those of the late Marquis Myers or the thorn in his side, Reichardt.

‘Now that Sherwood Castle has fallen, the central region of the Empire is bound to be in danger. If I don’t crush the one who put a knife to my throat first…!’

If he just stood by and got beaten without retaliating, no noble would trust and follow him in the future.

To establish the Emperor’s authority, it was necessary to deal with Luke and the Symphonia Kingdom decisively.

‘Understood. I will issue the order to move the Western Army immediately.’

‘Yes, leave only the minimum defensive force in the west. We must proceed secretly so that the rebels don’t notice.’

It seemed as if the Symphonia expedition was about to be decided.

However, the situation did not go as Rudolf intended.

The current Western Army included not only the original Western Army but also elite troops from the provinces and the center, making it three times larger than its original formation.

With so many people, it was impossible to avoid being discovered, no matter how secretly they moved.

Less than two days after the main force of the Western Army left the western border, the relevant information reached Shaikhan’s ears.

‘Your Majesty, the Western Army of the Baroque Empire is withdrawing from the border.’

‘Hmph, it seems the Symphonia bastards have hit Rudolf hard in the back of the head.’

The day after Shaikhan gave a meaningful smile, the Livia Kingdom army crossed the border in a blitz.

They deployed a special unit consisting of Gigants, cavalry, and fast-moving monsters, and attacked the rear of the Western Army, which was moving south.

The Western Army, which had not expected the enemy outside the border to penetrate deep into their territory and attack, was caught off guard.

The surprise attack resulted in the destruction of dozens of Gigants and the deaths of thousands of knights and soldiers.

The number of Gigants that were damaged or soldiers who were injured was more than double that.

In the end, the Western Army stopped moving and informed Emperor Rudolf of the Livia Kingdom army’s attack.

‘What? You’re saying the Livia Kingdom bastards sent a special unit to attack the rear of the Western Army?’

‘Yes, Your Majesty! The damage to our forces is considerable.’

‘Kuh! Reichardt, you bastard!’

While Rudolf was fuming, other messengers came in with urgent news.

‘Your Majesty! The Volga Republic is attacking the fortresses on the northern border!’

‘There are riots of people refusing to pay taxes and conscription in the eastern and central regions. If we don’t deal with it quickly…’

Faced with a series of bad news, Rudolf looked half-dazed before bursting into a hollow laugh.

‘Hahaha! Not only jackals, but now even rats are attacking? I never thought I’d ever experience something like this. Hahahaha!’

‘Y-Your Majesty!’

Voltaire, Macmillan, and the other retainers were flustered and sweating at the Emperor’s unusual reaction.

After laughing hollowly for a while, Rudolf suddenly drew his sword from his waist and slammed it into the marble floor.

Kwaaang—!

The marble, which had been replaced not long ago, shattered into pieces, sending fragments flying everywhere.

However, Rudolf didn’t even blink an eye and gave an order.

‘Gather as many troops as possible! I will personally go out and kill every last one of those rats and jackals!’

The Emperor, consumed by rage, issued a general mobilization order throughout the Empire.

Until now, he had tried to suppress the enemies with the central army as much as possible, but now he thought that there was a limit to that.

The entire Baroque Empire began to stir at his general mobilization order.

In addition to the local territorial armies, the nobles’ private soldiers flocked to the capital, and all young men between the ages of 18 and 30 were conscripted and sent to the army.

Blacksmiths and workshops in various regions began to focus on producing weapons such as spears, swords, and shields instead of farming tools and daily necessities.

The Baroque Empire, which was facing the greatest chaos and crisis since its founding due to simultaneous invasions and internal strife in the south, west, and north, whether Emperor Rudolf will be able to overcome this crisis wisely remains to be seen.