Emperor of Steel [EN]: Chapter 187

8. Aftermath

1

Two days from Nemesis.

Rayna, having joined the Continental Alliance Army’s 3rd Corps alongside the 2nd and 3rd Undead Squadrons, was occupied with purifying zombies.

Fortunately, the purification operation was progressing smoothly.

As soon as a zombie soldier was reported, immediate action was taken, with areas cordoned off to prevent the spread to nearby towns or cities.

“Capture them! Surround them so they don’t scatter!”

“What are the shield soldiers in the north doing! There are some escaping that way! Block them quickly!”

On the vast plain, 50,000 soldiers were contending with approximately 30,000 zombies.

The zombies, encircled by the 3rd Corps, thrashed about trying to escape, but they couldn’t easily break free.

The 3rd Corps had made thorough preparations to contain the zombies.

They had dug moats using Gigants [large, powerful war machines], and even built sturdy earthen walls and wooden fences.

Moreover, unlike the 3rd Corps, which moved systematically according to formations and tactics, the zombies simply swarmed after their prey.

“The large-scale outbreak of zombies is due to those who are condoning or spreading them from behind. Dealing with them is also important.”

Rayna, who had experienced the zombie soldier situation, shared various related information.

In response, the 3rd Corps commanders focused not only on encircling the zombies but also on identifying and eliminating those involved in the infection or controlling the zombies.

During this pursuit and identification, the black mages of the Veritas Magic Tower quickly turned tail and ran, or were exposed and killed.

Thanks to this, the zombies’ movements remained simple rather than strategic.

“Keeeek!”

“Aaaah! My arm… !”

A soldier at the front of the encirclement screamed after being bitten by a zombie.

As he thrashed about in terror, an officer approached and smacked him on the head.

“You idiot! Don’t make a fuss over just being bitten!”

“B-but…”

“Before you become a zombie, His Holiness will save you. The guys in charge of luring the zombies also went out there believing that!”

As the officer said, there were hundreds of isolated soldiers in the center of the zombie horde.

They were the cavalry who had lured the zombies to this plain.

Nearly half of them had been bitten and turned into zombies during the process of coming here and holding out, but the rest were desperately holding on.

Even if the Pope could heal them, being bitten and turning into a zombie was not a pleasant prospect.

“How long do we have to hold out?”

“Until His Holiness is ready! So, hold on with all your might!”

“Can’t we just push them all away with the Gigants?”

As a young soldier looked at the Gigants standing like walls, blocking the zombies, with a regretful gaze, the veterans next to him shouted.

“Hey, you idiot! Imagine you became a zombie! There are quite a few allies among them!”

“That’s right, my hometown friend is in there too!”

At their shouts, the young soldier made a sullen face and went back to blocking the zombies.

While the 3rd Corps, with Gigants and shield soldiers at the forefront, was struggling to form an encirclement, the 3rd Corps commander and high-ranking officers were anxiously watching the situation from a cliff overlooking the plain.

“Count Ferrero, how much longer do we have to wait? I’m already fully prepared.”

A clear and pure voice that did not suit the battlefield.

Ferrero looked apologetic at the question from Rayna, the owner of the voice.

“Just a moment, please wait just a little longer, Your Holiness.”

The reason Ferrero was delaying was to make one last confirmation.

In fact, even before this encirclement battle, they had encircled and purified zombies in groups of hundreds or thousands several times.

However, this was the first time they had built such a large-scale encirclement.

Ferrero, as well as the general headquarters, wanted to end the zombie purification with this one.

Their goal was not the purification of zombies, but the occupation of the Baroque Empire’s capital.

Even now, the 1st and 2nd Corps of the Continental Alliance Army, excluding the Holy Empire Army, were advancing towards Nemesis.

“Your Excellency, a message from the search unit.”

At the messenger’s report, Ferrero snatched the message and examined it.

“What does it say?”

At Rayna’s question, Ferrero said with a delighted expression.

“After thoroughly searching a 100-kilometer radius, they say there are no more zombies.”

“Then that means the zombies lured here are all of them.”

“Yes. Please proceed with the purification right away!”

At Ferrero’s request, Rayna walked to the edge of the cliff.

And she raised both hands.

Whoooosh!

As she converted the ether in her body into spirit power, a fresh light burst from her body, and snowflakes began to fall from the sky.

The soldiers looked bewildered as flower rain, filled with the pure light of nature, adorned the sky.

It was not the season for flowers to bloom, and only weeds grew rampant on the desolate plain.

However, the moment the flower rain touched the zombies’ bodies, an amazing thing happened.

The zombies’ rotten flesh regenerated, light returned to their dark, hollow eyes, and one by one, they regained their senses.

“Huh? W-where am I…?”

“I was definitely bitten by a zombie…”

While those who had returned from being zombies to humans looked bewildered, the soldiers of the Continental Alliance Army burst into cheers.

“Wow! We did it!”

“Long live His Holiness the Pope!”

“Hey, explain what happened!”

At the questions of those who had just turned from zombies to humans, the soldiers who had been desperately blocking them until just now explained the situation.

The soldiers, upon learning that they had been zombies and then healed, shed tears and offered their thanks to the Pope on the cliff.

Some knelt on the spot and prayed to God.

“Your Holiness, you have worked hard.”

“Hoho, I have only done what is natural. More importantly, does this mean the end of the zombie situation?”

“Yes, we have dealt with them all today.”

At Rayna’s question, Count Ferrero readily nodded.

In fact, there was still a possibility that a small number of zombies that the search unit had not found were hiding somewhere.

However, they planned to continue the search afterward, and they had also prepared additional countermeasures, so there was no need to worry too much.

With this, the 3rd Corps of the Continental Alliance Army, which had suddenly stopped due to the zombie virus spread by the black mages belonging to the Lybia support forces, was able to resume its advance.

“But I feel kind of tired.”

“Hahaha, it must be because you suddenly used a lot of power. You should go down and rest…”

It was when Count Ferrero was telling Rayna to go down the cliff.

Thud thud thud!

The cliff shook as if an earthquake had occurred, and then, in the distance to the north, a red pillar of fire shot up into the sky!

“W-what is it? Did an earthquake happen?”

“What is that ominous-looking pillar of fire?”

The soldiers on the plain also saw it, and they all began to murmur.

“Count Ferrero, is that perhaps Nemesis?”

At Rayna’s question, Ferrero measured the distance and direction and then opened his mouth.

“It seems to be correct.”

“No way… !”

At that moment, her body swayed.

She had a strong feeling that the pillar of light was not unrelated to Luke and his group.

“Your Holiness!”

Baroness Bertier, who was in charge of Rayna’s close protection, quickly supported her.

She quickly regained her senses and shook her head, saying.

“We have to go to Nemesis right away.”

“Yes?”

“He said he would break into the Imperial Palace today!”

Before infiltrating Nemesis, Luke had said that he would raid the Imperial Palace around today.

And then, an earthquake and a huge pillar of fire occurred on the day of the special forces’ raid on the Imperial Palace.

Something must have gone wrong.

Count Ferrero’s face contorted after hearing a detailed explanation from her.

‘If something bad happened to His Majesty Luke, it would be a disaster!’

His heart sank, and he immediately called Count D’Alang to take charge of the cleanup, then selected only the knights and began to rush towards Nemesis.

2

Thud thud thud!

The 1st Corps of the Continental Alliance Army, which had reached half a day’s distance from Nemesis, also saw the huge pillar of fire along with the earthquake.

Marquis Rogers, the commander-in-chief, who sensed that something had happened at the Imperial Palace, ordered the entire army to advance at full speed.

And about two hours later, standing on a hill overlooking Nemesis, he was able to discover a shocking sight.

He saw that the huge Imperial Palace, which had reigned as the heart of the Baroque Empire for the past 500 years, had been blown away without a trace.

“T-this can’t be! What on earth happened here…?”

Although he could not grasp the situation, he could not just stand there in shock.

He had to find out Luke’s whereabouts immediately and at the same time rescue the people of Nemesis.

Although the huge pillar of fire that had soared high into the sky had disappeared, black smoke and flames were still rising in various parts of the city.

“Enter Nemesis immediately!”

“But Your Excellency, I heard that a considerable number of Imperial troops are stationed there, will it be alright?”

“If they block us, we’ll just sweep them away! Prepare the entire army for a charge…”

It was when Rogers was about to give orders to his subordinates.

Suddenly, the left side of the unit became noisy, and a messenger came running.

“His Majesty has returned!”

“What!”

“He used an ancient underground passage connected to the temple, and he came out with a considerable number of people.”

Upon hearing the messenger’s report, Rogers ran to where Luke was.

There, Luke, with soot on his clothes and face, was standing with the people who looked like refugees.

Fortunately, he did not seem to be injured anywhere.

“Your Majesty, are you alright?”

“I’m fine. More importantly, we need to enter Nemesis right away.”

“I was about to give the order to charge anyway. But what on earth happened inside there?”

At Rogers’ question, Luke explained in detail what had happened at the Imperial Palace.

He explained in detail how he had created chaos in Nemesis to lure the Imperial Army, then attacked the Imperial Palace, fought in the ancient ruins, and finally killed Emperor Rudolf, and how Rudolf had activated the self-destruct magic circle installed in the Imperial Palace just before he died.

“Huh! So, the fact that the Imperial Palace disappeared and a pillar of fire soared into the sky was Rudolf’s doing?”

“Yes, he chose to burn the Imperial Palace rather than have it taken away. The flames are still burning throughout the capital.”

Luke had extinguished the largest pillar of fire.

However, the fire that had started in the Imperial Palace and spread throughout Nemesis was still not extinguished and was tormenting the people of the capital.

“What’s absurd is that the Imperial Army in the capital is doing nothing about this problem.”

“That… !”

At Rogers’ shocked reaction, Luke took off his armor, stained with sweat and soot, and continued to speak.

“Well, given the situation, I can’t say I don’t understand. With the Imperial Palace burning and contact with the Emperor lost, and the mercenaries who were forcibly incorporated to increase their numbers running around to save their own lives, the Imperial Army’s general headquarters must be out of their minds.”

Nevertheless, Luke thought that the Imperial Army should take action to put out the fire.

After all, the reason why an army exists is to protect the people.

However, the Baroque Imperial Army, which had served as the Emperor’s hunting dogs for a long time, had no such concept.

Rogers spoke to him, who was frowning as if he was displeased.

“We should take this opportunity to occupy Nemesis.”

“Yes, not just for our victory, but for the sake of the people of Nemesis. So, advance immediately and put out the fire.”

“Understood, Your Majesty!”

Following Luke’s command, Rogers ordered a full-scale assault. In Nemesis, hundreds of Gigants [large, humanoid war machines] and over a hundred thousand Imperial soldiers were gathered from across the Empire. However, despite the Continental Alliance Army’s 1st Corps appearing in the south, they didn’t mount any significant response. As Luke had predicted, the Baroque Imperial Army’s general headquarters was in complete disarray. The fire and chaos behind them were problematic, but the destruction of the Imperial Palace was the final blow. “Marquis! Please issue orders quickly!” At his adjutant’s urging, the Imperial Army’s Commander-in-Chief, Marquis Magreb, asked with a gloomy expression, “The Emperor? Have they not found His Majesty yet?” At Magreb’s question, not only the adjutant but also the commanders present sighed. This was not the time to be looking for the Emperor. “Your Excellency, the enemy is right at the doorstep of Nemesis. If we don’t respond quickly…” Thud! Marquis Magreb slammed his fist on the table, his bloodshot eyes glaring as he snapped at his adjutant. “Shut up and report on my question first! Dealing with the enemy comes after that!” Whether he was intimidated or at a loss for words, the adjutant, who had been speechless for a moment, sighed and then reported. “We did find some survivors buried underground, but no one has seen His Majesty’s face.” “Tch! Damn it… !” When the Imperial Palace suddenly disappeared in a massive blaze, Magreb and the Imperial Army’s high command set aside all other matters to search for Rudolf’s whereabouts. In fact, they had received a report that a group of soldiers had infiltrated the Imperial Palace when a strange monster appeared in the sky above the capital. They had assumed it was an enemy special forces unit, but they believed the Imperial Knights would handle it. After all, Rudolf, the Imperial Guard, and the Imperial Knights were incredibly powerful. However, the situation was worse than expected, and a request for support came from the Imperial Palace. Marquis Magreb was preparing to dispatch knights to rescue the palace. But before the support forces could reach the Imperial Palace, a sudden earthquake and a massive explosion occurred. The Imperial Palace was instantly reduced to ruins. Moreover, a huge pillar of fire shot up, turning the palace and its surroundings into ashes. Why did the Imperial Palace, which had been fine, suddenly disappear? Did the infiltrating enemies do something despicable, or was it a natural disaster? ‘Well, it doesn’t matter if the Imperial Palace is destroyed or the capital is reduced to ashes. What’s important is His Majesty’s life or death…’ If Rudolf were dead, the Baroque Empire could no longer exist. Even in the face of rebellion, national fragmentation, and the loss of public support, the Empire had been able to maintain itself because of Rudolf’s cruel and powerful rule. The nobles, fearing him, dared not oppose him and had submitted to his difficult and unjust orders. But what if such a tyrant were dead? Above all, there was no successor in the Imperial family. All of the Emperor’s relatives had died suddenly from a strange disease a few years ago. ‘If we don’t find His Majesty somehow, not only the Empire but also the safety of those of us who have supported him will be in danger!’ It was while Marquis Magreb was pondering these things that Count Zemo, the commander of the Northern Army, spoke up. “Finding His Majesty is important, but it is also important to resolve the current urgent war situation.” “Urgent war situation, you say…” “Haven’t you heard? The so-called Continental Alliance Army has arrived right in front of us with their Gigants!” Annoyed, Count Zemo raised his voice as he continued. “We must decide quickly whether to stop them here or abandon the capital and retreat! If the enemy’s reinforcements appear and surround the capital, we will be isolated without a chance to do anything.” Nemesis was not a good city for defense. Its population was large compared to the stored food and supplies, and the walls were long, meaning there were many places to defend. Nevertheless, the Imperial Army had gathered here because of Emperor Rudolf’s orders. Marquis Magreb frowned at Count Zemo’s words and asked, “How long do you think we can hold out if we defend the capital?” Abandoning the capital was the same as giving up the search for the Emperor. Therefore, Marquis Magreb wanted to choose defense over retreat. However, the situation was not favorable. In response to the Marquis’s question, Count Sochi, the commander of the Eastern Army, replied, “I believe we can hold out for about five days.” “Only five days? No, why on earth…?” “Have you forgotten? Most of the military provisions and supplies were stored in the Imperial Palace and the supply depots nearby. But now, all of that is gone.” “Tch, that pillar of fire… !” Military provisions and supplies were usually kept in the safest places, and in Nemesis, the Imperial Palace and the surrounding supply depots were such places. But the place they thought was the safest had turned to ashes overnight. “Frankly, five days is the longest estimate. In the current state, it will be difficult to hold out for even three days.” “Damn it!” The sudden explosion of the Imperial Palace had ruined all the plans that the general headquarters had made. The people were causing chaos, trying to flee, the forcibly incorporated mercenaries were deserting and looting everywhere, and the Emperor, who should have been handling all this chaos, was missing… The soldiers’ morale was simply not in a state to fight. While the high command was sighing, a messenger rushed into the conference room and urgently reported. “Urgent news! The enemy forces positioned on the southern hill outside the city are charging!” “What!” Magreb and the other commanders could not help but be surprised. The enemy had only arrived today. They had thought that the enemy would build their camp and attack tomorrow or the day after, as they would be tired from their journey, but they were attacking right away! It seemed they had noticed the internal chaos on their side and were acting boldly. “Tch! Immediately move all Gigants and artillery to the walls! The city gates must not be breached!” “Yes, Your Excellency!” However, before Magreb’s orders could be properly conveyed to each unit, the Continental Alliance Army’s 1st Corps had already arrived at the city gates. “Get out of the way! I, Count Philip, will open the city gates!” Philip, who had been appointed as the vanguard under Marquis Rogers’s command, split the city gates with his powerful Gigantic Aura [a powerful energy field]. Shwiiish—KABOOM! As the city gates were destroyed, about ten central army Gigants, under Marquis Magreb’s command, came forward to confront them. However, they could not stop Sword Master Philip, who was riding the Hero-class Gigant Orion. They were instantly reduced to scrap metal and lay scattered on the ground. “The south gate has been breached!” “The enemy is pouring in like a flood!” The situation was known to the entire Imperial Army before it could even be reported to the general headquarters. A significant number of soldiers threw down their weapons and surrendered to the Continental Alliance Army, while knights and riders judged that they could not defend the capital and fled. The morale of the Imperial Army, which was already at rock bottom, had completely disappeared. In this situation, Magreb and the Imperial Army’s high command had no choice but to give up defending the city. “Damn it, abandon the capital and retreat!” “Full retreat! Everyone retreat!” At Marquis Magreb’s command, the Imperial Army scrambled to escape from Nemesis. “Your Majesty, the enemy is abandoning the capital and fleeing east.” Commander-in-Chief Marquis Rogers reported to Luke with a bewildered expression. He had expected it to some extent, but he felt a sense of emptiness because the Imperial Army had retreated so weakly compared to their size. “Please give the order, Your Majesty! I will chase them down and crush them all.” Count Philip, who was bursting with energy because he had not fought any significant battles on the way to Nemesis, pleaded. However, Luke simply shook his head. “If you have the energy, put out the fire and comfort the people of Nemesis.” “But…” “It’s okay. There’s not even a sliver of a chance that the fleeing remnants will regroup.” The Baroque Imperial Army had lost its center of gravity, Rudolf. Considering the tyranny that Rudolf had committed, no one would support or help them anymore. Therefore, Luke decided to focus on saving the people of Nemesis rather than chasing or annihilating the remnants of the Imperial Army. 3 Luke and the Continental Alliance Army, having entered Nemesis, used the old palace of the Kingdom of Lybia as their headquarters instead of the destroyed Imperial Palace. As soon as they settled into the old palace, Luke declared martial law in the capital. The Continental Alliance Army’s general headquarters promised to do its best to ensure the stability and reconstruction of Nemesis and to guarantee the basic livelihood of the residents, and announced the following: 1. A night curfew will be implemented to restore order in the city. 2. All military weapons within the city will be collected and disposed of. 3. Spreading rumors, looting, and riots that cause chaos are strictly prohibited. 4. Food and necessities will be distributed at designated locations. 5. Those who hoard large quantities of food and necessities without permission will be punished regardless of their status. 6. Baroque Imperial knights and soldiers who have been stranded and are hiding are advised to surrender immediately and come under the control of the Continental Alliance Army’s general headquarters. 7. Imperial Army remnants who resist despite the recommendation will be immediately suppressed. … The people of Nemesis were initially terrified when the Continental Alliance Army entered and posted the proclamation. This was because conquerors had often turned into plunderers in history. However, they calmed down when they saw that they were focusing on healing and relief rather than looting and slaughter. In particular, those who had been dissatisfied with Rudolf or had been directly oppressed and exploited by him welcomed the Continental Alliance Army as liberators rather than occupiers. The feelings of these people were clearly revealed when Reina arrived. “The Holy Pontiff of the Divine Empire has arrived!” “Long live the Holy Pontiff!” “Long live!” Even though the general headquarters had not gathered a welcoming crowd separately, and even though they had prohibited people from gathering to prevent possible chaos, people voluntarily came out to the streets to welcome the Pontiff’s party. “Your Holiness, thank you for liberating us from the mad tyrant!” “You are a true messenger of God!” The welcoming crowd was so large that Philip and his unit, who were in charge of the security of Nemesis, had to work hard to maintain order. Fortunately, nothing untoward happened. Reina, who waved to the people of Nemesis who were welcoming her from the window, spoke to Philip, who was escorting her carriage nearby. “Count Philip, His Majesty is really not hurt anywhere, is he? And Karen too…” Her worried question was cut off by Philip’s indifferent reply. “Your Holiness, how many times do I have to tell you? You’ve been in direct magical communication with him on your way here, haven’t you?” “I’m just not reassured. He might be badly hurt but pretending to be fine to reassure me.” “Well, that might be the case… but he’s really fine, so you don’t have to worry.” Philip, who was answering, inwardly clicked his tongue. It was not because he was frustrated with Reina’s attitude, but because he was envious. When Luke returned from the Southern Expedition, Philip had married Anna, whom he had been dating for a long time. As they had been dating for a long time, the two were deeply in love. But it was too deep. While the wives of other knights would pray to God for their husbands’ safety or make amulets with their most cherished possessions when their husbands went to war, Anna was not like that at all. “You’re a Sword Master, aren’t you? And His Majesty is going too, so this war will be an easy victory, right?” Having said that, she treated Philip’s departure as if he were just going for a walk in the backyard and did not even see him off. When he sent a magical communication home after entering Nemesis, she was happy that the war was over and made this request. “Honey, don’t forget souvenirs when you come back. Especially, there’s an old man named Gepetto who runs a doll shop near the central square of Nemesis, and if he’s still in business…” Because of that request, he had bought a lot of souvenirs at his current lodging, and he grumbled with a dissatisfied face. ‘Really, too much faith is a problem too.’ It was certainly a good thing that she trusted his abilities. But because of that, she was too optimistic, and he felt a little disappointed. ‘Should I pretend to be hurt next time?’ Just as Philip was thinking this, Reina’s carriage arrived in front of the palace built during the old Kingdom of Lybia.

Luke and Karen, having received the message, were waiting in front of the palace with their subordinates to greet them.

Reina, beaming with joy, rushed towards them as soon as the carriage stopped.

“Welcome, you must have had a long journey….”

“Ah, Karen! You’re safe!”

Luke, with his arms wide open, was left embarrassed as Reina ran to Karen and hugged her tightly.

Luke, after giving a gentle(?) glare to the Immortal Knights who were chuckling at the scene, approached Reina and spoke with a hint of disappointment.

“You seemed so worried during the magical communication… It seems you weren’t that worried about me?”

“Of course, I was! You’ve been causing so much trouble. I heard from Karen that you did something reckless? That you rode a Gigant [a large, powerful magical construct] and jumped directly into a massive fire vortex to subdue it.”

‘I told her not to say anything!’

As Luke glared at her, Karen quickly stuck out her tongue.

Luke’s face, which had been frowning at his mischievous daughter, melted away at the hug and kiss Reina gave him.

“Anyway, I’m glad to see you safe.”

“I, too, thank the gods for seeing you again in good health.”

Luke and Reina quickly became affectionate with each other.

Watching this from the side, Jomi and Princess Jahye tilted their heads with puzzled expressions.

“Who is that person?”

“I heard she’s the Pope from the Holy Empire, the largest country in Rhodelia… but their relationship seems quite unusual.”

As the two showed signs of unease, Erewin slyly approached and said as if they didn’t know.

“That’s Queen Reina.”

At her words, Jomi and Princess Jahye’s eyes widened.

“What? That’s the Queen? I heard that the Queen of Symphonia was ill and was recuperating somewhere….”

“Oh my, did you believe that? How naive of you.”

At Erewin’s giggling and turning away, the two looked as if they had been hit on the back of the head with a hammer.

However, they couldn’t be angry about being deceived.

Royal families usually have one or two secrets or untold stories.

That was no different for the Song Imperial Family and the Yemaek Royal Family.

And more importantly….

‘I didn’t expect her to be such a formidable opponent…!’

‘There was a reason why His Majesty didn’t pay attention to us!’

Her goddess-like beauty and warm gaze.

The gentle dignity and sacred aura that naturally emanated from her whole body were enough to make Jomi and Jahye, who were usually confident in their beauty, feel defeated.

Reina approached the two, who were looking dejected.

“Your Majesty, who are these people?”

“They are envoys from an allied nation across the sea. They have been a great help in this operation.”

“Oh my, is that so?”

Luke didn’t explain in detail, but Reina immediately realized why the two had come so far.

Even if it wasn’t for their dejected expressions, a woman’s intuition could feel it.

‘They came for a political marriage and fell in love with him in the meantime.’

Well, who wouldn’t fall for Luke’s charm?

Just looking at how Erewin and Jegal Soha craved his love, even knowing that she was there, was enough to know.

Instead of being jealous or hostile, Reina expressed her gratitude with an elegant demeanor.

“Thank you for helping my dear. I look forward to your continued support.”

As she bowed politely, Princess Jo and Princess Jahye bowed deeply without realizing it. It felt like they had to.

“Yes, yes! We will do our best!”

“We will give our all, body and soul!”

Erewin, who had been watching this scene from a distance, smiled faintly.

She remembered when she and Jegal Soha had received Reina’s permission during the Symphonia founding ceremony.

‘Heh heh heh! Back then, neither Jegal Soha nor I bowed so clumsily….’

As Erewin was secretly mocking them, Jomi and Princess Jahye launched a surprise attack.

“Um, may we call you ‘sister’?”

“Me too. Seeing the Pope reminds me of my married sister!”

“Ho ho ho! Yes, please do.”

As Reina readily agreed, the smile on Erewin’s face instantly disappeared. She didn’t expect those sly women’s tricks to work.

Karen, who was watching her stiff expression from behind, sighed softly.

‘Cheer up, teacher. There’s still a long way to go, but it won’t be too rough.’

Karen, who was her student in the vanished future world, knew that her teacher had deep affection for her father.

Erewin and Jegal Soha, who had not abandoned their faith and affection even after her father’s death, were like mothers to her, beyond just being her teacher.

Therefore, she hoped that their hearts would be rewarded as much as she was loved by her father.

4

The remnants of the Baroque Empire army, led by Marquis Magreb, headed east.

They had lost more troops than expected while escaping Nemesis.

This was because command and control did not work in the chaotic situation.

Nevertheless, they still had 40,000 troops and about 200 Gigants left.

‘With this force, we may not be able to face the Continental Alliance head-on, but we should be able to resist. First, we need to secure military rations and supplies.’

Any army needs to eat to fight.

An army that has run out of food and military supplies can no longer be called an army.

Marquis Magreb and the commanders headed to the city of Veteren, east of Nemesis, to secure military rations and supplies as a top priority.

Veteren was a city with a developed iron industry and magical engineering, and it was also good for securing food because of the fertile plains around it.

Above all, it was a direct imperial territory, meaning it was land directly managed by the emperor.

Although this place was also plundered, it was not as harsh as other places, perhaps because it was a direct imperial territory.

Naturally, loyalty to the imperial family would be stronger here than in other regions.

‘First, gather the scattered forces based in Veteren. And if we take advantage of the enemy’s complacency, who are intoxicated with victory….’

Some rosy hopes arose in Magreb’s mind.

But that hope didn’t last more than two days.

“What? Veteren has fallen?”

“Yes, Your Excellency! As the 2nd Corps of the Continental Alliance approached, the republicans incited the people to revolt.”

A manager who had escaped from Veteren answered with a tearful face to Magreb’s question.

Loyalty to the imperial family was only strong among the city’s nobles and officials.

Even if they were relatively less plundered, the people would not like the mad emperor who had seized their property.

In addition, the republicans, who had been secretly active, rose up and incited the people, and the city was quickly taken over by anti-imperial forces.

“Your Excellency, what should we do now?”

“We must give up on Veteren. The enemy’s advance was faster than we expected. If we don’t leave this area before we are surrounded….”

“But we are currently severely lacking in military rations and supplies. In this situation, a long-distance march is impossible.”

“Are you suggesting we attack Veteren? With our current strength, it’s difficult to even face the enemy’s 2nd Corps!”

While the commanders were arguing loudly, Magreb closed his eyes and sighed deeply.

The capital was taken by the enemy, and the emperor’s whereabouts were unknown.

It was sad how the great Baroque Empire, which had dominated the continent until about 10 years ago, had become like this.

At that time, a messenger came in and delivered new news.

“Your Excellency! The enemy has sent an envoy.”

“Those bastards, are they trying to offer us surrender?”

“Let’s cut off his head right now!”

The commanders began to raise their voices with fire in their eyes. They had become aggressive as they were cornered.

Marquis Magreb stopped them.

“Even so, we cannot kill an envoy. Let’s hear what he has to say.”

He brought the envoy sent by the Continental Alliance into the tent.

“No, you are!”

Marquis Magreb and the commanders were surprised to see the envoy who had entered with the adjutant. It was someone they knew well.

Shirley de Cail, the Spear Master who had been the captain of the Iron Guard of the Imperial Palace Guard and had escaped with Count Ferrero.

It was her.

Unlike the Imperial Army leaders whose expressions had hardened, she waved her hand cheerfully with a bright smile on her face.

“Hi everyone! It’s been a while.”

Crack!

Marquis Magreb, who was tightly gripping the armrest of his chair, asked through gritted teeth.

“What brings a traitor here? If you’re thinking of persuading us to surrender, you’d better give up.”

“Oh my, were you hoping I would persuade you to surrender?”

“Who’s hoping for what! Stop talking nonsense and tell us the message from that traitor Luke and get lost!”

“Oh my, how scary. The spirit of the one leading the remnants of the Imperial Army is indeed extraordinary.”

Shirley, who had pretended to be frightened, stopped joking when the nobles, including Marquis Magreb, just glared at her coldly.

“Tch, no fun. Fine. I’ll deliver His Majesty Luke’s message. You can decide your future course of action… That’s all.”

“What? That’s all?”

What kind of message was so simple?

They had expected a threat or a suggestion to surrender.

As Magreb asked with a bewildered expression, Shirley shrugged and replied.

“Our Majesty greatly respects people’s free will. Unlike some madman who would kill you if you didn’t act like a loyal dog.”

“You…!”

As Shirley openly insulted Rudolf, the surrounding commanders, as well as the knights, drew their swords at once.

Blue blades flashed everywhere, but she, a Spear Master, was not afraid of this.

Shirley approached Marquis Magreb, who was glaring at her fiercely, and handed him a box she had been carrying on her back.

“What is this?”

“Open it yourself. I’ve finished my business, so I’ll be going now.”

Shirley waved her hand and left the tent.

Until she left, Magreb could not easily open the box.

He had a very ominous feeling.

It wasn’t just him who felt that way.

Other commanders, such as Count Zemo and Sochi, also looked unwell, as if they felt an ominous aura.

“Surely… it can’t be?”

“Of course not, it can’t be! It can’t be…!”

Magreb suppressed his unease and opened the box.

The moment he checked the contents, his and the commanders’ eyes widened as if they would burst.

Inside the box was the severed head of Rudolf, whom they had been looking for so desperately.

The head, which had been treated with preservation magic, was smiling for some reason.

They didn’t know, but Rudolf had activated a self-destruct magic circle at the last moment, convinced that Luke would die.

That was why he was able to smile.

“Ah, Your Majesty!”

Magreb and the commanders could not help but be shocked to confirm the emperor’s death.

As the most unwanted thing became a reality, they felt all the energy drain from their bodies.

Although he was a tyrant, Rudolf, the strongest knight on the continent, was their only hope now.

But that hope had disappeared!

“You can decide your future course of action.”

Luke’s message was ringing clearly in everyone’s minds.

Now that they knew why he was so confident, the Imperial Army leaders had to make a difficult decision and a tough choice.

Whether to surrender or continue fighting.

But fighting was not easy either.

First of all, they were outnumbered, and if the news of Rudolf’s death became known, the morale of the knights and soldiers would plummet uncontrollably.

In the end, they were divided into a faction that wanted to surrender and a faction that wanted to fight to the end, and they had to argue all night long.