Emperor of Steel [EN]: Chapter 78

The tragedy of the Baroque Imperial Family became known throughout the surrounding nations.

This information spread through the information guilds and the intelligence agents of various countries stationed in Nemesis.

Even Pope Reina of the Holy Artenian Empire, who was preoccupied with reforms and internal matters, heard the news.

“Your Holiness,” a priest reported, “according to reports from our priests in Nemesis, the princes and princesses are in extremely critical condition.”

Among the priests dispatched for treatment, those from the Elkasel Order were the most numerous.

Consequently, they were able to gather more detailed information than any information guild or foreign intelligence agency.

“Furthermore, the strange illness isn’t confined to the Baroque Imperial Palace. Emperor Rudolf’s eldest and second daughters, who had left the palace, have also contracted the same disease.”

“Then it must be no ordinary illness,” Reina concluded.

The Foreign Minister nodded in agreement.

“Indeed. While we can’t be certain until we dispatch the Undying Knights, the reported information strongly suggests a curse cast by a high-ranking black magic user.”

‘Could it be…’

The mention of a black magic user made Reina think of Luke.

She recalled that he had inherited the black magic of the Demon King Seymon.

Moreover, Luke harbored a deep animosity towards the Baroque Imperial Family.

However, Reina quickly dismissed the suspicion.

‘No, Lord Luke isn’t the type to seek revenge in such a manner.’

Contrary to popular belief, Seymon had strived to uphold human morality even after becoming a black magic user.

She had learned this from his diary in the past.

There was no way Luke, who had inherited his will, would commit such a petty and wicked act like a curse.

“Could this be related to the Veritas Magic Tower that was destroyed recently?”

Grand Duke Gregory agreed with Reina’s assessment.

“I believe that’s highly likely. The Veritas Magic Tower and the Baroque Imperial Family were long-time allies. Although they delved into black magic, they must resent the Baroque Imperial Family for abandoning them so abruptly.”

“To take revenge in such a way…”

“Would those consumed by evil care about the right path? They are capable of far worse.”

In any case, the ministers of the Holy Empire and the high-ranking priests didn’t feel particularly sympathetic towards the Baroque Imperial Family’s tragedy.

However, no one openly gloated.

Even if they felt that way internally, they were too disciplined to reveal it during a royal court meeting.

At that moment, one person raised their hand and spoke.

“Your Holiness, what if we offered assistance to the Baroque Imperial Family?”

The suggestion came from Priest Luther, the head of the Holy Order.

He had previously stayed out of politics, but he was moved by Reina’s sincerity, who had repeatedly sought his help in reforming the Holy Empire, and now participated in state affairs.

“Your Holiness possesses extraordinary spiritual powers. You have also performed many miracles since your ascension. I believe that with your power, you can overcome the disaster afflicting the Baroque Imperial Family.”

No sooner had Luther finished speaking than objections erupted from all sides.

“Priest Luther, what are you suggesting? Do you not know what the Baroque Imperial Family has done?”

“During the last civil war, the Baroque Imperial Family intervened, drawing criticism not only from our empire but also within their own! Why would we help them!”

The reaction of the Holy Empire’s ministers and high-ranking priests towards the Baroque Empire was fierce.

They were completely unaware that the Baroque Imperial Family had supported the Perriad Dukedom during the last civil war.

However, recently, when the aristocratic faction brought Emperor Rudolf to a hearing, the truth was revealed.

The ministers and priests of the Holy Empire, upon learning the truth, demanded immediate retaliatory measures.

However, Reina persuaded them that now was the time to focus on reforms and internal affairs rather than retaliation, and they fell silent.

“They should be begging for forgiveness, not receiving our help.”

“That’s right. Let them handle their own problems.”

In response to the ministers’ reactions, Luther shared his thoughts.

“That is not right. While it may be different for other nations, our Holy Empire was founded to serve the main god and spread his will on this earth. Therefore, I believe we must show leniency.”

Luther also felt resentment towards the actions of the Baroque Imperial Family.

However, if they turned their backs on them because of that resentment, the relationship between the two countries would worsen, and the people of both nations would suffer immensely.

“The people of the Baroque Empire are also children of the main god Elkasel and the Earth Mother Beliz. Even if we remember the past, we must forgive the Baroque Imperial Family for their sake.”

“Priest Luther is right. For the sake of peace, we must show leniency first.”

As Reina agreed, one by one, the ministers began to concur.

“Tch, I suppose we have no choice.”

“If we put them in our debt, wouldn’t they improve their behavior out of consideration for their reputation?”

“If things go well, the two empires might cooperate in eliminating the black magic user. And we can spread the authority of Your Holiness, who willingly showed leniency, and our empire throughout the world.”

As the consensus shifted towards offering help, one of the high-ranking priests who had opposed Priest Luther’s proposal raised his hand and asked.

“That’s all well and good, but how do you plan to ensure Your Holiness’s safety within Baroque territory?”

The Baroque Empire and the Holy Empire were not enemies, but they were not on good terms either.

To conquer the Rodisia Continent, they had to overcome each other.

Would the Baroque Empire really allow Reina, who came from Nemesis, to return peacefully? The same empire that had tried to incite a civil war to weaken the Holy Empire?

“I don’t doubt the abilities of the Undying Knights and Grand Duke Gregory, but wouldn’t there be a problem if the Baroque side were to attack with a plan?”

“I have a plan for that,” Priest Luther replied.

“What is it?”

“We will have the high-ranking mages of the Artenian Royal Magic Tower accompany us. In the worst-case scenario, they can teleport Your Holiness’s party to a safe zone.”

“Indeed, that would work.”

“And there’s a saying that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. There are forces within the Baroque Empire that oppose the Imperial Family. The aristocratic faction is the most prominent, and I’ve heard that the Rakan Marquisate in the south is also an enemy of the Imperial Family.”

At the mention of the Rakan family, Reina smiled involuntarily.

The image of Luke came to her mind.

“I see. You mean we can ask them for help in an emergency.”

“Yes, it would be wise to discuss it with them beforehand.”

With a plan to ensure the Pope’s safety, the next steps were swift.

The Foreign Minister sent a magical message to the Baroque Imperial Family, informing them of the Holy Empire’s intentions.

If the Baroque Imperial Family accepted the offer, they planned to send an advance team to Nemesis using a long-distance teleportation gate.

However, no matter how long they waited, no reply came from the Baroque Empire.

2

The person who received the magical message from the Holy Empire, delivered to the Baroque Imperial Family, was Count Voltaire.

This was because the Emperor, distracted by his children’s illnesses, had temporarily entrusted him with state affairs.

“The Pope is coming in person to treat the strange disease… If the Pope’s divine power far surpasses that of the high priests, he might be able to cure the princes and princesses of their illness.”

At Count Voltaire’s soliloquy, Razli, who was beside him, immediately objected.

“Father, this is a trap. You must not agree to it!”

As Voltaire turned his gaze to him, Razli added a detailed explanation.

“They speak of leniency and such, but they must be plotting revenge for what happened in the past. Even if that’s not the case, what do you think will happen after the Pope treats them? They will demand considerable compensation from His Majesty.”

If they received a favor, Emperor Rudolf would have no choice but to repay the Holy Empire and the Pope out of consideration for his reputation.

But what if they demanded territory from the Baroque Empire?

Even now, the aristocratic faction was in an uproar over the unauthorized intervention in the Holy Empire’s civil war, and it was unimaginable what chaos would ensue if the Emperor ceded territory.

In the worst case, it would give the aristocratic faction a justification to revolt.

“The Holy Empire is probably aiming for that.”

“Hmm, that might be the case.”

Because they would do the same if they were in that situation.

“And His Majesty is likely to show his sincerity with something other than territory to resolve the situation.”

“What do you mean?”

“He will hand over those responsible for intervening in the Holy Empire’s civil war.”

The Holy Empire must be furious at those who incited the rebellion from behind.

Although Rudolf was ultimately responsible, he might hand over the people in charge to repay the Holy Empire’s favor and defuse the troublesome issue.

The problem was that the people in charge were Count Voltaire and Razli.

“We are His Majesty’s closest aides, would he really hand us over?”

“Have you forgotten His Majesty’s nature, who is ruthless when it suits his goals? And there are plenty of people who can replace us.”

“Hmm, indeed…”

Rudolf was the kind of person who would discard even good shoes like old rags if he was in a hurry.

It was best not to trust him, or you would be betrayed.

And if they were dragged to the Holy Empire, would the Pope really forgive them?

Even if the Pope, who was said to be generous and kind, might, the ministers would strongly demand punishment.

Execution was the most likely outcome, but even if they survived, they would be paraded around and subjected to all sorts of humiliation.

Either way, it was certain that the family that had enjoyed power would be destroyed.

“Let’s pretend we didn’t see this, or rather, that it never arrived.”

“Yes, that would be the best course of action.”

Count Voltaire burned the message, and the mage who received the magical communication from the Holy Empire quietly buried it.

Due to the actions of this father and son, who quietly and arbitrarily handled matters for the sake of their family’s glory, Emperor Rudolf lost his last hope.

3

The Imperial Council, which symbolized the rights and interests of the Baroque nobles, was ironically created when the empire was expanding its power by conquering surrounding nations.

They were constantly waging wars of conquest and achieving victory after victory, but the more they did, the more the Baroque Empire’s national treasury was depleted.

As a result, the Baroque Imperial Family had no choice but to request support and assistance from the nobles, and as a result, their power increased.

And as nobles from the merged kingdoms and duchies poured in, the number of nobles also increased considerably.

Therefore, the nobles demanded the establishment of a council to protect their power and interests.

At first, the Imperial Family strongly opposed the introduction of a council, which was usually seen in a republic system.

However, when the nobles cut off their support, they soon fell into financial difficulties, and the ongoing wars of conquest began to falter.

In the end, the Imperial Family reluctantly accepted the establishment of the council.

Once established, the council’s authority and functions gradually increased over time.

One of those authorities and functions was the hearing.

The subjects of the Imperial Council’s hearings were usually high-ranking officials who had committed corruption, but in cases of serious violations of imperial law, even the Emperor could not avoid it.

If the imperial law was seriously violated, even the Emperor could be summoned by the Imperial Council, but it was not possible for the nobles, who were subjects, to order the Emperor, who was the sole and supreme being in the empire, around.

Therefore, hearings for the Emperor were usually conducted with a representative attending.

The person who appeared as a representative this time was Count Voltaire, the chamberlain and the Emperor’s right-hand man.

Seeing him attend as a representative, Marquis Albain, the chairman of the Imperial Council, spoke to him.

“Welcome. How are the princes doing?”

“They are all not doing well.”

“Is that so? That’s unfortunate.”

Albain was genuinely saddened, not just saying it out of courtesy. He had high expectations for the intelligent Prince Martel.

“To have such misfortune in the family and then have this happen… His Majesty must be in great pain.”

‘If you think that way, please side with us,’ Voltaire grumbled inwardly.

However, he could not reveal it outwardly.

Marquis Albain, the oldest of the Imperial Council nobles, was known for his upright character.

If he said something unnecessary, he might not get anything out of it.

‘Well, he’s not someone who would side with the aristocratic faction either.’

Marquis Albain belonged to the neutral faction.

Compared to his title of Marquis, his territory was small, and he had only about 500 private soldiers.

Most importantly, he did not have a single Gigant [a type of powerful war machine], so his military power was not even comparable to that of the surrounding barons or viscounts.

Nevertheless, he was respected by both the Emperor’s faction and the aristocratic faction.

The Albain Marquisate was a family that had made a name for itself through scholarship rather than swords or magic, and the academy he ran in his territory was so prestigious that nobles from home and abroad were eager to enroll their children.

Thanks to this scholarship, experience, and political neutrality, he was able to become the chairman representing the Imperial Council.

“Everyone is here. Before we begin, let us take a moment to pray for the peace of the empire and the recovery of the princes.”

At the chairman’s words, everyone respectfully put their hands together and bowed their heads.

“Oh, Elkasel, the main god in heaven, I, a foolish child who received a soul from you and a body from the great Earth Mother Beliz, beseech you. Please, the misfortune that has befallen this nation…”

Marquis Albain, who recited the prayer as eloquently as a priest, declared the opening of the hearing as soon as the prayer was over.

“Now, let us begin the hearing regarding the unauthorized intervention in the civil war of the Holy Artenian Empire. First, let us hear from Baron Majer, who requested this hearing.”

At Marquis Albain’s words, a handsome man rose from his seat.

He was Baron Majer, a vassal of Marquis Myers and a lord who had received a fief [a grant of land].

“Respected nobles of the empire. I cannot help but feel deeply regretful to be standing here. However, I had no choice but to come forward to uphold the solemn national law and for the stability and prosperity of the empire.”

“Enough with the noise, Baron Majer. Get to the point!”

“If the evidence is not sufficient, you will have to take responsibility!”

The Emperor’s faction nobles immediately began to denounce Baron Majer.

It was an attempt to preemptively block the aristocratic faction’s offensive.

As they stepped forward, the aristocratic faction members did not remain silent.

“Are you threatening us now?”

“Marquis Magreb! Isn’t your son, a member of the Imperial Knights, also involved in this matter?”

As the aristocratic faction raised their voices, pointing out specific individuals, the Emperor’s faction also flared up and immediately started pointing fingers.

“Count Stark, how righteous are you? There are rumors that the merchant guild you operate made a considerable profit by selling military supplies to the Holy Empire?”

“Where did you hear such false rumors and slander! Do you truly wish to die by my sword?”

“Haha. Do you think I would fear your clumsy swordsmanship?”

“You insolent! Come outside right now! I challenge you to a duel!”

“You think I won’t come out if you tell me to!”

The council hall became as noisy as a marketplace in an instant, and Marquis Albain banged his gavel hard.

Bang! Bang!

“Everyone, calm down! Shouldn’t nobles maintain their dignity! How can we proceed with the hearing if it’s this noisy!”

The hall quickly quieted down at the chairman’s roar.

Once the situation was under control, Albain gestured to Baron Majer to continue speaking.

“Thank you, Chairman. Uh… As you all know, the reason I requested this hearing is because His Majesty the Emperor dispatched the Imperial Knights to the civil war of the Holy Artenian Empire without the consent of the Imperial Council.”

“That’s slander! Are you misunderstanding the fact that mercenary forces were involved?”

“Show us the evidence! The evidence!”

Once again, the nobles who supported the Emperor clamored noisily.

In response, Marquis Myers, who had been observing from the back, nodded towards Baron Majer.

Baron Majer then called a guard and presented a box as evidence.

“At first, I also thought it was just a baseless rumor and tried not to believe it. However, the stories that kept coming in were so specific that I couldn’t help but secretly dispatch an investigation team to Elbera.”

According to Baron Majer, the investigation team had discovered some very surprising evidence.

Inside the box he opened were torn uniforms and weapons of the Imperial Knights.

“These uniforms and weapons were found in Eisenberg, where the siege battle between the Holy Empire and the Kingdom of Conrad took place. This is proof that our Imperial Knights intervened in the civil war.”

“That’s absurd!”

“I can’t believe it! That much can be fabricated easily!”

As expected, the pro-emperor faction vehemently refuted the claims.

In truth, the evidence was quite insufficient.

As they said, this much could be easily fabricated.

Moreover, it didn’t make sense that Imperial Knights secretly dispatched to another country would use the Empire’s uniforms and weapons.

“This is a conspiracy by the noble faction!”

“That’s right! We absolutely cannot accept this!”

Faced with the pro-emperor faction’s backlash, Marquis Myers signaled to Majer to present the second piece of evidence.

Shortly after, much larger and heavier boxes than before were brought into the assembly hall.

Inside the boxes were Gigant [A large, humanoid war machine] parts, all broken and destroyed.

“This evidence was obtained from Elbera, the last city where the Kingdom of Conrad resisted.”

“Is there a reason for submitting this as evidence?”

At Marquis Albain’s question, Baron Majer explained in detail.

“These match the core components of Hector, a new type of Gigant developed by the Imperial Magic Tower. As far as I know, Hector was only supplied to the Imperial Knights, so how did it end up in Elbera, the capital of the rebels?”

The assembly hall became as noisy as a marketplace again at his statement, but this time, they couldn’t easily deny the evidence.

As Baron Majer said, Hector was still in short supply and only the Imperial Knights possessed it.

As the pro-emperor faction looked bewildered, unable to refute the evidence, Marquis Myers wore a triumphant expression.

‘Heh heh heh. They probably never imagined this would come out as evidence. Because even I didn’t expect it.’

These parts were suddenly delivered to his mansion in the capital yesterday.

It was such an unexpected windfall that both Marquis Myers and Aslan were surprised.

Who on earth had sent such a gift?

They asked the delivery men, but they said they had only received payment and had no idea who sent it or what the contents were.

‘It might be the work of those who are dissatisfied with the Emperor, not us.’

There was someone he could guess, but he couldn’t say for sure without solid evidence.

If that person was indeed the one, then the intention was clear. It was a scheme to corner the Empire and the Imperial Family.

However, from Myers’s perspective, there was no reason to refuse.

He harbored the ambition to revive the fallen Milton Duchy and make it a powerful nation to replace the Baroque Empire.

‘Now then, what will you do, you dogs of the Emperor?’

As Marquis Myers looked ahead with a triumphant smile, the noble faction seized the opportunity and raised their voices.

“This is solid evidence!”

“Are you going to insist that this is also fabricated?”

“Ahem! Be quiet, be quiet!”

Marquis Albain, banging his gavel to silence the noble faction, asked Count Voltaire.

“Does the Emperor’s representative have anything to say about this?”

Count Voltaire, who had been wearing a stiff expression for a while, opened his mouth.

“Actually, it’s a state secret, so I haven’t revealed it, but there was a terrible incident at the Imperial Magic Tower half a year ago. Some of the mages at the tower took bribes and secretly smuggled out the new Gigant.”

“So, you’re saying that the Hector parts found in the Holy Empire were from the Gigant that was leaked at that time?”

“Yes, I believe so.”

At Count Voltaire’s confession(?), the pro-emperor faction, who had been sweating profusely, all chimed in.

“Oh no, such a terrible thing!”

“There was a traitor in the Imperial Magic Tower! We must find the mastermind and crush them immediately!”

“That’s right, that’s right!”

Marquis Myers was so dumbfounded by Count Voltaire’s brazen excuse that he couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘The Imperial Magic Tower leaked a Gigant, and a new one at that? That’s as absurd as a Kobold [A small, goblin-like creature] pulling out a dragon scale.’

The Imperial Magic Tower is a magic tower operated with imperial funds.

It is practically the Emperor’s personal magic tower.

As such, only those with high loyalty to the Emperor, rather than ability, are allowed to enter.

Moreover, the security of the Imperial Magic Tower is so thorough that the Central Army is in charge of it.

And yet, a traitor appeared and smuggled out a newly developed Gigant?

“Believe what you can believe!”

“You need to make sense! Are you looking down on us?”

Unlike the noble faction members who were barking like hunting dogs, Marquis Myers remained silent.

He didn’t expect Voltaire to be so brazen, but he had anticipated that they would try to deny the evidence somehow.

‘Hmph! You shameless bastard. Let’s see how long you can keep that composed face.’

Marquis Myers still had a trump card left.

It was a number of documents that came with the Hector parts.

Written in Dwarven script, the documents were letters and transaction ledgers exchanged between the Emperor and his close aides with Duke Perriad.

Aslan had proven that they were genuine.

Some of these documents were the evidence he had personally written and lost just before he escaped.

‘But if I use all of this from the first day, the effect will be halved.’

To achieve a definite effect, it was best to unleash it at the crucial moment.

So, Myers quietly watched as the noble faction members engaged in a war of words with the pro-emperor faction members.

Thus, the first day of the hearing passed.

4

Marquis Myers’s mansion, located on the outskirts of the capital, Nemesis.

There, three leaders of the noble faction gathered to discuss the hearing that had taken place that afternoon.

“Marquis Myers, your skills are truly amazing.”

Duke Butler, who had not expected the parts of the Hector destroyed in Elbera to be presented as evidence, offered words of praise.

Indeed, if they pushed forward like this, it seemed that the noble faction would be able to seize control of the state affairs.

“But if the pro-emperor faction brazenly pushes it as the work of a traitor, wouldn’t the evidence we worked so hard to obtain be useless?”

A young man in his late twenties with a somewhat arrogant demeanor opened his mouth with a displeased look.

He was the newly appointed Marquis Cabanel, and he was quite displeased with this hearing.

It wasn’t that he opposed the hearing itself.

No matter how blinded by greed he was, he wasn’t foolish enough not to know that now was the perfect opportunity to take control of state affairs, with the pro-emperor faction having suffered great damage from the high-ranking demons.

However, he was dissatisfied that he hadn’t been the one to lead this opportunity.

‘If this hearing ends successfully, the person who will have made the greatest contribution will be Marquis Myers.’

Duke Butler was a figure who symbolized the military power of the noble faction, so there was no problem with his position.

However, the Cabanel family had been weakened since the death of the previous head, so the situation where Marquis Myers was rising to prominence was not welcome. There was a risk that they could become completely insignificant even within the noble faction.

Duke Butler was not so naive as to not know about Marquis Cabanel’s dissatisfaction.

However, he did not scold the young man’s rude attitude.

‘Well, Cabanel’s point isn’t exactly wrong.’

If Count Voltaire’s excuse was accepted, the Imperial Magic Tower, which had failed to properly manage the new Gigant, would be held responsible, but the Emperor would not be held accountable.

Butler was also secretly worried about that point.

“Heh heh heh. Don’t worry. That’s not the only evidence we have.”

“Is that true, Marquis Myers?”

“Yes, it is. So, rest assured.”

Marquis Myers assured them with a relaxed face.

He had decisive evidence and a witness.

If he presented that as his final card, even the Emperor would not be able to overcome this crisis.

‘But if the decisive evidence and witness disappear, there will be a problem…’

The Emperor had sufficient motive and power to annihilate that evidence and witness.

Even if he was distracted by his children’s illnesses, he wouldn’t just let it slide.

Worried about this, Duke Butler asked.

“Marquis Myers, is there anything I can help with?”

If he requested it, Duke Butler was willing to dispatch the knights he had personally trained.

However, Marquis Myers shook his head.

“I appreciate your words, Your Grace, but I have made my own preparations. The Emperor’s assassination organization will never be able to erase the witness and evidence.”

At his confident attitude, Duke Butler nodded.

“I can trust you. Then, how will you proceed from here?”

If the noble faction seized control of state affairs through the hearing, would the pro-emperor faction just stand by?

Absolutely not.

Power is something that even parents and children do not share.

In the worst case, a civil war could break out.

“Of course, we must also move. For this, I ask that Marquis Cabanel gather the strength of the nobles in the central region, and Your Grace, in the western region.”

Marquis Cabanel, representing the noble faction in the central region.

Duke Butler, the great lord of the west.

Myers argued that in case of an emergency, they should concentrate the military power of the noble faction in their territories.

“Hmm, of course, we should.”

They had already done it once three years ago under the pretext of monster subjugation.

No one likes to be backstabbed while standing still.

Both nobles expressed their agreement with the idea that it was necessary to prepare thoroughly, even if it turned out to be a futile effort.

“But, if a civil war breaks out… can we really win?”

Marquis Cabanel asked with a worried face.

The general assessment was that the noble faction’s military strength was inferior to that of the pro-emperor faction.

And the pro-emperor faction had Emperor Rudolf, one of only two Sword Sages [A master swordsman of the highest caliber] on the continent.

Moreover, there were rumors that there was an organization called the Imperial Guard within the Imperial Knights, which the Emperor had personally trained, and that they were all Sword Masters [A highly skilled swordsman].

This could not be dismissed as mere rumor.

During the recent demon rampage, there were quite a few among the Imperial Knights Riders who supported the Central Army who showed Sword Master-level skills.

“Hmm, as you said, if we only consider the visible military strength, we would lose. But war is not just about strength. If supplies and the surrounding situation don’t support you, you can never exert your full power. And hidden strength is not only on the pro-emperor faction’s side. Isn’t that right, Your Grace, Duke Butler?”

At Marquis Myers’s question, Duke Butler smiled and nodded.

He had anticipated that the noble faction and the pro-emperor faction would one day compete for supremacy.

So, he had been working hard to build up his strength for a long time, and there were quite a few things he had not revealed to the world.

It was the same for Marquis Myers.

“Ahem, well, that’s a relief. But if the Emperor takes the field himself, how do you plan to deal with him…?”

No matter what anyone said, the Emperor was the strongest knight in the Baroque Empire.

Duke Butler was also known as the next best knight, but the difference in skill between a top-tier Sword Master and a Sword Sage was significant.

It wouldn’t matter if Rudolf was the only strong one.

Duke Butler and the other masters of the noble faction could cooperate to attack him.

The problem was that the Emperor had the Imperial Guard as a military force.

“The Emperor and the Imperial Guard will be dealt with by me and my knights.”

“With all due respect, war is fought with skill, not words. Can Your Grace and your knights really defeat the Emperor and the Imperial Guard?”

At Marquis Cabanel’s doubtful remark, Duke Butler suddenly emitted energy from his entire body.

Whoooom!

The intense force caused Marquis Myers and Marquis Cabanel’s escort knights to tremble, their faces pale.

Some even knelt on the spot and wet themselves.

Crack! Shatter! Clang!

The southern continent’s ceramics and glass artifacts that were decorating the room shattered like soap bubbles.

Even the ceiling and walls were cracked.

“M-My goodness! This tremendous energy is…!”

Marquis Cabanel groaned at the enormous energy that filled the room, as if it could crush a mountain.

If Duke Butler hadn’t controlled the direction of his aura, he would have died on the spot with his heart bursting.

With a shocked face, he asked Duke Butler in a trembling voice.

“H-Has Your Grace perhaps… reached the level of a S-Sword Sage?”

“Heh heh heh. That’s right. As you said, war must be fought with skill, not words.”

Duke Butler.

He had been secluded in his territory for the past few years.

Even when he showed his face for special occasions, he never spoke about swordsmanship.

The reason he had done this was because he had found a clue to reach the Sword Sage level.

Butler had trained relentlessly during his seclusion, and as a result, he was able to reach the Sword Sage level last year.

However, he kept it a complete secret.

There was no point in letting the world know, as it would only lead to the pro-emperor faction’s interference.

“How is it? Do you think we have a chance of winning now?”

At Duke Butler’s question, Cabanel nodded silently.

Duke Butler, who had reached the Sword Sage level, might not be able to defeat Emperor Rudolf, but he wouldn’t be easily defeated either.

That was a relief, but he was secretly worried that his family’s position would continue to shrink.

“Anyway, let’s think about how the pro-emperor faction will react at tomorrow’s hearing.”

Marquis Myers changed the subject with a gleeful expression.

After continuing the conversation for about an hour, they dispersed to their respective mansions.