He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 237

“It seems the Elves will have a hard time uniting again, just as Father intended.”

“Indeed, for at least several hundred years. Well, even if it’s not entirely forever.”

Returning to the Imperial Palace, I convened another strategy meeting, which the Crown Prince also attended.

As Leon said, the Elves would be at odds for a very long time.

Of course, even by Elven standards, hundreds of years is a long time, and as the era changes and the concept of ethnicity strengthens, even that could change.

But well, there’s no need to worry about that yet.

“The eastern front will be stable for a while. With Pestras’s operation failing, the Undead Lords are also refraining from moving. Of course, they are the most dangerous enemy, so we must continue to keep an eye on them.”

For the time being, the Eastern Territory can maintain itself with its own defenses.

Then it was time to draw our swords against those we had postponed subjugating.

“The Celestial Race. It’s time to deal with those detestable bastards.”

“It’s time to launch an attack on the Floating Island. I’ve been waiting for this day, Your Majesty.”

Grand Master Kaliel of the Dark Knights spoke as if he had been waiting for this moment.

For them, it would finally be the time for retaliation.

“It’s not just about the Floating Island. Our strategic ultimate goal is the Celestial Realm beyond the Floating Island.”

“The Celestial Realm…!”

The Dark Knights couldn’t hide their excitement. They had already waited for over 10 years, even a thousand years. No matter how long-lived they were, it must have been an indefinite wait.

Now that they thought liberation was just around the corner, they couldn’t help but be excited.

“We have been thoroughly preparing for the past 10 years. The top priority is whether we can land the Imperial Army on the Floating Island.”

That’s what we need to succeed in first. The Celestial Floating Island, which is quite high and protected by barriers, had no way to land a large-scale force until now.

But not anymore.

“Airships are ready, Your Majesty. If you give the order, we can carry out aerial transport and combat at any time.”

Ambassador James of the Human Federation said confidently.

We had created many things under their cooperation for 10 years, but the most effort was put into the airship force to attack the Floating Island.

The airship, which can be said to be the Empire’s first air force, was an airship that incorporated magical technology without a gasbag.

Surprisingly, its performance was so good that it could be used until a decent airplane was made.

No, even if airplanes come out, if we utilize airship technology well at that time, we might be able to create something like an aerial aircraft carrier.

Well, that’s a very distant future.

“100 ships. If each ship can accommodate 1,000 people, we can transport 100,000 people at once.”

“That’s the number excluding combat ships. We will be able to move all of the Empire’s elite troops at once.”

“However, they must also have an air defense system.”

There was no way the Celestial Race wouldn’t be prepared.

There was no way those who had the advantage of flying in the sky wouldn’t be afraid of losing their advantage.

Even a simple anti-aircraft battery could cause great damage to transport ships.

Of course, the operation had to devise a way to neutralize that air defense system.

But if they were enemies on the ground, ground forces would advance and neutralize them, but they were floating in the sky.

There was no way a normal operation would work.

“But we have planted our people inside. Are we in contact with them?”

“Doppelgangers are performing their missions excellently. A secret communication network has already been established, so they can revolt according to the operation.”

“Excellent. Is Acherus also cooperating?”

“Of course. The forces that will revolt during the operation are mostly those sent by them.”

“Excellent.”

All operation plans are going smoothly. Of course, there is no guarantee that everything will go according to plan.

“Then it’s time to set off.”

It’s time to punish those who don’t know how high the sky is.

* * *

“Have the Empire’s movements been suspicious lately?”

“Yes. They have moved their troops to the Southern Territory.”

“…If they’re not planning to cross the sea leaving us behind, then we’re the target. Do they have the power to attack the Floating Island?”

Governor Villard of the Floating Island expressed his doubts after receiving a report from his aide. Then the aide said.

“Don’t you know? They have also developed flying means.”

“You mean airships. But even if they have them, they should know that they can’t attack head-on, right?”

The Celestial Race had not been idle for the past 10 years, so they were aware that the Empire had created airships.

I don’t know exactly how many they made, but even if there were many, the Floating Island was in a state where the air defense system was fully equipped.

Since they knew each other well, they had not engaged in an all-out war for 10 years.

Of course, there was a humiliating incident in which the Celestial Realm was raided, but since then, the Empire had never challenged them head-on, even if they fought against the rebels.

“Still, moving troops means they have some kind of aim, right?”

“Hmm… that’s true. Unless the Emperor suddenly goes crazy, there’s no way he would move troops without meaning… First, send down spies to-”

Bang!

The moment the governor was about to say that, an explosion was heard from somewhere.

“Something terrible has happened!”

“What is it?”

“T, the Empire! L, look over there!”

A Celestial Race soldier rushed in and pointed outside, and the governor and his aide immediately went out to the balcony and looked at the horizon of the Floating Island.

“Good heavens… are those all airships?”

100 airships, each a giant flying battleship, were flying in.

They had not yet entered the range of the anti-aircraft battery, but their majesty felt overwhelming.

“Everyone to battle stations! Immediately start with the anti-aircraft battery…”

Bang!

The governor was giving orders immediately, but a gunshot rang out from behind.

When he turned around, the Celestial Race soldier who had come to deliver the news was already shot and dead.

“What is this-”

Click-

“I’m sorry, but the play is already over, Governor.”

And the aide he trusted was smirking and pointing a gun at him.

“Y, you betrayed me…!”

“Ah, this is not a betrayal. I’m not the aide you know.”

“Could it be? A Doppelgang-”

Bang!

Before the governor could finish speaking, the doppelganger, who had been imitating his aide for the past 10 years, shot the head of his beloved superior.

“To be honest, he wasn’t a bad boss.”

Of course, as the Celestial Race governor, most of the things he did were ugly deeds, so the doppelganger didn’t feel particularly sorry.

Such sudden surprise betrayals occurred everywhere.

The main targets were the Celestial Race generals and officers who would become the command system of the Floating Island.

There was almost no way to avoid the assassinations of doppelgangers who disguised themselves in extraordinary ways as aides, lovers, acquaintances, or family members.

Even those who survived could not properly command their troops because they could not trust those around them.

“Now is the time! Let’s drive out the false usurpers and bring back the true light to the heavens!”

“Long live Acherus! Long live Justia!”

At that moment, the rebels who had been hiding jumped out.

The level of armament was difficult to say was better than regular soldiers, but the doppelgangers had leaked the location of the armory in advance, so they quickly attacked those places and strengthened their armament.

After that, they attacked the anti-aircraft battery and began to neutralize those places.

“Your Majesty, the anti-aircraft battery is under attack.”

“Now is the time. Full speed ahead for all fleets.”

“Yes, Your Majesty! All fleets! Full speed ahead! The target is the Floating Island!”

I, who had been watching with a telescope from outside the range of the anti-aircraft battery, gave the order to advance immediately after seeing the commotion on the Floating Island.

Naval officers – although they were the air force, the concept of the sky navy was still strong – immediately advanced the airship at maximum speed, sailing to the Floating Island.

They had undergone numerous training for 10 years for this day, and not only these naval forces but also the soldiers had undergone combat assault training.

The safest way was for the battleships to completely neutralize the anti-aircraft battery and land slowly, but due to the characteristics of the Floating Island, it was impossible to expect such a situation.

In fact, even though doppelgangers and rebels were carrying out large-scale sabotage internally, a considerable number of anti-aircraft batteries were still operating.

“All cannons focus on neutralizing the anti-aircraft battery! Transport ships quickly lower the landing craft!”

“Everyone to the landing craft! Are you going to live as cowards for the rest of your lives! Have courage for the Empire!”

The transport ships had landing craft, which were small airship models.

Although the stability was poor, it was a ship that could quickly assault by having soldiers board and crash-land on the ground.

The assault was very dangerous, but the Imperial Army soldiers and knights were all full of courage.

Drrr-

“Get down! Get down! Immediately be wary of the surroundings!”

“It’s the enemy!”

“Shoot!”

Bang! Bang!

Soldiers with breech-loading magic-triggered muskets fired at the Celestial Race soldiers around them as soon as they got off the airship.

The Celestial Race soldiers also retaliated by raising their lightning spears and shooting lightning at them or attempting close combat, but the knights bravely rushed towards them.

“Uwooooo!”

Chaeng! Chang!

“For the Empire!”

“Keheok!”

Chwaak!

Unlike the days when simple arrows or spears were the only threats, the supply-type Imperial Knight armor they are currently wearing is an incomplete item that can only block the Celestial Race’s lightning attacks a few times.

Even that is expensive and only supplied to knights, but the knights charged at them as if they were giving up their lives and fought until they died.

“I will also sortie.”

“Your Majesty, preserve your body.”

“Are you saying that sincerely, Commander of the Guard? The sons of the Empire are fighting on the battlefield, but only I am behind?”

I said to the Commander of the Guard half jokingly, and he smiled bitterly.

“Then. The gods will also be with you.”

“That’s right. All the bodyguards also sortie. Don’t protect me, save even one more Imperial soldier!”

I immediately flew up with wings of light. The Commander of the Guard and the bodyguards also boarded Dark Gryphons and followed.

The Celestial Race had not yet been completely neutralized.

When the anti-aircraft battery failed to do its job, the Celestial Race elite troops were directly flying and targeting the landing craft.

Already dozens of landing craft were being scattered without even landing.

My blood ran cold at the thought that the lives of the Imperial people were dying in vain.

“We don’t need prisoners. Catch them all and kill them. Get the blood price.”

“I will follow your orders, Your Majesty!”

That was the same for the legions of the Imperial Guard.

I could feel their Imperial spirit shaking with anger.

They flew on gryphons and tore and killed them like demons.

Seokeok! Chwaak!

I also scattered light and reaped their lives with Silver Rose, and at the same time, I stretched out bundles of shadow blades in all directions and pierced them without rest.

“The sky has been cleared!”

“The landing is almost over!”

“We have almost captured the Floating Island!”

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! We have won!”

Soon, the victory report was delivered.

“No, it’s just the beginning.”

But I only answered with dignity.

Because it’s not time to let our guard down yet.