The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 328

215. The Imperial War (4)

“Urgent news!!”

The Imperial Capital was in chaos, filled with messengers and mages operating communication devices, delivering reports.

“Battles have broken out at the Northern Ivory Tower! The Dawn Society is under attack by an unidentified undead legion created by the Immortal Society!”

“Undead?!”

“What are you saying?!”

Among the flood of reports, this one, arriving in the early morning, shocked the ministers.

“Do not be rash. We already knew the Immortal Society was using necromancy.”

Belin Valention, the Commander of the Imperial Knights, spoke in a grave tone. Unlike during the throne struggle, he had returned to his knightly demeanor, a change born from witnessing the war firsthand.

With his extensive experience, he certainly demonstrated the qualities of a leader of the Imperial Knights.

“The undead created by necromancy have their limits. The Dawn Society should be able to handle such a force without much difficulty.”

“That’s….”

However, contrary to his expectations, the soldier delivering the report did not raise his head, speaking in a trembling voice.

“The Ivory Tower has suffered severe damage, and about half of the Dawn Society’s mages are fleeing to the Empire. They request the opening of teleportation gates and escort soldiers for their safety.”

“…What?”

The hall buzzed with commotion.

The fall of the Dawn Society would be a significant loss to the Empire, equivalent to losing a major power.

“The Immortal Society…?”

“The forces attacking the Ivory Tower were only undead. Consequently, they suffered no casualties. However, it is reported that Lord Verch Blano, the leader of the Dawn Society, annihilated all the undead attacking the Ivory Tower with his magic.”

“Are you saying there were no Immortal Society mages around the Ivory Tower?!”

“That is correct.”

“Impossible…! Unless the undead have self-awareness, a necromancer must be nearby to control them!! They cannot be dozens of kilometers away.”

Kadin Luer, the court mage, slammed his staff on the floor, shouting as he listened to the soldier’s report.

He, too, was from the Ivory Tower and could not help but be shocked by this attack.

“Your Majesty, please send me. I will go with the mages from the Academy. I will investigate the truth and find a way to defeat the Immortal Society’s undead.”

“I understand your feelings.”

Olivon, sitting on the throne, looked at him, his hands clasped together, and raised his palm as if to stop him for a moment.

“Is Lord Verch Blano safe?”

“That… It has been confirmed that the undead were annihilated with light, but his survival has not been confirmed since. Fortunately, all ten high-ranking mages of the Dawn Society are safe.”

Olivon looked at Kadin and said, “Lord Verch is the strongest mage on the continent. He will surely be safe.”

“However….”

Kadin said in a slightly trembling voice.

“I understand.”

But soon, he nodded with a low sigh. The war had just begun. It was practically impossible for him, as a court mage, to leave the Empire in the midst of it.

“What the Dawn Society needs now is not Academy mages, but supplies and servants to care for them.”

Unlike the others, Olivon did not seem greatly swayed by this attack.

“Prime Minister.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Coordinate with the Commander of the Knights to prepare supplies and young servants to welcome the Dawn Society.”

“Understood.”

“But it would be good to organize a part of the Knights in preparation for any situation, so that they can be immediately deployed into battle as soon as they arrive.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

It was natural for the ruler of the Empire not to be swayed by every little thing, but the ministers could not help but admire how calm he was, even in this dangerous situation.

“Lord Kadin, select mages from the Academy and gather the forces needed for the Knights’ formation. Is there anyone you would recommend?”

Kadin Luer nodded at Olivon’s words.

“There is a mage named Sergara who recently returned from the Ivory Tower.”

“Sergara… The son of Lord Hwan Sergara?”

“That is correct. He is the top student of the Academy and was accepted as my direct disciple along with Tiren, but if we consider magical talent, he is one of the best in the Empire. He is also familiar with the mages of the Dawn Society, so it would be good to entrust the supply unit to him.”

“Hmm… He is young. Is it okay to entrust him with a command?”

“Although Sergara lacks practical experience, he is already known among mages as a bright child. You can trust him.”

“If you say so, then I will. Very well. I will let him gain experience.”

“I will obey your command, Your Majesty.”

As Kadin bowed and answered, the ministers felt that there was no sense of incongruity in the fact that the three dukes were standing around the young emperor.

‘When I listen to His Majesty’s voice, my anxiety seems to disappear.’

‘He must be thinking of another way.’

‘Despicable bastards. We will take a more certain revenge on them.’

Somehow, the anxiety caused by the report of the Ivory Tower’s attack seemed to melt away like snow.

Rather, the ministers seemed to be burning with fighting spirit, even though they had been preemptively attacked.

“Isn’t it funny?”

Olivon’s voice echoed in the Sun Hall.

“The Empire hasn’t even started the war yet, and they are fighting each other in unexpected places.”

“The two great magic societies of this era have a stated position of not interfering in the affairs of the continent, but everyone knows that the Dawn Society secretly helps the Empire.”

“Their power was expected to be great in this war, but suddenly a surprise attack… This is truly a big problem.”

Prime Minister Brin Inique frowned at the soldier’s report.

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

“Yes?”

Olivon raised his hand.

Then, the soldiers behind him brought a huge map of the continent and stood before him.

When the map was unfolded, it was so large that four soldiers could barely hold each corner.

It contained not only the terrain of the map but also very detailed markings indicating the current forces of each faction.

‘When did he get this…?!’

‘Not only the number of Taturs [a nomadic people] but also the number of enemy troops in the north and south is written down. Even the Imperial Intelligence Agency doesn’t know this….’

‘Amazing.’

‘Even when the late Emperor issued the Edict of Eradication of Heresy, the number of non-Han [referring to non-ethnic majority] people was not accurately grasped. That’s why we couldn’t find the hidden remnants.’

‘Even if we had spies in the enemy army, we wouldn’t be able to know this much detail.’

The ministers wondered how Olivon had such detailed information.

“Currently, the biggest headache is right there.”

Olivon pointed to a place on the map.

Everyone’s eyes turned to that spot.

It was none other than the territory of Marquis Vestal in the south. The Prime Minister and the three dukes let out low sighs with knowing looks.

“Where is the Empress now?”

“That… As reported, she has gathered the remaining soldiers of Marquis Vestal and raised an army.”

Brin Inique hurriedly answered Olivon’s question.

“However, their power is weak, so you don’t have to worry too much. It is right to focus on the front line with Tatur for now.”

“Hmm. Tiren, do you think so too?”

Olivon leaned forward and looked back at the bottom of the throne.

And another person.

The ministers could not help but be surprised that the two young men were by the Emperor’s side, where even the dukes could not stand.

‘Is it Tiren McGovern after Kwell McGovern? The McGovern family has been by the Emperor’s side for generations.’

‘What is His Majesty thinking by keeping him by his side? The enemy we have to fight in the future is his other son.’

‘What if he comes up with a strategy for the enemy….’

The ministers’ eyes were different.

But most of them contained distrust. Tiren, by Olivon’s side, spoke as if he didn’t care about their gazes.

“Your words are wise, Your Majesty. I believe that the biggest headache for the Empire right now is not the unstarted battlefield but the Empress’s territory where the rebellion has occurred.”

His clear voice echoed in the Sun Hall.

Everyone’s eyes turned to him.

The late Emperor Tyran Schtean had tied Tiren and Landol to the Academy as students and knights, not as hostages, to prevent Kwell McGovern’s actions.

However, Tiren excelled at the Academy with his outstanding abilities, and the court mage Kadin Luer saw that his talent for internal affairs and strategy, which came from his extraordinary mind, was superior to his magical talent.

“Nonsense!”

“The remaining soldiers of Marquis Vestal are no more than 2,000. Do you think they will be a threat to the Empire!”

“Hey, don’t make hasty speculations without evidence.”

However, unlike the court mage’s insight, not many people welcomed him, who was only 19 years old and had just had his coming-of-age ceremony, sitting in the position of the Emperor’s strategist.

‘A brat who wouldn’t have been promoted if the late Emperor had been here.’

‘The idea of moving tens of thousands of Imperial soldiers with the thoughts of young children…!’

‘I wonder why His Majesty entrusted such an important position as a strategist to such young children.’

Doubt and jealousy.

Tiren smiled coldly as if he knew what their eyes were saying.

“I think so too.”

However, as if ignoring the ministers’ thoughts, Olivon nodded at Tiren’s words.

Olivon, who had completely changed from his speech to his behavior after ascending the throne, showed the aspect of a monarch, not the gentle appearance he had shown so far.

The ministers, who had only seen his introverted side until now, initially felt his change was unfamiliar, but before they knew it, they praised him as the son of the conquering king.

Of course,

Kwell McGovern, who knew that he had killed his father with his own hands, was just silent.

Kwell’s faith in Olivon was firm, but he was still confined to his home after the Heim incident.

However, Tiren was by Olivon’s side as if he was replacing him, so the ministers could not let their guard down against the McGovern family.

“Why….”

The Prime Minister asked instead of everyone who was wondering.

But Olivon did not answer and raised his hand to point at someone.

It was the man next to Tiren.

“Do you know the reason?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

He answered without hesitation. He had an ordinary face without any particular features, but he had a strange atmosphere.

“Tell me.”

The eyes of the ministers in the Sun Hall all turned to him next to Tiren.

Surprisingly, he was one of the Empire’s Seven Great Warriors from the previous life that Carryl had set his sights on,

“Bran Gamunt.”

At Olivon’s words, he nodded and continued.

“As many ministers have said, the Empress’s forces cannot directly harm the Empire. But Marquis Vestal’s territory is close to the south. It’s not a matter of battle. Rather, it’s the opposite. If they don’t attack us but defect to Tatur….”

Bran Gamunt paused for a moment.

Then, he looked around and spoke again.

“Or if Tatur controls the Empress’s life, the Empire will face a bigger problem than losing the Dawn Society.”

“Why?”

“Justification.”

Bran’s eyes shone.

“I am sorry to say, but the Imperial succession has already been recognized by all the ministers, but public sentiment has become turbulent with the death of the late Emperor and the successive deaths of the princes. Your Majesty also knows the rumors that have spread through the streets.”

“Are you talking about the demon who devoured his father and brothers?”

Olivon said casually, but the ministers’ expressions darkened with that one word.

“The people are foolish and weak. In this situation, the Empress is a very good target for creating rumors. Do not forget that the soldiers who make up the Empire’s powerful army are also just people.”

“Are you saying that the Empress’s words can disturb the public sentiment?”

“I am sorry.”

“That won’t do. We have an important war ahead of us.”

Olivon’s eyes turned cold.

“So, what is the best way to do it?”

“The Empress’s forces are not large. We must rescue the Empress before she is endangered by Tatur.”

The answer came from the Prime Minister, not Bran.

But somehow, the Prime Minister’s answer did not attract Olivon’s attention, and Olivon still looked at Bran.

“That is….”

Bran couldn’t easily continue.

“We must silence that mouth.”

As if it was the answer he had been waiting for, Olivon looked at Tiren. But unlike Olivon, who was satisfied, Bran turned his head towards Tiren, who had answered instead of him.

Tuk―

“The first battle will take place here.”

Olivon said, throwing the words on the map.

“Whoever takes the Empress’s head will seize the victory. The Empire cannot let Tatur take the Empress, no matter what.”

It was the territory of Marquis Vestal, where the Empress was.

“Protect her no matter what. We must bring the Empress to the Empire.”

He said in a low voice.

“Whether she is alive or not.”