The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 331

217. Shaking the Empire (1)

[100,000 Imperial troops and 50,000 Free Army troops clash in the Vestal Marquisate! The former Principality’s golem unit is supporting the Free Army, so the front line is currently neck and neck!]

[The Empress’s survival is unconfirmed. Half of the Marquisate’s territory is said to be in ruins due to the battle.]

A hurried voice crackled through the communication device.

[The defensive fortress located upstream of the Fournine River has been captured by the Free Army. They are currently facing the Black Knights’ Kaishin unit!]

[Report from the Maron Gorge! 70,000 Janabi tribe-affiliated foreign troops led by Hwarin are moving south through the gorge. Combined with the remaining Green Knights, the newly formed Lord Cam Gray’s Lye Knights are defending the stronghold.]

The wizards, who had been intently focused on the communication, looked up with trembling eyes as the reports flooded in.

[The Imperial 2nd, 3rd, and 7th Fleets and the Free Army’s fleet are engaged in battle off the Kiwell Coast! The magic sailboat that sank the 5th Fleet has left the front lines and is moving south!]

A torrent of reports.

News of each battle taking place across the continent was being transmitted in real time.

The giant magic mirror displayed the battles unfolding in vivid detail.

[Kwaaaang……!!]

[Kwagang!!]

Explosions echoed incessantly.

Watching the war, a chaotic melee involving tens of thousands of troops, Oliven said quietly, “Losing the defensive fortress was a painful mistake. I used the Vestal Marquisate as bait, but it seems they didn’t take it.”

“That seems to be the case,” Tiren replied.

“What do you think? Was my acting not convincing enough?”

Tiren, standing next to Oliven, answered with a faint smile. “Your Majesty was excellent. It’s just that the enemy also has a keen eye for the overall strategy. He is, after all, the one who holds the Duchy and the three Istrian countries in his hands. He is not an opponent to be taken lightly.”

“It’s become troublesome. Like the saying, ‘To deceive the enemy, start by deceiving your own allies,’ I sent 100,000 troops to the Vestal Marquisate, where the Empress is located, making it seem like a vital point.”

For some reason, Oliven didn’t appear pleased, even with the news that the defensive fortress had been captured.

“I fooled the ministers well enough, but considering the investment of that much manpower, it has become a discarded asset that doesn’t significantly impact the overall war.”

However, unlike Oliven, Tiren’s expression was displeased as he listened to Oliven’s words.

“I dare say that the Tatur Free State and our power are evenly matched. They also invested a similar number of troops in the Marquisate. In terms of attrition warfare, the impact is negligible. Please don’t worry too much.”

Tiren moved the map in the center of the hall and said, “However, it will be necessary to revise the front lines. Sending Lord Kaishin of the Black Knights to defend the castle is not ideal if we intend to retake the defensive fortress. Lord Kaishin is an excellent knight, but he is not suited for offensive maneuvers. It would be better for them to withdraw.”

“Are you suggesting we abandon the defensive fortress? It is directly connected to the Imperial Capital. Are you saying that we could be attacked in the rear by the very plan we intended to use?”

“Don’t worry. They won’t emerge from the defensive fortress. No, they won’t be able to.”

“Hmm?”

Oliven looked at Tiren, demanding an explanation.

“Scattered battles are ultimately the same as scattering pieces on a game board. There is damage, but the intensity is weak, and it ultimately cannot significantly impact the overall situation.”

“Well, if you think that lightly, you might not notice your clothes getting wet in the drizzle, and the borders might gradually collapse.”

“Although the Marquisate battle to divert the enemy’s attention has failed, the damage is comparable on both sides. The same goes for other fronts. The exception is the Kiwell Coast, or… it will be resolved if new reinforcements join.”

“So, what are your thoughts?”

“We just need to divert their attention so they can’t advance through the defensive fortress.”

“A full-scale war,” Oliven responded quietly to Tiren’s words.

“Yes. Small sparks are eventually consumed in front of a large fire.”

“You’re saying we need to start a big fire.”

“In the end, to determine victory or defeat, we must destroy each other’s main forces.”

“That’s what they say. Lord Jarvant.”

Oliven looked ahead.

A gray knight in red armor was kneeling below the throne in the Sun Palace, looking up at him.

“I believe you will have to take the lead in creating that fire.”

“Your subject, Jarvant, will obey your command.”

“It will be a difficult battle. All games end when you capture the king, but in this battle, the king is the strongest enemy.”

“I am only grateful for the opportunity to use this useless old body for Your Majesty.”

Oliven slowly nodded at the spirited answer of his loyalist, who had followed him since he was a prince.

“Lord Jarvant’s advance party will play the role of creating a foothold for the main forces of the country to gather. There are three places where a million troops can clash: the front yard of the Imperial Capital, Twin Armor [a strategically important location] along the Fournine River, and finally, the Great Plains of the South.”

Tiren placed three pieces on the map.

“From now on, you must lead the army and shake these three locations. I will use the communication device to direct the strategy, but the situation always changes from moment to moment. We may have to rely on your long experience.”

“Don’t worry. I am confident in chaotic battles. I am someone who has been rolling around on the battlefield longer than anyone else. Although I am an old general, I will dedicate this body to divert the enemy’s attention.”

Jarvant Redak, the commander of the Red Knights, exuded a powerful aura that belied his age.

The thick arm muscles holding the helmet twitched.

“When the Empire’s 500,000 main forces march, the Empire’s flag will be flying in all three formations.”

Oliven gave a faint smile at his answer.

“There’s no need to dedicate your life. I hope you will come back alive to greet me. Hey.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Bring it here.”

At Oliven’s command, soldiers carried in a large box tightly sealed with gold.

“What is this?”

“I acquired it a while ago. I thought it would suit you best among the knights of the Empire.”

Ttal칵―

The moment he opened the lid of the box, Jarvant looked at Oliven with gratitude.

“This… this is…”

Hwareureureureuk――!!!

Huge heat soared from inside the box.

“Try it on.”

The old knight held the object inside the box with a tense expression, as if he had returned to his childhood when he received his knighthood oath.

Chiiiiik……!

Even though he was wearing gauntlets with protective magic, smoke rose as he couldn’t withstand the heat.

“Ooh…….”

“Is that the weapon that was rumored to exist?!”

“It’s truly amazing.”

The ministers couldn’t help but admire the intense magical power filling the hall.

The chakram [a bladed throwing weapon] with the power of fire sealed within, the Burning Punishment (Flame Punish).

“It was found in the lair of Python, the Red Dragon, the last descendant of Lyseria and the only existing Flame Dragon. His blood is contained in the chakram, so it will be more powerful than it was in the days recorded in history.”

“…Are you giving this to me, Your Majesty?”

“I believe you will bring me victory in return.”

“I, I am honored. Your subject will fulfill your command!!”

Along with Jarvant’s cry, the heat of the Burning Punishment blazed even hotter.

“Hiss……!!”

The red pigment of the gauntlet, which symbolized the Red Knights, melted as it could not withstand the heat.

However, he boldly gripped the handle of the weapon even tighter. As the flowing pigment hardened, it created the illusion that the chakram and Jarvant’s gauntlet were connected as one.

“Prepare for departure!!”

Oliven shouted as he lightly placed his sword on Jarvant’s shoulder and then removed it.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaa―――!!

Waaaaaaaaaaaa―――!!

The shouts of the soldiers outside, visible through the magic mirror, shook the Imperial Capital.

A hot fighting spirit began to burn in the front yard where 300,000 troops were gathered.

Oliven slowly nodded.

* * *

“I’m glad we were able to find Blader’s weapon in time. This means that 3 out of the five weapons are on our side.”

“That’s right. It would be good to give the Infinite Breath to Court Wizard Lord Kadin as planned. He is the only one in the Empire who can handle that weapon.”

“I will do so.”

After the departure ceremony of the large army, Oliven returned to his room and quenched his thirst with warm tea, appearing weary.

“It seems like you’ve been up for days. You should get some rest. The human body needs rest.”

“I know. But now is wartime. It’s also the first time since I ascended the throne…”

Oliven swallowed the hot tea, enduring the burning sensation as if deliberately testing himself.

“It will be the last war. Lord Neil Blanc.”

“Stubbornness…….”

“The Empire still has 500,000 more troops gathering. And they will trust me and engage in battle. Compared to them, staying up for a few days is no pain at all.”

He held up his teacup.

“Rather, swallowing this right now is more painful.”

“Don’t try to use your language power on me.”

Neil Blanc, who had been listening to Oliven’s words, said in a monotonous voice.

“Language power? It’s a power I was born with… It’s not something I can control.”

“Agreeing with your thoughts is different from following your thoughts.”

Oliven gave a bitter smile at Neil Blanc’s words.

There were three more people behind him.

The man with short, red hair had a scar on the back of his hand, as if he had been cut with a knife. The woman with long, green hair tied up was calm.

Finally, the middle-aged man with dark golden eyes greeted Oliven with a gentle smile.

“Thanks to you, we were able to easily obtain the Burning Punishment.”

“I was just keeping it. It doesn’t matter since it wasn’t something I was interested in anyway. I’m curious if the performance of the weapon can make up for the gap a little.”

The red-haired man said.

“It won’t be easy, but Lord Jarvant is skilled enough to be considered a Sword Master [a master swordsman]. I believe he will be able to handle Blader’s weapon well.”

“I hope so.”

“I came out at the request of Lord Neil Blanc, but in fact, it is against the rules for us to participate in this war.”

Unlike the red-haired man with a stiff attitude, the middle-aged man said in a calm tone as he put down the box he was holding.

“Perhaps this is all we can get involved in.”

He unlocked the box and opened the lid.

“Blader’s fifth weapon, the twin swords, Thunder Strike (雷擊) and Thunder Flash (雷電).”

“This is it. I wanted to find it, but I couldn’t even find a trace of the rumors…”

“That’s understandable. These swords are a bit special. The other weapons were made in the Magic Era, but these two were newly made. The weapon made by the Blader of the Magic Era was used as a medium for sealing.”

“Sealing means…?”

“The power of the Thunder Lord Kunken, the King of Lightning Spirits, is contained within.”

Oliven looked at the two swords with slightly trembling eyes at his words.

“Unlike other attributes, the power of lightning is special. No, should I say unique? That’s why I was keeping it myself.”

“To give it to me. You’ve made a big decision.”

“It’s because Lord Neil Blanc asked me to.”

“If the three of you were together, the tide of the Imperial War would easily turn to our side.”

Oliven carefully closed the lid of the box and said with regret.

“If it doesn’t violate the rules… I will consider it, but with Lord Neil Blanc here, is there even a need for us to be together? The outcome of the war is already decided.”

The man gave a faint smile.

It was then.

“Urgent news from the Mercenary Corps!!”

A voice was heard from outside the door.

“What’s going on?”

As if mocking the gentle smile, the sudden report from the soldier caused the war situation to change rapidly.

“The airship of the Mercenary Corps flying over the northern sky has been attacked!!”

“……!!!”

“……!!!”

All because of one person.