Chapter 184
For a mont, all eyes were on Kiaran.
The sudden devastation of the Tirkan Kingdom was shocking.
“Even if we move toward the Tirkan Kingdom now, the Imperial forces will have already withdrawn.”
The Empire’s goal had never been occupation—it had been to cripple Tirkan’s military strength.
“They wouldn’t have the forces to hold it anyway.”
The 150,000-strong coalition army was advancing toward the Imperial capital.
The Empire had no reason to divide its forces further.
“This ans we can restore the Tirkan Kingdom later. As allies, we will propose a joint effort to aid in its recovery.”
“The Artian Kingdom will assist as well.”
“So will we.”
Matirn’s words were followed by Weiner’s response.
“We deeply appreciate the support of our allies. However, the people of the kingdom are relocating to Roserdal... They will need food and protection.”
“We will arrange for Spanian Kingdom to provide food aid.”
“And as for military forces... General Weiner, would you lead the Tirkan reinforcents to Roserdal?”
“Are you certain?”
Weiner looked surprised.
In a way, this ant removing Tirkan forces from the coalition army.
Of course, Tirkan’s troops had never been as nurous as those of Artian or Baroque.
While their absence was a loss, it would not drastically alter the coalition’s strength.
Kiaran nodded.
“It’s fine. We should organize the deploynt now.”
The coalition army needed to move toward Everblade as quickly as possible.
Their priority was preventing the Imperial forces from reinforcing and applying constant pressure.
Once the matter was settled, Kiaran and the other commanders began mobilizing their forces.
“...May fortune be with you.”
Weiner saluted as he and his troops departed for Roserdal.
Once they were gone—
“We should move as well. We need to set up formation in front of Everblade, coordinating with the arrival of supplies.”
Everblade would be the stage for the decisive battle.
There was much preparation to be done.
As Damian watched the organized ranks of soldiers, he directed his unit’s movent.
‘...Now.’
They were advancing toward Everblade.
In his past life, he had never set foot on Imperial soil. Now, he was marching toward Everblade, a key fortress just beneath the Imperial capital.
What conclusion awaited them—
‘You will understand soon enough. The pain of being trampled underfoot.’
His hatred for the Empire had driven him this far.
No matter how much he tried to remain calm, his eyes burned with intensity.
Then—
“Lord Damian.”
“...?”
Hearing Dianal’s voice, Damian looked back.
Dianal spoke with a grin.
“Perhaps you should relax a little? If you keep tensing up, you’ll be exhausted before we even reach Everblade.”
“...Hah?”
Damian blinked in disbelief. The deadly aura around him dissipated instantly.
“Let’s take it easy. The road to Everblade is practically a leisure trip.”
“Heh. A leisure trip to a warzone?”
“For us? Or for the Imperial fools in our way?”
It was a terrible joke, but Dianal’s voice brimd with confidence.
Damian let out a chuckle.
Dianal was right—he had been too tense.
“Thank you.”
“...For what?”
“For everything.”
Dianal had remained loyal since their past lives.
He was the only one who could rein Damian in at monts like this.
Damian gave him a light pat on the shoulder before turning to his n.
“Caion Unit! We move with the main force! Prepare yourselves!”
“Yes, sir!”
The soldiers responded loudly, quickly making their final preparations.
As Damian watched them—
‘Right. No need to rush.’
They had been steadily climbing upward, one step at a ti.
With that thought, Damian steeled himself and set off for Everblade with his n.
***
“General Alexandro?”
This was completely unexpected.
Even when Nardern fell, Ailes Vilzen had remained composed.
But hearing that Alexandro had abandoned Statznal and retreated to Everblade...
“...Unbelievable.”
When Ailes had returned from imprisonnt in the underground dungeon, Alexandro Falcoz had been his strongest card.
Despite the passage of ti, Alexandro was still the Empire’s guardian.
And now, he had abandoned Statznal?
“General Alexandro sent this letter.”
For a man known for his silence, sending a personal letter was highly significant.
Ailes quickly unfolded the ssage and read.
“The Caion Unit.”
“Their commander is Damian, the third Aura Master of Baroque.”
“Baroque Kingdom is truly fortunate.”
But if he had only recently attained the title of Aura Master, he likely had limited control over his power.
Yet, despite that, he had achieved such feats.
‘That ans his foundation is exceptionally strong.’
Ailes had encountered many Aura Masters.
From the legendary Alexandro to the far lesser Galveron.
Aura was certainly important, but an individual’s fundantal strength was just as crucial.
‘Like a tiger growing wings.’
If Alexandro himself had warned of this man, he could not be ignored.
Ailes turned to his officers.
“What of General Calon, who was sent to Artian?”
“He is engaged in battle with Anubel, the reinforcents from Baroque. They continue to push forward after driving them back at Srenzkanal.”
“As expected of General Calon.”
Though difficult to deal with, Calon was soone Ailes could always count on.
He had never lost a battle.
And—
“Hainel Fremunt is on the move, while Anubel is in Artian. Baroque must be insane.”
If they were so reckless, then it was ti to crush them completely.
‘Baroque Kingdom is the heart of this coalition. If they fall, the entire alliance will collapse.’
Ailes made his decision.
“Send word to General Galveron in Tirkan—order him to strike Baroque’s eastern front. And...”
Ailes’ eyes glead as he studied the map.
“Tell General Calon to use the eastern mountain path through Artian’s Kurdam Mountains to strike Baroque’s western front.”
“The eastern mountains? Are you referring to the Kurdam Mountains?”
“Yes.”
Ailes’ response made the ssenger’s eyes widen in shock.
The Kurdam Mountains were infamous for their treacherous terrain, effectively serving as a natural barrier between Artian and Baroque. Few considered them passable.
But—
“Hurry and deliver this ssage to General Calon. Inform him that there is a hidden passage through the midsection of the Kurdam Mountains.”
“There’s a path there?”
“Hahaha.”
Ailes chuckled.
If they used that passage, they could directly invade Baroque’s territory.
‘There may be monsters, but that won’t be an issue for Calon.’
Most wouldn’t dare attempt it, but if anyone could, it was Calon.
And if he did break through—
‘They’ll be in for a shock.’
Two Aura Masters attacking from both east and west simultaneously.
Would the Empire still dare to march toward the capital?
‘What will you do now?’
Ailes’ lips curled into a smirk.
***
As he traveled with supplies toward Everblade, Henry received an urgent report on the battle in Artian.
“They’re pulling back?”
Henry couldn’t hide his astonishnt upon hearing that Calon’s army was retreating from Artian.
They had advanced swiftly past Srenzkanal—why withdraw now?
Were they returning to the Empire via the sea?
But the ssenger shook his head.
“No, sir. Instead of heading for the sea, they are moving east.”
“East...? But there’s nothing but the Kurdam Mountains. Why would they...?”
Then Henry’s expression darkened.
A long-forgotten rumor surfaced in his mind.
The supposed secret passage through the Kurdam Mountains, linking Artian and Baroque.
The exact location was unknown, but if it truly existed...
‘The Empire knows about it?’
If so—
“Send a ssage to Baroque and the coalition imdiately. This is urgent.”
They had to prepare for the worst.
‘Our kingdom has committed the most forces to this war...’
But the backbone of the coalition was Baroque.
If Baroque fell, the coalition would crumble.
They had reached the Empire’s doorstep.
“I won’t let it end here.”
Henry’s eyes glead with a dangerous intensity as he rode toward Everblade.
***
Clang!
“Gah!”
A powerful downward slash sent a knight reeling, his scream echoing as he hit the ground.
The attack had been obvious.
Yet, blocking it had been nearly impossible.
A towering man extended his hand to the fallen knight.
“Are you alright, Hylas?”
“I... I couldn’t even defend against that.”
Hylas groaned as he stood, rubbing his aching wrist.
He was a high-ranking knight, strong enough to lead his own order elsewhere.
But—
‘How could I leave this place?’
His commander was not only imnsely skilled but also a natural leader.
The man smiled at him.
“Your sword strikes carry more weight than before. That ans you’re improving. Your dedication inspires even .”
“You flatter , sir.”
Hylas bowed slightly.
Just then—
“Young Master.”
“Hmm?”
A neatly dressed old man entered the training grounds.
The commander turned to him.
“You have been assigned to the reinforcents. You will be departing for the Empire.”
“...I see.”
The man’s eyes sharpened.
He had waited a long ti for this mont.
And—
“...I will finally see him again.”
“Are you referring to Lord Damian?”
“I wonder if he’ll even recognize . It’s been years.”
A brief but unforgettable encounter from four years ago resurfaced in his mind.
He pictured Damian—who had long since surpassed him—and a small smile ford on his lips.
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