Chapter 224: The Dignity of the Empire’s Strongest (1)

The total number of Imperial troops deployed in this war was no less than 500,000 men. It was so large of a number that unless you were the Empire, it was impossible for a single country to mobilize this many men.

However, 500,000 men were too many to deploy into a single battlefield. Of course, the troop division would depend on the terrain, but no matter how wide the battlefield was, an army would become slow if it exceeded 200,000 men. As large as the army grew, the time it took for orders to be delivered increased in proportion.

That was why Antras had added 50,000 to the previous 150,000 men making it a total of 200,000 men he planned to attack the Lester Kingdom’s 150,000 men with. Standing at the front of these 150,000 men were the four Masters that the Empire was proud of with Antras on the ground, responsible for directing strategic tactics.

‘It’ll be good whether Milton is there or not this time. The only thing that matters is to destroy the Lester Kingdom this time.’

Thinking so, Antras began to advance the Imperial Army.

“Silver Sage, the enemy is in sight.”

“Hm…”

Antras sat down in the previously prepared chair high up in the watchtower and looked down at the enemy camp. He frowned.

‘They’ve cut off their retreat? Are they saying they’re going to give it their all?’

The enemy had stood wooden poles so it turned into a wooden fence and waiting behind that, spearmen stood densely together. And behind the spearmen was a large river that was too wide and too fast for people to cross it safely. Having the river at the soldiers’ backs meant the Lester Kingdom intended to block their men from retreating and having them fight till the end. In other words, they intended to end things here without retreating.

“It seems like Milton Forrest may not be here. There’s no way a sovereign of a country would join a battle where the odds are stacked against them.”

At any rate, Antras planned to annihilate the enemy.

“Order the entire army to attack… huh?”

Antras suddenly stopped talking. Someone came forward from the enemy camp and was loudly shouting.

“I am Milton Forrest.”

He couldn’t ignore such a declaration.

***

“Milton Forrest?”

“Isn’t he the Grand Duke of the Lester Kingdom?”

“Is Milton Forrest really here?”

The Imperial soldiers and the knights began to murmur to each other. Rather than being afraid, they were thirsty for merit. There was nothing more valuable on the battlefield than the head of a great man. If one of them were to behead Milton, then more than just succeeding, their entire lives would be changed.

In front of such people, Milton raised his sword high and shouted.

“The enemy commander of the Empire, take all your soldiers and immediately leave. Don’t let innocent soldiers bleed in a futile war!”

At Milton’s declaration, someone from the Imperial Army shouted back at him in response.

“Stop talking nonsense, Grand Duke Forrest!”

The person shouting was none other than Duke Sebastian. His face was red as he pointed a finger at Milton.

“The Lester Kingdom is the bystander who has nothing to do with this war. But you suddenly join and dare to attack the Empire? You think you’ll get away with it?”

Antras frowned at Duke Sebastian’s angry shout.

“Nothing good will come out of responding…”

Antras couldn’t understand the reasoning behind Milton Forrest personally coming out to provoke them, but the fact that he did meant that there was a purpose. In that case, they could have just ignored it, but unfortunately, Duke Sebastian had to respond. And just as Antras expected, Milton was ready with a response; it was almost like he had been waiting for them to take the bait.

“I should be telling you to stop talking nonsense. We’ve already obtained intelligence that after the Empire takes over the Republic, you’ll be attacking the Lester Kingdom next.”

It was all a lie. They didn’t have that kind of intelligence; when he said that the Empire’s next goal was the Lester Kingdom, it was just a hypothesis based on the analysis of the current situation. But currently, it was more important to give justification than to care whether it was right or wrong. That was why Milton was able to continue without blinking an eye.

“The ambition of those who shed innocents’ blood dreaming of unifying the continent is truly ugly and evil. Every single one of those soldiers who shed blood because of your ambition is someone’s father and someone’s son. Aren’t you ashamed to decorate a conquest with honor and glory when its gained by their blood?”

Duke Sebastian shouted furiously at Milton’s provocation.

“How dare you ridicule the Empire with your malicious speech? I’ll be cutting off your head immediately.”

And with that, Duke Sebastian rode his horse forward. To use a common phrase, their single combat began.

***

‘Good. I got him.’

Milton clenched his fist as he watched Duke Sebastian riding towards him alone. 

Count Sabian had previously told Milton this:

[My Lord, one day, no, just half a day. If you can hold out against the Imperial Army for just half a day, then you can cause the Empire to be in a quandary.]

In other words, Count Sabian’s plan required Milton to last half a day against the Imperial Army. And not just against the Imperial Army but the elites of the Imperial Army. 

It was reckless and difficult, but it had to be done. After all, the Empire wasn’t an easy enemy they could win against without taking any risks. That was why Milton was trying to drag things out as much as possible and the reason why Milton was using himself as bait.

‘Duke Hector Sebastian… I wonder how good he is.’

Milton controlled his breathing as he focused on the opponent in front of his eyes. From now on, Milton had to trust his own skills and not his words. 

The patron saint of the Empire, that was what everyone thought of when it came to Duke Sebastian. Aside from his skills, Duke Sebastian was someone who was very symbolic to the Empire. He had devoted his entire life to the Empire and for him, that Empire was the end product of his life. But that Empire had been slandered by the enemy. How could he listen quietly? He couldn’t think of a reason why he had to.

“Milton Forrest!”

With a loud roar, Duke Sebastian aimed at Milton.

CLANG!

A Master vs. Master clash was always accompanied by a powerful aftershock. 

“Ugh…”

“Guh…”

The two of them separated after crossing swords to counteract the aftermath of the impact. They immediately knew about the other’s skills.

‘He’s worse than me.’

‘He’s better than me.’

The first was Duke Sebastian’s thought, while the second was Milton’s. In other words, Duke Sebastian had a slight advantage over Milton when it came down to pure skills. 

‘As expected, he hasn’t just been getting older. He’s better than me in terms of ability.’ 

When Duke Sebastian had been rushing towards him, Milton had been checking his abilities.

[Hector Sebastian]

Knight LV.9

Strength - 94                 Command - 90

Intellect - 65                Politic - 50

Loyalty - 00

Special Traits - Unity, Breakthrough, Discernment, 

Unity LV.4: Command subordinates properly even during a dangerous situation. Able to cope well against situations like ambushes and night attacks. 

Breakthrough LV.7: Lead a troop of horsemen to penetrate straight through the enemy’s formation. The force of the breakthrough goes up as the level rises.

Discernment LV.8: A great ability to judge people and skillfully grasp whether a person is talented or not. 

Guidance LV.9 (MAX): Excellent ability to guide students. If a student is very talented, then it’s possible to foster that talent and help them surpass yourself. 

Based on Duke Sebastian’s Special Traits, there wasn’t any need to be afraid of him. While he had a great ability to nurture his disciples, that didn’t mean he was someone to be wary about on the battlefield.

However, his Strength stat was higher than Milton’s. Milton’s was 93, so while it was a very small difference, Duke Sebastian’s Strength was still greater. 

And there was a bigger problem than just the Strength stat...

“Pay for your blasphemy against the Empire, Grand Duke Milton Forrest!”

Duke Sebastian’s bloodthirsty and murderous intent towards him. Every single one of Duke Sebastian’s swings contained immense power. It wasn’t just physical strength either but was fueled by anger at the blasphemy against his entire life.

And facing him, Milton could keenly feel it in his bones.

‘Damn it. This old bastard’s strong.’

Milton gritted his teeth as he could feel his wrist aching every time they exchanged blows. At this rate, forget buying time, Milton might lose his life.

“Whooo…”

Milton widened the distance between them as he calmed himself down.

‘Let’s switch gears. This isn’t a duel that I have to win.’

Milton changed the way he was fighting this battle.

***

“Soldiers of the Empire, shout out loud!”

“Waaaahh!”

“Long live, Duke Sebastian!”

“The Empire forever!”

The appearance of Duke Sebastian unilaterally attacking Milton caused the Imperial soldiers to become lively. It was one-sided, pure and simple. Even the ones who couldn’t understand it could obviously see that Duke Sebastian was overwhelming Milton Forrest. Every time their swords crossed, Duke Sebastian pushed Milton Forrest back roughly.

But how did it look to someone who wasn’t a novice?

“He’s hurrying too much.”

Duke Schweiker let out a sigh. It was regretful to speak about his teacher’s mistake, but he couldn’t help but say it. 

Currently, Duke Sebastian was expending too much energy and effort. His destructive power seemed very strong because he was swinging his sword with all his strength with every stroke, but if that destructive power failed to produce any result, then it was just wasting his energy. 

Originally, Duke Sebastian’s swordsmanship was traditional and boasted of perfect form and control. He would never swing his sword with brute strength. 

But more than anything else, his opponent Milton Forrest was merely aiming to last through the battle. Milton did use some defensive moves, but not much. He had zero intentions of trying to win; all he was trying to do was hang on.

‘I don’t know what he’s trying to do, but I can’t just let him do it.’

Duke Schweiker tried to step forward and join, however...

“Don’t you think it’s too early for the Empire’s strongest to step forward?”

A man blocked Duke Schweiker.

“Marquis Baker?”

It was the Master of the Spiritual Eye, Marquis Gotham Baker. More sensitive than anyone else, he had read Duke Schweiker’s intention to join in the fight before anyone else.

“We would become a laughing stock to the rest of the world if it became known that two of the Empire’s Masters had to join forces.”

“Hm…”

He was right. Not only would it impact the honor of the Empire, but it would also stain his teacher, Duke Sebastian’s, honor as well. But the enemy’s intent was worrisome to leave him alone. 

While Duke Schweiker was in a dilemma, someone acted first.

“Grand Duke Forrest! Fight me!”

The one shouting was Duke Dominic Florian.

***

“That crazy…”

Milton groaned at the sight of Duke Florian barging into his fight with Duke Sebastian.

Duke Sebastian was equally dumbfounded. He briefly separated from Milton and turned towards Duke Florian.

“What is the meaning of this, Duke Florian?”

“Victory will only take longer like this. Move out of the way. I will deal with him from now.”

Duke Sebastian frowned when he heard what Duke Florian was shouting while madly rushing towards them.

‘I still can’t throw away my sense of fairness even in a situation like this?’

Duke Sebastian could see why Duke Florian was intruding like this.

Duke Florian was from a family who provided the greatest knights for the Empire. His family had produced the greatest knights from generation to generation, and at least one in three generations reached the level of a Master. Having come from such a prestigious family, Duke Florian had reached the level of a Master at a young age and even had his son Lucas Florian reach the level of a Master. With father and son both a Master, Duke Florian’s family was at their heyday.

But ironically, despite his family having reached their peak, Duke Florian had to give up the position as the best knight in the Empire.