CH 30

The Alsatian Empire.

After the great war caused by one of the ‘Six Witches of Ruin’ 200 years ago, the Empire quickly rebuilt and annexed the surrounding countries, becoming the dominant power in the centre of the continent. 

It was only a few years ago that this country had the unrealistic ambition of conquering the continent.

Although a great power, the earlier king of the empire had been rather conservative, committed to preserving the wealth he already possessed rather than invading the empire’s  neighbours by force. 

Even so, the Empire has made many enemies by becoming a great power.

There are many forces that threaten the Empire, including the sub-human nations in the south of the continent and the guild federations in the east.

Although they have an alliance with the God of the North, they are not sure if it can be trusted, as alliances between nations can be broken at any moment. 

If they were to start a war, it would give them an opportunity to take advantage of the situation and create enemies on all sides.

It was the three holy swords that drove the Alsatian Empire to conquer the continent.

The holy sword of fire: Durandal (デュランダル) 

The holy sword of ice: Gjallarhorn (ギャラルホルン) 

The holy sword of thunder: Claíomh Solas (クラウソラス)

The holders of the three holy swords appeared at about the same time.

The wielder of a holy sword appears only once every few decades, and each holy sword has had its own wielder in the past. 

However, this was the first time since the founding of the Empire that three holy swords had been chosen to hold the inside of the Empire at the same time. 

The emperor of the time, Zacharias van Arslande, saw this as a sign from the founder of the empire, and decided to unite the continent.

At the behest of Zacharius, the imperial army launched a simultaneous invasion of the Guild Confederacy in the east, the Subhuman Kingdom in the north and the Kingdom of Zain in the west.

With the help of the powerful weapon of the holy sword, the invasion was progressing smoothly, and in the western kingdom of Zain, the imperial troops had already pushed into the last fortress protecting the royal capital.

“It’s very hard indeed. I’m sure the enemy will persevere.” 

“This is the last stronghold of the Kingdom of Zain. They must be desperate.” 

In the distance, looking towards the “Blaine Fortress” in front of the royal capital of the Kingdom of Zain, two men are exchanging words with firm faces.

They are an old man with a mixture of grey hair and a somewhat younger, older man.

“Yes, but it’s only a matter of time. They won’t last a month.”

The old man who opens his mouth solemnly is Lieutenant General Gracos Barzen.

He is the supreme commander of the western invasion force of the Alsatian Empire and an old general who has been fighting for the Empire for nearly 50 years.

“Yes, if we lose this place, the kingdom will be as naked as a rock. Let’s bid our time.” 

The man who responds to the old general’s words is Colonel Dallas Safaris.

He was also a general in the western invasion force of the Imperial Army of Alsatian, and a trusted lieutenant to Barzen.

There are many soldiers coming and going from the Imperial camp.

The Imperial soldiers, who are the most skilled on the continent, are preparing for battle with nimble, lean movements.

One month ago, the Army of the Alsatian Empire launched an invasion of the Kingdom of Zain in the west.

This was the first full-scale invasion of the kingdom, although it had been involved in a few skirmishes in the past.

The Kingdom of Zain is only about a tenth of the size of the Empire, but it is by no means a weak country.

They have a reputation for defensive warfare, using their mountainous terrain to their advantage, and they’ve estimated that this invasion would take quite some time.

However, once the fighting had begun, the invasion went so well that the invading empire was surprised.

In just two weeks the fortress of Barceo, a key border point, had fallen, and in another two weeks most of the nobles who held lands in the north of the kingdom had been subjugated.

And finally, the empire had attacked the last defense of the royal capital, the Blaine Fortress, and had practically decided to take the crown.

“This is the first time that I have ever seen such a thing happen so quickly. The kingdom, a long time enemy, is so easy to……”

Safaris sighs somewhat exasperatedly.

Once before, about ten years ago, the Empire invaded the Kingdom of Zain, but failed to even capture the border fortress.

The young Safaris had also participated in a previous invasion, and the memory of that bitter defeat remained with him.

“Hmm……a holy sword bearer is to be feared. A single man can change the course of a war.” 

“Yes…… a hero …….”

While Barzen is satisfied, Safaris’s face is somewhat stern.

He has mixed feelings about the holy sword keepers who have so easily conquered the fortresses they have struggled so hard to bring down. 

At the deputy’s attitude, Barzen pats him on the shoulder reassuringly.

“Don’t be disheartened. His Highness, as you know, is a man of vivacity and candour. He is not the man to whom you should be directing your pent-up emotions.”

“That’s …… of course, I know that, but …… ugh!”

Safaris’ brow furrowed at his superior’s consolation, but his expression tightened at the sight of someone running towards him from a distance.

The figure flew through the imperial ranks with such speed that he landed in front of them with a swoosh.

“Oh, my God, you’re both here! I’ve been looking for you!” 

“Oh, my dear Princess. What can I do for you?” 

“…………..”

Barzen’s eyes widened gently at the sight of the new intruder, and Safaris’s cheeks tightened.

It was a woman who appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen years old.

Dressed in the uniform of a male Imperial officer, she bounced restlessly and childishly in front of them.

Her blonde hair danced like feathers on her back, but she seemed unconcerned about that. 

(Tl: pls be a harem)

“I told you if we were going to talk about the war, you should have invited me! You’ve left me out again, you’re so mean!” 

The girl said, “I’m angry!” She puffed up her cheeks and waved her hands in the air. She makes a childish gesture and has a sword at her hip. 

Her name is Célia Von Althlein (セイリア・フォン・アルスライン。).

She was the third Imperial Princess of the Empire and the chosen keeper of the holy sword “Claíomh Solas”, the sword of thunder.