CH 103

Messengers from the border

Translated by SoundDestiny

Edited by Zil

A storm is brewing.

The news that Zacharias Von Althlein, Emperor of the Alsatian  Empire, had arrived at the fortress of Blaine reached Raidorl in the eastern border town of Calutris.

“The monarchs of the empire are very light on their feet. I wish my brother could learn from him.”

That was the first thing Raidorl said when he received the news from General Bazel Garst, who was guarding the fortress of Blaine.

Although he seemed to be relaxed, Raidorl’s brow was furrowed and his face was grim. It was a natural reaction to the obvious danger of a rival, an Emperor no less.

In the room was Raidorl and all his aides. All of them looked tense, aware of the gravity of the situation.

According to the messenger sent by General Garst, Emperor Zacharias suddenly appeared in the fortress of Blaine about a week ago.

Since the victory a few months ago, post-war negotiations have been going on between the two countries.

The demands of the Kingdom are mainly the return of the territories taken and the demand for compensation. The Empire’s demands were, of course, the return of Princess Célia and the sacred sword Claíomh Solas, both of which had been captured by the Kingdom.

For the kingdom, this is a great victory against a great power. It’s a great opportunity for the kingdom to close the gap between itself and the Alsatian  Empire.

As an empire, they have the will of a great power. No matter how much is at stake, the Princess and her national treasure, the sword. It is not easy for the kingdom to take control of the negotiations.

The negotiations between the two countries after the war did not come to an agreement even after several months, and in the fortress of Blaine, where the talks took place, there were conflicting arguments day and night.

In the midst of all this, the Emperor Zacharias suddenly appeared at the scene of the negotiations.

The appearance of the emperor, who was supposed to be in the imperial capital, surprised not only the kingdom, but even the imperial negotiators, who had apparently not been informed in advance.

Zacharias gave the astonished representatives of both countries a grateful grin and opened his mouth proudly.

“Two weeks from now. A duel between I and your king’s brother Raidorl Zain will bring this war to an end! If Raidorl Zain wins, the Empire will accept every single thing that the Kingdom demands!.”

Ignoring all previous negotiations, Zacharias made a unilateral declaration.

The kingdom’s negotiators were so overwhelmed by his attitude that they could not help rebuke.

“Wait! Her Royal Highness, Princess Célia , is still here! you can’t do that…….”

“AAH?!!!”

“Hyiiii!”

The diplomat who was dispatched from the royal palace fell down from the chair by Zacharias’s booming voice.

For a diplomat who does not know the war, Zacharias, the holy sword holder is a monster which is equal to the dragon in his territory. The Emperor looked down at the diplomat with contempt and disgust, though his reaction was understandable.

“If you want to kill Célia , then do it!! She’s a pretty and kind of a girl who wouldn’t hurt anyone who she does not consider an enemy, but it’s still the rule of war that the loser loses his life and his pride! Behead her, rape her, do as you please!”

“B-b-but…”

“In return, don’t think you’ll ever make peace again now that you have the daughter of an Alsatian in your hands! Not a single one of the kingdom’s subjects will be left alive!”

Zacharias in the pose of a king, looked down at the pathetic diplomat and proudly proclaimed.

There was even a pungent smell of fear coming from the pale face of the diplomat’s crotch.

Having said all he had to say, Zacharias turned back to the imperial stronghold of Balmes.

While the diplomats fled back to the capital in terror, General Garst passed to his subordinate to ride fast and inform the King and Raidorl of the emperor’s arrival.

“So he wants me to fight the Emperor at the Blaine Fortress. That’s quite a daring thing for a king to do, isn’t it?”

On hearing of the messenger sent by General Garst, Raidorl murmured, half in dismay, half in admiration.

He must be very confident of his own strength to make such a request, but if he were to lose, the emperor’s life could be lost.

In addition to the fact that they have already taken Célia, the keeper of the holy sword, as a prisoner, if Zacharias, the keeper of the holy sword, also collapsed, the backbone of the empire could be tilted.

“Is the Emperor Zacharias that strong?”

“Yes, I think he is……very strong.”

It was Sven, the military strategist, who answered Raidorl’s question.

“Emperor Zacharias, who usurped the throne after defeating his father, the previous emperor, is the wielder of the fire-wielding holy sword Durandal. Since he became emperor, the empire has nearly doubled in size. And even without being the holder of the holy sword, he must be a very good fighter.”

Sven, still on Angelica’s lap, answered Raidorl’s question while appeasing the vengeful demon who was excited to hear about the emperor.

By the way, Angelica, the human chair, whose hair was waving like a snake because of her hatred, returned to her soft face when Sven threw a cookie into her mouth.

“However, this is also a great opportunity. If His Royal Highness Raidorl is victorious here, you will not only regain the territory we have lost, but you may even be able to extract more favourable terms.”

“Ha……,we can’t avoid it either way, can we?”

If he were to be honest, Raidorl does not want to clash with the emperor.

In the first place, Raidorl’s vision was to have as good a relationship with the Alsatian Empire as possible and to confront his brother King Granard without worrying about his back.

If there is any trouble with the emperor, it may interfere with his plans.

“Or is it the other way round? If we defeat the emperor here, we will not have to bow to the empire and we can make peace on a more equal footing. Wouldn’t that leave us with less problems in the future?”

“……Either way, I can’t just run away. If I refuse to fight here, the emperor will decimate the fortress of Blaine and invade the kingdom.”

When he was exiled to the frontier, Raidorl would not have cared so much if the kingdom of Zain had fallen, but things are different now.

Now Raidorl has his own vassals and his own army. He now has something to protect. He was about to settle a dispute with his brother, but he does want to be interrupted.

Raidorl nodded emphatically to his subjects, who were gathered in a room awaiting their lord’s decision.

“Let’s go! To the fortress of Blaine. I’m going to put an end to this long war against the Empire.”

“HA!!”

Raidorl’s decision was greeted with reverent nods from his vassal.

The holy sword of curse and the holy sword of flame. The moment when the two holy swords collide is getting closer and closer.