Book 14: Chapter 5: Painful Mistake

Book 14: Chapter 5: Painful Mistake

Vol. 14 Chapter 5 – Painful Mistake

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The palace situated on the capital planet of the Algrand Empire was so huge that it occupied the space of an entire continent, and for the first time in several centuries, the people living there were in turmoil.

The residents of the Capital were out on the streets, engaged in discussions about a certain matter.Alll latest novels at novelhall.com

“I heard it’s not only the Kingdom of Dominion; the Empire’s being attacked by several other countries as well.”

“They must have joined forces.”

“What rotten luck. It’s only been a few months since the subjugation army suffered a crushing defeat.”

It hadn’t even been a full year since the subjugation army, led by Crown Prince Cleo, suffered a miserable defeat at the hands of the Banfield Family.

The Empire, which had concentrated its forces on the subjugation army, had few troops to spare, leaving it vulnerable to invasion by the surrounding countries.

It was rare for the Capital’s residents to experience fear, and even when they did, the threat seemed so distant that they didn’t think it had anything to do with them.

“This will no doubt greatly reduce the Empire’s territory.”

“I guess this marks the end of an era. The Empire will no longer be a hegemon looming over the other countries ”

“Well, it’s made a lot of enemies after all. It was bound to happen someday.”

“No matter, things should be back to normal in a hundred years or so.”

Even if the other nations managed to take over much of the Empire’s territory, they wouldn’t be able to capture the Capital.

As long as they stayed holed up, they would be safe ― this was the general consensus among the people of the Capital.

“Welp, better save up. We might not be able to afford any luxuries for a while.”

“What a shame.”

“If Duke Banfield hadn’t gone out of his way to resist, our lives wouldn’t have been affected.”

“Yeah, it’s all Duke Banfield’s fault.”

They viewed the war as one would a thrilling experience at a haunted house. They were more than happy to enjoy the show from the sidelines, confident that they wouldn’t be directly involved.

◇

Inside the palace, there was a commotion as information from the Empire’s borders was delivered to the newly prepared residence of the Crown Prince.

The one to have brought the information wasn’t her sister, Lysithea, but rather a freshly recruited male knight.

“We have carefully examined and summarized all the information, Your Highness,” he said, performing a knight’s salute.

Cleo urged him to continue while being seated on a chair that resembled a throne, a symbol of her status as the Crown Prince.

She was shaking, appearing impatient and agitated.

“What’s the situation over there?”

“It seems they were aware that the enemy nations were gathering their troops. Preparations had been made to intercept them, which is why we’re still somewhat holding on. However, we’re being pushed back on all fronts.”

“They knew of the attack ahead of time? ―Why didn’t they inform us beforehand?”

The knight’s gaze wandered as Cleo stood up from her seat, furious.

Carefully choosing his words, the knight proceeded to explain.

“―Apparently, they did report it to the palace, but it was only deemed a display of might, in other words, a ruse, which was why only a small number of reinforcements were sent.”

Naturally, Cleo had something to say about the palace’s decision.

“If the officials working in the palace had been more cautious, we wouldn’t have lost so much of our territory!”

The invading armies were chipping away at the Empire’s territory. Several solar systems had already been lost, and planets of strategic importance had been seized as well.

The issue was, who was to blame for this failure?

Cleo was rebuking the palace’s decision precisely because she was about to be forced to take responsibility for their current predicament.

The knight revealed a bitter expression on his face.

“Voices calling for Your Highness to take responsibility have been growing. They’re saying that we should sign a truce with the Banfield Family, even temporarily, so that we could concentrate on the war with the other nations.”

If they were to sign a truce with the Banfield Family, the Empire would have to show some degree of sincerity, which would likely involve Cleo being disinherited.

Cleo raised her voice and gestured in protest.

“Once Liam is defeated, the Empire could go to hell for all I care. It would be a pleasant experience watching the Capital’s carefree residents fall into despair as they’re attacked by enemy nations. It would no doubt be a sight to behold.”

The Guide burst into laughter, but before long, he regained his composure, his hands covering his mouth.

“No, I’ve yet to beat Liam. This isn’t the time to be engrossed in my imagination. I must think of ways to ensure Liam’s defeat.”

With the defeat of the subjugation army, the Empire’s military strength had decreased significantly. It also didn’t help that reinforcements had to be sent to the borders.

In this situation, it was difficult for the Empire to send another army against the Banfield Family.

“All that’s left is―”

Phasing through the shell surrounding the planet, the Guide flew out into space.

What appeared before his eyes was the Empire’s most elite fleet, tasked with protecting the Capital.

“―Let’s use the Capital’s power against him.”

The battleships and mobile knights developed by the Imperial Army had been built by integrating the technologies of all the Weapons Factories.

Not only were there a million of such ships, but the knights and soldiers assigned to them were also the cream of the crop.

They were far superior to the subjugation army that Cleo had led.

This was an elite fleet whose purpose was to defend the Capital, and even amid this national crisis, its strength hadn’t been diminished.

It was meant to exist solely to protect the Emperor and the planet he lived in.

“Now that I’ve regained my powers, I shall lend them my strength. They shouldn’t lose, even if they’re up against the Banfield Family. Maybe. Probably. Definitely.”

By relying on the Empire’s most elite fleet, the Guide motivated himself.

◇

Meanwhile, on Hydra, the home planet of the Banfield Family, Marie had returned from her mission and was visiting Edward.

“Lord Edward~ Marie’s back~”

She was all smiles and had her arms spread wide, but Edward had a sour look on his face.

“So it was your fleet that returned.”

The number “6” was embroidered on Marie’s cloak, indicating that she was part of the Numbers.

Having achieved a flawless victory against the subjugation army, she was recognized for her merits and was allowed to become a member of the Numbers.

Marie was shaken by Edward’s attitude.

“Eh!? Lord Edward, are you not happy that Marie is back!?”

“Master was sent out in your place.”

“Ellen’s above me!? Lord Edward, Marie has been by your side for so long, how could you treat Ellen better than her!? Such cruel words directed against someone who’s watched over him for years ― could Lord Edward be in his rebellious phase?”

Edward let out a deep sigh as Marie ranted on in her pseudo-ladylike language.

(She’s not a bad person, but she’s not like Master.)

Marie was extremely fond of Edward, who was Rosetta’s first child.

Edward was naturally aware of how much she doted on him, but he knew that it was predicated on the fact that he was Liam and Rosetta’s child.

“Enough. I don’t have the time to deal with you right now.”

Marie took a peek at the electronic data presented before Edward.

“―Fumu, is that a blueprint for an amusement facility?”

A single glance was all it took for her to figure out his plans, which made Edward feel uncomfortable.

“Don’t look.”

“Is there a need to hide it?”

However, the smile on her face gradually vanished, and her face turned pale when she looked into the details of the facility.

“Um, Lord Edward? I’m not too sure about this.”

She gently suggested that Edward reconsider, but he was having none of it.

“As if I care. I’m gonna do as I please.”

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Brian σ(・ ́ω・`;): “What could Lord Edward be cooking up?”