CH 104

One day in early October.

I was watching Theo at our training ground.

“Hmm.”

Whoosh—.

A black sword cut through the air.

Slash—.

This time, a blue sword went out.

“…I’m in trouble.”

Theo had a lot of anxiety ahead of the demon subjugation, which was like a monthly event for child soldiers.

‘Oh my. What should I do?’

In the meantime, I felt sorry for him who came to my house and trained to see my face.

“Brotheeer!”

“Eung. Lilith.”

Theo trudged over to me.

“Brother, are you okay?”

“No. Brother, it’s a big deal. What should I do?”

“Because the blue color didn’t come out of the sword?”

“Eung. I couldn’t catch a monster because it suddenly turned black during the subjugation last month.”

Theo has a strange constitution in which the amount of holy power and magic power is 50/50.

It was impossible to clearly distinguish whether it was a holy or a magic power meter, and the ability was expressed arbitrarily.

Sometimes, a blue sword with holy power.

And sometimes it’s a black sword with magic power.

“Phew.”

It was a pretty big problem.

‘When it comes to capturing demons, magic power  abilities are inefficient.’

However, there was no need to worry too much about the deployment of child soldiers.

The child soldiers only go to battle to adapt to the battlefield for the future.

It is a principle that the active duty officers in charge of them go together, and they are not placed in dangerous places.

“What should I do if the black color goes out often this time, Lilith?”

I comforted Theo, who was drooping, by patting his shoulders.

“It’s all right, brother. I’ll pray that only the blue ones go out. And I will pray that you don’t get hurt and come back safely!”

“Euhaha.”

As if he liked my comfort, Theo, who smiled brightly, hugged me and rubbed his cheek against mine.

“Thank you, Lilith. This Brother will be back bravely.”

****

Even rat bite cats when cornered.

According to the providence of power, the Primera of the lower generation can never be free from the Primera of the upper generation.

However, for now, one side is not even aware of the other’s existence.

Emperor Nicholas, the obvious underdog in the battle between the two Primera—.

It was a rat in a corner.

* * *

A month since God showed a miracle.

The Capital was chaotic, but there has been no significant response from the Emperor yet.

The Emperor’s long-standing desire for continental unification has become farther away. 

The cornered rat could do anything to achieve its long-cherished wish.

“Aide.” 

Nicholas stood in front of the mirror and stroked his cheek. 

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Even today, Ramon, who brought a report that would make him angry, trembled naturally.

“Do I look old?”

“Y, yes?” 

Nicholas turned around.

The Emperor was still young and beautiful, but it seemed that he had aged in a few days or he hadn’t.

‘What else did you do?’

Ramon thought.

The reason the Emperor asked this question was obvious.

It looks like he’s using some ability.

“No, you are still young and vigorous.” 

“Is that so?” 

Nicholas looked back into the mirror and smiled.

Has the Emperor gone mad?

Even in the midst of the Capital being overturned, it was strange to be calm. 

“But what’s the matter?”

“Your Majesty, it’s something very heartbreaking.”

Ramon licked his dry lips and said.

“This is the news that the subjugation party that went out to subjugate the sacred beast to Southern Olden a week ago was completely wiped out.” 

“What?” 

Nicholas turned round.

However, Ramon was puzzled by Nicholas, who showed no sign of surprise.

“My loyal subjects are wiped out?”

“Y, yes… The commander was Lord Saiyon, the leader of the Magic Swordsman Team. Including the 5 Dos Magic Swordsman Team, the 2nd Army Quarto Magic Swordsman Team, and the 3rd Army Septima Magic Swordsman Team….” 

“What a tragedy!”

…What is this? Is he happy? 

Contrary to the words that came out of his mouth, Nicholas seemed to be delighted.

“Are the sacred beasts that strong?”

Nicholas pretended to be depressed.

Sacred beasts.

There are sacred beasts with holy power.

A long time ago, they were sacred beings who fought against magic beasts.

However, as time passed, the number of holy beasts decreased significantly, and the remaining ones began to be contaminated.

So now, it’s just a beast with holy power.

It was no different from a monster that lost its intelligence, attacked humans, and destroyed the land.

“So, how did the subjugation go? Five Dos were killed in battle, but the subjugation must have been successful, right?”

“No, Your Majesty.” 

Ramon opened the bloody paper he was holding with trembling hands and read it.

“This is the last message from Sir Saiyon via messenger. According to what is written here, the movement of the Holy Beast is strange. Unlike normal holy beasts, they are much stronger and bigger, and it is unknown where they come from, but new ones are constantly being emerging…”

“Oh my!” 

Ramon didn’t report further, staring at Nicholas.

It was clear now.

Nicholas seemed to have expected this to happen.

5 Dos died, but he reacted as if he didn’t care—.

At first glance, even the way he was looking seemed happy that things were going according to plan.

“Isn’t this an emergency situation! Hurry up and declare martial law and summon the leaders of the Dos Order! Hurry!” 

* * *

The contamination of holy beats has caused a national emergency.

With the exception of the deceased commander of the Magic Swordsmen, the nine leaders of the Dos Order were urgently summoned. 

“We don’t have to go all out.”

Enoch objected.

All active duty powerful people from the 1st to 3rd divisions head to Southern Olden.

The Emperor’s order was an absurd waste of power. 

“Five Dos have been wiped out. Have you ever had anything like this before?”

“It is true that it is an emergency, but it is a waste of power. I’ll take command. I will go out with only the 1st Army Paladins and the 2nd and 3rd Army Magic Combat and Wizards.” 

“Oh, what in the world are you talking about? Don’t you know how ineffective the Paladins are in defeating the Holy Beast?”

“I can do it.”

Enoch added firmly.

“I will return safely after the subjugation so that there is nothing to worry about.”

“Do I not know your abilities?”

Nicholas approached Enoch without hesitation. 

The rest of the leaders sat silently, watching the two argue.

“You really don’t know why I made this decision!”

“….” 

“You are the best power in the empire that no one can replace. My most precious sword. What if something goes wrong with you?”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“To me, your safety must be the top priority. I don’t even know what kind of situation Olden is right now, but to send you alone there?” 

“Your Majesty.” 

“The Magic Swordsman Team has been wiped out. If that’s the case, there’s no point in sending the 2nd and 3rd divisions with magic powers. In the end, you have to carry everything on your own.”

“…..” 

“I can never look at it like that. I will build an army with your safety as my top priority. Take all the active duty soldiers and go to Olden.” 

“It’s not possible. Then the Capital becomes empty. There must always be a reserve of troops capable of preparing for an emergency in the Capital. Please allow the 3rd Army to guard in the Capital.” 

At that time, Alexei Antrase, the Dos Magic Combat Division commander, looked at the two arguing alternately and swallowed a sigh. 

‘What is that madman up to?’

The Emperor’s order to go forth was, as Enoch had said, truly absurd.

Although it was an unprecedented emergency situation in which the Magic Swordsman Team was annihilated, to pour all the troops there.

“Everything, in full force.”

“How in the world!” 

Enoch couldn’t hold back any longer, so he jumped up and pointed at the two commanders of the archers.

Bow wielders.

They are defense (*守城: guarding the castle) troops specialized in defense. 

“Why do you include the Archery Division, a defense force, in the subjugation, Your Majesty?”

“It is for you.”

“Ha.” 

The conversation didn’t work.

“In a national emergency where martial law has been declared, the supreme commander is me, the Emperor. No matter how you are, you must abide by my decision. Do not delay any longer and move.”

“….”

Enoch’s shoulders trembled. It was an unstoppable anger.

Then Enoch turned his furious steps and quickly departed.

* * *

The magic swordsmen who went out to subdue the contaminated holy beasts were wiped out.

It was an emergency.

“D, Dad.” 

As soon as he got home, I followed behind my Dad, who was preparing to go out.

“Oh, princess.”

Dad grabbed me by the shoulder with uncharacteristically nervous eyes.

“Dad is going to hunt monsters with your Aunt and Uncles, you know? But it might take some time.”

“Eung. Dad, but what if you get hurt…” 

“Ey, why is Daddy hurt? Princess, you know Dad is very strong.”

“That’s true, but…” 

It is said that the commander of Dos Magic Swordsman, Sir Saiyon Marten, is dead.

I know him.

In the original work, he was the one who was alive when Cheshire officially joined the Magic Swordsmen and when the revolution was finally over.

Such a man died.

He was supposed to survive…

“I, I’m scared. It must be a very strong monster. What if Dad gets hurt? What if you die?”

“No, Princess. It’s not.” 

Dad hugged me tightly and comforted me.

“Dad will never die leaving the princess alone. I won’t even get hurt. if you sleep for two nights, Dad will quickly catch all the monsters and come back.”

“….” 

“Instead, it’s dangerous for the princess to be alone without Daddy, so don’t go anywhere and stay at home. Stay close to your grandfather. Your grandfather is as strong as Dad. Do you understand?” 

“Eung…” 

“Promise.” 

“Promise…” 

I put my finger on Dad’s little finger and barely answered.

“My baby.”

Dad smiled and kissed my forehead.

“Dad will be back soon.” 

* * *

As per the Emperor’s order, all active duty soldiers in the capital headed for Olden.

At that time.

“Ah, really…” 

Nicholas clicked his tongue as he looked in the mirror.

The aide, Ramon, watched the suspicious figure and thought.

‘What kind of ability is he using?’

He doesn’t know, but it wouldn’t be something he could do with his sane mind.

Because the Emperor is that kind of person. 

“Your Majesty!!!”

At that time, a messenger burst into the room with an urgent expression.

Nicholas greeted him as if he had been waiting.

“Oh, why? What’s the matter!”

“T, this is an emergency! The holy beasts that suddenly appeared are attacking the central Jurgen estate and are moving toward the Capital!” 

“What!” 

Nicholas stumbled.

If it is central Jurgen, it is an area closely attached to the Capital.

“It can’t be… Why in the world are holy beasts going crazy all over the place! Aren’t all the active soldiers who will be defending the Capital now in Olden in the south…” 

Ramon is confused as he sees Nicholas muttering.

‘I don’t think he’s surprised at all this time either?’

Nicholas pretended to be in a hurry.

“Ramon, how many child soldiers are there from the 1st to the 3rd?”

“A, a child soldier?”

Even though they aren’t on active duty yet, child soldiers can be called to action in an emergency.

Ramon replied nervously.

“6 in the 1st group, 38 in the 2nd group, and 59 in the 3rd group.”

“Oh my. How many Holy Beasts are attacking now?”

He asked, and this time the messenger answered.

“It’s over three hundred.”

“Oh God!” 

Nicholas covered his face with his hands in frustration.

Then wept.

Ramon couldn’t tell if Nicholas’ face was crying or laughing.

Finally, Nicholas said.

“I can’t. Summon up to level 4 Octava talents. We need them to defend the Capital.”

“Yes?” 

Ramon’s eyes widened at the absurd Nicholas’ order.

And soon, he realized

What Nicholas is aiming for from a series of situations.

‘Ah, it’s Princess Rubinstein….’

That his child could be in danger, anytime, in any way.

He’s going to imprint it on Enoch Rubinstein.

And in the end, he must be trying to make him move according to his will.

Ramon felt goosebumps run down his spine as he watched Nicholas’s demonic face.

“…I, I will do as you command.”