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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: selkie
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“Your Highness the Fifth Prince, preparations are complete.”
The Imperial Army commander, Cassias, reported as he entered the training ground. There was no longer any sign of agitation in his eyes.
Having witnessed Raymond’s overwhelming talent, he decided to take it lightly, thinking there was still much he did not know about the world.
“What is the condition of the prisoner?”
“He has been revived. He is in a state where we can proceed with the interrogation immediately.”
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Cassias guided Raymond and his attendants to the barracks where the Ghost agent was tied up.
All the windows of the barracks were covered, and the area was under the control of the Imperial Army.
“All the instruments are ready. Please feel free to use them.”
Raymond had informed the border troops and the Imperial Army that he would personally conduct the interrogation.
Since this operation was largely due to Raymond’s efforts, everyone acknowledged him and accepted his request.
“Ensure the area is thoroughly secured.”
“Not even an ant will pass beneath our feet.”
With Cassias confidently responding, Raymond entered the small barracks where the Ghost agent was held.
The interior was dark. There was a magical lamp, but it was dim, perhaps intentionally to create a gloomy atmosphere.
The Ghost agent was tied to a chair firmly fixed to the floor. With his head bowed and motionless, it was clear he had lost consciousness. Although he had been revived, it seemed he could not withstand the mental fatigue.
“Wake up, Ghost.”
“Ugh, ugh!”
Raymond coldly uttered a shock spell. Although he had said he would adjust the output, he did not lower it to the minimum, so the Ghost agent screamed in extreme pain as he awakened, feeling as if his brain was shaking.
“W-where am I…?”
“That’s not important.”
Seeing the Ghost agent hastily scanning his surroundings as soon as he regained consciousness, Raymond spoke in a cold voice. Only then did the Ghost agent’s gaze turn to Raymond.
“The Philios Empire’s… Fifth Prince…”
He immediately recognized the royal ring on Raymond’s finger.
“I’m glad you know who I am. It will make our conversation quicker.”
“Ghosts do not negotiate with the enemy. Just kill me instead.”
“That’s what I intend to do.”
“W-what did you say?”
The Ghost agent was taken aback by Raymond’s nonchalant attitude. Seeing him, Raymond let out a slight chuckle and spoke.
“Were you expecting torture? I’m afraid that’s an action taken to extract information.”
“Is that so…?”
Seeing Raymond appear relaxed as if he knew everything without needing to torture him, the Ghost agent bit his lip.
He was a Ghost; he could distinguish between bravado and confidence.
‘This isn’t just an act.’
What on earth does the Fifth Prince know?
“How much do you know…?”
“I know where you’re planning to execute Marquess Crayer.”
The ghost remained silent. He thought Raymond was trying to lead him into a trap and chose to hold back his words.
Raymond was not unaware of that intent. The meaningless resistance only brought a smile to his lips.
The calm demeanor that suggested he knew everything sent chills down the Ghost agent’s spine.
Just how much does he know? He decided to test the Fifth Prince.
“You can’t possibly know that.”
“The sharp rock right next to the Black Orc village.”
The Ghost’s eyes widened in shock at Raymond’s seemingly casual remark. His pupils shook, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
He tried to hide his emotions, but it was futile. However, the Ghost had no intention of giving up just yet.
“You expect me to believe that? Holding an execution in the territory of the infamous Black Orcs? That’s absurd.”
“I know there is a mage in the Ghost Unit who can control monsters, albeit limitedly. Using that mage’s vision magic, they could enter near the Black Orc village.”
“Y-you! Just how much do you know?!”
He raised his voice, uncharacteristically for a Ghost. His composure had shattered.
It was understandable. What Raymond had just said was information that only the Ghost Unit would know. But having seen the author’s setting book and read the first three volumes of the novel, Raymond was aware of all of it.
“You wouldn’t know unless you were a Ghost…”
“I know everything.”
Raymond’s lips curled into a smirk. After all, the ghost before him could not survive here.
Knowing that, he said it mockingly. It seemed like a good idea to send him to hell, embracing fear.
Before he knew it, a sharp dagger was in his left hand. Since the verification process was complete, it was time to take his life. He swung the dagger and cut the ghost’s throat.
The red blood splattered, and the Ghost’s head fell limply. After wiping the blood off the dagger, he left the tent
to find Gestain and Cassias waiting for him.
“Imperial Army Commander.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Please give your orders.”
“Tell the Border Army Headquarters and Lord Cron that we have found the location where Marquess Crayer is being
held.”
It didn’t take more than ten minutes. Even the skilled interrogators of the Empire couldn’t have extracted the
information so quickly.
Cassias was once again amazed and impressed by Raymond, and he sent a messenger. Soon, Cron and the commanders
gathered at the command center.
“Is it true that you have found the location of the lord?”
As soon as the Fifth Prince, Raymond, entered the command center, Cron rushed over to ask. Raymond nodded, and Cron
bowed his head, looking as if he might cry at any moment.
“Thank you!”
His father had been kidnapped, and due to the complex interests of the Philios Empire, he couldn’t do anything
about it, which must have been very frustrating.
He had almost lost hope when he heard that the Ghost Unit was involved, but now Raymond had reignited the spark of
hope, and he couldn’t help but feel uplifted.
“Where is the location?”
One of the high-ranking commanders of the Border Army asked cautiously. Raymond sat down on a sturdy wooden chair
and began to speak.
“It’s near the Black Orc village.”
“That’s why we couldn’t find it.”
The area was infested with monsters, and even the Ghost Unit couldn’t easily enter.
Despite the challenges, Raymond’s moderate performance and the trust he had built so far meant that the commanders didn’t harbor significant doubts. They nodded in agreement and began to devise a plan.
However, after thirty minutes, they were still stuck, unable to come up with a good idea.
“We must move the Border Army immediately.”
“If we engage in a full-scale battle with the Black Orc tribe, it will result in significant losses for our allies.
That’s not what the Free Iseria Kingdom wants. Let’s not forget the Disarmament Treaty.”
“The treaty doesn’t apply since we’re not stationing troops. We should request support from the Northern Central Army and march north immediately!”
“The Crayer family’s forces and the Border Army will gladly join the glorious northern campaign!”
Cron Crayer, excited, drew his sword and raised it high. Several high-ranking commanders also drew their swords or stood up in agreement.
“Put your sword away, in front of the Fifth Prince!”
The Imperial Army Commander, Cassias, shouted, and his words were not wrong, so everyone bowed their heads in apology and sheathed their swords. This was a significant issue, but Raymond understood their frustration and decided to let it pass.
“I’ll go myself.”
“Your Highness!”
“That’s not possible!”
“The Black Orc village is in the heart of the Black Mountains, where monsters reign supreme!”
“Please reconsider!”
The high-ranking commanders were shocked by Raymond’s declaration and begged him to reconsider.
Despite their fervent pleas, Raymond’s mind was unchanged. He had always intended to take matters into his own hands.
“What makes you think the Philios royal lineage is cowardly?”
Raymond’s sharp question silenced the room. The commanders knew that the Philios royal family had always led from
the front lines.
“Our predecessors, the previous emperors, always stood at the forefront of battles. Other members of the royal family did the same. The Philios royal lineage never turned its back.”
They had always fought alongside their soldiers. This was the honor of the Philios Empire’s nobility, who bore the fate of the Imperial Army.
“Don’t forget the glory of the past.”
Though the Empire was currently in decline, it had once shone brightly. The dream of rebuilding it and reclaiming its former glory was a legend passed down through generations.
“If my life is needed to revive the Empire, I am willing to sacrifice it.”
With a resolute expression, he spoke. The commanders were already swayed by the mention of past glories. They were now in a state where reason was clouded.
“For the glorious victory of the Philios Empire.”
Raymond raised his right hand slowly and solemnly declared. This brief statement ignited the strong aspirations of the commanders.
“Long live the Fifth Prince!”
They drew their swords and raised them toward the ceiling. The morale was sky-high, and now it was time to bring up the main topic.
“So, I want to rescue those who will stand at the forefront of this glorious war. Please select about thirty elite soldiers from each unit and knight order to join me.”
Since they had to move with a small, elite force, it was too dangerous to bring only the elite guards. To survive the “Bloody Funeral” in the Black Mountains, they needed to minimize casualties among the elite guards.
“Three senior knights from the Helix Knights will join you!”
“The elite members of the Black Wind Lion Knights will also stand on the battlefield with the Fifth Prince!”
“Two senior magicians from the Ilian Magic Corps will be sent as well.”
The commanders, caught up in the atmosphere, generously offered their best troops. Raymond had to suppress a smile.
“I will stand with the Fifth Prince!”
“I will also be at the forefront of this great war!”
The thirty spots were filled quickly. Their morale was high, and given the urgency, the formation of the unit was completed in no time.
The Border Army and Crayer family’s forces had trained together frequently, so there was no concern about coordination. The elite guards were a bit of a worry, but since they had received formal training from the Philios Empire, it wasn’t a significant issue.
A special task force consisting of part of the elite guards, the Border Army, Crayer family’s forces, and thirty elite soldiers from the Imperial Army was formed in just a day. Since it was a small group, gathering and arming them didn’t take long.
Fifty heavily armed members of the task force gathered at the entrance of the stronghold, with the Fifth Prince at their center.
“Let’s move out.”
Unlike the excited soldiers, Raymond’s voice was calm and composed as it echoed through the chilly air. The fifty-
strong force headed deep into the Black Mountains.
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The Border Army knights, who were familiar with the geography of the Black Mountains, led the way. Thanks to them, they were able to minimize encounters with monsters and reached the vicinity of the Black Orc village in two days.
However, a problem arose there.
“There are too many Orcs.”
A knight who had gone on reconnaissance reported back. Within a one-kilometer radius, the area was packed with Black Orcs. This information was obtained after sending five high-ranking knights, skilled in stealth and speed, for reconnaissance.
“This isn’t good…”
Raymond frowned, muttering to himself. Unlike the Ghost Unit, which specialized in stealth and had limited control over monsters thanks to a mage, the task force had no way to avoid combat.
“Should we charge forward?”
Surprisingly, it was the Imperial Army Commander, Cassias, who asked this question. Raymond let out a short sigh and shook his head.
“No, the Ghost Unit will notice.”
It had been confirmed that the High Assassins were involved. Given that they had managed to avoid detection so far, it was almost a miracle.
“They must have thought they didn’t need to be cautious because they were hiding among the monsters.”
Or perhaps the Ghost Unit couldn’t send scouts due to the monsters. After all, there was only one mage who could control them, making extensive reconnaissance impossible.
“Red Tower Master.”
But there was a way. Raymond smiled slightly and called for the Red Tower Master, Berenus Kyle. The old man in the red robe nodded slightly and approached.
“Can you start a fire?”
“Do you plan to start a forest fire?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Raymond’s emotionless voice proposed another shocking plan. The Blue Tower Master, Lysfield Dior, slapped the ground and laughed.
“Oh dear! Your Highness! If the Red Tower Master starts a fire, we’ll be in danger too!”
“It won’t happen,”
Raymond said nonchalantly, turning his gaze toward Berenus.
“Is that so, Red Tower Master?”
“You seem to know a lot about the fire storm.”
Berenus replied. Raymond smiled slightly and nodded instead of responding. The Blue Tower Master didn’t know about the true capabilities of the unique magical tool, the fire storm, which was absolute control over flames.
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