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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: selkie
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Marquess Crayer, having recovered to some extent, led his family’s forces toward the border.
This was to provide rapid support in case of an emergency since the Fifth Prince’s army had faced the Heavy Cavalry Division.
The accompanying Crayer family’s forces were a small number, only a few hundred, enough not to provoke the Free Isiria Kingdom. However, Marquess Crayer was a high-ranking knight and his family’s forces were elites with combat experience in the monster-infested north. He thought they would certainly be helpful.
They stayed at a fortress at the forefront of the border, ready to support Raymond immediately if he requested assistance.
Despite finishing all preparations, Marquess Crayer couldn’t sleep well due to worry and concern for the Fifth Prince Raymond.
“Are you worried?”
Retired Royal Guard Jayce appeared behind Marquess Crayer, who was standing on the ramparts, exposed to the cold wind.
“The opponent is the Heavy Cavalry Division, evaluated as the elite of the elite of the Free Isiria Kingdom. Wouldn’t it be disloyal to His Majesty the Emperor and the empire if I didn’t worry?”
Marquess Crayer said this. The Heavy Cavalry Division’s reputation was known throughout the western continent.
In comparison, the Fifth Prince’s army led by Raymond consisted of the Imperial Army, the only forces within the declining Philios Empire that were considered elite. However, their numbers were only about one hundred. The Red Tower and Blue Tower combat units numbered about thirty and the Border Army archers were about three hundred.
Logically, their forces were doomed to utter defeat if a full-scale war broke out.
“His Highness is the benefactor who saved my life, so I desperately want to draw my sword and be with him right now. However, I can’t step forward due to the damned situation of having to be mindful of diplomatic relations with the Free Isiria Kingdom. How frustrating this is…”
The Free Isiria Kingdom and the Tri-Nation Alliance to which they belonged, maintained hostile relations with the Philios Empire. Unlike the Haifel Empire, diplomatic relations weren’t completely severed.
They maintained minimal exchanges. Most importantly, it was crucial not to give the Tri-Nation Alliance a reason to launch a preemptive strike in the war.
The High Assassins of the Edryger Kingdom, who acted as the eyes and ears of the Tri-Nation Alliance, were secretly moving. One couldn’t act rashly.
“Marquess Crayer, please don’t worry too much. Isn’t His Highness an extraordinary person? I believe he will definitely succeed.”
“I sincerely hope so too.”
The conversation paused briefly. Just as Marquess Crayer was about to speak after a short silence of about five minutes, the sound of hooves was heard from afar.
“Marquess, I think I hear the sound of hooves.”
“It sounds like they’re being pursued.”
Marquess Crayer, who had spent a long time at the border and was rich in combat experience, immediately recognized the presence of a pursuit party.
“Sound the alarm! Archers to the ramparts! Knights prepare to charge!”
Marquess Crayer shouted with mana infused in his voice. As befitting a fortress at the border, especially at the forefront, the alarm rang. Armed soldiers lined up on the ramparts in an instant and dozens of knights gathered in front of the fortress gate. They were ready to rush out as soon as the gate opened.
“I see His Highness the Fifth Prince’s banner!”
The sentinel in the watchtower shouted. Raymond’s banner was seen first. Marquess Crayer clenched both fists tightly.
‘He’s alive!’
However, it was too early to feel relieved. The Fifth Prince’s army was being chased by someone. To share a moment of reunion, they would have to wipe out the pursuit party first.
“It’s the Free Isiria Kingdom’s banner!”
“Two cavalry divisions, approximately one thousand mounted soldiers, confirmed!”
The Free Isiria Kingdom’s cavalry of one thousand was chasing the Fifth Prince?
“It seems His Highness the Fifth Prince successfully captured the vanguard flag.”
Jayce’s voice sounded as if he couldn’t believe it even as he spoke. He said that the Fifth Prince would win to reassure Marquess Crayer. He didn’t expect that Raymond would break through the Heavy Cavalry Division and capture the vanguard flag without proper support troops.
“Marquess, it seems they will cross the border soon. What should we do?”
Crossing the Black Mountains wasn’t a problem itself. However, if they crossed the border and invaded the territory of the Philios Empire, they would have a justification to repel them.
The reason the fortress commander asked Marquess Crayer for his opinion was simple.
The number of mercenary cavalrymen from the Free Isiria Kingdom pursuing the Fifth Prince was far greater than the cavalry force the fortress possessed.
“Prepare the cavalry. The Crayer family’s forces and the Border Army will support His Highness the Fifth Prince with all their might.”
Marquess Crayer made a decision. The fortress soldiers moved in perfect order.
The cavalry of the Crayer family’s forces and Border Army formed ranks. They were now ready to charge at the enemies to save the Fifth Prince as soon as the gate opened.
“Lances, at the ready!”
The knights were at the forefront, followed by the cavalry. They all raised their lances and it seemed the gate would open soon. In the midst of the tension, it was just as Marquess Crayer was about to give an order.
“The Fifth Prince’s army is reversing course!”
“What?”
If they reversed course, they would face the Free Isiria Kingdom’s mercenary cavalry with the fortress at their backs.
“Open the gate immediately!”
At Marquess Crayer’s urging, the gate opened. The fortress’ cavalry force rushed forward.
What first entered their sight was the back of the Fifth Prince’s army. Beyond them, they saw one thousand mercenary cavalrymen from the Free Isiria Kingdom.
“We must support His Highness the Fifth Prince! Increase speed!”
The knights and cavalry of the Philios Empire galloped powerfully. Ahead, the mercenary cavalrymen from the Free Isiria Kingdom were crossing the border, closing the distance at a rapid pace.
They didn’t reduce their speed at all. They aimed their lances forward, seemingly intending to charge in at once.
“Your Highness! You must evade quickly!”
Cassias urged him. However, Raymond had no intention of evading or retreating. His gaze toward the mercenary cavalrymen was unwavering and sharp.
“Forces of the Free Isiria Kingdom! You have now crossed the border and invaded the territory of the Philios Empire!”
He shouted with mana infused in his voice. The mercenary cavalrymen from the Free Isiria Kingdom, who had been rushing in at a terrifying speed, slowed down and then stopped completely. Perhaps they were reminded that they had crossed the border due to being swept away by anger.
The border was different from the monster forest or the Black Mountains, where unofficial battles occurred every day.
The commander of the mercenary cavalrymen feared that all responsibility would be passed on to him. Before Raymond could issue a second warning, he turned his horse around with his subordinates and disappeared into the Black Mountains.
“Your Highness! The enemies are retreating!”
Cassias said in an excited voice, watching the mercenary cavalrymen returning to the Black Mountains. Raymond quietly let out a sigh of relief without showing it.
If the enemy commander had disregarded the border conflict and prioritized capturing the vanguard flag, they would have inevitably engaged in battle. The Fifth Prince’s army, having lost its speed, would have suffered damage from the enemy’s charging attack at the start of the battle.
Even though support forces from the fortress in the rear were approaching, Raymond himself admitted that the current attempt had been close to gambling.
“Your Highness! Are you unharmed?”
“Marquess Crayer?”
The appearance of Marquess Crayer, who should have been in the central city, was unexpected.
“I was too worried about His Highness to sleep properly. So I had no choice but to personally lead the Crayer family’s forces to greet you.”
“That’s reassuring.”
“Let’s go into the fortress. Everyone was waiting for His Highness.”
They led their subordinates back to the fortress.
“Sir Cassias.”
“Why, Sir Gestain?”
“How about raising the Heavy Cavalry Division’s vanguard flag?”
“That’s a good idea.”
Cassias didn’t object to Gestain’s suggestion. They also strongly desired to announce the hero’s return.
Cassias raised the Free Isiria Kingdom’s Heavy Cavalry Division’s vanguard flag, which was slumbering under the Imperial Army’s strict guard. It was something he could have had his subordinate banner-bearer do, but he didn’t want to pass this glory on to anyone else.
“Isn’t that the vanguard flag?”
“Did you really capture the Heavy Cavalry Division’s vanguard flag?”
“I can’t believe it…”
“Hey! The vanguard flag is right there! It’s a great discourtesy to say you can’t believe it!”
The Fifth Prince’s army had the elite guards, the Imperial Army, and the Border Army and the Mage Tower. They had several different flags, as soldiers from various affiliations had gathered, but the most noticeable among them was the vanguard flag fluttering next to the Fifth Prince’s flag.
The knights of the fortress paid their respects, and the soldiers sent gazes full of respect.
As they passed through the gate and entered the garrison, officers and knights in uniforms and light armor ran up and bowed their heads.
“I am Baron Pulsner, a senior knight belonging to the Border Army, serving as the fortress commander! I congratulate His Highness the Fifth Prince on his victory and return! I also express my deep respect for capturing the vanguard flag of the Heavy Cavalry Division, which is renowned even in the Free Isiria Kingdom!”
It seemed like a rigid and formal greeting, but Baron Pulsner was sincerely congratulating Raymond on his return and paying his respects to his achievements.
It wasn’t just Baron Pulsner. All the soldiers of the fortress were sending warm gazes filled with respect as they looked at the Fifth Prince, who had confidently returned with the vanguard flag.
“How were the elites of the Free Isiria Kingdom?”
Baron Pulsner asked cautiously yet directly. Raymond immediately understood his intention in asking the question.
It wouldn’t be bad to boost the morale of the soldiers guarding the border at the forefront.
“The Heavy Cavalry Division was a strong enemy! Their equipment was naturally excellent, incomparable to the mercenary corps of the Free Isiria Kingdom. Despite falling into a trap, they didn’t collapse, and they were brave enough not to retreat easily even in a situation where defeat was certain!”
The soldiers of the fortress became solemn. But it wasn’t over yet. There was more he wanted to say.
“But we ultimately won and I was able to return to this place with the vanguard flag! This means that the soldiers of the Philios Empire are by no means inferior when compared to the forces of that Tri-Nation Alliance!”
Raymond’s powerful voice echoed. The knights and soldiers raised their heads. A faint smile spread across their faces.
“We are not weak! The Philios Empire has not yet fallen! You must engrave that deeply in your hearts and stand before the enemies!”
That was it. There was no applause as expected. In the chilling silence, the knights and soldiers all raised their tightly clenched fists to their hearts as one.
“Philios Empire, forever!”
“Hooray!”
A resounding shout erupted.
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Late at night, the Second Prince walked toward the terrace attached to his bedroom. He held a bottle of liquor in his left hand and an empty glass in his right.
He sat on an armchair prepared on the terrace and filled the glass with liquor.
“The moon is bright tonight.”
Was he talking to himself?
“Isn’t it, Baron Sidington?”
“Indeed, it is His Highness the Second Prince. I didn’t expect you to read the presence of my ‘Complete Stealth’.”
“I was just lucky.”
“I really like the saying ‘luck is also a skill’.”
Baron Sidington moved his pale lips, like a vampire’s, and lowered his head in response.
He was a noble of the Edryger Kingdom, not the Philios Empire. Digging deeper, he also belonged to the ‘Dark Aristocratic Society’, which was more famous for its small elite and whose entire membership was aristocratic, even more so than the High Assassins.
“I hear my foolish brother is doing well?”
“Yes, it seems the Third Prince has succeeded. According to internal information, the Emperor is completely addicted.”
Baron Sidington grinned.
“Even if it’s exposed…”
“There will be nothing that will harm His Highness the Second Prince. The Third Prince obtained the poison through his own initiative by colluding with the Edryger Kingdom, and merely used it. Of course, His Highness the Second Prince ordered us to deliver the poison, but that fact will not be known.”
“Can I trust you?”
“We are those who walk the true path of darkness. You don’t have to worry about information leaking anywhere.”
Baron Sidington smiled, revealing his white teeth. The Second Prince, Deneb, frowned, but then nodded and opened his mouth.
“I understand. You may leave.”
“Have a good night. The deep night is always watching you.”
Baron Sidington left words that were unclear in meaning, whether it was a warning or not, and disappeared. He reappeared behind the Second Prince’s palace. There, the Second Prince’s elite guard captain, Aaron, was standing.
“Baron Sidington…”
“Everything is proceeding smoothly, so don’t worry.”
“In that case…”
“Yes, everything is flowing according to the association’s will. With this, we have grown closer to the end.”
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