Chapter 194: Negotiations (2)

In the border region between the Kanburk Kingdom and the Dominant Empire.

Some time had passed since the Snow King’s Army entered the empire, but soldiers of the Kanburk Kingdom still maintained their positions near the border.

Hwoosh.

Lokan VII exhaled a cloud of white steam as he stared straight ahead. In the distance, among the bustling soldiers, he spotted a white-robed cage.

Creeee.

Ciiik.

The sounds coming from the shrouded cage were unmistakably those of a monster. After half a dozen soldiers struggled to drag it out, a Transcendent picked it up and crossed the border.

Watching this spectacle, Lokan VII couldn’t help but lament:

”…So this is how it turns out.”

What the Kanburk Kingdom was doing now was capturing monsters and releasing them deep within the Empire. This would have been unthinkable in the past when the Empire had been “keenly vigilant”, but it became possible after the Snowking Legion annihilated the eastern part of the Empire.

“I never thought I’d live to see the day when I’d be releasing captured monsters in another country…”

The absurdity of what they were doing now was laughable.

And the one who ordered all this was none other than the leader of the cult.

It was just as the Snowking Army had turned the Empire’s eastern region into a battleground and reached the islet.

Louis appeared before Lokan VII, who was about to retreat with his forces.

“Where are you going?”

Our work here is done. I intend to withdraw my forces now.

Oh no, you mustn’t do that. Since we’ve come this far, let’s just add one more thing—on a grand scale.

Upon hearing Louis’s suggestion, Lokan VII’s eyes widened in disbelief.

You’re telling me to unleash monsters in the Empire?

Yes.

Why in the world would we do that?

Think of it as replenishing the ammunition for the hardworking royal pig, so he doesn’t run dry.

Ammunition? What do you mean by that?

I’m essentially saying we should help the Orc Lord go even further off the deep end.

If I’m hearing this correctly, you’re proposing to give Snow King strength by turning over the monsters we’ve captured… But even if we did that, would the monsters released within the Empire really join Snow King’s ranks?

“Once the Snow King’s territory draws near, those monsters will head straight for it as if returning home.”

“Fine. Let’s put that matter aside for now… But if this islet crumbles as it stands, those monsters could very well overrun Kanburk. Wouldn’t we be amplifying the danger with our own hands in that case?”

“No need to worry on that front. The imperial territory will handle the Monster Army perfectly well.”

“Hmm…”

“Can’t trust me? Well, you’ve benefited from my efforts thus far, so let’s place one last bet on it. You have nothing to lose.”

”…Very well.”

In the end, Lokan VII acquiesced to Louis’s audacious proposal fueled by unwavering confidence.

As one who had fought demons and monsters for decades, Lokan VII felt uneasy about capturing monsters only to release them in another country. However, this was a first for everyone involved. Now, things were starting to get interesting.

The soldiers felt the same way.

“Move, move, move!”

“Hey! Handle them carefully! These are precious presents for those imperial snobs! We need to deliver them intact!”

The soldiers, who had long been mistreated by the Empire, were putting their all into this as an opportunity to finally give the Empire a taste of its own medicine.

Lokan VII couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

I’m not sure what’s gotten into me now…

He truly couldn’t predict how this affair would end.

The manor of the Western Division Commander of the Dominant Empire stood still in the evening sun. The owner of the manor, Duke Barcon, had been deep in thought for hours.

The islet is under threat…

Several days ago, a letter had arrived from the islet. It detailed how the islet was under siege by the Snow King’s Army and pleaded for Barcon to swiftly lead his troops to relieve the pressure.

Yet, Duke Barcon had not responded.

At dawn today, a military messenger arrived from the islet. He had braved numerous monster attacks to deliver the emperor’s confidential letter to the Western Division Commander in the far reaches of the empire. Its contents matched the urgent dispatch sent days earlier.

The emperor was urging him to swiftly send reinforcements. The Duke of Barcon’s dilemma deepened as the emperor’s urgency grew and the perceived danger to the Islet escalated. Yet, he couldn’t help but see this situation as an opportunity for himself.

Last time, I sent 30,000 soldiers to the Third Resistance Force. Currently, I still have 70,000 troops in the Western Division at my disposal.

The Western Division, facing the formidable power in the west of the Winter Continent, had always boasted overwhelmingly superior numbers compared to the Eastern Division. Although 30,000 soldiers had been lost in the previous campaign, 70,000 remained—these were the elite troops who had guarded the border for countless years.

The majority of the eastern forces have already sustained severe casualties and are practically annihilated. The central guard troops the Emperor possessed are in a similar state. If that’s the case… In reality, I now command the largest military force within the Empire.

Of course, the situation would change if the Emperor issued a conscription decree and assembled an army, but currently, he is bound by the existing system. Even if he did muster an army, there would be no suitable commander to lead it.

sword master is dead, and the commander of the Dongbu Division, Marquis Hoan, is missing, his fate unknown.

His two greatest rivals had vanished. After much deliberation, Duke Barcon shifted his gaze to the side.

Standing there, as he had been for quite some time, was his assistant.

The count had been his trusted confidant for many years, having worked closely with him throughout their tenure. The Duke of Barcon turned to him and asked, “What do you think we should do?”

“Are you referring to the Islet’s request for aid?” the assistant inquired.

”…Yes.”

The assistant quickly grasped his superior’s intentions, proving that their shared experiences had not been in vain. As the Duke nodded, the assistant hesitated briefly before speaking. After a moment of contemplation, he said, “If your grace wishes to continue the glory of our Empire… You must immediately lead the elite forces from the west to rescue His Majesty the Emperor and the Islet.”

”…And if I don’t want that?” the Duke prompted.

The assistant’s eyes flashed at the Duke’s question.

“Building on the glory of the past to create an even more sacred honor… That is what you must do to usher in a new world.”

”…I see.” The Duke’s eyes, which had been troubled, cleared as his assistant’s words seemed to resonate with him. Something began to stir within his gaze—a quiet yet fervent longing.

“What have we done about the man from the Islet who arrived with a decree from the desert?”

“He is currently resting in the lodging we arranged for him.”

“I see… Crossing that desert must have exhausted him greatly.”

”…”

“Ensure he has a place to relax comfortably.”

The assistant knew what these words implied.

“I will handle it accordingly,” he replied, bowing before departing from the Duke’s side.

To grant eternal rest to Huang Ming’s messenger who had been sent forth by an unknown force…

Thus, a life disappeared without a trace that day, and the Western Division fell silent.

It was as if what transpired on the islet were an affair TV show—none of their business.

Meanwhile, Louis had been observing the Western Division’s movements over the past few days.

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

“Seems like it, doesn’t it?”

The Western Division had been the greatest obstacle in the way of Louis’s plans for the islet.

If they decided to mobilize their forces and intervene to “save” the islet, it would be a major headache.

That’s why he was prepared to put in a bit of extra work and manipulate things himself, but…

“It appears we won’t need to?”

The state of the islet had certainly been made known to them.

Yet the Western Division remained silent.

What could this mean?

They must have ulterior motives.

The choice of the Western Division actually worked in Louis’s favor.

After all, he no longer needed to waste effort on various schemes.

“Well then, now what will the emperor do?” Louis’s smile widened.

The Islet System of the Dominant Empire.

A low rumble of the Emperor’s anger resonated through the Imperial Hall first thing in the morning.

“Still no word?”

“T-that is…” No one dared answer the Emperor’s furious question. The nobles exchanged uneasy glances, looking down in unison. Their ignorance was mutual; not a soul present knew the answer.

Several days ago, an emergency dispatch had been sent to the Western Division, but it had brought no response. Since then, the Emperor had sent out one imperial envoy after another, each carrying a personal letter. All had been dispatched to the west, yet not a single one had returned with news.

The Emperor and his nobles were seasoned politicians. They knew all too well what it meant when messengers failed to return.

“Barkon… You bastard!”

The Emperor’s eyes gleamed with hostility.

How dare they aim for my neck with the power I provided!

Most likely, they were waiting for him to die.

Sighing, he squeezed his eyes shut.

Deep fatigue engulfed him.

Over the past few days, relentless waves of monster attacks had left him barely any time to rest properly. Then, two days ago, the assaults ceased abruptly.

Initially, he suspected perhaps the monsters had grown weary, but subsequent reports washed away those thoughts.

The Snow King’s army has quadrupled over the past two days!

This meant monsters continued pouring into this island from somewhere. At this rate, who could even estimate how many more would arrive?

In response to these signs of an impending monster onslaught, the strategic analyst offered his perspective:

The disappearance of the monsters’ attacks… might be because they’re pausing to catch their breath. Once this respite ends, we can expect a massive assault.

Up until now, the Snow King Army’s attacks had been limited to hurling orcs at them. But once the monsters caught their breath, it was clear things wouldn’t remain so simple.

To complicate matters further, the Western Division had recently turned traitor.

What was initially believed to be a manageable situation now continued to deteriorate, causing immense mental anguish for the emperor. The stress was so great that he had begun losing hair over the past few days.

As he took a moment to compose himself,

“Your Majesty.”

The emperor’s eyes snapped open at the voice addressing him. An elderly noble had approached from the front and now stood with his head bowed respectfully.

“What is it?”

“Why don’t you call for the Head Priest of the Order of the Divine Body?”

The Emperor’s eyebrow twitched at the noble’s suggestion.

“What did you say?”

“I merely suggested speaking with the Head Priest.”

“You… have you already forgotten the humiliation heaped upon us by that priest?!”

“How could I possibly forget such a thing?”

“Yet you dare mention him in our presence?”

“Your Majesty must remain calm. I believe it would be beneficial to use him at this time.”

The Emperor’s contorted face softened slightly as he sensed something hidden within the old noble’s words.

With a hint of curiosity, the Emperor asked, ”…Use him?”

“Although Your Majesty is currently enduring great hardships, once we overcome this crisis, everything will change, will it not?”

“You speak the truth.”

“First, use the Church of the Divine Body to repel those wicked monsters. Later, even if the Divine Body demands adherence to their pact… would it not be Your Majesty’s decision to grant or deny this request?”

”…?!”

“If Your Majesty wishes to display the Empire’s grandeur to the Head Priest of the Divine Body, tens of thousands of soldiers would eagerly follow your lead,” the old noble declared.

His plan was clear: initially, ally with the Church of the Divine Body to drive away the monster horde. Once the crisis had passed, leverage the Empire’s power to pressure the church, effectively erasing the pact as if it never existed.

In essence, it was a call to boldly utilize the church and then discard it once its purpose had been served.

Seeing through this strategy, the Emperor nodded slowly in contemplation.

Indeed… this is a feasible plan.

The most pressing danger at present was the monstrous army encircling the Islet. However, Eron had to consider that if Duke Barcon harbored ulterior motives, future complications might arise.

The emperor needed to put out the current fire quickly and address the next situation.

After a moment of deep thought, he asked, “In your view, does this man truly have the ability to handle that monster horde?”

“When the priest appeared, the shapes that formed in the air… the foolish commoners called it the ‘Miracle of God’.”

“The Miracle of God…”

“Although it’s a ridiculous name… it’s true that the monsters’ attacks stopped because of it. If we can properly harness this ability, I believe we can drive off those monsters.”

“And if not?”

“Even if not… what would be the harm? If he fails the challenge he himself set forth… it would be fitting to chop off his head for insulting Your Majesty.”

“They have…a great warrior.”

“Even if he is a mighty superhuman, he’s nothing more than a wild man. How could His Imperial Majesty, ruler of the Empire, fear such a savage?”

“Hmm…” The emperor stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment.

We’ve got nothing to lose either way. Even if the Church of the Divine fails, it won’t be much different from the status quo, and if they succeed, there’s no better outcome for us. All we need to do is use them appropriately and then dispose of them.

In the end, the emperor made his decision.

“Prepare the negotiation table. Once everything is set…fire a signal flare.”

“As you command.”

The old noble deeply bowed and retreated from his position.

That day, a white signal flare rose into the sky above the islet.

“Oh? It worked!” Louis’s eyes lit up like bright stars as the white smoke waved in the air like a white flag of surrender.