Ch.143The Declining Imperial Family (14)

Early dawn-

The Imperial Palace.

A bearded man in a black coat opened the door to the audience chamber.

Lucius, who had been anxiously waiting for someone, brightened up.

“Margrave Sheffield. It’s been a while.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Lucius rose from the imperial throne and approached Margrave Sheffield with delighted steps.

Margrave Sheffield knelt on one knee and bowed.

“I couldn’t be happier to see you, the war hero of the glorious Prime Empire.”

“You flatter me.”

Crisis Sheffield, Margrave of the Borderlands.

He comes from a family of imperial war heroes who, along with the Windsor Duchy, conquered half the continent in the past.

If Windsor was the loyal servant who quietly remained by the Emperor’s side, Sheffield was the Emperor’s sword.

Wherever the Emperor’s blade pointed, Sheffield was always there.

Along with the Windsor Duchy, they were also one of the absolute founding contributors to the Empire.

“Please rise. I don’t know how to react when receiving such respect from Sheffield, who is said to have lived a thousand years.”

Sheffield, who had remained motionless in his bow, raised his head at the Emperor’s call.

1000 years ago – the Margrave Sheffield’s name was Crisis, just like now.

The Sheffield family has a tradition of inheriting the ancestor’s name. For them, there is no individuality, only honor as eternal as time itself.

Because of this, there’s a rumor circulating: ‘Perhaps the current Margrave Sheffield is the same person from 1000 years ago.’

“That’s just a rumor, Your Majesty.”

“Haha, that’s a shame. If you were the same hero from a thousand years ago, we could surely overcome this imperial crisis easily.”

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. Sheffield is Sheffield no matter how much time passes. Just as Windsor is Windsor.”

Lucius’s expression, which had been smiling, turned serious.

“Would you come this way? What we’re about to discuss must not be heard by anyone else.”

“Of course.”

Lucius moved forward. He touched a device on the wall, and a secret passage appeared.

It was a narrow corridor. At first glance, it looked like an evacuation facility, but it wasn’t. This place was called the ‘Secret Meeting Room.’

It was mainly used for discussing matters of war. This was Lucius’s first time entering this space.

Sheffield, on the other hand, walked without hesitation, as if familiar with it.

“…I’m always grateful for the efforts of the Sheffield family, heroes of war. How is the South these days?”

“Bandits appear occasionally, but the movements of the two countries are stable. The Sheffield Marquisate is always ready to wage war for the Empire.”

The Empire has three main enemies. The barbarians of the West, the monsters of the North, and lastly – two neighboring kingdoms.

One is the Jinatba Alliance, which boasts the second largest scale after the Empire.

The other is the Holy Kingdom, whose power is immeasurable.

The Sheffield Marquisate alone was holding back these two countries that shared borders with the Empire. That’s why they were given the title ‘Margrave’ and allowed to station several personal soldiers.

Though his rank is Count, his actual authority exceeds that of a Marquis.

“Don’t you feel slighted? That Sheffield still remains a Count.”

“Not at all. It has been passed down from our ancestors, but our will not to interfere in politics remains unchanged. Sheffield is only interested in the necks of enemies.”

“That’s quite reassuring.”

Lucius nodded with a stern face.

They arrived at the secret meeting room.

Despite being vacant for a long time, not a speck of dust could be found in this space.

This was because it had been well preserved by magic.

“Am I the only commander?”

“You’re the only one who can overcome this situation, Margrave Sheffield, so I didn’t call anyone else. But if you wish, use whatever resources you need. I intend to support you with full force.”

Lucius sat at the head seat. Sheffield stood with his hands behind his back, not taking a seat.

“Who is the enemy that Sheffield must face this time?”

“…Don’t you already know?”

Lucius gave a bitter smile.

“In this world, the only enemy the Empire cannot handle is Windsor.”

“A troublesome opponent.”

Upon hearing the enemy, Margrave Sheffield nodded calmly and took a seat.

He pulled out a map from his coat and unrolled it on the table.

It was a map of the Empire. He took out several pieces from his pocket and began placing them.

“The North is an impregnable fortress. Not only is it a natural fortress covered in snow mountains, but each individual there is a genius beyond ordinary people.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Lucius asked with tense eyes.

“Is there a possibility?”

Sheffield spoke decisively.

“If the intelligence that Windsor is preparing for war is true, the Empire’s chance of victory against Windsor’s invasion is zero.”

Windsor is a legendary existence.

The same goes for Sheffield.

Perhaps he might be the only one with power equal to Windsor.

It was like grasping at straws—

But Lucius’s dream was shattered by Margrave Sheffield’s firm statement.

‘Do I really have to use that?’

Everyone has one last resort they keep in reserve.

Especially the Emperor who rules this vast empire.

He wanted to save this move as much as possible. Lucius set aside some of his imperial dignity and asked.

“Is there no way?”

“There is a way.”

“Yes, I know it’s difficult… what?”

Lucius’s eyes widened.

“A preemptive strike.”

“W-what do you mean?”

Fortunately—

As Lucius expected, Sheffield could somewhat counter Windsor.

The accumulated knowledge was different. Sheffield had lived as a loyal servant for a thousand years as the sword and shield of the Empire.

It was impossible that he hadn’t prepared for the most threatening existence should they become an enemy.

“Currently, signs of a great disaster are appearing in Windsor.”

“Great disaster?”

“It’s not the monthly monster wave, but a phenomenon where monsters from the North invade in search of fertile land.”

“I’ve heard of it. But wasn’t that something that happened hundreds of years ago?”

“Because they know that gathering mediocre forces won’t be enough against Windsor.”

Margrave Sheffield moved the pieces.

The Windsor Duchy was now surrounded by monsters.

“…But if they can’t stop the great disaster, the Empire will suffer.”

“Your Majesty, you still don’t understand Windsor well.”

“Tell me. What am I missing?”

A somewhat disrespectful remark.

But right now, such trivial etiquette wasn’t important to Lucius.

“First, the current Duchess Victoria Windsor is not someone who would neglect clearing monsters even if she were at war with the Empire.”

Lucius wanted to ask.

How could he be so sure?

As if answering that question, Sheffield continued.

“Second, Windsor has been dealing with monsters from the North for a long time. For that to be possible, various interests must be intertwined.”

“Interests? With monsters?”

“Yes. There are some monsters in the North that can communicate. For example, monsters that were pushed out in their own hierarchy battles or experienced such things. Most of them would hate other monsters. For their sake too, deliberately not blocking monster invasions is impossible.”

Lucius’s eyes widened.

How did Margrave Sheffield, who was in the South, know about the situation in the North that even he, the Emperor, didn’t know properly?

At the same time, he thought:

The Sheffield Marquisate might be able to resist Windsor to some extent.

Without using the ‘Crown of the First Emperor,’ the last resort.

‘If things go well—’

Lucius saw a hopeful future.

If they could break Windsor’s momentum this time and completely subjugate them to the imperial family—

The benefits the Empire could gain from this would be astronomical.

“In other words, Windsor’s current situation is not good. Your Majesty, if not now, there will be no opportunity. We must attack Windsor first.”

Margrave Sheffield drove the point home.

**

“Are you really… okay?”

Amelia asked, watching Irene cautiously. Ruide, who was next to Irene, tilted his head.

“Huh? I’m the same as usual.”

Ruide could confidently say that he was perfectly normal.

Rather, he couldn’t understand Amelia and Charlotte’s reactions.

Everyone looked too serious.

‘I just took a simple revenge.’

He had only avenged Colon, and he couldn’t understand what was wrong with that.

“Are you upset, Ame? Surely you don’t think I’d do anything strange to Ruide.”

When Irene spoke with a quiet smile, Amelia hurriedly waved her hands.

“N-no way. I’ve never doubted you, sister.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Ruide munched on bread. Though it was the same bread he ate every day, it seemed a bit dry today.

‘I should have eaten lots of delicious food while at the Academy.’

He was too lazy then to think about it. He thought filling his stomach was enough.

‘Ah, so that’s it.’

With a thought that suddenly crossed his mind, Ruide opened his eyes wide.

It’s hard to eat delicious food in the North. It’s barren after all.

Then the solution is to go somewhere where he can eat delicious food.

‘I just need to destroy the Empire and expand our territory, right?’

“Um, Sister Irene. No, Captain.”

“Yes?”

“Can I borrow Ruide for a while?”

Amelia asked, gathering her courage. Ruide blinked.

‘I’m not an object.’

“Why?”

“I don’t think I can stop the wave with my abilities. I need Ruide’s power.”

After visiting the site directly, Amelia knew the monsters were at a level she could handle with just half her strength.

But Ruide couldn’t even think that Amelia was lying. There was no reason for her to do so.

‘Hmm… because of the great disaster? If that’s the reason.’

He could help. Thanks to Irene, his mindset had changed a bit.

If he had the power, it was better to use it.

“No, you can’t.”

“Why not…”

“Because there will be no more monster waves at the First Defense Line.”

“What?”

Amelia was startled.

“B-but there are still many monsters waiting near the First Defense Line.”

“I negotiated with Main. They won’t target the First Defense Line anymore. They’re targeting the Ninth Defense Line now.”

Ruide nodded.

Victoria was at the Ninth Defense Line.

No matter how many monsters came, Victoria had enough capacity to handle them.

‘There’s no need to waste strength unnecessarily.’

At that moment, Amelia stood up abruptly.

“W-why… did you do that?”

Amelia’s eyes trembled like aspen leaves.

Irene smiled sweetly and said:

“War will start soon, and wouldn’t monsters be a hindrance?”