Ch.176176. The Battle of Obitus Workshop

A large-scale subjugation force led by the succession rights holders set out for Obitus, where the Lion King was reportedly killed in battle. Their objective was the complete eradication of the New Resistance, which was plotting rebellion.

Although the Imperial Family had occasionally conducted operations to eliminate the Resistance before, this subjugation campaign carried a different weight due to the Emperor’s grand declaration that he would no longer tolerate their excessive acts of terrorism.

Particularly, since the Emperor had announced that he would bestow the long-delayed succession to the heir who achieved the greatest military accomplishment in this campaign, the eyes and ears of all the Empire’s power players were focused on Obitus.

*Thump, thump*

The sight of massive god-machines marching in perfect formation resembled a battlefield. The residents of Obitus trembled in fear at the sudden appearance of the subjugation force, seriously contemplating whether they should evacuate.

Of course, they only contemplated it—none of the domain’s residents actually left. Obitus had a reputation as a domain where commoners could live well.

The lord who ruled Obitus didn’t impose excessive taxes and often implemented policies benefiting the residents. In an era defined by class and status, simply not being exploited made Obitus one of the rare domains pleasant to live in during the Regent’s era.

Although current imperial law prohibited overly burdensome taxation, this only applied to major cities under the Empire’s direct supervision. In small, remote domains, exploitation of residents occurred routinely, so no one wanted to leave such a favorable place.

Moreover, even if they went to another domain, the medieval characteristics of the era meant they would face severe discrimination as outsiders. Finding employment and housing would likely be extremely difficult.

For these reasons, Obitus residents locked their doors and fervently prayed for this situation to pass.

“Halt!”

Seraphina’s unit, having arrived near the northern area of Obitus, began setting up their position. According to intelligence, the New Resistance led by Horizon was advancing toward the northern gate of Obitus.

Other succession candidates also received similar intelligence and established positions near Seraphina’s unit. Since this was a battle involving god-machines, their “positions” consisted merely of command and control rooms, with knights remaining mounted in their god-machines, ready for combat at any moment.

“Commander Gilbert. What is the estimated arrival time of the rebels?”

Seraphina asked Gilbert. Based on information purchased from the Wild Rose Guild of Obitus and reports from the reconnaissance unit, Gilbert estimated their arrival time to be exactly one day.

“Even accounting for margin of error, it’s predicted to be about a day.”

“I see. Then have the knights, except those on guard duty, set up tents and rest. Our goal is to maintain optimal condition.”

“Understood.”

Gilbert bowed his head and issued orders for the knights to rest. Though the knights had been keeping their nerves sharp in anticipation of immediate deployment to the battlefield, they relaxed at Gilbert’s command.

The knights participating here were Seraphina’s most loyal faction and veteran knights who had fought alongside her on many battlefields. Since this subjugation campaign was not merely about elimination but also a test for succession rights, only the most elite knights had been selected.

Normally, they might consider it shameful to take orders from Gilbert, who was still an academy cadet, but they did not feel that way at all.

The knights knew exactly how Gilbert, known as a delinquent, had become a hero of the Empire, and they had witnessed his strange training methods firsthand during their journey here.

Though they initially looked down on him, they came to acknowledge him after seeing his aura and leadership abilities. Despite being known for their pride, knights knew to set aside such things when heading to battle.

Since a single mistake could often lead to the collapse of an entire army, they had no intention of causing unnecessary discord that might ruin this subjugation campaign.

“Now we can finally get some rest.”

“Yeah, I thought we’d be thrown into battle as soon as we arrived, so this is fortunate.”

The knights gathering in small groups to set up tents after opening their god-machine cockpits didn’t look particularly displeased. Even though they were battle-hardened, they didn’t particularly welcome combat.

In their early days of service, they might have seen battle as an excellent opportunity to gain fame and honor, but as the number of engagements increased, such thoughts disappeared.

War was not a place to gain honor and achievements.

It was merely a judgment seat where life and death were decided.

They weren’t afraid of death, but they didn’t welcome it either.

After all, knights were human too.

“Commander. I’m here to report on reconnaissance.”

Gilbert, who had been quietly watching the knights set up their tents, turned toward the voice. There stood Leila, who had joined with the Golden Mane.

Fortunately, Count Lithuania had permitted the Golden Mane to join the expedition. Although the Count typically avoided political power struggles, he couldn’t ignore rebel groups that had risen against the Empire.

Thanks to this, Leila, after completing the funeral for the two fallen squad leaders, had selected the elite personnel of the Golden Mane and joined the subjugation force. True to their reputation as one of the Empire’s renowned ranger units, their exceptional reconnaissance and information gathering abilities were proving extremely helpful in formulating plans.

“Report.”

“As expected, we confirmed the New Resistance’s god-machine unit about a day’s distance away.”

“What’s their scale?”

“Since we had to conduct reconnaissance from outside artillery range, we couldn’t determine their exact numbers. We estimate about two to three times the size of the previous attack.”

Gilbert slightly furrowed his brow. It was a scale exceeding what he had anticipated.

The number of god-machines that had nearly annihilated the Academy was in the hundreds. Two to three times that number meant close to a thousand machines, and he questioned how a mere rebel army could secure so many god-machines.

But Gilbert quickly composed his expression.

The enemy was a monster who had somehow extended a life that should have ended long ago.

Horizon’s wealth and fame accumulated over his long years of life were immeasurable. It wouldn’t have been difficult for someone harboring ambitions of continental conquest to make such preparations.

Moreover, Horizon’s goal was clear.

Not simply conquering the continent, but becoming Lion King Terodamas himself.

For that, he needed items symbolizing Terodamas, two of which were in the possession of Ian, who belonged to Richard’s faction.

Horizon would surely attempt to seize these two items during the battle, and Gilbert’s job was to prevent that moment. It was really that simple.

Of course, the separate problem remained of how to stop nearly a thousand god-machines. With the enemy force exceeding expectations, they couldn’t claim numerical superiority.

But Seraphina’s faction wasn’t alone here. Prince Richard’s faction, known as the Divine Mountain, and other succession candidates’ factions had also brought their elite personnel to this place.

Unlike at the Academy, where they were caught unprepared by the sudden attack and suffered heavy casualties, the situation was different now. They had an environment where they could fight strength against strength, or tactics against tactics.

It all came down to which side was better trained and better led.

That was a very simple question with an obvious answer.

“I’ll divide the Golden Mane personnel into two units in case of unexpected situations. Each unit will take turns monitoring the New Resistance’s movements. The goal is to watch for any tricks they might attempt and prepare countermeasures in advance.”

“Understood.”

“You may withdraw.”

Leila saluted with sharp eyes before quickly disappearing toward where the Golden Mane was stationed.

Now all he could do was prepare for tomorrow’s battle.

***

“Gilbert.”

“Brynhild, is that you?”

Late at night, Gilbert offered a seat to Brynhild, who had come to his tent.

As a great warrior of the Sigurd clan, she was participating in this subjugation campaign. Although she had been defeated by Gilbert, she was by no means an unskilled god-machine pilot.

In fact, she was one of the most skilled god-machine pilots here, which is why Gilbert had asked her to participate. Brynhild, who had been thirsting for battle, gladly accepted his request.

For Gilbert, having Brynhild participate greatly increased their chances of victory. As difficult an opponent as she would be as an enemy, she was an equally reliable ally.

“What brings you here?”

“Does a wife need a reason to visit her husband?”

Gilbert couldn’t help but sigh at Brynhild’s sly smile. He still hadn’t resolved the situation with Camilla, who had recently confessed to him, and Seraphina, who had developed a twisted affection for him.

Chronologically, Brynhild’s situation came first, but he had been letting it flow naturally. Or more accurately, she had been accommodating the situation.

“Tomorrow is a battle day. Wouldn’t it be better to rest?”

“For me, being with you is resting.”

She was aggressive yet considerate. She exuded a wild aura while skillfully elevating Gilbert.

When he once asked about this, she replied that supporting one’s husband was a wife’s virtue. Perhaps Brynhild was closest to being the ideal virtuous wife—the thought crossed Gilbert’s mind.

But he couldn’t continue this ambiguous relationship indefinitely. With Camilla and Seraphina’s situations overlapping, he needed to clarify the current situation even more.

“Brynhild. I have something to tell you.”

“That’s unusual. You having something to tell me.”

Brynhild’s eyes filled with interest. Since it was usually Brynhild who initiated conversations with Gilbert, his taking the initiative was exceptional and naturally piqued her interest.

I must be seriously ill.

The mighty Brynhild, who had spent her life avoiding men, never dreamed she would become so attached to a single man.

“Yes. What do you want to tell me? Whatever it is, I’m willing to listen. I’d even gladly accept an invitation to bed right now.”

She provocatively lifted her revealing clothes. In a way, she looked like a brothel prostitute, but with Brynhild’s wild charm, it seemed less vulgar and more like she might devour him.

Gilbert looked at Brynhild with unwavering eyes before speaking.

“I’ll be direct. I have no intention of marrying you.”

“I thought you were going to say something grand, but it’s just that?”

Brynhild chuckled and asked. Gilbert was a bit taken aback by her nonchalant reaction but tried not to show it in his expression.

“Gilbert. I know you much better than you think. I know everything from your unconscious habits when you’re troubled, to how you treat others, and even your sleeping habits.”

That’s a bit creepy?

Gilbert felt somewhat disgusted by Brynhild’s words.

He could overlook everything else, but he wondered how she knew his sleeping habits, which even he wasn’t aware of. This implied she could have sneaked into his bedroom and pounced on him at any time.

“So I knew. That someday, Gilbert, you would abandon everything and leave for a distant place.”

“What?”

Gilbert reflexively questioned. Was she saying she knew he was trying to return to his original world?

No, contextually, that wasn’t it.

Even with the greatest imagination, it would be impossible to fantasize that he was a possessor from another world trying to return to his original world.

Most likely, all she sensed was that he intended to leave for somewhere. That’s exactly what she was saying now, so it wasn’t an incorrect assumption.

“I won’t ask why. I think a man like you must have good reasons for such a decision.”

“Why are you telling me this now?”

“Just to let you know that wherever you go, I will definitely follow you.”

Brynhild’s eyes turned provocative.

Her sharp gaze, like a predator that had spotted its prey, made Gilbert swallow hard. He briefly thought that Brynhild might be the final figure among the twisted possessiveness seekers.

But even as time passed, the system alarm didn’t sound. It seemed she wasn’t one of the twisted possessiveness seekers.

Gilbert felt both regret at not finding the last seeker who remained veiled and relief that they hadn’t appeared yet. It was an unfamiliar experience to feel such contradictory emotions simultaneously.

“So don’t think about escaping from me, Gilbert Lion Heart.”

Because I never let go of prey I’ve marked.

With a provocative or perhaps wild gaze, Brynhild made that declaration.

Gilbert thought he needed to deeply reflect someday on how his life had become so complicated.

***

The next morning.

The sentries on guard duty spotted a god-machine unit advancing while raising clouds of dust and quickly sounded the alarm.

The moment had arrived—Horizon’s New Resistance army had reached them.