Ch.581581. Prelude to the Great War (2)

The old kingdom, which had fallen and been annexed by the Empire, was famous as a maritime trading nation.

As if the eastern seas were their own, they held naval supremacy with their exceptional naval power. To the east of the port city, which was under the Empire’s strict surveillance, lay the Levian Archipelago across the sea. It served as the logistics base for the old maritime kingdom and was like an ant lion trap from which no foreign warships could ever return alive.

Scouts from the 3rd Corps and holy knights dispatched from the Holy Nation boarded a ship to assess the situation of the archipelago by order of the 3rd Corps Commander.

“The waves are quite fierce. I wonder how fishermen manage to navigate through such waves without the help of artifacts.”

“They’ve lived their entire lives with the sea. And… those who couldn’t befriend these waters would have been devoured by the waves long ago.”

“I see… then our current voyage—”

“Don’t worry about that. No one knows these waters better than I do.”

As the helmsman’s sweat dripped to the floor with each wave crashing against the warship, they drew ever closer to the archipelago.

As they entered the strait of the Levian Archipelago, tension began to mount among everyone on the warship.

“Have you clergy heard about the legend of the Levian Archipelago?”

“…Not at all. My knowledge about this area is limited. May I hear about it?”

“The straits of the archipelago are known for their rough currents. The flow is faster and more unpredictable than anywhere else, causing the unfamiliar to easily run aground. The navies of other countries that coveted the old kingdom’s maritime supremacy described the kingdom’s navy and these fierce currents this way.”

“……”

“They said that beneath the deep sea of the archipelago sleeps a giant monster that blesses the kingdom’s navy. And the navy, blessed by this monster, navigates the archipelago like elusive ghosts.”

She was like a storyteller, unfolding the legend with seriousness and intrigue.

Noticing that everyone was now focused on her words, she soon broke the tension with a smile.

“Well, for all that grand talk, it was ultimately just the kingdom’s navy’s thorough knowledge of the strait’s currents that enabled their maneuverability.”

“Then, about that deep-sea monster—”

“There is indeed a legend that the founding king of the kingdom captured a giant octopus-like monster and came to rule the seas… but it’s just a founding myth. How could an octopus the size of an island possibly exist?”

“Indeed. It was a silly thought. Your storytelling was just so engaging.”

“Haha, the most important part of this story is that they knew all the currents.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“From now on, we’ll ride the currents properly and move even faster.”

True to her confident words, the warship began to move swiftly, navigating through the archipelago and its straits.

Islands and reefs spread out like a labyrinth. And befitting the statement that the archipelago was the navy’s stronghold, docking stations and military facilities were found in all the expected places.

Following the path through the strait to reach the farthest, isolated island at the end, the clergy could feel an unpleasant resonance from the salty sea breeze.

“…It’s Magia. To feel such eeriness from this distance…”

“The energy is much stronger than during our last check. Let’s keep our distance and observe for now.”

After circling the island from the warship for a while, they finally decided to land on the island.

Slowly approaching the shore and stepping onto the soft sandy beach instead of the ship’s deck, the imperial soldiers could finally assess the island’s exact condition.

“Magia transformation in progress. This doesn’t look good.”

The island was being soaked in Magia, turning into a Magia realm.

Moreover…

“Magia transformation never occurs naturally. This means there’s an evil presence corrupting this place—”

Just as they began to question what entity was trying to devour the entire island,

BOOM—!

A massive explosion erupted from the shore where they had landed.

They could only watch as their warship was half-destroyed and their comrades, who couldn’t escape in time, perished.

Seeing something enormous gradually revealing itself from beyond the sea’s horizon, the scout leader commanded:

“Mage. Report immediately using the communication device.”

With a trembling voice, yet befitting the pride of a soldier of the 3rd Corps, he nocked an arrow to his bow and said:

“Tell them a mid-level… no, at least a high-level Demon has appeared in the archipelago.”

That a Demon had truly taken residence in this archipelago.

* * *

“Your Imperial Majesty, the 3rd Corps has begun to move in earnest.”

“Elaborate further.”

“According to the 3rd Corps Commander’s report, after discovering a highest-grade Demon in the eastern Levian Archipelago, more than 10 low and mid-grade Demons have revealed themselves.”

War had begun in the eastern lands.

“The 3rd Corps Commander immediately eliminated four low-grade and two mid-grade Demons. They’ve also successfully repelled Demons in key areas. Furthermore, they’re tightening the encirclement against the Demons while advancing to prevent the highest-grade Demon from crossing over from the archipelago.”

Thanks to the swift response of the 3rd Corps Commander, whom the Emperor trusted, the situation wasn’t too dire.

However, the Empress’s expression was not bright.

“This is just the beginning.”

“……”

“Of a tedious and old-fashioned war.”

Her favored minister bowed his head at the Iron Empress’s weary voice.

The minister knew. Whether she truly possessed the ability to read heavenly omens or not, that empty gaze of hers seemed as if she had already experienced everything. When she looked into the void with those eyes, one should never disturb her mood.

“It’s been quite some time since I buried myself in the throne. It’s about time I moved.”

The Iron Empress rose from her throne.

“Minister, I have never been defeated in any war or conflict.”

“……”

“And that will never change in the future. I’ve vowed never to bring disgrace to the Empire I lead.”

“Your words are befitting of one who stands tall over the continent.”

As the Emperor said, she was a woman who had never known defeat in any battle.

A woman who had only known victory since birth. That was the Iron Empress, the ruler of the Empire.

The minister quickly erased the blasphemous thought he almost had. How could such a woman seem like someone who had experienced numerous failures? It was impossible. If he didn’t want to lose his head, he shouldn’t even think about it.

“Prepare my troops and my treasured possessions.”

As the minister broke out in a cold sweat,

The Emperor slowly descended the steps in front of the throne and said:

“From now on, I will personally take to the battlefield.”

That she would directly command the war from now on.

* * *

Ainel Sianella had been in an exceptionally good mood lately.

Tasha, who had returned from the barony, had quickly brought about winds of change to the family through their supporters, whom they had cultivated during the previous slum relief project.

With the baron’s forces joining their army, it was clear they would eliminate the remaining threats in the Magia realm. And seeing Sione after a long time, looking healthier than ever, put her mind at ease.

‘I thought Sione would be under her husband’s thumb.’

It was amusing to see that even the great Ray seemed to be mindful of Sione’s mood when she occasionally glanced at him. It made Ainel proud to think they were enjoying such an interesting married life.

But her uplifted mood soon plummeted with the arrival of an annoying piece of news.

“Lord, Bishop Kallia has requested a private audience with you.”

“Bishop Kallia has requested a private audience with me.”

“Yes, and what’s more, the message was delivered by ominous-looking holy knights… I fear he might harbor resentment over recent events…”

“Harboring resentment, you say.”

Just a bishop, yet…

“He doesn’t know his place. Before the wall battle, perhaps, but now it’s just laughable.”

“……”

There was now someone from Kallia openly showing disdain for the county.

“Inform Bishop Kallia that I will give him an opportunity to speak candidly, just the two of us. It would be wise for him to choose his words carefully.”

While the county might not care about the faith of its territory’s residents,

They had consistently prepared to gradually replace the benefits derived from Divine Power.

Now that they held the upper hand both in terms of military power and the benefits that had been provided in exchange for Divine Power, there was nothing to yield.

After conveying this message to Bishop Kallia,

While worrying about when her daughters and son-in-law would return from the Magia realm and slowly analyzing Tasha’s Divine Power,

“Lord, Her Majesty the Queen has requested communication!”

None other than the Queen of the Kingdom.

She moved quickly in response to the Queen’s request.

“Count Ainel Sianella. It’s been a while since we’ve communicated privately like this.”

“It’s an unparalleled honor to receive such a special opportunity, Your Majesty.”

“The honor is mine, to have such an outstanding vassal as yourself.”

People often describe the Queen of Aicilia as neither a virtuous ruler nor a tyrant, but rather a mediocre one.

Her magic and swordsmanship are average by royal standards. Her administrative and military skills are also average. She lacks any memorable traits.

But in some ways, she possessed talents that shone far brighter than these: the ability to place the right talent in the right position and to grasp major trends beneficial to the kingdom. In these aspects, she was an exceptional queen.

“Count, the reason I’ve requested direct communication with you today is—”

Ainel, who especially respected the Queen for her various forms of support and backing,

Listened attentively to her words.

“Because of the expeditionary force heading to the Empire to wage war against Demons.”

She could only think that what was bound to happen had finally come.