Ch.582582. Prelude to the Great War (3)

“By expedition force, you mean. It seems all the meetings within the royal court have finally concluded.”

When Ainel spoke, the Queen let out a small laugh.

“It was a busy and eventful time in many ways, but yes. Fortunately, we succeeded in coordinating everyone’s intentions.”

“……”

“As a Count, you’ve probably already heard all the talk from the central political circles. But I want to tell you there’s nothing to worry about.”

However, her voice was decidedly cold.

“If anyone tries to interfere with the agreement we’ve all worked so hard to reach. Whoever they may be, I will never forgive them.”

Ainel immediately understood the implication of those words.

It was the Queen who had chosen Adelheid as her successor faster than anyone else and had been following the procedures for succession. And the Queen, who existed as a human of the kingdom more than anyone else, was sharpening her blade against the faction that praised and advocated for the Empire beyond what was necessary.

‘If they cross the line, you intend to make even Princess Amelie pay a heavy price.’

That firm resolve was enough to sense the decision she had made amidst the continental situation that was increasingly heading toward chaos and catastrophe, along with the past she had revealed through her first daughter, Adelheid.

After showing respect for her words, Aicilia finally began to introduce the detailed plan, and the more Ainel listened, the more peculiar her expression became.

“Your Majesty, I have a question.”

“Speak freely.”

She certainly understood the request for reinforcements from the County that had confronted and dealt with demons more than any other group in the Empire, and the participation of Baron Carpel who had always been in decisive positions to subjugate demons.

At the same time, it made sense that many expedition forces would be needed to capture the two demons attacking the Empire, as two fronts would naturally be required.

But.

“The expedition force Your Majesty speaks of seems to be twice the size of what the Empire proposed.”

The Queen’s idea of an expedition force seemed to harbor other intentions.

“Even if this is about planting seeds of alliance for peace in a war against demons. I wonder if the Empire will quietly allow such an uncontrollable number of foreign troops to enter when their country is in such turmoil.”

“……”

“Organizing an expedition force of this size would be a great financial burden and strain on each lord and territory. Therefore, I am concerned that this might risk the emergence of those who would defy the sacred feudal relationship—”

Ainel Sianella.

She shared the same generation as the current Queen and was one of the few close friends who had been with Aicilia before she ascended to the throne.

Ainel asked the Queen.

“May I ask why you organized the expedition force on such a large scale?”

What exactly was her ulterior motive?

“All for the sake of the kingdom.”

And to this, Aicilia answered without a moment’s hesitation, as if it were obvious.

“In a way, the current Empire and our kingdom can be seen as having the same roots. The ancestors who founded our kingdom also came from the central continent.”

“Your Majesty.”

“The only difference is that our ancestors, instead of remaining in the center and engaging in various sinister schemes and usurpations for the imperial throne in turbulent times like the current Empire, embarked on an honorable journey to drive out demons and pioneer new lands, regardless of their individual motivations.”

Her voice was firm, indicating that she herself was the will of the kingdom.

“And we, the descendants of those heroes, have finally succeeded in completely pioneering all the lands in the west beyond the Demon Boundary.”

“……”

“It’s only natural that we, who inherit the blood of pioneers, would now look toward the center that has become unknown territory to us, and beyond that, to the sun in the east.”

Aicilia was asking.

Having heard my words, what do you think of this intention?

After maintaining silence for a while, Ainel carefully spoke in the serene atmosphere.

“It has been a long time since the kingdom established itself in the west. This is indeed a very good land, but… the past and glory we’ve built here have reached their peak. There is little left to achieve here.”

“……”

“I think it’s natural for pioneers who seek new lands and new challenges to suddenly think of their homeland.”

“Count, those words…”

“I am a Margrave of the borderlands. My family has elevated its honor as a sword protecting the kingdom, and now that the western threat has disappeared, there is no reason for our swords to remain bound here.”

Though wrapped in elegant words.

In the end, if that’s the direction you’re taking, isn’t it only natural to participate as much as possible to protect the kingdom?

“I only wonder. We’ve been heading down a long road for a long time. Do we truly have sufficient travel funds and plans to head back home now?”

In response to her concern that despite her words, she was still worried and asking to reconsider—

“This will be a long conversation.”

The discussion between Aicilia and Ainel continued, losing track of time.

Like those days when they stayed up late talking about various things at the Royal Academy, just as nostalgia tickled their noses.

Finally, the long and complicated conversation came to an end.

Having finished her communication with the Queen, Ainel Sianella.

“Ha—”

She rose from her seat with a slight smile.

“I thought she had become a bit more dignified after ascending to the throne. But they say people don’t change easily.”

Because her thoughts were bold and quite interesting, just like the Aicilia of old.

Given that she, who never even considered impossible things, had such a secret plan—

“It’s certainly worth trying.”

Ainel simply found the situation amusing.

* * *

The vast front yard of the imperial palace was filled with troops considered nothing less than the finest in the Empire.

The imperial citizens called them the protectors of the Empire and the sturdy shield the Emperor had prepared for his people.

The fallen kingdoms called them murderous demons who brought death, and the sharpest swords in the hands of a mad warmonger.

And the Iron-Blooded Empress—

“Rejoice.”

Subdued them with just her serene voice.

It was a natural result.

Those who had seen the Empress in direct combat during the war knew well that they should never defy her, even at the cost of their lives.

“You are the fortunate ones who have the opportunity to stand on the battlefield with me. I, who have never been defeated, will continue to be victorious, and you who have fought alongside me know best that my words will prove right this time as well.”

Provocative words.

But as she said.

They all entrusted themselves to a battlefield where victory was promised, with nothing in their minds except the opportunity to elevate their honor.

For the Empire, the Empress was victory itself.

And for some reason, that Empress—

“We will head to the far eastern lands we conquered, and there we will claim the most valuable victory.”

Unlike her reputation for rarely showing her emotions in public—

“You must look forward to the greatest victory I have promised.”

With a voice filled with emotion and burning passion, all the knights saluted vigorously, pledging their loyalty.

“Glory to the Empire!”

Somehow, despite her increasingly heated voice, her eyes sank deeper, making it seem like she was making a desperate pledge to herself.

* * *

The purge of the Demon Boundary ended without incident.

On the way back from visiting the Holy City, I killed every monster I saw.

And so all the troublesome threats that remained were gone.

‘It’s hardly worth calling it a Demon Boundary anymore.’

If the power of the World Tree grows stronger and all Magia is completely removed, it will prosper as the most fertile land in the kingdom.

This was precisely the place where one should buy real estate before anyone else.

Keeping in mind that I should later demand that the Barony receive its fair share for all my dedication, I returned to the County.

‘I’ve gained a lot.’

From acquiring two new abilities.

To discovering that the sanctuary has hidden functions.

The vessel of my physical body has disappeared, and I’ve gained limitless possibilities.

Furthermore—

‘Captain of the Beast Special Forces, Sharenne.’

I’ve even learned about a target I need to keep an eye on.

Although I don’t know much about Sharenne yet, I have a strong intuition that with time and my new abilities, I can turn things around and use this to my advantage.

Now that I feel somewhat prepared,

As soon as I arrived at the County, Ainel summoned me separately, as if she had been waiting.

“Baron, Her Majesty the Queen mentioned you directly.”

“Pardon? Her Majesty mentioned me?”

“Yes, Her Majesty the Queen.”

At the news that it was the Queen herself, not Adelheid, who had mentioned me—

“May I ask why she mentioned me—”

“Expedition force.”

“Ah.”

“I discussed the expedition force heading to the Empire with Her Majesty. She said—”

I racked my brain and listened carefully.

From what followed, I could tell who my next enemy would be.

“She intends to grant you quite a high level of command over the expedition force heading to the northern part of the Empire.”

The Lord of Corpses.

That demon with its terrible numbers that drove people mad would be my next opponent.