episode_0054

In this world, there is a saying: “Heaven helps those who help themselves.”

The notion that heaven and gods assist was fitting for my current situation.

“Your Majesty, it seems appropriate to send the Crown Prince to Eisen Barony as the first prince.”

“Prime Minister, how many times must I answer that? It’s quite a delicate matter.”

Here was the situation:

Yesterday afternoon, as the sun began to set,

A massive army from the Perem Kingdom to the east of Eisen had gathered, currently in a tense standoff.

It was a situation where war could break out at any moment.

If battle commenced and the tide turned towards the Perem Kingdom, neighboring kingdoms with deep-seated grudges against the Empire might also be dragged into a desperate crisis.

Moreover, if Eisen, a strategic focal point, were to be taken, it would provide a sturdy foothold for Perem to advance towards Mersen.

Losing the formidable stronghold of Eisen could leave the Empire vulnerable to the military might of Perem.

Yet, Mersen still housed many strong forces.

Hence, Lord Shurain’s explanation was heavily embellished, even with the presence of other nobles’ support.

“….”

In truth, according to the original work, the Perem Kingdom’s mobilization was supposed to happen much later.

After the death of the Crown Prince.

It was an episode where those who opposed the heir apparent, failing miserably in their attempt to bring in foreign powers to establish a new emperor, resembled a comical sweet potato incident.

“….”

So, it seemed odd.

In the novel, Perem Kingdom was supposed to have already allied with other kingdoms from the beginning…

While the Perem army, led by battle mages, was indeed formidable, they were not strong enough to conquer the Empire alone.

Thus, the insistence on starting a war hinted at hidden agendas elsewhere.

“Your Majesty, it is advisable for you to go.”

“Having already prevented a war with the elves once, wouldn’t you be able to do it again this time?”

“Your Majesty, since the Crown Prince will be guarding the Prince, you need not worry separately, right?”

Lord Shurain persisted, receiving support from other nobles, and the Emperor, who had been looking puzzledly at me all along, finally gazed at me with compassion.

“Eos, what are your thoughts?”

“….”

Just before responding, I instinctively scanned the faces of the nobles.

Only Lord Shurain remained expressionless; the rest wore smirks.

I had a feeling.

Undoubtedly, there seemed to be a hidden agenda.

“Since everyone desires this so fervently, I can’t refuse. Very well, I shall go. However, you must inform me of a few things first.”

As I confidently replied, the atmosphere shifted drastically.

Their faces, each revealing a sour taste as if biting into a bitter fruit, now openly displayed discomfort towards me.

Seeing even Lord Shurain’s surprised expression, it appeared that nobody had anticipated my willingness to step forward.

Looking at the Prime Minister, I asked, “How many troops will be provided?”

“…We will offer three thousand troops.”

“And the enemy’s numbers?”

“Fifty thousand.”

This is madness.

“How many troops does the Crown Prince command?”

“Sixty thousand.”

This… well.

It was akin to being told to go ahead and die first.

Even if I survived, being outside the palace walls, the Crown Prince could easily dispose of me.

Furthermore, the three thousand soldiers rescued by the Prime Minister would likely not heed my orders entirely.

It was a situation no different from carrying a basket and leaping into the flames.

“Even nominally, I will have command authority, correct?”

“That authority will belong to General Terdoan.”

Terdoan Shurain.

He was the Empire’s general, the Prime Minister’s son, and the brother of Empress Herpina.

And one closely guarded secret was that he was actually the legitimate heir of Servis.

Therefore, to me, he was as dangerous a presence as the empress herself.

“What reward shall I receive upon my return from there?”

“You shall be bestowed with the noble honor of saving the empire as its heir, an unparalleled glory.”

“Risking my life only to gain mere hollow honor? You’re pushing it, sir. Why should I go there without even the authority to command, let alone any reward? The prime minister must think I’m a fool. Let’s forget about this whole thing.”

“Your Highness, have you not committed numerous sins? You must atone for them. Besides, you recently got engaged. Honey, how many things in this vast empire do you wish to protect?”

*Click*

It was a clear threat, using Elaine and Viscount Bart as hostages.

“Hey, Duke, why exactly are you sending me? According to you, wouldn’t it be sufficient to just send Servis? Are you planning assassination by sending me?”

Despite my somewhat heated words, the Duke remained unperturbed.

“Haha. You’re overreacting, Your Highness. Moreover, you have defeated the Crown Prince. Shouldn’t someone with stronger resolve stand at the forefront to minimize unnecessary sacrifices?”

There was no forced coercion like this.

Unknowingly, I found myself getting angry, eventually engaging in a staring contest with Duke Shurain.

It was when the emperor intervened that Duke Shurain blinked first.

“What about a grand title? How about it, Duke? Since you haven’t been properly rewarded for preventing the war with the elves, once you defeat the Ferem Kingdom, such an honor should be bestowed, shouldn’t it?”

“A grand title… That sounds quite appealing.”

Duke Shurain genuinely seemed pleased, yet beneath his smile, a faint contempt lurked in his bloodshot eyes.

The meaning concealed within his laughter was undoubtedly his conviction that I would never return.

But both the empress and the Duke…

They still seemed oblivious to how remarkable my abilities truly were.

And I intended to exploit that fully.

***

Given the circumstances, the military deployment began shortly thereafter.

Now, aboard the flying ship Helios, I watched Count Pellios relentlessly urge Ardor, as usual.

He even snacked on treats while doing so.

A female sorceress, who had been keeping an eye on Ardor, suddenly rushed over and discreetly handed something to him.

Elaine conversed with Astia, gently stroking the feathers of Aquila nestled in a corner of the deck.

As for Glentino…

He would be staying behind in the palace, boarding a carriage with a humanoid golem identical to me, painstakingly crafted through Rakh’s efforts, complete with a soul infused into it to simulate human physiology.

Of course, the blood was fake, and so was the heart, but with various physiological functions naturally occurring and carrying a suitable amount of mana, anyone would perceive it as a real crown prince.

My plan had already been set in motion.

“….”

I glanced at the cool bracelet on my wrist.

Ego Shield, Fortis Valum.

Infusing mana, it transformed into a golden gauntlet in an instant.

“….”

Seems like the training paid off; it no longer made noisy clanking sounds.

I moved my fingers one by one, clenching and unclenching my fist.

With almost no sense of weight and incredibly fluid movements, although unmistakably a gauntlet, it was called Ego Shield for a reason.

This was due to its various special abilities.

If I will it to defend,

*Crackle!*

It rapidly changes shape, forming a golden shield.

The size and shape of the shield could be adjusted as desired.

*Clang!*

Upon impact, whether physical or magical, it could absorb a considerable amount.

Storage was done in the white gem on the back of the hand, allowing for re-release when needed to launch an attack.

If there was one drawback, it was definitely that it talked a lot.

Continuously complaining about giving and taking mana, it had already been well trained not to speak until I initiated the conversation.

Soon enough, we could reach the Viscountcy of Eisen by nightfall.

To assess the situation, I first descended alone on Aquila.

“Going out after a while!”

Aquila seemed quite excited, attempting a steep dive at an incredible speed.

Almost plummeting vertically like a hawk targeting its prey, it rapidly accelerated by narrowing its wings.

Rapid cooling and wind blocked the turbulence.

The burden on the body due to inertia was easily overcome by exceptional physical abilities.

The trees below quickly drew near.

It was a split-second moment where a real collision seemed imminent.

With a laughter “Haha!” Aquila spread its wings wide and soared up, swiftly flying over the forest.

The trees passing by at an incredible speed. And the people watching from above.

Viewed from the sky, the Viscountcy of Eisen was truly a fascinating place.

It felt like fortifying an entire rugged mountain range.

Ladders and forts, large and small, dotted the mountainous terrain, and the city where the Viscount resided looked like a giant fortress itself.

“Where should we go? Just say it!”

I pointed to the edge of the forest with one hand.

“Let’s go there.”

Where the Viscountcy of Eisen ends.

Presumably, the army of the Perem Kingdom would be stationed there.

Whoosh!

As Aquila flapped vigorously, we swiftly left the forest behind.

An expansive golden plain unfolded endlessly before us.

From there, it was clearly the territory of the Perem Kingdom.

Swish! Swish! Shoo-shoo-shoo!

Arrows and various colored light clusters began flying as soon as we entered the airspace.

They were coming from the Perem Kingdom’s encampments bustling below.

Nearly 50,000 troops.

Moreover, they were the elites of Perem known as the Magic Kingdom, a significant portion being wizards armed with all sorts of magical weapons and artifacts, making them formidable opponents even for regular soldiers.

“They’re amusing. What should we do, Eos? Should we wipe them all out?”

Putting on airs, Aquila’s attitude was clearly a show-off.

Apart from that, I knew from Itas long ago that there was nothing much to see here.

Anyway, one wrong hit from a fireball and we’d be toast.

“Enough. Let’s go.”

Contemplating how to make use of this situation,

I headed towards the Lordship made of towering rocky mountains.