Chapter 172 : Chapter 172
Chapter 172
“The citizens are rushing here, Your Majesty.”
The archer, known as the strongest in the world, reported to the Emperor. It was Wilhelm, the Duke of Red Bow Harmadun. His red eyes had surveyed the entire battle situation from the Imperial Castle’s terrace.
“Citizens laughing bizarrely are rushing in from all over. Please give us your orders on how to respond.”
In truth, one didn't need Harmadun’s eyes to see it. It was clearly visible to the Emperor's golden eyes as well.
The capital, the capital of the great Imperium Empire, was burning. The citizens of the capital were also flooding in like a tide.
Though he didn't show it, he couldn't suppress the feeling of dizziness.
“Are those truly the people of the Empire?”
“They are. The soldiers who went to stop them have also started laughing madly and joining the procession.”
“…”
The Founding Festival Grand Banquet Hall. Wilhelm's briefing was recited in the midst of all the most distinguished people of the continent.
“The situation is intensifying with every passing second.”
“…”
It was a terrible affair.
‘Frohadin, is this your doing?’
If he were here, I would have grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and shaken him.
“Analyzing the battle situation, it is believed that the origin point of the laughing people is from the prisons of each gate and the slave shelters.”
That meant the slave traders and the slaves they brought were the cause.
‘…Wait, that doesn't add up.’
The suspicious group received help from Frohadin. But if their goal was to be imprisoned, there was no need to receive help.
‘Could it be.’
An ominous thought occurred to me.
‘There’s more than one?’
Not one Demon Lord, but two…. My heart sank.
‘No. Calm down.’
Where was this? The center of the continent, the Imperial Capital. And it was the day of the Founding Festival. It was no exaggeration to say that the entire military power of the continent was gathered here.
‘Even if there are two Demon Lords, it’s a winnable fight!’
The Emperor, sitting on the throne, looked at the Elf Queen. The queen answered without even being asked.
“We have always been for the peace of the continent and the safety of humanity.”
“I express my gratitude, Elf Queen.”
Next, he turned his gaze to the kings of each nation.
“The nature mages of Petnak will also assist with the terror in the capital.”
“A small number of Tenek's cavalry will join you.”
“Luadrin's heavy armored troops will also join the fray.”
One after another, they announced their participation in the war. Thus, the army was fully assembled. The Emperor declared the start of the battle.
“I declare war against the vile group that has bewitched the people of the Empire. I shall command the army.”
Everyone looked up at the Emperor. It was the Emperor's personal campaign.
“All forces are to operate under the policy of incapacitating the bewitched citizens without killing them. First, we will retake important facilities that must be protected for the future of the continent. As their numbers are vast, the army will be divided into four, but most will be left to act autonomously. The dukes, step forward.”
The dukes bearing the blue spear, the red bow, and the shield stepped forward. As if on cue, they answered the Emperor’s call.
“Your Golden Majesty, grant us your command.”
“Harmadun will advance south. Retake high-traffic areas, including Imperium Land.”
“I will obey your command.”
The Emperor's command was nocked on the Red Bow’s string.
“Amulrent will advance north. Cooperate with the Pope of the Grand Cathedral to capture strategic points. Tauforos to the west. Protect the Imperial Magic Tower and prepare for the activation of large-scale non-lethal incapacitation magic.”
“We will obey your command.”
The blue spear drew an arc, and a steadfast power imbued the shield.
“And….”
Instead of looking for Raincloud Deminiyan, the Emperor looked at Marquis Arnold of Elidore.
“Elidore, retake the Imperium Bank. The Bank is the central administrative district of the continent, so it must be protected at all costs.”
“I will obey your command.”
As the Empire's main forces were divided into four armies, the other allied forces also took their positions in a balanced manner where they wished.
I, too, stood at a crossroads of choice.
‘Where to go.’
The Imperium Bank, the center of continental administration and a support base for the Peacemaker?
Or the Grand Cathedral, which would play a major role in the future war against the demons?
Or the Imperial Magic Tower, which might manifest a spell that could turn the tide of battle in an instant?
None of them.
“Master, where are we going?”
“To Imperium Land.”
“Yes!”
The Coffee Wagon was there. Nerjin, Bianca, and Savo, who were now like family, were there.
‘Imperium Land is a powder keg.’
There was no gunpowder, but there were people. If they all started laughing, even Nerjin and Savo would be in danger. If that happened, the Emperor might issue a ‘kill order’.
‘That, at least, must be prevented.’
The chaos and fear filling the world would pour down upon the Demon Lords of hell like sweet, corrupt honey.
- Wild Instinct (Master) affirms. Intuition also points there. There is surely some greater scheme hidden there.
“I’ll do my best, too!”
As she said that, what Lilac took out of her magic pouch was an anti-materiel sniper rifle of enormous size.
…I was momentarily speechless.
‘No…. Star Child, what in the world did you teach Lilac…?’
“I am Wilhelm, temporary commander of the forces heading to Imperium Land.”
An old man in a brown long coat, black suit, and fedora, Wilhelm, came forward and began the briefing.
“The battle situation does not permit the waste of a single second. I know there are kings and leaders of various nations here, but I ask for your understanding that I cannot address each of you with full honors.”
No fool raised an objection. Above all, the Four Great Ducal Families of the Empire were as powerful as the kings of most small countries.
“We will reorganize the army as simply and conveniently as possible. We will divide into cavalry, infantry, and artillery.”
A reorganization into just three branches.
‘I see what he’s aiming for.’
The strategy Wilhelm had devised came to my mind as if I had heard it myself.
‘Blitzkrieg!’
It was the ultimate war of attrition, crushing the enemy and advancing swiftly.
“We depart immediately!”
The forces here were the cream of the crop, veterans among the elite. They had been prepared for battle since the commotion began. At Duke Wilhelm's command, we immediately headed south towards Imperium Land.
“Prepare to fire!”
The archers classified as artillery drew their bowstrings, and the mages drew their circles. Lilac and I also opened our respective chambers and inserted our bullets.
“Towards the enemies in front, fire!”
Arrows and magic covered the sky.
It was a magnificent sight. And soon, they exploded in mid-air. The spells took effect first, pouring down on the laughing people. Sleep induction, binding, slipping, and so on.
Then, the arrows hit the laughing people who had avoided the magic. The magic and drugs embedded within them neutralized the laughing people.
‘Incredible.’
If it weren't for the sleep-inducing bullets among the magic rounds Nerjin developed, I wouldn't have even been able to participate in this fight.
“Cavalry, advance! Seize the neutralized space! Infantry! Escort the artillery and advance!”
The basic formation was the cavalry at the front, the artillery at the rear, and the infantry surrounding the rear artillery. Like a 'wedge' combining a triangle and a square.
When the artillery's bombardment swept the front, the cavalry would charge forward to secure the space. Then the artillery would also advance, protected by the infantry during that time. This sequence was repeated.
“Artillery! Prepare to fire!”
The advance, which could have been slow due to the non-lethal command, managed to secure both safety and speed thanks to the veterans who moved as if they were one body.
***
The merchant building they had stumbled upon had quite a few people hiding inside. Nerjin, the Star Child, Bianca, and Savo passed among them, guided by the old man who had opened the door.
“Hmph, how reckless are you people? You were clearly trying to go to the Control Fortress earlier, right? Why are you so fearless?!”
The old man with a potbelly questioned them in a shrill voice. Nerjin, supporting the Star Child, replied.
“It seemed to be… the only place with some resistance.”
“Tsk, tsk! You’d be lucky not to die on the way! You should be grateful! Those laughing people out there! They’re so dangerous!”
“Thank you.”
When Nerjin offered his thanks, Savo and Bianca also bowed their heads in gratitude. As they did, the old man seemed embarrassed and turned his head away abruptly.
“Just wait here until the Imperial Security Knights arrive! …By the way, is that person next to you hurt?”
Then he pointed downwards with his finger.
“…This basement here is a place people don't really look for. Yes, you can lay him down there.”
“I am grateful for your kindness.”
Although Nerjin was nearly 150 years old, he did not forget his humility. Following the old man's advice, they went down to the basement and saw several fairly large spaces.
“Star Child, I will lay you down.”
“…”
The Star Child didn't answer.
‘Has he not woken up yet?’
After slowly laying him on the floor to avoid opening his wound, I checked his injury again.
‘The external wound is not a problem. It’s a large wound, but he is a very robust person.’
I had heard testimony that when a poison needle pierced his side, he had torn his own flesh while fully conscious to remove the poison.
The wound inflicted by the Demon Lord Joverka was large, but he was not one to remain unconscious for so long.
‘There might be an injury I failed to notice. I can examine him more closely here.’
I removed the potion-soaked cotton and carefully placed my hand over the exposed wound. Mana cautiously penetrated, beginning to investigate the internal situation.
After examining the Star Child’s condition, Nerjin’s expression grew serious.
‘He has become very weak. What is going on. It doesn't seem like a day or two, but more like a month.’
Frowning, Nerjin examined further and narrowed his eyes.
‘The power of a demon! Traces of Maki! Ugh, to be this powerful even as a remnant! The Star Child has been fighting a battle against the Maki that invaded his weakened body!’
That's why he couldn't regain consciousness. Now I understood.
‘Replenishing Stellar Force is not my domain, but administering a restorative elixir should help.’
“Bianca. Come here and help this old grandpa.”
“Yes, Grandfather!”
“Savo, I'm sorry, but could you go around and find some water? It must be clean.”
“I will procure supplies.”
In a hurry, I took out a portable alchemy kit. I took out rare herbs that I carried on my person, too precious to find just anywhere, and generously ground, pulverized, boiled, and applied magical power to them.
‘It seems my studies paid off.’
I was talking about the teleportation magic circle to the secret laboratory of the Wisdrammus family that President Martin had given me. Nerjin, who had practically lived there, had his alchemy skills greatly improve.
Of course… the celestial alchemy based on the great universe and the movements of the stars that my teacher had pursued was something I couldn't understand even if I looked at it for a hundred days.
“Star Child. Please have some medicine.”
But he was still unconscious. In the end, I supported the Star Child's head and let the medicine trickle into his mouth.
“…”
He was still unconscious. He would probably wake up soon. I hope nothing happens until then.
“Bianca, Savo. Could you go around and get some food?”
“Yes, Grandfather!”
“I will carry out the mission.”
Fortunately, it seemed this place could serve as a temporary shelter….
‘Let's not be complacent. Peace only dulls the edge of vigilance. The opponent is one of the seven great Demon Lords of hell. Their grudge against the Star Child must be considerable….’
I took out barrier stones and placed them around the Star Child before standing up.
‘By the way, how is this place holding up? Are the laughing people not coming here?’
I looked around and saw quite a few people. They looked surprisingly peaceful. Two young boys were even laughing and chatting. The adults didn't stop them.
“Oh, there you are!”
Following the voice, I saw the old man who had opened the building's door approaching, holding something in both hands.
“That young friend over there still hasn't come to. Is he really okay?”
“Yes. He will come to his senses if he rests a little.”