Chapter 147 : Chapter 147
Chapter 147. Incorrect Meeting (1)
“…….”
In the silenced grand hall, the Emperor slowly scanned the nobles.
Every time the Emperor's gaze touched them, the nobles flinched unknowingly.
Considering that there was no one among those gathered here who wasn't a high-ranking noble, it was a very surprising thing.
However, the nobles were inwardly aggrieved.
Because the heated discussion that took place just before was all because the Emperor's royal command had fallen.
It was so.
Originally, there was no one who would raise their voice recklessly like this in the Empire's grand hall.
They proceeded with the meeting as the Emperor wished in a calm atmosphere.
Following the Emperor's direction.
In the first place, unless the Emperor pointed someone out, there were almost no ones who opened their mouths.
That's how high the authority of the Emperor, standing at the pinnacle of the Empire's power, pierced the sky.
‘He told us to speak, so why is he being like that…….’
‘Did I speak too strongly? If I knew it would be like this, I would have kept my mouth shut.’
It was when the nobles couldn't dare to speak out loud and were muttering in their hearts like this.
Finally, the Emperor continued speaking.
“Count Tiaref.”
“Yes. Your Majesty.”
“Why do you not open your mouth. Did you find my command to pour out all the words you haven't been able to say in the grand hall until now laughable?”
If he hadn't said anything, he would have made an issue out of that and nitpicked.
When the nobles were belatedly realizing this fact.
Vlad Tiaref answered.
“No, Your Majesty. It is just that I always speak frankly to Your Majesty about everything in the grand hall originally, so I had nothing separate to say. Furthermore, it seemed there were many who couldn't say everything they usually wanted to say, so I just stepped back to give them a chance.”
Other nobles admired Vlad's answer.
Because Vlad's answer clearly showed why the Tiaref family was considered one of the leading prestigious families in the Empire.
Like this, Vlad's evasive maneuver was excellent.
The proof was that the Emperor nodded his head quietly as if he accepted it.
“Is that so? Hearing that, it seems those words are correct. As soon as I granted permission, everyone here turned like a pack of dholes. How have you lived holding back the words you wanted to say until now, geez. Tsk tsk.”
Only then did the nobles realize that saying nothing until the end was the correct answer, but it was already too late.
The Emperor pointed out one person.
“Baron Amals. Try speaking once. What would have been good if we had done instead of starting a war back then.”
“Count Piman. You said let's proceed with peace negotiations even now, right? Do you really think that would be possible? Hmm?”
“Did Count Markov say let's stop the supply of magic artifacts immediately? If we stop, how will you make the soldiers fight? The front lines are being pushed back even while holding magic artifacts.”
The Emperor remembered every story that came out in the grand hall and pressured the nobles one by one.
Naturally, there was no one who succeeded in smoothing over the situation with fluent speech like Vlad.
Eventually, a picture unfolded where all the nobles were sweating cold sweat and begging for forgiveness from the Emperor.
“Tsk tsk. Like foolish people who cannot take responsibility for their own words.”
Like that, after finishing a round of exorcism, the Emperor clicked his tongue.
Then, another person who had been keeping his mouth shut until now stepped forward wearing a leopard coat.
“Your Majesty. May I say a word?”
The person who stepped forward was Deniz Bazar.
Bazar was also the largest family among the families trading food with the Billem Caravan.
The one that was involved with the Sahar Caravan in the past.
And currently, the Bazar family was evaluated as one of the three largest families supporting the Empire.
Originally, their influence in central politics was quite significant, but it wasn't to this extent.
However, as the Council of Elder Nobles, which had previously led politics, lost power and the New Progressive Council rose, the Bazar family rose rapidly.
For that reason, the Emperor also took interest in Deniz stepping forward and opened his mouth.
“Speak.”
“Although the magic artifact units achieved some results, they eventually disintegrated, and as long as the Astral Plains, which can be called the lifeline of the Empire, are under threat, we cannot remain like this.”
“That is true. That is why I and you all are gathered in this place.”
“In fact, I think gathering like this is also wrong. Now is not the time for armchair arguments. I think it is time to display the true power of the Empire.”
“Display the true power of the Empire, huh……. Do you perhaps mean you want my personal conquest?”
The Emperor looked at Deniz with sharp eyes.
However, Deniz calmly shook his head without being flustered even after receiving this gaze.
And this attitude drew admiration from the nobles in a different sense from Vlad.
Because maintaining composure even after receiving the Emperor's gaze didn't make sense.
Like that, Deniz continued speaking.
“How could I dare request the personal conquest of Your Majesty, the supreme ruler of all people. What I want is merely the participation of high-ranking nobles in the war. Even now, many nobles are jumping into the war, but I think that number should increase more than now. Especially centered on high-ranking nobles.”
“So didn't Count Kalif declare participation in the war. Are you saying even that is still insufficient.”
Count Kalif meant Takon Kalif.
And Kalif was the family exercising the greatest influence in the Astral Plains.
For that reason, it could be said that fire fell on his instep as soon as Leon occupied Davia Castle.
Because at this rate, the Astral Plains would become a mess by the 2nd Corps.
Or the Astral Plains would be taken entirely.
So Takon declared participation in the war as soon as the news of Davia Castle's fall was delivered and headed to the Astral Plains.
And this was the first case where one of the three largest families supporting the Empire directly participated in the war.
However,
“Yes. It is insufficient. Even if Count Kalif steps forward, the Empire will only barely stop at protecting the Astral Plains. I think we need to participate in the war more actively than now to reclaim the Empire's territory lost so far. So I declare. Our Bazar family will also participate in the war.”
The nobles who were there were astonished at Deniz's bombshell declaration.
Because they had never thought Deniz would declare war like this.
It was natural since Deniz wasn't in a situation where his territory was threatened like Takon yet.
Even the surprising scene didn't end here.
As Deniz declared participation in the war, Vlad closed his eyes tight and stepped forward reluctantly.
“I also share the same will as Count Bazar. The Tiaref family will also declare participation in the war.”
Like that, following the Kalif family, as the Bazar family and Tiaref family declared participation in the war, a situation was drawn where all three families supporting the Empire participated in the war.
The Emperor, who was watching this, laughed heartily.
“Hahaha. There was a saying like this from old times. When a crisis comes to the country, a hero is born. Looking now, you were those very heroes. Good. I will permit the participation in the war.”
Like that, the Emperor's permission fell, and only then did some nobles realize that all of this was planned by the Emperor and Deniz.
It was a belated realization.
***
The Allied Forces were also tense at the news of the participation of the Bazar family, Kalif family, and Tiaref family.
Because if the three families participated directly, they didn't know how the war situation would turn around.
And more things changed than expected.
They had no choice.
Because the three families each participated in the war leading corps-level troops.
Of course, no matter how large the scale of the family, commanding corps-level private soldiers didn't make sense.
Even commanding two battalion-level troops was a lot.
Eventually, the reason corps-level troops could be formed was that other high-ranking nobles participated following the three families.
It was something predicted the moment the three families decided to participate.
Because from the perspective of other high-ranking nobles, they couldn't just stand by with folded arms while the three families participated.
Like that, as the Empire's corps-level troops were added to each front, the front lines changed rapidly.
The Allied Forces, which had always taken the offensive after occupying the Yugum Mountains, Plumen River, and Aequor Plains, took the defensive for the first time.
First, the 1st Corps, which was besieging Galabon Castle, retreated and took a defensive stance at Tizren Castle.
Also, the 2nd Corps, which seemed likely to conquer the Astral Plains immediately after capturing Davia Castle, shut themselves up in Davia Castle.
Finally, the 3rd Corps was the same.
Pushed by the Imperial Army rushing in like a swarm of bees, they had to lift the siege of Nanbalt Castle and retreat to Kroxen Castle.
At this time, Roden, who was staying at Kroxen Castle, moved his base to Velia Castle with the Main Battalion.
Because due to the nature of defensive warfare requiring endurance with limited supplies, having too many troops gathered in one castle was rather disadvantageous.
It was easier for defense to divide the troops between Kroxen Castle and Velia Castle to form two battle lines.
“Strange. To think the war situation would be overturned like this.”
On the castle wall, Michael spoke while looking down at the Imperial Army besieging Velia Castle.
And Roden, who was beside him, received those words.
“Indeed. But... why are you here, Staff Officer? Instead of being by the Corps Commander's side.”
Roden suddenly realized what he hadn't been conscious of because it was so natural and asked Michael.
However, Michael answered Roden's question nonchalantly.
“Aren't you tired of that question every time? Just accept that it is so now. I mean, just get used to being with me.”
“I don't particularly want to get used to such things. Looking at your face, Staff Officer, is more tiresome than asking the question every time. So please go back.”
“We are surrounded, how am I supposed to go back. Are you telling me to go out and die?”
“Would you do that?”
Roden asked seriously, but Michael looked down at the Imperial Army again pretending not to hear it.
Then he pointed to a flag and said.
“By the way, is that the flag of that family?”
Roden turned his head at Michael's question and stared at that flag.
Surprisingly, a leopard pattern was drawn there.
It was so.
The one besieging Velia Castle.
It was none other than the Bazar family led by Deniz.