Chapter 167 : Chapter 167
Chapter 167. Dark Intent (1)
Roden left Velia Castle with Michael.
And in this journey, the Archery Company and the New Recruit Infantry accompanied them.
This was because there was no reason for the two units to remain in Velia Castle any longer.
Like that, after half a month.
Michael spoke while taking in the sight of the Vanguard Battalion and the Main Battalion clearing out the Imperial Army.
“We finally have this castle back in our hands.”
Currently, the Main Battalion and the Transport Battalion had just conquered Kroxen Castle.
Due to the Imperial Army’s fierce resistance, it took more time than expected.
Because unlike Velia Castle, Kroxen Castle had no way to open the castle gates with just an activation word.
Roden replied to Michael’s words.
“Still, it is fortunate that the battle situation has improved.”
Certainly, the participation of high-ranking families from the Eastern nations in the war was a great help.
The fact that the Glockner family conquered Nanbalt Castle a few days before conquering Kroxen Castle again was the very proof.
Furthermore, it wasn't just the 3rd Corps front that stabilized.
The 1st Corps and 2nd Corps had also reclaimed almost all the lost castles.
In fact, the situation had become similar to before the Bazar family, Kalif family, and Tiaref family joined the war.
“Now, all that remains is to bring down the Empire like this.”
Especially, the battle situation of the 3rd Corps front, where even the Bazar family collapsed, was very good.
If Albrecht succeeded in pushing the troops to the capital like this, they might end the Empire.
However, there was one thing weighing on Roden’s mind.
“Why is the Penitudo Mage Tower selling magic artifacts to the Empire?”
“Huh? The Mage Tower?”
When the topic of conversation suddenly jumped to the Mage Tower, Michael tilted his head and answered.
“The Mage Tower sells because it makes money, of course. What other reason would there be?”
“That is true, but I feel the volume sold to the Empire is too excessive. To produce magic artifacts to this extent, the entire Mage Tower would have to rush in.”
Hearing Roden’s story, Michael fell into deep thought, stroked the tip of his chin, and nodded.
“Come to think of it, if the Mage Tower can easily produce this level of magic artifacts, that would be a problem in itself. There would be no reason for them not to step forward to devour nations long ago.”
“Yes. That is why I am curious. The reason they overexert themselves to produce magic artifacts to this extent.”
“Don’t tell me, are they really trying to devour nations?”
It was a plausible guess.
Because nothing cost as much enormous funds as war.
In fact, the reason Roden was wary of the Penitudo Mage Tower lay here.
“Since we have gained a little leeway by occupying both Kroxen Castle and Nanbalt Castle, I think it would be good to intensively investigate this part even now.”
Roden spoke, and Michael, realizing the seriousness of the situation, nodded.
“I also think that would be good. Let’s go meet the Corps Commander.”
***
Meanwhile.
As the tide of war became unfavorable once again, the Empire turned upside down.
It was natural since the Emperor was exploding without holding back his anger.
“Why is this mess happening because you can’t deal with the beggar bastards of the East!”
After hearing the news that the Bazar family collapsed to the Glockner family, the Emperor’s anger grew uncontrollably.
His anger was so great that whenever the Emperor raised his voice, the nobles gathered in the grand hall trembled with fear like aspen trees.
The Emperor examined the faces of these fearful nobles and shouted.
“Aaargh!”
What fueled the Emperor’s anger just now.
It was the fact that only old nobles were gathered in this place.
Because the prominent nobles belonging to the New Progressive Council had already participated in the war following the Bazar family, Kalif family, and Tiaref family.
‘Damn it! I thought the New Progressive Council alone would win this war! Should I not have purged the Council of Elder Nobles?’
The Emperor had disliked the Council of Elder Nobles for a long time, as they always brought up tradition and tackled every matter.
For that reason, he was always looking for an opportunity to purge them, and just in time, the early tide of war, which was centered on the Council of Elder Nobles, flowed unfavorably for the Empire.
And the Emperor did not miss this time and purged the Council of Elder Nobles on a large scale.
It was possible because there was no thought in the Emperor’s mind that he would really lose the war against the Allied Forces.
But now the situation was flowing unusually.
Although he sent all nobles of the New Progressive Council to the battlefield except those who were too old to even lift a sword, the tide of war became unfavorable once again.
In this situation, there were only two choices the Emperor could choose.
Taking the Imperial Guard and going to the front personally.
Or swallowing his pride and bringing back the Council of Elder Nobles.
The Emperor, who had been swept up in anger for days, finally made a decision.
“Bring Count Volkov!”
A short while later.
Nikolai Volkov, who could be called the head of the Council of Elder Nobles which was practically almost dissolved, stood in front of the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, did you call for me?”
“Right. You must have heard the story? What kind of humiliation My Empire suffered in the war against the Allied Forces.”
“I know briefly.”
“I need your strength. The Council of Elder Nobles must step forward.”
“…….”
An answer of agreement did not come out of Nikolai’s mouth immediately.
It was understandable since the very person who purged the Council of Elder Nobles by finding fault over the war was now asking for help as soon as the tide of war became unfavorable.
However, since he couldn’t keep silent for long, Nikolai opened his mouth.
“I will obey the command. However, I have one request before leaving for the battlefield.”
Though phrased as a request, this was a condition.
A condition that must be met to send the Council of Elder Nobles to the battlefield.
The Emperor did not like that Nikolai dared to add a condition, but since the situation was what it was, he calmed his emotions and asked.
“What is it?”
“Please cut ties with the Mage Tower even now.”
“…Ties with the Mage Tower?”
“I am not asking you to discard even the magic artifacts already purchased. I am asking you not to make any additional transactions with the Mage Tower anymore.”
At this point, the Emperor did not understand Nikolai’s intention.
In fact, he had expected it from the moment he called the Council of Elder Nobles.
That they would request a ban on the use of magic artifacts.
Since the introduction of magic artifacts was practically the identity of the New Progressive Council, it was natural.
So the Emperor also decided to solve this problem by using only what was already purchased and not making additional purchases.
But for the Council of Elder Nobles to desire this first.
For the Emperor, this part was inevitably incomprehensible.
Seeing the Emperor’s reaction, Nikolai noticed his thoughts and added an explanation.
“We, the Council of Elder Nobles, did not oppose the use of magic artifacts simply out of repulsion towards unfamiliar things.”
“Then?”
“We were wary of the Empire’s enormous wealth flowing into the Mage Tower.”
“What’s wrong with that? Don’t tell me… you thought the Mage Tower would target the nation?”
“Yes. That is correct.”
“Ha. The Council of Elder Nobles worries too much. The Sword-Magic Great War was 500 years ago. Since then, the nation and the Mage Tower haven’t had even a little exchange.”
“I also hope the Mage Tower does not harbor malicious intent. However, for that to be the case, the amount of magic artifacts the Mage Tower provides and sells is too large.”
“The Mage Tower’s technology must be good.”
“If the technology is really that good, what is the reason the Mage Tower hasn't targeted the nation until now?”
Since Nikolai spoke words that were correct in every detail, the Emperor was at a loss for words.
And naturally, suspicion towards the Mage Tower also bloomed in the Emperor.
“…I understand. I accept the request of the Council of Elder Nobles.”
“Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty. Then this subject will prepare to leave for the battlefield.”
“Do so. Ah, and it is not only the Council of Elder Nobles being dispatched additionally to the battlefield this time.”
“Pardon? Then?”
“The Imperial Guard will participate together. Because we must absolutely not be pushed back this time.”
Nikolai admired hearing the Emperor’s story.
Because he didn’t think at all that the Emperor, who terribly cherished his troops, would give out the Imperial Guard.
However, the Emperor also had no other method.
Because if even the Council of Elder Nobles failed this time, it was a situation where he really had to go to the front personally.
Like that, the participation of the Council of Elder Nobles and the Imperial Guard was decided.
***
A hidden space in the Penitudo Mage Tower.
In this cold and chilly space, beings whose nature as human or monster was unknown were letting out groans.
“Kkeuaaaagh!”
“Kyaaaaagh!”
Magic circles engraved on their skin twisted, and black smoke flowed out from their eyes and mouths.
However, the mages in white robes only calmly moved between them and busily recorded something.
While doing so, one mage checked the pulse of a collapsed test subject and shook his head, and soon, with a cold gesture, the corpse was dragged away.
At that moment,
Deureureuk.
The huge door in the center of the laboratory opened, and a man appeared.
And all the mages bowed their heads simultaneously.
“We greet the Master of the Mage Tower.”
The Mage Tower Master, who received the greeting, moved his steps slowly.
Every time his cloak brushed the floor, the surrounding mana fluctuated following him.
He looked at the test subjects beyond the crystal wall for a moment, then lifted the corners of his mouth.
Then he asked.
“Did you say the Empire would cut ties?”
It was a voice spat out softly, but the air in the laboratory sank even heavier.
A mage nodded carefully and answered.
“Yes. They say they will no longer purchase magic artifacts by the Emperor’s order.”
“…….”
The Mage Tower Master, who was silent for a moment, slowly leaned his body close to the crystal wall.
Like that, he met his gaze with the gaze of a test subject screaming in pain.
“That worked out well.”
Even though the test subject struggled and complained of pain, the Mage Tower Master continued his words as if whispering.
“Anyway, the experiment stage is over. Now is the turn to bring the Great One back to this place again.”
As those words fell, the magic circles engraved on the bodies of the test subjects glowed red simultaneously.
The screams of the test subjects rang out in layers and filled the laboratory, but the Mage Tower Master’s eyes were only eerie and cold, as if he had been waiting for this moment for a long time.