Chapter 118 : Had You Seen This Somewhere Before
Chapter 118: Had You Seen This Somewhere Before?
Aside from the fact that several mana cannons exploded and devoured their own allies, about 80% of the mana cannons were definitely doing their share.
“Why the hell do twenty-one out of a hundred cannons explode?”
“It is because they do not possess the level of technology the dwarves have.”
“Then why not just buy them from the dwarves?”
“They do not sell them.”
Mana cannons were treated as strategic weapons in the Berfht Kingdom and were export-prohibited items.
Leaving behind Berje’s hollow chuckle, the shells traced parabolic arcs and overturned the enemy camp.
Their weight, acceleration, and gravity crushed the knights’ shields, then exploded as they were, swallowing everything around them.
By Berje’s honest assessment, they were far inferior compared to what Roger had made, but they were still mana cannons. This alone was sufficient to unilaterally seize the immediate course of the battle.
The enemy formation completely collapsed, and the 3rd Prince drew his sword.
“Charge! Let the traitors who dared to raise their blades against the Empire learn of the Empire’s greatness!”
Waaaaaa—
What opened fire alongside the roar was Rozel Charnte and flames. Enormous fireballs fell amid the pandemonium, turning it into hell. After that, the spells of the Blue Meteor Mage Corps poured down in succession.
What followed was the charge of Hillan Cargill, the Red Hawk, and the White Eagle Assault Unit.
Pajijijik—
Lightning surged upward. The distance between the two groups rapidly closed.
The humans’ crude mana cannons (from Berje’s point of view) were weak. Because of that, there were relatively many survivors.
In particular, most of the knights who protected their bodies with aura survived. However, they were not unscathed.
Even if they wrapped their bodies in aura, in the end, they were human bodies facing shells head-on.
Kwaaaang—
Crumpled shields scattered through the air. Knights bearing no insignia screamed as they were blown away.
Hillan gripped the reins and galloped even more violently. He held a sword in one hand and hurled lightning with the other.
The White Eagle Assault Unit properly supported him from behind. They cut down the enemies’ throats so that the path Hillan carved would not close again.
At that moment, a knight brimming with enormous aura blocked his path.
Jjeoeoeoeong—
The air tore apart from the massive shockwave.
The horses reeled, and the charging formation fell into disarray.
“Hillan Cargill...!”
The one spewing venomous fury was the man who had been conversing with Martin.
Pure white aura clashed against lightning. At the violent sparks, the knights took a step back.
“You cowardly bastards, firing mana cannons...!”
“That does not sound like something a traitor who dared to attack the Empire’s Prince should say.”
“It is a shame the situation is like this. Otherwise, I would have crossed swords with you honorably.”
“Then are you the 1st Prince, Your Highness? Or the 1st Princess, Your Highness?”
“I do not know what you are talking about.”
From the enemy camp, the horn of retreat was blown.
“Today we withdraw like this, but next time we will never retreat so easily.”
“And who says we will let you retreat?”
Hillan’s sword strikes grew even fiercer. However, he could not finish it.
That was because the 3rd Prince forbade pursuing them to the end in preparation for an ambush.
* * *
“Failure?”
“Yes.”
“Is the might of the White Lion only to that extent?”
“It is said the 3rd Prince prepared mana cannons.”
“Mana cannons?”
“Yes. Dozens of mana cannons spewed fire all at once, and while the soldiers were in a state of panic, Hillan Cargill, along with the White Eagle Assault Unit, charged.”
“Mana cannons, mana cannons....”
Rufus let out a hollow laugh.
Mana cannons were by no means commonplace. They were rarely used in most human nations, and even in the Empire, aside from a few fortresses, they were not particularly favored.
Excluding the Berfht Kingdom, which invented mana cannons, the place that used them the most was, at best, the Magitech Kingdom of Arkan, and even then, compared to the Berfht Kingdom, they were markedly inferior in number, quality, and every other respect.
That was why he never imagined they would drag mana cannons along.
And that they would unleash them not against undead, but against the troops he had dispatched.
‘So this was it. I thought something seemed to be moving busily.’
Hillan Cargill’s visit to the 3rd Prince and the 3rd Prince informing the Emperor of the Black Mage’s clandestine activities were separated by quite a long interval.
He must have been preparing during that time.
However, preparation and resolve were different matters. The somewhat meek 3rd Prince had bared his fangs openly.
That had not been the case in the past.
What was the reason?
‘The 8th Prince.’
He was certain that his death had caused some kind of change of heart.
‘Interesting.’
Was he intending to do this properly?
“Casualties?”
“They were unilaterally struck while fleeing without being able to put up a proper fight.”
“Give me the numbers.”
“Approximately forty-one.”
“And the dead?”
“That includes severe injuries, minor injuries, and fatalities.”
“One hundred and fifty went, and forty-one were killed or wounded....”
That was by no means few. Especially when considering they were the elites of a ducal house.
“What is the knight commander doing?”
“For now, they have withdrawn and are reorganizing. They are awaiting Your Highness’s orders.”
“And Martin?”
“They say he has increased the pace.”
“With Hillan Cargill there, he would be unstoppable, no?”
“Yes.”
“That will not do.”
“Yes?”
“I said it will not do.”
Even though everything would not be decided by this one incident, to begin with, what he had accumulated was incomparable to Martin’s.
Still, he disliked even a single instance of things not proceeding according to his intentions.
“It would have been better if he had simply settled into his position and been satisfied.”
Humans were far too greedy.
Why did they covet what was not theirs?
“Tell Sir Calum to take good care of my younger brother. And tell him not to disappoint me twice.”
“Yes.”
“And Floyan’s side?”
“There is still no word.”
“They are all equally incompetent.”
Tsk. At the sound of his tongue clicking, the noble delivering the report shrank back.
“Increase the pace. There are few monsters anyway, so there is no need to dawdle.”
In the end, no one was unaware that everything would have to be dealt with all at once at the very last stage.
But Rufus was confident. In his own abilities, and in the abilities of the hero he had brought along.
“You there.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The one who had silently guarded the 1st Prince’s back bowed his head.
“Even if we increase the pace, there will be no problem cutting down the likes of a Black Mage, correct?”
“Of course. My sword will always accomplish what Your Highness desires.”
“Reliable.”
He let out a satisfied smile.
“Hillan Cargill and you. Who is stronger?”
“....”
“Is it difficult enough to warrant hesitation?”
“It was so self-evident that I was pondering how to properly dress it up.”
“Dress it up?”
“He is, after all, a hero who killed two Demon Kings, is he not? His honor should be preserved.”
Kuhahahahaha!
The Prince burst into loud laughter.
“Did you all hear that?”
“Yes!”
“Advance.”
A cold gleam settled in his eyes.
* * *
Kwaaaang—
Crimson flames struck the rocks of the gorge. A soldier who had been hiding behind the rocks and firing arrows melted away without even managing a scream.
“Ugh, damn it!”
Rozel Charnte crushed her lips and lifted her body into the air. As if they had been waiting for it, arrows flying in were swallowed by the flames.
But the arrows were only the beginning. All kinds of magic ran rampant, constantly interfering with her casting.
Whenever she tried to break through at the cost of injury and burn everything down, they would flee in a panic.
The enemies who had been defeated once changed their strategy.
Collapsing the upper parts of the gorge with magic, digging the ground to create traps, gathering what few monsters there were to lure them, or lying in ambush to launch surprise attacks—they stubbornly blocked the 3rd Prince’s advance to the point that curses spilled out on their own.
Hillan, Rozel, the 6th Prince, the White Eagle Assault Unit, and the Blue Meteor Mage Corps did their utmost to hold them back, but with monsters joining the fray as well, they could not prevent the delay from mounting.
And that was exactly what the others wanted.
“At this rate, we will only arrive after the 1st Prince has already cut down the Black Mages.”
“We should ignore them and advance.”
With time being delayed, the arguments of his close aides were not without reason.
“Hmm.”
However, it was not something that could be done recklessly. Their interference was nothing special if anticipated, but if ignored, the damage could not be ignored either.
“It is fine.”
The one who resolved his hesitation was Hillan Cargill.
“It is fine?”
“The gorge is complicated. Unless there is a guide, they will not be able to reach the center in one go.”
Hillan himself had only managed easily thanks to Berje; if he had been alone, he would have wandered the maze-like geography of the gorge for quite some time.
“I know that, but it is far too little to put my mind at ease relying on that alone. My second elder brother hired Daphne Phillian. I do not think my eldest elder brother would have made preparations inferior to that.”
“Of course, Your Highness. What I wish to point out is a different matter.”
“A different matter?”
“Arriving first will by no means be advantageous.”
“Are the Black Mages that strong?”
“Yes.”
“I know they have gathered and that demonic energy remains here, but even so, are they not merely Black Mages?”
“Do you truly think so?”
“I suspect a Demon King is involved. Still, I cannot bring myself to think they are that formidable.”
A Demon King was a Demon King, and a Black Mage was a Black Mage. No matter how much of a Demon King’s power they might have received, there was ultimately a limit to being a Black Mage.
And throughout a thousand years of history, Black Mages had never been all that impressive.
“This time is different.”
“Different?”
“I acknowledge that Black Mages are weak. Until now, they have always been nothing more than Demon King subordinates.”
“Indeed.”
“Mmm.”
The nobles nodded one by one in agreement.
“But this time is different.”
“What, precisely, is different?”
“Hapstrain Gorge is vast. The terrain is harsh, and monsters always overflow. That is why the Empire designated this place as forbidden.”
“That is true.”
“And yet, since entering the gorge until now, has the gorge truly displayed the might befitting a forbidden zone?”
They had encountered numerous monsters. But it was never at the level of a forbidden area.
“The Black Mages gathered them. At least several hundred, perhaps even thousands. I do not believe there is anyone here who does not understand how extraordinary that is.”
They had simply lumped it all together and dismissed it because they underestimated Black Mages. They had regarded it as nothing more than a final, desperate struggle.
“...!”
“...!”
“Of course, with four members of the imperial family and the Empire’s elite gathered here, that it is a final struggle is beyond doubt.”
Even if they gathered monsters, they would not have been able to gather all of them. Let alone truly monstrous ones—they likely could not control those at all. This was something Berje had said himself, lending it credibility.
Moreover, to control them, they would have to forcibly turn them into undead, which lowered their quality.
However, that sheer quantity could never be ignored. At least several hundred, perhaps a thousand or more undead pouring out—and after dealing with all of them, what if the true undead the Black Mages had created over years burst forth?
Since he could not be certain of the strength of the other imperial siblings’ forces, he could not give a definitive answer. But it was obvious that they would suffer heavy losses.
“Rather, I believe it would not be a bad idea to proceed slowly and let the 1st Prince face them first.”
“But if that happens and my elder brother ends up dealing with them....”
“I have personally seen one side of them. It will not be easy. At the very least, the Black Mages here are different from those we have known until now.”
Those words drove the final nail.
Martin was a man who knew how to listen to his subordinates. Hillan’s words, grounded in experience and speaking of reality, carried ample justification and credibility.
“So that means there is no need to be impatient.”
“At least, that is what I believe. Of course, I cannot be certain since I do not know what kind of forces the other princes possess or how they will act.”
“That is only natural. Very well, we will proceed according to Sir Hillan’s opinion. That does not mean we will move slowly. It simply means we will discard impatience.”
“I receive your command!”
In the end, nothing changed drastically. The 3rd Prince’s army continued to advance as before—slowly, but steadily, while remaining prepared for enemy attacks.
It was after several days had passed like that.
Five branching paths appeared.
“Which way is it?”
“This way.”
“Your Highness, someone is approaching from over there.”
“That is....”
From another direction, a group emerged. The 3rd Prince’s forces, who had been showing wariness, tilted their heads in confusion. They were completely different from those who had been attacking them until now.
The imperial family’s symbol, the golden dragon crest, stood out clearly.
An army exceeding a thousand in number formed an immense pressure by its mere presence.
Yet something was strange.
“There are wounded.”
There was not just one or two injured individuals. Their eyes and overall atmosphere were anything but friendly.
‘They were attacked.’
As the distance between them closed, the other side slowed its pace. Someone rode forward on horseback.
Confirming the golden dragon crest engraved on the armor, Martin rode out to meet him.
“Seeing you here, it is rather good to see you.”
“Brother.”
“From the looks of it....”
His gaze swept over the 3rd Prince’s army.
“You were attacked as well, were you not?”
“Yes. It appears the same is true for you, Brother.”
“That’s right, the same. Marlene, that really scratched at my temper.”
“Khehehe…”
The 2nd Prince, Floyan Zespine, let out a ferocious laugh.
“It seems Elder Brother went to you?”
“That is what I believe.”
“Is it because they share the same First Empress as our mother? The two of them always bicker, yet whenever they face you and me, they always join forces.”
Perhaps he had suffered much at the hands of the 1st Princess, for the 2nd Prince ground his teeth audibly.
“So then, shall we join forces as well?”
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. Elder Brother and Marlene have joined hands—there’s no reason for us to just take it lying down, is there?”
“Elder Brother does not particularly like me either.”
“Still better than those two. And in any case, it is only a temporary alliance. After leaving them behind, I intend to strike you down immediately.”
“I like that honesty of yours, Brother.”
“Enough with the flattery. Answer me.”
“A temporary alliance, then. Very well.”
There was no reason to refuse.
In an instant, an alliance was formed, and the two groups began traveling together.
After finishing a brief reorganization, they once again advanced toward the center of the gorge. At that moment, a shadow crossed over into where the heroes were gathered.
“It has been a while, Lady Rozel.”
“Daphne?”
One of the Stars, Daphne Phillian.
“It has been a while for me as well, Sir Hillan.”
“Sir Daphne.”
“I heard that you slew two Demon Kings. It is a shame I could not witness it myself.”
“If Sir Daphne had been present, it would have been even more reassuring.”
“And yet, even without me, you accomplished it in the end, did you not? I never imagined that in my era I would see a great hero who slew two Demon Kings.”
“They’re really slobbering all over each other.”
At the two heroes praising one another, Rozel snorted.
That was when—
“...Huh?”
“Sir Daphne?”
Daphne’s gaze shifted past Hillan’s back.
“You.”
The Red Hawk members.
“For some reason, you look familiar....”
Amid them, he precisely singled out Berje.
“We.”
His hazel-colored pupils took on an unusual hue.
“Have I seen you somewhere before?”