Chapter 280
Arcadia. Anyone with even the slightest interest in international affairs couldn’t possibly be unaware of that name. A powerful nation occupying more than half of the continent, it was said to be decades ahead in military and cultural advancements. Arcadia was a land blessed with prosperity for nearly a millennium, untouched by natural disasters and poor harvests.
So many people wished to become citizens of the empire that lines stretching several kilometers formed at its borders. It was said that becoming a resident of Arcadia was more difficult than becoming a noble in a minor kingdom. In fact, commoners in Arcadia often lived better than baronets in other countries, so this wasn’t entirely untrue.
Therefore, those living in the same era as Arcadia shared similar thoughts. Some, like the Kurdish Kingdom, envied the empire’s wealth and sought to steal it, while others desired to share in its prosperity by becoming vassal states. Nevertheless, no one had accurately grasped the true extent of Arcadia’s power.
“What?! Arcadia took Count Robellin?!”
“Not just the count, but his entire family as well!”
“How... how could... U-ugh!”
“Y-Your Majesty!”
A kingdom that had its Swordmaster conscripted overnight couldn’t help but be thrown into chaos.
“...So, you’re saying the mercenary groups residing in the neutral zones have all disbanded? And all the skilled individuals have disappeared?”
“Yes, even the Mercenary King, Bastard, vanished along with his family.”
“This is sudden. It’s unlikely another country recruited them all, so is the culprit Arcadia? I heard they were recruiting skilled individuals, but I never thought they’d take all the mercenaries too.”