Chapter 111 : Chapter 111

Chapter 111

A barracks set up in the garrison of the Romero Kingdom.

Isaac Heinrich asked while drinking tea.

“Mainz, any report from Harend?”

“Not yet.”

“Hmm. So that’s how it is.”

“There is no one who knows the western and eastern frontiers better than I do. Why did you not send me instead?”

“My, you seem to be itching for some action, don’t you?”

“…”

Mainz Kimbel answered by lowering his head, judging that his remark had been out of line.

“For now, let’s hear the report from the commander. Come in.”

As his words fell, an old knight entered the barracks.

He was Count Timo Chrysler, a Superhuman of the Romero Kingdom and the commander of this war.

He was a pillar of the kingdom who had mastered the 7-star level.

“We have blocked Cornelia’s attacks twice today alone.”

As he reported on the war situation, Isaac, who was listening, added a word.

Compared to the beginning, the frequency of Cornelia’s attacks and the number of casualties on our side had decreased.

The count nodded and offered his opinion.

“It seems Cornelia’s side is also considering a long-term war.”

According to what had been grasped so far, the number of mages directly under Cornelia was 500.

Compared to Eurasia in the east, their main force was not large.

Nevertheless, the reason they could become the hegemon of the western frontier and eventually build a kingdom was due to the excellence of the Violet Magic Tower and their direct bloodline.

“They made a pact to allow their affiliated families to operate the Magic Tower's mana.”

This strength was clearly demonstrated in this war as well; when Hegel Cornelia first used 8-star magic, everyone thought the war was over.

However, just because he had stabilized the 8-star level did not mean he could use 8-star magic indefinitely.

The Black Duke had advised that it would be impossible to use 8-star magic consecutively, no matter how much they had the Magic Tower, and just as he predicted, Hegel had only been using 7-star area-of-effect magic since then.

Currently, Cornelia was activating 7-star magic about five or six times a day, and the situation was that they were putting mercenaries at the forefront of the battlefield and using minor area-of-effect spells through mages assimilated with the Magic Tower.

“What about Eurasia’s reinforcements?”

“The troops that arrived from Eurasia as support are about 200 knights and 300 infantry. The one leading them is the Second Prince, Paian Eurasia.”

They were stationed near Cornelia's main castle in preparation for when a melee breaks out.

“Does this mean Demian Eurasia doesn’t even need to come?”

Heinrich licked his lips as if in regret.

He had secretly hoped that either the First Prince, Demian Eurasia, or the Fourth Prince, Killian Eurasia, would step forward.

This was because he knew Demian held the symbolic position of the First Prince, and Killian was the sword that Simon Eurasia had secretly raised.

The two princes who symbolized the light and shadow of Eurasia.

No one less than them could excite him.

“Commander.”

“Speak, Your Highness.”

“Do you think you can win this war if you continue as you are?”

“With Your Highness’s additional forces, we will surely be victorious…”

“You have misjudged the state of the war.”

“What do you mean by that…”

Count Chrysler showed a reaction as if he did not understand.

Originally, the Romero Kingdom had four Superhumans. In addition, the Prince had personally brought six Superhumans.

‘Unofficially, we are even receiving support from the Black Duke.’

It seemed they were struggling with the enemy’s defense using the Magic Tower for now, but that too was a matter of time.

A country could not function properly if it maintained a state of war while isolated like Cornelia.

For now, Eurasia, which had finished its war first, would provide resources, but Eurasia was also in a situation where it would not be strange for them to fight another war at any time.

On the other hand, Romero was protected by the Empire, and was receiving an excessive amount of support while the country’s basic industries were temporarily halted due to the war.

‘No, rather, more resources and supplies are pouring in than before the war.’

It had reached a point where he wished the current wartime situation would last longer.

It might take some time, but he could seize victory with minimal losses.

“Perhaps.”

After organizing his thoughts for a moment, he opened his mouth.

“Are you not satisfied with the current method? Is that why you are sending Superhumans to the Flask Mountain Range?”

“Have you been tailing my movements?”

“The commander is the position where all information on the battlefield gathers. There is no exception, even for Your Highness’s whereabouts.”

“It was a good decision to entrust the battlefield to you.”

Isaac grinned as if satisfied.

Superhumans were certainly those who had crossed a wall, but not all of them maintained their full capabilities.

If they fell into arrogance and failed to move forward, they would at some point show signs of regression.

Even among the Superhumans under his command, there were not many who were more outstanding than Count Chrysler.

‘Unlike those who were ‘made’, he is a true Superhuman who crossed the wall on his own.’

He had promised to become his man in exchange for help in this war.

I should not treat him carelessly like those insects.

“Commander, there is a blind spot in your words. I have no intention of dragging this war out.”

“…”

“If I’m out in a remote place like this for too long, I don’t know what brother Crusty might do on the mainland.”

He could clearly picture him throwing out bait to lure away his hounds while the master was briefly away from home.

Because he himself had done the same.

Above all.

“I want to bring down both Cornelia and Eurasia. And as soon as possible, at that.”

Eurasia’s war had ended before he could even intervene because Simon Eurasia had made the first move, but this time was different.

Even if he just slowly tightened the noose like this, Cornelia would fall, and once he got his hands on the Violet Magic Tower, he could accelerate that speed.

If that happened, he would soon gain control of the eastern and western frontiers.

It was a rugged place teeming with monsters due to its many mountain ranges, but he knew the value the frontier held.

‘There is a Piece of the Grotesquery in the Flask Mountain Range.’

The underground of Brussels' main castle, adjacent to the eastern frontier.

The Flask Mountain Range, stretching across the western frontier.

The Black Duke had already confirmed that the Pieces of the Grotesquery were in those two places.

People might think he had delayed the war because of the marriage proposal with Sharle Cornelia, but that was wrong.

‘If I get my hands on the Piece of the Grotesquery, it will not only accelerate the Black Duke’s research, but once his research is complete, the war for the throne will be as good as over.’

The only one who knew this fact was Orchid Owl, the leader of Absinthe.

It was a fact confirmed after paying a large sum to add certainty to the Black Duke’s detection magic.

She had said it was information even Cornelia did not know.

“Be faithful to your duty. Everything I do will also be beneficial to Romero.”

“I understand.”

After dismissing Count Chrysler, Isaac gestured with his hand, and Mainz prostrated himself.

“Send two more Superhumans.”

“…”

Mainz was taken aback.

That would mean four Superhumans would be entering the mountain range.

“Cornelia’s side might detect us.”

“No. They won’t have the leisure for that. I will have the Count launch an offensive.”

“…”

It was his lord’s command.

It was a decision he had no reason or justification to refute.

“…Everything will be as Your Highness commands.”

Mainz bowed his head and quickly disappeared.

***

“Hoo…”

Nox Benjamin let out a ragged breath.

He had dealt with five Ogres and two Orgrs just by using area-of-effect magic.

Orgrs were humanoid monsters that were more difficult to deal with than Ogres.

‘Without the Magic Tower’s help, I wouldn’t have even attempted such a reckless battle.’

A mage struggled to be effective without a knight to act as the vanguard, but fortunately, he had two vanguards and his family’s secret magic.

Thud.

He confirmed the 7-star monster that was just now collapsing.

‘A Grand Orgr.’

It was a monster that could not be faced by anyone other than a 7-star knight or mage, and it was one of the five powers of the mountain range that even he had never subjugated.

It had a body of just over 2 meters, strength comparable to a Grand Ogre, and regenerative abilities surpassing a Troll.

If this place was not the notoriously rugged Flask Mountain Range, it was a creature sufficient to become the ruler of the mountains.

The chest of such a creature was cut so deeply that its bones were visible.

Nox looked back at the mercenary captain, Agnil, who had created that gruesome scene, with renewed astonishment.

‘To swing a greatsword of that size like a short sword… He’s nothing short of a monster.’

At that moment, the Grand Orgr staggered and raised its body.

“Da-danger…”

In the blink of an eye, the Grand Orgr’s body shot out, about to ram into Agnil.

Crash!

The battle-ax swung by Hazard collided directly with the Grand Ogre.

Grrrrr.

The Grand Orgr tried to headbutt Hazard’s head.

“A power struggle with a 7-star. Not bad.”

“Hmph. Hmph.”

Hazard replied, exhaling his characteristic snort.

‘What is he doing?!!’

Nox resisted the urge to shout.

He knew Agnil was a Superhuman, but to be so careless during battle.

It was the moment he thought that mercenaries were hopeless and was about to prepare the formula to use his secret magic.

“It’s not this one either.”

Crack. Cra-crack.

In the blink of an eye, the Grand Orgr’s sturdy body was sliced to pieces.

Gulp.

‘The level… is different…’

As if to say his worries were meaningless.

Nox swallowed his saliva and realized reality.

“Sir Nox, let’s take a rest.”

“Let’s do that…”

Nox, who nodded, used magic on the monsters’ corpses.

Flames blazed, but there was no foul smell.

He looked at the man who was quietly drinking a recovery potion.

“Captain Agnil.”

“Speak.”

“Just what is your identity?”

“I’m a mercenary, am I not? A skilled one.”

“Hah… Among mercenaries, those at the Superhuman level can be counted on three fingers.”

Even then, the one called the Mercenary King was a 7-star Master.

“But I have never even heard your name. The same goes for the name Black Dragon Mercenary Corps.”

“Is that so.”

“Isn’t it about time you told me? Why on earth are you subjugating the monsters of the mountain range? The real reason, that is.”

At first, he thought it was simply to prepare for the wave. He thought it was to prepare in advance so that the Empire’s Superhumans would not try any foolishness again.

He was wrong.

“…”

“…”

Agnil, no, Killian, stared silently into Nox’s eyes.

It had been a week since they started moving together.

Nox Benjamin had a slightly arrogant side due to his pride and sense of responsibility as a nobleman, but as Absinthe’s information suggested, he was not a bad person.

‘Well, I guess I can tell him now.’

There were three 7-star monsters left in the mountain range. It was highly probable that one of them had the Piece of the Grotesquery.

“Sir Nox, it would be best to keep what I’m about to say to yourself.”

“Of course. I swear on my honor…”

Before Nox could finish his words.

Hoo.

He felt someone’s breath on the nape of his neck.

“Hng~ You came out far, didn’t you?”

“…!!”

Startled, Nox turned his head to see a woman wearing an owl mask, revealing a curvy body.

‘When… No, more importantly, this woman is…’

Naturally, one person came to mind.

“Orchid Owl!!”

The moment he instinctively tried to raise his hand to use magic.

Thump.

“Keuk…”

Nox suddenly collapsed in pain.

“Are you planning to sever the Benjamin family’s succession?”

Killian asked with a hollow laugh.

Kyaruru.

Orchid Owl burst into laughter, unconcerned.

“It’s fine. There are many duds among mages anyway.”

Orchid Owl, who was sitting astride Nox’s trembling body, looked at Killian.

“Two more Superhumans have entered the mountain range.”

“The Prince. He’s moving more boldly than I thought.”

“And also.”

“…?”

“I found the one you were looking for.”

Orchid Owl’s eyes, behind the mask, curved.

“That is.”

The corners of Killian’s mouth rose to match.

“Welcome news.”

Tip: Tap/click the left or right side of the screen to go to previous/next chapter.