Chapter 66

Third POV, or the doppelgänger hiding somewhere

This was the innermost sector of the E-Rantel’s triple walls. In the center of the city was the mansion of the mayor of E-Rantel, Panasolei Guruze Dale Rettonmai. Although it was a luxurious home worthy of the city’s leader, it still paled in comparison to the building beside it.

That building was the most impressive in the city ― the VIP villa. It was typically sealed up, and only the royal family or those close to them would be permitted to use it. And now, in a room within that villa, several men were gathered around King Ramposa III and the Great Nobles.

Gazef stood silently beside the King, who sat upon a crude throne. A large table dominated the center of the room, surrounded by nobles, who were studying the large map that had been rolled out upon it. There were several troop position markers on the map, an around it were countless scattered documents, nominal rolls, reconnaissance reports, combat logs, monster appearance reports and the like. Although there were waterbearers behind them, there was little water left.

It was testament to the intensity of the debates that had taken place here. The truth was that fatigue was starting to appear on the distinguished, pedigreed faces of the Great Nobles. As one’s forces grew larger, there were more things which had to be discussed, and more decisions that had to be made. While low-level issues could be delegated to subordinates, they had to coordinate the matters of the nobles within their factions personally.

As nobles with their pride on the line, they could not afford to embarrass themselves before others, which only added to their workload. However, that was over now.

Marquis Raeven, who looked the least exhausted of everyone here, opened his mouth to speak. No, it was better to say that he was always the first to speak. He might have been slighted as a “bat,” but nobody doubted his intelligence. Having him chair these cross-factional meetings was the fastest way to get things done.

Raeven: Thank you all for your hard work. For the most part, I believe we’ve finished our preparations within the deadline. From now on we will begin discussing the strategy for the upcoming war against the Arcanian Empire.

Raeven’s gaze swept across everyone present, and he held up a parchment for all to see.

Raeven: This is a declaration of war from the Empire that arrived several days ago. It states the proposed site of the battlefield, right out there on the Katze Plains

The concept of proposed battlefield locations stemmed from the fact that battlefields invariably became cursed locations which spawned the undead. Therefore, when battles were to be waged between members of fellow species, they would designate specific locations where they would fight. Assuming both sides agreed, they could do battle there without harming each others’ countries.

Of course, not all wars were fought like that. Or rather, it was rare for such agreements to be made. However the Kingdom and Baharuth Empire had fought on designated battlefields for the past few years. The Arcanian Empire, having assimilated the Baharuth into their legions, accepted this with no problem.

Up until now regarding the problem of winning the land of the undead, even if they took new land, it would be more trouble than it was worth if it spawned undead nearby, and there was no point in defending land from invaders if it ended up cursed and uninhabitable anyway. Both sides shared the same point of view, hence the agreements. Now, this was unsure. The Kingdom had proof that the Arcanian Empire utilized necromancy and undead efficiently and as part of their daily lives. A nation which such capability in magic might find actual use for such lands, but what was the Kingdom to do in this situation.

For that reason, someone sighed in relief as Raeven announced the missive. That noble must have thought this war would be the same as any other, given the familiar nature of the declaration.

Noble: Since it’s the same place, does that mean the Empire’s invasion will be the same as the Baharuth’s?

Although the Arcanian Empire claims that the entire World was once their rightful territory, most of the nobles felt that this was merely a casus belli for them to declare war, much like how the former Baharuth brought up ridiculous reasons for war.

If that was all, Gazef would have agreed, but Raeven shook his head.

Raeven: Unfortunately, Marquis Brumerush, that does not seem to be the case. According to my sources, the Baharuth state of the Arcanian Kingdom has mobilized a great deal of military power for this engagement. I sent my subordinates ― a team of formerly orichalcum-ranked adventurers ― out to follow up on this, and while they aren’t sure of the exact figure, judging by the insignia and badges of the activated units, the Empire has fielded six full legions…and that is not their main force.

Noble: Six?!

Consternation rippled through the gathered nobles. The Baharuth Empire had eight legions of knights, and the new Empire kept all of them. Before, the most the Empire had ever committed was 4 Legions…and now they were bringing along 6? Then what was their main force then?

Noble: Are they… serious?

The question came from a noble with an uneasy expression on his face. The six legions of the Empire contained 60'000 men. The Kingdom had 300,000 men, but although they had the advantage in numbers, the reverse was true in terms of troop quality. However this number and balance might tip depending on the other forces the Empire was bringing.

Raeven: The Arcanian Empire is continuing what the Baharuth had begun…only that this time they are here to end it as well.

In the battles to date, where the Empire’s 40'000 men went up against the Kingdom’s 200'000, the Empire would launch an attack, which the Kingdom would weather, and that would be the end of it. The Empire’s objective was to slowly exhaust the Kingdom and waste their stocks of food, so just forcing the Kingdom to take the field would accomplish one of their objectives.

Great Noble: It seems increasing the levy was the right decision to make.

However, the increased costs of fielding more soldiers were also a headache. In the past, their battles had been fought during the harvest season of autumn. This war would be fought in winter, requiring expenditures for things like firewood, warm clothing and so on which had never been needed before.

This war was financed by the King. If the Royal faction’s power had not increased, it would have been hard for the King to gather funds, and the King’s own power would have sharply declined.

Noble: But then Marquis Raeven, what of the Arcanian Empire’s Army? Who are they bringing?

Raeven: It is unsure whether their humanoid army will be deployed as they seem to be undergoing intense training beyond that of the Imperial Knights, but their numbers are in the ten thousands.

Some nobles sighed in relief at the news but Raeven was far from done. In fact, he had shared the one possible good news before telling the rest.

Raeven: We believe they will draw on their stock of Legendary Undead, the Death Knights, in the hundreds. As well as their PeaceKeeping Force, the Valhallan Warrior.

Noble: And how strong are they…?

Raeven: A magic caster of the Kingdom who had the opportunity to study with Tri-Arts Fluder of the Empire had informed me that a single Death Knight was capable of taking down the entire Baharuth Empire if Fluder was not there.

Commotion broke out as the nobles began yelling that this was nonsense, but unfortunately, Marquis Raeven was not done yet.

Raeven: In addition to the non-human forces, the states of the Arcanic Empire have decided to lend their army in this war. Senator Zesshi will bring the Elven Army, Fireforge with the Dwarven Army, Re Piguro with the Quagoa army, and the Platinum Dragon Lord will be heading here himself…it also seems that the Twin Emperors have invited the Draconic Queen of the Draconic Kingdom to…

He paused. In his heart, he couldn’t bear to say the next words…but he had a duty to fulfill. A deal he had made with the devil for his son.

Raeven: watch the Kingdom become history.

Despite the words being nothing but ink on paper, as Raeven read the words, everyone in the hall had shivers down their spine. It was as if the words were laced with magic to feel as if the fall of the Kingdom was predetermined.

Ramposa III: Marquis, then what of the others? Do we truly have no allies in this war against this monstrosity?!

Raeven: The Draconic Kingdom has accepted Valhallan Warriors to defend their borders during the duration of the war as a token for not entering an alliance with us. The Roble Holy Kingdom has been denying our envoys entry and audience with the queen.

The atmosphere in the hall got even darker as they knew what that meant.

Ramposa III: So we stand alone in this war…will we die along as well? Is there no rebellion in the land of the Slane Theocracy?

Raeven: None that I know of your Majesty.

He took a deep breath before he said the words he dreaded. He spoke each word carefully and slowly.

Raeven: Your Majesty…I see no hope in our victory in this war. We have lost our time for negotiation.

The other nobles began shouting out in response to his speech but Raeven didn’t stop.

Raeven: The only chance of negotiation we have left are when we declare our surrender. I realize that we have already stationed our troops here, but could we truly not reconsider this your majesty?

Gazef lifted his eyebrows as he saw a side of the Marquis he had never seen before. Sincerity…something on this face that showed that he cared for this Kingdom more than his pride or money.

Raeven: Your Majesty, you are a good King. You have always cared for the people and led by example. Even during the rebellion, the people had rallied behind you for the reformation. Now, there are hundreds of thousands of innocent people out there who are about to die…please reconsider this my lord.

Just as he finished, the noble faction exploded into disagreement.

Noble: COWARD! I NEVER SAW YOU LIKE THIS BEFORE BUT NOW YOU SHOW YOUR TRUE COLORS!

Noble: HOW MUCH DID THE EMPIRE BUY YOU FOR YOU BASTARD?! HOW DARE YOU BETRAY THE KINGDOM!!

Noble: YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF FOR THIS!

While the hall was in a mess, the King alone was locked in thought. Was it really wise for a King to surrender his entire country to save his people?