Noah gazed out the window for a moment. In front of the barrier leading into the capital, the Burgos legion remained motionless in the distance, having established their camp.
As invaders, they should have been pushing for meaningful results in a short-term battle, yet they’d only managed to take down two villages.
If this turned into a prolonged war, the tide would inevitably shift in Clifford’s favor. Still, Noah found it strange that there was no reaction from them.
“I think reinforcements must be delayed. What’s your opinion, Lord Ian?”
Noah turned to the side as he asked. Ian, who had been watching outside with him, nodded in agreement.
“Yes. Their goal would have been to enter before the great earthquake, but that movement seems faint now. We can surmise they’re waiting for reinforcements while dealing with internal problems.”
Specifically, Timothy’s desertion.
Even rumors of an ordinary soldier deserting would cause unrest, so imagine the atmosphere when a high-ranking diplomat who had been leading from the front escaped on horseback in the middle of the night. The soldiers’ morale would be dampened, and the Burgos royal palace would have one more concern to deal with.
‘Timothy. What will your fate be this time?’
Ian hoped that Naum existed. That he would live his life fully, even without Ian.
That’s why, while hoping Timothy would enter alone and follow the same path as in his previous life, Ian could also accept it as fate if Timothy’s family came together in the distant, unchangeable future. That’s why he had issued three passes.
Where could Timothy be now, and what might he be doing?
Knock knock.
“Your Highness.”
Just then, a soldier entered after knocking on the door. He held a letter in one hand. It was an interim report stating that personnel had been dispatched from the palace to block supply routes, as Ian had suggested.
Noah immediately untied the string and spread the letter on the table, adjusting the angle so Ian could see it clearly.
“It says they’ve just departed southward with the three mages you provided, Lord Ian. There are three possible transport routes through the dead lands. If the mages traverse the skies, we should hear back quickly.”
“Yes, excellent. Is the border standoff between Clifford and Ruswena still maintained?”
“Yes. They continue to face each other, just spending time. Since we’ve shared information about the black armor, our side will devise tactics to defend without provoking them as much as possible.”
Ian, who had been examining the report slowly but meticulously, raised an eyebrow.
He had read that Bariel had indefinitely suspended trade with Ruswena and Burgos. More precisely, they had imposed stricter restrictions on Ruswena’s imports and Burgos’s exports.
“Ah.”
Only one person in Bariel could make such a decision: the most honorable person in Gaia and Bariel’s only future, the young Crown Prince.
As a smile appeared on Ian’s face, Noah gave him a suspicious look. The smile soon turned into laughter, making Noah’s expression increasingly serious.
“L-Lord Ian?”
Why? Why does it feel scary when he laughs? It was a flawless, beautiful smile, but not understanding its meaning left Noah perplexed.
Ian shook his head as he contained his laughter.
“It’s nothing, Your Highness. I apologize.”
“W-well, if you’re going to laugh, I’d like to laugh along.”
“This is a measure regarding what would happen if Ruswena chose Bariel instead of the dead lands as a supply route to Burgos. My lord is paying great attention to the war situation here. Prince, you should engrave this honor in your heart.”
“Surely Ruswena wouldn’t make such a choice, would they?”
“Who knows? Judging by Queen Eripony’s temperament, I think it’s possible. Anyway, Bariel has decided to help Clifford at tremendous cost to itself. I believe you understand what this means, Your Highness.”
It was a decision made expecting that the damage from war would exceed the financial losses from import and export restrictions. It showed how much they wanted Clifford to stand firm, and furthermore, it prioritized the safe return of the mages.
“I know. I know very well.”
“Ah, this is unexpectedly good news. Truly.”
While it was likely a decision made possible by having good officials like the Prime Minister, Romandro, and Quintana around him, there was no doubt that Jin’s growth was remarkable.
Ian continued reading the report with a smile, but soon his eyebrows curved again.
“What is it now?”
“It says Bariel has sent reinforcements. They’ll come down along the border between Ruswena and Clifford…”
The name of the Imperial Defense Minister wasn’t Volv but Maxim Tweller. The Imperial Defense Department had been built up with people like Jeirutt to check his influence. Yet now, the minister of the Imperial Defense Department had changed?
A dramatic shift. Ian realized that tremendous changes had occurred in the imperial palace during his absence.
“My goodness.”
Your Highness. I seem to have overlooked something—that you too once ascended to the Emperor’s throne. I failed, but you succeeded and remained in history…
“Lord Ian?”
Noah tapped the edge of the table to get his attention. His expression was indescribable, but Ian quickly returned to normal and flashed a smile.
“Are Bariel’s reinforcements really coming properly?”
“Of course. The Imperial Army’s purpose is the same: to prevent Ruswena’s intervention and to rendezvous with the mages. Furthermore, to prevent fractures from occurring here. Clifford should focus solely on confronting Burgos standing stubbornly over there. We’ll handle the rest.”
Reinforcements were coming from Burgos, but reinforcements were also coming from Bariel. The paradox of this situation: as both sides grow stronger and more countries join, it becomes simultaneously safer and moves toward a greater catastrophe.
“Since Bariel has blocked trade, Ruswena has no special choices beyond the routes we’ve anticipated.”
They won’t be able to evade the mages’ eyes, which means armed conflict is also unavoidable.
Ian called for Tommy.
“Yes, you called for me?”
Tommy had been in a small room next to the strategy room.
Behind him, Akorella and Beric could be seen eating. One’s gaze remained fixed on a magic stone, while the other held food in both hands.
“Do you know someone named Maxim Tweller?”
“Maxim Tweller? Ah, yes. I do.”
“I hear he’s become the Minister of Imperial Defense.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said. Volv has stepped down, and the Minister of Imperial Defense has been replaced.”
At this unexpected news, Akorella’s gaze shifted slightly. Beric’s ears perked up with interest, though his appearance didn’t change much otherwise.
Tommy seemed flustered, stroking his chin and clicking his tongue in amazement.
“I’ve seen him a few times during the monster battles. I think he had some connection with the Prime Minister, but I remember he kept missing promotions because he wasn’t from the military academy. But he has extensive experience, and above all…”
“Above all?”
“He’s strong.”
This didn’t refer to physical strength but mental fortitude.
A true warrior who never laid down his weapons despite facing contempt and disdain as he traversed battlefields. An old veteran who held as his primary weapon the very basic yet easily overlooked truth: to kill your opponent, you must also be prepared to die.
Tommy remembered how impressive his spirit had been whenever he saw him.
“I see. It seems His Highness has appointed talented personnel appropriately.”
“Wow, the Imperial Defense Department must be in an uproar. This must be the first time someone not from the military academy has become minister. Such a bold appointment in a place with such clear hierarchy.”
Tommy unconsciously shook his head. He could almost feel the storm that must have hit the imperial palace, specifically the Imperial Defense Department.
‘Tommy called it a bold appointment. The ability to do such a thing demonstrates His Highness’s standing. He must have brought the Imperial Guard to his side. Otherwise, it would be impossible. He must have persuaded Jeirutt.’
Ian tapped the table at regular intervals. His eyes remained fixed, as if deeply immersed in thought.
‘If the Imperial Guard begins to follow the Crown Prince instead of the Emperor, it surely means that His Highness has announced His Majesty’s suspension. In that case, currently, only four people including myself know this fact.’
“I’ll dispatch additional mages.”
“Wait.”
“Yes?”
To support Crown Prince Jin, Minister Tweller must successfully complete his mission. So the right course of action is to discover the supply routes as quickly as possible.
Ian gestured to Tommy, ordering him to select more suitable people.
“Move three more, including Nakina, to the east. Share this matter with them as well, and have them faithfully follow the new minister’s orders.”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
Noah was also surprised by the sudden command. Hadn’t Ian already calculated the maximum effect from the minimum personnel when sending the mages? Why add more?
While this was welcome news for Clifford, curiosity was inevitable.
“Lord Ian. Will that be all right?”
“Yes. Of course. Above all—”
Ian glanced down at his hand and muttered.
“I can feel my power gradually returning. I’ll provide you with more subordinates.”
***
Clifford-Bariel border.
In the distance, a massive legion could be seen racing forward. Armor reflecting the light of the earth, the great Bariel imperial flag fluttering. Border soldiers who had been notified in advance shouted as they opened the barrier gates.
“Reinforcements from Bariel are coming! Open the gates!”
“Let them pass without stopping!”
“Hurry, push! Push!”
“One, two, three!”
Creak!
The firmly locked barrier opened wide, and they watched the approaching soldiers from atop the wall. Strangely, it felt reassuring despite another country’s army entering their homeland.
“They’re going straight to the southern end after passing here, right?”
“And then crossing another border into the dead lands.”
Clatter! Clatter!
Neigh!
Simultaneously, Bariel’s soldiers passed through the Clifford barrier. Horses galloping vigorously and soldiers following with firm spirits. All wore armor with blue decorations on the shoulders.
“Gentlemen! We entrust ourselves to you!”
“We leave it to you! Welcome!”
Booooom! Booom!
The soldiers shouted and cheered loudly, but even those sounds were buried by the majestic sound of buffalo horns.
A Bariel military officer approached Tweller and asked.
“Minister! We’ve entered Clifford! It would be good to divide the troops now!”
“Not yet! There’s a forest a little further down, and we’ll divide there. Everyone remembers, right?”
“Yes, Minister!”
“Gero, you take the route connecting directly from Ruswena’s southern city! Firth! You go below that! I’ll take the lowest route!”
“Understood!”
“Crown Prince Jin said that the mages will scout ahead and be waiting for us! When you rendezvous with the mages, each of you send me a carrier pigeon!”
“Don’t worry!”
“Do you remember how long we’ve been riding like this!?”
Tweller took a deep breath and roared.
“The years are uncountable! But one thing is certain! We’ve been riding for this very moment! We will complete the mission at all costs! If not, I will kill myself, so be prepared to die with me!”
“We will succeed no matter what!”
“Minister! The forest is in sight!”
Clatter! Clatter!
Tweller reached back and drew his weapon. It was an ax with a long, rough handle. While suitable for fighting armored opponents, it was above all his signature weapon.
“Let’s go!”
“Waaaah!”
Booooom!
The Bariel legion entered the forest. Though it was their first time in this forest, they maneuvered in perfect unison and split into three routes. It was a movement acquired through years of experience across various battlefields.