by Park Saenal
Of course, it didn’t mean to train 24 hours a day. He rotated the soldiers and paid attention to their stamina. Thanks to this, the Overgeared soldiers were able to demonstrate their abilities at night. The same was true for the Red Phoenix Group who had come from the East Continent.
“I realize that I’m getting stronger every day. I can’t help acknowledging this training method.”
“Lady Sua acknowledges it.”
Despite his high position, Asmophel was at the training grounds every day. Sometimes it was hard to distinguish him from a soldier. He was always there among the soldiers and trained with them. The members of the Red Phoenix Group genuinely respected him.
“How many people in a high position would try and understand the poor soldiers?”
“Pangea’s Duke of Virtue… No, he’s the aide of King Grid.”
There were good people under a great master!
The Red Phoenix Group believed there was a subordinate like Asmophel due to Grid. They also aspired to become like Asmophel. They didn’t despise the soldiers because they were stronger, nor did they seek special treatment. They were always enthusiastic about training with the soldiers.
Therefore, the knights of the Overgeared Kingdom felt a sense of crisis.
“The people who are already strong are training harder than us…”
The Western Nova, Royman. She was originally an ordinary soldier of Reidan until she was unearthed by Asmophel and became a knight. Since then, she was trained directly by Piaro. As a named NPC with no limits on her stats, Grid had high expectations for her.
She had the best potential. In fact, she was one of the most powerful knights, despite only being promoted a few years ago. But compared with the Red Phoenix Group, she was still somewhat lacking. It was because the Red Phoenix Group of the East Continent had very high levels by default.
“We can’t catch up to them if we spend the same amount of time in training. We have to work harder in training.”
“Okay! We can do it!”
The knights were filled with great passion, beginning with Royman. The existence of the Red Phoenix Group was a positive effect to further develop them. This was the fun part.
‘Cute.’
Now most of the knights knew that Royman was a woman. They had been living together for a few years, so it was natural to find out. However, Royman didn’t know that she was discovered. She was still trying to pretend she was a man. She used pressure bandages and tried to use the bathroom or changing room with her colleagues. She didn’t know that her colleagues fled every time she went into the bathroom.
“Yes! It’s good to be sociable among colleagues!’
Piaro was still unaware of Royman’s reality. Despite being the closest to her due to training her, he never imagined that she was a woman. He believed Royman without a doubt because she had declared herself a man. As a result, Piaro didn’t realize that the knights were treated Royman like their sister. He thought that people followed Royman well because she was a great leader.
“Hah…”
Asmophel sighed deeply. He was worried his old friend would forever be a bachelor. At that moment.
“A royal order!” Several horses entered the training grounds. They shouted loudly so that all the soldiers and knights could hear. “Apart from the defense troops. the Overgeared King has ordered all troops to gather in the desert of Reidan tomorrow morning!”
“…!!”
Piaro and Asmopehl’s eyes widened. They were worried something had happened to Grid.
“I will go first!”
Piaro was the commander of the army and he tried to leave Asmophel alone. Asmophel stopped him.
“If His Majesty was in a critical situation, he would summon his knights. Don’t worry too much and take command of the soldiers.”
“Umm… You are right.”
He was so worried about his king that he got carried away. Piaro was able to calm down thanks to Asmophel and directed the soldiers.
On this day. All the troops of Reinhardt, except for some defenders, made their way to Reidan. The training grounds always filled with the shouts of soldiers was as quiet as a mouse.
***
“Huh, what the hell is going on?”
Duke Steim. He was regarded as the man closest to becoming a grand duke in the Overgeared Kingdom. He ruled six cities in the north and was always dignified. As the father-in-law of Overgeared King Grid, he always made sure not to lose face. But today, he couldn’t stay calm. He was filled with worry when he heard that all of Reinhardt’s troops were going to save Grid.
“What happened?”
Duke Steim forgot about his dignity as he worried about his son-in-law. The young knight Laden, who was once praised as the Northern Nova and was now the ‘Strongest in the North’ tried to reassure him.
“If he was in a dangerous situation, he would’ve sent a request for troops from the north.”
However, Grid didn’t make a request for troops from the north. It meant he didn’t need the north. Laden judged that Grid’s situation wasn’t dangerous enough to Duke Steim to worry. But the older one got, the more anxious they became. Duke Steim couldn’t erase his worries.
“I just don’t know. I just don’t know.”
Grid was the Overgeared Kingdom itself. Grid set up the Overgeared Kingdom and the Overgeared Kingdom revolved around Grid. If there was a mishap to Grid, the whole Overgeared Kingdom would obviously be shaken. In addition, Duke Steim didn’t want to see his beloved daughter Irene and his grandson Lord sad.
“Maybe I should send the army.”
It would take some time for the army to get get to Reidan. Unlike the western Reidan, the north was very cold and the soldiers in the north were weak to the heat. Even if he sent troops, could he really help his son-in-law?
“It’s better than nothing.”
Duke Steim controlled his mind and was about to give an order to call the army.
“I will lead the army.” Laden offered. “I have already experienced the desert of Reidan. I think I am eligible for this campaign.”
It was during the time when the Eternal Kingdom still existed. Prince Ren had invaded Reidan. At that time, Laden had fought to defend Reidan.
“Um, yes. You’re the right person.”
Duke Steim sent his usual gaze towards Laden. His eyes were filled with trust.
“Lead the Gale Troops. They are able to advance three times faster than normal horses so you can arrive in time.”
“Gale Troops…!”
The Gale Troops were the strongest cavalry that the north boasted. In addition, Phoenix had been in charge of the Gale Troops for over 10 years already. The fact that Duke Steim granted them to Laden meant Laden would be Phoenix’s successor. The deeply excited Laden bowed.
“I will be sure to repay your expectations and return.”
“I hope Your Majesty will be safe.”
***
“There’s news that a large army is moving from Reinhardt.”
The Water Clan kingdom, Siren.
“What? Tell me more.”
“Yes.”
“Um… Ummm…”
Maxong’s face darkened as he received his son’s report. Due to the situation in the Overgeared Kingdom, it seemed that Grid, the savior of their kingdom, was in danger. There was no reason for Maxong to hesitate.
“Convene the whole army immediately! I will lead the army myself to help the Overgeared King!”
“Yes!”
There was no disagreement. The moment Maxong gave an order, the army assembled immediately. The water clan. Their innate physical abilities and magic transcended humanity. It was the opinion of scholars that if they weren’t obsessed with the aquatic life, the human-dominated lands would be much smaller than they were now. They were a powerful race.
“Depart!”
“Ohhhhhh!”
They came to land only to save Grid. The water clan king, Maxong led them!
***
“Son. Chew chew.”
“Yes. Lick lick.”
The fortified city of Patrian. High on the walls, Ashur stood with his son. It was like a picture as the father and son faced each other.
“I will tell you honestly. Lick lick. I hated Grid. Chew chew. I didn’t feel very good about joining his side.”
“…I know. Lick lick.”
Marquis Ashur and Earl Bland were eating steamed potatoes as they talked. The taste of the rainbow potato was incredibly shocking and addictive from the viewpoint of the rich nobles.
“But now it’s different.”
Marquis Ashur devoured the big rainbow potatoes. His act of wiping his hand with a handkerchief was full of refinement. He was indeed different from ordinary people. Until he licked the potato pieces off his cheek instead of throwing them away.
“I think it’s good to serve the King Grid, looking at how fast the Overgeared Kingdom is growing.”
The fortified city of Patrian was a city that could be occupied at any time due to the geographical nature. It was normal for a large number of troops to be stationed there at all times. However, the Eternal Kingdom was incompetent and Patrian always suffered from a shortage of troops. Due to this, the residents of Patrian were always nervous. But now? The faces of the Patrian residents were full of vitality. It was because there were strong soldiers guarding the city and the powerful royal family cared for them.
“I know about His Majesty’s past. Thus, I can faintly imagine how much effort His Majesty has put in. Now I admire him.”
“…”
Bland smiled softly. He was glad that his father admired a person he respected. Marquis Ashur cut to the chase.
“Grid is this kingdom’s power… No, he’s the treasure of this continent. The hero who can resist the Saharan Empire. He must always be safe. Thus, my son, I want to send troops to Reidan.”
“It’s a reasonable idea.”
“But I can’t leave because of the Gauss Kingdom. Bland, lead the army. Be sure to protect King Grid and return alive. This isn’t a command, but a request.”
“I will live up to your expectations.”
The average level of the Patrian soldiers was the highest in the country. Due to the geographical nature of the border with the Gauss Kingdom, both Grid and Lauel were aware of the importance of defending Patrian and didn’t spare any assistance. These soldiers…
“Go to the desert now!”
“Yes!”
The son of the great magician Ashur and disciple of the farmer Piaro, the magic swordsman Bland left through the gates.
Chapter 728
Chapter 728
Titan, the capital of the Saharan Empire, had the biggest Rebecca Temple on the continent. The size of one temple was large enough to overwhelm the size of the Vatican. It was a place where people could see the close relationship between the empire and the Rebecca Church.
“Your Majesty, it’s urgent.”
The temple built on the blood and sweat of countless immigrants. A statue of Rebecca, goddess of goodness, actually existed in this ugly place? People against the empire didn’t appreciate Titan’s Rebecca Temple. However, from the viewpoint of Emperor Juander, this temple was the symbol of absolute power and the sole home of the ‘real’ Goddess Rebecca. Someone came to this sacred place.
“Urgent…”
Juander, who was sitting in front of the statue and praying, opened his eyes. He was grumpy at his prayers being disturbed. Earl Lisha, who ran to give the report, bowed his head deeply.
“There is a strange trend in the Overgeared Kingdom. It is said that they are gathering a large army in Reidan by mobilizing all allied troops.
“…Hrmm.”
Reidan was a city that bordered the empire. The act of gathering troops there could be regarded as a threat to the empire. Juander could send an army to the Overgeared Kingdom under the ‘sin of making the people of the empire nervous.’ But Juander was unable to move his army. It was because most of the empire’s main forces were dispatched to Valhalla.
“Moving after knowing this fact… As expected from the Overgeared King.”
The reason why Juander placed a large number of troops near Valhalla was to keep the Undefeated King’s descendant in check. Juander was very alert to him, who killed tens of thousands of imperial troops, killed the Red Knights, and damaged Kyle. He didn’t express it to anyone, but the feeling was almost like fear. He wondered if it was the second coming of the Undefeated King.
Thus, Juander posted an army near Valhalla to guard against the Undefeated King’s descendant. But Valhalla and the Overgeared Kingdom didn’t know this. They interpreted it as the empire going to invade Valhalla soon. Therefore, the Overgeared Kingdom gathering the army in Reidan was a type of warning. It was a warning that if they invaded Valhalla, the Overgeared Kingdom would strike their rear.
“Sigh… Kuk, kuku! Kukukuk!”
Juander gave a deep sigh before bursting out into laughter. It was laughable. A mere kingdom just born dared to warn the empire. He never thought there would be a kingdom that ignored the empire. Juander was amazed by the changes in this era. He was so pathetic that it was funny.
He laughed for a while before asking Earl Lisha.
“What’s the exact number of the Overgeared army gathering in Reidan?”
The empire had eyes and ears throughout the continent. The empire’s spies existed in every country and region. Any of Juander’s questions could be answered immediately. But not this time.
“I’m ashamed. I haven’t figured out the exact number yet.”
“…”
Earl Lisha, the head of the empire’s intelligence agency, had already tried several times to plant spies in the Overgeared Kingdom. But it was difficult. All territories of the Overgeared Kingdom were strictly guarded. Even if a spy was planted, they were caught immediately. In particular, the spies that were planted in Reinhardt were close to zero. Most of the 300 spies dispatched to Reinhardt were unaccounted for. That’s why there was a big restriction on their ‘eyes’ in the Overgeared Kingdom.
Juander frowned.
“The information network in the Overgeared Kingdom is still weak. How disappointing, Lisha.”
“I’m ashamed… It seems that there are many high level assassins in the Overgeared Kingdom… But I will come up with a solution soon.”
“Then can you roughly guess the number of enemies?”
The exact number wasn’t known, but it was possible to guess. Lisha replied once Juander asked again.
“Approximately 40,000.”
40,000. It was an insignificant number. From the viewpoint of the empire that had an army of millions, 40,000 was a number that could be erased at any time. But war wasn’t all about numbers. In particular, there were many people in the Overgeared Kingdom who were as good as the Red Knights. Among these, the Overgeared King had already destroyed two kingdoms and established two new ones. There would be no Valhalla without the Overgeared King.
‘The hundreds of thousands of soldiers and my strong people sent to Valhalla…’
They were just good prey. Juander judged this and was filled with big regret.
‘There’s no talent.’
Sword Duke Limit and the Red Knights were on the side of the empress and it wasn’t the time to send the Five Pillars to the frontlines. They were busy raising knights and magicians who would surpass the Red Knights. Kyle was somewhat idle, but he’d lost one arm to the descendant of the Undefeated King.
Juander wondered when things had become so twisted. Looking back, it had been a long time. Since he lost Piaro…
In the end, the descendant of the Undefeated King appeared and the balance of power collapsed.
“More than this…”
Step.
Juander beckoned and a guard came up to him, handing him a cloak. Juander wore the cloak, walked outside the temple and muttered.
“For the time being, I need to drink a bitter cup. Let’s t
ry diplomacy.”
Diplomacy. Juander had never tried diplomacy before. From the time he took the throne of the empire, he became the ruler of the continent and only gave orders to other countries. They were one-sided deals, not diplomacy. But now the times had changed.
“Send an envoy to the Overgeared King. Tell him that we won’t invade Valhalla for the time being. I will ask for a truce with Valhalla as proof.”
“…!!”
The emperor of the world was declaring that he would take a step back? It was unbelievable. Earl Lisha’s eyes widened while the guard captain Bain’s face was red with anger.
“Your Majesty! I would rather go to the battlefield! Instead of the useless Red Knights, this Bain will obtain the heads of the Undefeated King’s Descendant and the Overgeared King.”
“That can’t be. Bain, if you aren’t around then I can’t feel comfortable for even a moment. I can’t even sleep well.”
“…”
Who could be in charge of escorting the ruler of the continent? Guard Captain Bain was someone recognized by Juander. Bain was the person Juander trusted most in the world. He was able to walk down the street thanks to Bain.
“The Undefeated King’s descendant…”
After calming Bain down, Juander thought about the description of the Undefeated King’s descendant that Kyle gave. He got goosebumps.
‘A monster who can use the legendary 100,000 Army Swordsmanship as well as magic… It’s better not to move until all of the Five Pillars have returned. Yes, today’s choice is wise, not a disgrace.’
***
“Hahahaha! Did you see it? Those scandalous fools ran away!”
The vampire earl Noll. Currently, he was in a peculiar state. He had overcome the Curse of Idleness. It was difficult for him to understand. He just knew that after encountering the human called Grid a few times, the word ‘annoying’ disappeared from his head.
Noll believed this change was based on his feelings of anger. There were humans who weren’t afraid of direct descendants. The moment that his anger rose to his head, Noll interpreted that he was free from the curse. Then he felt joy. It was the first time he felt a distinct emotion since he was born hundreds of years ago. He realized that he was alive now.