Chapter 19

At least no soldier in this Empire was ignorant of what that signal meant. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] Theo’s face hardened, and he swiftly quickened his pace. Luke, who was behind him, unconsciously followed in his wake.

“Luke, have you forgotten you’re under suspension? Stay where you are.”

“Ah…”

Leaving that curt remark, Theo rapidly exited the dormitory building and headed to the headquarters’ command center. Along the way, he met other captains who had heard the news, and they all moved to the command center together. The final sector of the four quarters housed the Situation Control Room.

This was the first place to detect anomalies when a war broke out or monsters appeared, and all communication networks from other branches were connected here.

“What’s going on?”

The person in charge of the command center was the Captain of Unit 2, Roena Serlien. She was the only female captain in the Imperial Army. Her red hair was pulled up high, and she let out a deep sigh toward the assembled captains.

“Two minutes ago, the Eastern Branch observed a rapid surge in mana energy. The confirmation report indicates the appearance of a large number of monsters near the eastern border, and the force leading them to invade the Empire is the Membern Kingdom.”

Membern? Theo’s eyes widened.

“It seems our Empire was neatly stabbed in the back.”

Following the Hanus family incident, Membern had completely tucked its tail between its legs. This was only natural, as they had planted spies in a warring nation and were carrying out dirty, unethical acts against the moral code. Of course, in conflicts between nations, one couldn’t always stick to the righteous method. Behind-the-scenes manipulation was common, but the problem was whether or not it was brought to the surface.

Membern, having exposed their own shame through that incident, had sent a sign of surrender to the Empire. The very bastards who had challenged them for half of the control over the Rotelli Sea sector were the ones who had initiated talks of a peace treaty.

“So, the peace treaty was just a trick to make us drop our guard.”

Theo clenched his fist. This was, by all accounts, an error on the part of the Imperial Army. They should never have let up their vigilance and caution, no matter the circumstances.

“If they’ve brought monsters, does that mean those bastards have launched a ground invasion?”

Even Leo, who usually wore a smile on his face, asked with a distinctly serious expression.

“That’s right. Unlike last time, they’re approaching by land, not through naval combat.”

As a nation developed through its maritime business, Membern was naturally far more skilled in naval combat than ground warfare. However, the fact that they abandoned their strength and launched an invasion in a new direction meant that there had been a new change in their weaponry. And that was likely…

“Is that why they’ve aligned themselves with the monsters?”

“There’s a high probability.”

Roena nodded at Theo’s words.

“They are currently approaching the third barrier on the eastern border, using monsters to breach it. At this rate, they’ll reach the main barrier quickly. Judging by the way they’re shattering the barriers, they won’t hold out for long.”

Just then, the door to the command center opened and Veil appeared. At the arrival of the Commander-in-Chief, Theo, Leo, and Roena, as well as all the Imperial Army captains, stopped their actions and speech, immediately forming ranks and saluting.

“I shall now issue my orders.”

A booming voice resonated loudly throughout the room. A distinctly different air of grim determination emanated from Veil’s voice.

“Their objective is to occupy the Eastern Branch and the key areas in the east.”

The scheme was surely to hold the eastern region hostage and force the complete handover of the Rotelli Sea sector authority.

“Unit 1, Unit 7, and Unit 3 will move to the eastern border and fight on the front line. And Unit 5 will cross the Urik Mountains in the east, approach their rear, block their retreat, and simultaneously locate and destroy their base.”

Originally, that task wouldn’t have belonged to Unit 5, but to the Special Detachment. Moving in small numbers, separated from the main battleground, was always the job of the Special Detachment led by Luke.

“Unit 2 will command this situation room and connect everyone’s communication crystals! Unit 4 will join the Eastern Branch members and prioritize aiding the evacuation of local residents! We must not let them have their way! Everyone, move out!”

At Veil’s powerful words, the captains quickly exited the command center.

******

Vibrant sunlight poured down onto the street. The warm, peaceful scene was the very symbol of tranquility. Ludrein Square was, as usual, filled with bustling citizens, and not a single worry was etched on their faces.

The Heinen Empire, counted as one of the best places to live. That meant that no danger could easily reach it, and even if it did, the country had the strength to stand and fight without losing. Money builds a nation, culture enriches it, and military power protects it. Behind that belief and strength stood the Imperial Army, called the sword and guardian deity of the Empire.

An immeasurable number of personnel were gathered in the Mana Preservation Zone. The squad members, dressed in combat uniforms, stood in perfect formation, not one of them out of line. If one were to look down from above, it would look like countless dots neatly marked at regular intervals.

“We will now move to the eastern border.”

Standing proudly in front of them was Theo. Leo and Mile stood on either side.

“Forget your prior notions about the Membern you have fought! Those bastards have invaded with a new weapon: monsters.”

The squad members swallowed nervously at Theo’s majestic and incredibly imposing voice.

“However, even that is no problem for us. It is our duty as soldiers to ruthlessly slaughter anything, man or monster, that dares to endanger the safety of this Empire!”

“Yes!”

The squad members roared in response to Theo’s words.

“There are only two things you must keep in mind from now on.”

Behind them, a massive Warp Magic Circle was slowly opening.

“Destroy the enemy, and do not die, no matter what happens.”

As he spoke those final words, a great roar erupted from the members. The warp slowly activated, sucking in the tremendous number of people all at once.

******

“Fael!”

“Yes…?”

Fael, who had been faithfully listening to Theo’s request to step aside, was huddled against one wall. Startled by Luke’s sudden shout, he sprang up like a coiled spring.

“You, since you’re in the Administration Unit, you can find out roughly what’s going on, right?”

“Pardon? Ah… Yes!”

Fael glanced at the crystal ball, still glowing red, and nodded. And Fael knew exactly what Luke wanted. He quickly bolted out of the dormitory.

A short while later, Fael returned with the information. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] He reported on Membern’s sudden invasion and the news that they had brought monsters with them and invaded by land to hold the eastern sector hostage.

“Membern with monsters?”

“Yes. And it seems they are not merely low-grade monsters.”

Fael added, still gasping for air that he couldn’t control from running.

Membern’s military power was significantly inferior when compared to the Empire’s. The reason they had been able to prolong a long war with Heinen, which was considered a great power, was precisely because Membern was highly regarded as a superpower in naval combat.

Their battles had always taken place on the sea, not on land. However, the fact that such a Membern simultaneously challenged the Empire, which was skilled in ground warfare, by launching a land attack; and moreover, by striking them in the back to start this war could only be interpreted in one way.

“Do those bastards… have something they’re relying on?”

Luke muttered quietly. Come to think of it, Membern was a nation whose magicology had not developed significantly compared to other countries. They were failing to keep up with the continent’s trend of gradually increasing military power by leveraging magical power.

Usually, to use monsters, one needed to know how to use a special kind of magic called ‘Subjugation’. This was a rare form of magic, and there weren’t many mages who could handle it proficiently. Did this mean that backward Membern had a Subjugation Sorcerer capable of handling such a tricky form of magic?

“I have a bad feeling about this… Fael.”

“Yes?”

“Do you also know how the Imperial Army units are currently deployed?”

“I figured you’d be curious, so I looked into it beforehand.”

Fael unfolded a detailed map of the eastern region.

“This border area, the core sector where Membern has invaded, is being handled by Unit 1, Unit 3, and Unit 7.”

Theo and Leo boasted the highest level of skill in the Imperial Army. Even though he was a pain, Mile’s magic was specialized for attack, making him quite useful in combat.

“And Unit 5 is here.”

Fael moved the finger he had placed on the border area across the map. The Imperial Army’s branches were located in the far rear of their respective regions. The east was no exception, and a huge mountain that surrounded both the eastern military branch and the border was the Urik Mountains. It was infamous for its rugged terrain and difficult paths, where even seasoned veterans could easily get lost.

“Unit 5’s objective is to cross this mountain entirely, approach the rear from where the bastards invaded, and prioritize destroying Membern’s base.”

Fael explained diligently, watching Luke’s reaction. Originally, hitting the enemy’s base and attacking the rear at an unexpected time was the job of the Special Detachment; that is, Luke’s job. But he was currently under suspension. He was completely tied down at a time when all the captains and Special Unit members were busy running around.

“Um… Captain.”

“What.”

Even in that situation, Luke was preoccupied with asking how the battlefield was turning out. Fael was suddenly seized with worry. Should he really tell this man this information exactly as it was?

“Perhaps… You won’t be participating in the war or anything like that, will you?”

Luke, who had been seriously looking at the map, lifted his head. He met Fael’s eyes, and then a grin spread across his lips.

“No way. Who do you take me for? I’m under suspension, how could I possibly move?”

“Right? Haha, I worried over nothing…”

“I just asked because I was curious. Well, it’s a shame I can’t earn any merit by joining the war, but what can you do? I’ll just take this opportunity to get some rest.”

Luke stretched fully and yawned as if he were tired. Fael secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Right, no matter how reckless and unpredictable he was, he wouldn’t move unilaterally while he was being punished.

“Fael, I’m going to be holed up in my room sleeping all day, so you don’t need to bother supervising me. Be smart and go do your own work.”

“Ah, yes!”

Luke turned away, leaving Fael’s salute behind. In that moment, Luke’s expression changed dramatically. What appeared on his face was a look of firm resolve.