Chapter 1: Southern Line (4)
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“Enemy attack! Enemy attack!”
The messenger sprinted at full speed, switching horses at four relay stations along the way. By the time the third morning rolled around, he finally spotted the towering stone statues of the Four Warriors in front of the imperial city wall.
At that moment, he almost burst into tears.
But there was one last step before delivering the enemy report.
Though he was mentally and physically exhausted, he knew if he paused for even a second, he’d drop to the ground and fall asleep instantly. But he absolutely could not collapse before he laid eyes on the emperor.
Waving his badge, which signified his status as a messenger, he was granted passage through the city gates.
And it just so happened to be court assembly time.
Bel was somewhat absent-mindedly handling various state affairs presented by his ministers.
The court officials could tell the emperor seemed a bit off; perhaps it was because he had been busy hosting recruitment events for cultists in his capacity as a son of the God of Light for the past couple of days. This made those ministers who hadn’t yet joined the Church of Light feel a bit anxious.
Their Majesty was so enamored with religious activities that he seemed to forget that the prosperity of the kingdom was the foundation of the royal family.
With such a topsy-turvy approach, it would undeniably lead to irreversible damage to the nation over time.
But they were too afraid to advise him, as a considerable portion of the court already subscribed to the God of Light.
Any dissent related to this deity would invite a collective onslaught from the other ministers.
In this back-and-forth, the Church of Light had virtually no checks on its rapid expansion in the capital. If it hadn’t been for the recent appearance of the Messenger of the Goddess of Destiny, which somewhat cooled the Church’s growth and gave other divine factions a glimmer of hope to hold their ground, there might not even be a place left for those cultists within the court itself.
“Alright, if there’s nothing particularly urgent, let’s discuss it tomorrow.”
“As you command.”
After one minister’s report was cut short by the emperor himself, the following ministers dared not speak up anymore.
Just as Bel stood up, ready to return to the palace for a quick nap, a cacophony erupted outside the council hall.
Two guards were seen hauling in a weary, nearly collapsed messenger who barreled straight into the hall.
Everyone was stunned.
Looking at the messenger’s attire, it was clear he was from the border guard. Nobody knew what major incident was happening out there right now.
“Your Majesty, enemy attack at the Southern Line, enemy attack!”
The messenger broke free from the guards and “thud!” fell to his knees, looking up to say.
“What? Be more specific!” Bel was equally startled.
“Yes, Your Majesty.
The magical beasts, which used to only operate in small squads, suddenly banded together over the past few days, forming what seemed like an organized army charging straight for our fortress.
The other eleven messengers who left with me are all dead along the way.
If it weren’t for running into General Konglif, I wouldn’t have made it back alive.
The general ordered me to continue to the capital to report while he and a harpist are heading to the fortress for support.
The situation is critical, Your Majesty, please decide.”
Bel waved his hand, “Help the messenger to rest.”
After the messenger left the hall, turning back three times as he walked, Bel looked at the ministers, “Gentlemen, this is a crisis. Should we immediately muster the army for support?”
Monroe was the first to stand up.
“Your Majesty, the magical beasts showing unusual behavior is an ominous sign.
I strongly urge that this support army must be equipped with high-level armored warriors, mages, and harpists.
To ensure victory against the enemy.
Otherwise, if those magical beasts invade our land, it will be too late for regrets.”
“Exactly, Your Majesty, if we can’t strike the magical beasts with full force, the capital may very well fall under their assault.”
“Requesting Your Majesty to decree that all B-Class and above professions join the army.”
Ministers from the various divine factions knelt along with Monroe.
However, the ministers who believed in the God of Light kept silent. They were wholly dependent on the emperor’s will and wouldn’t speak up until he expressed a clear intention.
“Hm, Lord Monroe makes a valid point.
But let’s think this through: if the mages, armored warriors, and harpists all leave, what if those magical beasts launch a surprise attack on the capital? That would leave the city completely defenseless!
I think the power of armored warriors and harpists should be more than enough to handle the magical beasts. Mages will remain in the capital to ensure its safety. How does this arrangement sound?”
“Your Majesty is wise!”
“Your Majesty’s foresight is unmatched, truly deserving of being a great ruler!”
Listening to the flattery, Monroe’s expression darkened slightly.
The emperor’s actions seemed aimed at weakening the descendants of the Four Warriors. As long as they held unusual power, they would remain a point of concern for the royal family.
Even so, the mages, being the most dangerous class among the Four Warriors, were still being kept locked in the capital, which was utterly baffling.
Such a mysterious decision could bring about consequences beyond just a failed war; even the future of the entire demon race could be doomed.
With the emperor’s intelligence, did he really not understand?
Or was there something else at play?
Monroe lifted his head, seeking a clue in the emperor’s gaze.
Unfortunately, the emperor’s eyes never met his.
“Convey my orders! Immediately withdraw 100,000 troops from the capital. All B-Class and above armored warriors and harpists registered must join the expedition.
The armored warriors will be commanded by the imperial army, while the harpists will be coordinated by Dean Janet.
Get ready to depart by tomorrow morning without fail!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The ministers responded in unison.
The emperor then left the throne, leaving behind the hall filled with high-pitched discussions among the ministers.
Feeling a bit drained, Monroe stood up and gazed at the snow-dusted square outside the hall. For some reason, even before the two years predicted by the Messenger of the Goddess of Destiny had arrived, he sensed ominous signs of the empire’s doom.
An unprecedented attack from hordes of magical beasts,
and the emperor stubbornly refusing to utilize the mages, descendants of royal lineage.
Adding to that was the emperor’s recent move to personally recruit followers of the Church of Light under the guise of being a son of a god.
All these disparate actions felt like heavy hammers pounding on his heart, nearly suffocating him.
As Monroe finally stepped over the threshold of the hall after catching his breath for a while, a gust of cold wind whipped through.
The remaining snowflakes from the eaves drifted down to the ground.
Spring in the capital was still as cold as the depths of winter, much like the current state of the empire, which was utterly disheartening.
But no matter how chilly spring might be, summer would eventually come.
However, once a nation crumbles, the chance to restore its former glory may forever be lost.
When a great structure collapses, where can one find any unbroken eggs?
Let’s just hope the army can hold the magical beasts near the Southern Line long enough to buy the empire some time.
Perhaps, the empire still has a chance to rise from the ashes.
Monroe climbed onto the horse-drawn carriage outside the palace and told the driver,
“Quickly! To the Harpist Academy!”
