Chapter 75
Chapter 75 – Plotting
Due to Darius’ ambush, Arcadia army temporarily gave up the siege of Heinzand retreated .
The Arcadia army, said to be undefeated, actually retreated . Of course, the Heinz palace was overjoyed with the news .
[As long as Darius-sama is with us, we will never lose!]
[Arcadia army is nothing compared to the demons!]
Cheers boomed within the palace . However, as he listened silently to those many joyful cheerings, Darius had a solemn look on his face .
Noticing this, Dirk called him out .
[Oya, Boss . Why do you seem to be in a bad mood?]
[No idea…]
Darius replied while looking outside the palace . He didn’t say anything else afterwards .
Darius had been thinking since then .
About the first meeting with the two warriors that he could fight seriously .
[We’ll surely meet again soon… can I win when that time comes…? Even so, it’s exciting . ]
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On the other hand, the Arcadia army was demoralized .
The encampment was filled with arguing voices .
[Letting that bastard near His Majesty, it’s your fault!]
[What did you say? You didn’t do anything at all as well!]
They blamed each other, unwilling to take responsibility . It’s only natural . They all did escape before the enemy .
Overseeing the conflict between the aristocrats, Ares merely smiled… as though he already expected this to happen .
And at that moment, Ares noticed that someone was staring at him .
The gaze belonged to the Rozenheim’s little lord Scion .
Scion quietly looked away when he realized that he’s been found .
[His Majesty, the Emperor, has arrived!]
The chamberlain announced the emperor’s arrival loudly . The aristocrats hurriedly returned to their place and bowed until the emperor finally reached his chair .
Of course, that also included Ares and Scion .
After taking a glance at the surroundings, Emperor Sephiros spoke .
[This time around, this Emperor has bothered everyone . This is our responsibility . Please forgive us . ]
[There is no need to say so, milord . ]
The first Princess Silvia was the first to respond, followed by the other aristocrats .
These people were relieved because nobody had to take responsibility .
[However… We noticed that many present today are cowardly and disloyal people . They’ll show themselves eventually . So be prepared . ]
Sephiros’ cold words caused their faces to turn blue .
[However, depending on their future merits, they might just be pardoned]
[ [ [ [ Yes, Your Majesty! ] ] ] ]
Everyone here knew . Standing there was their very Arcadia Empire’s『Thunder Emperor』Sephiros Arcadia . He could’ve killed them all right here right now . They certainly can’t miss the chance .
[Now, it’s thanks to the great achievement of the Royal Guards and several others that We managed to retreat safely . They will be given rewards in due time . But first of all, We’ll begin with the great achievement of Ares Schwarzer for his success in holding and repelling Darius Grants back . ]
Everyone on the spot immediately turned towards Ares .
Many people witnessed Darius battle against Sigurd and later Ares, which ended up with the former retreating .
[This achievement will surely be rewarded properly . Any objections?]
No one showed any sign of objection . No, nobody dared to but…
[This servant has a request to Your Majesty . ]
Someone actually spoke up . It was the Rozenheim’s little lord Scion .
[Very well . Speak . ]
[Milord! As of now, the number of achievements Ares-dono had procured, while we are thankful for that, has surpassed anyone in this camp . ]
Saying so, Scion turned to Ares .
[And everyone witnessed how Ares-dono repelled Darius . Probably, other than Ares-dono, nobody else is capable of defeating that beast . ]
What is he planning now… all aristocrats thought the same thing . Ares also glared back to Scion, waiting for his next words .
Scion took a deep breath and resumed .
[I saw that Darius isn’t someone who will wait for the opportunity to pass him by . If we strike out now, he’ll surely come out of the palace . ]
After saying so, Scion turned once more to Sephiros .
[Therefore, we should let Ares-dono to handle that beast . Meanwhile, we’ll use our entire army to attack Heinz which has been spread out too thin . ]
[Oh, that’s a good idea!]
[I cannot think of a better way!]
The other aristocrats also showed their agreement .
Facing Darius is equivalent to suicide for any of them . Nobody wants to do it…that was the truth .
Ares didn’t seem to be against that idea as well . If by chance, he managed to defeat Darius… then the emperor’s attitude may ease up as well .
Furthermore… . the implications are clear . The greatest achievement doesn’t come from defeating Darius, but from conquering Heinz itself . To the one who killed Sovereign Gail Grants .
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Sephiros had been giving it some consideration himself . He finally raised his hand gently, signaling a hal to the noise the aristocrats made . They obediently fell silent, awaiting his next words .
[The Rozenheim little lord’s suggestion, We can understand . Does Schwarzer little lord have any objection?]
[I don’t . ]
Ares replied shortly .
[In that case, Schwarzer’s little lord Ares, hear your order . Defeat Darius and open the way to victory . How many soldiers do you need?]
[We’ll need to discuss that further . ]
When Sephiros asked about how many soldiers Ares would need, Scion once again spoke up .
Everyone’s eyes turned to Scion once more .
[Ares-dono is a great general who managed to conquer 3 countries in less than a week . I hear that he also brought his own soldiers with him . Heinz is famous for being impregnable . ]
He then continued .
[We cannot afford to reduce our own troops to topple it . I believe that the soldiers that Ares-dono had brought with him is enou…]
[Impossible!]
Silvia who had remained silent all this time finally spoke loudly .
[It’s the same opponent that defeated both my brother and Archduke Saxon as well as repelling back the 300,000 strong Arcadia army . Do you have any idea how much soldiers needed to put down that kind of enemy!?]
[That’s why, we can only rely on Ares-dono…]
[Cut the nonsense! You have no idea how the war actually goes! Moreover, Ares-dono brought no more than 5000 troops with him]
The two started to argue, but Ares himself actually raised his hand, taking everyone’s attention to him .
[… . I can be careless about that . ]
That words from Ares diffused the situation .
[I’m grateful that Her Highness Silvia spoke up for me . I thank you . However, as a measure, I have to agree with Scion-dono’s suggestion . It’s the best path we can take . I’ll be Lord Darius’ opponent . ]
Ares then resumed after a brief pause .
[It’s undeniable that we’ll need all of our forces to topple Heinz . First, I will provoke Lord Darius to come out and fight me . The whole army can make use of the opening to conquer Heinz in the meantime . It may prove to be difficult to defeat Lord Darius…but it’s true that we won’t be able to conquer Heinz otherwise . ]
Silence spread throughout the audience .
After narrowing his eyes for a short while, Sephiros finally announce his order .
[Very well . Here is My order: Schwarzer little lord Ares and his troops are to hold back Darius Grants . ]
[Please wait!]
It was Silvia who interrupted Sephiros .
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[Last time, Darius managed to repel the 300,000 strong Arcadian force . Ares-dono this time will only lead 5000 strong troops with him . I can only think of this as equivalent to suicide . At the very least, please add my troops to his…]
[Ares-dono had conquered 3 countries with the same amount of troops . Shouldn’t he be able to do so again?]
Hearing Silvia’s plea, Scion laid down his argument .
[Rozenheim’s little lord! Do you realize that it’s the same as you are sending Ares-dono to his death!?]
With the two started arguing again, the army leader as well as the head of the Imperial Knight, Randolph, finally raised his voice .
[I must agree with Scion-dono . As Scion-dono said, judging from Darius’ character, he’ll surely come out to fight . However, he should also know better than to leave the palace empty . He won’t bring too many army with him this time, am I correct?]
Everyone stayed silent, listening to the words of the man who controls the entire military power of the Arcadia empire .
[Lord Randolph’s statement is exactly what I meant . Your Majesty, command us]
Sephiros took that cue and announced his command .
Adopting Scion’s suggestion, only Ares and his private army will head out to Heinz . The entire main force will march back to Heinz a few days later to conquer it .
With the decision made… the war council was adjourned, and all those present returned to their own camp .
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When Scion returned to his camp, he called for a man .
A man whose face was covered in mask and dressed in gray robe appeared before him .
[O Gala, everything went according to your plan . ]
[… . thank you very much . With this, my hatred to that vessel of the『War God』will finally be appeased…]
That man called Gala let out a creepy laugh .
[That man will only have his own troops . Even I do not have any idea why he did not show any objection… however, his actions still fit within my plan . After this, if everything went as planned, then all is fine . Without that man, milord will be able to reign over Arcadia…]
Scion looked at the laughing Gala with a cold gaze .
He picked up this man a few years ago, mostly because they have mutual interests .
Scion was [to reign over Arcadia Empire]
While Gala was [to bring chaos into Arcadia Empire]
Scion did not understand one bit of what in the world the man is thinking or why he refused to show his face in public . However, thanks to Gala’s help, Scion was able to become the head of the largest political faction in the empire . And he’s still gaining even more power up to this day .
This time, Gala insisted in removing Ares Schwarzer from the map .
Gala referred to him as a vessel of the『War God』and showed clear hatred to the young man .
Gala’s proposed plans may also lead to the decline of Arcadia Empire . Of course, Scion thought that it’s no good . However… with Ares having gained too much recognition that he might overshadow Scion in the future, he had no choice but to follow Gala’s suggestion this time .
[I have to do it anyways… especially in regard to『that』, we must proceed with utmost care…]
Scion whispered to himself as he looked at the small box that Gala has handed out to him . .
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Meanwhile, Ares was being lectured by Silvia .
[Why did you not say any objection to His Majesty!? What are you thinking!? Are you seeking for death!?]
Silvia shook Ares body violently with her two hands out of annoyance…
[Well…can you calm down and listen to me?]
[How can I be calm?! Who will back Cornelia and Zerias if you are gone…]
[Now now… please listen to me . ]
Ares spoke gently as he peeled away Silvia’s hands .
[First of all, I must make this clear . His Majesty won’t change his decision now . ]
[Guh…]
Silvia couldn’t refute that . Ares was right . Sephiros never took his words back .
[Scion is undoubtedly planning something . Lord Randolph also acted suspicious, seeing how he had always remained silent up until then . I suppose he also wanted a bite out of me . ]
[That man should’ve been in my brother’s camp… I see, he’s changing his mind after my brother’s previous failure]
Silvia was hit by a realization .
[But if you know that, why did you still go along with them? You shouldn’t have given way so easily?]
Ares responded with a smile .
[Didn’t I told Your Highness already back at Redgear?]
Ares stuck out his tongue mischievously .
[I want to rack up great merits and achievements that no one else could hope to compare . I’m just that greedy . ]
[But you already…]
[No, it’s not enough yet . In this war, conquering Grants is the greatest goal . The one who managed to capture Heinz will get the greatest of merits . If I make such an achievement in this war, don’t you think it’ll be a great backing for Cornelia and Zerias?]
Ares continued to speak after laughing heartilly .
[If one wants to gamble… and it’s best to go all in . When this battle is over…let’s see what kind of face Scion and those aristocrats will make . ]
The next day, Ares marched along with his 5,000 strong Black Legion .
On the other hand, hearing the news, Darius also set out with 15,000 elite Grants soldiers .
The battle that invoked so many speculations is about to begin .