42. Devour the split iron! (4)
At the announcement of Ze-ron, the entire Western Continent of Iron heated up.
First, Roteon was furious.
Using the anti-imperialist faction, Ze-ron drove it as if there was a back deal with the Empire.
Then those who came from the anti-imperialist faction began to shake.
People of the existing pro-imperialist faction were also dissatisfied with this decision of Zeron.
Even if the anti-imperialists disliked it, trying to sell the country was another matter.
When the situation was like this, Seongguk and Roteon reacted immediately.
「The Holy Kingdom resists the tyranny of the Empire! The pope’s conviction statement!”
“Rotheon will fight to the end to guarantee Iron’s freedom!”
Taking this incident as an opportunity, the two countries held a public opinion war to win Iron’s heart.
In the case of Talos, public opinion was not good throughout the Western Continent, so he was strategically excluded from this public opinion contest.
As a result, the situation became increasingly unfavorable for the Empire.
At this rate, there was a high possibility that the Empire and Jayron would become the axis of evil.
However, even in this situation, the Empire responded calmly.
「Unless the majority of irons agree, I will not accept it!」
Contrary to the expectation that they would immediately accept Jayron’s request and actively intervene, the Empire acted cautiously.
After the official announcement of the empire, the emperor immediately stepped forward.
“I will not intervene in matters inside Iron. We hope that peaceful decision-making will be made through dialogue.”
When the emperor of the empire announced that he would never intervene in Iron’s affairs, opinions within Iron began to change.
The Empire’s will not to intervene in Iron was not just talking. In fact, the entire army also withdrew from Iron’s capital and retreated near the border.
Then, Iron’s internal public opinion changed in an instant.
Even though the empire withdrew, Roteon was crushing it on the spot.
They even advanced little by little with the momentum to occupy the capital if necessary.
In fact, Roteon had no choice but to make this decision because the anti-Imperial faction was already collapsing within Iron.
“Shouldn’t we be bitten too?”
“… … If you go long term, you will lose. You have to make a decision.”
At the adjutant’s words, the Duke of Pyrrès frowned and said,
The Empire’s intelligence department had already started to outrun Roteon’s intelligence department, and the internal affairs of Iron were also leaning towards the empire.
In such a situation, there would be no benefit in acting in the same way as the Empire.
Now, like it or not, the time has come to see the final decision.
“But the inside of the Roteon says we will wait a little longer and see the situation.”
“after… … .”
Roteon has already expressed an opinion that we should defeat the military and observe the situation.
But you don’t have to follow it.
On the battlefield, the commander-in-chief’s orders were the top priority.
“If we can’t make a decision here, there’s no point.”
Already, the Duke of Pires’ opinion was firm. Seongguk was also of the same opinion, and he was trying to somehow break through the Imperial Northern Army and get even the detached corps into Iron.
All that was left was Talos.
I know it’s a difficult situation because I’ve been marked as a traitor in the entire Western Continent, but I hoped that they would make a quick decision nonetheless.
‘If the three countries do not move together, there is no chance of winning.’
Ironically, the main force of the army has already recovered, and most of the elite troops of the Empire are concentrated in the vicinity of Iron.
That’s why Talos’ army was absolutely necessary.
“Duke Cleta… … .”
* * *
The Duke of Pires, eagerly awaiting a call from the Duke of Cleta.
However, contrary to the wishes of the Duke of Pires, the Duke of Cletta was unable to make a decision easily.
“Your Majesty the King wants the army to be removed.”
“Do you think the kingdom will have a future if it is subtracted from here?”
“But if we don’t withdraw now, the kingdom itself is in danger.”
At the words of the Home Minister from Talos, Duke Cleta sighed.
“Is the Marquis of Altane of the same opinion?”
The Minister of Home Affairs shook his head at Duke Cleta’s question.
“He also wants to settle this time. However… … Things are not going well. If the Marquis of Altan doesn’t return, the central area is also in danger within 15 days. If you want to make a decision, you have to do it in it.”
Duke Cleta’s eyes widened at the Home Minister’s words.
“Fortnight? Do you think that makes sense?”
How do you end the war within 15 days against the Empire’s main force and Iron’s regular army?
Seeing the Minister of Home Affairs talking nonsense, Duke Cleta frowned.
“That is how serious the situation is.”
“How long have you been doing that?”
Duke Cleta tilted her head with an expression of incomprehension.
“The pirates of the Issa Islands have launched a massive raid on Talos.”
“If it’s an ally, it should be enough to stop the pirates… … .”
“Meanwhile, southern pirates started plundering.”
“her… … .”
When the Home Minister sighed and said, Duke Cleta put on a puzzled expression.
“It’s not just that. A horde of demons has started working near the border. At the same time, bandits are infested.”
“Are you saying that all criminals in the western continent are flocking to their country?”
“you’re right.”
“… … .”
He spoke sarcasticly, but the Minister of Home Affairs responded with a serious expression.
“Of course, there will be special forces belonging to the Empire. The problem is that they clutter the interior of the country.”
“The reason why I am so swayed by that kind of criminal group… … .”
“It is not a criminal group.”
With that said, the Minister of Home Affairs showed evidence that the imperial military units had been deployed.
“Why are they… … .”
Duke Cletta had a confused expression on his face.
I know that the only Confederate army in the Empire that can afford to send special forces is in the vicinity of Iron.
“On the borders of the Empire there will be minimal troops left. It will remain as a showpiece.”
“Is it possible that all the remaining troops were sent to Talos?”
“The Marquis Altan sees it that way.”
It was only then that I knew how things were going after the Minister of Home Affairs said.
1. Due to the pirates, the majority of the remaining troops in Talos fell to the south.
2. The Confederate army, disguised as a horde of demons, attacked the empty border by the command of the southern commander.
3. As the borders became chaotic, Talos forces hastily dispatched the remaining troops to stop the hordes.
4. As a result of this, security in various places became unstable, and all kinds of criminals began to infest.
Seeing southern pirates, bandits, and criminal groups gathering in Talos meant that Talos’ current situation was a mess.
“It’s a total mess.”
Hearing Duke Cletta’s words, the Minister of Home Affairs said with a bitter smile.
“Not only that.”
“You mean there again?”
“The principality has moved.”
“They will have a hard time stopping Roman now… … .”
Duke Cleta stopped talking.
The current principality is in fact a vassal state of the empire.
“I’m going to hit our border with some of the Eastern Army.”
“That’s right. As some of the Roman forces have left, we are putting some of our forces into the conflict zone of Talos.”
Only then did the Minister of Home Affairs explain why the duke was strongly requesting a withdrawal.
If there was really no assurance that the war would end within 15 days, the troops had to withdraw.
“… … I see.”
“I’m sorry.”
The Minister of the Interior bowed his head at Duke Cleta’s decision.
He, too, was able to understand how important this time is as he listened to the explanation of the Marquis of Altan.
Now that the Imperial Army has fallen behind, it was necessary to take over the capital of Iron and negotiate with the Empire, or seize the whole of Iron and enter into a great war with the Empire.
Fighting the elite forces of the three countries would be burdensome for even the Empire.
From the warlocks to the civil war, this was the only golden opportunity to weaken the power of the empire.
“You mean you won’t give me a chance in the first place.”
As the Empire drags on time, Talos collapses. Then the Roteon will collapse.
If you want to hold out even a little longer, it was right to regroup here.
Of course, even if he rejoined now, the future of Talos was bound to be bleak.
‘It will be at least 10 years. Maybe before that… … .’
Despite the prospect of such a future, he had no choice but to return for immediate survival.
The southern commander of the empire who came in to attack their gap was also afraid, but the most fearful was the emperor.
While they were holding them in Iron, they were terrified of the Emperor’s scheme, which even planned to move the Pirate King and the criminal group to swallow Talos.
What if the Duke of Cletta is greedy and beats Iron without returning?
“The Emperor may even have plans to bring back some of his troops to eat Talos.”
The plate has already been laid.
It was a choice between giving up the main camp and eating the iron, or giving up the iron and protecting the main camp.
Perhaps by eating Iron, he could force the Empire to focus on the West. But the probability of that happening was very low.
“Send this letter to Roteon.”
“Yes.”
In the end, Duke Cletta’s choice was more stable than gambling.
The king and other ministers also chose stability, and if so, the duke would have no choice but to follow it.
* * *
The Duke’s letter went straight to Roteon’s army. Upon receiving the letter, the Duke of Pires wrinkled his face.
“after… … It’s ruined.”
The Duke of Cletta who decided to regroup.
Although it was certainly resentful, the Duke of Cleta handed over all of her private wealth to the Duke of Pires.
Even if it was himself, it was highly likely that he would have decided to withdraw in this situation.
“… … go back.”
“Yes.”
At the point Talos was gone, it was no longer profitable to remain on Iron.
Above all, Roteon was also in a situation where the damage was accumulating as southern pirates began to rampage.
In addition, the shadows of the empire were stirring up Roteon, and enormous funds were being consumed.
Eventually, Roteon also decided to withdraw, and the Seongguk, who heard the news, also began to withdraw from the border with the Empire.
“Will it come true in the end?”
The Pope sighed.
“I’m sorry.”
As if the sun sword had committed a mortal sin, it lowered its head.
But listening to it, it was unavoidable.
It was impossible for the Grand Duke, who had reached the 6th level, to throw away his pride and even pursue a pincer attack to pass the time, so it was impossible for the Sunsword, which had not reached the master level, to quickly kill him and break through.
The problem is then
“The new master of the empire… … .”
Those who reached Master ranks, including the Pope, knew this.
How powerful these so-called ‘geniuses’ are.
Called the geniuses of the century in history, they were so powerful that even the Masters felt a sense of shame.
Marquis Sicario, who is said to be the strongest in the West Continent, was like that… …
It was all because of the monstrous Marquis Sicario that the Holy Kingdom could not expand its territory even a little in the cold northern part.
However, in the eyes of the pope, the Grand Duke’s Sogaju was a bigger monster than the Marquis Sicario.
“The future looks bleak.”
If the sun sword had killed the monster of the grand duke’s family, even if the war had been lost, it would have been a great achievement.
But on the contrary, it gave him more experience.
The life-and-death battle for a swordsman who has reached the 6th stage also provides a clue to the next stage.
Perhaps a new Master might be born at an early hour.
What if there was an empire that devoured Iron and the Principality?
“The unification of the Western Continent… … . I can’t let it be easy.”
The pope who muttered like that looked at the sun sword. The future was dark, but I had to make a move.
If the three countries, including Seongguk, gave birth to a new master, it would have been possible to try to prevent even an empire from easily contemplating unification.
“It seems that the role of the sun sword will become more important in the future.”
“certainly… … I’ll break through the wall.”
The pope nodded slightly as he looked at the sun sword speaking while clenched his teeth, and got into the white carriage.
In order to survive the great threat to come, Seongguk had to lock the door tightly.
And it was the same with Roteon and Talos.
After losing the war with Iron, the three remaining countries in the Western Continent had to prepare to struggle to survive.