I Became a Level -99 Vicious Lord

Completely losing her composure, Bathory continued to rant and rave, hurling all sorts of curses and thrashing about even after Otto had completely disappeared.

For Bathory, this was the first time she had ever experienced such humiliation.

Born as a princess of a great power, appointed as the crown princess at a very young age, and crowned in her mid-twenties, this humiliation was not something she was used to.

Moreover, she was not only exceptional in lineage but also a warrior with formidable political skills, diplomatic abilities, and tremendous martial power.

For someone like her to fall into such a trap, be thoroughly humiliated, and then mocked on top of it all, her anger went through the roof.

How severe must her anger have been for her to lose even her dignity and composure as a Lord, resorting to every possible curse and degrading remark.

The trap Otto had set was so insidious, and the mockery so infuriating.

So much so that even the cold and rational sovereign Bathory lost her composure and nearly went mad.

“You.. fuc… king… damn. bastard.”

*Crack*

She clenched her teeth so hard that one of her molars cracked.

But even so, nothing would change.

There was nothing she could do about it.

Otto had already flown away on Khamak and what was the use of getting angry.

"……."

"……."

"……."

Meanwhile, the Erzsebet Kingdom's troops, having witnessed the scene was greatly disappointed in Bathory.

When the King herself declared she would lead the campaign, the morale of the Erzsebet Kingdom's army was exceptionally high.

However, after Bathory lost her composure and unleashed a torrent of curses following Otto's mockery, the army's perception of her turned completely around.

The image of her as a competent, dignified, and powerful sovereign was instantaneously reduced to the image of a dog chasing a chicken.

Moreover, the fact that a King of a great power had been toyed with by the young ruler of an emerging power shattered the pride of the Erzsebet Kingdom's army.

If Bathory had managed to endure and maintain her dignified demeanor, it would have been better, but her loss of composure and subsequent rampage caused a great disturbance in the minds of the troops.

Batori was not unaware of this.

‘Oops.'

But by the time she came to her senses, it was already too late.

*Tremble*

Bathory made an effort to suppress her anger as much as possible and tried to regain her composure.

After a bit of time had passed.

“…Attend to the wounded first.”

Bathory commanded the knights.

“We need to save as many as possible. Halt the march, and concentrate on the immediate situation.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

In the end, Bathory had to abandon the march.

Continuing the march while ignoring the wounded would undoubtedly lead to a loss of morale, so Bathory reluctantly ordered the management of the injured, even though it was a bitter necessity.

In her heart, she wanted nothing more than to immediately advance the army into the Uruk Plains, disregarding the wounded and everything else.

“Additionally.”

Bathory issued another command.

“Inform the Raging Wolf Clan that our army will be delayed by about a week.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Even with the swift management of the wounded, it would still take at least 2 to 3 days.

Moreover, since the canyon had collapsed, they would have to take a much longer route to reach the Uruk Plains.

In other words, it wasn’t just about the high number of casualties.

The real problem was that being caught off guard in such an unexpected way meant the war would be prolonged even further.

From the perspective of the Erzsebet Kingdom, which needed to end the war as quickly as possible, it was a devastating setback.

Additionally, the longer the Erzsebet Kingdom's army was delayed, the more precarious the situation would become for the Raging Wolf Clan.

If the Raging Wolf Clan were to collapse before the Erzsebet Kingdom's army arrived, it would be the worst possible thing that could happen.

* * *

Meanwhile, the neighboring powers around the Erzsebet Kingdom have received the information that Otto has leaked and immediately prepare for war.

With Bathory personally leading a large army into the Uruk Plains, it was the perfect opportunity for the surrounding powers.

While they might not be able to completely destroy the Erzsebet Kingdom, a surprise invasion would be enough to gobble up some territory and secure strategic points of defense.

Among these major powers was the Arad Empire, currently the strongest power in the world.

Coincidentally, the person who governed the western part of the Arad Empire, which bordered the Erzsebet Kingdom, was the Emperor's younger sister, Grand Duchess Rowena.

Since she had a very poor relationship with Bathory, Rowena had no intention of missing such a golden opportunity.

And…

"It's been a while. Heheh."

Despite the threat of assassination, Archduke Wazir went out of his way to meet with Rowena.

From the start, Archduke Wazir had little fear of assassination.

With Olive, the most powerful Head Maid in history, there was little need to worry about being assassinated.

“I greet the Archduke.”

Rowena welcomed Wazir warmly.

Rowena's respect for Wazir was truly immense.

In the past, when Wazir was in the Arad Empire, Rowena had been one of his students, and they had maintained a very good relationship ever since.

Moreover, for Rowena, who harbored ambitions of ascending to the throne through rebellion, Wazir was an exceptionally attractive figure.

If Wazir were to make a formal declaration of support, it would be perfect ammunition for her rebellion.

For Rowena, who was already looking to expand her influence by bringing Otto, the ruler of the emerging power, into her fold, Wazir's visit was a welcome development.

“You have traveled a long way, Teacher.”

“Hehehe. What a long way.”

"No, I’m grateful just for your visit. Hohoho."

Rowena went out of her way to serve Wazir with utmost respect and even took the initiative to scratch any itches he might have had.

“Bathory is really pushing things to the limit. Not only did he dare to meddle with you Teacher, but despite the homeland glaring with wide-open eyes, she is leading a large-scale military force to the Uruk plains.”

“Are you already aware of this? Heheh.”

"King Otto of Scuderia sent a messenger."

"Heheh. That boy. Quite swift, isn't he?"

"I will report to His Majesty the Emperor immediately and then mobilize the army to attack the Erzsebet Kingdom."

Despite Wazir not having mentioned it first, Rowena stated that she would attack the Erzsebet Kingdom.

For Rowena, it was a win-win situation with multiple benefits.

If Rowena mobilized the Arad Empire’s army to attack the Erzsebet Kingdom, she could achieve three key benefits.

She would win the favor of both Wazir and Otto.

And would give Bathory, whom she had always disliked, a proper blow.

Moreover, for Rowena, who was plotting a rebellion, the Erzsebet Kingdom was a thorn in her side.

If a rebellion were to occur and the Erzsebet Kingdom were to strike from the rear, it would make Rowena very easy prey.

“Will you really do that?”

Wazir asked Rowena with a smile.

“Of course, given how solid the borders of the Erzsebet Kingdom are, it might be difficult to achieve significant results.”

“Indeed."

The Erzsebet Kingdom is a great power.

Not only was the Erzsebet Kingdom not foolish enough to leave its crucial border with the Arad Empire undefended, but the quality and quantity of the troops stationed in the surrounding areas were also immense.

Their defenses were so strong that even the strongest Aradian army could not easily penetrate them.

Both Wazir and Rowena were well aware of that fact.

Despite that, the reason Rowena stated she would invade the Erzsebet Kingdom was quite simple.

Even just the Arad Empire’s presence near the border, casually probing and poking, would force the Erzsebet Kingdom to become highly alert and further reinforce their border defenses.

It would be difficult for the Erzsebet Kingdom to withdraw its troops casually in order to defend its territory in case of an attack by the Arad Empire.

In other words, the Arad Empire's army led by Rowena would serve to pin down the main forces of the Erzsebet Kingdom stationed at the border.

So that the surrounding kingdoms would be free to launch their attacks.

“You really scratch this old man’s itch well. Heheheh.”¹

“You're welcome.”

Rowena smiled broadly.

“If someone dares to attempt to assassinate my esteemed Teacher, they should deserve to pay the price.”

“Kekeke.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll show Bathory a lesson. Hohoho.”

Rowena seemed already pleased at the thought of getting back at her rival, Bathory, regardless of everything else.

“If you do that, this old man will be more than grateful. Hehe."

Wazir said with a smile to Rowena.

“I’ll make sure to relay this well to our Otto… I mean, His Majesty the King. Hahaha.”

“I’d be very grateful if you could do that. Hohoho.”

Rowena was very pleased with Wazir’s words, having been keeping an eye on Otto since the founding anniversary banquet of the Arad Empire.

Currently, Otto’s value was truly astronomical.

He is the heir to the Kuntachi family, known for its swordsmanship and magic, the son-in-law of the Northern Grand Duke Salzburg family, and on top of that, he has Wazir by his side?

For Rowena, who dreams of ascending to the throne through rebellion, Otto was undoubtedly a highly coveted target.

And….

‘He's so handsome, I think I'll take this opportunity to invite him to a banquet and have a drink with him.'

At the thought of Otto's face, a faint blush appeared on Rowena's cheeks.

*Thump* *Thump* *Thump*

Just thinking about his handsome face made it feel like a spring breeze was gently blowing in her heart on this cold winter day.

‘While Elise is pretty, I'm no slouch either… Yes, that's right. How can a person live on just rice alone.'²

Rowena, lost in thoughts of Otto, ended up daydreaming.

She was a young lioness with a colossal ambition in her heart.

She was a cold-blooded individual, unyielding and ruthless, with no room for pity or tears in her pursuit of ambition.

Yet, whenever she thought of Otto's face, it felt as if her icy heart melted away.

The perceptive Wazir did not miss the change in Rowena's expression.

‘Hmm?'

Wazir was surprised to see Rowena's face faintly tinged with a hint of pink.

‘N-No way? Has Rowena fallen for Otto?'

If that were the case.

If such a thing really happens…

‘Oh, no!'

Just thinking about it gave Wazir a headache, and he felt a wave of dizziness hit him.

Wazir knew all too well what kind of person and woman Rowena was.

So, if a love triangle involving Otto, Elise, and Rowena were to form, Wazir could easily predict the kind of chaos that would ensue.

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On the other hand, upon returning to the Thunderhoof Clan's encampment, Otto immediately shared the news.

"Chwiik!"

Bagram jumped to his feet as soon as he heard Otto's words.

“Immediately press the Raging Wolf Clan while we have the opportunity! Chwiik!"

Bagram's point was well-founded.

At this point, with the Erzsebet Kingdom's forces delayed by at least a week from joining the Raging Wolf Clan, the Thunderhoof Clan and the Lota Kingdom's forces needed to take advantage.

Even if the Erzsebet Kingdom's army joins, wouldn't the Thunderhoof Clan and the Lota Kingdom's army still be able to gain the advantage?

That was an extremely reasonable and obvious judgment.

But it seemed that Otto had a somewhat different perspective.

“No.”

Otto shook his head.

“Attacking now is pointless. Wait a bit."

"Chwiik? What does that mean?"

"We need to wait until the time is right. If we attack the Raging Wolf Clan now, the Erzsebet Kingdom's army will conserve its full strength."

“Chwiik?”

"The Raging Wolf Clan and the Erzsebet Kingdom's army. We need to deal with both. There's no reason to just take one when we can catch both. It would be a waste otherwise."

Otto flashed his characteristic devilish smile.

It was the exact expression he made when putting enemies into the wringer.

** ** **

TL/N:

1. Imagine a person who has been struggling with a particular issue, and someone comes along and resolves it efficiently.

2. This rhetorical remark implies that people need more than just the basics (like rice) to live, hinting at the need for variety or other necessities in life.