ALL NOVEL Chapter 199
The Emperor of the Empire is not an individual even down to a single finger.
His body is a symbol of the Empire, and the nation itself. Every action and word he utters carries immense weight.
Though Acella is present, for such an Emperor to come to me directly to communicate his business?
If there was something to say, he could simply call someone far below him. This meant either there was a matter of urgency or a command that needed to be conveyed to me.
“To ask is too much of an expression, Your Majesty. If you give a command, I will gladly serve as a loyal vassal.”
As I showed my respect in response, the Emperor nodded.
“Acella, I will speak to Gothberg alone.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
It was a topic that Acella should not be privy to. With her leaving the room at the Emperor’s gesture, Ambrosia swiftly showed me an urgent letter.
“It seems the Duke’s territory has been attacked. This is not good.”
“I received word from the communication sphere fifteen minutes ago. It’s not just the Schwarzwald Duke’s territory. There are reports from the western kingdom and several small countries. It’s the undead army.”
The undead army. It was undoubtedly the attack of the Four Heavenly King, Ritch.
“It’s war.”
The Emperor declared solemnly.
Historically, events were happening far too quickly. Did the subjugation of Jinzou trigger these developments?
The Demon King’s forces seemed anxious after losing their key personnel. With the main military forces of the continent gathered here, they must have viewed this as a critical opportunity to strike while the stronghold was unguarded.
I checked my status window.
―――――――――――
No. 005: Demon King’s army victory 22% → 31%
No. 095: Allied forces annihilated 28% → 35%
―――――――――――
It wasn’t a particularly threatening attack. The kingdom’s defenses guarded the access point to the Demon Realm, so there likely wasn’t a chance to invade directly.
‘They must have made the bodies from around the continent into undead to launch an attack.’
Still, their attempt to plunge the human realm into chaos was an excellent declaration of war.
If mishandled, several cities could be annihilated by this attack.
“The Duke’s territory has already entered a defensive position. The border defense troops have gone to assist, but the Empire’s strongest unit is here.”
“What about the Temple Knights?”
“Since it was an ambush, the troops that can move via the teleport gate are limited.”
After hearing Ambrosia’s explanation, I asked,
“Your Majesty, what can I do?”
“This battle may be my last one.”
The Emperor said flatly.
“The Empire may fall into chaos for a while.”
This meant the Emperor anticipated the worst-case scenario for this battle.
“Your Majesty.”
“Enough, Ambrosia. It’s better to face the chaos than to not prepare and witness a greater one. Gothberg, you have made a name for yourself across the continent through this martial arts conference and yesterday’s defense.”
“I am honored, Your Majesty.”
“I have one question. Haven’t you considered that the Marquisate would become an independent country for some time now?”
The Emperor’s inquiry was quite sharp.
Indeed, I had been gradually preparing for that. Building a magic factory in my domain to fill the coffers and obtaining the imperial military rights to hire guardians was part of that foundation.
I initially thought it was a far-off future, but things had progressed nicely.
‘The Gothberg family still holds considerable influence within the Empire. They provide maps to the palace and deliver friend-and-family swords to noble families.’
Now that trading routes with the kingdom were established, I could also expand my influence across the continent through the allied forces.
The quicker Gothberg Marquisate becomes independent, the better it will be for me.
It would make it easier to reduce the probabilities of a bad ending.
‘Now, Lishe can just observe, and the remaining bad ends are mainly related to the Demon King’s forces.’
I had erased almost everything I could on my own as an attending physician at the imperial palace.
Now, it was far more beneficial to exercise my influence as a key figure in the countries participating in the allied forces.
“Your Majesty.”
However, if I answered honestly, it would be treason.
“The Empire is the very embodiment of your great achievements, Your Majesty. You have united many small countries and nobles under your command. This is a rare time when the continent has united into an alliance.”
I replied respectfully.
“Even if I have great ambitions, I am not a fool driven by desires. If I recklessly pursue independence and cause a division across the Empire, wouldn’t that be the greatest sin?”
“Quite the opposite, Gothberg.”
The Emperor stated firmly.
“Rather, it would be easier to lead the masses if the Empire recognized someone like you who has made great accomplishments. Especially for my children.”
This was a thought I had never considered.
In other words, the Emperor was saying that after his death, he would openly treat Gothberg as special to prevent other nobles from revolting.
If you want to be independent from the Empire, you must achieve accomplishments like Gothberg’s. If you can’t reach that level, don’t even dream of it. He was nailing it down first.
The approach was different in that he was looking far ahead.
‘I might attract some attention, but.’
It was a beneficial proposal, so there was no reason to refuse.
“I had originally planned to discuss this at a slower pace, but we don’t have the luxury.”
The Emperor stood up from his seat.
“Gothberg, will you leave the imperial palace after this battle?”
“That is…”
I couldn’t give an immediate answer to the Emperor’s question.
In purely practical terms, I no longer had a reason to stay in the palace.
Since the last obstacle, Lishe’s issue had been resolved.
In other words, it meant.
‘That’s a sign that I would resign from my position as attending physician.’
Acella would undoubtedly protest against that.
She would turn fiery-eyed and attempt to confine me.
Of course, if I looked at it rationally, I was no longer essential to Acella.
There were plenty of skilled doctors in the inner palace. There could be numerous candidates to succeed my role as her attending physician.
She was a woman destined to become the empress.
I would become a personal doctor in some country clinic.
Our paths were originally different.
But if you asked if I really wanted to quit being her attending physician right away…
‘Not necessarily.’
The salary was decent, and it was stable.
Even if Acella bothered me, now she seemed somewhat cute.
‘Maybe I’ll talk about it later.’
The chances were slim, but she might unexpectedly understand the circumstances.
“Gothberg.”
As I pondered for a moment, the Emperor spoke.
“I ask you to participate until this battle is over. You are a valuable asset to the Empire.”
Until the Marquisate’s independence, I would show loyalty to the Empire.
That was the Emperor’s final request sent to me.
“I shall obey your command.”
I knelt on one knee and answered.
The Emperor nodded with satisfaction and left the room.
“We plan to depart within thirty minutes. Have the Moonlight Palace prepared.”
“Leave it to me. Will the princess also participate?”
“If my lord does not care for his health, what can be done? I must attend to my girl.”
Ambrosia shrugged and bounced along after the Emperor.
*
Thud thud thud!!
The sound of galloping hooves tore through the plains.
The Empire’s knights crossed a distance that would normally take at least ten days in just six days.
The Moonlight Palace, Mokhwi Palace, Hwarang Palace, and Gold Book Palace, alongside the Emperor’s Imperial Palace, were marked by the banners of the Empire, flapping wildly.
Some troops were left behind due to the forced march, but there was no time to waste. Frequent messages from the communication sphere indicated that the Duke’s territory was in a critical situation.
“The enemy has entered our sight!”
The front scout reported.
The only pathway leading from the kingdom to the Empire, the Sisyphus Gorge, was crawling with black skeletal soldiers.
Undead, skeletons.
“All troops, combat position!”
“Combat position!!”
The imperial army that had come to the kingdom for the martial arts conference numbered around 6,000.
It consisted of some Imperial knights, knights summoned from each palace, the Emperor’s guards, and a troop of healers.
Only 200 were left behind. 5,800 arrived at the gorge.
Considering there were already 20,000 defensive troops waging war in the Duke’s territory, it might not seem like a great reinforcement, but these were the Empire’s elite.
The quality of their combat power was on a different level.
“Yahh!”
As the cavalry, running at 50 kilometers per hour, swung their spears, the skeleton soldiers were shattered in one blow.
The undead army was crushed underfoot by the following troops.
The Imperial army swiftly penetrated into the Duke’s territory and cleared the way.
“It’s nearly time for us to prepare as well.”
Hugo rose from the cargo compartment of the transport wagon as he donned his armor. The medical team and knights from the Moonlight Palace were with him.
“Ugh, I never thought I would be dragged into a real battlefield…!”
“In wartime, inner palace healers may be requisitioned. It’s written in the contract.”
“I should have read it carefully…”
Tanya encouraged the gloomy Chloe.
“But if we survive, there will be plenty of incentives. Let’s go to the luxury store to buy bags.”
“A bag… it happens to be in the new season.”
Chloe’s eyes sparkled with excitement. The doctors and healers finished their preparations, each grabbing a first-aid kit and ready to leap out.
“We’ve arrived!”
“Deploy!”
“Glory to the Empire!”
The wagon stopped, and with a clatter, the cargo door opened.
With cheers, the knights rushed out leading the troops.
They found themselves in the middle of a Duke’s city. Buildings were crumbling here and there, and far off, a siege was ongoing at the castle walls.
The undead, such as skeletons and zombies, occupied the paths. Swish! Tanya boldly swung her sword, creating a gap in the enemy forces.
With the collaboration of the four palace knights, the front lines slowly advanced. They pressured the undead army from both sides along with the defenders protecting the castle walls.
Boom!
While maintaining the frontline, Acella drew a golden magic circle.
Leading the troops, she supported the knights from a distance with ice spears.
“Report from the scouts. It is said that there are still many civilians isolated in the city.”
Acella quickly assessed the situation and made a swift decision.
“Second squad, split up and rescue them.”
“There seem to be many injured or infected individuals, making entry difficult.”
At those words, someone tapped Acella’s shoulder.
Needless to say, it was Lars.
“Your Highness, there are patients.”
“Ugh, fighting will only hurt my mouth.”
Acella gestured for permission with her chin. Lars, grinning, pulled a potion from his pocket and dashed toward the frontline.