C525
"...The scale of the Imperial Army's vanguard?"
"1000 knights, 100 magicians, and 5 dragons. The commander is Kevin Ferrell of the Dragon King Knights. Notable knights include Scott Harlow of the Central Knights, Marvin Pan, and Gloria Zenderer of the White Knights. The magician commander is Loya Lilitha, mainly composed of the Second Division of the Lilitha Magic Corps."
"50 lion-class cannons, 3 red dragon-class cannons, and a number of barrier amplification artifacts have been confirmed as war artifacts."
Even with that, there weren't many nations in the world that couldn't be conquered.
Excluding the main factions, it was overwhelming for a single nation or clan.
Furthermore, the lists recited by the commanders were only for the vanguard.
The size of the main force that would arrive later was incomparable.
"The scale of the main force has not been determined yet, but it is estimated to be at least ten times larger."
The atmosphere in the conference room became heavy.Those who guessed Ron's condition renewed their determination once again, and those who didn't continued to think about the white stone.
"Three hours, faster than expected. The Emperor must know that Ron is not in a condition to fight. Probably, that's why they've rushed to come. The main force will probably arrive a couple of hours after the vanguard."
It was as Shuras said.
Crack!
Suddenly, Shuras split the long table in the conference room in half and walked among them until he stood in front of Dante.
Then, he knelt down and bowed.
"I, Shuras Helter, patriarch of the Helter Family. My knights under my control and I will share the same fate as Hairan."
As Shuras pledged, the other knights fell to their knees as well.
"Sellington will also fight alongside Hairan!"
"My Lofermo Family would have perished in antiquity if not for Hairan. It's weak, but it will help."
"My Traga Family will support Hairan."
"My clan...."
Thirty representatives from each clan and family in the conference room swore loyalty to Dante and Hairan.
Then, there were seven people left.
They were the most shocked by the news that Ron had lost consciousness.
After Dante solemnly placed a sword on the shoulders of those who had sworn allegiance and they responded, he looked at them in silence.
"Family Kingzel, Family Felicie, Family Metingh, Family Baizerin, Family Panega, Family Mitro, Family Zinion."
"Dante-nim, we...."
"You have betrayed your trust with Hairan. You have forgotten that my clan, my grandfather, and my ancestors fought for your well-being."
The representatives of the seven clans and families couldn't lift their heads at Dante's words.
The knights who still knelt were ready to behead them at any moment if Dante gave the order.
"But I don't want to believe that you abandoned Hairan's faith simply out of fear for your life and the survival of your clan. I will assume that you chose to maintain loyalty to the Empire rather than loyalty to Hairan. So, before you leave, there is something you must do for the Empire."
"Speak... please."
"Help evacuate the people from Sword Emperor Castle. If you're not even willing to do that, it means you haven't chosen loyalty, and I have no reason to forgive you."
The seven knights who didn't swear loyalty bowed their heads and left the conference room.
"Golo-nim."
"Yes, my lord!"
"Evacuate all non-combatant vassals and subjects. If the seven clans don't help in the process, you can behead them immediately."
"I will do as you command."
"Also, all rank-and-file soldiers must be evacuated."
The rank-and-file soldiers were mainly responsible for operating equipment and supply, as well as maintaining guard and post-battle control. If rank-and-file soldiers were absent, lower-ranking knights would have to operate equipment like cannons themselves, causing a certain loss of power. However, Dante didn't want to make them assume too harsh a responsibility.
If they lose the war, their entire family will die just by standing on the walls.
After the evacuation, only 3000 low-ranking knights, 1000 high-ranking knights, and 50 commander-level knights, including Dante, remained in the castle.
They could handle a vanguard force, but it was unfortunately insufficient to face the entire empire.
Dante and his commanders climbed the walls.
The restoration has continued since the last terrorist attack, but Sword Emperor Castle has not yet regained its original appearance.
Cracks remained everywhere on the walls, and there are many empty spaces.
Anyway, it wasn't a fight for defense.
All rank-and-file soldiers were sent out, and more than half of the war equipment was damaged during the terror, so they couldn't hold the fortress for long.
Regardless of the war's outcome, today marked the end for Sword Emperor Castle.
Dante simply wanted to capture this scene in his eyes for the last time.
"I know what you mean. What if the imperial family chooses Zipple and decides to end Hairan?"
"You stop that on your own."
"I'm not the patriarch of Zipple, but the next patriarch. I don't have that much authority."
"I'm joking; Runcandel will join Hairan at that time."
Dante suddenly recalled his friends' conversation as he watched them tear down the tents set up under the walls and evacuate people at the commanders' command.
When he and Jin asked Beradin to urge Zipple to press Hairan even more.
The three had assumed to some extent the possibility of such a total war.
However, it was entirely unexpected that Ron would lose consciousness and that the emperor would reveal Hairan's secret to the entire world.
Who would have imagined that Ron would be unable to fight?
Ron's injuries during the terrorist attack were not at all severe. It should have been a normal injury that would take at most a week or a month to recover.
Dante didn't know why Ron's injury had worsened so much.
"My grandfather cannot wake up, and it seems unlikely that we can win this war now, even if Jin comes."
Dante thought that getting Jin's help would be like dragging a friend into a quagmire.
Jin was not yet the patriarch of Runcandel.
And, if objectively evaluated, Hairan without Ron had no value for Runcandel to confront the Empire.
Dante received paper and pen from the commander next to him.
It was to send a letter to Jin, asking him not to come to their aid.
"Send this to Tikan immediately."
The commander took the letter and descended the wall.
If Jin came, there was a good chance that Dante could survive.
As Jin had mentioned during his conversation with Beradin, even if he couldn't bring the entire Runcandel with him, he would undoubtedly bring enough troops to rescue Dante.
But Dante was convinced that he would rather die fighting together than choose to escape and survive alone.
Thousands of Warriors risked their lives for Hairan and rebelled.
He was never able to prioritize his survival as the lord of Sword Emperor Castle.
Following Dante's orders and the commanders', the knights deployed throughout the castle.
The eyes of the knights were heavily stained with the resolution of a desperate struggle.
All that was left was to await the arrival of the enemies.
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"A white stone? Does he plan to eliminate Sword Emperor Castle with such a justification?"
Rosa, examining the report, raised an eyebrow.
"We have never obtained any information about this White Stone. It could be a lie created for justification."
"It could be true. However, that's not important. The fact that the Emperor is making such a move indicates his confidence in defeating Ron's Sword Emperor Castle."
"After the terrorist attack on Sword Emperor Castle, Ron Hairan almost stopped his external activities. And he has not been active at all for the last 15 days."
"It may be that he cannot fight, as I predicted before... Not seeing a response even though the Emperor has raised an army is almost certain."
"There is still no full-scale movement, but Zipple may be taking care of the Emperor."
"If the White Stone is worth as much as the Emperor said, Zipple will surely back him up."
"Should I prepare the knights?"
Rosa thought for a moment about her youngest son, rather than responding to the scribe's words.
"And the Twelfth Flagbearer?"
"He is safe inside Tikan, but the detailed internal situation is unknown due to the patriarch's order."
"That child will definitely go to Sword Emperor Castle. I think the sudden vacation request of the Fourth Flagbearer has something to do with it."
"Leading Runcandel's knights and going to Sword Emperor Castle without permission from the patriarch in function..."
"You are making quite an absurd assertion. When has the youngest acted with such timidity? Besides, even if the youngest doesn't have the clan's knights with him, he has a solid force of his own."
The scribe tilted his head.
'I don't know exactly what kind of White Stone Hairan has, but there's nothing wrong with having it, seeing that the Emperor is so eager for it.'
However, it was burdensome to take a step forward without any information or justification.
If, by chance, the White Stone had no special value, Runcandel would be interfering in the Empire's civil war without any benefit.
"For now, let's see how the youngest handles the situation. However, if we detect a situation where Zipple or Kinzelo is actively coming out, we will act accordingly. Watch the place closely. Also, make a statement that Runcandel has nothing to do with the civil war in Hairan."
This way, if Jin's actions led to unfavorable results, they could naturally position it as not representing the judgment of all of Runcandel.
On the other hand, if it ended well, it would once again highlight the capabilities and tenacity of Runcandel's Twelfth Flagbearer.
"Yes, as you command."
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The emperor's vanguard army arrived at the plains of Sword Emperor Castle.
Dante stood in the middle of the wall at the gate and observed them.
Five dragons, a thousand knights, a hundred magicians, fifty-three cannons, and barrier equipment were aimed at the main gate of Sword Emperor Castle.
The back gate and the side gate seemed to be surrounded by the main force anyway, so there was no need to pay attention.
"I am Kevin Ferrell, Vanguard Commander of the Civil War Repression Army under His Majesty, the great Emperor Amir Vermont! Ron Hairan, Lord of Sword Emperor Castle, come now and receive the edict of His Majesty!" shouted Kevin Ferrell as he gazed at Sword Emperor Castle from atop a red dragon.
Dante and the commanders did not respond to his words.
Kevin, feeling somewhat ignored, raised his voice even more.
He had heard from the Emperor beforehand, but he had just seen with his own eyes that Ron couldn't fight.
"Is Ron Hairan absent? If so, young patriarch, Dante Hairan, heed His Majesty's edict and obey...!"
Swish!
Before he could finish his sentence, Kevin felt a chilling sensation like the wind entering his chest.
"What...?"
A hole appeared in his chest.
Kevin completely ignored that moment, but it happened right after something flashed on the walls of Sword Emperor Castle.
The light came from Dante's sword.
The sword that had pierced through Kevin's chest had already returned to its sheath, and only a few were aware of its speed.
As Kevin began to fall from the back of the dragon, Dante spoke.
"No one dares to scorn Sword Emperor Castle in the Empire, not even the Emperor. So, if someone wishes to convey the Emperor's will, they must defeat me and speak."
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