Border Guardian Hal Akircius

Julials Castle

The Commander of the Imperial Third Legion had fled without shame or outside information.

Swords, helmets, and shields are thrown away, because such things do nothing to that opponent.

I'd really like to get rid of my armor too, but it's a waste of time.

Now we must tell the Empire of this as soon as possible.

Without wiping the sweat that flowed like a waterfall, the Legion Leader ran.

Time went back a few moments and things happened.

The Imperial Army Third Regiment, which heard of the imminent arrival of a large army in Siluha, took an immediate battle position at the Castle of Julials, contacted the Border Guard and even attempted to report to the Empire.

But to the bandits on horseback who emerged from nowhere. They are stopped exhaustively and end up failing.

Nevertheless, the Third Army of the Empire was solemnly preparing for interception without moving, but it was there that the ghost of Liquinius, who had guarded Castle Julius here for centuries, betrayed it while it was not open.

All the soldiers who stood up were either sanded or part of their bodies collapsed and died.

The remaining soldiers were afraid of the rest of the events and fled and scattered.

"Ku, General Liquinius... betrayed me!

"I'm not the one who betrayed you, you empires."

Suddenly he turns back on his heels in surprise at Liquinius, who appeared in front of him, but his hand touched the shoulder of the Legion Commander.

"Guaaaaaaa!"

At the same time as he exclaimed, he happened to be like a dead tree, and at the end of the day he saw the leader of the legion collapsing into sand, and Liquinius frowned, but as soon as he raised his face he headed to the castle gate.

Iron and stone can do nothing, even if they can breathe the fineness of the living.

The only way to open the gate is to tell the soldiers of the Siluha army that the third legion has been destroyed and ask them to climb through the castle gate.

Arriving some time after the collapse of the Imperial Third Regiment, Asfarif immediately allowed several of his infantry to enter the Castle of Julius and let him open the castle gate to receive the castle.

When he decided on the defensive soldiers and commanders, and brought in food, horse food, and spare weapons, Asfarif headed to the Imperial Gate where Liquinius was.

"... your wishes have been fulfilled, let me go."

When Asfarif arrived at the top of the castle gate, Liquinius, who was watching the wilderness of the eastern provinces of the Empire, spoke without turning around.

"Well, don't be in a hurry, General, say from the past. It would be a person's sexuality to want to talk in front of a hero, wouldn't it?

"... I don't know, it's been a long time since I stopped."

Liquinius answers without hesitation to asphalliffs who strive and speak cheerfully.

But Asfarif carried on his words without reproach.

"Ha ha, heroes are good sprinklers too!

"... it's all you or it's a big deal that I've been plotting..."

"I'm timid, I think a little bit more about doing something than people do, and just getting ready to think about it, thinking a little bit about what anyone can do, just doing the same, thinking a little bit about it… what do you think, getting interested in me?

Even in teasing Asfarif's words, Liquinius slowly spins his words as he shook his head left and right in loneliness.

'... no, I'm tired already. I'm not interested, like the world, and I'm not going to interfere. All I want is for the world to be like this.'

"Well... that's a shame... goodbye, General Hawkeye."

I'm done listening to Liquinius. No. Asfarif said so coldly, while he pulled the sword of his hips out at an unbridled speed in his eyes and stuck it to Liquinius' chest.

Long swords, black as well as patterns and sheaths, to the body of the sword, prick into the phantom of Liquinius.

"What... you... what did you do to me?"

Spirituality is released from the place where the sword was stabbed, and the body of Liquinius, which was transparent, begins to become thinner.

Asfarif opened his mouth with his sword intact as he looked cold at Liquinius' face, which was stunned.

"It's a holy sword, if you're a hero, you've heard of it.

"... ghoul, no way... the real thing... ahhh"

"Yes, the white holy sword that Altrius, a civilian hero, had recently, the Zhu holy sword that Mars, the hero emperor of the founding of the Western Empire, had waved, the orange holy sword of Lokion, the lord who dreamed of the unity of the Western countries, the famous Chancellor of Chung Hing of the Eastern Photographic Empire, the Bi holy sword that Li Zhaoguang had in his hands, and this is the black holy sword that I have in the Night"

"This... this is not ascension or liberation... isn't it extinction? Ahhhhhhh..."

Liquinius reaches out to take Asfarif on the road while screaming, but fails to fulfill, and disappears.

After ascertaining that Liquinius had completely vanished, Asfarif returned his sword to his sheath.

"How did it go... I'm sorry, but I can't even move things if you're sitting there till hours."

A glimpse of the wilderness of the imperial eastern states that Liquinius was watching, Asfarif returns his heel.

"Well, the disturbing deputy emperor Sama is far to the west end of the Cetoria Inland Sea, the border guards will be held by the barbarian prince, and we can't cross the border without allies other than the deputy emperor, the eastern photograph will jump in contact with the country by now, the imperial army is halved in the south, the imperial army and the dead spirit of the Castle of Julius have disappeared, 30,000 mercenaries to the 50,000 Siluha army under my command... good, it feels really good"

Asfarif, speaking with his mouth in the form of a laugh, shouted as he watched the Shirukha army rallied downstairs.

"Ha! Not to mention the East. That's a line to the Imperial City!

Cilentium administrative district and administration building, large conference room

A glimpse of the urgent news that came in successively to the Cilentium, Hal calls Altrius to gather those who immediately stood in the administration.

What Hal has in his hands is a report of the great defeat of the Imperial Southern Dispatching Army brought about by Autumn Ruyuan Succession and the trend of Siluha coming from the Lei Seung Bang in East Photography via Sukei Daicheng, Ambassador of East Photography City.

War is near.

Quintus and the other commanders of the army gather in the face of the administration below Sittius.

In addition to that, Maple and Primia, who are gathering information with Arkiando, who this time was to chair the City Council, also joined the meeting.

Based on Cilentium's neighborhood representatives, the city council was more prepared than before, but it was finally officially inaugurated on the occasion that the population reached 100,000.

Hal, after briefly communicating the contents of the reward to the face-to-face gathered as usual, let the letter circulate itself.

"... this is going to be a bad thing... is Siluha's aim, in the light of the circumstances, to occupy the Imperial Territory East?

"Not in a bad place, perhaps with that intention, Siluha puts war on the Empire. If we think about how we shake ourselves, we will be caught up in the disciples, feathers that carry even good things without carrying them. The aim of Siluha is the trade route. It is extremely easy given the formation of that merchant state, perhaps you want to put the trading route via Cilentium under control '

When everyone had finished reading the letter, Sittius and Altrius quickly expressed their views.

Lucius asks a question about it.

"But why is it not here, but the Empire? You want a trade route through Cilentium, don't you?

'Um, that's because Cilentium is only a transit land. Whether via Cilentium or Siluha, but ultimately the goods flowing between the Empire and the East Light are the most valuable, there is also a large amount of them, so if Siluha blocks the entrance and exit of Cilentium and the Empire in Siluha, Siluha can monopolize the deal. The primary reason merchants trade through Cilentium is that there is no tariff and that neither of Siluha's greedy merchants will be exploited for their intermediate profits, but if Siluha is put in between, its flavor can also be eliminated. If you do, even if you don't bother to take the land route, you are saying that the trade route will return to the sea route via Siluha'

"I see..."

"Besides, now the empire is weakening. There is rattling on the stall. It would be more efficient to fade away a part of the empire than to attack and destroy us as we try to consolidate the rattling and leap forward… Besides, the empire is a great power, some good attack has been found, or there may be others who are guiding us. I guess there's a reason I stepped in that it's more efficient and more likely to succeed against the empire than against us, which is still less than half the empire."

"... aristocrats, as is often the case, but it's stupid. I don't know if I'm wrong about the nature of things, but that's why we're here."

Everyone in the conference leaks a bitter laugh at Sittius' words.

Hal questioned Quintus.

"Quintus, how many soldiers are you going to be out of training?

"If it is an army stationed in Cilentium, it is the First Cavalry Regiment 5000, to the 35,000 of the 21st Regiment, the 23rd Regiment, the Cilentium Regiment, the Fellum Regiment, the Altrius Regiment. Other than that, one legion is currently in training. Also, the 22nd Corps of Colonia Meridieto, the Fredia Corps of Fredia, 14,000 each"

"All right, let's get the Cilentium garrison ready for immediate movement. Troops in training stay put."

Nodding at Quintus, who answers even, Hal turns back to Luluz and the others when he gives the instructions.

"Secretary of Agriculture Sachs, what's the amount you can turn to the military with stockpile food?

"Yes, it's about 50,000... so if we can establish a supply system, we'll be fine for a year."

"Swilius, Secretary of Crafts, what about the production of consumables such as arrows and throwing spears?

"... the system is well established, raw materials are readily available... whenever you want..."

"Then please enter production immediately"

"... ok"

"Treasury Secretary Cowdex, what's the funding?

"I've spent a lot of my reserves... but I still have a third left. You can fight for yourself."

"Secretary Orchius, please purchase wartime supplies and food and horse food through merchants"

"I understand. Collect them quickly."

Lucius, I asked for security and espionage at Cilentium.

"Oh, leave it to me."

Hal turned back to the front when he ordered the Dept. Secretaries to prepare under the battle.

"Then… unfortunately, the Cilentium Alliance will now enter the wartime system. Please notify each tribe of the outline of the war and confirm the cooperation."

"Understood."

Sittius responds as he writes something to the thick material.

At that time, a reluctant voice rose from the corner of the large conference room.

"Um... would you mind?

"Primia? Go ahead."

When Hull gave his consent to Primia, who asked to speak, Primia carefully rose from her seat and bowed before beginning to speak.

"I'm sorry, I thought maybe it had something to do with it... the merchants in Siluha are actually rushing home via Colonia Meridieto. Something else... seems to have interrupted the Siluha people coming in via Heon."

"... well, that stinks, probably not the main army, but let's get the army in from the south without holding us back. We can't afford to attack a great empire."

Altrius reacted very quickly to the words of Primia.

"... Also a guide to Prince Danford? They're over there, right?"

'I don't know, but in any case, dealing with the unclear size and operational intent of the enemy becomes limited. However, I understand the attack on us. This is huge.'

Maple, send the shady to the border with Siluha as soon as possible.

"Yeah, okay"

'... Haruyoshi, what is your Lord going to do?

"Well, I think it's quick to join Mr. Adamantius' 22nd legion from Colonia Meridieto to deploy to the Eastern states. However, without someone's request..."

"Um, I don't know where or what His Majesty the Vice Emperor is doing, but it doesn't seem to be anywhere near here... it's too late since the end of the war opened..."

"... trouble"

'... well, I have one hand... you hear me?

"... please"

Everyone was intrigued by Altrius laughing.

Teito Central neighborhood and Senate floor

"Is that... true..."

The emperor Magnus utters only that and ceases.

Only the gloomy voice of Magnus sounded far and clear on the quiet Senate White House floor.

That is the common sentiment of all who are on this floor, not just the emperor.

Perhaps there was a thought there that included a desire to be a lie.

But the voice of a hundred captains wearing a worn out military outfit and a large knife wound to their face smashes the thought.

"... I'm not mistaken. The Imperial Army, the Southern Dispatch, has been devastated."

He can't even speak of agitation, and the senators consolidate, not only in the military, nobility, or government.

Senate unanimous, that could have been the first sight in the last hundred years.

I have just learned of a report by the Mayor of Colonia Lemesia, who received ferocious reports earlier that the eastern border had been broken by a large army in Siluha and that the Castle of Julials had already fallen.

An empire that, if normal, was delayed in emergency communications exchanged by early horses and transmission stone communications from the Castle of Julius and turned to the rear.

Immediately at the order of Magnus, 21,000 were dispatched to the Fourth Regiment in operation and the First Regiment of the Imperial Guard in Lemesia, in conjunction with the Tenth Regiment stationed in Imperial Capital due to be dispatched from the South, but there is no denying the feeling of losing it late.

Nevertheless, Magnus, who had to strike the hand he could, brought even more heinous news to the Senate, which opened for ex-post approval.

The Senate floor, which had been quiet for a while without wandering around, eventually broke its silence by the emperor's slow questions.

"… Explain………"

"Ha... more than 60,000 of our Imperial Army, led by Commander-in-Chief Scipius, advanced through the city of Utica and destroyed a coalition of surrounding tribes before entering the Mosra forest zone, home to the Gora tribe, where they were fought irregularly and consumed. He then suffered a great defeat in the showdown in the woodland, where more than 30,000 soldiers were actually discussed… General Hiltius, the deputy commander-in-chief, including General Scipius, died in a line-up battle and now General Catullus has painstakingly maintained the southern front as interim commander-in-chief. The departure of the surrounding tribes in the wake of the defeat of our army has also been followed by the siege of the city of Utica, on which it is based, which does not allow predictions. The defectors are evacuating to the islands… the nobles of the islands… the former grandmasters are making disturbing moves, and the 20th Corps, which is holding them back, has received a report asking for backup."

A hundred captains who sent out good reports as if they were going to read up poems at once.

But the shock and fear of the senators who heard about it were even the earliest ridiculous.

"... Shh, what is the current number of troops left in the South?

"... about 17,000, including wounded and sick soldiers."

When Cassius, the consul, is clogged but asks, the hundred captains answer without looking.

But there was no one to glorify his disrespect.

Because the content of the report was too shocking.

"... Yikes, it's 17,000!

"What do you mean... ahhh"

"Scipius, that fool...! While you're not even ready... damn."

Senators screaming in their mouths.

The Imperial Soldier, reduced to less than half when dispatched, is an unmangled critical force drawn from all over the Empire on top of each other.

Valuable soldiers who cannot be replenished overnight have been lost all at once.

The impact of this result on diplomacy and domestic governance is immeasurable.

"There are about 5,000 other soldiers on a group of islands... but there will be no use for many seriously injured people."

Finished listening to the supplementary explanation of the captain of the hundred, Magnus utters the word.

"The Sixth Regiment and the Seventh Regiment were already off the coast of the islands... so send the Sixth Regiment to the Southern Continent, though! No further engagements will be allowed with the withdrawal of the defeated soldiers and the maintenance of the Southern territories as the main task. Then the 7th Regiment will be sent to the islands to maintain local security and shelter the defectors. Whatever you do, don't start a rebellion against the Grand Master, and make sure to bring back the soldiers who escaped to the islands, okay?

"Ha."

A hundred captains walk away with joy.

The emperor indicated his willingness not to abandon the soldiers.

Soldiers, not armies.

"Then... Cassius, we have to plan for an immediate restructuring of the army in the administration, and we have to confront Siluha, and we have to temporarily summon the veterans."

"… and I understand that"

Cassius lifts his hips out of his seat and starts a meeting with the surrounding officials.

A voice flew from across the side when Magnus gave instructions early in the arrow and the measure tried to move.

"Whose authority are the instructions being given to you now, which I would like you to wait for? You've stopped scorning our Senate!

The motion of the floor stops.

It was Sir Plutus, an aristocratic nobleman, who flew his voice when he saw it, but behind it Sir Lucilius refrained with an invincible grin.

Blood vessels rose on Magnus' white temples and his boned fists gripped him hard.

"I don't have time for word games with you in this emergency! Do things under the authority of the Emperor. Is there something wrong?"

Now Sir Tarnius rises to Magnus, who suppresses his desire to yell and tells him in an extremely flat tone.

There was a grin on his face that could only be described as nasty.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty is mistaken. I must say that His Majesty's authority was vested in the Senate, that it is the Emperor who exercises the authority entrusted to him by the Senate, and that the word now belittles the Senate at its root."

Cursing and yazi flew from the aristocratic nobility at the same time, as if waiting for the word.

"Senate neglect is unacceptable!

"That's right, tyranny!

"His Majesty the Emperor apologizes to the Senate."

"It is the Senate that will be the empire and emperor!

Distracted by the noisy floor, Cassius was unable to move.

Magnus looks at the scene with a glimpse.

Looking satisfactorily at the miserable and similar floor, Sir Lucilius slowly rose and slowly opened his mouth.

"Your Majesty, unfortunately, your Majesty must also take responsibility for this defeat… it is His Majesty's responsibility to approve the reckless Southern Continent operation and invite the weakening of the army to bring a crisis into the Empire. We disagreed... The commander-in-chief of the army who led this at the time has already died in battle, so I won't hold him particularly accountable, but let's call and question the commander who leads the remnants of the army at a later date. And although the consul there also committed the same crime and prepared for war on this matter, it must have led to its untimely defeat. First of all, I would like to announce the dismissal of the current consul, Lord Cassius, and the inauguration of Sir Tarnius as consul."

"Ma, wait...!

A cold look down at Magnus trying to stop him in a hurry, says Sir Lucilius.

"... I don't feel the need to wait, oh, and then both officials leave."

What are you talking about?

"Isn't that tyranny!

Senators of the Senate of the Central Government, colored by the words that followed.

There is no need to withdraw from the Senate because they are both government officials and senators.

The officials, who naturally revolted in unison against Sir Lucilius' commanding tone, froze themselves the next moment.

Coming into the floor are the members of the Dark Union, who have recently grown in power in the Imperial capital, who should not be in such a place.

"... Lucillius, you imitate like this..."

"Elder hehe, it's sad those who don't have the strength... the use of force is a great thing"

Presbyterian, president of the Senate, dyes his bald head bright red and angry, but Lucillius laughs inclusively and does not pass by his will.

The elder who thought of the word rose even more fiercely and dramatically.

"You!! You brought in Siluha!!

"Based on what... Grandpa Hu is in trouble... I'm going to sue you for insult!

"Try it! How dare you... bring Siluha in and keep the army away from the Empire! This is what we're after!

He is not even frightened of Sir Lucilius, who intimidates him, and his elders raise their anger.

Because it was indeed the intention of the elders to be right, Sir Lucilius gave instructions to the union people by deciding to ignore this.

"... you can take them out except the nobles, you can hurt them if you want to resist"

"... you!

"May fly, shut up, Chancellor! You get out too!!... I'm afraid His Majesty the Emperor has a story to tell, eliminate all others"

The Dark Union men moved out, and there was skirmishing with the senators everywhere.

The Senate floor turned into a crucible of confusion at once, and Magnus could only gaze at the state of it.