Chapter 226
It took less than half a month to reach the southern edge of Jotungar. As the days grew longer, the distance they could travel each day had increased dramatically.
Guiding his horse carefully along the steep mountain trail, Varkas suddenly spotted a military encampment nestled between the valleys and pulled on the reins.
At the end of a gently descending slope stood a long stretch of towering wooden palisades and watchtowers. As he approached, the guards hurriedly pushed the barricades aside, opening the road before him.
"Your Grace, Grand Duke! You've returned!"
The soldiers lined up beside the checkpoint simultaneously straightened their spears and snapped to attention. Passing through them, Varkas slowly surveyed the camp, where military tents stood packed tightly together.
"Did anything happen while I was away?"
"Well..."
The soldier hesitated, unable to answer immediately. Varkas, who had just handed his reins to a stable hand, narrowed his eyes.
"Was there some kind of problem?"
"At dawn today, a messenger arrived from the Northern Noble Alliance."
A young staff officer wearing a surcoat embroidered with the crest of House Siorcan spoke in place of the frozen soldier.
"We have yet to receive a full report on the contents of the message, but it is clear that something serious has happened. The emergency council that began this morning is still ongoing."
A faint crease formed between Varkas's brows.
If Heimdal, cornered at last, had launched an all-out offensive, then they merely needed to send the rear support forces to reinforce the front lines. The fact that the discussion had dragged on this long meant that something even more complicated had occurred.
"It seems I'll have to head straight to headquarters. I'll leave the formalities of my return to you."
Leaving the brief instruction to Beirof, who had just entered the camp behind him, Varkas immediately crossed the encampment toward the large command tent where the banners of several noble houses fluttered.
At that very moment, sharp shouting rang out.
The surroundings were too noisy to make out the exact words, but there was no mistaking that a fierce argument was underway.
Suppressing a heavy sigh, he strode into the tent.
"What is all this commotion about?"
"Your Grace!"
Daren shot to his feet the moment he saw him.
"When did you return? I thought you'd be staying in Kalmor for several more weeks..."
"I just arrived."
Cutting Daren's lengthy greeting short without hesitation, Varkas glanced around the meeting room.
Representatives of the various noble houses, senior knights of the Imperial Army, and a young noble who appeared to belong to the Northern Noble Alliance sat around a long table.
Recognizing the young man as a member of House Bleston, Varkas frowned.
Cedric, was it?
The pale-faced northerner, whose deep crimson eyes barely concealed his anger, stared directly at him.
"Your arrival is timely. I wished to ask what Your Grace thinks of this utterly absurd situation."
"Mind your manners! The man before you is the ruler of the East!"
An eastern cavalry warrior seated opposite him shouted indignantly.
Varkas silenced him with a raised hand before calmly taking the seat at the head of the table.
"Let's hear what's happened."
"His Highness the Crown Prince has unilaterally called off the engagement ceremony."
Daren spoke in place of the fuming Cedric Bleston.
His voice grew heavy.
"After that, he immediately led the Imperial Army into the Jotungar Mountains."
"The Northern Noble Alliance agreed to take the lead in suppressing the rebellion because we believed it would restore our relationship with the Imperial Family."
Before Varkas could even react to the astonishing news, Cedric Bleston pressed on sharply.
"But the Imperial Family has completely deceived and humiliated our house. Tell me, Your Grace. Do you truly believe we should continue serving the Imperial Family after suffering such disgrace?"
"Enough venting your anger at the wrong people! This situation is the result of His Highness the Crown Prince's unilateral actions. It is not the fault of the Grand Duke of Siorcan."
A nobleman who had remained silent until then interjected in a solemn voice. He was the commander of the forces dispatched from the South.
Resting his clasped hands on the table, he continued calmly.
"What matters now is how we respond."
"The Northern Noble Alliance's army has no intention of taking the front line."
The young northern noble declared firmly.
"We won't withdraw our troops immediately, but we absolutely will not serve as the vanguard in suppressing the rebels as originally agreed."
"The Northern Noble Alliance once raised its banner against the Imperial Family. Shouldn't you be doing everything possible to suppress Heimdal in order to atone for that original sin?"
"We've already paid the price for that sin."
Grinding his teeth, the young man shot back.
"Our house has suffered irreparable humiliation. My sister was abandoned alone before the altar while hundreds of nobles watched, and the name Bleston has become the laughingstock of the entire Empire!"
"That's enough self-pity."
Resting one hand against his temple, Varkas fixed the young man with an icy gaze.
"This is not the place to air your family's grievances. This is the headquarters of the Imperial Coalition Army. If you have nothing appropriate to contribute, you'd be better off remaining silent."
The young noble's face flushed instantly.
Varkas slowly rose from his seat.
"I understand the situation. Leave only the minimum defensive force here. The army will immediately move toward the entrance to Jotungar."
"For what purpose?"
A middle-aged knight who had remained silent until now finally spoke. He commanded the troops dispatched from the West.
"Do you intend to stop His Highness the Crown Prince, or to support him in attacking Heimdal?"
"That depends on the situation."
Varkas answered flatly.
"If we catch up to His Highness before full-scale fighting begins, I intend to drag him back to the altar by the collar if I have to."
Despite the scandalous remark, not a single person objected.
Only then did several of the nobles seem to realize just how foul his mood truly was. They swallowed nervously.
After slowly sweeping his gaze across their rigid faces, Varkas added coldly,
"But if the worst has already happened... then I will have to make a choice."
"A choice...?"
"The Crown Prince... or the Empire. I'll have to decide."
His dangerous words plunged the meeting tent into stunned silence.
Leaving them frozen in place, Varkas walked out of the command tent.
Then, in a firm voice, he issued his orders.
"Prepare for departure immediately. I will tolerate not a single moment of delay."
* * *
Varkas immediately led the coalition army northward.
The Imperial elite force led by the Crown Prince had most likely already passed through the gorge and reached the middle slopes of the Jotungar Mountains, right outside the rebels' stronghold.
If he intended to catch up, there was no choice but to reduce the army to its fastest-moving elements.
Varkas divided the forces, sending an advance detachment ahead while ordering the main army to follow cautiously at regular intervals.
After traveling for some time, Varkas spotted an army deployed across a broad open basin and raised his hand, bringing his column to a halt.
The banners of the Imperial Army fluttered beneath the dim crimson glow of the evening sky.
"It looks like we've caught up to them!"
Following close behind, Edrick Rubon let out a relieved exclamation.
Varkas, however, could not share his optimism.
Even from this distance, it was unmistakably clear that the Imperial elite force had been significantly reduced in number.
"I'm afraid what we feared has already come to pass."
Beirof let out a quiet groan.