Chapter 1585 - 223 - The Declaration of War (10)
Meanwhile...
***
Leona’s POV
The Empire had begun mobilizing its entire military in preparation for the threat that the Republic had cast over the whole world, and the atmosphere throughout the nation had become noticeably heavier with every passing day.
Ever since the Republic declared war, fear had quietly spread across every nation. Kingdoms, empires, republics, and even independent territories had started making preparations for what everyone believed would become the greatest conflict in history. The Empire naturally wasn’t going to sit around and wait for disaster to arrive at its doorstep. Soldiers were being called back from every province, supply lines were being expanded, weapons were being forged day and night, and everyone understood that the peaceful days they once enjoyed were already slipping away.
The Emperor stood high above the enormous military grounds while looking down upon the countless soldiers assembled beneath him with an expression filled with unwavering confidence.
From where I stood, the sight was honestly overwhelming.
Millions upon millions of soldiers filled the vast plains before the Imperial Fortress, standing shoulder to shoulder in disciplined formations that stretched far beyond what my eyes could comfortably follow. Through years of preparation and the Empire’s overwhelming resources, countless engineers and military officials had worked tirelessly to develop ways of reducing the devastation that the Republic’s bombardments would inevitably bring. If what the President of the Republic had claimed was true, and they truly possessed weapons even stronger than the explosive they had dropped on us before, then reinforcing our defenses had become an absolute necessity rather than merely another military project.
"You people," the Emperor called out, his powerful voice echoing throughout the entire fortress as he slowly swept his gaze across the sea of soldiers standing below him.
Almost immediately, countless eyes turned toward him without hesitation.
Naturally, those positioned at the very front were the generals, commanders, captains, and officers who held the highest authority within the Imperial Army. Behind them stood the regular soldiers, all lined up with remarkable discipline. Looking across the formation almost made it seem like the army itself had no end.
"All of you will soon march into war," the Emperor declared with absolute certainty in his voice.
Standing quietly beside me was the Chief Commander himself, his expression remaining as calm and unreadable as always while he silently observed the massive army below. He didn’t interrupt even once, choosing instead to let the Emperor command the attention of every soldier gathered here.
"After those bastards from that usurped land attacked us with those damned explosives," the Emperor continued, "I don’t believe it would be right to simply let them walk away without paying the price for what they’ve done."
He slowly stepped closer to the edge of the balcony before firmly planting both hands against the cold stone railing while continuing to stare down at the army below.
"Are we truly supposed to fear an explosion that claims it can wipe us out?" he shouted loudly enough for his voice to carry across the entire fortress.
His words echoed for several moments before finally fading away into the distance.
"Why should we fear something like that when we’ve survived countless battles already?"
A fierce grin slowly spread across his face as his confidence became even more obvious.
"We are the Empire, and that alone should tell you everything!"
The soldiers immediately answered with thunderous cheers that shook the very ground beneath our feet.
Watching them react almost made it feel like the Emperor’s words alone were enough to reignite the flames burning inside every one of them. Expressions that had been filled with uncertainty only moments ago were gradually replaced with fierce determination and overwhelming pride. They weren’t merely listening to a speech anymore. They genuinely believed every single word he was saying.
"We stand above every other nation!" he roared with complete confidence. "We are powerful! We are unmatched! Nothing will ever stop us from conquering everything that dares to stand in our path!"
The cheers only became even louder than before.
"If you truly wish to proudly call yourselves Rodonians, then you must be prepared to lay down your lives for your homeland! Protect your Emperor! Protect your Empire! Crush that Republic beneath your feet until nothing remains of it!"
With one swift motion, he unsheathed the sword hanging from his waist.
The polished blade gleamed brilliantly beneath the afternoon sunlight as he slowly raised it high above his head.
"This..." he shouted while pointing the sword toward the sky, "...is our declaration of war!"
The entire military grounds erupted into another deafening roar that seemed capable of shaking the heavens themselves.
"We will march straight into their lands and slaughter every last one of them! We will show them absolutely no mercy! Once we’ve finished with them, we’ll burn down the Great Forest and conquer every kingdom hiding behind it! After that, we’ll march into the lands of the demons themselves and claim every resource they possess as our own!"
The soldiers erupted into another wave of thunderous cheers that echoed across the fortress.
Countless swords, spears, shields, staffs, and banners were raised high into the air as thousands upon thousands of voices joined together in celebration. Hearing all of them at once almost made it impossible to distinguish one voice from another.
This wasn’t merely a declaration of war against the Republic anymore.
This had become a declaration directed toward the entire world itself.
Just like the Republic had done before them, the Empire had officially declared an all-out war without leaving any room for negotiation.
***
At the same time...
***
King Bethlan’s POV
I quietly walked through the long halls of my castle while occasionally looking out through the tall windows at how strangely peaceful everything appeared today despite everything happening beyond our borders.
Warm sunlight poured through the glass windows, servants quietly continued with their daily work, and distant laughter occasionally drifted through the corridors. Looking around like this, anyone would think today was just another ordinary day.
Only appearances made it seem that way.
Deep down, everyone knew the world had already begun drifting toward an unprecedented disaster.
The President of the usurped Republic had openly declared war against the entire world without showing even the slightest hesitation.
Now the Empire had answered with a declaration of its own, leaving almost nobody willing to remain neutral any longer.
Honestly, I couldn’t help wondering just what in the world had happened for everything to spiral this far beyond anyone’s expectations.
While continuing my walk through the castle, a violent cough suddenly forced its way out of my throat before I could suppress it.
"Koff...!"
"Your Highness?"
One of the attendants walking beside me immediately stepped forward, his expression filled with genuine concern as he carefully watched my condition.
"It’s only a mild cough," I replied while trying to steady my breathing as naturally as possible. "You don’t need to look so worried over something this small."
"Koff... kuhomm...!"
Another harsh coughing fit interrupted me before I could even finish speaking.
The attendant’s worried expression only grew more serious after seeing that happen.
"You should spend today resting instead of attending more meetings, Your Highness," he said carefully. "Your condition hasn’t improved at all recently, and I’m honestly afraid that..."
His words suddenly stopped in the middle of his sentence.
His eyes slowly shifted toward the hand I had instinctively raised to cover my mouth while coughing.
For several long seconds, he simply stared at it in complete silence.
"Your Highness...!"
His voice trembled noticeably after finally speaking again.
Slowly, I lowered my hand so I could see what had frightened him so much.
Fresh blood stained my palm in an amount that was impossible to ignore.
Judging by how much there was this time, pretending everything was fine had become much harder than before.