Chapter 352

The Kingdom Alliance, the Hubalt Empire, the Avalon Empire, him... The story of the Battle of Einberg quickly spread throughout the entire continent.

Grand Duke Lucifer lost, Jabelthe Second, as he was knownreported. To be accurate it turned out that Grand Duke Lucifer had signed a contract with a demon, and Joshua Sanders and over two hundred thousand soldiers of the Swallow Empire defeated the Grand Duke together.

The other man didnt seem to react at all.

At this rate, itll hinder our great plan

How has the Swallow Empire been doing after the war ended? the man quietly said. Jabel flinched.

They havent made any official announcements yet, Jabel answered.

It sounds like theyll do so soon. The man stroked his chin.

Yes, thats right. Jabel readily nodded. Its not actually good for us

The man silently listened.

Cerona Bel Grace, Lucifers wife, came to the fore and is taking action to prevent the victory from turning into a victory for the entire continent, Jabel continued.

Im guessing the actual reason is to have her revenge, the man said with a faint smile.

Jabel nodded. I also think so. This will be the perfect time to regain the name Grace.

Using a national crisis to save her family The man trailed off and quietly chuckled. I see the Swallow Empire is near its end.

Are you okay with the current situation? Jabel carefully asked.

Everything is fine. The current situation is actually good for us since we only have to pay attention to Hubalt. The man stopped tapping on the table in the dark, sealed room, and stood up from his seat. Tell the apostles to prepare to step into the light.

Jabels eyes bulged.

Th-then!

The world is changing, so wouldnt it be better to act in accordance with the change? The man smiled.

Of-of course! Jabel hurriedly replied.

I definitely didnt expect the rivalry between the two empires would come to an end this quickly. On top of that, itll be difficult to make the puppet named Kaiser into an emperor The man trailed off and looked straight into Jabels eyes. Listen.

Yes! Im at your service, Jabel said with sparkling eyes.

The Joshua I know will definitely head to Reinhardt right away.

Jabel was surprised. He hadnt expected the man to say that.

When you talk about Reinhardt, do you mean Erhaim? If he already defeated the Empires army, then wouldnt it be better to withdraw the army and aim for the throne?

His colleague is still there, the man explained.

Colleague? Jabel was dumbstruck. Joshua had the power to play a major role in achieving the victory, but was he going to throw away this golden opportunity for the sake of his colleague?

After winning a grand victory, these pigs are so happy that they cant think clearly right now. This is the perfect chance to completely overthrow the Empire Jabel thought.

Hes confident that he can do both, the man said as if hed read Jabels mind.

Well Jabel understood right away.

Meanwhile, well prepare to greet the returning guest. The man smiled.

Jabel nodded.

From now on, were going to step into the light and take over Avalon. Ultimately, well conquer the entire continent. The man then slowly walked to the sealed rooms window. Hows the Emperor?

Hes breathing, but he still doesnt listen. Jabel shrugged.

Three years will be enough. The mans eyes turned cold. Bring him here right away.

Jabels eyes widened for a moment before he stood straight.

Ill do so, Heimdall.

* * *

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Erhaim, formerly known as Reinhardt, was the key city of the continent. In that city, Hansen was pounding metal as usual.

Hey, Hansen! a man shouted.

Clang! Clang!

Despite the visitor in the forge, Hansen didnt stop because his inspiration as a craftsman had come for the first time in a long time. It was a very important momentif the forging process went well, he would be able to create the greatest masterpiece in his entire blacksmiths career.

You know, this is not the time for you to focus on making swords, the visitor commented.

Clang!

Gosh, they will take everything away once war breaks out, so why would you bother working that hard on it!? the visitor shouted.

Clang!

Youll seriously regret it if you dont listen! the visitor yelled in an attempt to intimidate Hansen.

Clang!

Hansen happened to finish forging just then, so he irately put down his hammer and glared at the uninvited guest. His death glare made the middle-aged man, who looked like the stereotypical example of a merchant, take a step back.

Smith, I warned you to not talk to me while Im working Hansen growled.

Hear me out first! Smith, the middle-aged man, quickly took the initiative. A war finally broke out between the Swallow and Avalon Empire!

War? Hansen smiled coldly. Id call that a one-sided plundering, not a war, and its probably over

Avalon won! Smith shouted.

Yes, Avalon Hansen stopped moving. What?

The Avalon Empire won the war, thanks to the Hero King! Our king returned and led his army to victory! Smith excitedly yelled.

The tongs in Hansens other hand dropped on the ground with a clang.

Isnt it incredible?! From what Ive heard, the Swallow Empire will soon officially declare that they lost and will issue compensation for all the damage that they caused by their war crimes! Smith exclaimed, his face reddened with excitement. So maybe we can also!

Nonsense, Hansen interrupted. He picked up his tongs from the ground. Nothing is certain yet, so dont make a big fuss out of it.

But

You seriously want the higher-ups to torture you for your loose lips, dont you? Hansen sarcastically commented. That was when Smith finally shut his mouth.

Tsk. Hansen quietly clicked his tongue and picked up the heated metal with his tongs. Although Smith had unexpectedly interrupted him, Hansen had to finish working on this piece.

Hansen rapidly quenched the very hot lump of metal by dunking it into the water. If he moved a little bit quicker, then by the end of the day he would be able to complete a fine sword which everyone would desire

The sudden sound of footsteps made Hansen tilt his head in confusion.

As usual, the world didnt always go his way. A new visitor approached.

I want to hear the conversation you had in detail, the visitor requested.

Hansen gave the guest a baffled look.

Youre?

How long had it been? It surely hadnt been long because Smith stared at him like hed just seen a ghost. The attention-grabbing man with his frog-like eyes stood on the side of the forge; he was Hansens customer and the owner of the sword that was soon to be completed.

A Wilhelm Knight Smith mumbled.

Please, the man requested

* * *

My king did

Kingaitu returned to the castle with a smile on his lips. He had just heard that his king had returned alive several days ago. Hed really wanted to return as soon as he heard the news. However, he couldnt abandon all the citizens while they were being persecuted.

Even during that kind of moment, my king did wonders again Kingaitu mumbled.

Hey, frog! A knight of the Hubalt Empire suddenly appeared at the end of the hallway and swaggered toward Kingaitu. Kingaitus face hardenedhe knew this knight.

Were you slacking off in this kind of place? Thats unfair. Your subordinates are so busy picking up horse dung over there that they cant afford to take a break, the knight said with a smirk.

Ive already finished what you asked me to do, Kingaitu said.

Huh? What I asked you to do? The Hubalt knight tilted his head in confusion and soon came to a realization. Oh, yeah! Did I ask you to pick up pig poop here?

Kingaitu didnt answer.

Were seriously understaffed, so help out others when youre done, okay? Those men are your subordinates, right? The knight instructed, finishing with a provocative pat on Kingaitus shoulder. Huh, are you frowning?

No, sir. Kingaitu shook his head.

Hmm The knight studied Kingaitus face to see if he was speaking the truth, but chuckled. Im joking, joking.

Kingaitu stayed silent.FiNd pdtes on n()/vln(.)cm

Youre the leader of the great Wilhelm Knights, so how can I ask you to pick up animal dung too? The knight tightly grabbed Kingaitus shoulders and stepped back. Dont frown. I was just messing with you.

Kingaitu didnt answer.

Since there would be no one in the stable by now The knight trailed off ominously, making Kingaitu flinch.

What do you mean? Kingaitu asked.

The knight shrugged. Well, I sent your colleagues to an arena.

Kingaitus eyes widened. The word arena shocked him more than he thought.

You never said you were going to do that!!

Gosh! You surprised me! The knights face crumpled. Its not like I was the one who decided to send them to the arena, so why would you **ing yell at me, you son of a bitch?

Kingaitu belatedly realized his mistake and shut his mouth, but the knight was already furious. He poked Kingaitus forehead. Were in an age of war, arent we? You classless vermin wouldnt know, but raising the soldiers morale is more important than anything else.

Kingaitu didnt answer.

And do you know how important the arena is in improving morale? the knight asked.

Kingaitu silently clenched his fists so tightly that his fingernails dug into his flesh. In the past, the Masters Battles had been held on that sacred ground, but it wasnt the same sacred ground anymore. It had long ago turned into a garbage dump where people enjoyed unrestrained gambling.

Are you angry? Huh? Are you frustrated? the knight asked.

Knigaitu stayed quiet.

Then you should have behaved better in the first place. You shouldnt have acted like such an opportunist, talking about Nagasins will or something, you idiot.

The knight kicked Kingaitu.

Agh! Kingaitu collapsed to the ground.

The Hubalt knight huffed and puffed in anger. If you really dont like the arena, you can tell me anytime since youre not the one who has to prove your loyalty to the Empire.

Once again, Kingaitu didnt answer.

A brothel is more effective in improving the soldiers morale, so there is no harm in that. Come to think of it, you have quite a pretty sister, right? The Hubalt knight smirked.

Kingaitu lowered his head and coughed up blood.

The man speaking to him was the Holy Empire of Hubalts so-called holy knight. Ever since the Pope lost power to the Emperor, all the knights had been acting like this trashy knight.

I got your filthy saliva on me because you coughed, you bastard. Ptooey! The knight spat a glob of phlegm squarely on Kingaitus forehead. Why dont you try feeling what I feel? Im going to keep an eye on you.

Nevertheless, Kingaitu couldnt do anything because he knew who would suffer if he caused trouble

* * *

Kingaitu walked through the center of Reinhardt like a zombie.

Woah!!!!

Kingaitu still had a long way to go before he arrived at his destination, but he could already hear the roar of the enormous crowd. Although his destination had once been his pride, he didnt want to go or see the place nowbut he had to go for the sake of his colleagues.

He accidently bumped into someone because he walked with his eyes to the ground, so he immediately bowed.

Im sorry

Even though he quickly apologized, the person didnt move or say anything. Kingaitu was going to speak again.

Why dont you raise your head? the other man asked.

Kingaitus lower lip trembled.

Ive been following you since you left the castle but its been really hard to see your face, the man gently said.

Kingaitus lower lip trembled even harder. This was the first time in ages that hed heard the mans voice. Kingaitu had been desperate to hear that voice even if only in his dreams, so he really couldnt believe what was happening right now.

How have you been? the man asked, as if to reassure Kingaitu that he wasnt dreaming.

Kingaitu slowly raised his head and froze because it felt like his brain had stopped working.

He let out a choked sob. Ho-how?

If youre asking how Im here right now The man shrugged. ...it only takes half a day to get here from Einberg.

There was no way it took half a day. No matter how close Einberg was to Reinhardt, it would at least take three whole days on horse.

But it wasnt impossible for the man before Kingaitu.

My king Kingaitus eyes were already bloodshot.

Chapter end