Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 78

EP.78 A Trip to the West

The Schrelitz ducal family. Yes, they definitely said ‘ducal family.’

One of the three highest-ranking single forces in the Empire.

Kyle quickly looked at the emblem Elga had mentioned.

“….”

Seeing it didn’t make him any wiser. It was, of course, an emblem he had never seen before.

He had never paid attention to any ducal family other than Littorio.

So, what had he been reading if not history? Wasn’t he supposed to be studying?

Kyle had only chosen to read about methods for knights to manage their stamina.

Swoosh—

In the meantime, the men who had lightly bowed to Elga turned their attention back to Kyle.

“Kyle Jonathan. Please come with us. ‘They’ are waiting….”

“Wait, hold on. Just a moment.”

Elga immediately stepped between Kyle and the men.

If others had known they were from a ducal family, they would have stepped back.

But Elga was also from one of the three ducal families, Littorio.

Moreover, she wasn’t just any member but a direct descendant.

Perhaps it takes a ducal family to confront another ducal family. She asked in a stern voice.

“You said you’re from the Schrelitz ducal family.”

“That’s correct.”

“In the academy, no one except the imperial family can….”

“Though we belong to the Schrelitz ducal family, we are executing an imperial command.”

Even Littorio had to bow before the imperial family.

Even a ducal family must lower their heads when the Emperor’s name is invoked.

“An imperial command…?”

“Yes, Lady Elga.”

“Why would His Majesty….”

“Sorry, but we cannot explain that part. Please step aside.”

It seemed odd that they could remain so composed in front of a direct descendant of another ducal family.

The balance of power was so delicate that they avoided giving any reason for criticism.

Their confidence came from the absolute protection of the imperial command.

Because of this, they appeared indifferent even to Elga, the heiress of Littorio.

The curious part was that they were extremely cautious and respectful towards Kyle.

“We’ll explain the details as we go, Kyle Jonathan.”

“No, you should at least tell me the details now.”

“We apologize. We were instructed to keep silent by ‘them’….”

“‘Them’?”

“You’ll understand once you come with us.”

While Kyle and the men conversed, Elga’s mind raced furiously.

They were definitely from the Schrelitz ducal family, likely knights.

But they claimed to be here on an imperial command, not on ducal business.

No ducal family would dare invoke the imperial family without reason.

So, it was certain they were here under an imperial command.

The crucial question was why the Schrelitz ducal family, of all people, was executing this command.

‘Normally, it would be the Ministry of the Internal Affairs, or at least the Special Affairs Bureau, handling this.’

In that brief moment, countless hypotheses flashed through Elga’s mind.

And then, recalling what the Schrelitz ducal family was known for, she found her answer.

‘Could it be?’

Just as the Schrelitz men were about to take Kyle away, Elga quickly spoke up.

“Are you heading west?”

“…?!”

The Schrelitz men’s eyes widened in surprise at Elga’s words.

They hadn’t explained anything, yet the heiress of Littorio had figured it out in mere moments.

“It seems I’m right.”

“Ah….”

“Lady Elga? What do you mean, west? What’s going on all of a sudden…?”

Sighing, Elga closed her eyes.

She had hoped she was wrong, but her guess was correct.

It all started with why the Schrelitz ducal family was carrying out an imperial command.

The academy remained peaceful, but a significant incident had occurred recently.

Mysterious intruders had openly targeted the academy and its people.

As the heiress of Littorio, Elga had quickly heard news related to the attack.

It was none other than the Western Kingdoms Alliance that had made a fatal mistake.

They seemed to want to inflict significant damage across the Empire.

They wanted to send a message: if you come for us, we will be defeated, but you will also suffer.

The problem was that their attempt had failed miserably, resulting only in increasing the Empire’s wrath.

‘The Schrelitz ducal family is known for always participating in wars of national scale, symbolizing martial prowess. During the recent peaceful times, they had remained silent and extremely restrained. For such a ducal family to suddenly receive an imperial command….’

War, indeed. A large-scale war was imminent.

The Alliance had already lost its justification, while the Empire had gained it.

In this situation, the Emperor wouldn’t miss such a golden opportunity.

This wasn’t just a simple conquest but a revenge campaign to punish those who had crossed the line.

The Empire had laid down its sword for over 30 years.

Only a few regions in the south, the Western Kingdoms Alliance, and the eastern nomadic tribes remained.

So, the Empire had focused on governance and prosperity through diplomacy rather than war.

However, that was only because there was no justification for continued war and a lack of unity.

If the enemy provided the justification, there was no reason for the Empire not to take up the sword again.

‘If I assume that, everything makes sense. The problem is, why Kyle? Why him?’

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t find a fitting reason.

If there was a war, the Schrelitz family and the Empire’s legions would handle it.

Why take Kyle, who had nothing to do with the Empire’s affairs, from the Jonathan barony?

“Lady Elga! Please explain! Why am I suddenly going west?”

‘I don’t know, Kyle. I really can’t predict that part.’

It’s been nearly 30 years since Jonathan joined the Empire.

During that time, has the Empire or the imperial family ever asked anything of them?

No, not once. No matter how much she thought about it, there was nothing.

If there had been, it would have been recorded in books or documents prominently.

“…Kyle.”

“Yes, Lady Elga.”

“Take care.”

I’m sorry, Kyle. This is all I can say for now.

I’ll send a letter to the main family immediately to find out what’s going on.

Thinking this, Elga quickly turned and headed to her room.

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***

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‘Should I just flip out?’

Why on earth was he being sent to the west? Why?!

Even if it was an imperial command, they should at least explain the reason.

He didn’t come to the academy to be dragged around like this; he came to enjoy himself.

He had been holding back because causing a fuss would only hurt him, but this was infuriating.

‘Should I just overthrow the Emperor and everything?’

Just as he was about to entertain a thought that would shock anyone who knew, Kyle saw two very familiar faces at the academy’s main gate.

‘…Brother? And even Sister?’

It was Leo and Lea, who had headed to the capital just yesterday.

They had mentioned having some business, which must have been a discussion with the Emperor.

But what reason could there be for them to reappear after just one day…?

“Kyle, get in.”

“What?”

“Get in! We have somewhere to go!”

“Sister? Where exactly are we going…?”

“Do you want me to lift you up and put you in?”

“I’ll get in on my own.”

With people watching, he didn’t want to abandon his pride as a man.

How embarrassing would it be for a grown man to be lifted by a delicate woman?

Of course, she was the one responsible for the academy’s semi-destruction, but appearances still mattered.

Glancing at the carriage, Kyle quickly realized it wasn’t an ordinary one.

It was designed for long-distance travel and even bore the imperial seal.

What’s going on, he wondered, recalling Elga’s words from earlier.

“Brother, are we… going to the west?”

“Yes.”

Leo’s straightforward answer left Kyle speechless.

A student with classes tomorrow, suddenly heading west?

And he hadn’t brought anything with him, not even a change of clothes!

“I didn’t bring any clothes or anything. How am I supposed to…?”

“Don’t worry. Your sister has already prepared your belongings.”

“But brother, my belongings… are important, but I’m an academy student. This is an unauthorized leave….”

“Your attendance will be guaranteed by His Majesty the Emperor.”

Attendance was a crucial factor in determining grades.

But he never imagined the Emperor would be involved.

As Kyle sighed in disbelief, Lea smiled and continued.

“I told you yesterday. We have some business to finish.”

“Wasn’t meeting His Majesty the Emperor at the palace the end of it, sister?”

“We sought His Majesty’s understanding. We told him we would handle it, so he shouldn’t get involved.”

Hearing this, Kyle finally understood why these two storms had come to the Empire.

The meeting with the Emperor was merely a formality. They had their own agenda.

And the imperial command was just a pretext.

The real reason he was being taken wasn’t the Emperor’s order or will, but his brother and sister.

“…Are you going there because of that matter?”

“You’re stating the obvious.”

“We’re going to represent our entire family. Brother, me, and you, Kyle.”

It was a bit overwhelming, but it made sense upon reflection.

Thinking about that incident still made his blood boil.

“So, what are you planning to do, brother?”

“You’re asking the obvious.”

“We’re going to tell them to stop. They must never do such a thing.”

“And if they don’t listen?”

“They will listen.”

Leo’s voice dropped to a chillingly low tone as he repeated.

“They will listen. To us.”

Indeed, they would have no choice but to listen.

This wasn’t going to be a normal conversation but a physical one.