Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 79

EP.79 A Trip to the West

A solemn imperial command had been issued to the quiet Schrelitz ducal family.

It was time for the Empire to once again demonstrate its prestige to the world.

Arise from your long slumber. Prepare to fulfill your duty once more.

“It’s war.”

Yes, the Empire had been too quiet lately.

Excessive use of force is worse than not using it at all, but they had been silent for too long.

In the end, everything comes down to those who take and those who are taken from.

And now, with such a good reason at hand, why would they hold back?

“The Ministry of War is already in motion.”

“It seems the Emperor had already intended to do this.”

“What do you mean, Your Excellency?”

At the question of his retainer, one of the three great dukes of the Empire,

Kendrick Gloster de Schrelitz paused to think before shaking his head.

Even for a close retainer, it was uncomfortable to discuss matters regarding the imperial family.

‘He must have been aiming for this.’

It was the Western Kingdoms Alliance that had caused the incident. They had crossed the line themselves.

But they wouldn’t have acted so rashly without any reason.

To him, it seemed like the Emperor had very discreetly orchestrated this situation.

Applying just enough pressure, delaying just enough, and feigning ignorance just enough.

He had led the Alliance to ruin their own cause in their impatience.

Thanks to this, the situation was turning out to be much more favorable than before.

Doesn’t it look like the Empire, striving for peace, was struck from behind?

‘The Alliance is foolish. Not a single success in their endeavors. But even so… Anyway, he is still a fearsome person. The one seated on the throne is a hundred times more terrifying than the one wielding a sword.’

After all, how could one manage such a vast Empire without such qualities?

For the sake of the nation and its people, one must sometimes be a deceitful trickster, a cruel butcher.

If wielding the sword can fatten the Empire and fill the bellies of its citizens, then it must be done.

That is the unavoidable destiny that rulers must bear.

“Has someone from the Ministry of War arrived?”

“Yes. I heard they will be mobilizing the legions immediately. They are even deploying the magic corps. It’s been a long time since we’ve had such a large-scale campaign, hasn’t it?”

“We must prepare without delay. Hurry. He is not one to be pleased with tardiness.”

At the Duke of Schrelitz’s words, the retainer nodded, unable to hide his excitement.

Thirty years. For thirty long years, they had remained silent.

As the sword of the Empire, the Schrelitz ducal family had no choice but to remain dormant during peacetime.

The period had stretched so long that there were fears the ducal family’s prestige might be waning.

Minor skirmishes had occurred, but they were hardly worthy of being called battles.

Thus, Schrelitz had not just fallen silent but had entered a deep slumber.

But at this moment, all those worries vanished.

What remained was the task of once again proclaiming the glory of the Empire and the greatness of Schrelitz.

They would show everyone that the Empire’s sword had not lost its edge!

When they finally unleashed their fearsome might on the battlefield, their enemies would regret it!

They believed they would soon be leading the Empire’s legions into battle.

They had heard it would be a massive campaign, even involving the magic corps.

They thought they would be at the forefront, flying the Schrelitz banner.

“Prepare the men.”

Until the next day, when the Duke of Schrelitz said those words.

“What? Your Excellency, what do you mean…?”

“A new imperial command has been issued.”

It had only been a few days since the last command, and now another one had come.

Even more surprising events followed.

The legions and magic corps that were preparing for deployment were ordered to stand down.

Only one legion would be moving with Schrelitz.

The retainers couldn’t understand the situation.

So, the Duke of Schrelitz quietly explained the sudden change.

“Jonathan will be joining the procession to the west.”

“…What?”

“His Majesty has somehow arranged for all three direct descendants to head west. Therefore, our plans have changed to accompany them.”

“….”

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent and nodded.

The Schrelitz ducal family still had veterans who had once ventured to the north.

Thanks to them, they remembered. They remembered what kind of beings they had fought at the northern edge.

They had met beings more terrifying than any nightmare in that place.

‘This is exciting.’

Despite the massive war unfolding, the Duke of Schrelitz didn’t show any signs of disappointment or frustration.

He remembered the power of the northern battle tribe he had witnessed firsthand in his youth.

Instead, he felt like being sent to the west with them was a reward from the Emperor.

The Alliance would crumble and surrender anyway, and Jonathan didn’t want glory.

The Emperor wanted him, Schrelitz, to be the Empire’s champion and bring back their surrender.

This was the reward for waiting for so long, it seemed.

“Nice to meet you, Duke Schrelitz.”

And so, the Duke met the culprit behind the recent Academy semi-destruction incident.

“Nice to meet you, Lea Jonathan.”

This woman was the infamous one, rumored to be incredibly powerful.

The Duke of Schrelitz gazed at Lea with an interested expression.

Although he had passed on his skills to his juniors, twenty years ago, he was one of the Empire’s top 10 warriors, renowned for his martial prowess.

Even now, with his white hair, he could still take on two or three knights without a problem.

It wasn’t for nothing that people thought of the Schrelitz ducal family when they heard the word “martial arts.”

“…Hmph.”

But even the Duke of Schrelitz couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly when he saw Lea.

Ordinary knights wouldn’t even dare to face her, with her refined yet unpredictable martial arts.

Beyond that, she had a fierce aura that could crush even the strongest monsters.

Assessing her abilities, the Duke of Schrelitz was confident.

The current top 10 warriors of the Empire wouldn’t be able to handle this woman alone.

Even two or three of them would struggle to keep up with her.

‘Compared to my youth….’

He had confidence

However, it seems there was a great fear that the Empire was trying to prevent from befalling it.

“I heard you’re also heading west with us. I look forward to working together.”

Another surprising aspect was that it was hard to believe she was capable of such a monstrous act.

Her appearance was already sufficiently beautiful, and her confident demeanor was very appealing.

Nor was she arrogant or lacking in manners. On the contrary, she was quite a refined lady.

‘Having her as a daughter-in-law would have been wonderful.’

For a moment, Duke Schrelitz entertained such a mundane thought before shaking his head.

Marrying into Jonathan would inevitably attract the scrutiny of the imperial family.

It was questionable whether his family could even handle such a woman.

Besides, all his sons were already married with children of their own.

“Brother, over here.”

Lea gestured, calling someone over.

Shortly after, a man who seemed like he could suppress a group of knights with a single finger appeared.

“Nice to meet you, Your Grace.”

“Pleased to meet you. The heir of the Jonathan barony, I presume.”

The Duke’s voice involuntarily hardened for a moment.

As someone with a certain level of skill, it was a natural wariness towards a strong opponent.

Despite his age, this habit momentarily surfaced.

“Leo Jonathan.”

Compared to the introduction of Lea, the impression of Leo was singular.

‘Insane.’

Lea alone was enough to elicit admiration, but her brother was even stronger.

And considering he was not yet thirty, he would only mature and grow stronger with time.

As a Duke, he couldn’t even begin to imagine how powerful he might become.

“…We need to head to the academy.”

At Duke Schrelitz’s words, Leo nodded slightly.

Originally, it was just supposed to be him and Lea going, but seeing Kyle changed their minds.

This wasn’t an experience in ‘combat’ one could have at any time, so it seemed good to let him experience it.

Above all, getting his body moving properly seemed like a good way to shed some real weight.

“Understood. Since we’ve received the imperial command, I’ll send someone to the academy. I’ll be commanding the troops and staying on the outskirts, so bring your brother when you come out.”

“Understood, Your Grace. I’ll see you later.”

After parting with the Jonathan siblings, Duke Schrelitz left the central region.

Nearby, the legion that was to head west had already completed its preparations.

Originally, a much larger expeditionary force was supposed to set out.

However, plans had abruptly changed, and now only one legion was to move.

Leading that legion was the Duke of Schrelitz, known as the Empire’s Sword.

Under his command was also the undefeated Brotherhood of the Sword knights.

The ducal family and the knights were always present in the Empire’s victories.

As a result, there was a sense of calm among the imperial legions, with no significant confusion.

“Your Grace, the carriage carrying the Jonathan people has arrived.”

He said he would bring his brother, and indeed, he had brought him quickly.

It seemed there was no need for explanations or preparations.

“Hmm.”

The moment Duke Schrelitz saw the youngest of the Jonathan family from a distance, he thought,

So, not all Jonathans are monsters wearing human skins.

Perhaps having such individuals around would make them seem a bit more human.

Of course, this didn’t mean the youngest was weak.

It was just that his brother and sister standing nearby were exceptionally strong.