Chapter 0665 Nelson Touch
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"Nelson touch."
"Huh?"
Ryo's words made Abel tilt his head.
Well, it was as usual.
"The lead ship that charges straight into an enemy line of battle receives the heaviest concentration of cannon fire."
"I guess."
"Once, Admiral Nelson himself boarded that lead ship and plunged into the enemy line."
"…Ohh."
Ryo was passionately recounting the Battle of Trafalgar, but Abel couldn't understand it at all.
All he understood was that some admiral called Nelson sounded impressive.
Still, he listened because he thought it rude to interrupt Ryo when Ryo was fired up.
Abel was a good guy.
"You charge in, tear the enemy line apart, and split them. Once split, all our broadsides face the enemy, and the tide turns."
"R-Right…"
"From there, you encircle and annihilate one of the split halves, then crush the other. That is the Nelson touch. That's how we stopped the emperor's landing!"
Ryo's right fist thrusts up high.
Perhaps it was dedicated to Admiral Nelson, who risked his life to defend his country.
By the way, Admiral Nelson— called by some the greatest hero in British history— died in that Battle of Trafalgar.
What will happen this time…?
"
Ryo's boast: the hardest wall of ice.
With this, the defense was perfect.
After that…
"Hey, Ryo, aren't you going to attack?"
Abel's question was directed at Ryo and Kabui Somar.
"If you used something like the
"That attack that sank the Go-War ship, right?"
Kabui Somar nodded at Abel's words.
He nodded, but didn't seem to think it would work.
"The enemy… Prince Kouri knows that Duke Rondo stands beside His Majesty the Emperor. I don't know whether he's on the land forces or in the fleet, though."
"Yeah."
"Even so, he challenged us to a fleet battle. Why is that?"
Kabui Somar paused once, then continued.
"I think it's because they have something that can stand up to us."
"Something that can oppose Ryo?"
Honestly, Abel didn't think there was anyone who could oppose Ryo as a person.
"Every time I heard the name of Duke Rondo in the imperial capital, it was explained to me like this. It was as if…"
"—Lord Rowon."
Ryo finished the sentence, and Kabui Somar nodded.
"I see. So that Lord Rowon is in that fleet."
Abel nodded.
Still, in his heart, he didn't think anyone could truly rival Ryo.
Because they were human, after all.
But Ryo himself added an explanatory note.
"I've fought many magicians and swordsmen, and those who blend both. But there is a type I haven't fought."
"Hm?"
"Alchemists."
"Ah…"
"Alchemy is, one might say, a perfected human craft. Lord Rowon stands at its summit."
"I understand."
Abel had seen it before.
He'd seen Ryo counter opponents who surpassed him in magic or swordsmanship using alchemy.
This time, it might be an opponent who surpasses that alchemy.
A top-tier alchemist is also a top-tier magician.
"An opponent who can outmatch Ryo with water-attribute magic and alchemy?"
"That possibility exists, yes."
At Abel's words, Ryo nodded clearly.
He wasn't flustered.
He wasn't careless either.
"Still…"
Abel sighed and went on.
"We prepared a large army to avoid armed conflict, yet in the end it seems we'll clash anyway."
"It's as if it symbolizes the foolishness of humankind."
Ryo frowned and shook his head.
Even if people are foolish, war proceeds.
Perhaps because people are foolish, once a war begins, it's not easily stopped.
"Duke Rondo, attack! "
"Yes!
A volley of extremely thick ice lances was fired, spreading out like a fan centered on Ryo and striking the Kouri fleet deployed ahead.
Their number: over four thousand.
But every one of them was mutually annihilated!
"What the—! "
He had considered the possibility, but even Ryo himself was surprised to see the interception performed right before his eyes.
He could see the instant of impact.
"The ice discs collided one-on-one."
"Ice discs? It's said Lord Rowon favors those. Each disc moves as if it has a will of its own."
"As if they have a will? That would be alchemy rather than magic, wouldn't it…?"
At Captain La Wu's words, Ryo gave a small nod.
In moments like this, one can sense the depth of alchemy.
"Cannon fire incoming!"
A lookout atop the mast shouted.
A simultaneous barrage from the two-hundred-ship Kouri fleet battle line.
But it was all repelled.
Not by mutual annihilation, but by Ryo's ice wall that covered the entire allied fleet and deflected the shots.
"It wasn't mutual annihilation! I showed them an overwhelming difference in power and knocked them aside!"
"Y-yeah… impressive."
Ryo insisted to Abel at his side, and Abel praised him.
Praising Ryo to boost his spirits during battle… Abel was being mature.
Ryo thought for a moment, then nodded big.
"All right, I have pride too."
He turned to fleet commander Kabui Somar and proposed.
"May I rapid-fire the
"Huh? That's fine, but is your mana okay?"
"I don't know. But challengers push themselves."
"…I leave it to you."
Ryo felt like a challenger.
"Bring it on! Full volley of ice lances!"
"Your words don't sound very challenger-like."
Abel's remark, of course, didn't reach Ryo's ears.
"
Over four thousand extra-thick ice lances.
But again, all were mutually annihilated.
"As expected!
Ten consecutive shots of
In total, over forty thousand ice lances assaulted the Kouri fleet.
And there followed the light of mutual annihilation more than forty thousand times.
"Did they intercept all of those?"
Abel cried out in astonishment.
His expression said he had witnessed something truly unbelievable.
"Ryo…"
He called to his partner beside him with concern.
"Abel, interception was expected."
"Even after firing that many?"
"Yes. Everything is ultimately a calculated move toward final victory."
Abel looked worried, while Ryo's face was filled with confidence and resolve.
"Right, let's try one more thing."
Ryo said that and began to chant.
"
Where before the ice lances had spread from Ryo, this time they were launched toward a single target.
One after another.
Four thousand in total.
All of them vanished in flashes of mutual annihilation.
"This is amazing. No—rather than amazing, it's bordering on absurd."
Ryo gave a small nod.
Of course, in the meantime, the allied fleet continued to advance.
That meant the distance between the two fleets was steadily closing.
Eventually, they would collide.
"What happens when two shields that spears can't pierce collide?"
"…They just push against each other?"
In response to Ryo's question, Abel answered seriously.
In his head, he pictured shield-bearers pushing against each other with their shields.
"That may be inevitable."
Ryo said this and looked at Kabui Somar.
Receiving that gaze, Kabui Somar nodded.
"All ships are prepared for close-quarters boarding combat."
But both the one who answered and Ryo understood.
They would probably be unable to board the enemy's ships.
Of course, the enemy would probably be unable to board theirs either.
And then the two fleets collided.
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The allied fleet's provisional flagship, the Tenth Public Vessel, rammed into Kouri's fleet at the center of the formation.
Even while Ryo was throwing spears of ice, magic bombardment from Kouri's fleet continued.
In particular, the density of fire aimed at the Tenth Public Vessel was considerable.
Of course, every single shot was repelled by the ice wall.
In the center of the Kouri fleet, with ships deployed to the left and right, was a ship flying the Darwei national flag and Prince Kouri's banner.
That ship was the flagship Feidoshin.
The Tenth Public Vessel drove itself into that vessel.
The two flagships collided.
One side deployed an ice wall.
The other side deployed the ship's
So the collision was between two invisible walls.
No sound.
Yet there appeared a scene extremely rare in fleet warfare.
Standing on the bow of the tenth ship were Ryo and the allied fleet leadership.
On the bow of Feidoshin stood Prince Kouri and Kouri's fleet commanders.
The two leaderships glared at one another.
But the first to speak was not either of the top commanders.
"You must be the famed Lord Rowon."
Ryo said, having spotted an old man standing on Feidoshin's bow.
"Indeed. Duke Rondo, pleased to make your acquaintance."
The old man replied.
The straight-line distance between them was perhaps ten meters.
Between them lay the ice wall and the
"Surrender."
Prince Kouri said clearly.
A natural command.
Still, the allied fleet hesitated at the words.
The fleet was being led by Kabui Somar.
He had been formally given command authority by the emperor.
By right, he held the authority to accept surrender.
But he was not a Darwei native.
The highest-ranking Darwei person present was Captain La Wu of the tenth ship.
But he was, after all, merely the captain of a single ship.
He understood that making a decision that might determine the future course of all Darwei affairs would be far too great a burden to shoulder alone.
So the allied fleet wavered.
"Ryo."
Abel called softly, and with a nod jerked his chin toward the center of Feidoshin's deck.
The moment Ryo saw it, anger flashed across his face.
On Feidoshin's deck stood Prince Ryun.
Around him were Attendant Wen Shu and Captain Lu Yao.
The three of them were suppressing their frustration.
They were not bound, but encircled at a distance by what appeared to be Prince Kouri's royal troops.
"Hostages…"
Ryo's whispered words were so quiet that even Abel could not hear them.
This outcome had probably been calculated from the start.
It had begun with the small number of twenty shots.
In the end, even the maximum-power barrage had been deflected, confirming that Duke Rondo himself was present.
If Ryo had not been there and they could sink the entire allied fleet… so be it.
If Ryo was present, showing that Prince Ryun was being held hostage could be used to force surrender.
The Kouri camp knew that Prince Ryun and Duke Rondo were allied.
If they could pull Ryo out or neutralize him… victory could be won without large-scale military confrontation.
It was despicable.
Despicable, but there was nothing to be done by simply calling it despicable.
This was war.
This was a battlefield.
If victory could be achieved at the cost of a few lives?
Many rulers would choose that.
And Prince Kouri had made that choice.
Ryo's insides boiled with rage.
He understood that they had lost the read of the situation and that he was still lacking.
But he would look back on that later.
What he had to do now was protect those who had been taken!
<
<<…Understood.>>
Startled by Ryo's sudden 'Soul Resonance', Abel nevertheless complied.
Ryo must have considered the possibility that even a whisper could be overheard.
From where Ryo stood, he faced forward as usual.
But Abel could tell.
Ryo's attention had turned elsewhere.
Likely alchemy.
He was doing something alchemical in his head… constructing or altering a magic formula.
"Well, then."
Ryo trusted Abel and asked him to buy time.
He would simply carry out what needed to be done.
Abel steeled himself and smoothly thrust his arm forward.
"Is that how a king acts in Darwei!?"
Abel's words, delivered with the dignity of a king's proclamation, struck the Kouri fleet commanders.
Kabui Somar and Captain La Wu were surprised by Abel's sudden words.
Abel had suddenly shouted in front of the prince.
But when they looked in the direction Abel was pointing…
"Prince Ryun…"
Captain La Wu murmured upon seeing Prince Ryun and the others on Feidoshin's deck.
Kabui Somar, having attended Ryun's banquet, recognized his face.
He also understood that Ryun was in effect a rival to Prince Kouri.
The reason they were on the flagship's deck.
In essence, they were hostages.
Abel pointed that out.
At the same time, by gesturing and speaking strongly, Abel made it clear to Prince Ryun and the others that he understood their predicament even without being told.
Amid that, the opposing leaderships were surprised by Abel's behavior…
But, apart from Ryo, one person did not seem surprised.
That was the man who had been denounced.
"I see."
Prince Kouri murmured, nodded once, and continued speaking.
"Duke Rondo's guardian Albert… but in some circles called 'Abel'. I have heard that around Duke Rondo there is a man called Abel… he even appears in the 'Ballad of the Knightley Kingdom'. Duke Rondo is always accompanied by this man. So you are Hero King Abel the First."
Captain La Wu and Lord Rowon were surprised.
Kabui Somar, who already knew, showed no surprise.
"Well then, what will you do, Prince Kouri?"
Abel's gaze pierced Prince Kouri head-on.
It was truly the look of a king.
"I do not think I need to explain to His Majesty Abel the Hero King… but if war can be avoided at the cost of three lives, why not choose that?"
"Will the people follow such a king? A king who makes his people feel ashamed to be taken in by him cannot be a king!"
"A difference of opinion, Your Majesty."
"The people are the very basis of a nation."
"No — the nation is the basis for the people. Without a state, the people cannot live."
Prince Kouri said it plainly.
The instant Abel heard that, he understood.
Why Secretary Shau disliked Prince Kouri and why Emperor Tsuin had not elevated him as crown prince.
For the sake of the state, to force sacrifice upon the people.
In reality, such cases can exist.
Politics, considered as the means to pursue the happiness of the many over the few, can make such harsh choices inevitable.
Still — those involved in politics must never take that as a given.
Abel believed that.
Because those in high places must view relations between their country and others from a broad perspective, they must always hold the lives of every citizen in their minds.
That is precisely what 'the people are the basis of the nation' means.
But the prince before him…
"The people are not tools for a king to rule his state."
Abel said heavily, his words truly weighty.
Prince Kouri said nothing in response.
It was clear he was not moved by Abel's words.
His gaze, however, remained fixed on Ryo, who had been silent until then.
"I wondered why Duke Rondo revealed his identity while Abel the King hid his by claiming to be a mere bodyguard…"
Prince Kouri said, looking at the silent Ryo and continuing.
"I see. So Duke Rondo, the loyalist, is sung by bards. By drawing attention to himself, he prevented his lord from being targeted. Naturally, if Hero King Abel came to Darwei, it would cause a great stir."
Prince Kouri said those words directly to Ryo.
But Ryo kept his eyes on the Kouri fleet commanders, including the Prince Kouri, and remained silent.
Prince Kouri regarded that with suspicion.
And Lord Rowon.
"Impossible…"
Lord Rowon whispered, and the instant he looked at Prince Ryun and the others in the deck's center.
Consciousness appeared in Ryo's eyes.
"It's too late. Come forth, Neil Andersen!"
The moment Ryo spoke, the ice submarine Neil Andersen was formed by alchemy around Prince Ryun and the others on Feidoshin's center deck.
In other words, from the instant of its generation, Prince Ryun and the others were inside Neil Andersen.
"Changing to such a special method of generation took time. Abel, nice job buying time!"
"Right."
Ryo gave a thumbs-up to express thanks, and Abel, startled, accepted the thanks.
Abel had expected Ryo to use alchemy to rescue Prince Ryun and the others, but he had not imagined Ryo would generate Neil Andersen on the enemy flagship's deck.
"
Lord Rowon's ice spears rained down on Neil Andersen.
But every one was repelled by Neil Andersen's outer hull.
"I activated the 'alchemy shell' upon generation. It's a defense that even a kraken couldn't pierce—shall we see if it can be penetrated?"
Ryo said with a grin.
His face was full of confidence.
"I see — this is hard."
Lord Rowon frowned slightly but quickly continued.
"If you cannot damage it from the outside, do it from the inside. Drown them.
Lord Rowon cast a spell, but nothing happened.
"What?"
He scowled clearly.
"You intended to generate water inside Neil Andersen to drown Prince Ryun and the others. Yet that is impossible."
"Why?"
"Because Neil Andersen does not let magic through."
"Impossible!"
For the first time since the collision, Lord Rowon voiced genuine surprise.
"That cannot be!"
"It can."
Ryo said with a smug face.
It was the result of Ryo's multilayered ice — an extrapolation of magic based on his earthbound knowledge of theoretical physics.
For anyone whose knowledge was limited to the 'Phi' and who had devoted even a deep study to magic and alchemy, it would be natural to want to shout 'impossible'.
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy—so it is!"
"Horatio?"
Ryo declared, quoting Hamlet, and Lord Rowon, baffled, muttered.
"Human intellectual inquiry never stops; as a result, it becomes possible to block magic… or so the story goes."
"I see."
Lord Rowon nodded several times as if to savor Ryo's words.
"Interesting."
A whisper.
"Interesting."
A little louder.
"Interesting."
Now audible normally.
"How very interesting!"
A cry of rapture…
Lord Rowon's rapturous shout.
"How very interesting, Duke Rondo! Truly the wonder of magic, the pinnacle of alchemy… the reason humans are human… to explore, to explore, and to explore. Ah! Wonderful! To not know now is to be able to know in the future! What joy! What bliss! What exquisite delight!"
"People like Ilarion give the same impression — these sorts of people seem frightening to ordinary folk."
Ryo murmured, watching the reactions of those around Lord Rowon, who trembled with joy.
Kabui Somar, Captain La Wu, and others on Feidoshin's deck reacted similarly.
Abel, perhaps used to Ilarion, wore an 'I expected as much' expression.
Prince Kouri showed no expression.
Or rather, a faint smile.
He probably kept Lord Rowon close because he understood this side of him too.
"Duke Rondo! Please, share that Horatio stuff you have — teach it to me."
Lord Rowon begged, apparently misunderstanding.
"No."
Ryo refused, of course.
He thought about correcting the misunderstanding but gave up.
Let Horatio be sacrificed if necessary…
Sorry, Shakespeare.
"Refuse? Ah, I see! If you want it, steal it. If you want it, show your power. Naturally! Expecting to be fed while keeping your mouth open is arrogant. An indulgence only for fledglings… not permitted for people. Oh, indeed, indeed."
Lord Rowon frolicked in his rapture.
Ryo had already given up any hope of a peaceful resolution.
"Lord Rowon."
"Ah— Your Highness, this is impossible. Prince Ryun, who was being held hostage, is inside Duke Rondo's ice. You must win by force."
"Couldn't you seize and take away a magic construct generated by another water-attribute magician?"
"Yes, Your Highness, I did say that before. But that was for magic constructs. The ice covering on that deck was produced by Duke Rondo's own alchemy. Things produced by alchemy cannot be taken."
"I see."
For some reason, he seemed pleased— no, perhaps he was simply delighted to be able to fight.
Lord Rowon explained with a laugh.
Prince Kouri frowned.
But the decision came quickly.
"Then do it."
"I thought you'd say that!
Lord Rowon chanted again.
But again, nothing happened.
"So Lord Rowon tried to generate a vast amount of water on this Tenth Public Vessel's deck to drown us."
"Indeed. I see—the ice in front of us is designed not to allow magic through!"
Ryo explained calmly, and Lord Rowon, still filled with rapture, understood.
"Then truly we must resort to brute force! 'Stellar Frost Ring'!"
The moment Lord Rowon cast it, Ryo looked up.
His
More than a hundred somethings appeared in the sky.
The next instant, a rain of ice poured down upon the allied fleet.
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Ryo's
Tens of thousands of ice shards poured down upon it.
It was not a single volley.
Over and over again.
Each time, tens of thousands of pieces of ice rained down.
"Like stars… a hundred launch platforms? They're making it rain ice from launch platforms created by alchemy—the very extreme of brute force."
Ryo said admiringly.
"Even so, a shell of ice that won't be broken by brute force… And that, moreover, is not alchemy, is it? Pure water-attribute magic—how can it endure like this?"
Lord Rowon, still wrapped in an ecstasy of delight, calmly analyzed Ryo's ice cover.
Directly above them, the falling ice rain and the repelling ice cover crashed into each other without pause, yet the two water-attribute magicians standing at the bow behaved as if they were having a casual chat over tea.
"We need to increase the load. Your Highness, have the fleet fire magic bombardment."
"Understood. Fire."
Prince Kouri's order was relayed to the entire fleet.
At that moment, only Abel seemed to notice the very slightest change in Ryo's expression.
"Fire!"
A magic bombardment launched from the two-hundred-ship fleet.
Neither Lord Rowon, who had requested the bombardment, nor Prince Kouri, who had ordered it, expected the barrage to succeed.
Still, it was a fact that both the ice wall blocking the fleet's path and the ice cover protecting the sky were being created and maintained by a single magician.
If so, then thickening the attack to increase the load and eventually force a total exhaustion of mana is a textbook tactic in magic warfare.
That is the significance of the fleet's magic bombardment.
But… textbook tactics are, by definition, predictable.
From the opponent's point of view, in this case.
That opponent being Ryo.
"'Dynamic Steam Mine II'—laid."
Not the usual
He had modified it a little…
"Chain-detonation? No—induced freezing? The moment it's hit, everything from there to the launch platform freezes up."
Ryo's mutter was audible only to Abel at his side.
Of course, Abel did not understand the meaning at first…
But he understood after watching what happened.
The fleet's alchemy devices for magic bombardment, installed on the port sides of the Kouri fleet, fired.
Their shots flew a short distance and then froze solid.
From the frozen point… like a fuse transmitting fire, like flame running along gasoline, the fire traveled, and the very alchemy devices that had fired were frozen in an instant.
Every ship that fired, every gun.
That spectacle was visible even from the bows of the two flagships that had rammed into one another.
"Impossible…"
Words muttered by Prince Kouri.
"What the…"
Words muttered by Kabui Somar.
"Terrifying…"
Words muttered by Captain La Wu.
"Ku-huh."
The laugh that slipped out involuntarily was Lord Rowon's.
"That was alchemy! When firing, my 'Moon' steps out of the firing line… I had read it as something that couldn't be defended. My, my. When did you lay such a trap?"
"Being praised by Lord Rowon, the alchemist famed throughout Darwei, is an indescribable honor."
Ryo answered Lord Rowon's admiration with a brisk, refreshing frankness.
When a set trap works perfectly and yields perfect results, even someone other than Ryo would be pleased.
"With that, we've 'halved' the Darwei fleet's bombardment."
Ryo said with a smile.
"Half?"
Abel tilted his head.
It looked as if he had destroyed the alchemy bombardment devices on every Darwei ship except the flagship Feidoshin, which had its bows locked together.
"I crushed the ones on this side's hull, but the ones on the far side are still intact."
"Ah…"
Yes—the bombardment devices are installed on both sides of the ships.
He had smashed all the ones facing their side, but those on the opposite side remained unharmed.
"I don't know whether they can move them or not…"
Ryo did not know exactly how the alchemy devices were affixed.
But if they were the sort of things Captain Lu Yao and her men used on Midorisou Plain, then… though these were probably much larger in power— with time and manpower, it might not be impossible to move them.
"But they'll come head-on rather than relying on a ship's alchemy devices, won't they, Lord Rowon?"
Ryo said loudly, on purpose.
He directed the remark at an opponent who was both a water-attribute magician and an alchemist facing him head-on.
"It can't be helped. If that is what you desire, I shall oblige, Duke Rondo."
Lord Rowon replied, still laughing.
"By the way, Lord Rowon, even if it's alchemy, can you run out of mana?"
"No, Duke Rondo, depending on how you do it, exhaustion of mana rarely occurs."
"You mean by using that 1024-character string, don't you?"
The instant Ryo said that, Lord Rowon's expression clearly changed.
But he immediately nodded.
He had realized why Ryo knew of it.
"Did Lu Yao tell you?"
"Yes. Also, the 'Flight Ring' sold in the capital contains a similar character string."
"Ho ho. You opened a 'Flight Ring'? If you open one clumsily, it will erase the magic formula… But, well— you, Duke Rondo, who can wield so much alchemy and even make golems, have no problem with that. Excuse my bluntness."
"No, Lord Rowon—your earlier… the 'Moon' you used to protect the ship. It's amazing to perform such a mass of precision control with alchemy. And what you're firing now… I should call it the 'Stars'. A vast barrage from countless stars at a steep downward angle—marvelous."
"If the world were different, we might have debated alchemy day and night."
"Indeed, quite so."
Lord Rowon laughed heartily while not letting up the attack.
And Ryo received it with a smile.
Abel, listening to such a conversation beside Ryo, had come to understand recently.
In magic warfare among beings of this class, outcomes are rarely decided by brute force alone.
And that the practitioners themselves understand that best of all.
Therefore, the kind of apparent stalemate— where it looks like brute force meets brute resistance—is actually the state both sides want.
Behind that facade, they are thinking rapidly about a way to settle it in one decisive blow and preparing measures for it.
When nothing seems to be moving from an outsider's perspective, the top-class ones are actually thinking and preparing.
Abel thought.
Ryo's goal was probably to secure Prince Ryun and the others.
Because he had admitted them into the Neil Andersen, nothing immediate could be done to them.
But the Neil Andersen itself was still on the enemy's deck.
Perhaps Ryo wanted to move it closer to their side.
But Abel could not read Lord Rowon's thinking at all.
He was an alchemist and water-attribute magician touted as the best in Darwei, with a lifetime of experience.
He surely wasn't doing nothing…
After a while, Lord Rowon laughed.
This laugh was different from the previous ones—it carried a sinister, baleful tone.
A laugh that came from the certainty of having taken the initiative and achieved his objective first.
"Duke Rondo, I think I can take the initiative.
The instant Lord Rowon chanted those words.
Ryo felt his control of the
As if taken by Kraken or Fan.
At the same time, it vanished.
Ryo's pushing Abel to the side was almost unconscious…
And then.
Ryo was frozen solid.
"Impossible…"
Abel, who had been shoved aside, muttered, looking at Ryo, now encased in ice.
"Wah-ha-ha-ha-ha—delightful, delightful. To be able to freeze such a water-attribute magician in ice!"
If it could be called a raving laugh.
Then that was Lord Rowon's laughter as he rolled about.
"Ryo will break through and come out…"
Abel said involuntarily.
"No, that's impossible, Your Majesty Abel."
Lord Rowon said, bowing politely while laughing.
"This is ice encasing produced by alchemy. If it were only magic, there might be a slim chance. But since I froze him with my alchemy, even a legendary magician cannot possibly escape."
Lord Rowon explained.
Hearing that, Abel's face soured.
He recalled the previous fight between Ryo and Fan.
At the end, Ryo had used alchemy to encase Fan in ice.
Fan, who had the body of a dragon.
A true apex water-attribute monster.
Yet even she could not free herself from the alchemically created ice coffin by her own power.
So Abel understood.
What Lord Rowon said was true.
Still…
"The match is decided. Surrender."
Prince Kouri's renewed call for surrender came at a perfect moment.
At the precise moment, the strongest force on which they relied had been lost.
If they surrendered, the soldiers would probably not be harmed.
At least, neither Kabui Somar nor Captain La Wu could issue orders to continue this as a forcible combat.
Rather…
"Abel-dono, what do you think?"
Kabui Somar honestly consulted Abel.
He knew now—Abel had just been revealed as Abel the First.
In this situation, consulting Abel the King as commander of the allied fleet was not wrong.
Abel deliberately turned his back on Prince Kouri and faced Kabui Somar and Captain La Wu.
"Wait just a little longer."
"Do you mean… that Duke Rondo will break that ice and come out?"
"Is he alive, trapped in that ice?"
Abel requested; Kabui Somar asked; Captain La Wu already doubted whether Ryo's life remained.
"No—the Neil Andersen and the ice wall continue to exist. So at least Ryo is not dead."
Indeed, the Neil Andersen had been generated by alchemy, but the supply of magic power should be coming from Ryo himself.
He was not using magic stones, after all.
That was Abel's reasoning.
However…
Crack.
A sound was heard…
And something transparent vanished.
"They're peeling off the ice wall one layer at a time."
Kabui Somar must have sensed and understood it.
The ice walls that Ryo had generated to protect the allied fleet were being taken over and removed layer by layer by Lord Rowon.
The first wall that had been commandeered and peeled away by the magic called
But other ice walls were protecting the allied fleet.
Those, too, were being peeled away.
"This is bad…"
That realization spread unease among everyone aboard the allied fleet.
As leaders of the fleet, that was extremely bad.
"Ryo…"
Abel murmured that as he looked at Ryo frozen in ice.
<
Crack.
"Preparedness leaves no cause for worry."
Ryo said as he shattered the ice—and he was back in the fight!
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"Impossible…"
The person who was most astonished by that scene was, without a doubt, Lord Rowon.
If one were to choose a phrase to describe his expression, 'stunned and dumbstruck' would be the perfect fit.
"I can understand magic. Like when I put your magic under my control and then break it apart. But an alchemical ice prison? Impossible…"
Lord Rowon repeated 'impossible' again and again.
He had devoted most of his life to magic and alchemy and was said to be the greatest in Darwei; because of that, he understood clearly what was possible and what was not.
He had pride in being the one who best understood that boundary.
From his experience and knowledge, it was 'impossible'.
"Indeed, I would have said the same once. Impossible. But someone said to me before. There might be a possibility that I myself could be frozen by alchemy."
Abel had said that right after the fight with Fan.
"Could alchemy be used to freeze Ryo?" he asked.
At the moment Ryo heard that question, he froze.
Alchemy that even Fan could not escape from being frozen.
Of course, Ryo would not be able to break out either.
He could not say with absolute certainty that such a thing would never happen.
Thus, he needed to think of counters and ways to respond.
That foresight paid off here today.
"That is… advice with true prescience…"
Lord Rowon praised, but a trace of regret bled into his words.
Naturally, he'd be frustrated if something he believed he had captured perfectly was broken through.
"Yes. Excellent partners—that is the difference between you, Lord Rowon, and me."
Ryo said it plainly.
But…
"Breaking through the 'Sudden Rain Ice Prison' was splendid. I admit that. But I have not yet lost."
"True. I haven't won yet."
Ryo nodded at Lord Rowon's words.
"However, the battle will not proceed as it did a moment ago."
"What do you mean?"
"First of all: why was I able to break out of an alchemical ice prison? Of course, I had prepared counters… but what exactly were they? Those are not something one can prepare easily, right?"
"You say you prepared counters… Indeed, that is not something easily prepared. The Duke of Rondo's alchemy is marvelous, I admit that. But I, too, am not so far behind. And yet in reality you broke through… why?"
Lord Rowon thought.
He must have arrived at a possibility.
He looked surprised and, to confirm, he chanted it aloud.
" 'Stellar Frost Ring'."
It was an alchemy that would create innumerable aerial gun turrets and perform steep-angle plunging fire… but it had not been generated.
And then he understood.
"You rewrote my alchemy… magic formula?"
"Yes."
Lord Rowon's face went pale with astonishment while Ryo smiled.
In alchemy, you inscribe magic formulas or magic circles onto something.
The object thus written upon is called an alchemy tool.
For example, in Ryo's case, the magic formula that generates the submarine Neil Andersen is written on the scabbard of Murasame.
So Murasame's scabbard is an alchemy tool.
How did he write such a thing? He drew the magic formula or magic circle on a sheet of ice, then reduced it and transferred it onto Murasame's scabbard.
There is no limit to the size of an alchemy magic formula or magic circle.
Larger is easier to draw.
Though it takes up space.
So it is common to shrink it and 'copy' it.
While Ryo was receiving Lord Rowon's magic bombardment, and even after being sealed further into ice, he was probing for the place where Lord Rowon's magic formula had been written.
What corresponded to Murasame's scabbard in Lord Rowon's case: which alchemy tool was it…?
Lord Rowon had used a great deal of alchemy in battle, but Ryo had not seen that pale light that appears from the body when alchemy is activated.
That made it take a very long time to find.
Short in stature—less than 160 centimeters.
Dressed in deep blue eastern attire, leaning on a staff, long white hair and beard… it had to be somewhere on him.
"I thought maybe you wore something on your wrists or ankles, but you weren't. And of course, clothing that stretches and contracts isn't suitable for writing magic circles or formulas. As far as I could see, I really couldn't tell."
"…"
"Who would have thought it was that staff."
Of course, the staff didn't glow, either.
"The staff was hollow, and the inner cavity had the magic formulas written on it. Because of that, the alchemical glow did not leak outside."
"Indeed. Impressive."
Lord Rowon nodded at Ryo's observation.
"But even if you know that… you can't rewrite an alchemy magic formula. I have placed a
"I took control of that
"What?"
"Just as you took control of my
"What…"
Seizing control of the protection magic and rewriting the alchemy formula.
Alchemy that only Ryo could use, not Lord Rowon.
By doing so, Ryo made himself the master of the alchemically produced "Sudden Rain Ice Prison" and released it.
Furthermore, he rewrote other magic formulas that had been written inside the staff so that they, too, became his…
Ryo heard a deep sigh from Lord Rowon.
"To be completely bested in alchemy…"
Lord Rowon muttered.
"But… there is still magic."
Crack.
Lord Rowon closed the ten-meter distance between them in an instant.
Ryo received the staff blow with Murasame.
"Just because I am a magician and an alchemist, do you think I can't fight in close quarters?"
"Of course not. Lord Rowon belonged to the War Ministry, walking through battlefields. Enemies must often come into close quarters to strike for your life. If that's the case, if someone closes the distance, it could be the end… that cannot be allowed."
Lord Rowon smiled as he landed the blow.
Ryo took it with Murasame as if it were within expectations.
"Now then, Duke Rondo. Won't you show this old man your alchemy once more?"
"Very well."
Ryo said that, swiped Murasame broadly once, and took a backstep to create distance.
And chanted.
"
Two Ryos were born.
"That is… a fusion of alchemy and magic…"
Lord Rowon's whisper could not be heard out loud.
"
From the three Ryo figures, including Ryo himself, innumerable minuscule icicle spears shot toward Lord Rowon.
At the same time, from the backs of the three Ryos, streams of water—so fine they might be called mist—sprayed out and surged at the same speed as the ice spears.
The icicles' impact and the three Ryos' slashes formed in an instant and converged at once.
What remained was Lord Rowon, impaled through both hands and feet by countless ice spears, with three swords stopped a hair's breadth from his throat and chest.
"Splendid. I concede."
Lord Rowon smiled faintly and said so.
"I'm sorry, but please stay still.
Ryo said that and froze Lord Rowon.
On top of that…
"I win."
Ryo's declaration of victory was not aimed at the collapsed, frozen Lord Rowon, but at Prince Kouri.
Prince Kouri met Ryo's gaze head-on, but shook his head.
"I will not acknowledge it."
He said slowly and clearly.
"You won't admit defeat?"
"Yes. I will not admit it."
Ryo confirmed, and Prince Kouri nodded.
"Very well.
Ryo froze Prince Kouri, his crew, and the entirety of Prince Kouri's fleet.
"Hey, Ryo."
"What is it, Abel?"
"Why did you freeze everyone?"
"Because Prince Kouri did not surrender, did he?"
Ryo answered, tilting his head at Abel's question.
"Yeah, I get that… but—"
"I actually wanted to seek the Emperor's formal permission. I considered asking Abel to fly over in a hurry and have the Emperor come."
"O-oh…"
Abel was surprised at Ryo's unexpected thought.
"But I thought of contingencies."
"Contingencies?"
"If Abel fell while carrying the Emperor."
"Fall…"
"Running out of magic power, sudden attack by a phantomkin, all sorts of possibilities exist, right?"
"W-well…"
If only possibilities, many things are conceivable… that much is true.
"If the King of Knightley carried the Emperor of Darwei and crashed, it would certainly become an international incident."
"That would happen."
"To prevent that in advance, the only way was to freeze everyone. They were sacrificed for Abel, you might say. Abel should be grateful for those crew members of Prince Kouri's fleet."
"Yeah… that last part is a bit of a leap."
Abel wasn't fooled by Ryo's rambling.
"You were just too lazy to think and froze them all, didn't you?"
"Please don't leap to conclusions."
"Is that not it?"
"It might not be or not, it might be, or might not be…"
"Right, I understand."
Frozen because it was bothersome.
"But, Lord Rowon had to be frozen."
"You knocked him unconscious, right?"
"Yes, he's unconscious."
"Because there's a possibility he could use magic without a trigger word?"
Abel remembered the time Ryo had frozen a phantomkin after taking away their consciousness.
"That's part of it, but in a way it's also to protect Lord Rowon."
"Protect him? From whom?"
"Probably… the Emperor and Prince Kouri?"
"…What?"
Emperor Tsuin was understandable.
But Prince Kouri was, in a sense, Lord Rowon's employer.
Of course, he was frozen now… but to protect him from someone like that?
Abel couldn't make sense of it.
"Honestly, it would have been better to interrogate him during the battle if possible… but that timing wasn't there."
"Indeed."
"I suppose we'll question him and confirm later."
Ryo stopped there.
The Emperor's land forces and the allied fleet under Kabui Somar merged two days later.
Emperor Tsuin, who had entered the port ahead of them, was astonished to see, beyond the allied fleet anchored offshore, many blocks of ice floating on the water.
Entire ships were frozen solid and floating on the sea.
Two hundred of them.
Of course, he had received reports.
But the shock of the written reports and the shock of seeing the actual sight were entirely different…
"That must be Duke Rondo's magic. Incredible."
At that murmured remark, Count Barrow Fu Ten beside him could only nod in silence.
"Kabui Somar-dono, well done. It seems we troubled Duke Rondo in various ways as well."
"You flatter me, Your Majesty."
"I wish things had gone a bit more smoothly."
Emperor Tsuin praised them, Kabui Somar bowed his head, and Ryo scratched his head.
"Ryun, it's been a while."
"Your Majesty… no, Father, I am most grateful you are safe."
Emperor Tsuin called out happily to Prince Ryun, who had been rescued from Prince Kouri's fleet, and Prince Ryun was glad that the Emperor—his father—was unharmed.
And finally…
Brought over from Prince Kouri's fleet were Prince Kouri himself and Lord Rowon, still frozen in his ice coffin.
"Kouri…"
"Your Majesty, I did only what was necessary."
Prince Kouri answered in a resolute, dignified manner to the sorrowful Emperor Tsuin.
"With all due respect, Father, you cannot steer Darwei."
Prince Kouri declared clearly.
There was none of his usual composure in his expression.
Desperately, unwillingly, yet desperately pleading… it was a kind of impeachment.
"That may be so."
Emperor Tsuin accepted the accusation with an almost gentle expression.
"If only Jun… if Crown Prince Jun were alive, that would be best."
When Emperor Tsuin said that, his gaze went distant, as if looking at memories that could never be recovered.
"Why did elder brother Jun die…?"
The words that slipped from Prince Kouri's mouth were not addressed to anyone in particular.
Emperor Tsuin, who heard them, did not have an answer to that question either.
But in truth, there was one person here who might hold that answer.
That person hesitated over whether to speak, and seemed to choose not to say anything at that moment and to tell the Emperor privately later… he hung his head. Emperor Tsuin noticed that odd behavior.
"Duke Rondo, do you have something on your mind?"
"Huh?"
Ryo was genuinely surprised at being asked.
He had decided not to say anything here and kept his head down, and the question had come suddenly.
"N-no, Your Majesty, nothing in particular…"
This was the first time Ryo had fallen into such a state before Emperor Tsuin.
Naturally, Emperor Tsuin found it suspicious.
"I swear I will not be angry no matter what I hear. Duke Rondo, would you tell us what you know?"
His tone was very gentle.
When the supreme ruler of Darwei asked so, even Ryo could not easily refuse.
"Your Majesty, this is only conjecture. Therefore, after a careful investigation…"
"Mm, I should very much like to hear it."
Emperor Tsuin cut off Ryo's evasions in one stroke.
Truly, the emperor of a great nation.
Ryo took a deep breath.
He could feel himself more nervous than when fighting akumas.
"Your Majesty, I believe that it was Lord Rowon who silenced the Crown Prince."
"…"
Without hesitation, Ryo finished his sentence.
The reaction to such words was complete speechlessness.
Not only Emperor Tsuin.
Prince Kouri, of course, and everyone present were dumbstruck.
Ryo felt astonishingly uncomfortable.
But what had been said could not be undone, and remaining silent in that situation would obviously leave dangerous roots for the future.
Having arrived at an answer, he could not help but speak.
"Duke Rondo… no, I know you do not make such accusations lightly. I understand that… but still…"
Emperor Tsuin chose his words, but his speech trailed off.
Prince Kouri could not say anything at all.
There was someone else present who was also deeply shocked.
Someone close to the accused man.
Lord Rowon's disciple… Captain Lu Yao.
"If you feel unwell, Lu Yao, you may sit over there."
Prince Ryun kindly offered to the pallid-faced Captain Lu Yao.
"No, Your Highness. Please allow me to hear this here as well. If my master truly has gone astray, I, as a disciple, must not look away…"
A truthful accusation saddens many.
But when considering what would have happened had the accusation not been made… it was unavoidable.
"Tell me the basis for saying that Lord Rowon took elder brother Jun's life."
That question came from Prince Kouri, who had been silent and probably the most shocked of those present.
Ryo looked at Emperor Tsuin after hearing that question.
Emperor Tsuin nodded.
"My first doubt arose when water-attribute magic could be used inside the Imperial Palace."
"That was when the phantomkin attacked, wasn't it? At that time, there was a malfunction with the Starry Veil…"
"No, Your Majesty. Actually, even after that, water-attribute magic could be used."
"What…?"
"At that time, I thought perhaps something was odd with me or that my magic was special, and I considered various reasons."
Ryo broke off once, then began speaking again.
"But when I asked around, I found that among the Military Ministry inside the Imperial Palace… among its senior officers, there was no water-attribute magician except Lord Rowon. Even among the high-level adventurers who often accept requests from the palace, there were no water-attribute magicians. …Could it be that the palace had been set so that only water-attribute magic could be used there as a 'setting'?"
"But I cannot imagine the palace alchemists who manage the Starry Veil would not notice that…"
"They are excellent alchemists, but they are not necessarily Darwei's foremost alchemists, are they?"
"No…"
"The one Darwei preeminent alchemist who is also a water-attribute magician…and who could set things so that only water-attribute magic could be used inside the palace without the palace alchemists noticing. There is exactly one such person."
Ryo said that and looked at the ice coffin.
He altered the transparency so that the enclosed Lord Rowon could be seen.
Lord Rowon had his eyes closed and remained unconscious.
"I see."
Emperor Tsuin nodded once.
"When we return to the capital, we will conduct a detailed investigation. Duke Rondo, could it be that Lord Rowon was connected to the Choouchi Empire?"
At the emperor's question, many people raised their heads in surprise.
Indeed, the timing was far too convenient.
But Ryo shook his head.
"Your Majesty, I don't think that's the case."
"Why?"
"If that had been so, the Choouchi Empire would not have gone to the trouble of having General Yun captured to gather information on the Starry Veil. They could have obtained more detailed information from Lord Rowon."
"I see."
Emperor Tsuin nodded at Ryo's explanation.
"Before we return to the capital, there is something I would like to ask him here. Duke Rondo, is that possible?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, that is possible."
Ryo said so and then cast a spell.
"
First, he built an ice wall on the outside of the ice coffin.
This was to minimize damage should Lord Rowon act rashly.
Then.
"
He released only the head portion.
Lord Rowon slowly opened his eyes.
He looked around, confirmed that everything from his neck down was frozen in ice, and sighed.
"Your Majesty, it has been some time."
"Lord Rowon, there are questions I wish to ask."
"Yes, Your Majesty, ask anything."
Emperor Tsuin asked in an effortfully calm voice.
Lord Rowon answered as usual.
"Did you assassinate Crown Prince Jun?"
There was apparently no trace of anger in that question.
His expression and voice seemed as if all rage had been exhausted.
But that was an illusion.
When anger reaches its peak and becomes too great, it bursts.
And what follows is emptiness.
What Emperor Tsuin now wore was that emptiness.
Lord Rowon seemed startled for a moment at the question.
He looked around.
He looked at Prince Kouri, at Prince Ryun, and at his disciple Captain Lu Yao.
Finally, he looked at Ryo.
In that instant, he seemed to understand everything.
"I see. It seems many things have been uncovered."
Lord Rowon muttered with a wry smile.
At that moment fury exploded.
"You bastard!"
It was Count Barrow Fu Ten.
He had been the one responsible for guarding Crown Prince Jun's Eastern Palace at the time.
He was removed from his post and had his lands confiscated.
He was undoubtedly one of the victims.
But more than that, the person he revered and wanted to protect from the bottom of his heart had been killed… if the killer stood before him, his outrage was understandable.
"Wait, Fu Ten."
Emperor Tsuin's words quelled that anger.
"There is only one thing I want to ask. Why did you kill the Crown Prince?"
The moment Emperor Tsuin asked, every gaze turned to Lord Rowon.
Yes, that was what they wanted to know.
The assassination of the Crown Prince—who had been the hope of many—was a major blow to Darwei.
It was an act of betrayal against the nation.
But Lord Rowon was a magician who, for half a century as a member of the Military Ministry, had stood on the front lines safeguarding Darwei— he could be called a hero.
Why…?
"For the past twenty years, Darwei's power has continued to decline."
Lord Rowon began to speak.
"In that situation, ten years ago, the Crown Prince Jun was appointed and moved into the political center of Darwei. At first I, too, had expectations for him. I thought he might make Darwei a strong country again. But that was not the case."
No one interrupted; they listened.
"Under the Crown Prince's rule, Darwei's military strength continued to deteriorate. I told the Crown Prince frankly: we must strengthen our military. At this rate, when the time comes, the huge Darwei will be unable to defend itself because of its very size and will perish. But the Crown Prince answered: there is no strong power in the neighborhood that threatens Darwei. What the government should do now is enrich the lives of the people. Rather, reduce excessive military power and divert it to improving the people's lives."
"…"
"How foolish! Is this governance? The people on the ground are saying strength is lacking! Why ignore that? Worse, you cut it further? This is beyond foolish—it is hopeless!"
Lord Rowon's furious words struck at the late Crown Prince.
"Look around, a weakened Darwei that cannot counter the Choouchi Empire! Its body is huge but it can be easily toppled, so it is attacked! The palace is assaulted! Five years ago, a country unknown to us is now trying to challenge Darwei! This is it! This is what I feared! Newly born countries have momentum. But a huge, old country cannot change course quickly. History is full of instances where a newly risen nation's strike destroys an ancient, great country. But I did not want to see my homeland destroyed like that. That is why I put my hopes in Prince Kouri…"
Lord Rowon had been excited at first, but when he finished his words, his expression was small and sorrowful as he shook his head.
No one said anything.
Lord Rowon probably did not expect any answer.
He turned to Ryo and said,
"Duke Rondo, I have said what I must say. I will accept any punishment. So please put me back in the ice."
Having said all that needed to be said and prepared to accept any punishment, Lord Rowon's voice returned to its usual calm tone.
Ryo could not decide and looked to Emperor Tsuin.
The emperor nodded slightly.
"
Again, ice covered Lord Rowon's entire body.
From the next day, the party continued northward.
Ryo and Abel returned to the allied fleet and stood on the deck of the Lone Dark.
Lord Rowon's ice coffin was also there.
The other crew members of Prince Kouri's fleet had been released because they pledged to follow Emperor Tsuin.
Prince Kouri himself, looking somewhat dazed, was also following the emperor.
But Lord Rowon alone had refused, and so he was being transported in an ice coffin.
Ryo had since replayed Lord Rowon's words in his mind many times.
Genghis Khan, who unified the Mongol tribes in 1205, invaded the Jin dynasty that then ruled northern China a mere six years later in 1211.
For two years, they plundered throughout the Jin territory, and Jin was forced into a humiliating peace.
Yet that peace soon broke down, and in 1215 the Mongols besieged and captured the Jin capital Yanjing.
Having studied history, Ryo knew the strength of a newly born, vigorous nation, and so he could not deny Lord Rowon's words.
"Abel, politics is difficult, isn't it?"
"Hm? Do you mean what Lord Rowon said yesterday?"
"Yes. Everyone wants no wars, no involvement in wars, peace, and yet because they choose different paths to get there, misery occurs."
"That's true. It's certainly difficult. But Ryo, whatever the path, there is one method you must never take."
"What is that?"
"That is the method of killing people."
"Ah…"
Yes—Lord Rowon had killed the Crown Prince for the sake of his beliefs.
"I don't think a path that demands killing people is a righteous one."
Abel stated flatly.
That was exactly the figure of a king.
"Lord Rowon may have thought that one sacrifice was preferable to tens or hundreds of thousands dying in war. But even so—"
"Abel, you are… strong."
Ryo looked at Abel with an expression almost like admiration.
"No, I'm not really strong."
Abel gave a wry smile.
"Telling others to go to the battlefield and die is cruel. You never get used to it until the day you die. But all of that is for the people. It must be done for the happiness of the people. I am merely carrying it out in their stead. That is the role of a king, I believe."
"Politics is a bother whoever does it… and yet someone takes it upon themselves—how wonderful kings are."
"The premier duke can act as regent, you know?"
"I must humbly decline."
Though both Abel and Ryo felt sadness over Lord Rowon, they managed to face forward.
At times like this, having a partner at your side may be a salvation.
But just then, an urgent report came to the Emperor's land force as they marched north toward the capital.
"The Choouchi Imperial Army has crossed the Northern River and occupied Shuntai Castle on the northern bank!"
-x-X-x-
The northern border of Darwei, the Northern River.
Like the Southern River that flows through the capital, in wide places it can exceed a kilometer across.
For a long time, this Northern River served as Darwei's northern frontier.
Land north of the Northern River grows considerably colder, so it has long been regarded as having limited value as territory.
For that reason, earlier dynasties before Darwei also treated this river as the border, and nomadic equestrian tribes founded states north of it and sometimes fought there.
A great river can act as a natural fortress, so the equestrian tribe state of Peiyu rarely invaded Darwei.
In particular, relations between the two countries had been good for decades.
But recently, the Peiyu state suddenly invaded Darwei.
Crossing this very Northern River.
That invasion was repelled by Prince Ryun acting under imperial command.
This time, however, the Choouchi Empire, having annexed the Peiyu lands, crossed the Northern River to invade.
When it had been only Peiyu, defenses on the southern bank had been sparse because such an invasion had been thought impossible.
They had therefore been easily overrun. This time was different.
The possibility of a Choouchi southward advance had been assessed as real, so the Northern Expedition's commander, Prince Churei, the third prince, had stationed ten thousand Forbidden Guard troops as a garrison.
Churei was known in the palace as an imperial prince given to the martial arts.
As long as he led the Forbidden Guard, victory seemed assured— or so people thought.
"Do not retreat! If you fall back here they will advance without end!"
Prince Churei shouted.
The area around him was already in the thick of chaotic battle.
"Your Highness! The enemy has deployed a new ogre unit!"
A subordinate reported with a look of despair.
Yes— the Choouchi Imperial Army was employing monsters on the battlefield.
Churei understood that he had to commit his reserves against this new threat.
But…
"There are no reserve troops left to commit."
He muttered and bit his lip.
The main force defending the invasion was the ten thousand elite Forbidden Guard.
They stood without flinching against ogres that could reach two and a half meters in height.
In the early phase, they endured attacks, and by mid-battle there were moments when they might have been able to push the enemy back.
But the enemy was not only relying on monsters.
"They're coming again!"
"Talismans!"
"Watch overhead!"
There!
From the Choouchi rear came talismans.
Hundreds of flying talismans soared through the air, raining gravel and fireballs from above.
A shield held overhead would block them.
But if you did that, fighting the monsters in front of you became difficult…
As a result, Darwei's forces were gradually worn down in strength and morale.
"I found you!"
Clang.
A strike burst in with a sound that pierced the ears; Prince Churei parried it with his own sword.
"That splendid armor doesn't belong to a low-ranking foot soldier. But you are still young. So you must be from the Shitaifu class or even royal blood!"
"And what if I am?"
Prince Churei replied idly to the attacker's guess.
The response was casual, but from the sharpness of the blade, it was clear this opponent was not to be underestimated.
"I am Garibech, Seven-Star General of the Choouchi Empire. Remember the name: I will take your life!"
"If you take my life, I won't be around to remember it."
Prince Churei sighed at Garibech's declaration.
Still, as a member of the imperial family, he could not simply let that stand without introducing himself.
"I am the Grand Commander of the Northern Expedition of Darwei, Prince Churei."
"Prince Churei? The third prince? You're a big figure, then!"
"Is that so? Then what will you do?"
"I'll take your life."
"Nothing's changed, then."
Steel rang as the duel between phantomkin and man began.
Fighting raged around the two of them as well.
But most of the combat was monsters against the Darwei army.
"You only sent out monsters? So you're the only phantomkin here."
Churei asked.
"We have a small population. We effectively use tamed monsters we can command."
Garibech replied, his mouth forming a thin line.
Though they exchanged words, their blades clashed fiercely.
Garibech pressed the attack, but Churei did not yield.
"I thought you'd be a weak prince, but you handle yourself well. I thought royals would hide away in the rear."
"A prince must stand at the front, or no one will follow. That's obvious."
"Ah… I'd like to let my emperor hear about this, just a little."
Garibech muttered that, then hurriedly added, flustered.
"No— of course a commander who's giving orders shouldn't be on the front lines. Of course!"
"Who are you making excuses to?"
Prince Churei tilted his head, not understanding Garibech's meaning.
Their duel was intense, but one of them was the overall commander.
Soldiers who had just felled monsters shouted out,
"Your Highness!"
"Don't come! I'll handle this one!"
Churei refused the help even as they attempted to rush in.
"Wouldn't it be better if someone came to help?"
"Regrettably, phantomkin, you are strong. My men cannot defeat you."
Prince Churei said flatly.
Acknowledging that only he could meet this foe.
At the same time, he understood that only he could direct the whole picture in the chaos.
(I mustn't get the timing of the withdrawal wrong.)
They were at a disadvantage.
The general himself was embroiled in chaotic combat.
And there were no reserves.
An ogre had been thrown into the fray earlier, and then talismans were unleashed to press the attack.
Those two blows were tearing apart the Darwei army's formation.
"To fight such fierce swordplay and still think of the front line— impressive, Your Highness."
"That is the duty of a grand commander."
Garibech genuinely admired him; Prince Churei grimaced.
At that moment, Churei saw a stubbornly resisting unit being smashed by an ogre.
(We are at our limit.)
But then…
"You won't get away!"
Garibech sensed his side gaining the upper hand.
If so, the prince would naturally attempt to withdraw.
Retreats are the hardest operations.
Because the enemy will pursue.
"You can't effectively command a retreat while trading such sword blows, can you?"
"Ugh—"
Garibech smiled thinly; Churei had no retort.
Garibech's taunt was apt.
Then…
"Raise the second withdrawal signal!"
Prince Churei shouted.
Several attendants who heard the order pulled black boxes roughly the size of card cases from their pockets and slammed them into the ground.
Orange smoke billowed out of the smashed boxes.
Orange smoke rose at several points across the battlefield.
In the next instant, more than a hundred objects flew up from the rear of the Darwei line.
Boom—crash.
On striking the ground, they scattered deafening thunder and blinding flashes of light.
Throwing the monsters into confusion.
"What is that?"
Garibech was genuinely surprised.
Prince Churei took advantage of the opening.
Slash.
"Damn!"
Garibech cursed as a clean cut opened his belly; he leapt backwards.
Prince Churei did not pursue.
He retreated with his withdrawing forces.
Thus, Prince Churei's northern expeditionary army was defeated by the Choouchi Imperial force.
"Prince Churei has been defeated in the north, it seems. First, we must enter the capital and show the people that the Emperor is safe for all to see."
"Y-yea…"
"Only the Emperor can steady the citizens of Darwei and the shaken Forbidden Army after a defeat."
"That's true. So why tell me?"
Abel asked with suspicion at Ryo's sudden words.
"Because I worry Abel might act rashly and charge the Choouchi army alone. I want to stop that."
"Is that so? Don't worry. I wouldn't do a thing like that."
Abel realized something then.
"You're not worried I'll act rashly—you're worried you will."
"W-what are you saying? I don't understand."
Ryo said, looking away.
Which was hardly convincing.
Abel wouldn't look away, so Ryo had to keep talking.
"I don't like wars of aggression."
"There aren't many people who do…"
"But historically, many countries invade their neighbors."
"That's true."
Ryo's homeland and the Knightley Kingdom that Abel rules had once been invaded by the Debuhi Empire in league with the king's brother.
At that time, Ryo had been based in the southern stronghold of Rune; the empire hadn't reached Rune.
Still, when news came that the kingdom had lost and allowed invasion, Ryo had panicked.
"Abel, as king, please do your best to prevent the country from being invaded."
"Yeah…"
"If your forces are lacking, I can provide ten thousand ice golems from the Rondo Duchy. Just say the word."
"Really…?"
"Though at present all I can do is line them up with spears and charge."
"I-I see. I'd rather not have them get too strong… I like them as they are."
At that moment Abel pictured a horizon filled by a marching army of golems.
"I should research water-attribute magic and alchemy more, and make the flying-momonga golem squadrons properly functional."
"You mean the flying golem things?"
"Yes, exactly. Pair them with the airborne warship Golden Hind to seize the skies, coordinate with our main ice golem ground force, and the Debuhi Empire won't be able to bully us! We'll never bow to invaders again!"
The premier duke exclaimed, raising a fist.
"Alright… I'll do my best."
Abel said, understanding it was Ryo's imagination— and a little bit afraid of what that future would look like.
At least within the Knightley Kingdom's inner circles, people were thinking ahead.
Of course, these two were far from their country at present.
Three months after Emperor Tsuin had been captured.
The emperor finally returned to the capital.
Emperor Tsuin walked between Prince Kouri and Prince Ryun, and with the proud procession of allied foreign forces following, the citizens of the capital erupted in excitement.
They had heard rumors too.
Some northern empire was marching south.
It seemed that in the opening clashes, the Darwei army had suffered defeat.
Yet at last the Emperor had returned.
Accompanied by troops and princes who looked formidable, lifted spirits.
The people felt sure this would be enough!
With that cheer behind them, the group entered the Imperial Palace.
"Zhuon, Shau, you've done much. Well done."
"We are honored."
"Much obliged."
Emperor Tsuin thanked Chief Zhuon of the Inspectorate and Secretary Shau of the Censorate—who bowed their heads.
"The people's lives seem stable. I could see smiles."
"That's because Captain Hau Gin's patrols held steady."
"I see. As expected of First-Class Marquis Hau Gin."
Emperor Tsuin nodded and praised the man who guarded the capital's security.
If stability at home wavered, it would be impossible to repel invaders; the Emperor knew that well.
That is why he valued the patrols that formed the foundation of the capital.
Soldiers' duty is not only going to war.
Some fight on the battlefield to defeat an enemy; others sacrifice themselves for the people's well-being.
From the ruler's perspective, both are vital.
While Emperor Tsuin resumed his role as ruler and generals planned operations against the Choouchi Empire, elsewhere, their household was celebrating the pair's return.
"Home really is best!"
"Well, at least it's home in the capital…"
Ryo and Abel said as they arrived at the Rondo Manor.
Inside the gate, ice golems—the Oniwaban squad—lined up, welcoming their masters' return.
Of course, Abel couldn't tell whether they were actually 'happy'.
"They've grown so fine… I hardly recognize them."
"…That so?"
Ryo said, gently patting each one; Abel still couldn't tell the difference.
Then something slowly approached…
"Oh, Andalusia!"
Ryo's beloved horse, Andalusia— unusually outside the stable to meet him at the gate.
The horse nuzzled his cheek.
Ryo happily stroked her.
There was a bond of trust that crossed species.
And the other black horse as well.
"Feiwan, thank you for keeping watch."
Abel's horse Feiwan came to the gate and licked his face.
A display of affection.
"Haha, that tickles. There, there."
There too was a trust between them.
At last, the two had returned to Rondo Manor.
"Still, we'll be setting out again soon, won't we?"
Ryo said, having bathed the road grime away and sipping tea.
"We must repel the Choouchi Empire. Although Prince Churei was defeated, he's probably holding out with the remnants up north, buying time while we assemble a great army."
Abel said, sipping his tea.
He went on.
"Still, we're outsiders in this fight. The core of the battle belongs to the people of Darwei."
"Yes, I know. If they request our help, we'll cooperate fully."
Going oneself reduces sacrifices.
But one cannot simply go at the outset.
Ryo always felt such contradictions at the front.
War isn't only about victory.
How you win shapes a nation's future and the people's hearts.
From the Knightley Kingdom's liberation campaign, Ryo had learned that clearly.
"Politics seems to be part of war… politics is really hard."
"That I won't deny."
Ryo complained while Abel smiled wryly in agreement.
Some peculiar people voluntarily involve themselves in that troublesome politics.
The world is wide…
The day after their return to the capital, Ryo and Abel were summoned to the palace.
Emperor Tsuin called them to his study, the Wenhua Hall, and expressed his gratitude.
"No, we merely did what we should."
"Do not mention it."
They replied as usual.
The Emperor said he had summoned them because he had information particularly relevant to the two.
"To go to the Central Countries, you must pass through the 'Corridor' while the 'Wall' is open."
"Yes, I remember. It's in the northwest of Darwei."
"Indeed. Before I was taken by the Choouchi Empire, I had ordered research into old records and found some information."
He explained:
More than a thousand years ago, alchemy sealed the Wall.
It was to prevent something from the Central Countries from entering.
The alchemist who sealed it set the "key" to open the Wall to be in the blood of the imperial line—the ruling emperor.
Of course, Darwei is only 150 years old.
But the imperial family are descendants of the older dynasty.
Therefore, the blood of those in the direct imperial line, including Emperor Tsuin, could be the key to opening the Wall.
"I see. So that's why the Choouchi Empire kidnapped Your Majesty and drained your blood."
Ryo nodded.
Abel silently nodded beside him.
"Regarding the intelligence carried by the captured General Yun, Shau of the Censorate reported to me. The Phantom King intends to go to the Central Countries."
"Yes. They will try to open the Wall with Your Majesty's blood and pass through the Corridor."
"Even if the Wall opens, what will happen we do not yet know."
"It was something that blocked whatever tried to come from the Central Countries, wasn't it?"
"Yes. But it's already been open for several years in certain periods. At least during those times, people could pass through…"
"Perhaps phantomkins cannot pass normally since they're not humans. Thus, they need the Wall fully opened."
With insufficient information, both the emperor and Ryo were left to layer speculations upon speculations.
But sometimes that's what must be done.
Three days after Emperor Tsuin's return, the northern expeditionary army set out.
Emperor Tsuin personally commanded the expedition.
The core force was thirty thousand Forbidden Army.
Twenty thousand Black Banner troops from the Military Ministry, and five thousand magic corps.
Lords from across the land would lead their forces to join en route.
Prince Ryun and Prince Kouri served as deputies.
In Kouri's case, he was brought along because it was considered unsafe to leave him alone in the capital; they preferred to keep him nearby.
"How few trustworthy allies there are."
"Indeed."
Ryo, assigned as counselor on the campaign, shook his head; his guard Abel agreed.
Lord Rowon remained imprisoned in ice in the high-security prison.
"This departure is hectic—is the organization even right?"
"The core is formed; they'll organize reinforcements while marching."
"Is that acceptable?"
"Not ideal militarily."
"Right."
Abel stated firmly; Ryo nodded.
"But realistically they probably had no choice."
"Militarily wrong but politically correct?"
"It's happened before in my father's reign. The political center knows it's not ideal even without being pointed out, but sometimes you must move troops closer as fast as possible."
"For political reasons."
When the military is subordinated to politics, troop movements happen for political reasons… even when militarily unwise.
In a nutshell.
"It's all so difficult. I'd rather be at home eating good food."
"Agreed."
Two weeks after leaving the capital, the northern expedition under Emperor Tsuin linked up with the forces of Prince Churei.
"Churei, well done holding out."
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry for the unsatisfactory outcome."
"Nonsense. It's because of you that the invasion was halted. Hold your head high."
Emperor Tsuin praised the third prince, who had stubbornly resisted despite an early defeat.
At one corner of the expedition's main camp, the counselor and his bodyguard chatted.
"After defeating Darwei in the first battle and seizing Shuntai Castle on the northern bank, the Choouchi army paused. It's almost as if they are waiting for this main force to arrive."
"They are."
Abel shrugged at Ryo's words.
"You also think so?"
"Of course. This is the Emperor leading the main force. They intend to decide everything in this one battle."
"With thirty thousand Forbidden Army at the core, adding the lords' armies exceeds one hundred thousand. They really think they can win?"
"Well. Maybe they think all we got going is our numbers."
"One hundred thousand. They've got the numbers alright."
In the Choouchi camp, the Phantom King smiled as he said that.
"But even so, a hundred thousand people can't be dismissed lightly."
Taoran, clothed in a black robe, replied.
Serving as the Phantom King's deputy.
"The Emperor is delighted that the Darwei Emperor has come out in person. He thinks this battle will decide everything."
Seven-Star General Yun Chen reported, relaying the emperor's mood.
He was acting as something like the Phantom King's chief of staff on this southern advance.
"He said: Lure the Darwei Emperor onto the battlefield and kill him, and it will all be over. Well, it's not entirely wrong. With the second, third, and sixth princes here. Kill all three princes…only the fourth prince, left in the capital half out of his mind, would remain. If they install him as emperor, even a great power won't survive."
The Phantom King shrugged.
"But the problem is…"
"Whether it is possible."
Taoran and General Yun were not as optimistic as the Phantom King.
"Now, how much does the emperor…my father know?"
The Phantom King muttered, shaking his head.
In the Choouchi Empire's high command post.
There sat an old man trembling with excitement.
"At last. At last, I can clear the grudge against Darwei. Thirty years since my seal was broken… how long I've waited for this."
Emperor Wanshan Ku, the Choouchi Emperor, trembled with exultation.
He was not truly so old as to be called an 'old man'.
But the hardships he had endured aged him beyond his years… even as a phantomkin.
"Thirty years! Thirty years of this sealed hatred, and now I can finally avenge it."
His ensuing laughter was madness incarnate.
A roar that would make anyone who did not know the circumstances keep away.
Even those who knew might not approach.
"Soon, soon, soon, soon…"
With the hopes and fears of many gathered on the battlefield, the battle on the Pyulai Plain—later to be called by history "the Three Eastern Emperors' Campaign"—was about to begin.