Episode 67
The unification of the continent by the Empire did not usher in an era of peace. Power struggles among nobles and lords were as frequent as ever.
Territorial wars, often called “battles for the breadbasket.”
But these skirmishes were not the only conflicts in this world.
On the island of Britannia, beyond the Strait of Calais at the eastern edge of the continent, a figure known as the “Holy Maiden” emerged. She rallied the patriots of the fallen kingdom, sparking a rebellion.
Tales of her legendary feats began to spread—defeating an Imperial army of 45,000 with just 10,000 troops.
A mere peasant’s daughter rose to become a supreme commander, annihilating an enemy force nearly four times her own. A miracle that could only be attributed to divine intervention.
The Holy Maiden, guided by the revelation of the Sistine Sister Goddesses, fought for her nation’s independence.
The descent of the goddess.
Thus began the Britannian War of Independence.
The stock of Black Armor Company was steadily rising.
Dale’s vision of demonstrating superior operational capabilities over their clients was gradually coming to fruition.
However, some lords, dissatisfied with the outcomes of territorial disputes, took Dale to the Imperial court.
They claimed that the magic Dale wielded in battle could not possibly belong to a mere third-circle mage.
And they were right. Dale’s prowess on the battlefield far exceeded that of a third-circle mage.
According to Imperial law, mages of the fourth circle or higher were prohibited from participating in disputes among lower lords. Yet, after a thorough investigation by the court mages, it was confirmed that Dale was indeed a third-circle mage.
Three circles.
“Is that really the power of a third-circle mage…?”
“I can’t believe it! He must have cheated!”
“The skills Dale displayed on the battlefield were definitely not those of a third-circle mage!”
It was an unbelievable verdict, yet one they had to accept.
“Well, they say I’m really a third-circle mage,” Dale muttered nonchalantly in front of the accusing lords.
The lawsuit, a desperate attempt by the lords to grasp at straws, ended in their defeat. Ironically, the trial served as free publicity for Dale and Black Armor Company, spreading their fame across the Empire. The lords had to bear the costs of the lawsuit and the unintended advertisement.
From then on, Dale continued to showcase his abilities as a “third-circle mage” in battles.
He seized opportunities to gain profit and used them as stepping stones toward reaching the fourth circle.
The reputation of Black Armor Company grew, attracting more members to its ranks.
The power and wealth of the Saxon Duke—his investment—became the backbone supporting their organization.
At that time, hiring Black Armor Company was akin to securing a victory.
Thus, in disputes between lords, the outcome depended solely on who could afford to pay more to hire Black Armor Company.
Meanwhile, mercenary groups, suddenly out of work due to Black Armor Company’s dominance, began to band together.
To them, Black Armor Company was nothing more than a ruthless, monopolistic giant.
The Free City of Hamburg in the Empire.
Known as the starting point of the “Amber Road,” it was the gateway for trade across the continent.
However, an unexpected threat emerged to challenge Hamburg’s prosperity.
Nobles from the central region of the Empire, eyeing the wealth amassed through trade, formed an alliance.
The central lords banded together to create the “Robber League,” blocking the river with chains and seizing ships and cargo under the guise of tolls.
The closure of this vital trade artery was a severe blow to Hamburg, leaving the city in a precarious position.
With the central nobles united, Hamburg had no chance of victory.
Under pressure, they were threatened with continued trade blockades and ruin unless they paid exorbitant tributes annually.
The central region lacked a great noble to enforce order, turning it into a lawless zone where minor lords ran rampant.
Thus, Hamburg had only one option.
Soon, an envoy from Hamburg safely reached the Saxon Duchy, navigating through the territories of the Robber League.
Their mission: to hire Black Armor Company to counter the Robber League.
A mercenary group with superior operational capabilities. The proposal from Hamburg was exactly what Dale had been hoping for.
They entrusted Black Armor Company with the entire operation to dismantle the Robber League.
Around that time.
“Baron Bolvar, Baron Basel, Sir Peter… many lords of the alliance have gone silent.”
These were the names of the robber nobles and rogue knights forming the Robber League.
Upon hearing the report, Count Robert, the leader of the Robber League, frowned.
“Could it be a punitive force from the central government?”
“They didn’t reveal their identity or attempt any negotiations.”
If they were indeed from the central government, there would be formalities and procedures to follow.
“Come to think of it, there’s talk of a Hamburg envoy reaching the Saxon Duchy…”
A subordinate mentioned, causing Count Robert to swallow hard.
“Could they have hired Black Armor Company…?”
“It’s purely speculation at this point.”
Black Armor Company had yet to make an official appearance. However, given the gravity of the situation, dismissing it as mere speculation was too risky.
“Those damned fools!”
Bang!
Count Robert slammed the table in frustration.
“Send a warning to the allied lords and gather all our forces.”
After the outburst, Count Robert spoke.
”…I anticipated this and have a contingency plan.”
He revealed his trump card, prepared for such an eventuality.
“Inform the mercenary guild that they’ve started moving.”
As Black Armor Company continued to rack up victories, the backlash was felt by other mercenary groups.
Threatened by this “common enemy” jeopardizing their livelihoods, several large mercenary groups began to unite.
Around that time, news spread that Black Armor Company had joined the fray between the Free City of Hamburg and the Robber League in the central Empire. Upon hearing this, many mercenary groups affiliated with the guild didn’t hesitate.
It was time to teach these ruthless thugs a lesson in the ethics of the trade.
The City Hall of the Free City of Hamburg.
“We’ve already dismantled several factions of the Robber League.”
There, the mercenary leader of Black Armor Company, the “Black Prince” of Saxony, spoke.
“The main battleground will be where the Robber League blocks the river, and the territory of Count Robert, their leader.”
He unfolded a map, assessing the situation with a calm demeanor.
“Since they’re breaking the law, we don’t need to adhere to ‘Imperial law’ either.”
No need to follow Imperial law. In other words, Dale could unleash his true power as a mage without restraint.
“I’ve heard that Count Robert has also summoned numerous mercenary groups through the guild…”
“They’re forces threatened by Black Armor Company’s reputation.”
The mayor of Hamburg spoke cautiously, and Dale nodded.
“If multiple mercenary groups gather… won’t it be dangerous?”
Despite Black Armor Company’s formidable reputation, the situation was precarious.
“As I said, this is a battle where we don’t need to follow Imperial law.”
The Robber League’s unilateral blockade of the free city’s trade was a clear violation of Imperial law. However, the central Empire lacked a great noble to enforce order, and the central government was too distant to intervene.
A world where the law is far, and the sword is near. That was this world, and the enemies relied on the fact that the “law is far.”
“There’s no easier victory than defeating enemies who can’t appeal to the law.”
But Dale’s strategy was the same, unbeknownst to them.
“Declare a draft for the entire city.”
Preparing for the upcoming battle, the mercenary leader of Black Armor Company spoke.
“For peace, one must prepare for war.”
Recalling the infamous ruthlessness of the “Black Prince.”
“Understood.”
The mayor of Hamburg shivered involuntarily, a chill running down his spine.
The Viper Mercenaries, the Golden Lion Mercenaries, the Brotherhood Mercenaries.
The main forces of the continent’s top mercenary groups converged on the territory of Count Robert, leader of the Robber League.
Within the ranks of the top three mercenary companies, there existed an elite group of mercenaries. Alongside them, a band of thieves who had turned robbing travelers between territories into a family business.
Faced with the growing power of the Black Armor Company, and eager to protect their own interests, these two forces decided to join hands against a common enemy.
Comprising minor lords who were essentially noble bandits and rogue knights, and boasting one of the continent’s most formidable mercenary forces, this was no longer a mere squabble among low-ranking lords.
This was a conflict beyond the reach of imperial law, a battle without rules.
It was a true war, the kind of battle Dale had always longed for.
In these skirmishes among minor lords, the use of mass destruction magic (MMD), forbidden by imperial law, was not just about annihilating the enemy with destructive spells.
The dark magic of the Black Tower was infamous.
Necromancy wielded by dark sorcerers on the battlefield also fell under the empire’s definition of forbidden mass destruction magic.
Moreover, the absence of ‘imperial law’ meant that such dark magic could be unleashed without restraint.
Downstream of the Elbe River, Count Robert’s fortress blocked the passage of ships with massive chains stretched across the water.
Commonly known as the toll collection point.
In the deep darkness of dawn, a guard at the fortress turned his head, only to freeze in place.
A knight clad in black armor stood there. But this was no ordinary knight. Beneath the armor, there was not a scrap of flesh on his bones.
“A… a… Death Knight…”
The undead knight, wielding the Black Sword of Saxon, was approaching them.