Chapter 376
Noah glanced out the window for a moment. Outside the barrier guarding the capital’s entrance, the Burgos legion still stood entrenched in the distance, motionless.
From the invaders’ perspective, they had to achieve meaningful results quickly—there was no way they’d be satisfied with just taking down two villages.
If this dragged into a prolonged conflict, the tide would surely turn in favor of Clifford. So why was there no response? Noah found it puzzling.
“Looks like the reinforcements are delayed. What do you think, Lord Ian?”
Noah turned to Ian, who had been watching alongside him. Ian nodded in agreement.
“Yes. Their goal must have been to enter before the great earthquake struck, but their movements are faint at best. Waiting for reinforcements while dealing with internal issues seems likely.”
The immediate thought was Timothy’s desertion.
Even rumors of a common soldier fleeing would cause unrest, but for a high-ranking diplomat from the Foreign Ministry—leading the charge—to escape on horseback in the dead of night? The morale of the troops would plummet, and the Burgos royal palace would have yet another problem to worry about.
“Timothy… I wonder what fate awaits you this time.”
Ian hoped Naum still existed somewhere. He wished that, even without him, Naum would live his life fully.
He wanted Timothy to come back alone and walk the same path as before, yet at the same time, he accepted that the distant future might remain unchanged. Even if Timothy’s entire family came together, it would be fate. That was why he had issued three passes.
Where was Timothy now? What was he doing?
Knock, knock.
“Your Highness.”
A soldier entered, holding a letter in one hand. It was a preliminary report confirming that, as Ian had suggested, reinforcements had been dispatched from the palace to block the supply routes.
Noah quickly untied the seal and spread the letter on the table, angling it so Ian could read it clearly.
“It says that the three mages Lord Ian provided have just set out southward. There are three viable routes through the Dead Lands for transport. If the mages take to the skies, we should hear news soon.”
“Good. Is the border standoff between Clifford and Luswena still holding?”
“Yes. They remain locked in a stalemate, just wasting time. Since we’ve shared intel on the Black Armored forces, our side plans to avoid provoking them and focus on defense.”
Ian carefully scanned the report, then raised an eyebrow.
He had just read that Bariel had indefinitely suspended trade with Luswena. More precisely, they were imposing stricter limits on Luswena’s imports and Burgos’s exports.
“Ah.”
Only one person in Bariel could make such a decision—the young crown prince, the most honorable figure in Gaia and the sole hope for Bariel’s future.
A smile crept onto Ian’s lips, prompting Noah to look at him suspiciously. The smile soon turned into laughter, which only made Noah’s expression more serious.
“L-Lord Ian?”
Why did his laughter feel so unsettling? It was a flawless, beautiful smile, but Noah couldn’t grasp its meaning and felt uneasy.
Ian wiped the smile away and shook his head.
“Nothing, Your Highness. My apologies.”
“If you’re going to laugh, I wish you’d laugh with me.”
“This move to choose Bariel over the Dead Lands as the supply route to Burgos from Luswena is a calculated one. My lord is paying close attention to this front. You should take pride in that, Your Highness.”
“Surely Luswena wouldn’t make such a choice, no matter what?”
“I can’t say for certain. But judging by King Eriphoni’s temperament, I think it’s possible. In any case, Bariel has decided to support Clifford despite the enormous losses they’ll incur. I trust you understand the significance of this, Your Highness.”
They had chosen to endure financial losses from trade restrictions because the damage from war would be far worse. It showed how much they wanted Clifford to hold firm—and prioritized the safe return of the mages.
“I understand. I understand perfectly.”
“Oh, this is unexpected good news. Truly.”
Thanks to capable officials like Susang, Romand, and Quintana, such a decision was possible. Regardless, the empire’s growth was undeniable.
Ian smiled and continued reading the report, but soon furrowed his brow again.
“What now?”
“It says Bariel has sent reinforcements. They’ll come down through the borderlands between Luswena and Clifford…”
The name of the Imperial Defense Minister was no longer Volbe, but Maxim Tweller. The Imperial Defense Department had been the very force that, along with Jarrett, had kept Ian in check. And now, the minister had changed?
A great upheaval. Ian realized that while he was away, a massive shift had taken place in the palace.
“Good heavens.”
Your Majesty, I fear I have overlooked something. You were the one who ascended the throne alongside me. I failed, but you succeeded and made history…
“Lord Ian?”
Noah tapped the edge of the table to bring Ian back to attention. His expression had been indescribable, but Ian quickly returned to his usual bright smile.
“The Bariel reinforcements are definitely on their way, right?”
“Of course. The Empire’s goal is the same: to block Luswena’s intervention and join forces with the mages. More importantly, to prevent any cracks from forming here. Clifford can focus solely on facing Burgos. We’ll handle the rear.”
Reinforcements were coming from Burgos, and now from Bariel as well. The more nations involved, the safer it became—but paradoxically, the greater the risk of catastrophe.
“Since Bariel has cut off trade, Luswena won’t have many options beyond the routes we’ve anticipated.”
They couldn’t evade the mages’ watchful eyes, which meant armed conflict was inevitable.
Ian called for Tommy.
“Yes, you called?”
Tommy was in a small room next to the tactical office.
Behind him, Akorella and Beric were eating. One kept glancing at a mana stone, the other clutching his bowl with both hands.
“Do you know Maxim Tweller?”
“Maxim Tweller? Ah, yes, I do.”
“He’s just been appointed Imperial Defense Minister.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“Exactly that. Volbe stepped down, and the minister has been replaced.”
Akorella’s gaze shifted slightly at the unexpected news. Beric perked up, intrigued, though their expressions didn’t change much.
Tommy, flustered, ran a hand down his chin and clicked his tongue in admiration.
“I’ve seen him a few times during the monster battles. I think he had some connection with the Prime Minister. He wasn’t from the military academy, so his promotions were often overlooked. But he’s very experienced, and above all…”
“Above all?”
“He’s strong.”
Not in physical strength, but in spirit.
A true warrior who never laid down his weapon despite scorn and contempt, who understood the fundamental truth that to kill an enemy, one must be ready to die oneself—a seasoned veteran who wielded this truth as his greatest weapon.
Tommy remembered the formidable presence he always carried.
“Indeed. Your Majesty has appointed a truly capable man.”
“Wow, the Imperial Defense Department must be in turmoil. It’s probably the first time a non-military academy graduate has become minister. Such a radical appointment in a place so strict about hierarchy.”
Tommy shook his head involuntarily. He could almost feel the storm that had swept through the palace’s Defense Department.
‘Tommy calls it a radical appointment. That shows Your Majesty’s stature. You must have won over the palace guard. Otherwise, this wouldn’t be possible. You persuaded Jarrett.’
Ian tapped the table rhythmically, lost deep in thought, his eyes fixed.
‘The palace guard has begun to follow the crown prince instead of the emperor. That must mean His Majesty’s suspension has been announced. So far, only four people, including me, know this.’
“I will dispatch additional mages.”
“Wait.”
“Yes?”
To strengthen Crown Prince Jin, Minister Tweller must succeed. So it’s crucial to identify the supply routes as quickly as possible.
Ian nodded to Tommy and ordered him to send more suitable personnel.
“Send about three more eastward, including Nakina. Share this matter with them and ensure they follow the new minister’s orders faithfully.”
“Yes, understood.”
Noah was startled by the sudden order. Hadn’t Ian already sent the maximum number of mages with minimal personnel for maximum effect? And now more?
It was good news for Clifford, but curiosity got the better of him.
“Lord Ian, are you sure about this?”
“Yes, absolutely. More than that—”
Ian glanced down at his hand and murmured,
“I can feel my strength returning. I will send more of my subordinates.”
Clifford-Bariel border.
In the distance, a massive legion charged forward. Their armor gleamed, reflecting the earth’s light, and the Bariel imperial flag fluttered grandly.
The border guards, having been forewarned, flung open the barrier gates and shouted,
“Reinforcements from Bariel are coming! Open the gates!”
“Let them pass without stopping!”
“Hurry, push them through!”
“One, two, three!”
Screeeech!
The firmly locked barrier swung wide open, and they watched the approaching soldiers from atop the wall. Even though a foreign army was entering their homeland, there was a strangely reassuring feeling.
“They’re heading straight through here to the southern border, right?”
“From there, they’ll cross the border again and reach the Dead Lands.”
Clatter, clatter!
Whoooosh!
At that moment, Bariel’s soldiers passed through the Clifford barrier. Horses thundered forward with fierce energy, followed closely by soldiers clad in armor adorned with blue decorations on their shoulders.
“Greetings, everyone! We’re counting on you!”
“Likewise! Welcome!”
Buuuu— Buuuu—
The soldiers shouted loudly, cheering, but even their voices were swallowed by the majestic sound of the water buffalo horns.
Bariel’s military officer approached Tweller and asked.
“Minister! We’ve entered Clifford! It’s time to divide the legion!”
“Not yet! There’s a forest a bit further down. We’ll use that as our dividing point. Everyone remember that!”
“Yes, Minister!”
“Yero, you take the route straight to the southern city of Luswena. Piz, you take the path below that. I’ll go the farthest south.”
“Understood!”
“The Crown Prince said the mages will scout ahead and be waiting for us! Once you meet up with them, send me a message through the war network!”
“Don’t worry, sir!”
“Do you remember how long we’ve been running?”
Tweller took a deep breath, then roared.
“The years are countless! But one thing’s certain—we’ve run for this very moment! We will complete this mission at all costs! If not, I will take my own life, and you must be ready to die alongside me!”
“We will succeed, no matter what!”
“Minister! The forest is in sight!”
Clatter, clatter!
Tweller swung his hand behind his back and drew his weapon—a rough-hewn, long-handled axe. It was perfect for close combat against armored foes, but more than that, it was a symbol of himself.
“Let’s move out!”
“Waaaaah!”
Whoooosh—
Bariel’s legion entered the forest. Though it was their first time here, they moved with flawless coordination, splitting into three groups. This was the movement born of countless battles fought over many years.