37-97

EP.97 Yuno’s Return to His Territory (1) 

After his victory at the Battle of Adria Plains, Second Prince Heinrich held a grand coronation and was crowned Emperor Heinrich II. 

However, Prinz, who had fled to Windrage Territory, widely publicized that Heinrich had poisoned Karl III and urged the lords not to pledge loyalty to Heinrich. He also presented a letter from Diane, the empire’s top alchemist, confirming that Karl III had been poisoned, which made the lords put considerable trust in Prinz. 

Of course, many lords considered Prinz’s continued resistance after losing the Rischkar duel he himself proposed to be a disgraceful rebellion, but more lords than expected ended up joining Prinz and Duke Windrage. 

Because Count Zion, one of the greatest warlords in the empire’s west, died at the Battle of Adria Plains with all his forces, the western lords generally submitted to Heinrich. However, the eastern lords, who highly respected Duke Windrage, largely pledged loyalty to Prinz, splitting the empire in two: the west loyal to Heinrich, and the east following Prinz. 

Heinrich, who now controlled the imperial palace in the capital Adria and thus held legitimacy, also controlled 70% of the empire’s food production from the western Zenon Plains, so his power was much greater and the gap continued to widen. 

While Heinrich stabilized the capital and, as emperor, convened the imperial council to plan the destruction of Prinz’s forces and reunification of the empire, a troublesome problem arose. 

“Your Majesty!! The missing Duke Kent from the last Streve battle has rallied minor western lords and started a rebellion!” 

Baron Legasota, who had previously managed intelligence, had joined Prinz’s faction as soon as Heinrich took the throne, so Viscount Skimmer, now in charge of intelligence, rushed into the council chamber with a telegram and reported urgently. 

“What? How did he manage to raise an army?” 

“After the lord of Zion territory died and no successor was appointed, he occupied Zion territory, declared himself lord, and used it as a base to grow his army! Dissatisfied lords are joining him, and he already has 20,000 rebels under his command!” 

“Send the 1st, 4th, and 5th corps stationed on the western border!” 

But another official rushed in with even more bad news. 

“Urgent report!!! Teseito has raised a large army and is attacking Streve. The 5th corps is focused on defending the city, and the 1st and 4th corps are en route to reinforce Streve, so they cannot be withdrawn!” 

“What? How dare they attack Balkan!” 

Heinrich’s ministers could only give wry smiles. Even they thought that, if they were the king of Teseito, they wouldn’t miss the chance to strike while their enemy was in chaos from civil war. 

Urgent reports kept coming from the west, and the situation grew ever more serious. 

“Your Majesty! Streve requests the dispatch of Count Shupire, the commander of the Royal Guard! The enemy reportedly has a master, and is battering the gates with sword energy. The protective magic on the gates is barely holding, but they need a response!!” 

“Count Shupire cannot go! Order Count Kreis on the central front to deploy!” 

Not wanting to send the Royal Guard away from the palace in case of a surprise attack by Prinz, Heinrich ordered Count Kreis, one of the military’s masters, to deploy instead but this led to disaster. 

Unlike Count Shupire, who could deploy instantly via the capital’s magic circle, it took much longer for Count Kreis. The messenger had to travel by teleportation to Kreis’s territory, deliver the order, and then Kreis had to appoint a deputy and travel to Streve by magic circle, which took a whole day. 

In that time, Streve fell, and when Count Kreis arrived via teleportation, he was met by Duke Tiruen, sword glowing with energy and surrounded by his knights aiming all sorts of ranged weapons. Since teleportation could only bring about ten knights, Kreis fought desperately but was killed. News of Streve’s fall and Kreis’s death reached the Adria palace. 

With only four masters left (excluding Yuno, Lichtenauer, and Catherine, who were unlikely to be loyal), and now having lost another master and Streve, Heinrich exploded in anger. 

“Y-Your Majesty! A letter has arrived from the enemy commander of Teseito, who captured Streve!” 

While Heinrich was furiously smashing things in the council chamber, Marquis Boello, the foreign minister, ran in with a letter. 

“Read it!” 

“Uh… yes…” 

Marquis Boello hesitated after glancing at the letter, but seeing Heinrich’s furious expression, he read it in a trembling voice. 

“To the expeditionary force of the Balkan Kingdom. Duke Tiruen, Supreme Commander of the Teseito Empire, addresses the king of Balkan. I demand the return of the Zenon Plains, which you have illegally occupied. If not returned within half a year, I will march on Adria and personally take the head of King Heinrich. I recommend you prepare your neck in advance.” 

After reading, Marquis Boello nervously watched Heinrich’s reaction. The letter not only demoted Balkan from an empire to a kingdom and claimed Teseito as an empire, but also openly threatened to behead the emperor. 

“Heh… hehehe… HAHAHAHA!!” 

Instead of the expected outburst, Heinrich laughed heartily, leaving the nobles in the council chamber puzzled. 

“Chancellor!” 

When Heinrich called, now-promoted Marquis Dietrich swallowed hard. 

“Yes, Your Majesty!” 

“If we focus the entire imperial budget on the military, can we crush Prinz’s forces within three months and then tear apart that arrogant Teseito upstart? Oh, and we’ll have to take care of that Kent rebel too.” 

“Th-that…” 

As Dietrich hesitated, the newly appointed Minister of Defense, Count Radan, spoke up. 

“Your Majesty! Forgive me, but the order is wrong! Dealing with the traitor Prinz is urgent, but the top priority must be regrouping the 1st, 4th, and 5th corps to repel the Teseito invasion!” 

Count Radan’s advice cooled Heinrich’s rage. 

“The minister is right. Now that Teseito has retaken Streve, we don’t know when they’ll strike at the Zenon Plains. I appoint you Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army bring me the head of that insolent Teseito! Take Viscount Amin from the eastern front and Count Kashu, who’s finishing his recovery in the capital, as your aides!” 

“I will fulfill Your Majesty’s command!” 

“W-wait! If Viscount Amin leaves the eastern front, couldn’t Prinz come down?” 

Count Radan replied, 

“Prinz won’t be able to recover his forces so quickly. And you know Duke Windrage’s troops can’t be moved easily.” 

“That’s true, but…” 

Despite his unease, Dietrich couldn’t offer a better plan, so the emperor’s decision was absolute. Count Radan, brimming with confidence, began preparing to strike the Teseito invaders. 

Meanwhile, deep in the mountains, Yuno’s territory was peacefully preparing for a festival, as if the empire’s turmoil was of no concern. 

“The count is returning!! Make the welcome sign even bigger!” 

“He’s the count who killed 30 ogres and even a dragon, suffering serious injuries! Bring more food and drink!!” 

Yuno had sent word through Cordelia during her last visit that he would return in two months. 

Since the mountain roads were too rough for Diane’s group, and Yuno calculated that after two months of near-constant sex he would have purged most of his tainted energy, he decided to return himself rather than have Diane’s group come to Ellerst. 

Naturally, Yuno’s welcome was being prepared as a festival, and with Diane and Hiriya in charge of administration and agriculture, the celebration was being organized on a scale rivaling a royal event. 

Arriving at the mountain entrance with his group, Yuno was amazed to see the splendid carriage William and the rangers had prepared for him. 

The rangers, too, were left speechless at the beautiful women in Yuno’s party including elves but William’s stern glare kept them in line as they orderly escorted Yuno’s group to the carriage. 

“Wow~ What’s this?” 

“Haha, this is the carriage we prepared for Her Majesty and Your Highness. Please, get in.” 

“It’s not that far… but if you insist… Everyone, get in! I’ll ride horseback and check the territory as we go. Thanks, William. I appreciate the carriage.” 

Once everyone was aboard and the carriage departed, Yuno inspected the restored mountain ranger headquarters with William. There, Macmorin, on guard duty, ran up to greet him. 

“Oh, our lord! Sorry about last time I thought you were just a visiting civil official kid. You’re just so good-looking.” 

“Macmorin! Watch your mouth!” 

“Haha, it’s fine, William. I heard Macmorin did great fighting the basilisk last time. William, could I borrow him?” 

“Huh? Me? I like just lazing around here…” 

“This crazy guy! If His Highness needs you, of course you can go. He’s got good instincts, but not much education… What will you use him for?” 

“I thought he was a great talent when we talked last time. I’m sure I’ll find a use for him. Of course, I’d love for you to come too, William, but I suppose you’d rather stay and protect your home?” 

William politely declined, wanting to stay as a vigilante for his hometown. 

“Hahaha, did you hear that, boss? His Highness says I’m a great talent! Nobles really do have an eye for people!” 

“You crazy guy! Serve His Highness well! And learn some manners!” 

“Yes, yes, I’ll keep that in mind.” 

As Yuno was about to set off with Macmorin, Ajin burst out of the woods. 

“Rrgh! Lord Yuno, can I come too? I want to see the human world!” 

“Why not? But the townsfolk might be scared, so keep your weapons stowed on your back.” 

“I understand!” 

“Good, let’s go!” 

And so, with Ajin and Macmorin, Yuno set out for his territory, beginning the next chapter of his journey.