Talent-Swallowing Magician - Chapter 167

Episode 167:

Morning of the Star Wars

.

The camp of the ‘Star Servants’ was abuzz with orders from the main camp.

“Suddenly participating? Crazy…!”

“This won’t be too crazy.”

The members shuddered at the news that they would have to go to war without being able to properly relieve their travel fatigue.

but.

The atmosphere was generally not that bad.

This was because most of them were somewhat confident in their skills and were able to relieve fatigue quickly, and some even expressed the opinion that it went well.

That they can decorate the place where the guns of war open.

That alone will be a good opportunity for them to prove their skills.

Moreover, the members never thought about their defeat.

I will win.

Just like the Star Mage, Lascent’s hero always had no thought that they would be defeated this time too.

Exciting!

Exciting!

Their eyes were filled with energy as they prepared to compete.

* * *

‘Is it still on Sister and Sean’s side?’

Elric looked back towards the military camp for a moment before starting his battle in earnest.

Hayes, who was expected to join the battlefield soon, has not yet heard the news that the Black Skull and the Neresta family have joined the military camp.

I felt a bit disappointed that I would only be able to meet him after I returned from the battle, but I thought I could give him a fun surprise.

“Let’s go to the dot.”

Hee hee hee!

Spotted was happy to be able to be with Elric for the first time in a long time, so he gave a big shout and started moving forward.

『By the way.』

[…?]

『Didn’t you say that you would decorate the opening battle? But how can it be this quiet?』

Mephisto laughed as he looked at the main office, where no one other than Hermann had come to see him off.

Since ancient times, the vanguard could be said to be the most important part of war.

Because it has a huge impact on the overall discipline and morale of the military.

Of course, it is natural for the starry army that begins its first battle to take on various forms to boost motivation.

In fact, all Elric and the Star Soldiers received was a formal order from an envoy sent from the main camp just before leaving the camp.

[First of all, officially it is only a reconnaissance. Actually, I wouldn’t expect much from the main office either.]

The corners of Elric’s lips twitched significantly.

[So we have to take them in a direction they don’t want, right?]

Mephisto lightly snorted at Elric’s faint laughter.

『You are a man as big as a bowl.』

Mephisto clicked his tongue and shook his head. He complained that he did not understand how such a man could become the crown prince of such a large empire.

“Anyway, let’s finish this quickly and go back. Hey!”

Spotted began to speed up.

The march began.

* * *

“You said you participated?”

In response to the question posed by Crown Prince Zereitz, Patran, head of the 4th Inspection Bureau, straightened his back.

“That’s right.”

“What else can you say?”

“There was none.”

“is it.”

Prince Zereitz gently closed his eyes and opened them again.

Various emotions were passing through his eyes.

Annoyance, anger, murderous intent… These were violent emotions that, if held by a person of that level of power, would inevitably lead to the death of many people.

but.

Among them, there was also a mixture of regret and regret.

Because I knew very well how pathetic I was.

In fact, for Prince Zereitz, Elric was something he didn’t have to worry about or stop using.

They say he has the advantage of being the head of the Mervinger family, but what? So what?

While Mervinger was a family that had long since collapsed, he was a man of supreme status who would later lead a huge group called the Empire.

This meant that if you really cared about it, you could just sit on the throne and accuse it of an appropriate crime and blow it away.

For him, there is absolutely no need to pay attention to Elric Mervinger, whom the media has only recently begun to portray as a divinity or something.

He had to keep feeling his nerves going in that direction.

“Isabel… did she follow him as expected?”

“That’s right.”

“I wasted my time leaving. Blue Lion… You probably already know my intentions, but you keep doing this.”

It was because of this.

Isabel Weil.

It was because the flower he loved most in the world and still loves, but can never get his hands on, kept getting entangled with him.

Prince Zereitz hated that.

He didn’t like her being involved with Elric Mervinger, and he didn’t like that he was constantly distracted by him and couldn’t concentrate on other things.

What should I say about this?

jealousy?

period?

It was a feeling he did not want to face at all.

Because it was a feeling of testing myself to see how petty I could be.

However, the reason you cannot go against it is because no matter how much you are the crown prince, you are still a human being.

‘Isabel… This is the only time you can sit back and watch. Once this is over… definitely. I will definitely kick him out and make you mine again.’

However, Crown Prince Zereitz did not abandon his true feelings.

No, on the contrary, he became even more enthusiastic that he would successfully complete this subjugation.

After this is over. Not only will he solidify his position as the crown prince, but he will also gain absolute power that no one can oppose him.

At that time, I will throw aside Elric Mervinger, who is nothing more than a thorn in my eyes, and take Isabelle into my hands.

Also, those who have been blocking him will no longer be able to impose any sanctions on him.

Even if it’s your father, the emperor!

“I don’t know what Mervinger was thinking when he accepted the orders so gently, but they will ultimately fail.”

Patran nodded heavily.

Mervinger and the ‘Star Servants’ who followed him were told that they were opening a war to announce the beginning of a war.

In fact, the front line that Crown Prince Zereitz and the four inspection bureaus thought was not there, but a front line created in the western part of the border province.

“Still, since Mervinger has a name, it’s obvious that there must be something there… They don’t know where the main force is, so they take advantage of their confusion and attack right away.”

The main force was planned to be led by Crown Prince Zereitz himself.

The justification put forward by those who support Prince Kromhel is that ‘in this era where military power is prioritized, the crown prince is too weak to show any significant achievements.’

Crown Prince Zereitz was thinking of completely overshadowing Prince Kromhel based on his overwhelming military expertise.

And in the meantime, I was planning to show off my hidden martial arts skills.

Even though he couldn’t reach the level of Prince Cromhel, he was confident that he could do it.

And in the process, Elric Mervinger will successfully fulfill his role as ‘bait’.

Of course, if Elric wins the war, Prince Zereitz’s achievements will be overshadowed.

well?

‘At best, I’ll be lucky if I come back alive.’

Neither Prince Zereitz nor Patran thought that Elric would win.

Even the inspection bureau, which thoroughly observed Elric’s skills, as well as the staff who came up with this operation, came up with the same results.

Defeat.

Or mortal death.

Even if you are lucky and save your life.

No, even if heavenly luck somehow follows, if you think about the disaster that will eventually follow.

There was no way for Mervinger to make a comeback again.

In that case, Isabel would naturally become his too.

Prince Zereitz firmly believed that.

* * *

The orders the Star Servant received were very simple.

-Attack Ketrain Castle, the northern fortress of Wynz Frontier Province. However, if you think it is difficult to attack, take a close look at the situation there.

However, the meaning Elric accepted was completely different.

-Defeat as many forces as possible at Ketline Fortress and focus the attention of the Red Lion on that area.

Ketline Fortress, which was directly ordered to be attacked by the headquarters, was not a place that the Star Wars could easily attack because its value as a legion had not yet been proven.

‘That’s exactly the case with all three fortresses surrounding the Winds Frontier Province.’

The Winds Frontier protects the eastern frontier of the empire. Since ancient times, in the eastern region, there have been barbarians who make their home in the canyons and mountainous areas along the various mountain ranges extending from the Georyong Mountains, which have posed a great threat to the empire.

As a result, many renovation works were carried out on the major fortresses of the Winds Frontier Province to protect the territory and military camps from barbarians.

It was an impregnable fortress.

And it was known that each fortress’ citadel was in charge of the ‘Four Claws’ who were said to protect the Red Lion.

Sagnad from ‘Claymore’.

Tedan from ‘Bastard Sword’.

Nirf of ‘Rapier’.

Jenova from ‘Saber’.

Those who each used the name of the sword as their nickname were the first-class contributors who contributed greatly to the rapid expansion of the Winds border state and to the point where even the imperial family today is considered a threat.

Among them, Ketline Fortress is currently in charge of ‘Claymore’ Sagnad.

Even so, Ketrain Fortress is known as a great fortress large enough to govern the entire northern region of the Winds Frontier Province.

With the addition of ‘Claymore’ Sagnad, it was no exaggeration to say that it possessed tremendous power.

And yet.

The fact that the main headquarters gave an order to attack this place had a strong meaning to be faithful to the reconnaissance mission.

And furthermore, it may be an intention to intentionally disparage Elric’s reputation for failing to carry out orders.

but.

‘So we have to do it even more.’

Contrary to the wishes of the main camp, Elric had the intention of destroying Ketline Fortress somehow.

Otherwise, it was obvious that I would be dragged around by Prince Zereitz throughout this war.

“Currently, they say there are no search troops on this side of the road. However, because there are many canyons and ridges around… you never know when, where, or how you will be discovered.”

Elric nodded heavily at the report of Ate, who among the members had military service experience.

What was truly fortunate was that command was carried out so organically and smoothly thanks to the adjutants assigned by Hermann.

“Anyway, our movements are bound to be discovered by the enemy soon. “No, it’s better to think you’ve been caught and move on.”

Elric did not bother to mention what Prince Zereitz might have done.

“No matter how carefully we move, we will look clumsy to them anyway.”

Ate’s face hardened. In fact, he was also constantly worried about this.

“So, from now on, we will proceed quickly.”

“If you say it’s a quick decision…?”

“It means it hits you right away.”

“…But isn’t that just hitting an egg on a rock?”

Ate could not help but tilt her head at Elric’s words.

Considering the prestige that Ketrain Fortress had, Elric’s words sounded too absurd.

The number of troops stationed at the fortress is estimated to be approximately 3,000.

On the other hand, the Star Army had just over a hundred members.

Considering that the difference in numbers was enormous and that they had the geographical advantage of being a small fortress, it was completely ridiculous.

“That’s why we need to get to a resolution even more quickly. “They wouldn’t have thought that they would launch a siege with this many numbers. It catches us off guard.”

“her…!”

Ate thought that statement made even more sense.

but.

“So I’ll be the only one fighting the siege.”

“…?”

“…?”

“…?”

At that moment, the people present blinked, wondering if they had misheard Elric’s words.

Only Isabel laughed lightly, covering her mouth with her hand.

Wizard who swallowed talent