"... The scale of the Imperial Army vanguard?"
"One thousand knights, one hundred mages and five dragons, the commander is Kevin Perral of the Dragon King Knights. Notable Knights include Scott Harlow of the Central Knights, Marvin Pan, and Gloria Cenderer of the White Knights. The commander of the mages is Loya Lilista, mainly composed of the 2nd division of the Lilista Magic Corps."
"Fifty lion-class cannons, three red dragon-class cannons, and a number of barrier amplification artifacts have been confirmed as war artifacts."
Even with just that, there weren't many nations in the world that couldn't be conquered. Excluding the major factions, it was overwhelming for a single nation or clan to handle.
Besides, the lists recited by commanders are only the vanguard. The size of the main force that arrived later was incomparable.
"The scale of the main force hasn't been determined yet, but it's estimated to be at least ten times larger."
The atmosphere in the conference room became heavy.
Those who guessed Ron's condition renewed their resolve once more, and those who did not continued to think of the white stone.
"Three hours, faster than expected. The Emperor must be aware that Ron is in no condition to fight. That's probably why they are rushing here. The main force will likely arrive within a couple of hours after the vanguard."
It was as Shuras said.
Crack-! Suddenly, Shuras split the long table of the conference room in half and walked between them to stand in front of Dante.
Then he got down on one knee and lowered himself.
"I, Shuras Helter, the patriarch of the Helter clan. My knights, who are under my control, and I will share the same fate as Hairam."
As Shuras swore, the other knights fell to their knees as well.
"The Sellington clan will fight alongside Hairan, too!"
"Lofermo clan would have perished in ancient times if not for Hairan. It's weak, but it will help."
"The Traga clan will stand by Hairan."
"Ackle clan...."
Thirty representatives of each clan in the conference room swore to Dante and Hairan.
Then there were seven people left. They were the ones who were most shaken by the news that Ron had lost consciousness.
After Dante solemnly placed a sword on the shoulders of those who had sworn allegiance and responded, he silently gazed at them.
"Kingzel clan, Felicie clan, Metin clan, Baizerin clan, Pane clan, Mitro clan, Genion clan."
"Sir Dante, we…."
"You have betrayed your trust with Hairan. You forgot that my clan, my grandfather and ancestors fought for your well-being."
The representatives of the seven clans couldn't lift their heads at Dante's words.
The knights who were still bowing were ready to cut their throats at any moment if Dante gave an order.
"But I don't want to believe that you abandoned the faith of Hairan simply out of fear for your life and the survival of your clan. I will assume that you chose to keep loyalty to the Empire rather than loyalty to Hairan. So, before you leave, there is something you must do for the Empire."
"Speak... please."
"Help evacuate the people of Sword emperor Castle. If you are not even willing to do that, it means you have not chosen loyalty, and I have no reason to spare you."
The seven knights who did not swear allegiance bowed their heads and left the meeting room.
"Sir Golo."
"Yes, my lord!"
"Evacuate all non-combatant vassals and subjects. If the seven clans do not assist in the process, you can cut their throat immediately."
"I will do as you command."
"Also, all rank-file soldiers must be evacuated."
The rank-file soldiers were mainly responsible for equipment operation and supply, as well as maintaining guard and post-battle control.
If rank-file soldiers are absent, the lower-ranking knights would have to operate equipment such as cannons themselves, so there would be some power loss, but Dante didn't want to make them take too harsh a responsibility.
If the war is lost, they will have their whole family killed just for standing on the walls.
After the evacuation only remaining personnel in the castle were 3,000 lower-ranking knights, 1,000 high-ranking knights, and 50 commander-level knights, including Dante.
They could handle a vanguard force, but it was woefully insufficient to face the entire empire.
Dante and his commanders climbed the walls.
Restoration has been ongoing since the last terrorist attack, but sword emperor castle has yet to regain its original appearance.
Cracks were left everywhere on the walls, and there are many empty places.
It was not a fight for defense anyway. All the rank-file soldiers were sent out, and more than half of the war equipments were damaged during the terror, so they couldn't hold the fortress for long.
Regardless of the outcome of the war, today marked the end for the sword emperor castle.
Dante simply wanted to capture this scene in his eyes one last time.
-I know what you mean. Then, what if the imperial family chooses Zipfel and decides to end Hairan with us?
-You stop that on your own.
-I'm not the patriarch of Zipfel, but the next patriarch. I don't have that much authority.
-I'm just kidding, Runcandel will join Hairan at that time.
Dante suddenly remembered the conversation of his friends as he watched the tents set up under the walls being pulled down and people evacuating at the command of the commanders.
When he and Jin asked Veradin to urge Zipfel to press Hairan even more.
The three assumed the possibility of an all-out war of this kind to some degree.
However, it was completely unexpected for Ron to lose consciousness and for the emperor to reveal Hairan's secret to the whole world.
Who would have imagined that Ron would be unable to fight.
Ron's injuries during the terror attack were by no means this severe. It should have been a normal injury that would take at most a week or a month to recover.
Dante didn't know why Ron's injury had gotten so bad.
'My grandfather can't wake up, and it seems unlikely that we can win this war now, even if Jin were to come.'
Dante thought that getting Jin's help would be like dragging a friend into a quagmire.
Jin was not yet the patriarch of Runcandel. And, when evaluated objectively, Hairan without Ron had no value for Runcandel to stand up against the Empire.
Dante received paper and pen from the commander standing beside him. It was to send a letter to Jin, requesting him not to come to their aid.
"Send this to Tikan immediately."
The commander received the letter and went down the wall.
If Jin were to come, there was a high probability that Dante could survive. As Jin had mentioned during his conversation with Veradin, even if he couldn't bring the entire Runcandel with him, he would certainly bring enough troops to rescue Dante.
But Dante was convinced that he would rather die fighting together than choose to escape from here and survive alone.
Thousands of martial artists risked their lives for Hairan and rebelled. It was never possible for him to prioritize his survival as the lord of the sword emperor castle.
Following Dante and the commanders' orders, knights were deployed throughout the castle. The eyes of the knights were heavily stained with the resolution of a desperate fight.
All that was left was to wait for the enemies to come.
* * *
"A white stone? Is he planning to eliminate the Sword Emperor Castle with such a justification?"
Rosa, examining the report, raised an eyebrow.
"We have never obtained any information about this White Stone. It could be a lie created for a justification."
"It might be true. However, that's not important. The fact that the Emperor is making such a move indicates his confidence in defeating Ron's sword emperor castle."
"After the Sword emperor castle terrorist attack, Ron Hairan almost stopped his external activities. And he hasn't been active at all for the last 15 days."
"It could be that he can't fight, as I predicted before... Seeing no response even though the Emperor has raised an army is almost certain."
"There is no full-fledged movement yet, but Zipfel may be looking after the emperor."
"If the white stone is worth as much as the emperor said, Zipfel will surely back him up."
"Should I prepare the knights?"
Rosa thought for a moment about her youngest son, instead of answering the scribe's words.
"What about the 12th flagbearer?"
"It is certain that he is inside Tikan, but the detailed internal situation is unknown due to the order of the patriarch."
"That child will definitely go to the sword emperor castle. I think the fourth flagbearer's sudden request for vacation has something to do with it."
"To lead the knights of Runcandel and go to the Sword Emperor Castle without permission from the acting matriarch...…."
"You're making quite an absurd statement. When did the youngest act with that kind of self-consciousness? Besides, even if the youngest does not have the knights of the clan, he has a solid force of his own."
The scribe bowed his head.
'I don't know exactly what kind of white stone Hairan is holding, but there's nothing wrong with having it, seeing as the emperor is so anxious about it.'
However, it was burdensome to step forward without any information or justification. If, by any chance, the White Stone held no special value, Runcandel would be interfering in the Empire's civil war with no gains.
"For now, let's observe how the youngest handles the situation. However, if we detect a situation in which Zipfel or Kinzelo are actively stepping out, we will move accordingly. Keep a close eye on their movements. Also, make a statement that Runcandel has nothing to do with the civil war in Hairan."
This way, if Jin's actions led to unfavorable results, they could naturally position it as not representing the entire Runcandel's judgment. On the other hand, if it ended well, it would highlight the capabilities and tenacity of the 12th flagbearer of Runcandel once again.
"Yes, Acting matriarch."
* * *
The emperor's vanguard army arrived at the plains of sword emperor castle.
Dante stood in the middle of the wall at the gate and watched them.
Five dragons, a thousand knights, a hundred mages, fifty-three cannons and barrier equipment pointed to the main gate of the sword emperor castle. The back gate and the side gate seemed to be surrounded by the main force anyway, so there was no need to pay attention.
"I am Kevin Perral, Vanguard Commander of the Civil War Suppression Army under His Majesty, the great Emperor Amir Vermont! Ron Hairan, the lord of the Sword Emperor castle, come forth now and receive His Majesty's edict!"
Kevin Perral shouted as he looked down at Sword emperor castle while riding on the red dragon.
Dante and the commanders didn't respond to his words. Kevin, feeling a bit ignored, raised his voice even louder. He had listened to the Emperor beforehand, but he had just seen with his own eyes that Ron couldn't fight.
"Is Ron Hairan absent? If so, the young patriarch, Dante Hairan, heed His Majesty's edict and obey...!"
Swoosh!
Before he could finish his sentence, Kevin felt a chilling sensation like the wind entering his chest.
"Uh...?"
A hole appeared in his chest.
Kevin was completely unaware of that moment, but it happened right after something flashed on the walls of the sword emperor castle.
The light came from Dante's sword. The sword that had pierced Kevin's chest had already gone back into the scabbard, and only a few people were aware of its speed.
As Kevin began to fall from the dragon's back, Dante spoke.
"No one dares to look down on the Sword Emperor Castle in the Empire, not even the Emperor. So, if anyone wishes to convey the Emperor's will, they must defeat me and speak."