Chapter 47: The Opening Move of the Revolution
On that day, a deafening explosion echoed from the royal castle of the Eldorado Kingdom.
"Prioritize the search for King Yanbaar! We'll settle this today!"
Reinvald, the leader of the revolutionary army "Rebellion," shouted while brandishing his sword. Following him, the members of the Rebellion stormed into the castle.
Under the orders of the First Princess Lushaana, most of the castle guards were dispatched to the capital city, Drain. The castle's defenses were thin, and they couldn't effectively respond to the surprise attack by the Rebellion. After all, Eldorado Kingdom had always relied on the might of the Great Empire, and their guards were not highly skilled.
On the other hand, the morale of the Rebellion was high.
Driven by their strong determination to change the country, they were highly motivated for this mission, which they absolutely wanted to succeed in. Predicting the outcome of the battle was not difficult.
"The prince's room... I believe it was this way."
Reinvald and the First Prince Lotus were half-brothers. However, that fact didn't hinder Reinvald from carrying out his plan to annihilate the royal family and reshape the Eldorado Kingdom. He had accepted the curse of killing his own kin.
Moreover, he believed that doing so would allow the revolution to succeed with the least amount of bloodshed.
"Lord Reinvald, it seems that the slum gang is also causing trouble."
"It appears so. Rail is keeping an eye on them. They won't go too far."
"But can Rail really stop them?"
"..."
In this operation, Reinvald was supposed to kill the First Prince Lotus together with his retainer, Lilia. King Yanbaar planned to capture Lotus and execute him publicly. The princes and princesses were to be killed at this stage so that they wouldn't become material for the establishment of a new monarchy.
Reinvald had at least thought he would be the one to send Lotus off.
"There they are! Troublemakers!"
"Lord Reinvald, step back!"
The troops led by Lilia responded to the guards who appeared from the corner of the corridor. The guards were no match for the exclusively mage knights protecting Reinvald.
Before the overwhelming magical power, the guards quickly fell unconscious.
The difference in strength allowed them to be cautious not to kill anyone.
"Let's hurry."
"I'm sorry, Lilia."
Unfortunately, Reinvald wasn't a mage knight. His talent for magic was mediocre. While he could handle convenient small-scale magic for daily life, he lacked the power to use military-grade magic with devastating effects.
The Apophrys-style magic, said to have been compiled by ancient sages, was used as the systematized magic worldwide. It was designed to be the most efficient, with cleverly crafted chants and effects.
All the incantations, effects, and methods of mastery were recorded in magical books strictly controlled by the kingdom. The publicly available Apophrys-style magic had only been passed down orally, and information about the powerful magic, especially the Eighth Tier known as the Great Magic, was mostly kept secret.
Nevertheless, the Rebellion tried to master the most powerful magic possible and honed their magical abilities.
"Lord Reinvald, what should we do with these guys?"
"Leave them. If they wake up again, it'll be troublesome."
"But we don't have any ropes to tie them up."
"We'll take care of them all before they wake up. Let's hurry, Reinvald!"
Nodding in agreement with his comrades, Reinvald moved forward. With his familiarity with the castle, Reinvald and Lilia took the lead and hurried towards Lotus's room.
Along the way, they defeated several guards and forcefully pressed forward.
The Revolution's hands reached even the royal treasury and the king's chambers, causing chaos in the castle. Things were progressing more smoothly than they had expected.
"After passing through this door, we'll reach the section with Lotus's chambers! Isn't that right, Reinvald?"
"Yes, let's go!"
Lilia opened the large door dividing the sections. Reinvald rushed in.
However, one of his subordinates, who was right behind Reinvald, shouted, "Watch out!"
It was a warning directed at Reinvald, and at the same time, Reinvald was knocked down. In the next instant, a spear passed right where Reinvald's head had been.
"What the...!?"
The spear that passed with tremendous force pierced the members of the Rebellion who were lined up in a straight line. No, it didn't just pierce them; it killed all four of them in an instant.
While one person's scream could be heard, the remaining three died without even making a sound.
Lilia, who had opened the door, witnessed the entire scene but momentarily froze as her thoughts were suspended.
"Hey, hey... you missed, didn't you?"
Reacting to the voice coming from further inside, everyone turned to look.
There stood a man dressed in navy military uniform. His right eye was covered with an eyepatch, and he had three scars on his cheek. The badge visible on his left chest caused Reinvald to exclaim in shock.
"The Silver Wolf Crest! Is he a lieutenant from the Grand Empire's army!?"
In the Grand Empire's army, soldiers were classified into nine ranks based on their strength. Non-mage soldiers started from Private and could only be promoted to Corporal at most. On the other hand, mage knights started from lower mage, middle mage, upper mage, lower lieutenant, middle lieutenant, and upper lieutenant. The starting rank depended on their personal magical ability, leading to individual differences. However, if their abilities improved, they could even reach the rank of General or even higher as Grand General.
However, this was solely based on their strength. Their position in the military was a different matter. For example, one could become the chief of the strategy room even as a Private. Of course, the hierarchy was generally respected in terms of commanding orders.
The silver badge indicated a lieutenant, and the wolf crest was given to middle lieutenants.
Thus, Reinvald concluded that he was a middle lieutenant of the Grand Empire's army.
"Hmm? Do you know the meaning of this crest?"
The man with an eyepatch spoke with a confident smile, making a motion with his right hand. Soon, magic gathered, forming a spear created by magical equipment.
Swinging the spear skillfully, the man introduced himself, "I am Ignat Rosen, a Lieutenant in the Subarokia Empire's army and the leader of the Gokuen Corps' Second Platoon. I heard there were signs of rebellion in Eldorado Kingdom, our vassal state, so I came to provide assistance."
Upon hearing this, Lilia couldn't help but exclaim, "Could it be? Has our information been leaked!?"
"That's right," Ignat replied.
Ignat once again assumed a throwing stance with his spear. His target was undoubtedly Reinvald. If he could crush the leader of the Revolutionary Rebellion, the threat of Eldorado Kingdom would disappear. Ignat knew that well.
One of Reinvald's subordinates immediately rushed towards him, "Hmph!"
"Guah!"
The spear pierced the subordinate's right flank, making him a sacrifice. The other members quickly regrouped and deployed their magical equipment to attack Ignat.
It seemed like Ignat lost his weapon when he threw the magical equipment, but by deactivating and reactivating it, he could summon the spear back to his hand. This was an advanced technique of rapidly deploying magical equipment that few people used due to the excessive magical energy consumption. However, Ignat made it possible with his A-rank magical equipment user's level of magic power.
"I am still in charge of protecting Prince Lotus. I won't be taken down easily. Of course, Prince Medline and the princesses also have Imperial troops assigned as their escorts. You are finished... you thieves."
"What did you say?!"
Reinvald shuddered. The Revolutionary Rebellion had been outmaneuvered, and they had been lured into this situation. Eldorado Kingdom's royal family would never lure thieves into their own castle. Therefore, it could be assumed that this operation had been proposed by the Subarokia Empire.
It had gone surprisingly well.
Since the moment the guards of the castle disappeared due to Lushana's reckless actions, the Revolutionary Rebellion had been dancing in the palms of the Empire.
Ignat slammed the floor with his magical spear. The resounding noise echoed through the corridor, and immediately, the sound of several people running could be heard. But it was too late for Reinvald and the members of the Revolutionary Rebellion, as they had already readied their magical equipment.
Eight Imperial soldiers appeared from the shadows of the corridor.
The color of the badges on their chests was bronze, indicating their rank as armored troops. The emblem of a sword was for upper-armored troops, a staff for mid-armored troops, and a shield for lower-armored troops.
All eight of them were magical equipment users, soldiers brought by Ignat.
"Pathetic."
"What shall we do, Lord Rey?"
"At this rate, we won't be able to carry out the operation. Escaping seems difficult as well."
Just then, an enormous explosion resounded.
The whole castle shook, and cracks appeared on the ceiling of the corridor where Reinvald and his companions were.
"What was that?!"
One of the members of the Revolutionary Rebellion exclaimed.
Though it wasn't a response to their question, Ignat spoke.
"This is Captain Kongrad's demon armor. He was supposed to be guarding the area where the princess is... I never expected the damage to reach this far."
"Lieutenant Rosen! This corridor is about to collapse!"
"Seems so."
The rank of "Captain" must indicate the rank of a captain's soldier. Reinvald shuddered at the thought again. Even Ignat, who was in front of him, was a formidable enemy. Furthermore, there was no surprise in reacting like that upon hearing that there were even stronger captain soldiers than him.
In any case, the Revolutionary Army "Rebellion" had fallen into a trap.
"Hmm, it seems the thieves who attacked the princess with that explosion have been wiped out. Let's exterminate the thieves as well. We can't lose to Captain Kongrad."
"Damn!"
"Lord Ray, please escape!"
"We'll buy you some time."
"This one's strong! We need to prepare ourselves!"
"Wait, all of you!"
Reinvald tried to stop them, but the members of the Revolutionary Army "Rebellion" eagerly jumped towards Ignat. Meanwhile, Lilia grabbed Reinvald's hand.
"Hurry! This way, Lord Ray!"
"But..."
"If you're safe, we can start over. Please!"
"...I understand."
Reinvald understood better than anyone his position within the Revolutionary Army "Rebellion." He was a pillar necessary to rebuild the country. Even if they were forced to retreat here, he couldn't afford to die.
(Sorry.)
Reinvald apologized to his comrades in his heart and tried to escape with Lilia.
However, Ignat wouldn't let them get away.
"Don't let them escape!"
His spear's demon armor was activated, and the handle extended, attacking Reinvald. Moreover, it wasn't a straight line attack; it twisted and curved, avoiding the shield of the Revolutionary Army "Rebellion" members and heading straight for Reinvald.
One of the members of the Revolutionary Army tried to strike the spear, but the handle just twisted and continued its course. It was as if they were pushing a door with a sign saying "pull."
And as the approaching spear was noticed, Lilia pushed Reinvald away.
"Ahh! Ugh!"
"Lilia!"
"Missed, huh..."
Ignat clicked his tongue, then immediately controlled the spear to aim at Reinvald again, even while it was still piercing through Lilia's side.
However, the members of the Revolutionary Army activated the earth's first tier "Earth Wall" as a diversion, blinding Ignat and his subordinates. This "Earth Wall" was activated behind the remaining Revolutionary Army members, blocking their escape route.
In other words, they were resolutely standing their ground.
They would make sure Reinvald could escape safely and, even if they died here, they were determined to carry on.
"Troublesome. Blow away the wall with magic!"
"Yes, sir!"
Three of Ignat's subordinates began chanting magic, while the remaining five attacked the Revolutionary Army members with their demon armors. Of course, the Revolutionary Army members fought back.
"Make sure Lord Ray escapes!"
"Kill all the thieves!"
The Revolutionary Army members were demon sorcerers, but not all of them were elite. At best, they were C-rank demon sorcerers. After all, outstanding demon sorcerers could rise in ranks by joining the army of the Empire. There was no need to languish in a vassal state.
Hence, the difference in strength was evident.
"Guah!"
"Not yet... Uwaah!"
"We won't let you through!"
"We'll protect Lord Ray even if it costs us our lives!"
"Ah, my leg! Aaaah!"
"I can still fight!"
Determined, desperate soldiers were strong. Not in terms of ability, but in spirit.
They never broke, continuing to fight no matter how battered they became. Pouring out their all, every drop of blood, they fought with literal full force.
Due to the difference in power, the Revolutionary Army members fell one by one, but they bought enough time.
Annoyed, Ignat shouted, "Is the magic ready?"
"Complete! We'll unleash it!"
The three subordinates used "Air Cutter," the fifth-tier wind magic. The pale blue magic circle shone brightly, and three wind blades were simultaneously released.
These blades easily cut through the human shields formed by the Revolutionary Army members and even destroyed the "Earth Wall."
However, when they looked beyond the broken wall, Reinvald was already gone.
"He escaped. Let's pursue him."
With the use of "Air Cutter," all the members of the Revolutionary Army "Rebellion" had been wiped out. Stepping over their corpses, Ignat and his subordinates searched for Reinvald.
However, they couldn't find his figure anymore.