Viers assembled the puzzle pieces in his head. The Popess’ disappearance, the immortal pursuers from the east continent, the Harkelan Empire’s invasion, it was all connected, it had to be. As the one with the Fables, he knew the patterns. He knew how stories unfolded.
He had already contacted the Hanged Man, the guy who was his company’s manager at Zetel to prepare for this eventuality. Ciel’s report just validated his prediction.
“This bodes ill. Latias is weak. The throne is empty and the people are divided,” Croix said.
“The Grand Prix is supposed to be a step to raise a new king but with an invasion staring right at our face, I don't know how it will go on from here,” Ciel sighed.
Viers thought so too. Chances were the Grand Prix would be halted. But if so, how would the nobles determine who would beco king? Realistically, there were only five candidates, Lutz, Cassian, Vadym, Celestine, and Croix. The tis ahead promised increased external and internal instability. How would the ascension of kingship be realized without splintering Latias Kingdom?
Without a king on the throne, the Latias knight Pathseeker sub-system would be unable to display its true potential. Which ant weaker war power against the Empire and the Empire was not an enemy that the Kingdom could treat lightly.
Hmph, politics... So complicated. If it were up to , I would just take the crown myself and sit my ass on the throne, then execute those who disagree. Then again, neither I nor Croix have such power to make it possible at this ti.
“How’s the situation with the invasion?” Boram asked.
At one point after the battle, the Duke opened a military council. Naturally, Croix and Ciel were invited while Viers and Boram were not. They lacked importance and status but Viers didn't mind.
“The Empire gave us a bloody nose and broken bones by blindsiding us. Everything from the border to Gryphon’s Reach, towns and cities have been razed or taken. The Empire’s n are roaming the countryside, plundering and killing as they please. And this is just from our territories alone!” Ciel angrily said.
“The Lucan Duchy shares borders with the Empire, like the Valentine Duchy. Thing is, they got it worse than here,” Croix added.
“Has the duchy fallen into their hands?” Viers asked.
“No, but it looks really bad. Duke Lucan is apparently injured. The Empire is serious this ti. Halting the tide will be a real challenge. From the reports they are mobilizing more armies our way,” Croix’s expression showed the seriousness of the situation.
“The three flying fortresses went straight at Gryphon’s Reach. Thankfully we were able to stop them. However, many cities are under siege behind enemy lines. Liberating these strongholds in our territory is Father’s first move. He already sent reinforcents to them. We still don't know how hard it would be. There might be Level 5s in the enemy ranks. That will be bad.”
“Hmm. I see.”
Viers knew the Empire’s approach was quantity and the Kingdom’s was quality in their Pathseekers subjects. This also ant the Empire’s Level 5s were more nurous than the Kingdom’s.
“Do you know the number of the Empire’s forces ?” Boram asked.
“Unknown. At least ten thousand already entered our territories. Most importantly, six out of the Ten Tundras are confird.”
Viers listened to Ciel’s report. Information of the Empire’s most elite Level 5s was crucial. Viers needed it so he could avoid them.
Rostov the Blanket he was already acquainted with, kept in check by Ciel’s mom the duchess. On the sa battlefield, Duke Valentine faced Sven the Bear.
Oleg the Maze.
nos the Eraser.
Yenas the Drear.
Chenkov the Lender.
These four appeared in the Lucan Duchy battlefield. Duke Lucan had his allies too but Viers could imagine how much worse the battle there was compared to theirs. Oleg the Maze created the spatial trap that was ripped open by the Sword Saint.
On the map, Valentine and Lucan territories were located the closest to the Harkelan Empire to the west. The two duchies were where the Empire’s invasion stopped because the other nobles’ territories were unable to halt the Empire’s advance. They were either hunkered down in their cities or had already fallen to the Empire.
“Because the blizzard created by the flying fortresses affected a lot of things like disrupting our communications, we are unable to determine the state of a key location, Grandia Castle.”
Seeing the confused look of Viers and Boram, the blonde duke’s daughter elaborated.
“The castle is located at the Harkelan-Latias border. The strategic location serves as a mighty bastion. Without it, the Empire can send as many soldiers as it wants through the land route to our lands. It is imperative that it remains standing.”
“According to the duke,” Croix added, “he is confident Grandia Castle still stands strong. It is commanded by one of the finest generals of the Kingdom, a Level 5.”
“With the flying fortresses, does the Empire still need the land route? They can clearly fly over it if our battle is any indication,” Viers retorted.
The way Viers saw it, air superiority was still a very important thing in Pathseeker wars since only Level 5s could fly freely. The artificial ans of flight such as using mounts or items were very limited. Just like back on Earth, those with air superiority would have a great advantage in wars. With the flying fortresses, the Harkelan had air superiority, no questions asked.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from . If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
“Our Level 5s know how bad the flying fortresses are and they will counter it. But if the Empire can have unrestricted access to our land it will be much worse,” Ciel said. “We have to hold that castle and take it back if need be.”
“Got it.”
Viers got the picture of what the duke’s war plan would be. Grandia Castle operation would be a key part of that. He then continued to fish for information, the Latias and Harkelan forces, the details on the ground, important cities that needed to be saved, war logistics, the situation in the Gryphon's Reach itself, and so on.
Croix and Ciel told what they knew without reservations because they trusted him. Naturally, Viers would contribute to the war effort. He had no problem fighting the Empire’s n and the battlefield was rife with resources for him to harvest. With the information in hand, he was painting a picture of how to hurt the Empire most and reap the most bountiful benefits. He’d give the glory to Croix for his actions if he could, more accolades for the prince. As was proper, since he was Croix’s vassal and all.
Also, it might an a bigger piece of the Latias pie later on if the young prince beca king.
“Ah, look at the ti. I have to return to the party. Excuse ,” Croix said.
After leaving the room, Croix didn't return to the party venue but went to the balcony. It was empty. With no eyes on him, Croix finally let go of the act and showed how much pain he was in.
“Here, hold this.”
Croix didn't sense Viers’ arrival until he opened his mouth. There was a small pillow with a nice scent in his hand.
“You overloaded your Victa pathways. Guess it was a necessity at the ti but you need to take care of yourself.”
During the final part of the battle, Croix had to push himself over the limit to break the ice dragon’s barrier. Even though it was dead, it was once the soul of a Rank 5 dragon; Falrion and Serena were just Rank 4 and Rank 3 respectively. Furthermore, Falrion beca Rank 4 because of Croix’s Arte. His original rank was 3.
The power to battle a step above you in level was great but it ca with a price.
“Avel... Nothing escapes your eyes, huh?”
“Ciel noticed it too. Now hold this pillow.”
Croix did as he was told. With the pillow in his hand, he felt a cool sensation in his veins. The feeling of being burned from the inside out lessened considerably.
“A pillow healing item? You have the strangest collection, my mysterious vassal.”
“Your Highness, you have no idea,” Viers smiled. “You need to keep in mind your physical and ntal health in these tis. We’ll be busy as bees soon. You’ll need at least a month of rest. No serious battles in the anti.”
Croix did a light ditation with the pillow in hand to circulate his Victa and improve his condition. The pain gradually subsided.
Viers made sure they got privacy by setting up privacy barriers around them. The face-changing mask was destroyed because of Theus, now he covered his real face with a full-face helt like in his old adventuring days. He removed his helt for the conversion ahead. Showing his real face to Croix was an extension of trust. When Croix saw Avel with a different face, he didn't comnt a peep about it.
“The stress is catching up to you, yes? The Grand Prix is on pause, the life-and-death battle, the suffering of the people because of the invasion... What else is in your mind?”
“My mother and aunt in Stormberg.”
“Ah yes. Stormberg is in the Crowe Duchy’s sphere of influence so it's far from the war but the daring rescue by the Countess most probably incessed the Chancellor.”
“If the Chancellor mobilizes the forces at his disposal to Stormberg as retaliation, Aunt Grace will fight him to the bone. But what should I do? There’s an invasion in front of but should I just turn a blind eye to what happens to my family behind ?”
The young prince looked torn. Who could bla him?
He concerned himself with the well-being of his countryn. That was the reason he wanted to beco king in the first place. Now it felt like he was forced to choose between the people and his family. For just an eighteen-year-old boy, this was a cruel choice.
“Theus is dead,” Croix suddenly said. “I have no love for the guy but for three years we had been rivals in the Sinclair Academy. I know what he’s capable of. Truth is, without Falrion my abilities are lower than his. But he’s dead. Just like that... I thought I knew what it ant to face death but now-”
“Are you afraid? Afraid that your life will end there and then without accomplishing what you set out to do?”
“...Exactly. I thought I could do anything, brave any trials to achieve my dreams. Now, I don't even know if I can fight in this war. What if I face soone like Red Eyes again?” Croix couldn't help but shiver rembering the red-eyed cultist.
“Red Eyes...” Viers muttered.
“Did you et him up there?”
“No, but the battle between him and Princess Celestine’s knight was impossible to miss.”
“It sure was... I thought I was special, born a prince and got a dragon. Turns out it was people like Stratos and Red Eyes that are truly special,” Croix said in lancholy while looking at the twin moons. “Tell , my mystique friend, are you a genius like them too?”
“...Who can say?” Viers replied asuredly. “The world is wide and there is always a sky above the sky. Curbing arrogance is the key to a long life, in my opinion.”
There was a pause before Viers spoke again.
“The dukes will most likely substitute the Grand Prix with the war. They will see which royals they will support for kingship in a different arena. Only five real candidates remain. Will you enter the war, Highness?”
“...Yes.”
“Even though you’re afraid?”
“Yes. Because if I don't, there will be people who suffer. If I can just save a few from the horrors of war, isn't it a good enough reason to do sothing?”
Viers sensed no falsehood in Croix’s answer. He didn't say it just to sound good; he really ant it.
“Very well. Highness, you may not realize it but you’ve chosen the path of a hero.”
“A hero?”
“To bear the suffering of others onto themselves, is the definition of a hero. As long as you stay true, this path will also lead to the crown. And a hero is always what you wanted to be. Think, am I wrong?”
Croix closed his eyes and walked the mory lane. He was re-seeing the experiences in his life and the choices he made. When he opened it, there was a light of determination inside those eyes. Viers took it as an answer.
“Rejoice, boy. Your wish will finally co true.” Viers said, like a priest declaring an oracle.
“You should know. Your wish will not co true unless there is a clear evil. Even if it is not sothing you approve of, a hero requires the existence of a great evil to defeat.”
Viers clasped his hands behind his back and gave a mysterious smile.
“The Harkelan Empire awaits you, Croix Ash Latias. Beyond this path, the mantle of a hero and the crown of a king is yours for the taking.”
Yorokobe, shounen.
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