Chapter 196: Ancient Existence (1)

As winter arrived, the air grew colder with each passing day.

At the castle of the northern Arenvatz Territory of the Canel Kingdom, Duke Saliann Arenvatz watched the snowfields steadily piling up.

By his side, Orden, the territory’s administrator, stepped closer.

“Duke.”

“Has a reply come from the Royal Capital?”

“Only an answer telling us to wait. It seems they’re also facing many difficulties due to the matter of the delegation.”

“Hm…….”

A post for communication between the territory and the Royal Capital had been installed.

Thanks to that, they were able to contact each other quickly.

Saliann Arenvatz’s gaze fixed beyond the grasslands and forests where snow continued to pile up.

At the end of his sight, just as the sentries had reported, the armies of the Dior Empire and the Kingdom of Prios had established their outposts.

At that, Hartoba, the knight commander of the Arenvatz Territory who had been guarding his side, opened his mouth with an angry expression.

“If you give the order, we will go out and wipe them all out.”

Arenvatz was a territory responsible for the northern defense of the Canel Kingdom.

Up to now, it had never permitted invasion from anywhere.

That pride was something every knight of Arenvatz was expected to possess as a matter of faith.

“Wait.”

“We don’t know when they might attack. At times like this, shouldn’t we strike first?”

“There’s no need to be impatient.”

“……Understood.”

The enemy forces had already pushed into the military borderlands and occupied a considerable number of villages.

With the weather growing colder, the damage was terrifying.

Naturally, Saliann Arenvatz knew this and felt anger.

However, the enemy wasn’t only the Kingdom of Prios. Troops of the Dior Empire had entered together.

“If the information had arrived even a little earlier, we could’ve reduced the damage further.”

Even though he hurriedly evacuated the forest village residents after hearing belatedly from Raion that the Dior Empire had begun to move, there were many places where it was already too late.

For now, continuing to observe the situation was important.

And if the enemy forces advanced, there were preparations already in place.

“They’re being managed well, right?”

“There’s no problem. But… will it really be effective?”

“From what I’ve confirmed, it’s absolute. To think something like that was made and kept hidden……. It’s truly astonishing.”

Duke Saliann’s gaze turned to the things(?) arranged at regular intervals along the castle walls.

They looked like pillars made of iron. The center was hollowed out wide open, as if dug out with a shovel.

They were cannons.

After developing black powder in the Kanas Territory, Raion had hidden it as much as possible.

Later, Dike completed the early form of the cannons. They were made so they could be deployed to the front-line territories as soon as the civil war of the Canel Kingdom was settled.

However, Knight Commander Hartoba felt slightly uneasy, as he had never seen the cannons’ effects firsthand.

To conceal the existence of the cannons from the enemy, no demonstrations had even been shown within the territory.

“Can they really replace magic?”

“More than enough.”

Feeling reassured, Saliann Arenvatz descended from the castle walls.

At the Great Hall of the Canel Kingdom, a delegation from the Danas Federation had arrived.

Venters, the Marquis who came as the head of the delegation, bowed his head before King Laskan Canel.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty.”

“It’s been a long time, Marquis Venters.”

“It has been over twenty years since we last met.”

“A delegation from the Danas Federation…… There’s no need to drag things out with difficult words, is there?”

The Dior Empire’s declaration of war had spread across the continent, throwing everything into emergency.

With no knowing when war might begin, it was awkward even to bring up the meaning of goodwill.

“That’s a bit unfortunate. However, it’s not entirely bad.”

“So then, for what reason have you come in such a situation?”

Marquis Venters quietly swallowed his saliva once before speaking.

“It is nothing else…, but in the name of King Trasi Omtia of the Danas Federation, we wish to propose a marriage with the Canel Kingdom.”

“A marriage? Do you mean a betrothal alliance?”

It meant marrying off royalty to form a firm alliance.

At this, rather than welcoming it, Laskan Canel showed an indifferent expression.

Perhaps because of that reaction, Marquis Venters grew slightly awkward.

“An alliance could certainly be established, but…… we would appreciate it if you considered it as the pure feelings sent by our princess.”

“Are you saying that Princess Diana on your side has taken an interest in my crown prince?”

It had already been conveyed that Princess Diana was in the Mineta Kingdom as part of a delegation.

After hearing Marquis Venters’ words, Laskan Canel could easily infer it.

“That appears to be the case.”

“Then isn’t that something they should handle themselves?”

“……Pardon?”

“If the princess can convey it herself, why is there a need to cross into the kingdom and deliver it formally?”

It felt as though he didn’t consider it a big deal.

It seemed to be flowing differently from what Marquis Venters had thought.

“Marriage between royal families. Naturally, this is something that should proceed through diplomatic channels between kingdoms, is it not? Of course, based on this, our Danas Federation is also willing to cooperate in any matter to strengthen friendly relations with the Canel Kingdom.”

It also implied matters that included war.

With the Dior Empire already pressing right up to them, there could be no better conditions than this.

Yet Laskan Canel’s reaction still showed no great change.

“So what you are saying now is that I should approve the Crown Prince’s marriage without even the party involved being present?”

“Since this is a matter between kingdoms, is it not only natural that His Majesty the King’s approval is required?”

Royal family members followed the orders of the king, the final authority, without exception.

That was akin to a royal obligation.

Marquis Venters naturally believed that Raion Canel was included in that obligation as well.

Then suddenly, Laskan Canel burst into laughter.

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha!”

It was laughter that made the atmosphere freeze, leaving Marquis Venters unsure how to react.

Only after the laughter stopped could he finally ask,

“Why…… is that so?”

“How long do you think I will continue sitting in this seat?”

“You remain as you always have. The peace of the Canel Kingdom is thanks to that.”

At the flattery-laced tone, a faint scoff slipped from Laskan Canel.

“Hmph…, my peace, you say. My throne is practically already handed over. I am merely keeping the seat warm until the Crown Prince returns.”

There had been no official announcement that the throne had been passed on.

Naturally, the current king of the Canel Kingdom was still Laskan Canel.

Yet the sincerity in his words made it difficult to dismiss them lightly.

“How can you say such a thing!”

“I mean exactly what I said. All decision-making authority lies with the Crown Prince. So rather than discussing the marriage with me, you should speak directly to that child.”

“B-but…….”

Marquis Venters had come with this delegation confident that he could conclude a marriage alliance.

No matter how formidable the Canel Kingdom was, compared to the Danas Federation it could only be inferior.

With the Dior Empire having declared war, and the Canel Kingdom standing on the brink of fighting combined forces including the Prios Kingdom, he judged that they could not refuse the hand of the Danas Federation.

Naturally, in this situation, Marquis Venters felt flustered.

“If you go any further, you will be crossing the line.”

“…….”

With a warning already given, what more could be said?

Silence drifted through the great hall.

Soon after, Marquis Venters could say nothing more and withdrew.

“A marriage for the Crown Prince. Even I would like that, but…… if there had been someone who truly pleased that child, he would have acted long ago. Is that not so?”

The question was directed at Trine Diego, the Royal Knight Commander standing beside Laskan Canel.

“That is correct. His Highness the Crown Prince would have taken care of it himself.”

“I just hope he returns in good health.”

“Who could possibly harm His Highness? Even the Empire will surely be unable to do anything to him.”

The power of Raion they had witnessed far exceeded imagination.

Not only had he gone to the Mineta Kingdom and usurped royal authority together with Princess Deborah Mineta, he had even annihilated two members of the demon race.

When they had first heard of the existence known as the demon race, they had been shocked.

But there were records delivered through Raion’s portable post, leaving them no choice but to believe.

“Indeed. More importantly…… have word been sent to the Arenvatz Territory and the Clamen Territory?”

“Yes. However, since they suffered an attack, it seems it will not be easy for them either.”

“Their territory’s people were attacked without cause, so that is only natural……. Still, if they move first, it may only lead to even greater damage.”

The Empire had stepped forward declaring war against nine kingdoms.

By anyone’s view, it was reckless. No matter how mighty an empire might be, it was impossible.

Yet the kingdoms could not move immediately.

The beings called the demon race.

They did not even know how many there were. On top of that, the forces of Dekelan, Moratz, and Prios, whose royal authority had fallen under the Empire, were no small threat.

It could easily turn into a mutual slaughter, so caution was necessary.

“I strongly urged them to wait as much as possible.”

“If it is the Duke of Arenvatz, he will surely calm his knights well.”

Laskan Canel sank deeper into contemplation over the coming war.

There were only a few days left before the departure date toward the Dior Empire.

In the meantime, Raion had left Mineta Castle and come out to the southern ruins.

“The demon race…….”

The name of that existence kept circling in his mind.

Having faced as many as four members of the demon race so far, he had accumulated various experiences.

“Magic and summoning, fire and earth…….”

Every attribute and method had been different.

Moreover, they had even fought by unlocking their original power through a stage called awakening.

If the demon race he fought at the beginning had not been careless, he might have been the one defeated instead.

Raion drew his sword.

The pitch-black blade completed after acquiring a large amount of Adamantium with Malphas’s help (?).

“Even magic at the level of the 6th Circle or swordsmanship at the Master Emperor realm is not enough.”

The reason he had come out to the ruins beyond the southern gate was to gauge his own strength.

With that, the sword moved swiftly through the air.

‘White Thunder…….’

Pajijijijik! Kwakwakang!

A bolt of lightning, about to split the world in blinding white, drove straight into the ground.

The earth split apart as if torn into countless branches.

“As expected, concentrating the power is difficult.”

At the same time, his left hand traced the formula of a new 6th Circle offensive spell.

“Magma Storm Break.”

Magma surged up from the ground like hot spring water. It did not stop there; the magma formed a vortex, steadily growing in mass.

It was like a crimson, blazing typhoon of liquid fire.

Smoke rose as chunks of magma splattered outward.

“If I can succeed in trapping them inside, I could turn them into charcoal.”

Raion opened his palm. As the magic was released, the magma fragments scattered in all directions.

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