CH 99

Ian was sitting on the lord’s seat, looking down at them.

The sight sent the First Princess and the Third Prince Louis a strange feeling. 

It felt like a subject standing before the king.

The First Princess quickly shook off that feeling and asked Ian. 

“How did you manage to take the Molar Castle? Moreover, the man behind you now is…”

“He used to be the lord of the castle. Now he has decided to follow me.”

“No, I mean, how did that happen?” 

Ian answered with a smile. 

“I just worked hard. Sister, wouldn’t that be enough?” 

“What?” 

“You’re not asking me to tell you my secret, are you? Isn’t that right, Supreme Commander?”

“…” 

The First Princess glared at Ian in humiliation. 

But Louis was different. 

“That’s great indeed. You deserved to be confident.” 

It was different from his easygoing demeanor so far.  

He sent Ian, who was sitting on the throne, a defiant look. 

Ian smirked at the sight. 

“Brother, did you avoid what’s under your feet?”

“Thanks to you, I avoided it well. It could have been a real disaster.” 

The First Princess tilted her head at the two’s talks. 

“What are you talking about?” 

“There is something like that, Sister. It’s a secret between him and me.” 

In fact, there was something Ian had told Louis in advance. Louis’ troops were able to avoid the massacre thanks to Ian’s advice.

No, it wasn’t just avoiding it.

Although he had not yet reported to the First Princess and the main stronghold, he had won a great victory.

In spite of that, Louis’ expression remained dark.

‘I thought I’d repay the favor someday.’

Rather, the problem was that this kid had reaped military achievements that surpassed his.

At this rate, he might fall behind not only the First Princess but also the youngest.

He couldn’t wrap his head around why Ian helped him as a rival. 

‘I can’t look down on the youngest anymore. I’ll seriously consider him an enemy who stands in my way.’ 

There was only one answer he could give. 

“I’m going back.” 

He immediately turned around and headed outside. Rather than being here, he’d better return as quickly as possible to establish military exploits.

The First Princess shouted at the Third Prince. 

“Louis!”

Where was he going now? 

Her eyes were as if reminding him that the two should work together to dig out the youngest’s secret.

But Louis smiled wide and whispered to her ear.

“Sister, you’d better hurry if you want to do something. Otherwise…” 

‘The youngest might devour you whole.’ 

Of course, he didn’t voice out the latter part of his sentence. 

He was not kind enough to help his rival, like the youngest. 

Of course, the First Princess was no fool. 

She could infer his unspoken words right away. But she gritted her teeth, not showing it in her face.

Instead, she smiled at Ian, leaving Louis behind. 

“I will compliment you first. It was an incredible achievement that could not be compared to anyone else.” 

“Don’t mention it.” 

“By the way.” 

“?” 

The First Princess paused for a moment. 

It looked like she was thinking of getting back at what she had been through so far. Quietly racking her brain, she drew up a plan to attack Ian.

And then.

“Since we captured the Molar Castle, which was the biggest obstacle in the Northern Expedition, what do you think about using this as a bridgehead for future Northern Expeditions?”

At the First Princess’s words, Yamanta, who was next to Ian, had an incredulous look on his face.

No, it wasn’t just his expression.

Thud! 

He roared as he thumped the ground with the ax handle he was holding.

“What kind of crap are you plotting!” 

It was no wonder he got angry. 

At first glance, it might seem that it was for Kaistein’s sake to advance to Balrog with this bridgehead.

But unless he was a fool, there’s no way he wasn’t aware of it. 

The First Princess was trying to steal Ian’s credit. No, that’s not all. It was clear that she was going to overshadow Ian’s credit and emphasize her own.

If they advanced here as a bridgehead, of course, all the credit would go to her, the supreme commander. 

However, before Yamanta and the First Princess could even start a war of words, Ian raised his voice first.

“Yamanta!” 

At Ian’s one word, Yamanta’s body stopped.

He might have admitted defeat, but he had yet to formally serve Ian as his liege.

However, Ian’s voice strangely rendered his body unable to move.

It felt like it bound him like a stamp of defeat.

Ian smiled at the First Princess.

“Even so, she is my sister. Watch what you say.” 

“But…!” 

Ian raised a hand at Yamanta, signaling him to say nothing more.

Instead, he opened his mouth, chuckling at her attempt. 

“You’re going to snatch my achievements. Well, Balrog is a long way from here. It would be perfect as a bridgehead.” 

“No, listen to me once. This is good for you and me…”

“All right, let’s do that.” 

“!?” 

It was the First Princess instead who was surprised by the sudden consent. She didn’t expect him to allow it so easily.

Of course, Ian had no intention of giving up this place. 

However, he hid his true intentions and leaned over to the First Princess.

“Speaking of which, my sister.” 

“Huh? What is it?”

The First Princess sensed something ominous. 

Sure enough. 

Ian asked in a low voice. 

“Can you handle it?” 

“What are you talking about?” 

Was it a declaration of war?

As the First Princess thought so. 

Ian continued his words as he swept his hand over the lord’s seat he had occupied.

“If I were the king of Bahara, I wouldn’t leave this place alone, would I? Anyway, isn’t this place the pride of Bahara?”

“!?” 

He got a point. 

Let alone Ian; even the First Princess would have done the same. 

It was never wrong to call this place the pride of Bahara. If it was any other day, it would be entrusted to the general, Yamanta, and they would withdraw the troops, but it was never a place they would let be taken away. 

Furthermore, there was also a fatal problem with defense here. 

It would be hard for Kaistein to raid it without the Blue King.

On the other hand, however, it would be a breeze for Bahara’s side to launch an attack. 

Thus, Ian smiled and said this. 

“Feel free to take it if you so wish. Instead, my responsibility ends here.”

“…” 

The First Princess was troubled for a moment. 

No matter how much she mulled over it, the loss outweighed the gain.

If the castle acquired by the youngest was taken away, the disgrace would latch onto her name for life. She never wanted to walk out of the competition in vain like the Second Prince. 

So, the First Princess decided to go back, her body trembling with emotion.

But before she did that, she had something to ask.

“Let me ask you just one question.”

“Ask away.” 

“How about you? Can you handle it?” 

If the First Princess went back just like this, she would never send reinforcements. 

As Ian said, it would not be strange if Bahara’s troops came charging right away. She questioned whether he could afford it. 

Ian smirked at her question. 

Then he replied in an arrogant manner. 

“If they want to come, go ahead. What has once been mine will never be taken from me.”

It’s a declaration and a proclamation. 

This was a display of Ian’s seriousness to everyone, including the First Princess. 

Seeing his burning gaze, the First Princess turned around as if she had been defeated. 

However, her eyes glinted coldly. 

‘It won’t just go your way, Youngest. I will also show you that I, the first princess of Kaistein, am not an opponent you can take lightly.’

And thus, the First Princess and Louis went away. 

After confirming they had all gone, Ian, who looked relaxed, jumped to his feet. 

As if knowing it would happen, the Second Princess and a group of soldiers rushed in from behind him. They were holding a set of armor and helmet in their hands.

“Your Highness. Excuse me.” 

In no time, Ian’s body was clad in the armor. 

He was going to run to the battlefield right now.  

Until now, he had been acting relaxed and arrogant to deceive the other successors. 

He showed them his arrogant facade of being satisfied with a big achievement and defending this castle.

But in actuality, it was different. 

“How is the preparation going, Sister?” 

“If it’s just you, me, and those two, all clear.”

The two were referring to Galon and Yamanta.

Ian was about to rush out without delay, but the Second Princess stopped him.

“Are you really thinking of doing it?” 

“Of course, Sister. I have had enough of just standing guard.”

In fact, the Second Princess’s worries were reasonable.  

Now Ian wasn’t trying to go out and fight to protect the Molar Castle.  

Rather, he intended to advance toward Balrog. 

The Second princess asked Ian, her face serious. 

“But why did you ask for the reinforcement of the trap to be made by Kaistein, not Bahara? Surely… you don’t intend to betray the country, do you?”

It was natural for her to think so. 

Ian had given orders to never let anyone come through, regardless of who they were.

If the supreme commander, the First Princess, abandoned this castle in the first place, no one would probably come. She didn’t understand why he gave such an order.

But Ian said as he tightened his helmet. 

“Of course not. It was just in case.”

“Just in case?”

“Shouldn’t we be mindful of the possibility that someone might strike us from behind? They can mess with the supplies.”

“That’s not a big deal…” 

The Second Princess couldn’t finish her sentence. 

It was because she saw Ian’s cold expression.  

It was as if he were reprimanding her to never let her guard down. 

He then went out without further ado. 

“Then, I will leave this place in your care, Sister.” 

“Yes. Go and come back safely.” 

Ian’s gaze toward the outside was ferocious, like that of a beast.

As if he was still hungry.

His eyes were set on Bahara’s heart, Balrog. And he was looking beyond.

***

Royal palace of Bahara.

This place was still soaked in blood.

It was because Arak, the First Warrior who became the new king, did not let anyone get rid of it to set it as an example.

The vassals of the previous generation, who still survived, were trembling. 

It was inevitable.

“The Molar Castle is taken away? Are you trying to make me laugh?” 

It was because Arak, the cruel king, uttered in a cold voice. His low voice was mixed with bloodlust oozing out uncontrollably. 

A vassal trembled at his menacing glare and continued. 

“N… no. That’s what they say. General Yamanta was defeated by the enemy’s commander…” 

He felt dizzy at the smell of blood around him.

But upon hearing his answer, the face of the First Warrior, no, the current king of Bahara, Arak, crumpled.

“Sir Yamanta?” 

“Th… that’s right, First Warrior, no, Your Majesty…”

Right at that instant. 

Rising from his seat, Arak drew an arc with his sword at the vassal.

Slash! 

“Aaargh!” 

The vassal collapsed with a scream. 

The other vassals raised their voices in disbelief.

“W… why!” 

Nonetheless, Arak flashed a fishy smile. 

“You may be tactless, but my kingdom doesn’t need people who can’t hold their tongues.”

“W, what’s that—”

“I guess you don’t have to live either.” 

Slash! 

King Arak even cut down the vassal who was trying to argue back. 

At this moment, only silence hung over the palace after the deaths of two people. They thought Arak’s actions were excessive, but no one could argue. 

The reason was obvious.

It was because Arak slaughtered the subordinates of the previous king as well as the guards guarding the royal palace. To make things worse, they couldn’t retaliate because he had an unknown sponsor backing him.

Then King Arak swung his sword at the fallen vassal.  

“How dare anyone blabber like these guys!” 

Arak ruthlessly stabbed the already fallen vassal’s body again and again. 

Watching the scene, some upright vassals bit their lips. 

‘Why did His Majesty say he would abdicate the throne to someone like this?’

‘The warrior chieftains and generals who can stop him have gone to the battlefield. There’s no one to stop his rampage.’

Perhaps Arak knew it, which was why he wielded his power like a tyrant. 

It was when the vassals’ eyes were burning with rage.

Arak, his face covered with blood, roared. 

“Deploy the soldiers! Get the castle back by any means! This is the king’s order!” 

At his order, the vassals rushed out. 

It was to get out of the grasp of Arak, a brutal tyrant.  

Some were running with eyes full of killing intent. 

‘The only person who can dethrone that cruel butcher and ascend to the throne is Prince Olak. We must hurry and find him.’

‘Just you wait. We will definitely bring you down from that seat.’

‘If only General Yamanta were here.’ 

Each of them seemed to have a lot going on in their minds. 

But there was one vassal who remained until the end. 

Nadwan, the chancellor of the previous king. 

Arak spoke to him fishily. 

“Why did you not go out? Or did you not hear the word ‘order’?” 

“No, I did.” 

“But?” 

“However, that would cause problems in other areas. Aren’t we still unable to stop them from dividing and attacking?”

Arak smiled with interest.

“Don’t worry about that, I will stop them myself. I am different from my incompetent father.” 

“However, the enemy’s forces are divided into five…”

“I’ve got my hands on that side. If you’re so worried, think about how to recapture the Molar Castle. I have a plan for everything else.” 

It was the moment Nadwan was about to argue. 

Arak proudly shouted. 

“Bahara will be called an empire in the future! I will soon become emperor, so trust me and follow me!” 

“…” 

Nadwan swallowed back his anger in silence.

‘He really has gone mad. Who on earth made him like this?’ 

Then he lowered his head, his eyes filled with misery as he slowly escaped the eyes of that mad tyrant.

*** 

Having escaped Arak’s clutches, the vassals gathered the soldiers. 

“We must recapture the Molar Castle by any means. Hurry up!” 

“If we are late, that madman will kill us. Move, move!”

The generals and warrior commanders in charge of other places would take care of the enemy anyway. All they had to do was get the Molar Castle back.

“Fortunately, I think we can take it back if we force it with our troops.”

“But if the enemy set up a trap…” 

“Don’t worry. From the castle to our side, it will be difficult to defend, let alone set a trap.” 

Thanks to the tribal chieftains who knew the ins and outs of the Molar Castle well, things worked out smoothly.

It was when everyone was rushing, preparing to recapture the Molar Castle with the human-wave strategy. 

“Breaking news!” 

The soldier who had left for the reconnaissance mission came back urgently. Whatever he just witnessed, his face looked deathly pale. 

Surprised, the vassals and the chieftains pressed him. 

“What’s the matter? Go ahead and talk!” 

“W-was there a massacre or something?! What on earth did you see?”

But the scout’s words were unexpected. 

“Th… that!” 

That was… 

“Someone raised the Great Warrior banner and is waiting for us in front of the bridge?”

“Only one without any other soldiers? And a little kid at that?” 

It was absolutely ridiculous.