Chapter 614: 614:The Real Reason Of War
Due to the urgent military situation spreading across the Empire, the Emperor no longer cared about the terrifying cost needed to mobilize the army quickly, and in order to gather all the troops within the shortest amount of time possible, billions of magic crystals stored inside the national treasury reserves were consumed without hesitation.
Across various provinces of the Arcadia Empire, the large-scale military teleportation gates that had remained sealed for years were reopened one after another under imperial orders, and massive pillars of light continuously rose toward the skies while soldiers, supplies, war beasts, and armored knights were transported rapidly toward different battlefronts.
The entire Empire had completely entered a state of wartime mobilization.
Inside one massive military teleportation station, Ethan quietly stood at the front of the formation while countless soldiers of the Order of Eternal Blade steadily marched behind him in organized rows, and the surrounding atmosphere felt tense and heavy because everyone knew the battlefield awaiting them ahead would not be peaceful at all.
Bright magical light illuminated the massive formation beneath their feet.
The air trembled heavily.
Then within moments—
FLASH!
The scenery around them distorted instantly.
After several rounds of long-distance teleportation and continuous marching afterward, Ethan and his forces finally headed toward the Duchy of Lancelot, which had now become one of the most important military gathering points within the Empire.
Along the journey, Ethan occasionally glanced toward the people accompanying him quietly.
Walking beside him were Maverick, Noel, and Randall, who would serve directly under his command during the upcoming campaign.
Rathlos and Hale had been left behind to guard the Blanks territories because Ethan could not afford to leave the homeland completely undefended during such chaotic times.
Amber originally insisted on accompanying him to the battlefield as well, but after an exhausting amount of persuading and coaxing, Ethan had finally managed to convince her to remain behind safely.
Just thinking about that troublesome conversation made Ethan sigh inwardly.
As the group continued moving forward through the military roads filled with marching troops and supply wagons, Ethan suddenly looked toward Noel before smiling faintly.
"It has really been a long time since I last went on an expedition together with Uncle Randall and Noel," he said calmly.
Then his gaze paused briefly on Noel’s face.
"Especially you, Noel... You’ve changed a lot."
Noel immediately laughed after hearing that while casually stroking the beard covering his face.
The handsome and smooth appearance he once had in earlier years had now been replaced by the look of a mature middle-aged man, and although his aura had become calmer and steadier over time, traces of fatigue from family life could still occasionally be seen on his face.
"Well," Noel replied while chuckling softly.
"Children grow fast, and so do fathers."
Ethan smiled slightly after hearing that.
Noel had taken several years away from military expeditions in order to spend more time taking care of his children personally, and Ethan had naturally allowed it because he understood better than anyone how precious family time truly was.
But unlike Noel...
Certain other people clearly had not changed much at all.
Ethan slowly turned his head toward Randall silently.
Randall immediately noticed the strange stare and instinctively stiffened.
’Wait a second...’
’Why the hell is he looking at me like that?’
Randall’s expression twitched slightly.
’What did I even do this time to piss him off?’
Meanwhile, Ethan continued staring at him quietly for another moment while remembering how Randall still regularly visited brothels instead of properly settling down despite already being old enough to act with more dignity.
Eventually, Ethan simply sighed inwardly and decided to let the matter go for now.
Several days later, the group finally arrived at the Lancelot region.
The moment Ethan stepped out from the military convoy and looked toward the vast lands before him, his eyes narrowed slightly.
This place was once the very heart of Ruthiana.
The place where the Royal Capital of Ruthiana once proudly stood had now become the central territory of the Duchy of Lancelot after the fall of the old kingdom years ago.
Even now, traces of the former kingdom could still be seen everywhere.
The towering walls.The ancient architecture and the grand streets.Everything still carried the lingering shadow of the fallen kingdom.
Soon afterward, Ethan’s arrival was announced within the ducal estate, and before long, Duke Lancelot personally came out to greet him alongside several attendants and guards.
The old Duke still carried the same dignified and imposing aura Ethan remembered, although the pressure surrounding him now felt heavier than before because of the current state of war.
The moment the two men approached one another, Duke Lancelot revealed a faint smile.
"It has been a while, Ethan," he said calmly.
Ethan also smiled slightly before bowing respectfully.
"It’s good to see you again, Father-in-law," he replied politely.
The Duke lightly nodded before observing Ethan carefully from top to bottom.
"You look more tired than the last time we met," he muttered.
Ethan let out a helpless chuckle.
"I could say the same to you."
The Duke laughed softly after hearing that.
The atmosphere between them remained relatively warm despite the heavy situation surrounding the Empire.
After exchanging several brief greetings, Duke Lancelot soon led Ethan and the others into the estate while servants hurried around preparing accommodations for the arriving troops and officers.
However, after walking several steps, Ethan’s expression slowly became more serious.
He quietly glanced around the surroundings briefly before speaking in a lower voice.
"Father-in-law," he muttered.
"I need to speak with you privately about something important."
The Duke immediately noticed the seriousness in Ethan’s tone.His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You want to ask me about the inside of war!"
Ethan nodded.
Then after a brief pause, Lancelot slowly nodded.
"Come with me," he replied calmly.
Without wasting further time, the two quietly separated from the others and headed deeper into the ducal estate for a private discussion.
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