Chapter 186
Alexandro’s army successfully arrived at Everblade after retreating from Statznal.
There had been concerns about possible coalition attacks along the way, but fortunately, no such ambush occurred.
“......I never expected General Alexandro to retreat. Even Lord Ailes seemed quite taken aback.”
“.......”
Everblade’s lord, Astin Roniel, handed a fine bottle of wine to Alexandro as they sat across from each other.
“Try this. It’s well-aged and has an excellent flavor.”
“Rather than that, what is the current deployment of our troops?”
“Do not worry. Everything is already in place. Besides, with you here, Everblade is in no danger, wouldn’t you agree? Hahaha.”
Everblade was the Empire’s final defensive line before the capital.
Unlike other fortresses, it was built for maximum defense.
To the left, treacherous mountains and sheer cliffs stretched downward.
The fortress walls stood over 20 meters tall, thick enough that only Aura-powered attacks could hope to breach them.
“The eastern terrain is also too rugged for an army to pass through. And even if they try, the eastern gate is heavily fortified.”
“.......”
Alexandro remained silent.
To some extent, he agreed with Astin’s assessment.
Perhaps that was why?
Seeing his confidence, Astin continued with a smirk.
“But I heard a unit breached Statznal’s gate.”
“Yes.”
“Well, that was to be expected.”
Statznal’s walls and gates were not particularly thick.
If defenses were inadequate, skilled warriors could breach them even without Aura.
“But this place is different. As long as you hold the front, they have no way in.”
The path to the main gate narrowed the closer it got to the fortress, making numerical superiority less relevant.
If anything, the terrain could turn their numbers into a liability.
Astin spoke with unwavering confidence.
Everblade wasn’t called the last bastion of the Empire for nothing.
Yet Alexandro shook his head.
“This coalition isn’t just large in numbers—they have an overwhelming momentum. If we aren’t cautious, even Everblade could fall.”
“For over a hundred years, Everblade has never fallen.”
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Of course, it had rarely been attacked, but no army had ever breached it.
Alexandro knew this, which was why he didn’t argue further.
Everblade’s defenses were formidable.
However—
‘......I have a bad feeling about this.’
Statznal had seemed secure, too.
Yet an unforeseen event had caused everything to spiral out of control.
“We cannot be complacent.”
“Rest assured, they will never breach these walls.”
Astin merely smiled and took a deep drink of his wine.
***
“......Seeing it in person, it’s even more daunting.”
“It’s massive.”
The Caion Unit surveyed the approach to Everblade, clicking their tongues in disbelief.
Though the fortress was enormous, the main entrance narrowed significantly as one approached.
The western side was lined with sheer cliffs, making any assault there impossible.
“The eastern side is rough terrain—not easily traversable.”
“So, only the northern and southern gates can be targeted.”
“If we can’t break through the front, we have no other options.”
The upcoming strategy meeting would be crucial.
A Caion soldier glanced toward the war tent where the commanders were deep in discussion.
***
“So, that is my proposal. To minimize casualties, General Celestine should lead the vanguard.”
At Kiaran’s words, the room fell silent.
Celestine had recovered, but not fully.
“Would that be feasible? Alexandro has already fortified Everblade.”
“He will stand in our way. Celestine was already defeated once—this could be too much.”
“.......”
Celestine remained silent, envisioning the battle.
If she engaged at the front, how would the duel with Alexandro unfold?
Then—
“Seems you’re all struggling with this.”
“......?”
“Who goes there?”
A young man entered the war tent, drawing puzzled looks.
But—
“Henry!”
Celestine’s surprised exclamation made the entire room turn toward him.
‘That man...’
‘The strategist of Artian, Henry Saint-André?’
‘......He’s so young.’
Was he even thirty?
Henry strode forward, scanning the map spread across the table.
He spoke.
“Everblade is nearly impenetrable from the east and west.”
The good news was that the coalition had secured the rear, allowing them to focus solely on Everblade.
“The only option is a full-frontal assault.”
Henry stepped outside, studying Everblade from a distance.
No fortress was invincible.
Returning to the tent, he faced the commanders.
“I will find a way in. Meanwhile, you should monitor enemy movements.”
“......Understood.”
“Do you have a plan?”
“I have several ideas.”
Henry answered confidently, prompting Kiaran to nod.
“Then we will trust you.”
The meeting adjourned, and Damian returned to the Caion camp.
Then—
“Who is he?”
Henry asked, watching Damian depart.
Celestine smirked.
As expected, Henry had noticed him immediately.
She answered.
“He is the third Aura Master of Baroque.”
“An Aura Master?”
Henry’s eyes widened.
The entire continent had been in an uproar over Baroque’s new third Aura Master.
Yet the man looked younger than Henry himself.
“A remarkable figure.”
Henry’s gaze gleamed as he observed Damian.
Perhaps...
***
“What’s the status?”
As Damian returned to the Caion Unit’s camp, Dianal immediately approached with a question.
Damian shrugged.
“Nothing concrete yet.”
He then relayed what had transpired in the war tent—how they were struggling to find a way past Everblade’s formidable defenses and how decisions were proving difficult.
And—
“Henry, you say?”
“You know of him?”
“Yes, he’s called the Mind of Artian. There are countless rumors about his genius.”
“...Is that so?”
Why didn’t I know that?
Thinking back, he realized he lacked information on the talents of other kingdoms.
‘When I return, I’ll have to ask Diel about this.’
For now, returning was the priority.
“Damian.”
“......?”
He turned toward Paul, who approached, drenched in sweat.
“Why are you sweating so much?”
Before Paul could answer, Creon spoke up from the side.
“This idiot went east with the archers to scout potential routes right after we finished setting up camp. Absolutely reckless.”
“...Shut up.”
Paul shot him a cold glare.
Damian raised an eyebrow.
“...You went to scout the eastern terrain of Everblade?”
Everblade was an enormous fortress.
Even circling around it took considerable time.
But Paul simply scratched his head.
“There wasn’t much else I could do to help... so I went.”
“I tried following him but gave up. He moves insanely fast.”
The way Creon’s scalp glistened with sweat suggested he wasn’t lying.
Paul then turned back to Damian.
“The terrain is as rough as we were told. However... with some effort, it might be possible to pass.”
“Hm...”
Damian recalled what was discussed in the strategy meeting.
The eastern and western approaches had been ruled out, leaving only a frontal assault.
The reason was simple.
Everblade’s terrain was a natural fortress.
The western side was utterly impassable, and Paul had just confirmed the eastern side was incredibly treacherous.
If even someone as capable as Paul called it difficult, most soldiers wouldn’t dare attempt it.
Yet—
“You think it’s worth a try?”
“Yes, but only with a small unit.”
“What’s your definition of small?”
“...No more than the size of the archer division.”
That meant just 50 men.
Even if they found a way through, what could 50 soldiers accomplish?
Damian exhaled, deep in thought.
“For now, let’s wait and see what command decides. But, Paul.”
“Yes?”
Damian’s gaze sharpened, and Paul instinctively straightened his posture.
Then Damian patted his shoulder.
“Well done. This will be useful for planning.”
“...Thank you.”
Paul nodded, a faint smile on his face.
Clap!
Damian clapped his hands loudly.
“Alright! Until orders come down, we focus on fortifying our position and staying in top condition. When the time comes, we will win!”
“Yes, sir!”
The unit responded in unison, their discipline unwavering.
They were always ready for battle when duty called.
Damian smirked as he looked at his men.
Then—
“General Damian.”
“......?”
General?
Who addressed him with that title?
He turned toward the voice and saw—
“...Sir Henry?”
“Pleasure to meet you. I am Henry Saint-André. Might I have a moment of your time?”