Emperor of Steel

The troops of the Continental Alliance, which made up to 200,000 in number, were divided into 3 squads and advanced towards Nemesis.

Among them, the 1st squad was led by Marquis Rogers, the Chief Commander, and had around 80,000 troops of Symphonia and Holy Empire.

In the south of the Baroque Empire, no troops were yet deployed to stop them.

All because of the war with the Volga Republic, and due to that, most of the power was focused on the north of the capital, Nemesis.

And the Imperial troops on the borders were only capable of taking down monsters or stopping the refugees who would cross over the border.

Therefore, the Lords and the Commanders of the castles and the forts either waved their white flags or kept the gates locked firmly.

Count Ferrero and Count Darland, who took the position of the 1st squad’s deputy commanders, persuaded those who were strong-willed.

If they wanted to, they could have asked their troops to wipe out the forts or castles, however, they both knew that it was an important time where they had to create more allies.

It was necessary to evade the battles as much as possible as it was important for them to rush to Nemesis and eradicate Rudolf’s men.

“Viscount Rosfall, the nation of Baroque has already run out of its treasury and luck. Is It really necessary to be loyal to an Emperor who hasn’t recognized such a competent commander like you?”

“A true knight is a man who does not compromise for injustice.”

Ferrero sighed when he heard the words of Rosfall, the man in charge of the gate fortress to the capital.

He knew that the man in front of him was stern about his decisions, but he never thought that he would still hold the ground, even after the nation was going down.

“Do you think that it is an injustice to ask you to move out? Then, don’t you think that it was an injustice to support the Emperor’s action where he slaughters innocent people and even dug the graves of his own ancestors?”

“That was beca…”

When Rosfall tried to speak out in favor of the Emperor, Count Darland, took a step ahead and asked.

“Viscount Rosfall, you are the descendant of one of the founders. So I can understand that you are trying to be loyal to the Imperial family. But have you ever given a thought about the soldiers and the people who are going to lose their lives because of your stubborn will to fight in a battle which you won’t win?”

It wasn’t like the man hadn’t thought about it.

The knights and the soldiers in the fortress were trembling.

The knights who followed Rosfall into the room where the discussion was happening too showed signs of backing out to the battle.

“The Viscount’s dedication for the nation which was in ruin could be influenced by his family. But shouldn’t you remember who would die for your stubborn act? Will you still stand for only your honor?”

Rosfall pondered for a while at Count Darland’s words.

After a while, he made the decision and revealed his will.

“I will not surrender to you.”

“Till the end huh…”

“But, I have no intention of fighting in this fort. It would be useless for me to fight with those who aren’t willing to fight with me.”

Having said that, Rosfall returned to the fort and summoned his soldiers.

He gathered volunteers who were willing to fight with him and left the fort.

Even though he entered the fort without spilling any blood, Count Ferrero couldn’t erase the bitter feeling in his mind.

“Stupid guy, being stubborn till the end.”

“Emperor Rudolf who hasn’t recognized such a person is the most foolish one.”

“Well, it is highly unlikely for the Emperor to have such a high awareness.”

A few days later, Count Ferrero and Darland faced Viscount Rosfall again.

It was when they entered the city gate of Castang, the north fortress.

The Lord who ruled the Castang had surrendered by showing up a white flag as soon as the enemies arrived.

The problem was that, the surrender gift which he gave Ferrero and Darland, left them speechless.

“This is…”

“This was the demand of Viscount Rosfall, the Commander of the Fortress. He came here a few days ago and asked for death.”

The lord, tried to subdue nervousness and smiled a little.

Darland didn’t know what to say, and shook his head, while Ferrero sighed.

When he thought of Rosfall defending the Empire and the Emperor, the Emperor who would never protect him, Ferrero thought that Rosfall never had a chance for a peaceful death.

And his death wasn’t of that as an honorable warrior, but a traitor.

Count Ferrero, feeling dirty and angry for some reason, began to release energy.

The face of Lord Castang, who was nervous turned blue.

“Hiik! If, If I did anything wrong, please…”

“Well, it is nothing. Everything is fine.”

When Ferrero, barely suppressed his emotions, the Lord resigned from his position and ran away.

Darland, who was looking at all this from his side, had a bitter smile.

“He is a contributor from our side, we can’t help but take him under consideration.”

“Yes, we will see more and more cases like this in the future. And we need to remember them clearly. Who did that for us.”

It would greatly contribute to covering up the other forts.

And Darland or Ferrero didn’t have to sympathize with the dead.

They get to shed no blood and make a fast advance to Nemesis.

After receiving the Castang City, they went to the 1st squad camp outside the walls and reported to Marquis Rogers.

“Something like that happened?”

“Yes, I have instructed the soldiers to retrieve the bodies of Rosfall and his men and bury them.”

“You did well.”

Marquis Rogers nodded.

It was when the two of them were about to step out of the commander’s barracks.

Suddenly, a messenger jumped in and made a report.

“Huge deal, Chief Commander! It was said that a large army has appeared from the west and is rushing towards here!”

“What? A large army?”

“Yes, I think that there will be over 100,000 troops with Gigants.”

At the report of the messenger, the commanders and the deputy were all excited.

It was because at last, a proper fight was going to happen.

“They are crossing the border and coming? But they shouldn’t be able to cross 100,000 in number, right?”

Rogers titled his head.

To the west of the Baroque Empire were the border units of the Libiya Kingdom.

However, according to the report of the intelligence agency, Baroque only had the level of defending the border after a considerable amount of power, and they lost most of their men because of the Volga war.

“Anyway, the 3rd squad is advancing towards the Northwest and is urgently calling for assistance.”

It was true that the Baroque Empire still had potential, but it was impossible to suddenly create an army of 100,000.

Rogers was puzzled, but immediately decided to send reinforcements.

It was because the 3rd squad consisted of only 60,000 troops of Castia Kingdom and the Navarre Duchy, and they couldn’t stop them.

He gave Count Ferrero 20,000 troops and 50 Gigants to support the 3rd squad.