Viscount Domont paced around his office, deep in thought.
'To bring a priest of the Salvation Church...,'
The King's request was indeed an unreasonable one.
The priests of the Salvation Church would not heal him without imposing conditions or demanding a price.
Moreover, the Salvation Church had already been declared a public enemy of the continent. If the King allied with them, he too would become a public enemy.
Should this be revealed, Marquis Branford and the nobles loyal to him would not remain silent.
'But... if it succeeds....'
It could change the tide.
The Royalist faction wasn't entirely unified. Marquis Branford had become its centerpiece simply because he wielded the greatest power.
If the King regained his health, the nobles and lords suppressed by Branford would rise up. They might even be able to oust him.
'Many nobles resent how Marquis Branford supports Count Fenris.'
Ghislain's approach often involved coercing nobles to get things done, which earned him plenty of enemies among them.
'Especially those who lost their medicinal supplies or lands in the eastern region.'
Those who lost their resources, as well as those who had their estates seized by Amelia, naturally bore grudges against Ghislain, who supported her.
If the King could regain his vitality, this would be a winnable battle.
Of course, it was risky. A single misstep could cost Domont his life and isolate the King even further.
'But I have to do it.'
Even so, Viscount Domont wanted to fulfill the King's wish.
He had spent years watching the King's pitiful state, and compassion had taken root in his heart.
He also wanted to see Berhem reclaim his dignity as King, at least once. This was Domont's way of showing loyalty.
'I must find a way.'
It wouldn't be easy. Marquis Branford's eyes and ears were everywhere in the capital.
Turning to the Duchy's nobles for help was also impossible. Most had fled or been captured as soon as the war began.
'I can't leave the royal palace myself. Marquis Branford would catch me immediately.'
After much deliberation, Viscount Domont called for his second son.
"You summoned me?"
His second son, Collen, was an active man in the best sense, a carefree wanderer in the worst. He was also a promising knight with a bright future.
Constantly traveling the kingdom, Collen was the ideal choice to roam freely during this brief lull in the war.
Gripping his son's hands tightly, Domont looked at him with earnest eyes.
"I have a favor to ask of you."
"What is it?"
"It's a matter that will require you to risk your life."
Collen, perplexed, listened as Domont calmly explained the King's request and his plan.
Collen turned pale and stammered,
"W-What are you saying? If we're caught, our family will be ruined!"
"I know. But even so, I want to do this for His Majesty."
"Even if I manage to persuade and bring back a priest from the Salvation Church, I wouldn't be able to get them to His Majesty. We can't avoid Marquis Branford's scrutiny."
"I'll handle that. Your job is to bring the priest. Only you can do this."
"Father! Are you really willing to gamble our entire family on this? Even if we succeed, Marquis Branford will not leave us alone! How long would His Majesty even live if he recovered?"
Gripping Collen's shoulders firmly, Domont stared him in the eye.
"It's for the royal family."
"Father...,"
"And if we succeed, our family could take Marquis Branford's place."
"...!!"
"Despite being central nobles, we have nothing. No land to call our own, only the favor I've earned from His Majesty."
Domont's eyes gleamed with an intense, inexplicable ambition.
"With the southern front drawing away most of the troops, only the capital guard remains. The commander-in-chief is still here, and the families of the corps commanders remain in the capital. The royal knights are on our side. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Gulp
Collen swallowed dryly and nodded. He understood exactly what his father was implying.
If the King regained his strength, the rest would fall into place in their favor.
Collen steadied his heart. Dangerous as it was, this was a risk worth taking for their family.
It was the first time he realized that his father, whom he'd always thought of as calm and composed, harbored such ambition.
"Can the priest of the Salvation Church... really heal His Majesty?"
"Strictly speaking, it's not healing. But with the powers they've demonstrated so far, they should be able to restore His Majesty's vitality."
Domont couldn't be certain, but he firmly believed they could. These were people who used life force to open rifts and create crusaders.
Collen sat in silence, contemplating. Domont waited patiently.
Finally, Collen nodded, his gaze resolute.
"I'll do it. I'll bring back a priest of the Salvation Church."
"Thank you, thank you. If we succeed, our family will prosper greatly."
From that day, Collen returned to his usual drinking and partying ways, something no one found unusual.
"The war's as good as over, right? Being stuck in the capital is driving me crazy. I need to go hunting or something."
Making such casual remarks, Collen left the capital a few days later with a handful of escort knights and servants.
No one stopped him, but Collen remained cautious.
'I need to shake them all off.'
Even though they were knights and servants from the Domont household, he was sure some were acting under Marquis Branford's orders.
Traveling around and heading south, Collen was soon confronted by the escort knights.
"My lord, we shouldn't go any further. This is dangerous territory. If bandits appear, we won't stand a chance."
He had only three escort knights and two servants. None of the knights were particularly skilled.
The further south they went, the worse the security became. If bandits appeared, they would be in trouble.
"Hmm, you're right. Perhaps we should head back soon. Let's camp out tonight. I'll take the first watch."
After days of wandering, the tired knights and servants quickly fell asleep after dinner.
When it was time to change watch, Collen, having ensured everyone was asleep, slowly drew his sword.
He had deliberately traveled more today to exhaust them all. Even with mediocre skills, three knights could be a problem. He had to act swiftly.
Thwack!
"Urgh!"
The knight's cry, as his throat was slit in his sleep, woke the other two.
But Collen was already prepared, moving faster than they could react.
Slash! Slash!
"Grrk... why...?"
Caught completely off guard, the knights were quickly overpowered and killed.
Collen looked at the trembling servants, his expression bitter as he spoke.
"I'm sorry. I don't know which of you was sent to spy on me."
Shk!
The servants, unable to resist, met the same fate.
After dispatching his entire entourage, Collen donned a cloak with a determined look.
The real challenge began now. He had to safely navigate through the lawless regions and reach the south.
It wouldn't be easy. Bandits roamed everywhere, and scouts patrolled the land.
But he had to succeed. He had already memorized the safest, most concealed paths on the map.
"Father, I will not fail."
The man he needed to meet was Viscount Raul Joseph, the brain of the Duchy.
Grinding his teeth, Collen spurred his horse onward.
***
"The kingdom's forces and the allied army are regrouping."
"The northern army is waiting at a distance. We can't predict their movements."
"It seems likely they'll surround us and strike at the weakest point."
Raul's lips twitched as he listened to his strategists' reports.
The tide of the war had completely turned. With the northern army's success, even the others had gained confidence, daring to push into the south.
If they waited any longer, the encirclement would be complete. Once that happened, they would be in serious trouble.
"The northern army's strength is no joke. With new superhumans joining them...."
The exact number of superhumans in the northern army was still unknown.
Rumor had it that the "Guardian of the World Tree" was among them. A priest who had escaped from the defeated 2nd Corps, missing an arm, had shared this information.
"And there's also talk of the 'Saintess of War' joining them...."
There was "Alpoi," a 7th-circle mage. Rumors suggested Gillian had also ascended to superhuman status.
It was hard to believe, but relying on conventional judgment had only led to repeated failures. They had to assume the worst and prepare accordingly.
"Lord Gartros, it seems you'll need to join the battle this time."
At Raul's words, Gartros nodded.
"Very well. I'll take on the Guardian of the World Tree."
The Guardian of the World Tree had long been an enemy of the Salvation Church. Only someone of Gartros's caliber could face them.
"Count Fenris will be handled by Count Balzac. Alpoi will face Sir Ilois. For the rest, we'll need to deploy as many high priests as possible."
That would give them a fighting chance against the northern army. The real problem was the kingdom's forces and the allied army.
"We'll have to hold them off with as few troops as possible. Once the northern army is dealt with, the rest are just a rabble."
"It'll be a tough fight."
"There's no choice. The northern army has grown too strong."
"What if they unite and attack as one?"
"That would actually be easier to deal with. It would allow us to concentrate our forces. We can't match Fenris's mobility."
Judging by their track record, the Fenris army's mobility was unmatched.
Facing them en masse would actually make things more manageable on their end.
"The techniques of Fenris army are truly remarkable."
The Fenris army was equipped with advanced materials and carried new types of combat rations.
However, the exact nature of these innovations remained a mystery.
Both the equipment and the rations were produced exclusively within the Fenris estate, with their details kept strictly confidential.
Thus, the only option was to estimate their capabilities based on prior encounters.
"It would be best to strike first as soon as we gather enough troops."
Even if their preparations weren't perfect, it was better to act. If the kingdom and allied forces completed their encirclement of the south, it would be far more challenging.
As Raul was discussing detailed strategies with his advisors, the commotion outside the room grew louder, and knights entered.
Raul frowned and asked, "What's going on?"
"A man insists on meeting you, my lord."
"Who is it?"
"He claims to be the son of the royal chamberlain."
"Hmm?"
Raul tilted his head in curiosity. This was wartime, with hostilities against the Royalists escalating toward a final confrontation.
Yet someone from the royal family had come, not as an official envoy but as the chamberlain's son?
How had he even managed to get here?
Intrigued, Raul gestured for the man to be brought in.
The knights brought in Collen, who was covered in wounds and looked utterly disheveled.
The moment he entered, Collen collapsed to the floor and shouted,
"Lord! I am Collen, the second son of the royal chamberlain! We met briefly at a banquet long ago!"
"Raise your head."
Raul scrutinized Collen's face. Beneath the grime and disarray, the features matched his memory.
"Yes, I remember you. Why have you come here, knowing full well we're at war? How did you make it through?"
From the state of him, it was clear he had endured great hardship to avoid detection.
Raul was curious to hear what he had to say, but Collen's words were more shocking than he expected.
"I was sent by His Majesty!"
"What?"
"I've come here avoiding Marquis Branford's eyes, to bring a priest of the Salvation Church to heal His Majesty!"
Raul exchanged a glance with Gartros, who slowly nodded.
Feigning a smile, Raul asked, "Really? To heal His Majesty? Tell me everything."
Collen recounted everything he had heard. The King desired the power of the Salvation Church's priests and wished to remove Marquis Branford.
Collen, with a determined expression, revealed the King's proposed offer.
"If you agree... His Majesty will give you the 'Royal Treasure' that the Duchy desires, and fulfill all your demands."
"Oh...."
Raul let out a cold laugh. It was clear this was no lie. He already knew about the King's poor health.
This wasn't the kind of desperate act one would orchestrate just to capture a few priests.
"You're saying... the 'Royal Treasure,' and anything else we desire? That's what His Majesty offers?"
"Yes, but His Majesty must regain his strength first. That is the priority. Can you make it happen?"
"Hmm...."
Raul smirked and looked at Gartros. Gartros, who had been listening quietly, rose from his seat.
Gazing at Collen, Gartros spoke.
"Of course, it's possible. If His Majesty wishes, we can even make him a superhuman."
Gartros's eyes sparkled with an unsettling excitement. This was an opportunity to secure what he most desired, easily and quickly.
Collen raised his head and looked at Gartros. Just meeting his eyes, which emitted a black aura, filled him with dread.
In a trembling voice, Collen asked,
"Who... who are you?"
"You don't need to know who I am. Just know that I am the one who will grant your wish."
Gartros leaned in close to Collen, his face filled with a euphoric grin.
His expression was that of a devil smiling.
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]