“There’s nothing more fearsome than a prepared mage on the battlefield.”

It was something he’d heard while walking the streets sometime.

At the time, he’d just nodded and moved on, but after experiencing it firsthand, he understood why people said that.

“Well, there’s nothing left for me to do.”

Choi Hyun-seok wore an expression of disappointment.

The battle had ended too easily, beyond expectations.

All he’d done was face a Cardinal.

The Drason Empire’s magic battalion handled the rest, and even one of the Cardinals he was fighting was taken down by Drason’s knights.

‘The enemy certainly wasn’t weak. If it had just been me and Ms. Sara, we wouldn’t have won so easily.’

The enemy wasn’t weak.

Rather, objectively speaking, they were quite strong.

Three thousand high-ranking holy knights and priests.

Two Cardinals with near-legendary power.

This was by no means a weak force.

Yet the reason the battle was so easy.

It was simply because our side’s power was stronger, nothing more.

‘Well, the Cardinal was weaker than expected.’

The Cardinal that Choi Hyun-seok faced was equal to him in physical abilities alone.

A level that could be considered completely legendary.

However, their movements were too amateur.

Cardinal Vincenzo, whom he’d fought before, had actually fought better.

As a result, the battle could only end anticlimactically, and Choi Hyun-seok had to be satisfied with just gaining experience points.

“Looks like things are settled here.”

A gentle voice came from beside him.

When he turned his head, he saw Sara Dunphy approaching.

“Yes. There wasn’t anything particularly difficult. Did everything go well on your end?”

“I didn’t do much besides raising the undead, so nothing special to report. I watched for any escapees, but the Drason Empire handled everything well.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Choi Hyun-seok stroked his chin, appearing deep in thought.

“This Drason Empire. They’re definitely not to be taken lightly.”

While they’d been focusing only on the ‘Holy Empire of Gatren’ until now, Drason is also worthy of being called an empire.

From their impressive magic battalion to their excellent knight order.

Sara Dunphy seemed to agree, nodding her head.

“The magic battalion is quite something. Unlike those heroes who use linked magic through brainwashing, this is the result of pure skill and repeated training.”

“The knight order is the same. Even though the Cardinal had legendary specs, they so easily…”

In Choi Hyun-seok’s opinion, the knight order was more impressive than the magic battalion.

The knights’ average combat power was around 40,000.

In comparison, the Cardinal’s combat power approached 400,000.

Even if the Cardinal’s skill was lacking, the difference in physical abilities was too extreme.

It was like the difference between a child and an adult male.

Yet the knights killed the Cardinal without suffering significant casualties.

‘More accurately, it was closer to hunting.’

Their movements were more like skilled hunters than knights.

They bound the opponent’s feet while continuously wearing down their stamina.

Finally, when the Cardinal became too exhausted to do anything.

They showed perfect coordination and finished cleanly.

In terms of how weaker opponents fight stronger ones, it was more impressive than any battle Choi Hyun-seok had seen before.

“We should be careful. They’re helping us now, but who knows when their attitude might change.”

During their first meeting, Duke Orlaben Grimier had said.

The Drason Empire already has everything, so they don’t want anything more.

They only wish to maintain the current situation.

That’s why they want to stop the Holy Empire of Gatren from conquering the continent.

Choi Hyun-seok didn’t completely believe those words.

‘You never know when people’s hearts might change.’

Would they feel the same way when Gatren disappears and Drason becomes the continent’s strongest nation?

Moreover, the Drason Empire has a history of ruling through terror.

Meaning they’re already bloodstained warmongers.

Now they claim to have become pacifists.

‘Well. I’m not so sure about that.’

Choi Hyun-seok sneered.

In his experience, the thick scent of blood doesn’t fade so easily.

“Good work.”

Speak of the devil.

Duke Orlaben Grimier approached.

He was clapping his hands with a bright smile.

“Excellent strategy and excellent battle! Perfect!”

“You too.”

Choi Hyun-seok greeted him with a smiling face.

Whatever the future might hold, right now they were allies against a common enemy.

There was no reason to be hostile.

“I hear there’s still one Cardinal and armies left. What do you plan to do about them?”

“We can handle that much with our own power. I don’t think we need to extend our hand that far.”

“I see.”

Orlaben Grimier just nodded without saying anything else.

He seemed to want to maintain boundaries without overstepping.

“Well then, go attend to your business. We’ll handle the cleanup here.”

“Cleanup?”

“There must be no evidence that you or the empire’s magic battalion were involved.”

A deep smile appeared on Orlaben Grimier‘s lips.

“The incompetent Holy Empire of Gatren was, in any case, defeated by the undead legion. We weren’t here, of course, and we know nothing. Isn’t that right?”

At those words, Choi Hyun-seok’s mouth corners also lifted up.

“Of course.”

***

Cardinal Fidenzio Fiola who remained in Scolbon.

He was frantically moving around and pressuring the priests.

“We must leave the city! Hurry!”

Two Cardinals. And three thousand elites consisting of high-ranking holy knight priests were defeated.

Given the characteristics of the undead army, they would have grown stronger by feeding on the dead.

In other words, it means the remaining forces here absolutely cannot stop them.

‘Damn it! If only I had His Holiness the Pope’s blessing!’

Unlike the two Cardinals who had returned to God’s embrace first, Fidenzio had no special combat abilities.

He just possessed a bit more holy power than others.

That’s why he was even more anxious.

If something went wrong.

Because he wasn’t confident in taking care of even his own body.

Although he is already over 60 years old, his attachment to life is greater than anyone else’s.

“Are the preparations complete?”

“Yes. 102 holy knights. 305 priests. 528 other personnel. A total of 935 people are ready to depart.”

“We leave immediately!”

Those departing now are the original personnel stationed in Scolbon.

Since all the forces that came with Cardinal Fidenzio became food for the undead, they had no choice but to leave with Scolbon’s priests and holy knights.

“Over there!”

“It’s the priest!”

When Fidenzio and the Deusis faith personnel left the temple, citizens nearby rushed over in crowds.

“Priest! Don’t abandon us!”

“Cardinal! Save us!”

“Oh Deusis! Please save our Mariette Kingdom! Save Scolbon!”

The news that the army that had gone ahead was completely annihilated had spread throughout the city.

Scolbon fell into a state of panic.

Some moved saying they needed to leave the city immediately.

Others held back those leaving, saying the city was still safe.

Complete chaos.

In the midst of the confusion, the capital defense force moved under the king’s orders.

They occupied the streets to establish security and sealed the entrances to prevent people from leaving.

In the end, everyone became trapped in the city.

“If the priests leave, there is no hope for Scolbon!”

“Please! Save us!”

Now the temple was the only place citizens could rely on.

Even though the Deusis faith had already been defeated once, it couldn’t be helped.

In terms of compatibility, holy power is the best for dealing with the undead.

Even if it was a rotten rope, they had no choice but to grab it.

“Let go! You vermin!”

Cardinal Fidenzio shouted with a face like an evil spirit.

There was no time now to act like a kind and devout believer.

It was a situation where his life would be in danger if he didn’t leave the city immediately.

“What are the holy knights doing! Open the way quickly!”

“Yes!”

When thousands gathered and couldn’t move forward, force was finally used.

The holy knights, who already possessed overwhelming strength compared to normal people.

When the priests’ blessings descended upon them, they began forcibly pushing people away.

“Kuhek! W-wait!”

“Don’t push! Someone’s been trampled here!”

“Kyaaak!”

“Please, stop…! We’ll all die! We’ll all die at this rate!”

As they forcibly pushed people, accidents occurred everywhere.

Multiple casualties emerged.

Fidenzio moved forward without batting an eye.

“Over there! Just a bit further to the city gate!”

Finally, the Cardinal and his entourage arrived at the entrance located in the western capital.

This time, the capital defense force blocked their path.

“Who are you!”

“By order of Her Majesty the Queen, no one can leave Scolbon…”

The knight couldn’t finish his words.

*Slap-!*

Fidenzio had roughly struck his cheek.

“I am a Cardinal of the Deusis faith!”

“…”

“Everyone here belongs to the Deusis faith! We are children of God! Even the Queen cannot stop us!”

Fidenzio shouted with incredible volume unfitting for his aged body.

The knight responded calmly.

“These are priests and holy knights officially dispatched to Scolbon. And now it’s wartime.”

“So what of it!?”

“According to regulations, dispatched priests and holy knights must follow the orders of the local lord or king during wartime.”

“You…!”

Fidenzio couldn’t easily refute.

Because what the calm knight before him said is correct.

What Fidenzio was doing now was breaking regulations and.

Even a Cardinal couldn’t do as he pleased.

Of course, even though there were regulations, they weren’t followed that strictly.

In reality, most situations were resolved by force.

“With Her Majesty the Queen’s orders, you absolutely cannot leave Scolbon.”

However, the inflexible knight before them seemed to have no intention of compromising with reality.

“Holy knights! What are you doing!”

When Fidenzio commanded, the holy knights stepped forward.

Hesitation was clearly visible on their faces as well.

Here, the only proper fighting force is the hundred holy knights.

In comparison, the capital defense force alone numbered 10,000.

Additionally, various knight orders were stationed in the capital, including the Royal Knights Order, the kingdom’s strongest force.

If armed conflict broke out, the holy knights wouldn’t last even a moment before being completely annihilated.

“Holy knights! Are you now ignoring my words as God’s apostle!”

Under Fidenzio’s continued pressure, the holy knights stepped forward.

In response, the capital defense force swarmed in and surrounded them.

*Shing-!*

The sound of both sides drawing weapons.

The watching citizens gulped.

A powder keg situation.

Just then, a soldier came running and approached the knight guarding the city gate.

“… Sir.”

The soldier whispered something and.

The knight nodded and shouted loudly.

“Open the gate!”

Fidenzio quickly realized the situation.

Clearly, the Queen had ordered them to be let go before armed conflict could break out.

“Kuhahahahaha!”

He threw his head back and laughed maniacally.

“Fortunately the Queen is a woman of sense! Let’s hurry!”

Thinking of the consequences, letting them go is the right choice.

Otherwise, they would face the wrath of both the Deusis faith and Gatren.

Finally, Fidenzio and the priests passed through the city gate.

Watching this scene, wails of grief overflowed among the citizens.

“No! What are we supposed to do if you leave like this!”

“Priest! Please take me with you! Or at least my child!”

“You dog-like clergy bastards! You damned bastards! You’re worse than the undead!”

Some excited citizens even drew weapons and rushed at the departing priests.

Of course, they were stopped by the capital defense force, but.

One could understand how extreme their sense of betrayal was.

“You’ll turn Scolbon into a sea of blood for days! Is this how you act!?”

“Ptui! Just wait and see! Never trust Deusis again!”

“Traitors! You good-for-nothing scoundrels!”

Finally, all priests and holy knights had left and.

*Boom…!*

The city gate closed firmly again.

People lowered their heads with dazed expressions.

Some people’s legs gave out and they collapsed onto the ground.

Deep despair filled the capital Scolbon.

***

“Have they left?”

“Yes. All priests and holy knights of the capital, along with their attendants, left without a single one remaining.”

Abelson nodded.

“Finally time for us to move.”

As she rose from her seat, she was somehow different from usual.

First, instead of her usual formal attire, she was covered head to toe in pure white plate armor.

The mace in her hand was exceptionally large and ornate.

Finally, stepping outside the royal palace, she raised her mace with resolute eyes.

“From now on, we save this kingdom with our own hands.”

As if responding to her, those waiting also drew their weapons.

The Royal Knights Order, palace guards, and the capital’s elite forces.

*Whoosh-!*

Dazzling light burst forth from Abelson’s mace and.

She smiled brightly.

“All forces. March.”

She already knew the outcome of this war.

“We’ll show them that undead are nothing.”

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