Chapter 167

It was the day of the wedding ceremony.

A grand feast should have been held.

But everything had been ruined.

The wedding hall was half-destroyed, and the bride and groom had fled somewhere.

Half of the guests were bound and kneeling, while the other half stood guard over them with swords drawn.

Still, it was encouraging.

Santia and Gwaemos were alive, and many senior agents from the intelligence agency had been captured.

The people of the West had lost almost no lives, and they had even driven off one of the Ten Great Generals of the Empire.

It was clearly a great victory, yet far from cheers, even the sound of breathing was cautious.

“In the end……”

Grand Duke Pret opened his mouth.

Those gathered here were all from the high station, but among them, Grand Duke Pret was the highest.

He had to take responsibility as the highest-ranking person and say the words he did not want to say.

“It’s war……”

Nana Nereyades had revealed that she was the 9th seat of the Ten Great Generals, the Nine Streams General.

In other words, she had declared that this attack was the will of the Empire.

It was undeniably war.

The faces of the men began to turn dark.

“So, we’ve ended up in a scuffle with those Cordis bastards again……”

They just wanted to avoid it.

But they could not avoid it.

Fifty-three years since the last war, how many sacrifices had there been?

How much blood and tears had been shed?

What sweat had they poured to mend those wounds?

And yet, in the end, war again…….

Painful sighs leaked out from all over.

No one here wanted a war.

Even Grand Duke Pret, a leader of the anti-Empire faction, had never entertained the thought of waging war against Cordis.

In the completely destroyed wedding hall, they simply sank into gloom.

The majesty of Nana Nereyades was still vivid.

When she threw a punch, even without direct contact, renowned knights staggered.

If they couldn't even handle the wind from her fist, what was the meaning of being renowned?

Wasn't it just an empty name?

Among them were those who had secretly looked down on the Ten Great Generals.

Claiming that their own skills would be recognized even in the Empire.

However, it had been proven that all of it was baseless delusion.

‘This is…….’

Grand Duke Pret bit his lip.

The atmosphere was sinking endlessly, and this was not what he wanted.

The war was just beginning.

It would do no good to be gloomy already.

‘…Right. If war cannot be avoided, I must change what can be changed.’

His gaze fell on Shion.

Beside him was Amethus.

They were nothing short of the only hope.

Hadn't they not only stood against a Ten Great General but even driven her away?

‘Shion of Merion. That’s the man. I must get my hands on that man.’

Grand Duke Pret still couldn't trust Shion.

But wasn't his excellence obvious?

If a war with the Empire were to break out, Shion would be needed.

‘For reasons I don’t know, Shion already knew. He knew about all of this and had prepared for it.’

This was a terrifying fact.

Because it made it impossible to fathom the depths of the man named Shion.

Through what channels could he have predicted that the Empire would orchestrate the wedding, prepare a horde of fishmen, and even bring along one of the Ten Great Generals?

It was at a point where it was simpler to think that he knew the future.

‘But he is a dangerous man. Perhaps even more so than the Empire…….’

One could not know what was inside him.

Grand Duke Pret hardened his resolve.

Shion and Amethus had saved them from Nana.

He was grateful, but that didn't lessen Shion's dangerousness.

‘Now is the time. It has to be now.’

Grand Duke Pret was certain.

If he couldn't suppress Shion now, he would be continuously swayed by him in the future.

‘I must question him now. Question him about how he knew all this and…….’

“Grand Duke Pret.”

Shion spoke.

“I must now receive what was promised.”

“……”

Shion was smiling.

It was a very satisfied smile.

Grand Duke Pret tried to say something, but Shion gave him no opening.

He spoke in a low voice, but clearly enough for every man to hear distinctly.

“An Upper House seat in the Dawn Brotherhood.”

The pinnacle of the West, the Seventeen Elders.

Shion boldly demanded a position equal to that of Grand Duke Pret. Every ear was wide open to Shion.

Such was the name of an Upper House Member of the Dawn Brotherhood.

Grand Duke Pret's face turned white.

‘I’ve been had……!’

He realized that he had been robbed of his last chance to rein Shion in.

A sigh escaped him unknowingly. Shion continued, as if driving a wedge.

“Please return the last vacant Elder seat. Wasn’t that our promise?”

“I don’t think this is the time for that conversation……”

“No. Didn’t it originally belong to the Verchello family?”

The pinnacle of Western power, the Seventeen Elders.

One of them belonged to the Verchello family.

It was a fact that even Serena, the head of the Verchello family, did not know.

But Shion knew, and as a member of the Verchello family, he boldly demanded the family's lost right.

At least, that's how it looked to others.

“I destroyed the hatchery and reduced the fishmen army by tens of thousands. By evacuating Her Highness Santia and Lord Gwaemos, I gave the Empire no justification, and in the end, I even drove away a Ten Great General, the Nine Streams General Nana.”

“……”

“So what in the world are you so hesitant about?”

The Grand Duke barely suppressed a groan.

Shion wasn't speaking to him. He was winning over the high-ranking men gathered there to his side.

Their intimidated hearts moved with great ease according to Shion's will.

Whispers followed.

‘Not a single word is wrong,’ ‘Shion of Merion, a fine man.’

‘Still, isn’t he a bit suspicious?’

‘Suspicious? He fought against a Ten Great General, putting his life on the line.’

‘Why is Grand Duke Pret staying silent.’

‘He promised the Upper House seat, so he should pay the price.’

They were extremely favorable to Shion.

This was because some of them were also Shion's business partners.

“……”

Grand Duke Pret could not answer easily.

He ignored the sneers from others who thought he was scared and looked at Shion.

He was confused.

There were no options.

Everything was going according to Shion’s will, and Shion would ultimately get the Upper House seat from him.

That was why his hesitation was even greater.

Being played so much in the palm of Shion's hand stirred a rebellious feeling.

It felt like he shouldn't let things go according to his will.

Shion, sensing even that hint, softened his voice.

“Grand Duke Pret.”

“……”

“I apologize for bringing this up in a way that seems to be pressuring you.”

Shion lowered his posture.

He respectfully treated the Grand Duke as a superior.

For the sake of destiny, I could bow my head thousands of times if I had to.

At Shion's polite attitude, Grand Duke Pret felt his heart soften.

“However, please think carefully. It is not over yet. This is just the beginning. Right now, aren't there twenty thousand fishmen outside? Do you think that is all of them?”

“…There’s no way.”

Grand Duke Pret opened his mouth with difficulty.

“Since she revealed her name as the Nine Streams General, the 9th Legion will be dispatched……”

Shock swept through them. It was an obvious statement, yet a fact they had turned away from, unwilling to accept.

There was no way the Ten Great General Nana would move alone.

She would lead her legion and attack again.

The thought of facing Cordis's elite legion made their heads spin.

“No. That is not all.”

Shion shook his head.

He took out a folded piece of paper from his bosom and held it out.

“I have investigated secretly.”

“This is……?”

“It is clear that the Cordis 11th and 14th Legions have also begun to move.”

It had been a day full of nothing but shock.

Yet, the greatest shock of the entire day seized their hearts.

The people's faces were no longer just dark, but the color of mud.

They looked as if they had been sentenced to death, and in fact, it was a statement no different from a death sentence. Shion fanned their fears.

“In a completely unprepared situation, if three of the Empire's legions were to descend upon the Bururade Peninsula……”

“Oh……”

Grand Duke Pret covered his face with his hands.

His face seemed to crumble.

“Good heavens, good heavens… O God……”

Shion took his hand. He squeezed it firmly, as if to say, ‘just trust me.’

“I am prepared, Grand Duke.”

He glanced to the side.

The jade-eyed man, whose mere sight made worries disappear, still had his double-edged sword drawn.

For these seven years, we had prepared to fight against the Empire.

We had, in fact, been waiting for this day.

“I will prove my trustworthiness in the future.

Think of the need. Does the West not need me?”

“You’re right, Shion, you’re right… There is no way out……”

Grand Duke Pret admitted defeat deep in his heart.

He decided to be swayed by Shion’s will. He actually felt quite at ease.

“…I will bring up the motion immediately at the next regular meeting. No one will be able to object.”

[There’s no need to wait for the next regular meeting.]

A strange voice intervened.

A man was holding a large communication mirror, and the voice flowed from it.

Grand Duke Pret recognized the owner of the voice.

“The King of Maesh……!”

[I heard about that man through Masiet. And I have been watching for quite a long time, but today I am certain. The West needs that man.]

“…How long have you been listening?”

[Since around the time he drove out the Ten Great General.]

The King of Maesh looked through the communication mirror to another mirror beyond.

[I believe we should give the vacant Upper House seat to Shion of Merion. What do you think, Your Eminence?]

[I agree as well.]

Grand Duke Pret realized the owner of this voice was the Archbishop of the Original Ladder Church.

There was more than one person watching this place through a communication mirror.

[I have received reports about that man through Bishop Hille. Therefore, I cannot deny the opinion that the West needs Shion of Merion.]

[It’s not easy for one so young to act like that.]

[And above all, since it belongs to the Verchello family, it should be returned to them.]

The Archbishop of the Original Ladder Church continued speaking from beyond the mirror.

[As it happens, Elder Heindel is here with me. He says he is of the same opinion.]

[What a coincidence. I was with Lord Denoebang, and he asked me to convey his agreement as well.]

The King of Maesh, the Archbishop of the Original Ladder Church, Grand Duke Pret, Elder Heindel, Lord Denoebang.

Not a single name was without weight.

The commotion died down and it became quiet.

Grand Duke Pret rubbed his face.

He barely managed to compose himself.

“…Five Upper House Members of the Dawn Brotherhood are of one mind.”

He looked at Shion.

The Regressed Prince bowed in a somewhat playful manner.

As if he had long awaited this day.

“Shion of Merion, the Dawn Brotherhood intends to grant you the status of an Upper House Member. Do you accept?”

“It is an undeserved honor, but I will accept it gladly.”

His attitude did not seem to feel it was undeserved at all.

Shion stood tall, as if he had finally found what was his.

How long it had been, from before the regression until now, to sit at the pinnacle of the West again.

“I look forward to working with you, Grand Duke.”

“…This is the beginning.”

“Yes, it is.”

The Regressed Prince smiled.

Many secrets within him began to leap about in excitement.

“…Finally, it’s beginning.”

***

Nana Nereyades walked briskly across the sea.

On the way, she encountered a horde of fishmen.

The fishmen recognized her and showed their reverence.

They were made to show unconditional obedience to the owner of the ‘Sinew of the Great Sea’.

She walked like that and returned to the 9th Legion's garrison ship.

The wounds she had received from Shion and Amethus had long since healed.

Still, her anger hadn't subsided, and she was still fuming.

She looked at the adjutant who came out to greet her and shouted fiercely.

“Prepare the communication mirror.”

The adjutant gave a short reply and immediately brought out a mirror.

It was an item used by the Cordis military, and it was always this mirror when reporting to superiors.

However, Nana Nereyades shook her head.

“No, not that one.”

She caught her breath.

She had to, considering the person she was about to communicate with.

“Prepare the direct line to the Imperial Palace. I have something to report directly to His Majesty Ferbias.”