[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]

Chapter 302: Ivan's Interception

We stayed in Webern for just one day before heading north again.

“Unfortunately, there is no time to catch up properly. A great matter of the state is at stake, so it would be best to meet again after it is well concluded.”

“We wish you good fortune in your endeavors, everyone.”

With a send-off from Kailan and Liliet, we traveled up the river.

Our forces were much more formidable than when we had arrived.

To our existing troops were added Siena and the Valkenhain army, as well as the forces of the Webern, that is, the troops of Webern and Pergrin.

With Ghir and Zamuel accompanying us as guests, we were now more than capable of facing the Third Prince and the royal forces.

“Count Webern’s support has been a great help. To think he would support us with supplies and even provide scout ships.”

Ulbhild replied to Siena’s comment.

“You are right, my lady. The Count is a man who knows how to repay a kindness.”

“It also means he is a man worth investing in.”

“Exactly.”

For some reason, the two of them seemed to get along very well.

“We know the geography of this river best. Leave it to us.”

The vassals of the Webern clan were true to their word.

We navigated various waterways and rode the best winds, making swift progress north.

[Young Master, it has been a while.]

The face that appeared in the crystal ball was Venion’s.

“Have you been well?”

[With the eyes of the entire nation focused on the vicinity of the royal capital, how difficult could it be to guard the house?]

Venion began with a compliment.

[You have successfully completed the first part of the strategy. It could not have been better.]

“This is such high praise that it is a bit burdensome.”

[Shall I stop then?]

“There is no need to go that far.”

I changed the subject.

“I would like to hear about the movements on the other fronts.”

[Of course, I will tell you.]

Venion replied.

[The Second Young Master has already captured the fortress.]

“Already?”

[I hear that he had Skella infiltrate and set fires inside, and then, while they were in chaos, the Young Master broke through himself.]

“How absurd.”

Come to think of it, Verdzig seemed to enjoy breaking through with force more than one might think.

[It must have been the best strategy. Or perhaps he was feeling impatient.]

“Impatient? Because of Duke Montera?”

Venion shook his head.

[Because of you, Young Master.]

“Me? Why?”

[Did you not hear the rumors about you splitting a mountain while killing Grimnar? Putting all else aside, he probably could not tolerate falling behind you in martial prowess.]

“Hmm.”

True. I probably would have felt the same way.

“But something feels off. The fortress that was supposed to stop Duke Montera’s northern army was captured so easily?”

To my question of whether they could defend it properly, Venion laughed.

[Hahaha. Do not worry. A fortress can become impregnable or a shabby shed depending on who is defending it.]

Having watched Verdzig from the closest vantage point, Venion held his skills in the highest regard.

“I suppose so.”

I too did not doubt Verdzig’s skills or his strategic mind.

“What is the situation at the royal capital?”

[Extremely tense.]

Venion explained.

[The Third Prince’s side began launching a fierce offensive as soon as they learned of Grunewald’s reinforcements. The First Prince’s side is defending, but they seem to be in a precarious situation.]

Furthermore.

[I hear that Ivan has stepped forward from the Black Society’s side.]

“!”

[With powerhouses who have reached the 8th tier, like the Grand Commander of the Royal Guard and now Ivan, taking action, the tide of the battle is turning against the First Prince. If the First Prince is captured, it is all over.]

Venion warned.

[But fortunately, the First Prince’s side holds three of the castle gates’ main positions, while the Third Prince’s side has only occupied one.]

“That truly is a stroke of heaven’s luck.”

[It seems that because legitimacy and justification are on the First Prince’s side, a large portion of the military is also supporting him.]

This was ultimately a battle of speed.

A race to see whether my and Verdzig’s arrival would be faster, or if the First Prince’s defeat would be.

“Things will get complicated if the First Prince is captured.”

I muttered.

“There is the option of rallying the remnants behind the Eighth Prince, but that is merely the lesser of two evils.”

[In any case, it would be best to prepare for the worst-case scenario.]

“I will keep that in mind.”

Venion’s words were absolutely right.

[And, Young Master.]

“Is there something you are curious about?”

Venion asked as if he had been waiting.

[What is the story with Zamuel? I am curious as to why a big shot from the northern underworld is cooperating with you.]

This was a question that everyone had been wondering about.

“…It is a long story.”

[I do not mind.]

I lightly wet my lips.

It was a sign that I was about to tell some lies.

.

.

.

I gathered everyone on the deck and told them the same story I had told Venion.

“So, at first, I was curious as to who was impersonating the man who was my old benefactor and boss.”

Zamuel, who had coordinated the story with me beforehand, explained with a straight face.

‘Look at this bastard. His acting skills have improved a lot.’

I was thinking that behind my solemn expression.

“I sent Severian to confirm it. But the bo… I mean, the Young Master.”

Zamuel cleared his throat as if his tongue had slipped, then continued.

“Traced Severian back to me and sent a message, did he not? He said that if I knew a man named Karzan, I should come to the Webern in two weeks.”

“Hmm.”

I nodded in agreement.

“That is what happened.”

“His skill was astonishing, and it made me curious.”

Zamuel’s storytelling captivated the crowd.

“After meeting him, it was truly amazing.”

Zamuel said playfully.

“To think that a noble young master from across the sea knew of my old boss’s story and even admired him.”

“?!”

“What is this story?”

“This is the first I am hearing of this.”

Looking at the perplexed people, I took over the explanation.

“During my seven years of seclusion, I went to the library and read many books. Among them, the one that strangely caught my eye was about a mad dog of the underworld named Karzan.”

I spoke, feeling as if my consciousness was splitting in two.

“He was born into misfortune but was a man who carved out his own destiny. Though he toiled in the underworld, his spirit was noble. He did not forget justice and righteousness, and he did not back down just because the odds were against him. In terms of sword talent alone, they say he had the makings of a grand master.”

“Hah…”

“So there was such a person.”

I glanced at Zamuel, who was biting his lip tightly as if trying to hold back his laughter.

‘Hold in your laughter, you bastard.’

‘I am going crazy here.’

Then I continued.

“At some point, I came to admire that man. I wondered if my destiny might have been different if I had a heart like his.”

“Ah!”

Jeffrey was amazed.

“I never imagined the Young Master would have such thoughts.”

“Looking back, my current journey began from there.”

I said to Jeffrey with a perfectly straight face.

“Then I suffered a fever and had a great change of heart upon waking. Since I had already died once…”

Though I was spinning a web of lies, this part, at least, was the undeniable truth. I had died once and woken up again.

“I decided to live like Karzan now. Unrestrained, without fear. In a sense, you could say that decision made me who I am today.”

I diligently layered the lies, and…

“Aah…”

“My.”

“I never knew he had such feelings.”

“Allen.”

People looked at me with a variety of expressions, pitying my story.

“Hearing that, my heart was moved as well.”

Zamuel drove the final nail in.

“It was strange that someone remembered my boss, that a life was changed because of it, and that we also shared a common enemy in the Shadow King. It was all a strange twist of fate.”

Everyone nodded as if it was all so strange, as if fate was truly fate.

‘…Did I smooth it over well enough?’

I thought, gauging people’s reactions.

‘For some reason, this makes me uncomfortable.’

But for now, this was the best I could do.

‘How they would react to the fact that I am a reincarnator is something I cannot know.’

But it was also true that I felt uneasy.

‘…In truth, I might be the coward here.’

I suddenly looked at the water breaking against the ship.

‘But put away such discomfort, Allenvert.’

Now was the time to focus on the coming battle.

* * *

The army of Duke Montera and the allied forces of Verdzig faced each other with the thick stone walls of the fortress between them.

The northern army’s equipment was different. The fur cloaks they wore, seemingly for warmth, created a strange sense of pressure.

Thump, thump, thump

With the magnificent drumbeat of the military band, Duke Montera, boasting a force at least three times larger, spoke.

“Verdzig. Which path does a mere child of Grunewald dare to block?”

He sternly rebuked Verdzig.

“Do the weak, fat pigs of the south dare to stop our northern army?”

To that, Verdzig also imbued his voice with martial energy and replied.

“Is it because you lived by boiling snow since you had no water to drink? Your appearance is shabby. Can you not make armor without the fur of beasts? If you bow down and ask, I will graciously open a trade route for you, so speak up if you are interested.”

“……!”

It seemed Verdzig had the sharper tongue.

Duke Montera, having gained little, turned instead to the man standing next to him.

“Eighth Prince! You brought allies like a rat. Were you so desperate that you had to ask Grunewald for help?”

Of course, the Eighth Prince did not even blink an eye and retorted.

“Is anyone not better than a servant who stabs his master in the back and tries to tempt his greedy son?”

“What?”

“Furthermore, Grunewald is a founding contributor to the kingdom. Its roots cannot be compared to the families of commoners like you.”

Verdzig smirked, as if he liked the sharp retort.

“They need a taste of something spicy to learn some humility.”

Shing

The enraged Duke drew his sword.

“Surrender?”

To that, Verdzig drew his sword and simply replied.

“Not possible.”

Slashing attacks flew at each other from across the castle walls.

KABOOOOOM!

A deafening explosion swallowed the air.

It was the signal that began the battle.

* * *

“The situation is not good, Sir Ivan.”

At the urging of the Third Prince, Boldunhar Litvaleur, the old swordsman, Ivan, closed his eyes.

“Third Prince, you are impatient.”

“Is it not reasonable to be impatient? Our only reinforcement is Duke Montera, but my eldest brother has gained two armies.”

Ivan let out a smirk.

“In the end, they are both just Grunewald.”

“They say the Lady of Valkenhain is with Allenvert’s side as well.”

“It is not as if she sent a truly significant force.”

Ivan had secretly entered the royal capital, separate from Duke Montera’s army.

“With the Grand Commander of the Royal Guard, one of the strongest martial artists in the kingdom, and this Ivan here, the Third Prince need not worry so much.”

“…”

The Third Prince did not dare to treat the man before him lightly.

Was he not a top executive of the Black Society, a supreme master of the sword who had reached the 8th tier, and a man who had even learned a formidable demonic art?

“Look at this. Is this not a situation anyone would be worried about?”

Lavinia narrowed her eyes fiercely.

“If someone is expressing a legitimate concern, you should offer a solution, not just dismiss it like that…”

“Ahem.”

The Third Prince gently pulled on Lavinia’s sleeve.

“What? It is not like I said anything wrong…”

“Even if a word is true, there are some words that should not be said.”

As Ivan spoke calmly, the Third Prince quickly interjected as if to mediate between the two.

“You seem a little agitated. We will withdraw, so it would be best to discuss this again later.”

Ivan nodded nonchalantly.

“That would be best.”

The corners of Ivan’s mouth did not hide a faint contempt as he watched the two men and women hastily retreat.

‘They acted all high and mighty, like they were some masterminds.’

But look at them, acting so anxious the moment things got complicated.

‘But I should probably make a move too.’

Ivan’s goal had been one thing from the start.

‘It would be good to intercept Allenvert’s northbound forces once.’

He muttered to himself.

‘Wait for me, Karzan.’

* * *

And three days later, the Devas Fortress, which Verdzig had been defending, fell.

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]