The Rebellion of Duke Garcia.

    Because of that, the royal court was thrown into chaos.

    “How dare he escape house arrest and even defeat the royal army sent to capture him! This is an unforgivable act!”

    “Indeed! We must mobilize all soldiers in Kaistein to demonstrate the majesty of the royal family!”

    Even the king’s will was resolute.

    “I will dispatch additional royal guards and knights to immediately apprehend Duke Garcia.”

    “I will carry out your command!”

    However, the atmosphere was far from favorable.

    As the royal army began to mobilize, urgent reports poured in from across Kaistein.

    “We are receiving urgent reports from all regions except the south!”

    “All trading companies owned by Duke Garcia’s family have ceased operations. The flow of goods has come to a standstill!”

    “Not only food, but even weapons and armor are now scarce!”

    The problem erupted as if it had been waiting to happen.

    Yet, the most pressing concern was something entirely different.

    “We have urgent reports from the units guarding the eastern and northern borders! While there is a surplus of food supplies, we lack arrows and provisions. Immediate solutions are needed.”

    “Movement along the borders seems suspicious. Reports suggest that the enemy’s reconnaissance units have tripled in number.”

    Sustaining an army required more than just food.

    However, most military supplies came from Duke Garcia’s trading companies.

    With their operations halted, the army found itself paralyzed.

    The enemy nations were aware of this vulnerability.

    Given the instability along the borders, the ministers had no choice but to gather and discuss.

    “It is indeed impossible to continue fighting with Garcia like this.”

    “Indeed. Garcia has nearly monopolized the entire national logistics network. If he crumbles... Kaistein crumbles with him.”

    “Garcia likely knows this and is exploiting the situation.”

    “So what do you propose? The king’s anger is immense at this moment.”

    Many of the ministers and nobles had already been imprisoned due to a fabricated blank decree, so they couldn’t even request their cooperation.

    However, the king’s decision was firm.

    The ministers had to find a way, no matter what.

    “First... let’s request the Duke of Lavaltor to dispatch troops and provide support...”

    “Even if Duke Lavaltor helps us, it’s like peeing in your pants for warmth in the winter.”

    T/N : The idiom “peeing in your pants for warmth in the winter” refers to an instant benefit with unfavorable long-term consequences; you could call it a stopgap measure. R?a?O??BE?S

    Of course, that didn’t solve the problem.

    Instead, they were overshadowed by the immense wealth accrued by Duke Garcia’s family. They recognized that, despite the Lavaltor family’s power, they could not replace Garcia’s influence.

    At that moment, an urgent report arrived.

    “Urgent report! Urgent report!”

    “The Seventh Prince, Ian, has engaged in a conflict with Duke Garcia over his territory.”

    “What?”

    The sudden news hardened the ministers’ expressions, with those from the Finance and Administration Departments, already flustered by the logistical crisis, expressing outrage.

    “Is the prince crazy? To do something like this at this crucial time!”

    “That’s right. No matter how much we praise him as the hero of Bahara, it seems like banging one’s head against a wall.”

    “The royal dignity that we have barely raised is about to collapse. Tsk tsk.”

    It meant that no matter how good the Seventh Prince was, he couldn’t defeat Garcia.

    But the ministers couldn’t just sit idly by and watch this happen.

    “This is no time for that. If the Seventh Prince is captured now, it will be a disaster. First, we need to send a mediation proposal to Duke Garcia...”

    “Mediation? Do you think Duke Garcia would let go of such a golden opportunity?”

    “Minister of Finance, what are you saying?”

    “That’s right! All because of a young prince, we might miss our chance to capture Duke Garcia!”

    The Minister of Finance’s remarks chilled the atmosphere.

    No one was willing to help him; instead, they began to speak in unison.

    “You seem to have forgotten that it was His Highness who put Duke Garcia in his place.”

    “Forgetting such a favor is unacceptable. I did not anticipate this from you, Minister of Finance.”

    With Ian’s increasing influence, the Finance and Administration Departments reaped the most benefits.

    Their authority expanded alongside the rise in royal income.

    “Thanks to him, the royal family managed to break free from Garcia’s influence. Your words disappoint me.”

    “Indeed.”

    Nevertheless, the Minister of Finance seemed unsettled.

    “What do you propose we do then? If we lose Duke Garcia now, it’s all over for us!”

    “...”

    The meeting room fell silent, understandably so.

    Numerous noble families had perished for opposing Duke Garcia, like the Adria Duchy.

    “There are rumors of his employing an assassination squad.”

    “It’s true. Some nobles have met sudden ends...”

    Seizing the moment, the Minister of Finance spoke out.

    “It’s not just assassinations. If he decides to strike us with his wealth, our political careers will be ruined. Can’t you see?”

    “Ugh...”

    Undoubtedly, the Minister of Finance had a valid point.

    If Duke Garcia decided, even a minister’s position could be jeopardized.

    They were caught in a dilemma, unable to act decisively.

    Finally, one minister broke the silence.

    “It seems we have no choice. We must inform the king.”

    “What are you suggesting?”

    “I’m saying it’s time to make a choice. Whether we will risk the fate of the nation to eliminate Duke Garcia’s family from this country, or if we will bow our heads to him and seek peace.”@@@@

    Naturally, this decision wouldn’t come easily.

    Eliminating Duke Garcia’s family would suffer significant losses.

    While Kaistein stood paralyzed and isolated, neighboring countries would not remain idle.

    The nation could be annexed by external forces.

    “Certainly, His Majesty should be prepared to bear such losses, but... we must prepare ourselves mentally as well.”

    There was nothing they could do about the Seventh Prince Ian.

    The urgent matter was to protect the nation.

    Just then.

    Creak!

    “There’s no need for that.”

    The door to the meeting room opened, and someone entered.

    The ministers recognized her instantly.

    “Could it be? Countess Aria Reese?”

    Indeed, it was she, who had been keeping a low profile to avoid Duke Garcia.

    Why was she here? However, there was no time to be surprised.

    Countess Aria Reese began to speak.

    Despite Nathan’s reputation for his swiftness, Alby hadn’t anticipated his rapid advancement in skill.

    ‘He’s grown to this level in such a short time?’

    However, Nathan was still not Alby’s match.

    “You’ve chosen the wrong sword. I believe I mentioned this before. You always make the wrong choices.”

    Alby unsheathed his sword, poised to strike Nathan.

    Instead of raising his weapon, Nathan merely grinned.

    “I’m sorry, but you might want to check your surroundings.”

    “What?”

    It was only then that Alby noticed strange things on the walls.

    His expression stiffened at the unpleasant scent.

    Amidst the sewer’s stench, he had failed to detect it until now.

    “Is this scent...?”

    “It’s gunpowder.”

    “!”

    Nathan smirked.

    “Just so you know, it’s a gift from the Prince to you. Even if you manage to escape, you should know who sent it.”

    “Y-You... bastard.”

    “Well then, safe travels, Commander. I won’t bother with farewells.”

    “Y-You!”

    Alby was prepared to charge in rage but hesitated, suddenly aware.

    ‘I’m not the only one here. There are other knights behind me.’

    If their entire force were to be buried here, the Duchy of Garcia would have no hope. Reluctantly, he ordered a retreat.

    “Everyone fall back! Quickly get out of here!”

    He was in danger, too.

    The presence felt from above wasn’t just Nathan alone.

    Alby fixed a sharp gaze on Nathan.

    “You will definitely regret this.”

    “Well, we’ll see. I doubt I’ll regret it—my lord’s plan this time is exceptional.”

    Crunch.

    Alby gritted his teeth but managed a smile.

    “While you may have won this round, the Helgaia people won’t escape unscathed due to you.”

    “What do you mean?”

    “Did you think the Duke would just sit idly by? We’ve already sent people over there. Even with Galon alone, he can’t protect everyone.”

    Nathan, who had been looking bewildered at first, scratched his ear.

    “Oh... I vaguely recall hearing about that.”

    “What?”

    “Those guys? His Highness has already taken care of them.”

    Before Alby could react, Nathan retrieved something from his pocket.

    “Our Prince has a way of seeing thousands of miles from his seat, so he knew all about the Duke’s little schemes.”

    “What are you implying?”

    “That’s all you need to know. Goodbye. I won’t see you off.”

    “W-Wait! Stop!”

    Nathan lit the fuse of the bomb with a flint from his pocket.

    In that instant,

    Boom! Bang!

    A powerful explosion ensued, causing the secret passage to collapse.

    A deluge of dirt tumbled toward Commander Alby.

    ***

    The Secret Special Force swiftly advanced toward the Helgaia territory.

    Despite the presence of a royal army near the Duke of Garcia’s territory, evading them was not challenging.

    They possessed magical tools.

    “Our sole mission is one: to turn the Helgaia territory into a sea of fire.”

    “Understood.”

    A group of people dressed in black swiftly advanced.

    In the midst of their movement, the captain received a call from Duke Garcia.

    “It’s a message from the Duke.”

    “What does he say?”

    “Leave no one alive and turn the ground into a sea of blood. We are granted permission to utilize our magical tools without restraint.”

    The captain tilted his head.

    “He told us to hide for the grand plan, didn’t he? Why the sudden change?”

    “Who cares, Captain? Let’s have some fun.”

    “Exactly. With our large-scale war magical tools, who would dare to oppose us?”

    The entire squad burst out laughing.

    “That’s our specialty.”

    “The Duke wanted to handle things quietly out of worry for the royal family and the nation, but if he no longer cares about that, then it’s all the better for us.”

    “Well, that’s true.”

    The captain chuckled and thought.

    ‘If he can’t manage even this, he’s useless as an ally. Useless allies get discarded. We’ll just do what we were paid for.’

    As they were about to pass through the Duchy of Garcia and head towards Helgaia, a flash of light streaked in front of them.

    Swoosh!

    Thud!

    The masked man fell in half, lifeless on the ground.

    The startled captain of the Secret Special Force shouted, “Who’s there?”

    Everyone pulled out their magical tools, prepared for an attack.

    Just then, a man stepped out from the darkness.

    “Are you guys the so-called Secret Special Force?”

    He had a sharp face and a clean expression that left a lasting impression.

    The captain recognized him and gasped.

    “You can’t be... Galon?”

    The Invisible Galon, one of Ian’s three knights—a formidable opponent immune to the force of magical tools.

    He was known as the Indomitable—the nemesis of magical tools.

    “How did you get here...?”

    But Galon replied coldly,

    “I hear you’re planning to set Helgaia ablaze. There are people there that I must protect.”

    “What?”

    “Therefore, I must deal with all of you right here.”

    “!”

    Galon’s sword swiftly and mercilessly cleaved through the enemies, delivering decisive blows.