The Lutetia Empire.
I had arrived at the mansion of Eclipse, the Black Great Sage.
An urgent visitor had come.
However, without rushing, I headed to the reception room at my usual pace.
Then,
“You’re late.”
“I hurried as much as I could.”
“I came here before reporting to the king. You should’ve come faster.”
What an unreasonable demand.
Despite the complaint, I sat on the sofa opposite my guest, Valère.
It was then that I noticed Valère was injured.
“A wound? That’s unlike you.”
“I forced my way through the empire’s high security. Still, I admit I’ve grown a bit rusty.”
Valère’s right arm was wrapped in bandages.
The injury was likely from a near miss.
Escaping from the empire with just that was impressive, though Valère seemed to think otherwise.
“So, did you manage to decode the cipher?”
“Of course. However, I couldn’t determine the exact date. Still, it’s going to be troublesome.”
“I figured as much. So, what’s the empire plotting?”
In response to my question, Valère took out a map from his pocket and spread it on the table.
He indicated the route from the empire to the kingdom and the empire to the empire with his left hand.
“First, the empire plans to invade the kingdom and the empire with a total force of 400,000 troops. The distribution is unclear—it could be 200,000 to each, or 300,000 to one and 100,000 to the other. Either way, it’s a massive force.”
“To muster such numbers, they must have ceased fighting on other fronts.”
“Exactly. The empire is seriously focusing on the three nations. This was anticipated. If we kept repelling their invasion forces, the empire would eventually get serious. But this time, the main thrust of their plan isn’t the 400,000 troops.”
Valère moved his left hand.
He pointed to the Grand Duchy, specifically its port.
“The 400,000 are a diversion. Their real target is the Grand Duchy. Troops have already infiltrated. They plan to seize the lightly defended capital and drive a wedge between the three nations.”
Come to think of it, the academy had seen an increase in spies. That must have been reconnaissance before the operation. Infiltrating the capital, even for a small group of spies, requires a sizable force.
“How did they infiltrate?”
“The Kraken you defeated—it was the empire’s doing. When ships were blocked, and then suddenly flooded into the Grand Duchy, they used the chaos to infiltrate. The port is in utter confusion. If they entered scattered, we couldn’t stop them.”
“They went to the trouble of using monsters. Ingenious. But the number of infiltrators should be limited. Even if the Grand Duchy’s capital is lightly defended, can they actually capture it?”
“If they plan to take it, they must have a strategy. There could be more enemies than we expect. The influx of ships wasn’t limited to the Grand Duchy; they flooded into the empire too. The route from the empire to the Grand Duchy isn’t as heavily guarded as the sea routes. It’s possible they entered the empire first and then moved toward the Grand Duchy.”
“I see. There are numerous methods.”
Hearing Valère’s words, I nodded.
If they can take the capital… it’s a good plan.
The Grand Duchy is the weakest of the three nations but is also the key to the alliance.
The long-time rivals, the kingdom and the empire, could only form an alliance because the Grand Duchy was in the middle.
If the capital falls, the shock will be immense.
The Grand Duchy provides significant support to both nations, economically and militarily.
Thanks to that support, both nations can focus on the empire.
This support is based on the assumption that the Grand Duchy will be protected by both nations.
If the capital falls, the value of the alliance plummets.
It would prove that the kingdom and the empire cannot protect the Grand Duchy.
“The fall of the capital would mean the collapse of the tripartite alliance.”
“Everyone will think the pact is meaningless. Even if a small force takes the capital, people will think it can be retaken easily. But… if I were them, I would behead all the royals and top officials. Focus on that.”
“If they paralyze the state functions, it creates a power vacuum between the kingdom and the empire. Deciding the next ruler and future steps would lead to interference and likely discord between the kingdom and the empire.”
“If that happens, both nations will face a two-front war. Instead of allies, they become potential enemies. The Grand Duchy might defect, or they could be defeated one by one. The empire gains more options.”
Valère moved his left hand again.
This time, he pointed to the border between the kingdom and the empire.
He tapped the spot as he spoke.
“We want to help the Grand Duchy, but the decoy is too large.”
“If I handle it alone and assign the remaining Twelve celestial Mages to defend the Grand Duchy… do you think the king will agree?”
“No. If you were from a noble family in the empire, the king might trust you. But your origins are unclear. In a major invasion, the king will want the Twelve celestial Mages at the imperial border. Your skill doesn’t matter.”
“What about the kingdom? The Sword Saint takes on the army, and the Seven celestial Swords defend the Grand Duchy.”
“Unlikely. The king’s decision is unpredictable, but other nobles wouldn’t allow it.”
So, there’s only one option left.
I’d rather not do it.
It’s exhausting.
“I’ll take on all the forces, and the Sword Saint will defend the Grand Duchy. How about that? It might be better the other way around, but I’m more suited for it.”
“It’s a good plan if feasible… but we’d still need to convince the kingdom. And would our king allow it?”
“We won’t inform the king. I’ll act independently.”
“Are you aware this is a national crisis?”
“That’s why. Consulting the king takes time. Time we can’t afford. You head to the kingdom and persuade the king. The moderate king should be convinced.”
“Meanwhile, you’ll prepare for the counterattack? But… it’s 400,000 troops.”
“No problem. I’m more worried about you. Can you persuade the king?”
“…I’ll do my best.”
“Then we both need to hurry.”
“I’ll warn the Grand Duchy on my way to the kingdom. I hope they take it seriously and abandon the capital…”
“Don’t count on it.”
Valère shrugged at my words.
Then he vanished with the wind.
Seeing that, I also left the room.
Not knowing the date means things might already be in motion.
Time is of the essence.
