Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 167 (Part 2)

Grand Steward Hamilton Kylus was alive, whereas Prince Harrison Richmond existed only as a lingering soul after his death.

Since spatial teleportation was impossible with Grand Steward Hamilton, they had to rely on horses or carriages for travel. It was highly probable that they had not yet left the Kingdom of Lennox.

Conversely, if accompanied by the soul of Prince Harrison, they could shorten their travel time through teleportation.

At the very least, they would have moved directly to the Marquisate of Rotten, so it was safe to assume they had reached the Kingdom of Maven.

“The battle is dragging on, my lord.”

“They’re fighting with grim determination, prepared to die. I can’t understand that attitude at all.”

While Rodin and Karis were observing the battlefield, Jena and Larry approached, driving the carriage. Bianca was also seated beside Larry on the coachman’s seat.

Naturally, all three of them were safe.

Thanks to the knights of the Marquisate of Richmond blocking the vicinity, they hadn’t had to engage directly in combat.

“I think the same. They all seem prepared to die.”

“Karis, go and capture just one of them.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Without even drawing her spear, Karis stepped into the battlefield. In the meantime, Jena came up alongside Rodin.

“Everyone is safe, my lord.”

“You’ve done well.”

Larry and Bianca waved their hands from the coachman’s seat. It was their way of signaling that they were unharmed.

“Their attitude is strange. They are throwing away their lives far too lightly.”

“I sent Karis to find out exactly that.”

Soon, Karis returned, dangling a man—who appeared to be a soldier in his mid-twenties—by one hand.

Thud!

“Ugh!”

Karis threw the man to the ground.

The soldier, groaning, glared at Rodin and the others nearby.

“Kill them! Demons!”

“‘Demons’? That’s an interesting word. Hey, mister. Why are you fighting so desperately?”

“Do you ask because you truly don’t know? The heavens know your evil deeds, and the whole world knows! We will never give up until every last bloodline of the Richmonds is exterminated!”

The soldier’s threat was quite chilling. Setting aside the content, his determination was shocking.

“First of all, I’m not one of the Richmonds. I’m a mercenary. I want to accurately grasp the situation—would you mind telling me the truth?”

“Hmph.”

The soldier clamped his mouth shut and turned his head away. He had no intention of exchanging any more words with Rodin.

“I don’t understand. Maybe, just maybe—if you convince me, I might even fight for your side. You saw my bodyguards, didn’t you? They’re the ones who defeated your mercenaries.”

“Hmm.”

“This battle could take a different turn. It could even lead to your victory. So try persuading me.”

“Victory? Heh heh heh, what meaning would that have? Everyone’s dead, every last one of them—what’s the point of a victory like that?!”

The man’s wailing voice echoed powerfully across the surroundings. Even Rodin felt a pang at the emotion in it.

“What do you mean by ‘everyone’s dead’?”

“Didn’t you spread poison and kill all the territory’s people?! My daughter, my wife, my mother—all of them writhed in agony and died from the poison! And you talk of victory? What are we supposed to do after winning?”

“Hmm. All dead? Poisoned?”

What caught Rodin’s ear were the words “poison” and “all dead.”

If what the man said was true, and if the culprit was the Marquis of Richmond—then as the soldier said, the world would not simply stand by.

“My lord, do you believe his words?”

“No. It’s absurd.”

When Rodin had met the Marquis of Richmond at his estate, he had briefly considered giving advice regarding the territorial war.

He had planned to suggest spreading favorable rumors among the Marquis of Rottenate to create a positive atmosphere for the Richmonds. In other words, to conduct a public opinion campaign first.

But in the end, he had said nothing. It would have been pointless anyway.

The Marquis of Richmond was a textbook knight who lived and died by the code of chivalry.

A public opinion battle? Even if advised, he would not have listened.

When an enemy appeared, his nature was to crush them with strength, not to plot behind the scenes.

“Then? Could it be the Marquis of Rotten who did this?”

“Who knows. I don’t know. Karis, do you remember Hurst? Sleep!”

Rodin put the bloodshot-eyed soldier to sleep. The soldier’s relentless glaring was getting on his nerves, so he decided to simply put him under.

“Yes. You mean the Platinum Badge mercenary I fought with?”

“Yeah. Bring him here. If you see anyone else who’s not originally from the Marquis of Rottenate, bring them too. Jena, go with her.”

“Understood.”

“I’ll be back quickly.”

Sending Karis and Jena off, Rodin climbed onto the roof of the carriage. From the higher vantage point, he could see the flow of the battlefield at a glance.

“Brother, what’s going on?”

“The Marquis of Rotten is gone. Looks like he pulled something as he left.”

“Huh? Brother, over there…”

“They’re coming.”

A group approached, circling wide around the outskirts of the battlefield.

They were a group of mages, all dressed in similar robes. Members of the Chronoa Magic Tower. At the forefront was Tower Master Tamia.

Tower Master Tamia was walking slowly at first, then suddenly leapt forward and landed safely beside the carriage where Rodin stood.

“You’ve arrived?”

“Hmm. Could you explain what is happening here?”

Tower Master Tamia still couldn’t grasp the situation. The battle had erupted too suddenly for her to understand the cause.

“As you can see, the Marquis of Rotten’s forces suddenly attacked. That’s why the battle broke out.”

“Are you saying the traditions of the territorial war were broken?”

“Yes. But it seems the Marquis of Rotten is up to something.”

“The Marquis of Rotten?”

At the mention of the Marquis of Rotten, Tower Master Tamia turned her gaze forward.

She tried to find the Marquis of Rotten, but could not. Too many people were mixed together, making everyone look the same.

“He’s not here.”

“The Marquis of Rotten isn’t here? He didn’t come to the territorial war?”

“According to what I heard from that collapsed soldier over there…”

Rodin recounted what he had heard directly from the soldier about the poison and the deaths. He neither exaggerated nor omitted anything.

It was up to Tower Master Tamia to hear the unembellished truth and make her own judgment.

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