“All forces, line up!”
Cla-cla-clang.
On the part of the eastern plains on the Laviter Empire’s side of the Kovilan Mountains nearest to Nerman’s central city, Denfors.
There, Skyknights from the 2nd Army stationed near the capital and the 6th Regiment from the Southern Corps had gathered as early as five days instead of one week. At the command of Count Lukence, who had been named the commander of this offensive, they arranged themselves neatly into a long line. This person had appeared seemingly out of nowhere and had become Commander, by order of the Emperor. But the Laviter Empire knights were absolutely obedient to the Emperor’s command, and they instantly lined up without complaint. In the line were several counts in charge of the Skyknights.
“Men, today, we will attack Nerman, the territory that disgraced the name of His Majesty the Emperor and the Laviter Empire. As I said in the strategy meeting, you must move according to what I have planned. Anyone who disobeys will be severely punished, on my name as the Commander who was granted complete authority over this force by His Majesty!”
“Yes, sir!”
Lukence was painfully aware that he lacked the years of service, the experience, and the prestige to command such elites. That was why he used the Emperor’s name to reassert discipline. He had to make this invasion of Nerman a success. If he didn’t, his life would be as good as forfeit.
‘We’ll fly starting now and take two breaks. Then, we’ll ambush Denfors at night.’
Lukence was already extremely familiar with Nerman’s terrain and Denfors. The attack route was clearly drawn out in his head. New defensive weapons might have been added to Nerman, but they would undoubtedly fall to their crushing offensive. Moreover, night battles were also called battles of morale. In large-scale night aerial battles, where an enemy and ally could hardly be differentiated, the side with the greater morale would certainly win. And the Skyknights of the Laviter Empire had more than enough morale and loyalty to spare.
“All forces, swiftly mount your wyverns!”
“Yes, sir!”
The Skyknights moved in perfect order at his command.
‘Huhu… Kyre, I’m coming to rob your house while you’re away! Kuhahahaha!’
The prospect of conquering Nerman had him giddy with anticipation.
Lukence also got onto his wyvern, wanting to step on the hateful land of Nerman even one moment sooner…
* * *
* * *
“Lulu, lululu~”
After getting some experience, I got used to flying over the sea. I wasn’t afraid of the dark blue waves sloshing under my feet anymore.
‘Huhuhu. How much would that be in Gold?’
I had no idea that Haildrian’s Tsarina was such a fiery person. When I told her I was leaving, she earnestly entreated me to come again and gave me a bunch of gifts.
‘Five Grade 2 magic crystals, a hundred Grade 3s, and hundreds of Grade 4s! And to top it off, a Grade 1 crystal!’
It was the mother of all jackpots. I’d only ever heard about Grade 1 magic crystals, but now, one of them was in my possession. Simply thinking about the bluish, fist-sized blessed crystal clearer than a diamond made my heart thump wildly.
‘If I put that in my mansion, that’ll be the end of all my mana worries!’
Just like how my parents installed the best and most expensive brand of boiler in the house to forget winter’s chill, all my mana worries would disappear as soon as I installed this Grade 1 magic crystal into my mansion. I’d have a magic mansion no inferior to any imperial palace on the continent. Once a Grade 1 magic crystal, the continent’s best magic knowledge, and the modern architectural techniques I knew were fully mobilized, a cutting-edge palace as comfortable as anything you could get in the 21st century would be complete.
‘Ohh! I can see it, I can see it!’
Unlike on the journey to Haildrian, the sea was perfectly placid on the way back. Thanks to flying over in record time for a trip between continents, I could just barely start to see my home, Nerman.
“I’m back, Nerman! Your master, Kyre, is back! Hahahaha!”
Not a single person was listening, so I yelled out a greeting of elation at the top of my throat.
‘As soon as I arrive, I’ll have grilled pork belly with white rice, with a piece of kimchi on top… and beer!’
The entire trip back, I’d been craving grilled pork belly, kimchi, and beer. Tiavel had treated me to all sorts of Haildrian dishes, but they couldn’t stand up to kimchi in my heart.
Swoosh, swooooosh. Guooooooo!
As soon as he spotted Nerman, Bebeto began to flap with greater force. He had probably longed for Nerman as much as I had. After all, at night, he ruled over female wyverns almost like an emperor. He put every ounce of strength into his wings for one last spurt.
“T-This is Kovilan Mountain’s Baby Nest speaking. Mother Nest, come in!”
‘Hrm?’
When we were near Nerman and I could clearly see the harbor, an urgent call from the troop dispatched to the Kovilan Mountains came from my helmet. The troop had been secretly dispatched to find out and prepare for a Laviter Empire surprise attack.
“Laviter Empire Skyknights have appeared! They number at least 500! Prepare! Prepare to be attacked!”
‘W-What?! What the hell did he just say?!’
The pressing communication from the special troop startled me wide awake. The Laviter Empire was invading, and with a blitz of at least 500 wyverns. There was no doubt they had come barging in on the knowledge that I was away.
“They’re a-attacking us! Uwahhh! They know our location! Guagghh!”
The line was cut off with a miserable scream. The message had lasted only a moment, so it was possible that Denfors hadn’t heard it.
‘You bastards!’
A roar of rage bubbled up from my heart, which had been as calm as the sea just moments ago. There was definitely a spy among my knights, and they ranked high enough to know of my absence.
“Bebeto! Go faster! Faster!”
I hurried Bebeto, flying towards Denfors.
For these underhanded Skyknights of the Laviter Empire attacking my territory, there was no way I could escort them out of my territory nicely.
As Nerman’s master, I, Kyre, would give them a proper taste of my rage, so hot they wouldn’t be able to forget it… even in death.