第９４０堀：ある皇帝の視点 (Part1)
### Chapter 940: A Certain Emperor’s Perspective
**Side: Eupia Zurable**
When I first heard the report, I couldn't believe it at all; my mind simply refused to process the information.
When I heard it a second time, I thought it was utter nonsense.
When I heard it a third time, I trembled with rage at the sheer incompetence of the military.
And just as I was resolved to lead the First Army myself and crush Aurelia, I suddenly realized something.
*“...Vol, that man, was routed without even putting up a fight?”*
He is my right arm in military affairs, a general who has supported Zurable for a long time. The fact that he led 80,000 soldiers only to be annihilated carries a heavy meaning. Arrogance was out of the question. It meant that a terrifying opponent had appeared—one capable of defeating even Vol so miserably. Realizing this, the blood drained from my face all at once.
*“Conduct an investigation immediately.”*
I scrambled to gather information again, but the reports that came back were, as expected, beyond comprehension and defied all reason. However, I began to grasp a vague picture of how the situation had unfolded.
They had halted their advance just before Aurelia Port, preparing for the enemy while setting up camp for the night. Suddenly, the invincible Wyvern squadron, which had been patrolling the skies, plummeted amidst a series of explosions. Following that, the Wyvern squadron waiting on the ground also erupted in fire.
Only then did they realize the enemy was attacking from above. The aerial magic corps ascended to intercept, but they heard strange, thunderous roars in the distance. The moment they spotted small, black objects flying toward them, projectiles of light streaked out, detonating and sending the mages crashing to the earth.
Having completely lost control of the skies, the details thereafter remained unknown. Judging that continuing the battle was impossible, the surviving magic corps began their retreat. However, they reported that during their withdrawal, they witnessed a massive explosion in the area where the command post had been stationed, leading them to believe Vol’s survival was in jeopardy.
At this point, I finally concluded that the Zurable Empire might have engaged an enemy with unfathomably powerful military strength. The Wyvern tactics and the aerial magic corps were things Vol and my veteran staff had spent countless hours agonizing over to perfect. The fact that these had been countered and crushed so thoroughly, as if the enemy had studied and analyzed them to perfection, was chilling.
*“So, the Old Emperor faction has finally launched a counter-offensive... Tch, should I have seized Aurelia Port sooner?”*
I had blundered. I had to assume that the utility of Magic Gear had been exposed. I still didn't know the true identity of the enemy, but given the circumstances, it was safe to assume the Old Emperor faction now possessed aerial combat capabilities. If that were the case, future battles would not be as simple as they had been.
Now, how should I respond? If Vol were at least safe, I might be able to obtain detailed information.
...Should I start by searching for Vol?
Just as my thoughts reached that point, an urgent message arrived via Wyvern courier: Vol and his men were safe. I was immensely relieved, but my mood shifted instantly as I was stunned by the contents of the attached report.
My suspicions were correct: the Second Area Army had been suppressed in the blink of an eye by an unknown opponent, and the methods used remained a total mystery. It noted that if we were to remain hostile, the Zurable Empire would suffer catastrophic damage. It also suggested that if the entire might of the Zurable Empire were brought to bear, we might be able to crush them through sheer numbers, but... that was impossible.
The reason we divided our forces into Area Armies was precisely because we had so many hostile nations to contend with. Furthermore, the Old Emperor faction was growing stronger by the day. That was why I had established the Area Armies to handle multiple fronts simultaneously. Therefore, I could not commit my entire military against a coalition of "Weed" and "Seasipho," whose true nature remained uncertain. If I were to do such a thing, the Old Emperor faction would surely seize the opportunity to swarm our now-defenseless borders. Once a hole was opened in our defensive network, it would not be easy to repair.
...The history of the Zurable Empire would come to an end.
*“...I have come so far. I cannot let it end here.”*
Yes, I had sacrificed the lives of many friends and citizens to reach this point. I could not let that go to waste. It would be ideal if my First Army could handle it, but considering that even Vol was routed, it meant that high levels alone were irrelevant. Well, I might be able to manage something on my own, but there is no point in me standing alone on the battlefield until the end.
The people acting as my bodyguards and assuming the roles of the Emperor are former kings of nations that submitted to me, believing that I could build a better country. If I were to show weakness here, the Zurable Empire would crumble from within. That, I must absolutely avoid.
Fortunately, the report stated that the envoys from Weed and Seasipho were seeking dialogue and were not part of the Old Emperor faction. I had to use this to my advantage.
*“Very well. Draft a reply immediately. We shall accept the visit from the Weed and Seasipho envoys. They seek dialogue. Since Vol’s report also describes this battle as an 'unfortunate accident,' it is too early to label them enemies. Show them the magnanimity of the Zurable Empire and ensure these people are not absorbed by the Old Emperor faction.”*
*“““Yes, sir!”””*
It was a rather desperate excuse, but my retainers understood the situation well enough, and no one raised an objection. Thus, I contacted Vol and agreed to receive the envoys. To my surprise, they arrived at the Imperial Capital from Aurelia in less than a week, riding in iron carriages that lacked horses. I had intended to gather information on them while they were traveling, but even that had been impossible.
And so, I reached the time of the audience without even knowing the true identity of my guests... but it made absolutely no sense. Usually, envoys sent to my audience are elderly, well-dressed individuals—the very picture of nobility. But the delegation from Weed and Seasipho was composed of two men and the rest women; it was a lineup that felt like a joke. Even if they used monsters as guards, this was unheard of. I would have found it more convincing if someone had told me they were bringing women along for a sightseeing trip, or worse, putting them on display as a spectacle.
However, this was no joke or spectacle. On the contrary, they had defeated the strongest warrior the Zurable Empire had ever known—the captain of the Imperial Guard, the woman named Quar—without her being able to do a thing, and as for their military power...
“Impact, now!”
*BOOM!*
With that strange command, the forest suddenly erupted in a massive explosion.
No, that wasn't the end of it.
“First round confirmed on target. Same coordinates, fire for effect.”
With those words, Yuki, the envoy from Weed, spoke into a small box in his hand...
*BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM!!*
In an instant, the forest was blown away one section after another, and the cleared land continued to expand.
“W-what is that!? I-is that high-level magic!?”
“T-that’s impossible. There’s no way one could fire such powerful magic in such rapid succession!”
My subordinates who had accompanied me voiced my own shock. They were exactly right; it was impossible for an attack of such high-level magic to be unleashed in such a manner.