The Duke’s Eldest Son Escaped to the Military

The Duke’s Eldest son Escaped to the Military (224)

Translator: Master of Djinn

1. 1. Victory! And the 2nd War for the Southern Confederation (2)

As soon as they received the quest, all the armies of the Empire began mobilising. First, the Mobile Field Army took stock of their damage and then boarded the airships, while the eastern and southern armies began preparing to move their fleets. Along with them came the mercenaries and adventurers too: these people knew that they could receive great rewards just by following in their tracks.

Although everyone knew that the war with the southern confederation had not been easy and there would be even greater danger in the Great Forest, they all got ready to move in order to become stronger for the destruction that was to come.

But the southern confederation presented them with a surprise.

“We will join you.”

At Muradin’s words, Carlos, Yolke and the six other-worlders stared at Iron.

“Give us a chance to atone for our mistakes.”

“We too…… we will fight the fallen god too.”

Carlos and Yolke spoke one after the other. Iron looked at them quietly before turning towards the Mobile Field Army to speak.

“Carl Stein!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Escort the criminals to the capital/”

“Yes, sir!”

The three masters from the south widened their eyes when they heard what he said. Then Iron turned to them before saying:

“You were defeated in war. What atonement are you talking about?”

The three masters looked ashamed, their faces crumpled.

“The Great Forest is a dangerous place! You’ll need our help!”

As Carlos yelled in anger, Iron smiled.

“That’s our business, not something for the conquered like you to worry about.”

Carlos clenched his teeth at Iron’s ridicule. Obviously, being a master meant having tremendous power. Other people might have been worried or found it burdensome to decide what to do with them.

But Iron, who had fought both Carlos and Muradin alone, was different.

“If you want to redeem yourself, go to the Capital and go to trial first.”

Iron finished speaking and turned to leave, when Kim Jungtae’s voice came.

“……what about us?”

“Your case is no different. Even if you are other-worlders, you did participate in the war. So you have to follow the Empire’s laws.”

Having organised everything, Iron boarded the large-scale airship, while the Mobile Field Army took charge of the people that were headed for prison.

Both the eastern and southern commanders concurred with Iron’s decision. Since it was a new era, it was only right for them to comply with the law of the Empire. If the commanders gave amnesty at will and allowed them to participate in the coming battle just because of how dangerous the Great Forest was, it would weaken the power of the Centre. Even if it was all for show, they had to be tried and judged in strict accordance with the edicts of the Empire.

So even if it would take a long time, they began moving the key leaders of the southern confederation, and even most of the troops that had participated in the war.

On the other hand, the Mobile Field Army and the southern army began an operation to surround the Great Forest.

“Thank you for watching over the Great Forest while we were gone.”

The southern commander thanked Terrion. The only reason the southern command army could leave behind only a few soldiers to maintain the frontline and join the war against the southern confederation was because Terrion’s Godly Sword family had discharged almost all of its forces to contain the Great Forest.

“Don’t mention it. We are people of the south too, so it’s our duty as well.”

Terrion said as he looked at Iron.

“When will the war start?”

Instead of replying, Iron looked at the two commanders.

“The situation is indeed urgent, but we first need to carry out some reconnaissance.”

“You are right. But then, there will be nothing for the eastern army to do, it seems.”

For the eastern command army, known for its navy, there wasn’t much of a role for it to play.

“Will it be too difficult to head south and then take the river that continues into the Great Forest?”

The eastern commander shook his head at Iron’s question.

“Too dangerous. The river is wide, but it’s still a river, not the sea. It will be hard to defend against enemy attacks when the ships are lined up along the river.”

“Hmm……”

Iron hummed as he looked at the southern commander.

“Do you happen to have any information on the fallen creatures in the Great Forest?”

“Hoo…… it’s been hard just maintaining the frontlines, so we don’t have anything useful.”

Iron sighed softly at his words.

“First, let’s start with reconnoitring the Great Forest as much as we can, starting with the frontline blockade. We will take care of the recon.”

“Hmm…… the eastern army must already be waiting by the river leading into the Great Forest. I’ll take the risk and go in if it’s too late.”

Listening to the eastern commander, Iron bowed slightly, expressing his gratitude to the eastern commander as he knew how dangerous it would be to enter the Great Forest via the river.

“The southern army should start with restoring the frontline. Is it okay to push forward slowly?”

“I think this place has to be put in order first.”

Iron said as he looked at the city that was in shambles from bombing. The southern commander shook his head and said:

“I’ll have to leave that to the Mobile Field Army to handle.”

Iron tilted his head in confusion.

“You mean here?”

“Yeah. This place is close to the southeast, isn’t it? Besides, it will be easy to manage since the Mobile Field Army is good at moving supplies and such.”

The eastern commander agreed with the southern commander.

“Even though we won, there could still be some who refuse to accept defeat. It will be hard for our troops to handle.”

Iron nodded slightly. The southern army’s main mission at present was to maintain the frontline that kept the monsters of the Great Forest at bay. The current frontline was barely being maintained with the help of the Godly Sword Family, but it wouldn’t hold for long. Could a large army be stationed in that place just to clean up under such circumstances?

That was almost impossible.

“Hoo…… what about the eastern army?”

“We can offer some help, but we are having a hard time too. Now that the war is over, some of the fleet has to turn towards Atlantis. There has also been some news of trouble on the east continent.”

“The apocalypse is happening there too?”

The eastern commander nodded at the question.

“I think so. Our continent is most likely not the only one facing destruction. Just in case, we should be able to step up at any time.”

Iron sighed at his words and nodded.

“I understand. We will handle the task then.”

After speaking, Iron and the commanders went separate ways.

The rear had to be safe in order for them to fight for the Great Forest. So Iron planned to leave one corps behind to ensure the safety of the city. The corps he had in mind was the 23rd Corps. Most of the airships of the defence troops would be used to transfer the troops and leaders of the southern confederation to the Centre.

“The 22nd Corps and the Rangers will handle external recon.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Yes, sir!”

Cardro and Nyx Cole responded to Iron’s order.

“Raven, 23rd Corps and the defence forces will stay here and stabilise the city.”

“Yes, sir!”

As soon as Saeridan and the other defence force leaders replied, Iron looked at Ariel.

“The 21st Corps will move with me.”

“Understood.”

After Ariel answered, Iron clapped his hands, a look of satisfaction on his face.

“Everyone has worked hard so far. However, the threat of the Great Forest still remains, so gather your strength once more.”

The commanding officers watched him as he spoke.

“Tell your soldiers to hang in there for just a bit more. Once the Great Forest war is over, they will definitely get a break.”

“Yes, sir!”

Hearing their response, Iron nodded, his face looking apologetic. Truthfully, he also wanted a break after the war against the southern confederation. But the odds seemed to not be in his favour.

After receiving their orders, the commanding officers dispersed to carry out their respective duties.

“Commander.”

Faulden approached quietly as the others left. As Iron looked at him in silence, Faulden brought out a report.

“There’s news from the north.”

Iron took the report from him and read it in silence.

“……what is the current situation?”

“It’s not a full-scale war yet…… but I don’t think it will be long until then.”

“What about the Lion family and the northern clans?”

Faulden took out another report in response.

“They have already moved almost all their troops to the northeast frontline. This is the list of the troops of the northern families.”

“Did the Lion family head move too?”

“Yes.”

The situation seemed to be worse than expected. Ariel, who had been listening by the side, asked carefully.

“Is there a problem in the northeast?”

“The frost giants have come over Winter Mountain.”

Ariel’s eyes grew round at Iron’s reply. Winter Mountain was not that far from the northeast’s frontline.

“Have they completely occupied it?”

“……it seems so.”

“Then war is imminent.”

The great war between the frost giants and the north would start soon. But now, there was danger coming from the Great Forest as well.

“We have to sort out the south as fast as possible.”

In the report, it was written that most of the frost giants had recovered a greater part of their power from the mythological era. If that was true, it meant that the northeast was in danger. They needed to put the affairs of the Great Forest in order as soon as possible.

After reading the reports, Iron did not delay and moved towards the Great Forest with Ariel’s 21st Corps. The Rangers and the 22nd Corps were in charge of external recon, while recon in the deep of the forest was left for Iron to handle. He planned for the 21st corps to take the rear as he entered the heart of the forest, just in case something happened.

“I will go with you.”

It was unknown from where Terrion had gotten wind of Iron’s plan to enter the Great Forest with the 21st Corps, but the Godly Sword family head wanted to go with Iron. Not knowing what kinds of dangers there could be in the Great Forest, Iron allowed him to come along. Together, they moved deep into the forest.

–Buuu!

Two Moons grumbled as if it didn’t like that Terrion was riding it. Having the same class as a fantastical creature, Two Moons found nothing satisfactory about Terrion. Iron had a contract with Two Moons, so he was fine. But Terrion did not.

“Just bear with me a bit more, hmm?”

Iron gently coaxed the divine beast as they moved into the forest.

“Would you look at that? That’s no way to welcome a guest.”

Terrion swung his sword lightly to block the attack of the corrupted birds that came flying from afar, cutting them down. Refusing to lose, Two Moons released a beam of light that wiped all the birds out.

“So hot-tempered, you.”

Terrion laughed as he looked at Two Moons, finding the creature intriguing.

Just as they were receiving several attacks and going farther into the forest…

Boooom!

“What the……”

“It seems it will be difficult to go any further.”

Both their expressions turned grave, Terrion reflexively drawing his sword and splitting the incoming force, while Iron destroyed the flash of light that surged towards the sky. The attack coming at them from the dark was not easy to defend against.

“But since we’ve come all this way, shouldn’t we see what it is?”

Hearing Terrion, Iron pondered for a bit before nodding. Since they were already there, they had to learn something before returning.

“Can you stop the attack?”

“Of course.”

Terrion answered, as if telling Iron to leave it to him. At the same time, Phoenix and Thunderbird were summoned and fused together their powers. The fused power blasted away the darkness that blocked the way forward. But that was insufficient, and the darkness began to push back against the flames again.

“Baepsae!”

“Tweet!”

Baepsae called out in response, as it amplified Iron’s holy power. Then the holy power surrounding Iron’s aura blade, which he swung forward. An unknown force tried to block the swing, but Terrion’s quicksword destroyed the unknown force instead.

“That……”

“It’s dangerous.”

Iron and Terrion saw something inside the darkness that was growing again. The two of them, as close to Grand Master as anyone on the continent could be, felt how threatening that thing was.

“It won’t be easy.”

“……yes.”

Iron agreed with Terrion, nodding his head.

“It seems it will not let us go easily.”

Iron drew on his strength as he watched several creatures close in on them from all directions.

“Why don’t we use this chance to see who is stronger?”

“Sounds good to me.”

Terrion turned all his strength into aura, a wide smile on his face as he imagined his victory.

“You’ll see just how great the head of the Godly Sword family is”

“And I will show you that the title of Empire’s hero was not something I gained in vain.”

The two of them raised their swords and attacked the unknown beings that were attacking from all sides. Phoenix and Thunderbird breathed flames, revealing the full extent of their powers to help Iron. Just like that, Iron and Terrion moved through the thick, black fog and entered the forest.

It wasn’t until a week later that they returned to the outskirts of the Great Forest.

“Help the Commander!”

Ariel ordered as she watched the wyverns that followed close behind Two Moons like a pack of rabid dogs. The 21st Corps fired from their airship, and mana cannons fired from the ground to help Iron.

Finally, with the help of the 21st Corp, Iron and Terrion safely entered the corps-class large scale airship where Ariel was. As soon as Iron stepped foot on the ship, Two Moons was recalled.

“What…… what in the world happened?”

Ariel asked as looked at Iron and Terrion, who were wretched as beggars. Iron sat with a tired look, and said to her with difficulty.

“……Ariel.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Give this to the southern and eastern armies.”

Iron removed his crystal device from his bosom and placed it in her palm.

Then he said heavily.

“And tell the two commanders that the war with the Great forest will be much harder than the war with the southern confederation.”