Chapter 135: Movements in the Kingdom
Without the knowledge of the Empire, the Kingdom, or the Holy Kingdom, the Theocracy had already undergone a change in leadership. However, since the Theocracy was inherently a theocratic state where most commands were deliberated and issued by the council, the majority of its mid-to-high-ranking officials remained completely unaware that their superiors had been replaced.
Under Hayashi's orders, the Second Seat of the Black Scripture, "Time Turbulence," and the Fourth Seat, "Sacred Hymn," boldly arrived at the border of the Re-Estize Kingdom. Leading a small cavalry unit, they marched straight toward the kingdom's capital as if on a leisurely tour.
Such an undisguised movement naturally didn't escape the notice of the kingdom's scouts. After reporting the matter to the king, before he could even decide to dispatch troops, the noble faction had already sent out their own soldiers, clamoring to teach the Theocracy a lesson.
"Ah—"
The aged king sat in his office chair, massaging his temples wearily. Gazef Stronoff, the warrior, watched his liege with concern, his expression troubled as if he wanted to speak but hesitated.
"Gazef, speak your mind," the king said, glancing at the man he trusted. "Between us, there's no need for such reservations."
"Yes—"
Gazef knelt on one knee and said in a low voice, "I merely find it suspicious, Your Majesty."
The king gave a bitter smile and replied, "If even you find it suspicious, how could I not notice? No matter how arrogant the Theocracy may be, they wouldn't dare to intrude into the kingdom's borders in such a manner—"
If it were a full-scale invasion, preparing for all-out war, that would be easier to understand. But with just two suspected members of the Six Scriptures leading a small cavalry unit, the situation seemed undeniably dubious.
"Then why…?"
"Because of the nobles." The king sighed wearily, leaning back in his chair. "Gazef, the kingdom's situation is far from ideal. Over the years, the descendants of once shrewd and valiant nobles have grown greedy and cowardly. Now, they cling to the kingdom's body like vampires, sucking it dry for their own gain."
Gazef fell silent, knowing the discussion had reached a point where his input was no longer appropriate.
The king, of course, understood Gazef's hesitation and could only shake his head helplessly.
By now, the kingdom's nobles had grown too powerful—
If the royal family did not act against them, the infighting among the nobles might grant the kingdom a brief respite.
But if the royal family moved against the nobles, it would only unite them in resistance, making matters worse.
In this regard, the empire was the complete opposite of the kingdom. Once plagued by corrupt nobles like the kingdom, the empire had undergone a thorough purge of these parasitic aristocrats thanks to the relentless efforts of its past emperors.
The result of this divergence was clear—the once-mighty kingdom was now weakening, while the once-feeble empire had risen in strength.
Truly, the wheel of fortune turns unpredictably.
...
...
Meanwhile.
"Hey, Fourth Seat—" The Second Seat cradled the back of his head with both hands, gazing idly at the azure sky. "We're not even bothering to hide our tracks anymore. How come the kingdom still hasn't caught on?"
The Second Seat was a young man with a brown ponytail, his demeanor flippant and arrogant, resembling a spoiled noble brat—though the shadowed look in his eyes and his displeased tone made it clear he was in a particularly foul mood.
"I've heard the kingdom's power structure is a mess, with nobles and royals constantly vying for control…" The Fourth Seat tilted her head slightly. "Maybe they're still arguing over which faction should send troops."
The Fourth Seat was a young woman with long golden hair, wearing a hood adorned with white wing-like ornaments on either side. Compared to the Second Seat, her demeanor was far more serene.
"Hah? It's been almost three days since we crossed the border, and they're still debating?" The Second Seat picked up a pebble from the ground and tossed it into a nearby bush, exasperated. "At this rate, we'll probably reach the capital before they even realize what's happening."
"Maybe so—" The Fourth Seat blinked, hugging her knees with curiosity. "Second Seat, what kind of person do you think the new king is? Even the Captain and the Extra Seat chose to swear allegiance to him without hesitation…"
"..."
The Second Seat visibly rolled his eyes, glaring at the Fourth Seat with irritation. "You and I found out about this at the same time, so how would I know something you don't?"
You ask me, I ask who?
"Ah, of course I know! I was just making conversation!" The Fourth Seat turned her head toward the Second Seat and muttered, "There are only two of us from the Black Scripture on this mission. We've got to pass the time somehow, right?"
Though she appeared like a "holy maiden," as a "hero-tier" member of the Black Scripture, she carried her own pride—the accompanying cavalry around them weren't even worth considering as "equals" in her eyes.
Clearly, the Second Seat felt similarly. He could only clasp his hands behind his head and say, "I don't know much else, but they must be an absolute powerhouse! Otherwise, someone like Antilene wouldn't submit."
"You mean His Majesty's strength surpasses even Antilene?"
"As hard as it is to imagine, that's the only possibility, isn't it?"
Hearing the Second Seat's analysis, the Fourth Seat clutched her head in disbelief. "Honestly, I can't even picture Antilene losing—in my mind, she's always been invincible."
"Stop talking. Don't make me remember that day." The Second Seat also grimaced, clutching his head in pain. The Fourth Seat's words dragged him back to the day he joined the Black Scripture—yes, that sunny afternoon when he thought his innate time-related abilities would make him unrivaled in the world. But the result was...
He instinctively touched his teeth, recalling the sensation of them being forcibly knocked out. A shiver ran down his spine—the pain was secondary; the humiliation was what truly lingered.
"Don't bring up that topic!" The Second Seat also flashed back to his initiation, when Antilene dunked his head underwater by the ankle, plunging him into silent despair.
Truly, when it comes to the Black Scripture's greatest menace, Antilene takes the crown! Without even appearing or uttering a single line, she managed to traumatize two of its members.
As expected of you!
...
...
A full week after the Second and Fourth Seats entered the Kingdom's borders, its internal factions seemed to have finally made a decision. Frankly, if the Theocracy had truly intended to strike, a week would've been enough to obliterate several villages—proof of just how rotten the Kingdom had become.
"Tsk tsk, finally reacting, are they?"
The Second Seat sat atop his horse, eyeing the well-equipped cavalry ahead before turning to the Fourth Seat. "Care to guess—royal army or noble army?"
The Fourth Seat tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and replied coldly, "No sign of the famed Kingdom's Warrior Captain. So, it must be the noble army."
"Ha, seems that way." The Second Seat drew the rapier at his waist. "Your turn or mine?"
'You've already drawn your weapon, and you're still asking me this question?' The Fourth Seat gave the Second Seat a speechless glance and said irritably, "If I said I'd handle it, would you put your weapon away?"
"Hahaha, no—" The Second Seat laughed as he flipped off his horse and landed on the ground. "I'll go first—"
The Fourth Seat reminded him, "Don't forget His Majesty's orders—no meaningless slaughter!"
"I know, I know—" The Second Seat pursed his lips in slight annoyance. He slid his rapier back into its sheath at his waist, then casually grabbed a scabbard from a nearby cavalryman, swinging it a couple of times. "This should do!"
With those words, he shot forward like an arrow toward the enemy formation. The noble army of the kingdom, seeing only a single opponent, sneered in derision.
"Honestly—"
The Fourth Seat couldn't help but sigh. She raised both hands, crossing them before her, assuming a sacred and noble expression—though the magic she was actually casting was...
"Amplify Damage—"
"Blur Vision—"
"Weaken—"
One after another, curse-type spells flew from the Fourth Seat's hands, visibly diminishing the combat effectiveness of the noble army, which had initially seemed somewhat capable.
The end result was the Second Seat, wielding only a scabbard, charging into the noble ranks like a wolf among sheep. In just a few moves, he cut down several of their leaders before retreating unscathed through the stumbling, disoriented soldiers.
"Too weak."
He tossed the scabbard back to the cavalryman and clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction, saying to the Fourth Seat, "Just for show—a bunch of rabble."
This assessment wasn't just due to the curses weakening the enemy. In the Second Seat's eyes, these soldiers lacked even the most basic coordination and teamwork, relying entirely on their polished equipment—little more than a "ceremonial guard."
Useless, except for appearances.
In response to the Second Seat's critique, the Fourth Seat merely shrugged. "Don't worry. Once the noble army is defeated, the kingdom will surely send Gazef to intercept us. Then you can go all out and fight him properly."
Hearing this, the Second Seat's face lit up with anticipation. "Now that's something to look forward to—"