Chapter 59

When Otto succeeded in inciting Duke Alex, a large-scale offensive plan was established.

The plan was simple.

First, the rebel army led by Duke Alex would recklessly advance toward the crown prince's suppression army camp.

Second, a battle would ensue.

Third, Iota's army would attack the rear of the suppression army led by the crown prince.

"Good, very good."

Duke Alex was greatly satisfied with the plan.

If everything went as planned, they would achieve a great victory in the battle, and Duke Alex would ascend to the throne.

There was no better scenario than this, he was certain.

Of course, that was only if everything went according to Duke Alex's intentions.

"I will start the operation in a week."

"Yes, Your Grace."

A week later.

"Entire army! Advance!"

The rebel army of over 20,000 men led by Duke Alex began to move toward where the crown prince's army was stationed.

Meanwhile, Otto returned to where the crown prince's army was encamped, as he had promised Duke Alex.

Following him was the Iota Kingdom's army of 5,000 men.

- Brat, what do you plan to do?

Kairos asked Otto.

"What do I plan to do? I'll just watch the battle."

- Hm?

"Once Duke Alex and the crown prince clash, they'll fight fiercely, right?"

- You plan to strike both of them from behind when they're preoccupied?

"Exactly."

- Tsk.

Kairos clicked his tongue.

- How can you be so despicable?

"Huh?"

- You are truly wicked.

"Thanks."

- What for?

"Thank you."

- Did I praise you?

"That's praise, isn't it?"

- Praise...?

"Being despicable is a good thing. It's not bad. How can you survive in this harsh world if you're too kind?"

- Nonsense!

Kairos roared.

- Power! Absolute power! The might to crush all enemies! If you have that...

"Did you get betrayed by Emperor Argon because you had that?"

- T-That's...

Kairos was momentarily speechless.

"If you were so powerful that you could crush all enemies, you wouldn't be affected by a betrayal, right?"

- ...

"That strength you talk about is an ideal. What I use is reality. Of course, I don't want to be that strong. But I'm weak now, so I have to use these methods. And by doing this..."

- ...?

"Fewer of our soldiers will die, right?"

- Hmm!

"I give the orders, but the soldiers fight and die. Shouldn't I set things up so that even one less soldier dies?"

- You're right.

Kairos seemed to have realized something from Otto's words and admitted it frankly.

- I was shortsighted. Perhaps you might be a better ruler than I am.

"Huh?"

- I once thought the same way you do...

Kairos's voice carried a hint of regret, making it sound somewhat bitter.

"Why regret it now? Just do better from now on."

- Hm?

"If I find a body suitable for you, you'll start a new life. You can do better then."

- A new life...

"Revenge isn't everything, right? What will you do after you take revenge? What will you do then?"

- I've never thought about it.

"Think about it now. What will you do after you humiliate the descendants of Emperor Argon?"

- What will I do...

Unaware that he had thrown a life question at Kairos, Otto looked into the distance at the battlefield.

"Advance!"

"Everyone, charge!"

Just then, the rebel army led by Duke Alex was charging at the crown prince's army, which had set up defensive lines, at a terrifying speed.

The final showdown of the civil war in the Rosch Kingdom was about to begin.

* * *

"...Why?"

The crown prince was puzzled by the sudden attack of the rebel army.

They were in the middle of drafting a ceasefire agreement, so why would they attack first?

But that was only for a moment.

"Have you lost your patience, Uncle? The price will be steep."

The crown prince decided not to avoid the fight since it had come to this.

In fact, he was glad.

At this moment, the suppression army led by the crown prince was in a more advantageous position.

They had set up defensive lines in a tactically favorable terrain, so if the rebel army came, they would be grateful to receive them.

"Alright! Come on! I'll crush you all! Entire army! Prepare for battle! Get ready to crush the rebel scum!"

"Prepare for battle!"

The crown prince's army prepared to face the approaching rebel army.

A few minutes later.

Bang!

The battle began as the cavalry from both sides collided.

Since this was a decisive battle, the fighting was extremely intense.

However, because the crown prince's side had set up defensive lines in a favorable terrain, the rebel army's casualties were bound to be overwhelmingly high.

"No!"

Duke Alex, who had personally taken to the battlefield for the final battle, became anxious as the casualties mounted.

"When will Iota's army arrive?"

Thirty minutes into the battle.

It had been long enough.

By now, Otto should have dramatically appeared and attacked the rear of the crown prince's army.

But no matter how long he waited, Iota's army did not show up.

"Signal flares, launch the signal flares! Hurry!"

Whoosh! Bang!

Whoosh! Bang! Bang!

Even after launching several signal flares, Iota's army did not appear.

Meanwhile, the battle intensified, and the rebel army suffered irreparable losses.

"Th-This...!!!"

Duke Alex finally realized the situation and was enraged.

If Iota's army, which was supposed to come, had not shown up, the reason was obvious.

"Otto de Scuderi... That dog has betrayed me!"

He regretted it.

Blinded by the prospect of victory, he had naively trusted Otto, which was the root of the problem.

"Could it be...?"

Duke Alex thought that Otto had colluded with the crown prince to deceive him.

There was no other reason for Iota's army not to appear until the rebel army was on the brink of annihilation.

But then.

Clatter! Clatter! Clatter! Clatter!

Duke Alex's expression brightened when he saw the Iota Kingdom's cavalry approaching.

So what if they were a bit late?

It was enough that they had come.

"They're here, they're here! Finally, they're here! Yes, I trusted them!"

Duke Alex cheered.

He did not plan to let the lateness go unpunished.

He intended to hold them accountable and take revenge after the battle.

But not now.

"Ah!"

"Ah!"

The Iota cavalry was indiscriminately sweeping through the suppression army soldiers.

At least for now...

* * *

"Stay strong! Sweep away all the enemies! This battle will end the war!"

Prince Louis Blanc shouted at the top of his lungs, leading the suppression army.

"Long live the crown prince!"

"Long live!"

The suppression army soldiers shouted in unison and swept through the rebel army with terrifying momentum.

The rebel army, which had lost more than half of its forces due to a reckless charge, was massacred helplessly by the suppression army's assault.

Just then.

Clatter! Clatter! Clatter! Clatter! Clatter!

A large force with the flag of the Iota Kingdom approached at high speed from a distance.

"Why is Iota's army here...?"

Prince Louis Blanc's expression turned blank when he saw Iota's army.

Moreover, hadn't the king, Otto de Scuderi, died under mysterious circumstances not long ago?

But that was only for a moment.

"Oh, no..."

Prince Louis Blanc's face turned pale with despair.

The sudden appearance of Iota's army in this battle was not good news.

"Alex... That dog has brought in foreign forces! How can you still be a member of the Rosch royal family!"

He shouted in anger, but his voice did not reach Duke Alex, who was far away.

Meanwhile.

"Ah!"

"Ah!"

"Please, spare meee!"

The Iota army, which had swept through the suppression army, began to indiscriminately slaughter the suppression army soldiers.

"Ah..."

Seeing the gruesome scene, the crown prince lost his will to fight and let his sword drop.

But then, a strange sight unfolded.

"Ah!"

"Choke!"

The Iota army, which had shattered the suppression army's camp, began to indiscriminately slaughter the rebel army soldiers as well.

"What...?"

The crown prince, unable to grasp the situation, tilted his head.

"Why is Iota attacking the rebel army?"

Then...

"Oh."

The crown prince finally realized.

Iota had not sided with either side.

The rebel army and the suppression army were like two fish fighting, and Iota was the fisherman who had been watching from behind with a satisfied smile.

"They were so busy fighting each other that they didn't notice the thief coming in..."

While the crown prince sighed.

"Ah!"

"Fall back! Retreat!"

"Please... Ah!"

The Iota army, indiscriminately slaughtering both the rebel and suppression armies, was turning this battle into their victory.

* * *

The combat power of the Iota Kingdom's army was truly outstanding.

Their physical strength was formidable.

Their tactical understanding was high.

Their morale was high.

Moreover, even the low-ranking privates could manipulate mana, which was something even major powers could not achieve.

Thus, it was only natural that the Iota Kingdom's army was so powerful.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

"The weak Rosch scum! Where are you running?"

"We'll sweep you all away!"

The Iota Kingdom's army, like a pack of wild beasts unleashed on a flock of sheep, swept away the enemies and proudly displayed their honed combat skills.

"Wow, they really fight well."

Otto smiled contentedly as he watched the Iota Kingdom's army.

"Is it that good?"

"Of course, it's good. Our army is fighting so well, isn't it?"

"I agree."

Camille also smiled, the first time in a long while.

To see the soldiers, who were once just a ragtag group, grow to this level...

It was something unimaginable when the Iota Kingdom was just a small rural fief.

"Let's go."

Otto dismounted and started walking.

"I won't just stand back and watch while the soldiers are sent to the battlefield."

"Of course."

Joining the battlefield with Camille, Otto, like a fish in water, rampaged and personally demonstrated his might.

[Notice: Experience increased!]

[Notice: Experience increased!]

(omitted)

[Notice: Experience increased!]

As a result, his experience increased.

[Notice: Level 89 achieved!]

[Notice: Level 90 achieved!]

His level also increased.

[Notice: Unlocked!]

[Notice: Level 90 achieved, <Petrifying Eye> skill unlocked!]

Right then.

"Die!"

"How dare you, a mere Iota scum!"

Three rebel knights suddenly charged at Otto.

Swoosh!

At the same time, a gray flash began to emit from Otto's eyes.

As a result.

"My body... Ugh!"

"What's happening to my legs...?"

"Ugh!"

The bodies of the knights exposed to the gray flash began to turn to stone.

In other words, they were petrified, just as the skill's name suggested.