Chapter 48

"Targeting my life... It seems that children resemble their parents in the very aspects we don’t want them to."

"Your Majesty, I can understand your feelings."

As Zacharius looked down at his son’s corpse, a hoarse old man’s voice called out to him from behind.

An old man, cloaked in gray, emerged from the shadows of a pillar and approached the throne.

"What is it, old man? Were you here?"

"Yes, I apologize for not coming to your aid. I thought I might only get in the way."

"Ah, it’s fine, it’s fine. It would have been unseemly to interrupt the final conversation between father and son."

Zacharius waved his hand dismissively in response.

The old man’s name was Savi Laz. He was a magician who served the palace and had been granted the rank of ‘Sage,’ a great mage.

To Zacharius, he was also the ‘old man’ who had been his guardian.

"Gilbert was a good son. However... he was a bit too serious."

Gilbert von Arslane was undoubtedly a royal with the qualities of a great ruler. Though he had a somewhat conservative side, fixated on bloodline and status, he would have surely become a beloved and wise monarch if he had become emperor.

Zacharius also loved his intelligent son, but... he couldn’t let him be killed.

The path of the emperor, known as the 'Golden Lion of the Empire,' had only just begun.

"That is so... I apologize for bringing this up at such a time, Your Majesty, but I have something to report."

"Hm? Go on, speak."

"Yes."

When the emperor urged him to continue, Savi bowed respectfully and began to speak.

"The Western Front Army... the army led by General Bazen has been annihilated. General Bazen is missing, and it seems that Colonel Safaris is now in command."

"Is that so? The Western Front Army was fighting against the Kingdom of Zain. What about Seria?"

Zacharius’s daughter, Princess Seria von Arslane, was nominally the general of the Western Front Army.

In reality, the actual commander was Gracos Bazen, so her role as general was more ceremonial.

"Princess Seria engaged in single combat with the enemy general and was defeated, becoming a prisoner."

"Really! A warrior capable of defeating Seria exists in the Kingdom of Zain!"

Zacharius slapped his knee and exclaimed.

Seria, though inexperienced as a general, was a wielder of the holy sword Clausolas. Her sword skills were so formidable that she could defeat an entire army single-handedly.

Zacharius’s eyes sparkled with curiosity at the thought of who could have defeated her.

"I see, I see! That country also had a holy sword! There was a holy sword wielder on the enemy side, wasn’t there!?"

"Exactly as you surmise, Your Majesty. The cursed holy sword Dainsleif... the holy sword said to have defeated the dark witch Nemia."

"Indeed!"

Zacharius’s lips curled into a pleased smile.

The warlike emperor, even if the opponent was an enemy, appreciated strong warriors. He was so captivated by the thought of an unseen strong opponent that he forgot about his daughter being a prisoner.

"The investigation into the wielder of Dainsleif is still ongoing. The Western Front Army, having lost General Bazen and Princess Seria, has retreated to the Balmes Fortress on the border and is working to reorganize the army."

"Hmm... expedite the investigation. Depending on the situation, we may need to bring them into the empire."

The thought of his son, whom he had just killed, had already left Zacharius’s mind. He was more captivated by the existence of a new holy sword wielder.

"Your Majesty... while it’s good to be entertained, this will hinder our western invasion, won’t it?"

"Hm, you’re right... I shouldn’t let my blood boil like that."

At Savi’s advice, Zacharius scratched his head.

If one of the five great armies of the empire, the Western Front Army, were to be annihilated and lose a holy sword wielder, the empire’s military strength would significantly decrease.

This would require adjustments to the ambition of conquering the continent.

The emperor seriously considered the next steps.

"You’re right... we must do everything to recover Seria. If necessary, we can even abandon the conquered territories."

"Is that acceptable? If we continue the attack, the Kingdom of Zain will fall to the empire."

"It’s fine. Clausolas has also been taken, hasn’t it? We cannot allow the power of the holy sword to be taken. With the enemy having a holy sword wielder, we must put in our full effort."

Zacharius grinned savagely and stroked the hilt of Durandal.

"Depending on the situation, I may have to join the battle myself. Make sure to assess the power of the holy sword Dainsleif!"

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