Published: July 3, 2025
October 11th, the update has failed... I sincerely apologize...
So, although it’s such a late hour, I will update...
What a situation...
In the Eastern Kingdom, the largest city, Wingston.
On the plains near the Second Avenue to the west, the army was in a standoff.
The kingdom’s side consisted of five hundred members of the Wingston garrison, one thousand from the Eastern Kingdom stationed army, and five thousand five hundred other conscripts... totaling seven thousand troops.
In contrast, the imperial army had only ninety members of the imperial mage brigade... that was all.
"The day before yesterday, Stone Lake surrendered without resistance... but I suppose it's not going to be that easy for the largest city in the east," the vice-captain, Jurgen, asked his superior beside him.
"It can't be helped. Wingston is the capital of the Duchy of Shrewsbury. Being a prestigious family connected to the royal family, they can't easily bow to the imperial army," he replied.
"However, speaking of Duke Shrewsbury, I heard that the one who recently became a duke during this eastern civil war has passed away..."
Jurgen inquired as he looked thoughtfully upwards.
"Ah, it seems the current heir is not even ten years old... The guardians are probably making various judgments," came the response from the vice-captain, Oscar, who clearly didn't think it was that difficult.
"Your Excellency, are we really going to fight?"
The one who asked was Narisone, the commander of the Eastern stationed army. And the one he asked...
"Are you still hesitating at this point? Enough already, Narisone! Make up your mind!"
This was shouted by Count Gaspar Hayes, the grandfather of the current Duke of Shrewsbury and a guardian.
The ongoing turmoil had thrown much of the east into chaos.
Duke Shrewsbury, a great noble connected to the royal family, was one of the five most powerful nobles in the kingdom, but many heirs of his house were losing their lives in this eastern civil war.
At the age of nine, Irwin succeeded to the duke's title, being the last remaining direct descendant.
There were no others, male or female.
If they were to submit to the imperial army and lose their lives, the Duke of Shrewsbury's house would be extinguished.
Of course, there were collateral branches.
However, if a collateral branch were to be made duke, which noble would support the ducal house?
The world of nobility is not that kind.
"For Irwin's sake, we cannot back down here!"
Gaspar's expression was filled with anguish.
He knew very well who the opponent was.
He also knew that Stone Lake had surrendered without a fight the day before yesterday.
He had no intention of condemning Stone Lake’s judgment... if Irwin's life and the extinction of the Duke of Shrewsbury's house were not at stake, Gaspar too would probably have surrendered without a fight.
The blazing flame mage.
That name was so grand and heavy.
Thirty minutes after both armies faced each other, a 'voice' flowed from the imperial army, that is, the imperial mage brigade.
"Surrender. If you surrender, the lives of the Duke of Shrewsbury and the citizens will be guaranteed."
"How can we accept that! A ducal house that surrendered without a fight will receive no support from anyone!"
Clenching his teeth, Gaspar spat out.
Commander Narisone understood Gaspar's anguish.
He understood, but...
(It's reckless to issue a charge order against an opponent we absolutely can't win against…)
However, deep down, there was a small part of him that wanted to see how the rumored imperial mage brigade and the blazing flame mage would fight.
But, ideally, he would prefer to see it as an audience, without risking their own lives to witness it.
While Narisone was lost in such thoughts, part of his army suddenly murmured.
"What’s happening?"
Narisone asked without specifying anyone.
"Commander, the enemy is moving!"
When Narisone looked at the imperial army, he saw a single man walking toward them.
"What in the world...?"
He continued to approach without stopping even upon reaching the midpoint between the two armies.