Published: July 3, 2025
The largest city in the Eastern Kingdom, Wingston.
Once the capital of the Duchy of Shrewsbury, it is now home to the main force of the Imperial Expeditionary Army.
Of course, the Supreme Commander Marquis Mewzel and Chief Vice Officer Viscount Linus Warner were also present there.
"Linus, what is the status of the rebellion led by Duke Morgrund?"
"It seems to be in the process of being suppressed. It is said that Emperor himself has gone to quell it, accompanied by the imperial mage brigade led by Princess Fiona."
"Is that so? So the blazing flame mage who was in Count Gorter Territory has headed to the Empire’s mainland..."
"Most likely from the south, intercepting the Duke Morgrund's territory."
Marquis Mewzel's expression was complex.
As an imperial noble, Duke Morgrund was his greatest rival.
Having him removed was not necessarily a bad thing.
However, from the perspective of opposing the emperor, the reduction in the noble faction's strength was significant.
It was only natural that he could not feel completely pleased.
Marquis Mewzel himself harbored no particular rebellion against the emperor.
Indeed, he was a great noble representing the Empire, but to be honest, he was satisfied with the current situation.
However, he knew that his son felt differently.
He feared that his son had an unhealthy attachment to the throne.
For this reason, when he was appointed the Supreme Commander of this expedition, he requested the emperor to allow his son Linus to accompany him as Chief Vice Officer.
Leaving him behind in the Empire could lead to unforeseen consequences.
One could not predict what he might get involved in.
Though he did not consider himself foolish, he was fully aware that his son lacked the experience to survive in the court... this was something he knew as a father.
"Linus, what about the transportation we discussed?"
"The 'black powder,' you mean? The last transport unit should have crossed the Empire's borders by now. We have confirmed the arrival of all previous units to the mainland."
"I see. At least the minimum role has been fulfilled. Now, it's up to King Abel..."
Marquis Mewzel nodded and said, "Our army, including reinforcements from the marquisate, has a total strength of 28,000. The Southern Army led by King Abel is also a little under 30,000, so our numbers are roughly equal. If the enemy has the same numbers, no one can defeat our Imperial Army."
Linus declared.
This was by no means an exaggeration.
Compared to the armies of the Central Nations, which inflate their numbers with militias, the Imperial Army was different.
While noble armies like the marquisate's included militias, the main Imperial forces were all composed of professional soldiers.
Excluding the imperial guards, the knight orders were separate entities. The magical associations were also distinct.
In addition to those, there was a group of professional soldiers known as the "Imperial Army."
This time, under Marquis Mewzel's command, the eighth imperial army, totaling 15,000 men, was also incorporated.
Although it was just a fraction of the rumored total of 500,000 troops in the Empire, it was still a considerable fighting force when compared to the Royal Army.
Along with Marquis Mewzel's forces, the core of the new expedition army was the "Imperial Seventh Magical Army."
Even though the blazing flame mage Oscar had returned to the Empire's mainland, the Imperial Seventh Magical Army, composed of 2,000 mages capable of offensive magic, was a formidable force.
Moreover, the commander of this Seventh Magical Army was Count Guter Osterlmann, who had a good relationship with Marquis Mewzel, which bolstered Mewzel's confidence.
Oscar was certainly a powerful mage, and the imperial mage brigade trained by him was also a formidable group of mages, but they were, after all, a unit directly under the emperor.
Officially, Marquis Mewzel had no command authority over them, and it was undeniable that he felt some discomfort regarding that.
However, Count Osterlmann of the Seventh Magical Army was different.