Imperial War (2)
The city of Tarak in the Tulk Kingdom was flowing hectic with busy people even today.
The number of monsters descending from the northern mountains has decreased, and large-scale troops have begun to reside around the Steel Fortress, and things are slowly regaining stability…
Since the situation was not completely over yet, it was easy to see mercenaries and merchants all busy moving around the streets.
And, of course, Hubert Corporation, which had grown into one of the largest merchant companies in Tarak, was one of them.
“…Then let’s deal with it that way, what was the result of the appraisal of the jewels entrusted earlier?”
The office of the owner of the large building that housed the Hubert Trading Company.
Hubert, who recently returned from long-term care, glanced at an executive while rummaging through papers.
“Yes, as a result of requesting an appraisal from Tarak’s Precious Metals Guild and the three Mage Towers, all of them responded violently as expected by the Lord.”
It was Hubert, who had even been rumored to have died secretly, but he was preparing for a new business right after his return, as if to prove that all of them were false rumors.
Right away, to distribute the ‘global synthetic gem’ that I thought before.
At a time when society is in full swing, it can be said that it is a precious metal, but for those who originally had it, it was this item that did not cover the time.
‘There must be many people who would rather organize other assets and exchange them for easy-to-storage precious metals, so now is the right time to start this business.’
The synthetic gem he brought back wasn’t just a cubic imitation.
Make sure to read from noble mtl com
Made of high-purity materials in a high-temperature, high-pressure laboratory environment, it was a physically, chemically, and optically perfect jewel.
As such, it was characterized by being very clean with fewer inclusions than natural gemstones, and in Auterica, it was exceptional enough to feel alien.
To the extent that the appraisers of the precious metal combination were confused all at once.
‘The value of a luxury item is determined by how rare it is. It has a weakness that it cannot be used as a medium for magic, but that will also be a unique selling point.’
As if to prove him, the wizards were also showing great interest in this.
After all, it was just a pretty stone with no practical use for them, but it was rather an element that stimulated curiosity.
No matter how much I check it, it must be a gem, but the characteristics it possesses are so different from the objects I have seen so far.
“…So, we’ve been actively looking for purchases of not only the Magic Tower, but also the Precious Metal Combination. Maybe because of its rarity, but there was a look that made me feel a bit burdened.”
In the end, it was said that the first line of synthetic gemstones from Earth was very successful.
I didn’t intend to release too much in the first place, but I was the only one in the world who could supply this in earnest anyway, so there was no need to wrap it up too tightly.
“You can expect a publicity effect through them. Since this is the first transaction, please proceed with the negotiations at a slight discount.”
This premium product, which will be sold in small quantities, will be of great help to Hubert Corporation to grow its scale in the future.
Originally, rare jewels were perfect for bribes.
‘Of course, before that, I’ll need to pay tribute to the counts of Aonia, the owners of this land.’
It was because of Harley, but anyway, he has helped me a lot in many ways, so shouldn’t I show this level of sincerity?
Compared to the benefits to be gained from it, the original price of the jewel was not too expensive.
“Oh… and Marvin?”
“Yes! Overlord. Did you call?”
Just before the meeting ended, a bearded man quickly answered Hubert’s low name.
He was the person in charge of the eastern expansion of the Chamber of Commerce, which was credited with establishing trade with the empire beyond the eastern border through all efforts.
“I have something to say about the Empire, so please wait.”
“Empire… are you talking about it? Yes, I understand.”
The right attitude of a merchant is not to miss even a small opportunity.
In this way, Hubert was diligently fulfilling his duties as a merchant today.
***
The Continental Summit, which has been going on for a long time, has finally come to an end.
Of course, all the discussions were not over, and the first meeting was just over, but it was of great significance that the discordant forces came together and agreed.
Representatives from each country began to return through the gates of the Great War one by one.
However, among them, there were those who were unexpectedly stopped by the church…
It was none other than the delegation led by the crown prince of the Azerion Empire, Simon Carte Azerion.
“What is that? So, are you telling us not to go back to the Empire now?”
“Oh, it’s not like that. I just want to warn you that it could be dangerous if you die now.”
“Huh—we are heading to Jeron, the capital of the Azerion Empire. That means Jeron is dangerous. What is your basis for saying that?”
The aristocrats who had accompanied the crown prince as aides sought the bishop of the Great Temple, who had caught their footsteps.
Since he was the opponent, he couldn’t even treat him carelessly, and he licked his lips, noticing the prince looking at him displeasedly from behind.
“Um, these are the words the Holy Son said himself. I don’t know the exact details, but it seems that there will be a change in Jeron.”
“Yes? So just listen to one person and tell us…”
“It is not just one person, but the Holy Son. He is also the one who received revelations directly from the Lord God.”
The bishop’s voice, which had been persuading him softly from beginning to end, became slightly sharper at the words he had casually uttered as if he was absurd.
It seemed that the careless words touched his heart.
“Hmmm… No, I mean, if it’s not forced, we’ll just go our own way…”
That moment when the aide cleared his throat lightly and opened his mouth again at the reaction beyond his expectations.
“I am grateful for your concern.”
The prince, who had been watching quietly from behind, cut off those words with a cold voice and came in.
“I am the crown prince of the empire, and the capital, Jeron, is like a home to me. Even if a problem arises, I can fully cope with it, but if a problem really arises, I should rather deal with it on the spot. Do you think the church is not a matter to discuss?”
Crown Prince Simon didn’t like the current situation itself.
Even if it wasn’t so, it was true that they had heard reports that the Church’s interference with the troops dispatched to the principality had recently intensified, so what they were seeing now also seemed to be some kind of political maneuver.
Of course, as long as the name of the church and saint is worthy, the warning will not be completely empty.
They sensed something, so they must be saying this.
But if he listens to them and stops and hides in a safe place, that becomes a bigger problem.
‘The situation is different from leaving the seat to participate in the summit meeting. If I’m not careful, it could give Riley an excuse.’
In addition, he was proud of his country and had confidence in the defense of the capital.
The Empire took the recent raid on the Great Temple as a lesson, and from then until now, it has been concentrating its efforts on strengthening the imperial castle.
No matter how strong the church is, the Azerion Empire is unquestionably the world’s most powerful country.
The size, resources, and population of the territory actually controlled were different from those of the church, and the defense of the capital, where the national power was concentrated, was nothing short of a fortress.
‘Yes, even if that opponent is the Immortal King. As long as he doesn’t bring the whole Undead Army, it’s not going to be a small number like when he attacked the Great War.’
Prince Simon sincerely thought so…
The most important thing was his own safety, so he did not completely ignore the church’s warning.
He asked his country for more security than usual just in case, and even hired additional escort troops to exercise pressure on the capital’s defense forces.
After about a day of preparation, I crossed the gate and moved to the Great Temple of Jerone.
…all those efforts too.
Although it was already in someone’s palm.
***
[Oh-ho— indeed, it deserves to be called the capital of an empire.]
Above the sea of clouds that spreads under your feet.
Hans, who was covered in darkness all over his body, was looking down at the ground with deep eyes that absorbed even light.
The defense of the empire’s capital, Geron, seen through the “eyes of the abyss” was certainly not normal.
No matter how much resources and manpower were invested, the center where the imperial palace was located was densely covered with all sorts of magic techniques, and the barriers that stretched out in all directions like a spider’s web centered there were also at a level that could not be ignored.
‘The ability to search around the capital is beyond what was supposed to be. If I get a little closer here, I’ll be able to find out no matter how much I hide my energy.’
It was possible to avoid the detection of the saintess with the entire continent as its range, but there was no way to do anything about the form of intensive monitoring of a certain range like the barrier spread over that city.
The energy itself possessed by the Immortal King was so frenzied that it was impossible to hide it beyond that.
‘It’s on a different level from Tobea, which was a satellite city. Maybe that’s why I put more effort into defending the capital. It’s only natural that the nearby city was robbed not too long ago.’
In addition, the warning given in the name of the church through Heinrich must have played a part.
In a way, it could be said that it was a square, but Hans didn’t care about that anymore.
‘Anyway, this side has prepared a lot more than usual.’
As this is a very important scenario, I invested generously in the things I had collected so far.
To give a strong impression, wouldn’t it be more effective the bigger the scale is?
‘It’s about time.’
Similarly, timing was also a hugely important factor, but that also didn’t matter too much to him.
And finally.
‘Let’s start now.’
Hans, floating on the clouds, fell like a meteorite.
Beep! Beep-!
Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding—!
At the same time, loud alarms went off in the city, but he didn’t care and accelerated faster.
Whoops!
Enormous energy that enveloped and radiated the entire city in an instant.
In the blink of an eye, it activated numerous magic tricks, and as if it were a chain reaction, the spread of light colored the city beautifully.
Kwaaang-!
Immediately after, Hans’ body collided with the barrier surrounding the capital.
[Kuhuhuhh—I was quite concerned, but I couldn’t stop blocking this body with just this kind of barrier.]
He lightly tore through the sparking barrier and stepped inside, looking around.
Beep-! Beep!
The first thing he saw was the huge imperial palace in the center of the city, which had become an impregnable fortress due to the densely activated magic.
All sorts of abilities such as magic, sorcery, and alchemy came together to create synergy—a figure that was no different from the mysterious crystal representing the Auterica dimension.
‘How much money did you put on it… Seeing it properly activated is more spectacular than I thought. Even Hans will need quite a bit of time to break it down.’
In the first place, his purpose was not to directly attack the imperial palace, but…
Isn’t it polite to come all the way to the capital and just pass by after seeing that?
‘It would be the right thing to say hello.’
That way they’ll feel it’s worth the money they spent!
Hans opened his mouth quietly, holding in his heart a warm consideration that no one knew.
[Come on, come out. Enthracio, Heratos.]
At the same time, the darkness that covered his body wriggled and engulfed the surroundings in an instant…
Two huge shadows burst out from within, tearing through the space.
[Quooo——!]
[Kyaaa——!]
Two Bone Dragons roaring with strong winds.
But they were just the beginning.
[Then Olivia, I’ll leave the leadership of the others to you.]
[Please leave it to me… Girl, I will do my best to fulfill the king’s command…]
The officers of the immortal army appearing around him one by one…
Whoops—!
“aaagh!”
Pew-!
“Quickly evade!”
Black smoke rose from all over the city along with explosions.
The slaves who had infiltrated beforehand… no, the extras began to work at the same time as Hans’ invasion signaled.
‘That’s where it started. After all, it’s the capital, so there are more places to rob than Tobea. Well, I’ll have to survive on my own after the job is over.’
Of course, even if you survive like that, the only thing left is the future to be put into the next field, but if you’re lucky, isn’t it possible to survive to the end?
Originally, hope was everything.
[Kuhuhu— Ah, that’s good! This is the prelude to ruin! Mortals, remember my name! I am the Immortal King, Hannibal Strauss! Ha ha ha—!]
With self-appeal that doesn’t miss the timing like that.
Finally, the Immortal King directly invaded Jeron, the capital of the empire.
