Sword of Salvation-Chapter 113: - Battle; Pawn and Bishop (4)

After traveling at high speed from Vallhamoza for two and a half days, Zalestino and his army finally saw the silhouette of Bluemoza City.

However, Zalestino and his troops abruptly stopped when a group of masked individuals—one wearing a white mask and the rest wore black—suddenly emerged from behind the trees on their right, left, and front. In total, there were 47 of them. The white-masked woman was most likely their leader.

"Arrogant," Zalestino muttered. "Do you think you can stop me and my army with just 47 of you?"

Zalestino didn’t wait for an answer. He immediately ordered his elite troops to attack the black-masked opponents. Meanwhile, he himself launched forward, targeting the white-masked woman. He didn’t care when he saw the Ultores necklace around her neck. Zalestino was determined to eliminate anyone who dared to block his path.

"Subdue everything with your roar, Lion Legend Regalia!"

As his body unleashed an explosion of energy, Zalestino’s hands and feet transformed into golden lion limbs. His eyes, fangs, and ears also changed. He even grew a tail and a lion’s mane. His body became slightly larger. Flames enveloped him as he swung his right claw, aiming to tear off the white-masked woman’s head.

"...Envy King Leviathan."

Zalestino barely heard those three words. Before his claw could reach its target, the emperor was sent flying by an explosion of energy unleashed by the woman.

Zalestino managed to regain his balance and landed on both feet. However, the masked woman had already dashed toward him, wielding two kunai. The emperor attempted to raise his hand and release a wave of fire, but suddenly, he found his movements had slowed drastically. He struggled to break free from whatever was affecting him, but he couldn’t.

"?!"

Panic and fear began to consume the emperor. Zalestino’s eyes widened in horror at the sight of the prana-coated kunai aimed at his neck. He desperately tried to open his mouth, wanting to scream that he would do anything as long as she didn’t kill him. But Zalestino couldn’t make a sound. No matter how hard he tried to move his lips, they refused to open.

Time seemed to freeze for Zalestino—there was no other conclusion he could draw.

Jrash!

When the sound of the kunai slicing through his neck echoed, everything seemed to return to normal.

A sudden surge of pain bombarded the emperor’s mind. His vision spun. It didn’t take long for Zalestino to realize that his head had been severed from his body.

Thud!

His head hit the ground. His vision twisted as his head rolled across the ground. It finally stopped after bumping against the base of a tree and rolling once more. His sight gradually darkened.

I... this...

A single leaf fell before the emperor, triggering a memory in his mind.

’My dream is to make this empire the strongest and most prosperous land on this continent. I want the neighboring nations to love this country as well. I want to make this land peaceful and kind to everyone.’

’Hahaha. That’s easy. You can definitely do it, Father. I’m sure of it!’

’Hahaha. If you think it’s easy, you wouldn’t mind fulfilling that dream for me if I fail, would you?’

’Hah! If you fail, I’ll make your dream my top priority. I’ll become the greatest emperor Moskvallha has ever seen! This isn’t just talk—it’s my life and death promise!’

Zalestino had buried that memory deep within his mind, but now it resurfaced so vividly. Remembering the proud smile his father had given him that day....

I have truly strayed from your dream, huh?

That regret-filled question echoed in his mind, and it was the last thought Zalestino had before darkness fully consumed him.

Celinee said nothing as she gazed at Zalestino’s lifeless head. She immediately shifted her focus to the soldiers fighting against the 46 half-demons. Even though the enemies outnumbered them five to one, the half-demons dominated the battlefield, slaughtering the soldiers one by one.

As some of them realized Zalestino’s death, part of the army retreated to join the tens of thousands of stunned troops in formation, while the unlucky ones were killed.

"I offer you two choices," Celinee declared loudly, her eyes piercing through the soldiers. "Return to the capital and report this to the emperor’s successor, or die. Choose wisely. If you return, you may also take his body with you."

No one liked Celinee’s offer, but none of them wanted to die. With heavy hearts, the soldiers chose the first option and took their emperor’s corpse.

Celinee and her 46 subordinates returned to Bluemoza after a dozen minutes.

Upon her arrival, Celinee found Mariel waiting for her, accompanied by Julia and three of her guards. It seemed Mariel had finished hid task as well. That meant only the final stage remained.

"You killed him?" Mariel asked.

Celinee nodded. "But I managed to force the soldiers to retreat without killing most of them," she added. "What about you? Did you find any World Order’s member?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Mariel nodded and briefly explained his actions.

"The situation will become troublesome in the future."

Mariel nodded again. He whispered a few sentences into Celinee’s ear. Celinee sighed upon hearing it, but she still nodded. She had yet to finish training King Maggio’s daughter. She wouldn’t be able to join Mariel until next month.

"In that case, you should summon all your troops. I will open a portal so you can return directly to Iresvilea. Julia and I will meet Stewart after everyone has left."

—ooO[ Eolamoza City ]Ooo—

Stewart and his troops successfully occupied the city last night, but they did not immediately continue the expedition. Stewart decided to give his soldiers two days to rest. They would resume their expedition the day after tomorrow. That was what he had thought until eleven minutes ago.

However, Stewart changed his mind the moment he saw his younger sister stepping out of a dimensional portal that suddenly appeared a few meters in front of him—in the former mayor’s office, where he had executed the previous occupant for refusing to submit.

Julia was not alone. Sean and Stewart’s two trusted guards were with her. And along with them was Mariel Allvar. They had arrived so suddenly, just as the sun was about to set.

Julia explained that Mariel had saved her from the kidnapping. She went on to say that Mariel had helped her seek assistance from King Maggio to attack the empire. She also mentioned that Princess Athenia was planning the emperor’s downfall. But what caught Stewart’s attention the most was Julia’s explanation about Great Human Council and World Order, and their role behind Emperor Zalestino’s actions—who had already been slain by mercenaries hired by King Maggio.

"I also have a letter from Empress Athenia for you," Mariel said as he handed over an official imperial envelope. "This letter ensures that the empire will not continue its intentions, so that you will cease your attack and order Denland’s forces to leave this land."

Julia took the envelope and gave it to Stewart. He immediately opened it and read the contents. Though it was not as detailed and comprehensive as Julia’s explanation, the message was the same as his sister’s words. It also confirmed what Mariel had said—that Athenia was now the new ruler of the empire.

"What if I refuse her invitation and continue the attack?" Stewart asked with a serious expression.

Julia, who had not expected him to say such a thing, opened her mouth to speak, but Stewart raised his hand faster, signaling her to stay silent before she could utter a word.

"With Viertino and Zalestino dead, with so many of their forces fallen, and with the empire in its current state... I think this is a great opportunity for me to take control of this land. What if I decide that?"

Stewart’s eyes locked intensely onto Mariel’s crimson gaze, showing that he was entirely serious.

"I have two tasks for coming here," Mariel replied calmly. "The first task is to return Julia and deliver the letter. The second task is to respond to your decision. If you accept the invitation, I will escort you there safely. But if you refuse, I must ensure that you no longer breathe in this land. Since throwing you all through a portal would take time, I will simply kill you all."

Mariel smiled warmly after saying that, but his eyes conveyed absolute seriousness.

"Mariel, you can’t say that!" Julia glared at Mariel while lightly punching his chest. "Brother Stewart was just joking! I know he has no such intentions."

Mariel took Julia’s hand and pulled her close until their foreheads touched.

Julia was taken aback by the sudden gesture, but Mariel merely gave her a sweet smile.

"No need to worry," Mariel said softly. "I won’t kill you or Sean. You promised to accompany me to climb Tower of the Nine Gods when I visit Denland, remember?"

Stewart’s lips and eyes twitched at the scene before him, and his irritation multiplied when he noticed his sister’s cheeks turning red.

"Besides, I’m sure you’re still upset about what I did that night. I’ll take responsibility. So, when we go to the tower, I—"

Mariel deliberately left his sentence unfinished as sparks of lightning began to surround Stewart’s body.

"WHAT.DID.YOU.DO.TO.MY.SISTER?!"

"Eh, do you really want to know?" Mariel asked with an innocent look.

But before Mariel could continue, Julia had already clamped her hand over his mouth. She turned to face her brother and hissed, "Brother Stewart, please tell Mariel that you were joking. Tell Mariel that you will order the troops to return to Denland. Tell him that we will accept Empress Athenia’s invitation. And lastly, forget whatever Mariel just said. Understood?"

Julia ended her statement with an overly sweet smile and closed eyes.

Stewart fell silent. The sparks of lightning around him disappeared. His head nodded slowly—his mouth too stiff to speak.

"See? Brother Stewart was just joking," Julia continued as she turned back to face Mariel. "So, Mariel, you won’t kill him or massacre our kingdom’s soldiers. And most importantly, you must never speak to anyone about what happened that night. You understand, right?"

Seeing Mariel nod, Julia smiled sweetly and invited everyone to sit. No one complained. They all took seats on the available chairs and sofas. Even Mariel—who was unaware that his blood was racing—was no exception.

...Mariel was captivated by the beautiful princess, and he did not realize it yet.