Emperor of Steel

What the messenger delivered was a report from Baron Hudson, former head of Argos and currently the Intelligence chief of Symphonia Kingdom.

He reported that an unknown epidemic had spread rapidly in Nemesis, the capital of the Baroque Empire, and in the process of controlling it, numerous patients were burned to death which lead to massive riots.

“Keuk, an unknown epidemic?”

Luke already knew that Rudolf was up to something with that Vers.

It was confirmed that the epidemic was surely Vers, however, the problem wasn’t clear whether it had happened because of an accidental leak, or whether it was a counter-attack from the Libiya Kingdom who had been made aware of the plague.

For that, Luke ordered Belfair to gather information from the officials of Hydra and the Baroque Intelligence immediately.

The next morning, Belfair came back with a report.

“Master, the epidemic spreading in the Nemesis is Vers. However, it isn’t clear if the Imperial magic tower had accidentally leaked it while moving, however, from the actions of Emperor Rudolf it is definite that it was unintentional.”

“That so.”

Luke was able to know who the suspect was.

‘Unless Rudolf turned completely insane, well even then, he wouldn’t risk his own people with a plague. He would never burn people who would support him and the capital was indeed made of his men. Besides, if an accident broke out in the Imperial magic tower, there should be patients in there too.’

Nevertheless, the first outbreak patients were in a residential area and a market, that was mentioned in the report from the other source.

At that time, only the Libiya Kingdom was likely to hold the virus.

Thinking so, Luke immediately brought out a crystal ball.

In addition, the coordinates placed to communicate were directly for Shaikan, and mana was infused.

Woong!

For a moment, the lights flashed on the ball, and then the face of Shaikan, well, Reichard appeared.

-What is it, King Luke?

Shaikan’s lip corners were slightly raised as if something good was happening around him.

Luke couldn’t help but frown.

“I heard that an epidemic was spreading in Nemesis, do you have anything to do with it?”

-Huh? what is that supposed to mean?

“The Vers which I spoke about seemed to have spread. Wasn’t it a reverse attack with the virus which you got in your hands the other day?”

At the words of Luke, Shaikan jumped.

-What are you talking about? You thought that I would do something like Rudolf even after having the dragon’s blood in me!

“Are you saying you wouldn’t?”

-Huh?! Who do you think you are looking at?! I would never give such an order, and our kingdom would never do something like that. It is disappointing that you would suspect me in mishandling and leaking it.

“If I did misunderstand, I will surely apologize to you later. But after doing some more digging, I’ll contact you again.”

After cutting off the communication with Shaikan, Luke was swelling up with anger.

“Dammit! That bloody Baroque men, not even one of them can be believed!”

In the conversation which happened a moment back, Shaikan had denied all the allegations placed by Luke, however, with the expression he had on his face, Luke knew something had to be done.

Although Shaikan did manage his expression as much as possible, there was no way he could fool a warlock who was called as the Devil King, the man who trembled the entire continent.

‘This is my fault. I should have done this myself without letting him know!’

Luke was feeling guilty for the people who got killed.

I thought that he should stop relaying any information to the Libiya Kingdom, no matter what kind of information it was in the future.

Belfair, who was next to him asked.

“Master, will you break the alliance with the Libiya Kingdom?”

“No, we will have to stop the Baroque Empire, so we need that alliance. Instead, I am not sure what Shaikan would do, so I need to spend more spies to the Libiya Kingdom.”

That was what Luke had decided.

If Shaikan was ambitious and driven with a blind goal, then he would surely do anything to the Baroque.

And Luke was currently holding hands with them for the same purpose, however, he had to avoid getting stabbed by the ones he was holding hands with.

That afternoon, Luke called for Baron Hudson.

He tried to tell him to increase the spies in the Libiya Kingdom, however, Hudson gave out some interesting information.

“Your Majesty, are you aware of Central army’s commander, Count Ferrero?”

“I do. Why?”

Count Ferrero was the best knight the Baroque Empire had.

He was excellent with armed battle, however, he proved himself to be very effective as a commander because of rich on-hands experience he learned.

Not long ago, Ferrero was trying to regain the Empire’s south forts of Variand mountain.

However, when the war with Libiya turned unsuccessful, he was called back by Rudolf to get back to the capital, leaving only the troops behind to guard the fort.

“When the epidemic spread and riots broke out in Nemesis, the Emperor’s orders to Count Ferrero were to subjugate the people. However, he refused the orders and was placed in prison.”

“What? What happened?”

To imprison a competent commander for not subjugating innocent people?!

Luke’s eyes flashed with anger due to the absurdity he heard.

An idea passed through his mind.

“Huhuhu. All is for our good. Let’s save Count Ferrero.”

“Sorry?”

“Let us bring him back to our Symphonia Kingdom.”

Thinking for a moment, Hudson nodded his head.

“It sounds like a pretty good idea.”

“Right?”

“Yes, bringing in Count Ferrero would help our Kingdom greatly. However, I think that it would be better to listen to the opinions of the military and the intelligence before we proceed with the rescue operation.”

At the words of Hudson, Luke immediately called for a meeting with the officials.

And nobody had any objection to say, so the mission to rescue Count Ferrero had begun right away.

Philip, who was defeated by Luke in the Avenger tests, was training till sweating in the royal 1st squad barracks.

“Will this work? No, this is how it needs to be done.”

He was training in the second half of the Gold Sword which he observed while Luke was using.

Luke had promised to teach the second half after coming back from the Southern Continent, however, only a few lessons had been done.

There was a reason why the second half of the sword wasn’t fully taught, it was because difficult events like war and founding took place one after the other.

Philip too knew it, which was why he was practicing by himself after observing Luke while performing it.

“Master, please take a break.”

At Anna’s words, Philip’s expression changed.

“Huh, master? Count or Commander is what you should be calling me.”

“Huhu. Sorry. It just comes out from my mouth.”

Anna was a member of the Unicorn Knights and was transferred 1st squad after the founding of Symphonia.

Philip who was dating her, held her hand.

“If that is awkward, then you can call me darling, I’d be fine with that too.”

“Huh, master… no, Count!”

Anna tried to hit Philip when he pulled her into a hug.

The members of Rakan Knights who never saw their commander in such good expression were cursing inwards.

Maybe a curse was successfully placed on him?

A royal knight from the palace entered the barracks and spoke to Philip.

“His Majesty has something to discuss, so he asked to come right away.”

“What? Now?”

“Yes, please start.”

Philip, who was asked immediately, went to the royal palace without even washing to meet Luke.

“Your Majesty, what is it?”

“Ah, nothing much, a moment back, Marquis Rogers and the Intelligence department came…”

At the next words of Luke, Philip’s eyes went wide.

“Huh? You want us to rescue Count Ferrero and bring him to Symphonia?”

“Yes, this will turn our Kingdom’s path.”

It was surprising enough that Count Ferrero, his former teacher was placed in prison, but even more shocking was the fact that Luke wanted him to be saved and bring him to Symphonia Kingdom.

But unlike Luke who was looking glad, Philip seemed rather stiff.

It was because he knew Count Ferrero’s personality.

“Count isn’t someone who can be turned so easily.”

“Then what do you think happened for him to change from neutral to aid the Emperor?”

Originally, Ferrero was a neutral noble.

And it was before a civil war broke out and he turned towards the Emperor.

At Luke’s question, Philip thought and answered.

“That Count was honoring Emperor Rudolf, the greatest knight on the continent. That was why he changed his stance after getting called by the Emperor himself.”

As Philip said, Count Ferrero was an avid follower.

He had a strong admiration for the strong and had a virtue of a knight.

“Then even I can use some power and force.”

What Luke said made Philip think of the Gold Sword.

Would Ferrero really leave the sword he was learning and take a new one?

Maybe that was an exaggeration.

Ferrero in the past knew of Luke’s skills and constantly asked for a battle.

As much as he was interested in the battle with Luke, he wasn’t someone who would lose.

“But why was Count Ferrero imprisoned?”

From what Philip knew, Count Ferrero was taken into the army by the Emperor’s words and was favored for his skills, he was turned into the commander of the Central Army.

Although letting go of the Variand Mountain was a mistake, what Ferrero did was a strategical retreat and it was the right decision too.

However, imprisoning an experienced Sword Master overnight made no sense to Philip.

“He had rejected the order of Rudolf to subjugate the riots.”

“Tch, so that was what happened. I always thought that Count’s personality didn’t go well with Rudolf…”

Hearing the entire details, Philip yelled at Luke.

“Please send me! I will bring him safely without hurting anyone!”

To save him from the dungeon of Nemesis, there was a need for skilled knights and wizards.

So Philip wanted to go.

He wanted to return the favor he had received from Count Ferrero in the past, but his main purpose was to use the second half of the Gold Sword and learn through the battles he would face in Nemesis.

Though he didn’t say it, Luke had called Philip because of his intention to send him there.

Though Philip claims not to be one, in Luke’s eyes, Philip too was a battle maniac like Count Ferrero.

“Nice. I will also come so get prepared.”

At Luke’s words, Philip was shocked.

“Your Majesty too?”

“Yes, I am the only one capable of disarming the traps and alarm magic circles in the dungeons.”

There were too many outstanding Sword Master knights in Symphonia Kingdom, but unfortunately, the only wizard to have 8th magic circle or above was Luke.

Of course, the Dark Moon magic tower had Meister Johas, but he was a warlock.

And he couldn’t be asked to accompany the knights, so Luke had to go.

‘Of course, I need to give a gift to Rudolf and this prize will be gold. Kuk!’

Luke smiled intently and Philip continued to discuss the rescue operation.