FMRV | Chapter 19

At least if you were a soldier of this Empire, you would know what this signal meant. Theo hardened his expression and quickly picked up his pace. Luke, who had been following behind him, unconsciously trailed after him.

“Luke, did you forget that you’re under suspension? Stay in your place.”

“Ah…”

Leaving behind a firm remark, Theo swiftly exited the dormitory building and headed towards the headquarters’ situation room. Along the way, he met other commanders who had heard the news, and they all moved together to the situation room. The fourth area housed the control room.

This place was the first to detect anomalies in the event of war or monster appearances. It was also the hub for communication networks from other divisions.

“What’s going on?”

The commander in charge of the situation room was the 2nd Division Commander, Roena Serlien. She was the only female commander in the Empire’s military. Her bright red hair was tied high and tight, and she let out a deep sigh as she addressed the gathered commanders.

“Two minutes ago, we detected a sudden surge of magical energy from the Eastern Division. After confirming, we received a report that numerous monsters appeared near the eastern border and were being led in an invasion by the Kingdom of Memvern.”

“Memvern?” Theo’s eyes widened.

“It seems the Empire has been thoroughly blindsided.”

After the Hanos family incident, Memvern had completely backed down. They had been committing disgraceful acts by planting spies in a warring country, which, of course, went against basic decency. While nations could not always adhere strictly to noble methods in conflicts, the issue was whether such schemes were exposed or not.

Memvern, having revealed its shame once through that incident, had sent a signal of surrender to the Empire. The same nation that had picked a fight over control of half of the Rotelli maritime zone had now brought up the subject of a peace treaty.

“So the peace treaty was just a ruse to lower our guard?”

Theo clenched his fists tightly. This was undoubtedly a failure of the Imperial Army. They should never have relaxed their vigilance or eased their precautions.

“By bringing monsters, does that mean they’re launching a ground invasion?”

Even Leo, who always wore a smile, asked with a serious face.

“That’s right. Unlike last time, they’re approaching from the ground, not through naval combat.”

Memvern, being a nation developed through maritime ventures, was far more skilled in naval combat than in ground battles. However, for them to abandon their strong suit and invade through a new front suggested a significant shift in their weaponry. Perhaps…

“Is that why they’re relying on monsters?”

“It’s highly likely.”

Roena nodded in agreement with Theo’s assumption.

“They’re currently approaching the third barrier at the eastern border, using monsters to break through. At this rate, they’ll reach the main barrier in no time. Judging by the way the barrier is being destroyed, it won’t hold for long.”

At that moment, the situation room doors opened, and Veil entered. With the appearance of the Supreme Commander, Theo, Leo, Roena, and all the other commanders immediately halted their actions and stood at attention to pay their respects.

“I will now issue directives.”

Veil’s commanding voice echoed powerfully through the room, filled with an unusual solemnity.

“Their goal is to occupy the Eastern Division and its key regions.”

Their intention was likely to hold the eastern territories hostage to fully claim rights over the Rotelli waters.

“The 1st, 7th, and 3rd Divisions will move to the eastern border and engage on the front lines. Meanwhile, the 5th Division will cross the Uric Mountains to the rear, cutting off their retreat and eliminating their base.”

Normally, such tasks were not assigned to the 5th Division but rather to the Special Forces. Detached from the main battlefield, it was always Luke’s Special Forces unit that operated in smaller, agile teams.

“The 2nd Division will oversee this situation room and manage communication crystals for everyone, while the 4th Division will join forces with the Eastern Division to prioritize evacuating the local residents! Under no circumstances should we let their plans succeed! Now, move out!”

At Veil’s resounding command, the commanders quickly left the situation room.

The warm sunlight poured down over the streets. This serene and comforting scene was the very symbol of peace. Ludrain Square, as always, bustled with busy citizens, their faces free of any worry.

The Heinern Empire, often considered one of the best places to live. This reputation signified that it was a land where danger seldom reached, and even if it did, the Empire had the strength to confront it. A nation grows through wealth, thrives on culture, and protects itself with military power. Behind such trust and strength stood the Imperial Army, known as the sword and guardian deity of the Empire.

In the Magic Preservation Zone, an uncountable number of soldiers had gathered. Clad in their combat uniforms, every soldier stood in perfectly aligned ranks without a single deviation. From above, it would appear like countless dots neatly arranged at equal intervals.

“We will now move to the eastern border.”

Standing confidently at the forefront was Theo. On either side of him were Leo and Mile.

“Forget what you know about Memvern from past battles! They’ve invaded with a new weapon—monsters.”

Theo’s grand and imposing voice made the soldiers nervously swallow their breaths.

“But that poses no issue for us. Whether it’s monsters or humans, it’s the duty of our soldiers to eliminate anything that threatens the safety of the Empire!”

“Yes, sir!” The soldiers shouted in unison.

“There are only two things you need to focus on.”

Behind them, a massive warp magic circle was slowly forming.

“Defeat the enemy and, no matter what happens, stay alive.”

With those final words, a thunderous cheer erupted from the soldiers. The warp began activating, sucking in the vast number of troops all at once.

“Pale!”

“Y-Yes…?”

Pale, who had obediently been keeping out of the way as Theo had ordered, was crouched against a wall. Startled by Luke’s sudden yell, he shot up like a spring.

“You’re with the administrative unit. Can’t you figure out what’s going on?”

“Huh? Ah… yes!”

Glancing briefly at the still-glowing communication crystal, Pale nodded and quickly ran out of the dormitory.

Not long after, Pale returned with information. He reported the sudden invasion by Memvern, their use of monsters, and their plan to hold the eastern region hostage.

“Memvern is using monsters?”

“Yes. And it doesn’t seem like they’re just low-level ones.”

Still catching his breath from running, Pale added more details.

Compared to the Empire, Memvern’s military strength was significantly inferior. The reason they had managed to sustain a prolonged war with the powerful Heinern Empire was their exceptional naval combat capabilities.

Battles with Memvern had always occurred at sea, never on land. For them to launch a ground invasion against the land-combat-proficient Empire, and to do so with a sneak attack, could only mean one thing.

“Do they… have some kind of ace up their sleeve?”

Luke muttered under his breath. When it came to magic, Memvern lagged far behind other nations. They were struggling to keep up with the continent’s trend of strengthening military power through magic.

To utilize monsters, one needed a special magic known as “subjugation.” This rare and complex magic required skilled sorcerers, of which there were very few. Could Memvern, so behind in magical development, really possess such subjugation sorcerers?

“This doesn’t feel right… Pale.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know the current deployment of the Imperial Army?”

“Actually, I thought you might ask, so I looked into it.”

Pale spread out a detailed map of the eastern region.

“The core area near the border, where Memvern has launched their attack, is being handled by the 1st, 3rd, and 7th Divisions.”

Theo and Leo were among the Empire’s top-tier combatants. And while he was annoying, Mile’s attack-focused magic was highly effective in battle.

“And the 5th Division is here.”

Pale moved his finger from the border to a point further back. The Eastern Division headquarters and the border were surrounded by the massive Uric Mountains, known for their treacherous terrain. Even seasoned navigators often lost their way there.

“The 5th Division’s mission is to traverse the mountain and target Memvern’s base from behind, cutting off their forces’ retreat.”

Pale explained earnestly, glancing at Luke for his reaction. Normally, such a mission would fall to the Special Forces led by Luke. But Luke was currently under suspension, unable to act while others were out in the field.

“Uh… Commander.”

“What.”

Even in such a situation, Luke seemed entirely focused on gathering intel about the ongoing war. Pale hesitated, feeling a pang of concern. Was it really okay to share all this with him?

“You’re not… thinking of joining the war, are you?”

Luke, who had been studying the map intently, raised his head. He met Pale’s eyes and then smirked mischievously.

“Of course not. What do you take me for? I’m under suspension—how could I possibly move?”

“Right? Haha, I was worrying over nothing…”

“I’m just curious. Sure, it’s a shame not to be out there earning glory, but oh well. I’ll just take this time to rest.”

Luke stretched and yawned as if to show he wasn’t bothered. Pale let out a quiet sigh of relief. Right, no matter how reckless or unpredictable Luke was, he wouldn’t defy orders while under punishment.

“Pale, I’m planning to stay holed up in my room all day and sleep, so don’t bother keeping an eye on me. Just focus on your own tasks.”

“Ah, yes, sir!”

With Pale saluting him, Luke turned away. But as he did, his expression changed. His face was now set with a firm resolve.