As per the royal decree of Emperor Sephiros, Ares was appointed as the delegation for the Schwarzer Territory.
After Ares finished talking with Edgar, he summoned his three retainers⌠Sigurd, Shion, and George to come.
[This time I will follow you.]
After hearing the matter at hand, Sigurd unhesitatingly responded. Shion merely let out a small smile. While George retained his expressionless look.
[Thatâs exactly what Iâm planning to do. George is an indispensible figure for the territory at the moment and Shion is essential in case of emergencies.]
Ares glanced at the two as he spoke.
[This time Iâll be joining the war as a commander. Therefore we will need Sigurdâs forces.]
When Ares is absent, Shion will be the one making the strategic decisions in case of an emergency. Meanwhile George is the chief officer of the territoryâs management and thus cannot leave the territory.
The role that Ares will take this time was that of a commander. Heâll require armed forces. Thatâs why Sigurdâs expertise is needed.
[Ares-sama, this time around, how many soldiers you are going to bring?]
Ares then replied to Sigurdâs question.
[Ah. His Majesty requested for 3000 soldiersâŚ.. This time I think Iâll bring theăBlack Legionăfrom myăBroken Legionă . With the total number of 5000 cavalry.]
[Nha!? Why bring out the Black Legion?! Isnât it better to bring Schwarzer Territory soldiers instead?]
Sigurd was surprised. The reply to his question immediately came.
[Well, itâs the chance for theăBroken Legionăto cause a major impact to the empire. Isnât that too good of an opportunity to miss? Moreover, this will also be their first real battle. Weâll need a good opponent for those fellows. Isnât the army of Grantz Princ.i.p.ality, known as one of the strongest army in the continent, going to be the best pick?]
Sigurd seemed to be not satisfied by Shionâs answer.
[But I still donât agree to bring 5000 when all we required to bring is just 3000.]
Those are well-trained elites prepared since a young age.
At present, theăBroken Legionăhas become something like a goal for the soldiers of the Schwarzer territory.
AlsoâŚ..everyone in territory knows it already. Of the unusual strength of thisăBroken Legionă
This time Ares planned to bring with him the Black Legion which has the most destructive power among the Broken Legions.
The reason is just as Shion said already.
Emperor Sephiros loves capable individuals, but he is harsh on the incompetent ones. What Ares wanted from this battle are [Fame] and [Trust] from the Emperor. And in order to do that, heâll have to win the war. Moreover, his true goal is not âonlyâ to win, but to win in the most overwhelming and impressive way.
[If we achieve the desired result, weâll gain the Emperorâs trust. And that way, Schwarzer clanâs influence will also be strengthened and more clans might come to serve under our wings. And perhaps at lastâŚ.]
[More demi-humans will be liberated, correct?]
George who had been silent up until then finally opened his mouth.
[Yes. By having more areas under our control, weâll be able to free the local demi-humans more easily.]
After saying so, Ares once again gave the three a look.
[To that end, we canât accept anyone involved in power struggle in the imperial capital. Those people are the kind that will betray us if the wind changes direction. Even after witnessing our overwhelming strength, there is no guarantee that they will obey me unconditionally.]
And then Ares laughed.
[Iâve already told this to everyone, but once again, my goal is to create a nation where everyone can live equally and without discrimination. I will do anything to reach that purpose. This war might be His Majestyâs foothold in unifying the continent. But itâs also a stepping stone for me to reach my dream.]
Afterward, Ares headed to his personal stable alone.
He went there to meet his beloved steed [Saint].
As Ares entered the stable, he found that Saint was sleeping there.
[Saint, Iâll be leaving to the Imperial capital. Itâs unfortunate, but there will be war again.]
Hearing his voice, the white horse opened its eyes.
ăAnother war? Humankind really loves to wage war, arenât they?ă
Saying so, this white horse called Saint slowly stood up on all fours.
Its size is a bit smaller than a regular horse but its supple and tight body isnât inferior, but even better than others. It also had two horns in its head. The manes were majestic white.
But the most surprising aspect is that itâs capable of conversing with humans.
[Saint as aăKirinăwonât understand what the people has suffered throughâŚ.even I, to be honest, still have a lot that I donât understand]
ăKirină
They are a rare existence and wonât usually show themselves to humans. Meeting one is considered to be an extremely lucky incident.
It possesses enormous magic power and its violent lightning storm earned it the t.i.tle of [Legendary Beast]. It wonât be possible to subdue it with only one army division.
[Iâll be there regardless, be it to the battlefield or to the depths of h.e.l.l, Iâll follow you no matter where you go. You are, after all, my master.]
Saying that, Saint neighed.
[Moreover, you still act humble as usual. As my master you should try to act more proud.]
[âŚ.thatâs, perhaps because Saint lives longerâŚ.but thank you for your patience. Anyways, letâs stop the talking about this master thingyâŚ. Itâs scary.]
A few days later, Ares left Romaria.
Serving under him this time was the brave warrior Sigurd, and 5000 strong cavalry of the [Black Legion].
And the one watching him at the gate.
[Perhaps, this war will bring a great change to the continentâŚ.weâll have to make preparationsâŚ.]
Shion wrinkled his eyebrows in his lonesome, thinking.