The Duke's Eldest Son Escaped to the Military
Chapter 247: The Holy Alliance Begins to Move (1)

Translator: Pai_

As soon as he heard Faulden's report, Iron stood up and immediately summoned the commanders and Masters.

Once everyone had gathered, from Ariel and Aiden who arrived first to the remaining commanders, Jaiden Wicks opened his mouth.

“I’ve heard the report.”

Everyone nodded at Jaiden Wicks' words.

“But we can't move the army to the West immediately. If we force the army to go west, at best we could send about the Western Army."

“I understand.”

Iron nodded as if he already knew in response to Jaiden Wicks’ words.

“In any case, since the Holy Alliance is showing signs of movement again, I must return.”

Everyone nodded at the words of the Western Commander.

Given that the Holy Alliance was showing signs of activity, it was only right for the commander who would lead the Western Army to return.

Currently, the western border of the Empire was being maintained by the forces sent from the central region and the remaining Western Army, but they were no match for the Holy Alliance.

“The central region is temporarily hiring mercenaries to reinforce the front lines, but it likely won’t be enough.”

At Iron’s words, the Western Commander nodded in agreement.

“Mercenaries can’t prepare for aerial combat. We need to return the entire Western Army.”

Other commanders also agreed with the Western Commander’s words.

The Holy Alliance was a problem, but the birdmen were also a major issue. If they aimed for a gap, the current Western Army would be helplessly crushed.

The airships and the Drake Knights supported by the central region were still inexperienced, so even just the Western Army needed to go.

“My apologies.”

At the Western Commander’s words, Jaiden Wicks shook his head.

“It can’t be helped.”

“Anyway, without the Frost Giant, the Ancient Species are nothing to worry about.”

“That’s true.”

At Lioner’s words, Terrion beside him nodded.

Humanity's army was growing, and they were currently pushing back the Ancient Species and reducing their numbers.

As a result, there was room to breathe, and even if the Western Army withdrew, it wouldn’t cause a problem.

Above all, it was important that more individuals, including Lioner and Terrion, were attempting to surpass the Wall.

The more people surpassed the Wall through battles against the Ancient Species, the stronger the humanity's military power would rapidly grow.

“Putting the Western Army aside... what about you?”

“I think I’ll have to go to the central region.”

At Iron’s words, Jaiden Wicks nodded as if he expected that.

Now that he had internal injuries, there was nothing more Iron could do here.

Instead, it was better for him to go to the central region and gather more detailed information about the West.

While he was already famous as humanity’s strongest force, what was even more well-known among the military was Iron’s tactical ability.

Iron’s tactical capabilities, famous since his Academy days, shone even brighter when he became a commander.

That’s why they could trust and entrust him.

“Will you be fine alone?”

At the central commander’s question, everyone turned to look at Iron.

Currently, the military’s influence in the central region was nearly zero.

That’s because all of the Imperial Army’s power and resources had been concentrated in the Northeast.

That was why the commanders showed worried expressions.

They were worried that their precious hero might be disrespected somewhere.

But Iron gave a faint laugh at their concern and said,

“Who would dare mess with me?”

Everyone in the Empire knew that Iron had reached Grand Master level.

“If you want, take some knights from the family.”

At Lioner’s words, Iron responded with a smile.

“I’m enough on my own.”

“...Alright.”

At Iron’s reply, Lioner nodded as if he understood.

Seeing the Family Head of the Lion Family quietly worrying about his son was unlike him, and everyone turned their heads, trying to suppress their laughter.

At their reactions, Lioner blushed slightly and said,

“If everything’s been said, we should end the meeting.”

At Lioner’s words, everyone cleared their throats and nodded, then stood up.

Thus, the meeting of the Masters concluded.

The Western Army would return to its original position, and Iron would assess the situation and send information to the Northeast.

According to the decision, Iron immediately prepared to head for the warp gate.

After informing Faulden in advance that he would be heading to the central region, Iron changed into his uniform and was moving toward the warp gate.

“Are you really planning to go alone?”

Ariel appeared behind him at some point and asked as she followed him.

Iron smiled at her and answered.

“Yes. Grow stronger while I’m gone. The battles ahead will be even tougher.”

“…Yes.”

Satisfied with Ariel’s answer, Iron nodded and spoke.

“I’ll be counting on the Mobile Field Army, Deputy Commander.”

At the mention of “Deputy Commander” Ariel blushed slightly in embarrassment and bowed her head a little.

Iron looked at her fondly as if he found her cute, patted her on the shoulder, and was about to turn to leave.

“Hyung!”

“Aiden?”

At that moment, Aiden came rushing toward Iron in a hurry.

“How’s your body? Are you alright?”

“Well, I’ve recovered enough to move.”

Iron smiled as he answered Aiden’s question.

They had run into each other a few times since coming to the Northeast, but every time had been during urgent situations, so they hadn’t been able to talk properly.

“Whew… Now that there’s finally some breathing room, you’re leaving again right away.”

Aiden spoke with a disappointed expression.

Iron smiled and patted Aiden on the shoulder.

"You've become quite useful now?"

“Whew… Just when I thought I caught up, you move on to the next stage right away... Can’t you slow down a bit?”

Aiden grumbled.

‘Not much has changed, I see.’

Iron thought to himself as he looked at Aiden grumbling.

He had heard from others that Aiden always appeared serious and composed.

That he showed a ruthless demeanor in battle.

These were the only rumors Iron had heard, but the Aiden he saw in person was no different from the past.

But that was only because it was in front of Iron.

Normally, when facing battle or during training, Aiden always carried a serious expression.

Except for the times he spoke with the White Lion, he always wore a solemn look, so seeing him like this was quite surprising.

“Catch up quickly. It’ll make things easier for me, too.”

“…Got it.”

Iron patted Aiden on the shoulder as he nodded with a heavy expression.

He had heard rumors that Iron endured everything alone, and he felt the reality of that intensely in the Northeast.

That was why he had pushed himself to grow stronger, to lessen Iron’s burden, and had reached his current level.

Because of that, even after reaching Master Level, he didn’t become arrogant and continued to train fiercely.

In fact, it was also the reason he became closer with Ariel.

Others might think it was because they became Masters around the same time, but that wasn’t it at all.

Both of them shared the resolve to support Iron, and fighting together with the Warrior Chief made them realize this, which had brought them much closer recently.

“I believe in you.”

As Iron consoled the disappointed Aiden who was sad about his departure right after recovering, a young man appeared hesitantly from behind.

It was Caeden.

He had once seen Iron as a rival, but now that Iron had reached a level so high it was hard to even look up at him, his face was filled with pressure.

Still, Iron could see in his eyes that he had come out of concern, and to ease his discomfort, Iron spoke teasingly.

“Caeden, at this rate you might get overtaken by Saeriden soon?”

Caeden’s face twisted at Iron’s teasing.

“I’ll reach it soon.”

“Yeah, yeah. Hurry and get there.”

At Iron’s words, Caeden nodded slightly, his eyes burning with newfound determination.

Iron offered a few more words of encouragement to Caeden, whose eyes blazed with the will to reach Master Level, and then turned to head for the warp gate.

From behind, Caeden called out to him.

“I’ll be there soon. So don’t push yourself too hard and wait.”

At Caeden’s words, Iron looked back at him and gave a faint smile.

Then he nodded slightly and slowly made his way to the warp gate.

At some point, word must have gotten out, because as Iron headed toward the warp gate, people from the Northeast, his former Ghost comrades, and officers from the Eastern Army came to see him off. After exchanging farewells with them, he finally stepped onto the warp gate.

With a flash of intense light, Iron was transported to the Northeast Command.

From there, he stepped onto a long-distance warp gate and headed straight for the capital.

The warp gate installed at the forefront of the Northeast was on a completely different scale, and powered by that enormous warp gate, Iron arrived in the capital in an instant, stumbling as soon as he arrived.

“Urgh!”

Perhaps because his internal injuries hadn’t fully healed, Iron felt his insides twist and gagged slightly as he shook his head and stepped down from the magic circle.

-Tweet!

Blue Baepsae, who had appeared without him noticing, chirped as if calling him a fool and imbued him with healing energy.

It was only natural that he felt sick, having absorbed the full force of such a powerful mana vortex while his body was still injured.

-Tweet tweet tweet!

Blue Baepsae scolded him harshly for trying to do it all in one go instead of taking it slow, pecking at his head while continuing to channel healing energy.

At the Baepsae's scolding, Iron made an awkward expression and slowly started walking.

“Salute to the Commander of the Mobile Field Army!”

An old wizard placed his hand over his chest and bowed his head slightly.

"Your body... is it alright?"

“I’m feeling better now.”

“I heard you had internal injuries... I was worried the long-distance warp gate might have strained your body.”

“This much is fine.”

When Iron reassured the old wizard, he nodded, still wearing a worried expression.

Seeing this, Blue Baepsae once again pecked his head as if asking what part of this was fine.

“Mm!”

Iron gritted his teeth and pretended to be fine while enduring the pain, and the old wizard pretended not to notice and asked,

“If you’re alright, would you mind using a short-distance teleportation spell once more?”

“Pardon?”

Iron tilted his head at the old wizard’s words.

In response, the old wizard led him to a small magic circle installed beneath the warp gate instead of answering directly.

“This is a teleportation-type temporary warp magic circle.”

"Uh..."

Iron looked perplexed at the unfamiliar type of warp magic circle.

It was a small warp magic circle just big enough for one person.

Without any structure like a warp gate, the old wizard had Iron stand inside the magic circle and then, together with other wizards, began chanting a spell.

As they chanted, like with teleportation magic used by wizards, mana wrapped around Iron, and the warp magic circle beneath him lit up, instantly transporting him to the central building in the capital.

“Welcome to the Imperial Parliament.”

A young wizard greeted him, and Iron, still dazed, accepted the greeting with a blank expression.

While Iron stood there, stunned for a moment after arriving at the parliament in an instant, a man approached and greeted him.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Liam Maldini, Deputy Director of the Empire’s Intelligence Unit.”

“Maldini…”

“Ah! Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not related to the Maldini family. I’m an illegitimate child.”

At the young man’s words, Iron gave a bitter smile and nodded.

The Maldini family was one of the culprits that had once rotted the heart of central politics.

They were still a powerful family in the central political sphere, but the young man before him seemed to detest them.

“I’m from the Governor-General’s faction.”

“…I see.”

Hearing Liam say he was part of the Governor-General’s faction, Iron, who didn’t know much about the workings of central politics, gave a short reply.

Seeing that, Liam cleared his throat and spoke.

“Hm-hmm… The Governor-General is waiting for you. I know you’re busy, but it would be best to meet him first…”

“Ah! Yes, let’s do that.”

“Yes! To avoid wasting your time, I’ll explain the Western situation as we walk. Is that alright?”

“That’s fine.”

“Hehe! Alright then, first…”

And so, Iron headed to the Governor-General’s office while listening to the easygoing explanations of Liam Maldini.

Because of that, he didn’t notice the nobles belonging to the Parliament faction, who had arrived just a moment too late, watching his retreating back with blank expressions.

***

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