21st Century Archmage

Chapter 198: The Appearance of a Crazy Mage

Translator: Lei

Proofreader: Enigami

“Y-Your Majesty, we must devise a countermeasure at once. Today is the final day of the Dark Empires warning.”

“What more needs to be said? No kingdom in history has ever bowed its head to black magic. Currently in the Royal Capital, we have priests and paladins dispatched by the temples, as well as 300 loyal Skyknights on standby. No matter how strong the Dark Empire is, they wont be able to do much to us in a short amount of time.”

“Exactly so. Emperor Hadveria has caused this terrible mess because hes gone completely mad, but the nobles, soldiers, and people of the Laviter Empire will not sit and watch. The Laviter Empire will soon be erased from history. We should be preparing to conquer empire land when that happens.”

The speakers were nobles of the Lialion Kingdom that shared a border with the Laviter Empire. Since they didnt border any big mountain ranges, they had no real problems with monsters, and the kingdom had maintained decent relationships with the surrounding kingdoms for 200 years. Granted, since they bordered the Laviter Empire, they occasionally had to dispatch an envoy and lower their heads, but that was something everyone who lived next to the strong had to do. It was a peaceful kingdom without any real problems.

But not long ago, a huge issue occurred. The Laviter Empires Emperor Hadveria announced the Dark Empire. And a few days ago, an order of submission flew over from that very Dark Empire. If they submitted to the Empire and followed their commands, their lives would be spared, but if they refused, all lives in the kingdoms Royal Capital would be wiped out. Most of the nobles gathered in the palace throne room were expressing their desire to fight.

“Still, they are black mages. According to the intel, theres a rumor that Emperor Hadveria has reached the 8th Circle…”

“Harrumph! Count Antaros, what nonsense are you saying? Ive never heard of an 8th Circle black mage ever appearing on the Continent. And theres no doubt in my mind that Emperor Hadveria has been brainwashed by either the Shining Magic Tower or the priests of Kerma. As you yourself saw a few years ago, the Emperor is a Blade Master. How could someone who is already a Blade Master possibly become an 8th Circle mage?”

“Thats right. Thats just a nonsensical rumor.”

The high-ranking nobles who had gathered in the royal throne room at the Kings summons nodded. Right now, there were around 300 wyverns running patrols and standing guard over the skies of the Royal City, and 50 thousand men protecting the city like an iron wall. On top of that, 100 or so priests from various temples, as well as hundreds of paladins, had been called from all over the kingdom to reside in the Royal City to keep any Kerma priests or black mages in check.

“I hear you all loud and clear. Our kingdom may live in the Empires shadow, but through the favor of the gods, Lialion has safely continued to write its history. We cannot cast aside such a history, heritage, and even our piety to the gods by submitting to the Dark Empire. We shall issue a declaration of war against the Dark Empire!”

King Paneidron of the Lialion Kingdom, a ruler virtuous enough to be called a good king, declared war against the Dark Empire with a stern voice.

“By thy royal decree!”

The conclusion had been determined from the start. The 50 high-ranking nobles in the throne room bowed as they accepted the will of their divine king.

“KUHAHAHAHA, KUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

“…!!”

The nobles looked up in alarm upon hearing the extremely loud laugh that suddenly reverberated outside. One moment later, a mana-charged cry came from the knights.

“E-Enemies! Enemies have appeared!”

Kuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The massive bells used in emergencies tolled a continuous warning. King Paneidron and the nobles stiffened immediately.

“To think that you would dare to ignore my warning. You will feel the price of your foolishness down to the marrow of your bones today… KUHAHAHAHA!”

The sound of laughter was filled with so much mana that it echoed all the way into the royal palace.

“Knights of the Royal Guard, escort His Majesty to the underground refuge!” called out the leader of the Royal Guard, sensing the danger.

CRAAAAAAAAAAASH! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! Rummmmmble.

“Heavens…”