Emperor of Steel

Chapter 731: Before and After 4

The remnants of the Baroque Imperial army, led by Marquis Maghreb, headed to the east.

They had lost more troops than they expected in Nemesis.

All because of the command and the control not working and the confusion that they were in.

Nevertheless, they still had around 40,000 troops and 200 Gigants with them.

‘With this power, even though we might not be able to face the Continental Alliance head-on, we might have a chance. But first of all, we need to secure a camp and get supplies.’

An army had to eat to battle.

An army that runs out of food and military supplies could no longer be considered as an army.

Marquis Maghreb and the commanders headed to Veteren, a city to the east of Nemesis to secure troops and supplies.

Veteren, was a city which was advanced in iron making industries and magic engineering, and had good food because of the fertile plains around it.

Above all, it was directly under the management of the Imperial family, which meant, it was a land managed by the Emperor himself.

Although it too was a place which was exploited, it wasn’t badly exploited as the other regions as the Emperor managed it.

And that meant that the loyalty to the Imperial family was stronger than other estates.

‘For now, we need to head over to Veteren and camp. When the ones in the capital are enjoying their victory, we’ll take advantage of that gap and…’

A small hope rose in the mind of Marquis Maghreb.

However, the hope didn’t even last for two days.

“What was that? Veteren got captured?”

“Yes, sire! The 2nd squad of the Continental Alliance had approached it first, and the people in there too had been agitated.”

At Maghreb’s question, an official who had escaped from Veteren answered with tears.

It was just the nobles and officials who had strong loyalty to the Imperial Palace.

Even if the place was relatively led exploited, the people wouldn’t like the Mad Emperor who had invaded their lands and tombs.

And the Republicans, who were always active in the dark began to rise and agitate the people, it didn’t take much time for the city to be thrown over.

“Sire, what should we do?”

“Give up Veteran. The advance to the border needs to be pushed too. If we can’t leave this place before the siege begins…”

“But we are short on food and supplies. In such long-distance marches, it will be terrible for the soldiers, and the march would end up turning impossible.”

“So? You want us to attack Veteren? With our troops it will be difficult to even defend ourselves against the 2nd squad of the enemy.”

As the commanders quarreled loudly, Maghreb closed his eyes and sighed.

The capital was stolen by the enemy, and there was no way of knowing if their Emperor was alive or dead.

It was extremely sad to see how the Great Baroque Empire, which ruled the continent for ten years back, turned out.

A messenger came over and delivered a new report.

“Sire! The enemy has sent a messenger.”

“Those damned men, are they asking us to surrender?”

“Let’s cut down the neck of that one right away!”

The commanders began to raise their voices and yell.

They were already pushed to the corner, which was why Marquis Maghreb intervened.

“We can’t just kill a messenger. Let’s hear what they have to say.”

And the messenger from the Continental Alliance army was brought into their barracks.

“No, you are!”

Marquis Maghreb and the other commanders in the barracks seemed shocked when they saw the messenger coming in with the lieutenant.

It was a person they were very well aware of.

Spear Master, Shirley de Kayle, who had run away with Count Ferrero while she was still serving as the captain of the Iron Guards of the Imperial Palace.

She was there.

Unlike the commanders of the Imperial army, who went stiff, she had a rather happy smile on her lips.

“Hello! Hello! It has been such a long time.”

Grunt!

Marquis Maghreb, held onto the chair’s armrest and grinded his teeth looking at her.

“Why has the traitor come here? If you intend to persuade us to surrender, you can give up on those thoughts.”

“Oh my, did you think I was here to convince you to surrender?”

“Who thought so?! Don’t go spewing nonsense and say Luke’s message, and then get out!”

“Oh my, so scary. Well, the man leading the remnants of the Imperial army is surely unique.”

Shirley pretended to be scared and stopped playing around, which made Marquis Maghreb and the other commanders wait for her words.

“Tch, no fun. Let me relay the words of His Majesty Luke. Decide what you want to do in the future… that is all.”

“Huh? What, is that all?”

The message from that guy was so short?

They thought that it would be a threat or option to surrender.

When Marquis Maghreb couldn’t understand, Shirley shrugged her shoulders and replied.

“Our Majesty respects the free will of the people. Unlike some crazy emperor who would kill someone when they don’t act as his loyal dog.”

“This girl…!”

When Shirley openly cursed Rudolf, the commanders and the knights drew their swords at once.

Swords all around here, but she, who was a Spear Master, wasn’t scared.

Shirley walked close to Marquis Maghreb—who was still staring at her and handed out a box she carried.

“What is this?”

“Open it yourself. I have done my side of the work, so I will head out.”

Waving her hand, Shirley left the barracks.

Until she left, Maghreb didn’t open the box.

It was because he felt something ominous from the box.

And it wasn’t just him who felt that was.

The other Commanders such as Jemo, and Count Sochi too felt it.

“No… it can’t be, right?”

“Of course it can’t be that! It can’t…!”

Maghreb tried to suppress his anxiety and opened the lid of the box.

As soon as he checked the contents, the commanders and his eyes went wide.

The box contained the severed head of Rudolf, which they had been searching for.

And the head which was preserved with magic was smiling.

No one knew, but Rudolf was convinced that Luke would die by the self-destruct magic he triggered at the last minute.

Maybe that was why there was a smile on his lips.

“Ah, Your Majesty is!”

Maghreb and the other commanders who confirmed the death of their Emperor were shocked.

The unwanted thing had turned into a reality, they sensed their hope and energy drained from their bodies.

Although he was a tyrant, Rudolf was the strongest knight on the continent and was the only hope for them.

Even that hope was robbed from them!

“Decide what you want to do in the future.”

Luke’s message kept on going around their heads.

Now they realized why that man was so confident, the Imperial commanders were now forced into anxiety and pushed to make difficult choices.

Whether to surrender or to continue the fight.

But fighting wasn’t an easy option for them.

The power was already out of their hands, and once Rudolf’s death spread among the troops, the morale of the soldiers and knight would plummet.

Eventually, the troops would divide into two sides of surrendering and those who want to continue fighting.