Chapter 144:

Chapter 144

“Baron Penin has captured the capital of the Kingdom of Droughton?”

“How is that?”

When the Houston Kingdom Army first heard the news, they all reacted in disbelief.

Suddenly, the enemy’s capital was captured?

Because it was so absurd.

‘Even if Baron Penin is a genius strategist, that’s nonsense.’

‘Yeah. Maybe the rumor got spread wrong.’

However, when a spy who had infiltrated the Kingdom of Droughton discovered that the rumor was true, the barracks were turned upside down.

“It’s true! They say that Baron Penin really took over the enemy capital!”

“Oh, how? Did I mishear something?”

It was the third prince, Lemarton.

He, who had caused the great defeat, had become the world’s greatest criminal and was thrown into a corner of the barracks without being able to say a word, so Raymond’s achievement was shocking.

“That, that… doesn’t make sense! How can he invade the enemy’s capital alone?”

Lemarton was so shocked that he started talking nonsense.

Then, under King Oden’s sharp gaze, he stuttered and spoke.

“W-It must be some kind of false rumor. There’s no way something like that could be possible… … .”

“Shut your mouth.”

“… … !”

“You caused an irreversible defeat with your wrong judgment, and now you are showing jealousy towards someone who has achieved great things.”

It was a truly angry voice.

Lemarton’’s face turned pale.

King Oden looked around and said.

“I was planning to punish you later when the situation stabilized, but I will do it now. I will hold you responsible for the defeat and strip you of all your official positions. In addition, I will ban you from appearing in public until further notice so that you may reflect on your actions.”

“…!”

His intestines were filled with shock.

Lemarton was currently holding several public positions. He was ordered to relinquish all of them and to cease making public appearances.

It was an incredibly humiliating punishment for royalty, and one that was also fighting for the throne.

“Your Majesty.”

“That’s too much… … .”

Those who followed Lemarton came forward in distress.

but,

“Too much?”

“….”

“Do you really think it’s too much?”

Everyone kept their mouths shut.

Rather, it was an extremely lenient punishment.

This time, the mistake that Lemarton made was so bad that it would be worth getting his head cut off.

Indeed, if Lemarton had not been a prince, or rather, if his biological mother had not been a member of the Marquis of Terne, a high lord in the western part of the kingdom, it might have been so.

“Go away.”

Lemarton disappeared with a blank look on his face.

People clicked their tongues at his back like that.

‘Oh. This incident will greatly affect His Highness Lemarton.’

Of course, this won’t mean that Lemarton will be completely eliminated from the line of succession to the throne this time.

It was because of Lemarton’s supporters.

Most of them were related to his biological mother’s family, the Marquis of Terne, and they would not withdraw their support for Lemarton despite this blunder.

So, there was still a chance, but it was clear that this mistake would greatly weaken Lemarton’’s position.

Anyway, there was something more important than that right now.

King Oden spoke to the messenger who brought the news.

“Please explain in detail what happened.”

“Yes, Your Majesty! Baron Penin went to the Winter Palace first… … .”

The moment when the spy explains Baron Penin’s whereabouts.

The command barracks were plunged into shock.

It was truly unbelievable, a miracle.

“Wow, that’s amazing… … .”

“To be able to do such things.”

The noble knights and nobles alike were astonished and amazed.

Because he had done such a great job.

King Oden asked in a sharp voice.

“Then what is the current state of affairs in the Droughton Kingdom army led by that bastard?”

“It’s a mess! The entire kingdom of Droughton is in turmoil and rising up, and the army led by Archduke Berard is seeing deserters coming in droves!”

The effect of declaring treason has been revealed just as Raymond planned!

Now, as time goes by, Berard’s foundations will crumble to pieces.

The soldiers of the Houston Kingdom Army gave a cheer when they heard the good news.

“Wow!”

“Long live Raymond!”

“Long live our prince!”

“Long Live Your Highness Raymond!”

Everyone used the title of prince openly, but no one pointed it out.

That’s how great Raymond’s accomplishment this time was.

No one in the history of the Kingdom of Houston has ever accomplished such miraculous feats.

The tremendous achievement was repeatedly praised and paid tribute to by everyone in the kingdom of Houston.

As a result.

[Your fame rises!]

[Your fame rises!]

[Your fame rises!]

Thanks to his endless rise to fame.

[Fame has surpassed the standard!]

[You shall get a new title!]

[Title: ‘Hero of the Kingdom’s Army (Small Scope)’ has evolved into ‘Hero of the Kingdom’s Army (Large Scope)’!]

[Hero of the Kingdom Army (Large Scope

)]

Description: A title given to a great hero of the royal army.

Fame Rank: Kingdom Army Grade

Additional effects:

-Receive strong ‘respect’ and ‘support’ from ‘all soldiers of the kingdom’!

-With you, the soldiers will jump into battle without hesitation!

-Enemy soldiers are also affected by your greatness! When facing you, enemy soldiers’ morale is ‘significantly’ reduced!

He also received a title that was far too undeserved for a healer.

Meanwhile, King Oden sat silently in thought, thinking about what Raymond had accomplished.

Before the war, Raymond’s words kept ringing in his head.

‘I will prove it through this war. I will proudly prove that I, a lowly bastard, can serve the Kingdom of Houston just as well as those of noble blood.’

As the saying goes, Raymond has proven his abilities.

More brilliantly than anyone else, he has accomplished great things for the kingdom of Houston.

‘Me too… …I have to decide now.’

That was it!

A messenger rushed into the barracks.

“This is a big deal, Your Majesty!”

“What’s going on?”

“It is said that the Marquis of Durak’s army is advancing on the capital of the Kingdom of Droughton!”

King Oden’s eyes widened.

Currently, the Droughton Kingdom’s forces are divided into two.

First, there was the main force led by the Archduke of Berard, and second, there was the rear force led by the Marquis de Durak.

Unlike Berard, who had advanced northward toward the lands of the Kingdom of Houston, Marquis Durak remained in the central part of the Kingdom of Droughton and was clearing out the remnants of the Kingdom of Houston’s army that had not been able to retreat.

Therefore, as it remained in the central region, it was not far from the capital of the Kingdom of Droughton.

“How big is the army?”

“They say it’s around 15 thousand!”

“…!”

King Oden’s face grew heavy.

‘It’s impossible to go and help from here. Raymond, you have to defend the castle alone. Can you do it?’

It was an absolutely disadvantageous situation.

The army of the Marquis de Durak was fundamentally different from that led by the Archduke of Berard.

The elite soldiers who were inspired by the famous general Marquis de Durak followed him!

Therefore, even now that Berard has been declared a traitor, military discipline will likely be maintained without much disturbance.

On the other hand, Raymond’s side still lacked both the number and quality of troops.

‘If Raymond fails to defend the castle and we lose the King of Droughton, everything will go back to square one. We must defend it.’

Once again, Raymond was left with a huge burden.

In this situation, all he could do was hope that Raymond would somehow work a miracle.

For a moment, King Oden felt a sense of mischief.

Oden has completely ignored Raymond so far, not doing anything for him.

But on the other hand, Raymond has helped Oden a lot. Even this time, he is leaning on Raymond’s shoulders.

He must have been the worst father ever.

So Raymond ended up fighting against 15,000 troops led by the famous general Durak.

It was the final battle that would decide the outcome of the war.

* * *

‘What! Why is the Marquis of Durak attacking?’

Raymond screamed.

‘Wasn’t that guy a loyalist to the Kingdom of Droughton?’

Raymond wasn’t worried about Durak in the first place.

Because he was a famous loyal subject.

He thought he’d come running and kneel down right away, but he is attacking me?

‘Why on earth? What’s the reason? Did he fall for Archduke Berard?’

Raymond bit his lip.

‘Ugh. What should we do? We can’t defend with our current forces.’

After the declaration of treason, troops were being gathered, but they were still far from sufficient.

To make matters worse, the warriors of the Lan tribe had returned to their tribe.

This is because suspicious movements have been detected in the enemy tribes. Most of them are taking advantage of the moment when warriors are outside.

The Lan warriors had no choice but to return in a hurry.

Macapell III’s complexion also turned pale.

“Is there no way, Baron Penin?”

He was now absolutely dependent on Raymond.

Raymond bit his lip.

“I think we should try to persuade them first.”

‘The Marquis of Durak was the most loyal subject of the kingdom, so if we talk nicely, we might be able to persuade him.’

Although hd sent the messenger with that intention, the result was disappointing.

It was rejected!

“Why on earth?”

Macapell III was shocked and fell silent.

“Something is strange. The Marquis Durak was a loyalist who opposed Berard until the end, so why is he turning his sword against me?”

Raymond also felt puzzled.

‘I don’t think he’s a great person who would be tempted by money or fame. Why on earth?’

At that time, the messenger who had visited the Marquis de Durak spoke cautiously.

“Actually, the Marquis Durak has something to tell His Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“I am truly sorry. I cannot do anything about it, so I will atone for this sin later, even if it means taking my own life.”

“…!”

Raymond looked even more incomprehensible.

‘What on earth does he mean? He can’t do anything about it?’

Then Christine said,

“Isn’t there some reason he can’t go against Berard’s words?”

“That seems to be the case. But what on earth is the situation…?”

At that moment, a message came to mind.

[A quest occurs!]

[Turn back the loyal servants who have fallen into the path of evil!]

(Humanity Quest)

Precedence: Chinese medicine level

Difficulty: Medium

Quest Description: The loyalist of the kingdom has fallen into the path of evil for some unknown reason. Use your abilities to save the loyalist from the path of evil!

Clear Condition: Loyalty’s Repentance

Clear Reward: Bonus Level Up, 40 Skill Points

Perks: Loyalist’s Favor, War Checkmate

‘What do you mean by this? Are you telling me to become an all-purpose counselor?’

Raymond sighed.

It was another difficult quest, but he had no choice.

‘Fighting the Marquis Durak’s army right now is like throwing eggs at a rock. We have to find another way.’