The war between the Iron Kingdom and the Machine Empire had come to be treated as a mere formality. Because conflicts were so frequent, it was common knowledge that the wars between the two nations were now little more than tools for political maneuvering and public relations. However, this war was different.
“It’s because of the atmosphere the Iron Kingdom created.”
“The atmosphere?”
“The Iron Kingdom shattered a long-standing peace and occupied the Six Free Cities. This is unprecedented. While there have been minor skirmishes, the Sky Empire has maintained order across the Central, Western, and Southern continents—excluding the Great Land of the Eastern Continent. To avoid repeating the Age of War, nations were commanded not to cross the line and to conduct only ‘just wars’ according to the law… The Order of the Heavens.”
“The Order of the Heavens, huh.”
“Under that order, the great powers of the continent moved conservatively. Instead of physical warfare, they engaged in good-faith competition through diplomacy, industry, and culture. When sea and land routes opened without the threat of war, the Sky Empire benefited the most. They could rake in the continent’s wealth to their heart’s content without worrying about the risks of conflict.”
“…”
“The Iron Kingdom broke that trend.”
Before explaining the current situation, Audrey recounted the events leading up to this war.
“The Six Free Cities, which are considered semi-great powers, were occupied overnight. As if the heavens themselves were helping the Iron Kingdom, it happened the moment House Rhapsody, the Legion of Freedom, and the fleet were all away.”
“…”
“Given the usual climate, the Iron Kingdom’s actions should have been condemned and met with economic sanctions. But the Sky Empire didn’t act as aggressively as expected. Why? Because House Rhapsody, led by Hugo Rhapsody, was made the scapegoat. Furthermore, the Free Cities—which supply resources to the continent and serve as its primary market—fell into the Iron Kingdom’s hands, making them difficult to touch. If the Sky Empire imposed the wrong sanctions, the entire world order they’ve built could collapse.”
“The world order collapses, you say.”
“From the Sky Empire’s perspective, it’s a situation where they just need to turn a blind eye once. The general sentiment on the continent isn’t particularly hostile toward the Iron Kingdom either. That’s why Rhapsody ended up shouldering everything.”
“…”
“And those living on this continent remember results, not processes. Now, what do you think those who saw the Iron Kingdom’s example are thinking?”
The conclusion wasn’t difficult to reach.
“That the process doesn’t matter as long as the result is good?”
“Exactly. In the end, if you win the war, the loser bears the entire burden. There is so much to be gained through war. If you seize the right opportunity, you can even become one of the great powers.”
“…”
“How much profit do you think the Iron Kingdom gained through the Six Free Cities? You probably can’t even fathom it. Since most colonies disappeared after the Age of War, everyone had forgotten. They forgot how sweet the honey tastes when you plant your flag in foreign soil, strip the inhabitants of their humanity, and reduce them to slaves.”
Forgotten.
It was a terrifying word.
“It’s one thing to forget entirely, but once you’ve tasted it, you can’t go back to the time when you didn’t know. The Southern Continent will be the first to be devastated. A warm land flowing with milk and honey. A land like paradise. But it is a peaceful land that possesses no legions.”
“…”
“That is the current trend. Now, look at the Machine Empire’s position. The Machine Empire is situated between the Sky Empire and the Iron Kingdom. They can’t expand into the Central Continent because of the Sky Empire, and there’s no reason to conquer the Northern Continent, which is essentially a ruin. Besides, if they mess with that place, the monsters currently held back by the Demon Race might surge southward. Their paths to the north and east are blocked. That leaves the south and the west. But the Iron Kingdom blocks both.”
“Which means.”
“They have to strike the Iron Kingdom. They have to clash and take something—anything. Whether it’s extorting reparations, seizing the magical resources available in the Free Cities, securing sea routes to expand into the Southern Continent, or occupying part of the Iron Kingdom’s territory to build the Warp Gates they love so much.”
Yes.
It wasn’t an illogical progression.
As he listened to the explanation, Liam spoke.
「The tides are shifting just as they did during the Age of War.」
“…”
「Of course, it is much better than back then. Back then… those damn Dragons led everything. But the result looks to be the same. For one more piece of land, for a little more gold, swords, spears, and shields will clash, and countless people will die. The Second Age of War is coming.」
An age of blood.
Every weak person living on this continent would suffer the same wounds as him and share the same pain. That was not a good thing. It was a truly terrible thing.
“The Machine Empire will try to find a way by breaking through the Iron Kingdom. To begin with, the Machine Empire is a nation that has suffered from a resource shortage for a long time. Even if they wanted to expand, they couldn’t because of the Order of the Heavens. The Six Free Cities traded arrogantly, relying on Rhapsody, and the Red Bank kept raising interest rates. Furthermore, in the Eastern Continent, they were copying the Machine Empire’s products and selling them cheaply without labor costs. That country doesn’t even have to pay its workers. Every citizen of the Great Land celebrates even if they drop dead while working, saying they died for the Khan.”
“…”
“War was inevitable for the starving Machine Empire to survive. But it wasn’t supposed to go this far. Honestly, it couldn’t have gone this far. This is all happening because of the Iron Kingdom.”
“I’ve been wondering since earlier—what do you mean by that? You said the Caravan Territory becoming like this was because of the Iron Kingdom and the Steel Legion…”
“I’ll explain that now.”
Audrey let out a long sigh, as if just thinking about it made her angry.
Watching her, Elizabeth chuckled.
“Our youngest is quite the talker.”
“…”
Didn’t you say we could throw her away earlier?
Your youngest.
*
Amidst the long-lasting peace, the center of the world was the Sky Empire and the great powers belonging to their alliance. Since the signing of trade agreements, a cold war driven by gold and capital logic had begun, replacing swords and spears. The overwhelming victors of this war were the Sky Empire and the Black Archipelago. The Sky Empire was a massive confederation encompassing the entire Central Continent. With the most abundant resources on the continent, a geographical advantage at its very center, and overflowing gold earned from the war business during the Age of War, their glory was practically predestined.
To break into this circle, one had to go into debt to the Sky Empire or the Black Archipelago. Even the currency used for trade was the Sky Gold Coin, the continent’s common currency. The Sky Empire became flush with gold just by standing still. Nations that emerged late or those trying to develop were inevitably forced to clash with the current great powers. But who would want to go to war with nations that hadn’t lost a single time since the Age of War? An eternal peace—an unequal and uncomfortable peace—was thus maintained precariously.
The Iron Kingdom was the one to break that flow. By swallowing the Six Free Cities, the Iron Kingdom was racing toward becoming a great power in a single bound. Other nations, seeing that the ends justified the means, turned their eyes toward the Southern Continent and numerous city-states. They sought to plant their flags in one more piece of land and rise higher. To leave one more line of achievement, to secure one more victory. The Age of War had taught them: it is too late once everything is over. Even if you want to reap the rewards of victory through war, an environment is eventually formed where war can no longer be waged. Those who gained everything through war would, disgustingly enough, condemn war as evil and huddle together to kick away the ladder.
A limited land called the continent.
The far too ancient history of the seven races.
These factors created an inevitable result. Thus, many scholars had foreseen this situation. Audrey, having received a high-level education, also knew. She knew that war would break out eventually, that the Iron Kingdom would be at its center, and that the time for war was not far off.
However, she hadn’t been overly worried.
Arhan’s Caravan Territory was located on the outskirts of the Iron Kingdom. There wasn’t much to gain there, and since Steel City Ferma was close by, they could receive support quickly. If the Steel Legion stationed in Ferma stepped in, the Magic Corps, which focused on mobile warfare, would likely target elsewhere. Even looking at a map, this place held little value.
“War has broken out!”
“As expected.”
So, Audrey moved exactly as planned the moment the war erupted. She didn’t know when Arhan would return, but his presence wasn’t essential. War, by its nature, isn’t decided by the existence of a single individual. Unless that individual is an asymmetrical power on the level of a Sword Master, the outcome of a war isn’t determined that way.
“Tom, you go to the Steel City and bring the Legion. Request support and bring plenty of anti-magic measures. I don’t think they’ll come this far, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.”
Tom agreed.
Since Caretaker Tom was originally active in the Arena, he had plenty of connections. Most importantly, by using his link to Arhan, he could even secure help from Sir Bermartin in Cherny. Audrey was satisfied as everything moved forward step by step as planned.
However.
“What a wretched land.”
Reality often differs from plans.
The wise but inexperienced Audrey didn’t know that. She didn’t fully realize that the world seen from behind a desk is different from the actual world.
“We cannot provide any assistance.”
Upon hearing Tom’s request, the Grey Knights arrived at the Caravan Territory. They were the most powerful knight order in the Iron Kingdom, the Royal Guard protecting the Blade City, Cherny. Yet, they declared they would provide no help whatsoever. Why?
“It is the command of His Majesty. The Iron Kingdom will focus on the capital and major cities, including the Steel City. We cannot chase the mobile warfare of the insidious Magic Corps, so we will abandon the outskirts. While they occupy other places, we will soar even higher.”
“What! What kind of bullshit is that! Who told you to stay here permanently? Just send three or four knights. We’ll even pay their wages. On top of that, just lend us some anti-magic fencing! So they can’t open a Warp Gate in the middle of the territory! You have plenty of it in your storehouses anyway!”
“We have nothing to give you. Isn’t this the territory that defeated Rhapsody? I find it hard to believe you can’t stop a single Magic Corps.”
“We could deal with them because they showed up right in front of us fairly! The Magic Corps are lunatics. How are we supposed to stop them without a countermeasure?”
“Aren’t you a witch? If you’re a witch, you should have more magical tools than the Magic Corps. Do you not even have a way to block a Warp Gate?”
“Are magic and magical engineering the same? Besides…”
“Aha, you’re a young witch. A witch who lacks the power to stop a Magic Corps alone and was too low-ranking to bring any of the witches’ mystical tools with her. Then… are you even a witch at all?”
It was something Audrey could not accept.
Abnormal things.
Irrational things began to happen.
“The Lord is away as well? Hmph, the Lord who played the biggest role in defeating Rhapsody is absent. So, all that’s here is one Sword Expert, one mage who looks like an immature witch, one little girl who uses some sort of sorcery, and the rest are old men and farmers? If we lent our precious assets here, we wouldn’t get them back. You expect us to provide support when only three people are going to defend this territory against the Magic Corps? Don’t make me laugh.”
“…”
“If the Lord were here, it might be different, but what is this land? Strategically, it’s better to abandon it. We will give you money. You three, join the Steel Legion. Mages are always valuable when dealing with the Magic Corps, so we’ll pay a high price. And you, old man… you’re the gladiator who made a name for himself long ago, aren’t you? Tom! You are subject to conscription. I couldn’t find you because you were hiding in a place like this. This isn’t a proposal. As a citizen of the Iron Kingdom, it is your duty to work for the Steel Legion. Prepare immediately. You are coming with us.”
Audrey felt like she was losing her mind.
She was telling them that with just a little support, they could defend this place with their current strength, but they were brushing aside that proposal and taking away their core forces instead. Then what about the people in this village? Those who trusted only them? The enemy was swarming in—did they mean to abandon everyone? So ruthlessly?
When Audrey asked, the answer came back immediately.
“This is the Iron Kingdom.”
“…What?”
“There is no obligation to protect the weak and the old, Witch.”
The one who exploded in fury at those words was Sancho.
“We are offering to pay! And to protect your monarch’s land! What are you abandoning, and what are you taking! We won’t give you a single person! You disgusting things!”
“Sancho, wait, you’re too excit—”
“Where were you when our Lord! Our Young Master! Was suffering so much? Now that this land has value, you show up like this? I cannot accept this. I will never accept it. Even when Ian Chervil’s damn dog turned this territory into a bloodbath and brought us indelible shame, we let it go! But for the sake of the Young Master, I can no longer let this pass!”
Sancho’s eyes were burning with rage.
“Now I finally understand why the former Lord suffered from madness. I cannot endure this. Get out of this land, all of you! Help? We don’t need it! So don’t take anything of ours. Just get out…!”
“Who are you to speak such words?”
“I am the Acting Lord for Lord Arhan Caravan, the rightful ruler of this land. So—”
“Where does a lowly thing get off acting like a Lord’s representative? A land without roots, indeed. Truly a pitiful place.”
“Sancho—!”
With a clang , two blades clashed. A knight from the Grey Knights, listening to Sancho, had lunged with his sword. Tom managed to block it just in time, but surprisingly, Tom was being pushed back. The knight smiled thinly.
“A Sword Expert, I see. But you’re only half-baked.”
“Everyone… please run.”
“Why do you protect the weak? Old man who once conquered the Arena, you could live in glory and luxury in this Iron Kingdom. Come to us. The Steel Legion always welcomes the strong.”
“Forget it. I said forget it.”
While Tom held back the Grey Knights, everyone had to flee. The army of the Iron Kingdom had actually attacked a territory belonging to the Iron Kingdom. Chaos ensued afterward.
“A territory that’s going to be occupied anyway. There are more valuable things here than I thought. Rather than letting the enemy take them, we’ll make good use of them ourselves.”
The Grey Knights looted everything—the countermeasures Audrey had prepared and the goods the Caravan Territory had accumulated until now. Food, the assets some residents had painstakingly saved—it all went into their pockets. There was no way to stop them. During the war with the Machine Empire, the Grey Knights were all armored in anti-magic gear. Unless another witch came, it was impossible for someone of Audrey’s level to oppose them. Furthermore, Tom, a Sword Expert, was forced to flee here and there to avoid their conscription.
A half-baked Sword Expert with nothing but a single sword and no equipment. And the strongest knight order of the Iron Kingdom, all armed with powerful gear and led by three or four Sword Experts. Tom had to run before he could do anything.
“Ah.”
Thus, the Caravan Territory was laid to waste. The Grey Knights Tom had brought forcibly conscripted the young men, destroyed the wooden fences, and took all the food and weapons.
“This place is already falling apart.”
In that situation, the Magic Corps appeared.
Audrey resisted as much as possible, but they fought cleverly. To begin with, it was impossible to face them in such an open space without a single anti-magic measure. A Warp Gate appeared in the middle of the territory; whenever she tried to attack, they would enter the gate and emerge from another. The entire territory was surrounded and occupied by the Magic Corps in an instant.
“There is a noble lady here. Do not touch her. Lock her up somewhere. Even the Father of the Sky would allow that much. As long as you don’t lay a hand on her body, there’s no problem.”
Audrey was imprisoned.
Locked away, Audrey completely lost her mind at the sight of the situation spiraling out of control. The gap between theory and reality. Just as she was wondering where it had all gone wrong, Tom appeared where she was held. He was severely injured.
“Lady Audrey…”
“What… what is this?”
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t… protect it well.”
Slumped over Tom’s shoulder was a bloodied and limp Hailyn.
*
“The Iron Kingdom has no intention of protecting the weak. This country has always been this way. It’s like a long-standing tradition. In fact, they think it’s a good thing. They call it a process to filter out the old and the weak. I… as expected, hate this country.”
“…Ah.”
“The Iron Kingdom is gathering useful supplies and manpower from the outskirts and concentrating them in the capital. And when the Machine Empire dreams of expansion, they plan to occupy those areas and then move toward the center. After conquering the Machine Empire, they intend to secure a closer route to the Sky Empire…”
Tom laid out the information he had gathered while fleeing. The Iron Kingdom’s plan, the reason they were acting this way, the fact that the Iron Kingdom had enjoyed such strategies since long ago, and how fallen nobles were created with every generation while the weak died or became bandits in the mountains. He said it was the fate of a nation established through war. But Audrey didn’t hear any of it.
“Hailyn… why is she like this?”
“…It seems there were children she usually looked after. Children she felt sorry for because they were in a similar situation to her, so she cared for them. The Magic Corps tormented them.”
“…”
“Hailyn tried to stop them, but she was no match. So, the Magic Corps… they made a bet. They said if Hailyn could endure what those children were suffering, they would leave them alone. That they would never touch them again. So they stood this little girl in the middle of the village and committed such madness, even betting money on it. Truly insane…”
“Ah.”
Audrey closed her eyes for a moment.
She placed her hand on the head of the collapsed, gasping Hailyn and cast a spell. A spell to read the past. Within Hailyn’s memories, Audrey saw the horrific moments. She tasted the process and emotions of her precious friend being broken, screaming, falling, and sobbing. Audrey couldn’t hold back her tears.
“Aaaaaaaagh—!”
The witch’s shriek tore through the village.
Bloody tears flowed from Audrey’s eyes.
The tears that flow when a witch’s rage reaches its peak.
“Tom.”
“Yes.”
“I want revenge.”
“…”
“Should I abandon myself as a witch, break myself, and take revenge on them? I can’t stand it. If I throw away these cumbersome bandages, this cloth, these clothes, and end my life… if I meet a pathetic and shameful death, my Husband will bring down a calamity. Lightning will sweep the world, and the heavens will sing of rage. Just as it happened in the past.”
“You mustn’t. No, Audrey.”
“I know it’s not right. Then what should I do?”
Audrey could not resolve this situation as a mage or a witch. Tom was so badly wounded he could barely move. It was a miracle he had even rescued Hailyn. Who would help them? Audrey wept tears of blood. She was still young. No matter how much of a chosen mage or a wise witch she was, she was still a young girl. A young, young girl who had never been broken, never despaired, and never felt such rage.
So, the girl sought wisdom from the old man.
So, the girl hoped for salvation.
“How…?”
To the girl who was in tatters.
The old man spoke.
“Let us call for Young Master Arhan.”
“…Will it change anything if he comes? A mere individual? Can one person change what even I couldn’t achieve?”
“It will change.”
In the eyes of the old caretaker, there wasn’t a shred of doubt.
“The Young Master is someone who can do that.”
“…”
“By now, the Young Master will have become a different person. No, even if he hasn’t, it doesn’t matter. Even if he hasn’t gained much during this long time, if Young Master Arhan comes, things will change.”
Tom said.
“I remember the Young Master when he was just an unremarkable fighter. I remember how he never flinched, even before a dragon. Young Master Arhan will save us. A flame that never withers, no matter the ordeal—he will be our salvation.”
Audrey agonized over the decision for a long time.
She agonized as she watched Hailyn struggle with her labored breathing. She continued to agonize long after Tom had slipped away to avoid the soldiers’ eyes and the sky had turned dark. Finally, Audrey slowly opened her mouth.
“…Descendant of Steel—!”
Yes.
She would place her trust in him.
* * *
“…And that is how it happened.”
“Is Hailyn alright?”
“She’s fine. She’s a strong girl. Thanks to Tom, Hailyn survived. Your butler will recover soon, too. The others who suffered will overcome this as well. They are people who take after you, after all.”
“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”
Audrey started to say something, then paused, closing her mouth.
After a moment, she murmured.
“But you know, it was really hard.”
“What was?”
“The feeling that everything had vanished into thin air, as if the entire world had turned against me. Those moments when a terrible helplessness and rage were eating me alive. It felt like I had been dropped into hell.”
“….”
“It made me realize just how insane you are… to have overcome all of this alone.”
Audrey’s expression was dark.
It seemed she had endured a great deal.
“Then let’s go back, little one,” Elizabeth said then.
“Your eldest sister will handle everything. Go back and get some rest with your other sisters. You were never meant to face such trials. Ordeals are not good for one’s beauty. A crushed flower loses its luster. You must remain a flower, Audrey.”
“…Eldest Sister.”
“Do you want me to take you there?”
“No.”
“Then—”
“I’m not going.”
Audrey’s eyes sparked.
“But it’s hard for you. You are too young and weak. You need to grow more within the safety of the fence. You don’t need to experience things like this. To be honest, you and those people… you were born with different fates, weren’t you?”
At Elizabeth’s words, Audrey shook her head.
“Perhaps. But I’m staying here.”
“Audrey—”
“Even if it means losing what I have.”
Audrey’s expression was resolute.
Elizabeth looked at her youngest sister with a face that was half pity and half annoyance.
“No—”
She started to say something but bit her tongue.
At that same moment, Elizabeth’s head snapped to the side.
“…Let’s talk again in a moment.”
“Eldest Sister?”
“It seems the guests just won’t stop coming today.”
“Elizabeth? What do you mean by that?”
This time, my own curiosity was piqued.
Had someone else arrived?
The answer came immediately.
“A guest has arrived.”
A jolt like a lightning strike hit my mind.
My gaze shifted outside.
“Whether they are an uninvited guest or a noble one, I cannot yet say.”
Far in the distance, I felt a presence so intense it was maddening.
“Descendant of Steel.”
The power of a superhuman was granted to me. My vision expanded. At the very edge of my sight, I saw a fluttering flag.
“…Is there enough gold prepared?”
The Black Archipelago.
The flag of the greediest people on the continent was approaching.
