The Imperial Army marched out. The number of troops was 40,000.

The commander-in-chief was Crown Prince Jeffrey. With 5 staff officers and 3 aides under his command, he set out on the campaign path with dignity.

Along with the declaration of war thrown out early in the morning, the proclamation of war was immediately spread throughout the empire.

The ambitious goal of uprooting the barbarians that had not been properly dealt with 50 years ago and reclaiming that land as their own was comparable to the achievements of the founding emperor who had established the empire.

Three gates leading to Habertz. The 40,000 Imperial troops embarked on a long journey to knock on those gates head-on.

There was no worry or concern on the faces of the imperial citizens waging war.

The barbaric and violent Khan clan of the past was no longer.

The number of Imperial Army soldiers alone was 8 times greater.

If the situation allowed, it could increase up to 10 times, so unless a miracle occurred, there was no way to win.

No matter how much they were called ghosts of the battlefield who roamed on horseback, they would not be able to exert their strength in mountain warfare.

They were confident that news of victory would ring out before winter ended.

“At this rate, it seems we’ll be able to break through the first gate in two days.”

Becks, the Speaker of the Lower House who participated in the war as Jeffrey’s staff, relayed the contents reported by his aide.

Jeffrey, who was taking a brief rest, looked Becks up and down.

Is armor a luxury? What a sight to be dressed in a suit on this battlefield.

A war that was certain to be won. Just by participating, it was clear that great merit would be accumulated and enormous benefits would come from rewards.

That’s why the participation rate of high-ranking nobles was higher than ever before. They even voluntarily dispatched soldiers and territorial troops.

Though their appearances were unsightly and disgusting, it didn’t matter.

It was a war that could happen because of these people. Even if Aden used the cards he had, those who were now in the same boat would block them.

“We can’t get tired from the start, so there’s no need to increase the speed. This is a war that should be finished before winter ends. If we just drive them out to that barren place of the Send Plateau, they won’t be able to hold out in the end. Give orders to maintain a moderate pace without increasing the marching speed.”

“I will convey that.”

Becks left with a bow and answer.

Jeffrey, who was picking up his teacup again with a low breath, raised his eyes when he couldn’t hear footsteps.

Becks, who was about to walk away, had turned back hesitantly and was looking at Jeffrey.

“What’s the matter?”

“Forgive my presumption, but I heard a somewhat puzzling rumor.”

A rumor even before the battle broke out. Jeffrey, who let out a bitter smile, jerked his chin, and Becks corrected his posture.

“Well… The spy planted to check on the Duke’s movements said that it seems the Duke is not currently in Habertz.”

Jeffrey, who was tilting his teacup, hesitated at the word spy.

After the spy he had planted was expelled, he had been having trouble gathering information as he couldn’t plant any notable agents.

But a spy? Jeffrey, who had thought Becks was an unsightly man, made a refreshing smile as he raised his head, evaluating that he might be unexpectedly useful.

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. We don’t know exactly where he went, but it’s been over a week since the Duke was last seen in the castle. If this is true, I think we might be missing something very important.”

After all, the motive and justification for this war was Aden.

The goal was to bring that man in and put him on the stake.

To sort out those who followed him and establish those who should rightfully be his limbs. This was a war that would continue until that was achieved.

It couldn’t be concluded with him running away.

Moreover, if Aden had disappeared, it would mean losing the great cause, so if the war dragged on, it might be difficult to achieve the goal.

“Check on it. He’s not a man who would run away for fear of dying. Surely, he must be gathering soldiers somewhere. We must not let him slip away.”

“Understood.”

At the firm order, Becks bowed his head again and withdrew.

Jeffrey, who silently watched him leave, lowered the cup he was holding.

“Aden has disappeared…”

Jeffrey, who was rubbing his chin, slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

Jeffrey flicked his hand to summon his aide. The aide, having received instructions, nodded and withdrew.

Jeffrey, gripping the cup again, moistened his lips with tea.

“The weather is nice.”

The sky that had cleared after the rainy season was turning red at the end of the day that was drawing to a close.

As if longing for the blood they would soon face, bright red.

“Fight to the end-!”

Along with the commander’s rough voice, the sound of cannons rang out.

Every few times the rumbling that shook the earth sounded, holes were punched in the walls of the gate that had been built high.

Bows and guns were fired, and in between, soldiers trying to climb the walls threw themselves to make a path.

The commander in charge of defending the first gate shouted until his throat was hoarse, drawing his bow and pouring oil, but it was not enough to stop the countless soldiers pouring in.

The walls were already half-destroyed, and the solid gates were on the verge of being battered down by battering rams.

The battle had started in the morning. It wasn’t even noon yet, but it was already nearing its end.

They had intended to drag it out until evening at least. The commander, biting his lips thinly, fired his last arrows and then gestured.

At his signal, the aide blew the horn.

“Retreat!”

As the retreat signal sounded, the soldiers defending the walls withdrew one by one.

The first gate, which they thought would be steadfast, was breached before noon. It was the Imperial Army’s first victory.

“They say the Imperial Army has arrived at the second gate.”

Beressa, who was sitting in the conference room receiving the report, bit her lip thinly.

Neser, too old to take to the battlefield, was by her side. Beressa, who had been silently looking at the tactical map on the wall, ran her hand through her hair.

500 men were deployed at the first gate. 800 men were deployed at the second gate, including the retreating soldiers.

It was a small number, but it was close to 20% of the soldiers they currently had. Even deploying them, it was difficult to defend just one gate.

The number of soldiers, the quality of weapons. The highly developed war machines were excellent at breaking down solid stone walls.

Their siege capabilities, quite different from 50 years ago, were completely different from what they had thought.

“Even if we hold out for long, we won’t last beyond this evening.”

Neser spoke with a troubled face, but he knew too.

That even this was a report pieced together with hope. With 800 soldiers, it would be difficult to defend the second gate even for half a day.

It wouldn’t be strange if it fell in half a day.

Neser, rubbing his face in fatigue, examined the flags stuck in the tactical map.

There were still some soldiers who hadn’t responded to the general mobilization order. They needed time to gather them.

At least three days. The gates had to hold until then.

“What’s happened to the Duke?”

“Who knows.”

At the voice tinged with frustration, Beressa showed a bitter smile.

Beressa closed her eyes tightly in the deep darkness at the lack of news about him, and leaned back in her chair.

“There should be news soon.”

Only, whether it would be good news was something she could guarantee.

Too easy.

Jeffrey, looking at the gate that was finally breached as noon was ending, offered a brief impression.

Unlike reports that the breakthrough would be difficult because the gates were high and the soldiers brave, each gate gave way too easily.

Most of those participating in this war spoke optimistically that all this would end faster than expected.

At first, Jeffrey found such attitudes unsightly, but now he somewhat agreed with those words.

How different from 50 years ago.

Satisfied with the fact that the empire had not just been lying down breathing, Jeffrey summoned the commander.

“You called, Your Highness.”

“How long until the third gate?”

“We should arrive tomorrow morning.”

“If we push ourselves?”

The commander raised his head at Jeffrey’s words.

Reading the strange desire in his calm eyes, the commander bit his lips tightly, looked around, and carefully bowed his head.

“We could arrive by this evening. However, if we do that, the fatigue will build up and the battle will be…”

“I want to set foot on Habertz territory by tomorrow morning.”

The surprised commander flinched.

He wasn’t unaware of his desire to quickly wrap up this war, but if they forced a march, the casualties would inevitably increase.

Moreover, breaking through the gates was only the primary goal, not the final destination.

They had to break through the castle surrounding the outskirts of Habertz and cross the black barrier.

In the worst case, if Habertz abandoned the siege and led their soldiers to the plateau, it could turn into a grueling pursuit.

“Is it possible?”

The words “it’s not possible” lingered in his mouth, but the commander, unable to utter them, finally nodded.

Jeffrey jerked his chin in satisfaction, and the commander stood up and returned to his place.

The horn sounded, ordering to increase the marching speed. Jeffrey, who had been quietly watching the soldiers move, increased the speed of his horse.

“I want to see it soon.”

Far away. The vast plateau that will make me emperor.