Chapter 30
Strip Imperial Palace.
Undoubtedly, the most powerful country among the four nations possesses the largest imperial palace and a formidable palace guard. Not to mention the elite lancers fighting abroad, each capable of taking on ten enemies, even the palace guards are selected from the highest-ranking Titanium Demon Hunters. Some even possess strength surpassing the Titanium rank.
Following the fall of Sword Saint Reinhardt, the loss of the Holy Sword, and the disbandment of the Red Rose squad, the Strip Empire, with its smaller population, rose to power. They decisively defeated the Meir Empire, where the Sword Saint resided, in the Battle of Haviro River. Eventually, the south was pacified by the Strip Empire, and Strip became a massive nation.
King Otto I of Strip was not wrong. The Sword Saint was the trump card of the Meir Empire. Without their backbone, the Meir Empire was just a heap of loose sand. As the saying goes, paper cannot wrap fire; the news of the Sword Saint’s death eventually reached the ears of every Meir Empire soldier. They were utterly routed, leading to the laughingstock of entire armies abandoning their cities and fleeing.
The current Otto IV sat on the resplendent golden throne. The shining hall made his face appear slightly blurry. Numerous magic crystal artifacts emitted brilliant light on his extremely magnificent and luxurious wide robes. Rough fingers resting on the armrests of the throne wore rings marked with various symbols.
Standing below in the hall was a middle-aged man clad in silver armor, a gem-encrusted longsword at his waist. His gaze was sharp as a sword, and he had a sword scar on his face. Facing the king, he surprisingly did not kneel but stood straight and tall.
The palace guards all knew this was a privilege granted to him by the king. Who didn’t know the name of Great General Glenn? In the battle for the central magic crystal mines, he took the lead, launching a sudden surprise attack that allowed his troops to seize the initiative and be the first to occupy the central region.
“Lord Glenn, this King heard from Lord Stern that the expansion into the eastern forest to search for magic crystal mines has failed. What is the meaning of this?”
A gloomy voice tinged with anger came from the throne. Amplified by the echoing hall, everyone below the steps could hear it clearly.
The king did not get angry easily. Glenn knew that the strategic operation to expand into the eastern forest should have been a very simple task.
“Your Majesty, I have already posted a mission to the Misty Forest at the Demon Hunter Guild, but the results are not very obvious. A large number of missing persons have been reported.”
“Demon Hunters? Those desperadoes? Hmph, what use is that rabble? Lord Glenn, since when does a Great General like you need the help of those incompetents? They are just mercenaries who work for money. Once a crisis hits, they scatter like monkeys when a tree falls. They are completely unreliable!”
“But Your Majesty, we cannot let our own soldiers take risks anymore! A small squad of soldiers has already lost their lives!”
“Then set fire to it! Destroy the forest! No one can stop this King’s eastward expansion.”
Furious, Otto IV slapped the armrests loudly like a child throwing a tantrum.
“The previous kings were too timid. The current Empire has ample strength; unifying the continent is no longer a dream. Great General Glenn, this King orders you to march into the Misty Forest! No matter what method you use, even if you have to fill it with bodies, cram the army through for this King!”
“But, Your Majesty—!!”
Glenn seemed to want to say something more.
“No buts! If you dare disobey this King, no matter what your official rank is, you will be killed without exception.”
“Yes…”
Glenn’s shoulders trembled slightly as he swallowed his words.
“Go.”
Otto IV stood up, stretched lazily, and walked unhurriedly toward the gentle embrace of the harem behind the hall.
