Chapter 877

【 INTELLIGENCE REPORT 】

Two months had passed since the Eternal Church launched its Great Holy War.

In Holy Maniya Empire, approximately twenty kilometers north of the Maple Moon Free Territory.

Joseph von Lawson, one of the Empire’s Seven Electors and a Peak Golden-rank Expert, had recently inherited the title of Duke of House Lawson. Seated astride his warhorse on a gently sloping hillside, he gazed southward through an elven-made telescope, carefully observing the distant landscape.

Behind him stretched an immense army, its ranks seemingly endless. Countless human soldiers stood in orderly formations, while banners bearing the heraldic crests of various noble houses fluttered in the wind.

This was the coalition army assembled by the Empire’s nobles, one of the principal military forces mobilized in response to the Eternal Church’s declaration of the Great Holy War.

Since the outbreak of the conflict, an endless stream of imperial nobles had volunteered to join the campaign. As more noble houses committed their forces, the number of troops participating in the war had continued to swell.

So by now, even without counting the Eternal Church’s Inquisition Army and Angelic Legion, the total number of troops mobilized throughout the Empire had probably exceeded four million.

That was nearly four times the number of troops participating in the war on the side of the southern Kingdom of Aries.

It was an astonishing figure.

After all, even when the Empire had first been established a thousand years ago, it had never successfully mobilized an army of such magnitude.

Likewise, when the world of Seigües had suffered a demonic invasion more than a year ago, the Empire had failed to assemble a force of this scale.

Yet now, in order to defeat the Church of Life and seize its fertile lands, the human nobles had displayed an unprecedented level of enthusiasm.

In a certain sense, this was both a tragic and an ironic reality since nobles would only commit themselves wholeheartedly when their own interests were directly threatened or when the potential rewards were sufficiently substantial.

Of course, four million troops were far too many to be deployed as a single force.

Moreover, these troops had been assembled through the combined efforts of noble houses of varying ranks and strengths. Each had its own command structure, traditions, and interests, resulting in relatively poor cohesion and coordination.

The logistical burden of supplying such a massive army was equally enormous. Food, weapons, equipment, and other necessities would have to be transported continuously to sustain the campaign.

Consequently, the Empire had not concentrated its entire army in one place. Instead, it had divided its forces into three major groups, each assigned a separate strategic objective.

One army had departed from the western territories of the Empire.

Known as the Northern Army, it was led by the newly appointed Duke Lawson. Its objective was to attack the Maple Moon Free Territory from the north.

Another army had departed from the eastern territories.

Known as the Eastern Army, it was led by Duke Berencia. Working in coordination with the Northern Army, it would launch an attack on the Maple Moon Free Territory from the east, forming a pincer atrack against the elven territory.

The final army had departed from the heartland of the Empire.

Known as the Southern Army, it was led by Duke Corens and would attack the Southern Territory.

As for the Kingdom of Aries in the south, it was said that its forces would launch an attack on the Desert of Death.

—No.

Perhaps calling it the Desert of Death at this point was no longer entirely accurate.

Ever since the elves had occupied the Desert of Death, they had begun transforming the barren wasteland through the use of nature and divine magic, constructing oases and gradually restoring the region’s vitality.

By now, numerous patches of greenery had emerged throughout the once-desolate landscape. What had previously been a vast expanse of sand and barren earth was slowly becoming a land of fertile soil and abundant resources.

The nobles of the Kingdom of Aries had naturally taken notice of these changes.

The newly emerging oases were not merely beautiful landscapes. They also represented valuable agricultural land, water sources, and potentially lucrative territories.

This was one of the reasons the nobles of Aries were willing to launch an attack on these elven-occupied lands.

After all, in the eyes of the nobles, the transformation of the Desert of Death had made it far more valuable than it had ever been before.

Each of the Empire’s three armies, as well as the Kingdom of Aries’ army, theoretically consisted of more than a million troops.

Of course, these were only theoretical figures. Considering the nobles’ mobilization capabilities, most noble armies were still arriving in a steady stream. The number of troops assembled at the beginning of each campaign might amount to only half the intended strength, or even less.

For example, the Empire’s Northern Army, which had already reached the borders of the Maple Moon Territory, currently numbered approximately seven hundred thousand troops and the remaining noble forces were still arriving continuously.

And even this was already an utterly terrifying number.

After gazing into the distance for a while, Joseph lowered his telescope.

He toyed with the small object, which was said to have been manufactured in Maple Moon and smiled at his attendant.

“Quite a few things from Maple Moon are rather interesting. Take this elven telescope, for example. I’ve heard that it can fetch as much as thirty gold coins in the Capital. Even in our northern territories, it costs at least twenty gold coins. Yet in Maple Moon Territory, it supposedly only costs less than five gold coins.

“I’ve also heard that these things were designed by the elves and originally came from the Elven Forest. Those long-eared tree huggers must have made quite a fortune selling them.”

“Heh heh, My lord, once we conquered Maple Moon Territory, we can have as many of these as we want! Naturally, the gold coins they’ve earned will belong to us as well!”

The attendant spoke ingratiatingly.

The other nobles nearby burst into laughter upon hearing this, their eyes gleaming with greed.

Not a single person doubted that their side would emerge victorious in this Great Holy War against the Church of Life.

Although the Church of Life had demonstrated considerable strength, it was ultimately just a religious organization that had risen to prominence relatively recently.

Even if it had successfully eliminated the invading demons, and even if it had left behind countless legends across the continent, the imperial nobles believed that this was merely because the Empire had not yet exerted their full strength.

As nobles who frequently dealt with the Eternal Church, they understood very well how formidable the Eternal Church’s true foundations were.

“Let’s talk about that after we’ve won. We need to move quickly in this war. We can’t let the House of Berencia claim all the best territories.”

Joseph spoke indifferently.

His words made it sound as though the Maple Moon Territory was already in his possession.

“My lord you’re absolutely right!”

“Hahaha! My lord, you truly are a once-in-a-century genius. You will surely sweep away all those evil heretics!”

“After this war, the House of Lawson will undoubtedly become the most powerful noble house in the Empire!”

The minor nobles showered him with flattery.

Joseph found their praise rather gratifying.

However, when he noticed the mercenaries participating in the campaign among the distant ranks, something seemed to occur to him, and a faint shadow crossed his expression.

“Speaking of which… Is my foolish younger brother still in the Southern Territory?”

He suddenly asked.

At these words, the surrounding area fell abruptly silent.

The minor nobles exchanged glances. Eventually, a tall, slender, middle-aged man stepped forward and replied solemnly.

“My lord, Frank… that bastard appears to have become the leader of the Southern Territory.”

“You mean Frank became the leader of that Pathfinder Alliance which worships the Church of Life?”

Joseph narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Yes, My lord.”

The middle-aged man replied.

Joseph glanced at him and sighed softly.

“Roland, you’ve had a difficult time as well. I’ve heard that your son ran off with that bastard…”

The middle-aged man’s expression stiffened.

“My lord, I have already disowned that unfilial son of mine.”

He answered with difficulty.

Seeing how nervous the man was, Joseph burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! Don’t be nervous, Roland. Rest assured, you are you, and he is he. I naturally won’t hold his actions against you. It’s just a pity. That fool Frank only knows how to associate with lowly commoners, and now he’s dragged your foolish son down along with him…”

After speaking, Joseph narrowed his eyes again.

“Still, they’re nothing more than a rabble of disorganized fools. I’ve already spoken with Uncle Corens. Once we conquer the Southern Territory, he’ll send someone to bring my foolish younger bastard of a brother back in chains. Your son will be brought back as well.”

“Equality among all beings? Hah! It’s nothing more than a lie spread by the Church of Life. It’s time that fool Frank learned who the true masters of this continent are.”

As he spoke, a look of disdain flashed across Joseph’s face.

He raised his telescope once more and looked toward the south.

At the far end of his vision, the towering fortress walls of Augsburg City, a major northern stronghold of the Maple Moon Free Territory, were faintly visible.

“Where has the House of Wagner’s army reached?”

Gazing at the barely visible towering walls of Augsburg City, Joseph asked.

The House Wagner was one of the great noble families in the northern Empire and a vassal of the House Lawson.

The family was renowned for its expertise in manufacturing various siege weapons. Since the founding of the Empire, it had been responsible for producing the siege equipment used in the Empire’s military campaigns across the continent.

This time, most of the Northern Army’s primary siege equipment had also been supplied by House Wagner. These included mana crystal cannons, trebuchets, and siege engines.

The mana crystal cannons had been transported directly to the battlefield, while the trebuchets and siege engines had been brought along with their core components. The troops would cut down trees and assemble the equipment directly on the battlefield.

“My lord, they only left Airo City, a central city in the western territories, one day ago. They should arrive here in another three days.”

The middle-aged man replied respectfully.

Joseph nodded slightly and pondered for a moment before issuing his orders.

“All troops, advance toward Augsburg City. Set up camp ten kilometers outside the city and gather timber on the spot. Once House Wagner’s forces arrive, begin assembling the siege weapons!”

“Within seven days, I want to launch the siege! Within ten days, I want to hold a victory banquet inside Augsburg City!”

༺⟐༻

Meanwhile, in a dilapidated town in the central region of the Empire’s western territories, the army of House Wagner was temporarily stationed.

The force consisted of more than five thousand soldiers, accompanied by a vast procession of supply wagons carrying provisions, weapons, equipment, and other military necessities.

Inside the town’s largest inn, Viscount Wagner sat comfortably in the finest room, having just finished his lunch.

He elegantly wiped the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief. Seeing this, the innkeeper immediately approached with a glass of lemon water, bowing and scraping as he spoke.

“My lord, here’s some water. Please have a drink.”

Viscount Wagner glanced at the bowing innkeeper but showed no particular reaction.

Instead, he turned his gaze toward one of his personal guards.

The guard immediately stepped forward, took the glass of lemon water from the innkeeper, and respectfully presented it to his lord.

Viscount Wagner nodded slightly, a faint expression of satisfaction appearing on his face.

He took the glass and rinsed his mouth several times, seemingly quite pleased with the arrangement.

Afterward, the innkeeper brought out a perfumed wet towel. Handing it to the personal guard with both hands, he asked curiously:

“My lord, are you heading south to participate in the Holy War?”

Viscount Wagner glanced at him but did not answer.

He simply took the wet towel from his personal guard and began wiping his hands.

However, the knight standing beside him answered on his behalf.

“Of course! As devout followers of the Eternal Lord, it is our sacred duty to drive out the heretics and protect our people!”

The knight spoke with an arrogant and self-assured expression, as though their participation in the war were an act of unquestionable righteousness.

Upon hearing this, the innkeeper’s expression immediately filled with reverence.

“My lord, I am also a devout believer! I sincerely wish you great fame and glory in the war. May the Eternal Lord bless you and grant you victory!”

He spoke in an ingratiating tone, his face displaying an expression of utmost devotion.

Afterward, he tilted his head and glanced out the window.

His gaze settled on the long line of supply wagons stretching along the street, and curiosity gradually filled his eyes.

“My lord, speaking of which, what are all these carriages for? I’ve never seen an army set out with so many wagons before…”

Viscount Wagner’s brows furrowed slightly.

Noticing his lord’s expression, the personal guard immediately snorted coldly and reprimanded the innkeeper.

“Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t! This is military intelligence, not something commoners like you are permitted to inquire about.”

The guard’s voice was stern, and his expression was intimidating.

The innkeeper immediately turned pale, breaking out in a cold sweat.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Sir Knight! I was just being nosy. Please pardon me for being nosy…”

He hurriedly lowered his head, repeatedly apologizing.

After resting for a while, Viscount Wagner and his personal guards finally left the inn.

Outside, the army stationed throughout the town also began moving again, continuing its march southward.

“My lord, I wish you a safe journey!”

Standing at the entrance of the inn, the innkeeper waved enthusiastically toward the departing army, maintaining a respectful smile until the last soldier had disappeared from view.

Only then did the smile on his face gradually fade.

When he returned to the inn, his wife immediately approached him.

“Dear, have those noble pigs finally left?”

“Hmph! Yeah, they’ve finally left. At long last!”

The innkeeper sneered, his earlier expression of servility replaced by undisguised contempt.

After a moment, he glanced at his wife and asked:

“How much did they pay us?”

His wife gave a bitter smile.

“Do you think they would pay?”

She sighed and continued.

“When they left, they claimed that as knights of the Eternal Lord, they didn’t need to pay for anything during the Holy War. They even said that since we were devout believers, then we should provide them with food and drinks for free.”

“And if we refused… then we must be evil heretics!”

The innkeeper was stunned.

His expression darkened as he listened to his wife’s account.

After a moment, he glanced in the direction the nobles had departed, spat on the ground, and muttered bitterly:

“The Pastor was right. Not a single imperial noble is any good!”

After speaking, he put on a hooded cloak and headed toward the door.

“Dear, where are you going?”

His wife hurriedly called after him.

“To see the Pastor.”

The innkeeper replied without looking back.

After leaving the inn, he mounted a swift horse and rode toward the outskirts of the town.

Approximately an hour later, he arrived at a village outside the town.

The village was not particularly large, but it was remarkably tidy and well-maintained.

Unlike the other villages in the surrounding region, which often gave off an impression of poverty and decay, this one seemed to radiate vitality.

The houses were neatly arranged, the streets were clean, and the villagers appeared energetic and bright-eyed. There was an unmistakable sense of hope among them, as though they genuinely believed that a better future awaited them.

Upon entering the village, the innkeeper quickly made his way to a small courtyard and gently knocked on the door.

“Pastor! Pastor! It’s me, Jonas, the innskeeper from town! I have urgent intelligence to report!”

A moment later, the door slowly opened.

Standing before him was a handsome young elf with long, pointed ears, dressed in the white priestly robes of the Church of Life.

The moment Jonas saw the elf, his expression became instantly respectful.

He reverently traced the symbol of the Scepter of Life across his chest before reaching into his robe.

From within, he retrieved a piece of parchment that appeared to have been written only recently.

Holding it with both hands, he respectfully presented it to the young priest.

“Pastor, following your instructions, I’ve been keeping an eye on the noble armies passing through these parts over the past few days.”

“Just now, an imperial force carrying a large quantity of supplies and equipment passed through our town.”

“This army numbers approximately five thousand men. I made some inquiries, and they appear to be the private troops of Viscount Wagner. Based on their equipment and the supplies they’re carrying, they’re most likely part of the nobles’ siege force…”

Jonas paused briefly before continuing.

“Pastor, this parchment contains the detailed intelligence I recorded based on my observations. It includes the army’s approximate numbers, its equipment, and the supplies it’s transporting.”

“They’ve already headed south.”

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