NOVEL NEXT My Daddy Hides His Power
Chapter 244
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The Imperial Army, led by Commander Cheshire Libre, planned to reach the Isolem Kingdom by the sea. On the road leaving the capital and heading to the port. The great imperial army. No, It must be an ugly invasion force. Commander Garion Hoffman of the Archer Division let out a quiet sigh. Soon, his arrowheads would be stained with the blood of tens, hundreds of innocent people. He knew that it was an unavoidable imperial order. He knew it well… How could any human not be tormented by this? “Everyone stop.” It was then. The commander leading the vanguard stopped and raised his right hand. An army was approaching from the opposite side. ‘What is this? Sir Gillian? Sir Julian?’ Garion was confused. It was the army of the commanders who had departed earlier under the emperor’s command. ‘They should have boarded the ship yesterday, though? Why are they here now?’ Soon, the vanguard’s Wizard Commander, Gillian Valenciano, approached and brought his horse to a stop. “Commander.” He said calmly. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t bring myself to invade someone else’s home. It’s far too shameful to face my own children afterward.” ….! Defying the Imperial Order? At the shocking declaration, gasps erupted from all over. Judging by his determined expression, Gillian was serious. This is by no means a light crime. Conquering the kingdom, and unifying the continent. How much the Emperor had desired and prepared for this matter. Gillian was prepared to disobey the imperial decree and give up his life. ‘I, is it really to this extent…?’ Feeling embarrassed, Garion turned his head away, afraid to meet Gillian’s gaze. Yeah, if he were a human. If he were a human, it would be the right choice. However, he didn’t have the courage to give up his life. He was distressed at having to ignore the wishes of his old comrade. “Is that so?” Commander Cheshire, who had been silent for a long time, opened his mouth. The frozen voice sounded like an executioner announcing death. Swish—. As expected, the commander drew his sword right there. Everyone held their breath. However, ‘What…?’ Instead of executing his subordinate who defied the order on the spot, Cheshire moved his hand on the reins and turned the horse’s head. Garion’s eyes widened as he faced Chesire. “Then, we will all return to the capital.” * * * [Imperial Calendar 1786, May 18th. Commander Cheshire Libre betrayed the imperial order and returned from the central Bethel territory. This ‘Bethel Return’ was the starting point of the great revolution.] * * * At that moment. The commander of the defense forces, Willow Chamber, and Chesire’s father, Roger Onyx, were also leading their soldiers, the 2nd platoon of the defense forces. “Hmm, where do you think Enoch Rubinstein will go to block?” “Of course he will go to the 1st Platoon.” Seeing Willow’s face filled with fear, Roger laughed inwardly. “Right?” The Emperor’s plan to disperse Enoch’s forces was perfect. Since the islands couldn’t be seriously damaged, a third squad composed of priests who wouldn’t cause significant harm during the battle was sent to swiftly eliminate only the civilians. The nearby territories sent out two squads, each composed of wizards and swordsmen, to fight for large-scale battles. Enoch, who wanted to block this, would split up his private soldiers. And Enoch himself… “The 1st platoon has two Dos, the Count Somerset and the Marquis Ludendorff, so of course they’ll go to block them. Hahaha! That was a stupid question!” He’s in the 2nd platoon, and his son Bruce is in the 3rd platoon. He won’t have to face the monster Enoch Rubinstein. Willow, feeling relieved, gestured with his chin towards the soldiers following behind him. “Roger, you must have heard the rumors about my private soldiers, right? They say we’re on par with the Rubinstein private soldiers!” Willow had been busy recruiting private soldiers for some time, and he began to catch the Emperor’s eye by gathering useful forces. This was also the reason why the emperor entrusted him with the position of commander of the defense forces this time. “Hey! Our commander!” Willow looked at the young man riding next to him with a satisfied expression. “This is the treasure our Joseph found. I don’t know where he brought this guy.” “Is he skilled?” “Is he just good? I have no talent for managing my soldiers, so I left the entire responsibility of the troop to this guy.” Willow’s face was swollen as she spoke. Roger grumbled to himself. ‘He’s a fool, but he sure is lucky. Talented people flock to him without him lifting a finger.’ ‘That’ Joseph Rütmann, who had disappeared and then returned to grab Willow’s hand. How much pain he must have felt? All the nobles of the Empire who knew about Joseph’s illustrious past envied Willow. ‘I wondered why that smart Joseph had trusted this guy.’ It seemed he had anticipated a day like this. He brought in a capable commander for his troops, reorganized the army, and caught the Emperor’s attention… Once this was over, Willow Chamber would rise to the top of power in one breath. ‘Compared to him, I…’ If it weren’t for the title of being the father of Cheshire, he wouldn’t have had the chance to grab the emperor’s attention at all. If he had known this would happen, instead of throwing him out as an illegitimate child, he would have raised him well since he was young… The past where he lost his precious bloodline right before his eyes was so painful. ‘Still, as his biological father, Cheshire has completely forgotten the grudges of the past.’ The problem was Axion Libre. ‘If only he were gone!’ Cheshire felt a sense of debt to his adoptive father, Axion, and treated him with utmost respect. He subtly brought up the idea of eliminating Axion to the emperor during this opportunity, but… “Cheshire Libre has a stronger bond with his adoptive father than I expected. That’s why I’ve left Axion alone until now.” The emperor, who needed to handle Cheshire carefully and persuade him, took the position of not touching Axion. What if Roger Onyx was the biological father of that great swordsman? As long as Axion was around, it was difficult to fully enjoy the benefits of a successful son. “Whoa, whoa!” At that moment. Willow narrowed his eyes and slowed down his horse. “Who is it?” Someone was standing in front, waving a blue cloak symbolizing the Dos Knights. “…Duke of Libre?” It was Axion. “Where is he going in such a hurry?” He looked like someone who had been waiting for the defense force to come this way. “D, Duke, what brings you to this place? We are on our way under the Emperor’s orders. A great battle is about to take place, so please, stay safe in your residence.” Willow said politely. Since he was someone the Emperor had warned them not to touch, they had no choice but to show him respect. “Big battle? What battle?” Swish— “Hiiik!” Axion drew his sword from his waist, causing Willow to stumble dangerously atop his horse in surprise. “Is it Romwell you’re heading toward? Perhaps you’ve received an imperial order to stir up Romwell and divide Enoch’s forces?” Yeah, that’s right. Willow and Roger’s eyes widened. “There are orders to follow, and orders not to follow. Both of you wear the Quarto badge, and why do you use your great abilities to massacre humans without a conscience?” “Y, Your Excellency? This is an imperial order! Are you thinking of stopping us?” “…? Of course.” Axion added, as if he was dumbfounded. “Do you think I came all the way here for a little outing with you? You’ve put on all that weight, but it seems you haven’t gained any sense with it.” “A, are you saying that you intend to rebel against His Majesty the Emperor right now?” The surprised Willow didn’t seem to hear the mocking words. “Rebellion?!!!” “Oh, is that how it is?” “Of course!” At that moment, Roger’s heart raced as he watched the two exchanging words. ‘Axion Libre is thinking of helping Enoch Rubinstein!’ It was right! What if Axion openly stood on Enoch’s side and blocked them? Disobeying the imperial order. There would be a proper reason to eliminate him. ‘I have to kill him here.’ Roger’s eyes widened in disbelief. This was a divine opportunity. “No matter how strong you are, how can you stop this army alone?!” As Willow said, Axion was a single man with only one sword. “There are so many private soldiers of mine and the Marquis of Onyx! They’re all Octava!” Willow pointed to the army behind him and shouted in disbelief. “Hey, Willow. Calm down. I guess the Duke of Libre is confident.” Roger dismounted and reached for the sword at his waist. ‘No matter how formidable the Dos is, he can’t possibly take on this many Oktava soldiers and two Quartos. Does he think he’s some kind of Enoch Rubinstein…?’ Axion had no chance. He was clearly prepared to die, and was trying to buy time with his own life to help Enoch. ‘What a touching friendship.’ Roger laughed viciously and said. “You have declared your intention to defy the imperial decree, so from this moment, you are a traitor. I will act according to military law.” “Well, yes. The Marquis is happy about this situation, right? You were already desperate to kill me, weren’t you?” Axion added with a smirk. “How heartbroken must you have been, having your son taken away from you right in front of your nose. Watching your successful son while you had to sit back and do nothing must have brought a lot of tears.” Roger gritted his teeth at the mocking tone. “It’s a win-win for both me and the Marquis. Let’s settle the debts we’ve accumulated against each other this time and accept the outcome.” “You’re just wasting time by talking nonsense…” “Ugh!” At that moment, Willow screamed. What is it? Roger turned around and was surprised. Wasn’t that the Chamber’s private captain holding a sword to his master’s neck? “What, what are you…?” Before anyone could grasp the situation, the army split into two and clashed. The Chamber’s private soldiers started attacking the Onyx’s private soldiers. “Willow! What are you doing!” “I, I don’t know!” Willow ran towards Roger in a panic and dodged. The Chamber’s private soldier commander’s sudden betrayal. Roger’s mind went blank. ‘Ah!’ And then he realized. “This is the treasure our Joseph brought back. I have no idea where he found such a guy.” Joseph Lüttman… That guy, no way… “Hahahaha!” Roger turned around at the sound of laughter. His face was calm, as if he had expected it. Somehow, there was a reason why he had the guts to block the army alone. “Alright, it seems like those numerous soldiers have been dealt with.” Axion pointed the tip of his sword at Willow and Roger. “I just need to catch two Quartos.” “Y, Your Excellency! W, what is going on right now…?!” Willow stuttered in panic. Axion ignored him and only looked at Roger. “Roger Onyx.” “….” “I will give you the opportunity to take away the title of Cheshire’s ‘father’ from me. The rank you so cherish.” Axion put a hand on his shoulder and pulled the cloak chain. “Take it off.” The blue cloak symbolizing Dos, Whoosh—. It flew away and fell to the ground. “I will allow you to attack.” He took a brisk step forward and smiled leisurely. “Let’s fight over who the real father is, for custody of our son.” The tip of the sword aimed at him glowed. “Let’s have a man-to-man fight.”
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