I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 264

“I’ve already warned the Chancellor about that. Some of the troops we didn’t call here were redirected to the capital. Don’t worry too much, Euseniel. He won’t be able to do that.”

The invaders are from the Southern Empire. Unlike them, who must conquer the Northern Empire, our goal is simply to stop them from advancing.

Prete Castle, which guards the border, is so strong that one person could hold off a thousand. It’s a fortress designed for defense, giving us a favorable position over them.

While there are other places facing the Southern Empire, Prete’s defensive range is vast, and it’s the only spot suitable for an invasion.

Of course, the mirror can transport a small group of people, making it possible to summon many more to the desired location.

Thanks to this, domestic security has been strengthened. Orders have been given to capture anyone acting suspiciously and verify their identities.

“It seems like the Chancellor is doing his part well.”

“So you’re saying there’s unrest within the Southern Empire?”

“Yes. Already, someone has offered to give a third of the Southern Empire if we kill their emperor.”

Wow, long live the internal collaborator ready to sell out their own country.

“It seems the idiot, despite claiming to have the blessing of the God of Light, has been doing all sorts of terrible things.”

Looking at the way he treats me, it seems very likely.

The Southern Emperor’s obsession with birthright and nobility was truly extreme. On top of that, he drains people’s blood to nourish himself?

Good heavens, that’s beyond imagination.

“Euseniel, rest.”

“Since the enemy already knows I use magic, I’ll handle the attacks.”

The Southern Empire’s soldiers, now noticeably weakened compared to when I first arrived and they were advancing toward the fort in their white armor. It’s hard to believe they’re not exhausted.

“Rain…”

Even though it was called rain, it was more like a barrage of sharp, needle-like water droplets.

“…And then lightning.”

The lightning striking the drenched enemy troops had maximized its effect.

Though the Southern Empire soldiers jeered, our army ignored them and poured magic upon them.

The day ended.

* * *

A short time later, a welcome guest arrived at Prete Castle.

“Lord Blest.”

General Panet went out to greet the visitor who came with the rarely used magic circle.

Along with the escort knights, two large objects covered by cloth, and Weathering. Among the escorts was Sir Guard’s grandson.

“It’s done…”

After speaking, Weathering collapsed, and didn’t wake up until the next morning. In his haste to gather people around, he hadn’t even realized his glasses were askew.

I gave Weathering a light tap on the eye, and as he blinked, he seemed to realize something and quickly adjusted his glasses.

“There are two mirrors.”

“Oh?”

General Panet’s eyes sparkled.

“With Count Daidi’s help, we’ve located one more source of this unique mineral.”

“Did he willingly hand it over?”

“Because his daughter is held hostage.”

It seems the Chancellor used her as leverage for the deal.

After Ruby’s mental control from the Southern Emperor was broken, she was moved from the prison to a room. She was still under surveillance, though.

I only heard updates about her but didn’t go to visit. I had no words to share, and I didn’t want to complicate things or cause any unnecessary confusion.

“Still, you managed to find it.”

“The Northern Empire is rich in minerals.”

While the Southern Empire has a large population and abundant farmland due to its mild climate, the Northern Empire, with its mountainous terrain, produces many unique minerals.

If the Southern Empire had discovered more minerals for mirror-making, their Emperor would have surely acted on it.

“There’s more, but Count Daidi wouldn’t be hiding them, would he?”

“Ruby Daidi is an important heir to the Daidi family.”

Since she’s the only child, and there are no collaterals of the family, she is the sole heir.

“And the family is at a critical point of either surviving or being wiped out, so it’s hard for him to come up with any schemes. Especially when the opponent is the Chancellor.”

Officer Kelt chuckled approvingly. He seemed to know the Chancellor well.

“This mirror allows for round trips.”

Weathering adjusted his glasses and started explaining.

“The point marked on the mirror is the key.”

There was a different inscription in the ancient language I had written before.

“Does this mean the places the mirror can travel to are limited?”

“Exactly.”

Weathering nodded as if satisfied with my question.

“So, even the Southern Empire’s mirror can only go to a limited number of places.”

“Oho, that’s a relief.”

General Panet stroked his chin and nodded.

“When we split the mirror in half, the key point on the upper half is always here, at Prete Castle. Since most of our forces are gathered here, we marked it here.”

“Is it impossible to modify?”

“Yes. Originally, I wanted to come here and hear from you and others before marking it, but…”

Weathering scratched his head.

“I had no choice but to mark it right when the mirror was completed.”

“Huh? If you didn’t mark it, would something strange happen to the mirror?”

“Yes, when I tried to delay it, random objects around the mirror started getting sucked into it, so I had no choice.”

“That’s quite a troublesome item.”

“It’s an object that can move across space without restriction, so I think it’s something we can let slide as a little quirk.”

Officer Kelt said with a smirk, and Weathering sharply replied. I inwardly agreed with Weathering’s point but remained silent.

“The lower half has two destinations. I tried to make it as close as possible to the operation you hinted at… but I’m not sure if I did it well. This is the capital of the Southern Empire, Glia.”

“Glia… does that mean we could end up anywhere in Glia?”

“Yes. The destination isn’t guaranteed.”

“Hmm, that’s unfortunate. Then what about the other one?”

“The castle across the Senne River.”