Chapter 191: Checkmate

    Bang!

    The Duke of Garcia’s catapults launched rocks through the air, targeting Garcia Castle.

    Boom!

    Upon impact, the rocks crashed against the fortress, but it remained unscathed.

    “My lord, this is a disaster. The siege weapons are proving ineffective.”

    “It’s fine. Continue the attack.”

    Duke Garcia knew from the start that these catapults would have no effect.

    ‘It’s an ancient castle. Even three days and nights of bombardment won’t faze it.’

    The reason he was engaging in this futile task was simple: to divert attention for Commander Alby.

    The commander was currently making his way through a secret passage into the castle.

    ‘He should be close to reaching the castle by now. Once he arrives, he will deal with the Seventh Prince and open the gate.’

    His only regret was not being able to personally confront Ian.

    Nevertheless, to deceive Ian, he had to maintain the facade of the siege.

    ‘Strange. Commander Alby should have reached the castle by now.’

    Why is there still no contact?

    Though Duke Garcia didn’t show it, it was when he began to think something was amiss.

    A knight guarding the castle walls rushed over.

    “My lord! The royal army is mounting a full-scale attack from outside. We can’t hold them off much longer.”

    “...”

    Duke Garcia’s eyebrows twitched.

    It seemed that the Seventh Prince had a plan in mind after seizing the castle.

    Launching a full-scale attack immediately after taking over the castle.

    “What’s the current situation?”

    “The royal army is using siege weapons, and the east gate is about to breach.”

    “Mobilize all forces. Delay them as long as possible.”

    Even his loyal followers, who would usually obey without question, were different this time.

    “My lord, you should escape for now.”

    “That’s right. You’ve just escaped imprisonment. If you’re caught again, the king won’t let this go.”

    “We’ll manage here. Find safety first, my lord...”

    They were all uneasy.

    If Duke Garcia were his usual self, he would buy time to escape.

    “We’re running low on food, and morale is at rock bottom.”

    “With the siege weapons in use, we can’t stop the royal army outside.”

    “No neighboring lords have sent reinforcements.”

    The atmosphere was strange.

    The nearby lords, who would usually fawn over Duke Garcia, remained silent.

    These were the same lords who were supposed to be under Garcia’s control.

    It was clear that something was off.

    But the Duke of Garcia shrugged it off as not worth the trouble.

    “Soon, Commander Alby will open the gates. Everyone, just hold on a little longer.”

    “Y-Yes, but my lord...”

    “Once we retake the castle, the royal army will pose no threat. Reinforcements will arrive.”

    “Reinforcements? But no nearby lords...”

    “I have no need for those traitors.”

    “!”

    The Duke was waiting for none other than the First Prince.

    And those who had followed him in the dark for so long...

    ‘At least among them, there are those from the Kingdom of Magicians.’

    Mages.

    They were almost nonexistent in this Kingdom of Swordsmen, but they could cast large-scale magic.

    With their magic, they could wipe out the royal army in one fell swoop.

    “Just a little longer. We must endure.”

    Despite the unusual atmosphere, the Duke of Garcia was no fool.

    He had no intention of idly waiting.

    “Send a carrier pigeon. Recall the troops dispatched to Helgaia.”

    “My lord, perhaps...?”

    “We will lay siege from within the castle and crush the royal army from both flanks.”

    The Duke’s brow furrowed.

    ‘For the grand plan’s sake, I aimed to minimize damage to the Kaistein forces, but circumstances leave me no choice.’

    Helgaia would be a bloodbath thanks to the Secret Special Force.

    Even if he withdrew his troops, there would be no problem.

    Just then.

    Boom!

    A thunderous explosion engulfed Garcia’s territory.

    The ground seemed to shake beneath him, and even the Duke felt a slight tremor.

    “What is that commotion?”

    “I... I will investigate immediately.”

    His retainers rushed out.

    Shortly thereafter, they returned with news.

    “It seems the vibration is coming from the direction of the castle.”

    “Has the castle been breached?”

    “No, not that. We are currently determining the cause.”

    Duke Garcia felt a chill run down his spine.

    It seemed like the Seventh Prince, Ian, was up to something once again.

    “Hurry up and check.”

    He was urging his retainers, which was unlike him. But just then.

    “This is bad, my lord!”

    “What is it? Has the castle gate been breached?”

    “Uh... not quite...”

    The messenger stumbled over his words, clearly struggling to convey the message.

    With a strange sense of foreboding, the Duke made his way toward the walls.

    What he saw there left him stunned: an enormous number of soldiers gathered, and in front of them stood a significant number of knights as well.

    ‘Could it be... that he had been trading even before that? If so, he must have deceived me back then too.’

    No, it was evident he had deceived everyone.

    Nevertheless, even with magical artifacts, halting knight-level forces would be no easy feat.

    It would have been different if there were mages present.

    ‘Unless it’s large-scale war magic, not even a knight using Oath would suffice.’

    Except for Galon’s Invincibility, no one could approach them easily.

    However, magical artifacts were scarce.

    “Look there. My brother is aware and is gradually depleting the magical devices, isn’t he?”

    “True. It’s only a matter of time before Garcia’s defenses are breached.”

    While some knightly forces remained, it was inevitable that the Duke would soon be captured.

    At that moment, Ian turned to the knight standing behind him.

    “What do you think, Sir, about joining them?”

    It was none other than Prince Louis’ knight, Angel.

    Louis had left a means of contact with Ian just in case and Angel had also assisted during the fire at the food warehouses.

    However, Angel shook his head.

    “I’m fine. I’ll stay by the Prince’s side.”

    “Really? Don’t you want to fight alongside my brother over there? If you want, I can open the door for you.”

    “I’m really fine.”

    Angel’s gaze was resolute.

    Initially skeptical of Ian, he now seemed intrigued by Ian’s actions, looking forward to what would unfold next.

    It appeared that Angel was impressed by Ian in some way.

    ‘Well, it doesn’t really matter.’

    Although he had been caught off guard easily last time, a knight of the Third Prince was certainly not to be underestimated.

    Undoubtedly, he was a valuable asset as a knight.

    Ian called out to Nathan, who was carrying three large bundles that were even bigger than himself.

    “Sir Nathan, have you packed everything well?”

    “Hahaha. Of course. I rummaged through everything, even the Duke’s underwear, and gathered anything valuable.”

    “Well done.”

    Beside him, Ian had also prepared a substantial bundle.

    Important documents and the Duke’s heirlooms were stored in a Small Subspace Ring.

    Nonetheless, all other valuable items had been collected.

    Nathan, however, expressed his curiosity, asking, “Don’t we need to go in there?”

    “Why? Do you wish to confront the Duke?”

    “Not really, but it feels like you’re leaving the best part for the Third Prince.”

    Nathan’s curiosity was understandable.

    Despite Ian setting fire to Duke Garcia’s food warehouses and capturing the castle, it seemed odd to share the glory after the main figure, Duke Garcia, had been lost.

    Nevertheless, Ian smirked.

    “Do you think I would just concede that?”

    “Certainly not. That’s why you’re my lord.”

    Nathan grinned in response.

    ***

    “Your Grace! Please make your escape!”

    “We will hold them off!”

    In front of the Duke, injured knights and soldiers stepped forward.

    Despite their resolve, they could only manage to slow down the advance of the Third Prince and his knights for a little while, but the Duke’s soldiers were being pushed back helplessly.

    Before long, the castle walls had been overtaken by the royal army, and they were retreating so far that the castle itself was visible behind them.

    Duke Garcia’s brow furrowed.

    “In front, the royal army and the Third Prince. Behind me, my former castle and the Seventh Prince. How do you expect me to escape from here?”

    “But Your Grace...”

    Despite the desperate pleas of his retainers, Duke Garcia steeled his resolve.

    As the head of a ducal family, one of only two in the country, he was determined not to yield.

    ‘I received a message from the First Prince. Just a bit more... I need a little more time.’

    Duke Garcia declared boldly, “I refuse to be captured in such a dishonorable manner!”

    “We will stand with you, Your Grace!”

    Garcia’s knights raised their swords, sensing the Duke’s resolve to confront the Third Prince, even at the cost of their lives.

    They were not merely prepared to fight; they were resolute to fight without a hint of regret as knights of Garcia.

    “We are the knights of Garcia! Destroy those who have defiled Garcia’s territory!”

    “Don’t let a single one of them live!”

    With bravery, Garcia’s knights charged forward.

    Just as they were about to clash with the knights of the Third Prince Louis...

    Boom!

    An explosion sent Garcia’s knights flying into the air.

    The Third Prince and his army were stunned into a momentary halt.

    Yet, the most shocked person was Duke Garcia himself.

    “What... what is happening?”

    He looked back in surprise.

    He confirmed that their knights had been blown away by cannon fire coming from behind.

    Just as he suspected,

    Fwoosh...

    Smoke billowed from the cannons of Garcia Castle.

    Ian Kaistein.

    He had activated the castle’s defensive mechanisms.

    It was the trump card he had saved until now.

    Subsequently, the castle gates began to slowly open.

    Duke Garcia’s eyebrows shot up.

    “Yo-you!”

    Ian and his knights appeared from within.

    Ian, in particular, was grinning broadly—so much so that his teeth were visible.

    And soon, the royal sword was directed toward Duke Garcia.

    “Checkmate.”

    Duke Garcia’s expression hardened more than ever before.

    Author''s Thoughts

    Birds of a feather flock together ... hahaha