21st Century Archmage

Chapter 188: I Was Never a Good Master

Translator: Lei

Proofreader: Enigami

“My liege, the enemies are running away. How should we proceed?”

Sir Shailt, the leader of the 2nd Flight, asked me a question through the communicator.

‘Its fishy.

After going over the Kovilan Mountains and defeating the empire wyverns in the Yanovis Duchy Castle, we crossed the Havis Kingdoms border the next day and blitzed another Laviter Skyknight flight. This time, I brought Sir Shailt and the 2nd Flight, the group in charge of the border fort, with me. But there was a problem.

‘They must know about me, so whats with this response, or lack thereof? Theyre so reckless, its almost like theyre itching to die.

As long as the empires troops werent total idiots, they should have prepared for my attack by pulling back the Skyknights or coordinating their forces to put up a resistance, but the Laviter Skyknights flailed and floundered as if they had never known I was coming. Their formation crumbled after a few spells, spirits, and Superior Blessed Spears. Afterwards, they scattered like mice.

“Were withdrawing for today.”

In just a few moments of engagement, we brought down around 250 enemy wyverns. The ambushs success was as clear as day, so I turned my reins.

‘The Emperor isnt stupid. And the opponent is the Laviter Empire. There shouldnt be any reason for them to use such an idiotic tactic…

In truth, if this was a war with a different kingdom or empire and not me, Laviters forces were more than prepared. I was the uncouth bastard for going into battle against 500 wyverns with one tiny flight of 100. However, I was already well-versed in aerial battle, and there was no way the enemies didnt know that I could fire spells specialized for the air, unlike regular mages. Of course, they probably never dreamed that anyone would dare to go deep into the empire to launch a blitz, but the slipshod nature of their defense against me greatly aroused my suspicions.

‘When were back, I have to find out the details.

We had just won what could be called a huge victory, but a part of my chest felt dissatisfied. This feeling was on par with the pain of getting a bellyache right when delicious fire-grilled pork belly was ready to eat.

* * *

“Its hard to find out whats going on in the Laviter Capital?”

“Yes. The Imperial Capital has been almost completely shut off using the plague as an excuse. In addition, an imperial command has been issued to have all the nobles stay in their territories.”

I was back after launching two Laviter invasions in order to reduce the danger at our throats. Although we had won victories worth being satisfied over, I collected information about the Empire through merchants and mercenaries as soon as I got back to the territory because I had a bad feeling. After about ten days, a strange piece of news came in.

“Derval, dont you also think this is strange? Even though I attacked them, their lack of response rendered them as good as defenseless. Even with their pride as a big, mighty empire, they didnt proceed to invade or even threaten Nerman.”

“I also find it suspicious. In light of the way the Laviter Empire has responded over the years, things should have erupted in chaos by now. But…”

Dervals eyes narrowed as he thought hard, unable to come up with an answer.

‘Its definitely strange. And very much so, at that.

Nerman had made quick work of 500 Laviter wyverns, but I was still uneasy. I tried gathering information, but nothing came up, and my suspicions only grew.

“You still cant contact the black merchants?”

“No. Not just them, but according to what Ive found out, most of the external contacts of the black merchants have concealed themselves.”

‘Just what the hell is going on? Whys everyone like this?

I got the feeling that just like how mice and all kinds of insects and animals knew before humans did that an earthquake was coming, the black merchants that were specialized in survival had slipped away before shit went down.

“But we need information…”

“I think it will be difficult to find out anything about the Laviter Empire at the moment… Unless you go there yourself.”

‘Id have to go there myself, huh…