Emperor of Steel

Time passed and it was the day for the magic video conference.

In the King’s office, Luke installed five magic communication beads and a relay magic device that binds them together.

When he injected the mana into the relay magic device, the five beads began to light up one after the other.

When the lights came on, he spoke.

“Some people are familiar ones, but let’s introduce each other for those who we never saw or met in person. I am Luke de Rakan, the King of Symphonia Kingdom.”

The first one to respond back to Luke’s introduction was Reina.

-Veronica III of the Holy Arthenia Empire.

-This James II of Castia Kingdom. Veronica of the Holy Empire is definitely as pretty as the rumors. I regret not meeting you. Hahaha!

At the words of the handsome James II, who was in his early thirties and had brown hair, Luke frowned.

‘Tch, disgusting playboy, just as they said!’

According to the report of the Intelligence Agency, James II had more than 20 girlfriends inside and outside the palace in addition to the 5 queens.

That was what was known, and it was said that the women he would sometimes touch could never be found again.

There was criticism because of this kind of act, but he wasn’t a tyrant.

There was no need to use any force to touch the woman he wanted, and the ruling of his Kingdom was known to be stable.

The peculiar thing about him was that he had no children yet, even after he would move around the women.

‘Huh, must have been cursed by the Godden of Earth and life, Belize.’

When Luke was thinking of it—Henry II of the Navarre Duchy, and President Vladimir of the Volga Republic introduced themselves.

When the president introduced himself, the other Kings seemed uncomfortable.

‘Tch, is there any need to call for that republican monster?’

‘I hope the Volga men would just end in the bloody fight with the Baroque Empire.’

However, Reina who was supposed to have held deep grudges of being turned into a princess of ruin, spoke to President Vladimir.

-I really wanted to see you in person, but even meeting you like this is nice.

-Ah, yes… I don’t know how I am supposed to greet Her Holiness.

Vladimir perspired.

No matter what anyone said, he would always be the enemy of the Volga Royal family. Even if the woman wanted war, no one would blame her.

Even if the Holy Empire, which was currently the most powerful nation on the continent, used only half of its military power, the Volga Republic would meet its end.

But Reina didn’t seem to go behind any grudge.

‘Well, if that was her intention I would have met with her earlier itself.’

While the president sighed of relief, the King of Irea, opened his mouth for the first time.

-Nice to meet everyone. I am Charles of Irea Kingdom.

Charles was a blunt young man with freckles on his face.

The Kingdom of Irea was located in the center of the Rhodesia Continent and shared its borders with a number of Kingdoms.

The Irea Kingdom surrounded by the mountains had barren land and less population, but it had a military power that couldn’t be ignored.

It was because half the population were hunters or earned their money by turning into active mercenaries in other nations.

For that reason, nations who invaded the Irea Kingdom by treating it lightly, such as the Baroque and Holy Empire were always defeated.

Despite having such power, the Irea Kingdom never invaded any other nation or formed an alliance with another.

It was because the Kingdom hated getting swayed by foreign powers, yet, it hurt their pride to be considered as a lower nation to the Holy Empire or Baroque Empire or even the Navarre Duchy.

So what he chose was a neutral diplomacy, a policy which tilted towards isolation.

As such, the nation’s diplomatic activities were all about tariffs when their mountain path was being used for trade.

And such a Kingdom entered the summit.

Which meant that the issue being discussed was considered so serious.

There were a total of 6 nations in total, including the Symphonia which proposed the summit.

In addition to that, there were several small tribes and kingdoms in Rhodesia, but they were excluded from the conference due to their small power.

Once everyone was done introducing themselves, Luke spoke.

“The reason why we are having to meet up like this today, is because we can no longer condone the actions of the warlocks who represent the Veritas Magic tower.”

-Regarding that, seeing the data which King Luke sent, I can see the situation is rather unusual. But do we really need to go against Baroque and the Libiya for it?

It was unexpected, but Charles of Irea was the first to speak.

“Then what do you think?”

-There is considerable power in both those nations. So wouldn’t it be better to support them from the inside and flip them out at the right moment?

Very much like the King who enjoyed seclusion and isolation.

‘That is stupid. Let’s say that I don’t know about Arsene taking control of the Libiya Kingdom. Even then, isn’t it a famous story about how the nobles who opposed Rudolf always disappeared?’

The nobles who caused the civil war turned into independent nations like Milton and Libiya Kingdom.

The remaining lords and nobles were seeking shelter in Symphonia Kingdom due to the constant wars in the Baroque Empire.

And he wanted to support the dissatisfied forces and make them revolt?

Even before Luke could answer, Reina refuted it.

-That is something that has no rationality around it. Both the nations have no opposition forces inside them.

Reina heard the information from the Holy Empire’s Intelligence agency.

-I agree with Her Holiness. We too supported the peasant rebellion in the Baroque Empire, but we didn’t achieve anything which could even flip the nation for a short while.

President Vladimir backed Reina’s words.

In fact, supporting that rebellion did gain the Volga Republic a few estates.

However, it was smaller than what they imagined.

It was because of the betrayal of the Libiya Kingdom, who had broken their secret alliance.

The Volga Kingdom didn’t know why they suddenly broke it, but after seeing the data sent by Luke, they were able to figure out what happened.

‘They held hands with the warlocks and plotted something else.’

-I also agree with the words of Her Holiness Veronica. It is already too late to stir up rebels. Now, the only choice we have is to fight from the outside.

It was James II of Castia who said that.

He didn’t just agree, he winked at Reina too.

‘How dare he do this to another person’s wife?!’

Luke, who was displeased with James II flirting with his wife, tried very hard to hold himself back.

He clenched his hand.

-The words of James II seem like starting a war is the only option.

-Well, it is my judgment that if we leave them as they are, the war against the Devil King 500 years back will only happen again.

The meeting was divided into two groups.

The Baroque and Libiya had to be taken down, and those who wanted to stand back.

The latter was Henry III of Navarre Duchy and Charles of Irea.

The Navarre would always be under the Baroque Empire.

Although Baroque’s power had weakened, the Navarre had freed themselves from political intervention, but it didn’t seem right to attack a nation that once helped it out.

When the meeting turned tense, Luke finally decided to uncover another piece of information.

“Did you know that the undead are being made by the Veritas Magic tower? They are being divided into Lich and Death Knight, and the other day they appeared in the southern part of our nation and caused huge damage.”

-Ah! Right. At that time you applied for support, and according to Arch Duke Gregory who directly dealt with the undead, the Lich was at least 7th magic circle, and the Death Knight was a Sword Master class.

When Reina backed Luke’s words, the room fell silent.

“The problem is that there are hundreds of undead, but just one or two.”

Du-dum!

The heads of each nation who heard that went shocked.

Imagine hundreds of 7th magic circle mages and sword masters striking the continent.

Which nation could stop them?

If Luke’s words were indeed true, the situation could have been a lot worse than that during the Devil King’s war 500 years back.

-Why are you telling that only now?

King Charles asked with a frown.

“We got that information only recently. It took us a while to confirm it. Rather, shouldn’t we have to get a decision now?”

-Ugh, then we have no other choice but to strike first.

They couldn’t give them time until Veritas Magic tower finished making the undead.

After that, the meeting went in speed, resulting in a temporary alliance of the six nations.

“Well, the Song Empire and the Yemaek of the Southern continent are in a military alliance with our Symphonia. Even those two will participate in the war, I hope you understand.”

-The more allies the better, you don’t have to worry about that.

-Then, leave the details over to my working staff and I…

-I have a job to do, I need to leave. Her Holiness, if I have a chance, I would like to meet you.

One after the other, everyone ended their connection.

James II of Castia was the last to end it.

Everyone left leaving behind only Reina and Luke.

Reina spoke seeing Luke in a bad mood.

-You seem troubled from a while back, is there anything that is bothering you?

“I do. I am seeing your fame rise.”

As Luke grumbled while answering, Reina asked with a smirk.

“Ho ho ho, why? Feeling jealous?”

“Not jealous, just unpleasant. Some sloppy bastard keeps flirting with my wife, would there be anyone who would like that?”

Luke, feeling back, spoke out.

“Why didn’t you stop that King of Castia from acting like that?”

-To avoid any more troublesome things.

“To avoid troublesome things?”

Reina spoke to Luke, who didn’t seem to understand it.

-You surely are a master when it comes to magic and swords, but you don’t understand human behavior. Playboys like James II don’t need to be responded to. If we respond to him, it will only tire the opposite person out.

There were always people who would exaggerate their words when specifically asked not to do so.

And it was the case of James II, who seemed rather high.

Which was why Reina completely ignored him.

-Moreover, it was a situation where the nations on the continents had to join to defeat Arsene. I don’t think that such huge tasks should be hindered by creating a mess out of small things.

“I see. I couldn’t figure it out.”

Embarrassed, Luke smiled.

-Wouldn’t it have been better to reveal Arsene’s identity?

If I told that Arsene had taken over the body of the Libiya Kingdom’s ruler—Shaikan, each of the nations in the alliance would have joined without another word of disagreement.

They would feel anxious as to when their bodies too would be robbed.

But Luke didn’t mention it on purpose.

They might be in favor because of the anxiety, but they could be scared and try to save their own selves.

“And, most of all, it is something I need to do, slash Arsene’s neck.”

-Is it because of the family grudge?

“That too… he has been killing thousands of people over the past 500 years. So I feel like I need to do it with my own hands.”

Reina nodded at Luke’s words.

-I see. Then take me with you when you get rid of Arsene.

“I can’t. It is dangerous.”

-That is even more reason for me to go. I am the highest authority of the El Kassel denomination. My divine power will be of great help in defeating the dark magic of Arsene.

“But…”

-Married couples share one body. Your job is my job. That is the reason why I was given the power of Aether from Sylphid so that I can help you out.

Luke tried to talk her out of it.

However, Reina being as stubborn as she was, didn’t back down.

“Fine. Let’s go together.”

Honestly, if he accompanied Luke, it was like being Heaven’s light.

Reina’s Aether—which is converted into the Divine power, was the greatest disadvantage for dark magic.

Moreover, Reina had reached a far higher level in terms of Divine power when compared to Luke.

Her Divine faith wasn’t merely converted by the Aether Globe like Luke’s, but it was stronger due to the faith in God and extreme love for life.

‘Which is why they are called as Saint. But Reina, you won’t be accompanying me.’

Luke didn’t want any circumstances where Reina’s life would be in danger.

Also, when he went to fight with Arsene, he wanted to go full out.

He would hear Reina’s nagging and resentment at the later time, but Luke was ready for it.

After talking for a while, the two ended their magic communication.