The Empire has a lot of enemies.

Not just the external adversaries like kingdoms and republics, but internally, it’s rotting from the inside, overflowing with potential traitors disgruntled with the royal family.

In such a situation, filled with foes inside and out, you’d think the Imperial Palace, the heart and soul of the Empire, would be all geared up and ready for anything… but nope!

Of course not!

It’s true the Empire has many enemies, but whether they could actually break into the palace is a whole other story.

Whether it’s a kingdom or a republic, one elite unit from the Empire could probably turn it to ashes without the Emperor even lifting a finger. There’s that level of skill difference!

What kind of insanity would drive a country to touch the Empire?

The same goes for internal enemies.

Even if a whole nation decided to attack, the odds of a few individuals banding together to launch an assault is just plain absurd.

That would just be a novel form of suicide.

Terrorist groups who claim to be the ‘harbingers of doom’ have messed with the Mana Train but have never once dared to assault the palace.

If no intruder has ever set foot here, how would anyone gain any expertise in dealing with intruders?

Practicing every three months only to have most not pay attention, thinking it’s all just busywork.

Maybe it’s time to wake up just a little.

The guard stationed in the palace briefly pondered this but ultimately brushed it off.

It’s just a boredom-induced thought, and worrying about unnecessary things doesn’t help your paycheck go up.

In fact, bringing it up could just earn him the disdain of his peers.

What if his comment actually got taken seriously and led to more intense training? He’d be begging for mercy after a group beatdown!

Besides… if he really thought about it, there wasn’t much of a problem.

Where are we again?

The Empire.

The Imperial Palace.

With not just three Swordmasters guarding it, but also that genius boy who just joined, making it four.

And the place is also home to the cunning Prince Renya, who’s famous for his strategies. Seriously, what kind of lunatic would dare step foot in this place?

Even if a crazy person did try, it wouldn’t be a big deal. This is the Empire’s Palace; there’s no way the defenses would be lacking.

The intruder would be met with all sorts of magical protections and equipment crafted with the Empire’s technology, turning to ashes the moment they stepped on the premises.

So, there’s no reason for worry.

Nothing unexpected is bound to happen, and today will likely be just another monotonous day, so he might as well kill time idly.

The soldier could hardly question that.

“W-What?! An intruder! Hurry, report to the higher-ups!!”

That voice shattered the calm before the storm.

Just like that, the soldier’s face morphed into one of panic. Is this some kind of prank?

But the persistent alarm ringing…

It proved that the formation created by His Majesty was crumbling like a sandcastle.

An intruder who could dismantle His Majesty’s magic this easily? There’s no way they’d rush in here without a plan.

The intruder must have seen their chances.

The chance to topple the palace. That implies they had the power to take on not just four Swordmasters but the Emperor himself.

…That’s a wild assumption.

There’s no way that’s possible.

Even if the kingdom and the republic teamed up, gathering that kind of strength would be next to impossible!

But despite knowing this, the cold sweat kept flowing.

Simply put, there’s a force out there capable of pulling this off.

That name just wouldn’t leave his mind.

-KABOOM!

Then came the blast that rocked the very ground.

He tried to brace himself, holding on with the sword in hand, but it was futile. He was sent sprawling.

And before him stood a gang cloaked in black hoods, looking down at their fallen comrade.

…The Black Fangs.

The Black Fangs had declared war.

*

In the Second Prince’s office.

Heinrich… no, the Pope Johann of the Holy Church grimaced at the mounting stress.

“I should’ve sensed something was off when that brat suddenly left.”

Even forgetting his status, the blessings of a saint remained intact.

Renya hadn’t left just to investigate something trivial; he likely had an instinct that this situation was brewing and fled.

Too focused on the plan, he overlooked such a simple fact. This was a blunder of monumental proportions.

“Why, of all times, did the Black Fangs have to make their move…?”

The Black Fangs.

Truly the most irregular of irregulars, the most unstable element in his plans. Nothing about their identities or motives couldn’t be grasped.

Moreover, the Black Fangs were evolving into a religion. Should the leader of this faith decide to take action, every plan could crumble in an instant.

He’d known that and tried to prevent it, but…

He couldn’t even figure out the identity of the leader; not even with his friend’s powers, who was intertwined with control.

As if not of this world.

Or as if no one sees themselves as the leader of the Black Fangs.

No matter what method he tried, they were impossible to track down.

Locating their members was also complicated by the remains of a fallen beast—the Black Wolf’s interference.

Ultimately, knowing it was a risk, he had to half-assedly let it slide. And just like that, the worst-case scenario had exploded.

Crap! Right during a crucial moment when plans were to be enacted, the Black Fangs ambushed them.

“Of course, they could very well be uninterested in this and just want to spark a revolution.”

But he couldn’t be sure.

A mere terrorist group had become a religion over the years and turned the Empire into an enemy while not losing steam but rather growing in strength.

It was better to give up trying to understand them with common sense.

They’d come to this place after grasping every detail of his plans, exposing every flaw, every preventative measure.

Such a possibility couldn’t be dismissed.

Anxiety surged.

The thought that all his efforts over the past 10 years could go down the drain naturally made Johann’s teeth chatter.

“……Huh.”

Johann took a deep breath, trying to shake off his worries. Perhaps he was just overthinking it.

“Surely the Black Fangs aren’t something to underestimate.”

But then again, neither was the Empire.

His friend likely had their own plans. While the Emperor wouldn’t interfere,

Even aside from that, the Empire was still strong.

The power exists within the Empire to overpower unknown terrorists like the Black Fangs.

Just as expected.

From afar, someone called for him urgently.

“Lord Heinrich!”

The panicked call of his name.

They were likely trying to muster the Empire’s Swordmasters to prep for the ambush.

Heinrich had already dealt with that nutjob ages ago, but even leaving that aside, there were still Bazark and Karl and that kid, Sion, who just joined.

Three powers capable of toppling a nation! The Black Fangs would have a tough time managing against that.

“Sorry, but I have things of higher priority. I’ll handle it shortly, so just let them know.”

No matter how strong the Black Fangs turned out to be, it’s fine. If he took care of the important things before the palace fell, the plan would still succeed.

Just stalling a little would mean victory.

So, he needed to shake this guy off and head underground. That’s what Johann thought as he hurriedly moved.

“Wait! I can’t find those three!”

A bizarre story reached his ears. A truly weird one.

“Bazark has apparently fled, and Karl and Sion are nowhere to be found and aren’t answering their calls!”

The urgent tone.

His expression and tone proved that the absurdity of this tale held not a shred of deception.

Fled?

Not available even in this situation?!

Sure, maybe Sion, who had just recently been acknowledged as a Swordmaster, might go dark, but the other two swore to prioritize the Empire’s safety over their lives before the Emperor.

Could that even happen?!

Confusion swallowed him whole. The fact remained unchanged—they were absent.

No Swordmasters left to defend the palace. His mind was a jumbled mess. But…

‘There’s no way I can let the plan fall apart now.’

Johann gritted his teeth once more.

If he didn’t have the teeth, he’d chew on his gums.

Whatever it takes, he had to stop those guys.

“Gather all available troops.”

The closest location…

Is it the 30th division?

Regardless of their behavior, their prowess is impressive. That’s a decent hand. The enemy is probably a small elite.

We’ll have enough chances if we overwhelm them with numbers.

Johann secured his sword to his waist and stood up.

……It’s time to sound the battle horn.

           

 

You may also like Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy