The prime minister raised an optimistic possibility with a glimmer of hope.
“Are you sure that Ambroxa’s seal has been broken? What I mean is... Is there a possibility that it is not a Lord-level dragon, but a lower-level dragon?”
“Witnesses said it was a seven-headed, seven-winged dragon.”
“...I’m sure.”
It was nothing more than a procedure to reconfirm reality, Sir Isidore continued.
“The Dragon is flying towards the Capital, destroying all the towns and cities along its path. This path analysis is also in line with the opinion of Count Rashimov, the Lord of the Magic Tower.”
Count Rashimov was a grave old man with white hair. He spoke up when his name was called.
“The intelligence of the Demon Dragon is on a different level from that of the Demon Beast. What’s more, the opponent is Ambroxa, known as the most cunning dragon. Rather than destroying everything it comes across, it will likely try to paralyze the Imperial Capital, the center of the empire.”
“Are you sure that Ambroxa’s seal has been broken? What I mean is... Is there a possibility that it is not a Lord-level dragon, but a lower-level dragon?”
“Witnesses said it was a seven-headed, seven-winged dragon.”
“...I’m sure.”
It was nothing more than a procedure to reconfirm reality, Sir Isidore continued.
“The Dragon is flying towards the Capital, destroying all the towns and cities along its path. This path analysis is also in line with the opinion of Count Rashimov, the Lord of the Magic Tower.”
Count Rashimov was a grave old man with white hair. He spoke up when his name was called.
“The intelligence of the Demon Dragon is on a different level from that of the Demon Beast. What’s more, the opponent is Ambroxa, known as the most cunning dragon. Rather than destroying everything it comes across, it will likely try to paralyze the Imperial Capital, the center of the empire.”
“I see..."
“Fortunately, the Dragon cannot use warp magic, even though it can freely use the power of mana. I expect that it will buy about four days until it physically flies up.”
The crowd erupted in laughter. Originally, the founding of the nation was to take place in four days, but if we were not careful, it could easily become the destruction of the nation.
After sharing the basic facts, the nobles began to speak one by one.
“First, we must evacuate the citizens of the towns and cities in the path of the dragon.”
“What about the Capital? Everything in the Empire is in the Capital, Hadelun.”
“Of course, we must think of it as the final battle of Mercury and protect the Capital.”
“Wait a minute! We can’t turn the entire capital into a battlefield, let alone the surrounding areas!”
"What if during the fight with the Demon Dragon, the magic gets shattered and gets stuck in the Imperial City?"
“We already have a lot of tourists flocking in because of the founding of the country. Soon, refugees from the West will also arrive!”
“Not only that. If a battle breaks out, the land will be polluted by attack magic and breath. Even after defeating the demon dragon, it will take decades to recover from the damage. We must not engage in a fight where we win or lose.”
Desmond II, who had accepted everyone's opinion, looked back at Magic Tower Lord.
“I want to move the battlefield, is there a way?”
During the era of peace, the empire developed and civilization reached every corner. Naturally, there was hardly any land left uninhabited.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Magic Tower Lord said:
“We have no choice but to send the demon dragon back to the Yggdras settlement.”
“Is that possible?”
“If we mobilize all the elite wizards of the Ivory Tower, we will be able to open a warp gate large enough to transport the Demon Dragon. The problem is the artifact that will fix the arrival coordinates..."
As Magic Tower Lord continued speaking, Brigitte's expression became worse.
It was ironic, because the opinions of Count Reindell, whom she had humiliated at the last council meeting, were being reexamined.
Even at that time, Eve stood in opposition to Brigitte, who was trying to protect Count Reindell.
'Isn't this the situation where Eve seems to have shown foresight?'
Brigitte, feeling a sense of needless discomfort, began by opposing for the sake of opposing.
“This is a pointless discussion. Dandelion doesn’t have the talents of an ivory tower. It would be impossible to build a disposable artifact in terms of time and resources. Isn’t a warp gate a bit too reckless?”
“Your Highness the Third Princess, please listen to this old man until the end.”
The stern reprimand came back. Desmond II also gave a look telling her not to interfere.
If it had ended here, Brigitte would have just been a little upset.
But the words of the magician that followed effectively got on her nerves.
“Fixing coordinates is like creating a being that will act as a lighthouse in the vast ocean. Dandelion has a being powerful enough to fulfill this role. It is the World Tree Yggdrasil.”
“Oh!”
Another function of the World Tree was truly exquisite. Amidst the waves of joy, the Magic Tower Lord smiled kindly and hammered in the nails.
“In that respect, Her Highness the Seventh Princess, who raised Yggdrasil, can truly be called the hero of our country.”
“That’s right. You are right.”
“Long live the 7th Princess!”
“You are truly the proud daughter of His Majesty the Emperor and a treasure of the Empire!”
Amid the praise, Brigette's expression was quietly decaying.
Desmond II also had a proud face, but he tried to look stern, perhaps because he was thinking about the current situation.
The first battleground was designated as the southwestern part of the Capital, and the second battleground was designated as Yggdras.
Even though there was an entity that could act as a lighthouse, it was said that four days was not enough to designate the precise coordinates. All the masters of spatial magic had to gather together to compose a spell and build a formation.
Eve spoke.
“As expected, this isn’t magic that just anyone can use.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Then how do we move our troops? After Ambroxa's move, our troops will also have to move.”
There remained the problem of moving the imperial knight army of 300 homunculus.
Although homunculus are individually great magicians, their power is limited to the aspect of power based on their vast mana.
It was uncertain whether everyone would be able to successfully perform the long-distance warp right away, which even the elders of the Ivory Tower had difficulty with because it required fine-tuning. The failure rate would have been even higher for homunculus that had never learned warp magic.
However, it is impossible to divide the troops and have them wait at Dandelion.
All warp portals near the gray barrier were destroyed by the dragon.
If they used other warp portals, it would take longer to get to the Sky Ark, and if they added the time it would take to get through the labyrinthine canyon, it would be difficult to guarantee arrival within four days even if they left tomorrow.
Eve suggested.
“A personal warp could cause our forces to be decimated before we can even fight. Could you allow the Imperial Knights to also move to the gate that moved the Dragon?”
“Of course.”
Magic Tower Lord answered readily. But there was a fatal clue attached.
“However, it is impossible to move all of the 300 imperial knights and the dragon through the first gate. The number that can move with the dragon is only about 30 people. The remaining people must move through the second gate.”
“I, I see... I see.”
“Yes. Since we are moving the giant dragon... Instead, we will also send military supplies to the second gate."
Brigitte asked urgently.
“My Lord, how long does it take to open the second gate?”
“I expect it to take at least 12 hours. Please understand that this is something our ivory tower wizards are prepared to face with their brains melting.”
To sum up, it is a situation where we have to be divided into an advance party and a follow-up party and enter with a time difference.
Eve lowered her eyes, and Brigitte glanced at her.
It was the exact same situation as when they entered the outpost before the last gray barrier.
'Honestly, it's more risky now than it was then.'
This time the opponent is not a monster, but a dragon.
It is not known how many intermediate homunculus remain in Dandelion, and in reality, those with weaker combat power are only assigned to the role of supporting or providing support from the rear.
In the end, the main force of the battle that had to endure for 12 hours and tie up the feet and wings of the dragon was the advance party of the imperial knights, which was only 10% of the total.
Brigitte pondered over how she could get more troops from her order to be sacrificed. However, before her wickedness could see the light, Eve struck first.
"Your Majesty."
“Seventh Princess, speak up.”
“I ask that you entrust the selection and command of the advance party to Sir Agnito.”
Eve took responsibility, despite Brigitte's worries. Michael also seemed to have no objections and silently observed.
“Hoo..."
“This time, the 7th Princess..."
It was only natural that her determined appearance made a strong impression on Desmond II and the nobles.
In this atmosphere, Brigitte could no longer stand the annoying symbol and tried to belittle Eve.
“You are blinded by your ambition and are leading the Knights into a pit of despair..."
“Be quiet. Unless you want to send your sister’s knights.”
Brigitte came to her senses and shut her mouth at the direct rebuke.
At this point, Eve made an even more shocking statement. This time it was something Michael had not expected.
“And I will also go to Yggdras with the advance party. Please permit me, Your Majesty.”
"Eve?"
Michael opened his eyes wide in surprise next to her. But he wasn't the only one. Not only Brigitte, but the nobles also looked shocked.
There was a reaction that seemed to come from the venue.
A person who represents everyone.
"What?!"
The retort that seemed to turn the page was from Dezmond II. He shouted excitedly, almost jumping up and down in excitement.
“Ah, ah, no, what! Eve, why are you going there?!”
“Sir Agneto is my direct knight. It is only natural that I should accompany him.”
“No, fighting is for the homunculus! You don’t need to go to dangerous places!”
“With all due respect, that is not true. Homunculus fights for the royal family. Sending them to a distant land and leaving them to fend for themselves is not fulfilling the royal family’s duty.”
"Ha...!"
When he brought out the truth, there was no room for rebuttal. Desmond II's blood pressure could not help but rise.
“Hey...! What a frustrating guy! Who do you take after to be so old-fashioned!”
Eventually, he even made a family-like remark that was out of place in the solemn conference hall.
Of course, Eve had no intention of offending her father in the same cunning way as in her last life. She added calmly.
“I’m sorry. I have practical needs beyond my old-fashioned sense of justice.”
“What the hell is that!”
“Homunculus fight for the Imperial Family by the baptism of loyalty from Your Majesty. However, beyond the Gray Wall is too far from the Imperial City. Even on a distant battlefield, it is right to have at least one Imperial Family member accompanying the Homunculus to exert control. Only then will they fight for the Imperial Family without retreating during the 12 hours when the fate of the Empire depends on it.”
This time, it was convincing. Desmond II was even more upset at being convinced and clenched his fists several times.
“But that doesn’t mean you absolutely have to go..."
“I am qualified.”
“Who on earth... do you take after to be so stubborn?!”
This time I was able to answer for sure.
“It’s my father.”
Desmond II was speechless. He seemed to be overcome with a complex mix of emotions, apart from the shock he felt.
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