It took less than fifteen days to reach the southern end of Jotungar. This was thanks to the significant increase in daily travel volume as the days grew longer.
As Barcas carefully rode his horse along the steep mountain path, he discovered a military camp nestled in the valley and pulled on the reins.
At the end of the gently sloping path, a long line of tall wooden palisades and watchtowers came into view. As he approached, the guards hurriedly pushed the palisades aside to clear the path.
"You have arrived, Your Excellency the Grand Duke!"
The soldiers lined up beside the checkpoint raised their spears straight in unison and stood at attention. Barcas, having passed through them, looked around the campsite densely packed with military barracks and asked.
"I wonder if anything happened while I was away."
"That is..."
The soldier hesitated, unable to answer readily. Barcas’s eyes drooped as he handed the reins to the stable keeper.
"Was there a problem?"
"A messenger arrived from the Northern Alliance early this morning."
A young staff officer, dressed in a surcoat embroidered with the Sheerkan family crest, spoke up in place of the frozen soldier.
"I have not yet received exact details regarding the news, but it is clear that something serious has happened. The emergency meeting that began this morning has not ended even now."
Wrinkles formed on Barcas's forehead.
If the cornered Heimdal had finally launched an all-out war, all he had to do was deploy rear support units to the front lines. The fact that the discussion was dragging on meant that a much more complex problem had arisen.
"I guess I should head straight to headquarters. I'll leave the return procedures to you."
Barcas, having given brief instructions to Beirov, who followed him into the barracks, headed straight across the camp to the large tent where the flags of several families were planted.
At the same time, sharp shouting was heard. The surroundings were chaotic, so he couldn't understand exactly what was being shouted, but it was clear that a heated argument was taking place.
He swallowed a heavy sigh and strode into the barracks.
"Why on earth is it so noisy?"
"Your Excellency!"
Upon seeing him, Darren jumped up from his seat and beamed.
"When did you return? I think I will be staying in Kalmor for a few more weeks..."
“I just came back.”
Barcas, who cut off Darren's lengthy words, looked around the conference room.
Representatives of the family, high-ranking knights from the imperial army, and a young man who appeared to be a nobleman from the Northern alliance sat around a long table.
Realizing that the man was the son of the Blesston family, Barcas narrowed his eyebrows.
His name was Cedric. A young man with a pale face and dark red eyes, typical of a northerner, looked up at him with an expression that seemed to suppress his anger.
"I've come to the right place. Still, I wanted to ask what the Grand Duke thinks about this ridiculous situation."
"Refrain from being rude! The person you are dealing with now is the ruler of the East!"
The mounted warrior of the East, who sat opposite him, shouted in a raised voice.
Barcas restrained him by raising one hand and naturally took a seat at the table.
"Let's see what happened."
"It is said that His Highness the Crown Prince unilaterally held the engagement ceremony."
Darren spoke in place of the excited Cedric Blesston.
The man continued in a somber tone.
"Then he led the Imperial Army straight into the Interior of the Jotungar Mountains."
"The Northern alliance decided to take the lead in eliminating the rebels because they believed that they would be able to restore relations with the Imperial family."
Without even having time to react to the amazing news, Cedric Blesston listened in a sharp voice.
"However, the imperial family thoroughly deceived and insulted our family. Please tell me, Your Excellency. Do you think we should obey the imperial family even at the risk of such insults?"
"Stop venting your anger for no reason. This situation is merely the result of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's arbitrary actions, not Grand Duke Sheerkan's fault."
A nobleman who had been sitting silently interjected in a stern voice. He was the commander of an army sent from the south.
The man placed his clasped hands on the table and continued calmly.
"What is important now is how to deal with it in the future."
"The Northern Alliance forces have no intention of going to the front."
The young nobleman of the North resolutely nailed it.
"I will not withdraw the army immediately, but I will never be at the forefront of eliminating the rebels as I promised at the beginning."
"The Northern Alliance bears the original sin of having rebelled against the Imperial Family. Shouldn't you actively participate in suppressing Heimdal, if only to atone for that wrong?"
"The price has been fully paid for this incident."
The young man gritted his teeth and rebutted.
"Our family has suffered an indelible disgrace. My sister endured the humiliation of being left alone before four altars in the presence of hundreds of nobles, and the name Blesston has been reduced to a laughingstock throughout the entire Empire!"
"Let's stop the complaining there."
Barcas, holding his temple with one hand, glared at the man with cold, lifeless eyes.
"This is not the place to plead your family's grievances. This is the command headquarters of the Imperial Allied Forces. Unless you intend to speak in a manner befitting your position, you would be best off keeping your mouth shut."
The young man's face flushed instantly.
Barcas slowly stood up from his seat.
"I understand the situation. I will leave only a minimal garrison at the wall and move the troops immediately to the entrance of Jotungar."
"What are you moving for?"
The middle-aged knight, who had been silent all along, broke his silence. He was the commander of the army dispatched from the West.
"Are you trying to dissuade His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, or are you supporting him to attack Heimdal?"
"That would depend on the situation."
Barcas replied in a dry tone.
"If I succeed in catching up to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince before the full-scale battle begins, I intend to grab him by the collar and drag him to stand before the altar."
No one raised an objection to the blasphemous remarks. As if only then realizing that Barcas's mood had hit rock bottom, several nobles swallowed hard.
Barcas, who had been carefully looking around their stern faces, added coldly.
"But if the worst-case scenario happens... then I'll have no choice but to make a choice."
By saying it is a choice between two options...
"The Crown Prince or the Empire. I intend to make a decision."
A shocked silence fell over the meeting hall at the dangerous remark. Barcas left them behind and exited the barracks. Then, in a firm voice, he issued an order.
"Prepare for battle immediately! Not a moment's delay will be allowed."
***
Barcas led the allied forces and marched straight north.
The Imperial Guard troops led by the Crown Prince must have already broken through the gorge and reached the middle of the Jotungar Mountains, right in front of the rebel stronghold.
To catch up with him, they had no choice but to reduce their forces to a minimum and increase their speed.
Barca divided his forces, sending the vanguard ahead while the main force followed cautiously at regular intervals.
After moving for some time, Barcas spotted the army positioned in the open basin and raised his hand to stop the rushing ranks.
The flags of the Imperial Army could be seen fluttering in the dim evening glow.
"It looks like I've caught up!"
Edric Rubon, who was chasing right behind, let out a sigh of relief. However, Barcas could not readily agree with him. The size of the Imperial elite forces had been reduced to the point where it could be clearly noticed even from a considerable distance.
"It seems that what we feared has happened."
Beirov let out a low groan.
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