“...And you think someone like this can face Rei? Did you seriously believe that?”
Noise spat out the words as he looked down at the figure of Rhodos, who lay unconscious on the ground at his feet.
Ordinarily, it should have been impossible for Rhodos—who possessed an exceptionally high body's regeneration ability—to be knocked out. However, Noise possessed the raw strength to make the impossible look easy.
In preparation for tomorrow's fight, the army was already camping near the site that would serve as the battlefield.
Scouting reports had confirmed that the Mercurio Army had similarly established a camp on the opposite side. While some within the ranks had proposed launching a night raid to settle the conflict in one fell swoop, the suggestion was rejected as a matter of course.
This was a battle that all over the Bestia Empire... and even the surrounding nations were watching closely.
From the empire’s perspective, the Kingdom of Mireana—which the Bestia Empire had long blocked from accessing the sea—was undoubtedly paying rapt attention. There was no question that many of their agents had already slipped into the region.
If they were to secure victory through a night raid under such scrutiny, the consequences would be severe. Of course, since this was civil strife that functioned as a power struggle, the outcome mattered most—but the manner of that victory was equally vital.
Winning through cowardly means like a night raid would sour the public’s perception of the new regime. While the commoners' opinions might not deal a fatal blow to their authority, it would still be a lingering wound.
This was especially true given that the Mercurio Army counted figures popular with the masses, such as Vihera and Frizion, among its leaders. To truly consolidate power, they needed a victory that the people could accept.
Naturally, the greatest obstacle to that goal was Rei, the enemy’s strongest military asset. It was only natural that Noise—the force specifically prepared to eliminate Rei—would take an interest in the man who had been intended to fill that role before him.
Thinking he might as well see for himself, Noise had sparred with Rhodos. The result was the scene currently unfolding before the eyes of everyone present.
“It cannot be helped,” Cabajid said with a tranquil smile. “It was precisely because we suspected Rhodos would be unable to counter Crimson as we expected that we were forced to call for you. If he had been a sufficient force to deal with Crimson on his own, we wouldn't have needed to trouble you. Besides, the enemy has Vihera, the White Rose Knight Order, and Beast Soldiers. We’ve had a difficult enough time just trying to hire high-rank adventurers to deal with those threats.”
Even though his own subordinate had been effortlessly struck down, the First Prince’s expression remained untroubled. He wore his usual, unshakeable smile.
Furthermore, many adventurers had participated in the fighting tournament; they had either seen Rei’s strength first-hand or tasted it in combat. Since it was common knowledge that Rei was part of the Mercurio Army, very few adventurers were willing to be hired by a Subjugation Army that was destined to clash with him.
If they could have publicized Noise’s involvement, they might have attracted more recruits, but since he was their hidden trump card against Rei, they had to keep his presence a secret for as long as possible.
“Additionally, the magic items Rhodos is equipped with are ultimately intended to defend against the wide-range annihilation magic that Crimson specializes in. No matter how strong you are, Noise, if you were to take the full force of Crimson’s magic, you wouldn't be... no, forgive me. That was just a figure of speech. Could you please withdraw that weapon?”
Cabajid spoke as he looked at the magic sword now pointed at him. It had been drawn so quickly that he truly hadn't seen the motion.
The knights serving as Cabajid’s guards hadn't seen it either. They collectively gasped, realizing a blade was suddenly at their lord’s throat. Being guards, they instinctively reached for their own weapons to restrain Noise, but...
“There is no need for concern. Stay your hands,” Cabajid commanded.
Hearing their lord’s order, the knights had no choice but to obey. They reluctantly moved their hands away from their hilts.
Noise spoke up, his attitude suggesting that the entire exchange was trivial and that he could handle any outcome.
“Rei’s magic is certainly a threat. One only needs to look at the combat reports from this civil strife to see that. However, to use magic, one must naturally chant a spell. Chanting requires concentration. ...Well, for Rei, fighting while chanting might not be difficult, but his movements will still inevitably become sluggish. ...Do I need to spell out the rest?”
Since Noise was already the superior combatant, dealing with a sluggish Rei would be a simple matter.
The observers had no choice but to silently accept Noise's implicit boast. Everyone in the Bestia Empire knew his words were the objective truth.
“However, Crimson is accompanied by a gryphon,” one of the nobles pointed out. “We have seen Crimson use that gryphon to gallop across the battlefield with extraordinary mobility. What will you do if he chants his spells from high in the air, far beyond the reach of ground attacks?”
It was true that there were several ways to strike at long-range. But if asked if those methods were effective against a target a hundred meters up in the sky, the answer was almost certainly "no."
Noise didn't bother answering with words. He reached down, picked up a stone from the ground, and in the next instant, hurled it toward the sky.
A sharp whish echoed as the stone sliced through the air, the sound itself a testament to the projectile’s terrifying velocity.
“Well, you can see for yourselves. Even for a gryphon, do you really think it could completely evade a stone I throw?”
Normally, someone might have argued, but after witnessing that throw, no one could bring themselves to speak. The sheer power of that single stone projectile was obvious to anyone who saw it.
“Stones are everywhere. If they want to use magic from the sky, I have my own countermeasures.”
“Hahaha! Indeed, it is exactly as Noise says!”
A boisterous laugh rang out. It came from Schuls, the only person present whose status rivaled Cabajid’s. The surrounding nobles instinctively turned to look at him.
“Don't worry. This is Noise, the Hero of the Bestia Empire. If he couldn't handle an opponent in the sky, he never would have reached S-Rank. Isn't that right?”
“Hou. It seems you understand the nature of those who fight better than your brother does.”
“Of course. Big Brother Cabajid is highly capable in all fields, certainly, but I pride myself on being the superior when it comes to military affairs.”
Schuls wore a smile full of confidence. In truth, he did surpass Cabajid in that arena. It was evident in the strong influence he held over the Bestia Imperial Army. Cabajid was undoubtedly an extraordinary man, but the army had chosen Schuls.
“Heh, I see. So there are men like you as well. This gives me something to look forward to.”
At Noise's remark, several nobles belonging to the First Prince Faction grimaced. It was only natural. Cabajid was the one who had brought Noise to this battlefield, yet Noise seemed more interested in Schuls than his employer.
If Noise were to side with the Second Prince Faction—or even just cooperate with them—it would be a disaster for their side. The younger nobles were the ones who let their displeasure show on their faces.
The more experienced nobles, however, offered reliable smiles before speaking up.
“Quite so. His Highness Schuls may indeed be superior to His Highness Cabajid in military matters. However, it is also a fact that governing a nation requires things more important than mere military power.”
“Indeed, indeed. Military talent is one way to measure an emperor’s qualities, but one can simply employ those with a talent for war for such tasks. Politics, however... that requires the Emperor's own personal strength of character.”
“But the Bestia Empire's Imperial Family is of a warrior lineage. Martial force might not be needed every day, but in times of crisis, the people desire a leader who possesses true strength.”
“Are you suggesting His Highness Cabajid lacks strength?”
“Now, I never said such a thing... but perhaps that is what you believe, my lord?”
“Why, you—!”
The nobles began to bicker, each claiming their own lord was the most suitable candidate to be the Next Emperor.
They were currently united in the Subjugation Army to strike down the Mercurio Army, but tomorrow’s battle was expected to be the final one. Once they were victorious, the position of the Next Emperor would inevitably fall to either Cabajid or Schuls. They were already trying to check their rivals and win Noise over to their respective sides.
It was premature, but with a force like Noise on their side, no one in the Subjugation Army doubted their victory. The very presence of such a legendary figure had sparked this desperate political maneuvering.
The Second Prince Faction assumed that because Cabajid had secured Noise's services, he was effectively part of the First Prince Faction. Conversely, the First Prince Faction knew Cabajid had personally petitioned his father, Emperor Trajist, to borrow Noise—knowing his reputation as a prince would suffer for needing such help. They absolutely could not allow the Second Prince Faction to steal him away now.
The sight of them hurling accusations at one another was, from an objective standpoint, pathetic.
“Shut up.”
A single word.
That lone command from Noise’s mouth plunged the bickering nobles into immediate silence.
Noise radiated an overwhelming pressure—a psychological weight so heavy it felt as though it would force them to their knees.
“I didn't come here to watch your pathetic bickering. If you keep jabbering in front of me like chirping birds, I’ll tear your throats out.”
“That would be a problem.”
The voice, quiet yet carrying clearly through the camp, came from Cabajid.
Even though Noise was exerting enough pressure to rob even Schuls of his speech, Cabajid spoke without his expression so much as twitching.
At that sight, Noise’s eyebrows rose with interest. A faint smile played across his lips.
“To be able to speak normally under this... you are quite interesting. As expected of the Imperial Family, I suppose. ...Though it seems your younger brother is a different story.”
Noise spoke while glancing toward Schuls. Schuls realized that if he remained silent now, he would allow a decisive gap to open between himself and Cabajid. Marshalling every ounce of willpower in his body, he forced his mouth open.
“Me... what about me?”
“...Hou.”
Noise muttered, sounding genuinely impressed.
Only those two were able to move or speak. Even those known for their skill within the First Prince Faction, like Blatta and Pelfeel, or Schuls's Lieutenant, Amare, and the other veteran soldiers of the Second Prince Faction, were frozen. As for the nobles who had been arguing moments ago, they were beyond help.
(Trajist’s sons are quite a fine bunch. I’ve heard that daughter, Vihera, is quite capable too... the future of the Bestia Empire looks like it will be interesting, at least.)
Noise thought with satisfaction, feeling a flicker of envy for his old friend Trajist. Noise was old enough to have children of his own, but a life spent entirely in battle meant he had no son of his own blood.
In fact, he had no family at all. His village had been razed by thieves when he was a child, and everyone had been killed. There was no one left who shared his blood. Perhaps some distant relation existed that he didn't know about, but Noise had never had the urge to look for them.
He had spent his life chasing power, strength, and the thrill of combat against ever-stronger opponents. In the process, he had eventually annihilated the thieves who destroyed his village, but that was just another task completed.
Noise had no grand goals; he simply craved the thrill of battle. In that pursuit, he had reached S-Rank and acquired more fame and wealth than he would ever need. He had even ended up in the bizarre position of being a personal friend to the Emperor.
As he reflected on his life, a sudden thought struck him.
(Rei, who had inherited my Overlord’s Armor. Perhaps that brat is the one destined to play the role of my son.)
It was merely a whim, a thought he kept to himself... but even so, with the battle against such an opponent scheduled for tomorrow, Noise could not suppress the smile on his face.
The day before the Decisive Battle drew to a close... and at last, the Day of the Decisive Battle arrived.