X – Mars Assassination Plot 1
The New Doctrine of the Marve Church was announced to have no penalties, effectively rendering it a mere formality.
Furthermore, Maria, renowned as a candidate for the next Holy Maiden, was appointed as the acting bishop of Faloon.
In response, the countries of Iris and Vulcan vehemently protested to the Marve Holy Nation, but the Church Nation firmly stated “From now on, we have no intention of being involved with Faloon at all!”
In terms of power dynamics, the Marve Holy Nation was superior to Iris and Vulcan, and neither country could protest further.
However, Iris and Vulcan could not simply sit idly by.
They feared that if they did nothing, Faloon’s momentum would invite an invasion.
So the kings of the two countries, along with the Sage Matou of the Kiel Mage Country, convened through magical communication.
“I underestimated Faloon. I never thought they would audaciously infiltrate the Marve Holy Nation, threaten the Pope, kidnap the Holy Maiden, and make her their own bishop.”
The king of Iris furrowed his brow deeply.
With golden hair, azure eyes, and a dignified face, he enjoyed strong support from his citizens. However, this time there was a sense of remorse for having been outwitted by Faloon.
“To bypass Vulcan and Iris and directly invade the Marve Holy Nation. On top of that, they came riding Wyverns. If they can control such powerful monsters, we cannot simply leave them be!”
The king of Vulcan spat out angrily.
With a sturdy, stately physique and a stern kingly face, his emanating rage made for an even more intimidating aura.
“So, what do you two intend to do? Surely you didn’t convene this meeting just to complain?”
The biting remark came from the Sage Matou of the Kiel Mage Country.
His projected image was completely obscured by a full-body robe, leaving his appearance a mystery. In fact, the Sage Matou has been active as a great mage for nearly 100 years and is known as an enigmatic figure.
“Of course not, Sage Matou.”
The king of Iris glared intensely at Matou’s image.
“We can no longer rely on the Marve Holy Nation. In the aftermath of the Holy Maiden’s kidnapping, key members of the Holy Knights also left that country. Either way, their military forces are now useless to us. We can house the Holy Knights in our country, but our forces are still not prepared to directly confront Faloon. Yet we cannot do nothing.”
“Indeed. My country and Iris also suffered great losses in the recent Dorsen incident. Recovery will take time. Moreover, if possible, I would prefer not to engage Faloon head-on. Their Hundred hosts forces with unimaginable power. Combined, our forces may prevail, but the casualties would be catastrophic.”
The king of Vulcan wore a grim expression, as if revealing his inner thoughts.
“Then let me ask directly about your intent.”
In response, Matou took a cold attitude, disdaining unnecessary words.
“Very well.”
The king of Iris sighed. This king preferred an affected manner in all matters and seemed dissatisfied with Matou’s bluntness.
“We are considering using shadow operatives to kidnap or assassinate King Mars or one of his kin.”
The “shadow” refers to organizations specializing in espionage and assassination. Essentially underground groups, the shadow existed in nearly every country. Without them, a nation would fall behind in intelligence wars and risk having its key figures easily assassinated.
“Oh?”
A tinge of interest colored Matou’s voice.
“King Mars, renowned as the strongest warrior? How do you intend to do that?”
His words carried a somewhat provocative tone.
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“We have already infiltrated Faloon with shadow operatives from our countries. And we have learned something – Faloon and Cadonia have no shadow organizations. Those two countries were initially vassal states of Dorsen, uninvolved in the central power struggles and having no need for the shadow. Surprisingly, even after expanding centrally, they never established such capabilities.”
“The Faloon king likely sees no need for petty intelligence operations. He may intend to unite the Ares Continent through sheer force alone.”
“And that presents our opportunity.”
The king of Iris spread his arms dramatically, ingrained with theatrical gestures befitting a monarch’s speech. The king of Vulcan eyed him skeptically; the two countries were originally enemies and far from allies.
“Faloon is unprepared against the shadow. In fact, our reconnaissance there has proceeded smoothly. We have gathered ample intelligence. As long as we do not infiltrate the castle itself, assassination is far from impossible – if our countries combine forces with Kiel.”
“As long as you do not infiltrate the castle? What do you mean?”
“The Faloon castle is a magical abyss. To make a move there is to invite disaster. But outside the castle, there is no danger. That is where we strike.”
“I see.”
Matou nodded in understanding. The castle of Faloon was protected by nigh-impenetrable magical barriers, too formidable even for the Kiel Mage Country.
“My country has no shadow operatives. We have no need for them.”
The Kiel Mage Country was a nation of mages. The country itself was a confidential existence; ordinary people could not even enter or leave. If they did infiltrate, unless their magical power was exceptional, their identities would be immediately exposed.
As such, the shadow operatives of Iris and Vulcan could never infiltrate Kiel.
“I understand. However, we need the cooperation of mages. By combining our forces, we may secure victory over Faloon without direct confrontation, avoiding needless sacrifice. We just need the Sage Matou’s assistance.”
This was not an unfavorable proposition for Matou. In open warfare, Kiel’s likely adversaries would be Frau’s Mage Corps and Kiri’s Monster Army under its command. While confident of victory in a magical battle, the Monster Army remained a formidable threat.
The king of Iris highlighted Faloon’s intelligence weaknesses, but against magic, they were quite capable. Matou’s mages dispatched to gather information never returned, likely eliminated by Frau’s hand.
He never imagined that simply avoiding magic would enable successful reconnaissance outside the castle – a hallmark of Faloon’s rapidly expanding nation having inconsistencies.
“What exactly do you expect from my country’s mages?”
“Teleportation magic. For kidnapping or assassination, the shadow alone cannot succeed. Even without its own shadow operatives, Faloon hosts too many skilled individuals, making physical infiltration difficult. We want to teleport the target elsewhere using magic. Once relocated, we can handle the rest.”
“I see.”
It certainly sounded feasible.
“Does the King of Vulcan also agree?”
While the loquacious King of Iris took the lead, Matou addressed the silent King of Vulcan.
“Of course. Warfare is not solely about frontal assaults. If we can strike from the shadows, all the better.”
Though renowned as a valiant general, the King of Vulcan looked slightly displeased but seemed intent on avoiding outright war with Faloon as monarch.
“Very well. I will arrange two mages capable of teleportation – one for the departure point, one for the destination. But do not expect too much, as they cannot function as shadow operatives themselves. We are mages, not thieves.”
Teleportation magic did not allow free travel anywhere. At minimum, the destination required a receiving magic circle, with a caster also necessary at the departure point.
“If Sage Matou cooperates, the chances of success are quite high. We can then rendezvous with the shadow operatives in Faloon.”
The King of Iris showed a bright expression for the first time.
“By the way, who is the target? King Mars himself, his consorts, or their children?”
Matou considered that targeting King Mars himself would be difficult.
“We will leave such details to the shadow operatives. It is best to entrust judgments like that to those on the ground. I am, after all, a king who understands such matters.”
The King of Iris praised himself.
(I wonder about that?)
Matou felt a slight unease at those words. Certainly, the King of Iris spoke correctly – those unfamiliar with the situation should not issue reckless orders. However, to completely defer target selection to the field operatives seemed an excessive abdication of responsibility.
As it turned out, Matou’s misgivings would become reality.
TLNOTE : While waiting for the next chapter , I implore you dear readers to read other masterpiece novels that also written by the same author :
- Who killed the Hero?
- The Suspects of Necromancy
- The Wicked Princess and 12 Eyes – The Strongest Squires and the Legendary Evil Woman, the Second Time in Her Life
- The Exiled Merchant Saves the World with the Power of Gold (translated by my friend meerkat)
Please check the Internet Archive if what you’re looking for is no longer on this website. *wink *wink
Volume 4 English translation is already starting btw…
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