Emperor of Steel

Chapter 128: Visit from the Enemy 5

“Phew, I thought that we were all done because of you Lord.”

After leaving the barracks, Philip was wiping his sweat.

“Then you should just stop following me.”

At the words of Luke, Philip jumped out.

“No, if an escort doesn’t follow you then who will? I just literally meant it.”

Luke walked towards the Fortress, listening to what Philip had to say. He turned back to look at the Republic’s army.

The reason why Luke had visited the enemy camp so recklessly was not just to give faith to surrender.

It was also aimed at seeing enemy positions with his own eyes and to see what the enemy was doing and what problems they might have to encounter.

‘I don’t know about uniformity, but the types and specifications of the weapons are different. In addition…’ Thought Luke.

While his way to the commander barracks, the unified forces which had to currently attack the Fortress were nowhere to be seen.

‘Did they pick up any local manor? If they are using that, it might be helping their operation.’

While Luke went back into the Fortress, Tyron was confronted by a man.

A Dark Elf’s blood, an agent from the Republic Intelligence service.

He hid in the dark and overheard the conversation and he told Tyron,

“It would be better not to believe their words.”

“Why?” Asked Tyron.

“That man Luke, it was true that he had been dragged into the battlefield because of the Emperor, however, he doesn’t seem to be the one to give up and turn himself in.”

“Is there any reason for that?” Asked Tyron.

“Of course I do. In the Battle of the Kingdoms, in the southern part of the empire, the Rakan family had recently turned the tide of power and won a huge victory. Without any significant amount of assets and land, they suddenly stood out in the south.”

“You aren’t saying this without any foundation, right?”

At the question from Tyron, the agent nodded and added something which might be meaningful,

“It isn’t just that, but he is with the former Volga royal family member. It is known that he isn’t in a normal relationship with princess Reina.”

“Those are the truth?”

“Yes, the last time the intelligence service tried to kidnap princess Reina, the mission ended in failure, and in the report, it was written that Luke de Rakan had interrupted their mission.”

“Hmm…”

“We don’t need to even think about the relationship between them as he directly went to rescue princess Reina, right? And a man who has given his heart to Reina isn’t likely to surrender to us, her enemy, right?”

“Well, that is something that I have no information about, sir.” The Dark Elf responded.

Unlike Peter II, whom Tyron had personally known, princess Reina had never spoken ill or acted politically to the Volga Republic.

And since there was news about the princess looking after the refugees even in the other land, there was a high level of admiration and love for the princess of Volga.

Therefore, many had argued that it would be advantageous for the Volga princess to be brought back to her land and treated as an actual royal family member.

Tyron too agreed with that.

“But we should be wary, just in case he is trying to deceive us again.” Said Tyron.

“Then, what do you plan to do with the commander?”

“If he repairs the broken walls and the armory weapons, he is deceiving us. It means that he is ready to continue the battle with us. However, without much change, it would be a little foolish for us to miss the chance to attack the Fortress which had no dynamic damage.”

“Are you going to keep a lookout and cope with him?”

“Is there any need for us to hurry? It is more important for us to bring out the Northern Empire than to attack one Fortress that is in our way.”

Tyron spoke that and changed the topic.

“By the way, tell me about the dynamics of the Imperial Northern army. Something is really weird. The reinforcements would have arrived by now, but I can’t see any sign of them.”

Tyron thought that it was strange.

‘Did Rakan’s descendant really getting on the nerves of the Emperor? Was that why the Emperor was trying to get him killed?’

Luke’s words felt much credible after assessing the situation.

“Understood, sir. The dynamics and the forces of the Northern army will be reviewed by the intelligence department.” The Dark Elf responded.

“Okay, do well.”

Tyron, who sent away the intelligence agent, called for the War Mages and instructed them to continue their monitor of the Torlot Fortress.

If Luke was going to break their agreement and take any suspicious action, then he asked them to shoot at the Fortress right away.

Luke returned to the Fortress and gathered his men, he told them about talking with the enemy commander.

“So, you asked them to give us five days on the basis of surrender?”

Luke nodded at the question from a knight.

Anna raised her hand and asked with a cold expression,

“You aren’t really thinking about surrendering, right?”

“Yes, just buying some much needed time.”

“But, just surrendering doesn’t seem so bad either.”

Hobart blurted it out with a sigh.

He among the ones who were the most dissatisfied with the Empire and the military. Moreover, he had no family and there would be no deterrent for surrender as he was all alone.

“Sure, that choice could be made at any time. However, we aren’t that desperate to take it yet. You can relax as we will win.”

“What on earth are you planning to do? Please talk to us too.”

Everyone nodded at the request from Alex who was dissatisfied.

They knew that Luke and Erwin had left the Fortress the other night to do something. However, they didn’t know what it was.

So they were hoping that Luke would give them a detailed explanation as they were nervous.

Luke stared at the eyes of the men, and then explained the operation which was kept secret till then.

“The work is being done right now?”

“Yeah, we are making the dam with magic, and holding the water flow to sweep away the enemy.” Responded Luke.

“Wah! That is great!”

Unlike Anna who was admiring him, most of the others didn’t seem to understand.

It was because they didn’t know how magic worked.

But they did know that constructing a dam, and getting enough water was not an easy task.

“And so, you have asked for five days, so the water would be collected?”

“Right.”

At the question from Kaper, Luke nodded.

“But, wouldn’t they notice if the river’s flow is reduced?”

“They won’t be so suspicious as it is the summer season. And of course, the enemy can spy on us. But we have prepared things for those situations too, so there is no need to worry.”

Luke’s expression was confident.

Only then did the faces of his subordinates change.

There was anxiety about the operation and how it would work, but they couldn’t help but believe the commander who worked hard and prepared for an alternative in case of an adverse situation.

“Then, what are we supposed to do now?”

“Continue to rest. Refrain from doing any actions that might cause suspicion to the enemies, such as repairing the wall or repairing the Gigants. And if the enemy attacks you, then do the same thing back.”

Of course, if they attacked, the Fortress army would fight back.

Those things wouldn’t happen, however, the possibility of them happening couldn’t be neglected.

“Everybody, I need you to hold on a little longer. If we overcome this crisis, we will be able to walk with pride, we will be able to shout in the faces of the Imperial family and the Imperial army.”

At the words of Luke, all the soldiers couldn’t help but smile.

They wished for a day when they would be able to shout in the faces of the men who turned their backs when in need of help.