Chapter 232: Imperial Marshal


    What is Lizelotte doing in the capital!? What about the eastern border!?


    I secretly asked her toe here to escort you, Your Majesty. Regarding the border, she said that she has already appointed an appropriate proxy to oversee its defense..


    Franz said so in a small voice.


    Franz and Lize only exchanged one secret letter.


    Franz exined the situation to her and asked her toe to the capital to guard the Emperor and Lize agreed.


    They did not exchange any extra information because their conversation might be leaked. Thats why Franz didnt know who is currently guarding the eastern border.


    Although he can think of some candidates, he doesnt know who exactly it is because Lize told him to focus his mind on this side instead.


    Thinking that when ites to the defense of the eastern border Lize would never make a mistake in her selection, Franz didnt push the question. The important point was how to get Lize into the capital without anyone noticing her presence.


    If the Sokal empire thinks that she is still manning the border, they will never make a move. Thats Franzs thought process and it is actually a fact.


    I did say that I will leave everything to you but what is the point of pulling the key to our border defense to the capital!? Moreover, why did shee here when you called for her while she never gave me a visit no matter how many times I sent her a letter!?


    Franz sighs at the point where his emperor is getting upset about.


    When he was wondering what to say, Eric spoke to them from behind.


    Father, lets continue this somewhere else. We are standing out in this ce.


    It is as His Highness Eric says. Lets go Your Majesty.


    GuNuNu


    With an expression that shows that he is still not convinced, Johannes falls back together with Franz to behind Lizes line of defense.


    There, Franz exins the next part of his n.


    Your Majesty. First, we must escape the capital through the east gate.


    Escape? Are you telling me to abandon the capital?


    It seems that more generals are supporting His Highness Gordon than I anticipated. The Brave has already made his preparation. Let us join him. We will defeat the rebelster.


    Hearing Franz, Johannes turned his gaze to the Imperial Sword Castle for a moment.


    There were still many of his consorts and children being left there.


    However, Johannes soon takes his eyes away from it.


    To abandon the Imperial Capital means abandoning his people. As an emperor, he cant afford to selfishly care about his wives and children right now.


    Orihime then speaks to such Johannes.


    Be relieved. Your Majesty. Arnold is moving at the castle. He is good at moving around behind the scenes, I am sure that he can do something about that ce.


    I am a little worried but I shall believe your words.


    In response to Orihimes words, Johanness expressions soften a little.


    Then he turned toward Franz.


    I understand your n. But it would be bad if we are trapped inside the Imperial Capital, no? If its Gordon, he will surely aim to activate the Celestial Sphere.


    There is nothing more we can do about that. I have already instructed the Captains of the Imperial Knight Order to guard the Rainbow Celestial Jewels in the castle. If he can not get his hand on at least three of them, he cant activate the Celestial Sphere. Also, in case of emergency, we can have the Brave use the holy sword to cut open the barrier as well.


    If possible I dont want it toe to that though.


    We can not choose our means, Your Majesty. The timing where both the dignitaries from the United Kingdom and the Dominion are absent is suspicious. It is highly possible that they are cooperating with His Highness Gordon. Moreover, if the Saints abduction was only a diversion then it is quite possible that the Kingdom will join in as well. The more time we spend on His Highness Gordon, the more dangerous our border will be, Your Majesty.


    Johannes instinctively clicked his tongue at Franzs words.


    If this problem not only involved Gordon but foreign countries as well, the seriousness of the situation jumped up.


    Other nations are afraid of the Empire because they are a strong nation. They recognize that no matter what they do the Empire will remain unwavering. However, this rebellion is one of the few opportunities where they can shake the Empire.


    The chaos created from this situation might be even greater than the time when they lost the Crown Prince.


    He thought that his son wouldnt be so foolish to cause such a situation.


    Even if he managed to defeat Johannes and gain control over the Empire, what would be waiting for Gordon is a weakened nation that will be constantly at war with multiple countries.


    Other nations will demand a steep price for their cooperation and the people of the Empire will not recognize Gordons im over the throne. The two Principality in the south might use this opportunity tounch their assault to take control over the maind as well.


    Although there will be the war that Gordon so wished for, it would be an all-out war on all sides that clearly will disadvantage the Empire.


    Did he not foreseen this or did he choose to do it while knowing full well what will happen? Either way, right now Johannes can only see him as a fool.


    In Johanness eyes, he saw Lize and Gordon facing each other in the middle of the battlefield.


    His daughter and son are trying to kill each other.


    They were his children that used topete with each other.


    His hesitationsted only for a moment. Johannes raised his voice to give hismand. His voice can be heard throughout the whole battlefield.


    Marshal Lizelotte! I do not mind if you kill him! Teach him the foolishness of going against the Empire!!


    After he gave thatmand, Johannes turned back and headed for the east gate.


    -


    Hearing Johannessmand, Gordon snorted.


    Hmph! What foolishness! This is exactly because Father has grown weak! If he had the same strength he had before I would never resort to a rebellion!


    It sounds like.you are ming Father because he forced your hand?


    Of course. That is exactly how it is! If Father is his former self, he would have immediately realized that the Empire right now needs a strong emperor! Eric is weak, and now that spoiled brat Leonard ispeting for the throne too! For the Empires own sake, we need a strong emperor!! It is because he didnt notice that truth that I chose to rebel!!


    Lize quietly takes a stance with her sword as Gordon justifies himself.


    Gordon had his greatsword ready in his hand and prepared to attack her but as if that greatsword wasnt there in the first ce, Lizes sword found its way to Gordons neck.


    Kuh!


    Gordons neck didnt part from his body because he managed to move it back in a hurry but Lizes sh did leave a scratch on him.


    I thought that you were a fool but it seems like your foolishness is much greater than I thought.If you are that confident in yourself then you should just win the session war through your own power. The fact that you started a rebellion here means you have admitted that you stand no chance against Eric or Leo. You know that full well and cowardly resorted to a rebellion because of your weakness. This is why you cant even take the position of a marshal.


    I am not weak! My military might can not be measured in that ridiculous session war! The session war is a battle for the weak who resort to roundabout ways! It was already a mistake to try to judge me with it!!


    Isnt resorting to cheap tricks and plotting a rebellion in secret exactly the roundabout way you so despised? Everything you did was all hypocrisy. The Imperial Family is there for the sake of the Empire, if you forget even that and choose to cause disasters to our country then you are disqualified both as its member and a general. I pity Father for having a son like you.


    Dont make fun of me! What do you know when you ran away to the border without even trying to join the session war!!


    Saying so, Gordon puts magic power in the greatsword in his hand.


    The greatsword shines and the light wraps around Gordon.


    It seems you have prepared a good magic sword huh. Are you not confident in your own power?


    Hmph! I will not allow any insult from you! I will crush the likes of you in an instant!!


    Thene. In the name of the Marshal of the Empire, I shall take your head.


    Gordon swings down the sword with all his strength.


    Lize moved back and avoided it but Gordons heavy blow caused the ground to copse.


    A magic sword that strengthens your physical strength huh. That certainly suited you.


    This is my power! You have no chance of winning!! I will cut your head off and throw it in front of Father!


    Lize stays silent.


    Without minding that, Gordon started his pursuit.


    He brandished an attack to the side.


    Lize received it.


    Then


    I left the border and came here because I didnt want Father to fight you himself. After losing our elder brother, his heart is already scarred enough. Even so, if you choose to rebel, he will have to cut you down. Thats why I came. I..dont want Father to be hurt any more than this.


    NAIVE!! Have you be emotional because you have secluded yourself at the border for so long!


    Say whatever you likeyour crime of having Father ordering me to kill his own son is heavy. You will pay for your impertinence to him with that head of yours!! Gordon!!


    As she finished saying that, Lize parried Gordons sword.


    Then the two started fiercely exchanging blows without any intention to relent to others.


    The nearby soldiers are also caught in their exchange.


    Their swords wouldnt stop until either one of them died.


    When the soldiers around them started to think so.


    Suddenly a huge barrier, the<strong>Firmament Kugel (Celestial Sphere)</strong>covered the entire Imperial Capital.