Imperial Throne

Chapter 198 : Deviated from the Course

Chapter 198: Deviated from the Course

“Has he confessed?”

“No.” Facing Ion’s question, Yam shook his head solemnly. “I checked thoroughly. The other party should be a Bloodline User, but I can’t tell what bloodline—none of the bloodline records I’ve studied mention anything like his.”

“So that’s why you kept him?” Ion immediately guessed Yam’s intention.

“I am indeed quite interested in his bloodline ability,” Yam did not deny it. “To possess a bloodline ability that allows one to become someone else—don’t you think that’s terrifying? Even if we can’t harness such an ability, we must at least learn how to defend against it. Otherwise, have you ever considered that one day, someone close to us might actually be an impostor in disguise?”

Ion froze for a moment. “Then how did Aches discover it?”

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“The Demonic Sword is with him.” Yam wasn’t surprised at all. In fact, the moment he saw that unlucky fool tricked by Aches into delivering the letter right into the trap, he already understood how Aches had uncovered the disguise. “I don’t know the exact process, but the Demonic Sword’s current activity level has far surpassed what it showed back when we first discovered it—and this change began precisely when Cindy resonated with the Demonic Sword.”

Ever since Cindy and the Demonic Sword had resonated, Ion—who had spent most of his time in the Gem Territory—might not have felt much of a difference. But Yam had clearly sensed that the Demonic Sword had grown increasingly active since then.

Whether this newfound activity was a blessing or a curse, however, was hard to say.

Still, judging from the current situation, it might not be a bad thing. After all, it was through the Demonic Sword’s help that Aches managed to see through the enemy’s disguise.

“Aches is still waiting for reinforcements, isn’t he?” Ion chose not to continue that topic and instead said, “Let me go.”

But Yam did not immediately agree. His brows furrowed slightly.

Ion, however, could see Yam’s hesitation. “The chaos in the northern part of the Bayor Territory requires your constant attention for issuing commands at any moment—you can’t leave. The only ones capable of rescuing Aches are me and Aliman. But Aliman can’t move right now either, right? He also needs to monitor the north in case of sudden incidents.”

“My concern,” Yam shook his head slightly, “is whether the enemy has laid other traps. Though I don’t know the exact details of their plan, I suspect their earlier defeat was staged—and even the routed troops still in Bayor Territory might have been left there intentionally.”

“What do you plan to do, then?”

Yam glanced at Ion, then said in a low voice, “Since the enemy wants to fish, let’s see if they truly have the guts for it.”

ㄴ

“One full day has passed. You’re saying there’s still no sign of anything nearby?”

The commander from the Aust Empire frowned deeply at his messenger.

“Yes, sir. And strangely enough, the soldiers we stationed for ambush nearby also reported that they haven’t seen anyone enter the settlement.” The messenger quickly replied, “Could it be that the enemy never went there at all—that the Faceless One—”

“You’re suggesting the Faceless One was deceived?” The commander’s gaze turned icy. “If he hadn’t reported his own identity, would you even be able to recognize him? Or do you think you’re more capable than the Faceless Ones?”

“I wouldn’t dare!” The messenger immediately bowed his head, his face pale with fear. “It was my mistake.”

“Remember this—the Faceless Guard under the Archduke only participates in the most difficult operations. Even the previous wars weren’t worthy of their intervention.” The commander’s tone grew colder. “The Empire has been planning to annex Tyrella for over five years.

So even if I make a mistake, the Faceless Ones do not. Instead of making excuses for your incompetence, think harder about how the enemy slipped past our surveillance.”

“Yes, sir.” The soldier responded at once.

“Urgent report—!”

A hurried shout suddenly rang out from outside the tent. “What is it?” The young Aust Imperial commander looked at the soldier who had rushed in. He didn’t scold him but asked calmly instead.

“There’s been a large-scale troop movement inside the fortress. According to the recent mapping, it appears to be from Bayor Territory’s acting commander, Yam Soderbell.” The soldier reported quickly. “The enemy force now numbers over two thousand, and the mobilization hasn’t stopped yet. Furthermore—the commander of the reinforcement unit that arrived two days ago has also appeared on the battlefield. We haven’t yet confirmed his identity.”

“How many defenders are inside the fortress?” the commander asked again.

“Estimated between four and five thousand.” The soldier replied swiftly. “Previously, there were about two to three thousand. The reinforcements who arrived two days ago numbered at least two thousand, maybe three. Our operatives inside the fortress have not sent any new reports, likely because of this sudden mobilization—they may be unable to communicate.”

Throughout Bayor Territory, the Aust Empire had deployed a special Faceless Guard infiltration unit—four Silent Ones and one Faceless Man.

Nominally, this team was under the jurisdiction of Bayor’s three field commanders, but in truth, the Faceless Man operated with full autonomy, equal in rank to the commanders themselves. Even they had no idea where he currently was. To contact him, they had to use prearranged secret methods.

But the Silent Ones were different.

They shared intelligence with the commanders and, before carrying out any orders not issued directly by the Faceless Man, had to report their actions to the local commander to avoid interfering with the strategic layout. That was why, two days ago, one of them had come to report and deliver information.

As far as this commander knew, two Silent Ones had already infiltrated the fortress. He had met another one in person two days ago, while the last one’s whereabouts remained unknown.

As for the Faceless Man, he had no clue at all—though there was a contact method, he had never once used it.

“...Heh.” The commander turned his head slightly toward his messenger. “The enemy has mobilized at least half of the fortress garrison. Do you still think the intelligence that Silent One gathered was false? Tell the soldiers stationed near the settlements—no matter what it takes, they must find that damned storage chamber within two days! That chamber likely isn’t even in the settlement—no tax officer would be that much of an idiot.”

“But if it’s outside the settlement, we might not have enough manpower—”

The commander frowned, then strode toward the map table. After a moment’s thought, he said in a deep voice, “Transfer all soldiers from Settlements One, Six, and Seven to support the search near Settlement Four. Gather all troops from Settlements Two and Three back to the main camp. Remember—you have only two days!”

The commander quickly calculated his available forces.

These so-called “routed troops” were in fact part of a strategic trap—a bait. Their true purpose was to provide a believable identity for the Faceless Man of the Faceless Guard. To make the deception convincing, nearly four thousand soldiers had been left behind during the front-line retreat.

Of those, about a thousand were scattered across northern Bayor Territory, pretending to be looting marauders—drawing attention while appearing to regroup, making the enemy believe they were a tough force to crush.

Meanwhile, the southern contingent operated in two layers—one visible, one hidden. The visible commander led five hundred men disguised as broken, demoralized remnants, fleeing for their lives.

Anyone noticing a strong northern force and a weak southern one would see an easy victory. No commander could resist such a chance for glory—they would surely march south to annihilate the “routed troops.” Once they did, they would fall right into the trap, as the hidden commander would then lead over two thousand soldiers to launch a counter-encirclement and slaughter them all.

The plan had proceeded smoothly at first.

Even Aches’s escape had seemed like a minor, tolerable mishap to the commander.

But now, with Yam personally mobilizing two or three thousand troops for a southern sweep, the commander realized the entire operation was veering off course. Thus, he had to adopt the contingency plan—forget capturing Yam Soderbell, the acting commander of Bayor Territory, and instead focus on seizing his nephew, Aches Soderbell, to replace him.

That was the only way this infiltration plan could still succeed.

However—

The current situation was clearly beyond what he could decide alone.

“Contact Polcardon in the north immediately. I can hold the enemy off for two days at most. He must change his plan and move south now to strike the enemy from behind—”

“My lord.”

“Hmm?” Interrupted mid-sentence, the young commander raised an eyebrow but kept his composure. “Speak.”

“Since three days ago—we’ve lost contact with Lord Polcardon.”

“Such an important matter—and you’re telling me only now?!” The young commander’s expression finally twisted in disbelief.

“B-but we sent scouts north the same day communication was lost! None have returned yet. We don’t know what’s happened up there, and we didn’t dare report unconfirmed news to you.”

At that moment, the commander felt as if a shadow had suddenly fallen over his vision.