A mage's journey begins with a battle mage.

Chapter 520 A Preliminary Decision

Although Liam was already considering surrendering, there were others who were even more eager than him.

"How can these newly dispatched garrison troops be so weak? In just one day, the defenses are already on the verge of collapse. I don't think this empire can hold out for much longer. Perhaps we should..."

At the lavish banquet, a dozen or so local marquises and earls gathered together and chatted.

Compared to Liam, they would much rather surrender, since war was a completely negative outcome for them.

"This...isn't this a bit inappropriate? After all, we are..."

One of the nobles hesitated.

"What's there to be afraid of? No matter who they are, they all need us to stabilize the situation and provide supplies. Even these mages are no exception. We can just give them more money."

One of the nobles waved his hand dismissively and said it was nothing to worry about.

In his view, whoever is in power will need their help. Without their help, who will manage that vast land and the huge number of lowly people? How will taxes be collected?

"That's good, I think so too, but I think we should wait a little longer. My informant in the army reported that if that legend puts in a good effort, this city can hold out for a few more weeks."

"Some nobles said."

"Wait? Wait for what? Send someone tonight to make contact and prepare to surrender. What kind of information do you have? Do you really think the magical cannons on the city walls are intact?"

Clearly, this nobleman was a veteran, aware that many of the magical cannons on the city walls were no longer usable.

"What? When did it break down? Didn't they say they allocate a large sum of money for maintenance every year?"

"Who knew things would turn out so suddenly? A month ago, everyone thought war wouldn't break out, after all, Mendetk was located deep in the interior, and had a legend in charge..."

"this……"

It's clear that even the nobles find the corruption surrounding the Mendetek city wall's magical cannon repair funds somewhat unacceptable.

After all, that's something that concerns their safety. What was this person thinking?

"It's all the fault of that follower of the god of wealth, Wojnarowski. If he hadn't claimed to have connections and offered to buy back those materials at high prices..."

The nobleman argued, then, seeing the looks on the faces of those around him, he quickly added...

"I didn't eat the big head; that was done by the previous legend, and that lord was..."

He stopped halfway through his sentence, but those who understood his meaning knew it all.

No mortal would dare to insult a legend; these nobles, though ruthless, hadn't gone to such extremes.

Therefore, words should only be used to hint at the point.

"Let's do it this way... otherwise, there really won't be another chance."

Finally, with the unanimous agreement of the nobles, they decided to send envoys to negotiate and prepare to surrender.

As local nobles, they knew all too well what the situation was like here.

Mendeteke might be able to hold on for a day or two at most.

If we surrender now, we can still negotiate terms.

As for Liam? What business is it of the nobles whether he lives or dies?

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Inside the city lord's mansion, Liam was filled with conflicting emotions.

He had sworn an oath to protect the empire, and he would never break it under any circumstances. If he did, his strength would instantly drop to the Saint level, and he would never be able to advance to the Legend level again, which was something he could not accept at all.

Having experienced that feeling of being on cloud nine, how could he possibly be willing to fall from that height and never be able to return?

Is the only option now to fight to the death and refuse to retreat?

As I pondered this, a feeling of sadness welled up within me.

Perhaps, he has no choice but to sacrifice his life to protect his country.

"If I had known, I wouldn't have made that vow."

Liam sighed.

"I will live and die with the Empire."

However, things took an unexpected turn, and Liam seemed to have suddenly thought of something.

Jiang Shuzhou came on the late emperor's dying wish. Regardless of whether this thing is real or fake, as long as it's certified and the alliance acknowledges it, that's enough.

In that case...

"If I surrender, wouldn't I also be loyal to the empire?"

As Liam pondered, his eyes grew brighter and brighter, and the sadness and worry in his heart dissipated.

"Haha, I don't have to die!"

The moment the thought of surrender arises, one suddenly feels the vastness of the world.

The more Liam thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed; Rosemary's decree would not be overturned until a new emperor was chosen.

And what happens after it's overthrown?

Putting aside whether the internal struggle can be quelled, he can simply run away when the time comes.

Although he swore to protect the empire, that did not mean he would stay there forever.

Why not just find a place to stay and wait for the empire to disappear or be rebuilt?

Subconsciously, he didn't believe the empire would completely collapse; as long as the alliance remained, there would be no problem.

Jiang Shuzhou came with great force, but at most he could only occupy some land. Once a new emperor was elected, everything would be over.

After all, the power of the Covenant is like that of mortal gods. The difference is that when the gods of the astral plane descend upon the prime plane, their power is suppressed and reduced, but the Covenant is not.

Thinking this, Liam felt a sense of relief.

He then took out a gold-plated puppet that he had already purchased, intending to use it to meet Jiang Shuzhou and participate in the negotiations.

As for the nobles in the city? Whether they live or die is irrelevant; they're just side effects!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The attack was paused, not because Jiang Shuzhou was tired, but because someone came to negotiate.

"You mean, the nobles from Liam and Mendetk have all come?"

Even the well-informed Jiang Shuzhou couldn't help but feel a sense of absurdity at this moment.

The two, who should have been working together to defend the city, unexpectedly surrendered at the same time and even planned to betray each other.

This is absurd, but upon closer inspection, it makes perfect sense.

We're all smart people; there's no need to risk our lives.

Most importantly, the forged letter of appeal that Jiang Shuzhou had worked.

Although it's fake, no one can prove it's fake.

This is the effect of orthodoxy.

"No wonder so many people like to forge imperial edicts; these things are really useful."

Jiang Shuzhou remarked with emotion.

Without this thing, Jiang Shuzhou would be considered to have launched an armed invasion of another country's territory, which would be considered aggression. But with this thing, Jiang Shuzhou would at most be considered to be interfering in internal affairs, and it was authorized by the former emperor.

Others know it's fake, and Jiang Shuzhou knows they know it's fake, but no one else can prove it's fake.

This creates a lot of room for maneuver.

"Your Majesty, those two have been separated and are being held in different locations. They are unaware of each other's presence. What should we do?"

"That's what the general said."

"Bring them all along."

Jiang Shuzhou said that, to be honest, he was already eager to see the look of astonishment and disbelief in the eyes of the two of them when they met.

That's so interesting.