I Became a Level -99 Vicious Lord

Chapter 58

When Otto successfully instigated Duke Alex, a large-scale frontal battle plan was established.

The plan was simple.

-First, the rebel forces led by Duke Alex would recklessly advance towards the encampment of the crown prince’s suppression army.

-Second, the battle would commence.

-Third, the army from the Kingdom of Lota, led by Otto, would attack the rear of the crown prince’s suppression army.

“Excellent, very excellent.”

Duke Alex was greatly satisfied with the plan.

If everything went according to plan, they would achieve a great victory in the battle, and then Duke Alex would ascend to the throne.

There was no better scenario than this, as long as it unfolded according to Duke Alex’s intentions.

“We will initiate the operation in one week.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”
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.
.

One week later.

“Forward, all troops!”

The rebel forces, consisting of over 20,000 soldiers led by Duke Alex, began to advance towards the location where the crown prince’s army was stationed.

Meanwhile, Otto returned to the place where the crown prince’s army was stationed, as he had promised Duke Alex. Following him were 5,000 soldiers from the Kingdom of Lota.

[Lad, what’s the plan now?]

Kairos asked Otto.

(We’ll just have to watch when the battle begins.)

[Hmm?]

(When Duke Alex and the crown prince face off, they’ll fight fiercely against each other, won’t they?)

[Are you planning to sneak up on them all at once? Both of them?]

(That’s right.)

(Tsk.)

Kairos clicked his tongue.

[How can you be so treacherous?]

(Huh?)

[Just saying.]

(Thanks.)

[What?]

(I said, thanks.)

[Did you consider that a praise?]

(Being called treacherous is a good thing. It’s not a bad thing. How else can you survive in this harsh world, being all kind-hearted?)

[Nonsense!]

Kairos exploded in anger.

[Strength! Absolute power! Crushing all enemies with overwhelming force! If you have that…]

(Is that how you get betrayed by Aragon? Hit from behind?)

[Th-That’s…]

Kairos was momentarily speechless, unable to utter a word.

(If you had achieved absolute power, like you said, enough to defeat all enemies, then even getting hit from behind wouldn’t faze you.)

[….]

(What you’re talking about is an ideal. The way I do things is reality. Of course, I don’t want to become strong like that either. It’s just that for now, because I’m weak, I have no choice but to resort to these methods. And by doing so…)

[….?]

(Fewer of our soldiers will die.)

[Umm!]

(I give the orders, but it’s the soldiers who fight and die. So, I have a duty to devise a plan to ensure that at least one fewer soldier dies, right?)

[Now that I think about it, your words are right.]

Kairos, as if realizing something from Otto’s words, willingly acknowledged it.

[You have short-sighted thinking. Perhaps you might make a better ruler than me.]

(Huh?)

[There was a time when even I had thoughts similar to yours…]

In Kairos’ voice as he spoke like that, there was a hint of regret from his past life, making it sound bitter somehow.

(What’s the point of regretting now? Just do well from now on.)

[Hmm?]

(When you obtain a body suitable for you, you’ll live a new life. Just do well then.)

[A new life…]

(It’s not all about revenge, is it? What will you do after taking revenge? What will you do then?)

[I.. haven’t thought about it yet.]

(Then start thinking about it now. After accomplished your revenge against the descendant of Emperor Aragon, what will you do with your life?)

[What will I do with my life…]

Unconsciously, Otto threw a question about the meaning of life at Kairos, without even realizing it, as he gazed into the distance towards the battlefield.

“Advance!”

“Charge, everyone!”

At that moment, rebel forces led by Duke Alex were charging at a terrifying speed towards the defense line established by the crown prince’s army.

The soulful clash, which would decorate the grand finale of the civil war in the Kingdom of Roshan, had begun.

***

“…Why in the world?”

The crown prince wondered why the rebel forces suddenly attacked like this. While they were in the middle of drafting a ceasefire agreement, who would have expected them to strike first?

But that was a fleeting thought.

“Have you lost patience, uncle? The price for this will be no small matter.”

The crown prince decided not to avoid the fight that was coming their way, now that it had come to this. In fact, it was better this way.

Currently, the crown prince’s suppression army had the advantage. They had established defensive lines in strategically advantageous terrain, so if the rebel forces dared to enter, it would be convenient for them to simply crush them and take advantage of the situation.

“Come! Show yourselves! I will destroy every last one of you! All troops, prepare for battle! Prepare to annihilate the rebels!”

“Prepare for battle!”

The crown prince’s army prepared to face the approaching rebel forces in the distance.

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A few minutes later.

The cavalry from both sides collided, and the battle began.

As the outcome of the war hung in the balance, the battle was intense.

However, due to the crown prince’s side having established defensive lines in favorable terrain, the damage suffered by the rebel forces was overwhelmingly greater.

(Nooo. (T-this is.)

As it was the final battle, Duke Alex, who had personally taken the field, grew anxious as the casualties accumulated.

(When will the army of Lota arrive?)

Thirty minutes into the battle.

There was no sign of them.

By this point, it should have been Otto’s grand entrance, appearing behind the crown prince’s army. But no matter how long he waited, the army of Lota did not show up.

“Shoot flares! Quickly!”

Phewww—Boom!

Pheww—Boom!

They shot several flares, but still, there was no sign of the army of Lota.

In the meantime, the battle intensified further, and the rebel forces suffered irreversible heavy losses.

(This… This!)

Duke Alex finally realized the situation and became furious.

If the army of Lota, which was supposed to come, hadn’t even shown a glimpse until now, the reason was obvious.

(Otto de Scuderia… This damn b**tard deceived me!)

He realized it too late.

Blinded by the prospect of victory, he had put too much trust in Otto, and now it had backfired.

(No that can’t be…)

Duke Alex believed that Otto had betrayed him by allying with the crown prince.

Because if that wasn’t the case, there was no reason for the army of Lota to not appear until the rebel forces were on the verge of annihilation.

But then…

Thud thud thud thud thud thud!

Duke Alex’s expression brightened as he saw the cavalry of the Kingdom of Lota rushing forward.

Yes, they were a bit late, but what difference would it make?

Their arrival was a great relief.

(You’ve come. You’ve finally come! Yes, I believed in you!)

Duke Alex cheered.

He wouldn’t just let lateness slide. Once the battle was over, he would demand an explanation and seek revenge.

But it wasn’t the time for that now.

“Aaargh!”

“Aaah!”

The cavalry of the Kingdom of Lota swept through the crown prince’s soldiers indiscriminately.

At least, for now…

***

“Take heart! Wipe out the enemies completely! This battle will bring an end to the war!”

Crown Prince Louis Blanc led the suppression army with a booming voice.

“Crown Prince, huzzah!”

“””Waaaa!!!!”””

The soldiers of the suppression army shouted in unison, sweeping through the rebel forces with fearsome momentum.

With an impetuous charge, they decimated more than half of the enemy forces. The rebel forces were left helpless against the relentless onslaught from the suppression army.

And then, it happened.

Thud thud thud thud thud thud!

In the distance, a large force carrying the banners of the Kingdom of Lota began rapidly approaching.

(W-why is the army of Lota here…?)

The expression on Crown Prince Louis Blanc’s face momentarily froze as he saw the army of Lota.

Moreover, hadn’t Otto de Scuderia, the King of Lota, met an untimely death not long ago?

But that was a brief thought.

“Oh, no…”

Crown Prince Louis Blanc’s face turned pale with despair.

The sudden appearance of the army of Lota in this battle was definitely not good news.

“Alex… That damn traitor has brought in foreign forces! And are you still a part of the Kingdom of Roshan?”

He shouted in anger, but his voice could not reach Duke Alex, who was far away.

Meanwhile…

“Aaargh!”

“Ack!”

“Help, please!”

The overwhelming army of Lota began mercilessly slaughtering the soldiers of the suppression army as they came into contact.

“Ah…”

Upon witnessing the grim scene, the crown prince lost his will to fight and let his sword hang limp.

But then, a peculiar sight unfolded.

“””Aaargh!”””

The army of Lota, which had shattered the camp of the suppression army led by the crown prince, began slaughtering the rebel soldiers as well.

“W-what the heck is going on…?”

The crown prince, unable to grasp the situation, looked around in confusion.

“Why is Iota attacking the rebel forces?”

If that were the case…

“Ah.”

The crown prince finally realized.

Iota Kingdom had not taken sides with either the rebel forces or the suppression army.

The rebel forces and the suppression army were like fighting fish, while Iota Kingdom was the fisherman watching from behind with a satisfied smile.

“Failing to prevent a thief from entering while fighting among ourselves…”

As the crown prince sighed, the battle took a turn.

“””Aaargh!”””

“””Retreat! Retreat!”””

“””Please… Aaargh!”””

The army of Lota indiscriminately slaughtered both the rebel forces and the suppression army, claiming the victory of this battle as their own.

***

The combat capabilities of the Iota Kingdom’s army were truly exceptional.

They possessed robust physical strength.

A deep understanding of tactics.

Heightened morale.

On top of that, even the low-ranking soldiers were capable of manipulating mana, a feat that even formidable nations couldn’t fathom.

So, it was only natural that the combat prowess of the Iota Kingdom’s army was remarkable.

“Hahaha!”

“Weakling Roshan fools! Where do you think you’re running?”

“Wipe them all out!”

The Iota Kingdom’s army swept through their enemies as if releasing wild beasts into a flock of sheep, proudly displaying the combat prowess they had honed.

“Ah, they really fight well.”

Otto watched the Iota Kingdom’s army with a sense of satisfaction, smiling as if pleased.

“Do you find it so enjoyable?”

“Of course, isn’t it? Our army fights so well, don’t you think?”

“I agree.”

Camille smiled, truly a rare sight.

The soldiers who were once mediocre had grown to such an extent… It was unimaginable during a time when the Iota Kingdom was nothing more than a tiny rural territory.

“Let’s go.”

Otto spoke and took a step forward.

“Let’s lead the soldiers to the battlefield instead of idling behind.”

“Of course.”

With Camille by his side, Otto charged onto the battlefield, proving his own strength as he thrashed about like a fish in water.

[Notification: Experience gained!]

As a result, his experience increased.

[Notification: Level 89 reached!]

[Notification: Level 90 reached!]

His level increased as well.

[Notification: Unlocked!]

[Notification: Reached level 90 and unlocked the skill ‘Petrification Eye’!]