“K-Kang Chul-In!” 

Having heard the news that Kang Chul-In appeared in Zolushka, Vilhelm immediately held an emergency meeting. The source of the information was indeed dubious. He had never even heard of the name Lee Ji-Tae before. It was hence difficult to trust him wholeheartedly. However, Lee Ji-Tae’s master – Atal Ramanujan – was an Overlord. He wouldn’t just make up stories for naught. 

“Your Majesty.” 

Kwak Jun spoke. 

“Oh, military advisor Kwak. Do you have anything to say?” 

“We have to be even more cautious in situations like this.” 

“Cautious, you say…?” 

“According to my discretion, it is unlikely that Kang Chul-In is in that rural region all by himself.” 

“Why do you say that?” 

“Your Majesty, how many enemies does Kang Chul-In have?” 

“What kind of question is that… ah…!” 

Vilhelm was about to get angry at such a redundant question, when he suddenly came to a realization. 

“Do you get it now?” 

Kwak Jun spoke. 

“Kang Chul-In is more cunning than we think. Didn’t he even infiltrate the Pentagon with a hostage?” 

“Yes, you are right!” 

“There’s no way a cunning man like him would be so reckless.” 

It was a logical train of thought. 

“With countless enemies everywhere, it doesn’t make sense for Kang Chul-In to stroll around alone.” 

“Hmm...” 

“Therefore, I suggest you ignore this report.” 

“Ignore...” 

“Kang Chul-In may appear to be cocky, but he has a sharp dagger hidden behind his back. Just observing may be the best option in this circumstance.” 

Kwak Jun knew nothing about Kang Chul-In’s whereabouts, but he tried his best to distract Vilhelm. He did not want anyone to interfere with Kang Chul-In’s actions. Why? 

It was because he was Kang Chul-In’s spy in the Gullveig Alliance! 

“Upon hearing your thoughts, I agree...” 

At that moment. 

Creek! 

A white knight stepped in front of Vilhelm. 

“Your Majesty.” 

“Oh, Brynhildr!” 

Vilhelm’s face lit up. 

“I will personally check it out.” 

“You?!” 

“Yes, Your Majesty!” 

“Huh!” 

Vilhelm was very surprised by Brynhildr’s statement. He had always been adopting a passive stance. It was rare for him to volunteer for such a task. 

“Your Majesty, Kang Chul-In isn’t just your opponent. He is my nemesis as well.” 

Brynhildr, who had lost to Kang Chul-In before, was eager. 

“Hmm!” 

“It is certainly possible that he may have devised some scheme, as military advisor Kwak mentioned.”

“Right...” 

“However!” 

Brynhildr exclaimed staunchly. 

“Assuming Lee Ji-Tae’s information is correct and Kang Chul-In is really alone, then isn’t this the perfect opportunity to eliminate him?” 

“E-eliminate Kang Chul-In!?” 

“Yes, Your Majesty. If we can pull in our army and all of his enemies’ forces together… then we may be able to capture Kang Chul-In.” 

Brynhildr’s suggestion was tempting. 

“That won’t do!” 

Kwak Jun swiftly refuted his words. 

“Your Majesty, there is an old oriental saying that if you know your enemy and yourself, then you can win every battle.” 

“And?” 

“Your Majesty, shouldn’t a Lord shun any form of gambling?” 

“...!”

“Do not be rash, Your Majesty!” 

Kwak Jun bellowed.

“Even if Lee Ji-Tae’s information is indeed correct and it’s a golden opportunity to eliminate Kang Chul-In, you shouldn’t decide rashly if there is even 1% uncertainty.” 

“Are you telling me to give up this potentially good opportunity…?” 

“Your Majesty.” 

“Hmm?”  

“You just have to stay still.” 

“Stay still? If I don’t act...” 

“The other Lords will act on your behalf.” 

“...!” 

“Why do you have to be the one to bear the brunt of that 1% uncertainty? I’m sure Lee Ji-Tae relayed this information to many others as well.” 

“So… I just have to quietly observe the other Lords and do my job?” 

“Yes, Your Majesty!” 

“Keh… as expected from military advisor Kwak!” 

Vilhelm exclaimed in delight. Kwak Jun’s persuasion was flawless. Kang Chul-In was a cunning and evil man. There was no reason to confront him directly. All Vilhelm had to do was to enjoy the show as the other Lords tackled his problem. 

You tried to drag Vilhelm out, when I’m here with my eyes wide open? Kek… this man called Lee Ji-Tae… Not a bad idea, but… did you really think that I would fall for that?

Kwak Jun understood perfectly that Lee Ji-Tae wanted to borrow the strength of the Gullveig Alliance to subjugate Kang Chul-In. This proved that in no way did Kwak Jun’s insight fall behind Lee Ji-Tae’s.  

“Your Majesty.” 

However, Brynhildr did not back off. 

“I understand military advisor Kwak’s intention. Then just send me there alone!” 

“Alone?” 

“Yes.” 

“That’s impossible!” 

Vilhelm shook his head. 

“For me to lose Brynhildr the white knight is akin to losing one of my arms...” 

“Don’t you trust me, Your Majesty?” 

“Of course I...” 

“If you aren’t willing to send me there, then I will have to go there myself!” 

With that, 

Flicker!

A tremendous amount of mana exploded out of Brynhildr’s armor. 

“B-Brynhildr!” 

“Your Majesty, I will only be satisfied when my sword parries that of Kang Chul-In’s!” 

“...!” 

“Revenge… I will take revenge!” 

An incredible fighting spirit indeed. It could almost match Kang Chul-In’s aura. 

“I-If you are so eager… then I won’t stop you, Brynhildr.” 

In the end, Vilhelm failed to persuade Brynhildr otherwise. He was on the losing end. Without Brynhildr, his army would be half its strength. Therefore, it was better to let him do as he wished, although he was difficult to control. 

“Go!” 

Since Vilhelm had decided to send Brynhildr off anyway, he commanded in a rather intrepid tone. 

“Show Kang Chul-In the power of Bifrost!” 

“Yes, Your Majesty!” 

Brynhildr, who had gotten what he asked for, replied with a thundering roar. 

                                                *** 

Meanwhile... 

“What?! Kang Chul-In, that son of a bitch, is alone in Zolushka?” 

“Men, head to Zolushka immediately! Hurry!” 

“A golden opportunity to kill Kang Chul-In! Gather all the generals at the Warp Gate!” 

Unlike Vilhelm who had Kwak Jun to give him advice, the other Lords in the Gullveig Alliance were eager to send their troops to Zolushka, to take avenge for the humiliation during the Pentagon infiltration incident previously. The information was too juicy for them to ignore, like a well-riped, succulent fruit!

                                                ***

Brooom!

Zeppelin emitted a loud engine sound. 

“Urgh… so annoying.” 

Inside Zeppelin, Kwak Jung muttered as he studied the map. 

“There are already so many things to do, and this bastard is creating trouble. He should just screw off to a corner, hmph!” 

Kwak Jung was referring to Atal Ramanujan. 

“Well, so what if you’ve conquered Itaracia?” 

Kwak Jung chuckled condescendingly. 

“That territory is too much for you to swallow. Time for you to spit it out.” 

Kwak Jung had no intention to join Kang Chul-In in Zolushka. His target was Itaracia, located in the Chamonix mountains. Lee Ji-Tae was currently using that territory as the command center for the Shatyameba army.  

Why? Located in the Chamonix mountains, Itaracia was great at defense but was extremely small in size. In other words, it was difficult to post a large army in Itaracia!

At best, there will only be 30,000 soldiers in that tiny ass territory… if we conquer this area, then we can shut off future enemy reinforcements… if so...

The Shatyameba army would be sandwiched between Itaracia and Zolushka. That was Kwak Jung’s intention. Instead of just defending Zolushka, he planned to conquer Itaracia, restrict enemy reinforcements, and thus annihilate the Shatyameba soldiers!

                                                ***

10 hours later. 

“...” 

Kang Chul-In, who had already seized Zolushka’s outer castle, was lost for words. 

“Long live His Majesty, Kang Chul-In!” 

“Long live Valhalla!” 

“I love you!” 

“Salute!” 

“Just take us in!” 

Now, almost 5000 Shatyameba soldiers were fighting amongst themselves to be the first to pledge loyalty to Kang Chul-In. As a result, he had to shake hands and pat backs, instead of battling them.

What’s going on? 

Kang Chul-In was puzzled, but he managed to put on a façade. 

“Good job all for your hard work!”

How could a Lord ever appear disconcerted?

“Y-your Majesty?” 

Kim Sung-Hee was equally surprised. 

“How in the world… what magic did you... “

Thousands of surrendering enemies? She had never seen something like that. 

“Haha! As expected from His Majesty!” 

Nilus let out a hearty laugh. As a Kang-Chul-In fanatic, Nilus was hardly surprised to see thousands of Shatyameba soldiers surrender. To him, this was nothing out of ordinary for his king. 

“Kang Chul-In!” 

At that moment... 

“Kang Chul-In you bastard! Where are you!?” 

“Come out, Kang Chul-In!”

“Find Kang Chul-In!” 

Various elite troops sent by the Lords of the Gullveig Alliance appeared and started looking for Kang Chul-In. 

“Huh.” 

Kang Chul-In smirked. 

“Have they gone mad?” 

Even a large army wasn’t sufficient to challenge Kang Chul-In. To attack in such an uncoordinated manner was hardly a wise move. 

“Kang Chul-In!” 

Suddenly, a knight in emerald armor charged straight at Kang Chul-In. 

“Argh!” 

However, his death came almost immediately. 

Swish! 

With a swing of Kaiforce, the knight’s corpse was sliced into eight pieces and was tossed onto the floor. A dog’s death for a small fry. 

“Ohhhh!”

“So that is the Supreme King of the West!” 

“Keh… what majestic strength.” 

The Shatyameba soldiers, now Kang Chul-In’s underlings, exclaimed in excitement. 

“It’s annoying, so just come at me in groups.” 

Clang!

Kang Chul-In rested Kaiforce on his shoulder and stood arrogantly. He was displaying charisma and confidence befitting a king. 

“Kang Chul-In.” 

A voice intruded. 

“I’m your opponent.” 

Brynhildr swerved past the crowd and stood in front of Kang Chul-In. The cormorant had appeared. 

“God damn it!” 

Kang Chul-In’s face crumpled. 

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