Zither Emperor

Oliveira nodded and said, “Apart from a few specific races, the vast majority of beastmen are naturally afraid of fire. In past wars, the attacks of our Fire Mages were the most effective. How big do you estimate their losses to be?”

Sura shook his head and replied, “It was too chaotic; I was unable to determine the extent of the damage they suffered. I believe, however, that they will want to assemble their entire army, so they will wait for the fire and chaos to completely die out. Furthermore, since the trees on the mountain are very tall, the fire should not die out anytime soon. As long as it doesn’t rain or snow, the fire wouldn’t be extinguished for two days at the very least.”

Oliveira spoke, worried, “The only thing I fear now is that they might not wait to reassemble their army and will attack immediately instead. Konya City doesn’t have a strong defense. The city walls are only fifteen meters high, which is about the same height as an average Behemoth. We only have three genuine Gigantic Dragons altogether, none of which are fully matured. A tamed dragon cannot successfully confront a Behemoth; it’s not strong enough. At most, it can only delay them.”

Ye Yin Zhu interjected, “Elder Brother Oliveira, how long until we get reinforcements?”

Hearing Ye Yin Zhu’s question, Oliveira’s expression immediately became uglier. Glancing at the others some distance away, he lowered his voice and said, “I used a magic summon to report to my grandfather about the beastmen ambush on Konya City. Grandfather said, however, that there is immense pressure on Sacred Heart City right now. Mjolnir Stronghold’s beastmen are just as strong as the main army. Furthermore, there are many incredibly fast Wolf Cavalry attacks on Sacred Heart City’s perimeter. Defense is extremely strained. He has already requested reinforcements from the Empire. For the time being, he can only send my second elder brother and five hundred Dragon Cavalry as backup. He doesn’t know when the other reinforcements can arrive.”

“What?” Ye Yin Zhu whispered, “If it’s like that, then our location…”

Oliveira’s eyes displayed a determined light. An unshakeable aura exuded from his body, an aura created through a baptism of bloodshed and death, of iron and steel, and that only presented itself in soldiers during precarious situations as it arose involuntarily. “Regardless of the response, as a Milan Empire soldier and as a future Dragon Cavalrymen, I will absolutely not cower. Even if we must fight to the very last man, the Dragon Cavalrymen and I will hold this line. We must delay the beastmen for as long as possible and give the Empire enough time to prepare. Yin Zhu, I’ve thought it out. You need to lead the students and evacuate; return as quickly as possible to the Institution. At present, the war has gotten out of hand. Everyone here is the best of the best at the Institution. They are the future of the Milan Empire; none must not die!”

Hearing his speech, Ye Yin Zhu and Sura couldn’t help but be moved. This fifth-year upperclassmen had gained both of their respects. Sura nodded and said, “This is perhaps the best solution.”

“I won’t leave.” Ye Yin Zhu shook his head. Although his voice was serene, his tone was exceptionally firm.

Oliveira frowned. “Yin Zhu, now is not the time to show off your bravery. You should know that all of you are elite students with bright futures. You absolutely cannot forfeit this here.”

Ye Yin Zhu smiled. His smile was very pure and very gentle. “I understand. But, I won’t leave.”

“You…” Oliveira’s eyes dilated. He suddenly realized that this mage, who had previously received his sword blow, had a one-of-a-kind personality. This personality of his was what both his elder brother and grandfather had already seen.

Sura anxiously spoke up. “Yin Zhu, if we don’t leave now, it’ll be too late.”

Ye Yin Zhu glanced at Sura. “You leave. Although I am not a member of the Milan Empire, I am a Milan Institution for Magic and Martial Arts student. I have a duty to protect this place. Besides, I am also a mage within the Milan Imperial Army.”

Sura sighed, exclaiming, “Since you insist on risking your life, then I will follow you.”

Ye Yin Zhu smiled. “I knew that you hate to part with me. Actually, we might be able to defend Konya City.”

Oliveira stared blankly. “Could it be that you have a plan?”

Ye Yin Zhu said, “Elder Brother Oliveira, did you forget the military stratagems you had told me earlier? You said that when confronting a well-matched adversary, you need to aim at their weaknesses. When confronting an adversary of greater strength, however, you need to reveal as much power as you can in front of them. Our fire attack may not have diminished the beastmen army’s strength, but at least it has left them panic-stricken. This false assumption they’ll be under will give us some time to prepare.”

Oliveira smacked his forehead. “Right! Look at me; normally I’m calm, but under duress, I am inferior to your incisiveness. Yin Zhu, it seems that you could very well become an outstanding general.”

Sura said doubtfully, “What nonsense are you two going on about?”

Oliveira laughed and said, “It’s not nonsense. Yin Zhu’s idea is to scare the beastmen first and make them unwilling to rush into an attack, possibly even making them retreat. Unfortunately, beastmen are naturally headstrong, unlike humanity’s cautiousness. If not, we might really have a chance. Scaring them, however, will at least delay them for some time. Now I finally understand the hidden meaning of life.”

Ye Yin Zhu’s eyes displayed a pondering light before he suddenly said, “Elder Brother Oliveira, if you can delay the beastmen for a while, we might really be able to withstand their attack. The condition, however, is to let all of the mages from the Institution stay here and have them listen to me as their leader.”

Oliveira exclaimed, dumbstruck, “Are you saying that you have some way to block a beastmen army of nearly a hundred Behemoths? Mages? We only have forty mages, and the strongest amongst them is merely a Primary Level Cyan Rank. This is impossible. Not a single one of you can even injure a Behemoth!”

Ye Yin Zhu countered firmly, “Magic is a profound art. If someone had told you that the Divine Music division could become the Freshman Competition Champion this year, would you have believed them? Elder Brother Oliveira, please give me this chance. I have to try.”

Oliveira hesitated for a moment before resolutely saying, “No. Yin Zhu, it’s not that I don’t trust you. If Konya City’s mages were a part of the army, I would absolutely allow you to try. You should know, however, that these students are not only exceedingly outstanding, but practically all of them have a very powerful background. Even our Violet Clan cannot afford to bear such a loss. Furthermore, my youngest sister is among the student mages. I’m not afraid of death, but I cannot trouble my family. Even my grandfather cannot take such a burdensome responsibility.”

“I will take on this responsibility for you.” At this pivotal moment, an entrancing and tranquil voice rang out. Xiang Luan and Hai Yang, hand in hand, had actually walked forward. The one who had spoken was the most beautiful woman of Milan Institution for Magic and Martial Arts—Xiang Luan.

Oliveira stared at her in amazement. “You?”

The mischievous smile that normally graced Xiang Luan’s face was gone. She nodded calmly and said, “Correct. I will. My name is Berlusconi Xiang Luan. My father’s name is Berlusconi Silvio. Does Senior Oliveira not believe that I have the qualifications to take this responsibility?” As she said this, she revealed an emblem in her hand. It glittered with rays of red and black light. The emblem was in the shape of a pentagon, its tip pointed downward. The emblem was inlaid with three strips of red and black metal. The red was a kind of extremely precious, pure gold while the black was crow gold. At the exact center of the emblem was a brilliant diamond crafted into the form of a shield, with a cross-sculpted ruby embedded within it. This emblem was made of shockingly rare materials, not to mention the excessive magical aura it leaked.

Ye Yin Zhu clearly didn’t understand the implications of Xiang Luan’s name, but beside him, Sura and Oliveira had become completely lifeless. They both cried out in unison, “Milan Ruby Cross Shield Emblem?!”

Beside Xiang Luan, Hai Yang delicately called out, “Oliveira, are you not going to greet the Imperial Princess?”

Oliveira immediately reacted. Putong!

Sinking to one knee, he spoke with reverence, “Respects to Princess Xiang Luan.”

Berlusconi—the Milan Imperial Family’s last name. Berlusconi Silvio was the full name of the Milan Empire’s Emperor.

Xiang Luan nodded, saying, “Please rise, my Knight. I have heard everything you have said just now. I, on the behalf of Milan, acknowledge your strength and feel gratified. Now, as the Imperial Princess, I order that from now on, no one may leave Konya City unless under my command. All mages must unite under Ye Yin Zhu, including myself.”

Oliveira lifted his head in shock. “No, your Highness, how can this be? You’re actually here? In that case, I have even higher grounds to evacuate you. You must leave, even if it goes against your order. As a member of the Violet Clan, I must prioritize the safety of the royal family above all else.” How could he have imagined that the Imperial Princess would actually be a part of this campaign of Milan students?

The majority of those studying at the Milan Institution for Magic and Martial Arts were children of nobility, all of whom had concealed their identity, the royal family even more so. Only with such measures would they not stand out among the masses. This was a policy of the Milan Empire to restrict the royal family’s influence. Because of the open-mindedness of the royal family, the Milan Empire had become even stronger, allowing it to be the strongest national power on the Longinus continent.

Xiang Luan spoke, slight anger coloring her voice. “What? You dare to go against my order?”

Oliveira remained firm as he answered, “No. I do not dare. Milan law decrees, however, that princesses have no place in politics, especially not as a commander of an army. I apologize, your Highness, but I cannot accept your order.”

“You…” Xiang Luan obviously knew that Oliveira was doing this to protect her, but deep in her heart, she was completely convinced that Ye Yin Zhu could bring about a miracle once more. “Oliveira, according to the law, I am indeed incapable politically, but this is currently an extraordinary situation. Don’t tell me that you believe that our current defense army can withstand the Behemoth’s attack? Just now, in the mountains, I saw first-hand Ye Yin Zhu’s power and the resulting disastrous losses the beastmen suffered at his hand. He could do it once, so why can’t he do it a second time?”

Oliveira solemnly said, “His success in the mountain range was essential, but first and foremost, Konya City is on an open plain. Your Highness, we don’t have much time left. I will immediately arrange for people to guard your evacuation.”

“Oliveira, you really aren’t obeying my order.” Xiang Luan was furious. At this moment, her imposing aura intensified.

“Your Highness, I apologize. According to Imperial law, your command is invalid.”

“Then, what about my command?” A lazy voice echoed. Everyone’s gazes shifted towards the direction of the voice, only to see a tall figure clad in heavy armor. A heavy sword in hand, the warrior walked forward. It was very obvious that he was a Heavy Sword division student of Milan Institution for Magic and Martial Arts. He took off his helmet, revealing his sun-kissed face to everyone.

Ye Yin Zhu said in surprise, “Fisichella, you?” Just as the sound of his voice faded away, he stared at the emblem in Fisichella’s hand, which had been pulled out from somewhere unknowingly. It was identical to Xiang Luan’s Milan Ruby Cross Shield Emblem.

“Yes! Idol, it’s me. Big sis, this brother came just in time.” Fisichella still looked the same, a happy smile on his face. It looked like he didn’t know what worry was.

Oliveira’s eyes widened. He nearly collapsed unconscious on the ground as he thought to himself, Heavens! Why must you bully me?! The princess I can argue with, but why is the prince also here? It was common knowledge that the Milan Empire’s Emperor, Berlusconi Silvio, only had one son and one daughter.

Hai Yang bowed slightly and said, “Greetings, your Highness the Prince.”

Fisichella chuckled and said, “Older Sister Hai Yang, you need not be formal with me. I’m afraid my big sis will beat me.”

Sura stood there blankly. On the contrary, Ye Yin Zhu didn’t have a large reaction. He had lived in the Desolate Jade Sea since infancy, so he didn’t have a very strong impression of nobility. Princess? Prince? Weren’t they still people?

“Senior Xiang Luan, so you’re actually a princess! I also didn’t expect Fisichella to be Senior Xiang Luan’s younger brother either. But, why don’t the two of you look alike?” Ye Yin Zhu inquisitively asked.

Fisichella bitterly smiled. “We are half siblings! You didn’t say I’m uglier than my big sis, so I’m very glad. Senior Oliveira, according to Imperial law, as the Crown Prince of the Empire, I have the power to take control of, at most, a hundred thousand troops at any time and any place, unless my Imperial Father is present, right?”

Even though Oliveira didn’t want to admit it, he still nodded. Helpless, he replied, “Yes, your Highness.”

Fisichella declared, “Alright. I now order you to listen to my big sis’ previous orders. Specifically, the ones you were fighting against.”

Oliveira’s heart sped up. So troublesome! If the princess and prince were to die here, the entire Violet Clan would not survive the responsibility! “Your Highness the Prince, this won’t do…”

Fisichella intoned deeply, “Enough. Senior Oliveira, bear this in mind. The Berlusconi Family are not cowards. I believe my idol has the ability to ward off the enemy. If I shrink back when the time for battle approaches, then my people will be slaughtered by the beastmen. I absolutely refuse to watch this happen. If my older sister and I leave now, we will live the rest of our lives with this tremendous disgrace. We do not have any more time to waste at the moment. General, carry out your duty; execute the order. My older sister and I will undertake the responsibility. Even if we die here in this battle, I guarantee that no one will make things difficult for the Violet Clan. I will report this to the reinforcements via a magical communication device, making my intentions clear.”

Staring at Fisichella and Xiang Luan’s determined gazes, Oliveira knew that it would be useless to argue further. Even if he wanted to use force, it would be impossible. With the Milan Ruby Cross Shield Emblem, the entire Dragon Cavalry would only comply with the royal family’s order.

“Affirmative. Yin Zhu, everything will be up to you. I will head out to the frontlines with the army to stall for you as much as possible. The beastmen will only be able to enter Konya City over my dead body.” After speaking these words, Oliveira sped off with haste. He must notify Maldini of the current situation immediately. Even if the walls of Sacred Heart City fell, military personnel would be sent to save Konya City!

Watching Oliveira depart, Fisichella relaxed. Chuckling by Xiang Luan’s side, he remarked, “Big sis, what do you think? I did pretty well, didn’t I?”

Xiang Luan hummed. “Today you acted like a man. You’re not leaving? Do you think that just because you revealed your identity, you don’t need to go to war? Don’t forget what you said just now.”

“Yes, your Highness.” Fisichella abruptly stood at attention, saluting Xiang Luan as custom for the military. He immediately sped off as well.

Xiang Luan stared at his departing figure before giggling. “This boy! I didn’t expect that a little of Imperial Father’s brilliance would shine through when facing this crisis. It appears that he will be a good emperor in the future.”

Ye Yin Zhu lightly sighed, saying, “Senior Xiang Luan—oh. I meant Princess Xiang Luan; I am somewhat regretful.”

Xiang Luan smiled slightly. “What are you regretful for? Could our identities have diminished your will to fight?”

Ye Yin Zhu shook his head. He explained, “I had merely hoped to not involve everyone. Without the two of you helping, however, I wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything.”