Synopsis and Starting Chapter Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25 - Volume 2
Chapter 26 - Volume 2
Chapter 27 - Volume 2
Chapter 28 - Volume 2
Chapter 29 - Volume 2
Chapter 30 - Volume 2
Chapter 31 - Volume 2
Chapter 32 - Volume 2
Chapter 33 - Volume 2
Chapter 34 - Volume 2
Chapter 35 - Volume 2
Chapter 36 - Volume 2
Chapter 37 - Volume 2
Chapter 38 - Volume 2
Chapter 39 - Volume 3
Chapter 40 - Volume 3
Chapter 41 - Volume 3
Chapter 42 - Volume 3
Chapter 43 - Volume 3
Chapter 44 - Volume 3
Chapter 45 - Volume 3
Chapter 46 - Volume 3
Chapter 47 - Volume 3
Chapter 48 - Volume 3
Chapter 49 - Volume 3
Chapter 50 - Volume 3
Chapter 51 - Volume 3
Chapter 52 - Volume 4
Chapter 53 - Volume 4
Chapter 54 - Volume 4
Chapter 55 - Volume 4
Chapter 56 - Volume 4
Chapter 57 - Volume 4
Chapter 58 - Volume 4
Chapter 59 - Volume 4
Chapter 60 - Volume 4
Chapter 61 - Volume 4
Chapter 62 - Volume 4
Chapter 63 - Volume 4
Chapter 64 - Volume 4
Chapter 65 - Volume 4
Chapter 66 - Volume 4
Chapter 67 - Volume 4
Chapter 68 - Volume 4
Chapter 69 - Volume 4
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 108
Chapter 109
Chapter 110
Chapter 111
Chapter 112
Chapter 113
Chapter 114
Chapter 115
Chapter 116
Chapter 117
Chapter 118
Chapter 119
Chapter 120
Chapter 121
Chapter 122
Chapter 123
Chapter 124
Chapter 125
Chapter 126
Chapter 127
Chapter 128
Chapter 129
Chapter 130
Chapter 131
Chapter 132
Chapter 133
Chapter 134
Chapter 135
Chapter 136
Chapter 137
Chapter 138
Chapter 139
Chapter 140
Chapter 141
Chapter 142
Chapter 143
Chapter 144
Chapter 145
Chapter 146
Chapter 147
Chapter 148
Chapter 149
Chapter 150
Chapter 151
Chapter 152
Chapter 153
Chapter 154
Chapter 155
Chapter 156
Chapter 157
Chapter 158
Chapter 159
Chapter 160
Chapter 161
Chapter 162
Chapter 163
Chapter 164
Chapter 165
Chapter 166
Chapter 167
Chapter 168
Chapter 169
Chapter 170
Chapter 171
Chapter 172
Chapter 173
Chapter 174
Chapter 175
Chapter 176
Chapter 177
Chapter 178
Chapter 179
Chapter 180
Chapter 181
Chapter 182
Chapter 183
Chapter 184
Chapter 185
Chapter 186
Chapter 187
Chapter 188
Chapter 189
Chapter 190
Chapter 191
Chapter 192
Chapter 193
Chapter 194
Chapter 195
Chapter 196
Chapter 197
Chapter 198
Chapter 199
Chapter 200
Chapter 201
Chapter 202 - Epilogue
Chapter 203
Chapter 204
Chapter 205
Chapter 206
Categories Genre: Action, All, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Ongoing, Psychological, School Life, Seinen, Supernatural, Tragedy Status: Ongoing Alternative names: 아이작, ______
Total Chapters in book: 206
Estimated words: 651706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3259(@200wpm)___ 2607(@250wpm)___ 2172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 651706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3259(@200wpm)___ 2607(@250wpm)___ 2172(@300wpm)
______
LIST OF LAST 10 CHAPTERS:
Page No. 206 Page No. 205 Page No. 204 Page No. 203 Page No. 202 Page No. 201 Page No. 200 Page No. 199 Page No. 198 Page No. 197 Page No. 196 Chapter 113
The commander of the Marquis’s army was truly in question. Even now, he bellowed the order to charge forward, despite his many advisors warning against it. The Count’s army reacted by feinting a retreat for a moment, and then they completely demolished the Marquis’ right wing and utilized their mobility to surround the Marquis’ army.
It was apparent that there weren’t any fools who’d follow their commander’s orders to charge when their centre was surrounded. The soldiers deserted the battlefield, and the forsaken commander was silenced by his own knights. Incapacitated, the commander’s limp body was dragged to safety by the skin of his teeth.
With the battle nearing its end, the judge that had watched it from start to finish announced the Count’s victory, and a triumphant roar emerged from the Count’s formation.
Isaac got off his seat listening to the victorious cries, stretching his stiff limbs when Rivelia approached.
“What happened to Kunette and Reisha?”
“I’ve been notified that they barely managed to stop them in New Port City.”
“Rizzly’s really having a hard time.”
Kunette and Reisha wanted to follow Isaac as if it was a given, but this job required confidentiality – not to mention that the two couldn’t be involved in the work of the Directorate of Security.
It may have been possible with Isaac’s approval, but Kunette and Reisha stood out from the crowd too much, not to mention that they had a job to do in New Port City. Which is why Isaac, his agents, and Rivelia escaped from New Port City in the thick of night while Kunette and Reisha were sleeping. Poor Rizzly clutched at Isaac’s feet begging him not to leave, but he was coldly ignored and left to his demise.
“But who’s that fellow that’s been doing nothing but screaming incessantly throughout battle?”
“That is Marquis Lichten’s youngest son, Baron Aintz.”
“Oh! He was a VIP. A very precious body he is. He’s going to be very useful. What about the Count?”
“That is one of the battalions commanded by Sir Rhineland the Flash. Befitting of his name ‘the Flash,’ the battalion boasts the greatest degree of mobility within the Count’s army and thrives in lightning-fast battles..”
“Good. How’s the preparations?”
“They’re complete but…”
Rivelia’s words faded with hesitation and looked behind, dragging Isaac’s eyes with her.
“It’s just as I’d imagined.”
Isaac grinned as he watched his Security agents standing in a line. Their bodies were covered in a white cape, and their faces were covered with cone shaped hoods with two holes for their eyes. Seeing tens of men wear this outfit in silence brought an ominous feel.
“From now on, we are the Black Bandits.”
Rivelia frowned hearing the word ‘bandits,’ but she couldn’t do anything. This was the Directorate of Security’s official work. Rivelia was but a mere observer and couldn’t take any action. She reported to Central’s headquarters immediately when she found out that Isaac planned on masquerading as a band of bandits, but the higher-ups replied with the message to either watch or pull out from the mission completely, not even considering stopping Isaac.
“Why are we the Black Bandits when our outfits are white?”
“Hm? Don’t worry. It’ll be dyed black with enough blood on it.”
“…”
The agents gulped at Isaac’s nonchalant comment. Those very pure white hoods were going to be drenched in blood soon.
Both sides had skirmishes up to now, but those were akin to reconnaissance in force. This was the first conflict that could be considered battle.
EDN: Reconnaissance in force is the military term for “an offensive operation designed to discover and/or test the enemy’s strength or to obtain other information.”
The first battle had significant importance, as its result greatly impacted the army’s morale. This, in turn, was the reason why being in the vanguard was a great honor; any accomplishments would earn high praise. The honor of a vanguard had captivated Baron Aintz, and he stubbornly demanded to be at the forefront.
The Marquis was no fool, and Baron Aintz, who had been wasting his entire life without a shred of involvement in the military, had never even been a candidate to even participate in this important battle. But Baron Aintz was extremely stubborn; plus, his status as the Marquis’ son and Marquis’ love allowed him to snatch the commander’s position for the main forces.
The result was a devastating defeat. It was a foregone conclusion, considering that it was a reckless charge lacking any semblance of tactic or strategy. But Aintz not only avoided responsibility by shifting the blame to cowardice of his soldiers and knights, he even scolded the advisors for not reinforcing his position. This sight brought even Marquis Lichten to an unheard-of fury, who disgracefully discharged Baron Aintz from the army.
While the Marquis was busy consolidating his forces from the first defeat, Count Wolfgang was in a festive mood. Rhineland’s battalion finished the post battle cleanup, collecting the dead and transporting the injured to the back. Afterwards, they made camp in the middle of the plain.
Rhineland, who had been a longtime colleague of Count Wolfgang with whom he had overcome many trials together, was mellowed that the dream he and Count Wolfgang shared wasn’t far off. So he allowed his soldiers to celebrate with alcohol.
As the bonfire lit the camp brightly, the festive soldiers smiled and laughed as they shared the joys of victory and paid respects to their dead companions late into night. Despite this, they also showed proper discipline by having guards patrol outside the camp.
“Wasn’t it amazing?”
“Yeah! Look. My hands are still shaking.”
“Did you lose anyone on your side?”
“Not me, but I think Hans’ group in the spear corp was badly injured.”
“I saw it too. The Marquis’ army was trying so hard to break through there.”
“If it weren’t for the honourable combat knights, not even Hans would have lived.”
The mood darkened as they mentioned the dead, so the patrol switched to a more cheerful topic. Even as they conversed, they didn’t let up in keeping watch, especially when the patrol heard a twig break in the distance.
Snap!
“Who’s there!”
The patrol immediately pointed their spears towards the direction of the sound, but it was difficult to make out what was there in the thick of night.
The patrol was about to approach to check if it was a wild animal, when a man wearing black glasses appeared. The flashes of ember lit his face in the dark with a ‘tick,’ ‘tick’ sound.
“Who are you! State your identity!”
Isaac ignored the patrol’s shout, focusing on his lighter that seemed to have run out. He tried two more times before giving up and asking the patrol.
“You guys got any light?”
“This is your last warning! State your identity! Or we will kill you!”
“You don’t have any?”
“I have one.”
The patrol were awed by the sudden appearance of a beautiful woman, simply gazing in silence. Meanwhile, Rivelia lit the cigarette for Isaac. Isaac let out a smoke and asked.
“Why do you carry a lighter when you don’t even smoke Choyu leaves?”
“Lighters are one of the basic commodities we’re supplied with.”
“So you’re just a fiery woman.”
TLN: This is a pun in Korean. The raw is 불만 있는 여자, which usually means you’re an unhappy woman, but it can also be read literally as a woman with only fire. It’s a dad joke.
“…”
Isaac snickered at his own joke, but the response was cold. The patrol leader Alex found something amiss at this laughing man and moved immediately as he was trained.
“Enemy! Sound the…”
Alex’s words did not finish. As he took out his whistle and turned to his men, he saw them being taken out by men wearing strange outfits. As he lost consciousness, he felt the sting of cold air in his neck and liquid pouring down onto his chest.
“The patrol has been taken care of.”
The agents assembled under the dim light of the dropped lantern. Isaac let out another breath of smoke and gazed at the Count’s camp relishing in victory.
“It is the norm to celebrate the victor.”
It’s a celebration, but only for you… the agents grumbled in their minds as they took out their weapons. It was the new ranged weapon provided by Central. The first live combat testing of a weapon anticipated to be as effective as the guns from Expeditionary Forces.
“Let’s light up the place first. It’s too dark. Load the fire arrows.”
“Loading fire arrows.”
With Isaac’s order given, the agents loaded their crossbows with clips filled with bolts enchanted with fire. They raised their bows up. Since this was such a long ranged weapon with a low firing arc, they needed to raise their gun up somewhat, lest the bolts only land on the front of the camp.
“Scatter it nicely. Fire all rounds.”
The agents moved in accordance to Isaac’s nonchalant order. Bolts poured out from the crossbows and shot high into the sky before raining down onto the camp.
“Kuaak!”
“Enemy!”
The magic imbued in the bolts activated the moment it made contact. The engulfing flames consumed the nearby surroundings, and the whole camp was now on fire.
“Let’s throw some fireworks to celebrate their victory too. Change your rounds. Load the explosive bolts.”
“… Loading explosive bolts.”
The agents hesitated before gritting their teeth and repeated Isaac’s order. The foes they fought in the defence of the Gate were from the other world, but these were citizens of the Empire, just like them. Their hearts were troubled, watching what was once a camp full of laughter shift to that of screaming and shouting.
“Fire all rounds. Afterwards, fire at will. This is supposed to be a weapons test, so make sure to use all the special rounds and write a report on them later.”
Another rain of bolts shot up into the sky with Isaac’s order.
Bang!
A storm of dust, earth, and blood erupted into the air from the explosions. Afterwards, the agents began firing at will and began using all sorts of special rounds.
It seemed that even the Count’s elite soldiers didn’t possess the bravery to face such an unprecedented scale of firepower. They never had the time to organise themselves in this chaos. Consumed by fear, the soldiers scattered in all directions.
Something unimaginable had happened. 1500 soldiers of the Count were ambushed and routed by a mere 30 or so individuals.
Even their commanders were either confused or dead. Soldiers without commanders were as good as nothing.
Watching the soldiers abandon their arms and run, Isaac took out a new cigarette and flicked it at Rivelia with his mouth.
Rivelia shook terribly with her fists clenched. She took a deep breath and threw the lighter at Isaac.
“Fiesty. Is it because you’re just a fiery girl?”
Rivelia didn’t even turn her face to look at Isaac, refusing to react to Isaac’s dull joke. She instead focused on the burning camp.
“Over there!”
“Hm?”
Just as Isaac was about to light his cigarette, a group barged out of the camp. They were all mounted on horseback. At the head was Rhineland.
“I guess the combat knights are different.”
The fact they were on horseback meant they were combat knights and cavalrymen under their command. They were the core and most powerful part of the army, and Isaac‘s mouth was agape with admiration at their attempt to find and retaliate against the source of ambush even as their soldiers ran away. Isaac stepped back.
Isaac smiled mischievously as he shrugged, and Rivelia shot deadly glares before she bit her lip and stepped forward in Isaac’s stead.
“Hold fire. Switch to hip fire stance.”
The agents stopped shooting into the sky and turned to aim at the charging cavalry.
“Charge!”
Rhineland instinctively knew that the crossbows were now aimed at them, seeing the rain of arrows stop. He shouted and charged to where Isaac was, and his cavalrymen followed behind him as they hastened their steeds. The charge was pitiful, carried out by men who didn’t even don armour or equip a lance, only a sword in their hand. A result of the ambush.
But it still proved why cavalry were a force to be reckoned with. The shaking earth under the hooves of a hundred horses had the force to chill anyone’s heart.
“… Fire.”
After hesitating again and again, Rivelia gave her order, and bolts loosed from the agents’ crossbows. These were crossbows that referenced Isaac’s invention, which pierced even Central’s defensive coats.
Blinded by darkness, these cavalrymen melted in the face of the silent shower of bolts like infantrymen charging into a machine gun nest.
Man, horse, it did not matter. They all plummeted into the ground, dead before they could even utter a scream. Without any armour on them, these men were thrown from their horses and couldn’t survive the momentum added by their charge and the impact of the bolts.
Total Chapters in book: 206
Estimated words: 651706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3259(@200wpm)___ 2607(@250wpm)___ 2172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 651706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3259(@200wpm)___ 2607(@250wpm)___ 2172(@300wpm)
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