I Became the Guild Leader in Exile

41 – 8# Alice’s Muck (5)

The original plan was to attack Alice in the early morning. However, the rebel leader Phileas postponed the time. It was because he had borrowed the Shield of Steel.

Of course, they kept it thoroughly hidden externally. But why would they leave, abandoning the advantageous position of surprise attack? Well, it’s simple. The outcome is already predictable.

With just the Hero Guild stationed in Alice’s territory, it was overwhelming. Plus, there were the Knights Templar, a mercenary corps, and even golems made by the prince. In terms of quality and quantity, it was a defeat.

Yet, why did they come all the way back here to join the rebellion? Phileas himself wasn’t sure. Perhaps he was just as foolish as the prince.

Or maybe he got too tired and wanted to give up.

Anyway, as time passes, the gap widens even further. Yesterday’s Alice is weaker than today’s Alice. It can be said that now, when their forces have gathered, is the best time for attack.

Phileas, silently watching the dawn breaking far away, turned his head. Perhaps after today, no one will come to visit the prince’s grave anymore.

“Well, I’ll do my best anyway. Prince.”

So, even if it fails, don’t resent too much.

After finishing the final memorial service and coming down from the hill, armed soldiers were waiting for Phileas. They were quite well-armed to be called a rebellion starting from a poor village.

“We’ve been waiting, Your Highness.”

“…Sir, the dragon knight is alive too.”

“I apologize.”

“I’m not blaming you. It’s good to see you.”

A man with considerable stature and a stern expression bowed his head to Phileas. His name was Arnold, the one responsible for managing Alice’s forces and formerly the prince’s loyal follower.

Why did he join the rebellion then? If you think about it for just a moment, the answer is surprisingly simple. Perhaps because even the soldiers and officers’ positions were taken over by golems.

When people feel their benefits diminishing, discontent arises, and that’s something you can’t suppress. Of course, he had remained loyal to the prince until the end, but…

“Let’s limit this touching reunion to that. We don’t have much time, do we?”

“Is that person the leader of the Crimson Turtle Mercenaries?”

“Yes. Please call me Anle Mika.”

“Nice to meet you. My name is Prince Phileas.”

The Scarlet Turtle Mercenary Corps has been responsible for guarding Ellis for the past ten years. How did they, mercenaries who had been serving Ellis faithfully, end up joining the rebellion under Arnold?

“It’s all about the money.”

“…”

“They said we could receive 1% of the mana crystals regularly each month. Selling that could make us rich in no time!”

“It’s easier to understand, that’s for sure.”

Perhaps they were a type blinded by greed, unable to see an inch ahead. There was a slight doubt, but they were mercenaries hired by Arnold. They just went along with it. Anyway, at this point, anything was fine.

“Get ready, everyone! The time for decision has come!”

If I were the leader. Even if not, if I were as confident and strong as the master. I would have delivered an inspiring speech, but unfortunately, I don’t have such eloquence.

Well, then, I’ll just say a few words.

Forcing oneself to do what one can’t do is not the answer.

Phileas began to walk at the forefront, and the rebels followed behind. How long had they walked? Liquid oozing from the ground appeared before them.

“Illegal armed activity detected.”

“Please disarm yourselves, everyone.”

They were the golems proudly showcased by Ellis. Each of them held various weapons in their hands. Abusing my brother’s inventions as they pleased. Phileas sneered.

“It’s laughable and pathetic.”

Jewelry Lightning.

At the same time, a vivid green flash of lightning erupted from Phileas’ hand. The lightning struck the golems like branches, precisely where the mana crystals reacted.

“Function suspended.”

“Lethal damage confirmed.”

“They can no longer move.”

“The invincible legion that Ellis boasts about can be defeated so easily…?”

“That’s the power of Prince Phileas.”

Anlemika smirked as she looked at the fallen golems. Ellis’ golems were renowned as an invincible legion. As long as you didn’t break the mana crystals, they kept regenerating.

But breaking the golem’s main body wasn’t easy either. It was quite challenging to defeat a golem unless you were a formidable master. Such beings continued to live without dying.

So, at first, I had thought that maybe they were not trying to commit suicide. Of course, I had a bit of belief, so I judged that they would revolt. And that was the correct answer.

“The power to draw out the energy of mana crystals, control it, or make it go berserk. That is the proof that only the chosen royals, who can govern Ellis, possess.”

“Indeed… in that case, golems won’t be able to stop us.”

“In any case, I can control only about ten golems myself.”

“Better than nothing.”

Anremika’s judgment was accurate. Even the soldiers who initially showed signs of unease erupted in cheers as the golems either ceased functioning or turned to their side.

The morale of the soldiers was an undeniable crucial factor, especially considering the strategic value of just one golem. It was akin to gaining a force of a thousand.

“Anremika, the information is reliable, right?”

“Of course. The Holy Order and the heroes who made nests in Elise, all of them are currently absent.”

The Holy Order had to handle the aftermath in a place called Salen, while other heroes, commissioned by the king who currently rules Elise, left somewhere after wreaking havoc nearby.

“In other words, it’s a perfect vacant house.”

“Exactly!”

“In that case, let’s seize it as quickly as possible.”

“Soldiers! Advance!”

The soldiers’ morale seemed to pierce the sky as they advanced with the support of the golems. It appeared as if nothing could stop them. At least, until just a moment ago.

Torrents of fire and electric javelins poured from the ramparts, along with countless arrows. The soldiers, blatantly exposed to an unexpected ambush, suffered significant losses, and even the golems were shattered.

To be precise, there were those who broke the golems. They closed the distance with astonishing speed, too fast to be noticed. There was only one thing in his memory that could make this possible.

“Holy Order…!”

The Holy Order. The elite knights of the kingdom, each capable of facing a golem individually. As Filres expected, they revealed themselves, clad in white armor.

Perhaps it was frightening to hear the sound of them not being elite. Even in this emergency, they maintained their formation. In the center, a man with black hair and glasses walked forward.

“Acting Commander Beak of the Holy Order, under the command of His Majesty the Lawful Sovereign, will defend Elise.”

“Wait, the Holy Order was still here?”

“This is not according to the plan…!”

“Calm down! Dealing with the Holy Order shouldn’t be too difficul…”

“It’s dangerous! Your Highness!”

It would have been good to recover the forces at the right time. But Filres had to prioritize his own safety immediately. Clearly, the mercenaries he thought were allies had attacked.

Fortunately, thanks to Arnold, Filres narrowly avoided being stabbed. But the same couldn’t be said for the other soldiers. Confusion spread rapidly among them.

“Perhaps because we’re just a lowly mercenary group. Daring to betray us.”

“It’s not betrayal. I was originally on that side.”

“What?!”

“As expected.”

However, unlike Arnold, Filres nodded as if he had expected it. He had been vaguely expecting it from the beginning. No matter how you thought about it, the probability was too low.

Why did he join the rebellion?

The answer was simple.

To steal the information of the rebel army.

In simple terms, she was my informant, obtaining information from the rebel forces to enable a stable response. Perhaps even Arnold didn’t fully trust her.

However, there was neither time nor room for leisure. Anxious, Arnold ultimately joined forces with her, seizing at straws. And thus, it unfolded. Ultimately, that’s how it went.

A destiny destined to fail from the start. The forces were already surrounded by the Holy Knights and mercenaries. On top of that, golems were emerging one by one. It was already apparent.

“Prince Phileas, surrender now. In return, I promise a humane death.”

No matter how much one struggled, fate could not be changed. And Prince Phileas’s fate was sealed here. Surprisingly, he felt a calm acceptance. Or perhaps he had given up from the beginning.

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However, just before the word “surrender” could leave Phileas’s lips, a sudden thunderous noise echoed, shaking the ground. Instinctively, everyone’s gaze turned in that direction.

At first, the dust rose like smoke, making them invisible. But as time passed, the wind swept away the dust. Only then could people see them.

Led by a man with shining silver hair, a variety of individuals stood there, weapons in hand. Phileas’s eyes widened. Why? Why were they still here?

“Wouldn’t you stop harassing my family?”

A polite voice that didn’t match the situation.

But within it, there was anger.

Overwhelming the hundreds and thousands of troops.