Chapter 1207

Siegfried’s idea was quite simple—at least in theory.

He would secretly alter the magic circle so that the direction of the volcanic eruption would change. In addition, he would create fissures in advance so that the lava would flow toward the Marchioni Empire rather than the Proatine Empire.

‘

If this works... the eruption will be directed at the Marchioni Empire, and they will suffer the damage instead.’

He knew very well that this was something easier said than done.

Altering the magic circle designed to artificially trigger a volcanic eruption was no simple feat. On top of that, they would have to undertake a massive construction project in order to divert the lava toward the Marchioni Empire’s direction rather than the Proatine Empire’s.

To sum it up, they would need to sneak into Dragonhead Mountain undetected, secretly modify the magic circle, and carry out large-scale construction work to redirect the flow of lava toward the Marchioni Empire.

‘

Let’s hear their opinions first,’

Siegfried thought. He decided to present his plan and gauge the reactions of his ministers to see whether it was feasible or not.

Thus, he summoned his ministers in the dead of the night for another emergency council meeting.

Not a single one complained, as this was a crisis where half of the Proatine Empire’s territory could be turned into a sea of fire.

In times like this, it didn't matter when the emergency council meeting was convened.

“What do you all think?”

Siegfried presented his plan and asked for their input.

The court mage of the empire remarked, “It is not entirely impossible, sire. The magic circle used to artificially erupt a volcano is not that complex in theory. Its massive scale and the enormous amount of mana required to activate it make it daunting, but it is not a difficult spell.”

“What about modifying it without getting caught?” Siegfried asked.

“That, too, is not difficult. A crucial part of the magic circle is where the coordinates guiding the eruption’s direction are inscribed. If that section is altered, then the eruption will shift direction. Of course, it will surely be guarded by high-ranking magicians and soldiers, as it is the most critical part.”

“I see...”

Quandt spoke up next, “If I may, sire.”

He was in poor condition as he had just begun working on the final masterpiece of the Legendary Blacksmith, Herbert.

As a core member of the empire, however, he stopped his work and attended this emergency council meeting.

“I believe diverting the lava toward the Marchioni Empire should not be that difficult.”

“What?! Are you sure?”

“Yes, sire. We dwarves are the people of the mines, after all.”

“That’s true.”

The dwarves were not only master artisans but also master miners.

Their race had been living deep in the mountains since time immemorial; they had been building mines and excavating all sorts of minerals. And it was due to that lifestyle that their metallurgy and craftsmanship naturally developed to their famed heights today.

By nature, the dwarves were miners whose habitats were underground.

“I guess if Koreans are the people of delivery food, then the dwarves are the people of the mines,” Siegfried muttered.

“Pardon me?” Quandt asked, tilting his head in confusion.

“

Ah,

never mind,” Siegfried replied, waving his hand.

He felt awkward and dropped the subject upon realizing that nobody understood his joke.

Of course, some people actually understood it.

“

Pfft!”

“

Keke!

This crazy bastard. Did he really just say people of delivery food?”

Seung-Gu and Cheon Woo-Jin burst out laughing.

“

Kyuuu!

That’s right! Koreans love delivery food! They’ve been ordering food for decades now!” Hamchi chimed in. He had learned many things from the Adventurers.

‘

Ah, at least you guys get me,’

Siegfried thought, grateful that at least someone got his poor joke. Then, he turned back to Quandt and asked, “So, if the dwarves and our engineers infiltrate Dragonhead Mountain, can you make it so that the lava flows into the Marchioni Empire’s territory when the volcano erupts?”

“It is quite possible. But the workers will need a secure infiltration route, and we will need tight security around the mine entrance and its vicinity,” Quandt replied.

“That will be the difficult part...”

“Indeed, sire.”

“Okay. Got it.”

Siegfried fell into thought after hearing that his plan was technically feasible.

‘

If we pull this off, then it might work...’

At the moment, over seventy thousand people from the Marchioni Empire had already gathered at Dragonhead Mountain, which meant...

‘

Slipping into the mountain might be possible...’

The larger the crowd, the easier it would be to blend in. Infiltrating a place teeming with people was always easier than infiltrating a small group where everyone knew each other.

‘

And if the Proatine Force seizes control of the mine entrance and manages the work there, then Duke Decimato and I could quietly slip over to the critical sector.’

Siegfried could now see that the operation could be successful.

After all, he had the ability to create Irradiators and enslave his enemies.

If he were to increase their numbers, then he would even be able to seize the area where the coordinates were inscribed.

“Okay. Let’s proceed with this operation. I see no other option, so we have to attempt this,” Siegfried declared.

“I agree with you, sire,” Michele said. Then, he stood up and exclaimed, “May Your Imperial Majesty’s will be done!”

One after another, the rest of the ministers got up and pledged their support to the plan.

“May Your Imperial Majesty’s will be done!”

“May Your Imperial Majesty’s will be done!”

“May Your Imperial Majesty’s will be done!”

It was indeed a difficult, risky, and downright reckless plan.

Still, they had no better alternative and were running out of time, so they had to attempt this despite the risks. However, the ministers knew from experience that their only choice in times like this was to put their trust in Siegfried.

***

Meanwhile, no one in the Marchioni Empire had the faintest idea that the Proatine Empire had already discovered what was happening in Dragonhead Mountain.

It was only natural, as only Siegfried and a handful of his comrades knew about the satellite owned by Cheon Woo-Jin.

Thus, Emperor Stuttgart, unaware that the plan had been exposed, was in secret discussion with Grand Duke Neighdelberg.

“Is everything proceeding well?”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. In two weeks’ time, we will finish all preparations to activate the magic circle.”

“Good.”

“I shall continue reporting on the progress.”

“Only report if there are any irregularities. This operation is being carried out within our borders, so I doubt there will be any unexpected variables.”

Emperor Stuttgart was, in fact, correct. In addition to the seventy thousand magicians and engineers stationed at Dragonhead Mountain, the Marchioni Imperial Army’s 3rd Corps was stationed there, too.

Even if the Proatine Empire ended up learning of it and tried to stop it, they would never be able to break through the defensive line set up by the 3rd Corps.

“

Oh,

and one more thing. Increase the rewards to the Adventurers challenging the Ancient Dungeons,” Emperor Stuttgart added.

“Pardon me, sire?”

“The Ancient Dungeons are currently the greatest threat to our empire. A hundred and fifty of those ticking time bombs still remain, so we will have to clear them as quickly as possible. Only after we've cleared the Ancient Dungeons in our territory will we have the freedom to begin our conquests.”

This was one of the main reasons the Marchioni Empire had restrained itself from invading the Proatine Empire.

While Siegfried was indeed a thorn in their side, there was always the risk of the Ancient Dungeons within their territory suddenly rampaging while they were locked in an all-out war against the Proatine Empire.

If that were to happen, then it would be the end of the Marchioni Empire.

Even the most powerful nation in the world couldn’t simultaneously fight a war against the Proatine Empire while trying to contain numerous rampaging Ancient Dungeons.

In other words, the only thing protecting the Proatine Empire from an all-out invasion was, ironically, the Ancient Dungeons.

“As you command, sire. I shall greatly increase the rewards for the Adventurers so that the strongest among them are drawn to clear the Ancient Dungeons within our borders,” Grand Duke Neighdelberg replied with a bow.

“Good. Don’t spare any expenses. Attract as many Adventurers as possible, no matter the cost.”

“As you command, sire.”

With that, the grand duke withdrew from the emperor’s presence to carry out his commands.

***

The operation Siegfried had proposed commenced under the codename Operation Cuckoo.

Their forces consisted of two hundred Proatine Force agents, one thousand dwarven miners, five hundred Proatine Vanguard Laborers, fifty magicians, Duke Decimato, and Siegfried himself.

In total, a thousand seven hundred fifty people were mobilized for the mission.

The operation began on a moonless night.

The Marchioni Imperial Army’s 3rd Corps had fortified the foothills around Dragonhead Mountain into an impregnable fortress, so infiltration was only possible under the cover of darkness.

“Let’s see...”

After arriving near the Proatine Empire’s borders, Siegfried studied the enemy’s position using the intelligence passed to him by Cheon Woo-Jin.

Thanks to the satellite, Cheon Woo-Jin could see the terrain around Dragonhead Mountain as well as the enemy’s troop placements.

“Let’s move out.”

Siegfried’s forces used a tunnel they had dug to cross the border undetected and reach the foot of the mountains.

From there, they slipped into a sector where the Marchioni Imperial Army’s defenses were lax compared to other places.

“Everyone, stand by here,” Siegfried ordered.

He decided to move alone after spotting an enemy outpost up ahead.

‘

I should just subdue them rather than killing them,’

he thought.

He knew that the Marchioni Imperial Army would sound the alarm and mobilize within hours if he were to kill the sentries on the outpost.

The key to the success of Operation Cuckoo was staying clandestine.

They had to avoid any loud confrontations at all costs, as the plan required subduing enemy sentries as quietly as possible and turning them into Irradiators.

Once he reached the outpost...

“Anything unusual on your side?”

“Nothing at all.”

“Stay sharp. We still have an hour left before our shift ends, so don’t relax even for a second.”

“Yes, Sergeant.”

The concept of slacking on duty did not seem to exist within the Marchioni Imperial Army.

‘

As expected of these guys,’

Siegfried thought, impressed at how even the low-ranking troops maintained strict discipline, but this was no time to admire the enemy.

‘

Sorry, but I’ll be needing you guys on my side now.’

Unfurling his wings, Siegfried glided onto the roof and landed without making a sound. From there, he struck like a bolt of lightning and subdued both sentries before they could even react.

The only sounds he made were two faint thuds, barely enough to wake a sleeping baby.

Sseuuu...!

Then, he injected his radioactive microbes into the unconscious sentries.

“We greet our master.”

“We greet our master.”

Now reborn as Irradiators, the Marchioni Sentries knelt before Siegfried.

“Carry on as though nothing happened. Get back to your posts.”

“As you command, Master.”

“As you command, Master.”

The Irradiators obeyed Siegfried’s command and went back to their posts, allowing Siegfried’s forces to pass through the area undetected.

However, this was only the beginning.

They still had to bypass nine more outposts before reaching the infiltration point.

Breaking through the spiderweb of defenses surrounding Dragonhead Mountain was no small task.

Throughout the night, Siegfried hit one outpost after another, opening the infiltration route for the operation.

‘

Just you wait. I’m going to return this cheap trick of yours.’

Though he was tired, the thought of screwing the Marchioni Empire over fueled him with renewed vigor.

The fight between the two titans on the continent was on, and only one of them would be standing at the end.

Siegfried was determined to give it his all until that moment came. He was going to make sure that the Proatine Empire would be the last empire standing.