[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-reborn-king":3,"chapter-the-reborn-king-the-reborn-king-chapter-409":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Reborn King",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1101016,1437,"Chapter 409: Looming Battle","the-reborn-king-chapter-409",409,"\u003Cp>\"Prepare the arrows!\" Octavius shouted across the wall as multiple men ran across the wall carrying a bundle of arrows. Stuffing them into a container, the defenders coordinated a defence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold wind blew in Octavius’ face, making him slightly shiver. The cold winds of the North had made their way down to the Midlands, and Octavius knew it was only a matter of time before the entire Empire was covered in snow. Looking down at his uniform, he frowned, seeing it wasn’t suited for the coming winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking back up at the road in front of him, Octavius smiled. The castle was located in a small valley and became an unofficial checkpoint within the Midlands that started the journey south. It was a place that completely favoured the defender, but due to its size, it couldn’t hold a large garrison force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Octavious didn’t mind as he sent a force north to defend the flank. The rest of his troops lay waiting in numerous camps behind the valley castle. \"A letter, General.\" A soldier ran over holding a small piece of paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I have begun my march.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julius.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was short but brought a smile to Octavius’ face. If he could end the war before Julius arrived, it would be perfect. Julius would take credit for being brave enough to march to war, but was lucky enough to just miss the battle. It was a perfect plan in Octavius’ mind, but he knew that it would be unlikely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whilst he didn’t know Magnus’s ability to lead a war, he did know Cassius. Despite living in his cousin’s shadow, he was a skilled warrior and even more skilled commander. Octavius unknowingly curled his lips, excited for the confrontation with Cassius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You may go.\" Pocketing the letter, Octavius sent the soldier away and looked at the small courtyard of the castle with a bright smile. He walked down the steps and saw a black Templar kneeling with his helmet off. Quite muttering flowed out his lips, and even when he knew someone stood next to him, he didn’t stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Octavius waited patiently. He knew Ramiel better than most, having fought by his side for years. Ramiel slowly stood up and looked at his friend with a smile not fit for a warrior.’How does he smile like this?’To Octavius, the smile that Ramiel had was something he couldn’t understand. It was too pure and kind for a man who had killed hundreds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How have you been?\" He asked Ramiel with a soft voice, taking a seat by the wall. Ramiel joined him and looked up at the sky, his bright eyes dimming ever so slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m fine now.\" His voice was sad as he spoke, \"I forgive Michael for what he has done. He believed it was right for everyone to know the truth. He was simply following his faith and beliefs. But no matter how much I try, I still hate him. He made me question everything I’ve ever done. At times, I questioned if I should even live anymore.\" Octavius noticed his friend’s large fist that shook with rage. It was a subtle rage that couldn’t be known just by listening to his soft voice. \"His Holiness brought me back from the brink of despair, and for that I will always be thankful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a silence between the two for a couple of seconds as Octavious wondered what to say. Eventually, he sighed and reset his hand on Ramiel’s shoulder. \"I’m glad you are fine now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is good to see you aswell, my friend. Forgive me for my display just now.\" Octavius shook his head, taking no offence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hate to ask you this once again.\" Octavius looked deep into Ramiel’s eyes. \"Will you go to war for me again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His Holiness commands it.\" Ramiel made a symbol of sol on his chest and bowed his head. Pushing himself up, Octavius held his hand out to help Ramiel up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We must prepare. Cassius and Magnus are not men to be underestimated.\" Ramiel nodded as he followed Octavius to a nearby room,where a large map sprawled out on it. Multiple soldiers stood around, waiting patiently for the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at it, black chess pieces were placed on the road that led from Magnus’ territory to the Midlands. His forces, represented by white chess pieces, lay at all the key chokepoints that Mangus would be forced to cross to reach the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at it, he could tell it would only be a few days before the first battle began. He never expected to hold the valley castle forever, but he hoped to at least cause enough damage from it before he was forced to retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-----------------------------------------------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A message, Your Grace.\" A servant with a thick accent spoke to Alexei and handed him the letter sent by Dimitir. Grabbing it and seeing his cousin’s seal, he smiled and sent the servant off to grab Ivan. It didn’t take long for him to arrive as Alexei handed the letter over, having quickly read through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alfred is planning something again,\" Alexei said sternly. Ivan looked at the letter for a few minutes, re-reading it multiple times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This deal is too good.\" He knew of the Printing press, having read a few copies of the Ammary Future during his stay in Brookhaven. \"What did he call it again. A newspaper.\" Alexei nodded in response to his son. Ivan had read a few copies of the Ammary Future, having brought a couple back with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone he showed it to had come to the same conclusion as him; each copy was mass-produced, not written by a single person. When Ivan first read Dimitir’s report, he didn’t believe that it was possible, but seeing it for himself, he realised the power behind such a thing. \"He taught his people to read so they could read his narrative. Quite insidious.\" Ivan said to himself respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you make of it. I can’t think of a reason he would need sulfur for this long.\" Alexei took a deep breath as Ivan walked to the drink cabinet. Pouring himself a glass, he stirred the dark liquid before taking a large gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A weapon. There can’t be any other use for the stuff. We tried using it as a fertiliser, but it made the food taste bitter. Besides, he has already done his agriculture reforms; he would have requested it earlier if that were the case.\" Ivan poured himself another glass before looking at Alexei. Alexei shook his head, causing Ivan to finally put the bottle away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is he planning another war?\" Tapping the table, Alexie leaned back and took a deep breath, \"No, that wouldn’t be the case. Maybe it’s preparations for his eventual war with the church.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He wishes to copy the weapons we have.\" Ivan took a seat and took a small sip of his drink. \"If that was the case, he would want to know how we made them.\" Ivan smiled and lightly chuckled, \"No, he’s making something new.\" Looking deep into his father’s eyes, Ivan’s smile widened. \"He once told me that the things he knew could change the entire world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivan laughed as he remembered the arrogant words that. Despite it, he knew that Alfred didn’t lie to him. \"Now what could change the world. How could sulfur, something so obsolete, change the world?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alexei saw where Ivan was going and frowned, \"He knows how to make a weapon that destructive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It might not be a weapon, but nothing else makes sense. We know his plan is to venture beyond the sea and expand the Empire across it. He has already confirmed that life exists beyond the water when those barbarians invaded his lands. He doesn’t have the money or the allies to put that type of pressure on the Church. The only way he could do it is to make any war seem like it would be an absolute Ammary victory.\" Ivan slowly pieced together his own theory. The more he constructed it, the more it sounded feasible. \"I’m going to the Empire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivan finished his glass and stood up. \"Ivan. You know that I need you here right now.\" Alexei said with an annoyed voice, \"Let’s just say you’re right. What difference does it make if you go there? You think he will tell you how to make this weapon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, but it’s more likely. Besides, someone must be making it for him. All you have to do is find that person.\" Looking at his son’s sly smile, Alexei shook his head in defeat. He knew how hard it was to change his son’s mind when he made up his mind. Depsite that, he needed Ivan to stay for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing up, he walked before Ivan and looked down at him with a cold gaze. \"Are you really trying to destroy our alliance with the Ammary’s. To steal something, he places so much importance on, that he would hand over the printing press. You will destroy any relations we have.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two looked at one another for a while, with Ivan breaking away first. Lowering his head, he shrugged and sighed, \"You’re right. We can just wait until after he has built it.\" Even if he wanted to run over, his father was already doing so much to keep him behind. To fight him anymore on it would only ruin their relationship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take charge of the deal he wants to create. Make it favourable, but not too greedy. After all, on paper, it benefits us more than him.\" Ivan reset his hand on his chest and bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, Your Majesty.\" Standing up, he smiled and walked out, making Alexei finally relax, knowing Ivan wouldn’t make a fuss.\u003C\u002Fp>",1629,"2026-06-03T11:17:48.775Z","2026-06-03T11:17:51.401Z",1,"novelbin.me","43b089188560f1291ed861bf1f64679d8ebc63e3033769a2c2db77ccdafbd998","the-reborn-king-chapter-410","the-reborn-king-chapter-408",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-reborn-king-cover.jpg"]