Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan

Chapter 240

A few days later, the grand expedition ceremony began.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The war drums thundered, their resounding beats setting the rhythm for the procession.

Step, step, step!

Swordsmen clad in various uniforms marched in unison.

The elite White Armored Dragon Guard, the Red Blade Knights, and the Blue Sword Vanguard led the charge, followed by the auxiliary houses like the Six Snow Clans and numerous other retainers. Even the banners of vassal families from the former Troivan region flew proudly.

All factions loyal to Ragnar had gathered for this momentous occasion.

This was not merely Ragnar’s ceremony—it was the Northern Alliance’s declaration.

Under Ragnar’s leadership, a coalition of forces was forming to embark on a massive campaign.

Their target? The Forest of Naga, where Hilda resided.

Headlines from across the continent erupted in response:

Across the continent, countless newspapers raced to cover the unfolding events.

Reactions poured in, with many expressing concern over Ragnar’s sudden and aggressive mobilization.

The archdukes, in particular, were alarmed.

Already unsettled by Theo’s recent promotion and his overwhelming display of power, they now faced the reality of Ragnar amassing a vast army.

Given Ragnar’s recent economic prosperity, the scale of this operation was no surprise—and it was nothing short of terrifying.

Predictably, as more details about the expedition emerged after the ceremony, the ripple effects only intensified.

Follow-up Reports Detailed the Magnitude of the Expedition:

A force exceeding 100,000 soldiers was a rarity in history—and this was the north, a land renowned for producing fierce warriors and swordsmen.

Every individual soldier from this region was a walking war machine, capable of overwhelming ordinary foes.

The mere mention of such an army stirred widespread alarm.

Even the Imperial Court issued an official warning.

Of course, Ragnar had no intention of heeding such a decree. Reports soon emerged that the imperial envoy had stormed back, frustrated and empty-handed.

Meanwhile, the massive army reached its destination: the Forest of Naga.

The northern forces encircled the area with a precision and discipline that left no doubt—Ragnar’s sword was ready to strike.

***

“Are we to interpret this as the North plotting rebellion?”

A piercing voice, impossible to identify as male or female, echoed sharply through the hall.

The speaker was Bedok, one of the Imperial Court’s Eight Eunuchs. His pale face, powdered to an unnaturally ghostly white, was accented with ruddy cheeks. His gaunt frame and sharp, menacing eyes made many in the room turn pale and avert their gazes.

The oppressive energy he exuded was one thing; the greater fear was that a misstep might incur his wrath, potentially bringing disaster to their families.

The Imperial Court was known to house numerous Imperial Fathers and Imperial Tutors—titles granted to those entrusted with the emperor’s deepest trust.

Of course, they were not biologically related to the emperor. The titles signified those whose advice and loyalty were as significant as a father’s or a mentor’s.

The current emperor, Crape II, had risen to the throne through the machinations of eunuchs despite being a distant branch of the imperial family with no real claim.

This dependency rendered him impotent in governance, as eunuchs intervened in every matter. Resources and manpower were allocated solely based on the eunuchs’ interests, leaving the emperor’s own will all but irrelevant.

Even the emperor himself seemed content with the trappings of power, showing little desire to actively govern.

“Apology accepted.”

Theo’s icy glare eased slightly, though the tension lingered.

Bedok delivered the emperor’s message:

“His Majesty has heard of your Northern Expedition and expressed grave concern over its intentions. He bids you to cease your march and return to your lands.”

Theo nodded politely.

“His Majesty’s concern is deeply appreciated. Please assure him that this campaign aims only to resolve the chaos in the Forest of Naga. Once peace is restored, we will return.”

“However—”

“The emperor has also issued orders to the archdukes to vacate the forest, yet they refuse to comply. That land is, after all, imperial property, is it not? We are merely acting as the emperor’s sword to restore order. His benevolence has been duly noted.”

Bedok was left speechless.

Theo had twisted the emperor’s demand for withdrawal into a declaration of support, positioning Ragnar as the empire’s protector.

Fuming, Bedok knew further argument was futile. These northerners were not listening.

“I will relay Ragnar’s intentions to His Majesty,” he said, his voice shaking with suppressed anger.

“Please do,” Theo replied, turning back to discuss strategy with Julius.

As Bedok exited the hall, his fists clenched beneath his robes.

“I’ll make them pay for this humiliation.”

But he failed to notice Theo’s cold gaze following him until he disappeared from sight.

***

After Bedok’s Departure

“Well, that was satisfying... but don’t you think you’ve stirred the pot a bit too much?”

Lezé exhaled deeply, the tension in the room finally dissipating. Turning to Theo, he raised a skeptical eyebrow.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that publicly humiliating an Imperial envoy might have been a dangerous overstep.

Theo, however, merely smiled.

He couldn’t easily explain that this was all part of a larger plan, one only possible because of his foreknowledge of the future.

‘Bedok isn’t someone to underestimate,’ Theo thought.

The man’s serpentine cunning hid beneath his outwardly frail and erratic demeanor. Bedok wasn’t the type to let an insult like this go unanswered.

‘In my previous life, he’s the one who unearthed Cassandra and placed her on the throne, wasn’t he?’

Theo’s expression grew colder.

Bedok was one of the key architects behind the Great Calamity, a man whose machinations had plunged the continent into chaos.

If left unchecked, Bedok’s scheming could destabilize everything Theo had worked to secure.

Still, knowing his opponent’s nature was an advantage Theo could wield.

This time, it would be different.

Lezé interrupted Theo’s thoughts with a smirk.

“So? What’s the next move, Heavenly Dragon? Or do you just plan to keep collecting enemies until they all march to your doorstep?”

Theo’s response was calm but resolute.

“Let them come. I’ll cut them down, one by one.”

Lezé chuckled, shaking his head.

“You’re terrifying, you know that? Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

As the room returned to business, Theo’s mind remained sharp.

‘This time, Bedok won’t be the one pulling the strings. I’ll make sure of that.’