Chapter 222

Air Raid on the Imperial Capital
The Granzur Empire—successor to the former Gran Kingdom.

The Gran Kingdom had suffered immense damage during the Great War between Humans and Demons. However, the surrounding nations had also suffered greatly.

Immediately after the Demon King was defeated, the Gran Kingdom annexed the surrounding nations and established the Granzur Empire. The Gran Kingdom had preserved a small military force even after the war, while the surrounding countries had been so devastated that they had no strength to resist or even survive without annexation.

Thus, the Granzur Empire was born. But for them, their defeat at the hands of the Demon King was more than a blow to their pride—it was an existential crisis.

They were known as the most powerful nation of ordinary humans, the country that had gathered the pinnacle of human intellect to construct magic battleships. Though to be precise, those ships were simply excavated relics from the ancient Magic Dynasty, restored and refurbished.

And yet, the so-called strongest nation of humanity had been trampled by the Demon King. Their famed magic battleships, considered unmatched even in ancient times, had all been sunk—save for one.

The war they had been certain they would win had turned into near-total defeat with the Demon King’s appearance.

As a result, the Granzur Empire turned to expansionism. They sought to enlarge their territory, increase their population, and ensure that the humiliation of their past defeat would never be repeated.

In doing so, the Granzur Empire became twisted.

The Empire divided its citizens into strict social classes: First through Fourth Imperial Citizens.

First Imperial Citizens were descendants of the Gran Kingdom—the true Imperial citizens, holding all key positions of power.

Second Imperial Citizens were the descendants of those who had sworn allegiance at the Empire's founding. There was little difference in rights or status between them and the First Class.

But the Third and Fourth Classes were different.

Third Imperial Citizens were those from nations annexed after the Empire's founding. Their treatment was marginally better, but they could rarely attain positions of true power.

Fourth Imperial Citizens were those who had resisted annexation. Their status was harsh—slightly better than slaves, but only just.

And then there were the slaves. The Granzur Empire was built upon this rigid five-tiered hierarchy.

At its center stood the Imperial Capital, Griffith. The pride of the Empire. Only First and Second Class Imperial Citizens were permitted residence; others were allowed only temporary stays. The capital was the symbol of Imperial prosperity.

Intricate patterns adorned the massive walls encircling the city, proof of the Empire's glory.

At present, the city was overflowing with joy. The Empire had announced that Arland's main forces—their long-time nemesis—had been crushed. Their remaining forces were trapped in a fortress with no means of defense.

The citizens rejoiced at the news, their anxieties for friends and family sent to war momentarily forgotten as the Empire's remaining citizens celebrated.

People linked arms, drinking in the streets of the capital. But soon, a strange, unfamiliar sound came from the sky. Some began to voice their unease.

The sound grew louder and louder.

"What is that?"

"Is it a monster?"

A mysterious object flew overhead at high speed, circling the capital at a low altitude.

Then, it scattered papers across the entire city.

The citizens picked them up and began reading them aloud—only to watch their faces drain of color as they understood the contents.

The leaflets condemned the Empire's aggression.

"We, the Arland Army, hereby declare retaliation for this invasion in the form of an aerial attack on the Granzur Empire’s capital, Griffith.

However, unlike the 'savages' who call themselves an empire, we are 'civilized.' Thus, we shall grant mercy to your people.

In 30 minutes, we will destroy the city's protective barrier. Thirty minutes after that, we will commence the bombing of the capital. If you do not wish to be caught in the attack, flee to the northern side of the city. In our mercy, we shall spare that area."

It was an utterly one-sided declaration.

Most of the Empire’s citizens, who had been in high spirits just moments earlier, refused to believe it. Only the nobility and merchants took precautions and evacuated—not because they truly believed the threat, but as a reasonable precaution.

Soon after, the bells of the capital tolled—the alarm for an enemy attack. At the same time, the city’s magic defensive barrier, purchased from the Magic Kingdom, enveloped Griffith.

Seeing the barrier rise, the citizens erupted in cheers. They dismissed the leaflets as the desperate bluff of a cornered Arland army.

However, just as declared, thirty minutes later, around ten bombers appeared. They formed up in formation and dropped specialized anti-barrier bombs over the Imperial Capital.

These bombs didn't contain conventional explosives but magic crystals. The moment the bombs came into contact with the barrier, they exploded. The magic power stored within the crystals traveled along the barrier's magical formula and blew up the devices generating the barrier.

It was akin to running a high-voltage current through household electronics—the excessive mana obliterated not only the devices but even the magic crystals installed throughout the capital.

The barrier vanished in an instant, and at last, the people understood—the Arland military was serious. And they could understand it now.

The Imperial citizens of the capital scrambled to the north side, desperate to escape, or ran in a panic trying to flee the city altogether.

Exactly one hour after the warning, thirty bombers appeared as announced.

“Just as planned.”

The squadron leader, aboard the lead aircraft, muttered as laughter echoed through the cabin. These four-engine bombers were modeled after the American B-29. According to Alicetia, their performance was roughly comparable. However, their operation—indeed, the entire air force—suffered from chronic maintenance issues. There hadn't been any catastrophic accidents yet, but there had been no shortage of cases where aircraft were damaged due to maintenance errors.

Naturally so. Suddenly being handed cutting-edge overtechnology made proper operation nearly impossible. At present, all aircraft underwent a final inspection by Grantz before deployment to ensure they could fly.

Alicetia wasn't particularly concerned about this. A vast amount of money was being poured into training maintenance crews. It was a problem that time would resolve. Moreover, they could train directly under Grantz while working on the real aircraft.

But the sudden war with the Empire had left Grantz so busy with training units that he could rarely leave the base.

“We're the spark that ignites Arland's counterattack. We'll earn enough merit to cover Notis's share too!”

Everyone nodded at the captain's words. Their comrade, unable to deploy due to maintenance failures, had wept bitterly. They would claim that lost glory themselves.

These bombers were equipped with Norden-equivalent bombsights, so their bombing accuracy wasn't bad at all.

As they approached the capital, which had moments ago been filled with cheers, the atmosphere in the cabin turned silent. The crew swallowed nervously.

“Bombs away!”

Moments later, the bombs were released. The aircraft lifted slightly, and the pilot adjusted the controls to stabilize the plane.

“Direct hits! The capital's burning!”

“We've made history. The first unit to attack the Imperial Capital!”

On this day, the Empire suffered its first-ever assault on its capital since its founding. And when news of the attack spread across the continent, it wasn't just the ruling class—countless ordinary people were gripped by fear.

Both Imperial citizens and those from other central nations learned on this day that Arland possessed the capability to strike anywhere on the continent. An attack from the skies that no amount of military might could defend against.

Naturally, the Empire deployed the griffon units assigned to the capital's defense. But the griffons couldn't reach the altitude at which the bombers flew, and the riders' magic or crossbows were entirely out of range. They were completely unable to retaliate.

On this day, Arland lit the flames of counterattack. Many Imperial citizens gazed at their burning capital and muttered:

“... We're winning, right?”

The previous euphoria was gone, replaced by trembling among the citizens. The same was true for nobles and soldiers alike.

There was no way to defend against that attack. The city defense barrier had been utterly useless.

Were they really winning? That question, and the seeds of distrust toward the Empire and fear of Arland, were firmly planted in their hearts.

In the days that followed, Arland bombed the Empire's logistics facilities along the border.

Many fortresses, unable to retaliate, were bombed and destroyed. Few had prepared for the threat of aerial bombardment, with most supplies stored above ground.

Buildings and supplies were burned together, creating a nightmare scenario—the complete halt of front-line resupply.

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