Surviving the Magic Academy With Just Intelligence Stats-Chapter 72: Worst Dialogue Options

In the dimly lit confines of his private chamber, Friedrich Rothschild sat in brooding silence. His posture and expression radiated an aura so forbidding that even the most hardened warriors dared not approach. The "do not disturb" message written across his features wasn’t merely a suggestion – it was a survival imperative that every servant and soldier in the estate instinctively understood.

The staff could comprehend his state of mind, to a degree. The sacrifice of his beloved Victoria to the Spirit King had left a wound deeper than any physical injury. Yet none dared speak of it, maintaining a careful distance from their grieving lord. All routine matters were being directed to the second-in-command, maintaining a semblance of normal operations despite their leader’s withdrawal.

But now, that careful arrangement was about to shatter.

Standing in his office, the second-in-command stared at the intelligence report in his trembling hands, his pupils dilating as he processed its implications. Their border scouts had detected an empire force of unprecedented scale – a million-strong army led by one of the empire’s dreaded generals. The timing couldn’t have been worse.

The situation presented two immediate problems. First, their stationed force of one hundred thousand men stood no chance against such overwhelming numbers. Second, while Friedrich possessed the power to potentially match a general in combat, his current mental state raised serious concerns. Physical wounds were one thing, but a distracted mind in battle of that magnitude could spell disaster for the entire region.

After several moments of internal debate, the second-in-command rose from his desk with grim determination. Some messages simply couldn’t be delegated. He made his way through the estate’s corridors, each step feeling heavier than the last.

Reaching Friedrich’s door, he paused to steady his nerves. Just as he raised his hand to knock, a voice cut through the wood: "What do you want?"

"Well, something happened so I’m here to report," he managed, fighting to keep his voice steady.

"I told you to handle it if anything happened!" Friedrich’s irritation was palpable.

"I’m afraid we can’t handle it this time," the second-in-command replied, bracing himself for the response.

Silence descended. He waited, wondering if his next sensation would be Friedrich’s legendary strength ending his life. Even if they requested reinforcements from the capital, the nearest response would take at least an hour – time they didn’t have. Worse, with the other great house heads still recovering from Victoria’s parting "gift," none would likely volunteer to face an empire general.

The door suddenly swung open, revealing Friedrich’s disheveled form. "What happened?" he demanded.

The second-in-command barely suppressed his shock. Friedrich stood bare-chested, his usually immaculate appearance in complete disarray. He looked nothing like the imposing Golden-Eyed Tyrant they knew. "Was it really that bad?" the thought flashed through his mind, but he quickly composed himself, extending the report.

Before Friedrich could even unfold the document, a thunderous voice shook the very foundations of the estate: "Friedrich! Where are you? Do you dare to come out and face me now that your wife isn’t here?"

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The challenge echoed through the halls, leaving no doubt that General Autumn had arrived to personally announce his invasion.

…

High above the battlefield, General Autumn hovered with an air of smug satisfaction, watching his million-strong army systematically overwhelm Friedrich’s vastly outnumbered forces. The disparity in numbers had been intentional – he hadn’t needed such overwhelming force, but he wanted his victory to be absolute, leaving no room for even the slightest chance of resistance.

His satisfaction, however, was tinged with growing irritation at Friedrich’s continued absence. Glancing at the three warriors who had risen to meet him in the air, his lips curled into a contemptuous sneer. "Oh! They sent you to stop me?" he mocked. "Is Friedrich that afraid now that his wife isn’t here? Did he run away?" His laughter echoed across the battlefield.

The three warriors began slowly backing away, not out of fear, but from their growing recognition that Autumn was choosing possibly the worst dialogue options given Friedrich’s current state. Yet Autumn, oblivious to their warning gestures, pressed on with his taunts: "Friedrich! Where are you? Do you dare to come out and face me now that your wife isn’t here?"

The three warriors immediately scattered, their instincts proving correct as a massive column of golden light suddenly descended from the heavens, engulfing Autumn and a hundred-meter radius around him. The radiance was so intense it rivaled the sun itself, forcing observers to shield their eyes. From their safe distance, the three warriors offered silent prayers for the general’s soul – his boldness in provoking Friedrich at such a time had crossed well beyond courage into suicidal foolishness.

As the light faded, it revealed the devastating aftermath. The entire affected area had seemingly aged a millennium in mere seconds. Vegetation had crumbled to dust, and even the soil itself had been pulverized, leaving a massive crater in the earth. Friedrich materialized above the destruction, casually running a hand through his hair. "Mh, that felt refreshing," he mused, his quiet words somehow carrying across the battlefield. "Maybe I should fight more."

The observers stared in shock, thinking collectively, "If you really did that, we wouldn’t have a border left to guard!" One attack had rendered a hundred-meter radius completely uninhabitable.

Friedrich’s attention turned to the empire’s troops still slaughtering his forces. His eyes began to glow with an otherworldly golden light, intricate clock mechanisms visible within his irises. As the clockwork patterns spun faster, an enormous golden clock manifested beneath the entire battlefield, its brilliant radiance washing over all combatants. Golden chains erupted from the clock’s surface, wrapping around every empire soldier. Those fully ensnared became perfectly still, frozen in time itself.

The kingdom’s soldiers recognized their commander’s signature ability, their morale soaring as they seized the opportunity to strike down their immobilized opponents. "It’s the commander’s power!" they shouted, pressing their advantage against the helpless empire forces.

Suddenly, a furious roar shattered the battlefield’s rhythm. "Friedrich!!!" Autumn erupted from the crater, his appearance dramatically altered. Most of his clothing had been vaporized, leaving him in only shorts, his body marked with bleeding wounds and his hair streaked with premature white. "How dare you sneak attack me!" he bellowed, charging directly at Friedrich with unbridled rage.