Chapter 356
Side Story – Memories of an Imperial Princess (72)
Princess POV
“He sent an adjutant?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Looking at Ria nodding, I let out a sigh.
“You’ve been sighing a lot lately.”
“There have been many reasons for it.”
My talented older brother and younger brother were getting beaten up by Duke Raisha. No, it’s now beyond that level – their lives are being threatened.
“How did it come to this?”
To think that Duke Raisha would grow this powerful. Neither I nor Ast had anticipated this outcome.
“It’s luck.”
A deterioration of physical condition due to overeating.
“He’s a noble, right?”
Typically, nobles learn to use magical power from childhood. Learning self-defense and, depending on their talent, studying swordsmanship, magic, or summoning arts is basic noble education.
This was not only for self-protection but also to participate in wars between nations as nobles. Commonly known as noblesse oblige, nobles were required to send a certain number of direct family members to war when their nation is involved in conflict.
In the Empire, those up to viscount rank must send at least 1 person, those below marquis rank must send 2 people, and those above that must send 3 people. For imperial family members, all males over 10 must go to battle, while females can participate if they wish. Therefore, it was normal to strive to awaken magical power from a very young age, and after awakening it, to work hard to reach higher levels.
“For a ducal family, even an ordinary person should be at least knight-level…”
At knight level, or even knight trainee level, one doesn’t catch colds or seasonal illnesses.
“This is Duke Raisha we’re talking about, Your Highness. According to compiled information from spies, his limit was using simple magic.”
“That’s right…”
Slightly above the level that commoners could learn. That was Duke Raisha’s magical ability according to the Kingdom of Merdea’s spies.
“To think we’d lose…”
Though I knew there were all sorts of variables in the world, but this kind of variable…
“There probably hasn’t been a battle in history where the enemy commander lost due to illness.”
It was an absurd variable that occurred because the commander was incompetent while his subordinates were capable.
Through this variable, our forces suffered great damage and are retreating. And Ast, who was sent to help these forces, delegated his duties to an adjutant and is slowly marching forward while gathering troops.
“If something happens, he won’t be able to avoid responsibility.”
“Wouldn’t Sir Ast handle it well?”
“I thought so too, but big brother and little brother lost, didn’t they? The enemy is Duke Raisha’s army, but Duke Raisha isn’t leading it.”
The Kingdom of Merdea’s army not led by Duke Raisha is a formidable enemy. Unlike before, Ast’s victory couldn’t be guaranteed. Though Ast wouldn’t die since he had a dragon watching over him, it was different for the soldiers.
“They were dragged into this because of me, and if they die, it’ll be unsettling.”
“Hadn’t you prepared for that?”
“Even in death, one should die honorably, but dying to Duke Raisha would be shameful.”
When the ‘Make Duke Raisha a Grand General Project’ and his true abilities are revealed in the future, all those who lost to him will bear an unforgettable shame.
“I’m very worried about the two princes.”
“Ast called it death by shame.”
While my older brother who doesn’t know the truth might be fine, my younger brother who knows everything might actually have a noose around his neck.
“I’ll have to hope Ast handles it well.”
Since he had done well so far, I had no choice but to keep believing in him.
“Prepare the remaining troops.”
“Are you planning to take action yourself, Your Highness?”
“There’s no choice.”
“Didn’t you say you trusted Sir Ast?”
“I did. But I keep feeling like I’m hearing strange words.”
I kept feeling like I could hear Ast’s laughing voice saying, ‘Your Highness, it’s common to get hurt by the axe you trust.’
Should I say it feels suspicious, or that I feel like I should go out too.
“It could be dangerous, Your Highness.”
“It’s fine. I came out accepting everything.”
I was destined to die originally. Just walking around here alive was already deviating from fate.
“If I die, that would be my destiny.”
“If you say so…”
“Besides, Ria will protect me, right?”
“Yes.”
As I watched Ria smile while raising her sword, I stood up from my seat.
“Well then…”
Just as I was about to say ‘Shall we make our move?’
“Your Highness! Viscount Aderu reports that he has safely found the two princes and is returning!”
“Viscount Aderu… That’s the name of Ast’s adjutant, right?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I thought he was just a lucky officer getting rapid promotions thanks to Ast, but perhaps he had real ability?
“There’s nothing left to do, Your Highness.”
“Indeed.”
It was embarrassing to have stood up. Right after declaring I would lead the troops myself, I had to sit back down.
“Well, what’s good is good.”
Ria was trying to suppress her laughter while watching me sit back down. She was trying to be considerate by turning her head and covering her mouth, but that made it even more pathetic.
“Ria, you can just laugh.”
“L-laugh? How could I… Your Highness.”
She’s pretending nothing’s wrong even though I can hear her snickering all the way over here.
“Now that the mission is complete, Ast should return too. We just have to wait until Ast’s adjutant brings back those idiots who share my bloodline but have absolutely no luck.”
Once Ast’s adjutant’s advance party and Ast’s main force return, that’s when the full-scale war will begin.
While I was distributing troops and planning strategies with the remaining commanders in preparation for that time.
“Your Highness! Lord Ast’s forces have achieved victory!”
“What?”
I hadn’t authorized any battles, yet suddenly news of victory arrived.
“What do you mean…”
“Your Highness! There are reports that Lord Ast’s forces have been defeated!”
Before I could finish speaking, a soldier roughly opened the tent flap and began reporting about the defeat.
“Wait, what’s going on…”
“Your Highness! Lord Ast’s forces have achieved victory!”
“…This is driving me crazy.”
Less than a minute after receiving reports of victory in battle, reports of defeat came in. And just as I tried to ask detailed questions about this, another report of victory came in, unable to wait even that long.
“Ast… What exactly are you doing.”
I grabbed my throbbing head and stared into space. I felt like I could see Ast’s irritating smile beyond the dark gray tent.
“Sigh… Well then…”
“Your Highness! Lord Ast’s…”
Ignoring the soldier who was entering again before I could even speak, I shouted with magic power so everyone remaining in the tent could hear.
“Would someone please sort out this mess?!”
“…”
“…”
There was no response. The commanders, including Ria, just kept their mouths shut and stared at me, while the soldier who had just entered was looking at me with an expression that seemed to ask what I was talking about.
“Sigh…”
Really, everything related to Ast always turns out like this.
“I guess I’ll have to sort this out step by step.”
Since there’s no one to sort it out, I’ll have to do it myself.
“Really…”
Ast never fails to keep people from getting bored, even when you just send him out.
“Well then, let’s hear the reports in order…”
“Your Highness! Lord Ast has…!”
Just as I was about to speak, yet another soldier bursts in. The timing was almost as if it was planned.
“Surely they’re not actually timing this?”
It must be coincidence. Timing victories and defeats to match when I speak doesn’t make sense logically. But with Ast… Somehow it felt like it might be possible.
“When he returns.”
I’ll have to interrogate him about various things.
#93 Their Circumstances: Circumstances of a Villain
“I’m glad you’re safe, Your Highness.”
“Thank you.”
Looking at the First Prince who looked like a beggar and the youngest prince whose eyes had lost their light, I patted Aderu’s shoulder.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Not at all, Lord Ast.”
Honestly, I didn’t expect them to be rescued so quickly. Thanks to that, the forces I had sent out hadn’t even fully returned yet.
“Well then, now…”
Just as I was about to suggest returning to the unit, the door of the military tent was roughly opened and a soldier entered.
“Lord Ast! Viscount Labellis has completely annihilated 2,000 enemy troops! It’s a perfect victory!”
“Hmm…?”
Then he started delivering news of victory out of nowhere.
“Is that so?”
Although I thought ‘what nonsense is this’, I nodded calmly since the princes were listening.
“How is Viscount Labellis behaving?”
“Despite the great victory, due to many casualties, he’s joining the main force.”
“A good choice.”
I don’t know what’s happening, but I hope they stop causing trouble and return quickly.
“Lord Ast! Baron Fevals has been defeated!”
That’s why we have losers like this!
“Where was he defeated?”
“Here it is.”
Taking out the map, I place a marker at the point where Baron Fevals was defeated.
“They can escape this way. Since the victorious Viscount Labellis is here, if they join forces…”
“Understood.”
Fortunately, the recently victorious Viscount Labellis is nearby, so a quick return is possible…
“Lord Ast! Urgent news! General Haikes…”
“Lord Ast!”
“Lord Ast!”
No, these crazy fools.
I distributed forces to find the prince, not to engage in individual battles. Why are they fighting like this? Just retreat and flee to the main force where the princess is!
“Hmm, in that case…”
I wanted to curse at them, but because of those princes staring blankly over there, I had to act as if everything was planned.
“Then send forces here… And the defeated unit this way…”
Thanks to this, markers started increasing one by one on the map.
As one friendly marker increased, an enemy marker would increase too, and as they moved here and there, some kind of pattern started forming.
“T-This is…”
While I was thinking I’d seen this somewhere before, the First Prince, who had approached without notice, started trembling.
What’s this? Why is he acting like that?
“Was this all planned?”
“Yes.”
Though I didn’t know what it was, I just nodded.
I ordered them to act on their own, and training turned into battle, no, ‘Real combat is battle! Individual combat!’ Just happened.
“Such…”
At the First Prince’s astonished expression, the youngest prince, who had been looking lifeless, slightly poked his head out.
“Is this?”
Life started returning to his nearly dead eyes.
“B-Brother… This is…”
“Yes, it’s a perfect encirclement formation.”
Looking down, it does seem like enemy forces are inside our troops.
“Lord Ast! Count Lanas has encountered the enemy’s main force and is retreating!”
At the messenger’s report, I place markers for Count Lanas and the enemy’s main force.
Wait, this…
“Tell Count Lanas to retreat this way.”
“B-But that’s enemy territory!”
“Though slightly risky, if he breaks right, he can join our forces.”
“Ah! Using Count Lanas as bait to lure in even their main force!”
“Though risky, if successful, we can encircle most of the enemy! Did you calculate all this while managing these many units!”
No. The kids moved on their own. I just wanted to return quickly!
…But I couldn’t say that, as overwhelming gazes were being directed at me.
My subordinates were too competent, fighting on their own, and gradually the enemy was being surrounded.
“Indeed, so this is the undefeated general who faces the army of Duke Raisha!”
The First Prince uttered words that could be either praise or criticism.
Ah! This guy was the one who kept losing to Duke Raisha.
Thanks to that, my gaze toward the First Prince turned slightly cold, but seeing him think ‘As expected of a cold-blooded strategist,’ I felt this guy wasn’t fit to be emperor.
With such poor judgment of people.
“What’s the name of this operation?”
I almost answered ‘Individual combat,’ but quickly thought and came up with a name.
“Can you see this?”
“Yes.”
“Can you see this as well?”
“Of course. Those two formations have the most troops, don’t they?”
Watching the First Prince nod while looking at the troop numbers written beside the markers, I answered confidently.
“These two points are crucial to this formation. I call this part the crane’s wings.”
“Ohhh… Now that you mention it, it does look like a crane spreading its wings!”
“Yes. Based on that appearance, I call this formation the Crane Wing Formation.”
Like General Yi Sun-sin, Korea’s cheat key, I couldn’t defeat a larger force with a smaller one, but I could at least engulf them with large numbers.
“The enemy won’t be able to escape from here.”
At my confident voice, the First Prince and youngest prince started sending gazes close to admiration.
I definitely can’t say this was a coincidence now.
“We will take revenge for both Your Highnesses.”
Though entirely unintended.
