---

As busy as the Imperial Army was beyond the borders, the Imperial leadership was equally overwhelmed.

They had to send everything the armies at the frontlines needed in a timely manner.

At the same time, they needed to ensure that the internal stability of the Empire wasn’t shaken by this.

While they might not achieve the same brilliant feats as those fighting against the enemy over there, their roles were equally important and could not be taken lightly.

And in such matters, the Second Princess, Isabelle, was also lending her assistance.

“Move to the frontline, Bel.”

In the midst of all this, the Crown Princess called for my younger sister, starting the conversation.

“Sister?”

“I’m afraid it’s not to the Central Region. You’ll have to go South.”

“…Huh?”

“Don’t feel too disappointed.”

“Disappointed? About what?”

“The Imperial Chief of Staff is in charge of the Central Region.”

Isabelle blinked for a moment.

Is that what she was sad about? As if it had anything to do with being disappointed.

“…”

Seeing her like that, the Crown Princess closed her eyes and sighed.

No, hadn’t they just recently shared a strange yet kind atmosphere?

Though a bit late, everything seemed to be going well, so she had let her guard down.

Why were they suddenly back to square one again?

Hadn’t she been seen in a while, leading to a reset somehow?

“No.”

Something welled up within the Crown Princess, prompting her to use her authority.

Originally, she had planned to send Isabelle South, and she had reported that to the Emperor as well.

But if it continued like this, surely the Emperor would understand.

“Just go to the Central Region as soon as you’re ready. Go and assist the Imperial Chief of Staff. Bel.”

“Uh… Okay.”

In a hurry, Isabelle vanished as if she had a pressing engagement.

Watching her sister’s back, the Crown Princess suddenly thought:

Could it be that she pretended to be upset to avoid going South?

Did she expect her sister to feel so frustrated that she would change her orders on a whim?

If that were true, then she had learned too well from the Imperial Chief of Staff.

‘Well, if that were the case, I’d give her some praise for growing up.’

The Crown Princess thought that while promptly reporting to the Emperor.

Understanding the Crown Princess’s intention, the Emperor ordered Isabelle to proceed to the West.

Isabelle had already achieved quite a bit alongside Kael in the Eastern and Southern Regions.

She would surely boost the morale of the troops and attract the attention of enemies.

According to incoming reports, Kael was employing all sorts of cunning tactics.

And having the Imperial Princess involved would undoubtedly be a valuable card.

‘Moreover, I hope the two of them grow closer.’

Starting with their deployment in the Northern region, Nobogord, the two had also worked together in the three Eastern Kingdoms and in the South with Benito.

If they were now together even at the Western Dedorant, it would truly be perfect.

What a beautiful relationship that was. What a heartwarming story that is.

Two people active across the continent, at every border of the Empire.

There could be no more blessed wedding in this Empire than the union between the two, receiving the people’s blessings.

“…What?”

However, the wishes of the Emperor and Crown Princess were unexpectedly shattered.

“The Imperial Chief of Staff has reassigned the Second Princess back to the South with the authority of the First Army’s Chief.”

“…”

“No….”

It seemed that Isabelle wasn’t the only one whose reset button had been pressed after being apart for a while.

In that moment, the Crown Princess had an overwhelming urge to dash straight to the frontline.

*

Compared to the Empire, Dedorant had many shortcomings.

But it was by no means a weak place. Far from it; it was not like Benito, who was utterly incompetent.

Just look at the massive counterattack they showcased in the Central Region.

Systematic commands and plans resulted in seamless attacks and advances.

It wasn’t as if they had smashed the Royal Capital of DeGale in just under a month for no reason.

If they strike right, they would certainly inflict considerable damage.

If the reformed units were to launch fierce attacks again,

Battling those filled with fury head-on would be no small feat.

Even if they win that battle, the losses to our Empire would surely be significant.

It would be better to avoid engaging with those completely out of their minds.

If you can’t evade it, it’s better to hit them from behind rather than face-to-face.

When they’re charging in for a punch, why bother engaging directly?

“The news from the Nobogord Army?”

“It just arrived a moment ago. They’re purposely delaying time while wreaking havoc at the border.”

“And what’s Dedorant’s reaction?”

“They claim they’re moving as covertly as possible, but it’s inevitable that their movements will be noticed. It’s a daunting task to extract thousands of troops.”

Seeing the rising urgency in Dedorant, they began moving their available forces.

Though they numbered only in the thousands, these were units ready for action already.

More than nine out of ten would be regarded as elite troops.

These troops were being sent towards Atria rather than the Central frontlines.

‘Kaya and Charlua are doing tremendously well. They’re truly shining.’

With Kaya, Charlua, and the Nobogord reinforcements heading toward Atria,

They had requested they advance in a manner that didn’t blatantly say, “Come here!”

Yet it couldn’t be ignored either, ensuring they’d have no choice but to respond somehow.

This was aimed at drawing out the Central Army, Dedorant’s main force.

They weren’t fools; they would surely calculate our movements when they heard the Empire was spreading its forces everywhere.

The most appropriate move when the enemy forms a siege is simple: a head-on assault.

If they aimed for that, hitting the still-recovering First Army would leave us with no sharp counter.

When it came to a head-on battle, let’s be honest, the odds would be six to four.

Slightly in favor of the Empire, but Dedorant wouldn’t be a push-over either.

After the battle, it was likely both sides would end up bloodied and half crippled.

I wasn’t bold enough to gamble on such uncertainty.

I wasn’t fearless enough; if I can’t be certain, my heart doesn’t budge.

So, I couldn’t allow Dedorant to come close to matching our First Army.

‘Wider. Thinner. Let the lacking ones suffer further.’

Thus, Charlua’s role became critical. Not to blatantly lure them in.

But to ensure they felt sufficient fear that if reinforcements didn’t come, Atria would crumble and their supporting base would vanish.

Originally, rugged Nobogord’s heavily-armored demon infantry had even been paired with Kaya.

On top of that, Charlua had cleverly provoked Atria.

I heard she claimed she’d wrecked only the important cities of Atria?

Even, in fact, the oldest places which stood as a source of pride for the people of Atria.

If Atria still didn’t call for their sturdy older brother, it would be downright weird.

Turning away from here, we now glance towards the South—the region of Benito.

The already dispatched Southern Kingdom forces and our 4th Legion had been feeling each other out.

Now, finally, the Ghost Army was about to deploy.

Experts in deception alongside thousands of conscripts ready to play the role.

We had inflated our numbers to almost fifty thousand, sending a warning to Dedorant.

“Get it together quickly unless you want Benito to crash and your lower belly to be stabbed.”

However, upon reflection, it seemed lacking.

We needed more. More stimulating and intense fuel for the fire.

Just as much as Atria, Dedorant should be made to risk it all.

“Kael! Ah, should I call you Imperial Chief of Staff?”

“You’ve arrived, Your Highness.”

Just then, the Princess came to visit me. It couldn’t be a more perfect moment.

“I came on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor and my sister—to assist the Imperial Chief of Staff.”

“Your presence alone is a tremendous help to me, but it definitely feels better to have you here in person, Your Highness.”

The Ghost Army was undoubtedly a masterpiece crafted by our experts’ delicate hands.

Yet, since we had to feign tens of thousands from just thousands, some oddities might inevitably surface.

In that case, if we could distract attention from those small gaps, wouldn’t that work?

“In fact, there’s something I’d like to ask you, Your Highness.”

“If it’s Kael’s request, I’ll do anything.”

“I need you to head to the Southern front for a bit. Go and inform that Dedorant’s advance towards the South will not simply be a matter of mere deterrence but a massive-scale all-out assault. If they don’t set up defenses soon in Benito or Dedorant’s South, they’ll face dire consequences. Just deceive them like that.”

Everyone on the continent knew by now that our Princess had been active in various theaters alongside me.

She had assisted in feeding the troops in the Eastern front and fought alongside them on the battlefield.

In the Southern front, while she hadn’t engaged in battle, she had actively persuaded the Southern Kingdoms.

When such a figure moves with a large army, who could be fooled?

“You’re really planning to encircle Dedorant with a massive net, huh?”

“Does the Ministry of Finance complain a lot about me?”

“Um, to be honest, they do weep and wail daily. Day after day, the Empire’s money is disappearing at an alarming rate. With the unlimited operation of the Magical Corps too.”

I had braces for such things, but hearing it directly made me a little anxious.

Darn it. I hope I don’t end up dragged before the parliament later for this and get reprimanded.

Commanders who led wars to victory were ruthlessly held accountable for their expenditures too.

“But you don’t have to worry, Kael. His Majesty the Emperor and my sister will stand by your side.”

“I am nothing but overwhelmed with gratitude.”

“Even if those two remain silent, I, more than anyone else, will step forward to protect you, Kael.”

The sight of a woman boldly saying she’d protect a man.

For a moment, I felt a hint of embarrassment, but I found I didn’t mind at all.

I could vaguely sense that this wasn’t just empty words but the Princess’s true feelings.

“It would be a shame to be parting so soon; shall we have a cup of tea? We have time for that, right?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I was just about to offer.”

 

---