---

The Empire must, whether liked or not, directly pressure Benito.

To ensure that the enemy forces headed towards the Holy Kingdom can no longer advance.

That is practically the only justification for participating in this war.

Therefore, one branch of the Imperial Legion must certainly pass through this area.

Other legions need to advance south to rescue the Holy Kingdom.

This explains why the forces of Gori can stand against our Imperial Legion.

‘To put it accurately, it means they want to maximize their advantage as defenders.’

They know this too. If they directly clash in a battle of strength, it will be a total disaster.

There is no possibility of victory in a typical fight against the Imperial Legion.

Even if they die and come back, it isn’t possible. Even the King of Gori wouldn’t be able to manage it.

So they are huddled up behind such a favorable defensive position.

They challenge us to come and take a swing at them, claiming they are ready to endure any assault.

They cannot win. I acknowledge that. But they don’t need to win.

“I expected those words to come out. You little brats.”

With my arms crossed, I looked at Gori, suffering today from our Empire’s so-called ‘floor-impact noise’ operation.

Early morning. Or rather from very late at night, they created all kinds of ruckus.

Drumming, sounding trumpets, announcing, “We are invading!!” for the whole world to hear.

Preparing for battle while we make them finish their breakfast preparations on some days and on others, they’re making arrangements in the afternoon.

The atmosphere suggested that our Imperial Legion could charge into battle at any moment.

Our legion soldiers were okay; they were just doing their regular training, so no big deal for them.

After all, whether or not we would actually fight today was already decided, so there was no worry.

But Gori was different. They had been bothered since dawn or night-time.

In the meantime, they were watching live as the Imperial Legion prepared to invade.

I can only imagine how great the fear coming from that must be. I wouldn’t dare to think about it.

‘The commanders must be doing everything they can to reassure them. But that won’t suffice. This fear and terror is not something they can handle.’

If the opponent had been a well-trained military from the West, it wouldn’t have been effective.

But right now, what stands before the 6th Legion is the entire force of Gori.

While they can’t say they have no elite troops, compared to a legion, they’re simply inexperienced.

“Prince Kael.”

“Welcome, Legion Commander. Let’s have lunch a bit earlier today.”

“Are you thinking of preparing for battle according to Gori’s lunchtime?”

“Yes. I’m about to make them choke while eating.”

After all, Gori can never let their guard down.

Whether we invade or do not invade. That’s the position of those who are unprepared.

Of course. How can they feel at ease, facing an Empire?

“Still, they’ve held on quite a long time. I thought they would collapse on their own in about three days of this.”

“Didn’t they say they have a King? They should show that much perseverance. It’s still a Kingdom after all.”

But this too will soon be over. A person can only endure for so long without sleep.

Especially, this isn’t a normal space; it’s a battlefield. The pressure it brings is beyond imagination.

While seasoned soldiers might hold on a bit longer, the rest certainly cannot.

And that ‘rest’ is overwhelmingly more likely to be Gori.

“Hey, uh, Prince Kael.”

The expression on the Legion Commander’s face was not very pleasant.

I momentarily felt a chill in my chest, wondering if something bad had occurred.

“Nevertheless. Our Legion also does not have an abundance of time.”

“…Ah.”

“I apologize for saying this, but I want to inform you that if Gori does not retreat in this way, we will ultimately have no choice but to launch a full-scale attack.”

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Oh. What a surprise. I was actually startled, thinking something was seriously wrong.

“Prince Kael?”

“Oh. I’m sorry, Commander. I thought something else had happened.”

“Not exactly….”

“Well, that’s a relief. Anyway, I can assure you, Gori will retreat soon.”

“…What?”

In an instant, the expression on the Commander’s face slightly twisted.

I felt a sense of worry, wondering if I had misheard something.

“Right now, I—”

“You heard it correctly. Gori will soon. No, I mean it. I’ll make it clear: within the next two days. They will pack their camp and retreat.”

My voice was filled with such certainty that the Commander looked even more dumbfounded.

What kind of basis does he have to say that Gori will retreat in two days?

After all, they have been gritting their teeth and holding on until now.

The expression on his face clearly showed his thoughts.

‘Your Highness. Please bring me some good news quickly.’

It was better for me to move with the 6th Legion.

That fact alone would create a significant sense of pressure on Gori.

The strategist accompanying me, who had displayed a big foul to the East, naturally supported this.

Conversely, it was better for the Princess to go to the opposite side.

That way, it would give the impression that this is the Empire’s true intention!

Perhaps the Emperor sent this with such thoughts in mind.

*

In the South, various kingdoms exist.

Among them, some are close to Benito like Gori.

Conversely, there are those who particularly do not wish to be entangled with them.

The reason is simple. They just don’t want anyone to become significant.

The South has been in a state of balanced competition for a long time.

It’s because the Holy Kingdom does not condone war, but at some point, it came to be taken for granted.

However, in this particular case, the desire to reduce the influence of the Holy Kingdom was significant.

Kingdoms that dislike Benito certainly also despise the religious fanatics who meddle in internal affairs.

As a result, they exhibited strong opposition to the Empire’s intention to interfere in the South.

“Now, what will you do?”

Before representatives from such kingdoms, Isabelle requested support for the Empire instead of Benito.

Without exaggeration or concealment, she spoke in an extremely calm tone, laying out just the facts.

She didn’t exert any threats. They would already feel it without her doing so.

There were only two legions heading towards the Holy Kingdom: the 4th Legion and the 15th Legion.

Unless it’s Benito, there is no one in the South who can stop them.

Moreover, below this point, there’s nothing but plains, not even a mountain.

“Cough!”

“Ahem!”

“…”

Of course, none of that seemed to sit well with the representatives of the kingdoms.

They did not particularly respond to Isabelle’s words, simply clearing their throats in a way that expressed their discomfort as much as possible.

Seeing that, the Legion commanders felt it was rude and were about to give a warning.

But they couldn’t do so under Isabelle’s watchful eyes.

“I will say it again. Our Empire hopes you make a wise decision.”

“Your Highness, you say wise choice, but is it not a suggestion to surrender to the Empire?”

“Surrender? How do you come to that conclusion?”

Then one representative let out a sigh, “Hah!” and continued to speak.

“Where are we now? In the South. This is not the Empire’s territory. The impact was suffered by King Benito. The holy war was declared against Benito. And now you present the Empire’s military power before us and display that strength.”

“…”

“If this is not a threat for us to surrender, then what is it?”

He added, looking towards the other people from different kingdoms at his side.

They all nodded vigorously in agreement with those words.

“Well. That’s certainly how it could be seen.”

But Isabelle displayed no sign of worry at all.

At that moment, representatives were about to release another wave of dissatisfaction.

“Then how about we do this?”

Isabelle began to flow some ideas from her mouth sequentially.

Everything had already been discussed and concluded with Kael and the upper echelons of the Empire.

Thus, she could lay those thoughts out before the kingdoms without any burden—

“…”

“…”

“…”

Hearing all that, the representatives could only drop their jaws in shock.

“Your Highness.”

After a while, one representative, regaining his composure, cautiously asked.

“Really, is the Empire willing to do that?”

“I could even convey the Emperor’s words immediately.”

“…”

Where did all that fierce momentum from before go?

Now, only those who subtly observed each other while licking their lips remained.

While watching that, Isabelle recalled Kael’s words once more.

“Your Highness. There’s nothing that can’t be resolved with money in this world.”

“If something cannot be resolved, it’s simply because the amount is insufficient.”

Did they choose Benito as their friend?

That’s fine. Then they should deposit the equivalent of a friendship fee right away.

Shouldn’t we avoid trying to solve everything with money? Is it not true?

Nonsense. Money is precisely the way to show true sincerity.

And it’s right to build different trusts through other means.

Anyway, they must know. That if this continues, a serious disaster could happen.

Right now, the Empire is speaking sweetly, but what if they exert their strength?

There’s no way that a sandcastle can withstand that huge tidal wave.

They’re not fools, and they must know that.

But due to pride. Because of the authority they must uphold as rulers.

At that time when they cannot do this or that.

The Empire’s Princess came forward, brandishing the Imperial Decree and promising an enormous reward.

Maintaining their pride, they received a reason to persuade their Kingdom People.

Anyone who persists even after this did not deserve to sit on the throne.

“Now, everyone, please return and convey the Empire’s intention.”

With Isabelle’s words, the representatives got up from their seats.

And shortly after, the road leading into the Holy Kingdom was wide open.

To take Benito’s words and oppose the Empire, it was far too costly.

*

“…Prince Kael, do you perhaps have some prophetic abilities?”

At the words of the 6th Legion Commander, I burst out laughing.

Prophecy? No way. I just trusted that the Princess would handle things well.

She maintained the pride of the Southern Kingdoms.

Even when they could push through with force, they first sought dialogue.

Plus, they provided ample benefits under the guise of a friendship fee.

Even so, you want to keep credibility with Benito?

That’s not loyalty; that’s just foolishness.

Upon hearing that news, Gori eventually gave up the defense as well.

With morale already broken and the other kingdoms defecting, another path toward Benito arose.

There was no reason left for them to hold this place.

‘Some might say that after seeing this event, we could have just overwhelmed the Southern Kingdoms. Why did we promise to give away that much money?’

If there are truly such fools, I would slap them across the face.

No matter how expensive it may be, it’s still cheaper than military expenses.

Every day that the military is delayed incurs astronomical losses in taxes.

It’s better to finish things up quickly and return, as that would be good for public sentiment in the South.

And, a person’s life is not a joke.

No matter how foolish the South is, they have an army.

If they clash with them, Imperial soldiers will get hurt, damaged, and even die.

While money is important, it can’t be valued higher than a human life.

 

---