Regis was reading his book in the conference room.
"Good morning! You are up early."
Altina appeared while using her towel to wipe her neck.
"Ah, morning," Regis greeted in return.
"Should I say its early, or is it late..."
"Didn't you sleep?"
"There was sothing I needed to research."
"Is this it?"
Altina looked down at the book in his hands.
Regis scratched his head and said:
"No, I have finished my research... This is just an interesting book that is related."
"Sa as usual~~. What kind of book is this?"
"It is about origins of flags and crests. For example..."
He flipped to the page with the empire's flag.
7 swords were displayed on top of a red backing.
She leaned on the table and moved closer, looking at the book.
"Ah, this one."
There was a similar flag in the conference room too.
Regis turned the page, it showed the sa swords with a white base.
"It was like this in the past."
"It looked like a white flag."
"It wasn't changed because of that though"
"Hmmm~"
Altina reached over and flipped through the pages rapidly.
Regis looked between the book and her expression.
"... This is quite interesting right?"
"Yeah."
"By the way, when Sir Jero took over command of the Beilschmidt border regint, his family crest beca its flag."
"Ah, that's right."
The banner hanging beside the empire's flag had a red base with a black lance and a lion.
That was the Beilschmidt Margrave's flag.
It was a command to fly the commander's family crest for the regint. It was the sa for Marquis Thnezay where Regis used to serve.
"It seems that they are all red."
"For the banners of the nobles, using the empire's base color is the norm. The church will use black and purple, the commoners will use green."
"Hmmm... What about blue and yellow?"
"Blue seed unrelated to status... But it is the sa color as the sky and the sea so its..."
"Ah, it will be hard to see."
"There are so who felt that it represents freedom this way."
"I see."
"Yellow is used in the Germania Federation, so it's not popular in the Belgaria empire."
"Ahaha... So red isn't popular over there?"
"They think bright red is a uncouth color, they seem to use dark brown though."
"Uncouth..."
Altina stroked her hair and frowned. Her hair was bright red.
Regis waved his hand.
"I don't think it is uncouth... Erm... I think it is beautiful."
"Eh?"
"Ah... Nothing..."
"Say it again, say it again."
"No no no..."
"Again, again."
"No way..."
A carriage left the southern gate through the falling snow.
After Sierck Fort was out of sight, it deviated from the road.
As it was making a wide turn, the wind picked up.
The driver took off the hat on her head, unveiling her crimson hair, which flowed with the wind.
"Phew..."
"Are you okay Altina?"
The girl driver nodded in response to Regis' query.
"Of course! You know right? I am an expert carriage driver."
"Well, I do know that... But you are only using one hand now."
She was told that a full recovery will take 3 months, so her left arm was still secured in a sling.
But her recovery was progressing well.
"Using one hand or foot doesn't matter if I said it is fine."
"... Just take it slow."
"I won't fail again!"
Altina deftly held the reins with just her right hand, controlling the speed of the horses.
They had gotten into trouble before because a horse had its leg injured, so they were using two horses this ti. It was an extravagant carriage that even had headlights which used oil lamps.
The insides were loaded with food and clothes; these were necessary items for negotiation.
Because they were off the road, the surface was uneven.
"Woah!?"
Regis almost fell off the driver's seat, grabbing on to his armrest for dear life.
"Wait, don't fall off."
"Then drive slower..."
"It's getting dark!"
"No, the place we arranged to et is almost... Shya!?"
"You will spook the horses, stop screaming!"
The ride was so bumpy that it hurt Regis' butt, but they finally saw their destination.
A hill of withered grass covered by a thin layer of snow, there was a large tree there.
Altina drove the carriage towards a man, while 4 others stood so distance away. All of them wore clothes made from leather and feathers.
The empire called them barbarians, while Regis and the others addressed them as citizens of Bargainheim.
The one standing before them was Diethart.
Altina stopped the carriage and leapt off the driver's seat.
"Sorry for the wait! Long ti no see!"
"Ugh."
Regis struggled to dismount.
"Hello... Sorry for making you wait."
"Ah, it's been a while, Mr. Strategist."
Deithart's face turned slightly red.
Altina slotted herself between them.
"I brought the food and clothes with , please take it if it is to your liking."
"... I would like to hear the contents of the request before taking the remuneration."
"I'm not planning to loan it to you, just take it as a gift."
"So you are saying it has nothing to do with the things you want to request for?"
"Well, I will bring it back if you don't want it."
"I see... You are as stubborn as usual. I will gratefully accept this."
After bowing, The n started unloading the carriage on Diethart's instructions.
As that was going on, Altina spoke.
"Alright, it's cold here so let's get straight to the point."
"Yeah."
"We are planning to attack Fort Volks!"
Diethalt had a serious expression.
"... I am questioning your ntal stability."
"If we don't carry out this order, we will be branded traitors. We might have to face the 1st army."
"As I thought, the empire is corrupted."
"That's why we have to fight... Regis will co up with a plan sohow."
Diethart looked over with eyes of disbelief.
Regis scratched his head.
"I don't have the confidence... But I will have to push forth forcefully."
"I see... There are such tis too... You are telling this because you want us to take part in the assault?"
Altina nodded.
"That's correct. But don't get wrong, I don't an charging at a fort that is full of cannons. It's the sa for you and my people."
Diethart tilted his head.
The norm for attacking a fortified position is to attack with overwhelming force. Stepping over countless bodies to reach the walls, scaling it, fighting off the defending troops and suppressing the cannons and gates from the inside to achieve victory.
Diethart was basically following the sa thodology when attacking Sierck Fort. They closed in under the cover of the blizzard to avoid the cannon fire and attacked.
"What's your plan, Mr. Strategist?"
"I have so ideas."
Regis looked at the n unloading the cargo.
He pondered for a mont.
"... This plan is very unorthodox... It will be better if less people knew about it. I can share it with Mr. Diethart alone though, would that be fine?"
It was Diethart's turn to ponder.
"For the roles my people will be playing, will there be a need to know the entire plan?"
"No."
"Hmmm... Then don't tell . I don't think Mr. Strategist will send us into a trap at this juncture."
"But it will still be dangerous."
"I understand. My side owes you this much. And..."
"Hmmm?"
Diethart didn't continue.
He pressed Regis to go on with just the necessary details.
To be safe, Regis sought advice from Altina.
"Princess?"
"Since they agree, let's go with this."
"I understand--"
Regis summarized his information and briefed them to Diethart. The n who finished unloading looked at them from afar.
Regis told the plan in detail.
After listening carefully, Diethart nodded.
"... Understood... I will get it done."
"That's a big help!"
Diethart responded to Altina's extended right hand this ti.
Regis shook his hand too.
"I am very grateful."
"In order to return the favor to the young princess, I swear to accomplish the task on my nation's honor. And... on my love for Mr. Strategist too.
"You an love among friends and brothers right!?"
The strong youth smiled gently.
He then looked at Altina seriously and bowed.
The cape made from a lion fluttered in the wind, Diethart and his n disappeared into the snowy forest.
The Germania federation was large.
A coalition of 22 smaller kingdoms and Duchies.
But the rule of Chairman St. Prussia wasn't perfect, and civil wars broke out frequently among mber states.
Varden Duchy belonged to this federation.
Since its formation, it's territory was threatened by its neighboring countries, especially the Bulgarian empire. But that changed with the construction of Fort Volks.
The budget needed for war fell drastically.
Thanks to the iron ore mines and the cut in needless expenses, the Duchy's economic situation was one of the better ones among the Federation.
Varden Duchy used the spare budget efficiently, hiring veteran rcenaries and top grade weapons to bolster its defense.
With the expansion of its national power, they started expanding into the forest occupied by the barbarians.
Holger was a wandering rcenary who signed up after hearing the benefits at Fort Volks were great.
He was going to be 28 this year.
He was hired 6 months ago. He might be a veteran as a rcenary, but he was just a rookie in Fort Volks and was treated like one.
He exited the Fort's main gate on his horse.
A distress call from the pioneers announcing the savages attackSeveral savages attack distress calls from the pioneers expanding into the forest were received. He headed out into the forest in order to exterminate the barbarians.
There were about 20 horsen.
Only the leading rider was a knight of Varden Duchy, the rest were all rcenaries.
The breaths of the horses and n turned into white smog which trailed behind them, the snow was falling harder.
Holger cursed in his heart.
(Unacceptable... The savages are picking trouble on such a cold day... Why don't they just hibernate in the winter, how irritating.)
Holger had no love towards Varden Duchy, Fort Volks or the expanding lands.
rcenaries only fight for themselves.
Chasing after savages who ran when chased was a thankless job.
They gradually approached the depth of the forest.
The 20 riders advanced in a single file.
Because of the withered branches and snow, the sun that was already covered by the clouds appeared dimr.
According to reports, the barbarians escaped here. The horseman in front should be tracking the footprints of the savages.
The old war horse Holger was riding on suddenly left the ranks.
"Hey!"
He pulled in the reigns, returning the horse into position.
Don't give more trouble! Holger felt uneasy as he swore.
(Did we pursue too deep?)
Holger looked at the knight leading the unit from the front.
It was hard to express his opinion with his position, but could he suggest a short break using his horse as an excuse? As he was considering this, an arrow flew out.
It hit the light shoulder armor of the knight, bouncing off with a tallic thud.
Ambush!?
As if the arrow was a cue, shuffling sounds erupted from the depth of the forest.
There were way more than 20 people.
The leading knight stopped his horse in a panic and scread.
"Savages!?"
"Moron!! Don't stop!!"
Holger couldn't help but yell at his superior.
They were in a single file, so they couldn't retreat even if they stopped. They could only make a U-turn through the trees!
Thinking the sa thing, the other rcenaries changed their directions and spread out.
They didnt have the obligation to help the stupid knight.
They could only escape.
It was said that white flags were useless against barbarians. They believed the savages were pests, avengers driven by hate and devils abandoned by the gods.
Rumors said they will eat n alive or tear off limbs.
Holger wiped off the annoying sweat on his back.
The sound of footsteps could be heard from their retreat route.
"We are surrounded!"
Soone scread in despair.
The rcenaries wanted to flee in another direction but were trapped. With no one taking command, they huddled up in a circle.
Even the horses held their breath in this unusual atmosphere.
Holger's band was already in the depths of hell.
The figures of the savages appeared.
Wearing the fur of beasts and wielding swords or axes, they made strange sounds to intimidate others. Why did the report say only a few of them were sighted? It was a massive group large enough to encircle them like a wall.
One of the rcenaries groaned:
"I heard these fellows would eat humans alive..."
"No, don't!"
One of the youth drew his short sword and put it to his throat. It was a sword he was proud of, sent to him by his parents back in his hotown on his 18th birthday.
He wanted to kill himself?
That might be better though... As he thought about that, Holger put his hand on the short sword and restrained the youth.
He didn't have any reason to do that.
There was no chance of survival.
The youth looked with questioning eyes at Holger, waiting for him to explain why he stilled the blade.
There was no reason after all.
What should he say?
Don't give up?
They can fight their way out if they stay alive?
Don't die before your seniors do?
All of these were shallow and lacked weight. Hawk didn't prepare the adequate lines in advance.
Holger drew his sword.
"Follow !"
Even though the enemy outnumbered them, they were still 20 riders. If they all took up their lances and charged, there might be a chance for so of them to be saved...
A man dressed elegantly walked forward from the surrounding barbarians.
His cloak was made from the skin of a lion.
"How courageous. But there is a thousand of us here. I am warning you not to do anything rash."
He spoke fluent Germanian.
"The savage actually..."
"My na is Diethart. How about telling your na?"
"Holger. Are you really savages? Or soldiers from another nation of Germania?"
"Neither... We are the warriors of the nation residing in this forest, Bargainheim.
I have never heard of such a country! Holger cursed.
"What do you plan to do with us? Will you eat us alive as rumored?"
"Dismount and throw your sword away. Answer our questions and we will release you in 2 months ti..."
"What!?"
They didn't understand the reasons, but for the rcenaries who were prepared for death in such a desperate situation, this was a wonderful proposal that seed to have dropped from Heaven.
They looked at each other.
The youth who was going to commit suicide leaped off his horse. He dropped the sword in his hand, went down on one knee and raised his hands to the sky.
"My god, please spare !"
As the other rcenaries followed his lead, Holger stared at Diethart to the very last mont.
He had no other choice.
Holger's band was captured by the barbarians.
They were separated and their hands and legs were chained. A piece of cloth covered the tiny cave Holger was locked in.
He thought they would freeze him to death...
But they provided him with warm water and red hot rocks to keep him warm.
They really planned to keep their word.
At night, the crying sound of a youth ca from one of the caves.
3 days later--
Holger was brought before Diethart alone.
His limbs were bound, and a sword was pointed at him.
But it was a miracle he was still alive.
Beside Diethart was a young man in Belgarian uniform.
A girl with crimson eyes was present too. Her mouth was masked so Hawk couldn't tell who she was, but she must be holding a high position if she was keeping her identity a secret.
Holger spat in his heart.
(Damn it... so the Belgarians were behind this.)
He was surrounded by barbarians holding spears.
A young man whose expression was too gentle for a soldier offered him a wooden chair.
"Please take a seat."
Altina shouted with all her might.
The troops were silent.
The parade square was devoid of sound.
Their tension was high.
The longer one was in the army, the more lost they felt hearing this words. In the empire, wars were instigated by the lords, and it's sothing that soldiers fought in for rewards.
The result was that their wages supported their family... But few realized this point.
The lords weren't interested in why soldiers fought. This was common.
The commander asking for them to fight for the citizens was sothing they would never imagine. That's why the soldiers were lost.
A young soldier raised his fist to the sky.
"Long live Marie Quatre!!"
So distance away, another soldier raised his sword.
"The citizen's shield!"
"For our family!"
They all expressed support for the speech.
Noise erupted from all corners.
They were all in agreent.
The troops whose eyes were filled with ambition and killing intent shone with another light. It was the will to fight for soone.
Their families back ho, their lovers, friends. And their comrades beside them. The faces of people important to them.
So even wept when they rembered their kin far away.
Evrard and Eric both grunted in approval.
Jero silently watched the soldiers' cheer.
Regis was once again in awe of Altina's strong resolve and ambition.
Year of the empire 851 February 12th--
300 cavalry, 600 artillery troops, 1100 infantry, a total of 2000 n of the Beilschmidt border regint set out from Sierck Fort.
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