"Is that... really true?"
"Yes. The damage to our forces is beyond words, and General Chel is also severely injured."
A historic defeat caused by General Chel Brans' misjudgnt. After spotting Airen Juliet and engaging in a reckless battle with her, ti dragged on, and in the anti, the forces sent to carry out the surprise attack were almost completely decimated without the chance to retreat.
Parfalle, who had hurriedly received the report from the ssenger, could only collapse on the spot, as if struck by a thunderbolt, her legs giving way.
'Why... did this happen?'
The strategy had been perfect.
Considering the enemy general Epinnel’s "will to advance into the central continent," the surprise attack should have been a guaranteed success... So why did it fail?
Moreover, the scouts had reported that they had clearly seen preparations for a ritual at the fortress. The enemy was clearly trying to defend the fortress. If they didn’t expect a large number of troops to arrive, why would they bother with such preparations?
'Why...!'
At that mont, for so inexplicable reason, the image of a young man with white hair flashed through Parfalle’s mind.
"Specifically... Are you asking if we might have made a secret pact with the Charam army to launch a joint attack?"
"We should gather our forces in the north and invade Serpina's territory."
Sohow, Swen, the man who seed to know everything as if he had seen the future, had now joined the Aishus forces. The thought sent a chill down Parfalle’s spine.
'No... Could it be...'
No. That couldn’t be it.
It didn’t make sense. It was common knowledge that humans couldn't achieve the level of foresight required to predict everything. Yes, he definitely had extraordinary abilities, but he couldn't possibly know everything... right?
'...Calm down.'
Parfalle pushed the thought of Swen out of her mind.
Even if he had figured everything out and used us against ourselves, she wasn’t sitting in the position of national strategist to admire such a man. What had happened, happened, and now she had to deal with the situation.
'If this continues, the southern front will be left wide open...'
If the western forces were redirected to the south, it would leave the eastern front exposed. But bringing the northern forces was out of the question. That was a place that absolutely couldn't be left undefended.
Though a ceasefire agreent had been made with the southern countries bordering the region, this was only a brief mont in ti, and there were far too few soldiers to fill the gaps.
'For now... calm down. I need to report the facts to my lord as quickly as possible.'
After organizing her thoughts about the current situation, Parfalle imdiately ordered the ssenger to report to Arnel Castle.
It was crucial that her lord, Lyn, understand the situation first.
"Understood! I’ll deliver the ssage right away!"
With the ssenger sent off, Parfalle fell into deep thought again.
'What should I do? How... How can we overco this crisis?'
Honestly, it was Parfalle herself who had devised this plan. The disastrous failure, and the provocation that Chel Brans had fallen for, were not solely his fault.
Of course, Chel’s failure to follow the plan and delay the battle had led to this dire outco, but now, demanding responsibility for what had happened wouldn’t solve anything.
'What should I do... what should I do?'
After thinking and thinking several tis, in the end, every possible solution led to the harsh reality of the situation.
Parfalle looked up at the dim sky, her thoughts drifting.
'...Has the heavens forsaken Lord Lyn?'
She had always been cautious about attributing events to divine will, but at this mont, she couldn’t help but entertain the thought.
***
A few days later, the ssenger sent by Parfalle arrived at Arnel Castle.
The surprise attack had failed, and General Chel Brans was defeated. The Aishus army had caused over 80,000 casualties. Of those, 38,000 had been lost to betrayal, and 45,000 had been utterly annihilated.
But despite all this, no significant damage had been inflicted on the Aishus army.
In other words, they had been robbed of their soldiers and had died in vain.
Clack. Clack.
Lyn bit her nails viciously, the blood dripping from the tips of her fingers.
'This is impossible. This is impossible, this is impossible...'
Chel Brans, the strongest swordsman in Brans Army, had been defeated and injured. The key reason for the defeat was that Chel had fallen for the provocation.
And, of all people, it had been her... that woman.
'Airen Juliet...!!!'
Crash!
Lyn slamd her fist down onto the armrest of her throne.
Of all people, she had been bested by Airen Juliet, that disgusting red-haired traitor she could hardly even stand to think about.
'Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it...!!!'
Crash! Crash! Crash!
She pumled the armrest until her knuckles turned red, but of course, nothing was solved.
And now, only now, did she regain so semblance of reason as a ruler.
'What do I do with the soldiers? There are only a few thousand on the southern border...'
Lyn quickly sent for her advisors and ordered them to think of a solution to the current crisis.
A few hours later, an elderly man arrived at the castle.
"My lord. It’s been a while."
The man’s identity was Byron, an elder who had served Brans Army for two generations and was the forr lord of Raklein Castle. After stepping down from the lordship, he had lived a quiet life, but now he had co to offer his counsel in the midst of the crisis.
"Byron. I’m sure you’ve heard the news."
"Yes. From what I gather, it’s a very dangerous situation. You must make a decision quickly."
"A decision?"
"Even now, you should consider surrendering Raklein Castle in exchange for a truce with the Aishus army for at least three years. If the northern or southern borders are breached, it will be the end. If you can hold the Aishus army at the eastern front, you might still find a way out."
"..."
Lyn stood speechless, simply staring into the void.
Surrendering Raklein Castle and negotiating a truce with the Aishus army for three years seed, objectively speaking, to be the least damaging option. This would allow the western forces to fill in the gaps on the southern front.
However...
Bowing to the Aishus army ant bowing to Airen Juliet, and that was sothing Lyn could never do. Not to that woman—never. She couldn’t show weakness, not to her.
"Is there another way?"
"...We could try sowing discord among the southern nations to incite a war... but honestly, I’m not sure it would work. We might not even have the ti to make it happen."
"I’ll never give in to those Aishus bastards. Think of another way."
"...."
Byron said nothing more as he left the castle, and the other advisors who visited later had similar responses. They all brought plausible suggestions, but none had a clear, decisive solution.
Yes, all of them had served the army for a long ti, but none were as confident as Swen had been. Swen, who always spoke with unwavering certainty.
Even when he suggested sending troops to the north or when he claid that the Aishus army, in collusion with Aleffel and Charam, was deceiving them, Swen had been right every ti—except once, when he said they should build a fortress and attack the Aishus army. But even then, looking back, that suggestion might not have even been his. It was likely Airen’s idea since they had both betrayed them.
In the end, it ca back to Airen. The thought that Airen Juliet was mocking her and belittling her filled Lyn with rage once again.
"AAAAHHH!!!"
She scread at the top of her lungs, but it solved nothing.
Now, she was certain of it.
She would never let that red-haired bitch control her again.
"Lyn, I’m Airen Juliet. I will be the shield that protects you and the young masters of the Brans family."
From the very first eting, Lyn hated everything about her. No matter what she did, Airen, with her noble bloodline, always outperford her. Airen was more accomplished, more admired, and it drove Lyn mad.
But it didn’t matter.
In the end, Lyn would be the one on top. Eventually, she would reign supre.
But even after she had reached the throne, her childhood thirst for superiority had never been quenched. It had sunk deeper into her heart.
‘It was always going to end up like this...!’
Looking back now, she realized she had instinctively rejected Airen because she had sensed the betrayal coming. Quickly, she rationalized it.
If she hadn’t been a ruler, she would have seen that it was her own actions that led to this disaster. But tragically, she was the ruler. And in Brans army, no one dared challenge her authority.
"....Hey."
"Y-Yes, my lady?"
Lyn spoke to the soldier standing guard.
"Bring Calintz Brans."
"Y-You an Lord Calintz?"
"...Why are you standing there?! Hurry up!"
Lyn shouted irritably, grabbing the sword beside her.
The soldier, visibly scared, stamred a response.
"Y-Yes, right away!"
'...Hah, hah.'
Calintz Brans.
Though he had made a grave mistake, he was the most reliable general now that Chel was injured.
If she gave him the task of defending Raklein Castle, he could hold off the Aishus army. As for the southern nations... yes, perhaps it would be better to negotiate peace with one of them in exchange for the castle.
The territories were at stake, so they might even agree to start a war among themselves, leaving Lyn with more breathing room.
It would complicate Brans’ borders, but she would never concede anything to the Aishus army, not while Airen was part of it.
'It’s fine. I’ll take it one step at a ti. I am Lyn Brans. The chosen one destined to unify this continent... In the end, I’ll be the one to win...!'
Thinking that, strangely, her anger began to subside.
Yes. Step by step. Even if she lost a few castles, it didn’t matter. She had already conquered the central region once.
Soon after, Calintz arrived and knelt before her.
"My lady. Calintz Brans, I have arrived as commanded."
"...Ah, welco, Calintz."
Lyn explained her plan to him in a calm tone. The essence of the plan was simple: the western forces would be redirected to defend Raklein Castle.
Although the forces were slightly insufficient, Raklein was known as an impenetrable fortress. A general like Calintz should be able to hold off the Aishus army’s assault.
anwhile, the goal was to gather as many soldiers as possible quickly. Anyone who could be drafted, including rcenaries, should be enlisted, no matter the cost.
The morale might take a hit, but if everything collapsed, it would be aningless anyway.
"If you complete this mission successfully, I’ll restore your honor. I’ll forget all your past mistakes."
Calintz spoke with great sincerity.
"I, Calintz Brans, have waited for this mont. I will not disappoint you this ti."
Today, Calintz’s words felt more reassuring than ever. Lyn thought to herself that the Brans family would overco this crisis. She imagined herself making Airen Juliet suffer unbearable pain, as she deserved for betraying them.
"Good. I’m pleased. I’ll be counting on you."
She gave him a general set of orders before sending him off. Then, sitting back on her throne, she resud nervously biting her nails.
'It’ll be fine... It’ll all work out. We’ll win...!'
And then, in that mont...
"My, my lady...!"
A soldier burst into the audience hall, breathless.
Lyn, already on edge, almost snapped at the soldier. But when she saw the red armband on his arm, her breath caught in her throat.
'No... It can’t be...'
"My lady, the Aishus army...!"
The twisted fate that had already gone off course did not wait for the leader who had made mistake after mistake.
"Reports say they are advancing toward Kelstein Castle with an army of 98,000 soldiers...!"
Lyn didn’t want to believe it.
But from the mont she had tried to kill Airen Juliet in earnest, the fall of Brans army, once the victor of the central region, had begun in earnest.
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