Chapter 81: Attack (1)

"Her Highness, the Princess? How...?"

Upon hearing the report, Lüderen was more flustered than he had been in years. It was inevitable.

Even with his extensive war experience, he had not dared to hope for such a situation.

The great victory at Achten was also astonishing. Dealing with the enemy scouts and attacking the besieged enemy was no easy feat.

It was easy to say, but far from simple. Scouts were not just anyone.

Since it was not a forest, he had initially thought it sounded implausible when he first heard about it.

The bitter defeat of the Third Prince was only momentarily painful, and he had breathed a sigh of relief at the Princess's victory.

He felt a sense of guilt for not being able to provide support.

The enemy numbered 35,000. The best scenario was for the Princess to hold them off and prolong the battle.

Alternatively, abandon Achten and rejoin the main force by taking a wide detour.

'Quite a difficult situation... but it seems the heavens are aiding the Empire.'

110,000 against 110,000.

This was the standoff on the northern front. The numbers were similar, but the morale was low due to the defeats of the First and Third Princes.

Thus, they were avoiding battle. Fortunately, the enemy was not being aggressive, perhaps waiting for reinforcements.

For the Imperial Army, the news of the Princess's victory was like a drink of water in the desert.

"It was thanks to Sir Karl Schurtaffen's insight."

"Schurtaffen? Again?"

He had heard that Karl had dealt with all the scouts. Knowing his skills, he could understand the situation.

Still, he found it impressive.

But he did not expect it to be the case again. He wondered if it was a strategy from Duke Ryurik.

"Yes. After a false retreat on the Epidere Plain, he lured out the enemy's archers and infantry, then collapsed their ranks with a cavalry charge."

Lüderen recalled the young boy he had met at the training ground. Young, and he knew he had a brilliant talent with the sword.

But to have such aptitude for war as well.

Thinking back, it was evident from Achten, or even from the last hunt.

He had performed admirably then.

In a way, it made sense. The boy was a swordsman who aimed for the moon and the moonlight.

His calmness and composure would undoubtedly have been a great help in reading the situation in war.

"Haha. Impressive, truly impressive."

Lüderen smiled genuinely and clapped. Everyone around him had bright faces.

It was an incredible victory they had not expected.

"I knew the boy was talented, but to this extent. It's an astonishing achievement."

"You're right. Capturing over 60,000 with just 25,000. An incredible feat."

The knights beside Lüderen nodded in agreement. The atmosphere was good, except for the Princes.

The First and Third Princes looked sullen, and the Second Prince was expressionless, making it hard to read his thoughts.

The advisor sent by the Emperor also marveled and spoke.

"That boy will receive a medal from His Majesty."

"Of course, he will."

It was a sincere statement. A knight who had turned the tide of the battle. Just his achievements alone warranted the Founding Emperor's Medal.

With the remaining battles, as long as he did not make a major mistake, it was almost certain.

Not only Schurtaffen but the Princess would also receive praise.

Lüderen anticipated a shift in the succession struggle.

Since the Founding Emperor, the Empire's Emperor had to be the most powerful and reliable person.

The war with the West. In 100 years, there had been no greater war.

The Princess's performance would change the perspective of the nobles and the people. Lüderen admired Duke Ryurik's insight.

'When His Majesty made the offer, I wondered what he was thinking. Perhaps my judgment has become poor.'

No one had predicted the Princess's success, except for Duke Ryurik.

And the fact that it was all thanks to Karl was astounding. At that moment, a messenger approached.

"Sir Lüderen! The Western Army is retreating!"

"What?"

Lüderen's smile faded. Though he had only felt it for a short time, they were a formidable opponent.

From the moment their plans went awry, they quickly withdrew.

The destination of the Western Army was obvious.

Now, heading west, they would have to focus on logistics, making it a grueling war.

'But it's still better than the current situation.'

Lüderen glanced at the First and Third Princes. The fools who had launched a charge despite the advisor's suggestion and the ignorant ones who had overestimated their large forces.

The Princess and Duke Ryurik, along with Karl, would be much more helpful than those.

* * *

"Your Highness, you have accomplished a great feat. Truly admirable."

"It was my duty."

"When we return to the Empire, there is something I wish to discuss with you..."

Praise for Erendil did not cease after returning to the main force.

Even some of the nobles who supported the Princes subtly hinted at changing their allegiance.

Though the war was not over, it was a significant change.

The soldiers' gazes toward us were different. Admiration and envy. We were the only unit that had won.

The Second Prince had not even engaged in a proper battle. He had only made false sieges and futile movements.

The main force had only rescued the First Prince, and the Third and First Princes had suffered near-total defeats.

Frankly, the First Prince's situation was somewhat surprising. Even if he was surrounded by a false siege.

Losing 40,000 was unexpected.

'This wasn't supposed to be such a difficult battle.'

If the imperial heirs had not taken command due to the succession struggle, such a major defeat would not have happened.

Tsk. In a way, it was as if the Emperor was abandoning his soldiers. The advisors were essentially left to a passive role from the start.

It was likely one of the reasons the Empire was shaken in the game.

In any case, those changing perspectives also included me.

"Schurtaffen, have you eaten?"

"Not yet."

"Let's eat together. Sir Emmit said to eat first."

"Yes, let's do that."

It was natural that the other bodyguards of Erendil, who had initially been wary of me, would now act friendly.

The same went for other nobles and knights.

Because it was known that the handling of the scouts at Achten and the strategy on the Epidere Plain were due to me.

Compared to the looks I received when I first arrived in the Empire, it was a complete turnaround.

"Sir, I heard you had a significant impact on this battle. Impressive."

"Let's have a drink when we return to the capital. I'll treat you."

Of course, there were still a few who were not friendly due to my background in Haisen, but they were a minority.

Some hasty nobles even made surprising proposals.

"My daughter is sixteen now, very beautiful. Her age is about right, would you like to meet her? A true man should marry early."

As a count, I could not ignore him, so I politely declined, but I was genuinely taken aback.

The soldiers' gazes also changed. They were already good, but now even more so.

- When you charge with Sir Karl, it feels like the wind is helping. It seems faster.

- Really? Me too. I thought I was the only one who felt that.

The rumors spread among the cavalry, leading to more gossip.

I thought I should be careful. The talk about the wind might come up.

In any case, since I was at the center of the victorious battle, there were many stories about me.

- Sir Karl? He's insane. Even when his horse was impaled and he fell, he did a somersault in mid-air.

- The next part is even more amazing. He rolled on the ground, got up, and stabbed the knight who threw the spear right in the chest.

- I heard he captured Feorn Shade, a Sword Master candidate, in just three moves.

- I saw it. It was just three moves.

- No, it was two moves.

- What? I heard it was one move.

Some even asked me which was true.

When I answered it was two moves, there were cheers and groans, as if they had made a bet.

Moreover, since almost none of the soldiers who fought with me died, strange rumors started to spread.

- Perhaps the Goddess of War is with Sir Karl.

After the last hunt, this time with just two battles, I was a bit bewildered.

It was a great victory, but I did not expect the atmosphere to change so much.

Perhaps the soldiers, who had suffered repeated defeats, needed stories of victory.

They would want to hear good stories.

It was good for me too. Although the talk of the Goddess of War seemed a bit much...

Thinking about the future, it was a good opportunity. If this trend continued, I would receive overwhelming support.

Observing the atmosphere, all the soldiers here wanted to join Erendil's command.

The morale had been terrible before we arrived, but now it was very good.

For a few days, we reorganized our forces and resupplied to chase the retreating enemy in the West.

On the day of the official departure, Lüderen and the advisor brought quite shocking news.

"Before our departure, I will convey the Emperor's order. As of now, the command authority of His Highnesses, the First and Third Princes, who suffered major defeats at Mibent and Omi Mountain, is revoked, and they are ordered to return to the capital immediately."

"What? Father?"

"What does that mean?"

The First and Third Princes strongly resisted. Their faces were red, and they were visibly agitated.

The hostility was palpable. If the Emperor's name had not been mentioned, they might have drawn their swords and stabbed the advisor.

"It is the Emperor's order."

"Unbelievable!"

"The war is not over yet!"

The advisor spoke firmly, but the Third and First Princes did not back down.

They knew that returning like this would ruin their evaluations.

'On one hand, I understand, but showing such behavior will not do them any good.'

Perhaps they were grasping at straws?

Frankly, I can understand the First Prince, but I do not know what confidence the Third Prince has.

The First Prince still has 10,000 troops, but the Third Prince has none.

Does he really believe the main force's troops will be redistributed to him? It was impossible, as the First and Second Princes had opposed it from the start.

In fact, the order to return was also reasonable. Now, they had almost nothing to do on the battlefield.

"Sir Lüderen, are you serious?"

"I am merely following the Emperor's order."

The advisor intervened as the protests continued.

"The Emperor added that if there are any issues to be addressed, they should return to the capital and discuss them there."

"..."

The First and Third Princes, with their mouths shut, glared at him.

"The remaining troops will be distributed to the main force, His Highness the Second Prince, and Her Highness the Princess for command."

Unexpectedly, the Second Prince's expression brightened. We felt the same. It was a good opportunity.

With the momentum on our side, all that was left was to establish more achievements.

Unlike the Third Prince, who was in a daze, the First Prince stared intently at Erendil, seeking help.

He had supported the idea of making the First Prince the Emperor.

He must have been thinking along these lines since losing his troops.

But with the Emperor's order, there was nothing we could do to help.

Erendil subtly shook his head. The First Prince, realizing there was no way, lowered his gaze.

Suddenly, Erendil looked at me. He was communicating silently.

I see.

I could not read Erendil's mind, but his trusting gaze was clear.

We are halfway there. With the First and Third Princes out of the picture, only the Second Prince remains. We just need to finish it off.

The Second Prince, perhaps thinking the same, looked at Erendil with a smile.

'What are you smiling about? There's no place for you.'

The Second Prince might have found Erendil easier to deal with than the First Prince. But I will not let that happen.

As the First and Third Princes returned as defeated men, the Imperial Army began its advance into the West again.