Chapter 2 – Aldia’s Madness
1
In July of the year 1241 by the Kingdom’s calendar, following the elimination of Marquis Rigel, who had been a menace to the Valugan Empire, an award ceremony was held where Emperor Grode bestowed honors upon Princess Valtrune.
This event also served as an evaluation of the Provisional Elite Corps she had established; its usefulness was recognized, and its ranks were slated to be expanded.
The Empire’s conscription system was also reassessed.
Led by Ritziareite, the fact that excellent soldiers could be found even among the commoners began to gain recognition within the Empire. A new respect for skill, regardless of social status or gender, was taking root. While the ideology of aristocratic supremacy remained deeply rooted in the Empire, this event was sure to soften that stance, even if just a little.
This was a major step forward for Princess Valtrune. To secure her place on the throne, she would undoubtedly continue to build upon these achievements.
“Valtrune,” Emperor Grode said, “In recognition of your recent achievements, I shall grant you a reward. You may ask for anything.”
During the audience with Emperor Grode, Princess Valtrune bowed deeply. With an innocent smile, she made a specific request.
“Then, Your Majesty, if I may. As my reward, I desire the right to… showcase the splendor of our Imperial territory to our neighboring allies. I wish to host an event in the near future, to show the people of nearby nations the bounteous landscapes of the Dyrst region.”
“…Is that all you wish for?”
“Yes. That is the only reward I desire.”
“I see.”
Grode fell silent for a moment, his expression one of astonishment. He clearly hadn’t expected such words. Her request was so modest, it was hard to believe she had just won a brilliant military victory. The other nobles in the hall were likely baffled. When asking for a reward, common wisdom dictated one ask for coin, land, or a higher-ranking title.
“Valtrune, you are truly humble.”
“Not at all, Father. The right to promote our lands is simply what I desire most right now.”
What she truly wanted was a political card to play in preparation for the war with the Reshfeld Kingdom. It was also a move that would have her abilities as a leader recognized, another component needed to secure the throne.
Princess Valtrune wasn’t modest at all. She was preparing for the coming crisis while simultaneously solidifying her foothold on the path to the throne.
She simply didn’t show it, but she was burning with quiet ambition.
For the sake of this country’s development and survival—
2
“According to the report, the Reshfeld Kingdom will invade the Dyrst region in approximately two months. The instigator is the Second Prince, Euris. His objective is believed to be the vast mineral resources dormant in the Dyrst region.”
As Flegel read the letter aloud, a stir of unrest ran through Ritziareite, Fadi, Steano, Petra, Mia, Ambros, and the other officers of the Provisional Elite Corps.
“We believe the intelligence from the Fourth Prince, Ixion, to be accurate. The results of our own Imperial intelligence investigation align almost perfectly with his report.”
“I see. Thank you for the report.”
When Flegel finished, Princess Valtrune took a deep breath.
“It is just as the report says. The Kingdom is targeting the Empire’s vital territory. Without this prior intelligence, the Dyrst region would have surely fallen into their hands.”
At her words, everyone’s face paled.
“However, we now have a grasp of their movements. A defeat that would wound the Empire’s pride is now an impossibility!”
Prince Ixion will continue to provide updates on the enemy’s movements. We have nothing to fear.
“Flegel. Maintain close information sharing with Prince Ixion.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“If possible… I’d like to crush the Kingdom’s army and those troublesome Imperial nobles all at once.”
She muttered under her breath, her brow furrowed. It was just like her to see this as an opportunity to eliminate not just the Kingdom’s army, but other hostile factions at the same time.
“Your Highness,” I said, “There are anti-Princess nobles in the Dyrst region as well. If we can restrict the Kingdom’s invasion route, it might be possible to make them clash.”
“I see… As expected of you, Al! We’ll strike the Kingdom’s army with our full strength only after they’ve been exhausted from annihilating the forces of the anti-Princess nobles. We can destroy the Kingdom’s army while minimizing casualties to the Provisional Elite Corps. Two birds with one stone.”
There were many within the Empire who wished ill of Princess Valtrune. She wanted to dispose of these elements as early as possible. If she could use the Kingdom’s invasion as a pretext to drag these hostile Imperial nobles onto the battlefield, she could eliminate all the troublesome factions at once.
“Al. Is it possible to restrict the invasion routes into the Dyrst region?”
“If we begin preparations now, I believe it is.”
“Then we must hurry. Ritziareite!”
“Yes!”
“I need you to lead the Provisional Elite Corps and conduct a topographical survey of the Dyrst region. If possible, it would be helpful if you could also devise a strategy to lure the Kingdom’s army.”
Ritziareite nodded with a serious expression and looked at Petra and Steano.
“Petra, Steano, I want you two to immediately rework our troop formations. We are preparing for battle with the Kingdom. The rest of you, make your own preparations.”
“Understood! Let’s go, Steano!”
“Right!”
The two, along with the other soldiers Ritziareite had assigned tasks to, quickly left the room.
“Ambros, are the garrisons for the Provisional Elite Corps ready to move?”
“No problems.”
“Then arrange for the garrisons to be deployed throughout the Dyrst region.”
Ambros also gave a silent nod and left the office with Mia.
A tense air hung in the room, perhaps because the spark of war was so close.
“Um, Lady Valtrune… I actually have one more thing to report.”
Just as most of the Provisional Elite Corps soldiers had filed out, Flegel cautiously raised his hand.
“What is it?”
“Yes. The Kingdom’s army will be the main force in the Dyrst invasion, but according to Prince Ixion, there is a high probability that the Svell Order, led by the Saintess Reshia, will also intervene in this battle.”
The Svell Order is the world’s largest religious organization, centered in the Reshfeld Kingdom. If the Kingdom’s pretext for invading the Dyrst region is the ‘recapture of holy land,’ then the Svell Order’s involvement is inevitable.
Princess Valtrune remained perfectly calm, her glossy white hair stirring slightly.
“I see, the Order. Flegel, how would you deal with them?”
“If the Order intervenes, we will require reserve forces.”
“So, another factor to consider…”
With the Order backing him, it would be easy for Prince Euris to mobilize the Kingdom’s army.
“If Prince Euris were acting alone, the Kingdom would have room for excuses. But if he’s dragging the Order into this, it makes for a perfect pretext to ignite a full-scale war…”
“Uh, Lady Valtrune?”
“My apologies. Just thinking aloud…”
She gave the bewildered Flegel a broad smile.
“Don’t worry. We will prepare the countermeasures and forces to deal with the Order.”
“Therefore,” Princess Valtrune said, turning her calm gaze to Flegel and Fadi. “You two, continue your information gathering. And soon, I believe I will need your strength to reinforce our army. Be prepared for that.”
“As you command.”
“Yes!”
I wondered what she was going to ask of them. I had no idea, but I had a strong premonition that a major task awaited them.
“Al, I want you to take soldiers and survey the area around the Dyrst region as well. Identify all potential enemy invasion routes and install magic tools to obstruct them.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“And General Ritziareite, you are to find locations where the Provisional Elite Corps can be stationed to maintain supply lines.”
“I will do my utmost!”
Everyone began to move in preparation for the war with the Kingdom.
“I’m counting on you… both of you.”
With her resolute expression, ready to confront the Kingdom’s invasion, Princess Valtrune truly looked the part of a leader fit to guide the Empire.
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