At the Rebel Army's position, final preparations for a sortie were underway.
Roughly thirty percent of the Rebel Army's forces were to remain behind to guard the base. The remaining seventy percent were mobilizing to strike the units of the Subjugation Army currently blocking the highways throughout Count Obrisin's territory. This offensive was a calculated move to dismantle the enemy’s attempt to use starvation tactics against the rebellion.
"Hmm..."
Vihera murmured as she scanned her surroundings, her expression pensive. She was searching for anything she might have overlooked, but her appearance—clad in the thin raiment typical of a dancer or a prostitute—was quite a distraction. To the soldiers nearby, even her most casual movement was torture for their eyes.
"Lady Vihera, what is the matter? Everyone is quite enchanted by Lady Vihera's distressed face."
Tilleul called out to her, drawing her attention.
"Oh, Tilleul. Tell me... do you really think their primary goal is just starvation tactics through a highway blockade?"
"Hmm? What do you mean by that?"
"It's true that blocking the highways might cause a supply shortage, but I mentioned during the meeting that those problems will vanish once Rei returns. You understand that, right?"
"Yes. However, you also noted that while supplies would be handled, the issue of manpower remained unresolved."
"True. But there’s no doubt that Rei will return with Big Sister Frizion. Once they’re here, bringing in more people from the direction of the Imperial Capital won't be difficult. Besides, as I’ve said before, given Rei’s strength, dealing with the units blocking the highway shouldn't be much of a challenge, should it?"
"That is true," Tilleul nodded. Knowing Rei’s capabilities firsthand, he found it impossible to disagree with her assessment.
"However, is it not a fact that we have no choice but to act? While Rei's return will surely resolve everything, we have no way of knowing exactly when that will be. Theoreme is attempting to dispatch soldiers from the nobles of His Highness Mercurio's Faction to relay our situation to him, but..."
He trailed off, leaving the implication clear: the chances of those messengers reaching Rei were slim.
"Perhaps it would have been better if I had gone myself?"
"That would be... difficult. Lady Vihera, you are a figurehead of this army, standing alongside His Highness Mercurio."
"In that case, I really want Big Sister Frizion to rendezvous with us as soon as possible. She’s much better suited to being a figurehead than I am."
"I don't think that's necessarily true. While Her Highness Frizion is immensely popular with the common folk, you are just as beloved, Lady Vihera. In fact, among those of us who actually fight, your popularity is likely even higher."
"Hehe, I hope so. But honestly, I find it much more relaxing—and certainly more fun—to be on the battlefield rather than acting as a figurehead."
That was the driving force behind her decision to lead the charge against the blockade. Tilleul, utterly devoted to her, understood her intentions without needing a full explanation.
"Well then, shall we go? ...Oh, come to think of it, what happened to those three?"
As they prepared to move out, Vihera suddenly remembered something that piqued her curiosity. Tilleul, however, didn't immediately grasp who she meant by "those three."
"You know. The ones who joined the Rebel Army specifically to betray us."
Tilleul’s memory finally clicked. He remembered the nobles whose treachery had been exposed by Rei. As penance, they were to be stationed on the absolute front lines of the next battle—not just their soldiers, but the nobles themselves.
Not much time had passed since their betrayal was uncovered, but because they had been keeping a low profile and so much had happened in the interim, those three nobles had slipped entirely from Tilleul’s mind.
"...Now that you mention it, they aren't here. Technically, this would be their first real battle—aside from that unbelievable night raid, of course."
He was referring to the raid carried out by Rei and the Mobile Unit. A single unit had managed to annihilate an entire army with virtually no casualties of their own. Even someone as biased as Tilleul couldn't call that a standard engagement.
Regardless, this was meant to be the first test for the traitors, yet they were nowhere to be found among the ranks of the mobilizing army.
"Do you think they ran away?"
"That would certainly be the most sensible choice for them, but I doubt His Highness Mercurio or Theoreme would let them escape so easily."
"Sobul managed it, didn't he?"
"That is... a fair point. What should we do? If it truly concerns you, Lady Vihera, I can go and confirm the matter with His Highness Mercurio."
Vihera considered it for a moment before shaking her head.
"No, it’s fine. I was just a little curious. Knowing Mercurio, he probably has everything under control anyway. ...More importantly, we should move out. Gurgast looks like he’s about to snap."
Vihera glanced toward Gurgast. The man was visibly trembling with the sheer anticipation of battle. His intensity was so fierce that any small child witnessing it would likely be traumatized for life.
Following her gaze, Tilleul let out a small, wry smile.
"True enough. Let’s go, then. No matter what the enemy throws at us, I'm sure we can handle it as long as Lady Vihera is with us."
"I certainly hope so. I’m looking forward to finding some strong opponents among them."
Vihera paused, then scanned the assembled troops and raised her voice.
"Listen up! Our enemies are those who are strangling our supply lines! If we don’t push through now, we will run out of food and weapons. If that happens, this civil strife will end in our defeat! I refuse to let that happen. That’s why we must give our all here. The enemy is blocking the highway, but because they’ve spread themselves thin to cover every road leading into this territory, their strength at any single point cannot be high!"
A roar of battle spirit rose from the ranks in response. They were fighting for their survival, for their food, and for their cause.
...Of course, more than a few soldiers felt their battle spirit boiling for a different reason, spurred on by Vihera's seductive attire. Regardless, the unit led by Vihera set out with morale at an all-time high.
(I suppose I’d feel much more secure if Rei were here at a time like this.)
Vihera thought of her beloved, but she refused to be a woman who simply relied on him. Her goal was the same as Elena’s: to be an existence that stood alongside Rei as an equal, not someone who needed his protection. With that resolve, she led the march down the highway.
"Phew... man, I'm bored. We had a few people passing through at first, but once the word got out, everyone stopped coming entirely."
A soldier stationed at a lookout post some distance from the main blockade grumbled. Even with the highway blocked, a determined traveler could still find a way around if they had the resolve. The job of the ten-man unit stationed here was to turn back anyone who tried.
He understood the strategic importance of cutting off the Rebel Army's supplies, but once the presence of the Subjugation Army became common knowledge, people simply stayed away. As a result, those assigned here were left with nothing but time.
"Don't complain. Staring into space like this is a lot easier than actually fighting on a battlefield, isn't it?"
The veteran soldier’s comment prompted an exasperated sigh from the younger recruit.
"What are you talking about? This was our chance to earn merit! And instead, we're stuck in the middle of nowhere... I was going to distinguish myself, get promoted, and finally go back for my childhood friend Ruzy!"
"Ah... I see. Well, I admire your determination, kid, but you need to learn to pace yourself."
The older soldier chuckled to himself, remembering his own youthful ambition.
"He's right. Concentration is vital, but so is knowing when to relax. Especially in a place like this."
"Exactly. That's what I was trying to—"
The veteran soldier stopped mid-sentence as his brain finally registered the source of the voice.
(A woman's voice?!)
He spun around, and his eyes widened. Standing before him was a woman of aggressive, breathtaking beauty. Her thin raiment was so translucent he could practically see right through it, making him wonder for a split second if a prostitute had somehow wandered into the woods.
Then he saw the gauntlets on her arms and realized how wrong he was.
"Tch! Hey, alert the unit—!"
He turned to warn his partner, only to find the young soldier already slumped on the ground.
"Wh—"
That was the last word he uttered. He felt a sudden impact against his neck, and his consciousness plunged into darkness.
"Well, I suppose that’s that," Vihera murmured, looking down at the two unconscious men.
She hadn't exactly expected a challenge, but she was surprised she’d been able to get so close—and even join their conversation—without them noticing until it was too late.
"Coming here alone was the right call. The main force over there is much larger."
After hours of marching from the Rebel Army's position, Vihera's unit had located the blockade. There were two groups: one holding the main highway and another covering this secondary bypass. After some deliberation, Vihera had sent Gurgast and Tilleul to handle the highway while she investigated the bypass road alone.
"There's almost no resistance. I wonder if the blockade really is their only objective?"
Puzzled, Vihera left the soldiers where they lay, deciding to have her unit take them prisoner later. She continued deeper into the area. After about five minutes of walking, she spotted a group of soldiers taking a break. They were clearly aware they were in enemy territory, as their weapons were kept well within reach.
(Now, let’s see if any of these men have any skill.)
She intentionally made noise as she approached. One of the soldiers looked up.
"Hey, is it time for the shift yet—"
He choked on his words, his eyes bulging at the sight before him. He had never seen such a stunning beauty, let alone one dressed so provocatively. The other soldiers followed his gaze and froze in their tracks.
However, not everyone stopped for the same reason. One man—the captain of the unit—recognized her face immediately.
"Vi—"
But the situation moved faster than he could speak. Vihera lunged forward, closing the gap in a flash. She reached out toward the first soldier who had spotted her and touched him lightly.
"Hah!"
With a sharp cry, she struck. The man collapsed instantly.
It was the Magic Impact Palm—a technique Vihera had perfected. By channeling magic power directly into an opponent's body, she could deliver a devastating internal shock. No matter how sturdy the metal armor, it was useless against this move. The light protective gear of these common soldiers didn't stand a chance.
As the soldier hit the ground, the others stood frozen, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Vihera struck again and again, knocking them unconscious one by one.
Finally, the remaining soldiers snapped out of their shock and drew their weapons.
"W-Wait!"
The captain, having realized her identity, tried to halt the violence. This was the Second Princess of the Empire. He couldn't risk injuring her, and if he could capture her alive, his career would be made.
His subordinates hesitated at his command, but that was their final mistake. In the next breath, they were all neutralized by Vihera's Magic Impact Palm.
The captain watched in horror as his entire unit was laid low in seconds. He turned to face Vihera, his face a mask of shock, but his consciousness was extinguished just as quickly as the others.
"To think this was all they had to offer... how disappointing. Though I suppose I shouldn't have expected much from a unit stationed in such a remote spot."
Vihera sighed. Once she rendezvoused with the allied army, she would have these soldiers taken as prisoners.
Similar skirmishes broke out across the region, with the unit led by Vihera claiming one-sided victory after victory. Yet, despite their success, the cold knot of anxiety in Vihera’s chest refused to loosen.