Time rewound slightly, back to the Kingdom Army’s main camp.
Crown Prince Richard Aiwood and Marquis Catreia, the Knight Commander, stood together in quiet deliberation.
"Even so... the rebel numbers exceed our initial estimates."
"As predicted, then. The Geisel Empire is likely operating in the shadows," Marquis Catreia answered, his expression as unyielding as stone.
On the opposite ridge, the rebel forces—led by Marquis Eiger—had drawn up their battle lines. The enemy camp was a hive of activity; even from this distance, it was clear they were preparing for an imminent assault.
Initial intelligence had suggested the enemy’s total strength wouldn't reach sixty thousand. However, the ranks visible on the hill, combined with the reserves in the rear, likely totaled closer to seventy thousand.
"Even with conscripted militia and hired mercenaries, their numbers are too high. The Empire must be providing clandestine support."
The Geisel Empire lay to the east of the Aiwood Kingdom. While they had been long-standing allies, their internal politics had grown volatile in recent years, driving diplomatic tensions to a breaking point. Rodel, the nominal figurehead of this rebellion, was the son of a consort from the Empire. It was almost certain they had funneled troops across the border in secret.
The Kingdom Army still held the numerical advantage, but that wasn't the primary concern. In a straightforward clash, victory would not be difficult to achieve. No matter how much the Empire meddled, Marquis Eiger was ultimately just a local lord. While his behind-the-scenes conspiracies were a nuisance, an open rebellion was something they could crush.
The real problem was the need for a swift, decisive victory with minimal casualties.
If the Empire is indeed pulling the strings, we must end this immediately, Richard thought. If this civil war drags on and becomes a quagmire, it will be no different from a defeat. We cannot afford to show a single moment of weakness that another nation could exploit.
Currently, the Empire had not officially declared its hostility; they were merely supporting Marquis Eiger from the shadows. However, if the Aiwood Kingdom were to be weakened by internal strife, the expansionist faction within the Empire would seize the momentum. In the worst-case scenario, they might launch a full-scale invasion.
The Empire wasn't the only threat to consider. The barbarians to the north frequently raided the borders for plunder. They had been unnervingly quiet for the past few years, which was a concern in its own right. There were fears they were stockpiling resources for a massive, coordinated strike.
What we need is an overwhelming victory. A total, crushing defeat of the enemy. We must demonstrate to both our people and our neighbors that the Aiwood Kingdom is not a prize to be taken.
"Your Highness! Lord Knight Commander! The enemy has begun to move!"
"I see... so they’ve chosen to strike now."
The enemy’s movement was expected. The Kingdom and the rebels faced each other across a wide basin, both holding the high ground of their respective ridges. In such a position, the side that moved first and descended the hill would be at a geographical disadvantage.
Nevertheless, the rebels were forced to act. The longer the stalemate lasted, the more time the Kingdom Army had to recover from the fatigue of their march and settle into a state of peak readiness.
"Have Viscount Clover prepare for the first strike," Marquis Catreia said, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. "Let us see the power that supposedly felled Sabnock."
It had been Catreia who suggested granting Rest Clover the honor of the first spear.
"Are you truly certain about this, Knight Commander?" Richard asked, a hint of doubt in his voice. The young Crown Prince was far from incompetent, but he deferred to Catreia’s expertise in matters of the field. "I don't doubt the reports that he defeated the magical beast Sabnock. But the official conclusion at the palace was that the creature had been weakened by battles with other monsters. Is his magic truly that vital to our strategy?"
The Royal Palace had officially acknowledged Rest’s feat, but many remained skeptical. They assumed Sabnock had been exhausted by territorial disputes within the Magical Wilds before Rest arrived. It wasn't necessarily a lack of faith in the boy, but rather a testament to the sheer terror the legendary beast inspired.
"Even if it were weakened, felling the Master of the Magical Wilds is a feat worthy of praise. By elevating Viscount Clover as a hero, we can distract the populace from the anxieties of this civil war."
That was the true reason for giving Rest the opening strike. Whether his magic could actually change the tide of battle was almost secondary. What they needed was the political reality: the young hero, Rest Clover, had participated in the campaign and delivered a spectacular performance.
"I feel for the boy," Richard said, his expression darkening with guilt. "He is being forced to stand at the forefront simply to mask the failures of the Royal Family."
The urgency to emphasize Rest’s heroism stemmed from the fact that Prince Rodel, a member of the bloodline, was a traitor. While Rodel’s involvement hadn't been made public yet, the news would eventually leak. To mitigate the scandal, they needed a different figure—a hero—to dominate the narrative.
"I wonder if one so young can bear such a heavy burden..."
"Oh, he’ll be fine," Catreia said, surprisingly optimistic. Despite his stony features, there was a sense that he was actually enjoying the situation. "Albert chose the man as his son-in-law, after all. If he can’t handle this much pressure, he’ll never survive the Rosemary family."
"You seem to have quite high expectations for the Viscount."
"Indeed. Seeing the rise of talented youth is one of the few pleasures left to an old man. It's quite refreshing."
"Is that so? Then..." Richard began, a mischievous glint in his eye. "If you think so highly of him, perhaps you should make your own daughter one of his fiancées? They are of a similar age, are they not?"
"GYAH-WA-WAAAA!?"
"Whoa!"
Catreia suddenly let out a strangled, bizarre shriek. Richard recoiled in shock.
"Ahem... my apologies. A sudden... chronic spasm."
"......"
Evidently, the topic of his daughter was strictly off-limits.
"In any case, let us go and witness the Viscount’s performance. Regardless of the result his magic brings, we shall use it as the signal to advance our forces."
"Agreed. We will secure victory in this battle, no matter what!"
The Knight Commander and the Crown Prince exchanged nods and moved toward the front of the lines to take command. Little did they know, they were about to witness a spectacle that defied everything they had imagined.