Holy Knight Empire's northern border region, Equinox City's outskirts
Outside the city walls, countless pitched tents covered the land and formed a long line, reaching the western sands and the eastern grasslands. In the past several days, the original moderate-sized camp had grown exponentially to accommodate the empire's one million and five hundred thousand-strong army.
For the inevitable war with the Kingdom of Black Rose, the Holy Knight Empire had mustered every soldier they could gather without affecting their economic stability and compromising their border security with other countries.
If not for those reasons, they may not have stopped at one million and five hundred thousand, even if the additional soldiers may be of poorer quality.
But despite the grand majesty of the camp and army, a gloomy and solemn aura surrounded the camp's command center, where Emperor Renardier held his strategic meetings.
"Today is the end of the seven days we gave to the Kingdom of Black Rose. If nothing is done, the kingdom is expected to hand over the imperial princess, Dorothy, in a few hours tops."
Emperor Renardier swept the nobles and lords gathered around the large battle map in the center with a solemn gaze, raising the issue at hand.
"This doesn't make any sense, Your Imperial Majesty," a white-armored lord uttered with a big frown.
"We did anticipate the kingdom would figure out our intentions and try to intercept the Deathsworn Group. However, the Deathsworn Group had been successful for the most part, even if there were only half of the original five hundred left."
"They have scoured every corner of the central region, even expanding the search to other parts of the kingdom, and still failed to locate the imperial princess. It's as if Imperial Princess Dorothy had disappeared into thin air," the white-armored lord added.
"You're not the only one baffled by this," Emperor Renardier replied before saying, "It's most likely that Dorothy was transported somewhere secure with spatial magic. Perhaps, she was sent to one of those grey zones, where even witches don't dare venture."
"However, all attempts at exploring these grey zones had been fruitless, and matters no longer; we are out of time. Once the kingdom hands over Dorothy, we'll lose the right to attack for non-compliance," Emperor Renardier stated.
"What should we do now, Your Imperial Majesty? If the kingdom hands over the imperial princess just like that, are we just going to give up, even after everything we've done to prepare for this war?" a braided-beard noble asked.
"We still have time," another blonde noble suddenly stated.
"No matter where they hid Imperial Princess Dorothy, she is bound to show up at Fort Whitebridge today. The Deathsworn group just has to retrieve her before the actual turnover."
"However, the biggest problem is doing so without getting caught," the blonde noble added with a frown.
"Don't bother, Lord Nicholas. Security will be incredibly high. A few Deathsworn Soldiers will not be able to reach Dorothy, let alone retrieve her unnoticed."
"Then, what do you propose, Marquis Salazar?"
"Ultimately, we are only left with two choices. It depends on how far His Imperial Majesty is willing to go to make this war happen."
"Let's hear the two choices first, Marquis Salazar," Emperor Renardier calmly said.
"Of course, Your Imperial Majesty," Ulrich nodded before saying, "The first choice is to have the disguised Deathsworn Soldiers assassinate Dorothy from the kingdom's side during the turnover. That is the only time security around Dorothy will be at its lowest point."
"The kingdom won't expect such a thing to happen from their side and in front of everyone, no less. But, of course, that's only if our Deathsworn Soldiers had infiltrated their ranks properly. There is no greater provocation and justification for war if the kingdom 'assassinates' the imperial princess right before our empire," Ulrich stated.
"You do realize Duke Chalfont is among us, do you not? Marquis Salazar?" Emperor Renardier uttered, briefing glancing at Duke Chalfont, who had a darkened expression.
"Of course, I am aware, Your Imperial Majesty. I am just listing our options as they are," Ulrich calmly replied before saying, "But of course, if that doesn't work, we still have one last choice."
"We can just forget about acquiring any justification entirely and wage war on the Kingdom of Black Rose. After all, they are isolated from the rest of Pangea. Thus, even if we say it was the Kingdom of Black Rose that initiated the war, the other countries have no way of refuting our claims."
"At most, they will just be displeased with us."
The meeting quickly fell silent after Ulrich finished speaking. Everyone appeared to be contemplating the two choices, but they all had an answer in their hearts.
However, no one dared to speak up, fearing they would offend both Duke Chalfont and Emperor Renardier.
"Prepare the troops. We attack as soon as we secure Dorothy's safety."
Emperor Renardier eventually made his decision with a sigh. He had a promise to keep with Duke Chalfont. Furthermore, to begin with, the empire wasn't viewed favorably by the other countries. Thus, it didn't matter if they were a little displeased as long as it didn't affect their trade deals.
Suddenly, a messenger arrived outside the big tent with news to report. Once the messenger received Emperor Renardier's permission, he immediately entered to give his report.
"Your Imperial Majesty, the Kingdom of Black Rose informed us to prepare a delegation to receive Imperial Princess Dorothy. They'll be handing her over shortly."
"So the time has come…"
…
…
…
Kingdom of Black Rose's southern border region, Fort Whitebridge
"The final preparations are all completed, my Lord. Everyone is in position and ready for battle. Also, we've just received confirmation from the Holy Knight Empire. They will meet us in the middle of Stormwind Lake to receive Dorothy."
Shortly after Artemis finished reporting, Vaan also received a sound transmission from Zodreg, informing him that special recording magic tools were also deployed and ready for us.
"The stage has been set. Well then, let us meet the empire's delegates over Stormwind Lake as they wish."
"Yes, my Lord!"
…
Compared to several days ago, Fort Whitebridge had become completely different.
Although it retained the same outer appearance, its defense had significantly been upgraded, especially after resources from the capital and central region started flowing into the border region.
Artemis followed in Vaan's footsteps as they left the council room to meet up with Astoria and Aeliana on the ground floor by the gate with their captive, Dorothy.
Along the way, they passed rows of battle witches lining up against the stone wall with their backs straight, appearing strict, disciplined, and confident. Not a single one of them was below the High Witch rank.
Vaan had assisted many Peak-stage Senior Witches to advance to Early-stage High Witches, turning it into something common.
Even so, the opportunity only came to a few when comparing the whole witch army. There were only twenty-thousand High Witches at most.
That said, the Peak-stage Senior Witches had all learned the Mana Utilization Method and could exert power comparable to Early-stage High Witches.
…
On the ground floor, a few cross-dressing male bodies lying in pools of blood quickly came into sight as Vaan and Artemis reached the bottom of the stone steps.
"Just as we anticipated, the Assembly of Silent Night's members snuck in to make an attempt on Dorothy's life, my Lord," Aeliana mentioned.
"Not surprising," Vaan acknowledged with a nod before commenting, "However, they're not really committed if they only sent A-rank Witch Hunters… It seems Ulrich Salazar still has other ways to make this war happen…"
"However, there isn't any other way at this point… unless the empire gave up on acquiring justification. In that case, they'll just make a desperate attack and pin the blame on us…"
"Whatever, the truth will prevail in the end," Vaan stated, knowing everything would be recorded. "Let's meet the empire's delegates."
"Mm."
…
'Should I start the visual and sound recordings now, Supreme Leader?'
Shortly after Vaan's group came out from Fort Whitedrige's gate, Zodreg sent Vaan a sound transmission, seeking his permission.
'Start them,' Vaan permitted.
…
Moments later, the kingdom and empire's representatives confronted each other over Stormwind Lake.
On Vaan's side, he had Artemis, Astoria, and Aeliana, who had a tight grip on Dorothy. They all flew over with their abilities and magic.
On the other hand, the empire's representatives relied on a white magic airship to meet them at the center of the lake. Unexpectedly, the emperor had come in person. There was also Duke Chalfont, and two other marquises, all fully equipped for battle.
However, that wasn't all.
Vaan sensed another two dozen people hiding under the magic airship's deck, but they weren't powerful; they weren't even aura masters. Instead, they were Senior Witches.
Neither side spoke immediately. Instead, they stared at each other in silence, trying to feel each other out.
A visible frown could be found on Emperor Renardier's face, which wasn't surprising.
After all, nothing went according to his plans, and there was even an unknown man among the witches. Furthermore, the man's standing didn't seem inferior to the witches, even surpassing them, judging by how they were positioned behind the person.
Emperor Renardier was greatly disappointed at the Deathsworn Group for failing to provide information on such an important yet unknown person within the Kingdom of Black Rose.
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