Bardloche and his army were in trouble, and that was putting it lightly. They were stuck in a political corner and should’ve marched into battle like their lives depended on it. Unfortunately, they were surrounded by Manfred, Lowellmina, and Demetrio. This fact weighed heavily on every soldier, and all fell into mute despondency. Ironically enough, it could be said such composure in the face of adversity was proof of their discipline. They would stick together and fight no matter the odds.
"..."
Bardloche, who should’ve been leading his troops, couldn’t help but fall into a pit of despair.
“Your Highness...”
Even his top commanders had no clue what to say as time continued to pass. They still had a chance to escape. If they didn’t concern themselves with potential casualties, Bardloche and his troops could break past Lowellmina’s or Manfred’s lines.
But what would come afterward?
Bardloche had been made an enemy of the Empire practically overnight. Only a miracle could save him now. Escaping would only guarantee he’d be captured and executed later. Once he understood the inevitability that awaited him, it was challenging to see much hope beyond the immediate getaway.
And any chance of victory here was—
“Prince Bardloche!”
A conspicuously loud voice caught everyone’s attention.
“I have a plan!”
The voice belonged to Glen. The only shining beacon in the otherwise dismal camp stood firm as all eyes fell on him.
“A plan?” Bardloche repeated as he glanced up slowly. “Have you seen this blockade?
What can we possibly do now?”
“With all due respect, Prince Bardloche, perhaps you should look closer.”
Whispers were traded around the two. Glen’s behavior was the height of insolence, but Bardloche was more puzzled than upset.
“...What do you see?”
“Three completely motionless armies all around us,” Glen replied.
A strange sensation gradually fell over Bardloche and everyone within earshot. The three enemy forces had yet to attack. They’d merely surrounded Bardloche’s camp and exchanged glares.
“In all likelihood, Demetrio’s troops in Nalthia are the weakest threat. We don’t know their political motivations, but any offense on their part will be swiftly crushed. Demetrio is aware of this, which is why the city has remained inactive. It may be prudent to leave them be,” Glen explained. “The other two ringleaders, Prince Manfred and Princess Lowellmina, understand that Your Highness’s defeat is their key to the throne. However, you only have one head, and conflict between your two rivals is inevitable. Even if one of them manages to take your head, the other will refuse to recognize them. As soon as either defeats us, it will spark a decisive clash between the remaining contenders.”
“Which means...”
“Yes, it is as you’ve deduced, Your Highness. It is absolutely vital that both sides conserve their strength and mitigate damage until the final conflict. That is the reason for this stalemate. Each army intends to force the other to wear us down so they can win the upcoming battle.”
Lowellmina and Manfred each wanted the other to engage Bardloche so they could swoop in and take his head at the last second. That was why Manfred didn’t attack from behind and why Lowellmina led her soldiers onto the battlefield instead of hiding away in the capital. Now the two watched each other closely. Their tactics for the final showdown were already in place.
“Hmph. So I’m just the opening act?!”
Bardloche’s grin seethed with anger and self-derision. Such negativity was dangerous in war, but Glen felt it rejuvenate his master.
“I understand your frustration. However, this is an excellent opportunity, Your Highness.”
“It is?”
“If both parties refuse to act, we can unilaterally attack either Manfred or Lowellmina.” Glen paused for a moment. “If we mobilize our entire army, they’ll respond in kind. However, I can tell that a few small units won’t be enough to end the stalemate. Therefore, after putting our main units on the defensive, we’ll send our best soldiers to attack Lowellmina’s camp and capture the princess. That is my suggestion if we hope to crawl back from the brink of death.”
The crowd stirred, offering comments like “That’s reckless” and “There’s no way it will work.” However, Glen stood his ground and gazed directly at Bardloche.
“...Why Lowellmina?” the prince questioned.
“It’s due to the nature of her army. Most are common soldiers, and our best warriors have a decent chance of shattering her defenses. The princess’s troops idolize her and will ruthlessly fight to the death if she is killed. Conversely, we can take Princess Lowellmina as a live hostage and demand her military disperse in exchange for her safe return. Doing so would leave Princess Lowellmina’s forces helpless against Manfred’s assembly of provincial leaders.”
Lowellmina herself possessed no skills as a military commander. Someone like her typically entrusted the fighting to her subordinates and awaited news of victory from the Imperial Capital.
And yet Lowellmina commanded an entire army. It did wonders for the soldiers’ morale, but it meant they’d lose that inspiration without her. Lowellmina’s troops were emotionally dependent on her, and this point formed the crux of Glen’s strategy.
Whether or not Prince Bardloche agrees to it is a whole other story...
It was outrageous for the captain of a single unit to advise his master, and Glen would never get another chance if the prince rejected his proposal here. It would also spell Bardloche’s defeat.
“Your name is Glen, right?” Bardloche asked simply.
Although startled to discover the prince remembered his name, Glen respectfully bowed his head.
“We’ll go with your plan. Take your soldiers and capture Lowellmina.”
“Understood!”
Glen steeled himself.
“Let’s go on the offensive,” Strang suggested.
Back in Manfred’s camp, the prince and his commanders deliberated over this proposal.
“Weren’t we going to wait and let Lowellmina and Bardloche wear each other down?” Manfred asked.
Glen had correctly surmised their strategy, and everyone questioned Strang’s proposal to change tactics. He offered an explanation to ease their concerns.
“Lowellmina has opted for a similar method, putting us in this deadlock. At this rate, Bardloche’s army is liable to recover.”
“We surround them, so we’re at a major advantage.”
“Still, we mustn’t underestimate our foe. Bardloche’s soldiers are powerful, and it’s possible they could take on Lowellmina and us if they find their morale again. We must goad his army beforehand and wear them down in body and spirit.”
“But won’t that hurt us and handicap our forces in the later battle?” Manfred asked skeptically.
“There’s no need to worry,” Strang replied. “Defeating Bardloche will rob Lowellmina of her claim to the throne. It’s in her best interest to let us fight him and wait until the last minute to jump in and take out the Second Prince, but Lowellmina’s ragtag group lacks patience and a keen, strategic eye. If we attack, her forces will immediately rush in as well.”
Strang further explained that Manfred’s soldiers would search for an opening to eliminate the Second Prince while Bardloche and Lowellmina were busy tiring each other out.
“All right, I’ll leave it up to you,” Manfred declared.
“Understood.”
Strang gave a deep bow.
“Princess Lowellmina, both enemies have begun to move.”
The princess’s well-protected tent sat in the very heart of her camp along the plains.
“Manfred is on the offensive while Bardloche focuses on defense,” the messenger continued.
“What about us?”
“Headquarters has commanded us to remain defensive, but skirmishes have broken out along part of the front lines, and they’re spreading gradually.”
“I see... I hoped to wait longer until we spotted an opportune moment, but I suppose it can’t be helped. We’re a patchwork militia, after all.”
Despite this admission, Lowellmina hadn’t expected her soldiers’ patience to be tested so thoroughly. Self-discipline was challenging to maintain where deadly combat was involved. It wouldn’t be long before Lowellmina’s forces succumbed and launched a full-scale attack on Bardloche. A certain scheming four-eyes smirked in her mind.
“There is one other matter I must report. A small unit from Bardloche’s camp is apparently headed this way. Shall I urge headquarters to remain alert and bolster our security?”
“No, I’ll leave the situation up to them. My opinion would only invite needless chaos.”
Lowellmina was the supreme commander, but the generals of her faction made all the combat decisions. Their main stronghold was a short distance away from her tent. This was because Lowellmina lacked the skills necessary to command an army. Still, the princess wasn’t indifferent to such matters, so she elected to remain nearby.
At any rate, it was no exaggeration to say modern politics and warfare were strictly limited to the realm of men. Despite Lowellmina’s political acumen, sticking her nose into military affairs would spark a wave of protest even at the best of times. When it came to achieving her goals, Lowellmina was akin to a hurricane, yet she preferred not to go about stirring up unnecessary conflict. She refused to bend the military to her will, and so long as no one else cared, she was content to leave it alone.
The leaders of Lowellmina’s army were hardly first-rate—such people served other factions—but they could be trusted to handle command until her plan was complete.
“That small unit is most likely after me. We’ll be unable to function if I’m captured.”
The top commander was typically an army’s backbone, but Lowellmina’s force was different. The princess was far more vital to her soldiers than any general.
“In that case, Your Highness, I suggest reinforcing our guard.”
“We’ll be fine,” she answered breezily. “I’m well aware that the enemy will stop at nothing to storm this camp. We’ll employ our ample defenses, the unwieldy terrain, and traps to double and triple our safety. Bardloche could send half his men, and we’d still prove we won’t be defeated so easily.”
“W-well, then...”
“I don’t know what our attackers are like, but their mission will end in failure. At the very least, we should wish them peace in the afterlife.”
Lowellmina seemed to be the very image of composure. Yet no sooner had she given her declaration than a commotion erupted outside the tent.
“What was that? I’ll go check.”
Fyshe left to investigate and returned several seconds later. Her expression was grim.
“Your Highness! The enemy has breached our defensive line!”
Lowellmina’s smile froze.
“Run! And keep running! You’ll drown in a sea of enemies if you stop!”
Glen shouted to his warriors as he raced across the battlefield on horseback. He’d been tasked with leading a brutal attack and was now in the heart of Lowellmina’s camp with only a few of his best men. Waves of enemies rose from every direction to stop their charge.
“Out of my way!”
However, Glen repelled each attempt, and his valor emboldened the soldiers trailing behind him. Brushing aside hostile blades and arrows, Glen rode ahead of the pack like an unstoppable force of nature.
But he did more than simply plunge forward.
“We’re changing directions! Turn left!”
“But the enemy is more spread out straight ahead!”
“It’s a trap. We’ll be crushed if we go that way,”
Glen steered his mount to the left, just as he said. His followers were quick to follow suit. Looking back, they spotted an ambush that had been concealed from their earlier position.
“What...?!”
“The captain saw right through their trap!”
Glen’s subordinates sang his praises, but this brought him no joy. Failing to accomplish something like this meant he’d never match his friends.
Ultimately, I’ve done nothing except learn to swing a sword.
Born into a military family and raised as a soldier since childhood, Glen had pushed himself tirelessly. He didn’t consider himself particularly talented, but Glen took pride in his work ethic despite those shortcomings. In truth, he felt a secret sense of superiority over the many peers he’d left in the dust.
Then Wein and the others came and smashed that confidence.
Glen understood that Wein, Ninym, Strang, and Lowellmina were all his equals regardless of their differences. No, their genius surpassed him. This truth threatened to overwhelm him anytime they were together.
However, it gave rise to a desire within Glen.
He didn’t want to lose.
His was a drive to win, to succeed. He wanted to stand side by side. He wished to be their friend and their equal. Glen believed that feeling had fostered his growth. Indeed, his swordsmanship had grown by leaps and bounds after meeting them.
Nevertheless, the gap remained.
Knowledge, resourcefulness, eloquence, skill, courage. His friends honed their individual arsenals and combined various skill sets to produce stunning results.
Glen, on the other hand, had military expertise and nothing more. Compared to the others, who observed every situation in broad, overhead strokes and reacted accordingly, what value was there in a soldier who could only reach out at arm’s length? As Glen watched everyone thrive, he held fast to those scorching emotions and briefly considered abandoning the sword to find another calling. Perhaps some soul-searching would reveal a hidden talent that could help him catch up.
However, Glen took a good, hard look at himself and concluded that, yes, the sword was all he had. Thus, he resolved to make the most of it. He didn’t have a sharp political mind and couldn’t devise ingenious battle tactics. Once Glen had accepted this, he continued honing the combat abilities his friends praised. Even if the blade was his only talent, he’d prove it could take a dragon’s head.
“Captain! I see it! That’s their headquarters!”
Before his subordinate said anything, Glen had spied the heart of Lowellmina’s camp beyond the enemy lines.
Lowa...!
He immediately took note of his foes’ positions and movements, as well as the tents’ locations.
That one in the center has to be their base of operations. The commanders must be inside. Yet their formation is...
Glen’s gaze drifted to a tent off to one side just as a group of cavalrymen emerged from behind it.
“Your Highness, with all due respect, I must insist that we retreat...!” exclaimed the commander, who acted as the true leader of Lowellmina’s army.
Once she’d learned he was coming, Lowellmina understood the gravity of the situation.
“Will that small enemy incursion reach us?”
Lowellmina immediately regretted her insensitive question.
“N-no, of course not. However mighty our foes, we have sworn to protect you, Your Highness, and we’ll not allow them to lay a single finger on you.”
A commander could give the Imperial Princess no other answer.
“However, you must expect the unexpected on the field of battle. It is always wise to prepare for that one in a million, no, one in a hundred million chance!”
Lowellmina sensed peril when the commander stood his ground on a point he’d normally concede. She had detected something in the air earlier, as perhaps the commander had as well. Defense was one matter, but escape was another entirely. As Lowellmina’s opponent drew dangerously close, her mind raced at lightning speed.
I’ll only be a burden on the battlefield...
She accepted this undeniable fact. Still, it didn’t mean Lowellmina was entirely useless. Glen likely commanded the group that was after her. She could tell that he was behind this inexplicable attack. As such, she had no way to turn the tide.
What else could be done?
“...Fyshe.”
“Yes!”
“We’re going to cross a rery iffy bridge.”
Glen kept his sword readied as the cavalry came rushing out, but he swiftly froze. His faltering resulted from two factors: First, the riders charged straight for him instead of riding to escape. And second, Lowellmina rode at the forefront.
“Lo-”
Glen wasn’t the only one surprised. His men were stunned as well. The sight of this defenseless young woman taking to the field could only be described as bizarre. And she was grinning.
Their hesitation didn’t escape Lowellmina’s notice.
“You seem confused, Glen.”
There was no mistaking the voice that flew past him.
Lowellmina and several others sped past Glen’s unit, but instead of fleeing to safety, they plunged straight into the tumultuous war zone.
“Wha-!”
Glen’s eyes widened with shock, but he and Lowa immediately understood each other.
Lowa is the key to her soldiers’ morale! She can’t leave the battlefield if she hopes to win!
Glen needs to capture me to stop my army/
Retreat means forfeiting the protection of her guards! I need to capture Lowa, so that will be to my advantage!
So I’ll escape by charging forward instead of back and will shield myself in the chaos!
If Lowa is fatally struck by an arrow or falls to her death, the enemy will go berserk and attack our army! Even if her demise comes from friendly fire!
This was a new kind of problem. Glen now had the unenviable task of trying to swipe Lowellmina from her horse and make his escape amid a battle of clashing steel and flying arrows.
“Ngh...!”
Glen looked over his shoulder. Whether by coincidence or fate, Lowellmina turned at the exact same time. Their eyes met, and she smiled.
“Do your best, Glen! If I die here, we both lose!”
“You would use your own life as a last-minute shield, Lowa?!” Lowellmina was at her wit’s end. She had no riding experience outside of carriages and had obviously never darted across a battlefield before.
“Your Highness! Please keep hold of the reins no matter what!” a guard called to her.
“I know, but what happens if I don’t?!”
“You’ll fall!”
“And if I fall?!”
“You’ll die!”
Lowellmina’s scream was drowned out by hooves beating against the earth.
I take it all back! This was a terrible idea! The worst!
Regardless, she was out of options. Tremors in the ground traveled up Lowellmina’s steed to pass through her, and she held back a wave of nausea to avoid tumbling.
A show of strength won’t help me win against this enemy. I need to highlight my weakness!
Had she taken a carriage, Glen’s unit would have targeted the horses and coachmen to stop it. Likewise, if Lowellmina had faced the enemy with weapons and armor, they would have interpreted this as aggression and attacked without mercy.
But what about now? Lowellmina was an unarmed young woman desperately clinging to a horse. She’d fall to her death if they targeted the animal, and threatening her with blades would be the height of shamelessness. Bardloche’s proud soldiers were no doubt at a loss on how to deal with her.
Glen’s steady advance will cost them significant energy! I can take full advantage of my position as a “frailfemale” to wear them out and buy time...!
Lowellmina’s assessment was correct. The majority of Glen’s soldiers had no idea how to stop the princess and stood frozen. Eventually, they’d have to contend with Lowellmina’s troops and, in their desire to make it a quick fight, run themselves ragged. This would obviously dull their movements, and Glen’s forces would be overtaken. Lowellmina was certain of this.
Unfortunately, she’d made a single error—something visible but unseen.
“Impossible...”
Glen’s warrior strength blasted away the guards as he caught up to Lowellmina in an instant.
“Lowa! Hand me the reins!” Glen shouted as he pulled his horse up alongside the princess’s.
“What?! No, you big, dumb idiot!”
To Lowellmina, the reins were a lifeline. She’d be forced to a halt if she handed them to Glen. Actually, it was more like she couldn’t let go. She’d fall if she so much as tried.
“You’re the idiot! Watch where you’re going!”
Lowellmina looked up in time to see a giant boulder approaching fast.
“Gyaaah!”
Lowellmina screamed, and Glen yanked the reins from her to turn the horse around. It dodged the rock at the last minute and obediently slowed down. Unfortunately, Lowellmina was not immune to the laws of inertia. She hardly knew what hit her before slipping from the animal’s back.
“Gwah!”
Lowa let out a pitiful yelp as her bottom struck the ground painfully.
“Oww... Sheesh!”
“Are you okay?”
“ My tush just died! ”
“I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’” Glen dismounted and stood next to Lowa. “Well, I’ll ask just to be sure. Do you have any other tricks up your sleeve?”
“...No,” she answered wearily.
Use my own life as a shield, race across the battlefield, and run Glen’s unit into the ground.
That had been Lowellmina’s plan, yet it had been foiled so easily.
“Anyway, what will you do, Glen? I admit not everything has gone according to plan, but I was able to make it quite far onto the battlefield. Will you carry me away on your shoulders?”
Lowellmina’s nearby soldiers were fanning out. They hadn’t noticed the situation yet, but if several caught sight of Glen and Lowellmina or if she called for help, they would all come running. Those pursuers who saw what happened were sure to catch up before long.
“They’ll stay their bow hands if I’m carrying you. I’ll cut through until I reach my comrades.”
“My, that’s the exact kind of answer I’d expect from a muscle head. Using a girl as your human shield? How deplorable.”
“You’re one to talk.”
“I simply used what was already mine, so it doesn’t count.”
Such a schoolyard argument stood at odds with the battle around them, but Glen and Lowellmina didn’t find it odd.
“I’ll give you a hand, so sit behind me. I’ll tie us together with rope so you don’t fall.”
“So I’ve been reduced to luggage... Very well. I shall oblige,” Lowellmina replied haughtily as she touched Glen’s horse quietly. “Oh, but do travel with care. Our chase has left me feeling ill. ”
“I’ll keep that in mind. I admit, I’m a little surprised you aren’t putting up more of a fight, though.”
“If I did, you’d silence me with a punch to the stomach. I’d rather avoid such unpleasantness.” Lowellmina was right, of course. “Besides, I already mentioned that I’ve run out of options.”
“Are you taking back that statement?”
“No, that’s the truth. However...” Lowellmina grinned. “I never said I didn't make a move in advance. ”
Glen’s spine tingled. An alarm signaled trouble in Bardloche’s camp in the distance behind him. The conflict between Bardloche and Manfred was reaching a fever pitch. Manfred’s forces launched a full-scale assault, as though laughing in the face of the expected stalemate. Not about to take this lying down, Bardloche’s army issued a counterattack. Casualties mounted on both sides, and the growing likelihood of a long, difficult skirmish weighed heavily on each commander. Manfred’s men in particular, an assembly of inexperienced, provincial soldiers, buckled under the unimaginable pressure.
“Prince Manfred! Our front can’t hold out much longer!”
“We have requests for reinforcements on all sides!”
“We should withdraw from this melee for now and regroup!”
A stream of ghastly reports arrived in succession, and the anguished leaders offered their advice. Manfred could only grimace.
“We can’t relax our grip now,” Strang replied calmly from beside the prince. “The battle is in our favor. If we retreat, the enemy troops will realize we’re struggling. They’ll regain their morale, and our odds of victory will further diminish.”
Strang was correct. Bardloche’s faction far outmatched Manfred’s in skill. Still, the combination of low morale and the threat posed by Lowellmina’s army behind Demetrio’s in Nalthia as well as Manfred’s meant the Second Prince was slowly losing ground. The commanders sensed they’d soon be overwhelmed.
“But this fight is only a prelude, Strang. We still have the one with Lowellmina afterward.”
As Manfred said, they couldn’t afford to expend all their strength and resources on Bardloche. The Third Prince hoped to avoid any further losses if possible.
“I understand your concern, Your Highness. However, there is nothing to fear. This battle will be over with three more steps.”
These bold worlds rattled Manfred and his commanders.
“I know we’ve been pushing hard lately, but that’s a huge claim.”
“Aren’t you exaggerating a bit?”
“I agree. We aren’t poised to take Bardloche’s head just yet.”
Strang wasn’t the least bit discouraged by their unease.
“It’s no exaggeration. I speak the truth,” he stated confidently. “Please see for yourselves. Everything is already in motion.”
Supreme Commander Bardloche stood alongside his men, battling Manfred’s troops on the front lines.
“Don’t flinch! They’ll break if we knock ’em back here! Slay your foes where they stand, and don’t give an inch!”
Waiting and watching in the heat of battle wasn’t an option. With a mighty shout, Bardloche raised his sword and led his men across the front lines.
Damn it, don't push me tike this when I’yn already down...!
Bardloche knew his opponent was up to something but never imagined his brother would go all in. He wanted a breather, but there wasn’t a second to spare. Manfred’s army had suffered severe casualties yet appeared unfazed. The soldiers’ determination to eliminate him was as tough as steel.
If Manfred keeps going tike this, he’ll be left at a disadvantage against Lowelhnina... It’s tike he doesn’t even care!
Over on the other front line, the conflict between Bardloche’s and Lowellmina’s warriors raged on. However, it was nothing like the clash with Manfred. Bardloche had poured all his resources into the latter—he had to wonder how Manfred’s people felt about that.
However, Bardloche swiftly tucked these thoughts away. He needed to deal with the immediate contest; everything else could wait.
“Your Highness! The flying unit sent to infiltrate Lowellmina’s army has reached her stronghold!” his subordinate reported.
Bardloche clenched his fist. Lowellmina’s capture would leave her soldiers at a loss. After that, he could focus on the fight with Manfred and recover.
We just need to hold out until the flying unit returns!
Just as he thought, the tide soon shifted.
“Your Highness! The enemy is...!” a subordinate called out.
Bardloche looked up to find several hostile squads breaking through his defenses to create gaps. He tried to command his soldiers to call for backup from the rear, but the enemy swiftly pushed in before he had the chance.
“Ngh!”
Despite Bardloche’s elite force, Manfred’s men were far from beaten and launched a vicious offensive. His own army’s fatigue aside, there was no question this foe was impressive. This certainly posed an issue, but Bardloche hit upon a realization.
They’re running out of steam!
Manfred didn’t have many experienced soldiers, so the decision to mobilize them meant he was going out on a limb.
If we can deal with these guys, the rest of Manfred’s army will be sitting ducks! It’ll also give us a chance to catch our breath!
So what was the best way to achieve that? Bardloche’s extensive battle experience led him to the answer swiftly.
“Fall back! The enemy might snap at your heels, but just ignore ’em! We’ll link up with our rear units!”
If Bardloche’s warriors made a stand against an assault here, there was a slight chance they’d be overrun. Their best bet was to retreat and converge with standby reinforcements before taking down the enemy, even if it left their backs exposed.
The soldiers followed Bardloche’s command and promptly turned around. Those who now acted as the rear guard were slowly swallowed up, but everyone continued without faltering. In no time at all, a huge legion of allies came into view.
All right, now we can—
Before Bardloche could finish thinking, —deal with them, he was interrupted by an odd sight. The comrades awaiting him seemed restless.
No sooner had he wondered what was going on than one group broke off from the rest.
“ Lowellmina’s army... ?! ”
Bardloche stood dumbfounded while the princess’s finest warriors attacked.
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