Wortenia Senki (LN) - Volume 29 - Chapter Ep

Epilogue

A warm light slipped through the gap in the curtains hanging over the window, illuminating the dimly lit room. Several hours had passed since the sun had risen over the eastern horizon. Outside the window, the sky stretched endlessly in a deep, unblemished blue. It was, in every sense, a perfect, cloudless day, or what one might call a classic “Japanese clear sky.”

It was likely just past ten in the morning. Most people had finished their breakfast, and the day’s work was well underway. But the room’s occupant stayed in bed, unmoving. He wasn’t asleep. His consciousness had returned many hours ago. Years of routine had conditioned his body to operate on no more than five hours of sleep. He simply lacked the will to rise from the bed.

I should really get up...

The thought flickered through the man’s mind and had already done so countless times already that morning. But regardless of how many times he urged himself, his body refused to move. Everyone had those kinds of days in life when one didn’t have the motivation or when their body felt just a little off, though not quite enough to call it illness. Still, that didn’t mean one could lie in bed forever. Reality didn’t allow for that kind of indulgence. This was particularly true in this world, where most people would consider staying in bed on a sunny day sheer foolishness.

Whether in the countryside or in the cities, that truth didn’t change. For farmers, a sunny day was a precious chance to work their fields. And for merchants in the city, it was prime time to earn their daily bread. Most merchants in this world were either street vendors or traveling salesmen. Even for those fortunate enough to own a storefront, closing shop just because it was raining wasn’t exactly an option.

That luxury didn’t extend to the street vendors who spread their goods by the roadside. Even if they forced themselves to open shop in the rain, all that would do is ruin their wares, leaving them with nothing to sell. Traveling merchants could also benefit from transporting their goods from one location to another. Even those with a proper storefront couldn’t deny that sunny days brought the best business. In this vast earthbound realm, most people avoided going out in the rain unless it was absolutely necessary. Naturally, bad weather meant a significant drop in customer traffic. On a day like today, with clear skies and perfect weather, oversleeping meant risking the loss of a precious chance to earn a living to secure one’s very survival. In this world, where there was no such thing as public assistance or a social safety net, not working was practically synonymous with death.

Of course, there were exceptions.

If someone were bedridden due to illness or injury, it couldn’t be helped. For those born into wealth or whose families were so affluent they didn’t need to scramble daily for their next meal, choosing not to work might be a luxury they could afford. But that, too, was rare. In this world, noble ideals like social welfare or the right to life for all were nothing more than fantasies. People felt sympathy toward the sick or the wounded. Life in this world might be harsh, but the people who lived here weren’t all heartless monsters. Still, that didn’t mean others would understand or accept the burden of supporting someone who couldn’t pull their weight. Whether anyone would step in to work extra for them remained unanswered.

The reality was that this world still held noble families with vast tracts of land, and merchant dynasties whose wealth could sustain generations without ever running dry. Yet even in those households, one couldn’t assume they’d tolerate idle mouths forever. Blood ties didn’t always guarantee unconditional acceptance in a world this unforgiving. And so the question became: Did the man lying in this room fall into one of those rare exceptions?

In some respects, the man in this room could indeed be considered one of those rare exceptions. It had been nearly seven days since he’d returned from the battlefield, and not a single person had questioned him. Everyone had simply remained silent, offering nothing but quiet support and consideration.

Was that kindness? Sympathy? Or perhaps pity?

Whatever it was, such well-meaning concern didn’t necessarily bring about positive results. Those acts of kindness and compassion deeply pierced the soul of this man in his current state. This was, in every sense, a living hell.

How pathetic... For me, once called the Emperor’s Shield, to have fallen to such a state... Rolfe Estherkent felt the bitter thought pass through his chest.

Rolfe was the supreme commander of the Imperial Guard serving Emperor Lionel Eisenheit, the man who sought to rule the entire continent from his dominion in the central region of the western continent. He was a battle-hardened warrior and one of the emperor’s most trusted lieutenants. His name was familiar to and even revered by the people of the O’ltormea Empire—once a minor kingdom at the heart of the continent. Rolfe had served Lionel Eisenheit since the days when their empire was no more than a modest power. He had survived countless battles by the emperor’s side. Moreover, he was so devoted that he had once sacrificed an eye to shield his sovereign from a flying arrow.

In any telling of Oltormea’s rise from humble beginnings to its current status as a continental superpower, Rolfe’s name was impossible to ignore. His exploits had become the stuff of plays and bardic tales; his legend was woven into the heroic myths passed down through generations.

The name Rolfe Estherkent and his title, the Emperor’s Shield, echoed not only across the empire but throughout the western continent. He was, without question, one of the foremost generals and public figures of the O’ltormea military. With that honor came immense power and equally immense responsibility.

As the commander of the Imperial Guard, Rolfe should have been stationed at the emperor’s side. Still, he had taken part in the second Xarooda expedition because it was a direct imperial order. It was an assignment to serve as an aide to the emperor’s beloved daughter, Princess Shardina Eisenheit.

This wasn’t merely a testament to Rolfe Estherkent’s exceptional capabilities but also to the profound trust the emperor placed in him. A man of such stature had no business indulging in idleness. Such was the case with the failed surprise assault on Peripheria and the return of the ailing King Julianus I to the throne. The result was a purge of the Kingdom of Xarooda’s nobility, who had been colluding with the O’ltormea Empire.

At present, the front lines at the Ushas Basin remained still. But it was only a matter of time before the Xaroodian forces regrouped and launched a counteroffensive to reclaim their lands. The winds of war were shifting swiftly.

Under the leadership of Princess Shardina Eisenheit, the high command of the Xaroodian invasion army was working tirelessly to reorganize and reinforce their positions. No matter how disgraceful his recent defeat might be, a man of Rolfe’s standing was expected to attend war councils, aid in rethinking their strategies, and shoulder the burden of command once more. That was, after all, the duty of a general. Perhaps this was the only proper way a man of integrity could atone for failure.

But Rolfe no longer had the will to do even that.

I alone... I alone survived...

That thought chained his heart in place, like the fear and regret of someone who had made a catastrophic mistake at work that brought ruin to their entire company. In that sense, perhaps it was only natural that Rolfe would be consumed by such dark emotions.

After all, the detachment of ten thousand troops he had led in the assault on Peripheria had been utterly annihilated by Signus Galveria and the forces under his command. What commander could walk away from losing so many under his watch and feel nothing? The burden of carrying the guilt of being the only one left alive ate away at Rolfe’s soul.

His feelings were akin to what modern society would call survivor’s guilt—the psychological burden borne by those who miraculously survive war or disaster. What made Rolfe Estherkent’s situation even more tragic, however, was the absence of anyone who could truly understand his circumstances. There was no one with whom he could share his thoughts and no companion who had endured the same. If there had been someone who’d experienced a similar fate, perhaps he could’ve laid bare his heart without reservation. But that person simply didn’t exist.

In this world, there were no psychologists or counselors to help shoulder the weight of his pain. It was a misfortune few could fathom. Ultimately, Rolfe had no choice but to confront it all alone by relying solely on his own will and strength.

His heart was on the verge of being crushed by humiliation, guilt, and the lingering fear of Signus Galveria. Even so, the fact that he hadn’t chosen the easier path of taking his life was proof enough that he was desperately striving to endure. Just then, the sound of wagon wheels creaking reached his ears, and a light knock came at the door to his room.

“Sir Rolfe, are you awake? I’ve brought your breakfast.”

“Yes, I’m awake. You can leave the tray by the door. I’ll eat it later,” Rolfe said in a voice that differed from his usual tone.

There was a pause, followed by the soft voice of the maid, tinged with hesitation and quiet resignation. On Earth, nobles who could afford to keep servants virtually never dined alone. A maid or attendant was always expected to remain nearby. Such customs were no different even for someone like Rolfe, a man of the sword.

Rolfe Estherkent held the rank of a high noble. Even on a battlefield, he would normally have a page or aide by his side to serve him, but he was no infant. He was perfectly capable of feeding himself if he wished.

Even the arm shattered by Signus Galveria’s iron staff had already healed, thanks to potent elixirs. He was no longer in need of care. So, if he said he would manage on his own, there was nothing more to do than accept his wishes and step away.

To protest too strongly by rashly challenging his wishes could very well place her in danger. Such was the survival instinct of the powerless on Earth; there was no need to invite unnecessary risk. And yet, it seemed this maid had chosen not to take the easier path.

“Are you sure? You truly don’t want me to stay by your side today either?”

Her voice was barely more than a whisper and so faint it might not have made it past the door. Within that fragile tone was a quiet, unshakable resolve. Was it loyalty to her duties? Or perhaps something else entirely? She likely didn’t understand the true source of the feelings welling up inside her. But whatever it was, there was no deceit or calculation behind it. Her concern for Rolfe Estherkent came from a place of pure sincerity. She deeply, genuinely cared for him. But even those heartfelt words failed to stir anything within him.

No, that wasn’t entirely true. He heard the concern in her voice and felt it. But even that kindness, that quiet devotion, was nothing but a heavy burden.

Please, stop... Just leave me be...

Rolfe felt the care and gentleness extended by others was a punishment. Perhaps his perception of himself as a sinner rendered him unworthy of compassion. And so, he did the only thing he could: He pushed that outstretched hand away.

“Yes. You may go,” Rolfe firmly rejected.

His demeanor signaled that Rolfe held on to reason, still clinging to restraint. At the very least, he had not raised his voice or lashed out in anger or violence. Perhaps that was the only way he could offer something in return to the maid who worried for him, no matter how small.

And so, the maid had no means left to resist Rolfe’s words.

“As you wish. Then, please excuse me.” Her presence disappeared from beyond the door.

How much time passed after that? Certainly, it had not been more than two or three minutes. Then, in the silence, Rolfe’s stomach let out a loud, ungraceful growl.

Honestly... Pathetic...

Even in isolation, it seemed hunger didn’t grant him any mercy. With sluggish movements, he sat up from his bed, and a deep, weary sigh escaped his lips that might have been born out of shame at his own helplessness.

The Ushas Basin was one of the most fertile granaries of the Kingdom of Xarooda.

When harvest season arrived, golden wheat would blanket the earth like sunlight made solid. It was the very lifeblood of the kingdom, protecting its people from hunger. On the western edge of that peaceful, abundant land stood a structure wholly unsuited to such pastoral beauty called Fort Seron.

Since the beginning of the second invasion of Xarooda, construction of the fortress had rapidly progressed under the direct orders of Shardina Eisenheit, the supreme commander of the invasion force. The haste wasn’t without reason.

During the first invasion of Xarooda, Fort Notis’s rear supply base had been reduced to ashes by a surprise assault led by Ryoma Mikoshiba. The situation forced the empire into an unwanted armistice with Xarooda. This time, they would not repeat that mistake. Fort Seron stood like a den of beasts, gnawing away at the kingdom’s western lands.

To the people of Xarooda, the O’ltormea Empire’s army was considered nothing less than monstrous invaders or vermin threatening their homeland. In truth, that metaphor wasn’t far from reality. But even the leader of such beasts bore a weary expression. The beautiful face of that woman was etched with exhaustion and deep-seated frustration. Her stress stemmed from a battlefield where the tides shifted by the hour and heartbeat.

“So, today was a failure as well,” stated Shardina.

A deep sigh escaped from Shardina’s lips as she finished listening to the report delivered by her close aide, Celia Valkland. Her face was painted with quiet sorrow. Anyone who heard the same report would likely wear the same expression. Celia had brought news that would only drive O’ltormea’s invasion forces further into despair.

“Yes. As suspected, he remains withdrawn in his quarters. From what the maids report, he is at least still taking his meals, so I don’t believe his life is in immediate danger, but...”

“We hardly have the luxury to let a knight renowned as the Emperor’s Shield sit idle forever.”

Celia responded with a small nod to her mistress’s quiet lament. The situation Shardina and her forces faced was dire enough that they’d welcome help from a stray cat. The complete eradication of members of Xarooda’s noble class who had colluded with the O’ltormea Empire had been wholly unexpected.

To think that King Julianus I, who was mocked as dull and ineffectual, would wield such a brutal blade. Did something change while he lingered on his sickbed? Shardina mused.

People who had been on death’s door often emerged utterly transformed, changing their personalities, worldviews, and everything else. A man once known for his temper may become calm and introspective; a frugal soul might suddenly begin squandering fortunes in the red-light districts. In other words, they were reborn.

Whether such a transformation had truly occurred in Julianus I was something Shardina couldn’t say for certain. Reports from spies embedded in the royal capital of Peripheria indicated that even after the purge, no significant unrest had broken out among the populace.

This likely means this wasn’t a rash act of vengeance but a calculated judgment, she thought, knowing there had been earlier opportunities to punish those traitorous nobles. After the failure of the first invasion of Xarooda or when Joshua Belares seized control of the military—either moment would have sufficed to purge the turncoats wagging their tails at our empire.

Had Shardina herself been the ruler of Xarooda, she would’ve ordered their execution without hesitation during those critical moments.

Not that I’m in any position to talk, seeing that I orchestrated the sabotage. But really, traitors are nothing but dead weight.

Any concerned ruler who wasn’t a fool would have reached the same conclusion. Whatever the reason for Julianus’s sudden change of heart, one thing was certain: Full conquest of Xarooda had slipped further out of the empire’s reach. In such a precarious situation, the continued absence of Rolfe Estherkent from the front lines was a significant blow. Both tactically and strategically, his presence was irreplaceable.

“Yes, we hope he’ll return to the battlefield as soon as possible. And I believe he will, eventually. It’s just... Given the current state of things, there’s no way to say exactly when that might be,” Celia said.

Shardina gave a quiet nod. “There’s no forcing this one, I suppose. We’ll just have to wait until his heart finds its footing again. But somehow, I doubt that’ll happen anytime soon.”

Celia dipped her head in a deeper, more solemn gesture. And then, she said what she had long kept buried in her heart.

“Of course. It was a devastating defeat. On top of that, the treasured shield gifted by His Majesty was shattered before his eyes, leaving him gravely wounded. Even if the wounds have physically healed thanks to elixirs, the psychological trauma must be substantial. I understand why Lord Rolfe has withdrawn himself. I do. But even so...”

As her voice trailed off, an unmistakable tinge of disappointment lingered and perhaps even carried reproach directed at Rolfe Estherkent. If Rolfe were bedridden from his injuries, Celia wouldn’t have harbored such feelings. Despite their age difference, Rolfe had long stood beside Celia as a comrade in arms, faithfully serving Shardina. But his wounds had already healed. From Celia’s perspective, his continued absence felt dangerously close to negligence.

Her feelings were akin to how modern society often misunderstood those suffering from depression. Even so, Celia never fully voiced her misgivings. That restraint was likely her last remaining gesture of loyalty to the man she once fought beside. And yet, the look on her face made one thing clear: She didn’t truly understand what Rolfe was going through. If anything, she saw his silence and isolation as an act of abandonment.

But Shardina said nothing. She simply shook her head, slowly, in quiet denial.

Even Celia Valkland, celebrated throughout the empire as the Queen of Blizzards for her icy poise and cutting logic, cannot always discern the tangled threads of a person’s heart, Shardina thought. Perhaps it was precisely because Celia was so calm and detached that Rolfe’s state of mind was so difficult for her to comprehend. Well, it’s not entirely surprising. Celia has never led soldiers on the front lines, so it might be hard for her to understand the complexities of the situation.

Everything came down to the difference in their roles: Rolfe fought directly on the front lines and commanded troops, and Celia operated primarily in the safety of the rear, devising strategies. It was similar to the difference between a player and a coach in sports. The coach’s job was to evaluate players, devise strategies, and decide who played and when. But the players were actually out there, facing the opposing team. The coach remained in the background, focused on guiding from the sidelines.

Naturally, their perspectives and feelings would also differ due to their positions. Still, Shardina didn’t wish to criticize Celia for being someone who couldn’t grasp emotions as easily. After all, no one was perfect. The true issue lay in recognizing one’s own flaws and addressing them appropriately.

But Celia seems to understand the situation well enough herself.

At the very least, Celia was fully aware of her own dissatisfaction with the current situation. She certainly didn’t feel good about the frustrations she harbored toward Rolfe. There was even a sense of shame that came with it, which she had likely felt when her words faltered earlier. Celia couldn’t have said this in front of a third party. If anyone else were present, some reprimand might have been necessary. Since Shardina and Celia were the only ones present, they could keep it private for now. And so, Shardina didn’t chastise Celia, allowing the conversation to continue without condemnation.

“Yes, the damage caused is undeniable. It’s impossible to simply return to the way things were. I understand that Rolfe likely needs time to sort through his emotions. Also, the fact that his shield was destroyed... That is no small matter, is it?”

For Rolfe, his shield was more than just a piece of armor. It symbolized his life and his honor as a warrior, a gift from the emperor himself. To have it shattered was, in essence, the destruction of Rolfe Estherkent’s very identity as a soldier. And that fact had left a deep wound on the prestige of the O’ltormea Empire.

“That shield was a custom-made piece, forged by the finest blacksmiths in the empire. I heard that your grandfather imbued it with both weight reduction and hardening spells. To think that a monster exists who could destroy it so thoroughly... Honestly, I never imagined it.”

“It’s literally the Emperor’s Shield that was shattered. Truly, it’s the ultimate irony,” Celia responded.

“Of course, I understand that there’s no such thing as something that can never be destroyed...”

At that, Celia bit her lip. A shield, after all, was just a tool. As a tool used in battle, it would inevitably be damaged or destroyed. However, the design of most weapons and armor prioritized durability.

The fact that Celia’s grandfather, Gaius Valkland, had imbued the shield with both weight reduction and hardening spells before Emperor Lionel granted it to Rolfe indicated the shield’s purpose: to withstand the harshest conditions.

Yet, Signus Galveria had shattered that shield beyond recognition. For Rolfe as a warrior, that was a blow as devastating as the defeat itself.

“If it weren’t for Lord Sudou’s intervention, Rolfe would likely...” Celia trailed off, a look of fear crossing her face.

Shardina nodded grimly, her expression twisted as if she had just bitten into something sour. She said, “Yes, Rolfe would have been killed in battle.”

That was a very real possibility. If it hadn’t been for the quick thinking of Akitake Sudou, who had rushed to rescue Rolfe, that future would almost certainly have become a reality.

For both Shardina and Celia, that was the worst scenario they could imagine.

His reckless actions were extreme, but that’s why I can’t fault Sudou for it...

After Sudou saved Rolfe, the middle-aged man had disappeared with nothing but a brief statement: “I have urgent business and will be away for a while.”

Shardina certainly had her thoughts on the man’s disappearance, but she could only move forward. Despite his reckless behavior, Shardina simply couldn’t bring herself to discard Sudou. Just as he had successfully rescued Rolfe Estherkent, Akitake Sudou had earned enough value to be allowed such exceptions.

“Yes, it’s certainly a blow that the assault on the capital by the detachment was exposed, resulting in the annihilation of ten thousand soldiers. The effect on the morale of the entire army is also undeniable. However, he’s just a single soldier. We can receive reinforcements from the homeland if we request them. It’s not insignificant, but even considering General Tret’s death, it won’t have an impact great enough to alter the outcome. At least, we can recover from this. But...”

“If Rolfe had died in battle, the consequences would have been incalculably severe.”

“Yes... We would likely have had to consider withdrawing our forces.”

The Xaroodian invasion army was rumored to number over two hundred thousand soldiers. Including the rear supply troops and their escorts, the total could reach as many as three hundred thousand.

Considering the losses of the detachment Rolfe led and the vanguard forces led by James Tret, who had been a decoy on the front lines, the casualties totaled just over twenty thousand. In the grand scheme of things, those losses weren’t as significant in terms of the whole Xaroodian invasion army.

Although it may sound harsh, soldiers can be replenished from the rear. Between us, the loss of Tret, who led the vanguard, is within acceptable limits.

Shardina did not feel happy that James Tret had died, but losing him wasn’t a huge blow either. That was her honest assessment of him. Of course, James Tret was not incompetent or someone with questionable loyalty. If anything, one could consider him a reliable frontline commander. He had experience from countless battlefields, and his subordinates held him in high regard. In the first place, if Shardina had had doubts about Tret’s abilities, she never would have assigned him as a frontline commander. There was no doubt that his capabilities were above average.

However, it was regrettable to say that Tret was not an irreplaceable asset to the empire.

Our country has over a hundred generals and knight commanders capable of leading armies. Tret was, at best, a mid-tier commander. There are plenty of others who could replace him... He was not bad, but he was also not indispensable.

If one compared the capabilities of Rolfe and James to pieces in a game of shogi, Rolfe would be akin to a rook or bishop. As for Tret, he could be barely considered a silver, and if one were strict, he would only be considered a knight or a lance. He was not someone to lose unnecessarily, but he was a piece that could be tactically sacrificed without much regret.

That was the way things were. Such an attitude might seem like an unacceptable way of thinking for a person. One might even call it the mindset of a devil wearing the skin of a human, someone who didn’t understand the value of life. But as a military commander, it was a very correct way of thinking.

Furthermore, the Empire’s overall military forces are several times greater than the expeditionary force deployed to Xarooda... Worst case, they could be mobilized as reinforcements.

This situation was about professional soldiers who specialized in war. If commoner conscriptions were included, the numbers would swell even further. That would constitute a military force capable of claiming hegemony over the western continent.

However, not all of the over a million soldiers of the O’ltormea Empire can be deployed to invade Xarooda.

If all the forces of the O’ltormea Empire had been committed, the conquest of the Kingdom of Xarooda would have been easily achievable. But in reality, it was not that simple.

The O’ltormea Empire, with its central territory on the continent, was surrounded by enemy nations on all sides. To the north, Helnesgoula always looked for an opportunity to advance south, led by the cunning Vixen of the North, Grindiana Helnescharles. To the west, the religious state of the Holy Qwiltantia Empire, allied with the Church of Meneos, stood firmly in place.

Neither of those two countries would have simply stood by if the O’ltormea Empire had diverted all its defensive forces to the eastern front.

Additionally, troublesome smaller kingdoms pose a significant challenge to the south of the empire.

In terms of territory, the O’ltormea Empire, which controlled the entire central region of the continent, was overwhelmingly dominant. The southern kingdoms were a collective term for thirteen small nations divided into separate entities, which could only compete with the O’ltormea Empire when they united. Thus, when comparing one of the southern kingdoms to the O’ltormea Empire, even in terms of territory alone, there was a difference of more than ten times.

From an economic standpoint, the difference was even greater.

Moreover, the thirteen nations known as the southern kingdoms were constantly embroiled in warfare, each trying to expand its territory. So, they had no time to direct their attention to the O’ltormea Empire.

However, that did not mean it would have been easy to withdraw troops from the southern borders. The soldiers of the southern kingdoms were seasoned, strong, and well-known for their prowess.

Because most of the southern kingdoms hold the Church of Meneos as their state religion, it is said that they have built quite deep relations with the Holy Qwiltantia Empire.

Of course, these countries were not necessarily allies or vassals of the Holy Qwiltantia Empire. Even if a war had broken out, it was not guaranteed that they would have formed a union and marched toward the O’ltormea Empire’s territory.

However, they were undoubtedly friendly nations.

Their cooperation extends beyond the battlefield. The Holy Qwiltantia Empire, in particular, does not seem to desire continental domination on its own.

Even if Qwiltantia had not sent armies to participate in direct combat, providing aid in the form of weapons and food would have been enough. One could have seen this as a strategy similar to “offshore balancing” in modern geopolitical thinking. Regardless of their strategic thinking, it remained unchanged that these nations were an obstacle to the O’ltormea Empire’s ambition for continental domination. The southern kingdoms did not wish to lose their autonomy, so they would not have accepted the O’ltormea Empire’s hegemony.

To the north, there was Helnesgoula; to the west, Qwiltantia; and to the south, the southern kingdoms... Any of these countries would have bared their fangs and shown no mercy if the empire had shown even the slightest opening. That was not a pleasant reality. However, this was a fact shared not only by Shardina but also by the leadership of the O’ltormea Empire. For that reason, it was necessary to leave a certain amount of military force behind for national defense.

Around two hundred thousand are in the northwest and south. They need at least another hundred thousand stationed centrally for immediate response.

Without at least that many soldiers, constructing a temporary defensive line would have been difficult if an unexpected situation arose.

It is indeed ironic that the O’ltormea Empire, the ruler of the central region of the western continent and a thriving economic power due to its strategic transportation networks, is burdened by the very same transportation advantage in terms of strategy.

Although the O’ltormea Empire could not dedicate all its military forces to the invasion of Xarooda, it was still a formidable nation. Even if tens of thousands of soldiers had died in battle, that loss wouldn’t have been a fatal blow, and a replacement for a commander like James Tret could easily have been found. From that perspective, the recent defeat was not a blow that could threaten the survival of the O’ltormea Empire.

However, the death of a knight hailed as the Emperor’s Shield could never have been accepted. The death of someone like Rolfe, a warrior who represented the O’ltormea Empire, would have had a significant international impact.

The empire’s prestige would certainly have been damaged.

As a result, surrounding countries would have begun to underestimate the military power of the O’ltormea Empire, which could have led to open hostilities.

“If Rolfe had died in battle, I wonder how His Majesty would have judged the situation...” Celia said.

If someone as trusted by the emperor as Rolfe Estherkent had been killed, the damage wouldn’t have been limited to just putting the invasion of Xarooda in a difficult position. After all, he had been a loyal subject who had put his life on the line to protect the emperor. How Lionel Eisenheit would have felt about his death was uncertain.

“Yes... Of course, His Majesty is a wise man, and I don’t believe he would have made any irrational decisions, but... Even if His Majesty didn’t say anything, the people around him wouldn’t have kept quiet. They would have insisted that the crown prince should be held responsible.”

Shardina nodded deeply and said, “Yeah, that would likely have happened... It’s a situation I don’t want to think about, but...”

Although Shardina was the emperor’s beloved daughter, toward whom he felt deep trust and affection, there were many forces within the O’ltormea Empire plotting to bring about her downfall.

Someone would surely have blamed the first princess for the failure.

The crown prince’s faction wouldn’t have stayed silent.

The face of her half brother, who defended the western border, appeared in her mind. Shardina then let out a deep sigh.

“If we had failed, there was even the possibility that the second invasion of Xarooda would have been completely halted... Considering that, the damage from this defeat could have been much worse, so... It’s still within the range of recoverable losses,” said Shardina, looking at the sky. A rusty, iron taste spread in her mouth. Regret must have crossed her heart.

“Honestly, targeting the capital was a bad move. I had ordered a diversion, but Robert Bertrand killed James Tret. The important detachment led by Rolfe was forced to retreat by Signus Galveria. I had heard the rumors about the Twin Blades, but I didn’t expect them to be this capable.”

That was a fact Shardina, the daughter of Emperor Lionel Eisenheit and the leader of the Succubus Knights, did not want to admit.

“Ryoma Mikoshiba was distracted by the situation in the Kingdom of Myest, which was the perfect opportunity...”

“Right... If that man had come to Xarooda, the situation would have worsened even more. That’s why I tried to resolve it early,” Celia stated.

Of course, launching an assault on Peripheria through the western mountain pass was a gamble. Celia and Shardina, who had devised the plan, fully understood that. Considering the situation, it wasn’t an impossible choice.

Robert Bertrand had brought the front line in the Ushas Basin to a standstill. Continuing to advance using the conventional method and pushing through with numerical superiority was the standard approach, but that would have taken too long.

A large-scale invasion using military strength was the correct and conventional strategy. Unless something unexpected happened, overwhelming the enemy with sheer numbers would have been possible. However, maintaining such a large force would have required a solid logistical system.

Based on the previous failure, the food and supply storage facilities were dispersed to the rear this time, so there shouldn’t have been any major problems.

But that had caused the logistics network to become complicated. Maintaining supply lines was never an easy task, even for a powerful nation like the O’ltormea Empire. It wouldn’t have been a problem in the short term, but it would have been difficult for long-term operations. Establishing logistical infrastructure should not have been rushed, but aiming for a quick resolution wasn’t necessarily wrong if there was an opportunity.

Another reason we’re in this situation is our inability to predict the movements of Ryoma Mikoshiba, who had withdrawn his forces from the Kingdom of Myest, Shardina thought. However, it might have been a kind of subconscious unease. After all, that man has made me suffer countless times.

From the assassination of Court Thaumaturgist Gaius Valkland to the hindrance of the O’ltormea Empire’s national strategy, Ryoma Mikoshiba’s thoroughness was almost refreshing. His obsessive persistence was so extreme that it bordered on frightening.

Of course, Ryoma Mikoshiba didn’t harbor such a deep resentment against the O’ltormea Empire. Because the O’ltormea Empire had been harassing him, he had been swatting away the sparks that came his way. But the empire came away with a completely different interpretation.

After all, the O’ltormea Empire had summoned Ryoma Mikoshiba to this hellish land. In other words, they knew that he resented them. Because of that awareness, they were excessively cautious and fearful of him, to the point of developing a sense of misguided paranoia toward him. Sadly, no one could clear up that misunderstanding.

“Well, there’s no use dwelling on the past. The real problem is what we do from here,” Shardina declared.

“Since we cannot expect Rolfe’s early return, the issue now is who will take command on the front lines.”

“Well, there are plenty of candidates if we just want to maintain the front line...”

“If the Kingdom of Xarooda focuses on defense, there shouldn’t be too many problems. But...”

“The issue is when the enemy goes on the offensive.”

At Shardina’s words, Celia nodded slightly. A heavy atmosphere filled the room.

“Robert Bertrand, Signus Galveria... With those monsters and Xarooda’s Joshua Belares leading their best troops, they would certainly unleash a powerful strike.”

“A total war...?” asked Celia.

“Right... After all, King Julianus I has recovered, and the traitors who had been aiding us were wiped out. The morale of Xarooda’s forces is undoubtedly higher than ever. We can assume that they’ll start trying to take back the territories we’ve occupied.”

The problem was that, when that happened, neither Shardina nor Celia would be capable of handling such monsters alone.

“It would be great if we could win with sheer numbers, but that will likely be difficult.”

In this world of war, the key to victory was the skill of the generals and the individual strength of the warriors. No matter how many soldiers they had, overwhelming individual power, such as that of monsters, would easily sweep them away.

“The only certain method is to set traps and eliminate them... Honestly, at this point, it would take too long to prepare.”

The preparations to maneuver someone like Robert or Signus into a fatal trap would take at least a few months, and might even take years. Right now, Shardina and the others could not afford to wait such an extended period.

Thus, only two options remained.

“We either increase the number of troops further and resist with sheer numbers... Or we send monsters to fight monsters.”

Upon hearing those words, Celia’s face showed a look of surprise. She had realized who Shardina was referring to as the monsters.

“Are you planning to summon those people?” Celia inquired.

Shardina silently offered a deep nod in response.

Later that day, Seron Fortress dispatched a fast horse to the imperial capital of O’ltormea. The messenger had a letter of petition from Shardina Eisenheit to Emperor Lionel Eisenheit. That letter was the clearest proof that the second invasion of Xarooda had turned into an all-out war that would test the O’ltormea Empire’s pride and resolve.