Chapter 90

* * *

“Hold it… The Serpina Army is invading Jestrom Castle?”

“…Yeah.”

At Erhandorf’s report, Anima fell into thought.

‘Attacking Jestrom first instead of Raclaine at this point?’

She had assumed that if there was an invasion, it would definitely be Raclaine.

From a strategic value standpoint, the place the Serpina Army would most covet would naturally be this Raclaine.

Capturing this location would not only face the southern Hesna Army across the border but also create a surrounding posture against the Brance Army.

Anima pondered deeply.

Why attack Jestrom instead of Raclaine?

“Could it be…?”

It didn’t take long to deduce the reason after some consideration.

“Is Serpina’s target shifting from the Brance Army to our Aishias Army…?”

If that assumption fits, everything makes sense.

Leaving the Brance Army aside and dealing with us first, Jestrom Castle would naturally catch their eye as the hardest to defend against from our perspective.

And what’s difficult for us to defend is conversely easier for them to attack.

So… are we just going to sit here caught in the picture Serpina has painted?

Lost in thought, she heard a familiar male voice.

“Now what do you plan to do?”

Ern Han Dorf approached with heavy steps and addressed Anima seated on the Lady’s throne.

“Ern, what would you have me do?”

“…Me?”

Ern Han Dorf bowed his head before Anima. His towering gaze looked down on her – or rather, up at her.

“Anima, I’ll do whatever you say. You’ve always been right.”

“I don’t think I’ve always been right…”

“It doesn’t matter. Even if you’re wrong, I’ll make it right.”

Anima smiled faintly.

“That’s reassuring.”

Throughout their conversation, Ern Han Dorf maintained an expressionless face.

But – there was unmistakably a trace of sadness in his gruff expression after hearing her words.

“I never understood Yuri’s thinking. No matter how talented someone might be, there was no reason to remove you from your position as the Nation’s Strategist when you were doing such a good job.”

“That’s enough about that. Objectively speaking, Jinoru is exceptionally talented, and placing the right person in the right position is one of a Monarch’s virtues. Besides, back then the Empire was just our homeland anyway. Selecting people who haven’t received the Empire’s favor is a childish notion.”

“…Are you really okay with that?”

Anima easily read the hidden meaning in Ern Han Dorf’s question.

Is it alright to acknowledge someone who once served the Empire taking a key position in our Aishias Army?

He was clearly asking her that silently.

“When appointing a new National Strategist, Jinoru Knighthardt will be named.”

Yuri’s statement had angered him more than anyone else standing right before her now.

He was originally a vassal serving the Aishias family.

A warrior of immense strength but not particularly sharp-witted.

Perhaps because of that, he had followed her strategies without question, being one of the most reliable supporters.

“…Yeah.”

Anima slowly nodded.

Ern Han Dorf silently stared at her for a moment before stepping back twice and kneeling before her with great seriousness.

“Give any order you like. We will surely win.”

“…”

Anima gazed at the kneeling Ern Han Dorf, lost in thought.

If 70,000 troops are heading toward Jestrom Castle…

They must have departed from the nearest Hisfil Castle.

According to the latest intelligence, the remaining forces were deployed along the border with the Brance Army.

Then, could we seize this opportunity to target Hisfil Castle?

“Should I send a spy? …No, it would take too much time.”

Speed is crucial in surprise attacks like these.

Waiting to fully understand the situation risks missing the critical timing.

“What should I do?”

Anima wanted to produce tangible results.

Even though she stepped down as the National Strategist, she wanted to demonstrate her continued usefulness somehow.

Though anxious, moving without information wasn’t an option.

“Even if it means missing the perfect timing by sending a spy to check Hisfil Castle’s movements first…”

Launching a surprise attack on Hisfil Castle only to find it heavily guarded would be disastrous.

It would mean unnecessary loss of troops and risk losing this hard-won Raclaine Castle.

Isn’t establishing a foothold in the central continent the long-term goal of the Aishias Army?

She couldn’t ruin Yuri’s trust in her due to impatience.

Even if it means missing an opportunity, let’s proceed cautiously.

With that decision made, Anima finally looked down at the kneeling Ern Han Dorf and spoke.

“Hey, Ern.”

“Yeah.”

“Send one of your commanders here. I have a task for them.”

“…”

Without responding, Ern Han Dorf nodded and left the Audience Chamber with heavy steps.

Alone in the empty chamber, Anima rested her sole remaining arm under her chin, nibbling on her thumbnail.

“Need to produce visible results… Somehow!”

The arch-nemesis appearing before her eyes, Serpina von Einhardt.

She wanted to prove her worth by landing a blow against her.

That desire was the driving force behind her actions.

After sending the spy, several days passed.

While focusing on governing Raclaine Castle and training the soldiers, the messenger sent from Hisfil Castle arrived at Raclaine Castle.

The message contained this:

“There are 61,000 troops in the castle currently preparing to march out.”

“So there were remaining troops after all.”

Was this the result of the Serpina Army absorbing the entire northern population?

Despite already sending out over 70,000 troops, there were still over 60,000 remaining in the castle.

Setting that aside, one phrase was particularly concerning.

“Preparing to march out?”

Does that mean they’re sending troops to Raclaine Castle?

As a diversionary tactic?

However, Raclaine Castle has 69,000 soldiers.

Led by the renowned commander Ern Han Dorf Arias.

Which means… sending those troops here from the Serpina Army’s perspective would be akin to suicide.

Sending troops to breach an unbreachable castle?

If those troops were to invade Raclaine Castle, there would be two possible outcomes:

First, the commander of the Serpina Army is extraordinarily talented.

Second, they can afford to lose that many troops in a full-scale offensive.

The likelihood of the first scenario is extremely low.

The Serpina Army is undoubtedly one of the strongest nations on the continent.

But strangely, it lacks famous generals or strategists.

When consolidating the feudal lords of the northern continent, all commanders who refused to surrender to her were executed.

And since those who refused to surrender were likely capable leaders, this outcome was somewhat expected.

Even inheriting all the infrastructure of the empire, the former vassals who made names for themselves during the imperial era had already become feudal lords.

What supports the Serpina Army is a large number of average commanders and an even larger number of troops.

Whereas the Aishias Army relies on a few brilliant commanders, the other side is essentially conducting a war of attrition.

Anyway, the second scenario seems more likely…

But something still doesn’t add up in my mind.

Instead of needlessly sending troops here multiple times, it would make more sense to send them all at once.

Just as I thought that, another possibility occurred to me.

“Are they planning to invade where the Brance Army is located instead of us?”

To the northwest of Raclaine Castle, or southwest of Hisfil Castle, lies Elgaim Castle.

Passing through a few smaller castles from Elgaim Castle leads directly to the capital of the Brance Army, Anel Castle.

“Ah.”

Only now does the picture Serpina Army is painting start to come into view.

The Brance Army is currently suffering from a shortage of troops, making them easier to conquer compared to us.

Their morale is also at rock bottom due to continuous defeats.

“If that’s correct… perhaps we can seize Hisfil Castle.”

The final sticking point.

If they’re targeting the Brance Army, why send troops to Jestrom Castle?

Though uncertain, it seems likely that the purpose was to divert our attention.

Since Jestrom Castle is under attack, we’d naturally focus on defending it.

“Still not entirely clear…”

Yeah.

Let’s proceed cautiously and send a spy to observe the situation.

Once we confirm the information, the course of action will become clearer.

“While preparing to march out… let’s wait for the next messenger.”

If the troops don’t depart from there, we can simply abandon Hisfil Castle.

Above all, let’s proceed carefully without making mistakes.

Thinking this way, Anima began formulating her own plan.

Believing without doubt that it would become the wings to make Yuri soar high.

*

Sometime later.

“So? They’ve marched out?”

“Yes, sir. I confirmed it with my own eyes.”

The news reached Anima that the troops preparing to march out from Hisfil Castle had departed with yellow flags through the western gate.

Traveling west from the castle leads directly to Elgaim Castle in the territory of the Brance Army.

“Seems my prediction was correct.”

Anima had been granted considerable autonomy as a castle lady.

This meant she could act independently on major matters without Yuri’s approval.

We recently established a one-month ceasefire agreement with the Hesna Army.

Is it time to take action?

“Summon General Ern Han Dorf here.”

“Yes! Understood!”

After sending the messenger, Anima thought of Yuri’s face.

I’ll be the wings that lift you high.

That promise remains as valid as ever.