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Chapter 291 part 1

To recount this tale, we must rewind time a bit back to when the Bernese army celebrated their first victory over the Demon Lord’s army. Everyone, from Christina to Dran to the lowest-ranked soldiers, had just exhaled a breath of relief. Around this time, Amria, the hidden princess of the Romal Empire, and Gwandan, an avatar of Dran, made contact with Regul, the leader of the rebel faction 『The Roaring Sun’s Majesty.』 Shortly after, they met with Zanad, an assassin under Princess Asteria, Amria’s sister.

The presence of Zanad, likely one of the top assassins, inevitably aroused caution in Yachiyo and Fuuko. Moreover, Princess Asteria was renowned as a cunning strategist. If Asteria had intentionally sent Zanad, it was reasonable to suspect an ominous situation.

Zanad’s assassination skills and combat prowess were on par with the Romal Empire’s celebrated Twelve Winged Generals. The fact that Asteria had such a formidable individual at her disposal was a clear indication of her exceptional capabilities.

Even if Yachiyo and Fuuko were to respond honestly to Princess Asteria’s summons, they could not fathom what awaited them. However, they felt no concern for their safety, considering Gwandan and the three sisters, Lynette and the others, were accompanying them.

They had experienced enough to confidently assert that even if faced with an army influenced by Princess Asteria or all Twelve Winged Generals, Gwandan would emerge victorious. The real challenge lay in non-military tactics. In such a case, Yachiyo, Fuuko, and presumably Gwandan’s group would decide to flee to safety, ignoring Amria’s will.

Yachiyo and Fuuko harbored these worries, convinced Amria would certainly agree to Zanad’s proposal, accepting an offer from her sister whom she had never met since leaving their mother’s womb. This was proven true when Amria readily accepted Zanad’s invitation, essentially an overture from Asteria, without any hesitation, despite having just evaded Regul and The Roaring Sun’s Majesty.

Previously, I’ve narrated up to the point where Amria agreed to meet with Asteria, setting the stage for the first encounter between the two sisters. Let’s start spinning a new part of the tale from here.

The situation was different from when Zanad and the legendary warrior Aslam had tried to capture Amria. Despite the change in her guards, Zanad coolly assessed that the task was still beyond his reach.

Particularly Gwandan, who appeared in a human-like form as a Dragonian, was always vulnerable, yet Zanad couldn’t envision any scenario where he successfully took Gwandan’s life.

Though Amria ranked lowest among the throne’s heirs in terms of numbers, a shift to quality revealed she casually had more than Twelve Winged Generals-level individuals by her side. Zanad, in awe, silently admired this aspect of Amria, wondering if she too was a legitimate heir of the Romal Empire, like Asteria.

From Uminal, the southernmost port city of the former Romal Empire, to the western territories controlled by Asteria, their path required crossing lands reclaimed by various rebel forces. Gwandan’s group, having previously traveled using illusion and techniques provided by the Arkrest Kingdom from the eastern to the southern parts of the empire, now traversed a route prepared by Asteria’s faction.

Guided by Zanad, and protected, monitored, and led by others likely under her command, Amria remained composed, deeply engrossed in observing the lands and people under different rebel rulers. This confidence stemmed from her trust in Gwandan and the others, coupled with her reaction to spending most of her life secluded in a mountain castle.

Everywhere they went, they encountered people celebrating reclaimed ancestral lands and pride, those vocally seeking revenge against the oppressing imperial humans, those desiring an end to further warfare, and those intoxicated with dreams of becoming regional champions. In each place, although the proportions varied, the presence of these groups was a reminder of the numerous factions and ideologies within the rebel forces, convincing both Amria and Gwandan of this reality.

During their journey, Amria and Gwandan’s group alternated roles, posing as merchants, mercenaries, refugees, and even members of Zanad’s assassination squad, all converging towards Asteria’s domain.

This journey made Gwandan speculate that Asteria intended for Amria to experience the realities of each land and various perspectives, providing her with extensive information before their face-to-face meeting.

As they neared their arrival in Baroldi, the largest city in the western part of the Romal Empire and Asteria’s stronghold, their journey had been smooth and uneventful.

Now back to posing as noble ladies and their guards evacuating to the safety of Baroldi, Zanad played the role of a scout and reconnaissance officer.

The main road to Baroldi, paved with asphalt and generously wide, boasted well-maintained drainage systems, preventing any muddiness or inconvenience to travelers. Despite the country’s current internal strife, Gwandan admired the transportation network connecting major cities and remote villages, acknowledging it as a model worth emulating.

Governed by a Grand Duke lineage descending from the imperial family, Baroldi now sheltered over a million people, including refugees. The city’s grandeur, differing from Bern’s spirit-protected nature, garnered Gwandan’s appreciation.

Asteria, having smoothly taken over Baroldi’s reign from the aging Grand Duke and his son, adeptly managed the city. To its inhabitants, the ongoing war seemed a distant concern. Amria and Gwandan believed Asteria was still somewhat holding back, maintaining the balance intentionally, and understanding her reasons was a key motive for their impending meeting.

Asteria’s invitation, while opportune, also indicated her recognition of Amria’s value. What the sisters’ encounter would yield was now Amria’s primary interest.

Throughout the journey to Baroldi and even near the Arkrest Kingdom’s border, Romal teemed with diverse individuals – those who rebelled, those who merely followed, and those who were neither. Amidst this, Zanad’s brief guidance revealed the pervasive influence of Asteria and her loyalists.

「Hmm, ultimately, my honest impression of our journey thus far is a newfound respect for Princess Asteria and your organization’s competence.」

「Ha.」

Zanad knew it was neither sarcastic nor ironic, but her response was indeed clear and concise.

Zanad had been informed by Asteria that Gwandan and his men were likely the culprits who had annihilated Verginten’s army. The Generals of the Twelve Wings could have done the same, yet not as overwhelmingly.

If there were such talented individuals in the Arkrest Kingdom other than the great witch, the Romal Empire would need to swiftly end its civil strife, recover, and even fortify its national power – lest it be engulfed by the Arkrest Kingdom.

Zanad, distant from patriotism and indifferent to the fate of the Romal Empire, could not, due to certain circumstances, ignore the destiny of the royal bloodline.

This was not unique to Zanad but also applied to Aslam, the superhumans encircled by Asteria, and the Generals of the Twelve Wings.

Thus, he couldn’t help but wish that Amria and Asteria would avoid conflict and not engage with this monstrous Dragonian.

「I will now escort you to my master. Please, as before, remain inconspicuous within the carriage…」

Amria, with a bright smile, acknowledged Zanad, who maintained his polite speech.

「Yes, I understand. I appreciate your guidance.」

Zanad suddenly reflected that he had never seen Princess Asteria, unlike Amria, display such a smile, attributing it to their different upbringings.

「Of course, the soldiers and knights loyal to the Princess in Baroldi were unaware of whom Zanad was bringing. Given her role, Zanad’s presence was not yet known.」

Having passed the checkpoint at the second of Baroldi’s five defensive walls, Zanad steered the carriage towards a back alley.

Amria, unable to explore the vibrant and bustling Baroldi, akin to the imperial capital under Grand Duke Linosart’s rule, did not conceal her disappointment. However, as the meeting with her sister neared, she quickly adjusted her mindset. Zanad indicated they would use hidden passageways scattered across the city to reach Baroldi Castle, where Asteria was stationed.

Baroldi Castle, on a hill in the western part of the capital, overlooking the city center, was one of several castles designed to shelter the royal family should the imperial capital fall. The castle, chosen as Asteria’s stronghold, boasted immense size and strength.

Each tower was equipped with magical barriers and mechanisms for anti-air and ground magic. The castle itself was fortified with robust magical defenses and even had internal water sources and fields for sieges.

Capturing the castle, even if Baroldi city fell, would require years through conventional means.

Discovering this hidden route to Baroldi was undoubtedly significant information. After multiple turns in the back alley, they disembarked at a corner dominated by empire agents disguised as residents. They entered the underground passage through a secret door in a house, led by Zanad.

For extra caution, Amria kept her face covered with her hood deep over her eyes until Zanad permitted otherwise.

The passageway, illuminated by evenly spaced lights from light spirit stones, was wide enough for three humans to walk abreast, devoid of darkness. Although windless, it was neither moldy nor dusty, with a temperature comfortable enough, likely benefiting from magic or some technology.

Zanad led, followed by Gwandan, Lynette, Amria flanked by Yachiyo and Fuuko, and finally guarded by Gundeus and Kyrlinne.

「Zanad, are you sure we don’t need blindfolds or something?」

「Amria inquired, to which Zanad thought of her frank and innocent nature. He pondered over her contrast to Asteria, whom he knew well.」

「Have no worries. Normally, one such as you should be openly welcomed. Prince Asteria has commanded us to avoid further discourtesy as much as possible.」