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Chapter 298

The Demon King’s Army, sent to the Romal Empire, had already finished constructing a base in the territory they had seized. This base, made ready for land battleships to dock, was notable for its defensive walls, like those in the Romal Empire and Arkrest Kingdom, and devices and magic supply systems for deploying robust defensive magic against massive offensive magic and forbidden spells.

Zandarza, a member of the six demon generals, settled in the command room, separate from the land battleships. He was reviewing reports on the conquered villages when a rough visitor arrived.

A demon tribe woman, exuding dense magical power and a hostile aura, entered with a stern face.

「Commander, Marzamis of the special operations unit, reporting!」

Marzamis, a beautiful woman with an unusual form and tentacles on each shoulder, spoke brusquely to her father and superior.

Zandarza, engrossed in documents, shifted his gaze to his subordinate, showing no fatherly warmth.

「You may enter.」

「Yes!」

Their interaction was devoid of parental warmth, marked by brief, tense military exchanges.

Marzamis faced Zandarza across the desk. If she harbored treachery, he would have to attack her over the desk. But for them, capable of conjuring high-level offensive magic without incantations, distance meant little.

「Relax.」

「Yes!」

「The wounds from the bug attack are better now, right?」

「Yes. The magic doctors and medics are proficient.」

Marzamis referred to her most severe injury, inflicted by the Romal Empire’s Twelve Winged Generals, Galliol and Eratiri. Eratiri, who could summon a myriad of insects, had managed to embed carnivorous insects in Marzamis’ intestines during a brief vulnerability. These insects devoured her insides and laid eggs. Marzamis barely repelled Galliol and Eratiri, vomiting blood and launching a desperate attack. The battle was effectively a stalemate.

Zandarza, knowing his daughter’s fiery temperament, understood that healing the physical and spiritual wounds didn’t mean complete recovery.

「Are these wounds affecting your combat abilities? Report honestly, as a soldier must.」

「Yes. I can operate normally in everyday activities and against common soldiers. However, against the Twelve Winged Generals of the Romal Empire, I’m not at my best.」

Marzamis, showing brief frustration, chose her role as a soldier over being a daughter.

「Understood. Marzamis, your commitment in the battle was evident. The injuries you sustained are not shameful. It’s my role as the corps commander to manage our forces. Rest for the upcoming major operation.」

「That is… I apologize, commander.」

After a stern look from Zandarza, Marzamis accepted his order without retort, saluted, and left. Once she was gone, Zandarza casually placed the documents on the desk.

「The Twelve Winged Generals of Romal… they’re more capable than I thought, managing to restrain Marzamis with just two. If the earlier two are the norm, could Galilius and I handle six? The contractors, though… I should discuss this with Galilius.」

「A morale-boosting visit to the front lines?」

At the regular tea party with Asteria, Amria pondered the true intention behind the suggestion.

The tea parties were always in different rooms. While Kyles, Fuuko, and Yachiyo always accompanied as guards, this time, Gwandan and the three maid sisters joined Amria’s escort, a new addition to the event.

「Yes. The unexpected appearance of the Demon King’s Army, stronger than the rebels, has dampened the spirits of not just the northern soldiers, but the lords too. The quickest morale boost is for me, the leader, to make an appearance.」

Indeed, for both soldiers and nobility, Amria is regarded as a person of high stature, revered solely for being the daughter of the former emperor, regardless of their familiarity with her true character.

Amria concurred that the presence of the Demon King’s Army significantly dampened the morale of the Empire’s soldiers, regardless of their allegiance to either the Asteria or Linosart factions.

It was reported that the southern rebel forces were also preparing to act swiftly upon realizing the unfavorable odds in the battle against the Demon King’s Army.

「Understanding the significance and impact of a consolation visit, I was, however, surprised by your suggestion for us to accompany you.」

「I’ve taught you almost everything you can learn within the palace walls. It’s time for you to understand the real-world situations and atmosphere. I, myself, have visited the front lines several times. I thought it important for you to experience it too.」

Asteria, with a calculated smile that inspires friendliness, revealed her true intentions to Amria, who already knew the person behind the facade. Inviting Amria to witness firsthand one of her activities was Asteria’s honest intention, though she couldn’t dismiss the possibility of other motives, which made her somewhat untrustworthy.

「Indeed, it is beneficial knowledge for me. Besides, regardless of gain or loss, it is something I wish to understand – the atmosphere of the battlefield, the reality of those engaged in combat.」

「Not a single complaint? You have indeed become strong. No, you were already resilient before arriving in Baroldi. I have shown you where to direct your intellect, spirit, and courage.」

「I cannot deny that you have guided me considerably, sister. But the decision to embark on this path and how to walk it was mine. The responsibility is mine, so rest assured.」

「You are a delightful surprise, stronger than I expected. You might be more suited to be the emperor than I.」

「If I have your endorsement, sister, I might sit on the throne with a bit more confidence.」

Amused by something in Amria’s response, Asteria set down her blue porcelain cup and chuckled, a sound like tinkling bells escaping from behind her hand-covered mouth.

「You don’t criticize or question my view of the emperor as merely a job. You see it merely as a tool yourself. We must be quite the heretics among royalty. It’s amusing.」

「Such words can only be spoken among those present here. So, regarding the front lines, which one will you visit? I understand we don’t have the leisure to see every front against the Demon King’s Army…」

「Yes. We’re heading to one of the fronts where the 8th Legion, led by Marquis Magnusolf, is stationed. They are battling an army of Goblins, far different from our common perception of them.」

Gwandan, who had remained silent and unmovable, responded internally to Asteria’s words with his usual “Hmm,” indicating his interest.

The High Goblins, forming the army, were not only superior in intelligence, physical strength, and magic but were also an elite force, disciplined beyond human expectations.

Gwandan’s attention was drawn more to the leader of this legion than its composition. Galilius, an ancient Goblin, could defeat even the Twelve Winged Generals of pure human species in single combat.

The High Goblin legion, while manageable by human soldiers, would spell disaster for those relying on numbers against Galilius and his close aides. Should Galilius come to Bern, Dran would be the first to confront him.

It was unlikely that even Asteria knew the extent of Galilius’s strength, yet…

–I wonder how much this genius lady perceives. She’s akin to a Merle, specialized in intellect. It wouldn’t be surprising if she sees everything.

Regardless of Gwandan’s internal vigilance, Amria’s response to Asteria didn’t change, nor did the actions of Gwandan and the others.

The day after Asteria proposed a visit to the front, Amria, disguised by illusion and accompanied by her cheerful escorts, joined Asteria, Kyles, and the imperial dragon knights. They set off for the Vastazi Hills, one of the front lines.

They arrived at the hills on the same day, traveling on the third Alsromar-class high-speed flying battleship Rathlomar and its escorting ships, thanks to their speed. The flying battleships’ advantage was their landing gear, capable of handling rough terrain.

Ninety-eight thousand soldiers of the Romal Empire’s Eighth Army Corps were stationed in the Vastazi Hills, having already faced the Demon King’s Army in numerous battles. The toll was heavy, with the enemy being a type of Goblin vastly different from the known varieties.

The soldiers’ morale had plummeted, partly due to their earlier belief that they would be fighting a southern rebel army, not expecting their turn to come so soon.

The arrival of Princess Asteria was a cause for celebration for both the leader of the legion, Marquis Magnusolf, and the upper echelons.

Informed of Asteria’s visit, the soldiers lined up neatly, their weariness from battling the Demon King’s Army not evident. All bore expressions of pride and high morale, as if embodying the empire’s prestige.

As the commanders watched, dragon knights landed around the landed Rathlomar. Recognizing one as Kyles, one of the Twelve Winged Generals, the soldiers’ anticipation intensified.

Soon, the hatch of the Rathlomar opened, and fully armed Kingsguard descended first, followed by Asteria, accompanied by beautiful ladies-in-waiting.

Asteria, destined to be the next emperor and inheritor of the Romal Empire’s noblest lineage, exuded a graceful elegance surpassing any beauty previously seen.

Her origin as the daughter of a lady-in-waiting was of no consequence. Her beauty, dignity, and proven skill in contending with Grand Duke Linosart affirmed her suitability as the most fitting person for the imperial throne, a sentiment shared by all soldiers.

Amria, disguised as a lady-in-waiting, observed attentively the impact of Asteria’s mere presence on the Romal soldiers and the power she wielded.

Yachiyo and Fuuko, unaccustomed to acting as ladies-in-waiting, were to disembark later with Lynette, while Gwandan, fully armored and helmeted, blended in as a guard. Gandeus and Kilrinne, disguised as ladies-in-waiting, accompanied them.

Witnessing the influence and pressure of being a princess, Amria pondered her thoughts. Gwandan, observing silently through his helmet’s slit, remained vigilant.