YEAR: 1724. NOVEMBER 6TH. LOCATION: WAR MEETING ROOM IN FORT GREENVALE

Major General Alysia frowned as the reports were read out loud. The tension in the room was palpable.

“Starting from Fort Ack, we’ve lost control of most of the supply bases,” the officer announced grimly. “It won’t be long before they reach Fort Greenvale.”

Around the table, the four generals from the 1st, 4th, 5th Divisions, and the remnants of the 2nd and 3rd Divisions sat in silence, mulling over the dire situation. Well, all except one.

“With how fast they’re moving, it’s got to be a unit of fewer than 100,” snorted Major General Jack of the 5th Division, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. “Only elites could pull this off. I’d bet my wallet this is the work of the Silver Angel.”

“And yet,” Major General Olivia of the 1st Division interjected coolly, “we have no proof. While it’s hard to believe so many forts have fallen, it’s even harder to believe that not a single survivor or messenger made it back to us.”

Her words hung in the air like a cloud of doubt. The generals exchanged glances with each other. They had received no clear reports on the fall of the forts, only a silence. Any messengers they sent either didn’t return or came back rattled, their stories disjointed and incomplete. Those who did return often admitted to fleeing at the first sight of the enemy.

Alysia sighed, her fingers drumming lightly on the table. The situation was spiraling, and the lack of reliable intel only made it worse. “We need to prepare for the worst,” she said firmly, cutting through the murmurs of the group. “If they’re as fast as we think, they won’t give us time to recover.”

Now, now.” Jack smirked at Alysia. “Let’s not be too hasty. I wouldn’t want to follow orders from someone who’s already proven themselves a failure. Remind me. Didn’t you lose an entire army before they even had time to recover? How do we know you won’t fail us again?”

Alysia’s fists clenched under the table as Jack’s words struck a nerve. She could find no rebuttal, everything he said was painfully true. Even though she wasn’t the general at that time, she was still an aide, meaning she was partly responsible for not convincing her commander.

50,000 soldiers reduced to a mere 15,000. Two generals had died. Unlike the others in the room, she was nothing more than a replacement, a figurehead lacking the experience and skill other generals ppossessed.

“Be quiet,” Olivia interjected, her cold gaze cutting through the tension. “While I also have my doubts about Alysia, everything she’s said so far is true. We need to prepare immediately.”

The room fell silent. The combined forces of all the Divisions totaled 77,500 soldiers, more than the last campaign. On paper, this force was far superior, especially with the added advantage of preparing a defensive strategy. Defeat seemed almost impossible.

Yet, no one in the room voiced that confidence aloud. The bitter memory of the Storm Crusaders’ defeat lingered, keeping them all on edge.

“I propose we split into three groups,” Major General Claudia of the 4th Division finally said, his tone calm but commanding. His narrow eyes gave him an unsettling aura. “Major General Olivia and I will lead our forces to confront the main army directly. Major General Jack will remain as a backup force in case of any unexpected developments. As for Major General Alysia,” he paused, his lips curling into a faint smile, “you will hunt down the Silver Angel. Considering your… history with her, this should be a fitting task. Besides, your force is far too small for a direct engagement.”

“Fine,” Jack replied, his smirk returning. He didn’t mind the arrangement; he preferred to wait and see the 9th Corps’ strength in action, especially its infamous named soldiers like General Cederic the Silver Tip and the Silver Angel.

“I have no objections,” Olivia said with a curt nod.

“I agree,” Alysia responded, though her voice was tight. Her fists clenched until her knuckles turned white.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Good. Then let us conclude this meeting,” Claudia said smoothly, his unsettling gaze lingering on Alysia for a moment longer than necessary.

The generals stood, their expressions grim and resolved. Each had their role to play, but the weight of uncertainty hung heavily over the room.

[(0)]

YEAR: 1724. NOVEMBER 7TH. LOCATION: SOMEWHERE IN THE EASTERN LINE.

“The enemies are on the move. Report back immediately.”

General Cedric’s order was crisp and direct, leaving no room for hesitation. We immediately complied, retreating to regroup as we awaited the arrival of the main force.

The main army, 38,000 strong despite losing 2,000 soldiers in the last engagement, was in excellent condition. Morale remained high, and our pace was fast.

We, and I mean my force, had already captured several forts, burning or stealing their supplies to disrupt the enemy’s operations as much as possible.

Each skirmish brought us closer to weakening their defenses, but none of the captured forts had been major supply bases. Our resources and manpower had limits, and so did the damage we could inflict. But with the main army, we could now do things big.

Now, I stood in the command tent alongside Lura and several officers, all gathered to review our next steps.

“We have yet to identify the exact enemy composition,” began one officer, his tone grim, “but we estimate their numbers to be around 70,000.”

Murmurs rippled through the room, and unease spread across the faces of those present.

“However,” he continued, “this could work to our advantage. The front line will hold more easily with the enemy’s attention divided. Our primary objective is not to annihilate them, but to help out with the front lines.”

The plan was clear. Our current efforts were not to kill every enemy, but help out with the front line, which we already achieved. By striking at the rear, we had successfully drawn attention away from the front. But to me, it wasn’t enough.

“Lord Cederic,” I said, stepping forward, “may I speak?”

“You may, Major Aria,” he replied, his eyes sharp but inviting.

“Thank you,” I said, giving a slight nod. “While the current strategy is ideal in theory, I believe we need to launch a decisive attack on the rear.”

A heavy silence settled over the room. Though the officers exchanged uneasy glances, none dared to openly challenge me. My Hero title and rank of Major commanded respect, even among those who outranked me in experience.

I continued, “Once the Empire realizes their front line isn’t holding, they’ll send reinforcements. Even with multiple wars draining their resources, the Empire still has enough to spare. If we leave their rear unchecked, reinforcements will inevitably arrive, and when they do, the Shiena Kingdom may not withstand them.”

A skeptical voice cut through the tension. “And what makes you so sure of this, Major?”

“Information obtained from a high-ranking officer my unit captured,” I said, keeping my tone steady.

The room grew quieter still.

During the attack on one of the forts, I interrogated the officer for useful intelligence. Most of what he revealed was what I already know, but one detail stood out: the Empire still has Legions and Knight Orders available for deployment. Even if they only send a fraction of their forces, it could tip the scales against the war, in their favor.

“But you do realize we simply don’t have the forces to defeat them outright?” Cedric asked, his gaze steady but expectant, like a grandfather testing the resolve of his grandchild.

“I do,” I replied, meeting his eyes. “But I also believe they’ll come to us.”

A few murmurs arose among the officers, but I pressed on before doubt could take root.

“The officer we captured revealed that the defeat of the Storm Crusaders has shaken the Imperials more than we thought. Their morale is already low. If we exploit that, we could gain the upper hand.”

Cedric kept staring at me, his expression unreadable, while the officers exchanged glances.

“Even if they choose to hole up in their fort,” I continued, “it’s only a matter of picking them off one by one. And unless they have strong units hidden away, which I highly doubt, they’ll have no choice but to try and drive us back.”

My words hung in the air, the tension palpable as everyone waited for Cedric’s response.

“It seems we’re relying on you more and more each day,” Cedric remarked, a smile easing his features. “Why, the old is practically useless in situations like this.”

A few chuckles rippled through the tent, lightening the tense atmosphere. Then Cedric’s tone shifted, regaining its authority.

“Very well, I approve of your plan, but we won’t be sitting around waiting for them.”

He stood, his commanding presence filling the room.

“We’ll attack them first.”