Normal PoV(3rd person PoV)

A battalion which numbered, five hundred troops was dispatched, under the commanded by, Garrison Commander Chiharu Natsuo.

The army was comprised of four companies and a single platoon. With each company comprising a hundred troops.

The first company is commanded by logistics commander Rayland and his adjutant. Company consists of light infantry. This company acts as supply wagon escorts.

The second company is commanded by knight Eladain and his adjutant. Company consists of heavy cavalry.

The third company is commanded by Knight Raymond. The company consists of light cavalry.

The fourth company is commanded by Knight Yuito, the company is comprised of heavy infantry, it's also the largest company within the battalion, numbering one hundred fifty soldiers.

The only platoon in the battalion is commanded by Lieutenant Akane, this platoon consist of light infantry and numbered around fifty.

The battalion brought along with them twenty-five supply wagons. These wagons contained supplies such as food, water, weapons and ammunition.

The gate was opened and the battalion safely arrived at the fort, a man in his early twenties saluted Chiharu whom salutes back.

"Captain Chiharu it's nice to see you here."

Chiharu had a smile on her face, and replied.

"It's a pleasure Lieutenant Commander Takeo, however I've recently been promoted, I'm now a Garrison commander."

Her face became serious, and asked Takeo.

"Report Lieutenant commander."

Takeo salutes and reports to Chiharu.

"During the multiple skirmishes with the empire, we suffered minimal casualties of fifty troops total. However our injured have reached over two hundred."

The logistic company began unloading the wagons, Chiharu pats Takeo's shoulder and told him.

"Good work Lieutenant Commander, for buying needed time for me to muster a large enough force to defend the fort. I'm also sorry for the losses."

Chiharu turned her back and told Takeo.

"You are dismissed, rest well and leave the rest to me."

Takeo nodded, saluted his commanding officer and left. His adjutant remained and briefed Chiharu about their current situation.

On the field kitchen which was set up by the logistics company, Yuni and the maids started preparing food.

The maids made some warm chicken soup, the soldiers lined up to receive their rations, one soldier in particular carried two bowls and he told Yuni.

"C-Could you give me an extra serving, one is for me and the other is for my friend, he was badly injured during the last skirmish and is now in the field hospital."

Yuni turned to the head maid, whom smiled and nodded. She poured the second bowl with soup, which she brought to the tent of the injured soldiers.

After feeding the wounded, Yuni removed the bandages of the wounded, cleaned their wounds and replaced their bandages with new ones.

The head maid tapped Yuni's back lightly and told her.

"You're a weird one."

Puzzled with her remarks Yuni asked.

"What do you mean, head maid Lena?"

Lena closed her eyes, she took a deep breathe and stared Yuni in the eye.

"By my time working as a maid, this is my first time seeing someone like you. One unfazed by the presence of death."

Yuni let's out a sigh and replied.

"I'm not unfazed by death, I simply got used to it. Seeing people die before my eyes."

Lena lightly pats Yuni's back.

"Everything's fine now, you don't have to worry anymore. We'll be here for you."

"We?"

Asked Yuni with a curious look on her face.

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"Don't worry, I'm sure everything will be back to normal after this battle."

Yuni took a glance at Akane and replied.

"Yes, I hope so."

The soldiers began strengthening the gates, placing weapons atop the walls, and patrolling the area.

Aldar fort has over five thousand people within it's walls, nine hundred soldiers and over four thousand refugees. Two hundred were injured during the skirmishes, leaving only seven hundred combat able troops.

The empire on the other hand begun establishing a base, securing what little supplies were left in the villages. The imperial troops has already began preparations for a siege, their numbers was bolstered. Numbering around three thousand, the empire is simply bidding their time, mustering a large force for a full-scale invasion.

Akane's PoV

I was summoned to the a meeting, discussing the army's next course of action about the invading imperial troops.

"I suggest a quick frontal assault."

Suggested Knight Eladain, with a stern look on his face Yuito objected.

"The scouts reported that the enemy has an estimate of three thousand troops minimum within their encampment, it's reckless for us to attack without formulating a proper plan."

Knight Raymond raised his hand and replied.

"I'm in favor with Eladain's plan, we should attack whilst the enemy is unprepared."

Chiharu turned her attention towards me and asked.

"What about you Lieutenant Akane? Any suggestions on our next course of action."

I placed my hand on my chin and pondered, Yuito knit an eyebrow and he told Chiharu.

"That's unnecessary, she has no field experience and her decision might cost the lives of hundreds of soldiers."

I raised my hand and proposed.

"What if we raid their encampment during the night, assassinate their commanding officers, sabotage their supplies and burn their tents with flaming arrows."

I paused for a moment and added.

"Next will form a small unit to attack their supply convoys, this will prevent them from resupplying their troops, thus forcing them to retreat."

Yuito stared at me with disbelief.

"I'm in favor with the plan, I will personally command the infiltration unit."

The two knights' stared at each other, within their faces were conflicted looks. Eladain raised his voice.

"I cannot approve of such a cowardly tactic, as expected of a noble lady, you would rather fight dirty or avoid fighting entirely rather than meeting the enemy with honor."

Yuito stood up from his seat and shouted.

"Take back what you just said, a Knight such as yourself disrespecting a nobleman's daughter. you have no right to call yourself a Knight."

Both men were about to drew their weapons, however Raymond stopped the two and told them.

"I'm in favor of Lieutenant Akane's plan, it would minimize casualties on both sides, and requires only a few personnel, should the mission fail our losses would be at a minimal as well."

Eladian bite hit lips and shouted.

"You too?!?"

Chiharu snapped, she stood up her chair.

"Enough."

All the officers present sat down and quite down, I leaned next to Yuito and told him.

"Thank you for standing up for me."

He glared at me with a stern look and replied.

"If your plan worked, both sides would avoid unnecessary deaths."

"How about you Logistics commander Rayland, any brilliant ideas?"

Everyone in the room turned yo the logistics commander, Rayland and he replied.

"I'm in favor with the lieutenant's plan."

Chiharu clapped her hands and told everyone.

"It's settled then, aside from knight Yuito the rest of you are dismissed."

Everyone aside from Yuito was dismissed, upon leaving Chiharu's quarters, Yuni was standing beside the door and with a warm smile on her face she asked.

"How was the meeting Akane?"

I sighed and a replied with tired voice.

"It was tiresome, I also got into a fight with a knight."

Yuni caressed my back and told me.

"Let's go back to your quarters, I prepared some chicken soup just for you."

Normal PoV(3rd person PoV)

As Yuni casually dragged Akane back to her quarters, the two Knights noticed this and Eladain asked.

"That maid just dragged the lieutenant so casually, are they perhaps lovers?"

Raymond turned to his colleague with a disinterested face.

"Don't mind them instead focus on the task at hand."

Thus the two Knights returned to their respective quarters.

Meanwhile on Chiharu's Quarters.

Chiharu told Yuito to sit down and she asked him.

"Do you have an idea on what we are about to discuss?"

He shook his head vigorously, nervous.

"N-No ma'am." He answered.

A smile could be seen on her face as she told him.

"Lieutenant Akane, have you ever wondered who she was?"

Yuito shook his head, his voice shivers as replied.

"N-No ma'am."

Chiharu nodded and a grind could be seen on her face.

"I'm tasking you to protect her, Like your life depends on it."

Puzzled Yuito asked nervously.

"Why?"

Chiharu's face became stern, which in turn made Yuito's nervousness increase. Chiharu took a deep breathe and said.

"You must keep this a secret, no matter what."

Yuito nodded in fear, satisfied with his reaction Chiharu told him.

"She is Akane Ikinawa, Daughter of Akari Ikinawa, Crown Princess and future Queen of this kingdom."

His face became pale as he asked.

"Sh-She's the crown princess?!?"

Chiharu simply nodded and told him.

"I'll put my trust in you, don't let me down Knight Yuito Akagari."

Author's Note: The rank hierarchy of the Hakuroku army are the following.

From lowest to highest.

Conscript=Conscripted soldiers, no official rank within the military.

Recruit=Soldiers under training.

Trooper= light infantry soldier

Corporal= Heavy infantry soldier

Lance Corporal= Light cavalry soldier

Squire= Heavy Cavalry soldier

Corporal commander= commander of a squadron.

Lieutenant= Commander of a platoon. (Commonly given to nobles with no experience.)

Logistics commander= commander of supply management and logistics.

Knight= Lower aristocrat commander of a company.

Lieutenant commander= Commander two or more companies.

Captain= Commander of three more more companies.

Knight Captain= Commander of the knight corp and a battalion.

Commander= Commander of a regiment.

Garrison commander= Commander of the provincial garrison. Which is around one or two regiments.

General=commander of a brigade.

General commander= Commander of a division or multiple brigades.

Field Marshall= Commander of a corp.

Grand Field Marshall= Commander of the Hakuroku army.

Army sizes. Based on military.

Section= group of soldiers around 4-12 number.

Squad=group of soldiers around 8-24 number.

Platoon= large group of soldiers around 16-50 in number.

Companies= Large group of soldiers around 100-250 in number.

Battalions= Huge number of soldiers around 400-1000.

Regiments= Huge number of soldiers around 1000-2000.

Brigades= Massive number of soldiers around 1500-3500.

Divisions= Massive number of soldiers around 10000-15000.

Corp= Massive number of soldiers around 25000-50000