“Empress Xue Li of South Hebei has warned that the deployment of WMDs on the frontlines has now been ‘nominally completed’. The North Hebeian Republic has however not budged on its continuous ballistic missile campaign against South Hebeian population centers. They have however affirmed that the Northern Republic would ‘never use chemical, biological, or radiological weaponry against our fellow Hebeians’. These reassurances however have been put into question, as non-persistent gas begin their small-scale appearances in the frontlines.”

- Geopol Press

+++

Northeastern Orland

Grand Duchy of Ludendorf

Halia

July 20, 2025

“The clean-up is pretty rapid, huh?” Amelie said. William and Amelie were standing on top of a local supermarket that managed to survive the battle intact. While many buildings, apartment blocks, housing units, establishments, and even skyscrapers were reduced to their foundations, the streets themselves were cleared of rubble.

“Yep,” William said, lowering down his binoculars. “We should be clear to move in toward the Ivory Palace in a few hours. That should be great.”

“I missed this city,” Amelie muttered with a bitter smile. “This is where I grew up. This place is the place I called home. Now it’s just…rubble. Will it ever even recover?”

“The damage to Halia has been mostly demographic decline due to everyone fleeing as refugees. Practically everyone who lives here is working for the military. The industries, factories, metro, well…the infrastructure in general are all shot up and destroyed. But it’s not like the Royal Capital ever boasted a robust heavy industry anyway.”

“Yeah, they only had to destroy the few manufacturing plants on the outskirts districts to wipe it out…and…and the Halian Shipyards. Goddess, I still remember the days when I thought that dealing with your brother would lend good results…”

“Well, it’s not like the shipyards are completely unsalvageable. Post-war, the project can be reopened, assuming the shipyards in Rolentz down south or West Orland don’t become dominant that the Halian Shipyard project becomes irrelevant of course. But otherwise, as you can see here, most of the skyscrapers are still standing. The office parks are still standing. Much of the residential buildings in the city are still standing. I think the crown jewel of Orland can still very much recover.”

“Assuming the millions who fled come back,” Amelie shook her head. “You know, it’s such a shame that the four most important regions of the country pre-war became the frontlines of this war. Ludendorf, Löt, Wuringen, and Westlauren. It’s like we were dealt the worst starting conditions possible.”

“I’m of the belief that post-war Orland definitely won’t be dominated by the northeast anymore. Much of our productivity now is in the south and west. So is most of our population. Considering how good the Duchy of Rimwurz is being run for example, you can bet yourself that it and Eutstadt will be the economic center this century. Well, at least Rebenslof and other coastal cities of Westlauren are untouched, so they might be fine.”

“Hmm…what’s the news up north anyway?” Amelie asked. “How are they holding up?”

“Been a lot of leadership reshuffles in the military administration of the Free Confederation. But they’re keeping to themselves well. Outside the fact that their supply lines from here are still nominally threatened by our enemy’s offensive.”

“I need to inspect the frontlines, William,” Amelie insisted. “Then we’ll go north, to the Free Confederation. I need to get in touch with all those military officers holding the great fortress.”

“We’re already risking enough after the incident—”

“And I’ve reaffirmed myself as Queen that I won’t let a close call to death deter me from doing my job,” Amelie frowned. “We already received some reinforcements, so it’s not like we’re in a big threat. And I doubt those people will attempt another one. Considering the scale of their attack, it must have been prepared in advance with a lot of time and resources.”

“That’s your assessment?”

“That’s what my guts say. What’s more important is we get into all of the frontline areas and finish formulating a plan on how we’ll hold out for the next four months. And both my Principality and the Free Confederation is a critical area to keep an eye on.”

“I guess…” William shook his head. “Alright, we’ll visit the front on the east. But we’re not going beyond the Ludendorf river—”

“We are going beyond the Ludendorf river. Because that’s where the actual fighting is. And that’s final.”

William just sighed.

“Fine…Your Majesty.”

+++

Preslic

“Director, I don’t particularly find this idea a good one,” Olivia stated plainly behind them. They had crossed the Ludendorf river. On the eastern banks was the recaptured territory of Royalist forces. With the rest of the security team remaining behind, it was just William, Amelie, Olivia, and Captain Helene Faust who toured the town’s base.

“It’s Her Majesty’s brilliant idea,” William tiredly said. “I wasn’t able to wrangle her out of this shtick.”

“Shush, you two,” Amelie said. Due to the nature of their unplanned visit, the soldiers stationed at the wartorn town didn’t notice that the Queen was there. Until one of them pointed at Amelie. Coincidentally, Amelie climbed the stairs to the entrance of one of the intact houses. She cleared her throat. “Everyone, as your Queen, I would like to ask for your attention!”

“Ah, well, that’s just her,” William said to Olivia. “She’s gonna do another speech to ask them about things.”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“She’s been doing that since we set out on this expedition,” Olivia said. Helene however remained silent, leaning back on the walls beside Amelie.

The soldiers in front of them gathered with curiosity at Amelie’s call. Most were normal infantrymen. With dirty clothes, and dirty equipment, their tired and empty eyes staring at Amelie neutrally. Then, there was a bunch of officers who ran around like headless chickens. Upon realizing the Queen was here, they barked orders for their men to appear disciplined.

Then, behind them, more onlookers came. Clerks. Mechanics. Truck drivers. Everyone that heard Amelie’s voice came in her direction. Great, I have them now. Amelie smiled with satisfaction. Time to know what really is happening.

“I assume that everyone in this area is a part of the 545th Infantry Brigade, no?” Amelie curiously asked. One of the officers, who seemed to be a Captain, rushed through the crowded area. He reached the front just in time when Amelie finished her question. He raised his hand and shouted.

“Your Majesty, this town is not a secure area,” the officer warned. “We weren’t even notified that you’ll arrive here. Please, vacate at once!”

Amelie chuckled and shook her head. She smiled gently at the officer.

“Captain is your rank I presume?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Well, Captain, that’s the reason I came here unannounced. And it’s why I’m coming to major places and areas unannounced. Even…even if there are security failures that may occur.”

She noticed something. Some of the soldiers had pulled out their phones and began filming her. For a second, she faltered, but Amelie steeled herself. I’m the Queen damn it. Her entire job was to project an image. And so, why not project the latest failures to the people as what they really were?

That it was just her trying her best to connect with reality.

“Because as your Queen, my job is to know what is on the ground. I know that we have politicians who can do it better, but I’ve already taken the mantle with my emergency powers to steer this nation. I need to know what you are dealing with. So I am here. To learn. To see. To ask. Even if it costs my life.”

“But if you die, then who’s going to lead us?!” Asked one of the soldiers from the back. “Your little sister?”

Laughter took over the gathered men. Many even briefly started joking about “Long Live Queen Alice”, chanting it to Amelie. But Amelie didn’t take it as an insult. Instead, she nodded.

“Well, I’m sure my little sister will take the mantle quite well,” she joked. “But no, truth is, there are a lot of equally bright and kind people in the Heiss Administration. Not discounting Prime Minister Heiss who is also knee-deep right now in our industries with Minister Wittfield to ensure that we churn out what you soldiers need to fight and survive. Men of Orland, if I die, then I’ll die as just another woman trying her best to serve this nation. Someone else will take the mantle. I’m not special.”

She shook her head.

“The Orlish State has failed you, us…everyone in this nation. But now is the time for change. From our cities to our industrial heartlands, to these burned-down and war-torn wastelands, the Orlish people are waking up and joining the banner of change in droves. I realize that this Civil War is a great tragedy, yes, but it’s a wake-up call for this Kingdom to change course. And my contribution to changing that course is by connecting with you, and asking what we must do.”

“Asking soldiers about the policy of the state will not work well,” an officer, arms crossed, said. He adjusted his glasses. “A state ruled and guided by soldiers is just as awful as a state ruled and guided by out-of-touch mages. They’ll both extract from the weak using their monopoly of violence.”

“And I never said you soldiers will be the ones doing the ruling. That does not mean I cannot ask those fighting and saving this Kingdom what must be done. Especially when it’s you who saw the worst excesses of the previous regime. Especially when the war is our greatest concern.”

There were brief nods amongst the infantrymen. William smirked a bit. He leaned a bit to whisper to Amelie.

“Seems like this is good PR material,” he murmured. “Keep going. Let these men question you and film you. And just answer what you think is right.”

Got it.

“As such, my purpose in this visit is the same with the countless units of the military I’ve visited.” She finally began asking the questions. “Men, what are your needs and issues? What are your fears and concerns? Most importantly, what do you think must be done? Because I’ll be frank, I’m nothing but an out-of-touch, palace brat. As your Queen, it is my responsibility to grow out of that. And thus, I want to hear from you. Now.”

Someone spoke from the crowd.

“Well, she’s asking for it! Let’s tell her then!”

“This is a security concern!” an officer insisted.

Then, Amelie stopped him.

“And it’d be a greater concern if I don’t hear my subjects.”

The officers shook their heads at Amelie’s flat refusal to leave or shut up. On the other hand, Amelie watched as the common soldiers grew interested. One by one, they started raising their hands. The same issues came to Amelie’s ears.

Logistical problems. Lack of food, rations, and equipment. Lack of reinforcements. Lack of spare parts. Lack of morale. Some even ranted on and on about the stupidity of the Orlish High Command. Others complained about their local commanders. It was a litany of issues that Amelie heard again and again.

Halfway through it, she stepped down the stairs. She was crowded by the curious common soldiers. Her three guards kept a tight cordon around her. But she finally began rubbing shoulders with her lowest subjects. She went to depots. To kitchens. To their barracks. She checked their tanks and vehicles.

All while non-commissioned officers, privates, and every man of the Army talked to her as if she was their naive younger sister. But Amelie had no problem being schooled, especially when she watched with amazement how these men fought.

The simple things from how they cleaned their rifles. How they fixed a broken HMLV engine. How they cooked things and what they ate. It was fascinating to Amelie. By the time she left, her white gloves were dirty. Her white dress uniform was stained with mud and dirt. She looked back at William as they walked toward their waiting vehicle.

There was a tired smile on his face.

“What?” Amelie asked. William just shook her head.

“I’m not sure if you’re learning much about this trip. I’m not sure if risking yourself and the security team for this is smart, but…I think that’ll help, somewhat. Those men, they were taking videos of you.”

“Um, so what?”

“There’s now footage of the Orlish Queen talking sincerely with a random private as to how shitty it is to deal with mud getting on his shoes. Or how you enthusiastically checked the underside of a tank just because a random mechanic is trying to explain landmines.”

“Err…” Amelie blushed a bit. “Is it that big?”

“Nope, but keep at this, and you’ll be getting closer to appearing as that ‘People’s Queen’. Eventually, your brand of reformism should appeal to the people and soldiers. Remember, national morale is important in whether or not we’ll hold on and win. And perceptions of one’s leaders is a part of that.”

“I know that…”

“And you’re doing it well, all while I suppose serving a practical purpose. You’re right, I’m just keeping you away from growing as a leader,” William smiled apologetically. “My mistake. I’ll just shut up and do my best to protect you now. Keep doing it. It helps with your image, and your skills as to how you’ll rule.”

“Well…that’s what I said earlier, right?” Amelie smiled a bit. “It’s depressing to see all of this, but it’s also so…human, William. I want to see more of it. The reality of things. So…so I can change it.”

Tomorrow, the next stop would be the Free Confederation. Amelie wouldn’t back down from it.