Augustus takes a deep breath, feeling the cool breeze brush against his face. He looks out at the city, its streets bustling with people going about their daily lives. His thoughts wander to the sacrifice of those who have fought for their country and the price they paid for their freedom. The quote from "In Flanders Fields" echoes in his mind, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices of those who fought in World War I.

He can't help but think of the similarities between the conflicts of the past and the current situation in his county. The sacrifices of the soldiers who fought in wars were made in the name of unity, a common goal for their nation. In the same way, the rebellion in his county was sparked by the desire for unity and self-determination. The people had come together with a common goal, demanding change from their leaders.

However, unlike the soldiers who fought for their nation, the rebels in his county were fighting against their own leaders. Augustus knew that the conflict could have been avoided if the rulers had prioritized the needs of their people over their own ambitions. He couldn't shake off the feeling of unease, knowing that neglecting the unity of his county would lead to catastrophic consequences.

He thought about the impending war, the battles that would need to be fought, and the potential loss of life. It weighed heavily on him, and he was lost in thought, staring out at the city below. He didn't even notice Ostrava's approach.

"My lord," she said softly, setting a tray of food beside him. "You must eat. You have been here for hours."

Augustus looked up at her, his face tired and drawn. "Thank you, Ostrava," he said, taking a small bite of bread. "How is Madam Lefleur?"

Ostrava hesitated, her eyes filled with sadness. "She has left, my lord," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "She took the body of Isabel with her, to bring her back to her home for burial."

Augustus closed his eyes, his heart heavy. Isabel had been a dear friend, one of the few people he cared about. Her death was a blow to him, and he knew that it would only make the coming days even harder.

"Thank you, Ostrava," he said again, his voice hoarse. "Please, leave me now. I need some time to think."

Ostrava nodded, casting a worried glance at him before leaving him alone on the battlement. Augustus sat there for a long time, lost in thought. He thought of Isabel, of the rebellion, and of the war that was coming. He knew that the road ahead would be long and difficult and that there would be many sacrifices that would need to be made.

But he also knew that he was the only one who could lead his people through this dark time. He had been trained for this his entire life, groomed from a young age to take his place as ruler. And he would not let his people down. He would not let Yui down, she has always been a diligent worker and he cannot let her down, in this life or his past life, he refuses to let her down.

Augustus took a deep breath, steeling himself for the battles to come. No matter how difficult it would be, no matter how many battles they lost, they would rise again with more fury and power. He would not let his people down, and he would not let Hallgerd fall.

And so he sat there, watching over his city as the sun set on the horizon, his mind filled with determination and a fierce sense of purpose. Sabastian approaches with urgency.

Sebastian took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say. "My lord," he began, his voice solemn. "I bring grave news. Aildenburg has been besieged by the rebels. They are holding the city under lock and key."

Augustus felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. Aildenburg was the key to the central province, a vital stronghold that held the key to their defense. If it fell, the rebels would have a clear path to their capital. "How long have they been under siege?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Three weeks, my lord," Sebastian replied. "The rebels have cut off all supply lines, and the people inside are starving. They are in desperate need of relief."

Augustus felt a sense of urgency fill him. He knew that time was of the essence. If they did not act soon, Aildenburg would fall, and with it, their hopes for victory. "What is our army's strength?" he asked, his mind already racing with plans.

Sebastian hesitated. "It is not good, my lord," he said slowly. "Many of our troops are spread thin, defending our borders against rebel attacks. We do not have the strength to launch a full-scale assault on Aildenburg."

Augustus felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. They were in a dire situation, with no clear path to victory. "What can we do?" he asked, his voice filled with desperation. But an idea came up in his head “What about the tithes we have raised are they fully trained yet”.

Augustus knew that the idea he had just proposed was risky. The tithes legion had been raised to help defend the empire against the demon king, and diverting them to aid in the war against the rebellion would come at a great cost. But at this point, they had no other option. Aildenburg was a crucial stronghold holding the key to the central province, and losing it would mean a devastating blow to their defense.

With a heavy heart, Augustus made the decision. "We'll do it," he said firmly, "I'll personally lead the tithes legion to relieve Aildenburg."

Sebastian looked at him with concern. "My lord, the Marquise of Hallgerd will lose political support in the senate, and maybe even the favor of the emperor for diverting troops away from the demon king front."

Augustus nodded. "I know the risks, but we have no other choice. The rebellion must be crushed, and Aildenburg must be held at all costs. We cannot let them take the central province and prevent them from having a clear shot at the capital."

Sebastian looked at him, then nodded. "As you command, my lord."

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Augustus took a deep breath and turned to the messenger who had brought the news. "Prepare to send word to the tithes legion. They are to march immediately to relieve Aildenburg. Tell them that their county needs them now more than ever, and that they will be honored for their sacrifice."

Sebastian bowed. "I'll see to it at once, my lord."

Augustus watched him leave, then turned back to the battlement. He looked out at the city below, and for the first time in a long time, he felt a glimmer of hope. They were facing an uphill battle, but with the tithes legion at their side, they had a chance. And he would do everything in his power to lead them to victory.

And as he took the stage Augustus took a deep breath, and his eyes scanned the faces of the tithes legionnaires before him. "My friends, my brothers, I come before you with a heavy heart. Our home, our county, is under siege. The rebels threaten our walls, and our people are in danger. But we will not stand idly by and watch as our homes are destroyed, as our families are torn apart. We will fight, and we will win. For we are the tithes legion, and we are the protectors of this land."

A murmur of agreement ran through the soldiers, and Augustus continued. "I know that this is not what we trained for. We were meant to fight the demon king, to defend our empire against the forces of darkness. But now, we face a different kind of darkness. The darkness of rebellion, of treachery. And we must stand up to it, no matter the cost."

He paused, his eyes meeting those of the soldiers before him. "I know that this may mean committing treason against the very empire we have sworn to protect. But I ask you, what is the empire without its people? What is our loyalty worth if we do not stand up for those who are counting on us?"

There was a moment of silence before one of the soldiers spoke up. "But my lord, what of the political ramifications? What of the Marquise's standing in the Senate, or the favor of the emperor?"

Augustus held up a hand, his voice firm. "I know that this may come at a cost. But what is honor, if not doing what is right, even when it is difficult? And what is victory, if not fighting for what we believe in, even when the odds are against us?"

He looked out at the city beyond the walls. "Our homes, our families, our way of life is at stake. We cannot afford to be afraid. We must be brave, and we must fight. For the tithes legion, for our county, for our empire."

A cheer rose up from the soldiers, and Augustus felt a sense of pride in his heart. They were ready to fight, to defend their home, even if it meant going against their own empire. And he knew that they would do whatever it takes to emerge victorious.

As the troop tore down the empire eagle, they replaced it with a flag that was nothing short of magnificent. Made of the finest silk and expertly crafted, it bore the emblem of the Hallgerd family: a golden lion rampant on a field of green. The lion's fierce expression and raised paw seemed to embody the determination and courage of the soldiers who fought beneath it.

Surrounding the lion were intricate patterns of interlocking circles, symbolizing the unity and strength of the Marquise's domain. The colors of the flag were bold and vibrant, with the green of the field representing the fertile lands of Hallgerd, and the golden lion signifying the wealth and power of the Marquise's house.

As the flag fluttered in the wind, it stirred something deep within the hearts of the soldiers who fought beneath it. They had already fought and bled for their country, but now they were fighting for something more. They were fighting for their homes, their families, and their Marquise. And they would not let her down. They would fight to the bitter end, if necessary, for the honor of Hallgerd and the glory of their fallen comrades.

While Alexandria watched from a distance as Augustus went about his preparations for war. He had been so distant lately, barely acknowledging her presence or making time for her. It hurt her deeply, but she knew that now was not the time to dwell on her own feelings. The fate of their country hung in the balance, and she could see the determination in Augustus' eyes as he worked tirelessly to rally their troops.

As she watched him inspect the weapons and armor, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for him. He was a true leader, willing to do whatever it took to protect his people and his homeland. She knew that he was facing immense pressure and stress, but he carried himself with a strength and resilience that inspired her.

Alexandria wished she could do something to help him, but she knew that this was a battle he had to fight on his own. She could only stand by his side and offer him her unwavering support. As she watched him give a rousing speech to the soldiers, she felt a surge of pride and love for him. She knew that he was doing what he believed was right, even if it meant putting his own life in danger.

It was like Augustus was someone else after the death of Isabel even if she disliked her. Nobody deserves what happened to her remark Alexandria as she watches as Augustus continues to work even if he was going to war in an hour.

But as she entered Augustus's study, she noticed that he was still focused on his work. He didn't even look up as she approached him.

"What do you want, Alexandria?" he asked, his tone cold and distant.

Alexandria was taken aback by his tone. She had expected him to be worried about her, to show some emotion towards her as they were betrothed. But instead, he seemed more focused on the war effort than anything else.

"I just wanted to see you before you go to war," she said softly.

Augustus finally looked up at her, but his gaze was distant and unfocused. "I don't have time for this, Alexandria. I have important matters to attend to," he replied

Alexandria hesitated, feeling the chill in Augustus's demeanor. "Is everything alright, my lord?" she asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.

Augustus looked up from his papers, his eyes meeting hers briefly before returning to his work. "What do you want, Alexandria?"

Alexandria felt a pang of hurt at the coldness in his voice. She had been looking forward to spending time with him before he left for war, but it seemed that he had no interest in her company. "I just wanted to see how you were doing," she said quietly.

"I'm fine," Augustus replied curtly. "Just busy with preparations for the war."

Alexandria nodded, her heart heavy with disappointment. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Augustus shook his head. "No, I have everything under control. You should focus on your own duties."

Alexandria bit her lip, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. She had thought that their betrothal meant something, that he would at least show her some warmth and affection. But now it seemed that he was only interested in his duties and the war effort. "Alright," she said softly, turning to leave the room.

Augustus didn't say anything else, and Alexandria left the study with a heavy heart. She wondered if things would ever be the same between them, or if their relationship had been irreparably damaged by the tragedy that had befallen them.