Chapter 25

Falbe Fortress City]

An towering huge rampart and a big gate that brings out an impressive atmosphere. A crowd of soldiers were lined up above the rampart holding bows.

Located in the Kingdom, the Falbe Fortress City is just two days away if you galloped on horseback from the Royal Capital.

The entire city is surrounded by a rampart and the city is unnaturally quiet. There were soldiers and magicians on the street, but no residents can be seen.

In such a town, a man wearing a luxurious armor was giving instructions.

「This is not enough. Can’t we increase the number of soldiers by bringing them from other places?」

「General Heirat. There are already 20,000 soldiers including this border resident army. Moreover, the messengers who arrived from various places said that they will send more than 20,000 soldiers in one month. I think it’s alright if we can withstand for a month.」

When an elderly man with an exhausted look said that, the man called Heirat shook his head from side to side with a sour look.

「Sir Gelb. I know that you, who have looked after this Falbe for many years, believes in the defense of this city. Certainly, Falbe probably has the best defense capability comparable to the Royal Capital.」

Heirat, who expressed his opinion while passing back and forth, has stopped and looked back at the man named Gelb.

「But your belief will probably shake when you see the army prepared by the Empire. It will never be that perfect no matter how much preparation we made. We have no chance of victory in a siege.」

「Th, then, why are you gathering soldiers from various places to this Falbe……? Isn’t it because you have confidence in defending this city?」

While Gelb refuses to back down, Heirat narrow his eyes sharply.

「It’s for a trap and surprise attack, because we will attack them from both sides. We have no means of survival other than that.」

「Wh, what do you mean….. Ah, Ge, General Heirat, we’re still talking……!」

Turning his back to Gelb who was about to ask another question anxiously, Heirat walked to the castle gate. Gelb quickly ran after him, but Heirat didn’t looked back anymore.

【Imperial Army]

「General Violette! There was a response from Falbe!」

A soldier, who ran through the row of cavalries, shouted that towards the roofless carriage with two horses.

On the carriage, there is a figure of a woman in her mid-twenties with beautiful purple hair wearing a silver armour. Looking down at the soldier with her blue eyes, the woman raised her body from the backrest that is higher than her height.

Violette, one of the Imperial Army generals who’s also known as the Purple Princess, opened her mouth while looking down on the soldier.

「What kind of response is it?」

She asked that in a gentle voice and the soldier raised his face with a tense expression.

「Yes! I am told that they know what General Violette-dono wanted to say, but they wanted to make a confirmation if this is the will of His Majesty the Emperor! In addition, the whereabouts of the princess is still unknown and the Kingdom is also searching her with all their strength!」

When the soldier reported that and stopped talking, Violette narrowed her eyes and raised the edge of her mouth.

「It’s really obvious that they are buying some time. Well then, shall we attack the fortress in a few days, from the back? So that we can cut off their supply route, but I don’t think that Falbe will last for such a long period of time.」

Violette sat back in the chair and began murmuring to herself.

「…… Are they planning to use the terrain that can’t be ignored to trap us and deal with us in small units? If they thought about the difference in our war potential, they would notice that they don’t have a chance of winning if they will not do that much.」

Violette murmured that with a smile on her face.

「It’s a very tough bet for a desperate attempt. If that’s the case, we will also take some countermeasures.」

While Violette is contemplating after saying that, one of the cavalries speaks.

「Violette-sama」

When the cavalry called her name, Violette raised her face and nodded.

「I will divide the army into three on purpose. One will attack the Falbe and one will attack the Royal Capital. It is an overbearing attack which relies on difference in military strength, but it will be the best harassment for the Azul Kingdom who’s lacking in people.」

「I see. How will you divide the army, Violette-sama?」

「The Falbe needs to be conquered as soon as possible. We only need to show a lot of soldiers in order to make the Royal Capital focus its defense. So each will have 5,000 soldier. I will move freely to watch out for surprise attacks, so let’s divide the golems to Falbe and Royal Capital in half.」

「However, that means most of the magicians will be leaving. Isn’t it necessary to also have a magician in the main unit of Violette-sama……?」

When the cavalry asked that, Violette raised her palm with a fierce smile on her face.

While making a faint sound, a bluish purple flame appears in the air. Seeing Violette produced a flame, the cavalries gasped.

「…… What about myself?」

When Violette said that, the cavalry raised a dry laugh and nodded deeply.

「Forgive my rudeness……」

While the cavalry said that, he secretly shifted his eyes behind the carriage of Violette.

Behind the carriage, a black giant sheds a dull light unique to metals.