[Fortress City of Falbe]

　The huge ramparts of the city and the large gates that give off a stuffy atmosphere. On top of the walls, soldiers were lined up everywhere, bows in their hands.

　Inside the kingdom, the fortified city of Falbe was located at a distance of two days' ride from the royal capital.

　The entire city was surrounded by walls, and the inside of the city was unnaturally quiet. There were soldiers and sorcerers in the streets, but no residents were to be found.

　In such a city, a man in luxurious armor was walking around, giving instructions.

''We don't have enough people. Can't we get more soldiers from somewhere?

General Hylert. We already have 20,000 men, including our resident border force. Moreover, the messages we have sent to various regions will return in a month with more than 20,000 men. Wouldn't it be better if we could hold out for a month?

　When the exhausted-looking first-year man asked this, the man called Heilert shook his head from side to side with an expression that seemed to bite down on a bitter worm.

'Lord Gelb. I know that you, who have been watching this Falbe for many years, believe in the defensive capabilities of this city. Indeed, Falbe would hold the best defense as well as the royal capital.

　Agreeing as he walked, Heilert stopped and looked back at the man, Gerp.

'But that too will be shaken if only we see the army the Empire has prepared for us. No matter how well prepared you are, there is no such thing as a perfect army. There is no chance of success in a siege.

'So why are you gathering troops from all over the country in this falve...? Isn't it because you're confident you can defend it?

　When Gelb bites down, Heilert narrows his eyes sharply.

'It's for bait and surprise, and for a pincer attack. Other than that, there's no other way to make use of it.

Yeah, that's- that's not- that's not- that's not- that's not- that's not- that's not- that's not- that's not- that's not...

　Turning his back on Gelb, who was anxiously trying to ask more questions, Heilert walked to the castle gate. Gelp hurriedly chased after him, but Heilert didn't look back anymore.






[Imperial Army]

"General Violette! We've received a response from Falbe!

　A soldier who rode through the line of cavalrymen on horseback, spear in hand, shouted this to the roofless two-horse carriage.

　On top of the carriage is the figure of a woman who looks to be in her mid-twenties with beautiful purple hair, dressed in white and silver armor. Looking down at the soldier with her blue eyes, the woman raises her body from her back, which is larger than her height.

　Violette, one of the generals in the imperial army, also known as the Purple Princess, opened her mouth as she looked down at the soldiers.

''What kind of response do you have in mind?''

　The soldier looks up with a nervous face as a gentle voice asks him that.

''Yes! I'm aware of what General Violette has to say, but she wants to make sure it's the Emperor's will! Still no word on the whereabouts of the princess and the entire kingdom is on the lookout.

　When the soldier reported that and held his tongue, Violette's eyes narrowed and the corners of her mouth lifted.

It's a transparent stall, isn't it? Wouldn't that be such an obvious move? Ideally, it would be to cut off our supply routes on the expedition, but you don't expect Falve to keep it up for that long.

　Violette sits back in her chair and mutters to herself, mumbling.

If you consider the difference in strength, you have to be that reckless to find a chance to win.

　Murmuring that much, Violette smiles.

''One or eight........that's a pretty tough bet to say. Then I'm sure you have other plans.''

　When Violette was silent for the rest of the day, one of the cavalrymen opened his mouth.

'Master Violette,'

　When the cavalryman called Violette's name, Violette looked up and nodded.

''I dare to divide the army into three parts. One shall attack Falve and one shall attack the royal capital. Although this is a forceful offensive with the difference in troops, it will be the best harassment for the Atul Kingdom, which is short on hands.

Okay. How would you like to divide it up?

'We need to capture Falve as soon as possible. We only need to show King's Landing more troops so that they can be on the defensive. Hence, fifty thousand each. I will move freely to guard against surprise, so let's divide the golems between Falbe and King's Landing in half.

But that would mean that most of the sorcerers would have to leave. Doesn't Violette-sama's main unit need a sorcerer as well...?

　When the horseman asked this, Violette smiled fiercely and turned her palms upwards with a fierce smile.

　With a booming sound, a blue-purple flame appears in the air. The horsemen gasped at Violette, who was illuminated by the flames.

''........I'm here, aren't I?''

　When Violette told him that, the cavalryman gave a dry laugh and nodded deeply.

''I beg your pardon...''

　As the horseman uttered this, he gently turned his attention to the back of the carriage Violette was riding in.

　The carriage was followed by a black giant that emitted a dull light characteristic of metal.