Chapter 68

Episode 68: Just As Planned

Late July, Imperial Year 1241.

The bandits plaguing the Dirstr region had been almost entirely wiped out under the command of Litzia Reite

The former bandit hideouts had already been repurposed as supply lines for the Special Vanguard Army, and preparations for the impending invasion from the Kingdom of Reshfelt were steadily progressing.

“Princess Valtlune , we’ve received a declaration from the Kingdom of Reshfelt demanding we cede control of Dirstr. Of course, we’ve intercepted and contained the information.”

“I see… just as planned. Or maybe I should say, exactly as I anticipated.”

As she said, this same declaration had been made in my previous life.

Even the timing lined up nearly perfectly.

The only real difference this time was that almost no one knew about it—save for a very select few, including Princess Valtlune herself.

—Not even the Emperor had been informed of this development.

“What do you intend to do? Handle it quietly behind the scenes?”

“Yes. That’s the plan. If my father were to hear of this, he wouldn’t sit quietly.”

Officially, the empire knew nothing of this provocation.

That was the stance they would maintain.

But simply maintaining a stance wasn’t enough.

“Ardhea, how are the preparations coming along?”

“Everything is in place for the Special Vanguard Army. The troops are fully trained and ready to mobilize the day before the attack. We also have ample stockpiles of supplies. We’ll be able to hold out even in the case of a drawn-out battle.”

“Good. So our preparations are complete.”

Not entirely, though.

There was still much to be done.

“Princess Valtlune, we’re short on magitech devices. It’ll be difficult to cover the entire Dirstr region.”

“Can you make it work?”

“Yes. Leave it to me.”

They were already working on narrowing the possible invasion routes.

So the placement of magitech devices could be prioritized based on necessity.

And even if the enemy made an unexpected move, they’d prepared countermeasures—units positioned to divert and guide the enemy down chosen paths.

All that was left was…

“The day of the diplomatic visit… If the Kingdom of Reshfelt’s invasion aligns with that timing, will everything fall into place?”

That part was out of our hands now.

The key would be Ixion, the fourth prince of Reshfelt, acting as our insider.

“He managed to negotiate the time of attack. They’ll strike in the early afternoon. Originally, the plan was to launch a surprise attack at dawn, but Prince Ixion convinced them otherwise.”

“That’s… impressive.”

No normal person could make a military leader abandon the tactical advantage of a dawn ambush.

“He’s been playing the fool—‘The Useless Ghost Prince,’ remember? No one suspects him. He’s been spreading the right rumors, guiding the upper brass exactly where we want them. He’ll use the same tactics to influence the timing.”

“We’re lucky he’s on our side.”

—If he weren’t, he’d be a nightmare of an opponent.

“Indeed. Which is why I’m confident this plan will work. The Kingdom of Reshfelt’s reputation will suffer a serious blow.”

Princess Valtlune smiled gracefully.

And beneath that elegant smile was an awe-inspiring presence, something beyond mere charisma.

Information control.

They wouldn’t reveal the whole truth.

This would be framed as an unjust invasion by the Kingdom of Reshfelt.

Which it was, technically.

But more than that, the goal was to burn that idea into the minds of foreign dignitaries.

Publicly, Princess Valtlune was inviting representatives from other nations to tour the Dirstr region.

A friendly gesture meant to build stronger international relationships and foster unity among their countries—on the surface.

In reality, it was just a cover for her master plan.

“A surprise attack during such a visit… The foreign guests will be shocked.”

“Oh, I’m sure they will. But once I take command and drive back the Kingdom of Reshfelt with elegance and precision—”

“Your fame will skyrocket, and Reshfelt’s credibility will crumble. All at once.”

A two-birds-one-stone strategy.

If Princess Valtlune could crush the enemy army in front of a gathering of international representatives, her path to the throne would all but be secured.

Emperor Gload was hiding it, but he was gravely ill.

This was the perfect opportunity to make her move.

“Ardhea, we must win this battle. I won’t allow a drawn-out mess. This is our moment to show the overwhelming difference in strength between the Vulcan Empire and the Kingdom of Reshfelt.”

Her future was within reach.

And I would make sure nothing got in her way