(A/N: Sorry guys I uploaded the unedited version a few minutes ago, forgot to copy it from patreon)
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{3rd Pov}
The entire nation had fallen into unrest.
Chaos spread rapidly across multiple cities following the announcement made by Natsuki Subaru.
News traveled fast, and with it came uncertainty, fear, and rising tension among both the common people and those in power.
The regions governed by Subaru and Roswaal, along with the territories heavily influenced by the allied camps, made up nearly forty percent of the nation.
Within these areas, all forms of trade and contractual dealings were either halted or severely restricted due to the looming threat of war.
Merchants grew cautious, the supply chains began to weaken, and economic activity slowed down drastically.
At the same time, the internal structure of the kingdom began to shift.
A number of prominent Royal Knights chose to leave their positions, unwilling to fight against what they believed to be a justified cause or perhaps unwilling to oppose someone like Subaru altogether.
Their departure created visible cracks within the Royal Knights' order.
However, the situation was not entirely one-sided.
For many, the outbreak of war presented an opportunity.
An opportunity to rise in rank, to prove themselves, to gain recognition and power further within the military hierarchy.
Because of that, only around one-fifth of the Royal Knights actually left their posts.
The majority chose to remain, whether out of loyalty, ambition, or belief in the existing system.
When combined with the standing army and various militia forces, the kingdom still maintained a considerable military strength.
In total, the nation could field an army of approximately fifteen thousand soldiers.
Among them were several hundred trained Royal knights.
Despite the internal divisions and the uncertainty surrounding the conflict, the kingdom was far from defenseless.
In fact, it was preparing for a full-scale war.
The Royal Knights were known as the elite of the elite.
Each one of them was far beyond an ordinary soldier, capable of taking down several opponents on their own, and in many cases, even dozens without much difficulty.
Their training, discipline, and combat experience placed them on an entirely different level compared to the standard military forces.
Figures like Wilhelm and Julius stood even higher.
They were not just strong, they were exceptional.
Either of them could face hundreds of soldiers alone and still emerge victorious under the right circumstances.
And yet, despite knowing this, Astros and the nobles remained confident.
They believed that sheer numbers would be enough.
Their assumption was simple.
Even if Wilhelm was once known as the Sword Demon, he was now aged.
And Julius, no matter how skilled, would be forced to fight against comrades he once stood beside.
In their eyes, overwhelming numbers combined with familiarity would eventually bring both of them down.
It was a risky assumption, but one they were willing to rely on.
At the same time, another move had already been made behind the scenes.
Louanna who had the sleeping beauty syndrome had been taken into custody.
Not as a prisoner in the usual sense, but as a valuable half-true half-fake hostage.
The intention was clear.
She was meant to be used as leverage against Reina.
Heinkel did not agree with this decision.
He found the method distasteful, perhaps even dishonorable, but he also understood the reasoning behind it.
In a situation where direct confrontation seemed nearly impossible, this was one of the few options they had left.
They needed a way to restrain Reina and so, they chose to target the very foundation of what defined her actions.
The principle that governed her behavior.
The so-called "Reina Law."
By threatening those she cared about, they hoped to control her.
At present, they believed Louanna to be the most effective choice after she broke up her relationship with Wilhelm and Heinkel.
The person Reina would still consider the most precious.
Or at least that was what they assumed.
Subaru allowed them time to prepare.
He did not interfere, nor did he attempt to disrupt their arrangements.
Instead, he observed quietly as the nobles gathered their forces and organized their side of the battlefield.
The Royal Knights were assembled in full strength.
Alongside them stood the military forces directly under the control of the nobles, forming the backbone of their army.
In addition, the mages from the research institute were mobilized, bringing with them their knowledge of advanced magic and combat techniques.
Spirit arts users were also gathered, adding another layer of versatility to their overall force.
It was a well-rounded army.
And Astros had already formed a plan.
A simple one, at least on the surface.
The common militia would be used to hold back the bulk of the rebel forces, keeping them occupied and preventing them from advancing too far.
Meanwhile, the elite units would focus on the real threats such as the key individuals who could turn the tide of the war.
Wilhelm was to be handled directly.
Heinkel, along with a group of capable knights, would be tasked with engaging him.
The idea was to overwhelm him through numbers and coordination, exploiting both his age and the emotional weight of the situation.
Julius was to be isolated as well.
He would be forced to face his former comrades, alongside spirit arts users who could interfere with and neutralize his abilities.
The goal was to limit his effectiveness and prevent him from dominating the battlefield.
Reina, however, required a different approach.
She could not be fought head-on.
Instead, Louanna would be used as leverage.
By holding her hostage, they intended to restrict Reina's actions and force her into a controlled position.
If necessary, they would make her fight Zero aka Natsuki Subaru himself, using the threat of her mother's life to ensure her compliance.
It was a cruel but calculated strategy.
As for Roswaal, the responsibility would fall to the mages.
Their combined efforts, supported by additional forces, were expected to keep him occupied and prevent him from overwhelming the battlefield with his magic.
Another objective was set as well.
A portion of the Royal Knights would be assigned to target "Blue" or Felix Argyle.
The reasoning was straightforward.
Eliminate the strongest healer, and the enemy's ability to recover from damage would collapse.
From Astros' perspective, certain individuals had to die.
Wilhelm van Astrea was one of them.
To him, Wilhelm was a relic of the past, an old legend whose value no longer mattered if he stood against the kingdom.
Felix Argyle was another.
A highly capable healer, but also a demi-human and because of that, Astros felt no hesitation and no remorse of killing such a capable asset now that he had turned against the Nation.
In his mind, their deaths were simply necessary steps toward victory.
Finally, the plan was set into motion.
The royal army began its march toward Roswaal's territory, moving in a large, organized formation.
The sound of armored footsteps and marching soldiers echoed across the land as they advanced with full intent to crush the opposing force.
Their destination was clear.
And along the path, near the Flugel Tree, they encountered resistance.
But what they saw was not what they had expected.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Astros shouted in disbelief as he lowered the spyglass slightly, then raised it again as if to confirm what he was seeing.
"We expected their entire force to be gathered here… so why are there only a handful of them?!"
His voice carried both confusion and frustration because what stood before them was not an army.
It was a small group.
A group made up of some of the strongest individuals on the opposing side including only of Priscilla, Aldebaran, Subaru, Reina, Wilhelm, Felix, Julius, and the twelve spirits.
That was it.
No large formations or military soldiers, no visible reinforcements and possibly no hidden troops waiting behind them.
Even more surprising was who was missing.
Roswaal was not present.
Emilia was not there either.
Crusch, Anastasia, and several other powerful members were nowhere to be seen.
It made no sense.
From Astros' perspective, this looked less like a battlefield and more like a trap or worse, an act of complete arrogance.
But the truth was something else entirely.
Subaru had already divided his forces.
The army had been split into two main groups.
The first group was tasked with protecting the people within their territories, ensuring that civilians would not suffer during the conflict.
This group would maintain stability and prevent chaos from spreading behind their lines.
The second group had a different objective.
They were to move strategically and lay siege to key cities when their defenses were at their weakest.
It was a calculated approach, aimed at dismantling the kingdom's structure as quick as possible.
The command of these operations had been entrusted to Felt, Anastasia, Emilia, and Crusch.
Each of them was leading their respective forces.
And as for Subaru?
He had chosen to stand here with only a handful of individuals.
Because in his mind they alone were enough to face the massive army standing before them.
"~Nyah, I won't lie... I probably should have stayed back. Fighting really isn't my strong suit~Nya!", Felix said, clearly sweating as he stared at the massive army gathered in front of them.
Out of everyone present, he was the only one visibly nervous.
Subaru glanced at him and replied calmly, "Don't worry. Think of this as your chance to turn from a cat into a lion. And if I remember correctly… Crusch has a preference for lions, doesn't she?"
Felix paused.
A faint blush appeared on his face almost instantly.
"T-That is true… nyah~," he admitted, his tone shifting as his imagination began to run wild. In his mind, he could already picture Crusch praising him, acknowledging him as a true lion, someone worthy of standing proudly by her side.
That was enough to boost his morale.
Subaru continued, "Besides, just stick to the healing techniques and applications you learned from me. We have already tested them thoroughly. If you apply them properly… you are going to be a complete nightmare for them."
He gave a small nod, as if reassuring him.
Felix, however, shuddered slightly.
The memories of that "training" were still fresh in his mind and they were anything but pleasant.
He had grown somewhat stronger.
That strength, however, had not come in a normal or comfortable way.
His body had been broken again and again during training, forcing him to rely on his own healing magic repeatedly just to stay alive. Through that process, he had unintentionally developed a rather reckless and borderline suicidal fighting style one that would have undoubtedly killed him if he were not "Blue," the greatest healing magician in the world.
"That is absolutely the wrong way to use healing magic! Nyah~!" Felix complained, his cat ears twitching in frustration as he recalled those painful sessions.
Subaru simply grinned.
"Exactly," he replied without any hesitation.
As usual, no one else present understood what he meant by the reference he just made, but he seemed completely satisfied with it.
"Do not worry, Sir Felix. I will assist you if necessary," Julius added calmly, stepping forward with his usual composed demeanor.
His words carried a natural sense of reassurance, and his elegance alone seemed to boost the morale of those nearby.
Meanwhile, Felix was having a completely different reaction internally.
'Why does this feel like I am the one who is going to suffer the most… nyah…' he cried silently in his mind, already dreading what was about to unfold.
Even so, he knew there was no backing out now.
Whether he liked it or not he was about to prove just how terrifying a healer could be on the battlefield.
(A/N: Even if he were to farm aura he will have to suffer, Muahaha)
Priscilla, on the other hand, simply grinned as she looked ahead at the battlefield.
"This is a stage worthy of my sword," she said with confidence. "Do try not to lose, Aldebaran."
Her tone carried both pride and expectation.
Aldebaran scratched the back of his head in response, letting out a small breath. He might have lost completely in the game of love, but when it came to an actual fight…
"Princess, this might be a bit difficult…" he began, pausing briefly before shrugging. "But… nah, I'd win."
The moment those words left his mouth, Subaru gave him a strange look.
A very strange look.
Aldebaran noticed it immediately.
He turned slightly, meeting Subaru's gaze, only to feel an odd sense of discomfort.
The way Subaru was looking at him it almost felt like he was being examined… or worse, judged in a strangely familiar way.
As if he were looking at his own child.
Aldebaran shuddered.
'Yeah, no,' he thought instantly.
'Bro even if I was technically made from your genes, I am not becoming your son.'
The thought alone made him grimace.
'And Priscilla as my mother? That's just… wrong on so many levels,' he added internally, trying to suppress the sheer absurdity of it.
Deciding it was better not to dwell on that topic any further, he quickly shifted his focus.
Instead, he began mentally counting.
The number of times he might end up dying in the upcoming fight or anything to keep his mind away from that disturbing line of thought.
'Well… at least Teacher said that Flugel will handle everything, so I can finally drop my mission,' Aldebaran thought to himself.
There was a hint of relief in that realization.
If only that information had come a little earlier before the love of his life had gone and proposed to someone who was, technically speaking, his own "father" he might have actually felt happy about it.
Instead, the situation had turned into something far more ridiculous.
Well, as usual, Daddy ends up with the Mommy, and the son is left drinking milk from a bottle.
His thoughts drifted for a moment before the conversation around him pulled him back.
"Subaru-dono, I believe I spotted Heinkel among their ranks," Wilhelm said, narrowing his gaze as he observed the opposing army carefully.
His tone was calm, but there was a clear tension beneath it.
"He is indeed present," Reina replied without hesitation.
"And they have taken Louanna into custody. They intend to use her to control me."
Her voice remained completely neutral.
She did not even glance at Wilhelm while speaking.
The words alone were enough, the way she called her own mother by her name.
Wilhelm let out a quiet sigh upon hearing her response.
Even without looking directly at her, he could feel the distance between them.
From her tone, her posture, and her complete lack of acknowledgment it was clear that she no longer considered him family just as she had said previously.
That realization settled heavily in his chest.
Still, despite everything, she did not ignore him entirely.
She spoke when necessary and responded when it was relevant.
But only in a formal, detached manner like strangers exchanging information on a battlefield.
Or at most temporary allies bound by circumstance.
This only made it even harder for Wilhelm to endure.
Even so, he made a silent vow to himself that he would fix things, no matter how difficult it might be.
But before anything else there was something he needed to do first.
He needed to deal with his bastard son.
Because, in his mind, there was no justification for what Heinkel had allowed. No matter the situation, no matter the strategy, agreeing to have his own wife taken hostage was something Wilhelm could not accept.
What kind of man would allow that?
What kind of husband would stand by and let it happen?
The thought alone filled him with anger.
Meanwhile, on the opposing side, Astros was not acting recklessly.
He had already dispatched scouts in multiple directions, sending them out to survey the surroundings and report back any unusual activity.
His forces remained in position, maintaining formation as they waited patiently for further information.
He did not trust what he was seeing for him there was no way that such a small group had come to face an army of this size without a plan.
To him, it was obvious that this was a trap.
He believed they were being lured into a specific position, a carefully chosen location where hidden forces would reveal themselves at the right moment and strike from multiple directions.
That was the only explanation that made sense to him.
He was not a beginner when it came to war tactics.
Astros had seen enough battles to understand formations, traps, and deception.
He knew how enemies operated, and more importantly, he knew that no competent force would walk into a battle like this without some kind of hidden strategy.
That was why the reports from his scouts confused him even more.
They had checked every direction, again and again.
And yet, every single report said the same thing.
There were no hidden troops, no reinforcements and fucking no ambush units waiting nearby.
Only the small group standing directly in front of them was all their enemies were.
Astros frowned deeply as he processed the information.
Even if he acknowledged their strength, even if he accepted that each of them was a significant threat on their own this still did not add up.
Their strength mattered most when supported by a larger force.
When they had their own militia to hold back the main army, to create openings, to buy time.
But right now?
They had none of that.
And more importantly Roswaal was not present.
That alone was a major factor.
Roswaal was a far greater threat than most of the individuals standing there, capable of turning the tide of battle with overwhelming magic.
Without him, their overall power dropped significantly in Astros' eyes.
At best, he estimated that they might be able to take down a few thousand soldiers before being overwhelmed.
And even that was an overestimation in his eyes.
Especially considering that he had already prepared specific strategies to deal with each of the major threats present before him.
'Have they given up?' he wondered.
'Or are they truly this overconfident?'
He could somewhat understand the presence of certain individuals in their lineup.
But others?
They made no sense to him.
'Blue… and that unknown mercenary… fighting on the frontlines alongside the Baroness?' he thought, narrowing his eyes.
'Is this supposed to be some kind of joke?'
The entire situation felt wrong.
Even now, he could not shake off the feeling that something was missing.
That something was hidden.
That this was all part of a larger plan.
He still believed that somewhere, out of sight, an army or Roswaal himself was waiting for the right moment to make the first move and ambush them as soon as they attack Zero's group.
After a tense standoff that seemed to stretch on longer than expected, Heinkel stepped forward and approached Astros from the side.
"The scouts have extended their search range," he reported, his voice serious. "But the results are the same as before. There are no hidden troops anywhere nearby."
Astros listened carefully, his expression unreadable as he absorbed the information.
For a few moments, he remained silent, deep in thought.
Then, suddenly, his eyes widened slightly as something clicked in his mind.
"I see… that is certainly a viable strategy," he muttered.
His words immediately confused Heinkel and the nearby Royal Knights, who exchanged uncertain glances.
"What do you mean?" one of them asked.
Astros turned his gaze forward again before explaining.
"Because of the presence of Reina van Astrea, Roswaal L. Mathers, and Zero who is now confirmed to be Natsuki Subaru we had no choice but to gather our entire force in one place if we wanted any chance of defeating them," he said.
His tone grew heavier.
"But by doing so… we have also weakened the defenses of our cities and the capital itself."
The realization spread quickly.
Heinkel froze on his place as he too realized what Astros was getting at.
"Wait a moment…" he said, his voice tightening as the implication became clear. "Are you saying that the rest of their forces are not here… but are instead attacking our cities while we are focused on this battlefield?!"
His face paled as he realized how Zero made a calculated move that targeted the entire nation at once.
"Yes," Astros replied, his tone steady as he continued his analysis. "If the rest of their army is not present here, then they must have been assigned a different objective. I do not believe they would simply remain behind to defend their territories."
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"It is far more likely that they are moving to attack other parts of the country," he added.
"Perhaps half of their forces… or even two-thirds… have been deployed to strike at other cities, while the remaining portion stays behind to secure their own lands."
His expression grew more serious as he spoke.
He was beginning to understand the scope of Zero's plan.
"But," Astros continued, shifting his tone slightly to address the tension among those around him, "this also means that, aside from the possibility of Roswaal launching an attack from above, there should be no hidden forces waiting to ambush us."
He looked at the Royal Knights, making sure his words reached them clearly.
"And that… increases our chances of victory in this battle."
His statement was deliberate.
He knew boosting morale was critical at a moment like this.
"Our primary concerns are limited," Astros went on.
"Reina van Astrea, Zero himself, and the potential interference of Roswaal."
He allowed a brief pause before continuing.
"Other than those three, we hold the advantage against the rest of them. And if our plan unfolds as intended… we may even force Reina van Astrea and Zero into direct conflict with each other."
A faint grin appeared on his face.
It was a risky strategy just to focus on current forces in front of them.
One that would inevitably result in significant destruction and likely the loss of nobles in other cities if they ignore Zero's other plan.
However, as a Royal Knight, Astros did not particularly care about the fate of the nobles.
In fact, from his perspective, their deaths could work in his favor.
If a significant number of nobles were eliminated during the chaos of the war, it would naturally shift the balance of power.
Once he returned victorious, his own standing within the kingdom would rise considerably.
There would be fewer influential figures to compete with, and more room for him to assert authority.
More importantly, everything hinged on the outcome of this battle.
If they managed to defeat Zero and either bring Reina back under control or eliminate her entirely then the rest of the rebel forces would likely collapse soon after.
Without their strongest figures, the remaining military units would lose direction and morale, making them far easier to subdue.
In his mind, the situation was straightforward.
He could remove a large portion of the nobility.
Avoid prolonged conflict with the broader rebel army.
And eliminate the most dangerous opponents in a single decisive confrontation.
It was an efficient outcome.
And a profitable one for him.
'And once this war is over…' Astros thought, a subtle, calculating smile forming on his face.
'My influence within the kingdom will surpass everyone else's.'
The possibilities that followed were even more appealing.
He could attempt to declare himself king.
Or, if the Divine Dragon were to choose another ruler, he could simply manipulate the situation turning that ruler into nothing more than a figurehead while he held the true power behind the throne.
Even if he did not take the crown directly he would still become the most influential man in the kingdom.
Before this, he had already considered whether it was truly worth fighting against Zero.
He was fully aware of the risks involved.
Facing someone like Natsuki Subaru was not something to be taken lightly, and the uncertainty of the outcome was something he could not ignore.
However, instead of focusing on the danger, he chose to focus on what he could gain from this war.
He convinced himself by weighing the rewards.
After all, the Royal Family was already gone.
The Council of Wise Men had been eliminated.
The power structure of the kingdom was in complete disarray.
In such a situation, he saw no reason to participate in a war like this unless the rewards were significant enough to justify the risk.
And in his mind they were more than enough.
The possibility of becoming king, or at the very least one of the ruling figures of the nation, was an opportunity too valuable to ignore. It was not just about power, but about legacy.
If he succeeded, he would be remembered as a hero.
The one who stood against the rebellion that threatened to destroy their glorious nation.
The one who defeated Zero.
At the same time, the reputation of the Sword Saint lineage would be tarnished. With Reina's actions being seen as betrayal, the once-revered name of the Astrea family would carry a stain that could not easily be erased.
To Astros, that was an added advantage.
Everything seemed to align in his favor.
In his mind, he could already see the grand future that this war promised.
Finally, after a period of waiting and careful consideration, Astros made his decision.
It was time to begin this war.
He stepped forward and activated a metia, preparing to address the opposing side directly. His voice, amplified through the device, carried clearly across the battlefield.
"Zero or should I say, Natsuki Subaru," he began, his tone controlled and confident.
"I have already understood your plan."
A faint pause followed, as if to emphasize his words.
"You intend to use your military forces to lay siege to the cities while their defenses are weakened, taking advantage of the fact that the majority of the kingdom's forces have gathered here to confront you."
There was intention behind this declaration.
This was not just a statement that exposed Zero's plan, but it was also a psychological move.
Astros understood that war was not fought with strength alone. Psychological pressure played a crucial role, and by openly declaring that he had seen through Subaru's strategy, he aimed to unsettle him to make him hesitate, or at the very least, to disrupt his composure.
"However," Astros continued, his voice rising slightly, "I can also see your overconfidence."
He gestured toward the small group standing before them.
"With only a handful of individuals, you stand against an entire army. Yes, I acknowledge your strength. You are all powerful enough to take down thousands of our soldiers."
He did not deny it.
"But in the end," he added firmly, "victory will belong to us."
His expression hardened.
"Zero, your arrogance has led you to make a grave mistake."
As his words spread across the field, the reaction among the Royal Knights and the military forces was immediate.
For a brief moment, tension rose.
Then, gradually, it began to ease.
Yes, even with the Sword Saint standing against them, the sheer size of their forces gave them confidence.
Their numbers were overwhelming.
And with no visible opposing army to counter them directly, many of them believed that victory was already within their grasp. The situation, from their perspective, seemed heavily tilted in their favor.
This belief spread quickly through the ranks.
Morale rose greatly among them.
The soldiers stood taller, their grips on their weapons steadier. Even the Royal Knights, who were more aware of the threats ahead, found themselves reassured by the overwhelming advantage in numbers.
To them, this was a war they were destined to win.
Of course, casualties were expected.
That was inevitable.
But very few among them truly believed that they themselves would be the ones to fall.
They had been trained their entire lives to serve the nation, to fight, and to win.
In their minds, it was the rebels who would be crushed under their might.
"I will ask you one last time," Astros declared, his voice cold and resolute as it carried across the battlefield.
"Surrender now, and Lugunica will show leniency in your punishment."
His words lingered in the air.
For a brief moment, everything was still.
Then Subaru stepped forward.
He moved slightly ahead of his group without hesitation.
Reina followed him immediately, silently taking position beside him without needing a single command. The two of them advanced a few steps before stopping, now standing several meters ahead of their allies and roughly two hundred meters away from the opposing army.
All eyes were on them.
Subaru looked forward then, without any change in his expression, he raised his middle finger.
"Fuck off."
His voice did not need to be loud.
Because in the next moment, every single person on the battlefield soldiers, Royal Knights, magicians, and spirit arts users alike heard it clearly inside their minds through telepathy.
There was no misunderstanding, no distortion of words that could have been caused by the distance but a direct, unmistakable message conveying their intentions.
For a brief moment, silence spread across the battlefield.
It was as if everyone needed a second to process what they had just heard.
Then—
Astros burst into laughter.
It was not a reaction of shock. In truth, he had already anticipated Subaru's answer. But instead of showing irritation or anger, he chose to laugh loudly, making sure his voice carried across his army.
He wanted to show a display of confidence through his laughter.
A way to reinforce the belief that they were in control, that the situation was still firmly in their favor. To those under his command, it made it seem as if Subaru's response was nothing more than a joke.
Something insignificant and extremely foolish or one that a panicked enemy will make, and it worked.
The soldiers responded to it, their confidence growing stronger as they believed even more firmly in their inevitable victory.
Subaru, who was observing everything carefully, could not help but be slightly impressed.
'How did a competent commander suddenly appear the moment I decided to rebel?' he thought to himself.
The irony was not lost on him.
This was the same nation that, in many timelines, had been humiliated repeatedly. Yet now, it had someone capable enough to maintain morale and handle the situation effectively.
For a brief moment, he even wondered if the world itself had spawned this guy to fight agaisnt him.
But that thought did not last long because he had Reina standing beside him.
And if there was one person the world seemed to favor unconditionally it was her.
The idea of the world opposing him while she stood with him felt not almost impossible, but in fact was impossible.
"My Lord… shall I eliminate them?" Reina asked calmly, seeking his permission.
There was no hesitation in her voice for what she was about to do.
Subaru's lips curved into a grin.
"With pleasure."
And with that the war had begun!
To be continued...