[Siena PoV]
After nearly four days of sailing, we finally arrived at the port of Tusculum City alongside 30,000 Draconia Kingdom troops. They had retreated from the Empire's eastern region because we were unable to provide them with logistics.
General Melisandru expressed his deep disappointment. He criticized our soldiers in the Avelino region, claiming they lacked the capability to defeat even a single battalion. He said 10,000 of his men died in vain and achieved nothing in the end.
I found his attitude understandable. We decided to move the 30,000 Draconia troops to the Western Front to serve as reinforcements against the Empire in the future.
Furthermore, for some reason, Raul has been silent since yesterday, frequently spacing out with a hollow gaze. Although he eventually gave me the counterpart to my artifact, I couldn't help but wonder what was happening to him.
Currently, he is in the city's underground holding cell after being transferred from the ship. Honestly, there is still much I want to ask, but for now, I must attend a meeting with representatives from the Greco Republic and the Draconia Kingdom to discuss our next move in this war.
I headed to the city hall accompanied by Ezio. Usually, Valen would be the one at my side, but he fell during the clash with Raul de Garcia a few days ago. Upon arrival, we immediately entered the briefing room, which was already filled with military officials from all three nations.
"Mayor Siena, you've arrived," said a military official with the rank of Captain from my country. "Shall we begin the meeting?"
"Please, Captain Dominic."
He nodded and stood up. All eyes turned toward him to hear what he had to say.
"Ladies and gentlemen, some of you have only just arrived and may not yet grasp the combat conditions on the Western Front," Captain Dominic began. "This meeting will discuss the progress of the war thus far and our strategy for facing the remaining Imperial forces."
Captain Dominic explained that the remaining Imperial troops number around 60,000–70,000 and are currently stationed at the Regium Fortress City. On the other hand, the Alliance forces that can be mobilized now total 100,000 after the Draconia troops joined us, giving us a significant numerical advantage.
"Everyone, we know that although our alliance has destroyed half of the Imperial army and caused chaos in their capital, their war potential remains formidable," Captain Dominic said, explaining the enemy's capabilities. "With their vast territory, they have abundant resources and millions of citizens who can be recruited at any time. Therefore, while we have this temporary advantage, we must engage in a decisive battle before they recover from their previous defeats."
What Captain Dominic said was true. Although we have the upper hand, if we don't seize the chance to strike the Empire and drive them out of Venetian territory as soon as possible, they will recover, send reinforcements, and make the war difficult to win again.
"So, shall we move to Regium Fortress City and begin a siege?" asked General Melisandru, Marshal of the Draconia Kingdom. "It will take quite some time to conquer a city with 70,000 troops inside."
"Furthermore, we must be wary of reinforcements that could arrive from the Empire at any time," added General Auros, Marshal of the Greco Republic. "If we are careless, they could break our siege at Regium."
"I estimate reinforcements from the Empire will arrive in two months," I said, finally speaking up. Everyone's attention shifted to me. "According to reconnaissance reports, the Imperial logistics at Regium are sufficient for them to hold out for three months after receiving a large supply from the Duchy of Hernant."
I explained that if we conducted a siege hoping their supplies would run out first, we would be making a grave mistake. Conversely, if we tried to force our way into a city held by that many troops, our casualties would far exceed theirs.
"Then what should we do, Mayor Siena?" General Melisandru asked. "They certainly won't leave the city to face us in the open, will they?"
His question was logical. Given their numerical disadvantage, they would choose to stay within Regium as long as their logistics weren't choking them. However, I had a trick to lure them out.
"We will split our forces into three," I revealed. "30,000 troops will take the western route through Ebro Village to reach Regium. Another 20,000 will take the eastern route near the river toward Bitola Village, which is currently held by about 5,000 Imperial troops. Finally, the remaining 50,000 will move through the Tuscan Forest to avoid detection by enemy reconnaissance units."
Previously, the Empire conquered Bitola Village after realizing we could use that area as a landing point for troops sent from Tusculum by ship via the Vicenzo River. This time, they don't want to repeat the mistake that cost them nearly 40,000 lives.
"What is the objective of this split, Major Siena?" General Melisandru asked.
I ordered Captain Dominic to show the map of the Tusculum region to everyone.
"First, the 20,000 Alliance troops heading toward Bitola Village will pose a direct threat to the 5,000 Imperial troops there," I began explaining. "The Imperial force there will surely report to Regium about the 20,000 troops heading their way."
I explained that the Empire would then have three choices.
First, they could order the 5,000 troops at Bitola to hold off the 20,000 Alliance soldiers. However, this is unlikely as those 5,000 would surely be defeated sooner or later without help.
Second, they could order the 5,000 troops to retreat to Regium. If they choose this, our troops hiding in the Tuscan Forest will intercept them with only 15,000 men. If this happens, the 5,000 will certainly call for help from Regium. The Empire will be cautious; if they don't see the rest of our army, they won't risk leaving the fortress.
Therefore, the job of the 30,000 troops on the Ebro Village route is to act as a decoy so the Empire thinks our main force is far to the west. With this, they will likely send about 40,000–50,000 troops to rescue their 5,000 men who are being blocked by our 15,000.
Once the Empire sends those reinforcements, the remaining 35,000 of our troops still hiding in the Tuscan Forest will emerge from behind the Imperial rescue force. With 20,000 troops from the east, 15,000 from the north, and 35,000 from the west, the 50,000 Imperial troops will be surrounded by 70,000 of our men from three directions, putting them at a massive disadvantage.
"And the third choice?" Marshal Auros asked.
"They will immediately send reinforcements toward Bitola Village," I replied. "In this case, we don't need to split as much and will surround them from the North and West. Their only path would be south toward the Mazovia Forest, as the Vicenzo River blocks the east."
Hearing my proposal, the military officials from Greco and Draconia whispered among themselves. Shortly after, they both agreed to execute my plan. Each group will move out tomorrow morning.
After the meeting, I returned to my office to unite the artifact I held with the counterpart Raul had given me. On my desk lay two half-moon-shaped artifacts. Based on their shape, it was clear they belonged together. I pressed them together and wet them with my blood.
— Swoooshhh!
Soon, the artifacts emitted a red light. They vibrated violently and began to spin rapidly. After a moment, the light faded. They had merged into a full crescent moon shape.
Is this the artifact called the Legacy of Mieren Tribe? I picked it up and examined it closely. However, I have no idea what it does. I forgot to ask that man two days ago. I think I'll head back to the underground cell to discuss this in more detail with him.
***
[Vlad PoV]
It is so boring waiting this long in this city. Honestly, I wanted to talk to my fiancée during the war. However, Siena was suddenly given a mission to the East, so I couldn't tease her and see that charming angry expression of hers.
But yesterday afternoon, she finally returned, bringing someone I've been dying to crush!
"As expected of my future wife! She caught that bastard, Raul de Garcia! Hahahaha!"
Right now, I am heading to where that bastard is kept to celebrate our long-awaited reunion. Upon reaching the basement, I noted this place was originally for citizens to hide from disasters or battles. Now, it's just used for food storage and armory since the citizens have been evacuated to the Capital.
After searching the basement for a bit, I found a door guarded by two soldiers.
"Pardon my intrusion, Your Highness," one of the guards said, bowing. "Is there something you need here?"
"Indeed, I want to see the prisoner behind that door," I said.
"But—"
"I have permission from my fiancée, Siena di Reginossa," I cut the guard off.
It was a lie, of course. I'm too lazy to ask her permission just to see a loser who got himself caught.
"As you wish, Your Highness."
The guard opened the door. There was a staircase leading much deeper down. I entered and descended the steps. At the bottom was another closed door. When I opened it, I saw a woman with short black hair watching over a black-haired man lying silently on the floor.
"You are... Prince Vlad of the Draconia Kingdom, correct?" the woman muttered, noticing my presence.
"Indeed," I said. "And I order you to get out of here right now!"
"Huh? But I was ordered by Captain Siena to watch this prisoner, Your Highness," the woman said politely.
"Oh, my fiancée asked me to watch him this time," I lied. "You can take a break for a while."
She hesitated for a moment but eventually left the room. Once the door closed, I turned my attention to the man lying on the floor with his hands bound by iron behind his back.
"Long time no see, Raul de Garcia." I approached him slowly. "Did you miss me? I've quite looked forward to our next meeting, because every day and night I remember how you humiliated me in public during the tournament!"
— Baamm!!!
I kicked his head, sending him rolling across the floor. However, he didn't react at all. His expression was hollow, and his eyes looked like those of a man who had just died.
"Hey! Are you listening to me!"
— Bam! Bam! Bam!
I stomped on his head with my muddy boots. His handsome face was now covered in the filth from my shoes. His expression didn't change at all... I hate it.
"Get up, you loser!" I grabbed his collar and forced him to stand.
What happened to this guy? Did Siena torture him until his mind broke? I don't like this...
— Bam!
I want to hear him scream in pain...
— Bak!
I want to see his pained expression!
— Bik!
I want to make him feel the fear of the death I will give him!
— Buk!
I beat him mercilessly, over and over. I landed the final blow on his face, sending his body crashing hard against the wall. His face was now battered; blood leaked from his nose and mouth. But I didn't stop. I stomped on his hands until they snapped; I kicked his head until it bruised—yet his expression remained unchanged, staring forward with a hollow gaze.
He makes me so frustrated.
This time, I pulled out a sharp wire from my uniform pocket and poked it into the man's left eye. I twisted the wire as I pleased, trying to make him suffer as much as possible. Next, I grabbed his hair and slammed his head against the wall with all my might.
— BAAAMMM!!!
But the screams and pleas for mercy I waited for never came. Frustrated, I kicked his head again, sending him rolling across the floor.
"Pah! You pathetic piece of trash!"
Satisfied with the torture, I turned to leave the room.
"..."
However, I was startled to see a black-haired woman standing at the now-open door. I hadn't heard her footsteps or the sound of the door opening. Was I too engrossed in torturing that loser to notice?
"Ah, Siena—my fiancée," I greeted her. "Is the meeting over? Congratulations on catching this loser! You truly are the woman I'm proud of."
But she didn't respond. Instead, she stared at me with a gaze as cold as if she were facing her mortal enemy.
"Get out," she said coldly.
"You're here to interrogate the loser, right? It would be better if we did it toge—"
— SRIINGGG!!!
Before I could finish, Siena suddenly drew her sword, unleashing a killing intent so powerful it made my skin crawl.
"I am the one who caught him... He is mine..." she said in a chilling tone. "If you touch him one more time without my permission, I will not hesitate to take your head, even if it causes a war with the Draconia Kingdom."
My breath caught in my throat from the killing intent she directed at me. For the first time, I was terrified simply by someone's threat. The look in her eyes told me she wasn't playing around.
In that moment, I realized this woman truly is a monster.