[Siena's POV]
We lost...
It is an event I desperately wish to disavow in the wake of this battle.
From the beginning to the midpoint of the engagement, everything proceeded according to the plans I had previously drafted. However, as the battle entered its final phase and our forces were pressing and encircling the Imperial army, something entirely unexpected occurred.
At that moment, I was preoccupied with fighting Raymond the White Knight. Nevertheless, I caught a glimpse of our troops swarming to attack a woman who was brandishing the Imperial flag.
Yet, a single man stood in their way, refusing to let them touch her.
That woman then unleashed a large-scale spell—a buff that revitalized their forces and made them stronger than before, forcing our troops, who had previously held the upper hand, to be driven back.
To be honest, I could have activated my own Profound Codex to dispel the buffs the enemy soldiers received from her. However, doing so requires lengthy preparation and a significant amount of Mana. I could not perform such a feat while facing one of the Grand Espadas.
In the end, I had no choice but to issue a retreat order to the Alliance forces before casualties mounted any further.
Of the total 70,000 troops we brought, only 35,000 returned safely to the City of Tusculum. We lost half of the forces we brought for this operation.
Our soldiers walked with their heads bowed as they entered the city. The citizens, who had been waiting in the streets to celebrate a victory, looked on in confusion at the soldiers' demeanor.
I and several military officials from the Alliance forces then entered a room to evaluate the results of the previous battle.
"Everyone, I did not expect the Empire to possess someone capable of using enhancement magic on such a massive scale," I said, standing before them all. "This defeat is purely my fault; therefore, if you are looking for a scapegoat for this failure, I am the one who deserves it."
I bowed before them all. The military officials from my own country certainly would not like this. However, if discarding a bit of pride can keep this alliance intact, then I will not hesitate to do so.
"Raise your head, Major Siena."
I heard someone speak; General Melisandru of the Draconia Kingdom was looking into my eyes.
"The strategy you created wasn't what caused our defeat; rather, it was the Empire's luck," he added, looking slightly frustrated.
"Exactly. Princess Elena awakening that ability was pure luck on their part," said Marshal Auros of the Greco Republic. "Instead of dwelling on what has already happened, it is better for us to devise a new strategy to deal with the progression of this war following our current defeat."
It seemed they did not blame me for the loss. That was a relief.
Previously, I thought the defeat in yesterday's battle would ruin the cohesion of the Alliance forces and further plummet the troops' morale.
"Thank you for your understanding," I said to both of them before sitting back down. "Unfortunately, with this defeat, we will not be able to conduct offensive operations until we replenish our forces."
The newest recruits can only be brought into the main force after completing a three-month training period. That means we must wait for them for about one more month, as those new recruits only began training when the war entered its first month.
"Does that mean we will simply remain idle while the Imperial forces recover their strength?" asked General Melisandru.
"Then, do you have an alternative tactic to defeat them, General?" asked Marshal Auros.
"Although we lost half our forces after yesterday's battle, we should still be able to attack the Imperial forces at the Regium Fortress City if we join with the remaining 30,000 of our troops in the west," the General replied. "I am certain that the Imperial side also suffered no small number of casualties during the battle."
While what General Melisandru said was true...
"You want to attack them again in the presence of that woman?" asked Marshal Auros.
The person Marshal Auros was referring to was Princess Elena de Aragon. It was certain that winning a battle would be nearly impossible as long as that woman activated her nonsensical magic, unless we outnumbered their forces by at least five to one.
General Melisandru fell silent upon hearing Marshal Auros's retort.
"Then, how are we to win this war if that woman remains with their main force?" the General asked again. "Open a new front? Remember, we were just defeated because our logistics supplies were cut off!"
We were all at a stalemate. No one spoke for several moments; the entire room became silent, and only the ticking of the clock could be heard.
"Now that we know of Princess Elena de Aragon's dangerous capability, we should avoid fighting in open spaces," I said, breaking the silence. "Her ability increases the stamina and strength of her troops, right? Then our only way is to whittle down their forces as they approach this city."
I believe the ability Princess Elena possesses is only terrifying if our forces face them directly. Her ability is not massive wound healing like the rumored Saint.
"So this time we will be passive in the war, then?" murmured General Melisandru.
"It's only natural. Because of this defeat, the initiative of the war is no longer ours," said Marshal Auros.
We then agreed to adopt a defensive method for the time being. I ordered the entire city to begin evacuations and to strengthen the defenses of the City of Tusculum to be better prepared for the next battle.
After the meeting ended, I returned to my room to wait for someone.
Looking at the artifact I currently possess, I still do not know the use of this artifact I just combined.
Raul said the name of this new artifact is the Legacy of the Mieren Tribe. However, he did not explain its function. If I still had my old artifact, I would certainly try to sneak into the Empire's main force, disguise my identity, and kill Princess Elena for the sake of winning this war.
But it seems I will not be able to change forms as I did before from now on.
— Knock! Knock! Knock!
I heard a knock at the door.
"Enter."
The door opened, revealing an 18-year-old man whose expression looked as if he were carrying a great sin.
"Ezio, sit down," I ordered him.
He nodded and sat across from my desk.
"Tell me how that man managed to escape," I commanded again.
Ezio then took something out of his pocket and placed it on my desk.
This... is a sharp wire. Did that man use this to pick the handcuffs on his arms?
"That man told me to convey his gratitude to Prince Vlad, Captain," Ezio revealed, bowing his head in shame.
Prince Vlad?
Wait a minute, I think I remember now. Didn't he blind Raul's eye using this sharp wire? Did he keep it when the two of us had that confrontation back then?
I clenched my fist, feeling irritated with that foolish boy.
"I swear I will teach him a lesson later..."
***
[Raul's POV]
We won the battle yesterday.
Of the 50,000 troops we brought to the battlefield, only 25,000 managed to return to our base of operations at the Regium Fortress City.
All of this was thanks to Elena, who was able to use the Profound Codex she possessed at that crucial moment. If Elena had failed to use it then, it was certain the Imperial forces would have been destroyed in this region.
"Princess Elena, you were truly amazing in yesterday's battle!"
"Exactly! If you are the one leading us into battle, I will follow even against the strongest demon army!"
Currently, Elena is being swarmed by the troops. They are discussing yesterday's battle where they miraculously defeated the Alliance forces just as they were about to be slaughtered by them.
This is why Elena was popular among the military in the game. She was always close to the soldiers, and they were willing to follow the Princess into any battle as long as she led them.
Knowing that Elena has this ability, I doubt the Alliance forces will face us in an open battle again. This means they will take defensive measures now.
With only a total of 40,000 troops remaining now, it is quite impossible for us to conquer the City of Tusculum, which is still occupied by more troops than we have currently.
For that reason, we still have to wait for additional troops sent from the capital to ensure the success of our operations in this region.
As the war continues, hundreds of thousands of human lives have already been lost from the casualties of both sides. The Empire, which initially brought 120.000 troops, now has only 40,000 remaining. I suspect the other side is not much different from our condition.
Both sides, whether they like it or not, must be passive in the war and wait for their strengths to recover before conducting any other major operations.
"The war will likely continue for a few more months, it seems..."
I suppose, when the war ends later, the third-year academy students will only have their final exams left for their academic activities.
After Elena separated herself from the troops, the two of us, as usual, engaged in sparring so I could become more accustomed to fighting using only one eye.
"Why are you smiling like that at me, Raul?" Elena asked while holding her wooden sword. "Is there something funny on my face?"
"No, I'm just happy you've become more popular now, Elena," I answered her. "This will increase your value as a candidate for the new leader of our country."
"Heee~ Weren't you the one who said before that having the support of military people alone isn't enough to win the election later!" countered Elena, who then dashed toward me and launched several attacks.
— Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
I parried several of her attacks. This time, my fighting ability is improving despite being blind in one eye.
"Exactly, we must convince the many nobles who are still neutral into the city faction after graduation!" I said to her while launching a counterattack.
Elena smiled and neutralized all my attacks. "Your attack accuracy has dropped, fufufu~." This time she laughed mischievously. "If it's like this, then I will be the one to win the match in our duel at the end-of-year Tournament!"
— Clack!
Elena activated her magic and struck my wooden sword very hard, sending the wooden sword I was holding flying into the air.
Elena then pointed her wooden sword at my neck.
Reflexively, I raised both hands as a sign that I had surrendered in this sparring session.
"I heard Vicar Lorentius can regenerate lost limbs with his healing magic," Elena said, lowering the wooden sword she had pointed at me. "With my status as an Imperial Princess, I think I can arrange for you to meet him so he can heal your blind left eye."
That's a bad idea...
A Vicar can discover my identity as a member of The Masquerade if he performs a scan on my body. This is because I have received one of the Profound Codices from the Keeper, namely Phantom Thief.
The Temple has records regarding the abilities of identified members of The Masquerade. The Profound Codex given to me by the Keeper is a copy from the members of The Masquerade who have joined and contributed their abilities into the artifact the Keeper possesses.
"I think I will find another way to restore this half-vision of mine," I said to Elena.
"Hm? Why? Wouldn't it be easier to meet someone who can heal you directly?" Elena asked, seemingly not understanding my attitude.
"You know, having a debt of gratitude toward the Temple could end up disadvantaging you in the succession election later, Elena," I answered her.
If we think that the Temple has no influence at all in the election of an Emperor, then we are naive to think so. The Temple surely wants to cooperate with an Emperor who will always agree to the Temple's agenda.
"Is that so? I didn't think that far," murmured Elena.
"Don't worry, I will ensure I am in the best condition when our duel takes place again," I said, reassuring Elena.
"Heee~ I won't believe you're putting forth all your strength if you're still holding back from using Nature Mana."
I only smiled in response to Elena's remark. After ending our sparring session, Elena and I headed to the cafeteria to have dinner together.
When the Imperial army recovers its strength, we will surely head straight to the City of Tusculum and conquer it.
From there, the Empire might immediately continue its attack toward Florentia Island—the capital of the Venetian Republic.
When that happens, a disaster caused by her will surely occur.
For that reason, I must seize the artifact currently possessed by Siena.
Therefore... the two of us will meet again on the battlefield.