“Your Highness, you may rise.”
The gray-robed envoy looked down loftily at Theresa. Although his words were courteous enough, his eyes—cold as a viper—betrayed his attitude toward the princess and the loyal followers standing behind her.
“Hoo.”
Theresa drew a deep breath and rose slowly, forcing herself to suppress her discomfort and managing a polite smile as she spoke in a gentle voice, “Sir Envoy, you must be weary from your long journey. Would you do us the honor of touring our fortress?”
Although Theresa was a greenhorn on the battlefield, she had once been her father’s favorite, a star of the Court Social Scene in the capital, even earning the title “The Most Brilliant Gem of the Imperial Capital.”
Raised in such an environment, Theresa might not be a master of social maneuvering, but no one could ever find fault with her etiquette.
Yet in response to her warm invitation, Sir Commissioner only snorted coldly.
“Oh? A banquet?”
He looked disdainfully at the fortress, which had been repaired by Green. Though it was no longer as dilapidated as before, in his critical eyes it still leaked flaws everywhere. He then glanced at the soldiers behind Theresa, who had been carefully chosen and were dressed neatly and spiritedly. With a scoff, he let out a chuckle.
“They say Princess Theresa is a fine commander of troops. Now that I see it with my own eyes, your reputation is well deserved.”
Sir Envoy tilted his head, his words laced with meaning. “For a soldier, the fortress is a second life. Yet Her Highness Theresa has focused her efforts not on the fortress, but on her soldiers’ uniforms. Truly, a general who loves her soldiers like her own children.”
Though on the surface it sounded like praise, anyone could hear the sarcasm in the envoy’s words.
“As if saying, ‘The fortress is falling apart, and yet you spend the funds on soldiers’ appearances instead of repairs?’” Of course, if you asked Sir Envoy why the capital never approved funds for repairs, or explained that the soldiers had bought their uniforms out of their own pockets, or even questioned why—after a brilliant victory—not even a basic Medal of Commendation was awarded, Sir Envoy would surely ignore it all.
Anyone else would have swallowed their anger and let it go.
But not Theresa.
“Sir Envoy.” After hearing his remarks, the princess halted with a solemn face, her smile vanishing, replaced by unshakable resolve.
“I have a question, if I may be so bold?”
Theresa’s voice was cool, but under its calm surface roiled strong emotion.
“?”
The envoy narrowed his eyes slightly. “Your Highness, if you have a question, how could I refuse? Please, do not stand on ceremony.”
“As Commander—” Theresa emphasized the title, “I wrote to the Army Department previously regarding medals for soldiers who died in this battle, the Subsidy for Bereaved Families, and other commendations for those who performed meritoriously… May I ask why, after so many months, there has still been no approval?”
“Oh, that.” Sir Envoy smiled faintly. “The Army Department has been busy lately: there are the disputed regions of the Kiran Kingdom, the Neutral City-States’ commercial disputes, the Bright Church’s bishop appointment rights—all matters related to the military. There just hasn’t been any time to handle minor… border skirmishes.”
Minor skirmish?
Theresa froze for a moment, then felt a fire of anger ignite in her heart.
“By the way.”
Sensing Theresa’s anger, Sir Envoy’s smile grew even brighter.
Such a transparent girl—so easily angered—was the one who routed the barbarian horde?
And a rival for the position of crown prince?
Sigh, the crown prince was prudent in all things; for a ruler, that was a rare virtue indeed.
Sir Envoy mused inwardly, a mocking smile on his lips.
Then… pat.
Sir Envoy stomped his foot forcefully.
Zzzz!!!
A vast aura surged up from nowhere.
Legendary.
No—not just legendary.
Nearby, Green, who had been quietly observing and gathering material for his writing, glanced at the enormous object moored directly across from the fortress, radiating a dazzling white light.
“Did he bind the floating warship’s Magic Power Core to himself?”
Green instantly realized the source of that power—far beyond a mere legendary being. “So he’s truly here with ill intent.”
“Speaking of which, it was remiss of me not to introduce myself earlier.”
Though the gray-robed envoy’s words remained polite, a ceaseless flow of magical power pressed down on Theresa.
“I am a member of the Magic Council, Antonio, and also His Excellency the Regent’s personal advisor.”
Boom.
Theresa summoned all her magic, but she was still suppressed until she could barely move.
The gap was too great.
Legendary versus Seventy Level.
For someone Theresa’s age, being a Seventy Level advanced professional was already a peerless talent.
But a genius is, after all, only a future powerhouse.
And I, Antonio, am here to deal with your future.
Recalling the repeated reminders from the crown prince before he set out, Antonio gazed at the princess in confusion.
She’s completely nonthreatening—so why does His Highness treat her as a mortal threat?
Is it just because of that magician woman’s vague prophecy?
Sigh, the crown prince’s only fault is putting too much trust in that superstitious woman.
But then, what ruler doesn’t have some strange quirks?
In any case, as long as I find a chance to get rid of this princess once and for all.
Hmm, how about I write the Report of Mutiny like this? After receiving the imperial order, the princess was deeply moved and worked tirelessly day and night, but accidentally fell ill and died of exhaustion?
Pat.
Just as Antonio was pondering how to deal with the princess, someone suddenly clapped him hard on the shoulder.
Hmm?
Whoosh—
A strong wind blew by.
Antonio felt a sudden chill.
“Aiya, it’s all a misunderstanding!”
A cheerful face appeared before him, naturally stepping in to shield the princess behind his back. “Commander, let’s not discuss business tonight. I’ve just composed a new piece of music—would you do me the honor of listening?”
Bathed in moonlight, a pair of gentle eyes looked at Antonio.
Yet those eyes, devoid of any threat, made Antonio’s instincts cry out in alarm.
The capital’s Special Envoy gritted his teeth, preparing to face a formidable foe.
Boom——
In the instant the two forces clashed…
All was calm; only the croaking of frogs by the grass and pond disturbed the air.
An illusion?
Antonio blinked, deeply suspicious.
No.
Antonio shook his head.
This man is dangerous.
To think such a formidable figure would be among the princess’s subordinates.
No wonder the Unyielding Bulwark Fortress was able to repel the barbarians.
Of course, that unreliable magician’s so-called “Little Bird” prophecy of “barbarian annihilation” must be exaggerated.
“But Theresa’s threat definitely warrants reassessment.”
“1”
Yes, perhaps the crown prince was right—better to nip all roots in the bud.
But how could he do so legally?
Just then, Antonio noticed a soldier looking at him with hope.
Hope?
Hmph, a commoner is still a commoner.
A taste of victory and they think they can reach the sky?
Perfect.
Antonio gave a cold smile—the justification had come knocking itself.
“For dissatisfaction with their rewards, the border troops committed mutiny. During the chaos, the fortress commander, Princess, was unfortunately killed in action. To avenge the princess, the Special Envoy suppressed the entire garrison.”
That’s how I’ll write the Report of Mutiny.
And while I’m at it, perhaps I can topple the western governor, who supports the second prince?
Antonio could almost applaud his own scheme.