Facing the sudden emergency military report, Vice Commander Martin’s expression was grim. He kept muttering under his breath, “Over ten thousand barbarians, damn it, why did they have to choose this moment?”
“Princess, I believe you should evacuate first!”
As if something occurred to him, Martin glanced at the silent Teresa at his side, then immediately barked out more orders without pause, “Also, we must lock down this news at once, no leaks of this classified intelligence. Notify the Town Guild Leader and tell them to get ready before the barbarians test our strength.”
Were they really going to abandon the city’s defense?
Green raised his eyebrows, somewhat surprised as he stared at the aged general.
Although the so-called “Unyielding Bastion” was indeed in dire straits, there were still tens of thousands of troops. How could they consider giving up so easily in the face of a mere band of barbarians?
As far as Green knew, those barbarians from the Bittercold Outlands, due to their dull wits, might be human but lacked all culture. Though they possessed some courage, before the Imperial Army, they were always like stray dogs.
From time to time, they’d take advantage of slack defenses to pillage nearby towns, burning and looting before retreating of their own accord.
“Mr. Martin?”
Teresa beside him clearly didn’t agree with Martin’s passive, avoidance-based approach. She raised her voice, resolute and dignified: “As an Imperial Princess, as Commander of this fortress, as a proud soldier, how could I allow those wicked barbarians to invade at will, ravage our people, and do nothing?”
Clang!
Teresa reached for her sword—a blade plain and unadorned, hidden in a cowhide scabbard at her waist.
Under the reflection of the crystal chandelier, a cold gleam shot out, the sword’s crystal-clear blade mirroring the varied expressions of those present.
“This sword was bestowed upon me by my father the Emperor in days past—Dragon’s Tear, a national treasure.”
Gripping the treasured sword, Teresa’s youthful face was set off by the blade’s sharp point, making her appear like a Legendary Hero walking out of a myth, forming a striking contrast with the chaotic fortress.
“The Empire’s Legendary Thirteen Treasures…” Rein, who had already left but returned due to urgent military matters, let out a sneer. His gaze was cold and mocking as he said, “To think that one of the Legendary Thirteen Treasures, used by the Founding Emperor to start his campaign, would be handed to some snot-nosed little brat?”
With his trademark irreverence, Colonel Rein went on, “Looks like our Empire’s on its last legs. A sixteen-year-old, newly appointed Commander, keeping a boy-toy at her side, and yet she dares to talk about national duty?”
Teresa’s expression didn’t change at these words. She simply looked quietly at Martin, “Vice Commander, I know we aren’t well prepared. But, but… didn’t you teach me long ago that as nobles, as officers, we must stand at the front lines to protect the people?”
“If I, as Commander, am the first to flee, who then can protect the safety of the commoners?”
Her words were sincere, full of emotion, enough to move any ordinary listener.
Green watched the well-reputed Martin with curiosity, wondering what the Vice Commander would choose.
But contrary to Green’s expectations, even with Teresa’s heartfelt plea, Martin didn’t change his mind. He merely lowered his head in silence and sighed with guilt.
“Your Highness, you are right—in theory, that is what we should do. But…”
The elderly Vice Commander Martin glanced down at the first floor, where soldiers still reveled, oblivious to the impending Catastrophe.
“Though the fortress claims a force of thirty thousand, the capital’s years of cutting military funds forced us to lay off many men. Now, we only have about six thousand on active duty.”
True to his reputation, Vice Commander Martin gave a clear account of the Unyielding Bastion’s current state, “And of these six thousand, less than a thousand have any real combat experience or military professionalism. The rest are little better than rabble, barely fit to patrol the streets.”
A thousand?
Even Green, who prided himself on being well-traveled, couldn’t help but be shocked by this sorry state.
What legendary border Town was this, if not little better than a mountain bandit lair?
“How could this be?” Teresa’s face went pale, not expecting the fortress to be in such ruin. “It’s all Royal Brother’s fault for bringing that wicked female magician to deceive Father, making him obsessed with building Miracles and cutting military funds…”
“But!”
Gritting her teeth, Teresa’s slender fingers gripping Dragon’s Tear turned white, but she straightened her back, facing Martin and Colonel Rein without flinching.
“As an officer of the High Command, as the Seventh Imperial Princess, I, Teresa, would rather die than abandon this place!”
She took a deep breath, then declared loudly, “Just like the motto of our Unyielding Bastion—Prophecy of the Unyielding Bastion!”
Her eyes reddened as she earnestly asked Martin, “Martin, do you really think I, Teresa, am someone who shrinks from death?”
Another silence.
Martin turned away, as if unable to meet the Princess’s bright gaze.
“Hahaha.”
At that moment, Colonel Rein’s ill-timed mockery broke the quiet.
“Princess, do you still not get it?”
Rein walked right up to Teresa, looking down at her from above. “You think Martin’s afraid of dying? Or that I want you to leave just out of concern? That old man might care if you live or die, but I don’t.”
“I want you out of here and somewhere safe, not for any grand reason. Just to keep us alive.”
Rein grinned widely.
“Stay alive?” Teresa was at a loss. “Colonel Rein, if you fear death, you’re free to withdraw. I will not stop you.”
“Heh.” For once, Rein’s face took on a rare serious look. He shook his head in disdain, “Little girl, you really know nothing. Do you really think that even if a Princess—stripped of succession rights and exiled—dies on the border, everyone else gets off free?”
“Imperial Law. I bet you’ve never even read it. After all, you’re a high and mighty Imperial Princess. The very first law states the Imperial Family are subject not to the law, but only to the Emperor himself.”
Colonel Rein paused, glancing at the soldiers below, and spoke heavily, “According to the law, if the fortress falls and our territory is lost, it’s a serious crime, but ultimately only dereliction of duty. If we die in battle, we might even earn Redemption by Death in Battle, and our descendants could still receive compensation.”
“But if you, our great Princess, die here?”
Colonel Rein spelled out the cruel truth, “That’s Punishment for High Treason. Not only us, but even the soldiers below, the surrounding Towns… all will be held responsible.”
Teresa froze, her previous determination and resolve crumbling all at once.
“Wh-what? This, this makes no sense…”
She muttered, lost and shaken, “I’m the Commander, I’m sacrificing myself willingly, so even then…”
“That’s why a snot-nosed girl is still a snot-nosed girl—clueless about everything.”
Though his tone was still mocking, a rare trace of pity showed in Colonel Rein’s eyes as he looked at the Princess.
“If you ask me, you should never have come to the border. I don’t know what the bigwigs in the capital are thinking, nor what all you heirs are plotting, but…”
Rein pointed upwards.
“Just a word from you nobles can decide the lives of hundreds of thousands out here.”
With that, Colonel Rein bowed deeply to Teresa and spoke earnestly, “In short, I don’t know if you truly seek a heroic sacrifice, or if you’ve been brainwashed by third-rate Legendary Novels or the gospel of that righteous god of the Temple of Light…”
“For the sake of our fortress brothers, for the lives of the surrounding Townsfolk, Your Highness, please—evacuate now.”
He didn’t wait for Teresa to reply, but turned to Martin, “Hey old man, I’ll gather the Eighth Battalion and see if we can stall the barbarians for a bit with an ambush.”
“You seal off the news, and tell the Town Guild to see if they can scrape together some funds, maybe negotiate.”
All traces of drink vanished from Rein’s face, his aura rising steadily.
Eighty-four.
This unremarkable, seemingly unreliable Colonel was in fact a level eighty-four high-tier professional.
“Mm.”
Martin nodded heavily, apologetically addressing Teresa, “Princess, ever since your mother passed, it’s been years since we met, but I still remember your days learning under me. It was my honor to teach such an outstanding disciple as you, so…”
“Please, live.”
With that, Martin and Colonel Rein hurried off to their duties, leaving the nominal highest Commander standing lost and helpless, as if she no longer belonged.
“Live…” Teresa gazed dazedly at the peerless sword in her hands. Though the blade was sharp, all the strength had drained from her body.
“Is it true… I really shouldn’t fight, lest I drag everyone down?”
She muttered in confusion.
“That’s not quite it.”
Just as Teresa was at a loss, a lazy voice sounded by her ear.
Looking up, she finally noticed Green’s presence.
She managed a bitter smile and apologized to the Songstress she’d recently hired, “Sorry, Mr. Green, for dragging you into this trouble. Take this silver as travel expenses—please, just leave quickly.”
“No.”
Green smiled cheerfully and shook his head. “I’m not leaving. After all, where my employer is, a bard should follow.”
“Oh?” Perhaps taking his words as a joke, Teresa gave a faint smile and asked, “But after hearing all that, don’t you think I should evacuate?”
“That’s your choice. But I can tell—you don’t want to go, do you?”
Green replied unhurriedly.
“I really don’t, but for everyone’s safety…” Teresa said dejectedly, “I have no choice but to go.”
“Hmm.” Green blinked. “But I might have a way for you to have both.”
“What way?” Teresa, desperate for any hope, asked instinctively.
“As long as you don’t die, isn’t everything solved?”
Don’t die?
But the battlefield is merciless. Even a legendary ninety-level hero could fall—who could guarantee not dying?
Teresa looked at Green in confusion, only to see the bard smile confidently. “Your Highness, go to the battlefield. I already have a plan.”
“A plan?” Teresa could hardly believe her ears. A Songstress from a tavern claimed to have a way to avoid mortal danger and drive back over ten thousand barbarians?
“As a bard, knowing a bit about strategy is only natural.”
Green offered his hand politely, “Will you trust me?”
Trust him?
How could she…
Teresa wanted to refuse, but looking into Green’s clear eyes, she couldn’t help but extend her own hand.
Buzz—
A shimmer of white light flashed by. Teresa felt a warm current surge through her.
“Contract established. Of course, this will cost extra.”
Green strummed his lute.
And in that moment, the Destined Song of Fate quietly gained a new, discordant note.